23 January 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. Is the government encouraging ‘crosspathy’?

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 10)

Previous Notification and Legal Challenge

• In 2017, the Maharashtra Medical Education and Drug Department had issued a notification allowing homeopathic practitioners with the Licentiate of the Court of Examiners of Homeopathy degree (issued from 1951-1982) to practice modern medicine.
• This was later challenged in the Bombay High Court by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), questioning the safety and risk of allowing these homeopathic practitioners to prescribe modern medicines.
• The court issued a stay on the notification, raising concerns about potential harm to patients if homeopathic practitioners were allowed to practice allopathy.

Confusion Over Recent FDA Directive

• The IMA expressed confusion over the Maharashtra FDA’s recent directive, as the central homeopathy body does not permit its practitioners to prescribe allopathic medicines.
• The IMA also clarified that the directive issued by the FDA does not allow homeopathic practitioners to practice modern medicine, as the High Court’s stay is still in place.

Supreme Court’s Stance on ‘Crosspathy’

• In the 1996 case Poonam Verma versus Ashwin Patel, the Supreme Court found that a homeopath who prescribed allopathic medications was guilty of negligence, as they lacked the required qualifications.
• The Court has consistently ruled that cross-system practice, or prescribing treatments outside one’s medical expertise, is considered negligent, unless authorized by the government through specific orders.

Shortage of Doctors in India

• India faces a severe shortage of doctors, especially in rural areas. As of June 2022, there are over 13 lakh allopathic doctors and 5.65 lakh AYUSH doctors in India.
• The shortage of specialist doctors is critical, with reports revealing an 80% shortage in community health centers in rural areas.
• Experts argue that while mid-level health providers can offer quality care, it is important to integrate them properly into the system.
• Allowing alternative medical practitioners to take on roles meant for trained doctors could lead to confusion and mismanagement.

Conclusion

• The Maharashtra FDA’s directive has raised legal concerns and confusion regarding the role of homeopathic practitioners.
• Patient safety is at risk if proper guidelines are not followed.
• A more structured integration of healthcare professionals is essential.

2. National Health Mission has curbed several public health concerns, says Centre’s report

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 6)

Achievements in Human Resources

• NHM has expanded human resources in the healthcare sector.
  • In FY 2021-22, NHM added 2.69 lakh healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and public health managers.
  • In FY 2022-23, 4.21 lakh workers were engaged, including 1.29 lakh community health officers (CHOs).
  • In FY 2023-24, 5.23 lakh healthcare professionals were added, including 1.38 lakh CHOs.

Decline in Maternal and Infant Mortality

• The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has dropped by 83% since 1990, a much higher reduction than the global average of 45%.
• The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) fell from 39 per 1,000 live births in 2014 to 28 in 2020.
• The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) decreased from 2.3 in 2015 to 2.0 in 2020.

India’s Progress Toward SDG Targets

• These improvements are indicators that India is on track to meet its United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets for maternal, child, and infant mortality ahead of the 2030 deadline.
• NHM has also contributed to the elimination and control of various diseases, including reducing the incidence of tuberculosis (TB).

3. India’s oil demand likely to hit yet another record in 2025-26

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Economy – Page No. – 13)

Analysis of the news:

Record Petroleum Consumption in FY26

• The Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC) projects a 4.7% growth over FY25 estimates, with total consumption expected to reach 252.93 million tonnes, up from the revised FY25 estimate of 241.68 million tonnes.

Key Drivers of Consumption Growth

• Major Fuels: Petrol, diesel, aviation turbine fuel (ATF), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and petroleum coke are anticipated to lead the growth.
• Sectoral Demand: Transportation, industrial activity, aviation, and energy-intensive industries are key contributors.
• Aviation Growth: ATF demand is projected to grow nearly 10% year-on-year, mirroring the rapid expansion of India’s civil aviation sector.
• Petroleum Coke Usage: Petcoke demand is expected to rise 10% to 24.85 million tonnes, fueled by its applications in industries such as power, cement, and steel.

Historical Trends and Recovery Post-Pandemic

• India’s petroleum consumption has been on a consistent upward trajectory, barring FY21 when the COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary decline. 
• The pre-pandemic high of 214.13 million tonnes in FY20 was surpassed in FY23, with current fiscal projections reaching 241.68 million tonnes, setting the stage for FY26 to exceed all previous records.

India’s Strategic Role in Global Oil Demand

India is emerging as a major growth hub for global oil demand due to:

• Energy-intensive industries and growing vehicle sales.
• Rapidly expanding aviation and petrochemical sectors.
• Low per-capita energy consumption compared to developed nations.
  India’s refining capacity, currently at 257 million tonnes per annum, is poised for further expansion, highlighting its strategic role in meeting future demand.

Challenges of Rising Import Dependency

• Despite robust growth, India’s stagnant domestic oil production necessitates increasing reliance on imports, with over 85% of crude oil sourced from abroad. 
• As the world’s third-largest consumer of crude oil, this dependency presents significant economic and strategic challenges.

Global Context and India’s Edge Over China

• India is expected to lead global oil demand growth, surpassing China in growth rates by FY24, according to S&P Global Commodity Insights. 
• While China, the world’s second-largest oil consumer, faces subdued demand due to structural and demographic shifts, India’s strong economic and population growth underpins its rising demand. 
• The International Energy Agency predicts India will overtake China as the largest driver of global oil demand growth by 2027.

