Syllabus

• Prelims –Geography

Context: Ecuador’s government recently pledged to spend about $18 million annually for two decades on conservation in the Galapagos Islands.

About Galapagos Islands:-

IMAGE SOURCE: Britannica Kids

• The Galápagos Islands are a chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean. (UPSC PRELIMS: Galapagos Islands)
• They are part of the country of Ecuador, in South America.
• There are thirteen major islands and a handful of smaller islands that make up the Galápagos archipelago.
  • The largest of the islands is called Isabela.
• Repeated volcanic eruptions helped to form the rugged mountain landscape of the Galápagos Islands.
• The Galápagos Islands are located near the equator, yet they receive cool ocean currents. (UPSC PRELIMS: Ocean Currents)
  • This makes for a strange mix of tropical and temperate climates.
• British naturalist Charles Darwin came to the Galápagos in 1835, on a ship called the HMS Beagle.
  • His observations of wildlife on the island inspired his theory of evolution by natural selection.

Wildlife:-

• It contains aquatic species such as manta rays and sharks which have been endangered by commercial fishing.
• It also hosts a wide array of aquatic wildlife, including marine iguanas, and waved albatrosses. (UPSC CSE: Wildlife Protection )
• Also, the giant tortoises found here – ‘Galápagos’ in old Spanish – give the islands their name.
•  Many species are endemic.
  • Endemic: they are not found anywhere else in the world.
  • These include the giant Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra), the marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus), the flightless cormorant (Phalacrocoraz harris), and the Galápagos penguin.
  • Galápagos penguin, Galápagos fur seal and Galápagos sea lion are critically endangered.
  • The Galápagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) is the only penguin species to live in the Northern Hemisphere.

Protection Status:-

• Ecuador made a part of the Galapagos a wildlife sanctuary in 1935.
  • The sanctuary became the Galapagos National Park in 1959.
• In 1978, the islands became UNESCO’s first World Heritage Site. 

MUST READ: Islands

SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Region often mentioned in the news:   Country (2022)

1. Anatolia                                                    Turkey
2. Amhara                                                    Ethiopia
3. Cabo Delgado                                          Spain
4. Catalonia                                                  Italy

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

1. Only one pair
2. Only two pairs
3. Only three pairs
4. All four pairs

Q.2) Consider the following statements: (2021)

1. In the tropical zone, the western sections of the oceans are warmer than the eastern sections owing to the influence of trade winds.
2. In the temperate Zone, westerlies make the eastern sections of oceans warmer than the western sections

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 and 2

Syllabus

• Prelims –Important Institutions

Context: Recently, the Arab League voted to reinstate Syria’s membership after its suspension more than 10 years ago

About Arab League:-

IMAGE SOURCE: Arab League, League of Arab States, Political Map Stock Vector – Illustration of the middle, mapping: 138942280 (dreamstime.com)

• The Arab League, formally known as the League of Arab States, was established in 1945.
• It is a regional organization of Arab states in the Middle East and parts of Africa.
• The founding member states were Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Transjordan (now Jordan), Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
• Currently, it has 22 member states, who have pledged to cooperate on economic and military affairs, among other issues.
• Other members are Libya (1953); Sudan (1956); Tunisia and Morocco (1958); Kuwait (1961); Algeria (1962); Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (1971); Mauritania (1973); Somalia (1974); the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO; 1976); Djibouti (1977); and Comoros (1993).
• Each member has one vote on the League Council, decisions being binding only on those states that have voted for them. (UPSC PRELIMS: Gulf region)
• The signing on April 13, 1950, of an agreement on joint defence and economic cooperation also committed the signatories to the coordination of military defences measures. (UPSC PRELIMS: Arab Spring)

MUST READ: Contribution of Indian Diaspora

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following pairs: (2022)

International agreement/ set-up Subject

1. Alma-Ata Declaration – Healthcare of the people
2. Hague Convention – Biological and Chemical Weapons
3. Talanoa Dialogue – Global Climate Change
4. Under2 Coalition – Child Rights

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 4 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 2,3 and 4 only

Q.2) The term “two-state solution” is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of (2022)

1. China
2. Israel
3. Iraq
4. Yemen

Syllabus

• Prelims –Science and Technology

Context: Scientists named the recently discovered black hole “Scary Barbie,” after a beloved children’s character.

