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Type: Prelims Only

  • Indian Air Force Updates

    Exercise Pitch Black 2020

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

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Exercise Pitch Black 2020

    Mains level: NA

    Australia has informed India that their premier multilateral air combat training exercise Pitch Black 2020 scheduled in July has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 situation.

    All-time generic question seeking ‘match the pairs’ can be asked from the news as such.  Click here for more exercises.

     Ex Pitch Black 2020

    • Exercise Pitch Black is a biennial warfare exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
    • The aim of the exercise is to practice Offensive Counter Air (OCA) and Defensive Counter Air (DCA) combat, in a simulated war environment.
    • In the last edition of Pitch Black in 2018, the IAF for the first time participated with its Su-30MKI fighters, one C-130 and one C-17 transport aircraft.
    • It provided a unique opportunity for an exchange of knowledge and experience with these nations in a dynamic warfare environment.
    • The next edition of Pitch Black is scheduled in 2022.

    India’s defence relation with Australia

    • The defence and strategic engagement with Australia have steadily gone up in recent years especially on the bilateral front with naval cooperation at the forefront.
    • The bilateral naval exercise AUSINDEX early last year saw the participation of the largest Australian contingent ever to India with over 1,000 personnel.
    • The Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) has been long pending and is expected to be concluded soon as well as a broader maritime cooperation agreement including the Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) to elevate the existing strategic partnership.
    • Australia recently made a pitch for trilateral cooperation among India, Australia and Indonesia to identify new ways that our three countries can collaborate to be the best possible custodians of the Indian Ocean.

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  • International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

    Unified Geologic Map of the Moon

    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: Unified Geologic Map of the Moon

    Mains level: Studying topography of the moon

    The first-ever digital, unified, global, geological map of the moon was released virtually by the  United States Geological Survey (USGS), NASA and the Lunar Planetary Institute.

    Unified Geologic Map of the Moon

    • The UGM will serve as a blueprint for future human missions and a source of research and analysis for the educators and the general public interested in lunar geology.
    • The map is a ‘seamless, globally consistent, 1:5,000,000-scale geologic map’.
    • The mapped surface features of the moon included crater rim crests, buried crater rim crests, fissures, grabens, scarps, mare wrinkle ridges, faults, troughs, rilles, and lineaments.

    How it was prepared?

    • The researchers built on the original digital renovation of the six maps comprising of the near, central far, east, west, north and south sides that was released in 2013.
    • The final map consists of 43 geologic units across the entire lunar surface, broken down into groups based on characteristics like materials of craters, basins, terra, plains and volcanic units.
    • Data from NASA’s Apollo Missions were used to come up with the map.

    Its’ significance

    • The moon’s South Pole is especially interesting because the area is much larger than the North Pole and there could be a possibility of the presence of water in these permanently shadowed areas.
    • Further, the South Pole region also contains the fossil record of the early Solar System.
    • These present and future moon missions’ success can be further helped by the digital map of the moon.
    • The Chandrayaan 2, an active mission also targets the Lunar South Pole for exploration.

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  • Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences

    Reverse Vaccinology and its benefits

    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: Reverse Vaccinology

    Mains level: Coronovirus and the hunt for its vaccine

    The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University has developed a vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2 through ‘reverse vaccinology’.

    A definition based prelims question can be expected on Reverse Vaccinology. Ex. Which of the following statements best describes ‘Reverse Vaccinology’?

    Reverse Vaccinology

    • Reverse vaccinology is an improvement on vaccinology that employs applied bioinformatics.
    • The basic idea behind it is that an entire pathogenic genome can be screened using bioinformatics approaches to find genes.
    • Some traits that the genes are monitored for may indicate antigenicity.
    • Those genes are filtered for desirable attributes that would make good vaccine targets such as outer membrane proteins.
    • Once the candidates are identified, they are produced synthetically and are screened in animal models of the infection.
    • Since then, it has been used on several other bacterial vaccines.

    Benefits

    • Earlier researchers had to do a viral culture in the laboratory to develop a vaccine, and this was time-consuming.
    • The major advantage for reverse vaccinology is finding vaccine targets quickly and efficiently.
    • Traditional methods took decades to unravel pathogens and antigens, diseases and immunity
    • With ‘reverse vaccinology’ scientists know what molecules make the genomic sequence.

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  • Zoonotic Diseases: Medical Sciences Involved & Preventive Measures

    Mobile Virology Research and Diagnostics Laboratory (MVRDL)

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

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: BSL ratings

    Mains level: Not Much

    The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a mobile virology research lab.

