500 Most Probable Topics- List 4

1. Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT)

Recently, an official delegation from the Department of Science and Technology visited Mauna Kea to discuss “challenges” to the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project.

• It has been conceived as a 30-metre diameter primary-mirror optical and infrared telescope that will enable observations into deep space.
• It is proposed as a joint collaboration involving institutions in the U.S.A., Japan, China, Canada, and India.
• It will be the world’s most advanced and capable ground-based optical, near-infrared, and mid-infrared observatory.
• The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIAP) is leading the consortium of Indian institutions that are involved with the TMT project.
• India TMT will be jointly funded by the Departments of Science and Technology and Atomic Energy.

2. Cabo Verde

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Cabo Verde (also known as Cape Verde) as a malaria-free country.

• Cabo Verde has become the third country to acquire the status in the global health organisation’s African region. The country has now joined Mauritius and Algeria, who were certified in 1973 and 2019, respectively.

3. Himalayan Wolf

Himalayan Wolf has been assessed for the first time in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List and categorised as ‘Vulnerable’.

• Himalayan Wolf (Canis lupus chanco) is a unique lupine predator in the Himalayas, also known as Tibetan wolves.
• Genetically distinct from grey wolves, adapted to live above 4,000 meters in hypoxic conditions.
• Found on the Tibetan Plateau in China (Gansu, Qinghai, Tibet, Sichuan) and in northern India (Ladakh, Lahaul and Spiti).
• Conservation status: IUCN – Vulnerable, CITES – Appendix I, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 – Schedule I.

4. India’s First Dark Sky Park

The Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra has been designated as India’s first Dark Sky Park and the fifth in Asia, protecting the night sky and preventing light pollution.

• The Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtra is India’s first Dark Sky Park within a tiger reserve for earmarking areas around the park that restrict light pollution for stargazers to access pristine dark skies.
• Dark Sky Place certification focuses on lighting policy, dark sky-friendly retrofits, outreach and education, and monitoring the night sky.
• The certification was given by the International Dark-Sky Association, a global dark-sky movement to promote astronomy.

5. LiDAR

A huge city hidden by the luxuriant vegetation of the Amazon rainforest was recently discovered in Ecuador by a LiDAR survey.

• Lidar, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (variable distances) to the Earth. 
• These light pulses—combined with other data recorded by the airborne system — generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its surface characteristics.

6. Cervical Cancer

In a bid to reduce cases of cervical cancer, the government is likely to roll out an immunisation campaign against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in the second quarter of the year.

• Cervical cancer originates in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus.
• Persistent infection by certain strains of Human papillomavirus (HPV) can lead to cervical cancer.
• HPV, a common sexually transmitted infection, affects the skin, genital area, and throat.
• The body’s immune system usually combats HPV, but in some cases, the virus persists and contributes to cancer cell formation.
• Vaccines available: Quadrivalent (Gardasil) for HPV 16, 18, 6, 11; Bivalent (Cervarix) for HPV 16, 18; Nonavalent (Gardasil 9) for nine HPV strains.

7. SBI Green Rupee Term Deposit (SGRTD) Scheme:

• It is an initiative of the State Bank of India (SBI)with the aim of raising money to finance environment-friendly projects.
• The deposit scheme is open to resident individuals, non-individuals, and non-resident Indian (NRI) customers.
• The current framework permits green deposits to be denominated in rupees only.

What is a Green Deposit?

A Green deposit is an interest-bearing deposit, received by the regulated entities (RE) for a fixed period, the proceeds of which are earmarked for being allocated towards green finance.

The deposits raised under the framework are covered by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).

8. Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam

The High Court of Karnataka recently banned all types of mining and quarrying activities within a 20-km radius of the historic Krishnarajasagar (KRS) dam in Mandya district.

• Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam, a gravity dam, is located at the confluence of the Kaveri, Hemavati, and Lakshmana Tirtha rivers in Mandya, Karnataka.
• Named after Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, under whose rule it was constructed.
• Construction spanned from 1911 to 1931.
• Designed by Sir M. Visvesvaraya, renowned as the ‘architect of modern Mysore’ and ‘father of planning in India’.
• Beautification led by Sir Mirza Ismail, then Dewan of Mysore.

9. Congo River

The Congo River has risen to its highest level in more than 60 years, causing flooding throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Congo Republic that has killed more than 300 people recently.

