Current Affairs – September 19, 2024

{GS2 – IR – India-EU} India-EU Relations **

Context (PIB): The 6th EU-India Water Forum marked a significant milestone in strengthening India-EU collaboration on sustainable water management.

Recent Developments in India-EU Relations

Trade Negotiations: Resumed in 2021 after an 8-year gap to enhance trade and investment ties.
Connectivity Partnership (2021): Focuses on improving digital and transport connectivity.
India-EU Water Partnership (IEWP): Promotes sustainable water management practices.
Green Deal Collaboration: Joint efforts to address climate change and clean energy goals.

Historical Ties

Colonial Era Relations: India’s trade with European powers shaped early economic exchanges.
1994 Cooperation Agreement: Laid the foundation for political and economic cooperation.
2000 EU-India Summit: Regular summits began to enhance strategic dialogue.
2004 Strategic Partnership: Marked a formal shift towards deeper political and economic collaboration.

Significance of India-EU Relations

Economic Growth and Trade: The EU is India’s third-largest trading partner, with a high potential for further trade expansion. India seeks greater market access to the EU.
Climate and Energy Cooperation: Both India and the EU are major actors in global climate policy. E.g. Their collaboration on the European Green Deal, clean energy, and sustainable technologies.
Strategic Security Partnership: India and the EU increasingly collaborate in defence, counterterrorism, and cyber security. E.g. alignment on promoting stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Technology and Innovation: With the digital economy and artificial intelligence rapidly advancing, India and the EU see immense opportunities for cooperation in innovation and research.
Geopolitical Influence: As global powers with shared democratic values, India and the EU play significant roles in shaping the world order, contributing to peace, security, and multilateral cooperation.

Challenges in India-EU Relations

Trade and Tariff Disputes: One of the primary challenges in India-EU relations is finding common ground on trade issues such as tariffs, market access, and regulatory standards.
Human Rights Concerns: The EU has occasionally raised concerns about human rights and democratic governance issues in India, which sometimes causes diplomatic friction between the two partners.
Data Protection and Privacy: Divergent regulatory frameworks on data privacy, especially the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), pose challenges for Indian tech companies.
Climate Commitments: While both India and the EU are committed to addressing climate change, differing expectations create tension in their cooperation. E.g. CBAM by EU.
Bilateral Perceptions: There is a perception gap regarding the geopolitical ambitions of both parties. India is often concerned that the EU does not fully appreciate its security concerns in South Asia.

Way Forward

Concluding Trade and Investment Agreements: Finalizing the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) would strengthen bilateral trade.
Enhancing Climate Collaboration on climate change and renewable energy through technology transfer, financial support, and joint projects. E.g. India-EU Clean Energy and Climate Partnership.
Promoting Multilateralism and Global Governance: India and the EU should continue collaborating in multilateral forums, advocating for reforms in the UN and the World Trade Organization.
Expanding Digital and Technology Cooperation: The two sides can enhance their collaboration on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and space exploration. E.g. India-EU joint projects in space research like the Galileo satellite navigation system.
Strengthening People-to-People Ties: Expanding educational, cultural, and scientific exchanges between India and the EU will foster greater mutual understanding. E.g. Initiatives like Erasmus+ provide scholarships to Indian students for higher education in Europe.

{GS2 – MoST – Schemes} Bio-RIDE scheme *

Context (PIB): The Cabinet approved the Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE) scheme to support cutting-edge R&D in biotechnology.

It combines two existing schemes, Biotechnology Research and Development (R&D) and Industrial and Entrepreneurship Development (I&ED), with a new component, ‘Bio-manufacturing and Bio-foundry (in alignment with Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE)).

Advantages

Promote Bio-Entrepreneurship: It will nurture a thriving ecosystem for startups by providing seed funding, incubation support, and mentorship to bio-entrepreneurs.
Advance Innovation: The scheme will offer grants and incentives for cutting-edge research and development in areas like synthetic biology, biopharmaceuticals, bioenergy, and bioplastics.
Facilitate Industry-Academia Collaboration by creating synergies between academic institutions, research organisations, & industry to accelerate commercialisation of bio-based products & technologies.
Encourage sustainable biomanufacturing that is aligned with India’s green goals.
Support researchers through Extramural funding: It will play a critical role in advancing scientific research, innovation, and technological development across diverse fields of biotechnology.
Nurturing Human Resources in Biotechnology sector: It will provide holistic development and support to students, young researchers and scientists working in the multidisciplinary areas of Biotechnology.

