Monthly Current Affairs June 2020

Easy to PICK487 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 helium atoms.  If its mass is any greater, its gravity will be  More massive stars begin a further series so strong that it will shrink further to become a black hole. of nuclear burning. The elements formed in these stages range from oxygen through Black holes to iron.  Black holes are believed to form  During a supernova, the star releases very from massive stars at the end of their large amounts of energy as well as lifetimes. neutrons, which allows elements heavier  The gravitational pull in a black hole is so than iron, such as uranium and gold, to be great that nothing can escape from it, not produced. even light.  In the supernova explosion, all of these  The density of matter in a black hole elements are expelled out into space, and cannot be measured (infinite!). new stars are born out of this matter  Black holes distort the space around (recycling of matter in the universe!). them and can suck neighbouring matter into them including stars. Black dwarf  Gravitational lensing: Light around a  The last stage of stellar evolution is a black massive object, such as a black hole, is dwarf. bent, causing it to act as a lens for the  A black dwarf is a white dwarf that has things that lie behind it. sufficiently cooled that it no longer emits significant heat or light. Galaxy  Because the time required for a white  Galaxy is a system of millions or billions dwarf to reach this state is calculated to of stars, together with gas and dust, held be longer than the current age of the together by gravitational attraction. They universe (13.8 billion years), no black are the major building blocks of the dwarfs are expected to exist in the universe. universe yet.  The smallest galaxies contain about 100,000 stars, while the largest contains up Brown Dwarfs to 3000 billion stars.  Brown dwarfs are objects which are too large to be called planets and too small From the billions of galaxies, two basic types have to be stars. been identified:  Brown dwarfs are thought to form in the same way that stars do – from a collapsing  Regular galaxies, and cloud of gas and dust.  Irregular galaxies.  However, as the cloud collapses, the core is not dense enough to trigger nuclear Regular Galaxies fusion. Spiral Galaxies: The Milky Way is an example of disc-shaped spiral galaxy which has a Neutron stars greater concentration of stars near its centre.  These stars are composed mainly of They consist of populations of old stars in the neutrons and are produced after a centre, and the youngest stars located in the supernova, forcing the protons and arms. Spiral galaxies are well supplied with the electrons to combine to produce a interstellar gas in which new bright, young neutron star. stars form.  Neutron stars are very dense. (mass of Elliptical Galaxies: Star distribution is three times the Sun can be fit in a sphere of nonuniform. Most of their member stars are just 20km in diameter). very old and no new star formation in them. Smaller and less bright. The brightest galaxies

Easy to PICK488 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 in the universe are elliptical. Irregular Galaxies  The irregular galaxies comprise about one- tenth of all galaxies.  The stars of the irregular galaxies are generally very old. Our Galaxy (the Milky Way)  The Milky Way is the galaxy that hosts our solar system. It is shaped like a flat disc with a central bulge.  Its diameter is between 1,50,000 and 2,00,000 light-years.  In the nucleus, the thickness reaches 10,000 light years, whereas in the disc it is 500-2,000 light years thick.  It is estimated to contain 100-400 billion stars.  The inner stars travel faster than those further out.  The Solar System is located in the Orion Arm, 26,000 light years from the centre (about one-third from the centre) of the Milky Way galaxy.  The Sun completes one lap of the galaxy in about every 220 million years.  The solar system revolves around the Milky Way with a speed of 285 km per second.  The Andromeda Galaxy is the closest galaxy (spiral) to us – being 2 million light years away.

Easy to PICK489 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Sickle Cell Disease  With sickle cell disease, the red blood cells have an abnormal crescent shape, taking the shape of a sickle, hence, its name.  The sickle shape results in the red blood cells becoming rigid and sticky, getting stuck in the smaller blood vessels as they circulate in the body.  This disrupts the supply of oxygen to parts of the body and results in symptoms such as anemia, episodes of pain due to bone and joint damage, swelling in the extremities, increased risk of infections, hampering of normal growth, and problems with the vision.  In India, it is more common in south Gujarat, north Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and western Odisha with a smaller concentration in the southern regions in India.  In 2008, the UN General Assembly recognized it as a public health problem and “one of the world’s foremost genetic diseases”.  World Sickle Cell Day is observed on 19th June each year to raise awareness of sickle cell at a national and international level. Sickle Cell Disease  It is a blood disorder that arises when both parents have the problem gene and pass it on to their child.  If only one parent has the problem gene, then the child will not have symptoms but will have the gene called the ‘sickle cell trait’.

Easy to PICK490 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Micius Satellite Micius Satellite encryption for several years. Micius is the world’s first quantum Entangled Photons communications satellite, launched by China in 2016. The satellite serves as the source of pairs of  Entangled photons are twinned light entangled photons. Recently, it has sent light particles whose properties remain particles to the Earth to establish the world’s intertwined no matter how far apart they most secure communication link. It has are. successfully brought entanglement-based quantum cryptography to its original ground  If one of the photons is manipulated, the stations 1,200 km apart by sending simultaneous other will be similarly affected at the very streams of entangled photons to the ground same moment. stations to establish a direct link between the two of them.  It is this property that lies in the heart of the most secure forms of quantum The satellite provided entangled photons as a cryptography (the study of concepts like convenient resource for the quantum cryptography encryption and decryption). and the two ground stations then used them according to their agreed protocol. Until now, this  If one of the entangled particles is used to had never been done via satellite or at such great create a key for encoding messages, only distances. It has not been specified how the the person with the other particle can messages were transmitted in this instance but decode them. in theory it could be done by optical fibre, another communications satellite, radio or any For QUANTUM other agreed method. TECH: https://www.aspireias.com/daily-news- Scientists have started using quantum encryption analysis-current-affairs/Quantum-Supremacy for securing long-range communication and Micius has been at the forefront of quantum

Easy to PICK491 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Government e-Marketplace (GeM) Country of Origin Flag The government made it mandatory for sellers on What would be the impact?  Over the time, the use of imported goods the GeM portal to clarify the country of origin of in government offices and facilities may be filtered out, as the following are combined, their goods when registering new products. 1. Announcement of the ‘country of origin’ of the products sold on What? the GeM portal, 2. Make in India campaign & Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is the 3. A push for Aatmanirbhar Commerce Ministry’s online marketplace. It Bharat.  This might provide an opportunity to procures goods and services by various Ministries Indian manufacturers across industries to push their products in government and government bodies. Products sold on the facilities. portal range from stationery used by government officials to medical products that are used on patients. In News  The GeM portal will now have the ‘country of origin’ flag for their products. The portal already has a ‘Make in India’ filter.  Therefore, the government offices can ascertain which products have a higher content of indigenously produced raw materials. This would help them choose products that meet the ‘minimum 50% local content’ criterion when selecting bidders for their tenders.  The portal now allows buyers to reserve a bid for Class I local suppliers, or suppliers of those goods with more than 50% local content. For bids below Rs 200 crore, only Class I and Class II (those with more than 20% local content) are eligible. Why this decision?  The decision comes in the backdrop of the government’s push for Aatmanirbhar Bharat. [Aatmanirbhar Bharat intends to promote self-reliance by boosting the use of locally produced goods.]  The decision also follows the clashes between the troops of India and China in Galwan Valley. This prompted several government departments to launch an offensive against imports from China.  The Confederation of All India Traders is pushing for a country of origin tag in the private e-commerce firms.

Easy to PICK492 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan  COVID-19 pandemic has had an adverse impact on workforce in general and migrant workers in particular.  A large number of migrant workers returned to several states. The challenge of containing Covid-19 was compounded by the need to provide basic amenities and means of livelihood to migrants and rural workers.  In order to generate employment with thrust towards creating infrastructure in backward regions of the country Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan was launched on 20th June 2020.  In Uttar Pradesh, nearly 30 lakh migrant workers returned. 31 districts of Uttar Pradesh have more than 25,000 returnee migrant workers. These include 5 aspirational districts.  The Government of Uttar Pradesh envisaged a unique initiative “Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan” which dovetails programs of Government of India and the State government while creating partnerships with Industry and other organizations.  This Abhiyan is intensely focused towards providing employment, promote local entrepreneurship and create partnership with Industrial associations and other organizations to provide employment opportunities.  Prime Minister will launch this Abhiyan on 26 th June, 2020.

Easy to PICK493 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 eBloodServices mobile App eBloodServices mobile App  Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare launched the ‘eBloodServices’ mobile App developed by The Indian Red Cross Society (ICRS), here today, through a video conferencing.  The Union Health Minister is also the Chairman of Indian Red Cross Society.  This application is developed by the E- Raktkosh team of Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) under the Digital India scheme launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2015.  This Blood Donation App is a prime example of how the Digital India Scheme is serving the need for accessing blood services.  Through this App, four units of blood can be requisitioned at a time and the blood bank will wait for as long as 12 hours for the person to collect it.  Once the request is placed through the app, the requisite units become visible to IRCS, NHQ blood bank in its E- Raktkosh dashboard and this allows assured delivery within the specified time.  This feature will make it easy for a blood seeker to obtain blood & shall bring the added advantage of complete transparency & single window access to the service.  Voluntary blood donation can be done by any person under the age of 65 years as many as four times in a year.  Regular blood donation can prevent obesity, cardiac problems and many other ailments.