Congo/ Zaire River Overview

• Africa’s second-longest river after the Nile and the ninth-longest in the world.
• Origin: Named after the ancient Kongo Kingdom near its mouth.
• Geography: Flows through the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, parts of Zambia, Angola, Cameroon, and Tanzania.
• Course:
  • Originates as the Chambeshi River in northeastern Zambia, between Lakes Tanganyika and Nyasa (Malawi).
  • Forms a counterclockwise arc, flowing northwest, west, and southwest into the Atlantic Ocean at Banana in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  • Crosses the equator twice, traversing rainforests.
• Notable Features:
  • Deepest river in the world, with depths exceeding 750 feet (230 metres).
  • Second-largest flow, only behind the Amazon.
  • Congo Basin is the second-largest watershed globally.
• Ecosystem:
  • Encompasses tropical rainforests and swamps forming the Congo Basin.
  • Constitutes the bulk of Central Africa’s rainforest, the world’s second-largest after the Amazon.

10. Momentum Investing

Many academic studies have shown that momentum investing can generate high returns that comfortably beat the benchmark indices.

• Momentum investing involves buying rising assets and selling those in decline, based on the belief that current trends will continue.
• Investors aim to profit by selling assets bought in an uptrend at even higher prices later.
• This strategy is grounded in the observation that asset price trends tend to persist over time.
• Momentum investing doesn’t focus on deep fundamental analysis but rather on strong price trends.
• It contrasts with traditional investing advice, following a “buy high, sell higher” approach rather than “buy low, sell high”.

11. Yakshagana

• Yakshagana is a traditional theatre form of Karnataka.
• It is a temple art form that depicts mythological stories and Puranas.
• It is performed with massive headgears, elaborate facial make-up and vibrant costumes and ornaments.
• Usually recited in Kannada, it is also performed in Malayalam as well as Tulu (the dialect of south Karnataka).
• It is performed with percussion instruments like chenda, maddalam, jagatta or chengila (cymbals) and chakratala or elathalam (small cymbals).

12. Henley Passport Index:

• It is the original, authoritative ranking of all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.
• It started in 2006as the Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index (HVRI).
• France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain hold the top spot as the world’s most powerful passports. Afghanistan occupies the bottom spot on the list
• India’s passport ranked 80th in the list, with citizens allowed to travel to 62 countries without a visa.

13. REC Limited

• Central Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Power, focusing on financing the power sector.
• Recognized as an NBFC, PFI, and IFC by the RBI.
• Founded in 1969 to support irrigation through the electrification of agricultural pump-sets, aiming to decrease agriculture’s dependence on monsoons.
• Expanded its financing scope to encompass the entire power infrastructure sector, including generation, transmission, distribution, renewable energy, and emerging technologies (electric vehicles, battery storage, green hydrogen).
• Broadened into non-power infrastructure sectors like roads, metro rail, airports, IT communication, social and commercial infrastructure, ports, and electro-mechanical works in various industries.
• Financing Activities: Offers long-term loans and financing solutions to state, central, and private entities for infrastructure asset creation.
• Funding: Utilizes market borrowings, including bonds and term loans, alongside foreign borrowings.
• Subsidiary: REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (ECPDCL) offers consultancy services within the power sector.

14. World Heritage Committee

In a historic milestone, India is set to take the reins as the chair of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee for the very first time.

World Heritage Committee:

• It is a committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
• The Committee is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund, and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties.
• It has the final say on whether a property is inscribed on the World Heritage List.

15. Tricholime

The Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) in Kozhikode has successfully developed a new granular lime-based Trichoderma formulation called ‘Tricholime.’ 

Trichoderma

Trichoderma is a fungal biocontrol agent effective against soil-borne pathogens in crop production.

What is Tricholime?

It is a lime-based formulation, developed by integrating Trichoderma and Lime into a single product. Lime helps in controlling soil acidity.

Benefits: Tricholime neutralizes soil acidity, promotes plant growth, protects against pathogens, and simplifies application for farmers. It serves as a bio-pesticide and bio-fertilizer, benefiting soil health and supporting sustainable organic farming.

16. Sponge farming

Warming oceans forced women in Zanzibar to switch from seaweed to climate-resilient sponge farming to stay afloat.