{GS2 – MoTA – Schemes} PM Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA) *

Context (IE | PIB): Cabinet approved PM-JUGA with an outlay of Rs. 79,156 cr. The scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2024-25. It envisions the saturation of critical gaps in social infrastructure through different schemes based on the learnings and success of PM-JANMAN.
Objective: Improving the socio-economic condition of tribal communities by adopting saturation coverage for tribal families in tribal-majority villages and aspirational districts.
Coverage: It will cover 63,000 villages in 30 states and is aimed at benefiting five crore tribal people.
Consist of 25 welfare components divided into six broad categories: household and community infrastructure, connectivity, health, education, electrification, and economic empowerment.
Each Department would be responsible for the implementation of a scheme related to it through funds allocated to them under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes in the next five years.
The tribal villages would be mapped on the PM Gati Shakti Portal with the gaps identified by the concerned department for its scheme-specific requirements.

Innovative schemes introduced under Abhiyan

Tribal Home Stay

To tap the tourist potential of tribal areas and to provide an alternate livelihood, 1000 Home stays will be promoted under Swadesh Darshan through the Ministry of Tourism.
Financial benefit: Rs. 5 lakhs for constructing two new rooms, up to Rs. 3 lakhs for renovating existing rooms, and Rs 5 lakhs for village community requirements.

Sustainable Livelihood Forest Right Holders (FRA)

Expedite the process of recognising and securing forest rights, empower tribal communities to maintain & conserve forests, and provide them with sustainable livelihoods through the schemes.

Improving infrastructure of residential Schools and Hostels

The Abhiyan aims to improve the infrastructure of Ashrams, hostels, Tribal schools, and government residential schools, to upgrade them to the level of PM-SHRI Schools.

Advanced facilities for diagnosis of Sickle Cell Disease

Centre of Competence (CoC) would be set up in AIIMS and premier Institutes in the States of Sickle disease prevalence.

Tribal Multipurpose Marketing Centres (TMMCs)

100 TMMCs will be set up to enable the tribal producers to get the right price for their produce/ products and facilitate the consumers in buying tribal produce at the right price directly from the tribals.

Also, read Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas Act.

{GS2 – Polity – IC – Federalism} Emergency Provisions in the IC

Context (TH): Emergency provisions in the IC allow the Centre to intervene in State affairs under certain conditions, which impacts Centre-State relations significantly.

Constitutional Provisions of Emergency

Article 352 (National Emergency): It can be proclaimed during war, external aggression, or armed rebellion. It affects the entire nation, with the Centre gaining extensive powers over the States.
Article 356 (President’s Rule): It is imposed when a state government cannot function according to constitutional provisions. The Centre takes over State governance temporarily.
Article 360 (Financial Emergency): It is declared when the financial stability of India or any part of it is threatened, allowing the Centre to control state financial matters.
Article 355: It imposes a duty on the Centre to protect States from external aggression and internal disturbances, ensuring that State governance is per the Constitution.
Article 358: During a national emergency, the provisions of Article 19 (Fundamental Rights) are suspended automatically for the duration of the emergency, except in cases of armed rebellion.
Article 359: The President may suspend the enforcement of other Fundamental Rights (except those under Articles 20 and 21) during a National Emergency.

Read more> Emergency Provision, President’s Rule

Challenges of the Provisions

Breakdown of Law and Order: States are primarily responsible for law and order, but the Centre can intervene if constitutional governance fails, leading to conflicts over jurisdiction.
Misuse of Article 356: Historically, the President’s rule has been imposed for political reasons rather than genuine breakdowns of constitutional machinery, undermining federalism.
Judicial Review: Although the Supreme Court’s ruling in the S.R. Bommai case restricted misuse, the potential for the Centre’s overreach remains in interpreting crises within States.
Political Expediency: Political interests, especially when the same party is in power at the Centre and State, may delay necessary intervention or lead to selective use of provisions.

