{"id":3796,"date":"2026-01-06T11:05:49","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T11:05:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/?p=3796"},"modified":"2026-01-06T13:19:32","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T13:19:32","slug":"current-affairs-06th-january-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/2026\/01\/06\/current-affairs-06th-january-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Current Affairs 06th January 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">1. Popocatepetl volcano&#8217;s<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>GS Paper III-Geography<\/p>\n<p><strong><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/strong><strong><b>Context :<\/b><\/strong>Breakthrough achievement: First high-resolution 3D images of Popocat\u00e9petl volcano&#8217;s interior revealed in late December 2025.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Widely reported by global media (AP, ABC News, Phys.org) in early January 2026 due to its scientific significance.<\/li>\n<li>Highlights advanced mapping of an active volcano near 25 million people, amid ongoing eruptions since 1994.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Why Was This Study Necessary<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Popocat\u00e9petl is one of the world&#8217;s most dangerous volcanoes, threatening 25 million people within 100 km radius.<\/li>\n<li>Previous attempts 15 years ago yielded low-resolution, contradictory results on magma location and structure.<\/li>\n<li>Most risky volcanoes globally have detailed interior maps, but Popocat\u00e9petl lacked one despite daily activity.<\/li>\n<li>Essential for understanding magma accumulation to improve eruption forecasting and hazard mitigation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>How Was the Study Conducted<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Team led by Marco Cal\u00f2 from UNAM&#8217;s Geophysics Institute climbed slopes multiple times over 5-6 years.<\/li>\n<li>Increased seismic stations from 12 (official) to 22-39 broadband seismographs around the volcano perimeter.<\/li>\n<li>Recorded ambient noise and seismic signals (vibrations from magma, gas, rocks, aquifers) at 100 samples per second.<\/li>\n<li>Processed vast data to create cross-sectional 3D model extending 18 km below crater.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Key Technologies Used<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Ambient noise seismic tomography<\/b><\/strong>: Used cross-correlations of natural ground vibrations for imaging.<\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Broadband seismographs<\/b><\/strong>: High-sensitivity devices for capturing detailed seismic waves.<\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Artificial Intelligence<\/b><\/strong>: Adapted algorithms to analyze millions of data points and infer material properties.<\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Group velocity dispersion curves inversion<\/b><\/strong>: Technique to map seismic velocities and structure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>What Did Scientists Discover<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Complex interior: Multiple pools of magma at varying depths, separated by rock and other materials.<\/li>\n<li>Magma more numerous and accumulated toward the southeast side of the crater.<\/li>\n<li>No simple single chamber with main vent, unlike typical school diagrams.<\/li>\n<li>Reveals dynamic reorganization of magma reservoirs over time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Understanding Popocat\u00e9petl Activity<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Explains ongoing daily plumes of smoke, gas, ash, and periodic dome formations\/collapses since 1994.<\/li>\n<li>Higher tremor frequency on southeast aligns with greater magma presence there.<\/li>\n<li>Indicates volcano is in continuous internal movement, aiding prediction of eruptive patterns.<\/li>\n<li>Supports idea of redistributed magma influencing activity levels without immediate major eruption.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Importance of the Study<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Enables better eruption forecasting and timely evacuations for densely populated areas (including Mexico City).<\/li>\n<li>Provides &#8220;natural laboratory&#8221; insights into volcanic processes, improving global hazard models.<\/li>\n<li>Repeated future imaging can detect changes in magma for early warnings.<\/li>\n<li>Enhances public safety around airports, hospitals, schools; reduces risks from ash falls and pyroclastic flows.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">2. Hierarchy of roles<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>GS paper II-polity<\/p>\n<p><strong><b>Context :<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0Recent Supreme Court decisions\/High-profile UAPA cases where accused got bail and the Court discussed misuse, prolonged incarceration and strict bail bar under Section 43D(5).<\/p>\n<p><strong><b>Background of the Issue<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>February 2020 Northeast Delhi riots during anti-CAA protests killed 53, injured hundreds.<\/li>\n<li>Delhi Police alleged pre-planned conspiracy by activists to disrupt public order during US President Trump&#8217;s visit.<\/li>\n<li>Multiple FIRs merged into &#8216;larger conspiracy&#8217; case; accused charged under UAPA and IPC sections.<\/li>\n<li>Accused in jail over 5-6 years without trial commencement; over 700 witnesses listed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>What is Hierarchy of Participation<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Concept from prosecution narrative distinguishing accused based on alleged roles.