Daily Current Affairs

Indian scientists fabricate rare Earth free magnet that could reduce EV costs (GS Paper 3, Science and Tech)

Why in news?

• Rare-Earth elements are a constant in the automotive sector that are used to make permanent magnets that produce stronger magnetic fields.
• Indian scientists have now fabricated an improved low-cost heavy rare earth-free magnet that could boost Electric Vehicle (EV) production in the country in near future.

 

Neodymium Iron Boron (Nd-Fe-B) magnet:

• Scientists from the Centre for Automotive Energy Materials at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI) have designed improved rare earth Neodymium Iron Boron (Nd-Fe-B) magnet, which is in high demand for Electric Vehicles and can make them more affordable.
• The Nd-Fe-B magnets used in EVs operate at high temperatures of 150 – 200 degrees Celsius and need to exhibit high resistance to demagnetization, a capability that pure Nd-Fe-B magnets do not have.
• Since its discovery in 1984, the Nd-Fe-B magnets have been one of the most sought-after permanent magnetic materials for many technological applications.
• It is to be noted that over 90 per cent of EVs use brushless DC (BLDC) motors made up of this rare earth magnet.
• Globally, researchers are trying to enhance the coercivity (resistance to demagnetisation) of Nd-Fe-B magnets.

 

Outcome:

• Indian scientists have now managed to enhance the coercivity of Niobium (Nb)-containing Nd-Fe-B melt-spun ribbon by using a low melting point alloy, which acts as the source for the non-magnetic element.
• The coercivity value of 1 T at 1500C critical for automotive applications achieved in this research could be a useful strategy to develop magnets without Dysprosium metal or EV applications.
• The research center has now ventured into setting up of pilot plant for the manufacturing of near-net-shaped Nd-Fe-B magnets and hopes that the strategy will be explored for the magnets manufactured in the pilot plant.

 

Way Forward:

• The new strategy could also be used for commercial production of Nd-Fe-B magnets in India, reducing imports that meet the major requirements of the automotive sector.

Parliament passes anti piracy bill to ensure Indias maritime security

(GS Paper 2, Polity and Constitution)

Why in news?

• Recently, the Parliament passed a bill which provides for prevention of maritime piracy and stringent punishment to those convicted of such crimes.
• The Rajya Sabha passed the Maritime Anti-Piracy Bill 2022 by voice vote.

Standing Committee:

• The bill was initially introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 9, 2019 and referred to the Standing Committee on External Affairs for examination.
• Out of 18 recommendations of the Standing Committee, 14 have been incorporated suitably in the bill, he said, adding that three recommendations were only observations which too have been duly noted.

 

Why it matters?

• Before the passage of this bill, India did not have a domestic anti-piracy law on the books. The country used sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to prosecute those accused of piracy.
• However, this came with jurisdictional problems as those codes only applied to India’s territorial waters that extend only 12 nautical miles from India’s coast.
• India also signed on to the UN Convention on the Laws of the Seas (UNCLOS) in 1995 which has some provisions for anti-piracy. An earlier effort to pass a domestic law to combat piracy during 2012 did not come to fruition.

 

Key Highlights:

• The bill defines piracy as “any illegal act of violence, detention, or destruction committed against a ship, aircraft, person or property, for private purposes, by the crew or passengers of a private ship or aircraft".
• The jurisdiction of the bill applies to the waters adjacent to or beyond India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which stretches about 200 nautical miles from India’s coast.
• The bill is notable for the heavy punishment it imposes for acts of piracy, which can range from life imprisonment to a mandatory death sentence, if the act is committed with an intention to cause death.
• This particular provision has attracted attention and some controversy as it is not apparent whether it is consistent with the Supreme Court’s ruling that mandatory death sentences are unconstitutional.
• Piracy offences have also been made extraditable under the provisions of this bill. If India has an extradition treaty with countries, accused offenders can be transferred more easily.
• Currently, the bill is unclear on a matter of territorial jurisdiction. While domestic law applies to territorial waters and this new bill applies to waters beyond India’s EEZ, it is unclear which provisions apply to the EEZ itself. The earlier Piracy Bill, introduced in 2012, had included the EEZ in its ambit.

 

Way Forward:

• The security of "our sea lanes of communication is critical" with more than 90 per cent of India's trade taking place by sea route and more than 80 per cent of its hydro-carbon requirements being sea-borne.
• India is also one of the largest providers of seafarers in the world.

India, China, Russia abstain on UNSC resolution on Myanmar

(GS Paper 2, International Relation)

Why in news?

• Recently, India, China and Russia abstained in the United Nations Security Council on a draft resolution that demanded an immediate end to violence in Myanmar and urged the military junta to release political prisoners, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. 

First SC resolution adopted on Myanmar in 74 years:

• The 15-nation Security Council, under India’s Presidency, adopted the resolution after 12 members voted in favour, none against and India, China and Russia abstained.
• This is the first Security Council resolution adopted on Myanmar in 74 years.
• The only other UNSC resolution on Myanmar was in 1948 after the country formerly known as Burma got independence from Britain when the Council recommended to the General Assembly “that the Union of Burma” be admitted to membership in the United Nations.

 

India’s stand:

• India shares a nearly 1,700 kilometres-long border with Myanmar and has historical and cultural links with its people.
• India believes that the complex situation in Myanmar calls for an approach of “quiet and patient diplomacy”.
• It said any other course will not help in resolving the long-standing issues which have prevented enduring peace, stability, progress and democratic governance.
• However, India strongly calls upon all parties for an immediate cessation of hostilities, abandon their extreme positions and immediately initiate an inclusive political dialogue for the restoration of democracy. Political leaders should be released and allowed to resume political activities.
• India underlined that the UN system should assist the parties in dialogue so that the state of emergency comes to an end and Myanmar returns to the democratic path.

