Content
- Microplastics pollution threatens Goa’s estuarine fisheries, human consumers
- Cybercrime cases of cheating by personation surge in Karnataka
- How does Gaganyaan’s vital crew escape system work?
- Elephant population dips nearly 18%, Western Ghats remain primary habitat
- Twinning Rate in India: Study Overview
Microplastics pollution threatens Goa’s estuarine fisheries, human consumers
Why is it in the News?
- A recent study by CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (Goa) and Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (Ghaziabad) revealed significant microplastic contamination in commercially important fish along the Goan coast, highlighting risks to fish health, human consumers, and coastal livelihoods.
- Published in Environmental Research (August 2025), the study provides first-of-its-kind detailed analysis for the Mandovi estuarine system, which contributes 97% of Goa’s fish output.
Relevance:
- GS 3 – Environment & Ecology
- Pollution of aquatic ecosystems, plastic pollution, marine biodiversity loss.
- Bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of pollutants.
- GS 2 – Governance
- Policy implications: Waste management, regulation of fishing gear, biodegradable alternatives.
- Coastal livelihood protection and public health measures.
Basic Concepts
1. Microplastics
- Tiny plastic particles (<5 mm) from degraded fishing gear, wastewater, packaging, textiles, and tire residue.
- Persist in marine environments due to non-biodegradability.
2. Bioaccumulation & Trophic Transfer
- Bioaccumulation: Microplastics ingested by small organisms accumulate in larger predators.
- Trophic transfer: Microplastics move up the food chain, eventually reaching apex predators and humans.
3. Estuarine Ecosystems
- Ecologically critical zones supporting juvenile fish, filter feeders, and commercial species like anchovy, sardine, and mackerel.
- Highly vulnerable to pollution due to shallow waters and sediment accumulation.
Key Findings of the Study
| Aspect | Observation |
| Sample Studied | 251 fish across 9 species (finfish and shellfish) from various depths in Mandovi estuary |
| Microplastic Particles Found | 4,871 total; 3,369 plastic polymers (19 types) |
| Source of Pollution | Fishing material, wastewater, e-waste, textiles, tire residue, packaging |
| Distribution in Water Column | Benthic (sea floor/sediments) > Pelagic (open water) |
| Species-wise Concentration | Anchovy: 8.8 MP/ind (pelagic), Catfish: >10 MP/ind (benthic), Bamboo shark: 3.5 MP/ind (apex predator) |
| Accumulation Patterns | Longer-bodied fish accumulate fewer particles; more in digestive tract than gills |
| Shapes of Microplastics | Fibres (53%), Fragments (29.9%), Films (13.1%), Beads (4%) |
| Colours | Blue (37.6%), Black (24.3%), Red (12%), Others (discoloured, transparent, green, pink/purple, yellow, orange) |
| Health Effects on Fish | Oxidative stress, gene disruption, reproductive impairment, lower growth |
| Health Risks for Humans | Immune dysfunction, neurotoxicity, higher cancer risk |
| Economic & Livelihood Risks | Declining fish quality may reduce market demand, affecting coastal fishing communities |
Why It Matters
Public Health
- Fish are protein-rich staples; consumption of contaminated fish poses serious health risks.
Environmental Concerns
- Demonstrates the pervasive nature of plastic pollution, especially in benthic habitats.
Policy Implications
- Urgent need for better waste management, fishing gear regulation, and research into biodegradable alternatives.
Socioeconomic Impact
- Coastal communities dependent on fisheries face livelihood threats if fish quality declines.
Quick Revision
- Mandovi-Zuari Estuary: 97% of Goa’s fish output.
- Bioaccumulation & Trophic Transfer: Microplastics move from plankton → small fish → large predators → humans.
- Microplastic Types: Fibres > Fragments > Films > Beads.
- Key Risk Group: Benthic fish (close to sediments) > Pelagic fish.
- Human Health Concerns: Immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, cancer risk.
- Source Identification: Microplastic shape and colour help trace origin.
Cybercrime cases of cheating by personation surge in Karnataka
Why is it in the News?
