1.Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART)

The Supreme Court has recently instructed all States to address concerns regarding periodic stockouts, transparency in tendering and procurement, as well as the quality and certification of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) drugs for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV).

About Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART):

• ART is a combination of medications used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
• HIV targets and destroys CD4 cells (helper T-cells), which are crucial for a healthy immune system.
• While ART does not cure HIV, timely treatment enables individuals to live longer, healthier lives and reduces the risk of transmission.
• Although HIV remains in the body, ART helps maintain CD4 cell levels, strengthening the immune system against infections.
• By lowering HIV levels in the body, ART significantly decreases the likelihood of transmission.
• A key objective of HIV treatment is to achieve an undetectable viral load.
• Individuals with an undetectable viral load have virtually no risk of transmitting HIV through physical contact and a considerably reduced risk through other means, such as needle sharing.
• ART consists of multiple medications rather than a single drug, enhancing treatment effectiveness.
• The term "antiretroviral" refers to the fact that HIV is a retrovirus, meaning it uses RNA as a template to generate DNA.

Types of ART Medications:

1. Entry inhibitors – Includes attachment inhibitors, fusion inhibitors, CCR5 antagonists, and post-attachment inhibitors.
2. Capsid inhibitors
3. Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)
4. Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)
5. Integrase inhibitors/integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs)
6. Protease inhibitors
7. Pharmacokinetic enhancers
8. Combination medications

Source: Supreme Court Directs All States to Address Concerns About ART Drugs for People Living with HIV/AIDS.

2. Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)

The central government aims to revise the existing guidelines of the Animal Welfare Board to align them with the current scenario and ensure their effective implementation. This initiative is part of broader efforts to prevent cruelty to animals.

About the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI):

• AWBI is a statutory body established in 1962 under Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
• It was founded under the leadership of Late Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, a prominent humanitarian.
• The Board's primary mandate is to promote animal welfare and protect animals from unnecessary pain or suffering.
• Headquarters: Ballabhgarh, Haryana.
• It advises both state and central governments on matters related to animal welfare, including cases of cruelty.
• AWBI regularly communicates with State Governments and Union Territories regarding complaints and urges them to take legal action against offenders.
• State Authorities have the power to take appropriate legal action against those involved in cruelty to animals.
• The Board provides financial and other support to Animal Welfare Organisations across different regions.
• It also plays a role in educating the public on the humane treatment of animals.

Membership Details:

• The Board comprises 28 members.
• Members serve a three-year term.
• It includes representatives from various government bodies, animal rights activists, and parliamentarians.

Source: Govt plans to revise Animal Welfare Board's guidelines to prevent cruelty to animals.

3. Latest Updates from Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

During a recent three-day off-season faunal survey at Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, researchers recorded 14 newly sighted bird species, 15 butterfly species, and 8 odonate species, marking a significant addition to the sanctuary’s biodiversity.

About Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

Established in 1976, the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary (IWL) is situated in the Thodupuzha and Udumbanchola taluks of Idukki District, Kerala. Spanning 77 sq. km, it surrounds the Idukki Arch Dam and features diverse ecosystems.

Geography & Climate

• Terrain: Characterized by steep mountains, valleys, and hills.
• Altitude: Ranges from 450 m to 1,272 m, with Vanjur Medu (1,272 m) as the highest peak.
• Drainage: Major rivers include the Periyar and Cheruthoniar, with the Idukki reservoir covering 33 sq. km within the sanctuary.
• Rainfall: Receives an average annual rainfall of 3,800 mm.

Vegetation & Biodiversity

• Forest Types: Includes West Coast Tropical Evergreen forests, Semi-Evergreen forests, Moist Deciduous forests, Hill Shoals, and Grasslands.
• Flora: Dominated by dense teak, rosewood, jackfruit, ebony, cinnamon, and various bamboo species.

Fauna

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary hosts a rich diversity of wildlife, including:

• Mammals: Elephants, Indian bison (gaur), sambar deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, tigers, wild boars, and more.
• Reptiles: Various snake species, including cobra, viper, and krait.
• Birds: Jungle fowl, myna, laughing thrush, black bulbul, peafowl, woodpecker, kingfisher, etc.
• Endangered Species: The sanctuary is also home to the Nilgiri Tahr, a highly endangered mountain ungulate.

Source: TH

4. WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control: Latest Update

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently commemorated the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of its Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), marking two decades of global efforts to combat the tobacco epidemic.

Overview of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

The WHO FCTC is the first international treaty negotiated under the World Health Organization’s leadership.

• Adopted: May 21, 2003, by the World Health Assembly
• Entered into force: February 27, 2005
• Signatories: 181 Parties

Purpose and Objectives

The treaty was developed as a global response to the tobacco epidemic, addressing factors such as:

• Trade liberalization and foreign investment contributing to tobacco proliferation
• Cross-border advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of tobacco products
• Illicit trade in tobacco products

India’s Commitment to WHO FCTC

• The Government of India ratified the WHO FCTC in 2004 and has since implemented various tobacco control measures.
• The convention provides a comprehensive framework for reducing both the demand and supply of tobacco at national, regional, and international levels.

Key Measures Under WHO FCTC

The treaty outlines essential actions for tobacco control, including:

• Protecting public health policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry
• Implementing price and tax measures to curb tobacco demand
• Shielding individuals from exposure to tobacco smoke
• Regulating the contents of tobacco products
• Mandating disclosures of tobacco product ingredients
• Standardizing packaging and labeling to deter tobacco consumption

Source: NU

5. General Anti-Avoidance Rules (GAAR): Latest Update

Under a new proposal in the Income Tax Bill 2025, income tax authorities may soon be empowered to issue reassessment notices under the General Anti-Avoidance Rules (GAAR).

Overview of General Anti-Avoidance Rules (GAAR)

GAAR is an anti-tax avoidance framework in India designed to prevent tax evasion and curb revenue losses caused by aggressive tax planning strategies.

• Effective Date: April 1, 2017
• Legal Framework: Part of the Income Tax Act, 1961
• Objective: To identify and counteract tax avoidance arrangements that, while technically legal, are structured primarily to reduce tax liability.

Key Features of GAAR

• Targets business transactions and arrangements structured solely to avoid taxes.
• Specifically aims to prevent revenue losses caused by tax avoidance tactics employed by companies.
• Grants broad powers to tax authorities to classify certain transactions as "Impermissible Avoidance Arrangements" (IAA) and reassess taxable income accordingly.

Reassessment Provisions

Under current rules:

• Reassessment notices must be issued within 5 years and 3 months from the end of the relevant assessment year.
• They apply to cases where under-reported income is ₹50 lakh or more.

With the proposed changes in the Income Tax Bill 2025, reassessment provisions may be expanded to include GAAR-related cases, strengthening the government’s ability to counter tax avoidance practices.

Source: TH

6. Doomsday Fish: Latest Update

Recent sightings of the Doomsday Fish near Baja California Sur, Mexico have sparked widespread discussions on social media.

About the Doomsday Fish

Also known as the Oarfish or the “Sea Serpent,” this deep-sea species is rarely seen near the surface.

• Diet: Oarfish are filter feeders, primarily consuming krill, plankton, and other small crustaceans.
• Habitat: They inhabit the deep-sea mesopelagic zone, thriving at depths of up to 1,000 meters, a region still largely unexplored by scientists.

Appearance of the Doomsday Fish

• Recognized for its long, ribbon-like body and bright orange fins.
• Can grow to over 30 feet, making it one of the largest bony fish in the ocean.

Folklore and Myths

In various cultures, the oarfish is considered an omen of disaster:

• In Japanese folklore, it is called "Ryugu no Tsukai", meaning “Sea God’s Palace Messenger”.
• This belief dates back to the 17th century, suggesting that oarfish sightings forewarn natural disasters.
• The myth gained traction in 2011, when multiple oarfish washed ashore in Japan just months before the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

Source: TOI

7. Blood Moon: Latest Update

A total lunar eclipse, commonly known as a Blood Moon, is set to illuminate the sky on March 14 and will be visible across most parts of the world.

What is a Blood Moon?

A Blood Moon occurs during a total lunar eclipse, when Earth’s shadow completely covers the Moon.

How Does a Blood Moon Occur?

• The phenomenon takes place when Earth aligns directly between the Sun and the Moon.
• Due to a process called Rayleigh scattering, the Moon appears red instead of dark.
  • Shorter-wavelength light (blue) is scattered, while longer-wavelength red light passes through Earth’s atmosphere, giving the Moon its reddish hue.
• During totality, the entire Moon is enveloped in Earth's umbra (the darkest part of its shadow), causing it to glow in shades of red, orange, or copper.

Visibility and Timing

• The March 14 Blood Moon will be visible in America, Western Europe, Western Africa, and the North and South Atlantic Ocean.
• Since the eclipse will occur during daytime in India, it will not be visible in the country.
• This marks the first total lunar eclipse in nearly three years, with the last one occurring in 2022.

Source: IE

8.Minervarya Ghatiborealis: Latest Discovery

Researchers from western Maharashtra have recently discovered a new endemic frog species named ‘Minervarya ghatiborealis’.

About Minervarya Ghatiborealis

• A newly identified endemic frog species found in Mahabaleshwar, a hill station in the north-western Sahyadri Ghats, Maharashtra.
• Its name is derived from:
  • ‘Ghati’ (Sanskrit): Meaning western
  • ‘Borealis’ (Latin): Meaning northern region
  • The name collectively signifies its origin from the north-western Ghats.

Key Characteristics

• Classified under the genus Minervarya, commonly known as ‘Cricket Frogs’.
• Recognized by distinct parallel lines on their abdomen.
• Prefers nesting near standing water or small springs.
• Produces nightingale-like calls.
• Males of this species have a unique breeding vocalization, differentiating them from other species in the same genus.

Source: TOI

9.Lunar Trailblazer Spacecraft: Latest Update

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket recently launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, carrying NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer orbiter.

About the Lunar Trailblazer Spacecraft

• Developed by: NASA
• Mission Objective: To locate and map water on the Moon’s surface.
• Size & Weight:
  • Roughly the size of a dishwasher
  • Weighs around 200 kg
  • Measures 3.5 meters wide with fully deployed solar panels
• Orbital Path & Functionality:
  • Will perform multiple flybys and looping orbits around the Moon for several months.
  • Eventually, it will settle into an orbit at approximately 100 km altitude.
  • The spacecraft will capture high-resolution images to analyze water distribution, form, and abundance, helping to understand the lunar water cycle.

Scientific Instruments Onboard

1. High-resolution Volatiles and Minerals Moon Mapper (HVM3):
   • Detects water signatures by analyzing reflected light from the Moon’s surface.
2. Lunar Thermal Mapper (LTM):
   • Measures and maps the Moon’s surface temperature.

By combining data from both instruments, scientists can simultaneously study the various forms of water, mineral composition, and thermal properties of the lunar surface.

Development & Manufacturer

• The Lunar Trailblazer was built by Lockheed Martin’s space division.

Source: TH