<\/li>\n<li>Higher level: Central, formative, managerial roles like planning and mobilisation (e.g., Khalid, Imam).<\/li>\n<li>Lower level: Peripheral, facilitative, or associative involvement.<\/li>\n<li>Requires individual assessment of bail pleas, rejecting parity among co-accused.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Expansion of Terrorist Act Under UAPA<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Section 15 UAPA defines terrorist act beyond explosives\/violence to include intent threatening unity, integrity, security.<\/li>\n<li>Covers disruption of essential supplies, economic destabilisation, civic life breakdown.<\/li>\n<li>Includes preparatory conspiracy, planning, even without direct violence execution.<\/li>\n<li>SC held protests\/blockades timed for maximum impact can qualify as terrorist acts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Role of Section 43D(5) UAPA<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Prohibits bail if accusations appear prima facie true based on charge sheet.<\/li>\n<li>Court must be satisfied allegations are not prima facie true to grant bail.<\/li>\n<li>Higher threshold than regular criminal cases; reverses &#8216;bail is rule, jail exception&#8217;.<\/li>\n<li>Applies statutory bar if evidence shows involvement in terrorist\/conspiratorial acts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Problem of Prolonged Incarceration<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Accused detained over 5 years without trial start; damages youth, life irreparably if acquitted later.<\/li>\n<li>Trial delays due to case complexity, 700+ witnesses, protected witnesses.<\/li>\n<li>Turns pre-trial detention punitive, violating personal liberty.<\/li>\n<li>SC noted concern but held delay alone not automatic ground overriding UAPA restrictions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Why is This Controversial<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Broadens &#8216;terrorist act&#8217; to cover protests\/speeches, potentially chilling dissent.<\/li>\n<li>Normalises indefinite detention under stringent law without conviction.<\/li>\n<li>Differential bail treatment raises questions on equality and evidence scrutiny.<\/li>\n<li>Critics call UAPA &#8216;draconian&#8217;; used against activists, seen as targeting opposition voices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>UAPA Power vs Proportionality<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>UAPA gives state strong preventive detention powers for national security.<\/li>\n<li>Restrictive bail shifts burden to accused; low conviction rates but high pre-trial jail time.<\/li>\n<li>SC balanced security needs against liberty but rejected delay as &#8216;trump card&#8217;.<\/li>\n<li>Concerns over disproportionate use in political\/protest cases vs actual terrorism.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Significance of Bail Granted to Accused<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Recognises lower culpability for peripheral roles, allowing conditional release after years.<\/li>\n<li>Signals individualised justice even in conspiracy cases; not all accused equally liable.<\/li>\n<li>Provides relief to five, highlighting nuanced prosecution evidence.<\/li>\n<li>Allows Khalid\/Imam to reapply after one year or witness examination.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Constitutional Concerns<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Prolonged incarceration without trial violates Article 21 (right to life, liberty, speedy trial).<\/li>\n<li>UAPA restrictions seen as overriding fundamental rights; vagueness in definitions.<\/li>\n<li>Debate on whether statutory bars can limit constitutional courts&#8217; bail powers.<\/li>\n<li>Risk of punitive detention; SC stressed balance but upheld legislative intent for security.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Legal Provisions<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Section 15 UAPA<\/b><\/strong>: Defines terrorist act, including threats to sovereignty via various means.<\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Section 43D(5) UAPA<\/b><\/strong>: Bail bar if prima facie true accusations; prosecutor opposition mandatory.<\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Article 21 Constitution<\/b><\/strong>: Guarantees liberty; speedy trial implicit, but not absolute against special laws.<\/li>\n<li>IPC sections: Conspiracy (120B), rioting, sedition (now repealed but applied then).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">3. Going forward, much depends on states\u2019 room for spending<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>GS paper III-ECONOMY<\/p>\n<p><strong><b>Context : <\/b><\/strong>Many States used additional post-Covid borrowing space to ramp up infrastructure while also expanding welfare, raising questions on fiscal sustainability and room for future capex.<\/p>\n<p><strong><b>Meaning of state-led capital spending<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>It is States\u2019 spending on long-term assets like roads, irrigation, power, health, education and urban infrastructure.<\/li>\n<li>Unlike revenue spending, it boosts productive capacity and can crowd in private investment over time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Recent capex trends (FY21\u2013FY25)<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Combined State capex plus loans &amp; advances of 28 States grew 18.5% annually, doubling to about \u20b98.4 trillion.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>This surge made States key drivers of post-pandemic public investment-led growth.