PRELIMS
Orcas Offering Prey to Humans
Why in News: A recent study (Journal of Comparative Psychology, 2004–2024 data) documented orcas (killer whales) offering freshly killed prey to humans and waiting for human response before recovering or abandoning it.
Key Points
Species: Orcas (largest dolphins, called killer whales).
Regions Studied: Eastern North Pacific, Eastern Tropical Pacific, Western South Pacific, Western South Atlantic, Eastern North Atlantic.
Findings:
- 34 instances recorded; 33 showed whales waiting for human reaction.
- Prey offered: fish, seaweed, invertebrates, reptiles, birds, mammals.
- Both adults & juveniles involved.
Behavioural Insights:
- Suggests exploration, intelligence, and prosocial behaviour rather than mere play.
- Some reciprocity observed when humans returned the prey → shows adaptability & learning.
Conservation Significance:
- Human–orca interactions may shape future whale behaviour (friendly or hostile).
- Could enhance awareness and support for conservation.
Orcas (Killer Whales)
- Scientific name: Orcinus orca.
- Taxonomy: Largest member of the dolphin family (Delphinidae).
- Distribution: Found in all oceans — from the Arctic and Antarctic to tropical seas.
- IUCN Red List status: Data Deficient (due to lack of comprehensive population data).
Characteristics:
- Apex predators → top of the food chain.
- Large brain-to-body size ratio → linked to high intelligence and social behaviour.
- Live in groups called pods, led by a matriarch (oldest female).
- Known for cooperative hunting and complex vocal communication.
- Lifespan: Females up to 80–90 years, males ~60 years.
- Cultural Significance: Different populations have distinct hunting techniques and “dialects,” sometimes considered evidence of animal “cultures.”
- Threats: Pollution, prey depletion (esp. salmon), ship strikes, and captivity.
Inside the APK Scam: Fake Apps and Financial Fraud
Why in News: APK fraud, driven by malicious Android Package Kit (APK) files, has emerged as one of the fastest-growing cybercrime threats in India, with daily financial losses reported between ₹10–15 lakh and an overall 900% rise in cybercrimes between 2021 and 2025.
Key Points
Nature of Fraud:
- APK files (like .exe files in Windows) used to mimic govt/bank apps (KYC updates, PM-Kisan, tax refunds, electricity bills).
- Once installed, apps gain permissions (SMS, contacts, notifications, mic, location), steal OTPs and credentials, and siphon money.
Impact:
- Between Jan–July 2025, 2,188 cases in Telangana alone caused losses of ₹779.06 crore.
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal logged 12,47,393 cybercrime cases in 6 months.
Operation Modus:
- 60–70% developed locally (Delhi NCR, Meerut, Jamtara, Jharkhand).
- 30–40% traced internationally (U.S., U.K., China).
- Distributed via Telegram, dark web marketplaces; reused with minor interface changes.
Victim Targeting:
- Based on leaked databases (malls, hospitals, service portals).
- High-earning professionals (doctors, bankers, real estate agents) are prime targets.
Investigation Challenges:
- Only 20–30% of APKs decrypted successfully.
- Financial trails lead to mule accounts and crypto conversions.
- Google removed ~50 malicious apps recently, but fraudsters bypass checks with shell identities.
Other important points
- CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team–India): Nodal agency for responding to cyber incidents (set up in 2004 under IT Act, 2000).
- IT Act, 2000: Provides legal framework for cybercrimes, e-commerce, data security. Amended in 2008 to cover cyber terrorism, identity theft, phishing.
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP): Launched in 2019, for reporting cybercrimes (esp. financial fraud, cyber harassment, child pornography).
- Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): Under MHA, coordinates law enforcement and cybercrime investigations.
- Cyber Swachhta Kendra: Botnet cleaning and malware analysis centre (MeitY initiative).
- Budapest Convention: First international treaty on cybercrime (India is not a signatory).
De Minimis Rule
Why in News: On 29 August 2025, the United States ended its century-old De Minimis exemption, which allowed duty-free import of shipments valued under $800 per person per day. This has disrupted India–US postal and e-commerce trade, with India Post suspending most mail services to the US from 25 August 2025.
Key Points
De Minimis Exemption:
- Allowed low-value shipments (<$800) duty-free entry into the US.
- Facilitated 1.36 billion shipments in FY 2024.
- Reduced compliance costs & boosted cross-border e-commerce.
Reason for Withdrawal:
- Increase tariff collection.
- Curb undervaluation & misdeclaration of goods.
- Address security concerns and enhance revenue.
- Announced by US President Donald Trump (30 July 2025).
Impact on India Post:
- Suspended most US-bound parcels (except documents & gifts under $100).
- Millions affected, esp. in regions like Coimbatore where ~15% parcels were US-bound.
