17th JANUARY, 2025 A.) Mission Mausam WHY IN NEWS - During the inaugural event celebrating 150 years of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched ‘Mission Mausam’ to enhance India's weather forecasting and climate management capabilities. Background India Meteorological Department (IMD): Established in 1875, IMD marked its 150th anniversary on January 15, recognizing its long-standing service in meteorology. Details About Mission Mausam: The mission aims to upgrade India’s capabilities in weather forecasting, modelling, and dissemination. Key Objectives: 1. Enhance weather forecasting across various timescales—short-term, medium-term, extended-range, and seasonal. 2. Develop high-resolution models for accurate monsoon predictions. 3. Strengthen observational networks with modern equipment like radars, satellites, and weather stations. 4. Provide actionable advisories for sectors such as agriculture, water resources, disaster management, energy, and health. 5. Facilitate research collaborations with national and international institutions. Budget: Allocated ₹2,000 crore for the first two years of implementation. Approach: 1. Infrastructure Development: Deployment of Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs), Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), and rain gauges nationwide. 2. Supercomputing Power: Use of advanced computing systems like Pratyush and Mihir for sophisticated climate modelling. 3. Collaborative Research: Partnering with global organizations like the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to refine forecasting methods. 4. Public Outreach: Dissemination of advisories through mobile apps (e.g., Mausam app), SMS, and media. Innovative Weather Management: The mission includes efforts to manage weather events like enhancing or suppressing rainfall, hail, fog, and lightning. Cloud Chamber for Weather Research: Cloud Physics Studies: A state-of-the-art cloud chamber is being developed at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, to simulate Indian monsoon clouds. The chamber will create conditions for cloud formation by injecting water vapour and aerosols, helping study cloud convection properties critical for monsoon understanding. Significance: Mission Mausam positions India to become a global leader in weather forecasting, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience, while addressing critical challenges related to monsoons and extreme weather events.   B.) Arrest of Tamil Nadu Fishermen Near Diego Garcia WHY IN NEWS - Ten fishermen from Thothoor village in Tamil Nadu were allegedly arrested by the British Navy near Diego Garcia Island for reportedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Background The arrests highlight ongoing challenges faced by Tamil Nadu’s coastal communities, who are frequently detained for crossing IMBLs. Key Takeaways 1. About Diego Garcia: o Diego Garcia is a coral atoll in the central Indian Ocean and the largest and southernmost part of the Chagos Archipelago. o It is part of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) and serves as a strategic military base operated jointly by the UK and the US. 2. Strategic Location: o Situated along major international trade routes between Asia and Africa. o Located approximately 3,535 km east of Tanzania, 2,984 km east-southeast of Somalia, and 726 km south of the Maldives. o The base acts as a logistical hub for military operations in the Indo-Pacific region. 3. Sovereignty Dispute: o Mauritius claims the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, as part of its territory. o In October 2024, the UK announced plans to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, retaining a long-term lease for the military base on Diego Garcia. The incident underscores geopolitical complexities in the Indian Ocean region and the challenges faced by fishermen navigating international waters. C.) Wildfires in Los Angeles and Hydroclimate Whiplash WHY IN NEWS - Since January 7, wildfires in Los Angeles and surrounding areas have devastated large regions due to rare meteorological conditions enhanced by global warming and climate change, primarily driven by hydroclimate whiplash. Background The fires have caused significant damage, killing 24 people, destroying 12,000 structures, and burning 155 square kilometers as of January 13. Strong winds are likely to intensify the situation further. Key Takeaways What is Hydroclimate Whiplash? • It refers to rapid and extreme transitions between very wet and very dry conditions in a region. • This phenomenon is becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, causing widespread environmental and societal impacts. Causes of Hydroclimate Whiplash: 1. Warmer Atmosphere Holding More Moisture: o A 1°C increase allows the atmosphere to hold 7% more water vapor, intensifying precipitation events. 2. Enhanced Evaporation: o Warmer conditions increase evaporation from soils and vegetation, exacerbating droughts during dry periods. 3. Pronounced Swings: o These dynamics result in extreme shifts between wet and dry periods, fueling hydroclimate whiplash effects. Impacts of Hydroclimate Whiplash: 1. Wildfires: o Wet periods promote vegetation growth, which turns into dry fuel during subsequent droughts, heightening wildfire risk. o California exemplifies this pattern with wet winters followed by dry summers leading to severe wildfires. 2. Flooding and Landslides: o Intense rainfall after dry spells destabilizes soil, increasing risks of flash floods and landslides. 3. Agricultural Disruption: o Crops face damage from alternating floods and droughts, impacting food production and security. 4. Water Resource Management: o Unpredictable water availability complicates reservoir and water supply management, affecting human and ecological needs. The wildfires in Los Angeles highlight the growing impact of hydroclimate whiplash, emphasizing the urgent need for climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.   D.) UNICEF’s Global Outlook 2025: Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Its Role in Children's Well-being WHY IN NEWS - UNICEF’s report, ‘Global Outlook 2025: Prospects for Children,’ highlights the transformative role of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in improving the delivery of digital public services for children. What is DPI? • DPI refers to shared digital systems that enable equitable access to public and private services at a societal scale. • Its ecosystem comprises three key components: technology, markets, and governance. Role of DPI in Children's Well-being 1. Equitable Access to Essential Services: o Digital IDs connected to civil registration systems provide lifelong access to critical services. 