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

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Written by NDI EDITOR

Feb 10 2024

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10 FEB 2024 Daily Current Affairs for UPSC CDS, CAPF, NDA & SSB
1. Aadi Mahotsav
The President of India will inaugurate the Aadi Mahotsav 2024, an annual national tribal festival, at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on February 10.

About the Aadi Mahotsav:

  • It is organised by Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) under the aegis of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and will showcase the rich diversity of India's tribal heritage.
  • It is not only a platform to exhibit the extraordinary talent and craftsmanship of tribal artisans but also an opportunity to interact, learn, and contribute to the empowerment of tribal communities.
  • The festival will feature an expanded showcase with over 300 stalls, offering varied display of Tribal art, handicrafts, natural produce, and delectable tribal cuisine.

What is TRIFED?

  • It is a national-level organisation under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
  • It is primarily engaged in the development and marketing of tribal handicrafts and natural products.
  • It came into existence in 1987 and got registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 1984 (now the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002).
  • Mandate: Capability enhancement for Tribals, promotion of tribal products, and creation of marketing opportunities for the Tribals with a view to ensuring remunerative prices for their products and augmenting their income on a sustainable basis.
  • It has been entrusted by the Government of India to implement its proposed Minimum Support Price Scheme for Minor Forest Produce.
  • Head Office: New Delhi
2. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY)
Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), a sub scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.

About Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana:

  • It will be implemented as a Central Sector Sub-scheme under the Central Sector Component of the PMMSY.
  • Funding: Implemented at an estimated outlay of Rs.6,000 crore consisting of 50% i.e. Rs.3,000 crore public finance including the World Bank and the AFD external financing, and rest 50% i.e. Rs.3,000 crore being the anticipated investment from the beneficiaries/private sector leverage.
  • Time period: It will be implemented for 4 years from FY 2023-24 to FY 2026-27 across all the States and UTs.
  • Intended Beneficiaries:
    • Fishers, Fish (Aquaculture) Farmers, Fish workers, Fish Vendors or such other persons directly engaged in fisheries value chain.
    • Micro and Small enterprises in the form of Proprietary Firms, Partnership Firms and Companies registered in India, Societies, Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), Cooperatives, Federations, Village Level Organizations like Self Help Groups (SHGs), Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPOs) and Startups engaged in fisheries and aquaculture value chains.
    • FFPOs also include Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs).
    • Any other beneficiaries that may be included by the Department of Fisheries, Gol as targeted beneficiaries.
  • Aims and objectives:
    • Gradual Formalisation of the unorganised fisheries sector through self-registration of fishers, fish farmers and supportive workers under a National Fisheries Sector Digital Platform including creation of work based digital identifies of fish workers for improved service delivery.
    • Facilitating access to institutional financing fisheries sector micro and small enterprises.
    • Providing a one-time incentive to beneficiaries for purchasing aquaculture insurance.
    • incentivizing fisheries and aquaculture microenterprises through performance grants for improving fisheries sector value-chain efficiencies including creation and maintenance of jobs.
    • Incentivising micro and small enterprises through performance grants for adoption and expansion of fish and fishery product safety and quality assurance systems including creation and maintenance of jobs.
3. What are Nematodes?
Scientists at the University of California, Riverside have unveiled a new species of nematode, Steinernema adamsi, a minuscule yet potent ally in the battle against crop pests.

About Nematodes:

  • These are any worm of the phylum Nematoda.
  • Nematodes are among the most abundant animals on Earth.
  • They occur as parasites in animals and plants or as free-living forms in soil, fresh water, marine environments, and even such unusual places as vinegar, beer malts, and water-filled cracks deep within Earth’s crust.
  • Features:
    • Nematodes are bilaterally symmetrical, elongate, and usually tapered at both ends.
    • Some species possess a pseudocoel, a fluid-filled body cavity between the digestive tract and the body wall.
  • Nematodes have been reported from every continent on earth and occur in deserts, swamps, the oceans, the tropics and Antarctica.
  • Nematode parasites of animals occur in almost all organs of the body, but the most common sites are in the alimentary, circulatory, and respiratory systems. Some of these worms are known by such common names as hookworm, lungworm, pinworm and threadworm
  • They can cause a variety of diseases (such as filariasis, ascariasis, and trichinosis) and parasitize many crop plants and domesticated animals. 
  • Significance:
    • Most nematodes feed on bacteria, fungi, or other microscopic creatures. As such, they are a major component of soil and sediment ecosystems.

Key facts about Steinernema adamsi:

  • This new species is a member of a family of nematodes called Steinernema that have long been used in agriculture to control insect parasites without pesticides.
  • Steinernema are not harmful to humans or other mammals and were first discovered in the 1920s.
  • This new species is part of a special group of nematodes considered beneficial to humans because it can infect and kill insect pests
  • It is an entomopathogenic nematode that crawls inside of an insect, defecates highly pathogenic bacteria into its blood and then combines with that bacterium to kill the insect host.
4. DigiReady Certification
Recently, the Quality Council of India (QCI) and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) announced the launch of the DigiReady Certification (DRC) portal.

About DigiReady Certification:

  • In this initiative, QCI, in conjunction with ONDC, aims to assess and certify digital readiness of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) entities.
  • By leveraging this online self-assessment tool, MSMEs can evaluate their preparedness to seamlessly onboard as sellers on the ONDC platform, thereby expanding their digital capabilities and business potential.
  • The portal is meticulously designed to facilitate a streamlined seller journey, ensuring that MSMEs and small retailers can integrate seamlessly into existing digitised workflows.
  • The certification process evaluates various aspects of digital readiness, including the presence of necessary documentation for online operations, proficiency in using software and technology, integration with existing digitised workflows, and efficient management of orders and catalogue offerings.
  • Significance: This initiative presents additional business prospects for sellers, allowing them to become integral to the digital ecosystem.

Key points about Quality Council of India

  • It was established in 1997 jointly by the Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT), the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, and the Indian industry.
  • It is registered as a non-profit organisation under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860.
  • It is operated through the constituent Boards of QCI, primarily the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB), and the National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories (NABL),
  • Composition
    • It is governed by a Council of 38 members with equal representations of government, industry and consumers.
    • The Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister on the recommendation of the industry to the government.
5. SARTHI Portal
Recently, the Union Agriculture minister unveiled the 'Sarathi' platform, which seeks to provide a full suite of insurance products, including PMFBY, geared specifically for farmers and rural populations in India.

About SARTHI Portal:

  • Sandbox for Agricultural and Rural Security, Technology and Insurance (SARTHI) is the comprehensive digital insurance platform launched in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India.
  • It will offer a digitised insurance journey, simplifying the process for farmers. The portal will be a single-window platform for viewing, purchasing, and availing insurance products.
  • The platform has digital payment options and streamlined premium collection, effortless claim initiation, tracking and resolution besides user-friendly interfaces for stakeholders.
  • Also, a spectrum of insurance products will be introduced on the portal in a phased manner.
    • In the first phase, personal accident and hospital cash policies, while in the second phase health, shop and home insurance and in the third phase tractor, two-wheeler, livestock and non-PMFBY insurance products.
6. What is the build-operate-transfer (BOT) Model?
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has come up with a list of high-traffic density corridors for private developers to build and operate under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model.

About Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Model:

  • It is a type of agreement often used in infrastructure projects, particularly in the construction and operation of public facilities or utilities.
  • It is a conventional public-private partnership (PPP) model in which a private entity (usually a company or consortium) is granted the rights and responsibilities to design, finance, construct, operate, and maintain a specific project or facility for a defined period of time.
  • The private entity, known as the "concessionaire" or "developer," bears the financial and operational risks associated with the project during the contract period.
  • The typical lifecycle of a BOT contract involves three phases:
    • Build: The concessionaire is responsible for financing, designing, and constructing the infrastructure project. This phase usually includes obtaining the necessary permits and approvals.
    • Operate: After the construction is completed, the concessionaire operates and maintains the facility for a specified duration. This can involve providing services, managing operations, and generating revenue from the facility (e.g., tolls, fees, or user charges).
    • Transfer: At the end of the contract period, the ownership and control of the facility are transferred back to the government or public authority, which may have been the original owner. The transfer is often accompanied by a predetermined valuation or compensation mechanism.
  • The private company gains revenue during the concession period, while the government benefits from infrastructure development without upfront investment.
  • However, the specifics of the financial arrangements and incentives vary depending on the individual BOT contract.
  • BOT is particularly well-suited for greenfield projects (new projects without prior work) and large-scale, capital-intensive projects.
7. What is Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD)?
The Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy recently informed about the installation of Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) equipment in thermal power plants.

About Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD):

  • It is a technology to eliminate sulphur dioxide (SO2) from exhaust emissions.
  • Where does Sulphur Dioxide come from?
    • Fossil fuels such as coal and oil often contain high amounts of sulphur, and when these fuels are burned, around 95% or more of the sulphur is converted to sulphur dioxide (SO2), which is emitted as flue gas.
    • Sulphur dioxide in itself is a major air pollutant which impacts all life. It is also a precursor of acid rain, which has significant adverse impacts on forests, freshwaters, and soils, in turn killing insect and aquatic life forms, causing paint to peel, corrosion of steel structures such as bridges, and weathering of stone buildings and statues.
    • The removal of sulphur dioxide is critical to establishing a safe and clean environment where toxic emissions are kept to a safe level.
  • FGD Process:
    • FGD is done through the addition of absorbents, which can remove up to 95% of the sulphur dioxide from the flue gas.
    • Substances such as ammonia or sodium sulphite are used as absorbents; however, the use of lime or limestone slurry (wet limestone scrubbing) is also widespread. 
    • The uncleaned flue gas is sprayed in a scrubber tower (absorber tower) with a mixture of water and limestone (scrubbing slurry), whereby most of the sulphur dioxide is bonded by chemical reaction.
8. What are Forever Chemicals?
Researchers recently demonstrated a new lab-based method to detect traces of Forever Chemicals from food packaging material, water, and soil samples in just three minutes or less.

About Forever Chemicals:

  • PFAS (Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances), also known as the Forever Chemicals, are a large chemical family of over 4,700 highly persistent man-made chemicals.
  • These were first developed in the 1940s and are now found in a variety of consumer products, including nonstick pans, water-resistant textiles, and fire suppression foams, due to their ability to repel both grease and water.
  • PFAS are the most persistent synthetic chemicals to date. They hardly degrade in the natural environment and have been found in the blood of people and animals all over the world, and are present at low levels in a variety of food products.
  • The secret to PFAS’s indestructibility lies in its chemical bonds. PFAS contains many carbon-fluorine bonds, which are the strongest bonds in organic chemistry.
  • These chemicals also cause pollution at every stage of production. At the PFAS chemical manufacturing facilities and garment factories, they often contaminate the air, water, and soil of the surrounding environment.
  • Exposure to PFAS is linked to cancers, weakened immune systems among children, weight gain, and a wide range of other health problems.
9. Gomti River
Over 600 turtles seized from smugglers were released into the Gomti River recently.

About Gomti River:

  • It is a tributary of the Ganges River. 
  • Course:
    • Origin: It is an alluvial river that originates from the Gomat Taal, otherwise called Fulhaar Jheel, found near the Madho Tanda in Pilibhit district in Uttar Pradesh, India. 
    • After flowing through an incised valley southwards through the districts of Sitapur, Lucknow, Barabanki, Sultanpur, and Jaunpur, it joins River Ganga near Varanasi.
    • The river extends to about 900 km.
  • The total drainage area of the river is 30,437 sq. km.
  • It is a perennial river. The river is characterised by sluggish flow throughout the year, except during the monsoon season, when heavy rainfall causes a manifold increase in the runoff.
  • Major Cities: There are various cities that are situated on the banks of the River Gomti, such as Sultanpur, Lucknow, Jaunpur, and Lakhimpur Kheri.
  • Tributaries: Kathina, Bhainsi, Sarayan, Gon, Reth, Sai, Pili, and Kalyani.
10. What is the Zircon Missile?
In an attempt to hit a target in Kyiv, Russian forces launched a 3M22 Zircon missile recently.

About the Zircon Missile:

  • The 3M22 Zircon, or SS-N-33, is a scramjet-powered manoeuvring anti-ship hypersonic cruise missile developed in Russia.
  • Features:
    • The missile is reportedly capable of flying with speeds up to Mach 9and a range of 1000 km.
    • It is a two-stage missile that uses solid fuel in the first stage and a scramjet motor in the second stage.
    • Zircon cruise missiles use cooled supersonic combustion ramjet engines, which power combustion by compressing air flowing at supersonic speeds due to the missile’s forward motion.
    • Guidance System: Active and Passive Radar Seeker.
    • Another valuable aspect of the missile is its plasma cloud. During flight, the missile is completely covered by a plasma cloud that absorbs any rays of radio frequencies and makes the missile invisible to radars.
About Authour
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Written by NDI EDITOR

National Defence Institute's Editor

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