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Role of Union support in capex<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>GST compensation loans of about \u20b92.6 trillion (FY21\u201322) and 50\u001eyear interest-free capex loans of \u20b93.7 trillion (FY21\u201325) boosted States\u2019 capital outlays.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>These loans came over and above normal borrowing limits, significantly enlarging fiscal space.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Extra borrowing flexibility and reforms<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>States were allowed an additional 0.5\u20131.1% of GSDP borrowing above the 3\u20134% base deficit limit.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Reforms (including power-sector changes) enabled access to about \u20b91.1\u20131.3 trillion in extra borrowing during FY22\u2013FY25.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Carry-forward of unused borrowing<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>States could carry forward unutilised FY21 borrowing into FY22 to support recovery.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>The 15th Finance Commission also allowed carry-forward of unused headroom within its award period, softening the deficit constraint.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Changing revenue and welfare pattern<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Several States sharply increased welfare and cash transfer schemes (including to women) in recent years.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>To accommodate this, some curtailed older schemes or reprioritised heads, keeping revenue deficit only slightly wider.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Coexistence of welfare and capex<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Despite welfare expansion, many States simultaneously ramped up capital expenditure.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>This suggests smarter expenditure switching rather than a simple welfare-versus-capex trade-off in all cases.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Structural challenges to sustaining capex<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Future State capex faces risk if exceptional 50\u001eyear interest-free loans and special Union windows are phased out.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Sticky welfare commitments and high interest burdens can gradually squeeze fiscal space for new projects.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Expectations from the 16th Finance Commission<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>States expect guidance on base borrowing limits, additional headroom and future carry-forward rules to shape capex room.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>The Commission\u2019s design of sharing, borrowing flexibility and buffers will be crucial for sustaining State investment.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Way forward for durable capex<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Prioritise high-multiplier sectors like transport and core infrastructure over low-return current transfers.<\/li>\n<li>Improve project execution efficiency, reduce cost overruns and strengthen public financial management systems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>State-led capital spending has become a central pillar of India\u2019s growth in the post-pandemic years, enabled by exceptional fiscal flexibility and Union support.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Maintaining this momentum now hinges on a calibrated borrowing framework, disciplined welfare design and efficient project execution under the 16th Finance Commission era.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">4. What does the SHANTI Bill change ?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>GS paper III-science and technology<\/p>\n<p><strong><b>Context : <\/b><\/strong>Parliament passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025 in December 2025.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Received presidential assent in late December 2025, marking major reform in India&#8217;s nuclear sector.<\/li>\n<li>Explained article published in The Hindu on January 5, 2026, highlighting changes amid opposition concerns.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>How Open is India\u2019s Nuclear Sector Now?<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Previously fully state-controlled under Atomic Energy Act, 1962; NPCIL held monopoly on power plants.<\/li>\n<li>SHANTI allows private Indian companies to own, build, operate nuclear plants with licences.<\/li>\n<li>Up to 49% private participation permitted; government retains 51% control over sensitive activities.<\/li>\n<li>Foreign participation possible through suppliers or joint ventures, but no direct foreign ownership.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>What Role Will Private Firms Play?<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Private firms can seek licences for building, operating, decommissioning nuclear power plants.<\/li>\n<li>Allowed in fuel fabrication, storage, transport; joint ventures with government entities possible.<\/li>\n<li>Encourages investment in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and indigenous designs for faster deployment.<\/li>\n<li>Sensitive areas like enrichment, reprocessing, waste management remain exclusively with government.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>What Powers Does the AERB Now Have?<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) granted statutory status, accountable to Parliament.<\/li>\n<li>Empowered to inspect facilities, investigate incidents, issue binding directions.<\/li>\n<li>Can suspend\/cancel licences, enforce safety across full lifecycle including decommissioning.