Which Indian state/UT launched the “country’s first virtual school”?
Anonymous Quiz
12%
Andhra Pradesh
67%
Delhi
19%
Kerala
2%
Mizoram
Cervavac
👉 Cervavac is India’s first indigenously developed vaccine to prevent cervical cancer.
👉 It was approved by the Drug Controller General of India in July, 2022. It will likely be included by the Union government in its universal immunisation programme.
👉 The indigenously developed vaccine will likely cost ₹200-400 a shot and be commercially available in 2023.
Cervical cancer
👉 Cervical Cancer is a cancer that occurs in cells of the cervix – lower part of uterus that connects to vagina.
👉 It is caused by various strains of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection. Read more
👉 Cervavac is India’s first indigenously developed vaccine to prevent cervical cancer.
👉 It was approved by the Drug Controller General of India in July, 2022. It will likely be included by the Union government in its universal immunisation programme.
👉 The indigenously developed vaccine will likely cost ₹200-400 a shot and be commercially available in 2023.
Cervical cancer
👉 Cervical Cancer is a cancer that occurs in cells of the cervix – lower part of uterus that connects to vagina.
👉 It is caused by various strains of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection. Read more
Ghatiana Dwivarna
👉 Ghatiana Dwivarna is the name of a new species of crab and is derived from a Sanskrit word ‘dwivarna’ which means two-colored.
👉 This bright hued crab is the 75th fresh water crab of the Western Ghats.
👉 It is a hyperactive, but equally shy creature.
👉 It feeds mainly on algae but also eats small insects of the mosquito family.
👉 The ‘Kunabi’ tribe that is native to this region knew of this crab already.
👉 It is a venomous crab and is definitely non-edible species of crab. Read more
👉 Ghatiana Dwivarna is the name of a new species of crab and is derived from a Sanskrit word ‘dwivarna’ which means two-colored.
👉 This bright hued crab is the 75th fresh water crab of the Western Ghats.
👉 It is a hyperactive, but equally shy creature.
👉 It feeds mainly on algae but also eats small insects of the mosquito family.
👉 The ‘Kunabi’ tribe that is native to this region knew of this crab already.
👉 It is a venomous crab and is definitely non-edible species of crab. Read more
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
👉 International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a specialised UN Agency conceived in 1944 at United Nations Bretton Woods Conference.
👉 India is one of the founding member of the IMF.
👉 It monitors the economic and financial policies of its member countries.
👉 It provides policy advice to nations for the promotion of international financial stability and monetary cooperation.
👉 It also provides financial support to countries hit by crisis or as precautionary financing to help prevent and insure against crisis. Read more
👉 International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a specialised UN Agency conceived in 1944 at United Nations Bretton Woods Conference.
👉 India is one of the founding member of the IMF.
👉 It monitors the economic and financial policies of its member countries.
👉 It provides policy advice to nations for the promotion of international financial stability and monetary cooperation.
👉 It also provides financial support to countries hit by crisis or as precautionary financing to help prevent and insure against crisis. Read more
Ghatiana Dwivarna, which was recently discovered, belonged to which species?
Anonymous Quiz
56%
Crab
21%
Gecko
16%
Spider
7%
Turtle
Nuakhai Juhar
👉 Nuakhai Juhar is an annual harvest festival celebrated in western Odisha and southern Chhattisgarh.
👉 The festival is to observe the welcome of the new season of rice.
👉 It is observed on the fifth day of the lunar fortnight of the month of August-September, the day after the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
👉 In Nuakhai, Nua means new and Khai means food.
👉 This is popularly called as the ‘Bara Massa re Teraa Parva’ in the local Odia language. Read more
👉 Nuakhai Juhar is an annual harvest festival celebrated in western Odisha and southern Chhattisgarh.
👉 The festival is to observe the welcome of the new season of rice.
👉 It is observed on the fifth day of the lunar fortnight of the month of August-September, the day after the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
👉 In Nuakhai, Nua means new and Khai means food.
