Initially, it was set up by a resolution adopted by the Government of India on 2 July 2003 and carried out investigations within the existing legal framework under section 235 to 247 of the erstwhile Companies Act, 1956. Later, Section 211 of the Companies Act, 2013, accorded the statutory status to SFIO

Additional information

• On the recommendations of the Naresh Chandra Committee, the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) was constituted in July 2003. 
• The Naresh Chandra Committee also suggested that this organization should have legislative backing like the Serious Fraud Office of the UK, established under the UK Criminal Justice Act of 1987. 
• Statutory support was provided to the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) through the Companies Act 2013.
• Investigation into the affairs of a company is assigned to SFIO, where Government is of the opinion that it is necessary to investigate into the affairs of a company –
  • on receipt of a report of the Registrar or inspector under section 208 of the Companies Act, 2013
  • on intimation of a special resolution passed by a company that its affairs are required to be investigated
  • In the public interest; or 
  • On request from any department of the Central Government or a State Government
• SFIO is headed by a Director as Head of Department in the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India. 
• The Headquarter of SFIO is in New Delhi, with five Regional Offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad & Kolkata.

Geomagnetic Storm

• A geomagnetic storm is a disturbance in the earth’s magnetic field caused by solar activity.
•  There’s a reaction called nuclear fusion that occurs continuously deep within the Sun’s core. This generates massive amounts of energy. Some of the energy is released as light (sunlight), some as radiation (solar flares), and some as charged particles.
• The Sun also continuously emits a stream of charged particles known as the solar wind. Occasionally, the Sun releases larger bursts of energy, called coronal mass ejections. It sends clouds of these charged particles, or plasma, hurtling through space. These emissions don’t always hit us. But when they do, they collide with the earth’s magnetic field, disrupt it, and lead to a geomagnetic storm.
• Geomagnetic storms occur fairly often. Minor ones happen multiple times per year. 
• The severity of a storm depends on how strong the solar event was that caused it. Larger, more intense storms are less common but can happen every few years.
• Solar events are closely tied to the Sun’s 11-year solar cycle, which has periods of high and low activity.
  •  During the peak of the cycle, called solar maximum, more sunspots and solar flares occur, increasing the likelihood of solar storms.

• • Geomagnetic storms are not typically harmful to humans directly, but they can pose risks to modern technology and infrastructure. 
    • One of the most notable dangers is to power grids. Powerful storms can induce electric currents in power lines, potentially overloading transformers and causing blackouts, as happened in Quebec, Canada, in 1989.
    • Satellites in space are also vulnerable. A strong storm can damage electronics onboard, disrupt communication signals, and shorten the lifespan of the satellites themselves.
    • In aviation, geomagnetic storms can disrupt radio communication and GPS signals, which are vital for aircraft navigation. This is especially important for flights that pass near the polar regions, where the effects of geomagnetic storms are more pronounced.
    •  Astronauts and spacecraft are also at risk – the extra radiation can be dangerous for equipment and human health.
• Are there any upsides to this phenomenon?

• • Aurorae are a visually stunning aspect of geomagnetic storms.
  • These occur when charged particles from the Sun get captured in the earth’s magnetic field lines, and funnel down towards the poles. Here they interact with the earth’s atmosphere, releasing energy that produces shimmering lights.
  • Aurorae can be seen at both the north and south pole, aptly named the northern and southern lights.
    •  If storms are big enough, it’s possible to see them in regions much further away from the poles.
  • Studying geomagnetic storms provides valuable insights into space weather. By understanding how the Sun’s activity affects the earth, scientists can better predict future storms and work to protect the technologies we rely on. 
  • The study of geomagnetic storms also contributes to our understanding of the Sun and space in general.

Doppler Effect 

• The Doppler effect (also Doppler shift) is the change in the frequency of a wave in relation to an observer who is moving relative to the source of the wave.

Radar 

• Radar is short for ‘radio detection and ranging’. The device uses radio waves to determine the distance, velocity, and physical characteristics of objects around the device. 
• A transmitter emits a signal aimed at an object whose characteristics are to be ascertained (in meteorology, this could be a cloud). A part of the emitted signal is echoed by the object back to the device, where a receiver tracks and analyses it.
• Weather radar, also known as a Doppler radar, is a common application of this device. 
• In meteorology, Doppler radars can reveal how fast a cloud is moving and in which direction based on how the cloud’s relative motion changes the frequency of the radiation striking it.
• A pulse-Doppler radar can measure the intensity of, say, rainfall by emitting radiation in pulses and tracking how often they’re reflected to the receiver.

What is an X-band radar?

• Doppler radar relies on Rayleigh scattering, when the scatterer is much smaller than the wavelength of the radiation. A radar trying to ‘see’ smaller particles like rain droplets or fog will need to use radiation of lower wavelengths, like in the X-band. An X-band radar is radar that emits radiation in the X-band of the electromagnetic spectrum: 8-12 GHz, corresponding to wavelengths of around 2-4 cm (this is in the microwave part of the spectrum.)
• The smaller wavelengths allow the radar to produce images of higher resolution. However, the greater the frequency of some radiation, the faster it will be attenuated. So X-band radars have a relatively shorter range.

NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar

• NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are currently developing a satellite called NISAR, short for ‘NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar’. It will use radar imaging to produce a high-resolution map of the earth’s landmasses.
• Its payload consists of an L-band radar (1.25 GHz, 24 cm) built by NASA and an S-band radar (3.2 GHz, 9.3 cm) built by ISRO. Together they will track and record changes in the earth’s various natural processes.
• It is currently expected to be launched onboard an ISRO GSLV Mk II rocket in 2025

Additional Information

• The Supreme Court in Sadiq Ali versus the ECI (1971), laid down the 3-test formula for determining which faction is to be recognised as the original political party. 
  • These are the aims and objectives of the party; its affairs as per the party’s constitution that reflect inner party democracy; and majority in the legislative and organisation wings.

Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968

• Under Paragraph 15 of the Order, EC can decide disputes among rival groups or sections of a recognised political party staking claim to its name and symbol.
• The EC is the only authority to decide issues on a dispute or a merger under the order. The Supreme Court (SC) upheld its validity in Sadiq Ali and another vs. ECI in 1971.
• This applies to disputes in recognised national and state parties.
• For splits in registered but unrecognised parties, the EC usually advises the warring factions to resolve their differences internally or to approach the court.
• In almost all disputes decided by the EC so far, a clear majority of party delegates/office bearers, MPs and MLAs have supported one of the factions.
• Before 1968, the EC issued notifications and executive orders under the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961.
• The splinter group of the party – other than the group that got the party symbol – had to register itself as a separate party.
  • They could lay claim to national or state party status only on the basis of its performance in state or central elections after registration.