{"id":42722,"date":"2024-06-21T06:40:21","date_gmt":"2024-06-21T06:40:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/?p=42722"},"modified":"2024-06-21T06:40:23","modified_gmt":"2024-06-21T06:40:23","slug":"upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/","title":{"rendered":"UPSC Daily Current Affairs &#8211; 20th June 2024 &#8211; Edukemy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc-current-affairs?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Banner&amp;utm_campaign=Current+Affairs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/19.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42406\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/19.png 1280w, https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/19-1170x274.png 1170w, https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/19-585x137.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In today&#8217;s daily current affairs briefing for UPSC aspirants, we explore the latest developments that hold relevance for the upcoming civil services examination. Our focus today includes a critical analysis of recent policy changes, international affairs, and national developments, all of which play a pivotal role in shaping the socio-political and economic landscape of India. Stay informed and stay ahead in your UPSC preparations with our daily current affairs updates, as we provide you with concise, well-researched insights to help you connect the dots between contemporary events and the broader canvas of the civil services syllabus.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69ddae79345cf\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69ddae79345cf\"  \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#QUAD_Diplomacy_and_Cooperation_in_the_Indo-Pacific\" title=\"QUAD: Diplomacy and Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific\">QUAD: Diplomacy and Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Why_in_the_news\" title=\"Why in the news?\">Why in the news?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#About_the_Quad\" title=\"About the Quad:\">About the Quad:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Genesis_and_Evolution\" title=\"Genesis and Evolution:\">Genesis and Evolution:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#General_timeline_of_events\" title=\"General timeline of events:\">General timeline of events:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Quad_Initiatives_and_Focus_Areas\" title=\"Quad Initiatives and Focus Areas:\">Quad Initiatives and Focus Areas:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#India_and_the_Quad\" title=\"India and the Quad:\">India and the Quad:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Challenges_and_Criticism\" title=\"Challenges and Criticism:\">Challenges and Criticism:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Way_Forward\" title=\"Way Forward:\">Way Forward:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Earths_Inner_Core_Rotation_Slowing_Down\" title=\"Earth\u2019s Inner Core Rotation Slowing Down\">Earth\u2019s Inner Core Rotation Slowing Down<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Why_in_the_news-2\" title=\"Why in the news?\">Why in the news?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Impacts\" title=\"Impacts:\">Impacts:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Connection_to_Climate_Change_and_Earths_Rotation\" title=\"Connection to Climate Change and Earth\u2019s Rotation:\">Connection to Climate Change and Earth\u2019s Rotation:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Coordinated_Universal_Time_UTC\" title=\"Coordinated Universal Time (UTC):\">Coordinated Universal Time (UTC):<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Leap_Seconds\" title=\"Leap Seconds:\">Leap Seconds:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#CRISPR_Cas9_Gene_Therapy_for_Sickle_Cell_Disease\" title=\"CRISPR Cas9 Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease\">CRISPR Cas9 Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Why_in_the_News\" title=\"Why in the News?\">Why in the News?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#What_is_Sickle_Cell_Disease\" title=\"What is Sickle Cell Disease?\">What is Sickle Cell Disease?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Implications\" title=\"Implications:\">Implications:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Treatment\" title=\"Treatment:\">Treatment:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Eliminating_Sickle_Cell_Disease\" title=\"Eliminating Sickle Cell Disease:&nbsp;\">Eliminating Sickle Cell Disease:&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#CRISPR-Cas9_Gene_Editing\" title=\"CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing:\">CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#The_system_comprises_two_primary_components\" title=\"The system comprises two primary components:\">The system comprises two primary components:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Mechanism\" title=\"Mechanism:\">Mechanism:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Persistent_Organic_Pollutants_POPs\" title=\"Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)\">Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Why_in_the_news-3\" title=\"Why in the news?\">Why in the news?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#What_about_Persistent_Organic_Pollutants_POPs\" title=\"What about Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)?\">What about Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Key_characteristics_of_Persistent_Organic_Pollutants_POPs\" title=\"Key characteristics of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs):\">Key characteristics of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs):<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Regulation_of_Persistent_Organic_Pollutants_POPs\" title=\"Regulation of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) :&nbsp;\">Regulation of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) :&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#SIPRI_Annual_Report_2024\" title=\"SIPRI Annual Report 2024\">SIPRI Annual Report 2024<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Why_in_the_news-4\" title=\"Why in the news\">Why in the news<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#About\" title=\"About:\">About:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-33\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Major_Findings_from_the_SIPRI_Yearbook_2024\" title=\"Major Findings from the SIPRI Yearbook 2024:\">Major Findings from the SIPRI Yearbook 2024:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-34\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Indias_Nuclear_Forces\" title=\"India&#8217;s Nuclear Forces :\">India&#8217;s Nuclear Forces :<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-35\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Challenges_in_Nuclear_Disarmament\" title=\"Challenges in Nuclear Disarmament\">Challenges in Nuclear Disarmament<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-36\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Treaties_Related_to_Nuclear_Disarmament\" title=\"Treaties Related to Nuclear Disarmament:\">Treaties Related to Nuclear Disarmament:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-37\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Eucalyptus_Tree\" title=\"Eucalyptus Tree\">Eucalyptus Tree<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-38\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Why_in_the_news-5\" title=\"Why in the news?\u00a0\u00a0\">Why in the news?\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-39\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#About_Eucalyptus_tree\" title=\"About Eucalyptus tree\">About Eucalyptus tree<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-40\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Uses_of_eucalyptus_trees\" title=\"Uses of eucalyptus trees\">Uses of eucalyptus trees<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-41\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Criticism_of_Eucalyptus\" title=\"Criticism of Eucalyptus\">Criticism of Eucalyptus<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-42\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Markhor_Capra_falconeri\" title=\"Markhor (Capra falconeri)\">Markhor (Capra falconeri)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-43\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Why_in_the_news-6\" title=\"Why in the news?