Wednesday, 2nd November 2022

Table of contents

1   News Snapshot

●  

Elephant Reserves - Edukemy Current Affairs

●  

World TB Report 2022 - Edukemy Current Affairs

●  

Amended IT Rules for Social Media

●  

India-GCC FTA - Edukemy Current Affairs

2   Terms & Concepts

●  

Namami Ganga Programme - Edukemy Current Affairs

●  

DNA Testing - Edukemy Current Affairs

●  

Glyphosate - Edukemy Current Affairs

●  

Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF)

3   Editorial of the day

●  

GM Mustard: Achievements & Insights - Indian Express

4   News Capsules

●  

Curcumin - Edukemy Current Affairs

●  

World Energy Outlook 2022 - Edukemy Current Affairs

●  

Deinococcus radiodurans - Edukemy Current Affairs

●  

Just Energy Transition Partnership

●  

Exercise SIMBEX - Edukemy Current Affairs

●  

DSDBO Road - Edukemy Current Affairs

5   Case Study of the Day

●  

Social Reforms and Freedom Struggle: Sardar Vallabhai Patel

.... Show less Show more
News Snapshot

Elephant Reserves - Edukemy Current Affairs


In News:

  • Centre approves new Elephant reserve for Uttar Pradesh

About the News:

  • The Union Ministry of Forest and Environment (MoEF) has recently approved a new Terai Elephant Reserve (TER) in Uttar Pradesh.
  • The TER is the third new elephant reserve that got approval in the past three months under Project Elephant with the other two being Lemru in Chhattisgarh and Agasthymalai in Tamil Nadu.

  • Project Elephant is a centrally sponsored scheme which supports elephant conservation in the country.
  • At present, there are 32 notified Elephant Reserves (ERs) in the country spread over 15 states.
  • Designation as an elephant reserve will help ensure better management of the reserve that also includes protected areas, forest areas and corridors for the conservation of wild elephants.

Important features:

  • About: TER will be set up over a 3,049.39-square kilometre area, including the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) and the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) besides covering Kishanpur and Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuaries.

  • Importance: The designation will help in conserving transboundary migratory elephant populations besides ensuring the conservation of especially four wild species including the tiger, Asian elephant, swamp deer and one-horned rhinoceros in the entire landscape.
  • Reduced conflict: The reserve will implement human-elephant conflict mitigation strategies that will protect villagers living in the Indo-Nepal border areas of Uttar Pradesh.
  • Need: Elephants requires large areas, very high amount of food and water and therefore their population can be supported only by forests that are under optimal conditions.

Asian elephants:

  • About: Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the largest terrestrial mammal of India and they are the best indicator of the status of the forests.
  • Distribution: These were believed to be widely distributed - from Tigris - Euphrates in West Asia eastward through Persia into the Indian sub-continent, South and Southeast Asia including Sri Lanka, Java, Sumatra, Borneo and up to North China.
  • Present status: Currently they are confined to the Indian Subcontinent, South East Asia and some Asian Islands - Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Malaysia.
  • India: It has the largest population of Asian elephants with 30,000 wild and about 3,600 captive ones making India home to 60% of the Asian elephant population
  • Status: Elephant has been recognized as a National Heritage Animal of India and
  • Protection: These have the highest degree of protection under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
  • States: Tamil Nadu and Assam have the highest number of elephant reserves with five each in both the states followed by four in Kerala, three in Odisha, two each in Uttar Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Nagaland and West Bengal, and one each in Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Meghalaya and Uttarakhand

Source:

  • https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/new-elephant-reserve-indias-33rd-to-come-up-in-uttar-pradesh/articleshow/95040781.cms

 

Click the link below to attempt the daily MCQs and the Mains based questions.

Keywords: GS Paper 3: Environment and Ecology: Conservation of Endangered Species, Elephant Reserves.
News Snapshot

World TB Report 2022 - Edukemy Current Affairs


In news

The WHO released the 'Global TB Report 2022' recently, and it provides a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the TB epidemic and of progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease, at global, regional and country levels.

About Tuberculosis

  • Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
  • The Bacteria spread from person to person through tiny droplets released into the air via coughs and sneezes.