About Scary Barbie:-

IMAGE SOURCE: BlackHole Info: r/nasa (reddit.com)

• Scary Barbie is a supermassive black hole that is devouring a star with a thousand times the brightness of a supernova. (UPSC PRELIMS: Black Hole)
• It was first observed in 2020.
  • It was named ZTF20abrbeie.
• It is one of the most luminous, energetic, long-lasting transient objects in the sky.
• It is also extremely far away and in a somewhat neglected corner of the sky. (UPSC MAINS: Can outer space be considered a resource )
• The researchers discovered it using an AI engine called REFITT (Recommender Engine
• For Intelligent Transient Tracking).
  • The AI engine looks through observations from many different telescopes around the World.

MUST READ: IN-SPACe

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth? (2022)

1. GPS and navigation systems could fail.
2. Tsunamis could occur in equatorial regions.
3. Power grids could be damaged.
4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth.
5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet.
6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed.

Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
2. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 only
3. 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

Q.2) Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant ‘black holes’ billions of light-years away from the Earth. What is the significance of this observation? (2019)

1. ‘Higgs boson particles’ were detected.
2. ‘Gravitational waves’ were detected.
3. Possibility of intergalactic space travel through a ‘wormhole’ was confirmed.
4. It enabled the scientists to understand ‘singularity’.

Syllabus

• Prelims –Science and Technology

Context: Recently, the pharmaceutical company, Eli Lilly, released the drug donanemab for Alzheimer’s treatment.

About Donanemab:-

IMAGE SOURCE: About Alzheimer’s Disease [INFOGRAPHIC] – Infographic Plaza

• Donanemab is a drug developed for Alzheimer’s by a US pharma company ‘Eli Lilly’.
• It is yet to be approved in the USA.
• Donanemab is not a cure for Alzheimer’s. (UPSC PRELIMS: Alzheimer)
• The drug aims to remove the plaques from the brain and slow the progression of the disease.
• It slows cognitive decline by 35%
• Mechanism: It has antibodies that target different forms of amyloid-beta (Aβ) proteins that can clump together to form amyloid plaques in people’s brains, resulting in their cognitive decline.
• It has similar antibody-based therapy like lecanemab, but targets different forms of amyloid-beta (Aβ) proteins.
  • Lecanemab:-
  • It is a drug developed for Alzheimer’s.
  • It is approved in the US.
  • It is still under evaluation by the FDA’s counterpart in Europe, the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
  • Lecanemab trial results showed it slowed cognitive decline by 27%.
• Both donanemab and lecanemab are given intravenously.
• Both donanemab and lecanemab have a high risk of side effects like ‘amyloid-related imaging abnormalities’ (ARIA) which include swelling or bleeding in the brain.

About Alzheimer’s Disease:-

• Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological disorder which causes brain cells to degenerate and die.
  • This leads to loss of memory, problems with words in speaking or writing, poor judgment, changes in mood and personality, confusion with time or place, etc.
• It is a brain disorder that gets worse over time.
• Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia among older adults. (UPSC CSE: Drug Addiction)
• Causes:-
  • Alzheimer’s disease is thought to be caused by the abnormal build-up of proteins in and around brain cells.
  • One of the proteins involved is called amyloid, deposits of which form plaques around brain cells and the other protein is called tau.
    • Tau is a protein that when it occurs in tangled formations in the brain of Alzheimer patients, disrupts the ability of neurons to communicate with one another in the brain.
• Alzheimer’s is an incurable disease, as the death of brain cells cannot be reversed.
• Women have a higher risk of having Alzheimer’s disease than men.

MUST READ: Mental Health

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which of the following are the reasons for the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens in India? (2019)

(1) Genetic predisposition of some people.

