20 March | Daily Current Affairs : NASA’s astronauts stranded in space for 9 months returned to earth by SpaceX ship And More

GS PAPER 1

Science and Technology

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, along with Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, returned to Earth after an unplanned 286-day mission aboard the International Space Station.

• They were stranded due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner, originally intended for a short-duration mission. Their return aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Freedom marks a crucial moment in space exploration.

Key Takeaways for UPSC 

Technological and Space Diplomacy Aspects

• The mission underscores the significance of private sector involvement in space travel, with SpaceX stepping in after Boeing’s Starliner failure.
• It highlights US-Russia cooperation in space despite geopolitical tensions.
• The development and safety concerns of commercial crewed spaceflight are critical for future missions.

Human Endurance and Space Exploration

• The astronauts spent 286 days in space, significantly exceeding the standard six-month ISS rotation.
• This raises questions on long-term spaceflight’s physiological and psychological impact, crucial for future deep-space missions like Mars.

India’s Space Program Perspective

• India is advancing human spaceflight capabilities with Gaganyaan, planned for 2025.
• Lessons from such missions help ISRO refine its strategies for crew safety, spacecraft reliability, and long-duration space stays.

Significance in Space Policy and Global Space Race

• The incident exposes the risks of crewed missions dependent on new spacecraft.
• Highlights the growing role of private space companies like SpaceX and Boeing in global space exploration.
• Encourages international collaboration for rescue and contingency planning in future missions.

Conclusion 

• This mission emphasizes the importance of technological reliability, human endurance, and international cooperation in space exploration. As India gears up for its human spaceflight programs, analyzing such incidents can provide valuable insights into risk management and mission planning for future endeavors.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Ques:Space exploration is increasingly driven by private sector participation. Discuss the role of private companies in advancing human spaceflight and the challenges they face.(250 words)

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International Relations

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has drawn international attention, with India reiterating its concern over the humanitarian crisis.

• The Ministry of External Affairs has called for the continuation of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza and the release of all hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023. This comes amid renewed Israeli airstrikes and diplomatic engagements between India and Israel.

Key Diplomatic Takeaways 

India’s Balanced Approach 

• India has consistently maintained a neutral stance, avoiding direct condemnation of either Israel’s military actions or Hamas’ attacks.
• While calling for humanitarian aid to Gaza, India has not officially designated Hamas as a terrorist organization, unlike the US, UK, and EU.
• India has maintained its historical support for the two-state solution, advocating for peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine.

Israel-India Relations 

• The visit of Israeli Foreign Ministry Director-General Eden Bar Tal to India highlights the growing strategic partnership between the two nations.
• Defence cooperation and security ties remain strong, with India being one of the largest buyers of Israeli military equipment.
• However, India’s diplomatic statements indicate a careful balancing act to maintain ties with the Arab world.

Humanitarian Crisis and Global Response

• Over 45,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began, raising international concerns over humanitarian violations.
• Israel’s refusal to extend the ceasefire without hostage releases has prolonged the crisis.
• Many countries, including Ireland and Spain, have been critical of Israel’s actions, advocating for a peaceful resolution through a two-state solution.

India’s West Asia Policy and Strategic Interests

• India maintains strong diplomatic and economic ties with both Israel and Arab nations, particularly in energy security.
• The ongoing crisis challenges India’s balancing act, as it continues to engage with Israel for strategic interests while ensuring positive relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council nations.
• India’s growing economic ties with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE make it important to address humanitarian concerns in Gaza.

Conclusion 

• India’s response to the Gaza crisis reflects its strategic autonomy in foreign policy. While strengthening ties with Israel, India remains committed to humanitarian assistance and a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. Moving forward, India’s engagement in multilateral diplomacy will be crucial in advocating for lasting peace in the region.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Ques :India’s foreign policy in West Asia is shaped by a careful balance between its ties with Israel and its historical support for Palestine. Discuss with reference to recent developments.(250 words)

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Governance

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment has urged the Union government to accelerate the centralisation of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and enhance the authority of the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) for better management.

• The panel also raised concerns over the slow implementation of tribal welfare schemes, particularly the PM-JANMAN package and the establishment of tribal freedom fighters’ museums.

Key Issues Highlighted by the Parliamentary Panel

Centralisation of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

• The committee emphasized the urgent need to centralize Eklavya schools for efficient administration and better educational outcomes for tribal students.
• NESTS, the nodal agency under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, needs to be strengthened to manage these schools effectively.
• Delays in decision-making regarding centralisation have hindered the expansion and quality improvement of these institutions.

Slow Implementation of PM-JANMAN Package

• The PM-JANMAN scheme aims to ensure comprehensive development in villages inhabited by particularly vulnerable tribal groups.
• Out of 29,000 targeted villages, saturation of welfare schemes has been achieved in only 4,288 villages.
• The slow pace indicates challenges in last-mile delivery, administrative inefficiencies, and lack of proper monitoring mechanisms.

Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museums

• The government had sanctioned 11 museums to honor tribal leaders’ contributions to India’s freedom struggle.
• Only three museums (Jharkhand, Jabalpur, and Chhindwara) have been inaugurated so far, while the remaining eight, sanctioned between 2017 and 2020, are still under construction.
• The panel acknowledged the importance of these museums in recognizing tribal history but called for their expedited completion.

Budget Allocation and Underutilization of Funds

• The budget for the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has increased to ₹14,925.81 crore for 2025-26.
• However, the ministry has consistently failed to fully utilize the allocated funds, raising concerns about inefficiencies in fund disbursement and implementation.

Significance for Tribal Development and Governance

• Centralisation of EMRS can improve quality education for tribal students, ensuring better management, teacher training, and infrastructure development.
• Faster implementation of the PM-JANMAN package is crucial to improving the living standards of vulnerable tribal groups.
• Recognizing tribal freedom fighters through dedicated museums strengthens cultural identity and historical representation.
• Addressing fund utilization issues can enhance the effectiveness of tribal welfare schemes.

Conclusion

• The recommendations of the parliamentary panel highlight critical gaps in tribal welfare policies and implementation. Strengthening institutions like NESTS, expediting infrastructure projects, and ensuring efficient fund utilization are essential steps towards improving tribal development. The government must address these challenges to ensure inclusive growth and empowerment of tribal communities.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Ques : Discuss the role of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in improving the education of tribal students in India. How can their administration be strengthened?(250 words)

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Geography

The anticipation surrounding the Indian summer monsoon has once again sparked debates on whether 2025-2026 will be influenced by El Niño or La Niña. While these climate phenomena have historically impacted monsoon patterns, recent sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies have complicated predictions.

• The article explores the evolving nature of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and its impact on monsoon forecasting.

Key Observations on ENSO Patterns 

• Unexpected SST Anomalies
  • In early 2024, cold SST anomalies appeared in the far eastern tropical Pacific, signaling a transition to La Niña.
  • However, these anomalies shifted westward, creating an unusual pattern of cold SST anomalies in the central-western Pacific and warm SST anomalies in the far east—opposite of the commonly observed El Niño pattern.
• Wind Pattern Anomalies
  • Strong easterly winds in the central-western tropical Pacific and westerly anomalies in the far eastern Pacific added to the confusion.
  • Historically, La Niña has a dominant pattern of cold SST anomalies in the eastern and central Pacific, while El Niño has multiple variations (East Pacific El Niño and Central Pacific El Niño).
• Role of ENSO Transition Mode (ETM)
  • The ETM, a climatic variability mode in the southern Pacific, influences wind patterns and determines whether an El Niño transitions into La Niña.
  • The ETM was unfavorable for a strong La Niña transition in 2024, possibly explaining the failure of earlier forecasts predicting a robust La Niña.
• Climate Change and Ocean Heat Uptake
  • The record-breaking global temperatures of 2023 and 2024 may have altered ENSO patterns.
  • Lack of cooling in the eastern Pacific reduced heat absorption by the ocean, leading to increased atmospheric heat retention.

Impact on the Indian Monsoon 

• Uncertainty in 2025 Monsoon Forecast
  • ENSO forecasts for 2025 are mixed—some models predict La Niña emergence by fall, while others suggest a normal year or even a strong El Niño.
  • The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) played a key role in stabilizing the 2023 monsoon despite a strong El Niño.
• Changing ENSO-Monsoon Relationship
  • Over the past decades, ENSO’s influence on monsoons has weakened due to changes in mid-latitude temperature anomalies and jet stream behavior.
  • Pre-monsoon cyclones, influenced by these changes, have further complicated monsoon onset and distribution.
• Challenges in Climate Forecasting
  • The inability to fully explain recent warming trends has made climate models less reliable for long-term predictions.
  • The India Meteorological Department (IMD) continues to refine its models, but managing expectations remains as challenging as managing climate risks.

Conclusion 

• With uncertainty surrounding ENSO’s impact, India must prepare for monsoon variability rather than rely solely on forecasts. Strengthening adaptive strategies, improving climate resilience in agriculture, and enhancing monsoon prediction models remain critical. The changing ENSO dynamics underscore the need for continuous climate research and policy adaptation to mitigate monsoon-related risks.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Ques :Discuss the impact of El Niño and La Niña on the Indian monsoon. How has climate change altered this relationship in recent decades?

 In News : International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director recently lauded India’s expanding nuclear sector, calling it one of the ‘most dynamic’ in Asia and the world.