2. Education: o Platforms like India’s DIKSHA bridge educational gaps through digital learning resources. 3. Health: o Electronic health records, such as Jamaica’s Electronic Immunization Registry, improve childhood vaccination rates. 4. Financial Inclusion and Literacy: o DPI fosters financial literacy and inclusion, enabling children’s participation in the digital economy. 5. Social Protection Systems: o Facilitates targeted delivery of benefits and improved data sharing for better child-focused services. Challenges Associated with DPI 1. Digital Inequality: o Limited internet access, with only 43.6% of Indian rural youth aged 15–24 able to send emails. 2. Integration Issues: o Poor integration of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems into national IDs limits universal coverage. 3. Technical and Ethical Concerns: o Lack of data interoperability, inadequate data protection, and risks of surveillance and privacy breaches. Recommendations 1. Digitize CRVS Systems: o Integrate these systems to form the foundation for digital IDs. 2. Secure and Seamless Data Exchange: o Enable safe data sharing across health, education, and social service sectors. 3. Promote Digital Literacy: o Empower children, youth, and families through digital financial inclusion and literacy programs. 4. Child-Centric Design: o Include children’s input when designing digital infrastructure affecting their well-being. DPI has immense potential to bridge gaps in service delivery for children, but addressing its challenges is crucial to ensure equitable and secure outcomes.   E.) Internationalization of Rupee and FEMA Reforms WHY IN NEWS The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reviewed existing regulations under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, to promote cross-border transactions in Indian Rupee (INR) and encourage the internationalization of the currency. Recent Changes in FEMA Regulations by RBI 1. For Non-Residents: o Can open INR accounts in overseas branches of authorized dealer banks to settle permissible current and capital account transactions with Indian residents. o Can settle transactions with other non-residents using balances in repatriable INR accounts like SNRR and SVRAs. o Can use balances in repatriable INR accounts for foreign investment. 2. For Indian Exporters: o Can open accounts in foreign currencies overseas for trade settlements, including receiving export proceeds and using them for import payments. Internationalization of Rupee • Definition: The process of increasing the use of INR in cross-border transactions. • Stages: o Promoting INR for import/export trade and other current account transactions. o Extending its use to capital account transactions. Benefits of Internationalization of Rupee 1. Financial Independence: o Reduces reliance on foreign currencies, offering protection against external shocks. 2. Efficient Trade: o Facilitates cross-border trade and reduces demand for dollars, strengthening INR. 3. Lower Forex Reserve Requirements: o Decreases the need for large foreign reserves to manage external shocks. Key Mechanisms 1. Special Vostro Rupee Accounts (SVRAs): o Accounts held by domestic banks for foreign banks in INR. o Enables foreign entities to hold INR balances in Indian banks. o Used for transactions like Indian importers paying foreign traders in INR, credited to the SVRA account. 2. Special Non-Resident Rupee Account (SNRR): o A current account for non-residents (individuals or corporates) with business interests in India. o Permits specified transactions in trade, foreign investments, and external commercial borrowings. These reforms aim to enhance the global acceptance of INR, reduce dependency on the dollar, and bolster India's financial stability.   F.) Establishment of the Third Launch Pad (TLP) at Sriharikota WHY IN NEWS – The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of a Third Launch Pad (TLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, to enhance India's launch capabilities for new-generation launch vehicles and future space exploration missions. About the Third Launch Pad (TLP) Key Features • Support for New Launch Vehicles: Configured for New Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLV) and Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) with semi-cryogenic stages. • Horizontal and Tilted Integration: Enables efficient integration of advanced launch vehicles. Significance • Higher Launch Frequencies: Increases India's capacity to conduct multiple launches annually. • Enhanced Capabilities: Supports future human spaceflight and space exploration missions. Existing Launch Pads in India 1. First Launch Pad (FLP): Developed for Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and supports PSLV and Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). 2. Second Launch Pad (SLP): Primarily for Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and LVM3. Acts as a standby for PSLV and has launched missions like Chandrayaan-3 and is set to launch Gaganyaan. Why Sriharikota is Ideal for TLP 1. Eastern Coast Location: Facilitates launching in an easterly direction, leveraging Earth's rotational speed. 2. Proximity to Equator: Earth's rotation is fastest near the equator, providing an additional velocity boost to rockets, enhancing payload capacity and reducing operational costs. 3. Safety Considerations: Absence of major international maritime or air routes in the vicinity ensures safe testing and launching. 4. Other Advantages: Largely uninhabited area with minimal risk to human life and proximity to the sea ensures the flight path is over water, reducing risks to populated areas. New Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLV) Programme Overview Developed by ISRO, the NGLV Programme focuses on creating a new rocket, also known as the Soorya Rocket, for launching satellites and payloads into space. Features 1. Three-Stage Vehicle: Includes a reusable first stage for low-cost access to space, powered by semi-cryogenic propulsion, using refined kerosene as fuel and liquid oxygen (LOX) as oxidizer. 2. Enhanced Payload Capacity: Offers three times the payload capacity of current rockets and costs only 1.5 times more than LVM3.