• Sponge farming is an eco-friendly business, not damaging the marine ecosystem.
• Sponges are living animals with a fibrous skeleton, specialized cells, and a unique water-pumping mechanism.
• They provide habitats for other marine life, forming symbiotic relationships.
• Found in all oceans, sponges contribute 20% to the global silicon biological sink, purifying water by removing impurities.
• Resilient to climate change, requiring minimal maintenance, and fetching premium prices.
• Most sponges are hermaphrodites, capable of self-propagation through buds or regeneration from fragments.
• Used for bathing and hygiene due to their natural antibacterial, antifungal properties, and odour resistance.
• Play a role in combating climate change by breaking down into silicon, aiding the carbon cycle, and supporting diatom growth which absorbs CO2.

17. Hog deer:

In a significant discovery, the hog deer has been spotted for the first time at the Rajaji Tiger Reserve.

• It is a solitary creature but sometimes spotted feeding in small groups in open fields when food there is plentiful.
• For the most part it is sedentary and does not migrate.
• Males tend to be territorial and mark their territory with glandular secretions.
• This species exhibits sexual dimorphism. The females are slightly smaller than males and lack antlers.
• Distribution
  • It has a native geographic range throughout India, including the Himalayan foothills and Southeast Asia.
  • Humans have introduced free-ranging populations of this deer in Sri Lanka, Australia and the United States, including Texas, Florida, and Hawaii.

Conservation status- IUCN: Endangered

Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Scheduled I

18. Lunar Gateway Station:

• It is a primary component of NASA’s Artemis program.
• Artemis intends to establish a long-term base on the Moon (Artemis base), and the Lunar Gateway will serve as a multi-purpose outpost that orbits the Moon.
• The Gateway is a multinational project involving four of the International Space Station partner agencies: NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

19. Artemis Accords

• Artemis Accordsare established by theS. State Department and NASA with seven other founding members: Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom in 2020 for setting common principles to govern civil exploration and use of outer space, the moon, Mars, comets, and asteroids, for peaceful purposes.
• It builds upon the foundation of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967.
• The Outer Space Treaty, a multilateral pact under the United Nations, serves as the foundation for international space law.
• The treaty emphasizes space as ashared resource for humanity, prohibits national appropriation, and encourages the peaceful use of space.
• India became the 27th country to sign the nonbinding Artemis Accords.

20. Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) in Bengaluru have found that many bird species have started shifting to higher elevations due to rising temperatures in Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Himalayan foothills of West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
• Adjoins Sessa Orchid Sanctuary and Pakhui Tiger Reserve, situated in the Eastern Himalayas biodiversity hotspot.
• Hosts over 500 bird species, making it a premier birding destination with diverse, abundant, and accessible avian life.
• Altitudinal range spans from 500 to 3,250 meters, encompassing part of the Kameng Elephant Reserve.
• Named after the Red Eagle Division of the Indian army stationed there in the 1950s.
• Features a mix of temperate cloud forest, dense bamboo, broadleaved evergreen forest, with conifers and rhododendrons at higher elevations.
• Inhabited by various fauna including capped langur, Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, red panda, Asiatic black bear, Arunachal macaque, and gaur.

21. Bobbilli Veena:

• It is a traditional ‘Saraswati Veena’ from Bobbili and is famed for its fine tune and distinctive notes.
• It is a large plucked string instrument used in Carnatic music.
• The making of the veena began in the 17th century during the reign of Pedda Rayudu, the king of Bobbili Samsthanam who was a great patron of music.
• It earned a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2012for its unique design and high-quality craftsmanship.

22. Tapioca plant (cassava)

The ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) here has issued an advisory on feeding animals with parts of cassava (tapioca) in view of the incident in Idukki where 13 cows died in a farm recently.

• Tapioca is a significant horticultural crop in Tamil Nadu, India, cultivated on nearly 300,000 hectares, yielding 60 million tonnes.
• Grown in tropical regions for its roots, used to make cassava flour, breads, tapioca, starch, and alcoholic drinks.
• Prefers well-drained, red lateritic loamy soils in a warm, humid tropical climate.
• Requires well-distributed rainfall exceeding 100 cm annually and can be cultivated up to 1,000 meters elevation.
• Contains cyanogenic glucosides (CNGs) like linamarin and lotaustralin, which break down to release toxic hydrogen cyanide.
• Leaves have 10 times more CNGs than roots, with CNG levels decreasing as leaves age.
• The rind has 10-30 times more cyanoglucoside content than edible parts, posing a risk of cyanide poisoning if fed to animals without proper processing.

