UPSC GS 2
PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme (PM YASASVI)
- News: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has implemented the PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India (PM-YASASVI).
- PM-YASASVI Scheme: The PM-YASASVI (Prime Minister’s Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for a Vibrant India) is a consolidated initiative aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for students from disadvantaged communities, ensuring they receive quality education during crucial academic years.
- Features:
-
- Target Beneficiaries: Students belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Backward Classes (EBC), and Denotified Tribes (DNT).
- Integration of Existing Programs:Merged and extended multiple earlier schemes, such as:
- Dr. Ambedkar Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for EBCs
- Dr. Ambedkar Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for DNTs
- These initiatives were incorporated into PM-YASASVI from the 2021-22 academic year.
- Comprehensive Approach: This streamlined structure aims to strengthen educational support for marginalized students by eliminating administrative overlaps and enhancing the delivery of scholarships.
-
- Objective: The scheme seeks to bridge financial gaps that often hinder students from vulnerable communities, enabling them to continue and complete their education successfully.
- Scholarship Details:
-
- Pre-Matric Scholarship: For students in classes IX and X enrolled in government schools.
- Post-Matric Scholarship: Available for students pursuing higher education at post-matriculation or post-secondary levels.
-
- Eligibility Criteria:
-
- Pre-Matric Scholarship: Open to students studying in classes IX and X in government institutions.
- Income Limit: The applicant’s family income must be below ₹2.5 lakh per year.
-
- Implementing Agency: Managed by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)
- News: The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) achieved a significant milestone by reaching sales worth Rs. 1000 Crores in October 2024.
- Launch: PMBJP was introduced in November 2016 to provide affordable and high-quality generic medicines across India.
- Objective: The initiative aims to ensure access to essential healthcare by reducing the financial strain associated with branded drugs.
- Impact: PMBJP promotes health equity by making quality medicines available at reduced prices without compromising safety or effectiveness.
- Key Aims and Objectives:
-
- Public Awareness: Educate people about the advantages of using generic medicines, stressing that affordability does not mean lower quality.
- Challenge the perception that higher-priced medicines are superior in quality.
- Promoting Generic Prescriptions: Encourage healthcare providers, especially in government hospitals, to prescribe generic medicines as cost-effective alternatives to branded drugs.
- Improving Accessibility: Ensure the availability of affordable generic medicines across various therapeutic categories.
- Focus on providing essential healthcare products to marginalized and underserved communities.
-
- Achievements of PMBJP:
-
- Sales Milestone:
- By October 2024, PMBJP reached sales worth ₹1,000 crore for the fiscal year 2024-25, two months earlier than the previous year’s target.
- In September 2024 alone, ₹200 crore worth of medicines were sold, highlighting the program’s growing success and popularity.
- Expansion of Janaushadhi Kendras (JAKs):
- The number of JAKs increased from 80 in 2014 to over 14,000 by October 2024—a growth of more than 170 times within ten years.
- Nearly 1 million people now visit these Kendras daily, benefiting from affordable medicines.
- Stringent Quality Assurance:
- Medicines supplied through PMBJP come from manufacturers compliant with WHO Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
- Each batch is thoroughly tested in NABL-accredited laboratories to guarantee safety and efficacy.
- Affordable Pricing:
- Medications available under PMBJP are typically priced 50% lower than their branded counterparts, with some being 80% to 90% cheaper.
- This affordability plays a crucial role in reducing healthcare expenses, benefiting economically vulnerable sections of society.
-
Read also: BRICS Plus: Global Influence and Economic Collaboration | UPSC
States’ Power to Regulate Industrial Alcohol
- News: The Supreme Court (SC) in an 8:1 majority has upheld the states’ right to regulate taxes on industrial alcohol, overruling a 1990 judgment.
- Key Findings:
- Broad Scope of ‘Intoxicating Liquor’:
-
- The term “intoxicating liquor” under Entry 8 of the State List covers industrial alcohol.
