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06 FEB 2024 Daily Current Affairs for UPSC CDS, CAPF, NDA & SSB

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Written by NDI EDITOR

Feb 06 2024

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06 FEB 2024 Daily Current Affairs for UPSC CDS, CAPF, NDA & SSB
1. What is the GRAPES-3 experiment?
The GRAPES-3 experiment discovered a new feature in the cosmic-ray proton spectrum at about 166 tera-electron-volt (TeV) energy while measuring the spectrum spanning from 50 TeV to a little over 1 peta-electron-volt (PeV).

About the GRAPES-3 experiment:

  • Gamma Ray Astronomy PeV EnergieS phase-3 (GRAPES-3) is designed to study cosmic rays with an array of air shower detectors and a large area muon detector.
  • Location: It is located in Ooty, India.
  • It is operated by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
  • It aims to probe the acceleration of cosmic rays in different astrophysical settings.
  • Its objectives are to study:
    • The origin, acceleration and propagation of >1014 eV cosmic rays in the galaxy and beyond.
    • Existence of “Knee” in the energy spectrum of cosmic rays.
    • Production and/or acceleration of the highest energy (~1020 eV) cosmic rays in the universe.
    • Astronomy of multi-TeV γ-rays from neutron stars and other compact objects.

Key facts about Cosmic rays:

  • These rays were discovered more than a century ago.
  • They are considered to be the most energetic particles in the universe.
  • Our planet is constantly bombarded by them from outer space almost uniformly from all directions at a constant rate.
  • They enter into Earth's atmosphere and induce a shower of particles that travel to the ground almost at the speed of light.
  • The shower particles constitute electrons, photons, muons, protons, neutrons etc.
  • They have been observed over a remarkably wide energy range (108 to 1020 eV).
2. Dusted Apollo
Recently, Dusted Apollo (Parnassius stenosemus), a rare high-altitude butterfly, has been sighted and photographed for the first time in Himachal Pradesh.

About Dusted Apollo:

  • It is an extremely rare butterfly and has never been photographed before in Himachal Pradesh.
  • Distribution range: It is found from Ladakh to West Nepal and it flies between 3,500 to 4,800 metres in the inner Himalayas.
  • Appearance
    • It closely resembles Ladakh Banded Apollo (Parnnasius stoliczkanus) but the discal band on the upper fore wing in dusted Apollo is complete and extends from costa to vein one while this discal band is incomplete and extends only up to vein four in Ladakh Banded Apollo.
    • Moreover, the Dark marginal band on the hind wings is much narrower in Dusted Apollo while it is broad in Ladakh Banded Apollo.
  • Another rare species Regal Apollo (Parnnasius charltonius) was also photographed at Manimahesh, which is protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
  • There are 11 Apollo species recorded from Himachal Pradesh and five of them are declared as Scheduled species.
  • It is an encouraging indication of the flourishing diversity of Apollo butterflies in the region.
  • Threats: Apollos are considered commercially important butterflies and they fetch high prices in the poaching industry.
  • Most of the Apollo butterflies are now endangered and need immediate attention for their conservation and protection.
  • Conservation measures:
    • Community awareness about poaching and the importance of these species may play an important role in their conservation.
    • Also, establishing butterfly parks and conservation reserves in the State should be on the priority list of the government.
3. What is Whip?
The major political party issued a three-line whip to its Lok Sabha MPs asking them to be present in the House tomorrow as the Prime Minister of India will reply to the Motion of Thanks on the Presidential address delivered recently.

About Whip:

  • A whip in parliamentary parlance is a written order that party members be present for an important vote, or that they vote only in a particular way.
  • The term is derived from the old British practice of “whipping in” lawmakers to follow the party line.
  • The importance of a whip can be inferred from the number of times an order is underlined.
  • Appointment:
    • In India, all parties can issue a whip to their members.
    • Parties appoint a senior member from among their House contingents to issue whips — this member is called a Chief Whip, and he/she is assisted by additional Whips.
  • Types of whips:
    • One-line whip: A one-line whip, underlined once, is usually issued to inform party members of a vote and allows them to abstain in case they decide not to follow the party line.
    • Two-line whip: A two-line whip directs them to be present during the vote.
    • Three-line whip: A three-line whip is the strongest, employed on important occasions such as the second reading of a Bill or a no-confidence motion, and places an obligation on members to toe the party line.
  • Defiance of whip
    • In India, rebelling against a three-line whip can put a lawmaker’s membership of the House at risk.
    • The anti-defection law allows the Speaker/Chairperson to disqualify such a member; the only exception is when more than a third of legislators vote against a directive, effectively splitting the party.
4. InTranSE Program
During the launch event of "Digital India FutureLABS Summit 2024” held at IIIT- Delhi, three Indigenous Technologies - Thermal camera, CMOS camera and Fleet Management System designed and developed by CDAC Thiruvananthapuram under InTranSE Program of MeitY were transferred to 12 Industries.