Way Forward

Sarkaria and Punchhi Commission’s Recommendations: Implementing guidelines to ensure Article 356 is used as a last resort in extreme situations will strengthen federalism.
Judicial Oversight: Continued strong judicial scrutiny to prevent misuse of emergency provisions can safeguard against arbitrary interventions.
Clarifying the Role of Article 355: Better defining the Centre’s role in discharging duties under Article 355 can prevent overreach while ensuring swift action during genuine crises.
Strengthening State Capacities: Improving the capacity of State governments to handle law and order issues will reduce the need for Central intervention under emergency provisions.
Political Consensus: Building political consensus on Centre-State relations and emergency provisions can ensure more balanced and fair interventions.

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – Women} Rising Sexual Violence **

Context (TP): Recent incidents of sexual violence, particularly the RG Kar Hospital case.

Laws Governing Rape in India

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS),2023: It imposes harsher punishments for the gang rape of minors under 18, including life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 (Nirbhaya Act): Strengthened existing laws, introduced the death penalty for repeat offenders, and expanded the definition of sexual assault.
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012: Provides stringent punishment for sexual offences against children.
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013: Prevents and addresses sexual harassment at work.

Rights of Rape Victims in India

Right to Zero FIR: Victims can file a Zero First Information Report (FIR) at any police station, regardless of jurisdiction. The FIR will be transferred to the appropriate station for investigation.
No Two-Finger Test: No doctor shall possess the right to perform two-finger tests during the medical examination, which was deemed a violation of the survivor’s dignity.
Right to Free Legal Aid: Victims are entitled to free legal assistance at every stage of the trial.
Right to Compensation: Victims can receive compensation through victim compensation.
Right to Immediate Medical Help: Hospitals cannot deny treatment for rape.
Right to Record Statement in Privacy: Victims can record statements at their homes or any place of choice before a magistrate or female police officer.

Why is There an Increase in Rape Cases in India?

Cultural Norms and Patriarchy: Traditional gender roles and a culture of victim-blaming perpetuate violence against women.
Low Conviction Rates: According to NCRB data (2021), the conviction rate for rape cases is only about 27%, deterring justice for victims.
Ineffective Policing: Underreporting due to fear, lack of trust in police, and inefficient investigations lead to failure in addressing sexual violence.
Weak Implementation of Laws: Despite strong legal frameworks, gaps in enforcement and delayed trials contribute to increased incidents.
Economic and Social Vulnerability: Women from marginalised communities are at higher risk due to lack of awareness, financial dependency, and exploitation.

Challenges

Inadequate Training of Police to handle sexual violence cases, leading to mishandling. For instance, in the Hathras case (2020), mishandling by local police led to public outrage.
Judicial Delays: Delays in court trials lead to justice being delayed or denied. As per a 2020 report, around 87% of rape cases remain pending in courts.
Social Stigma: Victims often face societal pressure and stigma, discouraging them from reporting incidents. This was evident in the Unnao case (2017), where the victim faced community backlash.
Underreporting: As per NCRB, only a fraction of sexual assault cases are reported due to fear of reprisal, shame, and police inaction.
Lack of Survivor Support: Survivors face challenges in accessing legal, medical, and psychological support due to underfunded government services.

Implications of Rising Rape Cases

Social Impact: Undermines social cohesion, stigmatises survivors, and reinforces gender discrimination.
Economic Impact: Reduces women’s workforce participation and increases healthcare costs.
Psychological Impact: Causes long-term trauma like PTSD and depression.
Legal Impact: Weakens institutional trust due to delays and low conviction rates.
Cultural Impact: Perpetuates victim-blaming and normalises sexual violence, hindering social reform.

Government Initiatives

Nirbhaya Fund: Established in 2013 after the Nirbhaya case, this fund aims to enhance women’s safety in public spaces by financing various projects such as CCTV installation and safe city programs.
Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP): Launched in 2015, the BBBP scheme focuses on addressing issues of declining child sex ratio and empowering girls through education and awareness programs.
One Stop Centres (OSCs): Also known as Sakhi Centres, these are integrated facilities offering medical, legal, and psychological assistance to women affected by violence.
Women Helplines (181): A nationwide toll-free helpline specifically for women in distress. This initiative ensures women can access immediate help and are guided to the appropriate services.
Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018: This act introduced stringent punishments for rape, including the death penalty for the rape of minors below 12 years of age, and increased minimum penalties.

