Prelims Exam

Health

Glycemic Index and Diabetes

• Lancet study confirms link between high glycemic index (GI) and type 2 diabetes.
• Low GI diets may help prevent type 2 diabetes, especially for those with higher BMI.
• Glycemic index (GI) ranks how quickly foods containing carbohydrates raise blood sugar levels.

 Economy

Anti-Dumping Duty on Sodium Cyanide

• Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) recommends duty on imports from China, EU, Japan, Korea.
• Anti-dumping duty protects domestic producers from unfairly priced foreign imports.
• Sodium cyanide is used in gold/silver extraction, electroplating, and various industrial processes.
• The duty will be in place for five years.

 Environment 

Forever Chemicals (PFAS)

• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals used since the 1950s.
• Found in non-stick cookware, upholstery, food packaging, and stain repellents.
• Resistant to water, grease, and heat, but don’t break down in the environment.
• Can contaminate water sources, bioaccumulate in wildlife, and cause health problems.
• PFAS can be broken down with sodium hydroxide or incinerated at high temperatures (energy-intensive).

Pelagia Noctiluca (The Mauve Stinger Jellyfish)

• Bioluminescent jellyfishalso known as the purple-striped jellyfish.
• Found worldwide in tropical and warm seas.
• Recent bloom reported on the Visakhapatnam coast (rare in East India).
• Stings on both tentacles and bell can cause varying degrees of illness.
• Jellyfish blooms can damage fisheries and tourism.

Criollo Cattle

• Irish research suggests Criollo cattle are well-suited for a warming world.
• Descended from Iberian breeds brought to the Americas.
• Short, slick coat improves thermotolerance (withstands hot and humid weather).

 Cicadas

• Trillions of cicadas from Brood XIX and Brood XIII to emerge in the US Midwest and Southeast.
• First time since 1803 these broods will appear together (known as a dual emergence).
• Cicadas are insects with prominent eyes, short antennae, and membranous wings.
• Found in tropical and temperate areas worldwide.
• Known for their exceptionally loud songs produced by specialized organs.

 

History

Mangal Pandey

Context:

• Sepoy in East India Company’s army, hanged by British in 1857.

Background:

• From Awadh, a kingdom supplying soldiers to the British.
• Awadh annexed by British in 1856, causing resentment.

The Incident:

• Refused to use new Enfield rifles due to animal fat (beef/pork) in cartridges, seen as offensive to religious beliefs.
• Mutinied and attacked his sergeant on March 29, 1857.
• Court-martialed and hanged.

Impact:

• Sparked the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.
• Led to British reforms:
  • End of East India Company rule (1858).
  • Queen Victoria as Empress of India (1858).
  • New policies promising respect for religion.