Consumption Growth by Fuel Type (FY26 Projections)

• Diesel: 94.12 million tonnes (+2.8% YoY), reflecting robust industrial and transportation activity.
• Petrol: 42.64 million tonnes (+6.6% YoY), driven by rising vehicle sales.
• LPG: 33 million tonnes (+4.7% YoY), indicating higher household and industrial consumption.
• ATF: 9.95 million tonnes (+10% YoY), reflecting booming aviation activity.
• Petcoke: 24.85 million tonnes (+10% YoY), driven by industrial applications.

Conclusion

• India’s rising petroleum consumption underscores its growing energy needs and economic expansion. 
• However, balancing this growth with the challenges of import dependency, energy transition efforts, and environmental sustainability will be critical for the country’s long-term energy security and economic resilience.

4. Cabinet approves Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Raw Jute for 2025-26 Season

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2095069&reg=3&lang=1 )

List of Crops Covered Under Minimum Support Price (MSP):

• MSP is declared for 22 crops, including various Kharif, Rabi, and other crops.
• Kharif crops – Paddy, Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, Maize, Tur, Moong, Urad, Groundnut, Sunflower Seed, Soyabean, Sesamum, Nigerseed, and Cotton.
• Rabi crops – Wheat, Barley, Gram, Masur, Rapeseed & Mustard, and Safflower.
• Other crops – Copra (Milling and Ball) and Jute.

Prelims Facts

1. Space telescopes stumble on rule-breaking black hole

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 7)

Exceptional Accretion Rate

• LID-568 is a low-mass supermassive black hole that existed 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang, a time when the universe was just 8 years old.
• LID-568’s accretion rate exceeds the Eddington limit by a factor of 40, making it an extreme example of super-Eddington behavior.

Implications for Black Hole Growth

• This discovery challenges current models of black hole formation.
• It suggests that supermassive black holes could have gained significant mass in shorter periods through rapid feeding, offering an explanation for how they can form quickly in the early universe.
• The findings also indicate that black hole jets and powerful accretion discs might explain this rapid feeding.

Future Research

• Further observations are needed to understand how black holes like LID-568 can exceed the Eddington limit.
• The team plans to study other galaxies with similar black holes to confirm these findings and explore their long-term implications.

2. ‘India’s maritime sector needs investment of $1 trillion by 2047’

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 12)

Analysis of the news:

• Steps have been taken to establish green hydrogen production hubs at Paradip, Tuticorin, and Kandla ports to decarbonize the shipping sector.
• India’s port capacity is set to increase sixfold by 2047, making the country one of the top 10 maritime nations.
• India’s major ports have shown significant growth, with a 47% increase in cargo handling since 2014.
• Modernization efforts have reduced container dwell time to three days and vessel turnaround time to 0.9 days.
• Nine Indian ports are listed in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index 2023, with Visakhapatnam among the top 20.

3. DRDO successfully conducts scramjet engine ground test for hypersonic missiles

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Govt & Politics- Page No. – 07)

Analysis of the news:

Hypersonic Missiles: Capabilities and Global Context

• Hypersonic missiles, traveling at speeds greater than Mach 5, offer unparalleled advantages in speed, precision, and ability to evade existing air defense systems. 
• Nations like the US, Russia, China, and India are actively pursuing hypersonic technology, recognizing its strategic and tactical importance for modern warfare. 
• These advanced weapons promise rapid, high-impact strikes that can redefine future combat scenarios.

Scramjet Engine: The Core of Hypersonic Systems

A scramjet engine is an upgraded variant of a ramjet where combustion occurs due to supersonic airflow.

• This supersonic flow allows the jets to achieve even faster speeds than the standard ramjets.
  • This engine does not need to slow the incoming air for combustion like a typical turbojet or even ramjet.
• It carries liquid Hydrogen as fuel and liquid Oxygen for combustion (oxidiser) to generate thrust.
• The fuel efficiency of the scramjets tends to be significantly better than that of traditional turbojets and ramjets.
  • It makes them ideal for various high-speed applications.
• Due to the complexities of maintaining the supersonic airflow, scramjets are often more expensive and difficult to manage than other engines.
• They operate more efficiently at very high speeds (Mach 12 to 24).
• Just like the Ramjet engines, they also have no moving parts. 
• DRDO’s scramjet combustor test showcased critical achievements such as successful ignition, stable combustion, and innovative flame stabilization, described as akin to “keeping a candle lit in a hurricane.”

Key Technological Breakthroughs

1. Indigenous Scramjet Fuel: DRDO, in collaboration with industry partners, developed India’s first endothermic scramjet fuel, ensuring efficient cooling and ignition at hypersonic speeds.
2. Thermal Barrier Coating (TBC): A novel ceramic TBC capable of withstanding extreme temperatures beyond the melting point of steel was developed, enhancing engine durability and performance.
3. Advanced Computational Tools: Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were instrumental in optimizing engine design and predicting performance.

Previous Milestones in Hypersonic Technology

• India has consistently advanced hypersonic technology, exemplified by the successful flight test of the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) in September 2020. 
• This test validated key technologies like aerodynamic heat shielding, hypersonic combustion, and sustained flight at Mach speeds for over 20 seconds.

Strategic Implications

• With demonstrated capabilities in scramjet engines, advanced thermal management, and indigenous fuel development, India is poised to operationalize hypersonic missiles. 
• These weapons enhance the nation’s defense capabilities, ensuring strategic parity with global powers.

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