#MainsFodder #PT2021
Adenovirus-based Vaccine
- This vaccine platform technology used by AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.
- It has shown lower vaccine efficacy.
Key points:
1. A loss of potency of adenovirus-based vaccine if there are pre-existing antibodies.
2. Pre-existing antibodies against adenoviruses will stop the adenovirus particles from getting into cells.
3. making the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein they carry the code for.
4. The presence of pre-existing antibodies against adenovirus and those developed after first and second dose of the vaccine.
5. It becomes particularly important when repeat vaccinations are needed.
Adenovirus-based Vaccine
- This vaccine platform technology used by AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.
- It has shown lower vaccine efficacy.
Key points:
1. A loss of potency of adenovirus-based vaccine if there are pre-existing antibodies.
2. Pre-existing antibodies against adenoviruses will stop the adenovirus particles from getting into cells.
3. making the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein they carry the code for.
4. The presence of pre-existing antibodies against adenovirus and those developed after first and second dose of the vaccine.
5. It becomes particularly important when repeat vaccinations are needed.
WR-CSM-20-Roll-23032021-Engl.pdf
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Mains 2020 Result is Out.... All the Best for the results...
Many Many Congratulations to our Students of 'INTENSIVE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM (GS n Essay) Mains 2020' (IMP Mains 2020).....
1. Shubham Swami
2. Apoorva Balpande
3. Anurag Ghuge
1. Shubham Swami
2. Apoorva Balpande
3. Anurag Ghuge
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Butea monosperma
- News: Butea monosperma tree is now in bloom across the Nilgiris.
- They bloom from January to March.
Location: Native to India
- Also known as Bastard teak, this tree is widely grown in South Asia
Charecterstics:
1. small to medium sized deciduous tree wear more flowers than leaves.
2. Flowers are bright orange with a unique petal shape, hence called 'flame of the forest.'
3. Each flower consists of five petals with a very curved beak-shaped keel.
4. This keel gives it the name, Parrot Tree
- In Manipur, when a member of the Meitei community dies, and his body cannot be found, the wood of this tree is cremated in place of the body.
- A postal stamp was issued by the Indian Postal Department to commemorate this flower.
Butea monosperma
- News: Butea monosperma tree is now in bloom across the Nilgiris.
- They bloom from January to March.
Location: Native to India
- Also known as Bastard teak, this tree is widely grown in South Asia
Charecterstics:
1. small to medium sized deciduous tree wear more flowers than leaves.
2. Flowers are bright orange with a unique petal shape, hence called 'flame of the forest.'
3. Each flower consists of five petals with a very curved beak-shaped keel.
4. This keel gives it the name, Parrot Tree
- In Manipur, when a member of the Meitei community dies, and his body cannot be found, the wood of this tree is cremated in place of the body.
- A postal stamp was issued by the Indian Postal Department to commemorate this flower.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
SAAMAR Campaign
- Strategic Action for Alleviation of Malnutrition and Anaemia Reduction.
- Jharkhand government launched the SAAMAR campaign
Aim:
1. to tackle malnutrition in the state.
2. to identify anaemic women and malnourished children through Anganwadi Centres
3. treatment at the nearest Malnutrition Treatment Centre.
Key points:
1. It converges govt. departments and engagement with school management committees, gram sabhas etc.
2. launched with a 1000 days target
3. annual surveys will be conducted.
4. tries to target Primarily Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
SAAMAR Campaign
- Strategic Action for Alleviation of Malnutrition and Anaemia Reduction.
- Jharkhand government launched the SAAMAR campaign
Aim:
1. to tackle malnutrition in the state.
2. to identify anaemic women and malnourished children through Anganwadi Centres
3. treatment at the nearest Malnutrition Treatment Centre.
Key points:
1. It converges govt. departments and engagement with school management committees, gram sabhas etc.
2. launched with a 1000 days target
3. annual surveys will be conducted.
4. tries to target Primarily Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
3D-printed Clay Seabed
Use: 3D printed tiles is used to restore Hong Kong's fragile coral reefs.
- It work as an artificial clay seabed for corals to latch onto and thrive.
- Around 84 species of coral are found in Hong Kong's waters.
- It is more diverse than those found in the Caribbean Sea.
Key points:
1. Providing suitable ground for the coral larvae to latch onto and build a new home.
2. will help in repopulating a dead or damaged reef.