About International Atomic Energy Agency

• It is the world’s foremost intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field.
• It works for the safe, secure, and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology.
• An autonomous organization within the United Nations system, the IAEA carries out programmes to maximize the contribution of nuclear technology to society while verifying its peaceful use.
• It is widely known as the world’s “Atoms for Peace and Development” organization within the United Nations family.
• IAEA reports to both the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council.
• Statute:
  • The Statute of the IAEA was approved on 23 October 1956 by the Conference on the Statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which was held at the Headquarters of the United Nations.
  • It came into force on 29 July 1957.
• Headquarters: Vienna, Austria.
• Membership: Currently, it has 178 member states.

International Atomic Energy Agency Structure

• The General Conference, consisting of all members, meets annually to approve the budget and programs and to debate the IAEA’s general policies.
• The Board of Governors, which consists of 35 members who meet about five times per year, is charged with carrying out the agency’s statutory functions, approving safeguards agreements, and appointing the director general.
• The day-to-day affairs of the IAEA are run by the Secretariat, which is headed by the director general.
• International Atomic Energy Agency Functions
• It works with its member states and multiple partners worldwide to promote the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.
• It applies nuclear safeguards – consisting of monitoring, inspection, information analysis, and other activities – to verify that nuclear activities remain peaceful and detect and deter their diversion, including to weapons-related purposes.
• In particular, the IAEA implements comprehensive safeguards agreements mandated by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which serve as a first line of defense against nuclear weapons proliferation.
• IAEA assists its member states and promotes the exchange of scientific and technical information between them.
• IAEA enhances national, regional, and international capacities to respond to nuclear and radiological incidents, which is essential to minimizing their impact.

GS PAPER 5

Editorial Analysis

Context :

• The recent rulings in the Sanjay Bhandari extradition case in the United Kingdom and the ongoing proceedings in Tahawwur Rana’s extradition appeal in the United States have raised serious concerns about custodial torture in India.
• These cases highlight the legal and moral necessity for India to enact a comprehensive anti-torture law and ratify the United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCAT). Despite being a signatory to several human rights treaties, India’s failure to ratify UNCAT weakens its global human rights stance.

Key Issues with India’s Anti-Torture Framework 

• Custodial Torture and Extradition Cases

  • The UK High Court denied Bhandari’s extradition on the grounds that he faced a real risk of custodial torture in India and cited India’s non-ratification of UNCAT.
  • Tahawwur Rana, accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attack case, has cited similar concerns in his appeal against extradition to India.
  • Several other fugitives have used the same argument, exposing a legal loophole that affects India’s ability to bring back individuals facing trial.

• India’s Ambiguity on UNCAT Ratification

  • Despite initiating an early UN resolution against torture, India has not ratified UNCAT, placing it in the company of authoritarian regimes such as Sudan, Brunei, and Angola.
  • Articles 51(c) and 253 of the Constitution mandate adherence to international treaties, yet the government remains reluctant.

• Judicial Inaction and Political Indifference

  • The Rajya Sabha Select Committee (2010) and the Law Commission (273rd Report, 2017) recommended a standalone anti-torture law, but no action has been taken.
  • The Supreme Court has strongly condemned custodial torture under Article 21 (D.K. Basu, Puttaswamy, Nambi Narayanan cases).
  • However, in Ashwani Kumar (2019), the Court refrained from directing the government to legislate on the issue, showing judicial restraint despite past precedents (Vishakha, NALSA, Tehseen Poonawalla).

Implications of India’s Inaction

• Human Rights and International Reputation

  • India’s failure to pass an anti-torture law damages its credibility as a democratic nation and weakens its position as a defender of human rights.
  • The Guantanamo Bay case in the US serves as a reminder that state-sanctioned torture undermines democracy’s moral authority.

• Legal and Diplomatic Challenges

  • The rejection of extradition requests based on torture concerns hampers India’s ability to prosecute criminals and fugitives.
  • The absence of legal safeguards weakens India’s negotiating power in international legal forums.

• Impact on Law Enforcement and Justice System

  • Custodial torture leads to wrongful confessions, false convictions, and erodes trust in the justice system.
  • The absence of legal deterrence allows human rights violations to persist unchecked.

Way Forward

• Enactment of a Comprehensive Anti-Torture Law

  • The proposed law should define torture, establish accountability mechanisms, and provide for independent investigations into custodial torture cases.

• Ratification of UNCAT

  • India should formally ratify the UNCAT and align its legal framework with international human rights standards.

• Judicial and Police Reforms

  • The judiciary must take a proactive role in ensuring the protection of fundamental rights, while police reforms must focus on humane interrogation techniques and better training.

• Strengthening Human Rights Institutions

  • The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and state bodies should be given more autonomy and resources to investigate cases of torture effectively.

Conclusion

• India, as a democracy aspiring for global leadership, must not allow custodial torture to tarnish its justice system. Enacting an anti-torture law and ratifying UNCAT will strengthen India’s human rights framework and reinforce its commitment to constitutional values. Addressing this issue is not just a legal necessity but a moral imperative to uphold the dignity and rights of individuals.