UPSC Prelims Facts - 9 April 2025 - Gokulam Seek IAS Academy

Table of Contents

Gully Erosion

A study has recorded the presence of gully landforms in 19 states and National Capital Region of Delhi.

Removal of soil along drainage lines by surface water runoff, leading to deep, narrow channels.
Affected Regions: Found in 19 states, with 92% of gullied areas concentrated in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh.
Impact: Causes land degradation, desertification, loss of agricultural productivity, and disrupts catchment hydrology.
Climate Change Factor: Increasing rainfall intensity due to climate change is expected to exacerbate erosion rates, challenging land management.
Management Strategies: Includes terracing, reforestation, gully plugging, and use of high-resolution satellite imagery for mapping erosion-prone areas

A recent study found that the atmospheric memory, not just sunlight, drives the onset and retreat of monsoons

The atmosphere stores physical information in the form of water vapor, influencing monsoon onset and withdrawal.
Monsoon Mechanism: Instead of responding immediately to solar radiation changes, the atmosphere retains moisture, leading to delayed but sustained rainfall.
Bistability Effect: The atmosphere can exist in two stable states—dry or rainy—depending on its previous condition, affecting monsoon predictability.
Climate Adaptation: Understanding atmospheric memory can help in early warning systems for monsoon variability and climate resilience.
Challenges traditional models that assume monsoon is solely driven by solar radiation, emphasizing path dependence in atmospheric behavior

A recent study highlights that Climate-driven food shortage and undernourishment could affect the composition of the human gut microbiota.

The human gut hosts ~100 trillion microbes, playing a crucial role in digestion, immunity, and metabolism.
Climate Change Impact: Rising CO₂ levels reduce nutrients like iron, zinc, and protein in staple crops, affecting gut microbial balance.
Health Risks: Gut dysbiosis is linked to diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), eczema, and neurological disorders.
Environmental Stressors: Heat, pollution, and food shortages alter microbial diversity, increasing susceptibility to malnutrition and infections.
Research & Solutions: Metagenomics and databases like GutBugBD are helping scientists understand microbial responses and develop probiotic interventions

Indian Naval Ship INS Kiltan arrived in Singapore to participate in 14th edition of International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX) Asia 2025.

A biennial maritime defense exhibition held in Singapore, showcasing naval platforms, technologies, and strategic dialogues.
India’s Participation: INS Kiltan, an Indian Naval Ship, is participating in IMDEX Asia 2025 at the Changi Exhibition Centre.
International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC): A key event within IMDEX, focusing on maritime security cooperation among Indo-Pacific navies.
Strategic Importance: Strengthens India’s naval diplomacy, enhances maritime domain awareness, and fosters defense collaborations.
Technological Showcase: Features cutting-edge naval systems, including autonomous vessels, AI-driven surveillance, and underwater warfare technologies

New York Times won four Pulitzer Prizes and The New Yorker three for journalism in 2024

Established in 1917 by newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer, administered by Columbia University.
Categories: Recognizes excellence in journalism, literature, music, and drama, with 15 journalism awards and 8 arts categories.
Prize Details: Winners receive $15,000, while the Public Service category winner is awarded a gold medal.
The 2023 Pulitzer Prize opened eligibility to broadcast and audio companies operating digital news platforms like CNN, NPR, and ABC