Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Chinese startup DeepSeek’s launch of its latest AI models, which it says are on a par or better than industry-leading models in the United States at a fraction of the cost, is threatening to upset the technology world order. 

Background: –

• DeepSeek is a Hangzhou-based startup whose controlling shareholder is Liang Wenfeng, co-founder of quantitative hedge fund High-Flyer, based on Chinese corporate records.
• What sets DeepSeek models apart is their performance and open-sourced nature with open weights, which essentially allows anyone to build on top of them.

Key takeaways

• The release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in late 2022 caused a scramble among Chinese tech firms, who rushed to create their own chatbots powered by artificial intelligence.
• But after the release of the first Chinese ChatGPT equivalent, made by search engine giant Baidu, there was widespread disappointment in China at the gap in AI capabilities between U.S. and Chinese firms.
• The quality and cost efficiency of DeepSeek’s models have flipped this narrative on its head. The two models, DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-R1, are on par with OpenAI and Meta’s most advanced models. They are also cheaper to use.
• DeepSeek-V3 stands out because of its architecture, known as Mixture-of-Experts (MOE). The MOE models are like a team of specialist models working together to answer a question, instead of a single big model managing everything.
• The DeepSeek-V3 has been trained on a meager $5 million, which is a fraction of the hundreds of millions pumped in by OpenAI, Meta, Google, etc., into their frontier models.
• DeepSeek developed its AI models amidst US sanctions on China for Nvidia chips, which were intended to restrict the country’s ability to develop advanced AI systems.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus:

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Pune on January 27 reported nine more suspected cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), taking the tally in Maharashtra’s second largest city to 110.

Background: –

• Earlier, a man suspected to have contracted Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)died in Maharashtra’s Solapur district. The 40-year-old, a native of Solapur, had come to Pune, where he is believed to have contracted the disease. This is possibly the first death in Maharashtra suspected to have been caused by GBS.

Key takeaways

• Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves.
• Cause: GBS is often triggered by an infection, such as respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, including Campylobacter jejuni, influenza, and Zika virus.
• Symptoms: The syndrome typically starts with tingling and weakness in the feet and legs, which can spread to the upper body. Severe cases can lead to paralysis.
• Onset: Symptoms usually develop rapidly over days to weeks.
• Symptoms
  • Initial Symptoms: Tingling and weakness in the extremities, often starting in the feet and legs.
  • Progression: Weakness can spread to the upper body, leading to difficulty walking, climbing stairs, or performing daily activities.
  • Severe Symptoms: In severe cases, GBS can cause paralysis, difficulty breathing, and changes in heart rate and blood pressure.
• Diagnosis
  • Clinical Evaluation: Diagnosis is based on symptoms, medical history, and physical examination.
  • Tests: Nerve conduction studies and examination of cerebrospinal fluid can help confirm the diagnosis.
• Treatment
  • Supportive Care: Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing complications.
  • Immunotherapy: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and plasmapheresis are used to reduce the severity and duration of GBS.
  • Recovery: Most people recover fully, but recovery can take weeks to years, and some may have lasting effects such as weakness or fatigue.
• Prevention
  • Infection Control: Preventing infections that can trigger GBS is crucial. This includes practicing good hygiene, safe food handling, and staying up-to-date with vaccinations.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus:

• Prelims – ENVIRONMENT

Context: Indore and Udaipur have become the first two Indian cities to join the global list of accredited wetland cities under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

Background:

• Indore, known for its cleanliness and innovative policies, is home to Sirpur Lake, a Ramsar site.
• Udaipur, renowned for its picturesque lakes, has five major wetlands: Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai.

Key takeaways

• The Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) is a voluntary scheme established by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 2015. 
• It aims to recognize cities that have a positive relationship with wetlands, promoting their conservation and wise use. This accreditation encourages urban areas to integrate wetlands into their planning and decision-making processes, highlighting the benefits these ecosystems provide to urban communities.
• Eligibility Criteria: To be formally accredited, a candidate for the Wetland City Accreditation of the Ramsar Convention should satisfy the standards used to implement each of the following international criteria:
  • It has one or more Ramsar Sites, or other wetland conservation sites fully or partly situated within its jurisdiction, which provide(s) a range of ecosystem services to the city; 
  • It has adopted measures for conservation of wetlands and their ecosystem services; 
  • It has implemented wetland restoration and/or management measures; 
  • It considers the challenges and opportunities of integrated spatial/land-use planning for wetlands under its jurisdiction; 
  • It has raised public awareness about the values of wetlands by delivering locally adapted information, and enabled participation of local stakeholders in decisionmaking processes; 
  • It has established a local committee with appropriate knowledge and experience on wetlands and representation of and engagement with stakeholders to support the preparation work to apply for the Wetland City Accreditation and the implementation of proper measures to maintain the city’s qualifications for the accreditation.
• Benefits of Accreditation:
  • International Recognition: Accredited cities gain global acknowledgment for their sustainable practices concerning wetlands.
  • Enhanced Public Awareness: The accreditation promotes increased awareness among residents about the importance of wetlands.
  • Tourism and Economic Opportunities: Recognition can boost eco-tourism and related economic activities.

