1. EUCALYPTUS SNOUT BEETLE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Scientists have found a natural remedy to protect eucalyptus forest plantations from a pest, eucalyptus snout beetle, which is known to cause serious damage to eucalypts.

Eucalyptus Snout Beetle

• About: It is a leaf-feeding beetle that is a major defoliator of eucalypts
• Scientific name: Gonipterus platensis
• Found: Australia but occurs in many countries throughout the world where eucalypts are grown.
• Feed: Leaves, buds and shoots, resulting in stunted growth and deflation and causing heavy losses. 
• Cause: Damage over vast areas as it had a great flight capability and gets transferred with transport of forest products.

Study on Natural Pathogenic Fungi

• In the recent research initiative, scientists collected fungi from naturally infected beetles, enhancing the pathogen's ability to adapt more efficiently to environmental conditions. 
• Bio-pesticide for Sustainable Forestry: The fungi, sourced from the infected beetles, hold potential for the development of a bio-pesticide. 

oThis bio-pesticide aligns with the principles of sustainable forestry, utilizing integrated pest management strategies to maintain ecological balance.

• Global Applicability: Researchers suggest that the fungi could find utility beyond the initial context, especially in countries where the insect infestation poses significant threats. 
• Biological Insecticides: Prior to this, researchers had evaluated five biological insecticides, featuring active ingredients such as Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, and a combination of Brevibacillus laterosporus, Bacillus licheniformis, and Bacillus chitinosporus.
• Effectiveness of B. bassiana: The study's findings highlighted the exceptional efficacy of B. bassiana, exhibiting 100% mortality rates through both contact and ingestion. 

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2. 50 YEARS OF PROJECT TIGER Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Tiger Reserves are hailed worldwide as India’s miraculous success story in environment and forest conservation, especially in this age of climate change.

Project Tiger

• Ministry: It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Ministry of Environment.
• Launched in: 1973 for in-situ conservation of wild tigers in designated tiger reserves.
• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has an overarching supervisory role, performing functions as provided under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Expansion of Tiger Reserves: In 1973, there were only nine Reserves covering 9,115 sq. km.
• Currently, there are 54 Reserves in 18 States, occupying 78,135.956 sq. km. This constitutes 2.38% of India's total land area.
• Critical Tiger Habitats (CTH):  It was created to secure part of India's forests for tiger-centric agendas.

oThis represents 26% of the area under National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.

• Evolution of Tiger Census Methods: The first tiger census in 1972 used the pug-mark method, counting 1,827 tigers.

oAs of 2022, the more reliable camera-trap method estimates 3,167-3,925 tigers.

oIndia's tiger population is growing at a rate of 6.1% per year.

• Tiger Conservation status: IUCN – Endangered, CITES – Appendix I, WPA, 1972 – Schedule I.

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3. COUNTER DRONE TECHNOLOGY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: As per the report recently tabled by a parliamentary standing committee, the DRDO “is developing an indigenous counter-drone technology.

Counter Drone Technology

• About: The DRDO is currently in the process of developing an indigenous counter-drone technology. This technology boasts the capability to conduct counter-attacks, encompassing detection, soft kill, and hard kill functions against all types of drones.
• Demonstrations: The counter-drone system, having reached a state of readiness for production, has already been showcased to armed services and various internal security agencies as part of its demonstration phase.
• Technology Transfer: To facilitate the production of the counter-drone system, the technology has been successfully transferred to Bharat Electronics Limited, located in Bengaluru. This company serves as the designated production agency for the system.
• TAPAS Unmanned Aerial Vehicle: Developed for Intelligence in Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Target Acquisition (ISTAR), the Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle TAPAS is a notable achievement in DRDO's technological endeavors.
• Innovative Battery Development: The DRDO, in collaboration with a private vendor, has successfully developed a Lithium Ion-based battery with an indigenous battery management system. 

oThis cutting-edge battery technology is currently employed on the TAPAS UAV.

