Quantum Satellite

Why in News?

Recently, the chairperson of the National Quantum Computing Mission said India plans to launch a quantum satellite in “2-3 years for quantum communications”.

What is Quantum satellite?

To know about National Quantum Mission, click here.

• Quantum communication – It  relies on individual photons and quantum principles to carry quantum information.

• Quantum satellite - These are communication satellites that uses quantum physics to secure its signals.
• Quantum cryptography  - It uses quantum key distribution(QKD) to secure messages.
• Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) – QKD involves sending encrypted data as classical bits over networks, while the keys to decrypt the information are encoded and transmitted in a quantum state using qubits.
• QKD enables two parties to produce a shared random secret key (encryption key) known only to them.
• Quantum measurement — It is the act of measuring the properties of a quantum system, like a photon (the subatomic particle of light).
• According to the rules of quantum physics, a quantum measurement changes the state of the system.
• Methods of quantum encryption
  • Encoding the key  in a stream of photons (in two states, one representing 0 and the other 1) and any act of measuring them changes the state of the photons.
  • Quantum entanglement - when two photons are entangled, any change to one particle will instantaneously change the other.
• Applications of quantum communication
  • Satellite based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) over larger distances
  • Protecting sensitive client information in Banking/ Finance Industry
  • Protecting customer credit card information
  • Government and defence industry
  • Protecting high value/sensitive data in remote data centres
  • NavIC based RS-Key distribution

What are worldwide developments related to quantum communication?

• China & Japan have successfully demonstrated Quantum Communication experiments from satellite to ground.
• China  - It currently operates the world’s largest QKD network with three quantum satellites and four ground stations.
• Europe - European Space Agency (ESA) is developing a technology demonstration satellite known as Eagle-1.
• Germany - Qube satellite was launched in August 2023 to test QKD capabilities.

• India’s progress:
  • Single photon based inter-building free space quantum communication link was established over a distance of ~300m of atmospheric channel.
  • 2-way quantum secured client-to-client live video conferencing demonstration has been demonstrated.
  • NavIC  enabled synchronization mechanism has been implemented.
  • BB84 protocol-based quantum key distribution(QKD) protocol was created.

What are the limitations of QKD?

• Lack of source verification - QKD does not provide a means to authenticate the QKD transmission source.
• Upgradation difficulty - Since QKD is hardware-based, QKD networks can’t be upgraded or patched easily.
• High cost - QKD increases infrastructure costs that eliminate many use cases from consideration.
• Limited security - The actual security provided by a QKD system is not the theoretical unconditional security from the laws of physic but rather the more limited security that can be achieved by hardware and engineering designs.
• Denial-of-service attack - Since eavesdroppers can cause a transmission to stop, they can deny the use of a transmission by its intended users (a.k.a. a).
• Restrictions on quantum physics - non-quantum information can be amplified before being transmitted across large distances whereas the no-cloning theorem prohibits the amplification of quantum information.
• Capacity limitation - Even the best optical fibers/ terrestrial free space can carry these photons only up to few hundreds of kilometres before light absorption makes the process impossible.

Post-quantum cryptography refers to cryptographic techniques that resist attacks from both quantum and classical devices using more advanced classical encryption.

Reference

The Hindu | Quantum Satellite

Empowering Annadatas for a Prosperous Nation

Why in News?

National Farmers’ Day is observed on 23rd December.

What are the contributions of Charan Singh to farmers welfare?

• National Farmers’ Day - Birth anniversary of Shri Chaudhary Charan Singh, India’s fifth Prime Minister from 1979 -80, is observed as National Farmers’ Day.
• Champion of the peasants – He emphasised on rural development, agricultural reforms and the uplift of marginalised communities.
• UP  zamindari abolition - As the Revenue Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 1949, he introduced the landmark Zamindari Abolition Act to dismantle feudal landholding systems and empower small farmers.
• UP land holdings consolidation – The law enabled every landowner in UP to have his scattered plots consolidated by swapping parcels of equivalent quality with other farmers in the same village.
• His books :
  • Abolition of Zamindari (1947)
  • Whither Co-operative Farming (1956)
  • Agrarian Revolution in Uttar Pradesh (1957)
  • Joint Farming X-rayed (1959)
  • India’s Poverty and Its Solution (1964)
  • India's Economic Policy – The Gandhian Blueprint (1978)
  • Economic Nightmare of India: Its Cause and Cure (1981)
• Lucknow airport - The Government of India honoured him by naming the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow.
• Bharat Ratna – He was awarded Bharat Ratna in 2024.

