PRELIMS
Pacific Reach 2025 Exercise
Why in News: Biennial multinational submarine rescue exercise; 2025 edition in Singapore with 40+ nations.
India’s Role: INS Nistar (commissioned July 18, 2025) participates as mothership for Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRVs).
Phases:
- Harbour: Knowledge sharing, SME exchanges, medical symposiums.
- Sea: Live rescue & submarine intervention drills in South China Sea.
INS Nistar: Indigenously built Diving Support Vessel (80% indigenous), equipped with Side Scan Sonar, ROVs, deep-sea diving systems. Operates under Eastern Naval Command.
DSRVs: Inducted 2018–19; rescue up to 650m; rapid deployment via airlift/VoO.
Significance: Boosts Indo-Pacific cooperation, Aatmanirbhar push, underwater emergency preparedness.
COP30 and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
Why in News: Only 29 of 195 countries have submitted updated NDCs ahead of COP30 (Nov 2025, Brazil); major emitters still undecided.
COP30: Scheduled in Belem, Brazil (Nov 10, 2025). Focus: implementation of climate pledges.
NDCs: Voluntary emission-reduction targets by countries under the Paris Agreement (2015); updated every 5 years; aim to keep global warming below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, by 2100.
Status: Only 29/195 countries have submitted updated NDCs.
EU Position: Yet to finalise; debating 90% emission cut by 2040, net zero by 2050, and a 2035 interim target.
India’s NDC: Net-zero by 2070, 50% non-fossil capacity by 2030.
Significance: Tests global climate ambition amid divisions; potential new coalitions in climate leadership.
Radar System
Why in News: Indian Army is acquiring upgraded radar systems to counter swarms of low-cost drones with small radar signatures, learning from Operation Sindoor.
Key Facts
Procurement Plan:
- Up to 45 Low-Level Light Weight Radars (Improved).
- Up to 48 Air Defence Fire Control Radars – Drone Detectors (ADFCR-DD).
- 10 Low-Level Light Weight Radars (Improved).
Purpose:
- Detect, track, and engage aerial objects with small Radar Cross-Sections (RCS) such as drones.
- Counter infiltration of drones along northern & western borders.
How Radars Work
Radar = Radio Detection and Ranging.
Components:
- Transmitter: emits radio signals.
- Receiver: collects reflected signals.
- Determines distance, direction, and velocity of aerial threats.
Radars Being Procured
- LLLWR/LLLWR(E): Upgraded surveillance radars for detecting small, low-flying aerial threats.
- ADFCR-DD: Mobile fire control radar for detecting and targeting small drones.
Features & Capabilities
Effective against:
- Small drones, UAVs, low-flying aerial objects.
- Drone swarms (transmit target data up to 10 km away).
- Provide 3D coverage of low-altitude airspace.
- Can classify and control weapon systems automatically.
India’s AD (Air Defence) Infrastructure
- Mix of guns, missiles, radars, and control systems.
Includes:
- Akash surface-to-air missile system.
- Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS).
Goal: detect, track, and neutralise aerial threats, including drones.
Doctrine of Escheat
Why in News: Supreme Court clarified that states cannot invoke Doctrine of Escheat against a valid Will with probate (Raja Sardar Singh vs State of Rajasthan case).
Key Facts
Escheat – Right of government to claim ownership of unclaimed property/ownerless assets.
Doctrine of Escheat – Ensures no property remains without ownership; property reverts to the State if:
- Person dies intestate (without a Will) and without heirs.
- Property remains unclaimed/abandoned for long period.
Origin
- From Old French word “eschete” = “to fall to” (property reverting to feudal lord).
Governing Laws in India
- Hindu Succession Act, 1956 – Section 29 allows escheat when no heirs exist.
- Article 296, Indian Constitution – Property accrues to State through escheat, lapse, or bona vacantia.
- Governed by personal laws + statutory provisions.
Property Types under Escheat
- Real estate – land, buildings, immovable property.
- Dormant bank accounts.
- Securities & investments – shares, bonds, etc.
- Unclaimed insurance policies.
Important Case Laws
- Collector of Masulipatam v. Cavaly Vancata Narrainappah (1860)
- State of Punjab v. Balwant Singh (1991)
- Kutchi Lal Rameshwar Ashram Trust v. Collector, Haridwar (2017)
- State of Rajasthan v. Lord Northbrook (2019)
- Raja Sardar Singh vs State of Rajasthan (2025) – SC upheld validity of Will; held Govt. has no locus standi in probate matters where a Will exists.
Polymetallic Nodules
Why in News: India received an exploration contract from the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to explore polymetallic sulphur nodules in the Carlsberg Ridge, NW Indian Ocean.
Context:
- This is the first global licence for such exploration.
- It is India’s 3rd major deep-sea exploration project.
Polymetallic Nodules
- What: Mineral concretions on deep ocean floor formed by hydrogenetic & diagenetic precipitation of manganese & iron hydroxides around a central core.
- Composition: Rich in manganese, cobalt, nickel, zinc, copper.
- Distribution: Found in all oceans – esp. North Central Pacific, Peru Basin (SE Pacific), North Indian Ocean.
Exploration Technologies
- Hydraulic Mining System – Uses high-pressure water jets to break rocks; slurry piped to surface.
- Continuous Line Bucket (CLB) – Japan-developed system using bucket-laden cable to lift minerals from ocean floor.
Uses of Metals
- Cobalt: EV batteries, jet engine superalloys.
- Nickel: Stainless steel, batteries.
- Copper: Electronics, batteries, industry.
- Manganese: Steel production, batteries, octane reduction.
India’s Exploration Projects
- 2024 applications: Carlsberg Ridge & Afanasy-Nikitin Sea (ANS) mount.
- Granted: Carlsberg Ridge (3,00,000 sq. km, boundary between Indian & Arabian tectonic plates).
- Pending: ANS Mount (Central Indian Ocean, SE of Sri Lanka).
Significance
- Reduces import dependency of strategic metals.
- Employment opportunities for engineers, scientists, technicians.
- Strategic boost to India’s Deep Ocean Mission.
International Seabed Authority (ISA) – Quick Facts
- Established: 1994 under UNCLOS (1982) + 1994 Agreement.
- HQ: Kingston, Jamaica.
- Members: 168 (167 countries + EU).
- Role: Regulates exploration of international seabed (“high seas” areas).
- Current: 19 countries with exploration rights.