(2) Taking incorrect doses of antibiotics to cure diseases.

(3) Using antibiotics in livestock farming.

(4) Multiple chronic diseases in some people.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1.  1 and 2
2. 2 and 3 only
3.  1,3 and 4
4. 2,3 and 4

Q.2) Consider the following pairs of Terms sometimes seen in news vs Context /Topic: (2018)

1. Belle II experiment: Artificial Intelligence
2. Blockchain technology: Digital/ Cryptocurrency
3. CRISPR — Cas9: Particle Physics

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Syllabus

• Prelims –Governance

Context: The NPCDCS programme has been renamed National Programme for Prevention & Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) recently.

About the National Programme for Prevention & Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD):-

IMAGE SOURCE: EMANTHI-NEWSBLOG: Health Minister To Appoint A Special Add. Secretary On Non-Communicable Diseases

• The National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) programme launched in 2010, has been renamed National Programme for Prevention & Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) amid widening coverage and expansion.
• The new name reflects the shift in focus from only controlling the four major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to preventing them as well. (UPSC PRELIMS: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs))
• According to the MoHFW, the NP-NCD will aim to reduce the burden of NCDs by promoting healthy lifestyles, early detection and timely treatment.
• The programme will also integrate with other health initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat and National Health Mission.
• The programme will also strengthen the health system by enhancing human resources, infrastructure, equipment and drugs.
• The NP-NCD will also leverage digital technologies such as telemedicine and m-health to improve access and quality of NCD care. (UPSC CSE: WHO and Traditional Medicine)

Other Government initiatives:-

• The Central Government is implementing the Strengthening of Tertiary Care Cancer Facilities scheme to support the setting up of State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and Tertiary Care Centres (TCCC) in different parts of the country.
• Fit India movement is implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
•  Various Yoga related activities are carried out by the Ministry of AYUSH.
• Preventive aspect of NCDs is strengthened under Comprehensive Primary Health Care through the Ayushman Bharat Health Wellness Centre scheme, by promotion of wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level.
• Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Deendayal outlets have been opened at 159 Institutions/Hospitals with the objective to make available Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases drugs and implants at discounted prices to patients.
• Jan Aushadhi stores are set up by the Department of Pharmaceuticals to provide generic medicines at affordable prices. 

MUST READ: National Non-Communicable Disease Monitoring Survey (NNMS)

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to the use of nanotechnology in the health sector, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2015)

1. Targeted drug delivery is made possible by nanotechnology
2. Nanotechnology can largely contribute to gene therapy

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Q.2) Consider the following pairs (2014)

1. Vitamin           Deficiency Disease
2. Vitamin C        Scurvy
3. Vitamin D        Ricket
4. Vitamin E        Night Blindness

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. None

Syllabus

• Prelims –Science and Technology

Context: Recently, ISRO announced a new introductory-level online training programme called Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START).

About Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START):-

• Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START), is launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). (UPSC MAINS: Achievements of ISRO)
• It is an introductory-level training program for students.
• Objective:-
  •  To provide students with introductory-level training in Space Science and Technology.
  • Giving students an overview of different facets of the field, research opportunities, and career options.
• The programme will cover various domains of space science, including Astronomy & Astrophysics, Heliophysics & Sun-Earth interaction, Instrumentation, and Aeronomy.
• It will be delivered by scientists from Indian academia and ISRO centres. (UPSC MAINS: Latest advances made by ISRO in satellite technology. )
• The programme will cover various domains of Space Science, including Astronomy and Astrophysics, Heliophysics and Sun-Earth interaction, Instrumentation, and Aeronomy.
• The training will also emphasize the cross-disciplinary nature of Space Science, giving students insights into how individual aptitudes can be applied to the field.
• The lectures will also cover topics on the Indian Space Science exploration program and research opportunities in Space Science and technologies.