What is the role of farmers in nation building?

• Farm land - About 54.8% of the country’s 328.7 million hectares is classified as agricultural land and a cropping intensity of 155.4% (as per the Land Use Statistics for 2021-22).
• Agri labour force - India’s agricultural sector, employing nearly half of the nation’s population, remains a cornerstone of the country’s economy.

According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2022-23 , about 45.76% of the total workforce is engaged in agriculture and allied sector during 2022-23.

• Economic contribution - Agriculture contributes about 14% to India’s GDP.
• Contribution to GVA - It contributes 17.7% to the Gross Value Added (GVA) at current prices in FY 2023-24.

• Food grain production - In 2023-24, the country achieved a record total foodgrain production of 332.2 million tonnes, surpassing the previous year’s output of 329.7 million tonnes.

• The success of Indian agriculture is deeply intertwined with the wellbeing of these ‘Annadatas’, who embody the spirit of hard work, innovation, and sacrifice.

What are the challenges faced by agriculture?

• Global warming - In India, temperatures have risen by 0.7 degrees Celsius compared to 1951, and precipitation (July to September) has fallen by 6 %.
• Low agri R&D fund - Developing climate-resilient agriculture will need more resources for agri-R&D which  is currently less than 0.5 % of agri-GDP, and needs to be doubled to at least 1 per cent.
• Indiscriminate fertilizer usage - Urea is massively subsidised compared to other nutrients, leading to overuse of N and underuse of P, K, and other micronutrients.
• Inadequate support of technological innovations - Products such as nano-urea and nano-DAP, or Single or Triple Superphosphates, etc, have limited penetration in the backdrop of the highly skewed subsidy policy in favour of granular urea.

What are the initiatives by the government for farmers welfare?

• Financial assistance - Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi is a central sector scheme by the government of India that give farmers up to Rs.6,000 per year as minimum income support.
• Insurance - Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY) aims to provide a comprehensive insurance cover against failure of the crop.
• Social security - Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojna (PM-KMY) provides pension for small and marginal farmers.

• Increased budget allocation – About Rs. 1.2 lakh crore has been allocated to agriculture sector for the fiscal year 2024-25.

• Namo Drone Didi -  It  aims to empower 15,000 Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) by providing drones for agricultural rental services, including fertiliser and pesticide application.
• Soil Health Card Scheme - Launched in 2015, the scheme aims to improve soil health and promote efficient fertiliser use.
• Formation & Promotion of 10,000 FPOs -  In 2020, the government launched the scheme to form and promote 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
• Kisan Kavach -  Bharat’s first anti-pesticide bodysuit, designed to protect farmers from the harmful effects of pesticide exposure.
• It ensures farmer safety and empowers the agricultural community through science and technology.

• Clean Plant Programme – It aims to enhance the quality and productivity of horticulture crops by providing disease-free planting material, and climate-resilient varieties with yield enhancement.
• Digital Agriculture Mission – It  is an umbrella scheme to support digital agriculture initiatives, like Digital Public Infrastructure, implementing the Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES).
• Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR  - Under this scheme, farmers can access credit by pledging the electronic negotiable warehouse receipts (e-NWRs).
• National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds -  The mission aims to boost domestic oilseed production and achieve self-reliance in edible oils, to be implemented over a seven-year period from 2024-25 to 2030-31.
• National Mission on Natural Farming - It focuses on promoting chemical-free, natural farming practices across the country.

What can be done to improve farming system?

• Treat agriculture as a food system, from production to marketing to consumption.
• Build value chains of agri-commodities on the lines of milk, where farmers get 75 to 80 % of what the consumer pays.
• Creating a separate board on the lines of NDDB, to bring about revolutionary changes in fruits and vegetables.

