Archives


(PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS)


INSACOG to track SARS-CoV-2 in sewage

Part of: Prelims and GS-II – Health

Context The decline in daily new infections across India has prompted INSACOG, the consortium of labs focused on sequencing coronavirus variants, to “prioritise” new surveillance approaches.

Key takeaways 

Reason for sewage surveillance 

What is Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG)?

Do you know?


Pig kidney transplant in human patient

Part of: Prelims and GS III – Sci and tech

Context For the first time, a pig kidney has been transplanted into a human without triggering immediate rejection by the recipient’s immune system.

Key takeaways 


Like Minded Developing Countries (LMDC)

Part of: Prelims and GS-II – International Relations 

Context  Recently, the Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change virtually participated in the Like Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) Ministerial meeting titled ‘Preparations for COP 26 on Climate Change – Expectations and Challenges’.

What is Like-Minded Developing Countries(LMDC) group?

What is the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26)?

Four Goals of COP26


Anticipatory bail

Part of: Prelims and GS II – Separation of powers between various organs

Context The Supreme Court has held that a superior court can set aside an anticipatory bail order if there was enough material to suggest that factors like gravity of the offence and the role of the accused in the crime were not considered by the lower court.

What is The concept of anticipatory bail?

What is the Need for such protection?


Miscellaneous

Dhole


(News from PIB)


Abhidhamma Day

Part of: Prelims and Mains-I: Ancient History

In News: Abhidhamma Day is being celebrated on 20th October 2021. The day marks the end of three month rainy retreat – Varshavaas or Vassa- for the Buddhist Monks and Nuns during which time they stay at one place in vihara and monastery and pray.

News Source: PIB


India’s Bio-Economic Hub

Part of: Prelims and Mains GS-II- Governance

Context: The Eastern Himalayan Region is one of the mega-biodiversity rich zones and is among the 34 biodiversity Hotspots of the world. There is a need to put these invaluable genetic resources to use for the economic growth of the region in particular and to the nation in general, through biotechnological interventions. 

The Department of Biotechnology has played a pivotal role to build capacity in the North Eastern region for carrying out biotechnology research to address issues specific to the region and implement programmes for the societal upliftment of the local communities as the North Eastern region is a genetic treasure house of plant, animal and microbial resources.  

India’s Bio-Economy is on its way to achieve 150-billion-dollar target from the current 70 billion-dollar by 2025 and will contribute effectively to the vision of a 5 trillion-dollar economy by 2024-25.

News Source: PIB


(Mains Focus)


INTERNATIONAL/ SECURITY

Rising Fuel Prices

Context: The price of crude oil is nearing its highest level since 2018, as the price of Brent Crude breached the $85 per barrel mark by Oct 15th ($42.5 per barrel a year ago). This is happening as the price of natural gas and coal are also hitting record highs, intensifying the energy shortage.

Why are fuel prices rising?

What is the impact on India?

Way Forward

India and other oil importing nations have called on OPEC+ to boost oil supply faster, arguing that elevated crude oil prices could undermine the recovery of the global economy.

Connecting the dots:


INTERNATIONAL/ SECURITY

The Other Quad

Context: Recently, the Foreign Ministers of India, the U.S., Israel and the UAE virtual met to discuss on exploring areas of cooperation.

Significance of the new quadrilateral meeting (India, Israel, UAE & USA)

Challenges Ahead

Connecting the dots:


(Sansad TV – Perspective)


Oct 15: Role of Women in Armed Forces – https://youtu.be/R0Te6oN7blY 

TOPIC:

Role of Women in Armed Forces

In news:  India has taken a number of steps to strengthen the role of women within the security setup in general and the armed forces in particular. 

Government has taken evolutionary path to ensure equal participation of women in Armed Forces.

Challenges in bringing women officers at par with their male colleagues

The Way Forward

More importantly, a behavioral change is the need of the hour.

Can you answer the following questions?

  1. Are we witnessing a major shift in the way women’s participation in the armed forces is perceived? Critically examine.

For every frontier touched or broken by women that frontier should be sustained with more and more women. Discuss


 (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE)


Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section)

Note:

Q.1 Which of the following is not a part of Like Minded Developing Countries?

  1. India
  2. Indonesia
  3. Iran
  4. Saudi Arabia

Q.2 consider the following statements regarding Dhole:

  1. Key populations found in India in Western Ghats, Central India and Northeast India.
  2. Its IUCN status is Endangered. 
  3. In 2014, the Indian government sanctioned its first dhole conservation breeding centre at the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) in Mumbai.

Which of the above is or are correct 

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. None of the above 

Q.3 Which of the following is not true

  1. The provision of anticipatory bail under Section 438 was introduced when Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) was amended in 1973.
  2. As opposed to ordinary bail, in anticipatory bail, a person is directed to be released on bail even before arrest is made.
  3. The Supreme Court (SC) in Sushila Aggarwal v. State of NCT of Delhi (2020) case ruled that a certain time limit has to be set while granting anticipatory Bail.
  4. It is issued only by the Sessions Court and High Court.

ANSWERS FOR 19th Oct 2021 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK)

1 D
2 A
3 C

Must Read

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On India’s Foreign policy:

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