Mother and Child Health – Immunization Program, BPBB, PMJSY, PMMSY, etc.

[pib] Postage Stamp released on Sickle Cell Eradication – 2047

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Achievements Of Indians In S&T

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination;

Why in the News?

Madhya Pradesh marked a significant milestone in public health by unveiling a commemorative postage stamp dedicated to the Sickle Cell Eradication – 2047 initiative.

What is the Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)?

SCD is a genetic disorder where red blood cells take a crescent shape, impairing circulation and causing complications like anaemia, organ damage, pain episodes, and a shortened lifespan.
- It predominantly affects marginalized tribal populations.
Symptoms: Common symptoms include chronic anaemia, painful episodes (sickle cell crisis), and delayed growth and puberty.
Treatment: Treatments include blood transfusions, hydroxyurea to reduce pain episodes, and gene therapy or stem cell transplantation for long-term management.
India’s Mission:
- Union Budget 2023-24 announced a mission to eradicate sickle cell anaemia by 2047, focusing on awareness and screening for individuals aged 0-40.
- Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy: It provides bi weekly iron Folic acid supplementation to all under five children through ASHA workers.

What are the key facts about the Sickle Cell Eradication – 2047 Initiative?

	Details
Aims and Objectives	• Complete eradication of sickle cell anemia by 2047. • Awareness and screening in tribal communities. • Accessible diagnosis and treatment, with tools like HPLC. • Genetic counseling for prevention. • Technology-driven monitoring via mobile app and National Sickle Cell Portal.
Features of the Program	• Newborn screening and prenatal diagnostics at AIIMS Bhopal. • Nationwide expansion to 17 states by 2047. • Advanced testing with HPLC machines. • Community engagement through support groups and education.
Implementation	• Collaborations with institutions like AIIMS Bhopal, Sankalp India, and healthcare providers. • Phased rollout starting with high-prevalence regions in Madhya Pradesh. • Government funding for infrastructure and tech development. • Digital technology for data collection and case management.

PYQ:

[2023] Consider the following statements in the context of interventions being undertaken under the Anemia Mukt Bharat Strategy :

It provides prophylactic calcium supplementation for pre-school children, adolescents and pregnant women.
It runs a campaign for delayed cord clamping at the time of child-birth.
It provides for periodic deworming to children and adolescents.
It addresses non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets with special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies and fluorosis.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Indian Navy Updates

India and Japan sign agreement for UNICORN masts for naval warships

Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Various Security Forces, Agencies & Their Mandates

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: UNICORN Mast

Why in the News?

India and Japan have signed a Memorandum of Implementation (MoI) for the co-development and co-production of the UNICORN (Unified Complex Radio Antenna) mast for Indian Naval warships.

What is the UNICORN Mast?

The UNICORN Mast is an advanced antenna system designed to enhance the stealth and operational capabilities of naval warships.
It was developed through collaboration between three Japanese companies: NEC Corporation, Sampa Kogyo K.K., and The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
It will be co-developed in India by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
It consolidates multiple antennas, typically attached separately to a mast, into a single radar dome (radome).
By reducing the cross-sectional visibility of the mast, UNICORN significantly minimizes the electronic signatures of warships, making them harder to detect.
This technology is already in use on Mogami-class frigates in the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force.

Objectives behind the Mission:

Enhance Naval Stealth: Improve stealth by reducing electronic and radar signatures.
Strengthen Defence Ties: Foster India-Japan collaboration in co-developing advanced defence systems.
Increase Operational Efficiency: Improve radar and communication for better detection and readiness.
Promote Indigenous Development: Support India’s self-reliance in defence tech with BEL involvement.

Significance of this Mission:

Japan’s first defence tech export to India under the 2015 agreement.
Equips Indian Navy warships with advanced stealth technology.
Enhances regional maritime security and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.
Promotes technology sharing and innovation in India’s defence sector, boosting indigenous production.

PYQ:

[2016] Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INS Astradharini’, that was in the news recently?