MUST READ: IN-SPACe

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) The terms ‘Event Horizon’, ‘Singularity’, `String Theory’ and ‘Standard Model’ are sometimes seen in the news in the context of (2017)

1. Observation and understanding of the Universe
2. Study of the solar and the lunar eclipses
3. Placing satellites in the orbit of the Earth
4. Origin and evolution of living organisms on the Earth

Q.2) With reference to `Astrosat’, the astronomical observatory launched by India, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2016)

1. Other than the USA and Russia, India is the only country to have launched a similar observatory into space.
2. Astrosat is a 2000 kg satellite placed in an orbit at 1650 km above the surface of the Earth.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Syllabus

• Prelims –Science and Technology

Context: Recently, World Thalassaemia Day was observed.

About Thalassaemia:-

IMAGE SOURCE: 5 Common Thalassaemia Questions | CFCH | Centre for Clinical Haematology

• Thalassaemia is a genetic blood disorder affecting the production of red blood cells. (UPSC MAINS: Awareness and Cure of Thalassemia)
  • Genetic Disorder: disorder which is inherited and can be passed down from one generation to the next.
• It is a genetic blood disorder that causes the body to have less haemoglobin than normal.
  • Hemoglobin: it enables red blood cells to carry oxygen.

• Thalassemia can cause anaemia, leading to fatigue.

• Abnormal production of blood means that affected individuals do not make adequate amounts of functional red blood cells. (UPSC PRELIMS: Rare Diseases )

Symptoms:-

• Fatigue, weakness, or shortness of breath
• A pale appearance or yellow colour to the skin (jaundice)
• Irritability
• Deformities of the facial bones
• Slow growth
• A swollen abdomen
• Dark urine

Treatment:-

• Bone marrow transplant (BMT)
  • In BMT, high-dose chemotherapy eliminates thalassemia-producing cells in the marrow and replaces them with healthy donor cells from bone marrow or umbilical cord blood.
• Supplements and Medications
• Blood transfusions

MUST READ: Genetic Information and Right to Privacy

SOURCE: THE TIMES OF INDIA

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) RNA interference (RNAi)’ technology has gained popularity in the last few years why? (2019)

1. It is used in developing gene silencing therapies.
2. It can be used in developing therapies for the treatment of cancer.
3. It can be used to develop hormone replacement therapies.
4. It can be used to produce crop plants that are resistant to virtual pathogens.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1, 2 and 4
2. 2 and 3
3. 1 and 3
4. 1 and 4 only

Q.2) What is the cas9 protein that is often mentioned in the news? (2019)

1. molecular scissors used in targeted gene editing.
2. A biosensor used in the accurate detection of pathogens in patients.
3. A gene that makes plants pest-resistant
4. A herbicidal substance synthesized in generally modified crops

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 3 (Security Issues)

Context:  Recently ten jawans and a civilian driver, who were returning in a van following an anti­Maoist operation, were killed in a blast caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada.

About IEDs:

• An IED is a type of unconventional explosive weapon that can take any form and be activated in a variety of ways.
• An IED is a bomb fabricated in an improvised manner incorporating destructive, lethal, noxious, pyrotechnic, or incendiary chemicals and designed to destroy or incapacitate personnel or vehicles.
• IEDs are triggered by various methods, including remote control, infrared or magnetic triggers, pressure-sensitive bars or trip wires (victim-operated).
• In some cases, multiple IEDs are wired together in a daisy chain to attack a convoy of vehicles spread out along a roadway.
• There are several types of IEDs such as roadside bombs, suicide bombs, vehicle-borne IEDs, and command-detonated IEDs.
• Roadside bombs are the most common type of IED and are typically placed on or near a roadway to target vehicles passing by.
• IEDs are cheap, easy to make, and can be concealed in ordinary objects.
  • They are also highly adaptable, making them a preferred weapon for insurgents and terrorists.
  • IEDs can cause significant damage and casualties with minimal risk to the attacker.

Violation of International Humanitarian Laws:

• The use of IEDs is prohibited under international law.
  • The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) prohibits the use of IEDs in armed conflicts, and the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) provide guidelines for the safe disposal of explosive remnants of war, including IEDs.
  • India is a signatory to the Geneva and Hague Conventions which regulate the means employed during warfare, so that casualties are checked.
  • The Maoists deliberately and grossly violate international humanitarian laws — the use of landmines is banned internationally as they are non-discriminatory, lack precision and cause unnecessary or excessive suffering.
  • It is well known that in addition to the security forces, many civilians, including children, and animals have also been victims of IED attacks.

