07 NOV 2023 | Daily Current Affairs | UPSC CDS CAPF NDA AFCAT SSB

1. Lamprey species

Recently, Chinese palaeontologists have discovered two new species of lamprey from fossils considered 160 million years old.

About Lamprey species:

These are primitive fishlike jawless vertebrates placed with hagfishes in the class Agnatha.
They belong to the family Petromyzonidae.
Habitat: They live in coastal and fresh waters and are found in temperate regions around the world, except Africa.
Appearance:
The eel-like, scaleless animals range from about 15 to 100 centimetres (6 to 40 inches) long.
They have well-developed eyes, one or two dorsal fins, a tail fin, a single nostril on top of the head, and seven gillopenings on each side of the body.
They lack bones, jaws, and paired fins.
The skeleton of a lamprey consists of cartilage; the mouth is a round sucking aperture provided with horny teeth.
Not all lampreys spend time in the sea. Some are landlocked and remain in freshwater. Example: sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus).
Other lampreys, such as the brook lamprey (Lampetra planeri), also spend their entire lives in fresh water.
They are nonparasitic, however, and do not feed after becoming adults; instead, they reproduce and die.

Source : ‘Flesh-eater’ lamprey species discovered in China from 160 million-year-old fossil

2. Tribal Youth Exchange Programme

Recently, a youth delegation from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh who are attending the Tribal Youth Exchange Programme (TYEP) called on the President of India.

About the Tribal Youth Exchange Programme:

Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan organises the Tribal Youth Exchange Programme for the development of tribal youth with the support of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
Objectives
To provide tribal youth from 30 selected districts in 7 states the opportunity to travel to 10 different parts of the country to learn about the cultural ethos, language, and lifestyles of the people, thereby illustrating the socioeconomic and cultural development process of unity in the diversity aspect of our national life.
To expose tribal youth to the technological and industrial advancements that have taken place in different states of the country with a focus on various developmental activities, skill development, educational & employment opportunities available there.
To sensitise the tribal youth about their rich traditional & cultural heritage and enable them to preserve it for future generations.
To help the tribal youth develop emotional linkages with their peer groups in other parts of the country and enhance their self-esteem.
To provide opportunities to the participants for interactions with the Hon’ble President of India, PM & CM, Governor & other VIPs, the local communities, Panchayati Raj Institutions and the youths affiliated with the NYKS Youth Clubs so as to understand development issues, seek guidance for their involvement in the process of development.
To develop personality of the tribal youth by enhancing their understanding of Ten Core Life Skills, identify their skill development oriented training needs and fulfilment of their legitimate career aspirations through Employable Skills, Scheme of Government of India and State Govt and provide them necessary guidance and career counselling.
To provide exposure to industry and Skill Development programme which can facilitate the provision of employment to tribal youth.
To provide literature on developmental schemes of the Centre & State pertaining to tribals.

Source : Youth delegation attending Tribal Youth Exchange Programme (TYEP) call on the President

3. GST Amnesty Scheme

The finance ministry has come out with an amnesty scheme for filing appeals against Goods and Services Tax (GST) demand orders.

About the GST Amnesty Scheme:

The scheme will be open till January 31, 2024.
It will be available for entities that were unable to submit their appeals against orders issued by the tax officer on or before March 31,
The scheme aims to help those who missed the deadline for filing appeals due to various reasons, including administrative errors or unforeseen circumstances.
The entities willing to avail of the scheme will have to pre-deposit 12.5 percent of the tax demand, against 10 percent
Significance
This initiative can also promote enhanced compliance among taxpayers.
A fair and lenient approach to appeal filing encourages better cooperation with tax authorities and a willingness to resolve disputes or clarify tax matters.
Additionally, by allowing disputes to be resolved more efficiently, the scheme may reduce the burden on the legal system.
This benefits both taxpayers and the tax administration by streamlining the appeal process and potentially reducing the need.

What is the Goods and Services Tax (GST)?

It is a single indirect taxwhich has replaced multiple indirect taxes in India such as the excise duty, VAT, services tax, etc.
It is levied on the supply of goods and services in India.
It came into effect from July 2017.
Objective: To remove ambiguity and bring equality in the prices of products across the country.

Source : GST: Finance ministry launches amnesty scheme for filing appeals against demand orders

4. Guindy National Park

Guindy National Park, teeming with blackbucks and birds, is one of the very few national parks situated in an Indian city.

