Prelims Exam
Short Notes or Revision Notes
1.ISRO’s START Programme
Syllabus: Prelims – Science and Tech.
- Context:ISRO is conducting the Space science and Technology Awareness Training (START) programme 2024.
- Objective:Attract youngsters to space science and technology.
- Features:
- Introductory modules on various space science and technology domains.
- Sessions on Indian space exploration programmes and research opportunities.
- Eligibility:Post-graduate and final year undergraduate students in physical sciences and technology from Indian educational institutions.
2.Krishi Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC)
Syllabus: Prelims – Economy
- Syllabus:GS2/Government Initiatives; GS3/Agriculture
- Context:Union Agriculture Minister inaugurated the Krishi ICCC at Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi.
- About:A significant technological advancement in Indian agriculture using multiple IT applications and platforms.
- Objective:Informed decision-making in agriculture.
- Technology:Uses AI, Remote Sensing, and GIS to collect and process data on:
- Temperatures, rainfall, wind speed.
- Crop yields and production estimations.
- Presents data in graphical format.
- Benefits:
- Comprehensive farm sector monitoring through geospatial information from various sources:
- Remote sensing
- Soil survey data
- Weather data (IMD)
- Sowing data (Digital Crop Survey)
- Farmer data (Krishi MApper)
- Market intelligence (UPAg)
- Yield estimation data (GCES)
- Visual information on crop yields, production, drought situation, cropping patterns.
- Access to trends, outliers, KPIs, and insights on agriculture schemes.
- Comprehensive farm sector monitoring through geospatial information from various sources:
3.India Supports Philippines on South China Sea
- Syllabus:Prelims – International Relations
- Context:During his visit to Manila, India’s External Affairs Minister supported the Philippines in upholding its national sovereignty.
- India-Philippines Relations:
- Historical links through Srivijaya and Majapahit empires.
- Sanskrit roots in Tagalog language and historical artefacts.
- Diversified relations in political-security, trade, and people-to-people realms.
- Expanding ties in civil aviation, fintech, education, defence, and security.
- Shared interest in a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
- South China Sea Dispute:
- Territorial conflict involving Philippines, China, and other countries.
- China claims most of the South China Sea based on historical records.
- Philippines and others dispute China’s claims and accuse them of encroaching on their territorial waters.
- India supports a rules-based order in the South China Sea based on UNCLOS (Law of the Sea Treaty).
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4.ASI to Delist “Lost” Monuments
- Syllabus:Prelims – History
- Context:Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to delist 18 “centrally protected monuments.”
- Delisting Meaning:
- ASI, under the Ministry of Culture, protects monuments of national importance under the AMASR Act, 1904 and 1958.
- Delisting removes monuments from ASI’s conservation, protection, and maintenance.
- Allows construction and urbanization activities around the monument.
- Current number of ASI-protected monuments: 3,693 (will reduce to 3,675 after delisting).
- AMASR Act:
- Protects monuments over 100 years old, including temples, tombs, forts, and more.
- Requires ASI to regularly inspect and conserve protected monuments.
- Allows ASI to take action against encroachments.
- Reasons for Delisting:
- ASI’s assessment that the monuments lack national importance.
- Some monuments are lost due to urbanization, neglect, or lack of public memory.
5.Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)
Syllabus: Prelims – Science
Context: Recent approval of gene therapies for SCD in the US highlights the need for improved access to treatment in India.
Background:
- Genetic therapies offer hope for SCD, but require advanced medical facilities.
About Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)
- Inherited haemoglobin disorder causing red blood cells (RBCs) to become sickle-shaped.
- Sickle-shaped RBCs are rigid and impair circulation, leading to:
- Anaemia
- Organ damage
- Severe pain episodes
- Premature death
- India has the third highest number of SCD births globally.
Access to Treatment in India
- Major issue despite the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (2023).
- Examples of limited treatment options:
- Hydroxyurea (reduces pain severity) – unavailable in many areas.
- Blood transfusions – limited to district-level facilities.
- Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) – expensive and lacks donor availability.
CRISPR Gene-Editing Technology
- Offers promise for SCD treatment.
- India has approved a five-year project to develop CRISPR for SCD.
- Around Rs 34 crore allocated (2020-2023).
CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats)
- Originally a bacterial immune system feature.
- Researchers adapted it to:
- Cut, delete, or add DNA sequences precisely.
- Potentially treat genetic disorders like SCD.
6.Paris Club
Syllabus: Prelims – Economy
Context: Sri Lanka’s debt treatment plan with India and the Paris Club.
Background:
- Collaborative effort to provide Sri Lanka with a sustainable debt solution.
- Proposed plan:
- Moratorium of up to six years.
- Reduced interest rate during repayment.
About Paris Club
- Informal group of creditor nations for sustainable debt relief.
- Established in 1956 with 22 permanent members, including major economies.
- India is not a member.
- Meets monthly in Paris to negotiate debt relief terms for struggling countries.
- Key considerations for debt relief:
- Economic and financial situation
- Commitment to economic reforms
- Consultation with IMF and World Bank
7.Foreign Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
Syllabus: Prelims – Economy
Context: SEBI’s restriction on further inflows into Foreign Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).
Background:
- Effective from April 1, 2024, due to reaching RBI’s investment cap.
- Surge in US markets (especially tech stocks) increased investor interest.
About Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
- Mutual funds listed and traded on stock exchanges like individual stocks.
- Track various underlying assets:
- Stock indices
- Commodities
- Bonds
- Baskets of assets
- Passively managed (replicate a specific index, unlike actively managed mutual funds).
Foreign Exchange-Traded Funds (Foreign ETFs)
- Subset of ETFs focusing on overseas markets.
- Invest in foreign securities (stocks, bonds, commodities) listed on international exchanges.
- Provide exposure to global markets without directly buying foreign stocks/bonds.
- Track indices from specific countries, regions, or sectors.
- Bought and sold during trading hours on stock exchanges.