1. NAGI AND NAKTI BIRD SANCTUARIES (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Amid an ongoing heatwave and drying water bodies across India, Bihar's Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries have been recognized as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries

• About: These sanctuaries are built on human-made wetlands and provide a natural habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna, especially flocks of birds.

o The Nagi Dam and Nakti Dam are two sanctuaries so close to each other that they can be taken as one bird area. 

• Location: Jamui district, Bihar.
• Importance: The wetland, which formed as a result of the construction of the Nagi dam, is a prime location for migrating birds in the winter season.
• Bihar's First Ramsar Site: Kanwar Lake in Begusarai district was designated as Bihar’s first Ramsar Site in 2020.

Ramsar Convention

• About:  is an international convention to conserve wetlands and was signed in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar.
• With their inclusion in the Ramsar Convention, the total number of such wetlands in India has risen to 82.
• Geographical Area: India’s Ramsar wetlands are spread over 13,000 sq km - around 12% of the total wetland area in the country - across 18 States.
• Largest Ramsar Site of India: Sundarbans (West Bengal).
• Membership of India: India is a part of the Ramsar Convention and signed in 1982.

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2. CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION (Syllabus GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, the Delhi High Court ruled that the Chief Information Commissioner lacks jurisdiction to scrutinize the utilization of MPLADS funds by MPs, as the RTI Act's purview is confined to granting access to information held by public authorities.

Central Information Commission

• About: It is a statutory body constituted under Section 12 of the RTI Act, with effect from October 2005.
• Composition: It consists of the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and such number of Commissioners not exceeding 10 as may be deemed necessary.
• Appointment: By President of India on the recommendation of a selection committee.
• Selection Committee Composition: Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and Union Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the Prime Minister.
• Tenure: CIC shall hold office for a term of five years from the date on which he/she enters upon the office.

o Shall not be eligible for reappointment.

• Jurisdiction: It extends over all Central Public Authorities.
• Power and Functions: The Commission has certain powers and functions mentioned in Sections 18, 19, 20 and 25 of the RTI Act, 2005, and broadly relate to:

o Adjudication in the second appeal for giving information.

o Direction for record keeping, suo motu disclosures receiving and enquiring into a complaint on inability to file RTI, etc.

o Imposition of penalties.

o Monitoring and Reporting including preparation of an Annual Report. 

o The decisions of the Commission are final and binding.

Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS)

• Introduction: It was introduced by the Government of India on 23 December 1993.

o The MPLAD Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the Government of India.

o It allows Members of Parliament (MPs) to recommend developmental works in their constituencies, focusing on creating durable community assets based on locally felt needs.

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• Objectives: Enable MPs to suggest and execute developmental works emphasizing durable asset creation.

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3. H5N2 STRAIN (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci & Tech)

Context: World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the first-ever human death caused by the H5N2 strain of avian influenza.

H5N2 Strain

• About: It is just one of several kinds of avian influenza viruses.

o H5 viruses have been circulating among poultry and wild birds in Mexico since the mid-1990s.

• Human Infection: Unlike other avian influenza strains that have caused outbreaks in humans, such as H1 and H3 viruses, H5 viruses rarely infect humans.
• Classification of Viruses: The viruses are classified based on two types of protein on their surfaces: hemagglutinin (H), which plays a crucial role in allowing the virus to infect cells, and neuraminidase (N), which helps the virus spread.
• H5N2 and Wild Birds: H5N2 belongs to a family of bird flu viruses called H5, which primarily infects wild birds.

o H5N1, which was detected in dairy cows in the U.S. in March, also belongs to this family.

• Symptoms: Humans may cause mild to severe upper respiratory tract infections and can be fatal. Conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal symptoms, encephalitis, and encephalopathy have also been reported.
• Diagnostic Methods: The disease is diagnosed using molecular methods like Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR).
• Treatment: Antiviral drugs, notably neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir, zanamivir), can reduce the duration of viral replication.

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4. DIGITAL INDIA ACT, 2023 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Policymakers and legal experts recently expressed concerns that unfinished technology policies and laws, including the overarching Digital India Act (DIA), may be sidelined. 

Digital India Act, 2023

• About: It is designed to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the dramatic growth of the internet and emerging technologies.
• Replaced: Two-decade-old Information Technology Act of 2000 (IT Act).
• Key Components of DIA:

oOpen Internet: It should have Choice, Competition, Online diversity, Fair market access, and Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Compliance for Startups.

oOnline Safety and Trust:  Addressing user harm issues such as revenge porn, cyber-flashing, and cyber-bullying, along with age-gating to regulate addictive tech and protect minors' data. Ensuring digital user rights, including the right to be forgotten and secure electronic communication.

oAccountable Internet: Establish adjudicatory and appellate mechanisms for accountable digital operators and update the intermediary framework. Implement disclosure norms for data collected by intermediaries exceeding a certain threshold.