Report findings

  • Around 10.6 million people across the world were diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) in 2021, with India accounting for 28% of the total TB patients' count.
  • India’s TB incidence for 2021 stands improved at 210 per 100,000 population; as compared to 256 per lakh in 2015.
  • While the COVID-19 pandemic impacted TB Programmes across the world, India was able to successfully offset the disruptions caused, through its critical interventions:
    • National TB Elimination Programme notifying over 21.4 lakh TB cases.
    • Mandatory notification policy to ensure all cases are reported to the government.
    • Intensified door-to-door active case-finding drives were conducted to screen patients.
    • Indigenously-developed molecular diagnostics have helped expand the reach of diagnosis to every part of the country.
  • The report notes an upward trend in the number of people developing both TB and Drug Resistant (DR-TB), which experts attribute to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
  • The burden of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) also increased by 3% between 2020 and 2021.
  • Further, the report mapped the five major causes of TB infections - Undernutrition, Alcohol use, diabetes, HIV and smoking.

Measures to reduce TB burden in India

  • National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) aims to reduce the TB burden in India by 2025, five years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • PM TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, which is a community support programme, where tuberculosis patients can be adopted and cared for by an individual, elected representatives or institutions through Ni-kshay 2.0 portal.
  • Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) to help meet the nutritional requirements of TB patients, especially the underserved.

Fighting TB: Challenges in India

  • Challenges with regard to this illness in India include
    • poor primary health care and infrastructure in rural areas
    • unregulated private healthcare
    • HIV-induced TB cases
    • lack of hygiene facilities and widespread malnourishment and poverty.

Source:

  • WHO Global TB Report 2022
  • https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1871626

Image source:

  • https://mypositiveparenting.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Tuberculosis-690x976.jpg

 

Click the link below to attempt the daily MCQs and the Mains based questions.

Keywords: GS2: Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health: Tuberculosis, World TB report.
News Snapshot

Amended IT Rules for Social Media


Why in news?

  • Recently, the government notified that the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 has undergone amendments.
  • Aim: It is a push towards an open, safe & trusted and accountable Internet, to protect the rights of digital nagriks of the country.

About IT Rules, 2021

·       Mandates social media platforms to exercise greater diligence with respect to the content on their platforms.

·       Must have a grievance redressal mechanism; remove inappropriate and unlawful information within the allotted time frames.

·       Grievance-in charge of accepting and resolving consumer issues.

·       Within 24 hours of receiving complaints, intermediaries are required to remove or disable access to any objectionable content.

·       Making sure that users are informed about not sharing copyrighted material and anything that could be seen as threatening the unity, integrity, defence, security, or sovereignty of India or friendly relations with other states, or that violates any current law.

Key Amendments

Latest recommendations for Social Media Intermediaries

  • The amendments impose a legal obligation on intermediaries to take reasonable efforts to prevent users from uploading such content.
  • According to the amendment, intermediaries must uphold the rights that users are given by Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Indian Constitution, including a reasonable expectation of diligence, privacy, and openness.
  • It is mandatory to communicate rules and regulations in regional Indian languages to the intermediaries.

 Amendments made to Rule 3

  • The grounds in sub-clause 1 of rule 3 (rule 3(1)(b)(ii))have been rationalized by removing the words ‘defamatory’ and ‘libellous’.
  • Whether any content is defamatory or libellous will be determined through judicial review.
  • Some of the content categories in sub-clause 1 of rule 3 (rule 3(1)(b))have been rephrased to deal particularly with misinformation, and content that could incite violence between different religious/caste groups.

Constitution of a grievance appellate committee (GAC)

  • Establish GAC to allow users to appeal against the inaction of, or decisions taken by intermediaries on user complaints.
  • The reason for setting up the committees is to give social media users a chance to settle the complaints at the earliest instead of approaching the courts.
  • Acknowledge complaints from users within 24 hours and resolve them within 15 days or 72 hours in case of a information takedown request.
  • Users will always have the right to approach courts for any remedy.

Content Source Link:

  • https://www.deccanherald.com/national/centre-releases-amended-it-rules-for-social-media-1157481.html
  • https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/centre-to-set-up-panels-for-resolving-social-media-users-grievances/articleshow/95150230.cms
  • https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1871840

 

Click the link below to attempt the daily MCQs and the Mains based questions.

Keywords: GS paper 2 & 3, Government Policies & Interventions, Issues arising out of design & implementation of Policies
News Snapshot

India-GCC FTA - Edukemy Current Affairs


Why in News?

  • India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries are expected to start negotiations for a free trade agreement next month with an aim to boost economic ties between the two regions.

About GCC

·       Established in 1981, it is an economic and political alliance of six countries in the Arabian Peninsula, which promotes economic, cultural, security and social cooperation amongst these states.