- Government data shows a sharp rise in cybercrimes, especially fake job offers, online investment frauds, social media impersonation, and deepfake-related scams.
- Karnataka accounted for over 70% of Section 66D cases in 2023, drawing attention to regional patterns and enforcement challenges.
- Low charge-sheeting and conviction rates highlight systemic weaknesses in investigation and legal processes, making it a governance and law enforcement concern.
Relevance:
- GS 2 – Governance & Polity
- Law enforcement challenges, IT Act (Section 66D), low charge-sheeting and conviction rates.
- Need for governance reforms, judicial preparedness, and policy interventions.
- GS 3 – Security & Technology
- Cybersecurity, digital forensics, deepfake detection, online fraud mitigation.
Basic Concepts
Cybercrime under Section 66D, IT Act 2000
- Defines offences of cheating by personation using computer resources.
- Punishment: Up to 3 years imprisonment and ₹1 lakh fine.
Charge-sheeting & Conviction Rate
- Charge-sheeting rate: Percentage of cases where formal charges are filed.
- Conviction rate: Percentage of trials ending in guilty verdicts.
- Both metrics indicate the effectiveness of investigation and prosecution.
Key Findings
| Aspect | Observation |
| National Cybercrime Trend | Cases rose from 53,000 (2021) → 66,000 (2022) → 86,400 (2023) |
| Karnataka’s Share | >25% pre-pandemic in 2019, dipped during 2020–2022, surged in 2023 (>70% of 66D cases) |
| Section 66D Trend | National share: 12% (2019) → 29% (2023); Karnataka: 8.5% (2019) → 83% (2023) |
| Charge-sheeting Rate (66D, 2023) | 25% nationally; below cybercrime average of 33.9% |
| Conviction Rate (66D, 2023) | 33% nationally; slightly above overall cybercrime rate of 27.6% |
| Notable Cases | – Viral deepfake of actress Rashmika Mandanna (2023) – Person posing as TRAI official cheats Finance Dept officer (Karnataka) – Forged NHM job selection list circulated in Kashmir |
| Enforcement Factors | Karnataka: first state with dedicated city-level cybercrime police stations (2017); proactive recording & trained personnel may increase reported numbers |
Implications
Governance & Law Enforcement
- Low charge-sheeting and conviction rates indicate gaps in investigation, evidence handling, and cyber-legal preparedness.
- Need for digitally trained investigators, prosecutors, and judges.
Public Awareness & Safety
- Fake jobs, impersonation scams, and deepfakes threaten financial security and reputations.
- Citizens need awareness of digital hygiene and verification mechanisms.
Policy Recommendations
- Specialized cybercrime training modules for police and judiciary.
- Improved digital forensics infrastructure.
- Encourage public-private partnerships for cyber threat detection and prevention.
Quick Revision
- Section 66D, IT Act 2000: Cheating by personation using computer resource; Punishment: ≤3 years, ₹1 lakh fine.
- Karnataka 2023: 70%+ of Section 66D cases in India.
- Charge-sheeting rate (66D, India, 2023): 25%; Conviction rate: 33%.
- Rising Trends: Deepfakes, social media impersonation, fake jobs, online investment frauds.
- Governance Gap: Investigation & judicial system require cyber-digital specialization.
How does Gaganyaan’s vital crew escape system work?
Why is it in the News?
- ISRO is progressing with human spaceflight under the Gaganyaan programme.
- Recent successful tests of the CES validate astronaut safety mechanisms during critical phases of launch.
- The news highlights India’s capability in human-rated launch systems and contingency management.
Relevance:
- GS 3 – Science & Technology
- Human spaceflight, launch vehicle technology, crew safety mechanisms, aerospace engineering.
- Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) systems.
- GS 2 – Governance & International Cooperation
- India’s space policy, mission assurance, technological self-reliance.
Basic Concepts
- Gaganyaan Mission: India’s first human spaceflight to low-earth orbit (~400 km) using human-rated LVM3 (HLVM3).