<\/li>\n<li>Strengthens independence from executive, enhances oversight with private entry.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>How Self-Reliant is India\u2019s Nuclear Programme?<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>India independent in thorium-based reactors; operationalised fast breeder reactor for fuel recovery.<\/li>\n<li>Utilises vast thorium reserves; three-stage programme reduces uranium import dependence.<\/li>\n<li>Handles full fuel cycle domestically: mining, fabrication, reprocessing spent fuel.<\/li>\n<li>SHANTI supports indigenous tech deployment while allowing private\/foreign partnerships selectively.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>How Has Nuclear Liability Changed?<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Repeals Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010; removes supplier liability completely.<\/li>\n<li>Operator bears primary liability with graded caps based on plant size (\u20b9100-3000 crore).<\/li>\n<li>Government assumes liability beyond operator cap; aligns with international conventions.<\/li>\n<li>Right of recourse limited to contractual terms; no automatic claim for defective equipment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Why is the Opposition Opposing SHANTI?<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Dilutes supplier accountability; risks profit-driven safety compromises in private operations.<\/li>\n<li>Lacks mandatory public hearings, environmental assessments, community consent.<\/li>\n<li>Concerns over foreign influence, reduced parliamentary scrutiny, potential accidents.<\/li>\n<li>Viewed as vendor-driven; normalises privatisation of profits while socialising risks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">5. National Green Tribunal<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>GS paper III-Environment<\/p>\n<p><strong><b>Context :<\/b><\/strong>The National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently criticized the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for inadequate enforcement of construction bans and emergency measures during severe air pollution episodes in Delhi-NCR. This scrutiny underscores gaps in accountability and implementation within air quality governance frameworks.<\/p>\n<p><strong><b>Key Features of CAQM<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Legal Basis<\/b><\/strong>: Statutory body under Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Geographical Scope<\/b><\/strong>: Covers Delhi-NCR and bordering areas in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan.<\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Primary Goal<\/b><\/strong>: Ensures coordinated, effective, sustained efforts to prevent, control, and abate air pollution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Composition and Powers<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Chairperson<\/b><\/strong>: Nominated by Central Government.<\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Members<\/b><\/strong>:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Central ministry representatives.<\/li>\n<li>Chief Secretaries\/senior officials from Delhi, Haryana, UP, Rajasthan.<\/li>\n<li>Experts in air quality, environment, and related domains.\n<ul>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Structure<\/b><\/strong>: Ex-officio model for inter-state coordination.<\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Enforcement<\/b><\/strong>: Issues binding orders to states, CPCB, SPCBs, local authorities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Institutional Relations<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Superiority<\/b><\/strong>: Overrides state pollution boards in conflicts.<\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Partnerships<\/b><\/strong>: Collaborates with CPCB, SPCBs, municipal entities.<\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Judicial Check<\/b><\/strong>: Subject to review by NGT or Supreme Court.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">6. What remote sensing reveals<\/span> <\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><b>GS paper III-Science and technology<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><b>Context :<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0ISRO and other agencies in monitoring crops, forest loss, drought and floods, and for new satellite missions focused on climate, water and disaster management.<\/p>\n<p><strong><b>What is Remote Sensing?<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Technique to map land, forests, water, minerals without physical contact using reflected light.<\/li>\n<li>Detects spectral signatures in visible, near-infrared (NIR), and invisible wavelengths.<\/li>\n<li>Satellites\/drones capture data; healthy plants reflect more NIR, absorb red light.<\/li>\n<li>Enables large-scale, non-invasive monitoring of natural resources and environments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Remote Sensing &amp; Vegetation\/Forests<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Analyses spectral signatures to distinguish plant communities, tree species across forests.<\/li>\n<li>Monitors vegetation health; high NIR reflection indicates healthy plants.<\/li>\n<li>Calculates forest biomass (&#8220;weighing trees from space&#8221;) for carbon storage estimation.<\/li>\n<li>Helps track deforestation, forest fires, and biodiversity changes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Key Index: NDVI<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Normalized Difference Vegetation Index<\/b><\/strong>measures vegetation health\/density.<\/li>\n<li>Formula: (NIR &#8211; Red) \/ (NIR + Red); higher values indicate denser, healthier greenery.<\/li>\n<li>Used globally\/India to assess forest cover, drought impact, seasonal changes.