 

Key Highlights of the resolution:

• The resolution reaffirmed its support for the people of Myanmar and its strong commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and unity of the country.
• It demanded an immediate end to all forms of violence throughout the country and urged restraint and de-escalation of tensions.
• The resolution also urged the Myanmar military to immediately release all arbitrarily detained prisoners, including President Win Myint and Suu Kyi.
• It reiterated its call to uphold democratic institutions and processes and to pursue constructive dialogue and reconciliation in accordance with the will and interests of the people of Myanmar and urged all parties to respect human rights, fundamental freedoms and rule of law.
• The resolution acknowledged ASEAN’s central role in helping to find a peaceful solution to the crisis in Myanmar in the interests of the people of Myanmar and encouraged the international community to support the ASEAN-led mechanism and process in this regard, including ASEAN’s efforts in the implementation of the Five Point Consensus.

 

Situation in Myanmar:

• Since the junta “violently seized power" in February 2021, they have conducted a brutal campaign against the people of Myanmar – burning villages, running indiscriminate airstrikes, torture and mass killings.
• Human Rights Watch said the “landmark resolution” reflects the Myanmar junta’s “growing isolation" generated by security force abuses amounting to crimes against humanity and war crimes.

 

The INS Mormugao and its capabilities

(GS Paper 3, Defence)

 

Why in news?

• In a boost to the country’s maritime capabilities, INS Mormugao has officially joined the Indian Navy’s fleet.
• The warship ‘Yard 12705’,named after the Goan port city of Mormugao, is the second of the four Visakhapatnam-class destroyers being built under the Indian Navy Project 15B, or P15B.
• The destroyer has multi-dimensional combat capabilities which include surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles and modern surveillance radar. 

What is Project 15B?

• Project 15 was launched in the 1990s to add guided missile destroyers to the inventory of the Indian Navy. The project was named ‘Delhi class’.
•  It was followed by Project 15A or Kolkata class which primarily focused on advanced technology and equipment in surface ships.
• Project 15B or the Visakhapatnam class is a follow-on class of weapon-intensive Project 15A destroyers. The project was launched in January 2011 to incorporate advanced design concepts such as state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, advanced stealth features and a high degree of automation for “improved survivability, sea keeping, stealth and manoeuvrability”.
• The lead ship of Project 15B, INS Visakhapatnam, was the first of the class to be commissioned. Besides INS Mormugao, the other two destroyers are expected to be commissioned between 2023 and 2025.

 

What are the capabilities of INS Mormugao?

Propulsion system:

• Regarded as “one of the most potent warships to have been constructed in the country”, the destroyer is 163 metres long, 17 metres wide and displaces 7,400 tonnes when fully loaded. The ship is propelled by four gas turbines in a combined gas and gas (COGAG) configuration.
• The propulsion system allows the ship to achieve a speed of more than 30 knots (50km/h) and a maximum range of 4,000 nautical miles. It can accommodate a crew of about 300 personnel.

 

Warfare capabilities:

• INS Mormugao’s firepower comprises BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles (SSM), Barak-8 surface-to-air (SAM) missiles for a long range of shore and sea-based targets and a 76mm super rapid gun mount.
• The ship is armed with RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers and 533mm torpedo launchers. It is also equipped to carry and operate multi-role helicopters. Its enhanced stealth features ensure a reduced Radar Cross Section or radar signature.

 

Control Systems:

• It is automated with sophisticated digital networks such as the Gigabyte Ethernet-based Ship Data Network (GESDN), the Combat Management System (CMS), Automatic Power Management System (APMS), Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) and Ship Data Network (SDN).
• While the CMS performs threat evaluation and resource allocation based on the tactical picture compiled and ammunition available onboard, APMS controls power management.
• IPMS is used to control and monitor machinery and auxiliaries and the SDN is the ‘information highway for data’ from sensors and weapons.
• The ship has multiple fire zones, battle damage control systems, distributional power systems to enhance survivability in emergencies and a total atmospheric control system to protect the crew against nuclear, biological and chemical threats.

 

Indigenous:

• Built with over 75% indigenous content, the commissioning of INS Mormugao is a shot in the arm for India’s self-reliance efforts and crucial for the 15-year Indian Naval Indigenisation Plan (INIP) 2015-2030 implemented in 2014 for indigenous development of its resources, equipment and to make the nation self-reliant in defence technology.

 

What is the strategic importance?

• While India’s interests are closely tied to the Indian Ocean, China has been rapidly expanding its naval footprint in the region.
• Amid growing Chinese strategic interests, India renewed its focus on bolstering its maritime capabilities in the region to counter the threat.
• Economic, political and trade relations between countries are constantly evolving. The COVID-19 pandemic, the situation in the Middle East, Afghanistan and now Ukraine. It directly or indirectly impacts every country in one way or another.
• In this era of globalisation, almost all nations are dependent on each other in the field of trade. Hence, rule-based freedom of navigation, security of sea lanes etc. have become more important than ever for stability and economic progress of the world.
• The addition of a technologically advanced stealth warship to the naval inventory provides a strategic advantage to India and adds to the combat capabilities of the armed forces. Besides surface operations, guided missile destroyers are capable of engaging in anti-aircraft and anti-submarine warfare.