Society 

India slipped on academic freedom index over the past decade: report - The Hindu

India’s academic freedom index dropped from 0.6 to 0.2 between 2013 and 2023, according to the “Free to Think 2024” report by Scholars at Risk (SAR). SAR is a network of 665 universities globally, including prominent institutions like Columbia University and New York University.

Key Findings on India

• Political Control: The report cites the government’s political control and imposition of a Hindu nationalist agenda as major threats to academic freedom in India.
• Restrictions on Protests: Universities like JNU and South Asian University introduced new policies restricting student protests on campus.
• Academic Freedom Index: India now ranks as “completely restricted”, its lowest score since the mid-1940s.

 

On ‘casteist’ provisions in prison manuals - The Hindu

The Supreme Court recently declared that caste-based division of labour in prisons is “unconstitutional”. A 3 -judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India struck down several provisions in State prison manuals, that reinforced caste differences, for being violative of the fundamental rights of prisoners.

Case Overview

• About: The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by journalist Sukanya Shantha highlighting caste inequalities in prison manuals of various states.
• Examples of Caste Inequalities:
• Tamil Nadu: Separation of Thevars, Nadars, and Pallars in different sections of Palayamkottai Central Jail, showing caste-based segregation.
• Rajasthan Prison Rules (1951): Latrine duties allocated to the Mehtar caste (SC), while Brahmins or "high caste" Hindus were assigned to the kitchens, perpetuating caste-based labour divisions.

How Ayushman Bharat is saving lives - Indian Express

PMJAY is poised to play a pivotal role in building a Viksit Bharat. Health, after all, is the very foundation of well-being, national productivity and prosperity.

A recent study concluded that the bottom 50 per cent of our population has become significantly less vulnerable to medical expenditure-related shocks in the past 10 years and that this trend is closely associated with PMJAY. PMJAY is poised to play a pivotal role in building a Viksit Bharat. Health, after all, is the very foundation of well-being, national productivity and prosperity.

 

Geography 

English Channel - Indian Express 

Several people, including a child, died trying to cross the Channel from France to England recently.

English Channel

• About: A narrow arm of the Atlantic Ocean which separates the southern coast of England (part of Great Britain) from the northern coast of France. 
• Connection: The channel and the North Sea are connected by the Strait of Dover in the east. 
• Area: ~ 29,000 square miles (75,000 square km) (the smallest of the shallow seas covering the continental shelf of Europe).
• Dimensions: 350 miles (560 kilometers) long, 150 miles (240 kilometers) across at its widest and only 21 miles (34 kilometers) across at its narrowest.
• Average depth: 63 m
• Climate: Temperate maritime climate, with warm summers and cold winters. 
• Main islands: Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands (a collection of islands including Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark).
• Significance: 
  • One of the world’s busiest shipping areas, linking southern England, the United Kingdom to northern France.
  • Up to 20% of the global maritime trade and connects the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea. 

World Affairs 

India signs $750-mn currency swap deal with forex-starved Maldives - The Hindu/ India-Maldives vision document: Key takeaways - Indian Express

India signed a major currency swap agreement with the Maldives for $750 million to help the island nation tide over its current foreign currency crunch, after Indian Prime Minister met with Maldivian President in New Delhi recently. The swap arrangement for $400 million and an additional ₹3,000 crore ($357 million), signed between the RBI and the Maldives Monetary Authority under the SAARC Currency Swap Framework, will be available until 2027.

India-Maldives vision document - Key takeaways

 

Pakistan government bans ethnic Pashtun party - The Hindu 

The Pakistan government recently banned the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a group which fights for the rights of ethnic Pashtuns, citing it as a threat to national security.

Pashtuns/ Pathans/ Pakhtuns

 

Economy 

On the need for a different framework for passive MFs - The Hindu

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) recently, introduced the liberalised Mutual Funds Lite (MF Lite) framework for passively managed schemes. 

