Advertisement

Hindu Notes from General Studies-01

Editorials are covered separately. HINDU NOTES are available free date wise| CLICK HERE

Warming imperils clouds that deter ‘hothouse’ conditions

Artic ice melts faster

News

  • Marine clouds that protect us from hothouse Earth conditions by reflecting sunlight back into space could break up and vanish if CO2 in the atmosphere triples, researchers warned.

Findings

  • Results show that there are dangerous climate change thresholds of which we were unaware.
  • So-called stratocumulus clouds cover about 20% of subtropical oceans, mostly near western seaboards such as the coasts of California, Mexico and Peru.
  • When they disappear, Earth warms dramatically, by about eight degrees Celsius in addition to the global warming that comes from enhanced greenhouse concentrations alone.
  • A temperature increase of that magnitude would melt polar ice and lift sea levels tens of metres.
  • The last time the planet was that hot, some 50 million years ago during the Eocene Epoch, crocodiles roamed the Arctic.
  • Even half that much warming would overwhelm humanity’s capacity to adapt.
  • A barely one-degree increase since the mid-19th century mostly in the last 50 years has been enough to worsen heatwaves, droughts, and flooding, along with cyclones engorged by rising seas.

Since manmade global warming began, CO2 concentration in the air has gone up nearly 45%, from 285 to 410 parts per million (ppm).

Hindu Notes from General Studies-02

China calls for ‘restraint’ after India’s air strikes on terror camp in Pakistan

News

  • China responded cautiously to Indian Air Force’s air strikes across the Line of Control(LoC) criticising New Delhi for taking unilateral action but urging both India and Pakistan to improve their ties.

Beyond News

  • India’s pre-dawn air raids follow a suicide car bombing in Pulwama, which killed more than 40 CRPF jawans. Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a United Nations-designated terror group based in Pakistan, posted a video claiming responsibility for the attack.
  • China has repeatedly placed a “technical hold” on designating JeM head Masood Azhar as an international terrorist by the 1267 committee of the UN Security Council, as demanded by India and other permanent members of the UNSC.
  • Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councilor called upon India and Pakistan to ease tensions arising from the Pulwama attack “through dialogue as soon as possible and avoid an escalation of the situation”.
  • Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councilor urged both sides to collaborate on fighting terrorism and jointly safeguard the security and stability of South Asia.

IAF strikes on JeM camp in Balakot: Pakistan summons India’s diplomat

News

  • 12 Mirage 2000 fighter jets of the Indian Air Force(IAF), armed with Israeli Precision Guided Munitions (PGM), took off from the Gwalior airbase and hit the largest training camp of terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Balakot inside Pakistan.

Beyond News

  • Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale earlier in the day confirmed that India had “struck the biggest training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Balakot”.
  • In this operation, a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis who were being trained for fidayeen action were eliminated.
  • Tensions between India and Pakistan have been on the rise since the Pulwama terrorist attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. JeM had claimed responsibility for it.
  • Pakistan summoned India’s acting High Commissioner in Islamabad and condemned the “violation of its territorial sovereignty” by Indian fighter jets.
  • In a statement, the Foreign Office said that at “approximately 02:54 hours (local time), 8 Indian aircraft were effectively intercepted by the Pakistani Air Force jets and forced” to return.
  • The Indian jets “randomly released their ordinance which landed in an uninhabited remote area,” it added.
  • The Acting Foreign Secretary summoned the Indian Acting High Commissioner and strongly condemned the Indian violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
  • The Pakistan Army confirmed that Indian fighter jets dropped “four bombs” during an operation but downplayed its significance, saying the Indian attack was repulsed and that while going back the aircraft “jettisoned their payload”.

Hindu Notes from General Studies-03

India successfully test-fires two Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles

News

  • India successfully test-fired two indigenously developed Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air missiles (QRSAM) from a test range off the Odisha coast.

Beyond News

  • The trials were conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from Launch Complex 3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur near here, defence sources said.
  • The two missiles were tested for different altitude and conditions. The test flights successfully demonstrated robust control, aerodynamics, propulsion, structural performance and high manoeuvring capabilities, thus proving the design configuration.
  • Radars, Electro Optical Systems, Telemetry and other stations have tracked the Missiles and monitored through the entire flights. All the mission objectives have been met.
  • The state-of-the-art missile, with a strike range of 30 km, is capable of engaging multiple targets. The all-weather weapon system is capable of tracking and firing with precision.
  • This was the third developmental trial conducted by the DRDO for the Indian Army.
  • The first trial was conducted on June 4, 2017, and the second on July 14, 2018. Both the tests were conducted successfully from the same base.