·       The six member countries are: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

·       Each year, a summit is held to discuss regional issues and cooperation.

How is GCC significant for India?

Investments & Trade

Expansion of region into fields such as tourism, construction & finance; which is an opportunity for India

Indian Diaspora

Around 7.6mn people are present in Middle East; this region accounts for 30% of the total remittances received by India from abroad

Geostrategic relevance

Surrounds Persian Gulf-an important sea-link; important for India for political stability & security of the region

Energy Security

GCC Possess half of the World’s oil reserves; accounts for 34% of India’s crude oil imports

 

Significance of Trade Pact

Explore the region’s Untapped Potential

  • Since GCC is an import-extensive region; India can increase its exports which will provide impetus to sectors like chemicals, textiles, gems and jewellery and leather.

Providing impetus to existing ties

  • For 2021-22, India's exports to the GCC: were USD 44 billion and imports: USD 110.73 billion.

Increase in Remittances

  • Out of the 32 million NRI’s, almost half are employed in Gulf Countries. This would increase the remittances from the current 30%.

Strengthen relationships with Countries

  • Last fiscal, Saudi Arabia was India's fourth-largest trading partner and Kuwait- 27th largest, whereas UAE was the third-largest trading partner in 2021-22.
  • The pact would further strengthen the trade relations among the nations.

Content Source Link:

  • https://www.britannica.com/topic/Gulf-Cooperation-Council
  • https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-in/news-and-trends/india-likely-to-start-free-trade-agreement-with-gcc/438157
  • https://www.dailypioneer.com/2022/business/india--gcc-group-likely-to-start-free-trade-pact-talks-next-month.html

Image Source Link:

  • https://www.britannica.com/topic/Gulf-Cooperation-Council

 

Click the link below to attempt the daily MCQs and the Mains based questions.

Keywords: GS paper 2; India and its Neighbourhood- Relations, Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests, Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora
Terms & Concepts

Namami Ganga Programme - Edukemy Current Affairs


  • Context: Dolphins have started coming back to the Ganga River with improvement in the quality of its water through the Namami Gange programme, said the Uttar Pradesh government.  
  • The Namami Gange programme was launched in 2014 with the objective to rejuvenate Ganga by adopting an integrated approach which focused on the interception and diversion of sewage by tapping the drains flowing into the river Ganga. 
  • Objectives:  
    • effective abatement of pollution, conservation and  
    • rejuvenation of National River Ganga. 
  • The main reason for this programme: 
    • River Ganga has significant economic, environmental and cultural value in India. 
    • The river traverses a course of more than 2,500 km, from The Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, through the plains of north and eastern India. 
    • The Ganga basin - accounts for 26% of India's landmass. 
    • The Ganga also serves as one of India's holiest rivers whose cultural and spiritual significance transcends the boundaries of the basin. 

Sources: 

  • https://nmcg.nic.in/NamamiGanga.aspx
  • https://www.india.gov.in/spotlight/namami-gange-programme#tab=tab-1

 Image source:

  •  https://www.downtoearth.org.in/coverage/india/namami-gange-5-reasons-why-ganga-will-not-be-clean-by-2020-61891

 

Click the link below to attempt the daily MCQs and the Mains based questions.

 

Keywords: GS Paper 3: Environment and Ecology: Namami Ganga Programme, Gangetic Dolphin
Terms & Concepts

DNA Testing - Edukemy Current Affairs


  • Context: While the Supreme Court has voiced concerns over their increasing use to prove a case, women’s rights activists deem the technology an empowering tool. 
  • One’s unique DNA, (DNA-the genetic material that programs how cells work) 0.1% of 3 billion, is sufficient to provide a profile that accurately identifies a person. 
  • DNA is often left behind in all kinds of evidence, including blood, hair, skin, saliva, and semen. Scientists can analyze the DNA in evidence samples to see if it matches a suspect's DNA. 
  • When used correctly, DNA profiling is a powerful forensic tool and can be used to quickly eliminate a suspect. And it can provide compelling evidence to support a conviction and, most importantly, reduce the chances of a wrongful conviction. 
  • DNA test also competes with the conclusiveness of Section 112 of the Indian Evidence Act, which presumes that a child born to a married woman is legitimate — the burden of proof is on the person claiming illegitimacy of the child. 
  • In India, privacy as part of the fundamental right to life (Article 21) has led to delay of the government’s bid to pilot the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019. 