Reference

PIB | National Farmers Day

National Green Tribunal

Why in News?

The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), by suo motu has directed the Kerala to remove the biomedical and mixed solid waste dumped in villages of Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu.

• Established in – 2010, as per the National Green Tribunal Act.
• It was setup as per recommendations of the Supreme Court, Law Commission and India’s international law obligations to develop national laws on environment.
• Specialised judicial body – It is equipped with expertise solely for the purpose of adjudicating environmental cases in the country.
• Task – Providing effective & expeditious remedy in cases relating to
  • Environmental protection
  • Conservation of forests and other natural resources
  • Enforcement of any legal right relating to environment
• Tribunal’s orders – They are binding and it has power to grant relief in the form of compensation and damages to affected persons.
• Composition – It has a presence in 5 zones

• The Principal Bench is situated in the North Zone, headquartered in Delhi.
• Headed by – The Chairperson who sits in the Principal Bench and has
  • At least 10 but not more than 20 judicial members and
  • At least 10 but not more than 20 expert members.

• Simple approach – Aggrieved parties may approach the Tribunal in person by submitting an application and no need of advocate.
• Orders are binding – Its orders are enforceable and has powers of a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.  
• Orders are not final – It has powers to review its own decisions and if this fails, the decision can be challenged before the Supreme Court within 90 days.

References

1. The Hindu| Clearing of dumped Biomedical Wastes
2. NGT| National green Tribunal

SpaDeX MISSION

Why in News?

ISRO plans to launch SpaDeX (Space docking experiment) in December 2024.

• SpaDeX mission – 2 satellites/spacecrafts will be launched into orbit around the earth, where they will demonstrate various technologies while in motion.
  • Primary objective – Demonstration of Docking manoeuvre
  • Secondary objectives – Demonstration of the transfer of electric power between the docked spacecraft.

Docking specifically refers to joining of 2 separate free-flying space vehicles. Power transfer technology, also known as wireless power transfer (WPT), is a technology that allows electrical energy to be transmitted without the use of physical wires or connectors.

• Spacecraft & Technology – SpaDeX spacecraft were designed and realised by the UR Rao Satellite Centre.
• The full integration and testing of the satellite were carried out at Ananth Technologies, Bengaluru.
• Launched by – PSLV C-60
• Launch specifications – Both spacecraft will be launched simultaneously but independently into a
  • 470-km wide circular orbit at 55° inclination
  • With a local time cycle of about 66 days
• Docking manoeuvre – It is made up of 2 small spacecraft
  • Chaser - SDX01
  • Target- SDX02
• It involves various stages like
  • Rendezvous – Aligning orbits of 2 spacecraft
  • Docking – Connecting 2 spacecraft
  • Undocking – Disconnecting the 2 spacecraft.
• It requires very precise control of the spacecraft's attitude and velocity to ensure a safe connection.

• Significance – It is vital for
  • Assembly and maintenance of the space stations – Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS)
  • Crew transfer – Gaganyaan human space flight mission
  • Suppling fuel to missions – Chandrayaan-4 mission, for sample return from the Moon.
  • cost-effective indigenous

India will be the 4^th country in the world to have space docking technology if the mission is successfully completed.

Reference

1. Business Line | SpaDeX Mission
2. The Hindu| Orbital Docking

UPSC Daily Current Affairs | One Liners 23-12-2024

India Maritime Heritage Conclave

Why in News?

Recently India’s 1^st Maritime Heritage Conclave (IMHC 2024) was held in December 2024 in New Delhi.

• It is the First India Maritime Heritage Conclave.
• Aim – To celebrate India’s maritime legacy and its profound contributions to global trade, culture, and innovation.

India's modern maritime strength includes a 7,500 km coastline, 13 major ports and 200 non-major ports. Indian ports handle 95% of trade volume and contribute 70% of trade value, taking advantage of their strategic location in the Indian Ocean region.

• Nodal ministry – Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
• Objectives
  • Showcase entire India's Maritime Legacy
  • Global Cultural Confluence
  • Technological Evolution
  • Spiritual and Cultural Exchange
  • Maritime Heritage Preservation

• 2024 Theme – Towards Understanding India's Position in Global Maritime History.
• Global participation – Representatives from 11 countries.
• Significance – It emphasized on skill development, youth engagement, and cultural preservation to carry over nation’s maritime legacy.

