Trends reshaping Indian ocean storm cycle

Why in News?

The cyclonic disturbances over the North Indian Ocean, which include the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the land area in between, have changed drastically over the last century.

• Major trends - There are 4 major trends.
• Shifting of frequency - First, the frequency of cyclonic disturbances has shifted significantly.
• The below plots annual disturbances (left axis) alongside a 10-year rolling average (right axis) from 1900 to 2025.
• The chart reveals a distinct inverted U-shaped trend in the past century.

• Drop-in activity - Second, the overall decline in disturbances in recent years is driven almost entirely by a sharp drop in activity within the Bay of Bengal.
• The below chart breaks down the 10-year rolling average of cyclonic disturbances by origin: the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and inland/other areas.

• The Arabian Sea has seen a marked increase in activity, though its frequency remains lower than that of the Bay even in recent years.
• Increase in severity - Third, while the number of disturbances has decreased, their severity has intensified.
• Typically, a disturbance begins as a low-pressure area (winds <31 kmph) and can intensify into a depression (31–49 kmph) or a deep depression (50-61 kmph).
• Beyond this point, they are classified as cyclonic storms (62-88 kmph) or severe cyclonic storms (89-117 kmph).
• The most destructive stages follow: very severe (118-166 kmph), extremely severe (167-221 kmph), and super cyclonic storms (≥222 kmph).
• The below chart illustrates the percentage of disturbances that intensify into severe cyclonic storms or higher.

• Generally, warmer oceans provide more energy to tropical storms, making cyclones stronger and their paths harder to predict.
• Data show that the Arabian Sea is heating up more than average, leading to more intense, tougher-to-predict cyclones.
• Shift in seasonality - Fourth, there has been a significant shift in the seasonality of these storms.
• In the Bay of Bengal, disturbances are increasingly originating in the final quarter of the year (October–December) rather than in the July–September window.

Reference

The Hindu | Trends reshaping Indian ocean

Bureau of Port Security (BoPS)

Why in News?

The Centre has recently constituted the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS).

• Aim - To oversee the security of ships and port facilities across the country.
• Modelled after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), it serves as the apex regulatory authority for maritime security.
• Statutory Status - BoPS is established under Section 13 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.
• Jurisdiction - It functions under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
• Scope - The bureau provides a unified institutional framework for security oversight at all 12 major ports and over 200 non-major (state-owned and private) ports in India.
• International Compliance - It has the legal authority to enforce the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
• Organizational Structure - Leadership - The BoPS will be headed by a Director General, who must be a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer (Pay Level-15).
• Transition Period - During the initial one-year transition phase (2025–2026), the Director General of Shipping (DGS) will hold additional charge as the DG of BoPS.
• Core Functions – Cybersecurity - A dedicated division will be created within BoPS to protect port IT and digital infrastructure from emerging threats.
• Risk-Based Security - Implementation of security measures in a graded manner, factoring in a port's location, trade volume, and vulnerability.
• Intelligence Sharing - BoPS ensures the timely collection, analysis, and exchange of security-related information among various stakeholders.
• Training & Certification - BoPS oversees the certification and licensing of Private Security Agencies (PSAs) engaged in port security.

Reference

The Hindu | Bureau of Port Security (BoPS)

Neelus sikkimensis

Why in News?

Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have announced the discovery of a new species of in the high-altitude landscapes of Sikkim.

• It is a new tiny, soil-dwelling micro-arthropod species.
• It is a rare species of springtail (Collembola).

Arthropods are invertebrates with jointed legs, possess an exoskeleton with a cuticle made of chitin, often mineralised with calcium carbonate, a body with differentiated segments, and paired jointed appendages.

• Genus – Neelus.
  • It is the first representative of the genus Neelus ever recorded in India.
  • With this addition, the global species count of the genus has risen to 8.
• Characteristics - The species has an extremely small body size; an adaptation suited to life deep within soil and moss layers.
• It completely lacks eyes, a trait commonly seen in organisms inhabiting dark, subterranean environments.
• Uniqueness - It possesses a unique labral chaetotaxy the arrangement of bristles on its mouth which clearly distinguishes it from other known species in the genus.

• Significance - They support organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling in the topsoil. These are vital to the health of terrestrial ecosystems.

Reference

The Week | Neelus sikkimensis

PM-SETU Scheme

Why in News?

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has recently invited industry leaders to participate in the PM-SETU scheme, marking a shift towards an industry-led model of vocational training.

• PM-SETU - Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs.
• It is a centrally sponsored initiative launched on October 4, 2025.
• Aim - To modernize India's vocational training system and align it with global industry requirements.
• Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
• Key Objectives
  • Upgradation of ITIs - The scheme aims to transform 1,000 Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into modern institutions.
  • Hub-and-Spoke Model - A cluster approach includes 200 Hub ITIs with advanced facilities and 800 Spoke ITIs connected to provide wider access to training.
  • Global Centres of Excellence - 5 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) in Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur and Ludhiana will be upgraded to international standards.
  • Vocational Skill Labs - 1,200 labs will be established in Navodaya Vidyalayas and Eklavya Model Residential Schools to introduce vocational training early.
• Unique Governance Model
  • Industry-Led Management - The scheme uses a "Government-owned, Industry-managed" model.
  • Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) - Each ITI cluster is managed by an SPV where Anchor Industry Partners (AIPs) hold a 51% stake, and the government holds 49%.
  • Co-funding - Industry partners can receive up to 83% in government co-funding.
• Implementation Status - First Phase - Focus areas include ITIs in Patna and Darbhanga.
• Industry Engagement - Several states have issued Expressions of Interest (EOI) for industry partners.
• Financing - The scheme is co-financed by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

Reference

PIB | PM-SETU Scheme

Thanjavur Painting

Why in News?

The Department of Posts Transports a Priceless Thanjavur Masterpiece of The Divine Shri Ram from Bengaluru to Ayodhya using its Logistics Post service.

• Thanjavur painting (also known as Tanjore painting) is a classical South Indian art form originating from the town of Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu around 1600 AD.
• Origins - The style flourished under the patronage of the Nayakas of Thanjavur and later reached its zenith during the Maratha rule (17th–19th centuries).
• Renowned for its opulence, it is characterized by rich, vivid colours, intricate gesso work (relief work), and the use of genuine 22-carat gold foil and semi-precious stones.
• Key Features & Technique
  • Materials - Traditionally done on wooden planks (typically jackfruit or teak), leading to the local name Palagai Padam. Modern versions often use plywood.
  • Gesso Work - A paste of limestone powder and Arabic gum is used to create embossed, 3D patterns.
  • Gold Embellishment - Thin sheets of 22-carat or 24-carat gold foil are pasted over the relief work to provide a lasting, glittering sheen.
  • Ornaments - The paintings are often inlaid with glass beads, pearls, or semi-precious stones to highlight jewellery and architectural elements like arches (Prabhavalis).
• Common Themes
  • The primary subjects are devotional, featuring Hindu deities and scenes from religious texts:
  • Krishna - Popular depictions include "Butter-Thief Krishna" or Yashoda-Krishna.
  • Lakshmi & Ganesha - Often used for pooja rooms to signify prosperity.
  • Mythological Events- The coronation of Rama (Rama Pattabhishekam) and the wedding of Meenakshi (Meenakshi Thirukalyanam) are recurring themes.
• GI Tag - Thanjavur paintings were officially granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2007.

Reference

PIB | Thanjavur Masterpiece