20th May 2025-Current Affairs

1. POLAR SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLE (PSLV) – ISRO – Science and Technology

Why in News?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the PSLV-C61 mission from Sriharikota to deploy the EOS-09 satellite into a Sun-synchronous polar orbit (SSPO).

• Outcome: The mission failed due to a malfunction during the third stage of the launch.

Key Takeaways

• PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) is a four-stage launch vehicle developed by ISRO.
• Designed primarily to place satellites into Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbits (SSPOs), which are ideal for Earth observation missions.
• Despite this recent failure, PSLV has a long record of reliability and success.

Technical Configuration of PSLV

What is a Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO)?

• A type of near-polar orbit in which the satellite passes over the same part of the Earth at roughly the same local solar time every day.
• Importance: Ideal for remote sensing, climate monitoring, agriculture, urban planning, and disaster management.

Strategic and Technological Significance of PSLV

• Demonstrates India’s capability in cost-effective and precise satellite launches.
• Has been used to launch international satellites, enhancing India’s role in the global space industry.
• The PSLV’s multi-payload and multi-orbit capabilities have made it a preferred launch vehicle.

About the PSLV-C61 Failure

• Cause: Suspected anomaly during the third stage (solid propulsion).
• This stage is critical for delivering momentum after the heavy thrust of the earlier stages.
• Despite failures, ISRO is known for its robust review mechanisms and continuous improvements.

Summary

The PSLV is a cornerstone of India’s space program, designed for launching satellites into Sun-synchronous polar orbits using a four-stage propulsion system combining both solid and liquid fuels. Despite a recent setback with the PSLV-C61 mission due to a third-stage anomaly, the vehicle remains one of the most trusted and versatile launch platforms developed by ISRO, playing a vital role in Earth observation, national security, and international collaborations.

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. Which of the following statements about the PSLV is/are correct?

1. It uses only solid fuels across all its stages.
2. It is capable of placing satellites into Sun-synchronous polar orbits.
3. The PSLV’s Vikas engine is used in its third stage.

Options:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer B. 2 only

2. Match the following:

Answer: 1 – B, 2 – A, 3 – B, 4 – C

Mains

1. Discuss the role of PSLV in strengthening India’s space capabilities. In light of the recent PSLV-C61 failure, suggest what steps ISRO could take to ensure mission reliability.

2. Explain the concept of a Sun-synchronous polar orbit (SSPO). Why are such orbits critical for Earth observation missions?

3. Evaluate the significance of indigenous launch vehicles like PSLV for India’s strategic autonomy and commercial space sector.

2. MAHADAYI WATER DISPUTE (Inter-State River Water Dispute) – Environment

Why in News?

• A scientific study published recently reignited tensions between Goa and Karnataka over the Mahadayi River (also known as the Mhadei River).
• The report suggested that Karnataka’s proposed water diversions would cause minimal environmental impact, triggering protests in Goa, which sees this as a threat to its water and ecological security.

About the Mahadayi River

The Dispute: Karnataka vs Goa

Core Issue

• Karnataka’s Kalasa-Banduri Nala Project seeks to divert water from Mahadayi’s tributaries (Kalasa and Banduri) to the Malaprabha River basin to address drinking water needs in the parched districts of North Karnataka.

Goa’s Concerns

• Fears diversion will:
  • Reduce water flow in the Mandovi River, impacting:
    • Drinking water availability
    • Navigation
    • Estuarine ecology
  • Threaten biodiversity, wetlands, and mangroves
  • Impact fisheries and eco-tourism

Legal and Institutional Developments

Environmental Significance of the Mahadayi Basin

• Western Ghats – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the eight “hottest hotspots” of biological diversity.
• Home to rare/endemic species: Malabar civet, king cobra, hornbills.
• Supports riverine estuarine ecology vital to agriculture, fisheries, and tourism in Goa.
• Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary located on Mandovi’s Chorao Island.