👉 This is popularly called as the ‘Bara Massa re Teraa Parva’ in the local Odia language. Read more
Index of Core Industries (ICI) 👉 Index of Core Industries (ICI) is a production volume index which is released on monthly basis.
👉 The index measures combined and individual performance of production in selected eight core industries.
👉 The Office of Economic Adviser, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under Ministry of Commerce & Industry is mandated with releasing the Index.
👉 These industries account for more than 40% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IP). Read more
Vostok-2022 👉 Vostok 2022, a multilateral strategic and command exercise, will be held from September 1 to 7, 2022 in Russia.
👉 The Indian Army contingent comprising of troops from 7/8 Gorkha Rifles will participate in the exercise.
👉 The seven-day exercise comprises land, air and sea components.
👉 However, India has decided to stay away from the maritime component.
👉 The armies of the other countries include the troops of China, Laos, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Syria and several ex-Soviet nations. Read more
India becomes the world’s 5th largest economy👉 According to Bloomberg Report, India outpaced England during the preceding three months of 2021.
👉 The calculation is based on US dollars (current prices), and India extended its lead in the first quarter, according to GDP figures from the International Monetary Fund.
👉 Indian economy is forecast to grow more than 7% this year
👉 The size of the Indian economy in “nominal”cash terms in the quarter through March was approx. $855. On the same basis, the UK was $816 billion.
Top Economies in the World
1. The United States,
2. China,
3. Japan,
4. German,
5. India,
6. The United Kingdom,
7. France,
8. Italy,
9. Brazil, and
10. Canada. Read more
Vostok-2022, recently seen in news, is an initiative of which of the following country?
Anonymous Quiz
11%
Japan
12%
South Korea
76%
Russia
2%
Uzbekistan
SPARSH
👉 Defence Ministry has said that System for Pensions Administration – Raksha or SPARSH has disbursed more than 3090 crore rupees to Defense Pensioners digitally in the month of August this year.
👉 In another milestone, more than 5,60,000 Defence Pensioners migrated successfully on the digital platform of SPARSH in August.
👉 SPARSH is a web-based system that processess pension claims and credits the pension directly into the bank accounts of defence pensioners without any external intermediary. Read more
👉 Defence Ministry has said that System for Pensions Administration – Raksha or SPARSH has disbursed more than 3090 crore rupees to Defense Pensioners digitally in the month of August this year.
👉 In another milestone, more than 5,60,000 Defence Pensioners migrated successfully on the digital platform of SPARSH in August.
👉 SPARSH is a web-based system that processess pension claims and credits the pension directly into the bank accounts of defence pensioners without any external intermediary. Read more
Competition Commission of India (CCI)
👉 The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory body established in March 2009 under the Competition Act, 2002.
👉 The commission is a quasi-judicial body that also gives opinions to statutory authorities.
👉 It is also mandated to undertake competition advocacy, create public awareness and impart training on competition issues.
Powers:
👉 It has power to impose monetary penalties upon violation of the Competition Act, 2002.
👉 It has power to regulate its own procedures.
👉 It has power to inquire into a certain agreement as well as the dominant position of enterprises.
👉 It has power to pass an interim order for any act where there has been anti-competition agreements or abuse of position by dominant parties which adversely affects the competition in the market. Read more
👉 The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory body established in March 2009 under the Competition Act, 2002.
👉 The commission is a quasi-judicial body that also gives opinions to statutory authorities.
👉 It is also mandated to undertake competition advocacy, create public awareness and impart training on competition issues.
Powers:
👉 It has power to impose monetary penalties upon violation of the Competition Act, 2002.
👉 It has power to regulate its own procedures.
👉 It has power to inquire into a certain agreement as well as the dominant position of enterprises.
👉 It has power to pass an interim order for any act where there has been anti-competition agreements or abuse of position by dominant parties which adversely affects the competition in the market. Read more
Special Maternity Leave
👉 The Centre has decided to grant a 60-day special maternity leave for women Central government employees in case of stillbirth or death of an infant within a few days of birth, an order by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said.
👉 Keeping in view the potential emotional trauma caused due to stillbirth or death of a child soon after birth, which has a far-reaching impact on the mother’s life, it has now been decided to grant a special maternity leave of 60 days to a female Central government servant.