Limitations to detect IEDs:

• The technical equipment used by the security forces to detect IEDs has its limitations.
  • If the quantity of metal in the IED is low or the IED is planted deep under the road, mine detectors may fail to find it.
• Ground-penetrating radar, which can detect recent disturbances in the soil subsurface, has also not proved successful because it is susceptible to generating false alarms.
  • As not much research and development has been undertaken in this field, the Central government and industry must join hands to improve technology to detect IEDs.
• The details printed on boxes containing detonators are not sufficient to trace the source of the detonators and punish the guilty.
  • The Central government must, therefore, amend rules and make the manufacturers accountable for unique identification of detonators.
• IEDs are among the most potent tools deployed by the Maoists.
  • Even a small formation of the Maoists can cause huge damage to the security forces by using an IED.

Suggestive measure to manage the threats of use of IEDs by Maoists:

• The use of technology such as unmanned aerial vehicles and drones may be useful to check suspicious movement.
  • But the security forces need to improve their tactics too.
• The use of vehicles should be permitted only after securing the road from ambushes and IEDs.
• A visual search must be carried out cautiously or up to about 100­-150 metres on both sides of the road, to check the presence of suspicious elements or wire ends.
  • Every effort needs to be made to detect, diffuse or avoid these brutal devices.
• India must raise the issue of the use of IEDs by the Maoists at appropriate international platforms so that the Maoists are forced to respect international humanitarian laws and stop using these devices.
• Central government and industry must join hands to improve technology to detect IEDs.
  • The details printed on boxes containing detonators are not sufficient to trace the source of the detonators and punish the guilty.
• The Central government must amend rules and make the manufacturers accountable for unique identifi­cation of detonators.

Source:   The Hindu

MUST READ: Left-wing Extremism(LWE) in India

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2 (Governance) and GS 3 (Economy)

Context: The carrier Go Airlines (India) Ltd (Go First), filed for voluntary insolvency proceedings with the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

About Voluntary Insolvency Proceedings:

• The voluntary insolvency means that the company has accepted its business is insolvent.
• It is a process in which the company says it cannot pay debts and needs help from someone to sort it out.
  • When the company goes insolvent, it can proceed to voluntary liquidation.
• This process refers to the dissolution of a company with approval from shareholders and creditors of the company.
  • It is a time-bound process which needs to be completed in 270 days from the date of commencement of Voluntary Liquidation.

Sequence of Steps under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC):

Source:  https://muds.co.in/voluntary-liquidation-of-company/

Aviation Sector in India

• Large Market Size: India has become the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world and is expected to overtake the UK to become the third-largest air passenger market by 2024.
• Economic Contribution: Indian aviation also contributed 5% of the GDP, creating a total of 4 million jobs.
• Rapid Growth: Over past 6 years, India’s domestic passenger traffic has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 14.5%, while international passenger traffic has increased by a CAGR of around 6.5%.
• India’s domestic passenger traffic is likely to rise to 16 crores in the 2023-24 fiscal year from an estimated 13.75 crore from the previous fiscal.
  • By 2029-30, India’s domestic passenger traffic is likely to touch 35 crore.
• Infrastructure: The number of airports with civilian flights in India has grown from 74 in 2014 to 148 in 2023.
  • Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other airport operators have targeted a capital outlay of around Rs 98,000 crore in the airport sector across India by 2025 for constructing greenfield airports and new terminals, expanding and modernizing existing terminals.

Challenges faced by the Aviation Sector?