About InTranSE Program:

  • The Intelligent Transportation System Endeavor (InTranSE) is a revolutionary collaborative research and development programme.
  • It is an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics & IT.
  • Purpose: To synergize the transformation in Intelligent Transportation Systems the Ministry of Electronics & IT took early steps by bringing together premier academic institutes like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Indian Institute of Management (IIM) etc. and Premier R&D Centre like C-DAC under one umbrella.
  • This initiative formulated the Collaborative Intelligent Transportation Systems Endeavor for Indian Cities (InTranSE) during the year 2009-2012 (Phase-I) that witnessed IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIM Calcutta and C-DAC Thiruvananthapuram collaboratively developing, implementing, demonstrating and knowledge transfer of ITS products and solutions.
  • The InTranSE Phase-II program (2019-2021) is aiming at undertaking R&D projects collaboratively with IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IISc Bangalore and C-DAC Thiruvananthapuram
  • Significance: It will achieve traffic efficiency by minimising traffic problems, prompting efficient infrastructure usage, enriching users with prior information about traffic and reducing travel time as well as enhancing the safety and comfort of commuters.
5. Directorate General of GST Intelligence
The Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) is investigating Mahadev Online Book, an allegedly illegal betting application, and its promoters for suspected violation of GST rules and non-payment of tax.

About Directorate General of GST Intelligence:

  • The Directorate General of Central Excise Intelligence (DGCEI) is now renamed as Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI).
  • It is an apex intelligence organisation functioning under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, Department of Revenue, and Ministry of Finance.
  • It is entrusted with the task of collection, collation, and dissemination of intelligence relating to the evasion of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the duties of Central Excise and Service Tax on an all-India basis.
  • Functions of DGGI:
    • Intelligence gathering: It is responsible for gathering intelligence about potential violations of the GST law. This includes collecting information from various sources, such as GST returns, financial statements, and other documents.
    • It develops intelligence, especially in new areas of tax evasion through its intelligence network across the country and disseminates such information, by issuing Modus Operandi Circulars and Alert Circulars to sensitise the field formations about the latest trends in duty evasion.
    • Investigation: It has the power to conduct investigations into suspected cases of GST evasion or non-compliance. This may involve summoning persons, examining records, and carrying out searches and seizures.
    • Enforcement: It is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the GST law. This includes taking legal action against offenders, imposing penalties, and recovering any taxes or duties due.
6. What is the National Agriculture Market (eNAM)?
With more states facilitating the trade of agricultural commodities on the eNAM, a spurt in trading among various markets within the state as well as at the inter-state level is being witnessed.

About eNAM:

  • It is an online trading platform for agricultural commodities in India.
  • It was launched on April 14, 2016, and is completely funded by the Government of India.
  • The Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) acts as the lead agency for implementing e-Nam under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. 
  • It aims to create better marketing opportunities for the farmers to sell their products through a competitive and transparent price discovery system, along with an online payment facility for the buyers.
  • The NAM portal networks the existing APMC (Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee) / Regulated Marketing Committee (RMC) market yards, sub-market yards, private markets, and other unregulated markets to unify all the nationwide agricultural markets by creating a central online platform for agricultural commodity price discovery. 
  • Features:
    • It will enable farmers to showcase their products through their nearby markets and facilitate traders from anywhere to quote prices.
    • It provides single-window services for all APMC-related services and information. This includes commodity arrivals, quality and prices, buy-and-sell offers, and e-payment settlements directly into farmer’s accounts, among other services.
    • Using the eNAM service, licences for traders, buyers, and commission agents can be obtained from state-level authorities without any pre-condition of the physical presence or possession of a shop or premises in the market yard.
    • Harmonisation of quality standards of agricultural products and infrastructure for quality testing are made available in every market.
    • Provision of Soil Testing Laboratories is provided for the selected mandi (market) in order to facilitate the farmers visiting the mandi.
  • e-NAM is designed and implemented to benefit all the stakeholders: farmers, mandis, traders, buyers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and exporters.
  • The benefits to stakeholders include:
    • Transparent online trading with enhanced accessibility to the market.
    • Real-time price discovery for better and more stable price realisation for producers.
    • Reduced transaction costs for buyers.
    • Availability of information on the e-NAM mobile app about commodity prices.
    • The details of the price of the commodity sold, along with the quantity, are received through SMS.
    • Quality certification.
    • More efficient supply chain and warehouse-based sales.
    • Online payment directly to the bank accounts of the farmers.
7. What is Candida auris (C. auris)?
A deadly fungal infection called Candida auris has been spreading rapidly in the United States recently.