👉 The condition for death of a child soon after birth may be defined as up to 28 days after birth. A baby born with no signs of life at or after 28 weeks of gestation may be defined as stillbirth.
👉 The special maternity leave shall be given only to a woman Central government servant with less than two surviving children. Read more
👉 The Centre has decided to grant a 60-day special maternity leave for women Central government employees in case of stillbirth or death of an infant within a few days of birth, an order by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said.
👉 Keeping in view the potential emotional trauma caused due to stillbirth or death of a child soon after birth, which has a far-reaching impact on the mother’s life, it has now been decided to grant a special maternity leave of 60 days to a female Central government servant.
👉 The condition for death of a child soon after birth may be defined as up to 28 days after birth. A baby born with no signs of life at or after 28 weeks of gestation may be defined as stillbirth.
👉 The special maternity leave shall be given only to a woman Central government servant with less than two surviving children. Read more
UNICEF, WHO & WASH Report
👉 Recently WHO and UNICEF released a report titled “Progress on Wash in Health Care Facilities 2000-2021”.
Key Points:
👉 According to this report, 385 crore people are dependent on health centers due to lack of basic facilities, where there are no facilities like water, soap, sanitizer.
👉 While, 688 crore people are dependent on such health centers, where there is no cleanliness and hygiene. There is no connected infrastructure available.
👉 Talking about the availability of water, about 170 million people in the world are still dependent on water scarce health facilities.
👉 At the same time, out of these, 857 crore people are such, who are not used at all in health centers.
👉 The situation is worst in sub-Saharan Africa, where only 52 percent have access to health facilities, compared to 90 percent in East and Southeast Asia.
👉 On the other hand, if we talk about the most backward countries, then this figure is only 47 percent. Read more
👉 Recently WHO and UNICEF released a report titled “Progress on Wash in Health Care Facilities 2000-2021”.
Key Points:
👉 According to this report, 385 crore people are dependent on health centers due to lack of basic facilities, where there are no facilities like water, soap, sanitizer.
👉 While, 688 crore people are dependent on such health centers, where there is no cleanliness and hygiene. There is no connected infrastructure available.
👉 Talking about the availability of water, about 170 million people in the world are still dependent on water scarce health facilities.
👉 At the same time, out of these, 857 crore people are such, who are not used at all in health centers.
👉 The situation is worst in sub-Saharan Africa, where only 52 percent have access to health facilities, compared to 90 percent in East and Southeast Asia.
👉 On the other hand, if we talk about the most backward countries, then this figure is only 47 percent. Read more
Conversion Therapy
👉 Conversion Therapy covers the emotional or physical therapy used to “cure” or “repair” a person’s attraction to the same sex, or their gender identity and expression.
👉 It is also known as Reparative therapy.
👉 But, it lacks medical evidence and can turn dangerous, targeting the LGBTQ+ youth.
👉 This can lead to depression, anxiety, drug use, homelessness, and suicide.
👉 Based on the Madras High Court order, it is enlisted under the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct Etiquettes and Ethics) Regulations, 2003. Read more
👉 Conversion Therapy covers the emotional or physical therapy used to “cure” or “repair” a person’s attraction to the same sex, or their gender identity and expression.
👉 It is also known as Reparative therapy.
👉 But, it lacks medical evidence and can turn dangerous, targeting the LGBTQ+ youth.
👉 This can lead to depression, anxiety, drug use, homelessness, and suicide.
👉 Based on the Madras High Court order, it is enlisted under the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct Etiquettes and Ethics) Regulations, 2003. Read more
India's First LNG Fuelled Green Truck
👉 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state, at about -260° Fahrenheit, for shipping and storage.
👉 The volume of natural gas in its liquid state is about 600 times smaller than the volume in its gaseous state in a natural gas pipeline.
👉 The Department of Energy has regulatory responsibilities related to LNG.
👉 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state, at about -260° Fahrenheit, for shipping and storage.
👉 The volume of natural gas in its liquid state is about 600 times smaller than the volume in its gaseous state in a natural gas pipeline.