 

Sources:

  • https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/science/forensics
  • Demand grows, but DNA tests fall under a grey area - The Hindu

 

Click the link below to attempt the daily MCQs and the Mains based questions.

 

Keywords: GS Paper 3: Science and Technology, DNA Testing
Terms & Concepts

Glyphosate - Edukemy Current Affairs


  • Context: Centre restricts the use of common weedicide glyphosate citing health hazards.
  • Glyphosate is a herbicide which was first developed in 1970 to kill and control weeds in plants.
  • Glyphosate is scientifically N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine under the IUPAC system of nomenclature and is widely used in various countries.

Indian perspective

  • Glyphosate has been sold in various brand names such as Roundup, Glycel, and Brake.
  • It is used in Tea plantations of West Bengal and Assam.
  • Currently, Maharashtra is the highest consumer of this herbicide as glyphosate is widely used in sugarcane, maize and many fruit crops including mango, banana, grapes, pomegranate and citrus fruits.
  • Concerns:
  • WHO’ International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2015 speculated “probably carcinogenic (elements) to humans” in a study related to it. However, WHO has not issued any advisory.
  • France, Italy, and Vietnam banned the herbicide’s use after the IARC finding.

Source:

  • https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-is-the-case-pharma-giant-is-fighting-in-us-over-glyphosate-based-herbicides-6101170/

Image Source:

  • https://www.foodnavigator-asia.com/Article/2018/11/14/India-s-war-on-glyphosate-Canada-and-Australia-under-fire-as-FSSAI-intensifies-pulses-testing

 

Click the link below to attempt the daily MCQs and the Mains based questions.

Keywords: GS Paper 3, Economy: Agriculture
Terms & Concepts

Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF)


Context: Very recently liquidity condition has tightened due to the RBI intervention in the forex market.

Key Highlights

  • A liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) is a monetary policy tool used in India by the Reserve Bank of India or RBI.
  • The RBI introduced the LAF as part of the outcome of the Narasimham Committee on Banking Sector Reforms of 1998.
  • LAFs help the RBI manage liquidity and provide economic stability by offering banks the opportunity to borrow money through repurchase agreements or Repos or to make loans to the RBI via reverse repo agreements.
  • LAFs can manage inflation in the economy by increasing and reducing the money supply.

Sources:

  • https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/liquidity_adjustment_facility.asp#:~:text=A%20liquidity%20adjustment%20facility%20(LAF,RBI%20through%20reverse%20repo%20agreements
  • https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/finance/liquidity-adjustment-facility-borrowings-see-sharp-rise-with-tightening-liquidity-loan-demand/articleshow/95130313.cms

 

Click the link below to attempt the daily MCQs and the Mains based questions.

Keywords: GS Paper 3, RBI and Banking
Editorial of the day

GM Mustard: Achievements & Insights - Indian Express


In News: Recently, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change recommended the “environmental release” of the transgenic hybrid mustard DMH-11 for seed production and conduct of field demonstration studies with respect to its effects, if any, on honeybees and other pollinating insects.

Hybridisation involves crossing two genetically dissimilar plant varieties that can even be from the same species. The first-generation (F1) offspring from such crosses tend to have higher yields than what either parent can individually give. Such hybridisation isn’t easy in mustard, as its flowers have both female (pistil) and male (stamen) reproductive organs, making the plants largely self-pollinating.

Scientists at Delhi University’s Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP) have developed the hybrid mustard DMH-11 containing two alien genes isolated from a soil bacterium called Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.

Genetic Modification:

  • “Genetic modification” involves altering the genes of an organism, be it a plant, animal or microorganism.
  • GM technology involves direct manipulation of DNA instead of using controlled pollination to alter the desired characteristics.
  • It is one of the approaches to crop improvement, all of which aim at adding desirable genes and removing undesirable ones to produce better varieties.

Regulation of Genetic Modified Crops in India:

Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee

  • The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
  • It is responsible for the appraisal of activities involving large-scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production from the environmental angle.
  • The committee is also responsible for the appraisal of proposals relating to the release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials.
  • GEAC is chaired by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC and co-chaired by a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).