About Candida auris (C. auris):

  • It is an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast (fungus) that represents a global health threat. 
  • It is capable of causing invasive infections in the human body. It can cause severe illness in people with weakened immune systems.
  • Scientists first discovered C. auris in Japan in 2009. Since then, it has spread quickly to other countries. 
  • Transmission:
    • It is primarily contracted in healthcare settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes.
    • It can also live on the skin or other body parts without making a person sick. This is called being “colonised.”
    • The fungus can either colonise a specific region of the body, such as the skin, rectum, or mouth, without causing symptoms or it can cause severe invasive infections by entering the bloodstream or wounds.
    • It can be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces or equipment, or from physical contact with a person who is infected or colonised.
  • Symptoms:
    • It can cause infections in different parts of the body, such as the bloodstream, open wounds, and ears.
    • The symptoms depend on the location and severity of the C. auris infection. 
    • Symptoms may be similar to those of an infection caused by bacteria. There is not a common set of symptoms specific to C. auris infections.
    • A high fever with chills that do not get better after taking antibiotics may be a sign of a C. auris infection.
  • Treatment:
    • Most C. auris infections are treatable with antifungal drugs. 
    • However, some C. auris infections have been resistant to all three main classes of antifungal medications, making them more difficult to treat and often requiring the use of combination therapies.
8. Mekong River
A multibillion-dollar dam project underway across the Mekong River in Laos has prompted concerns that it could result in Luang Prabang City losing its UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

About the Mekong River:

  • It is the longest river in Southeast Asia, the 7th longest in Asia, and the 12th longest in the world.
  • It has a length of about 2,700 miles (4,350 km). 
  • Course:
  • It rises in southeastern Qinghai Province, China.
  • It originates from the Sanjianyuang in the Tibetan Plateau, with the area designated a national nature reserve to protect the headwaters of the Yangtze, Yellow, and Mekong Rivers.
  • The river drains approximately 795,000 square kilometres and flows through six Asian countries: China, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia, where it is referred to by different names. 
  • Vientiane(Viangchan), the capital of Laos, and Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, both stand on its banks.
  • The river drains into the South China Sea south of Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam).
  • Tributaries: The left-bank tributaries (draining high rainfall areas) include Nam Ou, Tha, and Nam Khan, while the right-bank tributaries (draining the lower relief region) are Ruak, Kok, Tonle Sap, and Mun.
  • Its biodiversity is only second to the Amazon River Basin and contains about 20,000 plant species, 1,200 birds, 430 mammals, 800 amphibians and reptiles, and 850 fish species.
  • It is the river with the largest fish species, including giant freshwater stingrays, giant pangasius, Mekong giant catfish, and giant barb.
  • The Mekong creates a huge delta, or triangular piece of land, in southern Vietnam. The delta has rich soil and is one of the world’s great producers of rice.
9. Corbett Tiger Reserve
Five people have been killed near Uttarakhand's Corbett Tiger Reserve in the past two months.

About Corbett Tiger Reserve:

  • Location:
    • It is located on the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand.
    • By and large, the reserve is spread over the Bhabar and lower Shivalik regions with a deep-water table.
  • Corbett was the first national park in India and was established in 1936. It was named Hailey National Park then. In 1957, the park was rechristened Corbett National Park in memory of the late Jim Corbett, a great naturalist and eminent conservationist.
  • Today, after the addition of areas to the originally declared National Park, the total area of Tiger Reserve extends to 1288.31 sq. km.
  • Vegetation: In general, the vegetation comprises sal and mixed forests, interspersed with grasslands and riparian vegetation.
  • The terrain is undulating, with several valleys. The rivers Ramganga, Pallaen, and Sonanadi flow through the valleys.
  • The habitat is characterised by open meadows (chaurs) interspersed with sal and moist, mixed deciduous forests.
    • The grasslands are locally known as ‘Chaur’, which are an outcome of abandoned settlements or past clearings.
  • Flora: It consists of evergreen Sal and its combined trees, the Sheesham, and the Kanju found extensively on the ridges.
  • Fauna: Tiger and elephant are the charismatic mammals, besides a large array of co-predators (leopard, small carnivores), ungulates (sambar, hog deer, spotted deer), birds, reptiles (gharial, crocodile) and fishes.
10. What are Hydrothermal Systems?
New maps have revealed a hidden hydrothermal system beneath Lake Rotorua, which sits at the heart of a dormant volcano in New Zealand.

About Hydrothermal Systems:

  • Hydrothermal systems occur in areas with high heat fluxes, both on continents, near convergent plate boundaries, and on the ocean floor, near the mid-ocean ridges. 
  • Their formation requires the existence of three important components: fluids, heat, and permeability through rocks so that fluids can circulate. 
  • These systems are often found near mid-ocean ridges, where tectonic plates diverge and new seafloor is created.
  • How do hydrothermal systems work:
    • Hydrothermal systems occur when seawater percolates down through fractures in the oceanic crust, heating up as it nears the earth’s hot interior.
    • Descending seawater interacts with the oceanic crust, removing chemicals from the rocks as it heats to 350-400 degrees Celsius, about four times hotter than boiling water (the extreme pressure in the ocean’s depths prevents fluids from boiling). 
    • This interaction of seawater and crust produces hydrothermal fluid, a chemically modified slurry of gases and dissolved elements, including metals. 
    • The superheated fluid is then ejected back up to the seafloor and promptly chilled by near-freezing ocean bottom waters.
    • Chemicals dissolved in the fluid precipitate at the vent, forming chimney-like deposits.
    • These deposits support deep-sea chemosynthetic communities—organisms that rely on chemicals rather than photosynthesis to fuel their metabolism. 
About Authour
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Written by NDI EDITOR

National Defence Institute's Editor

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