Current Context : Recently, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has implemented the PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India (PM-YASASVI).

About PM-YASASVI Scheme:

• It is a comprehensive umbrella scheme aimed at uplifting students from Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Backward Classes (EBC), and Denotified Tribes (DNT) by providing them with access to quality education during their formative years.
• Objective: Provides scholarships to OBC, EBC, and DNT students for access to quality education.
• Components: PM-YASASVI combines and strengthens several previous scholarship programs, including:
  • The Dr. Ambedkar Post-Matric Scholarship for EBCs.
  • The Dr. Ambedkar Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships for DNTs, integrated into this umbrella scheme from 2021-22.
• Scholarships:
  • Pre-Matric : For classes 9–10.
  • Post-Matric : For studies beyond grade 10.
• Eligibility: Family income below ₹5 lakh annually.
• Implementing Agency: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Current Context : Researchers in a Lab Near Lake Erie Study How Toxic Algae Can Damage Health and a bacteria called microcystin can make animals and people sick when they come into contact with infected water of Lake Erie.

About Lake Erie :

• Size & Location: Lake Erie is the fourth largest of North America’s five Great Lakes.
• Geography: It borders Canada (Ontario) to the north and the U.S. (west, south, east).
• Main Rivers: The Detroit River (from Lake Huron), Huron, and Raisin rivers are its main tributaries.
• Outflow: Water exits through the Niagara River to the east.
• Significance: Lake Erie is a key link in the St. Lawrence Seaway, crucial for shipping.

Microcystin & Health Risks:

• Microcystin Origin: A toxin from cyanobacteria, mainly from the genus Microcystis, which forms large blooms.
• Health Impact: Microcystin is a powerful liver toxin and a potential carcinogen, which can harm animals and humans exposed to contaminated water.
• Mechanism: It disrupts specific proteins, damaging cells and leading to cell death.

Current Context : The Union Government recently appointed four Additional Judges to the Bombay High Court for a term of two years.

Appointment & Tenure:

• Additional Judges are appointed by the President of India under Article 224(1)of the Constitution.
• Their tenure is limited to a maximum of two years or until the age of 62, whichever is earlier.

Purpose of Appointment:

• They are appointed temporarily when a High Court’s workload increases due to a surge in cases or pending work.
• This system helps manage the case backlog and maintain judicial efficiency.

Current Context : Recently, ZyVac TCV, a typhoid vaccine developed by Zydus Lifesciences Ltd., has received prequalification from the World Health Organization (WHO), making it eligible for United Nations procurement programs.

About ZyVac TCV

• Purpose: ZyVac TCV is a Typhoid Vi conjugate vaccine designed to provide immunity against Salmonella typhi, the bacterium responsible for typhoid fever.
• How It Works: As a conjugate vaccine, it links bacterial antigens to polysaccharides (from the bacterial coat) to effectively trigger the body’s immune response.
• Type: ZyVac TCV is a subunit vaccine, meaning it contains only specific bacterial components to stimulate immunity, minimizing side effects compared to whole-cell vaccines.
• Made in India: The vaccine is fully developed and manufactured in India by Zydus Lifesciences Ltd., showcasing indigenous pharmaceutical capabilities.

Current Context : The 31st edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX 2024) is underway at Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam.

About SIMBEX

• Originally called “Exercise Lion King” in 1994, SIMBEX has grown into one of the strongest maritime collaborations between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).
• It is the longest-running naval exercise that India conducts with any country.
• The exercise is split into a Harbour Phase at Visakhapatnam, featuring cross-deck visits and knowledge exchanges, and a Sea Phase in the Bay of Bengal for advanced drills.

Current Context : Bihar’s first dry port, also called an Inland Container Depot (ICD), has been inaugurated in Bihta, near Patna.

What are Dry Ports?

Dry ports are logistics centers away from seaports or airports. They handle, store, and transport cargo, easing port congestion and supporting efficient trade.

Importance of the Bihta Dry Port

• Boosting Exports: It will increase exports from Bihar, especially agro-products, garments, and leather goods.
• Enhanced Logistics: The facility improves cargo handling, cuts transportation costs, and offers secure storage.
• Regional Impact: Serving all of eastern India, it benefits neighboring states with improved logistics.
• Connectivity: Linked by rail to major ports like Kolkata, Haldia, Visakhapatnam, and Nhava Sheva, this port connects to national and international trade routes, streamlining trade access.

Current Context : Delhi government signed MoU with Centre to implement PM-SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India) scheme.

About PM SHRI Scheme

• It is a centrally sponsored initiative.
• Launch Year: 2022
• Objective: Establish over 14,500 PM SHRI Schools by upgrading existing schools managed by Central, State, UT Governments, or local bodies.
• Alignment: The scheme is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Total Project Cost: Approximately ₹27,360 crore, with a central share of ₹18,128 crore.

Implementation : It is implemented through the existing administrative structure available for Samagra Shiksha, KVS & NVS.

Current Context : The Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI) Index 2024 was released by Oxfam and Development Finance International, assessing 164 countries on their efforts to combat inequality.

• The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10 aims to reduce inequality, highlighting the importance of such indices in guiding global and national policy frameworks.
• Focus Areas: The index evaluates countries based on three main parameters: public services spending, progressive taxation, and labor rights/wages.
• Ranking:
• Top Performers: Norway, Canada, and Australia lead the rankings.
• Worst Performers: South Sudan and Nigeria are among the lowest ranked.
• India’s Position: India ranks 127th, with neighboring countries like Nepal (115) and Sri Lanka (118) performing better.

Current Context : CDC reported an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter hamburger across 10 states​in U.S.

About E. coli:

• Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a rod-shaped bacterium in the Enterobacteriaceae family, commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals.
• Most strains are harmless, but some, like Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), cause severe illness.

Transmission:

• Spread through contaminated food, water, or contact with infected individuals or animals.

Symptoms and Treatment:

• Common symptoms include bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.
• Most infections are self-limiting but require proper hydration​

Current Context : Recently, Cyclone Dana made landfall near Dhamra Port and Baleshwar in Odisha.

• It brought wind speeds ranging from 100-110 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 120 km/h.
• The cyclone’s impact extended to West Bengal, causing heavy rainfall and strong winds, particularly in coastal districts.

About Cyclone

A cyclone is a large-scale air mass that rotates around a strong center of low atmospheric pressure, usually characterized by heavy rains and strong winds.

Types of Cyclones:

• Tropical Cyclones: Develop over warm ocean waters and are classified based on wind speeds, from depressions to severe cyclonic storms.
• Extratropical Cyclones: Occur in mid-latitudes and are associated with cold and warm fronts.
• Subtropical Cyclones: Exhibit characteristics of both tropical and extratropical systems and form over subtropical regions.