\">Why in the news?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-44\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Oedocladium_sahyadricum_Algae\" title=\"Oedocladium sahyadricum (Algae)\">Oedocladium sahyadricum (Algae)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-45\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Why_in_the_news-7\" title=\"Why in the news?\">Why in the news?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-46\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#About_Oedocladium_sahyadricum\" title=\"About Oedocladium sahyadricum\">About Oedocladium sahyadricum<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-47\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-48\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Q_What_are_daily_current_affairs\" title=\"Q: What are daily current affairs?\">Q: What are daily current affairs?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-49\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Q_Why_is_it_important_to_stay_updated_with_daily_current_affairs\" title=\"Q: Why is it important to stay updated with daily current affairs?\">Q: Why is it important to stay updated with daily current affairs?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-50\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Q_Where_can_I_access_daily_current_affairs_information\" title=\"Q: Where can I access daily current affairs information?\">Q: Where can I access daily current affairs information?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-51\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Q_How_can_I_effectively_incorporate_daily_current_affairs_into_my_routine\" title=\"Q: How can I effectively incorporate daily current affairs into my routine?\">Q: How can I effectively incorporate daily current affairs into my routine?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-52\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Q_What_are_some_tips_for_critical_analysis_of_daily_current_affairs\" title=\"Q: What are some tips for critical analysis of daily current affairs?\">Q: What are some tips for critical analysis of daily current affairs?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-53\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#To_get_free_counselingsupport_on_UPSC_preparation_from_expert_mentors_please_call_9773890604\" title=\"To get free counseling\/support on UPSC preparation from expert mentors please call 9773890604\">To get free counseling\/support on UPSC preparation from expert mentors please call 9773890604<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-54\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-daily-current-affairs-20th-june-2024-edukemy\/#Visit_our_YouTube_Channel_%E2%80%93_Here\" title=\"Visit our YouTube Channel \u2013 Here\">Visit our YouTube Channel \u2013 Here<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"QUAD_Diplomacy_and_Cooperation_in_the_Indo-Pacific\"><\/span><strong>QUAD: Diplomacy and Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>Tags: GS-2, IR \u2013 Bilateral Groupings &amp; Agreements<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_in_the_news\"><\/span><strong>Why in the news?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Quad, (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue), has evolved into a strategic alliance focused on security, diplomatic collaboration, and the provision of public goods among its members and throughout the Indo-Pacific region over the past two decades.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/lh7-us.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXd27RJlXE5_pvspEzzhy2lOYlS38N_5uvzRdSs8Dd5pn7nMIp6U2o8J8rhheWYF1xd5sfcN1JZaluFqTYrX8UOkIW0QW6TPHOkGFfeb6neSY-XW9zkswLVPm-GeTFLwJQNzKgtbGptPp-DSFPoPNKuWvL1Ekx7ExDZmQVoykIhz-ZeEldenLgE?key=0SVVP89eaOi4JeKhJbb5QA\" alt=\"Quad\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><figcaption><strong>Quad<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"About_the_Quad\"><\/span><strong>About the Quad:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Quad, comprising India, Japan, Australia, and the United States, has emerged as a significant diplomatic platform aimed at ensuring a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.&nbsp;<\/li><li>It focuses on upholding international law, maintaining freedom of navigation, and promoting democratic values within the region.&nbsp;<\/li><li>The Quad countries collectively host 1.9 billion people (24% of the world\u2019s population) and account for 35% of the world\u2019s GDP and 18% of global trade.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Genesis_and_Evolution\"><\/span><strong>Genesis and Evolution:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Quad was conceived in the early 2000s to leverage the converging interests of its member nations.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Its inception responded to the growing need for a collaborative approach to address challenges in the Indo-Pacific, particularly those posed by natural disasters and regional security threats.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/lh7-us.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXdyYMqJ3577YmSWwohUusOBL3fTzD__HeNCks-AHDXCQmbFYRiyNVDr-LckTR9ysUhKzA3h5DJKEaXCLMA07yX674TeoNOYn8FvLI_dhb2ZRjgRWFc-5LSPH79jqYTVIHhMA2a1K73LzO_CR9Pd0gGlps2sypnwbrsgCAv64Sfb4NHx7gjuiaI?key=0SVVP89eaOi4JeKhJbb5QA\" alt=\"Quad\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><figcaption>Quad<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/lh7-us.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXdO2LxqxVfCP2TZDpHjftWgjZtmzY77T0gkoCf7NxaCMqpCSQ1AA3SG3LHSOXOJkeIR_SCeoHsCUtWob5tU8awCdXkTsDiwihpQh5N-w5jhXYZlrtQkMOJ6PMl5D351gG_BrzloYFOyVE_nAJMjjZ4R1xu71Xmy6uksMrt57f5-ST5Q7kMT5Cc?key=0SVVP89eaOi4JeKhJbb5QA\" alt=\"Quad\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><figcaption>Quad<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"General_timeline_of_events\"><\/span><strong>General timeline of events:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"pcrstb-wrap\"><table><tbody><tr><td>2004<\/td><td>December 26<\/td><td>Australia, India, Japan, and the United States form a coalition to coordinate aid and streamline assistance following the Indian Ocean Tsunami, which killed 228,000 people across 14 countries in the Indo-Pacific.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2007<\/td><td>May 25<\/td><td>Quad senior officials meet for the first time on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila, the Philippines.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><\/td><td>August 22<\/td><td>Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe\u2019s \u201cConfluence of the Two Seas\u201d speech provides a foundation for the Quad as an \u201copen and transparent\u201d network that \u201cwill allow people, goods, capital and knowledge to flow freely.\u201d<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><\/td><td>September 7<\/td><td>Australia, Japan, and Singapore participate in Exercise Malabar, previously a bilateral naval exercise between the United States and India, sparking protests from China.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2008<\/td><td>February 5<\/td><td>&nbsp; Australia assures China that it will withdraw from the Quad.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2012<\/td><td>December 27<\/td><td>Prime Minister Shinzo Abe calls for a \u201cdemocratic security diamond\u201d whereby \u201cAustralia, India, Japan, and the U.S. state of Hawaii form a diamond to safeguard the maritime commons stretching from the Indian Ocean region to the western Pacific.\u201d<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2015<\/td><td>October 12<\/td><td>Japan became a permanent member of Exercise Malabar.