23. Sohrai Painting

• Sohrai Painting is an indigenous mural art form, with the term ‘Sohrai’ derived from ‘soro’, meaning ‘to drive with a stick’.
• Dates back to the Meso-chalcolithic period (9000-5000 BC), with connections to rock paintings found in the Isko rock shelter, Barkagaon, Hazaribagh.
• Themes typically encompass natural elements like forests, rivers, and animals.
• Created by tribal women using natural materials such as charcoal, clay, and soil.
• Originated as cave paintings, now practiced by indigenous communities in Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal.
• Hazaribagh in Jharkhand, known for Sohrai Painting, has received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for this art form.

24. RBI Norms for Politically-Exposed Persons (PEPs)

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently updated Know Your Customer (KYC) norms for politically exposed persons (PEPs) who transact with regulated entities (REs), seeking to comply with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

• PEPs (Politically Exposed Persons) are individuals with significant public roles in foreign countries, including heads of state, senior politicians, and high-ranking government, military, or state-owned corporation officials.
• Regulated Entities (REs) may choose to engage with PEPs as customers or beneficial owners but must adhere to specific RBI guidelines.
• REs are required to conduct regular customer due diligence and implement additional measures for transactions involving PEPs.
• These measures include establishing a risk management system to identify PEPs, verifying the source of their funds/wealth, and obtaining senior management approval for opening PEP accounts.

25. Thanjavur doll

Thanjavur dolls are facing stiff competition from electronic toys and e-commerce platforms, besides a severe labour crunch and shortage of clay.

• Introduced to Thanjavur by Maratha ruler Raja Serfoji in the early 19th century.
• Known as “Thanjavur thalayatti bommai” in Tamil, meaning bobble-head or tilting dolls.
• Made from materials like papier-mâché, plaster of Paris, and a base mixture of various local soils.
• Copper sulphate powder is used as a fungicide in the dolls’ construction.
• Received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2009, recognizing its unique cultural and geographical origins.

26. Kadamba Inscription

Recently, an inscription said to be of the 10th century A.D. from the Kadamba period was discovered in the Mahadeva temple at Cacoda in southern Goa.

Kadambas of Goa:

• The Kadambas of Goa were the subordinates of Chalukyas of Kalyani.
• Chalukyan emperor Tailapa II appointed Kadamba Shasthadeva as mahamandaleshwar of Goa for his help in overthrowing the Rashtrakutas.
• Kadamba Shasthadeva conquered the city of Chandavara from the Shilaharas in 960 A.D.
• Later, he conquered the port of Gopakapattana (present day Goa).

27. Wetland City Accreditation (WCA)

• The WCA is a voluntary accreditation system established by the Ramsar Convention during the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP) 12, 2015 to recognize cities that have taken exceptional steps to safeguard their urban wetlands.
• The scheme aims to promote the conservation and wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands,as well as sustainable socio-economic benefits for local populations.
• The WCA is valid for 6 years.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has recently submitted three nominations from India for the Wetland City Accreditation (WCA).
• The nominated cities include Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), and Udaipur (Rajasthan).

28. Monuments of National Importance (MNI)

• Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR Act) (1958, amended 2010) governs MNI conservation.
• Uttar Pradesh leads with 745 MNIs.
• Central Government declares MNIs post-objection period via official gazette.
• ASI, under the Ministry of Culture, handles MNI protection.
• 100m radius around MNIs is construction-free; next 200m regulated.
• ASI can delist non-important MNIs, ceasing its protection.

29. Armed Forces Special Powers Act – AFSPA

• AFSPA (1958) grants armed forces special powers in “disturbed areas.”
• “Disturbed” status due to religious, racial, language, regional, caste/community disputes.
• Central Government, State Governor, or UT administrator can declare an area “disturbed.”
• Special powers include banning gatherings, using force, arrest without warrant, and property search.
• Arrested individuals must be handed to police with a report.
• Armed forces immune from prosecution without Union Government sanction.
• AFSPA active in Nagaland, Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, Manipur (excluding Imphal), Arunachal Pradesh.

