PRELIMS
Chabahar Port
Why in News: US sanctions waiver (2018) for India’s operations at Chabahar Port ended in Sept 2025. Threatens India’s $120 million investment and risks secondary sanctions.
Geopolitical Importance
- Iran’s only oceanic port; gateway to Afghanistan & Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.
- Key node in International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC): Mumbai–Iran–Azerbaijan–Russia.
- Strategic counterbalance to China’s Gwadar Port (Pakistan).
Impact of Waiver Revocation
- India Ports Global Ltd. (IPGL) operations at Shahid Beheshti Terminal exposed to sanctions.
- Raises uncertainty in India-Iran connectivity projects.
Infrastructure
- Draft: -16 metres; handles ships up to 120,000 DWT.
- Facilities: cranes, cargo equipment; ongoing development.
- Region around port underdeveloped; limited urban infrastructure.
Chabahar Free Zone
- Planned trade & logistics hub.
- Lacks schools, hospitals, housing, hotels.
- India encouraged to invest; BCCI exploring cricket stadium project.
Strategic Challenges
- US pressure vs. India-Iran cooperation.
- Competition with Gwadar Port (China–Pakistan).
- Future role hinges on India’s ability to balance sanctions, connectivity, and regional diplomacy.
Extreme Nuclear Transients (ENTs)
Why in News: Astronomers at University of Hawaii’s Institute for Astronomy (IfA) discovered Extreme Nuclear Transients (ENTs) – more powerful than Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs).
About ENTs
- Result from massive stars (≥3 times Sun’s mass) torn apart by supermassive black holes in galactic centres.
- Powered by accretion of stellar debris → releases enormous electromagnetic energy.
- Emit ~10x more energy than GRBs (previous record-holders).
- Appear as long, luminous “space streamers” visible for years in radio wavelengths.
Comparison with Other Phenomena
- TDEs (Tidal Disruption Events): Star torn apart by black hole → energy equivalent to 100+ supernovae. ENTs are rarer, involve larger galaxies and bigger black holes.
- GRBs (Gamma-Ray Bursts): Short, luminous bursts from black hole formation; previously most powerful.
- FXTs (Fast X-ray Transients): Short-lived X-ray bursts from particle jets trapped inside supernovae → less energetic than GRBs/ENTs.
Significance
- ENTs = most energetic transient events discovered.
- Useful to study supermassive black holes in the early universe.
- Complement studies of accreting black holes.
Future Tools
- Vera C. Rubin Observatory (Chile) – wide-field survey telescope.
- Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (NASA, launch 2027) – advanced infrared astronomy.
- AI-driven data analysis to expand ENT detection.
Static Info
- Sagittarius A*: Supermassive black hole at centre of Milky Way.
- FLOPS (Floating Point Operations per Second): Measure of computing power used in astrophysical simulations.
- Transient in astronomy: Object/event with rapidly changing brightness over short periods.
Smog-Eating’ Technology
Why in News: Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced a study on titanium oxide–based photocatalytic coatings (“smog-eating surfaces”).
Aim: Reduce nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and harmful hydrocarbons in high-pollution zones.
About the Technology
- Photocatalysis: A process where a catalyst (e.g., titanium dioxide – TiO₂) uses sunlight/UV light to trigger chemical reactions.
- Converts air pollutants (NO₂, VOCs/hydrocarbons) into less harmful compounds.
- Already deployed in some foreign cities on roads/buildings to improve air quality.
Delhi Plan
Step-by-step approach:
- Select scientific partner within 30 days.
- Field trials on real stretches.
- Final report within 6 months.
- If successful → Cabinet proposal for city-wide rollout at busy corridors, markets, public spaces.
Focus Areas
- Evaluate safety, sustainability, cost-effectiveness.
- Identify credible suppliers for large-scale deployment.
Static Info
Air Pollutants:
- NO₂: Causes respiratory illness; contributes to smog and acid rain.
- VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds): Precursor to ground-level ozone, harmful to health.
Photocatalysis:
- TiO₂ is a widely studied semiconductor catalyst.
