Daily Current Affairs for UPSC / State PCS Exam

To The Point Notes

1.E. coli Outbreak

• Causative Agent: E. coli bacteria, particularly Shiga toxin-producing strains.
• Transmission: Primarily through contaminated food, such as raw or undercooked meat, raw milk, and contaminated vegetables.
• Symptoms: Fever, vomiting, diarrhea.
• Treatment: Antibiotics, though resistance is increasing.
• Prevention: Proper food hygiene and cooking practices.

 

 

2.United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)

• Purpose: To maintain peace and security in southern Lebanon.
• Role:
  • Monitoring the “Blue Line” between Lebanon and Israel.
  • Supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces.
  • Preventing the infiltration of armed personnel.
• Challenges:
  • Hezbollah’s influence in southern Lebanon.
  • Tensions between Israel and Lebanon.
• Indian Contribution: India has been a significant contributor to UNIFIL since 1998.

 

 

3.First Dry Port in Bihar

• Location: Bihta, near Patna
• Purpose: A dry port (ICD) provides inland cargo handling, storage, and transportation facilities.
• Significance for Bihar:
  • Facilitates efficient movement of exports like agro-based products, garments, and leather goods.
  • Supports major production of fruits and vegetables like potato, tomato, banana, litchi, and makhana.

 

 

4.Pink Cocaine (Tusi)

• Fact: Not actual cocaine.
• Composition: A mix of drugs, primarily ketamine, with methamphetamine, MDMA, opioids, and sometimes a pink dye.
• Use: Primarily snorted or taken in pill form within clubbing culture.
• Health Risks: Serious, including heart attacks, stroke, psychosis, and addiction.

 

 

5.Snow Leopard (Panthera Uncia)

• Nicknames: Ghost of the Mountains
• Identification: Beautiful spotted coat with large rosettes enclosing smaller spots.
• Distribution: Sparsely across 12 Central Asian countries, including Mongolia, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Nepal.
• Threats: Loss of prey, conflict with humans, and illegal wildlife trade.
• Conservation Status:
  • Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)
  • Schedule-I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
  • State animal of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh

 

 

6.Breeding Great Indian Bustard Using Artificial Insemination

• Success: Successful breeding of Great Indian Bustard (GIB) using AI at Sudasari Breeding Centre, Jaisalmer.
• Bustard Recovery Program: Focuses on captive breeding and reintroduction of GIBs.
• Great Indian Bustard:
  • One of the heaviest flying birds.
  • Omnivorous.
  • State bird of Rajasthan.
  • Habitat: Untamed, arid grasslands.
  • Threats: Hunting, habitat loss, power lines.
  • Conservation Status: Critically Endangered (IUCN)

 

 

7.Lahore Declared World’s Most Polluted City

• Air Quality Index (AQI): 394, significantly exceeding WHO guidelines.
• Primary Pollutant: PM2.5 particles
• Actions to Combat Pollution:
  • Artificial rain as an emergency measure
  • Anti-smog squad to educate farmers on sustainable practices
• WHO Air Quality Guidelines:
  • Provide reference for national air quality standards.
  • Set limits for PM2.5 and PM10.

 

 

8.PM YASASVI Scheme (PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India)

• Goal: Uplift students from OBC, EBC, and DNT communities by providing access to quality education.
• Implemented by: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
• Selection: YASASVI Entrance Test (YET) conducted by NTA
• Scholarship Types:
  • Pre-Matric (Classes 9-10): ₹4,000 annually for families earning below ₹2.5 lakh.
  • Post-Matric: ₹5,000 – ₹20,000 based on course.
  • Top Class Education: Support for meritorious students in top schools & colleges.
  • Hostel Construction: Facilities for OBC students.
• Objectives:
  • Promote educational empowerment for disadvantaged groups.
  • Overcome financial barriers for education (school to higher education).
  • Contribute to a more inclusive society.
  • Empower marginalized communities for a prosperous India by 2047.

 

 

9.PM SHRI Schools (Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India)

• Goal: Establish over 14,500 model schools managed by various government bodies.
• Implemented by: Central Government of India
• Aligned with: National Education Policy (2020) under Samagra Shiksha scheme
• Focus:
  • Welcoming and safe learning environments.
  • Diverse educational experiences.
  • Quality infrastructure.
• Objectives:
  • Nurture engaged citizens.
  • Promote inclusivity as per NEP 2020.
• Benefits: Expected to benefit over 20 lakh students directly.
• Timeline: 5 years (2022-23 to 2026-27)
• Impact: Inform policies and practices in school education nationwide.