Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 18th December 2024

India’s First Diabetes Biobank:

India has established its first diabetes biobank at the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) in Chennai, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

• The diabetes biobank is a repository of biological samples collected from different populations to aid scientific research.
• It is designed to: Collect, process, store and distribute biospecimens to support ongoing and future studies, House blood samples for various forms of diabetes, including Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.
• Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce insulin or when the body cannot use insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood glucose levels.
• If the body fails to produce or use insulin properly, it results in high blood glucose levels, a condition known as hyperglycemia. Over a long period, hyperglycemia can cause significant damage to various organs and tissues.
• It is a major cause of critical health conditions such as blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputations.

INS Nirdeshak : Set To Commissioned

INS Nirdeshak is set to be commissioned on December 18 at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam.INS Nirdeshak is the second ship under the Survey Vessel (Large) Project of the Indian Navy.

• It is designed to conduct hydrographic surveys, assist in navigation and support maritime operations.
• It is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
• It reflects India’s commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) with over 80% indigenous content.
• INS Nirdeshak represents the reincarnation of the erstwhile INS Nirdeshak, which served the Indian Navy for 32 years with distinction until its decommissioning on December 19, 2014.
• The name ‘Nirdeshak’, meaning ‘Pathfinder’, signifies its role in charting the seas with precision.

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP):United Kingdom New Member

The United Kingdom became the 12th member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

• It is a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) finalized in 2018, aimed at reducing trade barriers among its 11 member countries.
• Initially known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the agreement was rebranded as CPTPP after the United States withdrew from the deal in January 2017.
• These countries include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
• U.K. becomes the 12th member, marking its first major trade pact post-Brexit.
• Significance for the U.K.:
  • Entry into force from December 15, 2024, with staggered implementation for some nations.
  • Strengthens U.K.’s post-Brexit vision of “Global Britain.”
  • Allows access to dynamic Pacific markets.

Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR based pledge Financing:

The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New & Renewable Energy launched the Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR based Pledge Financing (CGS-NPF).

• It aims to provide credit facilities to small farmers to prevent them from distress selling.
• It provides a corpus of Rs 1,000 crore for post-harvest finance availed by farmers against electronic negotiable warehouse receipts (e-NWRs) after depositing commodities in Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) accredited warehouses.
• Loans up to 75 lakhs for agricultural purposes and Loans up to Rs. 200 Lakhs for non-agricultural purposes.
• Eligible Institutions: All scheduled banks and all cooperative banks.
• Eligible Borrowers: Small and Marginal Farmer (SMF)/Women/SC/ST/PwD Farmers, other farmers, MSMEs, Traders, FPOs and Farmer cooperatives.
• Risks covered: Credit and warehouseman risk
• Guarantee coverage: 85% for loans up to Rs. 3L and 80% for loans between 3 to 75 lakhs for small and marginal farmers/women/SC/ST/PwD and 75% for other borrowers.
• The credit guarantee schemes are expected to enhance the availability and accessibility of finances for the targeted beneficiaries, as they play an important role in economic growth.
• It will serve to increase post-harvest lending agai

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis:

A famous tabla maestro and five-time Grammy Award winner passed away in San Francisco due to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).

• It is a serious chronic disease that affects the tissue surrounding the air sacs, or alveoli, in the lungs.
• The lung tissue becomes thick and stiff for unknown reasons — causing permanent scarring in the lungs over time.
• Fibrosis can make it progressively more difficult to breathe for the patient.
• Complications from IPF include pulmonary hypertension and respiratory failure, which happen when the lungs cannot deliver enough oxygen into the bloodstream without support.
• This prevents the brain and other organs from getting the oxygen they need.
• Individuals with a history of smoking or a family history of IPF are at higher risk.
• The risk also increases with age, making older adults more susceptible to developing the disease.
• Common symptoms include shortness of breath and a dry cough — both of which are likely to get worse over time.
• Patients might also have aching muscles and joints as well as feeling extreme tiredness.
• A gradual, unintended loss of weight and generally feeling unwell. Symptoms also include rapid, shallow breathing and clubbing — a widening and rounding of the tips of the fingers or toes.
• There is no cure for IPF, but some treatments can help slow lung damage and improve quality of life.
• Medications like Nintedanib or Pirfenidone can help the lungs function better and reduce flare-ups.

Exercise SLINEX 2024:

Exercise SLINEX 2024 (Sri Lanka–India Exercise) will be conducted from 17 to 20 Dec 24 at Visakhapatnam under the aegis of the Eastern Naval Command

• It is a bilateral naval exercise conducted between India and Sri Lanka.
• It was initiated in 2005, SLINEX is a significant series of bilateral naval exercises that have strengthened maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka over the years.
• The 2024 edition aims to further reinforce the strong maritime ties between India and Sri Lanka while promoting a safe, secure and rules-based maritime environment.
• The 2024 exercise will be held in two phases – the Harbour Phase and the Sea Phase.
• Participating Units:
  • From India: Indian Naval Ship INS Sumitra, a Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Eastern Fleet, along with a Special Forces team.
  • From Sri Lanka: SLNS Sayura, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, with an embarked Special Forces team.

53rd Anniversary of Vijay Diwas:

India commemorated Vijay Diwas on 16th December marking the 53rd anniversary of its victory in the Bangladesh Liberation War, 1971 and the creation of Bangladesh.National leaders, including the President and Prime Minister (PM), paid tributes to the fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial in Delhi.

3-day event titled ‘Remembering Ghalib:

A 3-day event titled ‘Remembering Ghalib’ was organized by the Sahitya Kala Parishad in Delhi, to mark the birth anniversary of renowned poet Mirza Ghalib.Sahitya Kala Parishad is a cultural wing of the Government of Delhi, set up in 1968 for the promotion and propagation of Art and Culture in Delhi.Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan, known as Ghalib, was born on 27th December 1797.

Honor of martyr Sri Potti Sriramulu:

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister announced the establishment of a Telugu University in honor of martyr Sri Potti Sriramulu to commemorate his sacrifices for the Telugu people.Sri Potti Sriramulu is honored for his crucial role in advocating for a Telugu-speaking state from Madras. His sacrifice on 15th December led to the creation of linguistic states in India.His death after a 56-day fast led to widespread violence, prompting the government to form a State Reorganisation Commission (Dec 1953), creating Andhra Pradesh in Oct 1953.Sriramulu participated in the Indian Independence Movement and was jailed for his involvement in the 1930 Salt Satyagraha and also participated in the Quit India Movement.

National Energy Conservation Day 2024:

On 14th December (Energy Conservation 2024 Day), the Vice President of India honored winners of the National Painting Competition.The event highlighted the scope of energy conservation through the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act of 20The National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA) 2024 recognized achievements across various sectors, receiving 752 applications and presenting 71 awards.NECA was first presented on 14th December 1991, which was declared as ‘National Energy Conservation Day’22.

Malibu Wildfire:

A significant wildfire, known as the Franklin Fire, erupted in Malibu, California, prompting the evacuation of residents.Experts attribute the Franklin Fire’s destructiveness to the “Santa Ana” winds and climate change.Santa Ana winds occur when high pressure over the Great Basin (the area between the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada) and low pressure over California’s coast drive strong winds from inland deserts over mountains to the Pacific Ocean.

Indian Light Tank (ILT) Zorawar:

The Indian Light Tank (ILT), also known as Zorawar, has successfully completed firing trials at an altitude of over 4,200m.It was jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) with contributions from various Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises for high-altitude warfare and rapid deployment.

Health Equity:

Health equity remains a critical goal for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in India. Despite government initiatives systemic inequalities persist across gender, religion, and regions, widening the gap in access to quality healthcare services.Health equity ensures that everyone has a fair opportunity to achieve their highest health potential, addressing avoidable disparities caused by social, economic, and environmental factors.

Hydroxymethanesulphonate:

A study reveals hydroxymethanesulphonate, a secondary aerosol, forming in cold urban areas like Fairbanks, Alaska, reshaping understanding of aerosol chemistry in extreme conditions and its air quality impact.A secondary aerosol that forms from chemical reactions involving formaldehyde and sulphur dioxide in the presence of liquid water.Occurs when formaldehyde reacts with sulphite ions in aerosol particles.Requires liquid water within aerosol particles, even in extremely cold conditions (supercooled state).

GSI Geoscience Museum in Gwalior:

On the occasion of the inauguration of the GSI Geoscience Museum in Gwalior, Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, along with several distinguished dignitaries, marked the opening of this state-of-the-art facility.

Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) and the Indian Navy have signed an MoU to boost education:

Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) and the Indian Navy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance education, research, and training in logistics for the Navy. This collaboration is aimed at strengthening the logistics capabilities of the Indian Navy, focusing on key areas like supply chain management, multimodal transportation, and sustainability.

Public Sector Banks Record Net Profit of Rs 85,520 Crore In First Half FY2024-25:

In the first half of FY 2024-25, Public Sector Banks (PSBs), including the State Bank of India (SBI), reported a net profit of ₹85,520 crore, marking an impressive 26% growth compared to ₹67,850 crore during the same period in the previous year. This significant achievement underscores the operational efficiency and financial resilience of PSBs, driven by improved asset quality, robust credit monitoring, and enhanced operational efficiency.

India’s wholesale inflation eased to 1.9% in November:

India’s wholesale inflation moderated to 1.9% in November, down from 2.4% in October, with food price inflation easing significantly from a 25-month high of 11.6% in October to 8.9%. Despite this, prices for manufactured products, such as food products, furniture, pharmaceuticals, and electrical equipment, continued to rise, contributing to higher inflation in this category.