• Safety Concerns: Last couple of months have witnessed several instances of malfunctions before/during flights resulting in diversions/delays.
  • The malfunctions are being attributed to lower turnaround times by airlines to maximize profits after a pandemic-induced slowdown.
  • Experts have argued that low-cost airlines (which dominate the sector) give low priority to maintenance in order to save costs e.g., many snag rectifications are being undertaken by technicians rather than qualified engineers.
  • Moreover, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has created shortage of spare parts, especially those containing titanium.
• Profitability of the Sector: Most airline operators have poor financial health. The situation worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic due to lockdowns and flight restrictions.
  • Consistent losses drive down number of operators impacting competition and efficiency.
  • To reduce losses, operators increase turnaround times of aircraft and cut-down on maintenance/safety aspects.
• Absence of robust competition: While the policy is being liberalized; still, there are stiff regulations which act as barrier to the expansion of the sector.
  • According to GR Gopinath (founder of Air Deccan) tough entry barriers for new entrants reduce competition, high fuel prices on account of taxes reduce profitability of airlines which prohibit the sector from operating at full efficiency.
  • Public sector airports are inefficient and still have a monopoly in the airport segment.
• Poor rural connectivity: With mega airports controlling air and ground space, it is almost impossible to connect rural and small towns from the large metros.
  • Although UDAN has showed some positive impact, regional connectivity still remain poor.
• Policy Lacunae: There are many policy gaps that remain to be addressed g., the Aircraft Act, 1934 and Aircraft Rules, 1937 have not kept pace with modern technology in aerospace.
  • This has increased costs to the industry and ultimately affected passenger growth.

Govt of India Initiatives to support growth of the Aviation Sector:

• Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS): It is a part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan to support eligible Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and business enterprises in meeting their operational liabilities and restarting their businesses in the context of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Digi Yatra: Digi Yatra policy is Union Government’s initiative for providing passengers seamless and hassle-free experience at airports without the need for verification of ticket and ID at multiple touch points.
• UDAN: Union Government’s flagship program Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) has the objective to fulfill the aspirations of the common citizen with an enhanced aviation infrastructure and air connectivity in tier II and tier III cities.
  • The government has also planned to develop 100 airports by 2024 under this scheme.
• Greenfield Airport Policy: Government of India had accorded ‘In-Principle’ approval for setting up of 21 Greenfield Airports.
• Better Policies: The Ministry of Civil Aviation in India has been encouraging States to reduce their VAT on (aviation turbine fuel) ATF and vouched for ATF to be brought under GST.
• Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Policy: The Union Government had in 2021 introduced an MRO policy that aims to turn India into a global hub for aircraft maintenance and overhaul, which now largely happens abroad.
• NABH (Nextgen Airports For Bharat): This scheme was launched in 2018 to increase the number of Airports and their capacity to handle traffic in India.
  • It aims to expand airport capacity more than five times to handle a billion trips a year through investments to be made in airport upgrade by both the private sector and the state-owned Airports Authority of India (AAI).

Source:   The Hindu

About Airports Authority of India (AAI):

• It is a statutory body under the aegis of Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• It is responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing civil aviation infrastructure in India.
• It was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in New Delhi.
• It also provides Air traffic management (ATM) services over Indian airspace and adjoining oceanic areas.
• It manages around 125 airports in India, which include 18 International Airport, 07 Customs Airports, 78 Domestic Airports and 26 Civil Enclaves at Defense airfields.

Q.1) Consider the following statements regarding the Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START):

1. START is launched by the Ministry of Science and Technology
2. The programme will cover various domains of space science, including Astronomy & Astrophysics, Heliophysics and Sun-Earth interaction, Instrumentation, and Aeronomy.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Q.2) the term “Scary Barbie” often mentioned in the news is related to

1. Supercomputer developed by NASA
2. Supermassive blockhole
3. Neutron star
4. A Meteorite

Q.3) Consider the following countries:

1. Egypt
2. Syria
3. Ethiopia
4. Iran
5. Iraq
6. Saudi Arabia

Which of the above are members of the Arab League of Nations?

1. 1 4 5 and 6 only
2. 1 2 3 and 5 only
3. 1 2 5 and 6 only
4. 2 3 4 and 5 only

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’ 9th May 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – a

Q.2) – d

Q.3) – c