(a) Amphibious warfare ship
(b) Nuclear-powered submarine
(c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel
(d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Terrorism and Challenges Related To It

Operation Sagar Manthan

Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Various Security Forces, Agencies & Their Mandates

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Operation Sagar Manthan

Why in the News?

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has initiated Operation Sagar Manthan to dismantle the extensive drug empire of Haji Salim, also known as the “Lord of Drugs”.

About Operation Sagar Manthan

	Details
About the Operation	• An initiative by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to dismantle the drug trafficking network led by Haji Salim. • Launched under the direction of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. • A comprehensive crackdown on Salim’s syndicate linked to narco-terrorism.
Aims and Objectives	• Break supply lines, seize narcotics, and arrest operatives. • Disrupt funding for cross-border terrorism. • Strengthen surveillance in remote coastal areas used by the syndicate. • Counter aid from entities like Pakistan’s ISI and disrupt links with figures like Dawood Ibrahim.
Goals	• Reduce cartel influence in the Indian Ocean region. • Mitigate narco-terrorism to enhance regional security. • Improve maritime security to prevent future networks.

Why does the government crack down on drug trafficking?

Public Health Protection: Drug trafficking fuels addiction, mental health issues, and diseases, straining healthcare systems and undermining societal well-being.
National Security and Social Stability: It funds organized crime, terrorism, and violence, destabilizing communities, weakening governance, and hindering law and order.

PYQ:

[2023] Explain how narco-terrorism has emerged as a serious threat across the country. Suggest suitable measures to counter narco-terrorism.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Wildlife Conservation Efforts

Species in News: Western Honey Bees

Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Western Honey Bees

Why in the News?

Western Honey Bees widely used for boosting pollination has led to unintended ecological consequences.
- Now they inadvertently carry and transmit Thai Sacbrood Virus to native bee colonies.

About Western Honey Bees

Scientific Name: Apis mellifera
Introduced globally for their pollination abilities and honey production. In India, they were introduced in 1983 to enhance honey yield.
Widely used in agriculture, particularly for pollination of crops like fruit trees, crops, and vegetables.

Thai Sacbrood Virus Outbreak

The Thai Sacbrood Virus (TSBV) outbreak in China and Vietnam has severely impacted honey bee populations.
- In 1991-1992, a Thai sacbrood virus outbreak devastated around 90% of Asiatic honey bee colonies in South India and re-emerged in 2021 in Telangana.
The virus primarily infects honey bee larvae, leading to their high mortality rates.
As a result, the affected regions experienced significant declines in bee colonies, which in turn affected pollination services and honey production.
The movement of bee colonies for commercial pollination and honey production has facilitated the spread of the virus.

About Indian Bees and Their Habitat

Indian bees are predominantly Apis cerana indica, a species of Asian honey bee.
They are found in a wide range of habitats, including forests, agricultural land, and urban environments.
- They thrive in areas with abundant flowers and nectar sources.
Indian bees are important for pollination, especially for local flora, and contribute to the ecosystem by supporting biodiversity and food production.
They face threats from habitat loss, pesticide use, and competition from Western Honey Bees, which may outcompete them for food and nesting sites.

Significance of Honey Bee:

Pollination and Food Security: Honey bees play a crucial role in pollinating crops, contributing to the production of fruits, vegetables, and nuts, ensuring global food security and agricultural sustainability.
Biodiversity Conservation: By facilitating plant reproduction, honey bees support ecosystem health and biodiversity, maintaining the balance of natural habitats and enhancing the resilience of ecosystems.

PYQ:

[2023] Which of the following organisms perform waggle dance for others of their kin to indicate the direction and the distance to a source of their food?

(a) Butterflies

(b) Dragonflies

(d) Wasps

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Wildlife Conservation Efforts

Species in News: Kaalinga

Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Kaalinga Specie

Species in News: Kaalinga — PC: The Hindu

Why in the News?

The Western Ghats’ king cobra, commonly called ‘Kalinga Sarpa’, will soon be recognized in the scientific community as Ophiophagus kaalinga.

