Mains Practice Questions for the Day
- Q. Discuss the significance of India’s EOS-05 satellite in geosynchronous orbit. How do different satellite orbits serve different strategic and developmental purposes?
- Q. India’s jute sector represents the convergence of livelihood security, sustainable industrial growth and green alternatives to synthetic materials. Discuss.
Q. Discuss the significance of India’s EOS-05 satellite in geosynchronous orbit. How do different satellite orbits serve different strategic and developmental purposes?
Introduction:
ISRO’s launch of EOS-05, India’s first dedicated imaging satellite in geosynchronous orbit, marks an important step in strengthening India’s earth observation capability. Unlike many earth observation satellites placed in Low Earth Orbit, EOS-05 will operate about 36,000 km above Earth, allowing continuous observation of the same region.
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Types of Satellite Orbits and Their Uses
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) lies between about 160 km and 2,000 km above Earth. Satellites in LEO are closer to Earth and can provide better image resolution and lower signal delay. Hence, they are useful for earth observation, communication constellations and missions such as the International Space Station. However, they move rapidly and observe a particular region only for a short time.
Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) extends from around 2,000 km to 35,786 km. It provides a balance between coverage and signal delay. Global navigation systems such as Galileo operate in this orbit.
Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO) is located around 35,786 km above Earth. Satellites in this orbit match Earth’s rotation and appear nearly stationary relative to Earth. This allows persistent and high-frequency observation of large regions.
Significance of EOS-05
EOS-05’s geosynchronous imaging capability is important because it can provide continuous monitoring instead of periodic revisits. This can help India in:
- Tracking fast-changing weather systems
- Monitoring floods and forest fires
- Observing agriculture and natural resources
- Strengthening land and maritime situational awareness
- Generating frequent data for private space and geospatial applications
Limitations
The major limitation of geosynchronous imaging is lower image resolution compared to LEO satellites because of the greater distance from Earth. Such satellites also require station-keeping fuel to remain on their path.
Conclusion:
EOS-05 adds a new dimension to India’s space-based observation capacity. By combining LEO satellites for high-resolution imagery and geosynchronous satellites for continuous monitoring, India can build a stronger space infrastructure for disaster management, agriculture, security and developmental planning.
Q. India’s jute sector represents the convergence of livelihood security, sustainable industrial growth and green alternatives to synthetic materials. Discuss.
Introduction:
Jute, known as India’s Golden Fibre, is one of the country’s most important natural fibres. It is biodegradable, recyclable, cost-effective and widely used in packaging, agriculture, construction and industrial textiles. India is the world’s largest producer of raw jute and a leading producer of jute goods.
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Livelihood and Regional Importance
- The jute sector is a major source of rural and industrial employment. It sustains nearly 40 lakh farm families involved in jute cultivation and provides direct employment to about 3.70 lakh workers in organised mills and diversified jute units. The industry is concentrated mainly in eastern India, especially West Bengal, which has the highest number of composite jute mills.
- Jute is mostly cultivated by small and marginal farmers in States such as West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha and Jharkhand. Thus, its growth is closely linked with rural income and regional development.
Sustainable and Industrial Value
- Jute has strong environmental significance because it is biodegradable and recyclable. It can serve as an alternative to synthetic materials, especially plastics. Products such as jute geotextiles are useful in soil erosion control, road construction, railway track formation, slope protection and riverbank protection. Jute-viscose apparel used by the Indian contingent at the Commonwealth Games 2026 also showed its potential in sustainable textiles.
Government Support
- The government has strengthened the sector through several interventions. The MSP for raw jute has been fixed at ₹5,925 per quintal for FY 2026–27, ensuring remunerative returns to farmers. The Jute Packaging Materials Act mandates jute packaging for 100% food grains and 20% sugar, creating stable demand.
- The Jute Corporation of India implements MSP procurement, while the National Jute Development Programme promotes productivity and diversification through JUTE-ICARE and the Jute Diversification Scheme. Digital tools such as JUTE-SMART, BHUVAN JUMP and PATSAN improve procurement, monitoring and decision-making.
Conclusion:
India’s jute sector is not merely a traditional fibre industry. It supports livelihoods, promotes rural employment, strengthens green manufacturing and provides eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic materials. With continued policy support, innovation, market expansion and digital interventions, jute can become a globally competitive and environmentally responsible industry.