Easy to PICK494 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 KVIC launches Sandalwood and Bamboo plantation KVIC launches Sandalwood and Bamboo  Likewise, a special variety of plantation, a new initiative to spur bamboo, Bambusa Tulda, used monetization of its assets for making Agarbatti sticks, brought from Assam has been planted in  The Khadi and Village Industries Maharashtra with an aim to support Commission (KVIC), in a first of its kind the local Agarbatti industry and to create initiative has begun exploring the regular income for the training center. untapped but highly profitable venture of sandalwood and bamboo tree plantation  One bamboo plant gets ready for for monetization of its assets. harvesting in the third year.  Seeking to encourage commercial  Each matured log of bamboo, weighing plantation of sandalwood and bamboo, approximately 25 kg, sells at an average the KVIC has begun a drive with of Rs 5 per kg. plantation of 500 saplings each of sandalwood and bamboo at its Nashik  At this rate, one matured log of bamboo training center spread over 262 acres of fetches nearly Rs 125. The bamboo plant land. has a unique quality.  KVIC has procured sandalwood saplings  Each bamboo plant, after the third from Fragrance and Flavour year, produces minimum 5 logs and Development Centre (FFDC) Kannauj, thereafter, the production of bamboo logs a unit of the Ministry of MSME, in Uttar doubles every year. Pradesh and Bamboo saplings from Assam.  This means, the 500 bamboo saplings will provide at least 2500 bamboo logs in the Sandalwood plantation third year and will generate an additional  The plantation of the Sandalwood has also income of nearly Rs 3.25 lakh to the been planned with an eye on creating an institution which will grow every year by asset for the KVIC as it is estimated to nearly two-times. fetch between Rs 50 crore to Rs 60 crore in the next 10 to 15 years.  Further, in terms of quantity, 2500 bamboo  A sandalwood tree matures in 10 to 15 logs will weigh approximately 65 MT of years and as per the current rate, sells at Rs bamboo that will be used for making 10 lakh to Rs 12 lakh each. Agarbatti sticks and thus create large-scale  Plantation of sandalwood trees has high local employment. potential in the export market as well. Sandalwood and its oil have high demand  In the last few months, KVIC has planted in countries like China, Japan, Taiwan, nearly 2500 trees of Bambusa Tulda in Australia and the USA. different parts of India. 500 saplings of  However, there is a short-supply of Bambusa Tulda have been planted in each sandalwood and hence a great opportunity of the cities like Delhi, Varanasi and for India to increase sandalwood Kannauj apart from the latest plantation in plantation and occupy the position of a Nashik to ensure local availability of raw global leader in sandalwood production. material for Agarbatti manufacturers at a reasonable cost. Bamboo plantation Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan  “Plantation of sandalwood and bamboo trees on vacant land aims at monetization of the property. At the same time, it will serve the dual purpose of meeting the

Easy to PICK495 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 huge global demand of Sandalwood while Bamboo plantation will support the local Agarbatti manufacturers in the light of recent decision taken by the Central government to make India ‘Aatmanirbhar’ in Agarbatti making,” KVIC Chairman, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena said. PM SVANidhi PM SVANidhi was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, on June 01, 2020. Its objective is to provide affordable Working Capital loan to street vendors to resume their livelihoods that have been adversely affected due to Covid-19 lockdown. Under the Scheme, the vendors can avail a working capital loan of up to Rs. 10,000, which is repayable in monthly instalments in the tenure of one year. On timely/ early repayment of the loan, an interest subsidy @ 7% per annum will be credited to the bank accounts of beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer on quarterly basis. There will be no penalty on early repayment of loan. SIDBI will implement the PM SVANidhi Scheme under the guidance of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA). It will also manage the credit guarantee to the lending institutions through Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE).

Easy to PICK496 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Gee’s Golden Langur Golden langurs can be most easily recognized by the colour of their fur, after which they are named. It has been noted that their fur changes colours according to the seasons as well as geography. The colour of the young also differs from adults in that they are almost pure white. They are highly dependent on trees, living in the upper canopy of forests, they are also known as leaf monkeys. It is endemic to western Assam, India, and southern Bhutan. Their habitat is restricted to the region surrounded by four geographical landmarks, such as 1. Foothills of Bhutan (North), 2. Manas river (East), 3. Sankosh river (West), 4. Brahmaputra river (South). The Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi entrusted the state zoo with the project for the conservation breeding of golden langur in Assam in 2011. IUCN Status– Endangered. Listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) - Appendix I and Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 - Schedule I.

Easy to PICK497 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Horse Shoe Crab Horse Shoe Crab is a marine chelicerate of a horseshoe crab is an offence. arthropod living in shallow coastal waters on Recently, IUCN has decided to observe the first- soft sandy or muddy bottom and spawns ever International Horseshoe Crab Day on 20th (release or deposit eggs) mostly on intertidal June 2020. beaches at summer spring high tides. They have existed since the time of the dinosaurs and There are four extant horseshoe crab species: are important ecosystem engineers and predators 1. The American horseshoe crab (Limulus of small organisms. polyphemus) along the eastern coast of the USA and in the Gulf of Mexico. (IUCN - Their ecological function is to lay millions of Vulnerable) eggs on beaches to feed shorebirds, fish and 2. The tri-spine horseshoe crab (IUCN - other wildlife. Their large hard shell serves as a Endangered) microhabitat for many other species such as 3. The coastal horseshoe crab ( IUCN – Not sponges, mud crabs, mussels and snails. It is Listed) regarded as a marine ‘living fossil’. 4. The mangrove horseshoe crab (IUCN – It is in the Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Not Listed) Act 1972, under which the catching and killing The last three are Indo-pacific species found in the coastal waters of India, Southeast Asia, China and Japan. Odisha is their largest habitat in India.

Easy to PICK498 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Product Application & Development Centre (PADC) Product Application & Development Centre suit, mask etc. (PADC)  Product Application & Development Centre (PADC) is setup by Indian Oil at Paradip, Odisha.  PADC has been setup by IndianOil at Paradip with a capex of Rs 43 crores, adjacent to its Refinery and Petrochemicals complex.  There are 4 laboratories in PADC namely Polymer Processing Lab, Analytical Testing Lab, Chemical Analysis Lab and Characterisation Lab.  The Technical centre is equipped with 50 latest sophisticated polymer testing and processing equipment to cater to the needs of customers and new investors.  PADC, Paradip is recognized as a research centre by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt of India.  PADC will act as incubation centre for new entrepreneur development in and around Odisha in the field of Plastics.  PADC will ensure availability of raw material, facilitate entrepreneurs in petrochemicals sector and provide training to the prospective and budding investors.  PADC will provide quality assurance, complaint handling, customer support, benchmarking studies, new & niche grade development and application development activities. Applications of Polymers  The centre will render assistance to customers and investors in product and application development for polymer finished products such as molded furniture, houseware, wovensacks for packaging cement, fertiliser, healthcare applications like baby diaper, personal protective

Easy to PICK499 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Kumbhar Sashaktikaran Yojana It is an initiative of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) for empowerment of potter community in the remotest of locations in the country. The program reaches out to the potters in - U.P., M.P., Maharashtra, J&K, Haryana, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Assam, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Telangana and Bihar. It provides the following support -  Training for advanced pottery products.  Latest, new technology pottery equipment like the electric Chaak.  Market linkages and visibility through KVIC exhibitions. KVIC It is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament (Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act of 1956). In April 1957, it took over the work of former All India Khadi and Village Industries Board. It is an apex organization under the Ministry of MSME, with regard to khadi and village industries within India. It seeks to plan, promote, facilitate, organise and assist in the establishment and development of khadi and village industries in the rural areas in coordination with other agencies engaged in rural development wherever necessary.

Easy to PICK500 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) - Wild crime It is India's chief anti-smuggling intelligence, formerly the Caribbean. Most species are investigations and operations agency. It is associated with forests, especially rainforests, but headed by a Director General of the rank of others prefer woodland or savannah-like habitats. Special Secretary to the Government of India. It A macaw's facial feather pattern is as unique as a works to secure India's national and economic fingerprint. The largest macaws are the hyacinth, security by preventing the outright smuggling of Buffon's (great green) and green-winged contraband such as firearms, gold, narcotics, Fake macaws. Many of the Macaw species lies Indian Currency notes, antiques, wildlife and between Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically environmental products. Endangered under IUCN. It is also a part of the following – 1. Cabinet Secretariat's National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention, 2. Ministry of Home Affairs/NIA's special wings on Left Wing Extremism Financing, 3. Various inter-ministerial committees on Terror Financing, Coastal Security, Recently, DRI has busted a wildlife smuggling syndicate that smuggled different varieties of macaws. Those exotic and highly endangered birds had been smuggled via the Indo-Bangladesh border without any licit documents. The joint operation was carried out in coordination with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and the Customs Department at the Kolkata airport. WCCB – Wild life crime control Board It a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to combat organized wildlife crime. The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006 provisions came operational in the year 2008. UNEP has also awarded WCCB with Asia Environment Enforcement Award, 2018. WCCB is also partnering with United Nations University and CIESIN-Earth Institute at Columbia University through the Wildlife Enforcement Monitoring System Initiative. Macaws Macaws are long-tailed, often colorful, New World parrots. They are popular in aviculture or as companion parrots, although there are conservation concerns about several species in the wild. They are native to Central America and North America (only Mexico), South America, and

