Part of: GS Prelims and GS-I – Geographical phenomenon
In News:
Recently, scientists from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), Dehradun have observed a seasonal advancement in surging or surge-type glaciers in the Karakoram Range.
WIHG is an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
Recently various amendments have beenbrought in the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship Scheme by the Ministry of Human Resources and Development to boost research in the country.
Key takeaways:
Now, students from any recognized university can apply for the Fellowship. Earlier it was open only for students from Central Universities, IITs, IISc, NITs, IISERs, IIEST and IIITs.
The requirement of GATE score has also been reduced from 750 to 600.
There will be two channels of entries i.e direct entry and lateral entry.
National Institute of Technologies (NITs) can also become PMRF Granting institution. NITs appear in top 25 institutions in the National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF).
A dedicated division “Research and Innovation Division” will be formed in the MHRD to boost research.
Important value additions:
Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) Scheme
It was launched to attract meritorious students into research in 2018.
It offers direct admission to such students in the Ph.D programmes in various higher educational institutions in the country.
The research under PMRF will be carried in cutting edge science and technology domains.
The institutes which can offer PMRF include all the IITs, IISERs, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru and some of the top Central Universities/NITs.
A research grant of Rs. 2 lakh per year is provided to each of the Fellows for a period of 5 years to cover their academic contingency expenses and for foreign/national travel expenses along with monthly stipend.
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Science and Technology
In News:
Recently, scientists from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) have fabricated a wafer-scale photodetector (thin slice-based) device, using gold-silicon interface.
JNCASR is an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
Key takeaways:
The gold (Au)-silicon (n-Si) interface shows high sensitivity towards light.
The Au-Si interface was brought about by galvanic deposition (a technique for electroplating of metals) wherein water-based solutions (electrolytes) are used, which contain the metals to be deposited as ions.
Important value additions:
Photodetectors
These are an important part of an opto-electronic circuit that can detect light.
Their applications include:
Controlling automatic lighting in supermarkets.
Being used in security-related applications.
Photodetectors are unaffordable for daily applications due to high material costs.
Au-Si interface Photodetectors has many advantages:
The fabricating process is quick and simple.
The method is highly economical since it is a solution-based technique.
It can detect weak scattered light as an indication of unwanted activity.
The device does not require external power to operate and runs on self-operated mode.
It is the melanistic (increased development of the dark-colored pigment) colour variant of any Panthera, particularly of the leopard in Asia and Africa, and the jaguar in the Americas.
It is very difficult to detect/spot.
It is mostly found in densely forested areas of southern India.
Today, we discuss what trends we might get to see geopolitically in the post COVID-19 world.
Ascent of Asia
Economic forecasts indicate that only China and India are likely to register economic growth during 2020 out of the G-20 countries.
Asian countries along with China have tackled the pandemic with greater swiftness, responsiveness and more effective state capacity as compared to the United States and Europe.
Thus, It is likely that they will recoverfaster than those in the West.
Rising China
The emergence of a stronger and more assertive China is also one of the changing geopolitical situations.
China has been growing economically since it joined the World Trade Organization in 2001.
Its assertiveness has increased under the current President Xi Jinping’s leadership which has raised concerns in its neighbourhood and the U.S.
In recent years, the U.S.-China relationship has moved from cooperation to competition.
The Belt and Road Initiative which seeks to connect China to the Eurasia and Africa through both maritime and land routes is seen as a move against any U.S. attempts at containment.
The ongoing trade and technology wars may lead to confrontation between the two nations.
Recently, both countries have been involved in verbal confrontation due to COVID-19.
U.S taking a backseat
The U.S. has been in the forefront of shaping the global order since centuries.
It has played a pivotal role right from the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations after World War I to the creation of the United Nations and Bretton Woods institutions after World War II.
It was decisive in leading the western world during the Cold War, shaping global responses to threats posed by terrorism and taking action against climate change.
However, its interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq generated resentment. These interventions also led to decreased domestic political will and resources.
During the current COVID-19 crisis, “America first” attitude seems to be changing into “America alone”. It has been reported that the U.S. is cornering supplies of scarce medical equipment and medicines just for itself.
It is also acquiring biotech companies which are engaged in research and development in allied states.
Countries are losing trust in the U.S.’s competence due to its poor response at handling the pandemic in its own country.
Despite being the largest economy and the military power, it seems to lose the will and ability to lead.
This mood is unlikely to change irrespective of the outcome of the upcoming presidential election in November 2020.
Tension among the European countries
European UNION (EU) is continuously preoccupied with internal challenges due to:
its expansion of membership to include East European states,
impact of the financial crisis among the Eurozone members,
It is becoming increasingly difficult to reach agreement on political matters, e.g relations with Russia and China.
The trans-Atlantic divide is increasing rift within the EU.
Rising trend of political approach which appeals to ordinary people (populism) has led to some EU members supporting the virtues of “empty democracy”.
The North-South divide within the EU is also apparent. This tension began particularly when austerity measures were imposed on Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal in 2010 by the European Central Bank. These measures were persuaded byAustria, Germany and the Netherlands.
Most recently, Italy was denied medical equipment by its EU neighbours who had introduced controls on its exports. Ultimately, China had to airlift medical teams and critical supplies to Italy.
Rediscovering the limits of free movement of goods, services, capital and people will be one of the trends to be seen post COVID-19.
Weakening of the world organisations
Global problems demand global responses.
However, international and multilateral bodies have failed to take responsible measures during this pandemic.
The World Health Organization (WHO) should have led global efforts against COVID-19 but it has become a victim of politics involving China and the USA.
The UN Security Council (UNSC), the G-7 and the G-20 are paralysed financially when the world faces the worst recession since 1929.
These institutions were always subjected to big power politics.
Agencies, such as WHO, have lost autonomy over decades as their regular budgets decreased. Now, they mainly rely on voluntary contributions by western countries and foundations.
Reform of these bodies is needed at the earliest. This can happen only with collective global leadership.
The energy politics
The final trend relates to energy politics.
Growing interest in renewables and green technologies due to climate change concerns and emergence of the U.S. as a major energy producer were changing the energy markets before COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, due to possible economic recession and depressed oil prices, internal tensions in West Asian countries may increase since these countries are solely dependent on oil revenues.
This may create political instability in countries where governments are fragile.
Conclusion
Rising nationalism and protectionistpolicies may turn the economic recession into a depression which will enhance inequalities.
The world may become more polarised.
There will be greater unpredictability and more disturbed times ahead of us.
Connecting the dots :
What comprises G-20? Discuss its relevance and significance in the current geopolitical scenario.
(TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE)
Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section)
Note:
Correct answers of today’s questions will be provided in next day’s DNA section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers.
Comments Up-voted by IASbaba are also the “correct answers”.
Q.1 With regard to Au-Si interface photodetectors, which of the following is/are correct?
It is very difficult to assemble.
It requires external power to operate
Select the correct code:
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Q.2 Consider the following statements regarding the Black Panther:
Recently it was spotted at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary for the first time.
It is very easy to detect.
Which of the above is/are correct?
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Q.3 Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in which of the following state of India?
Goa
Maharashtra
Karnataka
Telangana
ANSWERS FOR 9th May 2020 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK)