- Crew Safety Priority: Safety is paramount over mission success at all phases — launch pad, ascent, orbit, and descent.
- CES Purpose: Rapidly separates crew module from a malfunctioning rocket during atmospheric ascent to ensure astronaut survival.
CES Functionality
- Operates during initial atmospheric phase (critical due to hypersonic speeds and high structural loads).
- Must overcome acceleration of HLVM3 (cannot shut down solid boosters) to pull crew to safety.
- Acceleration tolerance: Up to 10 g for a few seconds; crew positioned in “child in cradle” orientation.
- Improves survival using:
- Heritage-based design
- Redundant systems
- Robust mission planning
Types of CES
| Type | Mechanism | Example | Notes |
| Puller | Pulls crew module away from rocket | Gaganyaan | Uses thrust to extract module; safer integration with solid-fuel boosters |
| Pusher | Pushes crew module away using high-thrust engines | SpaceX Falcon 9 | Compact liquid-fuel engines; suitable for different propulsion tech |
Post-Separation Safety
- Crew module decelerates using multistage parachute system.
- Ensures safe sea splashdown within physiological limits.
- Integrated with Vehicle Health Management system to monitor crew and vehicle in real-time.
Testing and Validation
- ISRO developed a single-stage test vehicle powered by Vikas engine.
- First successful CES test: October 2023 during transonic flight (subsonic → supersonic).
- Additional tests planned to simulate critical ascent conditions.
- Confirms CES as a cornerstone of astronaut safety in Gaganyaan.
Significance
- Demonstrates India’s advancement in human-rated space technology.
- Validates emergency escape protocols, aligning with international safety standards.
- Builds confidence for crewed missions, supporting India’s space exploration and scientific ambitions.
- Highlights ISRO’s focus on mission assurance and risk mitigation.
Quick Revision
- Mission Goal: Transport astronauts safely to LEO (~400 km) and back.
- CES Type: Puller type; accelerates up to 10 g.
- Safety Mechanism: Multistage parachutes + Vehicle Health Management.
- Tested: Oct 2023 with single-stage test vehicle (Vikas engine).
- Critical Phase: Atmospheric ascent with solid-fuel boosters.
Elephant population dips nearly 18%, Western Ghats remain primary habitat
Why is it in the News?
- Significant decline: India’s wild elephant population has dipped by nearly 18% over the last two decades.
- Habitat concerns: Western Ghats, historically a stronghold, show pronounced decline.
- Policy relevance: Highlights the urgent need for conservation, conflict mitigation, and habitat restoration.
Relevance:
- GS 3 – Environment & Ecology
- Biodiversity conservation, keystone species, habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict.
- Wildlife monitoring mechanisms (AISEPE).
- GS 2 – Governance / Policy
- Policy interventions under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and CITES compliance.
- Inter-state coordination for habitat restoration and conflict mitigation.
Basic Concepts
- Elephants in India: Asian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus), a keystone species and flagship species for biodiversity conservation.
- Habitat: Predominantly the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, northeastern states, and central India.
- Monitoring tool: All India Synchronised Elephant Population Estimation (AISEPE) conducted every five years to track population trends.
Current Population Overview
- Total estimated population (2022-23): 29,964 elephants.
- Population share by region:
- Western Ghats: 22.44%
- Northeast: 11.34%
- Eastern Ghats: 2.82%
- Central India: 4.19%
- Northern India: 2.02%
- Assam: 3.13%
- Tamil Nadu: 2.70%
- Others (Odisha, Jharkhand, etc.): 0.94%
- Primary habitats: Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, northeastern states.
Reasons for Decline
Habitat loss & fragmentation
- Expansion of agriculture, urbanization, and infrastructure disrupts migration corridors.
Human-elephant conflict (HEC)
- Particularly high in Kerala and Karnataka; leads to deaths and retaliatory killings.
Poaching
- Targeting elephants for ivory and other body parts.
Disruption of breeding grounds
- Fragmentation impacts mating and calf survival.
Conservation Challenges
- Coordination across states: Elephants migrate across multiple states; requires inter-state habitat connectivity.
- Conflict mitigation: Need early warning systems, electric fencing, community awareness, and compensation schemes.
- Restoration efforts: Reforestation and protection of wildlife corridors essential.
- Data gap: Pandemic delayed AISEPE; highlights need for timely, systematic population monitoring.
Significance
- Elephants are ecologically vital, shaping forest structure and dispersing seeds.
- Decline reflects broader environmental and ecological stress, including biodiversity loss.
- Findings inform MoEFCC and state forest departments to plan conservation, mitigate HEC, and prioritize Western Ghats habitat restoration.
- Supports India’s commitment to Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Quick Revision
- Total elephants (2022-23): 29,964 (↓18% over 2 decades).
- Primary habitat: Western Ghats (22.44%).
- Key causes: Habitat loss, HEC, poaching, fragmentation.
- Monitoring: AISEPE every 5 years.
- Policy response: Corridor restoration, conflict mitigation, inter-state coordination.
Twinning Rate in India: Study Overview
Why is it in the News?
- A recent demographic study highlights India will continue to host the largest population of twins globally, despite declining twinning rates.
- Emphasises public health, maternal care, and demographic planning for higher-risk pregnancies.
- Highlights the need for a national twin registry to study genetics, environment, and disease susceptibility.
Relevance:
- GS 2 – Governance / Health Policy
- Maternal and child health planning, high-risk pregnancies, public health preparedness.
- Need for twin registries for better healthcare and demographic planning.
- GS 3 – Science & Technology
- Population studies, fertility patterns, assisted reproductive technologies (ART).
- Genetic vs. environmental factors in disease research.
Basic Concepts
- Twinning rate: Number of twin births per 1,000 deliveries.
- Importance:
- Medical: Twin pregnancies are higher-risk for both mother and babies.
- Demographic: Reflects fertility patterns, maternal age trends, and use of fertility treatments (e.g., IVF).
- Knowledge gap: Most studies focus on high-income countries; low-income countries like India are underrepresented.
Study Overview
- Conducted by Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (Germany) and Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study.
- Data: Over 3 million births from 1980–2015 across 39 low-income countries.
- Method: Statistical modeling to assess effects of:
- Maternal age changes
- Population growth
- Fertility patterns
- Assisted reproductive technologies (ART)
Key Findings
- India’s twinning rate expected to fall by ~10.5% by 2100 due to:
- Declining overall fertility
- Fewer pregnancies per woman
- Despite decline: India remains world’s largest twin population due to its sheer population size (~23.4% share among studied countries).
- Urbanisation and pollution may influence twin studies’ relevance for diseases like asthma and COPD.
- Maternal age effect: Older maternal age increases twin likelihood.
- Impact of MAR/ART: IVF and fertility treatments may increase future twinning rates, which current projections may underestimate.
Public Health Implications
- Twins are higher-risk pregnancies: more frequent in later pregnancies, with early-pregnancy twins having higher mortality.
- Health system response:
- Train frontline health workers for twin care and monitoring.
- Targeted interventions to improve twin survival.
- Need for twin registries:
- Track genetics vs. environment in disease development.
- Inform prevention, diagnosis, and policy.
- Examples:
- Swedish registry: 30 ongoing projects on cancer, dementia, cardiovascular disease, hormone effects.
- Chinese registry: Focus on environmental exposures.
- Danish registry: Links cancer, blood cancer risk factors, and female hormones with cognition.
Significance
- Provides demographic and public health foresight in India.
- Guides maternal and child health policy, especially in low-income regions.
- Forms basis for establishing India’s national twin registry, aiding research in genetics, environment, and chronic diseases.
- Helps forecast healthcare needs and train personnel for high-risk twin pregnancies.
Quick Revision
- Definition: Twinning rate = twin births per 1,000 deliveries.
- India 2100 projection: 10.5% decline, but still largest twin population globally.
- Influencing factors: Maternal age, ART use, fertility patterns.
- Health priority: Train workers, monitor twins, improve survival rates.
- Research utility: Genes vs. environment in disease; policy planning.