Easy to PICK501 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Minimum Support Price - Food security The MSP is the rate at which the government sugarcane. The mandated crops are 14 buys grains from farmers. Reason behind the crops of the kharif season, 6 Rabi crops idea of MSP is to counter price volatility of and two other commercial crops. agricultural commodities due to the factors like  In addition, the MSPs of toria and de- variation in their supply, lack of market husked coconut are fixed on the basis of integration and information asymmetry. the MSPs of rapeseed/mustard and The MSP is fixed on the recommendations of copra, respectively. the Commission for Agricultural Costs and The lists of crops are as follows: Prices (CACP) (PT). 1. Cereals (7) - paddy, wheat, barley, jowar, Factors taken into consideration for fixing bajra, maize and ragi MSP include: 2. Pulses (5) - gram, arhar/tur, moong, urad and lentil  Demand and supply, 3. Oilseeds (8) - groundnut,  Cost of production (A2 + FL method) rapeseed/mustard, toria, soya bean, sunflower seed, sesame, safflower seed Price trends in the market, both domestic and nigerseed. and international, 4. Raw cotton.  Inter-crop price parity, 5. Raw jute.  Terms of trade between agriculture and 6. Copra non-agriculture, 7. De-husked coconut  A minimum of 50% as the margin over 8. Sugarcane (Fair and remunerative price) cost of production, 9. Virginia flu cured (VFC) tobacco  Likely implications of MSP on consumers Recently, Government has declared MSP for of that product. mature de husked coconut for the season 2020 at The Commission also makes visits to states for on- Rs. 2700/- per quintal, thus hiking the MSP by the-spot assessment of the various constraints that 5.02% from Rs. 2571/- per quintal during season farmers face in marketing their produce, or even 2019. raising the productivity levels of their crops. Based on all these inputs, the Commission then finalizes its recommendations, which are then submitted to the government. The government, in turn, circulates the CACP reports to state governments and concerned Central Ministries for their comments. After receiving the feed-back from them, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) of the Union government takes a final decision on the level of MSPs and other recommendations made by the CACP. The Food Corporation of India (FCI), the nodal central agency of the Government of India, along with other State Agencies undertakes procurement of crops. Crops Covered under MSP  Government announces minimum support prices (MSPs) for 22 mandated crops and fair and remunerative price (FRP) for

Easy to PICK502 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Anti-drug plan in 272 vulnerable districts Centre rolls out anti-drug plan in 272 vulnerable districts  An annual anti-drug action plan for 272 vulnerable districts was launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on Friday, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.  The ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’, or drug-free India campaign will focus not just on institutional support but also on community outreach programmes in the districts identified in coordination with the Narcotics Control Bureau, R. Subrahmanyam, Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, said at the e-launch. New strategy  “Today, we want to herald a new change in the strategy against drugs. So far, we had been focussed on institutions, but we need to move the focus to working in society at large because the problem is not at the institutional level, it is at the level of society,” he said.  It would also launch campaigns in schools and colleges to prevent drug abuse among youth.  He said the funding had gone up from ?49 crore in 2017-2018 to ?110 crore in 2019- 2020, and ?260 crore estimated for 2020- 2021.  Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCAs), funded by the Ministry, should reach out to their communities to help those affected by addiction.  The plan includes awareness generation programmes, community outreach and identification of drug- dependent population, focus on treatment facilities and capacity- building for service-providers.

Easy to PICK503 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 IN-SPACe - NSIL Union Government has given approval to Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe). It will be the nodal national entity under the Department of Space to drive building of satellites, rockets, or launch services through Indian industry. It will provide a level playing field for private companies to use Indian space infrastructure. It will also hand-hold, promote and guide the private industries in space activities through encouraging policies and a friendly regulatory environment NSIL New Space India Limited (NSIL) is a Central Public Sector Enterprise of Government of India. It is Head Quartered in Bangalore. It was established on March 2019 under the administrative control of Department of Space (DOS), India. The main objective is to scale up industry participation in Indian space programs. NSIL will endeavor to re-orient space activities from a ‘supply driven’ model to a ‘demand driven’ model, thereby ensuring optimum utilization of our space assets.

Easy to PICK504 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its nod to set up a Rs.15,000 crore Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund. The fund had been proposed as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Eligible beneficiaries under the scheme include the following with a minimum 10% margin money contribution by them,  Farmer producer organisations,  MSMEs,  Section 8 companies,  Private companies and  Individual entrepreneurs The balance 90% would be the loan component to be made available by scheduled banks. The Centre will provide 3% interest subvention to eligible beneficiaries, with a 2-year moratorium period for the principal loan amount and six-year repayment period after that.

Easy to PICK505 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Co-operative Banks under RBI Co-operative Banks under RBI Recently, the Central government approved an ordinance to bring all urban and multi-state co- operative banks under the direct supervision of the RBI (PT). The decision comes after several instances of fraud and serious financial irregularities, including the major scam at the Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative (PMC) Bank in 2019. Till now, all the co-operative banks came under dual regulation of the RBI and the Registrar of Co-operative Societies. Previously, the RBI had no powers to draw up an enforceable scheme of reconstruction of a co-operative bank. However, from now onwards the urban and multi-state co-operative will come under the direct supervision of RBI. The move will empower the RBI to regulate all urban and multi- state co-operative banks on the lines of commercial banks. Co-operative Banks  It is a financial entity which belongs to its members, who are at the same time the owners and the customers of their bank.  It is distinct from commercial banks.  They are broadly classified into Urban and Rural co-operative banks based on their region of operation.  They are registered under the Co-operative Societies Act of the State concerned or under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002.  The Co-operative banks are also governed by the 1. Banking Regulations Act, 1949. 2. Banking Laws (Co-operative Societies) Act, 1955.

Easy to PICK506 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 FATF | On the warpath against terror financing FATF’s 8 POINT AMENDMENT the European Commission. # In October 2001, in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks in the U.S., the plenary session of a little- # The FATF runs differently from other known global organisation based in Paris working on money laundering and multilateral agencies, as its primary focus is on white collar crimes, the Financial Action Task reviewing all actions through a “technical” not a Force (FATF), met in Washington DC to discuss a radical shift in its goals. political prism, and frowns upon countries # It was already very clear to U.S. investigators that the attacks pointed to a terror bringing bilateral issues to the forum. network around the world from Germany to Karachi, Dubai to London and Kabul, and each # It is not an enforcement agency itself, but a task thread had to be tracked down through a financial transaction made. force composed of 39 member governments # More importantly, if the world were to actually fight “global terror”, it would need to not who fund the FATF and agree on its mandate. only “follow the money” trail but also hold countries that allowed terrorists safe haven and # This means that FATF depends on voluntary financial assistance to account. # “The FATF, the leading international body in implementation of its reports by member the global fight against money laundering, will provide its expertise and energy to the related countries. battle against the financing of terrorism,” said Ms. Clarie Lo, the then President of FATF, announcing # Also, meetings of the group are carried the shift. # The FATF plenary then adopted an eight-point out behind closed doors, and deliberations are amendment to its charter that added Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) to its tasks not publicised. In the past, the FATF has on Anti-Money Laundering (AML/CFT). # On September 28, 2001, the UN Security penalised countries that have disclosed Council had also passed a new resolution (UNSC 1373), which added to a previous 1999 resolution the contents of its meetings. (UNSC 1267), which barred links to any group or individual connected to the Taliban or al- # Decisions are made by the grouping on Qaeda. # The lists that the UNSC then approved, a consensus basis, as they conduct reviews of of hundreds of designated terrorists, soon became one of the important tasks for the FATF countries on AML/CFT parameters (called “Mutual evaluations”), and then either clear Technical prism them, or use a “colour coded” reference for them, # The FATF is not a part of the UN system, but placing countries in the “Increased it functions out of the Organisation for monitoring” category or the “grey list”, or the Economic Cooperation and Development “high risk jurisdictions” or “call for action” headquarters in Paris, since it was started in category, as the “blacklist” is formally known. 1989 after a decision by members of the G-7 and # At present, only Iran and North Korea are on the blacklist, while 18 countries, including Pakistan, Syria, Yemen, Iceland, Jamaica and Mauritius, are on the grey list. # India became an observer in the grouping in 2006, and was inducted as a full member in 2010. # It has faced three rounds of mutual evaluations and cleared them, and faces the fourth round next year. # However, it is Pakistan’s performance at the FATF that most often makes news, as Pakistan has been kept on the group’s radar since 2008, with one stint on the grey list from 2012-2015, and another beginning June 2018. # Presently, it has until October 2019 to show that it is making progress on the FATF’s report, that gave it a gruelling 27-point action plan to fulfil, or face a blacklisting, which means severe financial restrictions, a downgrading by credit

Easy to PICK507 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 agencies, and most significantly, possible loan # Officials say the fact that decisions are cuts by the World Bank and the International taken by consensus in the 39-member group, Monetary Fund. where any three members can exercise a “veto” # Although the Pakistani government, which has on an action, has ensured that the FATF doesn’t sent ministerial-level delegations to each meeting at present suffer from the same polarisation that of the FATF to ensure it is let off penalties, says it has virtually paralysed the UNSC. has now cleared 14 of the 27 points on the list, and # While there are differences between the two has “partially” fulfilled 11 of the remainder, it is main blocs at the UNSC — the U.S., the U.K., still being held strongly to account by the FATF France, and Russia, China — at the FATF as well, statements, including one particularly stern the entire grouping’s view is made to count. statement in 2019 that said, “All deadlines given # This is not to mean the organisation isn’t to Pakistan to check terror-funding ended; it failed affected by geopolitical trends. to complete its action plan in line with agreed # The U.S. and other countries have been able to timeline.” ensure that Iran and North Korea remain on the # What is significant is that while Pakistan has FATF blacklist, while others are able to avoid the clearly disregarded warnings from India, tag as they are able to enlist the political support the U.S. and other countries to crackdown on a of enough other countries like China, Russia and number of cross-border terror groups that exist Turkey. on its soil (such as Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), # With the U.S. striking a deal with the Taliban this year, and efforts to take it off the UN Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Tehreek-e-Taliban listing, the global body may change the focus of Pakistan (TTP), the Taliban, al-Qaeda, its reviews in jurisdictions that have engaged with Haqqani network, etc), it remains eager to avoid the Taliban in the past. the FATF strictures. # It also remains to be seen how the FATF # Government officials in Delhi say the difference responds to new-age challenges to the global is heartening, given India’s long and sometimes counter-terror and anti-money laundering lone battle over the past few decades in regime: including bitcoins and cyber holding Pakistan to account for cross-border currencies, illegal trafficking of wildlife as a terror activities, including in Jammu and source of funding, use of artificial intelligence in Kashmir, the IC-814 hijacking, 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and biowarfare as part of the wider attacks, the Pathankot airbase attack in challenge of the coronavirus pandemic. 2015, Uri Army base in 2016,and many others. # For India, however, its focus at the FATF on # As a result, in the last few years, while Pakistan countering cross-border terror will be a priority for has been on the FATF’s watch list, governments the foreseeable future. in Islamabad have gone to some length to demonstrate their compliance with the FATF demands: changing terror laws to include all UN Security Council-designated individuals and organisations, to show progress in the prosecution of leaders of LeT and JeM, including the re-arrest of Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed last year, as well as tightening all banking mechanisms to show that it has frozen funding to all these groups. # FATF follows a principle of ostracism against members who don’t comply with its strictures. Decision making

