Current Affairs Exam

HEALD Initiative

April 21, 2025April 21, 2025 by rawan239

HEALD Initiative Launched: Union Home Minister unveiled the HEALD (Healthy Liver Education and Alcohol-associated Liver Disease Prevention) Initiative, a nationwide program to combat liver disease in India. Launched by the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) on World Liver Day.
Multi-Sectoral Approach: HEALD combines public education, early screening, psychological and medical treatment for alcohol use disorder, and liver disease management. Aims for awareness, prevention, rehabilitation, and policy integration.
Addressing Stigma: The initiative seeks to reduce the stigma surrounding alcohol dependence by integrating mental health support, community outreach, and policy reform into liver care.
ILBS Role: ILBS, a tertiary care super-specialty hospital, is leading the initiative, setting a national example in healthcare innovation. ILBS Director emphasizes prioritising liver health, with early prevention through lifestyle education.
Government Support: Home Minister Amit Shah lauded ILBS and called for replicating this model across states. Delhi government plans to expand ILBS centers for equitable liver care access.
Integrated Liver Habilitation (LiHAB) Centre: First Integrated Liver Habilitation (LiHAB) Centre also inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Focus on Prevention: Emphasizes proactive liver protection
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and integrated healing, shifting from reactive treatment.

Recognizing Efforts: MP Sujeet Kumar recognised for pioneering the Viral Hepatitis (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2025.

LSHP

April 21, 2025April 21, 2025 by rawan239

NHPC aims to begin electricity generation from the 2000 MW Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project (LSHP) by May-end. Target is filling the reservoir by April and commissioning 750-1000 MW by May end.
This plan has triggered downstream impact worries in Assam. The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has voiced concerns.
Key worry is the absence of an independent reservoir management authority (SIIRMA). Recommended by an Environment Ministry-constituted panel.
SIIRMA was meant to monitor reservoir levels and minimize
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downstream risks. Especially during panic water releases/floods.
Expert panel recommended SIIRMA should be set up before filling the reservoir. A continuous release of minimum 240 cumec water downstream was suggested.
Expert Panel suggested discharge release should not worsen Majuli Island erosion. Concerns relate to erosion of Majuli Island.
NHPC, Centre, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh accepted SIIRMA recommendation in 2019. Yet, it hasn’t been implemented.
Wildlife Institute of India (WII) report raised concerns about elephants. Specifically, the risk of elephants being washed away during “panic release” of water.
The project, located on the Subansiri River (Arunachal Pradesh/Assam border), was delayed due to protests (2011-2019). Work was suspended, but cleared by NGT in 2019.
LSHP reservoir details: 33.5 sq. km. surface area, 1.37 cubic km. gross storage capacity.

India’s PFBR

April 21, 2025April 21, 2025 by rawan239

India’s first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, is likely to be commissioned by 2025-26.
This marks the second stage of India’s three-stage nuclear programme, focusing on recycling spent fuel.
Developed by BHAVINI (Bharatiya
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Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited), the 500 MWe reactor uses plutonium-based mixed oxide fuel (MOX) and liquid sodium as coolant.
The PFBR can utilize spent fuel from Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
The reactor is in advanced stages of integrated commissioning, with core loading commenced in March of last year and permission granted for low-power physics experiments.
PFBRs are vital as spent fuel from these reactors will fuel thorium-based reactors in the third stage of India’s closed fuel cycle.
The government aims for 100 GW of nuclear power, with current capacity at 8.18 GW and plans to reach 22.48 GW by 2031-32.
BHAVINI is expected to contribute 3.80 GW through Fast Breeder Reactors.
Unlike traditional reactors, the PFBR uses fast neutrons and breeds more fuel than it consumes.
The design incorporates advanced safety features and operates at higher temperatures for enhanced efficiency.

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Davis Strait Landmass

April 21, 2025April 21, 2025 by rawan239

Discovery: A submerged “Davis Strait proto-microcontinent” has been identified beneath the Davis Strait, between Canada’s Baffin Island and Greenland.
Formation: It formed millions of years ago due to tectonic plate movement. The shifting plates reconfigured the Earth’s crust, resulting in a thick continental crust in the ocean.
Structure: The microcontinent features a 19-24 km thick thinned continental crust, separated from Greenland and Baffin Island by narrower bands of
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thin continental crust (15-17 km).
Location and Significance of Davis Strait: The Davis Strait connects the Baffin Bay and Labrador Sea, part of the
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Northwest Passage, and links the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. It’s a wide strait with complex geological formations.
Geological History: Strike-slip faulting along the Ungava Fault Zone approximately 45 to 62 million years ago triggered plate tectonic movements, shaping the Labrador Sea, Baffin Bay, and the strait itself.
Why it Matters: The discovery expands our understanding of the region’s geological history and plate tectonic processes. It also adds another piece to the puzzle of continental evolution.

