Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 14th August 2024

India’s New Cabinet Secretary:

The Indian government has appointed TV Somanathan as the new Cabinet Secretary, succeeding Rajiv Gauba.

• Earlier as Finance Secretary, Somanathan was noted for his careful management of finances and contributed to Production
• Linked Incentive Schemes and initiatives like PM Garib Kalyan and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• The Cabinet Secretary is the highest-ranking civil servant in the Government of India, ex-officio chairman of the Civil Services Board, the Cabinet Secretariat.
• Appointed for a fixed two-year term, the Cabinet Secretary ranks eleventh in the Indian order of precedence and is directly accountable to the Prime Minister.
• The Cabinet Secretary’s tenure can be extended up to four years, with an additional extension of up to three months possible, as per the amended All India Services (Death-Cum-Retirement-Benefits) Rules, 1958.
• Facilitates government operations, provides secretarial support to Cabinet, coordinates inter-ministerial efforts, and resolves conflicts through committees.

Neelakurinji Declared As a Threatened Species:

Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana), a flowering shrub that blooms once every 12 years, is now classified as Vulnerable (Criteria A2c) on the IUCN Red List.

• The species was not previously evaluated under IUCN standards due to its unique blooming cycle and ecological challenges.
• Strobilanthes kunthiana is an endemic shrub of three-metre height, seen only in the high-altitude shola grassland ecosystems of five mountain landscapes of southwest India at an elevation of 1,340–2,600 m.
• The scientific name of the Neelakurinji is named after the Kunthi River in Kerala’s Silent Valley National Park where it is abundantly found.
• They are semelparous (reproducing only once in a lifetime) with showy synchronous blooming and fruiting every 12 years at the end of the life cycle.
• Known for their massive blooming, they impart purplish-blue colours to the mountain grasslands and are popularly known as Neelakurinji (Blue Strobilanthes) blooms.
• The species has 34 subpopulations within 14 ecoregions of the high-altitude mountain ranges of southwest India, with 33 subpopulations in the Western Ghats and one in the Eastern Ghats (Yercaud, Shevaroy Hills).
• Most subpopulations are in the Nilgiris of Tamil Nadu, followed by Munnar, Palani-Kodaikanal, and Anamalai mountains.

Vikram Sarabhai’s 105th Birth Anniversary:

India celebrated Dr. Vikram Sarabhai’s 105th birth anniversary on 12th August, who pioneered India’s space program and founded key institutions across various fields.

• Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, born in Ahmedabad in 1919, is the father of India’s space program and mentor to A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
• He established the Physical Research Laboratory at age 28 and conducted pioneering research on cosmic rays.
• Sarabhai’s efforts led to the creation of INCOSPAR in 1962, which later became ISRO, and facilitated the transfer of Viking engine technology from France to India.
• His contact with NASA paved the way for the Satellite Instructional T.V. Experiment (SITE) in 1975, introducing cable TV to India.
• Sarabhai was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 1966 and the Padma Vibhushan posthumously in 1972.

Dysbiosis:

The overuse and misuse of antibiotics pose significant dangers, particularly to the microbiome, the complex community of microorganisms in the human body.

• While antibiotics are vital for treating infections, they also indiscriminately kill beneficial bacteria, leading to a disruption known as dysbiosis.
• Dysbiosis can have severe and long-lasting effects on health, contributing to conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, weakened immune function, and metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes.
• It also affects various “gut-organ axes,” impacting the brain, liver, skin, and respiratory systems.
• Misuse of these “miracle” drugs can turn them into poisons, disrupting the delicate balance of the microbiome and leading to a range of health problems.

Nagaland’s DRTPS Initiative:

Nagaland became the first state in India to adopt a Disaster Risk Transfer Parametric Insurance Solution (DRTPS) by signing an MoU with SBI General Insurance.

• The insurance aims to protect critical infrastructure and reduce economic losses from extreme weather events over a three-year period (2024-2027).
• Parametric insurance provides a predefined payout when specific events, like natural disasters, occur, ensuring quick financial support and enhancing the state’s resilience.
• The significance of this initiative lies in its ability to enhance Nagaland’s financial resilience and safeguard livelihoods against the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.
• Providing quick payouts after disasters helps ensure rapid recovery and reduces economic losses, setting a precedent for disaster risk management in India.

Xerogel : Study

Researchers have developed a porous composite xerogel dressing incorporating Silica Nanoparticles and calcium that can help blood clot rapidly and provide relief for uncontrolled hemorrhage.

• Xerogel is a solid form of a gel obtained by drying it with unhindered shrinkage.
• The drying process of xerogels involves solvent evaporation under standard conditions using conventional methods.
• They are mesoporous materials having high thermal stability.
• The most important properties of xerogel are as follows: nontoxic, cost-effective, biocompatible and high surface area, High porosity and can easily be modified
• The most common examples of xerogels are carbon-based xerogels and silica-based aerogels.
• It is used as catalysts, adsorbents, sensors, membranes and also in drug delivery systems.