3. survive better than the traditional way of transplantation.
4. Tiles used in this project are made with terracotta.
5. Clay is basically soil, and it is found everywhere on earth.
6. water chemistry is unchanged.
3D-printed Clay Seabed
Use: 3D printed tiles is used to restore Hong Kong's fragile coral reefs.
- It work as an artificial clay seabed for corals to latch onto and thrive.
- Around 84 species of coral are found in Hong Kong's waters.
- It is more diverse than those found in the Caribbean Sea.
Key points:
1. Providing suitable ground for the coral larvae to latch onto and build a new home.
2. will help in repopulating a dead or damaged reef.
3. survive better than the traditional way of transplantation.
4. Tiles used in this project are made with terracotta.
5. Clay is basically soil, and it is found everywhere on earth.
6. water chemistry is unchanged.
#Geographyandenvironment
Corals
- Corals are colonies of living polyp invertebrates and are hugely sensitive to temperature changes.
- When they get too hot, they lose their vibrant colour and die.
- Australia's Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral system.
- It is now so badly damaged
- It is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as "critical", the worst category.
- Some subtropical corals thrive in warmer oceans because they form harder colonies, compared with their tropical corals.
Corals
- Corals are colonies of living polyp invertebrates and are hugely sensitive to temperature changes.
- When they get too hot, they lose their vibrant colour and die.
- Australia's Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral system.
- It is now so badly damaged
- It is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as "critical", the worst category.
- Some subtropical corals thrive in warmer oceans because they form harder colonies, compared with their tropical corals.
#IRcurrent
Digital Green Certificates
- Praposed by European Commission
Aim: to facilitate the safe and free movement of citizens within the European Union (EU) amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
- This certificate proves that a person has been vaccinated against covid-19.
- This digital or paper format certificate with a QR code will be free of charge.
- It can be issued by authorities, including hospitals, testing centres and health authorities.
- Once the proposal for digital certificates is finalised, it will be accepted in all EU countries.
- All EU citizens or third-country nationals who are legally staying in the EU can use these certificates.
Digital Green Certificates
- Praposed by European Commission
Aim: to facilitate the safe and free movement of citizens within the European Union (EU) amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
- This certificate proves that a person has been vaccinated against covid-19.
- This digital or paper format certificate with a QR code will be free of charge.
- It can be issued by authorities, including hospitals, testing centres and health authorities.
- Once the proposal for digital certificates is finalised, it will be accepted in all EU countries.
- All EU citizens or third-country nationals who are legally staying in the EU can use these certificates.
#IRDefence
Medium-Range Surface to Air Missile
- Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems (KRAS)
1. It a private manufacturer of advanced weapons systems
2. It will deliver 1000 midsection MRSAM to Indian Armed Forces.
3. MRSAM of KRAS has a range of more than 70 km.
Useful:
1. It has the ability of direct hit
2. its accuracy is so perfect that a flying aircraft on one or two or two max plus can be picked up
3. It hit directly rather than at a proximity distance as such.
4. This is one of the most proven weapon systems with the Israeli defence forces.
Medium-Range Surface to Air Missile
- Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems (KRAS)
1. It a private manufacturer of advanced weapons systems
2. It will deliver 1000 midsection MRSAM to Indian Armed Forces.
3. MRSAM of KRAS has a range of more than 70 km.
Useful:
1. It has the ability of direct hit
2. its accuracy is so perfect that a flying aircraft on one or two or two max plus can be picked up
3. It hit directly rather than at a proximity distance as such.
4. This is one of the most proven weapon systems with the Israeli defence forces.
#Geography
Ken-Betwa Link Project
- News: A memorandum of agreement was signed.
- Between Union Minister of Jal Shakti and the Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to implement this Project.
Key features:
- It is the first project under the National Perspective Plan for interlinking of rivers.
- Under this project, water from the River Ken will be transferred to the River Betwa.
-Both these rivers are tributaries of river Yamuna.
The project has two phases,
1. Phase-I - Daudhan dam complex and its appurtenances like Low and High Level Tunnel, Ken-Betwa link canal and Power houses
2. Phase-II - Lower Orr dam, Bina complex project, Kotha barrage
- Daudhan dam comes within the core habitat of Panna Tiger Reserve.