About Kaalinga (Ophiophagus kaalinga):

	Details
Geographical Location	• Native to the Western Ghats of Karnataka, India, and extends to adjacent regions within the Western Ghats. • Prefers dense tropical forests and hilly terrains.
Physical Features	• Can grow up to 10-12 feet. • Carnivorous, feeding on snakes, small mammals, and lizards. • Potent neurotoxic venom capable of killing several humans or an elephant in a single bite.
Uniqueness	• Known for territorial behaviour and intelligence. • Females build and fiercely guard nests (4 ft x 3 ft) with 23-43 eggs per clutch.
Conservation Status	• At risk due to habitat fragmentation, human-animal conflict, and the absence of specific anti-venom. IUCN Status: Vulnerable WPA, 1972: Schedule II (accorded protection but with lesser restrictions compared to Schedule I)

PYQ:

[2010] King Cobra is the only snake that makes its own nest. Why does it make its nest?

(a) It is a snake-eater and the nest helps attract other snakes
(b) It is a viviparous snake and needs a nest to give birth to its offspring
(c) It is an oviparous snake and lays its eggs in the nest and guards the nest until they are hatched
(d) It is a large, cold-blooded animal and needs a nest to hibernate in the cold season

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Freedom of Speech – Defamation, Sedition, etc.

[pib] Press Council of India

Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Statutory, Regulatory & Various Quasi-Judicial Bodies

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Press Council of India

Why in the News?

National Press Day is celebrated annually on November 16 to honour the critical role of a free and responsible press in society.
- It marks the start of the Press Council of India in 1966, established as a moral watchdog to uphold press standards and protect it from undue influence or threats.

About the Press Council of India (PCI):

	Details
Historical Background	• Constituted on July 4, 1966, as an autonomous, statutory, and quasi-judicial body. • Established to act as a moral watchdog over the press to ensure it operates with ethics and independence. • First Press Commission of India (1954) recommended forming a council to uphold professional standards in journalism. • Initially governed by the Press Council Act of 1965, later replaced by the Press Council Act of 1978.
Composition of PCI	• Comprises 28 members and a Chairperson. • Chairperson appointed by a committee that includes the Chief Justice of India, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, and a representative of the President. • Member Representation: – 13 working journalists representing different news organizations. – 6 members from editors and newspaper owners. – 5 members from Parliament (3 from Lok Sabha, 2 from Rajya Sabha). – 1 nominee each from the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Bar Council of India (BCI), and Sahitya Akademi. • Term: Each member serves a 3-year term and can be re-elected.
Powers and Functions of PCI	• Quasi-Judicial Authority: PCI has statutory powers to hold inquiries into complaints against the press or journalists for professional misconduct. • Inquiry Powers: PCI can summon witnesses and call for documents if necessary. • Disciplinary Action: PCI has the authority to censure or admonish newspapers, editors, or journalists for violating professional ethics. • Recommendations: Although PCI cannot enforce laws or impose penalties, it can recommend actions to the relevant authorities in case of serious violations.Functions: • Upholding Press Freedom: Ensures that the press in India is free from undue influence and performs its duties with responsibility. • Protecting Journalists: Investigates complaints of harassment or threats against journalists and defends their rights. • Policy Advisory Role: Advises the government on policy issues that affect press freedom and media laws. • Studies and Reports: Conducts studies on media issues, such as election reporting, defense coverage, and journalist safety, to provide guidelines on responsible reporting.

PYQ:

[2018] Right to Privacy is protected as an intrinsic part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty. Which of the following in the Constitution of India correctly and appropriately imply the above statement?

(a) Article 14 and the provisions under the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution.
(b) Article 17 and the Directive Principles of State Policy in Part IV.
(c) Article 21 and the freedoms guaranteed in Part III.
(d) Article 24 and the provisions under the 44th Amendment to the Constitution.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

[pib] Centenary of Bose-Einstein Statistics

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Bose-Einstein Statistics

Why in the News?