About Guindy National Park:

It is India’s eighth-smallest national park and one of the very few national parks located inside a city.
It is located in the heart of Chennai’s metropolitan area of Tamil Nadu.
It is one of the last remnants of the tropical, dry evergreen forestsof the Coromandel Coast.
Flora:Tropical dry evergreen forest, Scrub and thorn forests.
Fauna:Blackbuck, Toddy cat, Civet cat, Jungle cat, Pangolin, Hedgehog, Shrew and black-naped hare etc.

Key points about the tropical, dry evergreen forests of India

The Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest is a unique forest found only in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
The dissymmetric climatic condition of this region, where rainfall occurs both during summer and winter monsoonsand extends the dry season from March to September, favours the development and sustenance of the Tropical Dry Evergreen forest in this narrow strip.
It looks like a scrub woodland or an opportunistic assemblage of species adapted to local microclimatic conditions.
It is known to have a mixture of trees, shrubs, climbers, grasses and herbs.

Source : Guindy National Park teeming with blackbuck and birds

5. Cnemaspis Rashidi

Recently, a new species of gecko has been discovered in the Western Ghats near Rajapalayam in Tamil Nadu.

About Cnemaspis Rashidi:

It is a new species of gecko.
So far, 93 species of gecko have been documented, and this is the 94th species.
The new species is also called Rashid’s dwarf gecko, as it is the smallest among the genus.
It is approximately two inches long from its snout to the
It was found at an altitude of 1,245 metres at the Kottamalai estate near Rajapalayam.
Appearance: It displayed a combination of beautiful colour patterns of yellow, white and black adorning its back, making it stand out among its gecko relatives.
It is endemic to the Western Ghats.

Key points about the Western Ghats

It is also called Sahyadri, north–south-running range of mountains in western India.
It forms the crest of the western edge of the Deccan plateauparallel to the Malabar Coast of the Arabian Sea.
The Western Ghat is a biodiversity hot spot, a biologically rich but threatened region and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
They play a huge role in India’s monsoon weather pattern.

Source : New species of gecko found in Western Ghats near Rajapalayam

6. National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC)

National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) Ltd. is diversifying its mineral portfolio by initiating gold mining operations in Western Australia through its subsidiary, Legacy Iron Ore Ltd.

About the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC):

Incorporated in 1958 as a Government of India public enterprise, NMDC is India’s largest producer of iron ore.
It is a Navratna public-sector enterprise under the administrative control of the Ministry of Steel.
The company is engaged in the exploration of a range of minerals, including iron ore, copper, rock phosphate, limestone, dolomite, gypsum, bentonite, magnesite, diamond, tin, tungsten, graphite, and beach sands.
It owns and operates highly mechanised iron ore mines in Chhattisgarh and Karnataka.
It also operates the only mechanised diamond mine in India at Panna, Madhya Pradesh.
NMDC is considered to be one of the low-cost producers of iron ore in the world.
The company sells most of their high-grade iron ore production to the Indian domestic steel market, primarily pursuant to long-term sales contracts.
The registered office is located in the city of Hyderabad, Telangana.

Source : NMDC Expands Into Gold, Eyes First Mining Operations in THIS country by 2024

7. Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR)

Recently, a delegation of senior forest officers and frontline staff from Cambodia came for training at Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR) and studied India’s tiger reintroduction programme and all its aspects.

About Panna Tiger Reserve:

Location: It is a critical tiger habitat located in the Vindhyan mountain range in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh.
It was declared a Project Tiger Reserve by the Government of India in 1994.
Landscape:
It is characterised by a 'Table Top' topography.
It consists of extensive plateaus and gorges.
River: Ken River flows from south to north through the reserve.
Flora:
The dominant vegetation type is dry deciduous forest interspersed with grassland areas.
In the north, it is surrounded by teak forest, and in the east, it is surrounded by teak-Kardhai mixed forest.
The tree species Acacia catachu dominates the dry, steep slopes of the plateaus here.
Fauna:
It supports a sizable population of Sloth Bear, Leopard, and Striped Hyena.
Other prominent carnivores are Jackal, Wolf, Wild Dog, Jungle Cat, and Rusty Spotted Cat.