K2-18b: Exoplanet Profile

April 21, 2025April 21, 2025 by rawan239

Exoplanet K2-18b: Located 124 light-years away in the Leo constellation, orbiting the star K2-18. Discovered in 2015 by the Kepler Space Telescope.
Size and Atmosphere: Approximately 5.2 times wider and 9 times more massive than Earth. Thought to have a
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hydrogen-rich atmosphere.
Past Discoveries: Hubble Space Telescope detected water vapour in 2019. James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) found carbon dioxide and methane.
DMS/DMDS Detection: In 2025, researchers reported detecting
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either dimethyl sulphide (DMS) or dimethyl disulphide (DMDS) in K2-18b’s atmosphere.
Significance of DMS: On Earth, DMS is primarily produced by phytoplankton and considered a potential biomarker (sign of life).
Hycean World Candidate: K2-18b is hypothesized to be a Hycean world which is a planet covered with a liquid ocean and a hydrogen rich atmosphere.
Contradictory Findings: Some studies challenge the initial findings, one 2024 paper said that JWST observations can be explained by K2-18b being “a gas-rich mini-Neptune”. One 2025 paper confirms the presence of methane but yields “no statistically significant or reliable evidence for carbon dioxide or DMS.
Cautions about Habitability: Detecting potential biomarkers is suggestive, not confirmatory, of habitable conditions. Non-biological processes could also create such molecules.

IBCA India HQ

April 20, 2025April 20, 2025 by rawan239

India is officially designated as the headquarters and secretariat of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).
The IBCA is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization, launched by India in April 2023 on the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger.
It focuses on the conservation of seven big cats: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah.
The IBCA became a global legal entity after ratification by India, Liberia, Eswatini, Somalia, and Nicaragua. India joined in September 2023.
Membership is open to all UN member states, including range and non-range countries interested in big cat conservation.
The IBCA’s governance structure includes an Assembly of Members, a Standing Committee, and the Secretariat in India.
India will provide Rs 150 crore in budgetary support to the IBCA over five years (2023-24 to 2028-29) for infrastructure, corpus, and recurring expenses.
The agreement covers visas, privileges, and immunities for the IBCA secretariat and personnel.
The cabinet approved the establishment of the IBCA headquarters and budgetary support in February 2024.
The IBCA headquarters agreement was signed on March 28. P Kumaran, Secretary (East), MEA, and S P Yadav, Director General, IBCA, signed the agreement.

Why it’s in the news:

This formal designation reinforces India’s leadership role in global big cat conservation.
The financial commitment demonstrates India’s dedication to the IBCA’s objectives.
The agreement’s provisions will facilitate the IBCA’s operations and effectiveness as an international organization.

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Golconda Blue

April 20, 2025April 20, 2025 by rawan239

Rare Auction: A 23.24-carat Golconda Blue diamond, with roots in India’s royal history, is set to be auctioned publicly for the first time at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva on May 14.
Exceptional Rarity and Quality: The diamond is a rich blue, indicating high purity and saturation, making it one of the finest blue diamonds globally. Its Golconda origin,
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historic royal connections, and modern setting by Paris designer JAR enhance its value.
Historical Significance: The diamond originated from the Golconda mines in Telangana, India, known for producing iconic diamonds like
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the Koh-i-Noor. It was previously owned by Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar II of Indore and the Maharaja of Baroda.
Royal Pedigree: It was formerly set in jewelry created by French houses Chaumet and Mauboussin, and it was featured in a portrait of Maharani Sanyogita Devi, representing the convergence of Indian luxury and Western modernity.
Estimated Value: Christie’s has estimated the pre-sale value to be between $35 million and $50 million (approximately INR 300–430 crore), reflecting its rarity, historical importance, and beauty.
Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity: The auction provides a rare opportunity for collectors, historians, and jewel enthusiasts to acquire a piece of history. It is anticipated to be one of the most fiercely traded colored diamonds.

