Current Context : The Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) Observatory is a significant milestone for India’s space research and astrophysics, inaugurated at Hanle, Ladakh.

ABOUT:

• Location: At an altitude of ~4,300 meters, making it the highest imaging Cherenkov observatory globally and the largest in Asia.
• Purpose: Observes high-energy gamma rays, aiding the study of energetic cosmic phenomena like supernovae, black holes, and gamma-ray bursts.
• Built by: Indigenously developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)with support from Electronics Corporation of India Ltd. (ECIL) and other Indian industry partners.
• Collaboration: Promotes international collaboration, enhancing India’s contributions to space science and astrophysics.
• Scientific and Socio-Economic Impact: Contributes to the understanding of particle acceleration mechanisms, fundamental physics, and also supports socio-economic development in Ladakh.

Current Context : Ratan Tata, the chairman emeritus of Tata Sons and a visionary leader of Indian industry, passed away on October 9, 2024, at the age of 86, in Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital.

ABOUT RATAN TATA :

• Birth: Born on December 28, 1937, in Mumbai, India, into a prominent Parsi family with deep ties to the Tata Group.
• Family: His father, Naval Tata, was adopted into the Tata family. Ratan’s parents separated when he was 10, and he was raised by his grandmother, Navajbai Tata.

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS:

Leadership of Tata Group:

• Global Expansion: As chairman of Tata Sons from 1991 to 2012, Ratan Tata led significant acquisitions, including Tetley Tea(2000), Corus Steel (2007), and Jaguar Land Rover (2008), enhancing Tata Group’s global presence and revenue.
• Indigenous Innovations: He oversaw the launch of the Tata Indica, India’s first homegrown car, and the Tata Nano, aimed at providing affordable transportation.
• Employment Generation: The Tata Group employs over 800,000 people, contributing significantly to job creation and industrial growth in India.
• Tata Trusts : Ratan Tata directed significant funds toward education, healthcare, and rural development through Tata Trusts, which hold a majority stake in Tata Sons.

AWARDS AND HONORS

• Tata was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and Padma Vibhushan in 2008, India’s second-highest civilian honor.
• He was also recognized internationally, being appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.​​

Current Context : Shoolini University in Solan ranked in the 401-500 band of the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024, improving from the 501-600 band last year.

• It holds the title of the number one private university in India for the second consecutive year.
• The university achieved the highest scores in Research Quality and International Outlook among private institutions in India.

Comparison with Other Universities: The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is the only institution ranked higher, in the 201-250 band. Shoolini outperformed other institutions like Anna University, Jamia Millia Islamia, and Mahatma Gandhi University in the 501-600 band.

Current Context : Recently, Five Russian mountaineers lost their lives during an expedition on Mount Dhaulagiri.

ABOUT MOUNT DHAULAGIRI:

• The name Dhaulagiri means “White Mountain” in Sanskrit. It is known for its snow-covered peaks and glaciers.
• Located in the Dhaulagiri Himal Range, part of the Himalayas in west-central Nepal.
• It ranks 7^th highest mountain in the world.
• Height: 8,167 meters (26,795 feet).
• It is one of the 14 peaks on Earth that exceed 8,000 meters.
• It forms a significant part of the Gandaki River Basin and stretches 120 km from the Kaligandaki to the Bheri River.

The first successful expedition to Mt. Dhaulagiri was led by the Swiss climber, Max Eiselin, in 1960.

Current Context : The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has approved the development of Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary as Bihar’s second tiger reserve after Valmiki Tiger Reserve.

• The NTCA is a statutory body established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

ABOUT KAIMUR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (KWS) 

• Location- Situated on the Kaimur Hills plateau between the Son River (south) and Karmanasa River (west).
• It is spread over Central highlands (include Satpura-Maikal hills and Vindhya-Bagelkhand hills) and Chota Nagpur Plateau.
• Rivers: Catchment for Kav, Sone, and Durgawati rivers.
• It is linked to Bandhavgarh-Sanjay-Guru Ghasidas-Palamau tiger landscape.
• Fauna: Includes Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, and sloth bears.
• Flora: Contains Salai, Sheesham, Teak, and Jamun.