- This interpretation grants states the authority to regulate multiple aspects of alcohol, including its production and sale.
-
- Focus on Public Health:
-
- The ruling highlighted the potential risks alcohol poses to public health and safety.
- Entry 8 was viewed as a measure to protect public interest by encompassing all forms of alcohol that could be subject to misuse.
-
- Dispute Over Centre’s Authority:
-
- Several states challenged the Centre’s claim to have exclusive control over industrial alcohol under Entry 52 of the Union List.
- The Centre had argued that this entry grants it the power to regulate industries that serve public interest.
-
- Court’s Stand on Overlapping Entries:
-
- The Supreme Court clarified that Entry 8 is applicable to both industry- and product-related matters.
- It ruled that Parliament’s declaration under Entry 52 cannot entirely occupy the domain of industrial regulation, preserving the states’ authority over industrial alcohol.
-
UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik)
- News: Central Government will extend the regional air connectivity scheme UDAN for 10 more years, which means until 2036.
- UDAN Scheme: The UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme is a regional airport development initiative under the Union Government of India that aims to enhance air connectivity to underserved and unserved areas across the country.
- Launch and Duration: Launched on October 21, 2016. Designed to run for a 10-year period.
- Objective:
-
- Offers affordable and accessible air travel options to residents in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, as well as remote and underserved areas.
- Focuses on enhancing connectivity by reviving non-operational airstrips and airports across the nation.
-
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Civil Aviation:
- Collaboration with Airlines: Airlines are incentivized to operate flights on unserved or underserved routes through government subsidies and financial assistance.
- Viability Gap Funding (VGF): Financial support provided to cover the gap between operational costs and anticipated revenue on these routes.
- Bidding Process: Aviation companies bid for air routes, with the airline requesting the lowest subsidy being awarded the contract.
- Seat Allocation and Fare Structure:
-
- Airlines must reserve half the seats, with a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 40 seats per flight, under the scheme’s guidelines.
- For a journey of one hour by a fixed-wing aircraft or 30 minutes by helicopter (approximately 500 km), the fare is capped at ₹2500.
-
- Impact and Focus: Aims to develop operational infrastructure by revitalizing existing airports and airstrips to boost regional connectivity and economic growth.
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
- News: Recently, the UN force in Lebanon said that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had used a bulldozer to “deliberately demolish an observation tower and perimeter fence of a UN position in Marwahin” (close to the border with Israel).
- Establishment:
-
- UNIFIL was established in 1978 in response to Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon.
- The force was formed under UN Security Council resolutions to monitor the situation and manage the conflict’s aftermath.
-
- Mandate:
-
- UNIFIL’s initial mandate, based on UN Security Council Resolutions 425 and 426, was to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli troops, restore peace and security, and support Lebanon’s government in re-establishing authority over its territory.
- Resolution 1701 further expanded the mandate to facilitate a permanent ceasefire and prevent unauthorized weapons from being present in southern Lebanon.
-
- India’s Contribution to UNIFIL:
-
- India has been actively contributing to UNIFIL since 1998.
- The Indian battalion, known as INDBATT, consists of 903 personnel, placing India among the largest contributors alongside Indonesia and Italy.
- INDBATT is recognized for its high standards of professionalism and active engagement with local communities in the region.
- The Indian battalion has initiated several humanitarian efforts, such as constructing parks and sports facilities, promoting goodwill and community well-being.
- INDBATT has offered essential medical services, improving healthcare access and addressing the needs of local communities.
- The battalion’s outreach programs include providing IT equipment and other resources to strengthen local infrastructure, contributing to better living conditions in southern Lebanon.
-
UPSC GS 3
World Polio Day
- News: October 24 is observed as World Polio Day.
- World Polio Day 2024: World Polio Day is observed on October 24 each year to emphasize the importance of polio vaccination and protect children from this debilitating disease.
- History:
-
- Established by Rotary International to honor Jonas Salk, who led the development of the first polio vaccine in 1955.
- In 1962, Albert Sabin created the oral polio vaccine (OPV).
- The World Health Assembly pledged to eradicate polio in 1988 when it affected around 350,000 people worldwide.
- In 2002, WHO declared polio eliminated in its European region.
-
- Overview of Polio:
-
- Definition: Polio, also known as poliomyelitis, is a highly contagious viral disease primarily affecting young children. It can cause severe disability or even death.
- Transmission: Spreads via the fecal-oral route through contaminated food or water and can cause paralysis by affecting the nervous system.
- Symptoms: Some infected individuals remain asymptomatic. Others may experience fever, fatigue, headache, sore throat, cough, stiffness in the back or neck, and limb pain. Severe cases can result in paralysis or death if respiratory muscles are affected.
- Vaccination: Vaccination is the only way to prevent polio, as no cure exists. Two types of vaccines are used:
- Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV): Injected into the arm or leg, given with the third DPT dose under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).
- Oral Poliovirus Vaccine (OPV): Administered at birth, followed by doses at 6, 10, and 14 weeks, with a booster at 16-24 months.
-
Giant Salmon Carp
- News: A huge fish called giant salmon carp in the Mekong River thought to be extinct has been spotted three times in recent years.
- Giant Salmon Carp: Also referred to as the Mekong giant salmon carp, this species belongs to the Cyprinidae family and is the only member of the monotypic genus Aaptosyax.
- Appearance:
-
- This predatory fish can grow up to 4 feet in length.
- It has a distinct knob at the tip of its lower jaw.
-
- Eye Markings: A bright yellow patch encircles its large eyes, giving it a striking appearance.
- Habitat and Distribution:
-
- Found exclusively in the middle stretches of the Mekong River, specifically in northern Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand.
-
- Population Decline: The species has experienced a drastic population reduction (over 90%) due to overfishing and habitat destruction.
- IUCN Status: Listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.
- Mekong River:
-
- The Mekong is a major waterway in Southeast Asia, known for supporting diverse fish species and playing a crucial role in agriculture and biodiversity.
- It is Southeast Asia’s longest river, the 7th longest in Asia, and the 12th longest in the world.
- The river originates from the Sanjiangyuan area on the Tibetan Plateau, designated as a national nature reserve to protect the headwaters of the Yangtze, Yellow, and Mekong Rivers.
- It begins in southeastern Qinghai province, China.
- The Mekong River holds the highest diversity of large freshwater fish, including:
- Giant freshwater stingrays
- Giant pangasius
- Mekong giant catfish
- Giant barb
- The river forms a large triangular delta in southern Vietnam, known for its fertile soil.
- This delta is a key global rice-producing region, supporting agriculture and livelihoods in the area.
-
Read also: India-China LAC Agreement: Implications for Border Peace | UPSC
LISA
- News: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has revealed the first look of the prototype for six telescopes that will help LISA’s three spacecraft detect gravitational waves in space.
- LISA Mission: The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission is a joint initiative between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), targeting a launch in the mid-2030s.
- Objective:
-
- Designed to detect and study gravitational waves.
- Will investigate the fundamental nature of gravity and black holes.
- Aims to explore the rate of expansion of the Universe.
-
- Structure and Operation:
-
- The mission will deploy three spacecraft, arranged in a triangular configuration with each side spanning 1.6 million miles.
- These spacecraft will fly behind Earth, tracing a heliocentric orbit (orbit around the Sun), positioned 50 million km away from Earth.
- Approximately 2.5 million km will separate each of the three spacecraft in the formation.
- Each spacecraft will carry two telescopes and laser systems to detect gravitational waves.
- Laser interferometry will monitor subtle changes in the distances between free-floating golden cubes housed within each spacecraft.
- Variations in the relative distances between these cubes will provide evidence of ripples in spacetime.
-
- Significance:
-
- First gravitational wave detector in space, offering unprecedented insights into the fabric of the Universe.
- Will enhance understanding of cosmic events and phenomena, including black holes and the dynamics of the Universe’s expansion.
-