Current Status

• Continued legal battle in the Supreme Court.
• Scientific and political debates over:
  • Ecological impact vs developmental needs
  • Rights of upper vs lower riparian states
  • Use of scientific evidence in water disputes

Key Concepts & Constitutional Provisions

• Article 262: Parliament may provide for adjudication of inter-state water disputes.
• Entry 17 of State List vs Entry 56 of Union List: Water is a state subject, but inter-state rivers fall under Union regulation.
• Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956: Framework for resolving disputes like Mahadayi, Krishna, Cauvery, etc.

Summary

The Mahadayi River dispute highlights the complex interplay of environmental sustainability, regional development, and federal conflict in India. Karnataka’s demand for water from the Mahadayi’s tributaries is met with stiff opposition from Goa, which views the diversion as a threat to its water security and fragile estuarine ecosystem. The 2018 tribunal award has not resolved the issue, and with new scientific findings being contested, the dispute remains a classic case study in inter-state water management and ecological federalism.

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. The Mahadayi River originates in which of the following Indian states?
A. Goa
B. Karnataka
C. Maharashtra
D. Kerala

Answer: B. Karnataka

2. Which of the following statements about the Mahadayi River is/are correct?

1. It forms the Mandovi River in Goa.
2. The Kalasa-Banduri Nala project is being developed by Goa.
3. The Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal was formed under Article 262.

Options:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B. 1 and 3 only

Mains

1. Inter-state river water disputes in India often reflect deeper environmental and political complexities. Examine this statement with reference to the Mahadayi river dispute.

2. Discuss the ecological and legal challenges posed by inter-state water diversion projects. Suggest a sustainable framework to manage such disputes.

3. How can scientific studies and environmental assessments be effectively integrated into the legal resolution of inter-state water disputes in India?

3. How Live Baiting Endangers Tigers in India – Environment

Why in News?

• A 23-month-old tigress named Kankati from Ranthambore Tiger Reserve has killed two people in one month.
• Kankati and her siblings were raised on live bait due to their ailing mother, Arrowhead.
• Experts fear these tigers have become habituated to humans, posing a long-term threat to forest staff and tourists.

Key Concepts

What is Live Baiting?

• Definition: The practice of offering live animals as prey (e.g., goats, dogs, buffalo calves) to predators such as tigers.
• Historical Use:
  • Used by British hunters to lure tigers for sport.
  • Continued post-independence in tiger tourism until banned in 1982 by PM Indira Gandhi.

Current Use of Live Baiting

Risks and Consequences of Live Baiting

1. Habituation to Humans

• Tigers lose fear of humans and associate them with food.
• Leads to increased man-animal conflict, including:
  • Attacks on villagers or tourists
  • Predation on livestock near forest fringes

2. Disruption of Natural Selection

• Weak or sick tigers that would not survive in the wild are artificially kept alive.
• Undermines evolutionary principles and natural mortality.

3. Behavioral Issues

• Tigers raised on bait may fail to develop hunting skills, leading to:
  • Starvation or injury during hunts
  • Inability to defend territory

4. Examples of Consequences

Legal and Policy Context

Current Status of Live Baiting

• Banned for tourism purposes since 1982.
• Allowed in emergency conservation cases, such as:
  • Injured tigresses with cubs
  • Geriatric tigers under veterinary care
• No blanket ban, but heavily regulated.

NTCA’s Conservation Philosophy

• Minimal human intervention in wild tiger management.
• Emphasis on:
  • Preserving natural prey base
  • Letting nature regulate population dynamics

Ecological and Ethical Dimensions

• While compassion motivates baiting practices, they interfere with the ecological balance.
• Habitat preservation and prey protection are the best long-term solutions.
• Over-intervention fosters a zoo-like culture rather than supporting wild populations.