• Objective: Accelerate innovation and technology ecosystem growth.

oManage internet complexities and expanding intermediaries.

oCreate a framework for digitalizing government and strengthening democracy.

oProtect citizens' rights and address emerging technologies and risks.

oEnsure systems are future-proof and future-ready.

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5. MAHARANI TEMPLE (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Art & Culture)

Context: In a tragic event, the iconic Maharani Temple in Gulmarg, located atop a hillock was gutted in a blaze.

Maharani Temple

• Location: Situated on a small hillock in the heart of Gulmarg town in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Also known as: Rani Temple or Mohineshwar Shivalaya, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort, Parvati.
• Constructed in: 1915 by Mohini Bai Sisodia, wife of the former ruler of Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh.
• Connection: Once a royal temple of the Dogra dynasty of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Architecture: Intricate carvings and designs reflect a beautiful blend of Indian and Persian styles.

o Examples of religions intertwined with a Muslim priest performing rituals in the temple.

• Restoration Efforts: In 2021, the Indian Army collaborated with local communities to restore the 106-year-old temple, including renovating the structure and redesigning pathways leading to it.

Dogra Dynasty

• About: This dynasty, hailing from the Shivalik hills, emerged during the period when the East India Company was consolidating its control over dynastic kingdoms in India.
• Establishment: Dogra Rajputs formed the region of Jammu and Kashmir, carving out a distinct entity.
• Recognition by: The Sikh Empire acknowledged Jammu as a vassal state in 1820, solidifying the Dogras' position within the political framework of the time.
• Expansion: Through strategic alliances and negotiations, particularly exemplified by the Treaty of Amritsar in 1846, the Dogra rulers expanded their domain to include Kashmir.

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6. INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have found a major new cause of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

• About: IBD refers to chronic inflammatory conditions of the digestive tract.
• Types: Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease.
• Causes: The exact cause of IBD is unknown, but IBD is the result of a weakened immune system. Possible causes are:

o The immune system responds incorrectly to environmental triggers, such as a virus or bacteria, which causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

o There also appears to be a genetic component. Someone with a family history of IBD is more likely to develop this inappropriate immune response.

• Symptoms: Diarrhoea, fatigue, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, reduced appetite, and unintended weight loss.
• Treatment:

o Treatment aims to control inflammation, relieve symptoms, and prevent complications.

o Medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, and biologics are commonly used.

o Lifestyle modifications including dietary changes, stress management, and regular exercise may help manage symptoms.

Finding a Major Cause

• Identification of Active DNA Section: Researchers have pinpointed a segment of genetic code (DNA) exhibiting activity within macrophages.
• Role of Macrophages: Macrophages, immune cells, are implicated in causing inflammation, particularly in individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

o The identified DNA section serves as a significant regulator for macrophages' functioning.

• ETS2 Gene: This DNA section enhances the expression of the ETS2 gene, pivotal in governing the release of inflammatory substances by macrophages.

o Presently, there are no pharmaceuticals exclusively designed to inhibit ETS2 activity.

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7. STARSHIP ROCKET (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: SpaceX’s Starship rocket blasted off to space and plunged through Earth’s atmosphere for an ocean landing, notching a key objective on its fourth major test flight.

Starship Rocket

• About: Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket – collectively referred to as Starship – represent a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

o It is the fully reusable spacecraft and second stage of the Starship system.

• Launch Vehicle: Starship is the world’s most powerful launch vehicle ever developed, capable of carrying up to 150 metric tonnes fully reusable and 250 metric tonnes expendable.
• Configurations: The vehicle comes in several different configurations, offers an integrated payload section, and is capable of carrying crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
• Point-to-Point Earth Transport: Starship is also capable of point-to-point transport on Earth, enabling travel to anywhere in the world in one hour or less.
• First Stage: Super Heavy is the first stage, or booster, of the Starship launch system.
• Raptor Engines: Powered by 33 Raptor engines using sub-cooled liquid methane (CH4) and liquid oxygen (LOX), Super Heavy is fully reusable and will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere to land back at the launch site.

o The Raptor engine is a reusable methane-oxygen staged-combustion engine that powers the Starship system and has twice the thrust of the Falcon 9 Merlin engine.

• Engine Configuration: Starship will be powered by six engines, three Raptor engines, and three Raptor Vacuum (RVac) engines, which are designed for use in the vacuum of space.

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8. NATIONAL MEDICAL COMMISSION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Health)

Context: The medical education regulator has directed all medical colleges to make Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts or digital IDs mandatory for seeing patients.