    We can expect a  prelim question on BSL ratings as the term is widely appearing in news these days.

    About the MVRDL

    • The MVRDL is the combination of a bio-safety level (BSL)-3 lab and a BSL-2 lab and was set up in a record time of 15 days.
    • It can process 1,000-2,000 samples a day.
    • The mobile lab will be helpful in carrying out a diagnosis of COVID-19 and in virus-culturing for drug screening, convalescent plasma-derived therapy, comprehensive immune profiling of patients towards vaccine etc.

    What are Biosafety Level (BSL) Ratings?

    • A BSL is a set of biocontainment precautions required to isolate dangerous biological agents in an enclosed laboratory facility.
    • The levels of containment range from the lowest biosafety level 1 (BSL-1) to the highest at level 4 (BSL-4).
    • BSL-1 is suitable for work with well-characterized agents which do not cause disease in healthy humans.
    • BSL- 2 is suitable for work involving agents of the moderate potential hazard to personnel and the environment.
    • BSL-3 is appropriate for work involving microbes which can cause serious and potentially lethal disease via the inhalation route.
    • BSL-4 is the highest level of biosafety precautions and is appropriate for work with agents that could easily be aerosol-transmitted within the laboratory and cause severe to fatal disease in humans for which there are no available vaccines or treatments.

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  • Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

    [pib] ‘NanoBlitz 3D’ tool to map properties of nano-materials

    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:  NanoBlitz 3D

    Mains level: NA

    Indian scientists have developed an advanced tool for mapping nano-mechanical properties of materials like multi-phase alloys, composites, and multi-layered coatings.

    Nanotechnology is a pathbreaking technology which can create many new materials and devices with a wide range of applications, such as in nanomedicine, nanoelectronics etc.  NanoBlitz 3D is another distinct development. We can expect a prelims question asking what the NanoBlitz 3D is , with confusing options like 3d printing tool etc.

     NanoBlitz 3D

    • Scientists from Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) an autonomous institute under the Dept. of S&T have developed this tool.
    • It is an advanced tool for mapping nano-mechanical properties of materials like multi-phase alloys, composites, and multi-layered coatings.
    • The tool has been useful to yield excellent results on a wide range of material systems, including glass-fibre-reinforced polymer composites, dual-phase steels, softwood and shale.
    • An important aspect of this technique is its high-throughput, with just a few hours of testing required for generating more than 10,000 data points that can be processed using machine learning (ML) algorithms.

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  • Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News

    Festivals in news: Ambubachi Mela

    Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Ambubachi Mela

    Mains level: NA

    The Ambubachi Mela at Guwahati’s Kamakhya Temple has been cancelled this year due to COVID-19.

    Many festivals this year have been cancelled for the first time in their recorded history. Few of them were – Thrisur Pooram Festival, Pandharpur Jatara and now, the Ambubachi Mela. Do read about the Medaram Jatara (held in February) as well. Take note of each of them and their speciality along with the respective state of celebration.

    Ambubachi Mela

    • Ambubachi Mela, a four-day fair to mark the annual menstruation of the goddess at Kamakhya temple in Guwahati has begun.
    • Legends say the temple atop the Nilachal Hills, whose northern face slopes down to the Brahmaputra River, was built by the demon king Narakasura.
    • But records are available only from 1565 when Koch king Naranarayana had the temple rebuilt.
    • Kamakhya is one of 51 shaktipeeths or holy sites for the followers of the Shakti cult, each representing a body part of the Sati, Lord Shiva’s companion.
    • The temple’s sanctum sanctorum houses the yoni – female genital – symbolised by a rock.

    Significance

    • Temple priests said the ritualistic fair celebrating the Goddess’ period is one of the reasons why taboo associated with menstruation is less in Assam compared to other parts of India.
    • The attainment of womanhood of girls in Assam is celebrated with a ritual called Tuloni Biya, meaning small wedding.

    Similar place

    • A similar custom is followed at the Devi Temple at Chengannur town in Alleppey district of Kerala.
    • The temple is shut for the days the Goddess there is believed to undergo her period.

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  • Horticulture, Floriculture, Commercial crops, Bamboo Production – MIDH, NFSM-CC, etc.

    [pib] Species in news:  Anthurium

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3:

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Anthurium

    Mains level: NA

    A women innovator from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, has developed ten varieties of Anthurium, a flower with high market value, by cross-pollination.

