- ISRO PAPA detects solar wind impact of coronal mass ejections
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said that the Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA) payload onboard the AdityaL1 has detected the impact of coronal mass ejections (CMEs)
- PAPA is an energy and mass analyser designed for in-situ measurements of solar wind electrons and ions in the low energy range
- It has two sensors:
- The Solar Wind Electron Energy Probe (SWEEP, measuring electrons in the energy range of 10 eV to 3 keV)
- The Solar Wind Ion Composition Analyser (SWICAR, measuring ions in the energy range of 10 eV to 25 keV and mass range of 1-60 amu)
- The sensors are also equipped to measure the direction of arrival of solar wind particles The payload has been operational since December 12, 2023
2. The NB8 visit to India focuses on cooperation and trust
- The NB8 stands for the “Nordic-Baltic Eight”
- It is a regional cooperative format that includes Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden
- These countries collaborate on a range of issues, including economic growth, technological advancement, and security
- Its significance to India
- Shared Values – The NB8 and India share common democratic values, respect for human rights
- A commitment to free trade and international law, making them natural partners in the global arena
- Economic Relations – The NB8 countries are advanced economies with full integration into the European common market
- They have diverse links with India across fields such as innovation, green transition, maritime health, intellectual property rights, and new technologies
- Strategic Partnership – India’s strategic partnership with the NB8 is framed within the broader context of India’s relations with the Indo-Pacific region and Europe Emphasising the importance of upholding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states Global Cooperation
- The cooperation between India and the NB8 is seen as crucial in the face of global challenges like the Ukraine conflict
- With a focus on cooperation and trust to ensure peace, security, and prosperity
- Support in Global Forums: India values the NB8’s support on international platforms, such as during India’s G20 presidency, and their collaborative efforts for global prosperity and security
- Response to Global Challenges: The NB8’s visit to India underscores a collective approach to address global challenges like health crises, food security, and environmental concerns, recognising the interconnected nature of today’s world.
- Peace and Stability: Both India and the NB8 are committed to peace and stability, especially in light of the conflict in Ukraine, and are working together to address the fallout from this conflict, including food and energy security
- Mutual Benefit: The partnership aims to mutually benefit through increased trade and investment, leveraging India’s growing economy and the NB8’s technological and social advancements
3. Centre amends surrogacy rules, allows couples to use donor gametes
- Amendments to the Surrogacy (Regulation) Rules, 2022, by the Union government of India
- Both gametes (sperm and egg) used in the surrogacy process no longer need to come from the married couple undergoing the surrogacy
- If they are certified as suffering from a medical condition that necessitates the use of donor gametes
- Single women (widow or divorcee) are now permitted to use their own eggs for surrogacy, provided they undergo self-availing donor sperm procedure
- The amendment comes after the Supreme Court’s observation that the Centre was not taking decisive action on the matter
- The latest amendment protects the right to parenthood
- It ensures that the intended purpose of surrogacy is not defeated
- Surrogacy (Regulation) Rules, 2022 pertains to the regulation of surrogacy in India Providing a legal framework for surrogacy practices and safeguarding the rights of all parties involved
- The amendments reflect changes to make the surrogacy rules more inclusive and responsive to the needs of individuals seeking to become parents through surrogacy
4. Grey Zone warfare latest entry in lexicon of warfare says CDS
- Grey zone warfare refers to a strategy that falls in the ambiguous area between overt war and routine, peaceful statecraft
- It involves aggressive actions that are deliberately designed to remain below the threshold of conventional warfare and open armed conflict
- These activities are often designed to achieve strategic objectives without triggering a full-scale military response from the opposition
- Examples of grey zone warfare
- Cyber Attacks: Non-destructive attacks that steal information or temporarily disrupt services without causing permanent damage.
- Information Warfare: Spread of disinformation or propaganda to undermine or influence the political and social systems of another nation.
- Economic Coercion: Use of trade policies or sanctions to pressure a country without resorting to open conflict.
- Political Warfare: Covert actions aimed at destabilizing or influencing the governance in another country.
- Paramilitary Operations: Use of irregular troops or private military contractors to engage in combat or security operations without official acknowledgment.
- Maritime Militia: Deployment of ostensibly civilian ships to assert territorial claims and harass other nations’ vessels in disputed waters, as has been seen in the South China Sea
5. India’s stance on data transfers At WTO spooks semiconductor industry gaints
- World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in Abu Dhabi next week
- Discuss on extending a moratorium in place since 1998 on applying duties on electronic transmissions will take place
- Developing nations like India, South Africa and Indonesia are set to oppose efforts by U.S. and Europe to extend the moratorium
- If no accord is made, the moratorium would expire this year
- A global consortium of semiconductor industry groups has asked India to reconsider its plan to push for duties on cross-border digital e-commerce and data transfers at the upcoming meeting
- They warned that India’s stance will stifle its own chip design industry
- Impact – The moratorium’s collapse would mean tariffs on digital e-commerce
- An innumerable number of transfers of chip design data across countries
- Raising costs and worsening chip shortages
- According to the World Semiconductor Council (WSC) § India’s support to renewing the moratorium will “send a strong signal to semiconductor companies that India is an investment friendly environment
- Significance – The chip sector is a key plank of Mr. Modi’s agenda to push India’s economic growth, with a $10 billion incentive package in place to boost the industry
ONE LINER
- The Government of India has taken a significant step by allowing its space sector to 100% foreign direct investment
- Announced by Department of Space
- Motive is to attract Investors, enhance ease of doing business and foster growth. 100% FDI for manufacturing of components and systems for satellites.