Effect on Indian MSMEs & E-commerce:
- MSMEs exporting electronics, pharma, textiles, jewellery hit hardest (these form ~60% of India’s exports to US).
- Entry Type 86 simplified customs replaced with Entry Type 11 → higher documentation & compliance.
- Increased duties → higher costs, lower margins, reduced demand.
Challenges & Outlook:
- Exporters must absorb costs or raise prices.
- Risk of delays & compliance burden.
- Push to adopt modern compliance systems & digital frameworks.
- Dept. of Post and industry stakeholders seeking new duty collection mechanisms.
The Scramble for Fertilisers in India
Why in News: A good southwest monsoon (June–August 2025) has led to increased kharif crop planting, pushing fertiliser demand. Domestic production shortfalls and reduced imports of urea and DAP have caused supply shortages, leading to queues at outlets.
Rainfall Context:
- June–August 2025 rainfall: 6.1% above normal.
- Farmers planted 420.44 lakh hectares under kharif crops (up 7.6% YoY).
- Fertiliser Sales (Apr–Jul 2025 vs 2024):
- Urea: +8.2% (387.24 lakh tonnes vs 357.80).
- DAP: +13.4% (92.81 vs 81.82).
- NPKS: –3.2% (39.34 vs 40.62).
- SSP: –6.8% (22.12 vs 23.73).
- MOP: +49.4% (22.02 vs 14.73).
Imports of Urea (Apr–Jun 2025):
- It fell from 80.60 lt (2023) → 69.10 lt (2024) → 12.10 lt (2025).
- Imports from China, Oman, Russia, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia fell sharply.
Imports of DAP (Apr–Jun 2025):
- Fell from 55.96 lt (2023) → 45.60 lt (2024) → 14.08 lt (2025).
- Major suppliers: Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Russia, Jordan.
Reasons for Shortfall:
- Domestic urea production lower (93.61 lt vs 96.86 lt).
- Sharp fall in imports due to China’s export restrictions.
- Surge in farmer demand (esp. rice & maize growers applying 3x normal urea).
Policy Lessons:
- Govt underestimated fertiliser requirement.
- Must plan ahead for rabi season supply.
- Farmers advised to balance urea with DAP/NPKS/SSP to avoid soil degradation.
- Need to augment buffer stock and strengthen domestic production.
Static Info
Fertiliser Subsidy in India:
- Urea: Under statutory price control, subsidy covers difference between cost & farm gate price.
- Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme (2010): Applies to P&K fertilisers (DAP, MOP, SSP, NPKS); subsidy based on per-kg nutrient (N, P, K, S).
Major Fertilisers:
- Urea (N fertiliser) → most consumed, highly subsidised.
- DAP (Di-ammonium phosphate) → provides N & P.
- MOP (Muriate of potash) → source of K.
- SSP (Single super phosphate) → provides P & S.
- NPKS → complex fertilisers with multiple nutrients.
Self-Reliance & Imports:
- India imports ~30% of urea, ~60% of DAP, ~100% of MOP.
- Top suppliers: China, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Morocco, Jordan, Russia.
Government Initiatives:
- One Nation One Fertiliser (ONOF): All fertilisers sold under brand “Bharat”.
- Neem-coated urea: To reduce diversion & increase efficiency.
- Nano urea: Developed by IFFCO, promoted to reduce dependence on bulk imports.
- Plans to produce fertiliser using green hydrogen under National Green Hydrogen Mission.
Blue Dragons
Why in News: Several beaches in Spain (e.g., Guardamar del Segura, La Línea de la Concepción, and Lanzarote) were closed in mid-2025 after large numbers of blue dragons (Glaucus atlanticus), a venomous sea slug species, washed ashore.
Key Points
About Blue Dragons:
- Small sea slug (~4 cm long), scientific name Glaucus atlanticus.
- Float upside down on ocean surface by swallowing air bubble.
- Blue on top (camouflage with sea) and white below (blends with sunlight from below).
Venom & Sting:
- Feed on jellyfish & siphonophores (e.g., Portuguese man o’ war).
- Store and concentrate jellyfish venom in their finger-like appendages.
- Sting more powerful than jellyfish, causes redness, swelling, nausea, vomiting.
- Sting painful but not fatal.
Distribution:
- Found in tropical & warm oceans: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean.
- Reported from Australia, South Africa, USA.
- Rare in Mediterranean but sightings have increased in last 5 years.
Reason for Arrival in Spain:
- Linked to rising Mediterranean Sea temperatures (~28°C with anomalies of +5°C).
- Warmer waters brought in more food sources (Portuguese man o’ war).
Static Info
- Marine Adaptation: Example of camouflage & defensive strategy in marine biology.
Mediterranean Sea:
- One of world’s fastest-warming water bodies.
- Climate anomalies impacting marine ecosystems and tourism.