Use -
1. The project is expected
to provide annual irrigation
drinking water supply
2. Also generate 103 MW of hydropower.
3. Benefit to the drought-prone Bundelkhand region, which spreads across 13 districts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Ken-Betwa Link Project
- News: A memorandum of agreement was signed.
- Between Union Minister of Jal Shakti and the Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to implement this Project.
Key features:
- It is the first project under the National Perspective Plan for interlinking of rivers.
- Under this project, water from the River Ken will be transferred to the River Betwa.
-Both these rivers are tributaries of river Yamuna.
The project has two phases,
1. Phase-I - Daudhan dam complex and its appurtenances like Low and High Level Tunnel, Ken-Betwa link canal and Power houses
2. Phase-II - Lower Orr dam, Bina complex project, Kotha barrage
- Daudhan dam comes within the core habitat of Panna Tiger Reserve.
Use -
1. The project is expected
to provide annual irrigation
drinking water supply
2. Also generate 103 MW of hydropower.
3. Benefit to the drought-prone Bundelkhand region, which spreads across 13 districts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
#Geography
Tulip Garden
- News: Prime Minister asked people to visit tulip garden in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
- The Tulip garden is located at the foothills of Zaberwan range with an overview of Dal Lake
It is the largest tulip garden in Asia.
Key features:
1. This garden, built on a sloping ground in a terraced fashion with seven terraces.
2. It was opened in 2007
3. Tulip festival is organised at the onset of spring season in the Valley.
Aim: to boost floriculture and tourism in Kashmir Valley by the then Chief Minister.
Tulip Garden
- News: Prime Minister asked people to visit tulip garden in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
- The Tulip garden is located at the foothills of Zaberwan range with an overview of Dal Lake
It is the largest tulip garden in Asia.
Key features:
1. This garden, built on a sloping ground in a terraced fashion with seven terraces.
2. It was opened in 2007
3. Tulip festival is organised at the onset of spring season in the Valley.
Aim: to boost floriculture and tourism in Kashmir Valley by the then Chief Minister.
#Environment
Whale Shark
- News: A whale shark was rescued by fishers in Odisha coast.
- It is very important for marine megafauna like turtles, whales and sharks.
Key points:
1. The dotted whale shark is the largest fish in the ocean
2. It is often called ‘Gentle Giant’ in fishing parlance.
3. It is a ‘filter feeder shark’ which means it does not eat meat like other sharks.
4. They filter sea water and feed on tiny planktons.
Found: The largest whale shark aggregation in India is:
1. Along the Gujarat coats.
2. On the Bay of Bengal coast
3. Andhra Pradesh.
- Whale sharks are found in all the tropical oceans of the world.
- They are a protected species under the,
1. Indian Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 - Schedule I
2. IUCN Red List - Endangered
3. CITES - Appendix II
Threat -
1. Accidental entanglement in fishing nets
2. Oil and gas drilling
3. Shipping lanes, etc.,
Whale Shark
- News: A whale shark was rescued by fishers in Odisha coast.
- It is very important for marine megafauna like turtles, whales and sharks.
Key points:
1. The dotted whale shark is the largest fish in the ocean
2. It is often called ‘Gentle Giant’ in fishing parlance.
3. It is a ‘filter feeder shark’ which means it does not eat meat like other sharks.
4. They filter sea water and feed on tiny planktons.
Found: The largest whale shark aggregation in India is:
1. Along the Gujarat coats.
2. On the Bay of Bengal coast
3. Andhra Pradesh.
- Whale sharks are found in all the tropical oceans of the world.
- They are a protected species under the,
1. Indian Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 - Schedule I
2. IUCN Red List - Endangered
3. CITES - Appendix II
Threat -
1. Accidental entanglement in fishing nets
2. Oil and gas drilling
3. Shipping lanes, etc.,
#Environment
New Red Algae Species
- Two new species of red seaweed - Hypnea indica and Hypnea bullata.
- Discovered by marine biologists from Central University of Punjab.
1. Hypnea indica - Discovered from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, and Somnath Pathan and Sivrajpur in Gujarat.
2. Hypnea bullata - Discovered from Kanyakumari and Diu island of Daman and Diu.
- Rhere are 63 species in the genus Hypnea globally.
Key features:
1. consists of calcareous, erect, branched red seaweeds.
2. They grow in the intertidal regions of the coast
(area that is submerged during the high tide and exposed during low tides.)
Uses - widely used in the food industry.