Transposons

April 20, 2025April 20, 2025 by rawan239

Alzheimer’s Progression Link: Recent research from UT Health San Antonio suggests that the activation of “jumping genes” (transposons) may play a significant role in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
What are Jumping Genes? Also known as transposons, these are mobile genetic elements that can move within the genome. They make up almost 50% of the human genome. Most are inactive, but some can “jump,” leading to genomic instability.
LINE-1 Retrotransposons: A common type, these replicate through RNA and use reverse transcriptase to integrate into DNA. Their activity is normally controlled, but these controls can weaken in aging or diseased brains.
Mechanism of Damage: When activated, transposons can insert into essential genes, disrupting DNA and causing cellular damage, particularly in vulnerable neurons.
Fruit Fly Experiments: Blocking transposon activity in fruit flies mimicking Alzheimer’s symptoms using an HIV drug (3TC) improved neural function. 3TC is a reverse transcriptase inhibitor, preventing retrotransposon

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copying.
Human Clinical Trial: While 3TC didn’t directly improve memory in human patients, it reduced neurofilament light (NfL), a marker of neurodegeneration, suggesting neuronal protection.
New Alzheimer’s Hypothesis: Alzheimer’s may be caused by genomic instability from jumping genes, not just protein aggregation (amyloid or tau).
Barbara McClintock Discovery: Jumping genes were discovered by Barbara McClintock, who won the Nobel Prize in 1983 for her work.
Impact on Evolution: Jumping genes contribute to genetic diversity, genome reorganization, and can sometimes trigger diseases by disrupting normal gene function.

FGD Rule Review

April 20, 2025April 20, 2025 by rawan239

Study Recommendation: Roll back the 2015 mandate requiring all Indian coal-fired plants to install Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems.
Current Mandate: In 2015, the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) mandated FGD installation in all 537 coal-fired plants to reduce sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions, with penalties for non-compliance.
High Costs: FGD installation costs ₹1.2 crore per MW, creating a financial burden for India’s large coal capacity.
Low Sulphur Content: 92% of Indian coal has low sulphur content (0.3%-0.5%), making FGD less crucial.
Minimal Acid Rain Threat: Studies indicate acid rain is not a significant issue in India, reducing the need for widespread SO₂ control.
Climate Impact Concerns: FGD processes are energy-intensive, increasing CO₂ emissions and potentially worsening climate change due to the removal of SO₂’s temporary cooling effect.
Poor Compliance: Despite extended deadlines, only 8% of plants have installed FGD, with many still lacking orders.
Alternative Approach: The study suggests focusing on particulate matter (PM) pollution using electrostatic precipitators (ESP), which
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are more cost-effective and can significantly reduce PM.
Selective FGD Implementation: FGD systems should be applied only to plants using imported or high-sulphur coal.
Environmental Concerns: FGD increases power and freshwater consumption, leading to additional CO2 emissions, counteracting its benefits.

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India’s Trade

April 21, 2025April 20, 2025 by rawan239

Record Exports to US: India’s exports to the US reached a record USD 86.51 billion, driven by front-loading shipments ahead of anticipated tariff hikes. In March alone, exports to the US jumped 35% year-on-year, exceeding $10 billion.
Surge in Imports from China: Imports from China increased to USD 113.45 billion, indicating a growing reliance and a widening trade deficit. Overall trade deficit reached $94.26 billion, with imports growing 7% to $915.19 billion. Trade deficit with China specifically hit $99.2 billion, reflecting structural dependencies.
Flat Goods Exports, Growth in Services: Goods exports remained flat at $437.42 billion in FY25, while services exports grew by 12.45% to $383.51 billion, resulting in a healthy services trade surplus.
Sectoral Export Growth: Electronics exports surged by 32% to USD 38 billion, boosted by smartphone shipments. Coffee exports increased by 40% to $1.8 billion due to global supply disruptions in Brazil.
Export Share Increase: India’s export share in the US and UK markets rose by 13.73% and 14.31% respectively.
Engineering

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Goods Concerns: While engineering goods exports recorded 6.74% growth in FY25, exports declined nearly 4% year-on-year in March. Additional US duties on iron, steel, and auto components could lead to a $4-5 billion drop in engineering shipments to the US.
WTO Warning: The WTO anticipates a 0.2% decline in world merchandise trade volume in 2025 due to global uncertainty.