Regulation:

  • In India, the regulation of all activities related to Genetically modified organisms and products is regulated by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
  • GM foods are also subjected to regulations by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

 

Approval:

  • The genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under MoEFCC is authorised to review, monitor and approve all activities including the import, export, transport, manufacture, use or sale of GMOs.
  • GEAC recently approved the commercial cultivation of genetically modified mustard.
  • Before that Bt cotton was the only GM crop that was approved for commercial cultivation in 2002. ‘Bt’ is shorthand for Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacterium found mainly in the soil that produces proteins toxic to some insects, especially the cotton bollworm.

 

Concerns Related to Genetic Modification:

  • Void of nutritional value: As genetic modification tends to focus more on increasing their production, prolonging their lifespan, and deterring pests, the nutritional value of some crops is sometimes compromised.
  • High risks to the disruption of ecosystem and biodiversity: It can eventually disrupt the natural process of gene flow and affect the sustainability of indigenous variety.
  • Effects on wildlife: Altering the genes of plants can also have serious effects on wildlife. For example, genetically modified plants, such as tobacco or rice, that are used to produce plastic or pharmaceuticals, can endanger mice or deer who consume crop debris left in the fields after harvesting.
  • Risk of Allergic Reactions for humans: Genetically modified food has immense potential of allergic reaction because it is biologically altered. The sudden emergence of genetic modification may have a common side effect of allergic reaction for humans who have adapted to the conventional variety.

 

Way Forward:

  • Bio Safety: It prevents large-scale loss of biological integrity, focusing both on agricultural production as well as plant, animal and human health.
  • Effective Regulation: All regulatory bodies of gm crops, especially the GEAC, should be made technically competent. Also, there is a need to create with immediate effect legally mandated District Level and Panchayat level Committees for faster documentation, and analysis of GM crops.
  • Integration of Genetic modification with other components: Genetic modifications are not the only solution for food security, it must be combined with improved farming credit, better use of water and reduced waste, to create better food options and sustainable crop management.
  • Creation of Gene banks: Gene banks can be created that will assist various research institutions in conducting research as well as help in conserving indigenous crops.
  • Bottom-Up Genetic Modification: There should be a consultative and participatory process to prioritise crops and traits for genetic improvement through biotechnology with the goal of addressing the needs of small farmers.

 

Click the link below to attempt the daily MCQs and the Mains based questions.

Keywords: Decoding Genetic Modification GS Paper-2: Government policies & Intervention GS Paper-3: Science and Technology, Biotechnology Exam View: Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), Genetically Modified Mustard, Bt cotton, Hepatitis B Virus Vaccine, Crude Jatropha oil (CJO). Regulations of GM Crops in India, Key Contributions of Genetic Modification Technique, Concerns Related to Genetic Modification.
News Capsules

Curcumin - Edukemy Current Affairs


Why in news?

Researchers validate the immunity-boosting ability of ‘curcumin compound’ against mastitis in cattle.

About

  • Curcumin, a yellow pigment found primarily in turmeric, is a polyphenol with anti-inflammatory properties which have anti-cancer properties, anti-inflammatory, anti-ageing, anti-diabetic, and the ability to increase the amount of antioxidants that the body produces.
  • Supplementation with curcumin reliably reduces markers of inflammation and increases the levels of endogenous antioxidants in the body.
  • India is the largest producer and exporter of turmeric in the world. Turmeric occupies about 6% of the total area under spices and condiments in India.
  • Mastitis, or inflammation of the mammary gland, is the most common and the most expensive disease of dairy cattle throughout most of the world caused by bacteria.

 

  •  https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/researchers-validate-immunity-boosting-ability-of-curcumin-compound-against-mastitis-in-cattle/article66064060.ece

 

Click the link below to attempt the daily MCQs and the Mains based questions.

Keywords: General Studies – 3, Science and Technology
News Capsules

World Energy Outlook 2022 - Edukemy Current Affairs


  • Why in news? India’s coal generation and oil imports are going to peak in 2030, while gas imports will double around the same time, a report – World Energy Outlook 2022 – published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) stated.
  • About:
    • World Energy Outlook is an annual publication of the International Energy Agency (IEA), widely recognized as the most authoritative source for global energy projections and analysis.
    • It analyzed the future global energy scenario by exploring three different scenarios differentiated primarily by the assumptions made on government policies. They are:
  • The Stated Policies Scenario (STEPS): It shows the trajectory implied by current policy measures on energy.
  • The Announced Pledges Scenario (APS): It assumes that all aspirational targets announced by governments are met on time and in full, including their long-term net zero and energy access goals.
  • The Net Zero Emissions by 2050 (NZE) Scenario: It maps out a way to achieve a 1.5 °C stabilization in the rise in global average temperatures, alongside universal access to modern energy by 2030.
  • The report assesses India on the basis of Energy demand, Demand for coal, Renewables, and Net Zero by 2070.