Easy to PICK508 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG) EAG Meeting Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG) is a regional body comprising nine countries. Members - India, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus. It is an associate member of the FATF. Recently India has participated plenary virtual meeting of EAG, under the aegis of the Financial Action Task Force. In the meeting India plans to share more evidence with the key FATF members on the narco-terror cases linked to Pakistan-based syndicates, through which funds are allegedly being supplied to the terrorists operating in Jammu and Kashmir. FATF is an inter-governmental body to promote effective measures combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system. A country is put on the grey list when it fails to curb terrorism financing and money laundering. Grey list countries - Pakistan, Myanmar, ,Cambodia, Syria, Mongolia and Yemen in Asia along with few other countries. Putting a country on the blacklist means shutting all doors to international finance for that country. Countries - North Korea and Iran.

Easy to PICK509 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 About FATF About FATF terrorist financing, in addition to money  The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) laundering. is the global money laundering and  In April 2012, it added efforts to counter terrorist financing watchdog. the financing of proliferation of  The inter-governmental weapons of mass destruction. body sets international standards that  Since its inception, the FATF has operated aim to prevent these illegal activities and under a fixed life-span, requiring a the harm they cause to society. specific decision by its Ministers to  As a policy-making body, the continue. Three decades after its, creation, FATF works to generate the necessary in April 2019, FATF Ministers adopted a political will to bring about national new, open-ended mandate for the legislative and regulatory reforms in FATF. these areas. Objectives of FATF  With more than 200 countries and  The objectives of the FATF are to set jurisdictions committed to standards and promote effective implementing them. implementation of legal, regulatory and  The FATF has developed the FATF operational measures for Recommendations, or FATF combating money laundering, terrorist Standards, which ensure a co-ordinated financing and other related threats to the global response to prevent organised integrity of the international financial crime, corruption and terrorism. system.  They help authorities go after the money  FATF monitors countries' progress in of criminals dealing in illegal drugs, implementing the FATF human trafficking and other Recommendations; reviews money crimes. The FATF also works to stop laundering and terrorist financing funding for weapons of mass techniques and counter-measures; and, destruction. promotes the adoption and implementation  The FATF reviews money laundering of the FATF Recommendations globally. and terrorist financing techniques and continuously strengthens its standards Pakistan’s status  Pakistan has been under the FATF’s to address new risks, such as the regulation scanner since June, 2018, when it was put on the greylist for terror financing and of virtual assets, which have spread money laundering risks, after an assessment of its financial system and law as cryptocurrencies gain popularity. enforcement mechanisms.  In June 2018, Pakistan gave a high-level  The FATF monitors countries to ensure political commitment to work with the FATF and the Asia Pacific Group (APG) they implement the FATF Standards to strengthen its anti-money laundering/combating the financing of fully and effectively, and holds countries terrorism (AML/CFT) regime.  Based on this commitment, Pakistan and to account that do not comply. the FATF agreed on the monitoring of 27 indicators under a 10-point action plan, Functions of FATF  The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) was established in July 1989 by a Group of Seven (G-7) Summit in Paris, initially to examine and develop measures to combat money laundering.  In October 2001, the FATF expanded its mandate to incorporate efforts to combat

Easy to PICK510 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 with deadlines. Asia Pacific Group  Successful implementation of the action  The Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering is an inter-governmental plan and its physical verification by the organisation, consisting of 41 member APG will move Pakistan out of the jurisdictions, focused on ensuring that its greylist; failure by Pakistan will result in members effectively implement the its blacklisting by September 2019. international standards against money  FATF wants to see effective laundering, terrorist financing and implementation of targeted financial proliferation financing related to weapons sanctions against all terrorists designated of mass destruction. under UN Security Council Resolutions 1267 and 1373. UN Security Council Resolutions 1267 and  The Joint Group of the APG has recently 1373 informed Pakistan that the country’s compliance on 18 of the 27 indicators is 1. The UNSC resolution 1267 was adopted unsatisfactory, though the FATF has unanimously on October 15, 1999. It is a agreed that there have been improvements consolidated list of people and entities that in the AML/CFT regime and the integrated UN has determined as being associated database for currency declaration with Al Qaeda or the Taliban, and laws arrangements. which must be passed within each member  At least three votes (out of 36) would be nation to implement the sanctions. needed to block a move to blacklist Pakistan. Pakistan may make a diplomatic 2. The UNSC Resolution 1373 was adopted push to thwart blacklisting. on 28th September, 2001. It declares international terrorism a threat to Impact of being blacklisted international peace and security and  Pakistan’s $6 billion loan agreement with imposes binding obligations on all UN the International Monetary Fund (IMF) member states. could be threatened.  Pakistan faces an estimated annual loss of $10 billion if it stays in the greylist; if blacklisted, its already fragile economy will dealt with a powerful blow. India’s Role  India is a voting member of the FATF and APG, and co-chair of the Joint Group.  India was not part of the group that moved the resolution to greylist Pakistan in 2018 in Paris. The movers were the US, UK, France, and Germany and China did not oppose.  As of now, India is pushing for Pakistan to be blacklisted.  There is also an opinion that by keeping Pakistan in the grey list one can continue to pressure the country as well as scrutinise its actions.

Easy to PICK511 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Rechargeable Batteries Recently, the United Nations Conference on in the Democratic Republic of the Congo while over 75% of global Lithium Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released a is mined in Australia and Chile. report ‘Commodities at a glance: Special issue  Prone of Volatility: Any disruption to on strategic battery and minerals’. The report supply might lead to tighter markets, higher prices and increased costs of facilitated research into battery rechargeable batteries. In 2018, the demand for cobalt surged by 25% from technologies that depended less on critical raw 2017 to 125,000 tonnes, of which 9% accounted for the EV battery sector. materials and had the potential to  Cobalt demand would reach 185,000 tonnes by 2023, with about 35% provide higher energy density. Energy accounting for the EV battery sector, the report said. Growth in demand for lithium density is the amount of energy that can be stored had been significant since 2015, increasing by 13% per year. in a given mass of a substance or system, i.e. a measure of storage of energy. Imp Points Uncertain Supply: The report highlighted that the supply of raw materials to produce rechargeable batteries is uncertain. Lithium, natural graphite and manganese are critical raw materials for the manufacture of rechargeable Li-ion Batteries batteries.  A lithium-ion battery or Li-ion battery is Rising Demand: Integration of EVs- There has a type of rechargeable battery. been a rapid growth in demand for  Li-ion batteries use rechargeable batteries due to the gradual an intercalated (Intercalation is the integration of electric vehicles (EVs) in global reversible inclusion or insertion of a transportation. The sales of electric cars have molecule into materials with layered increased by 65% in 2018 from 2017 to 5.1 million structures) lithium compound as one vehicles and it will reach 23 million in 2030. electrode material, compared to the Increased Use of Raw Material: With the metallic lithium used in a non- increasing number of EVs, the demand for rechargeable lithium battery. rechargeable batteries and the raw materials  The battery consists of electrolyte, which used in them have also increased. The worldwide allows for ionic movement and the two market for cathodes for lithium-ion batteries was electrodes are the constituent components estimated at $7 billion in 2018 and is expected to of a lithium-ion battery cell. reach $58.8 billion by 2024.  Lithium ions move from the negative The demand for raw materials used to electrode to the positive electrode during manufacture rechargeable batteries will grow discharge and back when charging. rapidly as other sources of energy lose their  They are one of the most popular types importance. of rechargeable batteries used for military, EVs and aerospace  Concerns applications. Limited Suppliers: The security of supplies is a concern for all stakeholders Alternative sources of energy such as electric because the production of the raw batteries are becoming more important as materials is concentrated in a few countries.  Over 60% of the world’s Cobalt is mined

Easy to PICK512 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 investors become sceptical of the future of the oil industry. There is a need to make a strategy for dynamic monitoring of the raw material cycles, from mining through processing, refining and manufacturing to recycling. It will facilitate early detection of supply risks and also enable the development of mitigation strategies at either company or national level.