Source: Times of India

Syllabus:

• Prelims – ENVIRONMENT

Context: An elephant has been camera-trapped in India’s easternmost tiger reserve after 12 years, fuelling conservation hopes.

Background: –

• According to the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department, elephants have traditionally migrated between the Namsai area of the State and Myanmar through the Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve but encroachment since 1996 blocked the jumbo migration route.

Key takeaways

• Situated in Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh, near the tri-junction of India, Myanmar, and China.
• Lies in the eastern Himalayas and forms part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.
• Geographical Features:
  • Spread over 1,985 square kilometers, making it the third-largest national park in India in terms of area.
  • Altitude ranges from 200 meters to 4,571 meters, supporting diverse ecosystems.
  • Major rivers: Noa Dihing River flows through the park.
• Key Features:
  • Biodiversity: Known for its rich flora and fauna, encompassing tropical evergreen forests, temperate forests, and alpine meadows.
  • Fauna Highlights:
    • Big Cats: The only park in the world to host four species of big cats: tiger, leopard, snow leopard, and clouded leopard.
    • Other notable species: Asiatic black bear, red panda, hoolock gibbons, capped langur, and hornbills.
    • The Namdapha flying squirrel (Biswamoyopterus biswasi) was first collected in the park and described.[9] It is endemic to the park and critically endangered.
  • Flora Highlights: Includes orchids, ferns, bamboos, and diverse medicinal plants.
  • Tiger Reserve:
    • Declared a tiger reserve in 1983 under Project Tiger.
    • Faces challenges in tiger population estimation due to its rugged terrain and dense forest cover.
• Tribal Communities:
  • Inhabited by indigenous tribes like the Lisu, Singpho, and Tangsa.
  • Depend on the forest for subsistence but are now engaged in conservation efforts.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Prelims – ECONOMY

Context: Five months after the Centre announced a new Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) with assured benefits for government employees, the Finance Ministry notified the scheme as an option for workers covered by the National Pension System (NPS) to be effective from April 1, 2025.

Background: –

• The NPS did not offer an assured pension to government employees who joined service on, or after January 1, 2004, and had replaced an older arrangement that guaranteed pensions for government employees equivalent to 50% of their last drawn salary that were considered fiscally unsustainable. 
• The UPS, approved by the Union Cabinet, restores the assurance of 50% of salary as pension for Union government employees.

Key takeaways

• The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) is a new pension scheme introduced by the Indian government, aimed at providing greater financial security for government employees.
• Current and future central government employees under the NPS have the option to either transition to the UPS or remain with the existing NPS. Once the decision to switch to the UPS is made, it becomes final and cannot be reversed.
• Key Features
  • Assured Pension: Employees will receive a pension equivalent to 50% of their average basic pay drawn during the last 12 months before retirement, provided they have completed at least 25 years of service.
  • Minimum Pension: Employees with at least 10 years of service will receive a minimum pension of Rs. 10,000 per month.
  • Family Pension: In case of the employee’s death, family members are entitled to 60% of the pension.
  • Dearness Relief: Regular pension hikes to align with inflation trends.
  • Superannuation Benefits: A lump sum payout alongside gratuity upon retirement.
  • Voluntary Retirement: Employees who opt for voluntary retirement after completing a minimum of 25 years of service will be eligible for the pension from the date they would have attained superannuation age.

Source: Business Standard

Q1.) Consider the following statements regarding Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS):

1. GBS is an autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the central nervous system.
2. It is often triggered by infections such as Campylobacter jejuni and influenza.
3. Treatment for GBS includes the use of plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q2.) Which of the following statements about Wetland Accredited Cities is correct?

1. Indore and Udaipur are the first Indian cities to join the global list of accredited wetland cities under the Ramsar Convention.
2. Wetland Accreditation promotes urban areas to conserve wetlands but excludes Ramsar-designated sites.
3. The accreditation encourages integrating wetlands into urban planning and decision-making.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q3.) Which of the following statements regarding Namdapha National Park is/are correct?

1. Namdapha is located in Arunachal Pradesh near the tri-junction of India, Myanmar, and Bhutan.
2. It hosts four species of big cats: tiger, leopard, snow leopard, and clouded leopard.
3. The Namdapha flying squirrel, found here, is critically endangered.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  Today’s – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) – a

Q.2) – b

Q.3) – a