- Used in self-cleaning glass, anti-bacterial coatings, and pollution-control surfaces.
Inflation
Why in News: Inflation in India has fallen sharply and is expected to remain subdued. This benefits consumers but challenges government’s fiscal arithmetic.
Key Facts (Current Data):
- CPI Inflation (Aug 2025): 2.07%
- WPI Inflation (Aug 2025): 0.52%
- Nominal GDP growth Q1 2025–26: 7.8% (Budget assumption: 10.5%)
- Fiscal Deficit Target FY26: 5.1% of GDP
Link between Inflation & Fiscal Arithmetic:
- Nominal GDP = Real GDP growth + Inflation
- Fiscal deficit & debt-to-GDP ratio measured as % of nominal GDP
- Low inflation ⇒ lower nominal GDP ⇒ fiscal deficit & debt ratios appear worse
Budget Impact:
- Low nominal GDP growth (~8–8.3%) expected vs Budget’s 10.5%
- Risk: deficit overshooting, lower GST revenues
Is Low Inflation Bad?
- Positive: Relief to households, lower cost of living
- Negative: Weak demand, reduced government revenues, fiscal stress
Static Info
1. Inflation Measures in India:
- CPI (Consumer Price Index): Measures retail inflation, reflects cost of living. Published by NSO, MoSPI.
- WPI (Wholesale Price Index): Captures price changes at wholesale level. Published by Office of Economic Adviser, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce.
2. GDP Types:
- Real GDP: Adjusted for inflation, shows actual growth.
- Nominal GDP: Includes inflation, used for fiscal ratios.
3. Fiscal Indicators:
- Fiscal Deficit: Excess of govt. expenditure over revenue (excluding borrowings).
- Debt-to-GDP Ratio: Total govt. debt as % of GDP.
- Both measured as % of nominal GDP.
4. Budget Assumptions:
- Union Budget projects nominal GDP growth each year.
- Fiscal deficit target FY26: 5.1% of GDP (FRBM glide path).
5. Institutions Involved:
- MoSPI: Releases national accounts data (GDP).
- RBI: Monitors inflation & sets monetary policy.
- Finance Ministry: Frames Budget assumptions.
Aflatoxin Contamination
Why in News: Indonesia suspended imports of groundnuts from India due to aflatoxin contamination.
About Aflatoxins:
- Toxic secondary metabolites produced mainly by fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus.
- Thrive in warm, humid climates.
- Found in groundnuts (peanuts), maize, rice, cottonseed, tree nuts, spices, oilseeds.
- Contamination occurs during pre-harvest, post-harvest, or improper storage.
Types:
- Major: Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2.
- B1 is the most toxic and carcinogenic.
Health Risks:
- Genotoxic & carcinogenic (Group 1 carcinogen, IARC).
- Causes liver damage, acute aflatoxicosis, immunosuppression, growth retardation.
- Long-term exposure → Liver cancer.
- Can also be present in milk, eggs, meat when animals consume contaminated feed.
Global Concern & Control:
- Standards set by Codex Alimentarius Commission (FAO-WHO).
- Control measures: Good agricultural practices, proper drying & storage, biocontrol using non-toxic Aspergillus strains, regular inspections.
Trade & Economic Impact:
- Indonesia = one-third of India’s groundnut exports.
- FY 2024–25: Imported 2.77 lakh tonnes ($280 mn) out of India’s 7.46 lakh tonnes ($795 mn) groundnut exports.
Farmer Impact:
- Groundnut acreage in 2025 kharif: 48 lakh ha (vs 47.65 lakh ha last year).
- Gujarat expects 66 lakh tonnes output.
- Prices: ₹5,682/quintal, below MSP ₹7,263, worsening farmer distress.
About Codex Alimentarius (“Food Code”):
- Collection of international food standards, guidelines, codes of practice.
- Purpose: Protect consumer health, promote fair food trade.
- Serves as reference for harmonizing food safety regulations worldwide.
- Recognized under WTO Sanitary & Phytosanitary Agreement as benchmark.
- Ensures safe, quality food and consumer confidence.
