1. SELF REGULATION ORG. FOR FINTECH (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The Reserve Bank of India has approved the Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment as the fintech industry’s first self-regulatory organisation (SRO-FT).

Benefits of Self-Regulation

• Balance for Regulators: Self-regulation helps regulators balance fintech creativity with the risks it poses to the financial system.
• Self-Discipline in Industry: Self-regulation fosters a culture of self-discipline and strong internal governance among fintech entities.
• Orderly Sector Development: It creates an environment conducive to the organised and orderly development of the fintech sector.
• Adaptability to Technological Advancements: This approach allows the industry to effectively adapt to rapid technological changes and evolving market dynamics.

SRO-FT

• About: It is an industry-led entity that establishes and enforces regulatory standards, promotes ethical conduct, ensures market integrity, resolves disputes, and fosters transparency and accountability among its members.
• Operate under: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
• Promotes Ethical Conduct: SRO-FT fosters ethical behavior and integrity among its members, ensuring that businesses operate responsibly.
• Ensures Market Integrity: It works to maintain the stability and fairness of the fintech market, ensuring that members comply with regulations.
• SRO Memberships Allowed: Fintech entities are allowed to join multiple SROs and are encouraged to participate in at least one.
• Data Collection for Research and Policymaking: SRO-FT collects and shares data on member activities, aiding research, trend analysis, and policymaking to strengthen sector development.
• Eligibility and membership Criteria: SRO-FT must be a not-for-profit company registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, with diversified shareholding where no single entity holds 10% or more of the share capital, either individually or in concert. 

oWithin a year of recognition or before commencing operations (whichever is earlier), it must have a minimum net worth of Rs 2 crore. 

• FACE as the first SRO-FT: It is a self-regulatory industry body for fintech lenders in India. 

oFounded: 2020 by the fintech lenders Cashe, LoanTap, Fibe, KreditBee and Paysense.

oMembers: it has nearly 50 members.

oRBI recognised FACE as India’s first SRO-FT. FACE promotes responsible lending and borrowing by setting industry standards and ensuring ethical practices among its members.

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2. PAHADI KORWA COMMUNITY (Syllabus GS Paper 1 – Indian Society)

Context: As many as 54 settlements of Pahadi Korwa community will be connected through roads in north Chhattisgarh under the Prime Minister JANMAN scheme.

Pahadi Korwa Community

• About: It is one of the oldest and an indigenous tribe of Chhattisgarh. 
• District: Mahuapani is home to over 100 families from the Pahadi Korwa tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).

oFive PVTGs:  Abhujmaria, Kamar, Pahadi Korwa, Birhor and Baiga – with a population of around 1.80 lakh reside in Chhattisgarh

• Lifestyle: It depends on the forests and mountains. The people of the village make a living through hunting, gathering medicinal herbs and practising traditional agriculture.
• Language: The primary language spoken by the Korwa people is the Korwa language, also known as Ernga or Singli.
• Occupation: Pahadi Korwa people depend on small-scale farming, fishing, hunting, and foraging from forests for their livelihood.

oThey practice subsistence agriculture, particularly "jhoonga kheti," which involves clearing forests to grow lentils and other crops.

• Governance: The Korwa tribe has its own local panchayat, where justice is administered.
• Religion and Worship: Their important gods include Sigri Dev, Gauria Dev, Mahadev (Lord Shiva), and Parvati.

oKhudia Rani is regarded as the supreme god of the Pahadi Korwa community.

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3. SPACEWALK (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: A spaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Florida, carrying American billionaire Jared Isaacman and three others into orbit to attempt the world's first private spacewalk.

Spacewalk

• About: A spacewalk, also known as an Extravehicular Activity (EVA), is an activity performed by astronauts outside their spacecraft while in space.
• The First Spacewalk: It was carried out by Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov on March 18, 1965, during the Space Race between the US and the USSR. His walk lasted 10 minutes.
• Modern Spacewalks: It typically take place outside the International Space Station (ISS) and can last between five to eight hours.
• Purposes: Spacewalks are conducted for various reasons, such as conducting scientific experiments, testing equipment, and repairing satellites or spacecraft.
• Spacesuits and Safety Tethers: During a spacewalk, astronauts wear spacesuits and use safety tethers, attaching one end to themselves and the other to the spacecraft, to prevent floating away.
• SAFER for Movement in Space: Astronauts can also use SAFER (Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue), a backpack with jet thrusters controlled by a joystick, to navigate in space during a spacewalk.

Polaris Down

• About: It is the first of three testing and development missions under the Polaris Program, which will be jointly executed by Isaacman and Elon Musk's SpaceX. 
• Objective: The program aims to develop new technologies that could be used to send people to Mars some day.
• It is five day program.

Objective of the Mission

• To travel in SpaceX's Dragon capsule to reach a maximum altitude of about 1,400 km from Earth, surpassing NASA's Gemini XI mission record of 1,372 km from 1966.
• At this altitude, the Polaris Dawn mission will enter the inner band of the Van Allen radiation belts, which begins around 1,000 km. This region is highly radioactive.
• After reaching the maximum altitude, the capsule will descend to a lower orbit for the remainder of the mission, which includes a scheduled spacewalk.
• The main objective of the spacewalk is to test SpaceX's newly developed EVA spacesuits. These suits feature cameras, heads-up displays, and improved thermal management.

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4. SWACHH VAYU SARVEKSHAN AWARD 2024 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Gov. Policies)

Context: The Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change presented the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Award 2024 on the occasion of the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies.

Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Award 2024

• About: It is an initiative by MoEF&CC to rank cities on the basis of implementation of activities approved under city action plan and air quality in 130 NCAP cities.
• Host: Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board.
• Objectives: To create awareness among all sections of the society

oInform citizens about the health impacts related due to exposure

oComparing air quality conditions at different locations/cities

oTo achieve the goal of NCAP “Clean air for all”.

• Swachh Vayu Diwas: 7 September
• Award Category:

oCategory-1 (population over 10 Lakhs): Surat, Jabalpur, and Agra.

oCategory-2 (population between  3 and 10 Lakhs): Firozabad, Amravati, and Jhansi

oCategory-3 (population under 3 Lakhs): Raebareli, Nalgonda, and Nalagarh.

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5. MYRISTICA SWAMP FOREST (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Researchers recently discovered a Myristica swamp forest in Kumbral, Maharashtra, safeguarded by the local community. This rare ecosystem highlights the community's role in preserving biodiversity.

Myristica Swamp Forest

• About: These are freshwater ecosystems dominated by evergreen trees belonging to the Myristicaceae family.
• Distribution: In India, Myristica swamps are primarily found in the Western Ghats, with smaller patches in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Meghalaya.
• Fossils: These swamps are referred to as "living fossils" due to the ancient and primitive nature of Myristica plants.
• Evolution: With an origin dating back approximately 140 million years, Myristica swamps are crucial for evolutionary studies.

oHistorically, these swamps formed extensive hydrological systems throughout the Western Ghats.

• Structures: The forests are characterized by large, protruding roots emerging from waterlogged soil, which remains flooded throughout the year.
• Swamp Formation: Their formation depends on specific abiotic factors such as valley shapes, annual rainfall (around 3000 mm), and year-round water availability.

oTypically located near rivers, Myristica swamps act as natural sponges, retaining water and ensuring perennial water flow.

• Significance: These forests have a greater ability to sequester carbon compared to non-swamp forests.
• Due to stable ecological conditions like high humidity and moderate temperatures, these swamps support a rich diversity of vertebrate and invertebrate species.
• Example Species: One notable species is the Myristica Swamp Treefrog (Mercurana myristicapalustris), found only in select areas of Kerala's Shendurney and Peppara Wildlife Sanctuaries.

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6. ANUSANDHAN NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Prime Minister Narendra of India chaired the first governing board meeting of the newly formed Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).

Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

• About: This initiative is a crucial step in pushing India towards becoming a knowledge-driven society, following the model of research powerhouses like the US, Germany, South Korea, and Israel.
• Established under: Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) 2023 Act.
• Inspired by: US National Science Foundation (NSF),
• Objective: The foundation aims to fund, coordinate, and promote research across India’s universities and colleges, which have long suffered from a lack of infrastructure, particularly in state-run institutions.

oOne of ANRF's key goals is to bridge the infrastructure gap in state and central universities, which enroll 95% of students but often lack research capabilities.

• Focus: Supporting lower Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) is also vital. Academic institutions are better suited for this stage of research, where capital requirements are lower, failure rates are higher, and students can contribute significantly to long-term projects.
• Financial Framework: The total budget for the initiative is Rs 50,000 crore over five years, with Rs 14,000 crore provided by the government. The remaining funds are to be sourced from non-governmental entities such as industry and philanthropists.

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7. ELONGATED TORTOISE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, the elongated tortoise was spotted in Haryana’s Damdama area during a research survey in the Aravallis.

Elongated Tortoise

• About: The tortoise is medium-sized, featuring a yellowish brown or olive shell with distinct black blotches at the center of each scute.
• Nostril Ring: A pink ring appears on the nostril during the breeding season.

• Seasonal Coloration: Mature individuals of both sexes develop a pinkish color around the nostrils and eyes during the breeding season.
• Geographic Distribution:
• Southeast Asia Range: Found in Sal deciduous and hilly evergreen forests across Southeast Asia, including northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Indochina, Guangxi Province of China, and Peninsular Malaysia.
• Population: A separate population exists in the Chota Nagpur plateau in eastern India.
• Habitat: Lowlands and foothills up to 1,000 meters above sea level.
• Conservation Status:

oIUCN Red List: Elongated tortoises were assessed by the IUCN in 2018 and are listed as critically endangered under criteria A2cd.

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8. ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE (AMR) (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Antimicrobial resistance due to the misuse and overuse of antibiotics is a rising concern in India. The question remains: who is accountable, and what actions can be taken to address it.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

• About: It refers to the acquired resistance of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites etc., to the effectiveness of antimicrobial drugs utilized for infection treatment.
• Cause: AMR arises from the evolutionary adaptation of microbes, especially when there is misuse or overuse of antibiotics.
• Impact of Overuse: Excessive use of antimicrobial drugs promotes the development of resistant or even extremely resistant strains known as superbugs.
• Spread of Superbugs: These superbugs can spread within hospitals, drinking water systems, and through sewers, posing widespread public health risks.
• Consequences: Infections caused by resistant pathogens fail to respond to commonly prescribed antibiotics, making them harder to treat and control.

Most Common Resistant Pathogens in India

• Common Pathogens in India: The three most commonly isolated resistant pathogens in India are E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii. 
• Decreased Susceptibility of E. coli: It isolates have shown a significant reduction in antibiotic susceptibility. For instance, susceptibility to carbapenems decreased from 81.4% in 2017 to 62.7% in 2023, indicating growing resistance.
• Klebsiella pneumoniae Resistance: It has also exhibited reduced susceptibility to carbapenem antibiotics. Its susceptibility dropped from 58.5% to 35.6% and 48% to 37.6% between 2017 and 2023.
• Acinetobacter baumannii's High Resistance: Though Acinetobacter baumannii did not show significant change in susceptibility over the years, its resistance to carbapenems stood at 88% in 2023, making it highly resistant to even powerful antibiotics.

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9. MALPE AND MULKI (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) launched two anti-submarine warfare shallow water crafts which were manufactured here for the Indian Navy.

Malpe and Mulki

• About: It is the fourth and fifth ships of the 8 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft project.
• Developed by: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
• Part of: India's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative, with over 80% indigenous content. 

oThe ships are also a part of the Mahe-class.

• Features:
• India's growing self-reliance in defense production and is expected to enhance both domestic manufacturing and employment.
• Advanced Underwater Sensors: The newly launched ships, Malpe and Mulki, are equipped with locally developed underwater sensors to detect enemy submarines and underwater threats.
• Operations: The vessels are capable of conducting anti-submarine warfare in shallow waters, low-intensity maritime operations, and mine-laying activities.
• Size and Displacement: The ships measure 78 meters in length and displace around 900 tons.
• Speed: They can achieve speeds of up to 25 knots and have an endurance of 1,800 nautical miles, allowing efficient coverage of vast coastal areas.

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10. YELLOW FOOD DYE (Syllabus: GS Paper 2/3 – Health/Sci & Tech)

Context: A recent study has demonstrated that tartrazine, a common food dye, can make the skin of living mice temporarily transparent.

• This innovative technique allows scientists to observe internal organs without invasive procedures.

Yellow Food Dye

• About: It is a synthetic lemon yellow azo dye primarily used as a food coloring.
• Also known as: Tartrazine
• Physical Properties: It has a lemon yellow color and is water-soluble.
• Mechanism:

oRefractive Index Matching: The transparency is achieved by aligning the refractive indices of tissues using a tartrazine solution, reducing light scattering and making the skin transparent.

oLight Interaction: Tartrazine absorbs specific wavelengths, especially red light, altering how light interacts with the tissue to reveal internal structures like blood vessels and muscles.

oReal-Time Visibility: This method allows real-time visualization of internal organs and muscle contractions, aiding in research and medical observations.

oReversibility of Effect: The transparency effect is reversible, and rinsing off the dye restores the skin's original appearance without permanent changes.

• Potential Applications:

oThis technique could simplify blood draws, improve laser tattoo removal, and aid in early cancer detection.

oThis innovation could assist in the early detection of skin cancer and make veins more visible.

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