National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC)

• Located in – Lothal, Gujarat.
• Focus – To showcase India’s ancient maritime techniques, including shipbuilding and bead-making, reflecting the nation’s role as a global connector.
• It will be one of the world's largest maritime complexes, integrating both historical and modern maritime activities.
• Features
  • 4 thematic galleries.
  • Open Aquatic Gallery and Lighthouse Museum.
  • Eco-resorts, theme parks and Maritime Research Institutes.

Reference

PIB |India Maritime Heritage Conclave 2024

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Why in news?

The recent launch of Kisan Kavach marks a significant advancement in protecting farmers from the harmful effects of pesticide exposure.

• IPM – It is a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks.
• Different from organic practices – IPM doesn't discourage spraying chemicals unlike organic, but rather promotes using them only when necessary.

• Monitoring – Keep tracks of the pests and their potential damage and is helpful in selecting the best possible combinations of the pest management methods.
• Pest resistant varieties – Breeding for pest resistance is a continuous process.
• Cultural pest control – It includes crop production practices that make crop environment less susceptible to pests.
• Cultural controls are based on pest biology and development.
  • For examples – Crop rotation, cover crop, row and plant spacing, planting and harvesting dates, destruction of old crop debris, etc.,
• Mechanical control – These are based on the knowledge of pest behaviour.
  • For Examples – Hand picking, installation of bird perches, mulching and installation of traps.
• Biological control – It include augmentation and conservation of natural enemies of pests such as insect predators, parasitoids, pathogen and weed feeders.
• Here, native natural enemy populations are conserved and non-native agents are released with utmost caution.
• Chemical control – Pesticides are used to keep the pest population below economically damaging levels when the pests cannot be controlled by other means.

According to Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Centre for Integrated Pest Management around 3-5% of India’s total cultivated area is under IPM.

References

1. Government of Assam | Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
2. PIB | Bharat’s First Anti-Pesticide Bodysuit

UPSC Daily Current Affairs| Prelim Bits 23-12-2024

National Green Tribunal

Why in News?

The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), by suo motu has directed the Kerala to remove the biomedical and mixed solid waste dumped in villages of Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu.

• Established in – 2010, as per the National Green Tribunal Act.
• It was setup as per recommendations of the Supreme Court, Law Commission and India’s international law obligations to develop national laws on environment.
• Specialised judicial body – It is equipped with expertise solely for the purpose of adjudicating environmental cases in the country.
• Task – Providing effective & expeditious remedy in cases relating to
  • Environmental protection
  • Conservation of forests and other natural resources
  • Enforcement of any legal right relating to environment
• Tribunal’s orders – They are binding and it has power to grant relief in the form of compensation and damages to affected persons.
• Composition – It has a presence in 5 zones

• The Principal Bench is situated in the North Zone, headquartered in Delhi.
• Headed by – The Chairperson who sits in the Principal Bench and has
  • At least 10 but not more than 20 judicial members and
  • At least 10 but not more than 20 expert members.

• Simple approach – Aggrieved parties may approach the Tribunal in person by submitting an application and no need of advocate.
• Orders are binding – Its orders are enforceable and has powers of a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.  
• Orders are not final – It has powers to review its own decisions and if this fails, the decision can be challenged before the Supreme Court within 90 days.

References

1. The Hindu| Clearing of dumped Biomedical Wastes
2. NGT| National green Tribunal

SpaDeX MISSION

Why in News?

ISRO plans to launch SpaDeX (Space docking experiment) in December 2024.

• SpaDeX mission – 2 satellites/spacecrafts will be launched into orbit around the earth, where they will demonstrate various technologies while in motion.
  • Primary objective – Demonstration of Docking manoeuvre
  • Secondary objectives – Demonstration of the transfer of electric power between the docked spacecraft.

Docking specifically refers to joining of 2 separate free-flying space vehicles. Power transfer technology, also known as wireless power transfer (WPT), is a technology that allows electrical energy to be transmitted without the use of physical wires or connectors.