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4. SEA DRAGON - 24 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Indian Navy's P8I aircraft landed at Guam, a US island territory in Western Pacific, to participate in Exercise Sea Dragon - 24.

Exercise Sea Dragon - 24

• About: A joint operation every other year for allies to practice finding submarines with long-range aircraft.
• Aim: To enhance synergy and interoperability amongst participating navies from US, Australia, South Korea and Japan through professional interactions on ground and in air.
• Organized by: United States Navy
• Participant: US, Australia, South Korea, India and Japan.

About P8I Aircraft

• Indigenous Aircraft: The P8I aircraft is a long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft featuring advanced sensors, radars, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
• Anti-Submarine Warfare Focus: Specifically designed for anti-submarine warfare, the aircraft excels in detecting, tracking, and engaging enemy submarines and other maritime threats.
• Multi-Lateral ASW Exercise: This marks the third edition of the coordinated multi-lateral Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercise tailored for Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance ASW aircraft.
• Inaugural Event: The inaugural session of this exercise took place in 2015, establishing it as a recurring event to enhance the capabilities and collaboration of Long Range MR ASW aircraft.

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5. UNIFIED PAYMENTS INTERFACE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, the prime ministers of both countries announced that India has discussed the early launch of the UPI payment system with Sri Lanka and reiterated its support in the cash-strapped island nation’s debt restructuring process.

Unified Payments Interface UPI

• About: UPI is a system that powers multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application (of any participating bank), merging several banking features, seamless fund routing & merchant payments into one hood. 
• Developed by: National Payments Corporation of India in 2016.
• Participants in UPI: Payer Payment Service Provider (PSP), Payee PSP, Remitter Bank, Beneficiary Bank, NPCI, Bank Account holders, and Merchants.
• Global Recognition of UPI: UPI had already established itself in countries like Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, and the UAE.
• International Adoption of Indian Payment Systems: France, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Singapore, Maldives, Bhutan, and Oman.
• Benefits of UPI

oSingle click Two Factor authentication

oUniversal Application for transaction

oNo risk of storing customer’s virtual address like in Cards.

oSafer, Secured and Innovative

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6. NHRC (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Telangana Government over the reported suicide of a female student.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

• About: It is an independent statutory body.
• Establishment: On 12 October, 1993.

oThe statute under which it is established is the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993 as amended by the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2006.

• Mission: The Commission is responsible for spreading of human rights awareness amongst the masses and encouraging the efforts of all stake holders in the field of human rights literacy not only at the national level but at international level too.
• Appointment: By the President on the recommendations of a six-member committee

oConsisting of the Prime Minister as its head, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, leaders of the Opposition in both the Houses of Parliament and the Union Home Minister.

• Composition: Chairperson, five full-time Members and seven deemed Members.
• Tenure: A term of three years or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
• Removal: They can only be removed upon proven charges of misconduct or incapacity, substantiated through an inquiry overseen by a Supreme Court Judge.

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7. ROCK GLACIERS (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: The Kashmir Himalayas are dotted with permafrost structures called ‘rock glaciers’, with significant ice volumes within, a new study mapped.

Rock Glaciers/Permafrost

• About: A rock glacier is a mass of rock, ice, snow, mud, and water that moves slowly down a mountain under the influence of gravity. It typically form in mountainous regions where there is a combination of permafrost, rock debris, and ice.
• Composition: It consist of a mass of ice covered by rock debris, or it might consist of a mass of rock with interstitial ice.  A gradient of compositions between these two states also exists.
• Appearance of Rock Glaciers: Unlike ice glaciers, rock glaciers often exhibit minimal visible ice at the surface, making them inconspicuous when observed from a short distance. 
• Subtle Movement: The gradual movement of rock glaciers, typically ranging from a few centimeters to a few meters per year, plays a crucial role in camouflaging their true nature. This slow motion effectively conceals the rock glacier's identity, especially when viewed from the ground at a close proximity.
• Characteristics: Rock glaciers often originate in cirques or at the periphery of expansive talus slopes, conforming to the contours of their valleys and terminating in tongue-shaped ends. 

oThe presence of arcuate and linear ridges, particularly behind the tongue, serves as indicators of the underlying moving ice.