Way Forward

Police Training and Sensitization: Comprehensive training programs for law enforcement, E.g. UK’s ‘DASH’ (Domestic Abuse, Stalking, Harassment, and Honour-Based Violence) risk assessment model.
Fast-track courts to handle sexual violence cases, reducing the backlog of pending cases. E.g. Rajasthan set up 35 fast-track courts in 2020 to deal exclusively with sexual offences.
Community Awareness Programs: Educational campaigns promoting gender equality and respect should be introduced to change attitudes and reduce violence in schools and communities.
Civil Society Engagement: Strengthen collaboration between the government and NGOs to provide comprehensive victim support services. E.g. SEWA (Self Employed Women’s Association).
Comprehensive Victim Support: Establish integrated support systems that include medical care, counselling, and legal aid, drawing inspiration from Denmark’s “One Stop Centres.

{GS3 – Envi – CC} The Ethical Imperative of Climate Action

Context (TH): The upcoming Summit of the Future at the United Nations seeks to address multilateral solutions to threats like climate change, pandemics, conflict, pollution, and inequality.

A central theme at the summit will be ensuring a livable planet for future generations (the rights of future generations to inherit a safe and secure world).

The Legal Debate: Rights of Future Generations

Arguments Against Future Generations’ Rights

Focusing on future rights diverts attention from pressing obligations to those alive today.
Unfairly shifts responsibility from those currently owed to those who owe responsibility to the future.
Many governments resonate with this view, prioritising present economic development—even if environmentally destructive—over protecting future generations.

Arguments in Favour of Future Generations’ Rights

Has emancipatory power.
Offers potential for reshaping international law based on justice and solidarity across time and space.
Aligns with traditional beliefs and wisdom of Indigenous groups worldwide.
Environmental judgments from various countries support it.

Legal Precedents Supporting Future Generations’ Rights

Several landmark judgments have upheld the rights of future generations:
Colombia: Ordered an inter-generational pact for the Amazon’s preservation.
Pakistan: Upheld a ban on cement plants in fragile ecosystems.
India: National Green Tribunal affirmed intergenerational equity in environmental rights.
Kenya: Declared a legal obligation to maintain natural resources for future generations.
South Africa: Emphasized the state’s duty to consider long-term pollution impacts.

The Maastricht Principles: A Framework for Future Generations’ Rights

The Maastricht Principles on the Human Rights of Future Generations provide a clear framework:
- Affirm that human rights extend to all members of the human family, including future generations.
- Emphasise the continuum of human generations.
- Stress the need to interpret rights in light of humanity’s relationship with nature and scientific understanding.
- Outline obligations to protect future generations against risks posed by public and private actors.
- Advocate for meaningful representation of future generations in decision-making processes.

Urgency of Action: Planetary Boundaries and Overshoot

Eight out of nine planetary boundaries for Earth’s healthy survival have been breached.
The ‘planetary overshoot day’ has moved from December 30, 1970, to August 1, 2024.
If this trend continues, future generations will inherit a depleted planet. Action is needed to:
- Address immediate risks to current populations.
- Prevent irreversible damage to the lives of future generations.

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} Water Pricing

Context (TH): Understanding the concept of water as an economic good. A water tariff is a price assigned to water supplied by a public utility for both freshwater supply and wastewater treatment.

Need for water pricing

Rising water stress: India’s projected water availability per capita was 1486 m³in 2021, and it is slated to decline to 1367 m³ by 2031.
‘Water conflicts’: The ‘business-as-usual’ way of managing water is unsustainable and can lead to severe stress and conflicts as perceived in inter-state river water disputes.
Food security: Around 55% of India’s arable land relies heavily on monsoons, significantly impacting agricultural productivity and output. Increased variability due to climate change can also significantly impact the country’s food security.
Conservation of groundwater: Groundwater depletion due to irrigation and urban and rural domestic water supply has put India in a perilous state (groundwater depleting at 0.3 metres annually).
Provides an objective instrument for decision-making: Valuation provides a quantified basis for ranking and prioritisation projects, helps water project management, and aids decision-making on any aspect of water-related infrastructure projects.
In line with global principles: In 1992, the Dublin Water Principles introduced the notion of “water as an economic good”. This was echoed in The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity assessment and the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services report.