Easy to PICK513 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 FICCI prepares action plan for industry Amid the ongoing border tensions with China, member should look at alternate sources of FICCI has prepared a five-point \"PEACE\" supply from other countries. action plan and asked its members to look for alternate sources of supplies. The PM had earlier laid the vision that each Amid the on-going border tensions with China member could identify a product that is being and a call to boycott Chinese goods, industry imported and manufacture it in India, this idea chamber FICCI has prepared a five- should be implemented with full gusto. The need point \"PEACE\" action plan -- Productivity, of the hour is to collectively encourage suppliers Efficiency, Alternates, Competitiveness and and buyers to develop alternate globally Exports. competitive supply chains in India. Imp Points FICCI on its part has developed a strategy for air The industry body has asked its members to look conditioners, furniture, textiles, electronic for alternate sources of supplies and not remain components, and mobile phones. These are work dependent on a single nation. in progress in the government and announcements have been made. FICCI President Sangita Reddy said in a letter to members that the industry needs to focus on Competitiveness: Innovation and value-addition the five-point ''PEACE'' action plan. will enhance competitiveness and allow entry WHAT IS ACTION PLAN PEACE? into the global supply chain - this is a must now. The current coronavirus situation has seen Productivity: FICCI has urged its members to many sectors and firms innovate and raise their productivity by setting benchmarks for competitively produce different products and themselves. The body will start a consultancy services, we need to look at each of our businesses wing to assist members in raising productivity. and prepare an action plan to improve competitiveness. Efficiency: While companies are asked to FICCI realises that many aspects of individually improving productivity and to reduce government policy affect business' dependency, the efficiency of the competitiveness - the cost of power, land, whole ecosystem, too, needs to improve. labour, etc. The body has clearly communicated Companies have been suggested to work with to the government that subsidies and wage support local and state governments to improve (which is crucial to support farmers and lower efficiency through reforms to improve the ease strata) must come from the government directly of doing business. Many of FICCI's suggestions and not from businesses. have been accepted and the body has had multiple interactions with the prime minister, the finance Exports: Given the current situation in the minister, chief ministers, and other ministries who country, focus on exports is imperative now. have addressed many issues. FICCI will take the FICCI members are urged to ramp up their exports views and suggestions of its members to the and to begin with exporting 5 per cent of their governments to boost efficiency in days to come. products and those who are already exporting, Alternates: Many in the industry are dependent must aspire to double it. on suppliers form a single country. Though many products are domestically available, yet many Exploring new markets, new products and companies import products from abroad. Each services will help to take India's share in global

Easy to PICK514 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 trade to 8-10 per cent. FICCI has taken up these points and specific recommendations with the government for the industry as a whole and in specific sectors also, the body is now looking at enabling the members to work on this PEACE formula in all possible manner. Shelling Shelling  Dolphins use the technique called as shelling to capture the tiny fishes into empty shells.  This method of tool use has been learnt from their peer groups and not from their mothers. This shows how dolphins adopt to the changing environment. Freshwater Dolphins The four freshwater dolphins in the world are: 1. The ‘Baiji’ now likely extinct from the Yangtze River in China, 2. The ‘Bhulan’ of the Indus in Pakistan, and 3. The ‘Boto’ of the Amazon River in Latin America. 4. The Gangetic Dolphin/ ‘Susu’ in Ganges- Meghna-Brahmaputra and Karnaphuli- Sangu river systems in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.  These four species live only in rivers and lakes.  Its presence indicates the health of the riverine ecosystem.

Easy to PICK515 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Novel coronavirus infection might trigger type-1 diabetes Novel coronavirus infection might trigger type- increased risk of severe COVID-19. On 1 diabetes the other hand, new-onset diabetes and severe metabolic complications of  Diabetes poses one of the key risk preexisting diabetes… have been observed factors for developing severe COVID- in patients with COVID-19.” 19, and chances of dying are elevated in people with diabetes. Permanent or transient  However, more evidence is needed  Now, there is growing evidence that novel to conclusively prove that COVID- coronavirus might actually be 19 indeed causes type-1 diabetes. triggering diabetes in some people who  It is also not clear if the acute-onset have so far remained free of it. diabetes in COVID-19 patients will be permanent or transient. The is no clarity  These patients typically develop type-1 whether people who are borderline type-2 diabetes. The virus seems to be causing develop the disease. diabetes spontaneously in people.  The COVID-19 patients who develop diabetes have extremely high levels of Type-1 diabetes blood sugar and ketones.  These patients typically develop type-1  When there is insufficient insulin diabetes, which is caused when the body’s produced, breaking down the sugar present immune system plays rogue and begins in the blood is compromised leading to to attack and destroy the beta cells, high levels of sugar. which produce the hormone insulin in  At the same time, the body begins to turn the pancreas. to alternative sources of fuel, which in  With the destruction of beta cells, the this case are ketones. amount of insulin produced is reduced,  A study found 42 of 658 patients presented and hence, the ability of the body to with ketosis on admission. control blood sugar is compromised  Patients with ketosis were younger leading to type-1 diabetes. (median age 47). Ketosis increased the length of hospital stay and mortality, the Earlier evidences researchers found.  The 2002 SARS coronavirus, too,  Using human pluripotent stem cells, caused acute-onset diabetes in patients. researchers grew miniature liver and Like the 2002 SARS coronavirus, the pancreas and found that both the organs SARS-CoV-2 virus, too, binds to ACE2 were permissive to SARS-CoV-2 receptors that are found on many infection. organs involved in controlling blood  In particular, they found the pancreatic sugar, including the liver and pancreatic beta cells were infected by coronavirus. beta cells, and subsequently infects the ACE2 is expressed in human adult alpha cells in the organs. and beta cells.  While the beta cells produce insulin which Two-way relationship reduces the sugar level in the blood,  In a letter published in The New the alpha cells produce glucagon, England Journal of Medicine, the which increases the blood sugar. A fine researchers write: “There is balance between the two helps maintain a bidirectional relationship between COVID-19 and diabetes. On the one hand, diabetes is associated with an

Easy to PICK516 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 the blood sugar level. Tested in mice  The researchers transplanted the miniature pancreatic endocrine cells produced using human stem cells into mice. Two months later, they examined the xenografted pancreas and found ACE2 receptors on beta and alpha cells.  When the mice were infected with coronavirus, they found the beta cells were infected by the virus.  Thus the virus is capable of damaging the cells that control blood sugar thus triggering acute-onset of type-1 diabetes.  According to Nature News, a global database to collect information on people with COVID-19 and high blood- sugar levels who previously do not have a history of elevated blood sugar levels has been initiated.

Easy to PICK517 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 TB during COVID-19 TB during COVID-19  Since fever and cough are symptoms of (Shibu Vijayan is a physician and Global TB both TB and COVID-19, Technical Director at PATH, Mumbai, India. simultaneous screening and testing can Madhukar Pai is a physician and Director of the be encouraged. Thankfully, India has McGill International TB Centre, Montreal, access to three existing technologies that Canada.) permit dual testing for both infections. Dangers of TB transmission  The first is the digital chest x-ray  India has the highest burden of (CXR), which could be deployed along tuberculosis (TB) in the world. with artificial intelligence (AI) based tools  Even as the government was pushing for both TB and COVID-19. to end TB by 2025, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a massive  AI-based algorithms are now available that disruption in TB services. obviate the need for trained radiologists to  TB case notifications across India read the x-rays. If a CXR is suggestive for have dropped by over 50% since March, TB on the AI algorithm, then a with an estimated 3,00,000 missed case confirmatory test such as GeneXpert can notifications (until May 30). be done to confirm TB and also detect  This is worrisome, since undiagnosed TB drug-resistance. can worsen patient outcomes and increase transmission in the community.  One such AI-enabled screening tool is  As the lockdown ends, we will see a big called qXR, developed by Qure.ai, surge in people seeking an Indian company. Several studies show care with TB and COVID-19 symptoms. accuracy that is comparable or better than  However, people will struggle to get care human radiologists. because the public sector is still dealing with the pandemic, while  The screening tool, qXR, has now added the private sector is not functioning at the capability of detecting signs of normal capacity or is reluctant to COVID-19 from the x-rays images. manage people with fever and cough.  To find the missed TB patients, we will  Based on an estimated 3,00,000 missed need to find ways to rapidly cases during the national lockdown, resume public TB services, integrate TB around 10,50,000 CXR (assuming 70% of and Covid-19 testing and be creative these are pulmonary TB cases and 5 CXRs about engaging the private health sector are needed to detect one patient with to augment public TB services. pulmonary TB) will be required for  It is critical for the National TB detecting TB cases. Elimination Programme to resume routine TB services, which include  This is an overwhelming figure for any diagnostic services, such as microscopy health system especially during a and rapid molecular testing, as well pandemic. However, a dynamic as drug-susceptibility testing. partnership with 80,000 licensed diagnostic radiology facilities will help Dual testing combat this.  CXR screening will require confirmatory testing for both diseases, and molecular testing is the most accurate and rapid option. There are two technologies already in use in India that could be leveraged for simultaneous testing of sputum samples for both infections.

Easy to PICK518 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020  One is called GeneXpert. India has over 1,100 of these systems in use. A large number of private labs, too, have this technology. On this platform, TB can be detected using a cartridge called Xpert MTB/RIF and COVID-19 by using the Xpress SARS-CoV2 cartridge.  The second molecular platform is called TrueLab, developed by an Indian company – Molbio Diagnostics.  This technology is already being used in some states and in private labs to test for TB using a chip called Truenat MTB.  Molbio now has a chip called Truenat Beta CoV that can be used for COVID- 19. This chip, along with Xpress SARS- CoV2 cartridge, has been approved by ICMR for emergency use for COVID-19 testing.  Typically, TB testing requires sputum sample. Now, SARS-CoV-2 testing is done using nasopharyngeal swabs, but there is no reason why sputum samples cannot be used, since sputum is generated deeper in the lungs. However, it is important to validate both test molecular platforms for simultaneous testing using the same sputum sample. All hands on the deck  To detect the missed thousands of TB patients, we need to leverage our best technologies and find ways to integrate testing for both respiratory infections.  We need to integrate our public and private health sectors.  This is evident in the success of the Private Provider Interface Agency (PPIA) model launched in Mumbai by the Government of India, WHO and PATH and the subsequent large scale, pan-India version of it called the JEET (Joint Effort for Elimination of Tuberculosis) project.