National Medical Commission (NMC)

• About: The NMC stands as India's primary regulatory authority for medical education and practice, ensuring adherence to the highest standards in healthcare education and training nationwide.
• Established by: National Medical Commission Act, 2019, the NMC commenced its operations on September 25, 2020, following a gazette notification dated September 24, 2020. 
• This act dissolved the Board of Governors previously established under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956.
• Replaced: NITI Aayog recommended the replacement of Medical Council of India (MCI) with National Medical Commission (NMC).
• Mission: Improving access to quality and affordable medical education, striving for equitable distribution of medical professionals across the nation.
• Aim: To promote universal healthcare by fostering a community health perspective, making medical services accessible to all citizens.

Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID

• About: It is a randomly generated 14-digit number designed to uniquely identify individuals, authenticate them, and interconnect their health records across various systems and stakeholders.
• Launched: In 2021, by NHA (National Health Authority)
• Nodal Agency: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• Part of: Ayushman Bharat Yojana.
• Features:

o Cashless Transactions: It enables cashless transactions for eligible beneficiaries seeking treatment at empanelled healthcare facilities.

o Electronic Health Records (EHR): It integrates electronic health records, facilitating the storage and retrieval of patient information. 

o Portability: The accounts are designed to be portable across various healthcare providers empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

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9. PARENGYODONTIUM ALBUM (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Researchers recently found that a Parengyodontium album fungus living in the sea can break down the plastic polyethylene.

Parengyodontium Album

• About: It is a marine fungus with the remarkable ability to degrade polyethylene (PE), the most prevalent type of plastic.
• Discovered by: Marine microbiologists from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ).
• Dependency: Sunlight plays a crucial role in enabling the fungus to utilize PE as an energy source.
• Bioremediation Process: Through bioremediation, the carbon from PE is transformed into fungal biomass known as album, serving as energy.
• Importance: Initial photodegradation of PE by UV sunlight is essential, making the fungus effective in degrading oceanic plastic litter.
• Magnitude of Plastic Pollution: With over 400 billion kilograms of plastic produced annually, much of it ends up polluting the ocean.
• Fungal Digestive Enzymes: Recognizing fungi as potent degraders due to their array of digestive enzymes, researchers anticipate the existence of more plastic-degrading fungi in deeper oceanic regions.
  
  

  Fungus

  • About: Fungus is a diverse group of organisms belonging to the kingdom Fungi, encompassing yeasts, rusts, smuts, mildews, molds, and mushrooms.
  • Characteristics: Fungi are characterized by their eukaryotic nature, possessing cells with membrane-bound organelles and distinct nuclei.
  • Habitat: Soil or water, while others engage in parasitic or symbiotic relationships with plants or animals.
  • Decomposers: Fungi excel as decomposers, breaking down organic matter in their surroundings and utilizing it as a source of nutrition, thus earning them the title of decomposers.

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10. RENEWABLE ENERGY IN INDIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: Moody's Ratings forecasts that India needs a $385 billion investment to achieve its 500 GW renewable energy target by 2030, while acknowledging coal's continued significance in electricity generation over the next decade.

Renewable Energy

• About: It encompasses energy derived from natural resources that replenish themselves over time. 
• Source of Renewable Energy: Wind power, solar power, bioenergy (organic matter burned as a fuel) and hydroelectric, including tidal energy.
• Current Scenario in India: 

o India's Energy Consumption Ranking: India ranks as the 3rd largest energy-consuming country globally.

o Renewable Energy Installed Capacity: India stands 4th globally in Renewable Energy Installed Capacity, including Large Hydro.

o Wind Power Capacity: India holds the 4th position in Wind Power capacity worldwide.

o Solar Power Capacity: India ranks 5th globally in Solar Power capacity.

o COP26 Target: At COP26, India set an ambitious target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy by 2030.

Government Initiatives

• Ambitious Capacity Expansion: India has aimed to achieve 450 GW of installed renewable energy capacity by 2030.
• Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI): The government's PLI scheme aims to enhance the manufacturing sector by incentivizing the production of raw materials for renewable energy.
• PM-KUSUM: The Pradhan Mantri-Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan aims to ensure financial and water security for farmers by harnessing 30,800 MW of solar energy capacity by 2022, including the solarization of water pumps for distributed power supply.
• Akshay Urja Portal and India Renewable Idea Exchange (IRIX) Portal: These online platforms, hosted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, facilitate the exchange of ideas and collaboration among energy-conscious individuals and the global community.
• SRISTI: It is a program for sustainable rooftop implementation for solar transformation in India, providing financial incentives from the central government to beneficiaries establishing solar power plant rooftops.

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