UPSC GS 1
Pandupol Hanuman Temple
- News: The Supreme Court recently highlighted the importance of striking a balance between preserving the wildlife of the Sariska Tiger Reserve and respecting the religious sentiments of devotees who visit the Pandupol Hanuman Temple.
- About Pandupol Hanuman Temple:
- This ancient and sacred shrine, over 5,000 years old, is located amidst the verdant landscape of Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar, Rajasthan.
- The temple is steeped in Hindu mythology, with its history linked to the Mahabharata.
- It is believed that the Pandavas, along with Draupadi, spent a part of their exile in this region, then known as Viratnagar.
- The temple is named “Pandupol,” a term derived from “Pandava,” emphasizing its legendary association.
- A notable mythological event connected to the temple is Bhima’s encounter with Lord Hanuman during their exile.
- The temple houses a unique reclining statue of Lord Hanuman, believed to have been established by the Pandavas.
- Key Facts About Sariska Tiger Reserve:
- Location and History:
- Situated in Rajasthan, the reserve spans approximately 800 sq. km within the Aravali Hills.
- It was formerly the hunting ground of the Maharaja of Alwar before being declared a natural reserve in 1955 and upgraded to a national park in 1979.
- Sariska holds the distinction of being the first reserve globally to successfully relocate tigers.
- Attractions Within the Reserve:
- Besides Pandupol, it features notable sites like Bhangarh Fort, Ajabgarh, Pratapgarh, Siliserh Lake, and Jai Samand Lake.
- Vegetation and Flora:
- The vegetation is characterized by Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests and Northern Tropical Thorn Forests.
- Dominated by dhok trees, other notable species include salar, kadaya, gol, ber, banyan, gugal, bamboo, kair, and adusta.
- Fauna:
- The reserve is home to an array of wildlife, including leopards, sambhar, chital, nilgai, four-horned antelope, wild boar, and the majestic tiger.
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UPSC GS 2
‘One Nation, One Election Bill’
- News: The Union Cabinet has cleared One Nation, One Election Bill.
- Definition: The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, also referred to as the ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill, is set to be tabled during the winter session of Parliament.
- Articles to be Inserted and Amended:
- Insertion of Article 82A: Allows for simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and all Legislative Assemblies.
- Amendment to Article 83: Relates to the duration of Houses of Parliament.
- Amendment to Article 172: Concerns the duration of State Legislatures.
- Amendment to Article 327: Deals with Parliament’s authority to make provisions for elections to legislatures.
- Commencement of the Act: After being passed in both Houses, the Bill will come into effect on a date notified by the Central Government in the Official Gazette.
Athlete Biological Passport (ABP)
- News: The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has granted approval for the National Dope Testing Laboratory as an Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) to manage the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP).
- Definition:
- The Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) is a sophisticated anti-doping mechanism designed to monitor an athlete’s biological markers over an extended period.
- By tracking changes in parameters such as blood and steroid profiles, the ABP ensures fair play in sports and protects clean athletes from unfair competition.
- Key Functions of the ABP:
- Detection and Monitoring: It identifies anomalies in biological markers that may indicate the use of prohibited methods or substances.
- Enhanced Testing: The ABP facilitates targeted testing and in-depth analysis of athletes with irregular profiles.
- Support in Investigations: It strengthens anti-doping investigations by acting as corroborative evidence in cases of rule violations.
- Deterrence: By discouraging athletes from using banned substances, the ABP serves as a strong deterrent against doping.
- Principal Objectives of the ABP Program:
- Targeted Anti-Doping Tests: The ABP guides authorities in conducting specific anti-doping tests on athletes exhibiting abnormal profiles.
- Evidence in Rule Violation Cases: It can be used as supporting evidence in proceedings related to anti-doping rule violations.
- Modules of the ABP Program:
- Haematological Module:
- Purpose: Tracks markers of blood doping.
- Objective: Detects the use of prohibited substances or methods aimed at enhancing oxygen transport or delivery.
- Steroidal Module:
- Purpose: Monitors markers of steroid doping using urine and/or serum samples.
- Objective: Identifies the use of exogenous endogenous anabolic androgenic steroids (EAAS).
- Endocrine Module:
- Purpose: Focuses on markers of human growth hormone (hGH) doping.
- Objective: Detects the use of hGH and its analogs.
- National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL):
- It is a premier analytical testing & research organization established under Government of India.
- It is the only laboratory in the country responsible for human sports dope testing.
- It is accredited by National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories, NABL and World Anti-Doping Agency for testing of urine & blood samples from human sports.
- NDTL is one of the 30 WADA accredited laboratories in the world.
- It is one of the modern & state of art laboratory in the country equipped with latest analytical instrumentation.
IndiaAI Future Skills Platform
- News: Union Minister mentioned that 8.6 lakh candidates have already enrolled in the Future Skills Platform, developed in collaboration with industry partners.
- Definition:
- The IndiaAI Future Skills Platform is a crucial component of the IndiaAI Mission, serving as one of its seven foundational pillars.
- It aims to bolster India’s readiness in artificial intelligence (AI) by addressing challenges in accessing AI education and fostering a robust talent pipeline.
- Objectives and Goals:
- Workforce Development: Focused on enhancing India’s AI workforce by reducing barriers to entry in AI programs and nurturing the next generation of AI professionals.
- Academic Integration: Plans to increase the availability of AI-focused courses at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and Ph.D. levels to build a strong educational foundation.
- Inclusivity in Education: Seeks to make AI education more accessible, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, through the establishment of Data and AI Labs.
- Expansion of AI Education:
- Infrastructure Development: Data and AI Labs are being set up in cities such as Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Shimla, Aurangabad, Patna, Buxar, and Muzaffarpur to democratize access to foundational AI courses.
- Regional Inclusion: This initiative ensures that advancements in AI are distributed beyond urban areas, promoting equitable technological growth across India.
- Collaboration with Industry Partners:
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- Industry-Led Training: Developed in partnership with industry leaders to offer cutting-edge training programs that align with the evolving needs of the AI industry.
- Skill Enhancement: Tailored programs are designed to equip individuals with practical skills and knowledge to excel in AI-related domains.
UPSC GS 3
Shortfin Mako Shark
- News: A young shortfin mako shark has been tagged for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea by researchers from Virginia Tech in the United States.
- Definition: The shortfin mako is a large, highly migratory shark species that inhabits open ocean waters.
- Name Origin: Its common name, “mako,” originates from the Maori language, where it translates to “shark.”
- Notable Characteristics:
- Leaping Ability: Renowned for its exceptional leaping skills, this shark can jump to remarkable heights, particularly while hunting.
- Hydrodynamic Design: It has a streamlined body with a pointed snout, a triangular dorsal fin, and a crescent-shaped caudal (tail) fin, which contribute to its efficiency in water.
- Reproductive Strategy: The shortfin mako is a yolk-sac ovoviviparous species. It gives birth to live young, and the developing embryos rely on unfertilized eggs (oophagy) for nourishment during the 15- to 18-month gestation period.
- Diet: Its diet primarily consists of cephalopods and bony fish, such as mackerels and tunas.
- Habitat:
- The shortfin mako inhabits temperate and tropical ocean waters worldwide.
- It can also be found near coastal areas, particularly where the continental shelf is narrow.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Status: Critically Endangered.
- CITES Listing: Included in Appendix II, highlighting the need for regulated trade to prevent further decline.
Dark Eagle Hypersonic Missile
- News: The Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), or “Dark Eagle,” is a hypersonic missile system being developed by the U.S. Army to counter China’s advantage in intermediate-range missiles.
- Definition: The Dark Eagle is a sophisticated long-range hypersonic anti-missile system developed by the United States, designed to intercept enemy missiles mid-air effectively.
- Capabilities:
- It is equipped to neutralize a variety of threats, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, hypersonic missiles, and warheads.
- With an operational range exceeding 2,775 kilometers (1,724 miles), the system can strike targets located deep within adversary territories.
- Design Features:
- Ballistic Missile System: It features a two-stage ballistic missile system, one of which incorporates a hypersonic glide warhead (C-HGB).
- Hypersonic Glide Warhead: The C-HGB is engineered to reach extreme speeds of Mach 17, making it exceptionally challenging for adversary defense systems to intercept.
- High Speed and Altitude: The warhead achieves speeds between 3,000 and 3,700 meters per second at altitudes below 50 kilometers, maximizing its precision and lethality.
- Strategic Advantage:
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- The system is specifically designed to outpace and potentially surpass the capabilities of Russia’s advanced air defense systems, including the S-300V4, S-400, and S-500.
- Its hypersonic speed and long-range capabilities position it as a formidable asset in modern missile defense strategies.
Green Steel
- News: India’s Steel Ministry has proposed 37% purchase preference to green steel in government tenders.
- Definition of Green Steel: Green steel is defined as steel with a carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emission intensity of less than 2.2 tonnes of CO2e per tonne of finished steel.
- Star Rating System for Green Steel:
- A star-based system evaluates the “greenness” of steel based on its emission intensity.
- The threshold limits for the star ratings will undergo review every three years. The current thresholds are as follows:
- Five-star Green-Rated Steel: Emission intensity below 1.6 tonnes of CO2e per tonne of steel.
- Four-star Green-Rated Steel: Emission intensity between 1.6 and 2.0 tonnes of CO2e per tonne of steel.
- Three-star Green-Rated Steel: Emission intensity between 2.0 and 2.2 tonnes of CO2e per tonne of steel.
- Nodal Agency: The National Institute of Secondary Steel Technology (NISST) serves as the nodal agency. It is responsible for the following:
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- Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) of emission intensity.
- Issuance of annual greenness certificates.
- Allocation of star ratings to steel producers.
Malayan Night Heron
- News: The Malayan Night Heron, a migratory bird originating from Southeast Asia, has been officially documented in Madurai for the first time, near the Alagar Kovil hills.
- About the Malayan Night Heron:
- Alternative Names: Commonly referred to as the Malaysian Night Heron or Tiger Bittern.
- Appearance:
- It is a medium-sized, nocturnal bird species.
- It is characterized by a rufous neck and a barred chestnut back.
- The bird has a distinctive black cap with a crest.
- Its primaries feature white tips, aiding in its identification.
- Habitat:
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- Found in dense, subtropical forests with high rainfall.
- Utilizes lowland wetlands such as streams, marshes, and swamps.
- At moderate elevations, it inhabits evergreen forests, secondary scrub, and reservoirs.
- Distribution:
- The species is predominantly seen in India, Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and the East Indies.
- It is native to Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia and migrates to India during winter.
- In India, it primarily moves through northern Tamil Nadu and is commonly sighted in Kerala and Karnataka.
- Diet: The bird primarily consumes terrestrial prey such as earthworms and beetles.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Status: Classified as a species of “Least Concern.”
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Manganese
- News: Manganese (Mn) contamination of water is causing cancer in the Gangetic plains of Bihar as per a study by a team of scientists from Patna-based Mahavir Cancer Sansthan.
- Properties of Manganese:
- Brittleness: Manganese is too brittle to be used as a pure metal, and its primary use is in alloys, especially in steel.
- Common Minerals: Manganese minerals are widespread, with pyrolusite (manganese dioxide) and rhodochrosite (manganese carbonate) being the most prevalent.
- Chemical Similarity: It shares some chemical properties with iron.
- Oxidation: Manganese oxidizes on the surface when exposed to air and rusts when exposed to moist conditions.
- Burning: It burns in air or oxygen at elevated temperatures.
- Reactivity with Water: It decomposes water slowly at lower temperatures and rapidly when heated.
- Extraction: Manganese is extracted by reducing its oxide using sodium, magnesium, or aluminum, or through the electrolysis of manganese sulfate.
- Major Producers of Manganese: Manganese ores are primarily produced by countries such as Australia, South Africa, China, Gabon, and Brazil.
- Role in Plant Growth: Manganese is essential for plant growth and plays a critical role in the assimilation of nitrates in green plants and algae.
- Biological Role of Manganese:
- Essential Trace Element: Manganese is an essential trace element necessary for maintaining body homeostasis.
- Toxicity: While it is vital for health, excessive consumption of manganese can lead to toxicity.
- Enzyme Component: Manganese is a crucial component of many enzymes found in all known living organisms.