Easy to PICK519 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary Why Eco Sensitive zone tag to Asola Wildlife sanctuary?  The Asola wildlife sanctuary has both floral and faunal diversity in form of  Wide variety of trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses.  Large number of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies and dragonflies.  Sanctuary comprises of Around 200 species of resident and migratory birds.  Wildlife habitats inside the sanctuary act as water recharge zone for Delhi, Faridabad and Gurugram. Regulated Activities 1. Hotels and resorts: will not be allowed within 1 km of the boundary of the protected area or up to the extent of the Eco-Sensitive Zone, whichever is nearer. 2. Construction: only “Small temporary structures” for eco-tourism activities. 3. Small scale non polluting industries 4. Felling of trees 5. Civic infrastructure Banned Activities 1. Commercial mining 2. Stone quarrying 3. Industrial and polluting industries 4. Saw mills brick kilns Allowed Activities 1. Rain water harvesting 2. Organic farming 3. Cottage industries 4. Agroforestry Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over 32.7 square kilometers, and is at the end of important wildlife corridor that starts from Sariska National Park in Alwar, Rajasthan and passes through Mewat,Faridabad and Gurugram districts of Haryana.

Easy to PICK520 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Sustainable Alternative towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) Sustainable Alternative towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) scheme on Compressed Bio Gas was launched in 2018. It envisages targeting production of 15 MMT of CBG from 5000 plants by 2023. The Government of India has taken various enabling steps to ensure the success of the SATAT scheme. Oil Marketing Companies have offered long term pricing on CBG to make projects bankable and have agreed to execute long term agreements on CBG. Under SATAT scheme, IOT Biogas Limited (Namakkal, Tamil Nadu) decided to divert part/full biogas production to Compressed Biogas (CBG) generation. The Compressed Biogas procured from IOT Biogas plant shall be sold through Retail Outlets (ROs) and Institutional Business (IB). This is the first time an alternative to natural gas is being sold by Oil Marketing Companies. Compressed Bio-Gas  Biogas and CNG are the same but for a few differences.  Origin – o CNG is found in nature as Natural Gas. o Biogas, is produced in a sealed tank/ chamber, from an organic feed-stock.  Composition - Biogas is mainly Methane & Carbon Di Oxide, while Natural Gas is mainly Methane.  Compressed Biogas proposes to build large biogas plants that will continuously produce biogas from urban, domestic and industrial wastes.  The biogas produced will be stored under pressure in gas cylinders for easy distribution to urban and semi-urban customers as alternative to charcoal and firewood.  Union Government is in the process of including Compressed Bio-Gas under Priority Sector Lending.

Easy to PICK521 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Torpedo Decoy System: Maareech The Indian Navy has inducted an Advanced Torpedo Defence System (ATDS) called ‘Maareech’ that is capable of being fired from all frontline ships. Torpedoes are self propelled weapons with a warhead and can be used under or on the water surface. They are one of the mainstay of sea- warfare attack systems. Description: ‘Maareech’ has been designed and developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and it is capable of detecting, locating and neutralizing incoming torpedoes. Bharat Electronics Limited, a Defence PSU, would undertake the production of this decoy system. Working: Maareech detects and locate the incoming torpedo and applies countermeasures to protect the naval platform against attack. It first detects and then confuses and divert the torpedo attacks on ships from under the water. By diverting the torpedoes' original course, it forces it to lose its energy thus preventing it from being effective on target. Significance: This induction not only stands testimony to the joint resolve of the Indian Navy and DRDO towards indigenous development of defence technology, but has also given a major fillip to the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and the country’s resolve to become ‘Atmanirbhar’ in niche technology.

Easy to PICK522 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 One Sun One World One Grid Recently, the Government of India has called for Second Phase: It deals with the MESASEA grid bids to roll-out the ‘One Sun One World One getting interconnected with the African power Grid’ (OSOWOG) plan. The plan focuses on a pools. Third Phase: It is about global interconnection. framework for facilitating global cooperation, building a global ecosystem of interconnected renewable energy Significance: resources (mainly solar energy) that can be  The proposed integration would lead seamlessly shared. to reduced project costs, higher ImpPoints efficiencies and increased asset  The vision behind the OSOWOG is ‘The utilization for all the participating entities. Sun Never Sets’ and is a constant at some  This plan will require only incremental geographical location, globally, at any investment because it will not require a given point of time. parallel grid infrastructure due to working  This is by far one of the most ambitious with existing grids. schemes undertaken by any country and  It will help all the participating entities is of global significance in terms of sharing in attracting investments in renewable economic benefits. energy sources as well as utilizing skills,  It has been taken up under the technical technology and finances. assistance program of the World Bank.  Resulting economic benefits  OSOWOG plan may also leverage would positively impact poverty the International Solar Alliance (ISA), alleviation and support in mitigating water, co-founded by India that has 67 countries sanitation, food and other socio-economic as members. challenges.  With India in the middle, the solar  It will allow national renewable energy spectrum can easily be divided into two management centres in India to grow as broad zones, which are: regional and global management centres. Far East including countries like Myanmar,  This move, during the time of the Covid- Vietnam, Thailand, Lao, Cambodia etc. 19 pandemic, gives India the opportunity Far West covering the Middle East and the Africa to be seen as taking a lead in evolving Region. global strategies. Three Phases of the Plan: Backdrops: First Phase: It deals with the Middle East, South India is already expediting ISA's plan to set up Asia and South-East Asia (MESASEA) the World Solar Bank (WSB) with a capital of interconnection. USD 10 billion. Fostering cross-border energy trade is an important part of India’s Neighbourhood-first  WSB aims to compete with other newly policy. created funding institutions like the Asian India has been supplying power to Bangladesh and Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Nepal and has been championing a South Asian and the New Development Bank (NDB). Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) electricity grid minus  The USA’s withdrawal from the Paris Pakistan to meet electricity demand in the region. climate deal. OSOWOG will help The initial plans also involve setting up an under- to mitigate its ill effects on climate by sea link to connect with Oman in the West. providing clean and renewable energy sources, enabling member countries to fulfill their Nationally Determined

Easy to PICK523 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Contributions (NDCs) towards reducing global warming.  China’s attempts to co-opt countries into its One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative, a programme to invest billions of dollars in infrastructure projects, including railways, ports and power grids, across Asia, Africa and Europe.  OSOWOG will provide a strategic rebalance in favour of India and will control the increasing Chinese dominance in Asian subcontinent, providing a better alternative to developing countries. Way Forward  The move is the key to future renewable- based energy systems globally because regional and international interconnected green grids can enable sharing and balancing of renewable energy across international borders.  It allows grabbing opportunities to learn quickly from global developments and share renewable energy resources to reduce the global carbon footprint and insulate the societies from pandemics.

Easy to PICK524 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 “Global solar grid could cause sun burns” In recent years, India has leveraged forums like developing countries. the G20 and the UNFCCC to collaborate with  Bridging Current Account Deficit: India major powers in new areas of growth and in bringing about global reforms. One such initiative is currently importing around $250 billion is One Sun One World One Grid’ (OSOWOG). of fossil fuel annually (oil, diesel, LNG, Under OSOWOG vision, India seeks to replicate coking and thermal coal). OSOWOG can its global solar leadership (International Solar help India meet its needs and subsequently Alliance) by encouraging the phased development promote sustainable renewable energy of a single globally connected solar electricity grid exports and may improve the current to leverage the multiple benefits (Low cost, Zero account deficit and reduce imported pollution) of solar energy. inflation pressures. The underlying logic behind OSOWOG is that a grid spread across multiple time zones could Issues balance intermittent renewables with other  Development in Battery renewables: the setting sun in one part of the grid Technology: With development in is made up for by solar, wind or hydropower electricity storage technologies, reduces produced in a distant place. the viability of the need to follow the sun OSOWOG seems to be a brilliant idea in pursuit along any latitude, nor worry about day of sustainable development. However, it faces and night. certain challenges in its implementation.  Easy Installation of Microgrids: Large For India capital expenditures are no longer necessary, as anyone can install rooftop  Parity with Great Powers: This ambition solar or set up a microgrid (“distributed puts India alongside other major powers generation”). and their super-grid projects such as  Vulnerability of Grids: Electricity Grid is China’s Global Energy Interconnection vulnerable to accidents, weather, and project, Europe’s gold-standard power cyber-attacks that are prone to increase and pools. Also, OSOWOG will provide an disrupt the electricity supply on mass opportunity for India to move onto the scale. centre stage globally, accelerating the  Transmission Losses: Solar generation is energy system decarbonisation to help at less than 20% efficiency, in addition solve the global climate crisis. there will be major transmission losses on such scale.  Climate Mitigation: OSOWOG assumes  Dependency on China: India is more importance in backdrop of the USA’s dependent on Chinese imports for solar withdrawal from the Paris climate deal. equipment, such as solar cells, panels, etc. Also, OSOWOG will help to mitigate ill  Problem with Interconnectedness: This effects on climate by providing clean and project’s success hinges on trust, not just renewable energy sources. Further, transmission lines, between grid enabling member countries to fulfill their participants. Interconnected grids give Nationally Determined Contributions countries the power to bring other (NDCs) towards reducing global warming. economies to a grinding halt; this is the single biggest hurdle to integration.  Balancing China: OSOWOG will provide a strategic rebalance in favour of India and Way Forward will control the increasing Chinese Creation of Supranational Rule-Based dominance in Asian subcontinent, providing a better alternative to

Easy to PICK525 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Organisation: Institution building is key to fulfilling the ambitions of a multi-country grid project. In this context, ISA can act as an independent supranational institution to take decisions about how the grid should be run and conflicts settled. Promoting MicroGrids: Along with prioritizing designing microgrids, public policy attention is needed for developing battery technologies at scale for local applications. Constructively Engaging with China: Given India’s dependence on Chinese imports, OSOWOG will have to find ways of engaging with Chinese ambitions in a constructive manner rather than in a zero-sum way. Also, there is a pressing need to build its domestic capacity in solar equipment under the Make in India program. Conclusion Establishing a global solar grid is a novel idea, especially in context of climate change. However, underlying issues in its implementation needs to be addressed first. Apart from it, India can explore the possibility of establishing a federation of regional grids like SAARC grid.