<\/li>\n<li>Critical for monitoring carbon sinks and climate change mitigation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Why This Matters<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Enables faster, cheaper, eco-friendly resource exploration vs traditional drilling\/surveys.<\/li>\n<li>Supports climate action by quantifying forest carbon sequestration.<\/li>\n<li>Aids sustainable management: prevents over-exploitation of forests\/aquifers.<\/li>\n<li>Vital for agriculture, disaster response, and biodiversity conservation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Mapping Water from Space<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Detects water via low reflectance in NIR\/SWIR bands or radar penetration.<\/li>\n<li>Essential for monitoring floods, droughts, aquifers even under clouds\/vegetation.<\/li>\n<li>Combines optical\/radar for accurate extent in varied conditions.<\/li>\n<li>Supports water security, especially in cloud-prone or remote areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Optical Methods<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Uses visible\/NIR light; water appears dark due to high absorption.<\/li>\n<li>Effective for clear water bodies; indices like NDWI enhance detection.<\/li>\n<li>Limited by clouds, vegetation cover, or turbid water.<\/li>\n<li>Common in Landsat, Sentinel-2 satellites for routine mapping.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Radar Methods<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) penetrates clouds, vegetation; water shows low backscatter (dark).<\/li>\n<li>Ideal for floods\/storms; detects sub-canopy or micro-seepage indirectly.<\/li>\n<li>Used in Sentinel-1, NISAR; complements optical for all-weather monitoring.<\/li>\n<li>Crucial where optical fails, e.g., persistent cloud cover.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Groundwater Detection from Space<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>GRACE\/GRACE-FO satellites measure gravity changes to track terrestrial water storage variations.<\/li>\n<li>Subtract soil moisture\/surface water to isolate groundwater depletion\/gains.<\/li>\n<li>Revealed major aquifer losses (e.g., India, California); monitors global trends.<\/li>\n<li>Essential for unsustainable pumping detection in agriculture-heavy regions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Why Remote Sensing is Important<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Provides real-time, wide-coverage data for resource health\/location without ground access.<\/li>\n<li>Enhances environmental protection: monitors depletion, aids conservation policies.<\/li>\n<li>Supports exploration: targets minerals\/oil precisely, reduces invasive surveys.<\/li>\n<li>Key for global challenges like climate change, food security, disaster resilience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">7. Monroe Doctrine<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>GS paper II-IR<\/p>\n<p><strong><b>CONTEXT :<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0Donald Trump has invoked it to justify US military action and regime change in Venezuela, framing it as a \u201cDon\u001eroe Doctrine\u201d and reasserting US dominance in the Americas.\u200b<\/p>\n<p><strong><b>Basic idea and origin<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Monroe Doctrine is a US policy declaring the Western Hemisphere as a zone where external (especially European) interference would be treated as hostile to the US.<\/li>\n<li>It was proclaimed by President James Monroe on December 2, 1823, in his State of the Union address to Congress.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Key principles of the doctrine<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>No new European colonisation in the Americas; old colonies could remain but no fresh ones.<\/li>\n<li>Any European intervention in the political affairs of the Americas would be seen as a threat to US security.<\/li>\n<li>The US, in turn, pledged not to interfere in internal European affairs or existing European colonies.<\/li>\n<li>It asserted separate spheres: Europe and the Americas were to follow distinct political trajectories.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Roosevelt Corollary and expansion<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt added the Roosevelt Corollary, claiming a US right to intervene in Latin America.<\/li>\n<li>This shifted the doctrine from a passive warning to an active justification for US interventions over \u201cinstability\u201d or debt issues.<\/li>\n<li>It underpinned US interventions in Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti and the Dominican Republic in the early 20th century.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Contemporary Venezuela episode<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In January 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro, Trump called the move consistent with, and even beyond, the Monroe Doctrine.<\/li>\n<li>He alleged Venezuela was hosting foreign adversaries, acquiring offensive weapons and seizing American oil assets, framing intervention as defence of long\u001estanding US principles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Criticisms and IR significance<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Critics see this as neo\u001eimperialism, reviving a doctrine long used to justify US dominance and interventions in Latin America.<\/li>\n<li>The episode highlights enduring debates on spheres of influence, regime change, and the clash between sovereignty and great\u001epower security claims.