Source:

  • https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/economy/policy/world-energy-outlook-2022-coal-generation-oil-imports-to-peak-in-india-by-2030-despite-growth-in-renewables-9398961.html/amp

 

Click the link below to attempt the daily MCQs and the Mains based questions.

Keywords: General Studies - 3 Economy, International Energy Agency
News Capsules

Deinococcus radiodurans - Edukemy Current Affairs


  • Why in news? Recently, a study found that Earthly Microbes Might Survive on Mars for Hundreds of Millions of Years.

About

  • Deinococcus radiodurans, nicknamed “Conan the Bacterium,” is one of the world’s toughest microbes, capable of surviving in radiation strong enough to kill any other known life form.
  • Moreover, it is a polyextremophile, it can also survive the vacuum of space, extreme cold, exposure to acid, and also dehydration.

  • Deinococcus radiodurans has multiple copies of its genome as well as cellular mechanisms which enable rapid repair of its DNA. Moreover, no additional mutations are introduced during the repair process.
  • These adaptations make this bacterium the ideal organism to study the processes that cause cancer and ageing.

 

  • https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/earthly-microbes-might-survive-on-mars-for-hundreds-of-millions-of-years/

 

Click the link below to attempt the daily MCQs and the Mains based questions.

Keywords: General Studies - 3 Science and Technology, Biology, Environment and ecology
News Capsules

Just Energy Transition Partnership


Why in news? Recently, G7 countries urge India to join Just Energy Transition Partnership.

About

  • Just Energy Transition Partnership, an initiative of the rich nations to accelerate phasing out of coal and reducing emissions.
  • It was launched at the COP26 in Glasgow with the support of the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), France, Germany, and the European Union (EU).

  • This initiative is modelled for South Africa, to support South Africa’s decarbonization efforts.
  • It is poised to help heavily coal-dependent emerging economies speed their shift to renewables. These partnerships are moving ahead in India, Indonesia, South Africa, and Vietnam.
  • Just Energy Transition Partnership makes various funding options available for this purpose in identified developing countries.

 

  • https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/g7-countries-urge-india-to-join-just-energy-transition-partnership-101666982898901.html

 

Click the link below to attempt the daily MCQs and the Mains based questions.

Keywords: General Studies – 3, Environment & Ecology
News Capsules

Exercise SIMBEX - Edukemy Current Affairs


Why in news? Recently, India and Singapore's 5-day bilateral naval exercise begins at Visakhapatnam.

About

  • Initiated in 1994, SIMBEX is the Indian Navy's longest uninterrupted bilateral maritime exercise with any foreign navy.
  • The 29th edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) is being conducted in two phases – Harbour Phase at Visakhapatnam followed by the Sea Phase in the Bay of Bengal.
  • The Indian Navy is hosting the 29th edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) at Visakhapatnam.
  • Two ships from the Republic of Singapore Navy, RSS Stalwart (a Formidable Class Frigate) and RSS Vigilance (a Victory Class Corvette) arrived in Visakhapatnam for participation in the exercise.
  • The exercise exemplifies the high level of cooperation between India and Singapore in the maritime domain. It also highlights the commitment and contribution of the two nations toward enhancing maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.

 

Other Exercises with Singapore:

  • Bold Kurukshetra (Army)
  • Joint Military Training (Air Force)

 

  • https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/hyderabad/india-singapore-5-day-bilateral-naval-exercise-begins-at-visakhapatnam-8234677/

 

Click the link below to attempt the daily MCQs and the Mains based questions.

Keywords: General Studies - 3 Science and Technology, Defence
News Capsules

DSDBO Road - Edukemy Current Affairs


Why in news? Recently, Defence Minister dedicates 75 Border Road projects to the nation from the country’s last village Shyok in Leh.

 

About

  • Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie (DSDBO) road joins Leh to the Karakoram Pass, which divides Ladakh from China’s Xinjiang province.
  • It is the 255-km long all-weather road built by India’s Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in eastern Ladakh.