Current Context : Exercise Malabar 2024 commenced at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. It will be conducted in two phases: harbour and sea.

ABOUT EXERCISE MALABAR 2024

• Aim : to enhance maritime cooperation, promote regional security, and ensure the stability of the Indo-Pacific region.
• Participant nations : India, United States, Japan, Australia
• It was started in 1992 as a bilateral naval exercise between India and US navy.
• The first Malabar Exercise in the Bay of Bengal took place in
• Became a trilateral exercise with the inclusion of Japan in 2015.
• Australia joined in 2020, making it a four-nation exercise.

Current Context : Recently, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways launched the Humsafar Policy.

ABOUT HUMSAFAR POLICY

To provide a comprehensive framework for standardized, hygienic facilities along National Highways and Expressways, enhancing commuter experience.

KEY BENEFITS:

• Registered service providers will be able to avail a waiver of renewal fees for access permissions, if they maintain an average rating of 3 or higher.
• Reliable passenger convenience establishments at regular intervals, amenities includes : Clean and well-maintained toilets, Baby care rooms, Wheelchair access for differently-abled travelers, EV charging stations, Parking facilities at rest stops, Increased fuel station availability etc,.
• It enhance safety by encouraging breaks for drivers, thereby reducing fatigue​

Current Context : India has become the fourth country in the world to have over $700 billion in foreign exchange reserves, joining China, Japan, and Switzerland.

• As of the end of March 2024, India’s forex reserves stood at $646.4 billion, marking a significant increase of $68 billion from the previous year.​

ABOUT FOREX (FOREIGN EXCHANGE) RESERVE

• It comprises of different assets that are held by a central bank.
• In India, the RBI Act of 1934 contains the enabling provisions for the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to act as the custodian of forex reserve, and manage reserves within the defined objectives.
• India’s foreign exchange reserves can cover 11.4 months of imports, which is well above the general norm of six months for a stable economy​.

COMPONENTS OF FOREX RESERVES:

• India’s forex reserves consist of:
  • Foreign Currency Assets (FCA): Largest component, held in major currencies.
  • Gold Reserves: Includes the value of gold holdings by the central bank.
  • Special Drawing Rights (SDR): A reserve asset created by the IMF, based on a basket of major currencies (US dollar, euro, Chinese renminbi, Japanese yen, and British pound sterling).
  • Reserve Tranche Position (RTP): The portion of the IMF quota that a country can access without stringent conditions​

Current Context : Recently, India became the third country in the South-East Asia Region (after Nepal and Myanmar) to eliminate Trachoma, a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD).

ABOUT TRACHOMA

• Trachoma is a contagious eye disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.
• Transmission: Direct contact with eye, nose, or throat secretions.
• Impact: Can lead to permanent blindness if untreated.
• India’s Progress: In 1971, Trachoma accounted for 5% of blindness in India, but now it has reduced to less than 1%.

ABOUT NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES (NTDS)

• NTDs are a group of infections caused by various pathogens like viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, and toxins.
• They predominantly affect impoverished communities in tropical and subtropical regions.
• Called “Neglected” because they receive low global attention, lack adequate funding, and are often linked to social stigma and exclusion.

GLOBAL AND INDIAN INITIATIVES TO CONTROL NTDS

Global Initiatives:

• Global NTD Annual Reporting Form (GNARF).
• Global Vector Control Response (GVCR)2017–2030.
• Kigali Declaration on NTDs (2022).

Indian Initiatives:

• National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP).

Celebrated on 11 October.

• Aim: To promote girls’ empowerment, address challenges they face, and fulfill their human rights.
• Theme : “Girls’ Vision for the Future”.
• The UN General Assembly declared the day in 2011, with the first celebration in