Key facts about Ken River:

It is one of the major rivers of the Bundelkhand region of central India, and it flows through two states, namely Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
It is a tributary of the Yamuna River.
Origin: It originates near the village of Ahirgawan on the northwest slopes of Kaimur Rangein the district of Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
It travels a distance of 427 km and then merges with the Yamuna at Chilla village, near Fatehpur in Uttar Pradesh.
Out of its total length of 427 km, it flows for 292 km in Madhya Pradesh, 84 km in Uttar Pradesh, and 51 km forms the boundary between the two states.
Crossing the Bijawar-Panna hills, the river cuts a 60 km long, and 150- 180 m deep gorge.
Tributaries: The major tributaries of Ken River are Bawas, Dewar, Kaith, Baink, Kopra, and Bearma.

Source : How Panna Tiger Reserve Is Helping Cambodia In Its Tiger Reintroduction Programme

8. What is Alycaeus himalayae?

A new snail species named Alycaeus himalayae was recently discovered from a cave in Arunachal Pradesh.

About Alycaeus himalayae:

It is a new snail species belonging to the genus Alycaeus.
Alycaeus is a genus of small land snails.
The genus is the first to be reported in India, as this genus is restricted to Southeast Asia and not known in the Indian region.
This new species differs from all other Himalayan alycaeid species due to its yellowish, conical shell.
The most similar shell in the vicinity is Stomacosmethis spratti from the Shan States, Myanmar.
It differs from all other Alycaeus species by the characteristic trumpet-like projection on the outer side of the operculum.
It is, so far, the only Alycaeus species inhabiting the Himalayas.
All other known Alycaeus species are reported from Laos, Vietnam, southern Thailand, and Peninsular Malaysia.

Source : New snail species discovered in Arunachal cave

9. Apache Attack Helicopter

The Indian Army is preparing to induct six Apache attack helicopters armed with Stinger air-to-air missiles, Hellfire Longbow air-to-ground missiles, guns, and rockets.

About the Apache Attack Helicopter:

It is the world’s most advanced multi-role combat helicopter.
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer: Boeing
It is also known as the Apache Guardian.
The AH-64E attack helicopter is the latest version of the Apache used by the US Army.
Other purchasers: India, Egypt, Greece, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Netherlands, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UAE, and the UK.
Features of AH-64E Apache:
It is designed and equipped with open systems architectureto incorporate the latest communications, navigation, sensor, and weapon systems.
It has greater thrust and lift, joint digital operability, improved survivability, and cognitive decision-aiding.
The AH-64E includes a new integrated infrared laserthat allows for easier target designation and enhanced infrared imagery that blends infrared and night vision capabilities.
Apache for Indian Defence Forces: The Indian Air Forcehas a fleet of 22 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, and in 2020, Boeing signed an agreement with the Government of India for the acquisition of six more Apache helicopters for the Indian Army.

Source : Army set to induct 1st batch of Apache attack helicopters

10. Bulava Ballistic Missile

Russia recently carried out a successful test launch of the Bulava ballistic missile, designed to carry nuclear warheads.

About the Bulava Ballistic Missile:

It is a new Russian submarine-launched Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
Development of this missile commenced in 1998. The first powered flight test of the Bulava missile occurred in September 2005. It’s first submerged test launch followed in December.
It was designed to be deployed onto Russia’s Borey-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs).
Features:
It was designed to be the backbone of Moscow's nuclear triad and has a range of over 8,000 kilometres (close to 5,000 miles).
It is 12-13.5 m in length and has a diameter of approximately 2.0 m.
Launch Weight: 36,800 kg
It is a three-stage solid-fuel missile.
It is designed to carry multiple warheads. Each warhead will strike a different target.
It can carry six Multiple Independent Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs). These MIRVs are capable of manoeuvring in-flight and re-targeting, in order to outmanoeuvre hostile air defences.
It is stated that this missile has an accuracy of 350 m.

What is a Ballistic Missile?

It is a rocket-propelled self-guided strategic weapon system that follows a ballistic trajectory to deliver a payload from its launch site to a predetermined target.
Ballistic missiles are initially powered by a rocket or series of rockets in stages, but then follow an unpowered trajectory that arches upwards before descendingto reach their intended target.
Ballistic missiles can carry either nuclear or conventional warheads.

Source : Russia's new nuclear submarine successfully test launches Bulava ballistic missile

07 NOV 2023 | Daily Current Affairs | UPSC CDS CAPF NDA AFCAT SSB

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