Threat -
1. Prone for the damage from ocean acidification
2. Climate change.
New Red Algae Species
- Two new species of red seaweed - Hypnea indica and Hypnea bullata.
- Discovered by marine biologists from Central University of Punjab.
1. Hypnea indica - Discovered from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, and Somnath Pathan and Sivrajpur in Gujarat.
2. Hypnea bullata - Discovered from Kanyakumari and Diu island of Daman and Diu.
- Rhere are 63 species in the genus Hypnea globally.
Key features:
1. consists of calcareous, erect, branched red seaweeds.
2. They grow in the intertidal regions of the coast
(area that is submerged during the high tide and exposed during low tides.)
Uses - widely used in the food industry.
Threat -
1. Prone for the damage from ocean acidification
2. Climate change.
#Environment
Purple Revolution
- Announced by :Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu.
- It is phase 2 of purple revolution under Aroma Mission.
- Background: success of the phase 1 in Doda, Jammu.
Benefit:
1.Farmers in Doda district had their incomes quadrupled after shifting to lavender cultivation.
2. First-time farmers were given free lavender saplings
3. Those who have cultivated lavender before were charged Rs. 5-6 per sapling.
4. The farmers will get help from IIIM-Jammu to sell their produce.
5. Farmers could reach the four distillation units for extraction of lavender oil.
- Governments in Himachal Pradesh, Arunahal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are also encouraging their farmers to take up lavender.
Purple Revolution
- Announced by :Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu.
- It is phase 2 of purple revolution under Aroma Mission.
- Background: success of the phase 1 in Doda, Jammu.
Benefit:
1.Farmers in Doda district had their incomes quadrupled after shifting to lavender cultivation.
2. First-time farmers were given free lavender saplings
3. Those who have cultivated lavender before were charged Rs. 5-6 per sapling.
4. The farmers will get help from IIIM-Jammu to sell their produce.
5. Farmers could reach the four distillation units for extraction of lavender oil.
- Governments in Himachal Pradesh, Arunahal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are also encouraging their farmers to take up lavender.
#Economy
New Rules for Trusts and Non-profit Organisations
- The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CDBT) has notified a new set of rules and application forms.
- It is for trusts and non-profit organizations.
- It will help them to get tax exemption for their own income.
Key points about exemptions:
1. Incomes from certain funds, universities, educational institutions, hospitals, etc,
2. Contributions made to certain relief funds and charitable institutions.
3. Donations made to the prescribed funds and institutions that have been defined in the notification qualify as a deduction.
New Rules for Trusts and Non-profit Organisations
- The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CDBT) has notified a new set of rules and application forms.
- It is for trusts and non-profit organizations.
- It will help them to get tax exemption for their own income.
Key points about exemptions:
1. Incomes from certain funds, universities, educational institutions, hospitals, etc,
2. Contributions made to certain relief funds and charitable institutions.
3. Donations made to the prescribed funds and institutions that have been defined in the notification qualify as a deduction.
#Environment
African Elephants
- Based on latest population estimates.
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declares,
1. African Forest elephants as ‘Critically Endangered’
2. African Savanna elephants as ‘Endangered’.
Threat:
1. poaching
2. ongoing conversion of their habitats
- primarily to agricultural and other land uses
- African Forest Elephant live in forests of Central and West Africa.
- African Savanna Elephant live in the plains of sub-Saharan Africa.
African Elephants
- Based on latest population estimates.
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declares,
1. African Forest elephants as ‘Critically Endangered’
2. African Savanna elephants as ‘Endangered’.
Threat:
1. poaching
2. ongoing conversion of their habitats
- primarily to agricultural and other land uses
- African Forest Elephant live in forests of Central and West Africa.
- African Savanna Elephant live in the plains of sub-Saharan Africa.
#Environment
Chilika Lake
News: National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) has found that the Chilika lake in Odisha was once part of the Bay of Bengal.
Key points
- Asia’s largest brackish water lake.
- Formation - The process of the formation of the Chilika,in later part of the Pleistocene epoch.
- The sea is connected with the Chilika Lake near Satapada through a shallow and narrow connecting channel.
- This channel was obstructed by shoals, sand spits and sandbars.
- The lake became shallower due to the deposition of sediments.
- Mahanadi as outflow from the lake was restricted.
Chilika Lake
News: National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) has found that the Chilika lake in Odisha was once part of the Bay of Bengal.