Summary

The use of live baiting in India’s tiger reserves—although well-intentioned—jeopardizes the health and behavior of tigers, increases human-wildlife conflict, and disrupts natural selection. Experts recommend that conservation efforts should focus on habitat restoration, wild prey protection, and limiting artificial interventions. The Kankati case is a critical reminder of the fine line between compassion and interference in wildlife conservation.

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. Consider the following statements:

1. Live baiting for tourism was banned in India in the 1980s.
2. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) encourages artificial feeding of wild tigers in reserves.
3. Live baiting can lead to behavioral changes and loss of fear towards humans in tigers.

Which of the above statements are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3

Answer: B. 1 and 3 only

2. The term “live baiting” in the context of Indian wildlife refers to:
A. Artificial lures used in fishing
B. Feeding injured herbivores in sanctuaries
C. Providing live prey to carnivores for rehabilitation
D. Trapping herbivores for relocation

Answer: C. Providing live prey to carnivores for rehabilitation

Mains

1. Discuss the ecological and ethical implications of live baiting in India’s tiger reserves. Should it be allowed under specific circumstances?

2. How does human intervention, including practices like live baiting, affect the behavior and survival of apex predators like tigers? Illustrate with examples.

3. Evaluate the role of policy frameworks and scientific wildlife management in balancing compassion with conservation in India.

4. Caste Census and Social Justice in India – Polity

Why in News?

• The Narendra Modi-led government has announced the inclusion of caste enumeration in the upcoming national Census.
• The move has reignited the debate over affirmative action, social justice, and political intent, especially concerning Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

Key Takeaways

Background and Context

History of Caste Enumeration

• Pre-Independence: Last full caste census was in 1931.
• Post-Independence: Census collects caste data only for SCs and STs, not for OBCs.
• 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC):
  • Attempted caste enumeration but data was not released due to inconsistencies.

Constitutional Provisions and Social Justice

• Article 15(4) and Article 16(4): Enable the state to make special provisions for socially and educationally backward classes.
• Directive Principles (Article 46): State to promote educational and economic interests of SCs, STs, and other weaker sections.

Arguments in Favour of a Caste Census

1. Empirical Foundation for Policy

• Helps identify actual beneficiaries of welfare programs.
• Enables recalibration of reservations and quotas based on updated data.
• Can highlight intra-caste inequalities within OBCs, SCs.

2. Administrative Planning

• Facilitates evidence-based governance.
• Assists in designing targeted health, education, and employment schemes.

3. Democratic Legitimacy

• Adds transparency and credibility to affirmative action.
• Empowers marginalized groups through visibility in policy discourse.

Concerns and Critiques

1. Data ≠ Justice

• Collection of data alone cannot dismantle caste hierarchies.
• Political inertia and bureaucratic delays have historically stalled meaningful reform, even with existing SC/ST data.

2. Potential for Political Exploitation

• Caste data could be used for vote-bank politics rather than genuine empowerment.
• Risks deepening identity-based polarization.

3. Administrative Challenges

• Accurate caste enumeration is complex due to:
  • Multiple sub-castes
  • Self-identification inconsistencies
  • Lack of standardized nomenclature

Deeper Insight: Political Will vs Data Dependency

• Landmark reforms like:
  • Mandal Commission implementation (1990)
  • SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act
  • Did not emerge from updated data but from mobilization and political decision-making.
• Hence, moral courage, collective action, and state commitment are key drivers of social justice.

Summary

While a caste census is a potentially powerful tool for understanding and addressing structural inequalities, it is not a panacea for social justice. Data must be backed by institutional commitment, inclusive governance, and active political engagement. Without these, enumeration risks becoming symbolic rather than transformative.

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. Which of the following Articles empowers the State to make special provisions for socially and educationally backward classes?
A. Article 14
B. Article 15(4)
C. Article 21
D. Article 19(1)

Answer: B. Article 15(4)

2. The last caste census in India that included all castes was conducted in:
A. 1941
B. 1951
C. 1931
D. 2011

Answer: C. 1931

Mains

1. Do you think a caste-based census is essential for achieving social justice in India? Critically analyze with reference to constitutional provisions and recent developments.