• Spacecraft & Technology – SpaDeX spacecraft were designed and realised by the UR Rao Satellite Centre.
• The full integration and testing of the satellite were carried out at Ananth Technologies, Bengaluru.
• Launched by – PSLV C-60
• Launch specifications – Both spacecraft will be launched simultaneously but independently into a
  • 470-km wide circular orbit at 55° inclination
  • With a local time cycle of about 66 days

• Docking manoeuvre – It is made up of 2 small spacecraft
  • Chaser - SDX01
  • Target- SDX02.
• It involves various stages like
  • Rendezvous – Aligning orbits of 2 spacecraft
  • Docking – Connecting 2 spacecraft
  • Undocking – Disconnecting the 2 spacecraft.
• It requires very precise control of the spacecraft's attitude and velocity to ensure a safe connection.

• Significance – It is vital for
  • Assembly and maintenance of the space stations – Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS)
  • Crew transfer – Gaganyaan human space flight mission
  • Suppling fuel to missions – Chandrayaan-4 mission, for sample return from the Moon.
  • cost-effective indigenous

India will be the 4^th country in the world to have space docking technology if the mission is successfully completed.

Reference

1. Business Line | SpaDeX Mission
2. The Hindu| Orbital Docking

India Maritime Heritage Conclave

Recently India’s 1^st Maritime Heritage Conclave (IMHC 2024) was held in December 2024 in New Delhi.

• It is the First India Maritime Heritage Conclave.
• Aim – To celebrate India’s maritime legacy and its profound contributions to global trade, culture, and innovation.

India's modern maritime strength includes a 7,500 km coastline, 13 major ports and 200 non-major ports. Indian ports handle 95% of trade volume and contribute 70% of trade value, taking advantage of their strategic location in the Indian Ocean region.

• Nodal ministry – Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
• Objectives
  • Showcase entire India's Maritime Legacy
  • Global Cultural Confluence
  • Technological Evolution
  • Spiritual and Cultural Exchange
  • Maritime Heritage Preservation

• 2024 Theme – Towards Understanding India's Position in Global Maritime History.
• Global participation – Representatives from 11 countries.
• Significance – It emphasized on skill development, youth engagement, and cultural preservation to carry over nation’s maritime legacy.

National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC)

• Located in – Lothal, Gujarat.
• Focus – To showcase India’s ancient maritime techniques, including shipbuilding and bead-making, reflecting the nation’s role as a global connector.
• It will be one of the world's largest maritime complexes, integrating both historical and modern maritime activities.
• Features
  • 4 thematic galleries.
  • Open Aquatic Gallery and Lighthouse Museum.
  • Eco-resorts, theme parks and Maritime Research Institutes.

Reference

PIB |India Maritime Heritage Conclave 2024

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Why in news?

The recent launch of Kisan Kavach marks a significant advancement in protecting farmers from the harmful effects of pesticide exposure.

• IPM – It is a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks.
• Different from organic practices – IPM doesn't discourage spraying chemicals unlike organic, but rather promotes using them only when necessary.

• Monitoring – Keep tracks of the pests and their potential damage and is helpful in selecting the best possible combinations of the pest management methods.
• Pest resistant varieties – Breeding for pest resistance is a continuous process.
• Cultural pest control – It includes crop production practices that make crop environment less susceptible to pests.
• Cultural controls are based on pest biology and development.
  • For examples – Crop rotation, cover crop, row and plant spacing, planting and harvesting dates, destruction of old crop debris, etc.,
• Mechanical control – These are based on the knowledge of pest behaviour.
  • For Examples – Hand picking, installation of bird perches, mulching and installation of traps.
• Biological control – It include augmentation and conservation of natural enemies of pests such as insect predators, parasitoids, pathogen and weed feeders.
• Here, native natural enemy populations are conserved and non-native agents are released with utmost caution.
• Chemical control – Pesticides are used to keep the pest population below economically damaging levels when the pests cannot be controlled by other means.

According to Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Centre for Integrated Pest Management around 3-5% of India’s total cultivated area is under IPM.

References

1. Government of Assam | Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
2. PIB | Bharat’s First Anti-Pesticide Bodysuit