27 September 2024

• Science: PARAM Rudra supercomputers (Rs 130 crore, three systems across Pune, Delhi, Kolkata) were dedicated to the nation by PM Modi.
• Polity: The UNSC reform debate gained momentum, with India pressing for permanent membership.
• Water: Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh signed an agreement on the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), resolving a long-standing interstate water dispute.
• Space: India's Venus mission (Shukrayaan-1) was confirmed for a March 2028 launch by ISRO.

GS area: Science and Technology

PM Modi dedicated PARAM Rudra supercomputers to the nation on 27 September 2024.

Key details:

• Systems deployed: Three PARAM Rudra supercomputers at Pune (Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope, GMRT), Delhi (Inter University Accelerator Centre, IUAC) and Kolkata (S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences).
• Total cost: Rs 130 crore.
• Processing capacity: Each system has high-performance computing capacity for scientific simulations. The systems use heterogeneous computing (CPU + GPU nodes).
• National Supercomputing Mission (NSM): PARAM Rudra is part of the NSM, launched in 2015. The NSM aims to deploy 70 high-performance computing facilities across academic institutions and R&D labs by 2022 (subsequently extended). C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) is the technical implementer.
• GMRT relevance (Pune): The GMRT, located near Pune, is the world's largest radio telescope array operating at low frequencies (metre-wavelength). Run by NCRA-TIFR. The PARAM Rudra at GMRT will process massive radio-astronomy datasets.
• C-DAC: Established in 1988. Developed the first PARAM supercomputer in 1991. The PARAM series represents India's indigenised high-performance computing capability.

Static linkage: Science and Technology policy, C-DAC, NSM, radio astronomy.

GS area: International Relations, Governance (multilateral)

India's PM Modi reiterated at the UN General Assembly that the United Nations Security Council must be reformed to reflect contemporary realities.

Key facts:

• UNSC composition: Five permanent members (P5: USA, UK, France, Russia, China) with veto power and 10 elected non-permanent members (2-year terms). Total: 15.
• P5 veto: Any permanent member can unilaterally block any UNSC resolution. This power was central to Cold War gridlock and remains a key reform target.
• G4: India, Germany, Japan and Brazil form the G4, jointly seeking permanent seats on a reformed UNSC. All four are among the world's largest economies.
• L69 Group: A coalition of developing nations, primarily from Africa, Asia and Latin America, supporting UNSC reform. India leads and is a key member.
• C-10 (Committee of Ten): The African Union's position that Africa deserves at least two permanent seats (with full veto power) on a reformed UNSC.
• Charter amendment: Any UNSC reform requires amending the UN Charter (Article 108), which needs a two-thirds majority of all UN members and ratification by all P5.
• China's position: China supports the African group's claims but has historically opposed Japan's candidacy. China's stance on India's permanent membership remains ambiguous.

Static linkage: UNSC, UN Charter, multilateral governance.

GS area: Governance (water management), Geography

Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh signed a bilateral agreement on the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), ending years of interstate dispute.

Key facts:

• ERCP: A project to divert surplus monsoon water from the Chambal, Parvati, Kali Sindh and other rivers to drought-prone eastern Rajasthan districts.
• Coverage: 13 districts of eastern Rajasthan, providing water for drinking, irrigation and industrial use.
• The dispute: Madhya Pradesh objected to Rajasthan withdrawing water from Chambal and its tributaries, rivers that flow through MP territory.
• Resolution: The bilateral agreement defines each state's entitlement, resolving the objection before the project can be declared a national project (enabling central funding).
• National Project status: Projects declared "national projects" get 90 per cent central funding. The ERCP's national project declaration had been pending due to MP's objection.
• River Chambal: Flows through MP and Rajasthan before joining the Yamuna. The Chambal basin supports unique biodiversity including the critically endangered gharial and river dolphin.

Static linkage: Interstate water disputes, river basins, irrigation policy.

GS area: Science and Technology

ISRO confirmed that the Shukrayaan-1 Venus orbiter mission was scheduled for a March 2028 launch.

Key details:

• Mission type: Orbiter (does not land on Venus). Similar to Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission) in architecture.
• Scientific objectives: Study Venus's atmosphere (dense CO2 atmosphere, sulfuric acid clouds), surface geology, volcanic activity and understand why Venus, a potentially Earth-like planet, became so hostile.
• Venus relevance: Venus and Earth are similar in size and composition but Venus has extreme surface temperatures (460°C) and pressure (92 times Earth). Understanding Venus informs climate science.
• Launch vehicle: GSLV Mk II or LVM-3.
• India's space heritage: Mangalyaan (2013) was India's first interplanetary mission, reaching Mars on the first attempt and at a fraction of NASA's Maven cost. Chandrayaan-3 (2023) soft-landed near the lunar south pole.
• International competition: ESA's EnVision and NASA's VERITAS/DAVINCI missions are also planned for Venus in the late 2020s-2030s.

Static linkage: Space programme, ISRO, planetary science.

GS area: Science and Technology (defence)

The DRDO and IIT Delhi jointly developed the ABHED (Advanced Ballistics and High-velocity Energy Defeat) bulletproof jacket, a lightweight body armour for Indian security forces.

Key features:

• Weight: Approximately 9 kg, significantly lighter than earlier armour (up to 15 kg).
• Protection level: Tested to BIS 17051 level 6 (highest Indian standard) and NIJ level III (US standard), protecting against AK-47 bullets.
• Material: Uses indigenous ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibre, developed through DRDO's self-reliance initiative.
• Significance: Indian security forces including CRPF and Army previously relied on imported bulletproof vests. ABHED is a step toward Atmanirbhar Bharat in personal protective equipment.
• DRDO: Defence Research and Development Organisation. Under the Ministry of Defence. Overseen by the Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister.

Static linkage: Defence technology, Atmanirbhar Bharat, indigenous defence production.

GS area: Disaster Management, Environment

Flooding in urban areas including Guwahati prompted discussions on the sponge city concept for Indian urban design.

Key facts:

• Urban flooding causes: Concretised surfaces that do not absorb water, encroachment on natural water bodies and drainage channels, inadequate stormwater drainage infrastructure and climate change increasing peak rainfall intensity.
• Sponge city concept: A design philosophy (originated in China) where cities are built to absorb, store and reuse stormwater rather than draining it rapidly into waterways. Elements include permeable pavements, rooftop gardens, restored urban wetlands and bio-swales.
• Guwahati context: Located in the Brahmaputra plain, Guwahati receives heavy monsoon rainfall and faces chronic flooding due to rapid urbanisation and wetland encroachment.
• AMRUT 2.0: The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT 2.0) promotes water body rejuvenation, stormwater management and integrated water management in 500 cities.
• NDMA guidance: The NDMA has published guidelines on urban flood management, recommending minimum stormwater drainage capacities.

Static linkage: Urban governance, disaster management, climate resilience.

• Bhagat Singh birth anniversary (28 September): Bhagat Singh was born on 28 September 1907 (covered in next-day analysis but prominently discussed today). Key facts: hanged 23 March 1931 at Lahore Central Jail. Associated with the Naujawan Bharat Sabha (1926) and the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA). Assassinated Saunders (1928, in retaliation for Lala Lajpat Rai's death during the Simon Commission protest). Threw bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly (1929) with Batukeshwar Dutt.
• Global Methane Pledge update: More countries reaffirmed commitment to the Global Methane Pledge (cutting methane by 30 per cent by 2030 from 2020 levels) at the UNGA margins.