Complexities involved in water pricing

Political considerations: Water pricing is often a political process, and low tariffs are sometimes set for political reasons rather than practical ones.
No independent Water Regulatory Authority (WRA) (as mandated by NWP 2012) in states making the mechanism of water fixing ad-hoc, non-consultative and non-transparent.
Lack of coherence between Centre and State: In the case of groundwater, 20 states follow Central Ground Water guidelines, while 16 have framed their own guidelines.
Lack of data: There is often a lack of data on how different tariff structures affect water use and how price changes affect customer decisions.

Way Forward

The National Water Policy 2012 suggested that water pricing should be determined on a volumetric basis to meet equity, economy and efficiency principles.
‘Water as an economic good’ should be adopted. Cost recovery in the irrigation sector should cover Operation & Maintenance costs and at least 1% interest on capital employed (Planning Commission).
Incentives for adopting water-efficient technologies like drip/sprinkler irrigation in agriculture, adopting infrastructure metering, and introducing water-audit-based credit.
A National Irrigation Water Policy should be adopted after consultation with States.

{GS3 – IE – Industry} National Centre of Excellence for Animation and AVGC-XR

Context (TH): The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR).

Key Features

Establishment of IIIC: The centre will tentatively be named the Indian Institute for Immersive Creators (IIIC) and will function as a Section 8 Company under the Companies Act 2013.
Industry Collaboration: The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) will partner with the government to establish this institute.
Focus on AVGC-XR Sector: The NCoE will anchor the AVGC-XR ecosystem, which plays a crucial role in various sectors, including filmmaking, OTT platforms, gaming, and education.
Skilling Initiatives: The centre aims to provide specialised training programs to equip amateurs and professionals with the latest skills in cutting-edge AVGC-XR technologies.
Intellectual Property Creation: It will focus on developing Indian intellectual property that leverages the country’s rich historical and cultural heritage for domestic and global consumption.
Job Creation: The NCoE is anticipated to become a source of employment for youth across India, with projections indicating that it could create over 2.3 million jobs by 2032 in the AVGC sector.

{GS3 – S&T – Space} Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV)

Context (PIB): The Indian govt has approved a Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).

ABOUT NGLV

A three-stage, partially reusable rocket by ISRO to carry 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit.
It uses semi-cryogenic propulsion for its booster stages, refined kerosene (called ISROSENE) as fuel and liquid oxygen (LOX) as the oxidiser.
Useful for communication satellites, deep space missions, human spaceflight & cargo missions.

Read more > India’s Satellite Launch Vehicles.

{GS3 – S&T – Space} Rings of Earth

Context (TH): Earth may have had a Saturn-like ring system approximately 466 million years ago.

Potential Climate Impact

Global Cooling Contribution: A ring around Earth may have contributed to global cooling during the Hirnantian Ice Age, recognised as one of the coldest periods in Earth’s history.
Shading Effect: The ring could have blocked sunlight over the equator, reducing solar radiation and lowering global temperatures.
Temperature Drop Correlation: The onset of the Hirnantian Ice Age occurred roughly 20 million years after the proposed formation of the ring, suggesting a possible link between the two events.
In addition to Saturn, Jupiter, Neptune, and Uranus have ring systems, though less prominent.

Planet	Ring Characteristics	Composition	Notable Features
Saturn	Extensive with seven main rings	Water ice particles	Brightness variations; braided F Ring
Jupiter	Faint with a main ring and halo	Dark, dust-sized particles	Influenced by magnetic fields
Uranus	Narrow bands with wide gaps	Rocky particles	Clumpy structure due to moon interactions
Neptune	Faint arcs instead of continuous rings	Dark material with methane ice	Dynamic ring arcs

How rings are formed ?

Gravitational Disruption: A small body-like asteroid crosses within the Roche limit of a large planet, causing it to stretch and break apart.
Fragmentation: The body fragments due to tidal forces overpowering its self-gravity.
Formation of a Debris Ring: The fragments interact gravitationally, settling into a stable orbit around the planet, forming a ring along its equatorial plane.
Evolution of Ring Material: Over time, some ring material spirals inward, impacting the planet and creating craters, especially near the equator.

Roche limit = Distance from a celestial body within which a second celestial body, held together only by its gravity, will disintegrate because the first body’s tidal forces exceed the second body’s self-gravitation.

{Prelims – Bio – Diseases} COVID-19 XEC Variant

Context (DTE): The XEC variant, a hybrid sublineage of Omicron, has spread to 27 countries and is considered more contagious, though vaccines remain effective against It.