2. Examine the potential benefits and drawbacks of conducting a caste census in India. In your opinion, can data alone solve systemic inequalities? Justify your answer.

3. Discuss how the effective implementation of affirmative action policies depends not just on data availability but also on political will and administrative integrity.

5. Seasonal Impact of Monsoons on Wind Power in India – Environment

Why in News?

• The arrival of cool, moisture-laden monsoon winds not only brings relief from the summer heat but also significantly boosts wind energy generation across India.
• This highlights the crucial link between climate systems and renewable energy planning.

Key Concepts: Monsoon and Wind Dynamics

Definition of Monsoon

• Derived from the Arabic/Malay word ‘mausim’, meaning season.
• Monsoons are seasonal reversing winds accompanied by changes in precipitation.
• Two Major Monsoon Systems:
  • Southwest Monsoon (June–September): Brings rain to most of India; crucial for Kharif agriculture.
  • Northeast Monsoon (October–December): Affects mainly Tamil Nadu and southeast India.

Scientific Drivers of the Monsoon

Impact of Monsoon on Wind Power Generation

Changing Wind Speeds

• Wind patterns are seasonal and vary in speed and direction.
• Wind energy potential peaks during the monsoon (June–September), especially in high-wind zones like the Western Ghats and coastal plains.

Energy Output and Utilization

• About 70% of India’s wind power is generated during monsoon months.
• Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF) ranges between 16–19%, peaking during monsoon.
• Wind farms occupy only 2% of the land area, with agriculture possible on the rest.

India’s Wind Energy Sector: Facts & Figures

Forecasting Tools for Wind Energy Planning

1. Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) Models

• High-resolution forecasts of wind speeds and directions.
• Crucial for grid stability and scheduling wind power supply.

2. AI-Powered Forecasting (e.g., Google’s MetNet3)

• Uses satellite and radar data to predict wind patterns in remote areas.
• Helps optimize wind farm operations and energy storage planning.

Summary

The southwest monsoon plays a vital role in both agriculture and wind energy generation in India. Wind power peaks during monsoon months, especially in high-capacity states like Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. While climate variability challenges grid planning, advances in forecasting technologies such as NWP and AI models are helping India move toward its clean energy goals. Leveraging seasonal wind behavior is crucial for achieving the 2030 renewable energy targets.

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. The monsoon winds in India are primarily driven by:
A. Indian Ocean Gyres
B. Low pressure over the Tibetan Plateau
C. Equatorial countercurrents
D. Polar Jet Streams

Answer: B. Low pressure over the Tibetan Plateau

2. Which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Wind energy generation in India is highest during the southwest monsoon months.
2. The Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF) of wind farms in India is typically above 50%.

Options:
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A. 1 only

Mains

1. Discuss the seasonal influence of the Indian monsoon on renewable energy generation, particularly wind power. What are the implications for India’s energy planning?

2. India aims to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. In this context, evaluate the role of wind energy and the challenges in maximizing its potential.

3. How can advanced forecasting technologies enhance the efficiency and reliability of wind energy in India? Illustrate with recent developments.

6. Jnanpith Award – India’s Highest Literary Honour – History & Culture

Why in News?

• Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Ji was recently awarded the 58th Jnanpith Award.
• The award was presented by the President of India at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, recognizing his extraordinary contribution to Indian literature.

Key Facts at a Glance

Significance of the Award

Promoting Literary Excellence

• Encourages creative expression across India’s diverse linguistic landscape.
• Recognizes lifelong contributions to Indian literature in prose, poetry, drama, and essays.

Cultural Representation

• Strengthens national integration by honoring writers from regional languages.
• Highlights India’s multilingual heritage and intellectual traditions.

Vagdevi (Saraswati) Symbolism

• The bronze idol of Goddess Vagdevi symbolizes the divine patronage of learning, wisdom, and artistic expression.

