1. GENOME SEQUENCING (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Sci and Tech)

Context: Recently, the Bhopal-based Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER Bhopal) achieved a significant milestone by completing the first-ever genome sequencing of the Jamun tree (Syzygium cumini), an evergreen tree popular in India for its medicinal properties.

Genome Sequencing

• About: Genome sequencing is the method focused on deciphering the precise order of base pairs in an individual.
• Deciphering the Genome: The essence of sequencing lies in the "deciphering" or reading of the genome.
• Cost Variations: The costs associated with sequencing vary depending on the methods used for reading or the level of accuracy emphasized in decoding the genome.
• Need for Genome Sequencing: Since the initial sequencing of the human genome in 2003, it has provided a new understanding of the connection between diseases and the distinctive genetic composition of each person. 
• Over 10,000 diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and thalassemia, have been identified as stemming from the malfunction of a single gene.

Why Choose Jamun?

• Jamun is the largest genome to be sequenced from the Syzygium genus. 
• It is tempting to speculate that the adaptive evolution of major plant secondary metabolism pathways in S. cumini species confers unprecedented antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other pharmacological properties of this tree.
• The whole genome sequence of S. cumini will facilitate future genomic, evolutionary, and ecological studies on the world’s largest tree genus

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2. GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM Syllabus GS Paper 3 - Sci and Tech)

Context: Recently, few everyday technologies have had the revolutionary impact that the Global Positioning System (GPS) has, transforming everything from civilian use to military operations, precision scientific studies, urban planning, and disaster risk estimation, significantly altering our sense of place and expectations of location.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

• About: The U.S. Department of Defence initiated the GPS program in 1973.
• First Satellite: It was launched as part of the program in 1978.
• Composition: The modern GPS satellite constellation comprises 24 satellites.

oThese satellites move around the Earth in six orbits.

• Satellite Orbits and Configuration: The satellites in the GPS constellation are positioned in six orbits.

oEach orbit, located 20,200 km above the Earth, is occupied by four satellites.

• 3 Main Components of GPS Program: The GPS program is structured into three main components: the space segment, the control segment, and the user segment.
• Space Segment: The space segment encompasses the 24 satellites forming the GPS constellation.

How does GPS work?

• GPS Satellite Broadcasting: Each GPS satellite continuously broadcasts a radio signal that contains information about its location in orbit, operational status, and the emission time of the signal.
• Code-Division Multiple Access: The signals are encoded using code-division multiple access, allowing multiple signals to be transmitted in the same channel, and enabling a receiver to disentangle them.
• Encoding Types: Coarse/Acquisition Mode, which civilians can use to access basic GPS data.
• Precise Mode: Encrypted and reserved for military use.

Other countries and their navigation system:

• Global: Russia's Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), China's BeiDouNavigation Satellite System, and the European Union's Galileo.
• Regional: Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) and India’s Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) or NavIC

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3. PM GATI SHAKTI SCHEME (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Schemes)

Context: Recently, the 61st Network Planning Group (NPG) meeting was convened in New Delhi to mark two years of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP), with Special Secretary (Logistics), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), presiding over the session.

PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan framework

• Background: It was announced by the Prime minister of India in August 2021 and was launched in October 2021.
• Aim: It is the first National Infrastructure Masterplan. The National Master Plan for Multi-modal Connectivity is essentially a digital platform to bring 16 Ministries includes Railways and Roadways and others.

oTo boost economic growth (Shakti) through infrastructure building.

oTo improve the productivity of industries and employment opportunities. 

oIt is considered to be the government's integrated approach to developing modern railways, roadways, waterways and airways.

• Method: It breaks the inter-ministerial silos and to integrate the planning of infrastructure projects related to road, rail, air and waterways etc.

oIntegration: It incorporates the infrastructure schemes of various Ministries and State Governments like Bharatmala, Sagarmala, inland waterways, dry/land ports, UDAN etc.

Pillars of PM Gati Shakti:

• PM Gati Shakti is based on six pillars: Comprehensiveness, Prioritization, Optimization, Synchronization, Analytical, and Dynamic.

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4. SEED FUND SCHEME (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Agriculture)

Context: Recently, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) announced the launch of a seed fund scheme.

Seed Fund Scheme

• About: It is a part of IN-SPACe's efforts to provide a special thrust to enhance the space activity capabilities of the nation with the active participation of the start-ups
• Designed: To support Indian space start-ups that aim to develop innovative space products and services, thereby improving the quality of life for people and communities in India and around the world.
• Financial assistance: The scheme has the provision of providing financial assistance of up to Rs 1 crore in addition to mentorship support, training and networking opportunities
• The scheme will provide opportunities for NGEs that leverage space technology for societal benefits to graduate to the next level, as per the statement.

Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe):

• Established in: June, 2020.
• Type of Body: An autonomous body, under DOS.
• Objective: To act as a single window nodal agency for enabling and regulating space activities and usage of ISRO facilities by Non-Government-Private-Entities (NGPEs).

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5. CYBER SURAKSHIT BHARAT INITIATIVE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Internal Security)

Context: Recently, NeGD (National e-Governance Division), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), organized the 40th Chief Information Security Officers’ Deep Dive Training Programme as part of the Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative.

oThe purpose of the program is to spread awareness, build capacity as well as enable Government departments on steps that need to be taken to create a cyber resilient eco system.

Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative

• About: This initiative was conceptualised with the mission to spread awareness about cyber-crime and build capacities of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and frontline IT officials, across all government departments.
• Launched: In 2018
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
• The CISO training is the first-of-its-kind partnership between the Government and industry consortium under Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
• Objectives: To create awareness about the various cyber-attacks and crimes that take place.

oOffer a comprehensive insight into relevant solutions.

oDiscuss frameworks, guidelines, and policies pertaining to cybersecurity.

oExchange best practices to derive lessons from both successes and failures.

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6. INDIA INTERNET GOVERNANCE FORUM (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governance)

Context: The 'India Internet Governance Forum 2023' was recently held in New Delhi

India Internet Governance Forum 2023

• About: The event aims to address key issues, including building a secure, trusted, and resilient cyberspace for Bharat.
• Established: In 2021.
• Held: New Delhi.
• Theme: Moving Forward – Calibrating Bharat’s Digital Agenda.
• Association with UN Internet Governance Forum: The India Internet Governance Forum is closely associated with the UN Internet Governance Forum, reflecting a global perspective.

oThe initiative is aligned with international efforts to govern and address internet-related issues.

• Support: IIGF is supported by a 14-member multi-stakeholder committee representing various sectors, including government, civil society, industries, the technical community, think tanks, and industry associations.

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7. CITIZENSHIP OF INDIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court requested data from the Union government regarding Bangladeshi immigrants who acquired Indian citizenship under Section 6A in Assam. 

Citizenship of India

• About: Citizenship encompasses the concept of being a full and equal member of a political community, with a shared political identity and entitlement to specific rights.
• Important Points for Indian Citizenship

oConstitutional Measures: Articles 5-11 in Part II of Indian Constitution regulates the citizenship in India.

oLegislation: The Citizenship Act of 1955 is the legal framework governing the various aspects of citizenship.

oAcquisition of citizenship: Through various means such as birth, descent, registration, naturalization, and incorporation of territory. 

oTermination and deprivation of citizenship: By renunciation, termination and deprivation.

oAdoption: It came into being on 26th November, 1949.

oJurisdiction: Citizenship is a subject that falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Parliament. Single Citizenship for whole of India.

Assam Accord (Section 6A)

• About: Signed between GoI, Assam Govt. and All Assam Students' Union (AASU) in 1985, that ended the 6 year long agitation.
• The parties agreed that:

oAll people who had entered Assam prior to January 1, 1966, would be deemed as citizens.

oThose who came between January 1, 1966 and March 25, 1971 were eligible for citizenship after registering and living in the State for 10 years.

oThose entering after March 24, 1971, were to be deported.

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8. EXCHANGE RATE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, the Indian rupee experienced an 8 paise decline against the US dollar due to a rebound in the greenback in international markets.

Exchange Rate

• About: An exchange rate represents the value of one nation's currency in comparison to the currency of another nation or economic zone.
• Types: Free-floating and Fixed.
• Free-Floating: Free-floating exchange rates fluctuate based on the dynamics of the foreign exchange market, experiencing rises and falls in response to market changes.
• Fixed: In contrast, fixed exchange rates are tethered or pegged to the value of another specific currency.

How is the exchange rate determined?

• The market supply and demand determine floating rates. 
• A currency's value in relation to another currency is determined by how much demand there is compared to supply.

Role of Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

• Monitoring foreign currency markets and intervening when necessary.
• Relaxing restrictions on foreign ownership of government bonds and increasing borrowing limits for businesses to attract foreign currency inflows.
• Proposing rupee settlement methods to reduce the demand for US dollars in international trade.

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9. OMAN (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: India's exports to Oman could soon get duty concessions with the two sides having begun talks for a free trade agreement.

• Mineral fuels, inorganic chemicals, compounds of precious metals and iron and steel are India's top exports to Oman while oil, fertilisers and plastics are the top imports.

Oman

• About: Oman, country occupying the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula at the confluence of the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea.
• Bounded by: 

oSouthwest - Yemen

oSouth and East - Arabian Sea

oNorth - Gulf of Oman

oNorthwest - United Arab Emirates

oWest - Saudi Arabia.

• Capital: Muscat
• Mountain Ranges: North (Al-Hajar) and southeast coast (Qara or Dhofar Mountains)
• Gulf of Oman: It also known as the Gulf of Makran or Sea of Makran, forms the only entrance to the Persian Gulf from the Indian Ocean.
• Bordering Countries: It is bordered by Pakistan and Iran in the north, by the United Arab Emirates in the west and by Oman in the south.

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10. INDIA - KENYA TIES (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Recently, India and Kenya strengthened defense, maritime, and connectivity bonds as the Indian PM held talks with the Kenyan President, announcing a $250 million credit line for agriculture.

• The Government of India undertook to encourage Indian companies for investment in the sector, including in equipment and technology on mutually agreed terms.

Kenya

• About: It is a country in East Africa.
• Capital: Nairobi
• Bordered by: South Sudan to the northwest, Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, Uganda to the west, Tanzania to the south, and the Indian Ocean to the southeast.
• The headquarters of UN-Habitat is located at the United Nations Office in Nairobi, Kenya.
• Indian Diaspora in Kenya: Kenya hosts a substantial minority of Indians and Persons of Indian Origin, tracing their ancestry to laborers brought by the British for the construction of the Uganda Railway.
• Historical Connection: The Indian community in Kenya has historical roots tied to British-led projects, particularly the construction of the Uganda Railway.
• International Cooperation: Kenya and India actively engage as members in various international forums such as the United Nations, Non-Aligned Movement, Commonwealth of Nations, G-77, G-15, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation.
• Diplomatic Collaboration: The two nations frequently collaborate and cooperate on shared interests within these international fora, fostering diplomatic ties and mutual understanding.

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