30. Magnetofossils

In the depths of the Bay of Bengal, scientists have discovered a 50,000-year-old sediment — a giant magnetofossil and one of the youngest to be found yet.

• These are the fossilised remains of magnetic particles created by magnetotactic bacteria, also known as magnetobacteria, and found preserved within the geological records.
• Magnetotactic bacteria– These are mostly prokaryotic organisms that arrange themselves along the earth’s magnetic field.

31. Gulf Of Mannar

• Location: Southeast coast of India, part of the Laccadive Sea in the Indian Ocean.
• Geography: Lies between northwest coast of Sri Lanka and southeast coast of India, bordered by Rameswaram, Adam’s (Rama’s) Bridge, and Mannar Island.
• Rivers: Receives waters from the Tambraparni (India) and the Aruvi (Sri Lanka).
• Ports: Home to the port of Tuticorin on the Indian coast.
• Natural Resources: Known for pearl banks and sacred chank (a gastropod mollusk).
• Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park:
  • Recognized as one of the most biologically rich coastal regions in India.
  • First Marine Biosphere Reserve in South and Southeast Asia.
  • Contains one of India’s four major coral reef areas, alongside the Gulf of Kutch, Lakshadweep, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
  • Biosphere Reserve status, covering 21 islands (2 submerged) and adjacent coral reefs in Ramanathapuram and Tuticorin districts.

32. Arsenic Contamination In India

• Arsenic enters soil and groundwater via natural weathering of rocks and anthropogenic activities; emitted into the atmosphere by coal-fired plants, burning vegetation, volcanism.
• High arsenic concentrations found in groundwater near sulfide minerals and volcanic rocks; released into the atmosphere by biomethylation and reduction to arsines.
• Long-term arsenic exposure leads to arsenicosis, skin/bladder/kidney/lung cancer, skin diseases, diabetes, hypertension, reproductive issues; WHO highlights health risks since 1958.
• Most affected Indian states: West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Chhattisgarh.
• Reduction strategies: use less contaminated wells, replace contaminated sources, remove arsenic before consumption, aim for arsenic levels ≤10 µg/l through conventional treatment.
• Rainwater harvesting/watershed management can ensure arsenic-free water supply.
• Health effects: increased cancer risk, gastrointestinal symptoms, cardiovascular and nervous system disturbances, bone marrow depression, melanosis, polyneuropathy, encephalopathy; risks at <50 µg/l.

33. Vote-from-Home

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has, for the first time in the history of the Lok Sabha elections, extended its ‘vote-from-home’ facility to Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and senior citizens aged 85 and above.

• Vote-from-Home eligibility: 85+, certified disabilities ≥40%, media covering polls (with EC authorisation), essential service workers (metros, railways, healthcare), service voters (armed forces, CAPF away from hometown, poll duty personnel).

 34. Sea Cucumber: 

• These are part of a larger animal group called echinoderms and are invertebrates that live on the seafloor. Their body shape is similar to a cucumber, but they have small tentacle-like tube feet that are used for locomotion and feeding.
• They are found in all marine environments throughout the world, from shallow to deep-sea environments. Sea cucumbers are benthic, meaning they live on the ocean floor.
• They excrete inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus, enhancing the productivity of benthic biota.
• Reproduction:
  • Sea cucumbers exhibit both sexual and asexual reproduction.
  • Unlike most terrestrial animals, sea cucumber eggs undergo external fertilization—females release eggs into the water that are fertilized when they come into contact with sperm that males have released.
• Conservation status:
  • Wildlife Protection Act of 1972: Schedule I
  • CITES: Appendix II

35. Galapagos Islands

• The Galapagos Islands, a beautiful destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is facing a pressing issue: rising visitor numbers threatening the delicate balance of this unique ecosystem.

• The Galápagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago in the Eastern Pacific, about 900 km (560 mi) west of South America, straddling the Equator.

• Part of Ecuador, forming Galápagos Province, divided into cantons of San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, and Isabela.

• Famous for a large number of endemic species that contributed to Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection in the 1830s.

• All islands are part of Ecuador’s Galápagos National Park and Marine Reserve, indicating high levels of protection and conservation efforts.