National Institutional Ranking Framework 2024:

Union Minister for Education released the India Rankings 2024, which implements the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) drafted for this purpose by the Ministry of Education in 2015.

Key highlights of NIRF 2024:

• Indian Institute of Technology Madras retains its 1st position in the Overall Category for the sixth consecutive year, i.e. 2019 to 2024 and in Engineering for 9th consecutive year, i.e. from 2016 to 2024.
• Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru tops the Universities Category for the ninth consecutive year, i.e. from 2016 to 2024. It stood first in the Research Institutions Category for the fourth consecutive year, i.e. from 2021 to 2024.
• Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad tops in Management subjects retaining its first position for the fifth consecutive year, i.e. from 2020 to 2024.
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi occupies the top slot in Medical for the seventh consecutive year, i.e. from 2018 to 2024.
• Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi tops the ranking in Pharmacy this year.
• National Law School of India University, Bengaluru retains its first position in Law.

Model Solar Village:

The Scheme Guidelines for implementation of ‘Model Solar Village’ under PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana have been notified by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

• Model Solar Village aims to create one Model Solar Village per district across India.
• Goal is to promote solar energy adoption and enable village communities to become self-reliant in meeting their energy needs.
• A total financial outlay of ₹800 crore has been allocated for this component, providing ₹1 crore per selected Model Solar Village.
• In order to be considered a village under the competition mode, a village must be a revenue village with a population size above 5,000 (or 2,000 for special category states).
• The selection process involves a competitive mode where villages are assessed on their overall distributed renewable energy (RE) capacity installed 6 months after the declaration of the potential candidate by the District Level Committee (DLC).
• The winning village in each district, with the highest RE capacity, will receive a central financial assistance grant of ₹1 crore
• The implementation of this scheme will be done by the State/UT Renewable Energy Development Agency under the supervision of the District Level Committee (DLC).

Gotipua Dance:

Gotipua child artists, who experience the world as their stage and applause as a constant companion, face an uncertain future when they hit puberty.

• Gotipua Dance is the majestic folk dance of Orissa which is the precursor to the classical Odissi dance form.
• In the Orissa language, “Goti” means “single” and “Pua” means “boy”.
• In these children are trained in singing, dancing, yoga, and acrobatics within gurukuls or akhadas.
• They dress as girls and perform at temple festivals, social gatherings, and religious ceremonies.
• In ancient times, the temples of Orissa had female dancers called “Devadasi or Mahari (in Orissa)” who were devoted to Lord Jagannath.
• During the time of Bhoi king Rama Chandra Dev with the decline of the Mahari dancers, the class of these boy dancers came into existence in Orissa, to carry out the tradition.
• In its present form, the Gotipua Dance is more precise and systematic in its conception.
• Its performance includes Vandana (prayer to God, or a guru), Abhinaya (the enactment of a song) and Bandha Nritya (rhythms of acrobatic postures).
• Bandha Nritya is a demonstration of physical prowess requiring great agility and flexibility. Preferably performed in adolescence, with age, this dance form becomes increasingly difficult to execute.
• The dancers make extensive use of their hands and feet.
• Musical accompaniment to the Gotipua Dance is provided by the Mardala (a pakhawaj), Gini (small cymbals), harmonium, violin and flute.

Diamond Imprest Licence:

The Union Minister of Commerce & Industry announced the introduction of the Diamond Imprest Licence at the 40th edition of the India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) 2024 organised by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).

• Diamond Imprest Licence allows eligible exporters to import cut and polished diamonds, including semi-processed, half-cut, and broken diamonds.
• Under this exporters can import diamonds up to 5 per cent of their average turnover from the past three years, with a requirement to add 10 per cent value.
• These imports must be used by the importer and cannot be transferred, even after exports are completed.
• This licence was earlier there in the foreign trade policy of 2002 and 2009.
• This will provide a level playing field for Indian MSME diamond exporters. It will stop the flight of investment and also introduce more employment opportunities.

Canine Distemper:

Stray dogs in villages within a two-kilometre radius of the Corbett Tiger Reserve’s boundaries in Uttarakhand will be vaccinated against the canine distemper virus.

• Canine Distemper is a contagious and serious disease caused by the Canine Distemper Virus (CDV).
• The virus attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems of dogs.
• All dogs are at risk of canine distemper. Those at particular risk include puppies younger than four months and dogs that have not been vaccinated against CDV.
• In addition to dogs, CDV can infect ferrets as well as a wide range of other mammals, especially carnivores.
• These include several wildlife species such as wild canines (e.g., foxes and wolves), raccoons, and skunks. Cats also may become infected but are unlikely to get sick.
• It is spread through direct contact or airborne exposure.
• The virus does not last long in the environment and can be destroyed by most disinfectants.
• However, the distemper-infected dogs can shed the virus for up to several months, putting dogs around them at risk
• Once a dog is infected, the virus quickly spreads throughout the entire body and significantly weakens the immune system, leaving them susceptible to secondary infections.
• The skin, respiratory, gastrointestinal (GI), and central nervous systems can all be affected.
• Coughing is the most common symptom. They usually develop fever and discharge from the eyes and/or nose.
• The disease can also cause disorientation, tremors, twitches, and seizures.
• There is no cure, and no antiviral drugs have been approved to combat the infection.
• The best way to prevent canine distemper is through vaccination

INS Arighat:

India is now all set to commission its second nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arighat, armed with nuclear missiles for strategic deterrence.

• INS Arighat is India’s second indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), following India’s first nuclear submarine, INS Arihant, commissioned in 2018.
• It was constructed at the Indian Navy’s Ship Building Centre (SBC) in Visakhapatnam.
• It represents a critical component of India’s nuclear triad, enabling the nation to launch nuclear missiles from land, air, and sea.
• It measures 111.6 meters in length, has a beam of 11 meters, a draught of 9.5 meters, and a displacement of 6,000 tonnes.
• It will have one seven-blade propeller powered by a pressurized water reactor.
• It can achieve a maximum speed of 12–15 knots (22–28 km/h) when on surface and 24 knots (44 km/h) when submerged.
• It can carry up to four nuclear-capable K-4 SLBMs (Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile) with a range of over 3500 kilometers or twelve conventional warheads K-15 SLBMs with a range of about 750 kilometers.
• The K-15 can also carry a strategic nuclear warhead.
• It also carries torpedoes and mines.
• Additional safety measures include two standby auxiliary engines and a retractable thruster for emergency power and mobility.

SBI Signed MoU With Jakson Engineers To Promote Solar Energy Adoption In India:

India’s largest Public Sector Bank (PSB), State Bank of India (SBI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jakson Engineers Limited to promote solar energy adoption across India.This strategic partnership is part of the Surya Shakti Solar Finance initiative which aims to empower a wide range of consumers in commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors to adopt solar energy solutions. The collaboration combines the extensive banking experience of SBI with solar technology expertise of Jakson Engineers Limited.

Fractional Ownership Platform Property Share Received India’s 1st SM REIT License from SEBI:

Property Share (PropShare Investment Manager Private Limited) became the 1st Fractional Ownership Platform (FOP) to received India’s 1st Small and Medium Real Estate Investment Trust (SM REIT) license from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) under the newly notified SM REIT regulations. It received the license under the name of Property Share Investment Trust (PSIT). Property Share is the investment manager to PSIT.

World Airline Awards 2024 By Skytrax:

Skytrax’s World Airline Awards 2024 has honoured Indian airline Vistara (Tata SIA Airlines Limited) as the Best Airline in India / South Asia 2024. It receives the honour for the fourth consecutive time since 2021. Vistara is ranked 16th in the World’s Best Airline ranking and 8th in Asia’s Best Airlines ranking. Qatar Airways has been voted the World’s Best Airline for the 8th time. Singapore Airlines, which topped the 2023 list, is ranked 2nd followed by the Emirates at 3rd position.

SCTIMST Signs MoU With WHO To Enhance Medical Device Production:

Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Science and Technology (SCTIMST) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), within the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Health Organisation (WHO) at a ceremony held in Indian National Science Academy(INSA) in New Delhi(Delhi) to enhance medical device production in India.

Aim: To strengthen India’s position as a leader in healthcare innovation with a focus on “Technology for Medical Diagnosis.

Rwanda’s Kagame Sworn In For Fourth Term After 99 Percent Election Win:

Rwanda’s all-powerful President Paul Kagame was sworn in on August 11, for a fourth term after sweeping to victory in elections last month with more than 99% of the vote.

RBI Sets Up 10-Member Expert Committee On Benchmarking Of Its Statistics:

The RBI on August 12, announced setting up a committee under deputy governor Michael Debabrata Patra on benchmarking the statistics regularly disseminated by it against global standards.

Amazon India And Gentari Partner To Expand EV Delivery Fleet:

Amazon India and Gentari Green Mobility India have announced a strategic partnership aimed at significantly boosting Amazon’s electric vehicle (EV) fleet for last-mile deliveries. This collaboration aligns with Amazon’s goal of scaling up its EV adoption across more than 400 cities in India and increasing its fleet to 10,000 units by 2025

Protected Monument:

The Maharashtra government has recently declared the geoglyphs and petroglyphs in Ratnagiri as protected monuments under the Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960.