Key points
- Asia’s largest brackish water lake.
- Formation - The process of the formation of the Chilika,in later part of the Pleistocene epoch.
- The sea is connected with the Chilika Lake near Satapada through a shallow and narrow connecting channel.
- This channel was obstructed by shoals, sand spits and sandbars.
- The lake became shallower due to the deposition of sediments.
- Mahanadi as outflow from the lake was restricted.
#Economy
Global Gender Gap Index 2021
- Released by the World Economic Forum since 2006.
- The Gender Gap Index serves as a compass to track the progress on their towards gender parity.
Based on four areas:
1. Political Empowerment
2. Economic Participation and Opportunity,
3. Educational Attainment
4. Health and Survival.
- It also examines the drivers of gender gaps.
- It outlines the policies and practices needed for a gender-inclusive recovery.
- The index scores the countries
from 0 (inequality) to 1 (equality).
About the reports –
1. 156 countries ranked by the Gender Gap Report 2021
2. Iceland is the most gender-equal country in the world.
3. India has ranked 140th rank, becoming the third-worst performer in South Asia.
3. India has closed 62.5% of its gender gap till date.
Global Gender Gap Index 2021
- Released by the World Economic Forum since 2006.
- The Gender Gap Index serves as a compass to track the progress on their towards gender parity.
Based on four areas:
1. Political Empowerment
2. Economic Participation and Opportunity,
3. Educational Attainment
4. Health and Survival.
- It also examines the drivers of gender gaps.
- It outlines the policies and practices needed for a gender-inclusive recovery.
- The index scores the countries
from 0 (inequality) to 1 (equality).
About the reports –
1. 156 countries ranked by the Gender Gap Report 2021
2. Iceland is the most gender-equal country in the world.
3. India has ranked 140th rank, becoming the third-worst performer in South Asia.
3. India has closed 62.5% of its gender gap till date.
#Governmentinitiative
AIM-PRIME
- It is a Program for Researchers on Innovations, Market Readiness & Entrepreneurship
Aims to translate science-based deep-tech research to startups & ventures across India.
Partners –
Atal Innovation Mission has joined hands with Bill Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF)
function: to launch this initiative, which will be implemented by Venture Center, a technology business incubator.
Beneficiaries -
1. The program is open to
Technology developers with strong science-based deep tech business ideas.
2. It is also open to CEOs and senior incubation managers of AIM Funded Atal Incubation Centers.
AIM-PRIME
- It is a Program for Researchers on Innovations, Market Readiness & Entrepreneurship
Aims to translate science-based deep-tech research to startups & ventures across India.
Partners –
Atal Innovation Mission has joined hands with Bill Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF)
function: to launch this initiative, which will be implemented by Venture Center, a technology business incubator.
Beneficiaries -
1. The program is open to
Technology developers with strong science-based deep tech business ideas.
2. It is also open to CEOs and senior incubation managers of AIM Funded Atal Incubation Centers.
#Environment
Biodiversity Heritage Site
- News: An area at Amboli in Western ghats in Sindhudurg district as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS).
- Declared by Maharashtra government
- BHS are areas that are
1. Unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems
2. Terrestrial, coastal, and inland and marine waters
3. Having rich biodiversity.
The biodiversity contains:
1. Species richness - Wild and domesticated species or intra-specific categories.
2. High endemism,
Presence of rare, endemic and
threatened species, keystone species
species of evolutionary significance.
3. Presence of wild ancestors of domestic/cultivated species or land races or their varieties.
4. Biological components represented by fossil beds and having cultural or aesthetic values.
5. Area with significant cultural, ethical or aesthetic values
important for the maintenance of cultural diversity.
Biodiversity Heritage Site
- News: An area at Amboli in Western ghats in Sindhudurg district as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS).
- Declared by Maharashtra government
- BHS are areas that are
1. Unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems
2. Terrestrial, coastal, and inland and marine waters
3. Having rich biodiversity.
The biodiversity contains:
1. Species richness - Wild and domesticated species or intra-specific categories.
2. High endemism,
Presence of rare, endemic and
threatened species, keystone species
species of evolutionary significance.
3. Presence of wild ancestors of domestic/cultivated species or land races or their varieties.
4. Biological components represented by fossil beds and having cultural or aesthetic values.
5. Area with significant cultural, ethical or aesthetic values
important for the maintenance of cultural diversity.