Summary

The Jnanpith Award is India’s highest literary honour, instituted in 1961 by the Bharatiya Jnanpith Trust. It acknowledges outstanding contributions by Indian writers across constitutional languages and English, reinforcing the richness and plurality of Indian literature. With strict eligibility norms and a focus on literary quality, it remains a prestigious national symbol of literary excellence.

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. Consider the following statements:

1. The Jnanpith Award is given for contributions to Indian music and performing arts.
2. It is awarded to Indian citizens writing in any of the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
3. It can be awarded posthumously.

Which of the statements is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: C. 2 and 3 only

2. Who was the first recipient of the Jnanpith Award?
A. Rabindranath Tagore
B. G. Sankara Kurup
C. R. K. Narayan
D. Amrita Pritam

Answer: B. G. Sankara Kurup

Mains

1. Discuss the role of national literary awards like the Jnanpith in promoting linguistic diversity and literary excellence in India.

2. How do cultural recognitions like the Jnanpith Award contribute to the preservation and growth of regional literature in India? Illustrate with examples.

7. Indrayani River – Key Geographical & Cultural Facts – Geography

Why in News?

• The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) recently demolished 36 illegal bungalows from the River Villa project, situated within the blue flood line of the Indrayani River in Chikhali, Pune district.
• This action has highlighted the ecological and regulatory importance of the river zone.

Key Geographical Facts

Cultural and Religious Significance

• The Indrayani River holds immense spiritual importance in Maharashtra’s cultural landscape.
• Alandi and Dehu, two pilgrimage towns, lie on its banks:
  • Dehu: Birthplace of Sant Tukaram, a 17th-century Bhakti saint and poet.
  • Alandi: Associated with Sant Dnyaneshwar, author of Dnyaneshwari, a Marathi commentary on the Bhagavad Gita.
• Thousands of Warkari pilgrims gather annually on its banks during religious processions like the Pandharpur Wari.

Environmental and Urban Concerns

Blue Flood Line

• Indicates the maximum flood level reached historically.
• Construction within the blue line is prohibited due to flood risk and ecological sensitivity.
• Illegal construction (like the River Villa project) increases:
  • Risk of flooding
  • Erosion and pollution
  • Pressure on natural river ecosystems

Hydroelectric Infrastructure

• Valvan Dam at Kamshet:
  • Built on the Indrayani River
  • Used for hydropower generation
  • Supports local electricity supply and water regulation

Ecological Importance

• Originating from the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Indrayani is ecologically rich.
• Supports riparian biodiversity, seasonal wetlands, and agricultural zones.
• Urban encroachment threatens river flow, water quality, and groundwater recharge.

Summary

The Indrayani River is a significant tributary of the Bhima River in Maharashtra, known for its ecological, hydrological, and cultural importance. Originating in the Western Ghats, it plays a vital role in local agriculture, hydroelectric power, and the spiritual heritage of towns like Dehu and Alandi. However, growing urban encroachments and illegal constructions threaten its ecological balance, making river regulation and conservation critical.

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. Which of the following rivers originates in the Western Ghats and is a tributary of the Bhima River?
A. Mula
B. Indrayani
C. Godavari
D. Mutha

Answer: B. Indrayani

2. Consider the following statements:

1. The Indrayani River is a tributary of the Krishna River.
2. It flows through the pilgrimage towns of Alandi and Dehu.
3. The Valvan Dam, built on this river, is used for navigation and inland shipping.

Which of the above statements are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3

Answer: A. 1 and 2 only

Mains

1. Discuss the geographical and cultural significance of the Indrayani River. What challenges does it face in the context of urbanization and ecological degradation?

2. Illegal constructions in flood-prone river zones pose serious risks to both people and the environment. Analyze with reference to recent actions taken around the Indrayani River.

3. Highlight the role of tributaries like the Indrayani in sustaining the larger Krishna River basin ecosystem. How can sustainable urban planning help in preserving these river systems?