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Posted 15 Jul 2024

8 min read

Central Information Commission (CIC)

Supreme Court has asserted that the Central Information Commission has powers to constitute benches & frame regulations.

About CIC

  • Genesis: Statutory body under Right to Information Act, 2005 to ensure greater access to information to Indian citizens.
  • Functions: To receive and inquire into complaints from any citizen regarding RTI act, etc.
  • Members: Commission consists of one chief Information commissioner(CIC) and information commissioner(IC) (not exceeding 10)
  • Appointment: CICs And ICs are appointed by President on recommendation of a committee consisting of
    • PM (Chairperson of committee)
    • Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha
    • Union Cabinet Minister nominated by PM.
  • Tenure: CICs and ICs shall hold office for a period of three years
  • Tags :
  • CIC
  • Right to Information Act

Pradhan Mantri Colleges of Excellence

Union Home Minister inaugurated PM Colleges of Excellence in Madhya Pradesh (MP).

  • MP is the first state to implement the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020.

About PM Colleges of Excellence

  • These colleges are upgraded according to the parameters fixed in line with NEP.
  • Flexibility in subject selection based on one’s interests in multiple disciplines without barriers of streams, this approach is referred as No compartmental education.
  • Focus on diverse subjects like Biotechnology, Computer Science, Arts and Data Analytics etc. 
  • Tags :
  • NEP

Kashmir Willow

Over the last few years, bats made of Kashmiri willow have been attracting global attention.

About Kashmir Willow (Salix Alba)

  • Tree Type: Deciduous tree which can grow up to 30 meters. 
  • Distribution: Mainly found in the Kashmir region of India
  • In Kashmir, willow trees were planted on a large scale by the British. 
  • Key Features 
    • Willows exhibit higher productivity due to their highest capacity to convert solar radiation into chemical energy
    • Willows have extensive fibrous root system
    • Formation of symbiotic associations with mycorrhizal fungi
  • Uses: Cricket bat industry, package case industry, ply board industry, paper and pulp industry, etc.
  • Tags :
  • Kashmir willow

Wolbachia Bacteria

Recently, study has highlighted that Wolbachia bacteria had manipulated the wasp Encarsia formosa to entirely get rid of its males.

  • E. formosa wasps helps in controlling population of whiteflies, a major agricultural pest.

About Wolbachia Bacteria

  • Commonly found in nematodes and arthropods, especially insects
  • In insects, these are present in eggs but they are absent in the sperm.  Due to this, females can transmit them to their offspring whereas males can’t. 
    • As a result, Wolbachia have evolved ways to manipulate their insect hosts to produce more female than male progeny.
    • Tra gene of Wolbachia play key role in showing this feature.
  • Potential Application:
    • Mosquitoes with Wolbachia can be used to reduce numbers of target mosquito species, for example, Ae. aegypti mosquitoes.
  • Tags :
  • Wolbachia Bacteria

Makhahana

Recently, the Bihar government demanded a Minimum Support Price for makhana, the popped kernel of foxnut or gorgon nut.

About Makhana

  • Tropical and subtropical aquatic crop: Grown in stagnant perennial water bodies like ponds, land depressions, oxbow lakes, etc. Its seed is also called as Black Diamond.
  • Climatic Conditions: 
    • Temperature: 20 - 35 degree Celsius, 
    • Relative humidity 50% to 90% 
    • Annual rainfall 100 cm - 250 cm.
  • Region: Native of South-East Asia and China & distributed to almost every part of world.
    • India is largest producer in the world (largest producing state is Bihar)
  • Nutritional Benefits: Low fat content, high contents of carbohydrates, protein (15 - 20%) and minerals.
  • Tags :
  • Makahana
  • Foxnut
  • Gorgon Nut

Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd (DFCCIL)

Centre has exempted the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd (DFCCIL) from the 18% GST. 

About DFCCIL

  • DFCCIL is a special purpose vehicle of Indian Railways. 
  • It was incorporated in 2006 under Indian Companies Act 1956. 
  • Its key role: 
    • To undertake planning & development, mobilization of financial resources and construction, maintenance and operation of the Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs).
    • It is also expected to decongest road network & promote shifting of freight transport to more efficient rail transport
  • Tags :
  • GST
  • Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC)
  • DFCCIL

Monoclonal Antibodies

Nipah monoclonal antibody trials may begin in India in 2025.

About Monoclonal Antibodies:

  • Monoclonal antibodies (moAbs or mAbs) are lab-made proteins mimicking natural antibodies. 
    • Antibodies are parts of the body’s immune system that seeks out antigens (foreign materials) and destroy them.
  • Applications:
    • Diagnostics (e.g., ELISA),
    • Treating diseases (cancer, infections, autoimmune disorders, etc.) 
    • Analyzing cell types in blood/tissue (with the use of fluorescent tags).
  • Tags :
  • Nipah
  • Monoclonal Antibodies
  • ELISA

Indian Newspaper Society (INS)

Prime Minister inaugurates INS Towers in Mumbai.

About INS

  • Genesis: Its origin can be traced back to 1927. INS is established as Indian & Eastern Newspaper Society (IENS) in 1939. 
    • Mr. Arthur Moore of the Statesman was the first president of INS.
  • Key objective: To act as a central organization of the Press of India and of any other country in Asia, which desires to associate itself with the Society.
  • Members: Owners, proprietors and publishers of print media
  • Key role: 
    • An independent body authenticating circulation figures of newspapers and periodicals in India. 
    • Protecting and promoting the freedom of press in India
  • Tags :
  • INS
  • Press
  • Indian Newspaper Society (INS)
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