• Despite their variability, rock glaciers typically exhibit modest dimensions, with a large one measuring around fifty meters in thickness and a few kilometers in length.

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8. NANOPLASTICS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Scientists have found that the average litre of bottled water contains nearly a quarter million invisible pieces of ever-so-tiny nanoplastics.

Nanoplastics

• About: Nanoplastics are polymer-based particles (e.g. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polystyrene) in the nanometre size range.
• Size: Ranging from 1 nm to 1 μm.

oThey are directly released to the environment or secondarily derived from plastic disintegration in the environment.

• Ubiquitous presence: They've been found in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and even our food.
• Potential health risks: Their small size allows them to potentially cross biological barriers and enter cells, raising concerns about potential health impacts.
• Ecological effects: They can harm marine life, disrupt ecosystems, and potentially affect biodiversity.
• Impacts:

oMarine life: Nano-plastics can be ingested by fish and shellfish, potentially entering the food chain and impacting human health.

oEcosystem disruption: They can alter nutrient cycles, affect plankton growth, and disrupt delicate ecological balances.

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9. MINORITY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governance)

Context: Recently, a seven-judge Bench of the Supreme Court commenced the hearing on the issue related to Aligarh Muslim University's minority character.

‘Minority Character’ of an Educational Institution

• Article 30(1): Article 30(1) of the Constitution empowers religious and linguistic minorities to establish and administer educational institutions, reinforcing the Union government’s commitment to non-discriminatory aid for minority institutions.
• Origins and Evolution of AMU: The origins of AMU can be traced back to the establishment of the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental (MOA) College in 1875 by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.

oInitially aimed at overcoming educational backwardness among Muslims, the institution evolved into AMU in 1920, emphasizing both Western education and Islamic theology, with advocacy for women’s education.

• University Status: In 1920, the institution attained university status, with all assets of MOA College transferred to it. 
• The AMU Act incorporated a teaching and residential Muslim University at Aligarh. However, the dispute over the university’s minority character arose in 1967 during a legal review of amendments to the AMU Act in 1951 and 1965.

Legal Dispute and Changes to AMU Act

• The legal dispute, initiated in 1967 by the Supreme Court in S. Azeez Basha versus Union of India, scrutinized amendments made in 1951 and 1965 to the AMU Act of 1920. 
• These changes altered the university's governance structure, including replacing the 'Lord Rector' with the 'Visitor' (President of India), allowing non-Muslims in the University Court, and diminishing the authority of the University Court while enhancing the powers of the Executive Council of AMU.

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10. SQUARE KILOMETER ARRAY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – SCI & TECH)

Context: India had decided to formally join the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project, an international scientific collaboration working to build the world’s largest radio telescope.

Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project

• About: An intergovernmental international radio telescope project being built in Australia (low-frequency) and South Africa (mid-frequency).

oThe SKA cores are being built in the southern hemisphere, where the view of the Milky Way galaxy is the best and radio interference at its least.

oThis will not be a single large telescope, but a collection of thousands of dish antennas operating as a single unit.

oThe name, Square Kilometer Array, comes from the original intention to create one square kilometre (one million square metre) of effective area for collecting radio waves.

oThis was meant to be achieved by installing thousands of smaller antennas in a specific array design that would make them function like a single radio telescope.

• Location: Meerkat National Park, South Africa and Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory, Australia.
• India’s participation: India’s participation: India had already been contributing to the project for the past several years, but the full member status, which offers greater scientific opportunities to use the upcoming facility, requires countries to sign and ratify an international treaty, and also make a financial commitment.

oIndia has approved Rs 1,250 crore for the project, which includes its funding contribution for the construction phase.  

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