Solution (d)

Explanation:

An AIP module acts as a force multiplier effect as it enables conventional submarines to remain submerged for longer duration thereby increasing their endurance and reducing chances of detection.

Air Independent Propulsion  and its usage

Submarines are essentially of two types: conventional and nuclear. Conventional submarines use a diesel-electric engine, and must surface daily for oxygen for fuel combustion. If fitted with an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, the sub needs to take in oxygen only once a week.

While many naval powers, including India, have acquired nuclear-powered submarines for deep-sea operations, conventional diesel-electric variants are considered useful for coastal defence. The latter are optimised for stealth, and their weapons and sensors provide for effective operations close to the shore.

Because diesel-electric submarines require coming to the surface frequently to charge their batteries, their underwater endurance time is less. ‘Air-independent’ propulsion technology helps to make the diesel generator less dependent on surface air.

In a fuel cell AIP, an electrolytic fuel cell releases energy by combining hydrogen and oxygen, with only water as the waste product. The cells are highly efficient, and do not have moving parts, thus ensuring that the submarine has a low acoustic signature. Older submarines can be adapted to the AIP system by retrofitting.

Article reference: Key indigenous technology for submarines crosses important milestone: DRDO

Solution (a)

Explanation:

Synthetic-aperture radar (SAR)

• Synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) is a form of radar that is used to create two-dimensional images or three-dimensional reconstructions of objects, such as landscapes. 
• SAR uses the motion of the radar antenna over a target region to provide finer spatial resolution than conventional beam-scanning radars. 
• SAR is typically mounted on a moving platform, such as an aircraft or spacecraft, and has its origins in an advanced form of side looking airborne radar (SLAR).  (So, statement 3 is incorrect.)
• The distance the SAR device travels over a target in the time taken for the radar pulses to return to the antenna creates the large synthetic antenna aperture (the size of the antenna).
• Typically, the larger the aperture, the higher the image resolution will be, regardless of whether the aperture is physical (a large antenna) or synthetic (a moving antenna) – this allows SAR to create high-resolution images with comparatively small physical antennas. 
• Additionally, SAR has the property of having larger apertures for more distant objects, allowing consistent spatial resolution over a range of viewing distances.
• To create a SAR image, successive pulses of radio waves are transmitted to “illuminate” a target scene, and the echo of each pulse is received and recorded. The pulses are transmitted and the echoes received using a single beam-forming antenna, with wavelengths of a meter down to several millimetres.

Usage 

• SAR is capable of high-resolution remote sensing, independent of flight altitude, and independent of weather, as SAR can select frequencies to avoid weather-caused signal attenuation.

• SAR has day and night imaging capability as illumination is provided by the SAR.
• Applications of SAR include topography, oceanography, glaciology, geology (for example, terrain discrimination and subsurface imaging), and forestry, including forest height, biomass, deforestation. Volcano and earthquake monitoring use differential interferometry.

Article reference: ISRO develops radar for joint earth observation satellite mission with NASA

Solution (b)

Explanation: 

Child Marriage in India

Statement 1: The analysis said findings from NFHS surveys between 1992-93 and 2015-16 show the percentage of young women who married in childhood has halved (from 54 to 27 %), and the pace of decline has increased in the last decade. So, Current rate of Child Marriage in India is 27%. (So, statement 1 is correct)

Statement 2: 

The present law- Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 has a threefold purpose i.e. 

• • Prevention of child marriages, 
  • Protection of children involved and 
  • Prosecution of offenders. 

• This law has declared child marriage to be a cognizable and non-bailable offence. (So, statement 2 is incorrect.)
• An injunction can be issued by the court to prohibit its solemnization and if a marriage is solemnized after the injunction, then such a marriage shall be declared as null and void. 
• This law also prescribes punishment for performing, conducting and abetting child marriage.
• Even the parents are to be punished for promoting or permitting child marriage. 
• The law prescribes punishment to an adult male for marrying a child and also requires the husband to provide maintenance to his minor bride till her remarriage.

Statement 3: The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929

• The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929, passed on 28 September 1929, in the Imperial Legislative Council of India, fixed the age of marriage for girls at 14 years and boys at 18 years which was later amended to 18 for girls and 21 for boys.
• It is popularly known as the Sharda Act, after its sponsor Harbilas Sharda.
• It came into effect six months later on 1 April 1930 and applied to all of British India.  
• It was a result of social reform movement in India. 
• Despite strong opposition from the British authorities, the legislation was passed by the British Indian Government which had a majority of Indians

Article link: 5 countries including India account for about half of total child brides in world: UNICEF

Solution (b)

Explanation:

About Swadesh Darshan Scheme:

Implementing Ministry – Tourism Ministry; launched the scheme in 2015. (So, statement 1 is incorrect)

Objective: to develop theme-based tourist circuits in the country. 

Under the Scheme 15 circuits have been identified for development namely Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Heritage Circuit, Tirthankar Circuit and Sufi Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, North East Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Buddhist Circuit and Coastal Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit. 

It is a Central Sector Scheme i.e. 100% funded by Central Government.

This scheme is envisioned to synergise with other schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Skill India, Make in India etc. with the idea of positioning the tourism sector as a major engine for job creation, the driving force for economic growth, building synergy with various sectors to enable tourism to realise its potential.

Article link: Ministry has identified Rural Circuit as one of fifteen thematic circuits identified for development under Swadesh Darshan scheme

Solution (d)

Exercise Dustlik-II

At Exercise Dustlik-II between India and Uzbekistan from March 10-19, the Indian Army will showcase its Counter Insurgency (CI) and Counter Terrorism (CT) skills. The focus will be on people-centric intelligence based surgical operations, incorporating technological advancements to minimize collateral damage.

The broad aim of the exercise is CI, CT operations in mountainous, rural and urban scenarios under United Nations (UN) mandate and the Army will share the experiences and lessons it has gained in Kashmir. A lot of technology has been incorporated in CI, CT operations and efficiency has considerably gone up in operations which also help in minimizing collateral damage which would also be showcased.

Article link: India, Uzbek armies to hone counter terror skills