 

Environment 

How high-performance buildings are the next step towards a sustainable future - The Hindu

The conversation around sustainability in the buildings sector has often centred on climate change, resource use, and energy efficiency. Buildings are significant contributors to global emissions, especially in fast-growing cities, so improving their energy and carbon efficiency is vital.

 

Kawal Tiger Reserve - Indian Express 

The forest department organised its first 'Cyclothon' on Sunday to celebrate World Wildlife Week 2024 at the buffer zone of the Kawal Tiger Reserve in the Mancherial district.

Kawal Tiger Reserve

• Location: North eastern part of Telangana along the banks of Godavari, forming part of the Deccan Peninsula-central highlands.
• Area: 2015 sq. km
• Designation as a tiger reserve: 2012
• Rivers: Godavari and Kadam flowing towards the south of the sanctuary.
• Vegetation: Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest.
• Flora: Teak, Bamboo etc
• Fauna: Cheetal, Sambar, Barking Deer, Nilgai, Sloth Bear, Indian Bison, Panther, Tiger, Crocodile, Python, Monitor Lizard, Star Tortoise, and Cobra can also be found within its boundaries. 

 

Why a proposed Eco-Sensitive Zone around Gir forest is facing protests - Indian Express 

Recently, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) published a draft notification, proposing to notify 3,328 square kilometres around the Gir forest in Gujarat as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).

Eco-Sensitive Zones

 

Sci and Tech 

Ultra-processed, fast food leading cause of diabetes in India: study - The Hindu

A diet rich in “advanced glycation end products (AGEs)”, which includes ultra-processed and fast food, is among the leading cause of India being the world’s diabetic capital.

Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs)

 

Nobel Prize in Medicine - The Hindu/ MicroRNA: tiny RNAs that hold key to how organisms develop - Indian Express

The Nobel Prize for Medicine this year has been awarded to scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNA — tiny molecules which play a crucial role in how genes function.

Reason for Ambros and Ruvkun's Study on microRNA

• Gene regulation: It allows cells to activate the appropriate genes for specific functions, depending on the cell type (e.g., nerve cells activate genes for signal transmission, while muscle cells for movement).
• Aim of the research: Ambros and Ruvkun’s research aimed to understand how gene regulation works.
• Significance: Their discovery of microRNA offered new insights into how complex organisms like humans regulate gene activity.

Significance of Understanding Gene Regulation

• Genetic Information: Stored in DNA and copied to mRNA, which directs protein synthesis. Proteins perform crucial functions like muscle contraction and nerve communication.
• Cell Differentiation: Different tissues create specific proteins for their functions, governed by gene regulation that turns genes on or off for specific tasks.
• Health Implications: Faults in gene regulation can lead to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. Understanding gene regulation is key to treating these conditions.

 

MARBURG VIRUS - Indian Express

The deadly Marburg virus could overwhelm Rwanda’s fragile healthcare system. Since the east African country reported the first Marburg case late last month, at least 46 individuals have been infected and 12 Marburg deaths reported.

 

WHO recommends maternal vaccine and antibody shot to prevent RSV in infants - The Hindu 

The World Health Organization recently recommended vaccinating pregnant women and administering infants with an antibody to prevent severe respiratory synctial virus (RSV) infection in newborns.

 

Respiratory Synctial Virus Infection

 

Progeria - Indian Express 

Sammy Basso, who was the longest living survivor of the rare genetic disease progeria, has died at the age of 28.

Progeria (Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome)

 

WHO approves first mpox diagnostic test for emergency use - Indian Express 

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced that it has listed the first mpox in vitro diagnostic (IVD) under its Emergency Use Listing (EUL) procedure, an important step in improving global access to mpox testing.

Emergency Use Listing (EUL)

 

Defence 

Fattah-2 - Indian Express 

Iran fired more than 180 ballistic missiles, including its hypersonic medium-range Fattah-2, in a major offensive aimed at overwhelming Israel’s air defences recently.

Fattah-2 Hypersonic Missile