Easy to PICK526 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 MMR vaccine can help fight sepsis in Covid patients MMR vaccine can help fight sepsis in Covid critical period of the pandemic. patients  These bystander cells are long-lived but  A new paper suggests that live attenuated not life-long. vaccines such as MMR (measles, mumps  Anyone who had an MMR vaccination as and rubella) may prevent the severe lung inflammation and sepsis associated a child, while likely to still have immune with Covid-19 infection. The paper is antibodies directed against measles, published online in the journal mBio. mumps, or rubella, will not likely still have the immune cells directed against sepsis. A live attenuated vaccine is derived from  So, it could be important to get the MMR a disease-causing pathogen, which has been vaccination as an adult to protect better weakened in the laboratory so that it does not against Covid-related sepsis. cause severe illness when a person is vaccinated with it.  The new research paper refers to growing evidence that live attenuated vaccines can activate certain immune cells to train leukocytes (the white blood cells of the immune system) to mount a more effective defence against unrelated infections.  The researchers used a live attenuated fungal strain and demonstrated, in the lab, that vaccination with it trained innate protection against sepsis (blood poisoning) caused by a combination of disease-causing fungi and bacteria.  The authors proposed that the protection is produced by cells called MDSCs. They stressed that this live attenuated MMR vaccine concept is not suggested to be directed against Covid-19, but instead an immune preventive measure against the severe inflammatory symptoms of Covid-19.  The use of childhood live attenuated vaccines such as MMR given to adults to induce bystander cells that can dampen or reduce severe complications associated with Covd-19 infection is a low risk – high reward preventive measure during a

Easy to PICK527 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Why India is producing less and less oil Importanat Data upstream oil sector including Cairn  India’s crude oil production fell 7.1% in India and Hindustan Oil Exploration May 2020 compared to May 2019 on the Company there has been a lack of back of low demand due to the Covid-19 interest in exploration and production pandemic. in India from major private players,  Domestic production of crude has, particularly those based abroad. however, been falling every year since  According to experts, this is because FY 2012. of long delays in the  Annual crude oil production has fallen at operationalisation of production even a compounded annual rate after an oil block is allotted due to delays of 2.1% since to 32,169.3 thousand Metric in approvals. Tonnes (TMT) in FY 2020 from 38,089.7  Some of the key approvals which are TMT in FY 2012. required to begin production  This has led to a steady climb in include, environmental clearances and the proportion of imports in domestic approval by the Directorate General of crude oil consumption from 81.8% in Hydrocarbons after the allottee completes 2012 to 87.6% in 2020. a seismic survey and creates a field development plan. Why is production falling?  “The best-case scenario from allotment to  Experts say that most of India’s crude oil production is at least 5-7 years,” said an industry expert noting that in many cases it production comes from aging wells that was delayed beyond this timeline have become less productive over time. particularly in the case of public sector  A lack of new oil discoveries in India companies. coupled with a long lead time to begin production from discovered wells has led What policy changes could help? to a steady decline in India’s crude oil  Existing public and private sector players production making India increasingly dependent on imports. have asked for reduced levies of oil  The output of these aging production including oil cess, royalties, wells is declining faster than new wells and profit petroleum especially when can come up according to experts. crude oil prices are below $45/barrel. Domestic exploration companies are  Experts say the requirement to pay attempting to extend the life of currently royalties to the government at low crude operational wells. prices can make it unviable for these  Crude oil production in India companies to invest in further exploration is dominated by two major state-owned and production. exploration and production  The government introduced the Open companies, ONGC and Oil India. Acreage Licensing Programme  These companies are the key bidders for (OALP) in 2019 to allow companies crude oil block auctions and end up to carve out blocks that they are acquiring most of the blocks that are put up interested in and with lower royalties for auction in India, according to experts. and no oil cess.  However, existing players are calling for Why are there not more private players? a relaxation of royalties and oil  While there are some private players in the cess on block allotted under previous

Easy to PICK528 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 policies.  One expert pointed out that the Chinese government offered a floor price to oil producers insulating them somewhat from any sharp falls in international crude prices.  “This kind of policy at least allows for a company to have a fixed worst-case scenario for the sale of crude oil,” said an expert noting that this incentivised more investment in exploration and production.

Easy to PICK529 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Ozone Pollution Recently, the Centre for Science and presence is felt most during the day. At Environment (CSE) has observed an increase in night, ozone levels tend to deplete, before ozone (a harmful pollutant) levels in the several spiking again during the afternoon, when cities of the country. The analysis is based sunlight is available. on Central Pollution Control Board  Thus, the characteristics of summer (CPCB) data from 22 cities in 15 States. It has pollution include high winds, intermittent also observed that the particulate matter and rains, thunderstorms, high temperature and nitrous oxide levels fell during the lockdown to heat waves. control Covid-19 outbreak. Particulate Pollution Ozone Gas  It has been observed that the particulate  The ‘good’ ozone present in the earth’s pollution has been dropped ozone layer protects human dramatically during the lockdown. beings from harmful Ultraviolet (UV)  Also, an average PM 2.5 levels during the radiation whereas the ground level lockdown for all cities were found to ozone is highly reactive and can have be lower than the average for the same adverse impacts on human health. period in 2019.  Even short-term exposure of an hour is  However, with lockdown relaxed, dangerous for those with respiratory pollution started to increase. As soon as conditions and asthma. Thus, an 8-hour lockdown 4.0 came in with more average is considered for ozone instead of relaxation and traffic returned on roads, the the 24-hour average for other pollutants. average NO2 levels increased rapidly from  Ozone is not directly emitted by any the cleanest lockdown phase. source but is formed by photochemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen Conclusion (NOx), other volatile organic compounds The government needs to take active steps to (VOCs) and gases in the air under the mitigate primary pollutants, which lead to influence of sunlight and heat. Ozone ground ozone formation. These steps pollution is thus also a clear indicator of involved curbing private vehicle usage, vehicular pollution, which results in increasing electric mobility, scaling up higher concentration of NOx. public transport and pedestrian infrastructure, deploying citywide parking Concept of Summer Pollution management, and aggressively controlling  The ozone is primarily a “sunny weather industrial emissions.  problem” in India as the presence of sunlight has a direct impact on formation of ground level ozone.   Heat acts as a catalyst, facilitating photochemical reactions. Hence, higher concentrations of ozone are seen during the summer months.  Additionally, the intense heat waves are one of the factors responsible for increased ozone levels in the country.  Usually, the ozone levels tend to spike when winter conditions subside, and its

Easy to PICK530 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 “Facebook is weakening democracy” – Role of Social Media The introduction of the printing press in spread of fake news. 15th century Europe revolutionised the social landscape, helping information spread further Social Media and Deepening of Democracy and faster than ever before. This had a deep link  Aiding C-Governance: Social media has with the spread idea of democracy all over the led to the emergence of citizen-led world. In the present era, social media represents governance (C–governance) in India. a similar paradigm shift. o Social media platforms help to create awareness from one another Today, social media plays a crucial role in to a million and be united for any facilitating and distributing content related social cause. In the process, the to all the matters that have a larger existence of social media can influence on public opinion and nudge citizens to seek solutions. subsequently on democracy. o Also for C-governance, people Although social media helps in the need to have information and be deepening of democracy, it also tends to able to convey it to others. Social weaken the concept of democracy and the media platforms make that ton emergence of anarchy, because of easier. its unregulated nature and its role in the o Given this, social media is

Easy to PICK531 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 gradually being accepted as the they thought before they started to fifth estate of democracy. talk.  Democratization of Expression: Social o This is not in sync with the ethos of media has made Indian politics more democracy which is based on inclusive by allowing citizens, who were debate, dissent and discussion. traditionally excluded from politics due to  Menace of Fake News: The rise of geography and demography, to gain direct polarizing and divisive content has been a entry into the political process. defining moment of modern politics, o It has also allowed for a diversity which is fed by fake news propagation of viewpoints and public through social media channels. engagement on an unprecedented o Further, dissemination of fake scale. news through social media, among  Instrument for Bringing Behavioural populations with low-to-no levels Change: Use of social media for policy of critical digital literacy is a big crowdsourcing and publicity is evident in challenge. the success of pan-India campaigns such  Cyberbullying or Trolling: Another as Swacch Bharat Abhiyan and the dangerous element is the labelling and recently-launched Fit India Movement. trolling of more rational voices or those  Making political communication who disagreed with the government’s people-centric: Social media has been actions or dominant public discourse as increasingly used by Indian political actors “anti-national.” for routine political communication between elections to provide unmediated Way Forward and direct communication to connect Social media awareness is needed which may citizenry. enable citizens to be in a position to o Also, social media has changed the distinguish between truth and falsehood – and power of political messaging and to know when democratic processes are being has moved away from the mass manipulated. Social Media Platforms can media model and places it firmly provide safeguards in the event that into peer-to-peer, public discourse. democratic processes are being intentionally disrupted or harmful falsehoods are spreading; Ill-effects of Social Media On Democracy it can help people find out what is true.  Widening Social Fault Lines: Social media has enabled a style of populist politics, which on the negative side allows hate speech and extreme speech to thrive in digital spaces that are unregulated, particularly in regional languages.  Formation of Information Cocoons: Social Media, due to its technological capacity has enabled self- sorting and personalization of information one perceives. o This leads to the phenomenon of group polarization — which takes hold when like-minded people talk to one another and end up thinking a more extreme version of what