36. Biomining: An Eco-friendly Mining Technique

• Biomining is the extraction of metals from ores and solid materials using microorganisms like bacteria, algae, fungi, or plants. It can also aid in the cleanup of metal-polluted sites.
• Process:
  • Involves microbes oxidizing metals in minerals, making them soluble in water.
  • Used for metals easier to recover in dissolved form than from solid rocks.
  • Another method involves microbes breaking down surrounding minerals to facilitate direct metal recovery from the residue.
  • Bioleaching: Direct dissolution of metals by microbes.
  • Biooxidation: Microbes enhance metal accessibility in the remaining material.
• Applications:
  • Targets metals such as copper, uranium, nickel, and gold, often found in sulfidic minerals.
  • Microbes excel at oxidizing these sulfidic minerals, transforming metals into more soluble forms.

37. Usha Mehta: A Gandhian and Freedom Fighter

• Early Life:
  • Born in Saras, near Surat, Gujarat in 1920.
  • Known as Ushaben, a devoted Gandhian.
  • Participated in a protest against the Simon Commission at age 8 in 1928.
• Contribution to Freedom Movement:
  • In 1942, during the Quit India Movement, she co-founded the Secret Congress Radio, a key communication tool for the freedom movement.
• Secret Congress Radio:
  • Background: The British suspended amateur radio licenses at the start of World War II, with strict penalties for non-compliance.
  • Founding Team: Alongside Usha Mehta, Babubhai Khakar, Vithalbhai Jhaveri, and Chandrakant Jhaveri were instrumental in the operation.
  • Congress Radio Case: The trial of the involved individuals, including Mehta and her associates, captured significant public attention in Bombay. While Vithalbhai Jhaveri and Nanak Gainchand Motwane were acquitted, Mehta and others received severe sentences.
  • Usha Mehta was released from Yerawada Jail in Pune in March 1946 and was celebrated in nationalist circles as “Radio-ben”.

38. Vechur Cow

• India’s rare dwarf breed, world’s smallest cattle, from Vechur, Kerala.
• Colors: light red, black, fawn, white; adapted to hot, humid climate.
• Benefits: higher milk yield than other dwarfs, docile, disease-resistant, low maintenance, minimal veterinary care needed.
• Health: resistant to mastitis, foot/mouth diseases, respiratory infections; milk with medicinal properties, beneficial for malabsorption syndrome.

39. Genetic Rescue

• Genetic rescue: introduces new genetic variation to small populations via migration to boost growth and reduce extinction risk, proposed to be used in Ranthambore for tiger conservation.
• Aims: alleviate genetic load, enhance viability of endangered species, counter inbreeding depression’s negative effects.
• Considerations: balance benefits and risks, often a last resort due to potential deleterious effects and complexities of animal relocation.

• It is often employed in conservation biology to mitigate the negative effects of inbreeding depression, which can occur when individuals within a population mate with close relatives, leading to decreased reproductive success and viability of offspring.

40. Peatlands

A new study finds that canals used to drain soggy peatlands in Southeast Asia are likely hotspots for greenhouse gas emissions.

Peatlands are terrestrial wetland ecosystems in which waterlogged conditions prevent plant material from fully decomposing. Consequently, the production of organic matter exceeds its decomposition, which results in a net accumulation of peat.

The majority of the world’s peatlands occur in boreal and temperate parts of the Northern Hemisphere, especially, Europe, North America, and Russia.

41. TEPA: India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement

• TEPA is a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), introducing novel aspects in India’s FTA engagements.
• Key Features:
  • Investment:
    • Aims for a $100 billion investment from EFTA countries into India, anticipated to create one million jobs over 15 years.
    • India can retract tariff concessions if the expected investment is not realized, with a provision to act after 18 years.
  • Trade in Goods:
    • India is required to phase out tariffs on most products within 7-10 years.
    • Minimal impact on India’s exports to EFTA due to already low or zero tariffs under Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status.
  • Trade in Services:
    • Commitment from both sides to liberalize a broad spectrum of service sectors.
  • Sustainable Development:
    • Incorporates a chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD), focusing on environmental and labor commitments, marking a first in India’s FTAs.
  • Intellectual Property Rights (IPR):
    • EFTA, housing numerous pharmaceutical and high-tech MNCs, demands higher IPR protections than those stipulated by the WTO’s TRIPS Agreement.
    • TEPA mandates quick dismissal of “prima facie unfounded” IPR oppositions, potentially subjecting India’s regulatory processes to external examination.