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><b>8. Suryastra rocket system<\/b><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong><b>GS paper III-science and technology <\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/strong><strong><b>Context : <\/b><\/strong>Indian Army signed \u20b9292.69 crore emergency procurement contract with NIBE Ltd. on January 2-3, 2026, for <strong><b>Suryastra<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0rocket system.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Collaboration with Israel&#8217;s Elbit Systems; first indigenous production of advanced universal launcher.<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3797 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-06-163450.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"275\" height=\"188\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Fast-tracked under extended emergency powers (valid till Jan 15, 2026) to address urgent long-range firepower needs.<\/li>\n<li>Aligns with Aatmanirbhar Bharat; boosts private sector role in defence manufacturing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>What is the Suryastra system?<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>India\u2019s first indigenous universal multi\u001ecalibre long\u001erange rocket launcher for precision surface\u001eto\u001esurface strikes.<\/li>\n<li>Integrates multiple rocket and missile types on a single mobile launch platform.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Origin and technology base<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Developed by NIBE Ltd. (India) with technology support from Elbit Systems (Israel).<\/li>\n<li>Based on the Israeli PULS (Precise &amp; Universal Launching System), customised for Indian Army requirements under a 2025 technology pact.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Key capabilities and ranges<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Strike ranges of about 150 km and 300 km, giving tactical deep\u001estrike capability.<\/li>\n<li>Designed for both area\u001esaturation rocket barrages and pinpoint precision strikes from the same system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Universal launcher and payloads<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Can fire multiple calibres such as 122 mm, 160 mm and 306 mm rockets.<\/li>\n<li>Compatible with select tactical missiles, enabling flexible load configuration per mission.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Accuracy, mobility and engagement<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>High precision with Circular Error Probable (CEP) of under 5 metres in trials.<\/li>\n<li>Mounted on 4\u00d74, 6\u00d76, or 8\u00d78 wheeled chassis, providing high road mobility and rapid shoot\u001eand\u001escoot.<\/li>\n<li>Capable of engaging multiple targets at different ranges in a single mission profile.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Procurement route and Make in India<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Acquired under emergency procurement powers for faster induction without long approval cycles.<\/li>\n<li>Supports Make in India by local manufacture of launcher, integration and eventual localisation of components.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Strategic and operational significance<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Major step up over systems like Pinaka in both range and precision, expanding depth of Army rocket artillery.<\/li>\n<li>Enhances stand\u001eoff, non\u001econtact warfare options against high\u001evalue targets across the Line of Control and Line of Actual Control.<\/li>\n<li>Strengthens joint firepower for integrated battle groups and theatre commands by adding long\u001erange precision fires to the arsenal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1. Popocatepetl volcano&#8217;s GS Paper III-Geography \u00a0Context :Breakthrough achievement: First high-resolution 3D images of Popocat\u00e9petl volcano&#8217;s interior revealed<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3803,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3796","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily-current-affairs"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a_Popocatepetl_volcano.jpeg",1328,1328,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a_Popocatepetl_volcano-150x150.jpeg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a_Popocatepetl_volcano-300x300.jpeg",300,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a_Popocatepetl_volcano-768x768.jpeg",640,640,true],"large":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a_Popocatepetl_volcano-1024x1024.jpeg",640,640,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a_Popocatepetl_volcano.jpeg",1328,1328,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a_Popocatepetl_volcano.jpeg",1328,1328,false],"morenews-large":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a_Popocatepetl_volcano-825x575.jpeg",825,575,true],"morenews-medium":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a_Popocatepetl_volcano-590x410.jpeg",590,410,true]},"author_info":{"display_name":"Nithin DTPoperator","author_link":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/author\/nithindtp\/"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/category\/daily-current-affairs\/\" rel=\"category tag\">DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS<\/a>","tag_info":"DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3796","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3796"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3796\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3798,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3796\/revisions\/3798"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3796"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3796"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3796"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}