Easy to PICK532 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Gyanandromorphism Rare biological phenomenon in dragonflies  They are predaceous insects comprising sighted at Kole wetlands the dragonflies and damselflies.  When Renjith R.V and Vivek Chandran Arthopod: spotted a peculiar dragonfly, the Scarlet  An arthropod is an invertebrate animal Skimmer (Crocothemis servilia), in the Puzhakkal area of the Kole wetlands in having an exoskeleton, a segmented body, Thrissur last year, little did they know that and paired jointed appendages. Arthropods they were documenting a very rare form the phylum Euarthropoda, which biological phenomenon. includes insects, arachnids, myriapods,  The male dragonflies typically have and crustaceans. prominent blood red colouraton in almost all their body parts, including the head, Gyanandromorph: thorax, abdomen and legs, and  A gynandromorph is an organism that the female is a pale yellow in colour with a dark brown thorax and legs. contains both male and female  But the one they spotted on July 14 as part characteristics. of the Kole Odonata Survey 2019, was “part red and part yellow”.  Later, while compiling data, they were thrilled to find that they had recorded gyanandromorphism — a very rare biological phenomenon. ‘Genetic aberration’  Gynandromorphs are chimeric individuals having both male and female tissues, and are viewed by the scientific community as a genetic aberration.  Even though common in some arthropod taxa such as Crustacea and Arachnida, the paper says it is very rare in Odonates and only 30 individuals from seven families have been reported with the condition worldwide.  The spotted individual showed bilateral gynandromorphism of only the thorax, half of which showed blood red colouraton as in males, and the other half had the pale yellow characteristc of females.  The individual had a mix of male and female external characters, ranging from almost entirely female to about equally divided. Odonate:

Easy to PICK533 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Statistics Day “Statistics Day” to be celebrated on 29th June, importance, which runs for a year by way 2020 of several workshops and seminars, aimed at bringing about improvements in the Theme: SDG- 3 (Ensure healthy lives and selected area. promote well-being for all at all ages) &  The updated version of the Report on SDG- 5 (Achieve gender equality and Sustainable Development Goals-National empower all women and girls) Indicator Framework (NIF) Progress  The Government has been celebrating the Report 2020 (version 2.1)will be released during the event. Along with the report, Statistics Day, to popularise the use of the Indian Statistical Services Cadre Statistics in everyday life and sensitise the Management Portal will also be launched public as to how Statistics helps in shaping on 29thJune 2020. and framing policies.  It has been designated as one of the Special Days to be celebrated at the national level and is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Prof. P C Mahalanobis, on 29thJune, in recognition of his invaluable contribution in establishing the National Statistical System. Mahalanobis Award  In 2019, the Ministry instituted a new award, namely, the Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis National Award in Official Statistics for recognizing outstanding achievement of official statisticians in Central Government, State Governments and Institutions.  The Prof.P.C. Mahalanobis National Award winner, 2020 will be felicitated during the event. Other awards in the field of Statistics  The Ministry recognises the outstanding contribution for high quality research work in the field of applied and theoretical statistics benefitting the official statistical system through the Prof. C. R. Rao and Prof. P. V. Sukhatme awards, awarded in alternate years.  For 2020, the award winner for Prof. P. V. Sukhatme will be declared during the event.  Every year, Statistics Day is celebrated with a theme of current national

Easy to PICK534 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Kala- azar Disease Recently, a team of researchers from the National within the parasite’s body. Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune have A decrease in the activity of the former found new biomolecules to fight drug protein, and an increase in the activity of the resistance in Kala- azar (visceral latter results in less accumulation of leishmaniasis). NCCS is an autonomous miltefosine inside the parasite’s body, thus organisation under the Department of causing it to become resistant to the drug. Biotechnology, Government of India. It was While exploring ways to tackle miltefosine established to facilitate cell biology research in the resistance, the researchers worked with one of country. the species of Leishmania that causes infection, called Leishmania major. Leishmaniasis They tried to manipulate these transporter  It is a neglected tropical disease affecting proteins in the species in a manner that would result in increased uptake of the drug and almost 100 countries including India. decrease in its being thrown out of the Neglected tropical diseases are a diverse parasite’s body. group of communicable diseases that They used computational methods to design prevail in tropical and subtropical small molecules, called peptides, that could conditions in 149 countries. very specifically interact with the transporter  It is caused by a parasite called proteins of Leishmania major alone, and not Leishmania, which is transmitted through interfere with human proteins in any way. the bite of sand flies. A peptide is a short chain of amino There are three types of leishmaniasis: acids. Amino acids are organic compounds that combine to form proteins.  Also read: https://www.aspireias.com/daily- o Visceral leishmaniasis, which news-analysis-current-affairs/The-Orphan- affects multiple organs and is the Drug-Act-Rare-diseases most serious form of the disease. o Cutaneous leishmaniasis, which causes skin sores and is the most common form. o Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, which causes skin and mucosal lesions. Visceral leishmaniasis, which is commonly known as Kala-azar in India, is fatal in over 95% of the cases, if left untreated. Resistance to Drug: The only drug available against leishmaniasis, miltefosine, is rapidly losing its effectiveness because of emerging resistance to this drug due to a decrease in its accumulation inside the parasite. Responsible Proteins: A protein called ‘P4ATPase-CDC50’, is responsible for intake of the drug by the parasite, and another protein, called ‘P-glycoprotein’, is responsible for throwing this drug out from

Easy to PICK535 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research- Coccolithophores Recently, the National Centre for Polar and structure of coccolithophores, with potential Ocean Research (NCPOR) has carried out the significance for the world ocean ecosystem. study of Coccolithophores (microscopic ancient  The study points to climate change as marine algae) and found that there is a decrease in the concentration of oceanic calcium carbonate a major reason for the altered (CaCO3) in the southern Indian ocean. coccolithophore calcification rate which is important for bringing positive changes Key Points in the marine ecosystem and the global  Coccolithophores are single-celled carbon cycle. algae living in the upper layers of the world’s oceans.  They calcify marine phytoplankton that produce up to 40% of open ocean calcium carbonate and are responsible for 20% of the global net marine primary productivity.  They build exoskeletons from individual CaCO3 plates consisting of chalk and seashells.  Though carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced during the formation of these plates, coccolithophores help in removing it from the atmosphere and ocean by consuming it during photosynthesis.  At equilibrium, they absorb more CO2 than they produce, which is beneficial for the ocean ecosystem.  Abundance and diversity enrichment of coccolithophores in the southern Indian Ocean is highly dependent on time and influenced by various environmental factors such as silicate concentrations, calcium carbonate concentration, diatom abundance, light intensity and availability of macro and possibly micronutrient concentrations (marine pollution). **Diatoms are single-celled algae which occur after sea ice breakdown with climate change and ocean acidification. **Diatoms increase the silicate concentration in the waters and which in turn decreases CaCO3 and reduces coccolithophores diversity. **It will affect the growth and skeleton

Easy to PICK536 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" June - 2020 Naga Peace Talks- Nagaland Issue Four years after the government inked the 1881, the Naga Hills too became part of Naga peace accord in 2015, the Centre has now said that the process had almost British India. The first sign of Naga concluded, despite the fact that the talks had hit a roadblock in its final stages. resistance was seen in the formation of the Why is it being delayed? Naga Club in 1918, which told the Simon It is mainly because of unrealistic demands. Commission in 1929 “to leave us alone to NSCN I-M has issued statements in the past claiming that it wanted a separate determine for ourselves as in ancient Constitution, flag and integration of all times”. contiguous Naga-inhabited areas under Nagalim (Greater Nagaland). 2. In 1946 came the Naga National Council (NNC), which declared Nagaland an independent state on August 14, 1947. 3. The NNC resolved to establish a “sovereign Naga state” and conducted a “referendum” in 1951, in which “99 per cent” supported an “independent” Nagaland. Government of India’s stand: What are the Naga peace talks? A mutually agreed draft comprehensive  The talks seek to settle disputes settlement, including all the substantive issues that date back to colonial rule. and competencies, is ready for inking the final  The Nagas are not a single tribe, agreement. Respecting the Naga people’s but an ethnic community that comprises wishes, the Government of India is determined several tribes who live in the state of to conclude the peace process without delay. Nagaland and its neighbourhood  One key demand of Naga groups How old is the Naga political issue? has been a Greater Nagalim that would Pre- independence: cover not only the state of Nagaland but 1. The British annexed Assam in 1826, and in parts of neighbouring states, and even of Myanmar. Rise of Naga nationalism  The British had annexed Assam in 1826, in which they subsequently created the Naga Hills district and went on to extend its boundaries.  The assertion of Naga nationalism, which began during British rule, has continued after Independence, and even after Nagaland became a state.  Along the way, the unresolved issues gave rise to decades of insurgency that claimed thousands of lives, including of civilians. How has the Naga assertion played out historically?  The earliest sign of Naga resistance dates