Gujarat on high alert following IAF strike on JeM camp

News

  • High alert was sounded across Gujarat after India successfully carried out a “non-military pre-emptive” strike targeting a training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) at Balakot in Pakistan.

Beyond News

  • The alert was sounded after the Air Force carried out strikes in Pakistan targeting the terror base.
  • Director General of Police issued high alert across the border districts of Kutch, Banaskantha and Patan even as all District Superintendents of Police and Range Inspector Generals of Police were asked to remain stationed at their respective headquarters.
  • Three border districts Patan, Banaskantha and Kutch in particular have been put on high alert, with the Indian Air Force on high alert at its air defence systems across the western border with Pakistan.
  • Gujarat shares a long international land and coastal border with Pakistan. The State is seeking to prevent any infiltration attempts, especially through border districts of Kutch, Banaskantha and Patan.

Pak drone shot down near Gujarat border

News

  • A Pakistani unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was shot down near the International Border in Kutch district of Gujarat.

Beyond News

  • Debris of the UAV was seen near Nanghatad village in Abdasa taluka of Kutch.
  • On hearing a loud sound around 6 am, villagers went to the spot and found the debris of the UAV.

CLICK HERE TO SEE DATE WISE CURRENT AFFAIRS

WHY IASTODAY IS BEST IN ONLINE COACHING?
FEATURESIASTODAY.inOTHERS
DAILY ANSWER REVIEWYES (in 60 minutes for core batch -before 10 PM for all lower courses)NO ( Not even weekly)
EXPERT SUPPORT24 hours x 7 days (In MASTER PLUS and above)NO/ During office hours only
GUARANTEE For Service & fee paid.Guaranteed till you clear (In LIFETIME membership)No guarantee at any cost.
Dedicated exclusive static testsYES(in MASTER PLUS and above)NO
TEST TYPEFull length similar to UPSC (In all dedicated courses)DEPENDS
FULL STATIC SYLLABUS COVERAGEYES (In all dedicated courses)DEPENDS
Full Day to Day current affairs coverageYES with review (All mains courses)NO
TEST REVIEW & MARKSYES throughout the course duration (In MASTER PLUS and above)YES during initial days.
NO after few tests
Effective cost for 30 MAINS static tests with reviewRs.10,000 (Master plus - Writing skill development 1 year)More than Rs.26,000
Flexible scheduleUnlimited. Reschedule based on demands.No flexibility.
Max delay in Mains Test review24 hours for core and In 4 working days for lower courses.Over 15 days
INDIVIDUAL MARKSYES (In all dedicated courses)NO
UPDATED NOTESYES(in all dedicated courses)NOT UPDATED

IASTODY DEDICATED COURSES IN A GLANCE

For 2023 & 24 Aspirants:
  1. Prelims TEST SERIES -PRO 2024- More than just a prelims test series for 2024 aspirants. 2024 PRELIMS in an integrated manner with mains and interview together with daily writing and review. {CLICK HERE for details}
  2. WRITING SKILL DEVELOPMENT(Daily review) (2 months- 6 months) Next is writing skill development- Available for 2 months and 6 months fixed. This can be used for 2024 or even 2025. Your answer will be reviewed as beginner in first day. Next day feedback will be based on first day performance and so on. You will develop a writing skill development better than aspirants outside IASTODAY by the end of this course- CLICK HERE TO KNOW MORE 
  3. DAILY REVIEW (Beginner) 2024 - Till mains 2024 We have Daily review (beginner) course available till Mains 2024. This course have 3 phases ie, Novice and then beginner phase till prelims examination and aggressive mode post prelims exam- You will write 1 answer a day as novice, then 2 till prelims and there after 4 daily.- CLICK HERE TO KNOW MORE
  4. ESSAY TEST SERIES 2023 & 24-Dedicated Essay test series for scoring high is now available for  2024. Real time exam environment, 24 hours accessibility and more @ a nominal fees-{CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS}
  5. Affordable Integrated Marathon (AIM 2024)-Dedicated All in one low cost series covering prelims test series, mains test series, daily answer review, interview, essay, optional and more in single version at lowest ever possible affordable version. Real time exam environment, 24 hours accessibility and more @ a nominal fees in comparison to features-{CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS}
  6. MASTER PLUS 2024-Dedicated mains 2024 @ Rs.50/day effective. Flagship MAINS 2024 program with all features including 29 mains tests, Daily answer review in 3-4 hours & value added notes and much more -{CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS}.
  7. PREMIUM 2024 - Full coverage @ Rs.55/day effective. Our Flagship prelims to interview with all premium features including daily answer review in 60 minutes, Prelims ,interview and much more -{CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS}.