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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
Articles Sources
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)
Articles Sources
News Today (Jul 14-15, 2024)