  • It runs almost parallel to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at Aksai Chin.
  • DSDBO connects Leh to Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), the northernmost corner of Indian territory in Ladakh. DBO has the world’s highest airstrip.
  • The road from Darbuk traverses at an altitude of 14,000 feet and reaches Shyok, the last Indian village in the region. Between Shyok and Karakoram Pass (that divides Ladakh from China’s Xinjiang province) lies DBO, a plateau at an altitude of over 16,000 feet and the location of an Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) used by the air force to drop supplies.

 

  • https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/in-making-for-two-decades-dsdbo-road-now-upsets-china/articleshow/76250295.cms?from=mdr

 

Click the link below to attempt the daily MCQs and the Mains based questions.

Keywords: General Studies - 3 Economy, Infrastructure and development
Case Study of the Day

Social Reforms and Freedom Struggle: Sardar Vallabhai Patel


Background

The National Unity Day 2022 was recently observed to commemorate the 147th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

About Sardar Vallabhai Patel

  • Vallabhbhai Patel was born on 31st October 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat.
  • Role in Nationalist Movement
    • Initially, he wasn’t interested in politics, but his meeting with Gandhi in 1917 changed his views.
    • Patel motivated the people of Borsad in 1917 to join Gandhi’s demand for independence.
    • He led Kheda agitation of the farmers in 1917, which resulted in the British Government exempting the taxes.
    • He joined Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920.
    • In 1923, while Gandhi was in prison, Patel led the Satyagraha Movement in Nagpur.
    • The success of the Bardoli Satyagraha earned him the name Sardar or chief, in 1928.
    • He was elected the President of the 46th session of the INC at Karachi, in 1931.
    • Patel played an important role in raising funds and selecting candidates for the elections, as per Government of India Act of 1935.
  • Role in Post-Independent India
    • He was the first Deputy Prime Minister and the first Home Minister of Independent India.
    • With his tactful negotiation, he succeeded in integrating over 560 states to the Indian Union.
    • He was the driving force behind creating the All India Services.
  • He is known as the 'Iron Man of India,' and was posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna, in 1991.
  • Also, to mark his contributions, the World’s tallest statue - Statue of Unity, was dedicated to him on October 31, 2018.

Source:

  • https://www.culturalindia.net/leaders/sardar-vallabhbhai-patel.html

Image source:

  • https://www.culturalindia.net/leaders/sardar-vallabhbhai-patel.html

 

Click the link below to attempt the daily MCQs and the Mains based questions.

Keywords: GS1: The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country: National Unity Day, Sardar Vallabhai Patel
Rating 0.0
Please rate the article below, your opinion matter to us
A notification message..

Share the article

Subscribe now

Get Latest Updates on Offers, Event dates, and free Mentorship sessions.

*you’ll be agreeing to our Terms & Conditions
Get in touch with our Expert Academic Counsellors

Get in touch with our Expert Academic Counsellors 👋

Preferred time to call

FAQs

UPSC Daily Current Affairs focuses on learning current events on a daily basis. An aspirant needs to study regular and updated information about current events, news, and relevant topics that are important for UPSC aspirants. It covers national and international affairs, government policies, socio-economic issues, science and technology advancements, and more.

UPSC Daily Current Affairs provides aspirants with a concise and comprehensive overview of the latest happenings and developments across various fields. It helps aspirants stay updated with current affairs and provides them with valuable insights and analysis, which are essential for answering questions in the UPSC examinations. It enhances their knowledge, analytical skills, and ability to connect current affairs with the UPSC syllabus.

UPSC Daily Current Affairs covers a wide range of topics, including politics, economics, science and technology, environment, social issues, governance, international relations, and more. It offers news summaries, in-depth analyses, editorials, opinion pieces, and relevant study materials. It also provides practice questions and quizzes to help aspirants test their understanding of current affairs.

Edukemy's UPSC Daily Current Affairs can be accessed through:

  • UPSC Daily Current Affairs can be accessed through Current Affairs tab at the top of the Main Page of Edukemy. 
  • Edukemy Mobile app: The Daily Current Affairs can also be access through Edukemy Mobile App. 
  • Social media: Follow Edukemy’s official social media accounts or pages that provide UPSC Daily Current Affairs updates, including Facebook, Twitter, or Telegram channels.

Have questions about a course or test series?

unread messages    ?   
Ask an Expert

Enquiry

Help us make sure you are you through an OTP:

Please enter correct Name

Please authenticate via OTP

Resend OTP
Please enter correct mobile number
Please enter OTP

Please enter correct Name
Resend OTP
Please enter correct mobile number

OTP has been sent.

Please enter OTP