42. IceCube Neutrino Observatory: Unveiling “Ghost Particles

It is a device at the earth’s South Pole that detects subatomic particles called neutrinos. It was built and is maintained by the IceCube Collaboration, which consists of many universities worldwide led by the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

• Functionality:
  • Neutrinos, upon interacting with the ice, may generate charged particles and radiation.
  • The observatory’s sensors detect this radiation, enabling the identification and analysis of neutrinos.
  • Capable of distinguishing among various types of neutrinos in real-time.
• Scientific Achievement:
  • Researchers using data from IceCube have potentially identified the first astrophysical tau neutrinos, often referred to as “ghost particles” due to their elusive nature.

43. Foot and Mouth Disease

• FMD: Highly contagious viral disease in livestock, significant economic impact, affects cloven-hoofed ruminants, not horses/dogs/cats.
• Causes: Aphthovirus, Picornaviridae family, seven strains, no cross-immunity.
• Symptoms: Fever, blister-like sores on tongue, lips, mouth, teats, hooves.
• Effects: Rarely fatal in adults, high mortality in young, severe production losses, long-term debilitation.
• WOAH (OIE) recognition: First disease with official status.

44. Rice Bran Oil

• Rice Bran: byproduct of rice milling, outer layer of brown rice, 14-18% oil content.
• Rice Bran Oil: popular in Japan, Asia, India; pale yellow, nutty, sweet, rich in unsaturated fats and vitamin E.
• Uses: mostly animal feed due to oily nature, excellent binder.
• Health Benefits: anti-diabetic, lipid-lowering, hypotensive, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, improves bowel function, may reduce cholesterol absorption, potentially prevents certain kidney stones.

45. Pandavula Gutta

• Pandavula Gutta has been officially recognised as the sole Geo-heritage site in Telangana.
• It is a geological marvel older than the Himalayan hills. It is located in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district in Telangana is home to many prehistoric habitation sites.
• It is rich in terms of number of paintings, rock shelters and its habitation, right from the mesolithic to medieval times.
• “Geoheritage” is a generic but descriptive term applied to sites or areas of geologic features with significant scientific, educational, cultural or aesthetic value.

46. Ethanol 100

• High octane rating of 100-105, ideal for high-performance engines to improve efficiency and power while reducing environmental impact.
• Versatile for use in a wide range of vehicles, including flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) that run on gasoline, ethanol, or blends of both.
• Composition includes 93-93.5% ethanol, 5% petrol, and 1.5% co-solvent for effective blending.
• Offers a cleaner alternative to gasoline, with lower emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants, aiding in climate change mitigation and air quality improvement.

47. Flex-fuel Vehicles

• Flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) are designed to run on various fuels, including petrol, ethanol, or methanol, providing consumer choice at fuel points.
• FFVs are similar to petrol-only cars with a few modifications, promoting sustainability without sacrificing performance or convenience.

48. Sagar Parikrama:

• It is an outreach program intended to reach out fishermen community across the entire coastal belt of the country through a predetermined sea route.
• The initiative has been launched to understand the issues, experiences, and aspirations of fishermen and also to create awareness of various schemes and programs of the Government available to fishermen in coastal areas.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

49. Nana Jagannath Shankarseth:

• He was a social reformer, educationist and philanthropist is often described as the “architect” of Mumbai (then Bombay).
• He made extremely valuable contributions in terms of both ideas and money to multiple sectors, to lay a strong foundation for the city.
• He was greatly inspired by the legendary merchant and philanthropist Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy.
• He became the first Indian to be nominated to the Legislative Council of Bombay.

50. HDI Report

• Human Development Index (HDI): Measures country’s development in health, knowledge, standard of living.
• Dimensions: Life expectancy, education (mean and expected years), GNI per capita (PPP in US$).
• Scale: 0 to 1, higher values indicate better development.
• Based on Amartya Sen’s “capabilities” approach, focuses on well-being over income.
• Published annually by UNDP since 1990.
• The report stated that while India ranked 135 in 2021, it had moved up to 134 in 2022. A total of 193 countries were ranked in 2022 and 191 countries in 2021.
• In 2022, India saw improvements across all HDI indicators – life expectancy, education and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita.