28-February-2024-Daily-Current-Affairs

GAGANYAAN: ISRO REVEALS FOUR ASTRONAUTS FOR INDIA’S FIRST HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT MISSION

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT – SOURCE: TELEGRAPH INDIA

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the selection of astronauts for India’s inaugural crewed space mission, Gaganyaan.

The chosen astronauts, Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, are Indian Air Force (IAF) officers recognized for their expertise as test pilots.

Human Readiness Testing and Mission Timeline:

Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre Announcement:

• The announcement occurred at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre after successful human readiness testing of the cryogenic engine for Gaganyaan mission vehicles.

Mission Timeline:

• Gaganyaan-1, an unmanned test flight, is set for the end of 2024 to assess technology readiness.
• The subsequent manned mission aims to carry a three-member crew into a low Earth orbit for a three-day mission.

Launch Vehicle’s Human Rating and Crew Module Development:

LVM3 Rocket Preparation:

• ISRO has readied its LVM3 rocket (GSLV-MkIII) for Gaganyaan missions, featuring liquid, solid, and cryogenic stages.
• Reconfiguration ensures the rocket meets human rating requirements.

Certification of Components:

• Tests on the cryogenic engine and other components are completed and certified for human transportation to space.

Preparations for Human Space Flight:

Technology Readiness Demonstrations:

• Unmanned precursor mission, Gaganyaan-1, will demonstrate technology readiness levels before the manned mission.
• Gaganyaan-1’s crew module will lack some systems but focus on safe re-entry and orientation testing.

Life Support Systems and Emergency Provisions:

• Preparations include developing life support systems, emergency escape provisions, and crew management aspects.

Training of Astronauts:

Generic Training:

• Astronauts underwent generic training at Russia’s Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre from February 2020 to March 2021.
• Current training at ISRO’s facility in Bengaluru emphasizes subsystem functioning and design development.

Fitness and Psychological Training:

• Ongoing training incorporates fitness and psychological aspects essential for space missions.

Collaboration with International Agencies:

• One astronaut is expected to receive training from NASA, showcasing India’s collaboration with international expertise for the Gaganyaan mission.

CAA RULES LIKELY TO BE NOTIFIED BEFORE LOK SABHA POLL CODE: REPORT

TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY AND GOVERNANCE – SOURCE: HINDUSTAN TIMES

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is set to notify rules for the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) passed by Parliament in December 2019.

Despite the CAA being enacted four years ago, the delayed implementation is expected to be addressed with the forthcoming rules.

Key Provisions and Criteria:

Eligible Communities:

• CAA allows non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan (Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Parsi, Jain, and Buddhist) to apply for Indian citizenship through naturalization.
• Assumes religious persecution faced by these communities in the mentioned countries.

Documentation Requirements:

• Rules will specify evidence required to establish an applicant’s religion and country of origin before December 31, 2014.
• Various documents like Aadhaar, school records, or government documentation declaring religion may serve as evidence.

Acceptable Evidence and Time-bound Application:

Evidence for Eligibility:

• Documents like Aadhaar, school enrollment records, or any government declaration of religion can serve as evidence for eligibility.
• Rules may impose a three-month application window to address concerns in Assam and mitigate anxieties over the legislation’s impact.

Time-bound Application:

• A possible three-month time limit for applying under CAA may be introduced.

Presumption of Persecution:

Migration Presumption:

• Rules may not necessitate evidence of religious persecution, presuming migrants moved to India due to persecution or the fear of persecution in their home countries.

Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) 2019:

Objective:

Amends the definition of illegal immigrant for non-Muslims from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.

Grants fast-track Indian citizenship in 5 years (11 years earlier).

Eligibility Criteria:

Applies to those seeking shelter in India due to religious persecution, with a cut-off date for citizenship being December 31, 2014.

Exclusions:

Does not apply to areas under the Constitution’s sixth schedule and states with inner-line permit regimes.

OCI Registration Cancellation:

Provides for the cancellation of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) registration for violations of the Citizenship Act or any other applicable law.

STATE EYES FEMALE TIGERS FROM CENTRAL INDIA FOR STR

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT – SOURCE: TIMES OF INDIA

The Odisha government aims to tackle inbreeding and combat the prevalence of pseudo-melanistic tigers in the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) by introducing female tigers from other regions.