The Union Ministry of Science and Technology has inaugurated the centenary celebrations of Bose-Einstein Statistics at the S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences.

Bose-Einstein Statistics

Bose-Einstein statistics describe how certain particles called bosons (like photons and helium-4 atoms) behave, especially at low temperatures.
This concept was developed by Satyendra Nath Bose and Albert Einstein.
It explains the behavior of bosons, which are particles that can exist in the same state as others.
Unlike other particles, bosons can “share” a quantum state, meaning multiple bosons can exist in the same place with the same energy.
It is used to understand particles that don’t follow the Pauli Exclusion Principle (which states that two fermions, like electrons, cannot occupy the same state).

Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC)

A BEC is a special state of matter formed when bosons are cooled down to almost absolute zero (-273°C). In this state, the particles behave as one single quantum entity.
Bosons, when cooled to near absolute zero, lose their individual properties and combine to form a single quantum state.
It was achieved in 1995 by Eric Cornell and Carl Wieman using rubidium atoms.
This discovery earned them the Nobel Prize in Physics.
BECs exhibit unique quantum behaviors like zero viscosity (flow without friction) and act as a “super atom” that is extremely sensitive to any outside influence.

Significance of Bose-Einstein Statistics

Bose-Einstein statistics are essential for understanding quantum mechanics, particularly the behavior of particles in quantum states.
These statistics led to the discovery of Bose-Einstein Condensates, which have unique properties not seen in normal states of matter.
BECs are useful in atomic clocks, superconductors, and quantum computing due to their sensitivity and unique quantum properties.
Bose’s work was crucial in explaining light’s particle nature (photons), which helped develop the concept of wave-particle duality in quantum theory.
Bose-Einstein statistics paved the way for studying low-temperature physics, allowing scientists to observe quantum effects in larger systems.
These statistics and the discovery of BECs continue to inspire new fields of research, including quantum fluids and quantum phase transitions.

PYQ:

[2018] Discuss the work of ‘Bose-Einstein Statistics’ done by Prof. Satyendra Nath Bose and show how it revolutionised the field of Physics.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Banking Sector Reforms

RBI released list of Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs)

Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs)

Why in the News?

The RBI designated SBI, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank as Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) for 2024.

Current D-SIBs in India:

As of 2024, the State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank are classified as D-SIBs.
SBI was classified as a D-SIB in 2015, ICICI Bank in 2016, and HDFC Bank in 2017.

What are Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs)?

D-SIBs are banks that are critical to the stability of a country’s financial system.
They are often termed “Too Big To Fail” (TBTF) because their failure could lead to significant disruptions in the economy.
The RBI identifies D-SIBs annually.
The framework for recognizing these banks was issued in July 2014.
The RBI has been publishing an annual list of D-SIBs since 2015.

D-SIBs are placed in different buckets based on systemic importance scores. Higher bucket rankings require greater capital requirements to absorb losses.

SBI is in Bucket 4.
HDFC Bank is in Bucket 3.
ICICI Bank is in Bucket 1.

D-SIBs must maintain additional Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital based on their bucket.

SBI: 0.80% of Risk Weighted Assets (RWAs).
HDFC Bank: 0.40%
ICICI Bank: 0.20%

Global Systemically Important Banks (G-SIBs):

On the global stage, G-SIBs are designated by the Financial Stability Board (FSB).
G-SIBs include large international banks such as JP Morgan Chase and HSBC.
Foreign banks in India that qualify as G-SIBs are required to hold additional CET1 capital in India, proportional to their global risk-weighted assets.

Benefits of D-SIB Classification

It ensures financial stability by requiring additional capital buffers for resilience during economic stress.
It increases public confidence through enhanced monitoring and regulation.
It receives improved supervisory attention, leading to better governance and controls.
It prepares D-SIBs for financial shocks with additional CET1 and stress-testing requirements.
It often benefits from higher credit ratings, lowering borrowing costs and improving access to capital.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Climate Change Impact on India and World – International Reports, Key Observations, etc.

ADB increases Climate Finance backed by US, Japan Pledge

Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: ADB

Why in the News?

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will boost climate-related lending by up to $7.2 billion following an agreement by the United States and Japan to provide risk guarantees for some existing loans.

This marks the first-ever use of sovereign guarantees for climate finance.

ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
About	ADB was founded in 1966 following the Conference on Asian Economic Cooperation organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East. Headquarters: Located in Manila, Philippines. Status: Official UN Observer.
Aims and Objectives	Reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific region. Provide Program Assistance that provides loans (hard/soft), technical assistance, and grants. Enhances effectiveness through policy dialogues, advisory services, and co-financing to mobilize additional financial resources.
Goals and Targets	ADB raises funds primarily through bond issues on global capital markets. The ADB has set a climate finance target of $100 billion from 2019 to 2030. The U.S. will guarantee $1 billion of existing ADB loans, while Japan will underwrite $600 million. Advantages of the Guarantee Structure: Expands ADB’s lending capacity. Lending space will be used over 5 years, while the guarantees will last for 25 years. Example: A sustainable aviation fuel initiative in Pakistan using cooking oil, with ADB covering about half of the $90 million cost.
Membership	Total Members: 67 countries, with 48 from Asia and the Pacific. Membership Eligibility: Includes members of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and non-regional developed countries. Major Shareholders: Japan and the United States (Each hold 15.607% of shares), China ( 6.444%), India (6.331%), Australia (5.786%).

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Barak River

Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 1: Geographical Features & Their Location

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Barak River

Why in the News?

Police found dead bodies floating in the Barak River (inflicted due to Manipur Violence).

About the Barak River:

	Details
Geographical Location	• Originates from Japvo mountain in Manipur hills at 3,015 m altitude. • Flows south, forming the border between Assam and Manipur up to Jirimat. • Flows for 524 km in India, and then enters Bangladesh as Surma and Kushiyara, later becoming Meghna River.• The river is navigable in parts, with National Waterway 6 (121 km).
Physical Features	• Length: 564 km in total, with 524 km in India. • Drainage area in India: 41,157 sq. km (1.38% of India’s total area). • Tributaries: Jiri, Dhaleswari, Singla, Longai, Sonai, and Katakhal.
Flora and Fauna/Important Sites	• Fauna: Home to over 2,000 species of fish and rare creatures like the Siamese crocodile, susu dolphin, smooth-coated otter, and black mugger crocodile. • Flora: Includes Varzea forest, Los llamjao, tidal forests (mangroves), Pats (flat-topped table mountains), and large tropical swamps. • Wetlands support farming and biodiversity. • Hydropower projects: Tipaimukh Dam, Tista Champamati, Dhansiri Barrages. • Affected by flooding and soil erosion, especially during monsoon.

PYQ:

[2014] Consider the following rivers:

1. Barak

2. Lohit

3. Subansiri

Which of the above flows/flow through Arunachal Pradesh?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Type: Prelims Only

Why in the News?

What is the Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)?

What are the key facts about the Sickle Cell Eradication – 2047 Initiative?

PYQ:

Why in the News?

What is the UNICORN Mast?

Objectives behind the Mission:

Significance of this Mission:

PYQ:

Why in the News?

About Operation Sagar Manthan

Why does the government crack down on drug trafficking?

PYQ:

Why in the News?

About Western Honey Bees

Thai Sacbrood Virus Outbreak

About Indian Bees and Their Habitat

Significance of Honey Bee:

PYQ:

Why in the News?

About Kaalinga (Ophiophagus kaalinga):

PYQ:

Why in the News?

About the Press Council of India (PCI):

PYQ:

Why in the News?

Bose-Einstein Statistics

Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC)

Significance of Bose-Einstein Statistics

PYQ:

Why in the News?

Current D-SIBs in India:

What are Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs)?

Global Systemically Important Banks (G-SIBs):

Benefits of D-SIB Classification

Why in the News?

ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

Why in the News?

About the Barak River:

PYQ: