theIASHub | 26 Jul, 2025 | 11
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Mycorrhizal Fungi : Recently, a groundbreaking digital atlas released by the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN) revealed that over 90% of the world’s regions rich in mycorrhizal fungi are located outside designated conservation areas.
o Widespread Symbiosis: These fungi form symbiotic associations with over 80% of plant species, helping them absorb key nutrients especially phosphorus, and improving water uptake.
o Massive Soil Presence: Up to 30% of the living microbial biomass in soils, highlighting their vast underground influence.
o Climate Role: They sequester approximately 13 billion tonnes of CO₂ annually, which is nearly one-third of global fossil fuel emissions, contributing significantly to climate mitigation.
o Consequences of Disruption: Leads to slower forest regeneration, reduced crop yields, and a breakdown in aboveground biodiversity, as emphasized by Toby Kiers, Executive Director of SPUN.
o Policy Urgency: Their critical ecological functions have prompted global calls for their inclusion in climate change and biodiversity conservation policies.
o Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) – Predominantly found in tropical forests and savannas, including the Brazilian Cerrado, Southeast Asia, and West Africa.
o Ectomycorrhizal (EcM) – Common in temperate and boreal regions such as Siberia, Canada's boreal forests, and mountain ranges in North America and Europe.
Palna Scheme : Recently, under the Palna Scheme, the Central Government approved the establishment of +14k Anganwadi cum Crèche (AWCC) centres across the country to enhance early childhood care and provide support to working mothers.
o Objective: To provide quality crèche facilities in a safe and secure environment for children aged 6 months to 6 years, focusing on: Nutritional support, Growth monitoring, Immunization, Health and cognitive development
o Universal Access: Crèche services are available to all mothers, regardless of their employment status.
o Types of Crèches: Standalone Crèches and Anganwadi-cum-Crèches (AWCCs)
o Flexible Timings: Crèches must operate for 26 days a month, with 7.5 working hours per day, tailored to the local needs of mothers.
o Funding Pattern: General States: 60 : 40 (Centre : State)
ü NE & Special Category States: 90 : 10
ü UTs with Legislature: 60 : 40
ü UTs without Legislature: 100% Central assistance
o Key Services Offered: Daycare facilities, including sleeping arrangements
ü Early stimulation for children under 3 years
ü Pre-school education for children aged 3–6 years
ü Supplementary nutrition (to be locally sourced)
ü Regular health check-ups, growth monitoring, and immunization
Atal Pension Yojana (APY) : Recently, the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) crossed a significant milestone by surpassing 8 crore total gross enrolments, with 39 lakh new subscribers added in the current financial year alone.
o This achievement coincides with the scheme marking its 10th anniversary.
o Objectives of APY: To establish a universal social security system for all citizens
ü To ensure financial security during old age
ü To promote long-term savings among informal sector workers
o Must have a savings bank account or post office account
o Aadhaar and mobile number are optional but recommended for updates and communication
o Government co-contribution (2015–2020) applicable only for: Non-taxpayers
ü Individuals not covered under other statutory social security schemes
o Flexible Contributions: Monthly, quarterly, or half-yearly via auto-debit.
o Spouse Benefit: Pension continues to spouse after subscriber’s death.
o Nominee Benefit: Corpus paid to nominee after death of both subscriber and spouse.
ULPGM-V3 : Recently, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted flight trials of the latest version of its Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM-V3) at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
o Developed By: DRDO, in collaboration with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Adani, and multiple MSMEs and start-ups under the Make in India initiative.
o Primary Objective: To enhance India’s autonomous strike capability, enabling drones to deliver pinpoint attacks without risking pilots or manned aircraft.
o Variants of ULPGM: ULPGM-V1: Baseline prototype
ü ULPGM-V2: Production-ready standard issue
ü ULPGM-V3 (ULM-ER): Extended-range and enhanced variant
o Operational range up to 4 km in daylight and 2.5 km at night
o Powered by dual-thrust solid propulsion
o Two-way datalink enables mid-course updates and real-time communication, improving hit accuracy.
o Destroys modern tanks with Rolled Homogeneous Armour (RHA) and Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) protection.
o Ideal for fortified bunkers and hardened targets
o Effective in anti-personnel and soft target operations
o Weighs just 12.5 kg, allowing integration with lightweight Indian drones like Rustom and TAPAS-BH UAVs.
Long-Billed Bush Warbler : Recently, the elusive Long-Billed Bush Warbler was spotted in India for the first time in 46 years, with a confirmed sighting by a team of birders in Ladakh’s Suru Valley.
o Scientific Name: Locustella major
o Distribution: Found in Central Asian mountain ranges and recorded in China, India, Pakistan, and Tajikistan
o Distinct Features: Long tail and long bill and size is 15–17 cm in length
ü Brownish-olive plumage with fine streaking on the back
ü Whitish or buff underparts
ü Both sexes look similar
ü Extremely skulking and elusive in behavior, prefers to run rather than fly
ü Known for a dull clicking song, often compared to a grasshopper
o Habitat: Prefers grassy slopes with bushes, weeds, and grass
ü Found around upland terraced cultivation, alpine meadows, and forest clearings
ü Altitude range: 2400–3600 meters
o Conservation Status: Listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List
Chikungunya : Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning about the potential for a major global outbreak of the chikungunya virus, urging immediate action to avert it.
o The WHO noted that it is observing the same early warning signs that preceded a significant outbreak two decades ago and emphasized the need to prevent history from repeating itself..
o It is marked by fever, skin rash and intense joint pain.
o The word “chikungunya” comes from the Makonde language of Africa, meaning “bent over in pain.”
o First recorded during an outbreak in southern Tanzania in 1952.
o The virus has now spread to over 110 countries across Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe.
o Transmitted through the bite of infected female Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.
o These mosquitoes also spread dengue and Zika viruses.
o No specific antiviral treatment or vaccine is available for chikungunya.
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) : Recently, the second round of negotiations for the proposed India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concluded successfully, marking a major step toward enhancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
o These agreements aim to provide preferential market access by offering tariff concessions and easing non-tariff barriers.
o Key Features : Cover trade in both goods (agricultural and industrial) and services (e.g., banking, IT, construction).
o Advanced FTAs may also include provisions on: Investment, Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), Government procurement & Competition policy
o Major Trade Agreements Involving India: India–ASEAN FTA and India–South Korea CEPA
ü Proposed Agreements: India–UK FTA and India–EU FTA
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