    Anthurium

    • An anthurium is a vast group of beautiful blooming plants available in a wide range of colours.
    • Anthurium is one of the best domestic flowering plants in the world.
    • They are decorative as well as purify the surrounding air and remove harmful airborne chemicals like formaldehyde, ammonia, toluene, xylene, and allergens.
    • Its importance of removing toxic substances from the air, NASA has placed it in the list of air purifier plants.
    • Anthurium has larger economic importance because of its eye-catching and beautiful inflorescence and fetches a good market price.

    Salient features of the Anthurium varieties are

    • Large beautiful flowers
    • Different colors of spathe and spadix
    • Long stalks
    • Better shelf life
    • Good market value

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  • Earth Overshoot

    Earth Day 2020 and its significance

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 1: Important Geophysical Phenomena

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Earth Day

    Mains level: NA

    Yesterday, April 22nd was celebrated as Earth Day, an international event celebrated around the world to pledge support for environmental protection.

    The Earth Day designation by UN and its first observance have confusing difference. Make note of that. We can expect a question based on that. Also read about Earth Overshoot Day.

    What is Earth Day?

    • In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22 as ‘International Mother Earth Day’.
    • Earth Day aims to “build the world’s largest environmental movement to drive transformative change for people and the planet.”
    • Earth Day was first observed in 1970, when 20 million took to the streets to protest against environmental degradation.
    • The event was triggered by the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, as well as other issues such as smog and polluted rivers.
    • The landmark Paris Agreement, which brings almost 200 countries together in setting a common target to reduce global greenhouse emissions, was signed on Earth Day 2016.

    Significance of this year

    • The year 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the annual celebrations.
    • This year’s theme for Earth Day is ‘climate action’.

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  • North-East India – Security and Developmental Issues

    Daporijo Bridge and its significance

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Geographical Features & Their Location

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Daporijo bridge and its location

    Mains level: Border disputes with China

    A key bridge over the Subansiri River in Arunachal Pradesh close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in record 27 days.

    North-East has seen the construction of a series of bridges by BRO in recent times post-Doklam standoff. Make a note of all such bridges and the corresponding rivers over which they are built.

     Daporijo Bridge

    • This Bridge is one of the two over River Subansiri which connect Daporji in North Subansiri dist. with rest of state.
    • This and the other bridge at Tamin sustaining more than 600 villages and troops strength of around 3000 personnel manning the LAC which includes disputed Areas of Asaphila and Maza.
    • All supplies, rations, constructional material and medicines pass over this bridge.
    • The new bridge now can withstand 40 tonnes of weight allowing a safe passage for heavier vehicles catering for the requirements of the Indian Army as well as future infrastructure development requirements.

    Significance

    • India has speeded up the construction of critical infrastructure in its northeast in the past half a dozen years including airports, railways and roads with an eye on China that has motorable roads right up to the border.
    • Arunachal Pradesh was the scene of the 1962 India-China border conflict that ended badly for India. China on its parts claims all of the state as “Southern Tibet.”
    • Of the 3488 km long Line of Actual Control with China 1126 lies with Arunachal Pradesh alone.
    • The two countries are yet to demarcate their border with the two sides patrolling the LAC but reporting incursions by the other side since the frontier is not clearly marked.

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  • Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News

    Festival in news: Thrissur Pooram

    Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Thrissur Pooram

    Mains level: NA

    For the first time since its inception, Thrissur Pooram, considered as mother of all poorams in Kerala, has been cancelled earlier this month.

    Note the cultural terms in the newscard. As the name itself suggests the state of celebration, it very unlikely to be asked in the ‘fest-state’ format.  Rather UPSC can ask – “The  terms X, Y, Z …. are associated with which of the following reknown festival?”

    Thrissur Pooram

    • Thrissur Pooram is an annual Hindu festival held in Kerala.
    • It is held at the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur every year on the Pooram day – the day when the moon rises with the Pooram star in the Malayalam Calendar month of Medam.
    • It is the largest and most famous of all poorams.
    • Thrissur Pooram was the brainchild of Raja Rama Varma, famously known as Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of Cochin (1790–1805).

    Actual course of the festival

    • The Pooram is centred on the Vadakkunnathan Temple, with all these temples sending their processions to pay obeisance to the Shiva, the presiding deity.
    • The Pooram officially begins with a flag hoisting ceremony (Kodiyettam).
    • All the participating temples of Thrissur Pooram are present for the ceremony, and there is a light firework to announce the commencement of the festival.
    • The seventh day of the pooram is the last day. It is also known as “Pakal Pooram”.

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