It accounted for 16-17% of cases in Denmark and Germany and 11-13% in the UK and Netherlands.
Symptoms: Fever, Sore throat, Cough, Loss of smell, Loss of appetite, Body ache.

{Prelims – Envi – Species} Malabar Parakeets (Psittacula columboides)

Context (TH): Cardamom farmers in Idukki had suffered crop losses in attacks by Malabar parakeets.

Also known as blue-winged parakeet, it is a parakeet species endemic to the Western Ghats.

Credits: Pininterest

Found in small flocks, they fly rapidly in forest clearings while making screeching keek-keek-keek calls.
Conservation Status: IUCN: LC

{Prelims – In News} Naga King Chilli Festival

Context (DTE): Seiyhama village in Nagaland celebrated its third Naga King chilli festival.

About King Chilli Festival

The festival showcases the King chilli’s cultural and culinary significance in Naga cuisine, and it was awarded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2008.

King Chilli (Raja Mircha/ Naga Mircha)

Native crop of Nagaland. It is believed to have originated in the Zeliangrong region of Nagaland.
Certified by Guinness World Records in 2006, it is one of the hottest chillies globally.
Consistently ranked among the top five on the Scoville Heat Units (SHU) scale.
Also known as “Bhoot Jolokia” or “Ghost Pepper”. It is harvested in August-September.

Other GI tags in Nagaland include Naga Tree Tomato, Naga Sweet Cucumber & Chakhesang Shawl.

{Prelims – In News} Voldemort malware

Context (IE): The new Voldemort malware infects machines by disguising itself as a fake PDF, targeting organisations globally for cyber espionage through phishing emails.

Impact of the Voldemort Malware on Organizations

Cyber Espionage Risks: The malware campaign aims to steal intellectual property, sensitive data, intellectual property, and trade secrets.
Widespread Infection: It has targeted over 70 organisations globally, sending ~ 20,000 phishing emails.
Disruption of Operations: Once infected, the malware can slow down systems, allow unauthorised access, and disrupt daily operations.
Data Loss and Financial Impact: Using Google Sheets for command and control allows attackers to exfiltrate sensitive data easily.

{Prelims – S&T – Space} Project 200

Context (TH): Bellatrix Aerospace, a Bengaluru-based space startup, has unveiled Project 200.

About Project 200

It is an innovative satellite designed to operate at an Ultra-Low Earth Orbit (ULEO) of 180-250 km
Its Advanced Propulsion technology would allow it to operate without deorbiting due to drag.
Applications: High-resolution Earth observation, telecommunications, and scientific research satellites.

Advantages of operating At ULEO

Communication latency is reduced by half. Image resolution is improved by 3X.
A substantial magnitude reduces satellite cost.
Minimal Radiation Exposure can extend their operational lifespan and reliability.

{Prelims – Sci – Bio} Metformin

Context (IE): Metformin, an inexpensive diabetes drug, slows ageing in male monkeys.

It is one of the most widely used drugs for treating type 2 diabetes. It also reduces the risk of cancer.
It is a guanidine derivative, a compound found in Goat’s Rue, an herbal medicine long used in Europe.

{Prelims – Sci – Bio} New blood group system: MAL

Context (BS): A new blood group system, MAL, has been identified. The research identified the AnWj antigen’s genetic basis, marking the 47^th known blood group system. The AnWj antigen, a surface marker on red blood cells, was first discovered in 1972 but remained poorly understood.

More than 99.9% of the population is AnWj-positive, meaning their blood contains the antigen, while those who are AnWj-negative face severe risks if given AnWj-positive blood during transfusions.
- Common reasons for lacking this antigen are illnesses like cancer or certain blood disorders.
MAL protein plays a vital role in keeping cell membranes stable and aiding in cell transport.
AnWj antigens do not appear in newborns but develop soon after birth.

Antigens are molecules capable of stimulating an immune response. Each antigen has distinct surface features, resulting in specific responses. They are composed of proteins, peptides, and polysaccharides. It induces the immune system to produce antibodies against it.

Blood group system

Antigen makeup is the key factor in determining blood type. They reside on the surface of the red blood cells, serving as built-in protection devices for your blood supply.
These substances are designed to identify foreign cells and trigger immune responses that produce antibodies in the plasma to attack potential invaders. The presence or absence of antigens on the red blood cells and corresponding antibodies in your plasma defines the blood group.