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2017<\/td><td>November 12<\/td><td>In the first senior-level meeting of the renewed Quad, officials from all four countries meet on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Manila, the Philippines.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2018&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/td><td>June 7<\/td><td>Quad senior officials meet for a second time on the margins of the ASEAN Senior Officials\u2019 Meeting in Singapore.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><\/td><td>November 15<\/td><td>The third Quad Senior Officials\u2019 Meeting occurs at the East Asia Summit in Singapore.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2019<\/td><td>May 31<\/td><td>The Quad holds its foreign ministerial-level meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, the United States.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2020<\/td><td>November 2<\/td><td>Australia rejoins Exercise Malabar.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2021<\/td><td>March 12<\/td><td>The first Quad Leaders\u2019 Summit is held virtually and the joint statement <em>The Spirit of the Quad<\/em> is released.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><\/td><td>September 24<\/td><td>The second Quad Leaders\u2019 Summit is held in-person in Washington D.C., the United States.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2022<\/td><td>March 4<\/td><td>The third Quad Leaders\u2019 Summit is held virtually to discuss the conflict in Ukraine and its impact on the Indo-Pacific region.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><\/td><td>May 24<\/td><td>The fourth Quad Leaders\u2019 Summit takes place in Tokyo, Japan as a standalone meeting. This is the second in-person Quad Leaders\u2019 Summit.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2023<\/td><td>March 3<\/td><td>The Quad Working Group on Counterterrorism is announced at the sixth Quad Foreign Ministers\u2019 meeting in New Delhi, India.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><\/td><td>May 20<\/td><td>The fifth Quad Leaders\u2019 Summit takes place in Hiroshima, Japan on the sidelines of the Group of Seven Summit.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Quad_Initiatives_and_Focus_Areas\"><\/span><strong>Quad Initiatives and Focus Areas:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Quad Health Security Partnership:<\/strong><ul><li>In 2021, they met virtually for the first time alongside three new partners \u2014 South Korea, Vietnam, and New Zealand, informally called the Quad-Plus.<\/li><li>Established initiatives like the Quad Vaccine Partnership.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Climate Working Group:<\/strong><ul><li>Launched the Quad Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Package (Q-CHAMP) at the 2022 Quad Leaders\u2019 Summit in Tokyo.<\/li><li>Focus areas include climate-smart agriculture, carbon recycling, and subnational climate action knowledge sharing.<\/li><li>Q-CHAMP builds on three pillars: climate ambition, clean energy, and adaptation and resilience.<\/li><li>Emphasises the need for secure, resilient, and sustainable clean energy supply chains, reducing emissions from mining, production, and manufacturing.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Critical and Emerging Technology (CET) Working Group:<\/strong><ul><li>Addresses technologies like AI, quantum computing, autonomous systems, and biotechnologies.<\/li><li>The Quad International Standards Cooperation Network enhances coordination and influence in international standards development.<\/li><li>Promotes global technology markets, sets technical standards, and coordinates on 5G networks and horizon scanning.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Space Working Group:<\/strong><ul><li>Quad nations share Earth observation satellite data for monitoring climate change, improving disaster response, and ensuring sustainable use of oceans and marine resources.<\/li><li>The global space economy was worth $546 billion in 2022, with commercial revenue accounting for 78% of the sector.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Quad Infrastructure Coordination Group:<\/strong><ul><li>Addresses the infrastructure financing gap due to rapid regional growth, focusing on transport, power, telecommunications, water supply, and sanitation.<\/li><li>Despite $881 billion in annual infrastructure investment in the region, the figure drops to $195 billion excluding China\u2019s investments.<\/li><li>From 2015 to 2021, Quad countries provided over $48 billion in infrastructure financing to the Indo-Pacific.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Quad Senior Cyber Group:<\/strong><ul><li>Cybercrime resulted in $1 trillion in global economic losses in 2020.<\/li><li>In 2022, all Quad countries were among the top 20 international cyber victims.<\/li><li>Established the Quad Cybersecurity Partnership to address cyber threats, focusing on critical infrastructure protection, supply chain resilience, workforce development, and software security standards.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"India_and_the_Quad\"><\/span><strong>India and the Quad:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Platform for Consultation: T<\/strong>he Quad serves as a platform for India to engage with major powers on regional security and economic issues, aligning with its foreign policy objectives.<\/li><li><strong>Countering China&#8217;s Influence<\/strong>: As a regional power, India uses the Quad to counter China&#8217;s dominance in the Indian Ocean and to ensure security in the Indo-Pacific.<\/li><li><strong>Commitment to Regional Stability: <\/strong>India\u2019s participation in the Quad reflects its dedication to regional stability and its role as a significant global player.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Challenges_and_Criticism\"><\/span><strong>Challenges and Criticism:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Emergence of AUKUS<\/strong>:<ul><li><strong>AUKUS Formation: <\/strong>The creation of the Australia-UK-US (AUKUS) Indo-Pacific grouping has raised questions about the Quad\u2019s future relevance.<\/li><li><strong>Focus Differences:<\/strong> AUKUS focuses on broader global social issues such as climate change, COVID-19 vaccines, and supply chain resilience, while the Quad addresses stronger strategic aspects.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Free and Open Indo-Pacific:<\/strong><ul><li><strong>Rules-Based Order<\/strong>: The Quad emphasises a \u2018free, open, rules-based order\u2019 rooted in international law to counter threats in the Indo-Pacific region.<\/li><li><strong>Tensions with China:<\/strong> Tensions with China, particularly regarding unilateral actions in the South China Sea, drive the Quad&#8217;s focus on maintaining a rules-based order.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Connectivity and Infrastructure:<\/strong><ul><li><strong>Transparent Funding:<\/strong> The Quad aims to provide transparent infrastructure funding and joint connectivity projects to countries in the region.<\/li><li><strong>Debt-Trap Prevention<\/strong>: This initiative is designed to prevent countries from becoming \u2018debt-trapped\u2019 by other initiatives, such as China\u2019s Belt and Road Initiative.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Critical Technologies and Supply Chains:<\/strong><ul><li><strong>Working Group on Technologie<\/strong>s: The Quad has established a working group on critical and emerging technologies to cooperate on international standards and innovation.<\/li><li><strong>Supply Chain Resilience:<\/strong> Ensuring resilient supply chains is a priority for the Quad, addressing potential vulnerabilities and promoting robust economic cooperation.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Way_Forward\"><\/span><strong>Way Forward:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Collaborative efforts in combating climate change, enhancing pandemic response capabilities, and promoting sustainable development are essential for the region&#8217;s well-being.