👉 The Department of Energy has regulatory responsibilities related to LNG.
Dark Sky Reserve
👉 In a unique and first-of-its-kind initiative, the Department of Science & Technology (DST) has announced the setting up of India’s first Dark Sky Reserve in Hanle, Ladakh.
👉 It will be one of the world's highest-located sites for optical, infrared, and gamma-ray telescopes.
👉 It will promote astronomy tourism, giving a boost to local tourism and the economy through science. Read more
👉 In a unique and first-of-its-kind initiative, the Department of Science & Technology (DST) has announced the setting up of India’s first Dark Sky Reserve in Hanle, Ladakh.
👉 It will be one of the world's highest-located sites for optical, infrared, and gamma-ray telescopes.
👉 It will promote astronomy tourism, giving a boost to local tourism and the economy through science. Read more
Bulk Drug Parks (BDP)
👉 The bulk drug parks will provide common infrastructure facilities in one place, thereby creating a strong ecosystem for bulk drug manufacturing in the country.
👉 It will also bring down the manufacturing cost significantly.
👉 It was launched in 2020 by the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, with the aim to develop 3 mega BDPs and reduce India’s dependence on China for APIs.
👉 The grant-in-aid will be 90% of the project cost in the case of North-East and hilly States and 70% in the case of other States (up to a maximum of Rs 1000 crore per BDP).
Bulk Drug
👉A bulk drug is the key ingredient of a drug or medicine, which lends it the desired therapeutic effect or produces the intended pharmacological activity.
👉 It is also known as Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API).
👉 Example: Paracetamol (acts against pain) – It is a bulk drug, as it is mixed with binding agents to produce a paracetamol tablet, capsule or syrup. Read more
👉 The bulk drug parks will provide common infrastructure facilities in one place, thereby creating a strong ecosystem for bulk drug manufacturing in the country.
👉 It will also bring down the manufacturing cost significantly.
👉 It was launched in 2020 by the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, with the aim to develop 3 mega BDPs and reduce India’s dependence on China for APIs.
👉 The grant-in-aid will be 90% of the project cost in the case of North-East and hilly States and 70% in the case of other States (up to a maximum of Rs 1000 crore per BDP).
Bulk Drug
👉A bulk drug is the key ingredient of a drug or medicine, which lends it the desired therapeutic effect or produces the intended pharmacological activity.
👉 It is also known as Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API).
👉 Example: Paracetamol (acts against pain) – It is a bulk drug, as it is mixed with binding agents to produce a paracetamol tablet, capsule or syrup. Read more
Creative Economy
👉 Creative Economy is an emerging concept dealing with the interface between creativity, culture, economics and technology in a contemporary world dominated by images, sounds, texts and symbols.
👉 It comprises of the arts and crafts, audio and video arts and design, among others.
👉 UN marks 2021 as the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development. Read more
👉 Creative Economy is an emerging concept dealing with the interface between creativity, culture, economics and technology in a contemporary world dominated by images, sounds, texts and symbols.
👉 It comprises of the arts and crafts, audio and video arts and design, among others.
👉 UN marks 2021 as the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development. Read more
Oncolytic viruses (OVs)
👉 OVs are viruses that selectively target and kill cancer cells while sparing normal ones.
👉 The study notes that these viruses also enhance the immune system’s ability to recognise and terminate cancer cells.
👉 The study describes how a combination of immunotherapy and virotherapy (using myxoma virus) provides new hope for patients with treatment-resistant cancers.
👉 Immunotherapy uses certain parts of a person’s immune system to fight diseases while virotherapy explores the use of viruses to kill cancer. Read more
👉 OVs are viruses that selectively target and kill cancer cells while sparing normal ones.
👉 The study notes that these viruses also enhance the immune system’s ability to recognise and terminate cancer cells.
👉 The study describes how a combination of immunotherapy and virotherapy (using myxoma virus) provides new hope for patients with treatment-resistant cancers.
👉 Immunotherapy uses certain parts of a person’s immune system to fight diseases while virotherapy explores the use of viruses to kill cancer. Read more