Inbreeding has led to genetic homogeneity and the proliferation of pseudo-melanistic tigers, posing challenges to the conservation of tiger populations.

Concerns and Request:

Pseudo-melanistic Tigers:

• The All-Odisha Tiger Estimation (AOTE 2023-24) report highlights the presence of 13 adult pseudo-melanistic tigers in STR, indicating inbreeding as a significant factor.
• Pseudo-melanistic tigers result from inbreeding and possess genetic traits leading to abnormal coat coloration.

Population Dynamics:

• STR harbors 24 adult tigers, holding the largest share of Odisha’s tiger population.
• All adult female tigers in the state reside in the reserve, making it crucial for conservation efforts.

Government Initiative:

• The Odisha government has written to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), proposing the introduction of female tigers from other regions to augment genetic diversity.
• The initiative aims to address inbreeding and enhance the overall health and resilience of the tiger population in Similipal.

Inbreeding Challenges and Conservation Implications:

Genetic Homogeneity:

• Inbreeding results in reduced genetic diversity within a population due to closely related individuals reproducing.
• This leads to an increased prevalence of deleterious recessive traits and genetic uniformity.

Fitness and Health Concerns:

• Inbreeding depression reduces overall fitness, including reproductive success, survival rates, and overall health of individuals.
• Genetically similar individuals are more susceptible to diseases, posing risks to population viability.

Evolutionary Impacts:

• Limited genetic variation hampers a population’s ability to adapt to environmental changes or threats.
• Long-term inbreeding can lead to population decline, threatening species survival.

Conservation Strategies:

• Conservation efforts must prioritize maintaining or restoring genetic diversity to mitigate the adverse effects of inbreeding.
• Introducing genetically diverse individuals from other populations can rejuvenate gene pools and enhance population resilience.

‘10,000 GENOME’ PROJECT COMPLETED, SAYS GOVERNMENT

TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY – SOURCE: THE HINDU

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has successfully concluded India’s ‘10,000 genome’ project, a collaborative effort involving about 20 institutions.

Led by institutions like the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), the project aims to build a diverse genome database for personalized healthcare and genetic research.

Project Details:

Objective:

• Create a reference database of whole-genome sequences representing India’s diverse population.
• Address India’s rich genetic diversity, including over 4,600 population groups.

Leading Institutions:

• IISc, Bengaluru, and CCMB, Hyderabad, spearheaded the initiative with about 20 participating institutions.

Population Diversity:

• India’s 1.3 billion population encompasses over 4,600 diverse groups, contributing to genetic variations.
• Aimed to identify unique genetic variants in India, particularly focusing on harmful mutations prevalent in endogamous groups.

Outcomes and Significance:

Customization of Healthcare:

• Enables the customization of drugs and therapies tailored to India’s population, enhancing healthcare efficacy.
• Advances personalized medicine by considering diverse genetic backgrounds.

Diagnostic Advancements:

• Enhances diagnostic methods for more accurate identification of genetic predispositions to diseases within specific population groups.
• Insights into harmful mutations aid in targeted disease prevention and management.

Scientific Insights:

• Provides deep insights into India’s population diversity, aiding scientific research and gene therapy development.
• Offers valuable information on individual susceptibility to infectious diseases, contributing to public health strategies.

Revolutionary Initiative:

• Marks a revolutionary step in India’s commitment to large-scale genomic research, showcasing technological and scientific prowess.

Transparency and Collaboration:

• Establishment of a biobank at the Centre for Brain Research, IISc, and archiving data at the Indian Biological Data Centre emphasizes transparency and collaboration.
• All data is stored transparently, fostering future research endeavors and international collaborations.

Global Benchmarking:

• Puts India on the global map of genomic research, contributing valuable data to the international scientific community.
• Comparable to similar genome sequencing programs in the UK, China, and the US.

Scientific Progress:

• Vital for advancing genetic research globally, potentially uncovering rare mutations and contributing to a deeper understanding of human genetics.
• Positions India as a key player in the global genomics research landscape.

‘FIRST TIME IN INDIA’: AFRICAN-MEDITERRANEAN WADER BIRD SPOTTED IN WARANGAL

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT – SOURCE: THE HINDU

Birdwatchers in Telangana discovered a potentially first-in-India spur-winged lapwing near Warangal during the 14th Hyderabad Bird Race.

Initially mistaken for a common river lapwing, distinctive features, calls, and flight patterns confirmed its uniqueness.

Spur-Winged Lapwing (Vanellus spinosus):

Scientific Name: Vanellus spinosus

IUCN Status: Species of Least Concern

Description:

• Medium-sized bird with a distinctive black crown, white face, and conspicuous black spur on the shoulder.
• Brownish-grey back and wings with a white belly.

Habitat:

• Found in wetland habitats like marshes, lakeshores, and riverbanks in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Europe.

Behavior:

• Known for loud and repetitive “kleep-kleep-kleep” calls, especially during breeding.
• Territorial and often forms small colonies.

Feeding Habits:

• Primarily feeds on insects, small invertebrates, and occasionally small fish.
• Forages in shallow water or wet mud using long legs and slender bill.

Breeding:

• Builds a ground nest in open areas, often near water.
• Both male and female participate in incubating eggs and caring for chicks.

Conservation Status:

• Generally considered a species of Least Concern.
• Localized threats to wetland habitats may impact local populations.
• Conservation efforts focus on preserving suitable breeding and feeding areas.

INDIA-SPECIFIC MODEL TO GIVE ACCURATE GESTATIONAL AGE OF FOETUS

TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNNOLOGY – SOURCE: THE HINDU

Garbhini-GA2 is an India-specific artificial intelligence (AI) model developed to accurately determine the gestational age (GA) of a foetus during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

This model is a result of collaborative research between the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, as part of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) India initiative (GARBH-Ini) programme.

About Garbhini-GA2:

Purpose:

• Developed to precisely estimate the foetal age during the late trimesters of pregnancy.

Development and Validation:

• Designed by interdisciplinary researchers.
• Developed and validated using Indian population data, making it the first India-specific model for GA estimation.

Accuracy:

• Significantly reduces estimation error by almost three times compared to existing methods.

Clinical Importance:

• Accurate GA determination is crucial for appropriate maternal care and determining precise delivery dates.

Potential Impact and Future Prospects:

Deployment in Clinics:

• Once validated in pan-India cohorts, Garbhini-GA2 can be widely deployed in clinics across the country.
• Expected to contribute to improved maternal and infant healthcare outcomes, ultimately reducing mortality rates.

Key Facts about THSTI:

Establishment:

• Founded in 2009 in Faridabad, Haryana, THSTI is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Mission:

• Focuses on translating scientific and technological advancements into clinical research for societal benefit.
• Aims to integrate multidisciplinary teams from medicine, science, and technology to address healthcare challenges.

Initiatives:

• Promotes social innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly in the field of maternal and child healthcare.
• Strives to contribute beyond discovery and research, emphasizing practical applications and real-world impact.

FLUE CURED TOBACCO

TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNNOLOGY – SOURCE: THE HINDU

The Government of India has allowed the sale of Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) Tobacco on the Tobacco Boards auction platform.

Penalties on the sale of excess production by registered growers and unauthorized production by unregistered growers in Karnataka have been waived off.

About Flue Cured Tobacco:

Curing Process:

• Process to prepare harvested tobacco leaves for the market.
• Standardized method, especially in FCV tobacco, involves achieving desirable qualities and removing moisture.

Types of Curing:

• Air-Cured, Fire-Cured, and Flue-Cured are traditional methods.
• Each method results in distinct tobacco products based on nicotine content and aroma.

Why Tobacco is Cured:

• Essential for creating smoking tobacco.
• Wet, green tobacco leaves initially have too much moisture and chlorophyll.
• Curing removes excess moisture and releases chlorophyll, imparting flavor and scent to smoked tobacco.

Key Characteristics of FCV Tobacco:

• Production: Mainly used for cigarette tobacco.
• Content: High sugar, medium to high nicotine levels.
• Flavor and Aroma: Rich in natural tannins, providing a distinct mild and slightly sweet flavor.
• Production in India: FCV Tobacco is primarily produced in two states, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.