<\/li><li>Fostering deeper economic ties and technological partnerships will be crucial in shaping the future of Indo-Pacific diplomacy.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Critics often highlight the absence of a formal charter or binding commitments among the member countries, questioning the group&#8217;s cohesiveness and long-term vision.<\/li><li>The Quad&#8217;s perceived role in countering China&#8217;s influence in the region. The group&#8217;s strategies and actions are often scrutinised for their implications on regional dynamics and balance of power.<\/li><li>The next decade will be pivotal for the Quad to solidify its role as a cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Continued adaptation, strategic cooperation, and addressing criticisms head-on will be key to ensuring the Quad&#8217;s enduring impact and success.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"pcrstb-wrap\"><table><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)<\/strong><br><strong>MainsQ:1 Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance, in present times Discuss. (2020)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.orfonline.org\/research\/two-decades-of-the-quad-diplomacy-and-cooperation-in-the-indo-pacific\"><strong><em>Source: ORF<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Earths_Inner_Core_Rotation_Slowing_Down\"><\/span><strong>Earth\u2019s Inner Core Rotation Slowing Down<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tags: GS-1, Geography &#8211; Earth- Core<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_in_the_news-2\"><\/span><strong>Why in the news?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Recently,&nbsp; new study has provided compelling evidence that the Earth\u2019s solid inner core, composed of iron and nickel, began to slow down its rotation compared to the planet\u2019s surface in 2010.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/lh7-us.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXez45j4UC4GuWK-JltCEigAIR12OfYCcOooG2TCBJl9SH-xYu_wuMfcCiqywwzM9hLh3xUhMctTFwNzdHnlAmwr_T7fXafBB0ad2pNtUTmWjCSaiq8-GCwMG61Wrzd1hB4pu3_OJtLAabUQNH0E9-o2Suk9-g4JomeB1KR4Jap_kjOGrXvLfJE?key=0SVVP89eaOi4JeKhJbb5QA\" alt=\"Earth\u2019s Inner Core Rotation\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><figcaption><strong>Earth\u2019s Inner Core Rotation<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Since the Earth\u2019s core and most part of the Earth\u2019s interior is physically inaccessible, researchers typically study it by analysing seismic waves generated by earthquakes recorded on seismograms.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Impacts\"><\/span><strong>Impacts:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The process could potentially change the length of a day on Earth by fractions of a second.<\/li><li>The inner core\u2018s spin is influenced by the magnetic field generated in the liquid outer core and gravitational effects within the Earth\u2019s mantle.<\/li><li>The inner core\u2019s rotation generates Earth\u2019s magnetic field and influences geological processes. Changes in its rotational speed could affect Earth\u2019s magnetic properties and geomagnetic events.<\/li><li>The recent study says that the inner core is reversing and backtracking relative to the surface, rotating slower than the mantle for the first time in about 40 years.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Connection_to_Climate_Change_and_Earths_Rotation\"><\/span><strong>Connection to Climate Change and Earth\u2019s Rotation:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>A separate study (Nature Journal) found that climate change-driven melting of ice in Greenland and Antarctica was affecting global timekeeping by slowing down Earth\u2019s rotation.<\/li><li>The liquid core was slowing down, causing the solid Earth to rotate faster to counterbalance the effect, resulting in fewer \u2018leap seconds\u2019 being needed to be added to the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"pcrstb-wrap\"><table><tbody><tr><td><em>Since 1972<\/em>,<em> a \u2018leap second\u2019 has been periodically added to the UTC to account for irregularities in Earth\u2019s rotation speed<\/em>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Coordinated_Universal_Time_UTC\"><\/span><strong>Coordinated Universal Time (UTC):<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>UTC is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is based on precise atomic clocks and is maintained by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM).<\/li><li>UTC is designed to approximate the mean solar time at 0\u00b0 longitude (the prime meridian), which is the basis for civil time and time zones.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Leap_Seconds\"><\/span><strong>Leap Seconds:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Earth\u2019s rotation is gradually slowing due to tidal forces from the Moon and Sun, as well as changes in Earth\u2019s structure and climate. Consequently, the length of a day based on Earth\u2019s rotation increasingly diverges from the day defined by atomic clocks.<\/li><li>To account for this divergence and keep UTC in sync with the Earth\u2019s rotation, leap seconds are added.<\/li><li>A leap second is a one-second adjustment that is inserted as a \u201cstop\u201d second into UTC to keep it aligned with the Earth\u2019s rotation. It is added on either June 30th or December 31st, as required.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Source: <\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/technology\/science\/earth-inner-core-slowing-could-change-days-length-9395129\/\"><strong><em>IE<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"CRISPR_Cas9_Gene_Therapy_for_Sickle_Cell_Disease\"><\/span><strong>CRISPR Cas9 Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>Tags: GS-3 , Sc. &amp; Tech.-Awareness in various sc and tech fields<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_in_the_News\"><\/span><strong>Why in the News?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Recently, India is advancing towards the development of a CRISPR-Cas9-based gene therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD), a genetic blood disorder highly prevalent among Scheduled Tribes.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/lh7-us.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXccyKXVz1J1RTKBCtRMhvDQMBQMr4wz89jmCZKi3UFXJ_3wifmDSYEi9cOmtd5ekOETotzpSG4qTAPMJZnNIt689ZPTK6sRdVOmpvUGhnumLCrXJgA28hVUHExOAZN5D6JJNOeMufQRTGac2tblYphSl4-7TBvrxE1xvJ24VsGfCs-iQI2wug?key=0SVVP89eaOi4JeKhJbb5QA\" alt=\"CRISPR Cas9 Gene Therapy\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><figcaption><strong>CRISPR Cas9 Gene Therapy<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_Sickle_Cell_Disease\"><\/span><strong>What is Sickle Cell Disease?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited blood disorders caused by a genetic mutation in the hemoglobin-\u03b2 gene located on chromosome 11, resulting in defective haemoglobin that forms rod-like structures after releasing oxygen.&nbsp;<\/li><li>This mutation leads to red blood cells becoming rigid and assuming a sickle shape.<\/li><li>SCD is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, requiring both parents to carry the abnormal gene for a child to inherit it.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Symptoms may not manifest immediately in newborns but can include extreme tiredness, fussiness, swollen hands and feet, and jaundice.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/lh7-us.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXc6vHtKvMeimlVW9xrCgkfdA364tBpHSd3s1Vy4uao3zgfsm_C3Qvv3joxwlp1AMyP61GZDmWmlnmTyu2yNPIrl_lX-wKDQ58jghl6utD_Q-7URZQmshxi6uKQzo6XjEa0BZt6d3pckPQbhTX46gyrKmFb0kM7WJdn4D3kwgvXB9d6rDMt1eKs?key=0SVVP89eaOi4JeKhJbb5QA\" alt=\"Sickle Cell Disease\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><figcaption><strong>Sickle Cell Disease<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Implications\"><\/span><strong>Implications:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The misshapen red blood cells can block small blood vessels, impairing blood flow and causing chronic anaemia.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Individuals with SCD often suffer acute pain episodes, severe bacterial infections, and tissue damage due to insufficient blood supply.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Treatment\"><\/span><strong>Treatment:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Current treatment options include medications for pain relief and regular blood transfusions to replace damaged red blood cells.&nbsp;<\/li><li>In rare cases, a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, which carries significant risks, may be recommended.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Eliminating_Sickle_Cell_Disease\"><\/span><strong>Eliminating Sickle Cell Disease:&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Recent advancements include the U.S. Food and Drug Administration&#8217;s approval of CRISPR-Cas9 technology for cell-based gene therapy to treat sickle cell disease in December 2023.<\/li><li>India faces the primary challenge of developing cost-effective therapy as part of its mission to eradicate sickle cell disease by 2047, initiated by the Prime Minister in July 2023.<\/li><li>The mission targets conducting over 7 crore screenings among vulnerable tribal populations across 17 States and Union Territories, with three crore screenings completed to date.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"CRISPR-Cas9_Gene_Editing\"><\/span><strong>CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>CRISPR-Cas9, short for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9, is a powerful technology enabling geneticists and researchers to edit sections of the genome by modifying DNA sequences.<\/li><li>Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna&#8217;s pioneering work on CRISPR-Cas9, likened to a &#8216;molecular scissor,&#8217; earned them the 2020 Nobel Prize in chemistry.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/lh7-us.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXe9tM_8ilZHI0IeiWgZYarIVVPBtiodLp6K31mcVMPhmzK_13dqP9jFBSOVM506lZpMnB015G5rDANuXVUMxILaUvI4uQeO-_IGS_ldXdW-IMDYqIgY7EHyJF2dWrZfTPnbmSeUjDEOEsF83uVK6uJVEqlV4yvff2e6MGGvouSL9SDY9JPRIA?key=0SVVP89eaOi4JeKhJbb5QA\" alt=\"CRISPR-Cas9 Gene\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><figcaption><strong>CRISPR-Cas9 Gene<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_system_comprises_two_primary_components\"><\/span><strong>The system comprises two primary components:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Cas9:<\/strong> This enzyme functions as molecular scissors, cutting the DNA strand at a precise location targeted for modification, such as removal, addition, or alteration of DNA.<\/li><li><strong>Guide RNA (gRNA): <\/strong>This RNA segment is designed to bind to a specific DNA sequence complementary to its code. The gRNA directs the Cas9 enzyme to the exact location in the genome where genetic editing is intended.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mechanism\"><\/span><strong>Mechanism:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Initially, a gRNA is designed to match the DNA sequence requiring modification.<\/li><li>Once inside the cell, the Cas9 enzyme and gRNA form a complex that locates and binds to the targeted DNA sequence.<\/li><li>Cas9 then cleaves the DNA at the predetermined site.<\/li><li>Following the DNA cut, the cell&#8217;s natural repair mechanisms can be utilised to insert or delete genetic material, or to make precise alterations to the DNA sequence<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"pcrstb-wrap\"><table><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>UPSC Civil Services Examination PYQ<\/strong><br><br><strong>Prelims:<\/strong><br><strong>Q:1 Consider the following statements in the context interventions being undertaken under Anaemin Mukt Bharat Strategy :[2023]\u00a0<\/strong><br>1. It provides prophylactic calcium supplementation for pre-school children, adolescents and pregnant women.<br>2. It runs a campaign for delayed cord clamping at the time of child-birth.<br>3. It provides for periodic deworming to children and adolescents.<br>4. It addresses non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets with special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies and fluorosis.<br><br><strong>How many of the statements given above are correct?<\/strong><br>(a) Only one<br>(b) Only two<br>(c) Only three<br>(d) All four<br><strong>Answer: C\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Source: <\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/science\/india-getting-close-to-developing-gene-therapy-for-sickle-cell-disease-say-officials\/article68308487.ece\"><em>TH<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Persistent_Organic_Pollutants_POPs\"><\/span><strong>Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>Tags: GS \u20133 , Ecology &amp; Environment\u2014 Environmental Pollution\u2013(POPs)<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_in_the_news-3\"><\/span><strong>Why in the news?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>According to a recent study, Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) and 11 other Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) have shown a decline in both human exposure and environmental presence since 2004.&nbsp;<\/li><li>This reduction is attributed to stringent global regulations implemented to control these hazardous substances.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/lh7-us.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXdYm9JV8ALPy4Jk-5LClhoF1UDHVcqMq7VZG20xDcNFoTV1DKF5mYBav2m6-nM1Lla54iU5t_1jcVbPoss67kwXwSE3WNcoaqmrPiT2pZABoBFizxw5AHfEoV8NHsjH_3uAyaTFcQ6V0EgiIiYH7NDiBdun0qgl13lga58iokFulmh09kjR_8s?key=0SVVP89eaOi4JeKhJbb5QA\" alt=\"Persistent Organic Pollutants\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><figcaption><strong>Persistent Organic Pollutants<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_about_Persistent_Organic_Pollutants_POPs\"><\/span><strong>What about Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Findings from the study indicate that Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), including DDT and others, were detected in over 900 samples collected from various sources such as air, water, human milk, soil, and various food items including beef, milk, eggs, and seafood.&nbsp;<\/li><li>The levels of 12 POPs, including DDT, have shown a global decline since 2004, attributed to stringent regulatory measures.&nbsp;<\/li><li>However, other POPs like dieldrin and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) continue to persist at elevated levels in the air across regions such as Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America.&nbsp;<\/li><li>POPs are carbon-based chemicals that resist degradation through natural processes like chemical reactions, biological breakdown, and sunlight exposure.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_characteristics_of_Persistent_Organic_Pollutants_POPs\"><\/span><strong>Key characteristics of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs):<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Persistence: <\/strong>POPs are resistant to environmental breakdown. They can persist for extended periods, ranging from years to decades, without degrading.<\/li><li><strong>Bioaccumulation:<\/strong> POPs have the tendency to accumulate in the fatty tissues of living organisms through the food chain. This results in higher concentrations of POPs in organisms at the top of the food chain, including humans.<\/li><li><strong>Long-range transport: <\/strong>POPs can travel long distances from their original source of emission. Global transport occurs through processes such as atmospheric deposition and ocean currents, spreading these pollutants across vast distances.<\/li><li><strong>Toxicity: <\/strong>Many POPs exhibit toxicity to both humans and wildlife. They can lead to various adverse health effects, including cancer, reproductive disorders, immune system disruption, and neurological impacts.<\/li><li><strong>POPs include pesticides like DDT<\/strong> (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane), industrial chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and unintentional by-products of industrial processes like dioxins and furans.<\/li><li><strong>POP pollution include improper use or disposa<\/strong>l of agrochemicals and industrial chemicals, high-temperature processes and combustion, and unintentional production during industrial activities or waste incineration.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Regulation_of_Persistent_Organic_Pollutants_POPs\"><\/span><strong>Regulation of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) :&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Stockholm Convention on POPs: <\/strong>Entered into force in 2004, it aims to globally reduce the release of POPs chemicals.<\/li><li><strong>Rotterdam Convention on PIC<\/strong>: Also entered into force in 2004, it promotes shared responsibilities in the international trade of hazardous chemicals, ensuring safe use.<\/li><li><strong>Basel Convention: <\/strong>In force since 1992, it controls transboundary movements and disposal of hazardous wastes to protect human health and the environment.<\/li><li><strong>LRTAP, Protocol on POPs: <\/strong>The protocol, effective since 2003, aims to limit and reduce air pollution, including long-range transboundary air pollutants like POPs. Its goal is to control, reduce, or eliminate discharges, emissions, and losses of persistent organic pollutants.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Source: <\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/news\/pollution\/ddt-levels-have-declined-in-humans-environment-since-2004-but-those-of-other-persistent-organic-pollutants-rising-un-96724#:~:text=Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane%20(DDT,said%20on%20June%2017%2C%202024\"><strong><em>DTE<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"SIPRI_Annual_Report_2024\"><\/span><strong>SIPRI Annual Report 2024<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>Tags: GS-3, Science &amp; Technology &#8211; Defence<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_in_the_news-4\"><\/span><strong>Why in the news <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Recently, the SIPRI Yearbook 2024 has been published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"About\"><\/span><strong>About:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The SIPRI Yearbook offers comprehensive insights into international security, covering areas such as weapons and technology, military spending, arms production and trade, armed conflicts, conflict resolution efforts, and initiatives aimed at regulating conventional, nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Major_Findings_from_the_SIPRI_Yearbook_2024\"><\/span><strong>Major Findings from the SIPRI Yearbook 2024:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Nuclear Arsenal: I<\/strong>n 2024, nine states\u2014United States, Russia, United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel\u2014held approximately 12,121 nuclear weapons. Of these, 9,585 were potentially operational.<\/li><li><strong>Decline in Nuclear Warheads: <\/strong>Overall, the global number of nuclear warheads is decreasing primarily due to dismantlement efforts by the USA and Russia of retired warheads.<\/li><li><strong>Operational Warheads: <\/strong>Despite the overall decline, reductions in operational warheads have stalled globally, with numbers beginning to rise again. The USA and Russia, holding nearly 90% of all nuclear weapons, are actively replacing and modernising their arsenals.<\/li><li><strong>China&#8217;s Expansion:<\/strong> China is significantly modernising and expanding its nuclear arsenal, tripling its number to around 500 warheads. Some of these warheads are on high operational alert for the first time. Projections indicate China may deploy as many intercontinental ballistic missiles as Russia or the USA soon.<\/li><li><strong>South Asian Developments: <\/strong>Both India and Pakistan are reportedly increasing their nuclear weapon stockpiles. Additionally, the UK plans to expand its nuclear stockpile.<\/li><li><strong>North Korea&#8217;s Program:<\/strong> North Korea&#8217;s military nuclear program remains integral to its national security strategy, with estimates suggesting it has assembled up to 50 nuclear weapons and has the capability to produce more.<\/li><li><strong>Israel&#8217;s Ambiguity<\/strong>: Israel maintains a policy of nuclear ambiguity, leaving uncertainty about the size of its nuclear arsenal.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Indias_Nuclear_Forces\"><\/span><strong>India&#8217;s Nuclear Forces<\/strong> :<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Arsenal Size:<\/strong> As of this year, India&#8217;s nuclear arsenal consists of approximately 172 warheads, slightly exceeding Pakistan&#8217;s inventory of 170 warheads.<\/li><li><strong>Triad Strengthening:<\/strong> India is enhancing the undersea component of its nuclear triad, which includes land-based missiles, strategic bombers, and nuclear-powered submarines (SSBNs).<\/li><li><strong>SSBN Development:<\/strong> India launched its third SSBN (nuclear-powered submarine carrying ballistic missiles armed with nuclear warheads) in 2021. A fourth SSBN is currently under construction, with plans for possible launch by 2024.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"pcrstb-wrap\"><table><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>SIPRI:<\/strong> SIPRI, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, is an independent international institute headquartered in Stockholm.\u00a0Established in 1966, SIPRI focuses on researching conflict, armaments, arms control, and disarmament.\u00a0It provides data, analysis, and recommendations based on open sources to policymakers, researchers, media, and the general public.\u00a0SIPRI operates under a funding model initiated by the Swedish Parliament, receiving a significant annual grant from the Swedish Government.\u00a0Additionally, the institute seeks financial contributions from other organisations to support its research endeavours, ensuring its independence and capacity to conduct impactful international security studies.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Challenges_in_Nuclear_Disarmament\"><\/span><strong>Challenges in Nuclear Disarmament<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Geopolitical Tensions: <\/strong>Nations often view nuclear weapons as a deterrent against potential adversaries, which hinders willingness to disarm when perceived threats exist.<\/li><li><strong>Transparency<\/strong>: Verifying compliance with disarmament agreements is challenging, complicating efforts to ensure adherence to agreed-upon reductions.<\/li><li><strong>Technological Advancements<\/strong>: Advances in nuclear technology, such as smaller and more sophisticated weapons, pose obstacles to effective disarmament initiatives.<\/li><li><strong>Strategic Stability Concerns<\/strong>: Countries may see nuclear weapons as vital to national security, fearing that disarmament could disrupt strategic stability and deter them from fully committing to disarmament efforts.<\/li><li><strong>Economic and Strategic Costs: <\/strong>The process of dismantling nuclear weapons and managing their materials is costly and complex, presenting financial and logistical challenges.<\/li><li><strong>Non-Proliferation Concerns: <\/strong>As some states disarm, others may perceive a strategic advantage in acquiring or retaining nuclear weapons, potentially sparking proliferation concerns and undermining disarmament goals.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Treaties_Related_to_Nuclear_Disarmament\"><\/span><strong>Treaties Related to Nuclear Disarmament:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT):&nbsp;<\/strong><ul><li>Signed in 1968 and effective from 1970, the NPT aims to prevent nuclear weapon proliferation and encourage disarmament.&nbsp;<\/li><li>It categorises states as nuclear-weapon states (NWS), recognized for possessing nuclear weapons before the treaty, and non-nuclear-weapon states (NNWS), which commit to refraining from nuclear weapons development.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW):<\/strong>&nbsp;<ul><li>Adopted by the UN in 2017 and open for signature since 2018, the TPNW aims to ban the development, testing, production, stockpiling, stationing, transfer, use, and threat of use of nuclear weapons.&nbsp;<\/li><li>It marks a significant step towards global nuclear disarmament, although nuclear-armed states have not signed it.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT):&nbsp;<\/strong><ul><li>Opened for signature in 1996, the CTBT seeks to prohibit all nuclear explosions, whether for civilian or military purposes.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Despite being signed by 185 countries and ratified by 170, its entry into force requires ratification by nuclear-armed states.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Outer Space Treaty:&nbsp;<\/strong><ul><li>Entered into force in 1967, this agreement prohibits the placement of weapons of mass destruction in space.&nbsp;<\/li><li>All nine known nuclear-armed states are parties to this treaty, contributing to the prevention of weaponization of outer space.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Source: <\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_delhi\/issues\/87399\/OPS\/GEPCUP8RN.1+GHQCUQSLB.1.html\"><strong><em>TH<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Eucalyptus_Tree\"><\/span><strong>Eucalyptus Tree<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>Tags: GS-3 Ecology &amp; Environment \u2014 Biodiversity- Species<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_in_the_news-5\"><\/span><strong>Why in the news?\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Kerala government issued an order allowing the Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) to plant <strong>eucalyptus trees<\/strong> for its financial sustenance in 2024-2025.<\/li><li>As per the 2021 Kerala\u2019s eco-restoration policy, its cultivation (including acacia and wattle) is not suitable for the environment as it results in \u201c<strong>depletion of natural forests<\/strong>.\u201d<\/li><li>Activists alleged that <strong>permitting<\/strong> the planting of eucalyptus trees <strong>contravened the policy\u2019s aspirations<\/strong> and undermined efforts to beat back invasive species and mitigate human-animal conflicts.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"About_Eucalyptus_tree\"><\/span><strong>About Eucalyptus tree<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Eucalyptus trees, also known as gum trees, nilgiri trees, or safeda, are species of large flowering trees and <strong>shrubs<\/strong> with <strong>aromatic leaves<\/strong> and attractive smooth peeling bark.<\/li><li>These trees are <strong>native to Australia and Tasmania<\/strong>. In India, it was first planted around <strong>1790<\/strong> by the ruler of Mysore, <strong>Tipu Sultan<\/strong>, in his palace garden near Bangalore.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Uses_of_eucalyptus_trees\"><\/span><strong>Uses of eucalyptus trees<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Eucalyptus wood is <strong>hard<\/strong> and difficult to bend, making it ideal for <strong>flat furniture<\/strong>.<\/li><li>Since the wood is <strong>heavy<\/strong>, it is, therefore, good as <strong>firewood<\/strong> and for making charcoal.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Criticism_of_Eucalyptus\"><\/span><strong>Criticism of Eucalyptus<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The ban on eucalyptus has emerged as part of the campaign against invasive species.<\/li><li>Eucalyptus is <strong>water-intensive<\/strong> and <strong>reduces available water for other species<\/strong> by effectively out-competing them.<\/li><li>In arid areas, it consequently <strong>suppresses different plant life<\/strong>, coupled with high water demand, <strong>reduces soil moisture<\/strong>, <strong>prevents groundwater recharge<\/strong>, and can <strong>reduce local water tables<\/strong>. This is worsened by a <strong>high transpiration rate<\/strong> indicative of the inefficient use of water.<\/li><li>Eucalyptus does <strong>not promote the building of humus<\/strong>. It does <strong>not contribute <\/strong>to the<strong> soil\u2019s long-term fertility<\/strong> resulting in an overall nutrient impoverishment of the soil.<\/li><li>Eucalyptus is toxic due to its <strong>allelopathic properties<\/strong>, which reduce other plant life by restricting germination of other species and is also detrimental to soil micro and macrofauna.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"pcrstb-wrap\"><table><tbody><tr><td><em>Allelopathic species suppress their progeny and other plant life by <\/em><strong><em>leaching chemical inhibitors<\/em><\/strong><em> from the trees\u2019 roots or litter<\/em>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Source: (<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/energy-and-environment\/the-controversy-over-eucalyptus-planting-in-kerala-explained\/article68222800.ece\"><strong><em>TH<\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong><em>)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Markhor_Capra_falconeri\"><\/span><strong>Markhor (Capra falconeri)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>Tags: GS-3 Ecology &amp; Environment \u2014 Biodiversity- Species<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_in_the_news-6\"><\/span><strong>Why in the news?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Recently, <\/strong>the UN declared &#8216;IUCN: Near Threatened<strong> of Markhor\u2019<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/lh7-us.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXeQis_a6XLr5C6j4d91vTTtxseqqrQ-19TITIHGBlHaGoHgdj86Co56JwlZhI4vKUCq8UdoEY9ISCf6AKXyhnXKxdXTymz1GMrYi63Q7m0lNIOEaMWyMq24hVKCKaS1HiZu8UdTapSS7Taibf5jAK1B4NX3iDfyBqS1Z4CtgHjk3odEK3frjho?key=0SVVP89eaOi4JeKhJbb5QA\" alt=\"Markhor\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><figcaption>Markhor<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Markhor, also known as screw horn goat, is the <strong>largest wild goat<\/strong> in the world. It is the <strong>national animal of Pakistan<\/strong>.<\/li><li><strong>Distribution:<\/strong> It ranges over the north-western parts of the <strong>Hindu Kush Himalayas<\/strong>, in <strong>Uzbekistan<\/strong>,<strong> Turkmenistan<\/strong>,<strong> Tajikistan<\/strong>,<strong> Afghanistan<\/strong>,<strong> Pakistan<\/strong> and <strong>India<\/strong>.<ul><li>In India, the subspecies is found <strong>only in Jammu and Kashmir (J&amp;K)<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Habitat<\/strong><strong>:<\/strong> They are adapted to <strong>mountainous terrain<\/strong> between 600 m and 3600 m elevation and are strongly associated with scrub forests dominated by oaks, pines, and junipers.<\/li><li><strong>Physical description:<\/strong> The coat is of light brown to black colour and is smooth and short in summer while growing longer and thicker in winter. Both sexes possess extremely bold, flared, <strong>corkscrew-like horns<\/strong> which twist outwards.<\/li><li>They are <strong>skilled climbers<\/strong> and can scale steep rocky terrain to escape predators such as snow leopards and wolves.<\/li><li><strong>Conservation<\/strong><strong> Status:<\/strong><strong> IUCN:<\/strong> Near Threatened | <strong>WPA<\/strong>,<strong> 1972:<\/strong> <strong>Schedule I<\/strong> | <strong>CITES: Appendix I<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Threats:<\/strong> Illegal hunting, poaching, habitat loss, climate change.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Source: (<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/gallery\/wildlife-and-biodiversity\/markhor-the-world-s-largest-wild-goat-now-has-a-day-of-its-own-96374\"><strong><em>DTE<\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong><em>)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Oedocladium_sahyadricum_Algae\"><\/span><strong>Oedocladium sahyadricum (Algae)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>Tags: GS-3 Ecology &amp; Environment \u2014 Biodiversity- Species<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_in_the_news-7\"><\/span><strong>Why in the news?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Phycologists at Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, found a new <strong>algal<\/strong> species. The new species is named <strong>Oedocladium sahyadricum<\/strong>. Sahyadricum refers to the <strong>Western Ghats<\/strong>.<\/li><li><strong>Western Ghats<\/strong> provide ideal conditions for the growth of <strong>terrestrial<\/strong> <strong>microalgae<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"pcrstb-wrap\"><table><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong><em>Phycology <\/em><\/strong><em>is the branch of science that deals with the study of <\/em><strong><em>algae<\/em><\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"About_Oedocladium_sahyadricum\"><\/span><strong>About Oedocladium sahyadricum<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Features:<\/strong> Dioecious and terrestrial, with a superior operculum, ellipsoid oogonium, and oospore.<ul><li><strong>Dioecious<\/strong>: Having the male and female reproductive organs in separate individuals.<\/li><li><strong>Operculum<\/strong>: It is a cap-like structure in some flowering plants, mosses, and fungi.<\/li><li><strong>Oogonium<\/strong>: The female sex organ of certain algae and fungi.<\/li><li><strong>Oospore<\/strong>: It forms when an oogonium (female gamete) is fertilised by a male gamete nucleus.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Appearance:<\/strong> Found as a thin mat of elongated strands on <strong>damp soil<\/strong>, <strong>velvety green<\/strong> turning <strong>yellowish-green<\/strong> as it matures.<\/li><li><strong>Climatic conditions:<\/strong> Abundant growth likely needs <strong>rainy weather<\/strong>.<\/li><li><strong>Potential Applications:<\/strong> Potential uses in medicine, agriculture, and the production of <strong>astaxanthin<\/strong>, a natural pigment with health benefits.<\/li><li><strong>Economic Importance:<\/strong> Algae are used in <strong>high-value products<\/strong> &amp; <strong>wastewater treatment<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Source: (<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/kerala\/new-algal-species-discovered-in-western-ghats\/article68221778.ece\"><strong><em>TH<\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong><em>)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_What_are_daily_current_affairs\"><\/span>Q: What are daily current affairs? <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A: Daily current affairs refer to the most recent and relevant events, developments, and news stories that are happening around the world on a day-to-day basis. These can encompass a wide range of topics, including politics, economics, science, technology, sports, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_Why_is_it_important_to_stay_updated_with_daily_current_affairs\"><\/span>Q: Why is it important to stay updated with daily current affairs? <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A: Staying updated with daily current affairs is crucial because it helps individuals make informed decisions in their personal and professional lives. It enables people to understand the world around them, stay aware of significant events, and engage in informed discussions about important issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_Where_can_I_access_daily_current_affairs_information\"><\/span>Q: Where can I access daily current affairs information? <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A: There are various sources for daily current affairs, including newspapers, news websites, television news broadcasts, radio programs, and dedicated apps or newsletters. Social media platforms are also widely used to share and access current affairs information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_How_can_I_effectively_incorporate_daily_current_affairs_into_my_routine\"><\/span>Q: How can I effectively incorporate daily current affairs into my routine? <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A: To incorporate daily current affairs into your routine, consider setting aside specific times each day to read or watch news updates. You can also subscribe to newsletters or follow news apps to receive curated content. Engaging in discussions with peers or participating in online forums can further enhance your understanding of current events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_What_are_some_tips_for_critical_analysis_of_daily_current_affairs\"><\/span>Q: What are some tips for critical analysis of daily current affairs? <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A: When analyzing daily current affairs, it&#8217;s essential to cross-reference information from multiple sources to ensure accuracy. Additionally, consider the source&#8217;s credibility and bias, if any. Develop the ability to identify the main points and implications of news stories, and critically evaluate the significance and impact of the events reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc\/upsc-essay?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Banner&amp;utm_campaign=Essay\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/UPSC-Essay-Course-1280\u00d7300-1-3.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42688 lazyload\" width=\"781\" height=\"182\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 781px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 781\/182;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"To_get_free_counselingsupport_on_UPSC_preparation_from_expert_mentors_please_call_9773890604\"><\/span><strong>To get free counseling\/support on UPSC preparation from expert mentors please call 9773890604<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Join our Main Telegram Channel and access PYQs, Current Affairs and UPSC&nbsp; Guidance for free \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/WithEdukemy4IAS\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Edukemy for IAS<\/a><\/li><li>Learn Economy for free-<a href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/+uq2Jq2ezMHE3ZjA1\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Economy for UPSC<\/a><\/li><li>Mains Answer Writing Practice-<a href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/+HS9DZh7PTytkNjJl\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Mains Answer Writing<\/a><\/li><li>For UPSC Prelims Resources, <a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc-cse-prelims-resource-centre\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Click here<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Visit_our_YouTube_Channel_%E2%80%93_Here\"><\/span>Visit our YouTube Channel \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@EduKemyforIAS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Here<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In today&#8217;s daily current affairs briefing for UPSC aspirants, we explore the latest developments that hold relevance for the upcoming civil services<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":42724,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[265],"tags":[160,161,232,140],"class_list":["post-42722","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-current-affairs","tag-daily-current-affairs","tag-daily-current-affairs-upsc","tag-upsc","tag-upsc_preparation_strategy"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42722","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42722"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42722\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42729,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42722\/revisions\/42729"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42724"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42722"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42722"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42722"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}