- DEEP DEPRESSION OVER THE BAY OF BENGAL LIKELY TO INTENSIFY INTO CYCLONIC STORM : ALERTS ISSUED
SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY
- The deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by Wednesday.
- This storm is moving north-northwestwards and is expected to impact the Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka coasts.
TROPICAL CYCLONES
- Tropical Cyclone is a weather phenomenon.
- A tropical cyclone is formed only over warm ocean waters near the equator.
- Warm, moist air rises up and away from the ocean surface, creating an area of low pressure.
- It causes the air from surrounding areas with higher pressure to move towards the low-pressure area.
- This leads to warming up of air and causes it to rise above.
- As the air rises & cools, the water in the air forms clouds.
- This complete system of clouds and wind spins & grows, along with the ocean’s heat.
- As the wind rotation speed increases, an eye gets formed in the middle
2. MILK, MEAT AND EGG PRODUCTION INCREASED IN 2023-24: CENTRE
SUBJECT: AGRICULTURE
- Milk Production:239.3 million tonnes (+3.78% over 2022-23); annual growth rate of 5.62% over 10 years.
- Egg Production:142.77 billion (6.8% compounded growth over 10 years). Andhra Pradesh leads with 17.85% share.
- Meat Production:10.25 million tonnes (+4.85% over 10 years); poultry accounts for 48.96%.
- Top Performers
- Milk: Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh.
- Eggs: Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu.
- Significance: India is the top milk producer globally and ranks second in egg production.
3. BETWEEEN HOPE AND HURDLES ON THE HIGH SEAS
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT
- BBNJ Agreement
- Focuses on marine biodiversity conservation beyond national jurisdiction.
- Key Goals
- Marine biodiversity protection.
- Equitable resource sharing.
- Environmental impact assessments (EIAs).
- Implementation Challenges
- Requires ratification by 60 nations (only 14 so far).
- Geopolitical rivalries, jurisdictional overlaps.
- Global South Concerns
- Capacity building, tech transfer unresolved.
- Institutional weaknesses in low-income countries.
- Case Study: X-Press Pearl disaster (Sri Lanka):Highlights need for collective marine governance.
4. AN IDEAL WAY TO TREAT INDIA’S CORNEAL BLINDNESS PROBLEM
SUBJECT: HEALTH
- Magnitude of Corneal Blindness
- India: Largest population with corneal blindness (~1.2 million cases).
- Only 30% of annual transplant demand (100,000) is met.
- Proposed Presumed Consent
- Deceased assumed donor sunless opted out.
- Reduces delays, boosts cornea supply.
- Challenges
- Ethical concerns over explicit consent.
- Risk of alienating families.
- Successful Models
- Required Request Programme (LVPEI):Encourages voluntary consent.
- Public awareness critical for success.
- Global Best Practices: Spain’s presumed consent model with education & infrastructure.
5. FROM A REPUBLIC TO A REPUBLIC OF UNEQUALS
SUBJECT: POLITY
- Directive Principles of State Policy
- Constitutional Ideals
- Egalitarian vision by framers.
- Articles like38(2)& Directive Principles aim to reduce inequalities.
- Judicial Interpretation
- D.S. Nakara v. Union of India (1982):Egalitarian social order.
- Samatha v. State of Andhra Pradesh (1997):Equitable resource distribution.
- Rising Inequalities
- Wealth concentration: Top 1% own 22.6% of total income (2022-23).
- Marginalized groups (OBCs, SCs, STs) excluded from wealth distribution.
- Impact of Neoliberal Reforms: Post-1990s, reduced welfare, wealth concentration among elites.
- Recommendations
- Strengthen state interventions.
- Promote policies ensuring equitable opportunities and wealth distribution
