February 28, 2024 | Your One-Stop Solution for Daily Preparation
PVTGs | Explained
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) are a marginalized section of Scheduled Tribes in India, characterized by their isolation, educational and socio-economic backwardness, and living in remote areas with limited amenities. PVTGs are not constitutionally recognized communities but are identified based on specific criteria such as pre-agricultural technology, stagnant or declining population, low literacy rates, and subsistence-level economy.
Highlights of the Day
1.Gaganyaan Mission: India Unveils Astronaut-Designates for 2025 Human Spaceflight
India unveiled the four astronaut-designates for its Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission in 2025. The Indian Air Force pilots are Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla. The final crew will be selected from these individuals. After a stringent selection process, they underwent training in Russia and at ISRO's Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru. Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented them with 'astronaut wings.' The Gaganyaan program aims to demonstrate India's capability for human spaceflight to Low Earth Orbit, paving the way for a sustained Indian human space exploration program[1].
2.DBT Completes India's 10,000 Genome Project: Unlocking Genetic Diversity for Personalized Healthcare
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) announces the completion of India's '10,000 genome' project, aiming to create a comprehensive reference database of whole-genome sequences representative of the country's diverse population. Led by institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), the initiative involves around 20 institutions. India's 1.3 billion population, consisting of over 4,600 groups, showcases genetic diversity, making the project crucial for understanding unique genetic variants. The outcomes include improved diagnostic methods, personalized drugs, and insights into genetic predispositions and susceptibility to diseases in the diverse Indian population[2].
3. Similipal Tiger Reserve: Unique Population of Melanistic Tigers and Conservation Initiatives
Melanistic tigers, found exclusively in Odisha's Similipal Tiger Reserve, were recorded during the 2022 All India Tiger Estimation, with 10 out of 16 individuals being melanistic. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) issued a Standard Operating Procedure for active management and rehabilitation of tigers at the landscape level. Similipal Tiger Reserve is identified as a distinct genetic cluster, receiving funding under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats. The support aids conservation efforts, awareness programs, habitat management, protection, eco-development, human resource, infrastructure development, and voluntary village relocation as outlined in the Tiger Conservation Plan[3].
4. PM Modi Announces Ambitious Space Goals: India's Own Space Station by 2035, Lunar Mission, and Gaganyaan Aspirations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced India's plan to have its own space station by 2035 during an address to ISRO scientists after revealing the Gaganyaan mission's astronaut-designates. He expressed the goal to return to the moon and bring back lunar samples, with plans for a crewed lunar mission by 2040. Modi emphasized the historic moment of an Indian going to space after 40 years, highlighting the nation's autonomy in the space program. He praised the astronaut-designates as bearers of the aspirations of 140 crore Indians and commended ISRO's contributions, urging public support for the project[4].
5. Full Findings of India's Household Consumption Survey to be Released After Elections
The complete findings of the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2022-23 will be released in about three months, according to a top Statistics Ministry official. The full report will be made public after the general elections and prior to concluding the ongoing survey for 2023-24. The HCES, crucial for updating economic indicators like Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), will allow for revising the 'base year' with two consecutive surveys, ensuring better comparability and understanding of consumption trends. The updated CPI series is expected to be available around July-August 2025[5].
Source: The Hindu | TOI
Practice Questions for Prelims
Q1: Consider the statements regarding space stations:
I. The International Space Station (ISS) is a multinational collaborative project involving space agencies such as NASA, Roscosmos, and ESA.
II. The ISS serves as a microgravity research laboratory, where scientific experiments are conducted in various fields.
III. China's space agency, CNSA, has its own independent space station named Tiangong.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
a) I and II are true.
b) II and III are true.
c) I and III are true.
d) All statements are true.
Q2: Consider the statements regarding Green Bonds:
I. Green Bonds are financial instruments specifically earmarked to fund projects with environmental benefits.
II. The proceeds from Green Bonds are exclusively used for climate-friendly initiatives such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and afforestation.
III. Green Bonds are issued exclusively by governmental organizations to fund environmental projects.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
a) I and II are true.
b) II and III are true.
d) I and III are true.
d) All statements are true.
Q3: Where is the Simlipal Tiger Reserve located?
a) Madhya Pradesh
b) Odisha
c) Jharkhand
d) Rajasthan
Q4: What does CAR stand for in CAR-T cell therapy?
a) Cellular Antigen Recognition
b) Chimeric Antigen Receptor
c) Cancerous Antigen Reversion
d) Cellular Activation Response
Q5: Consider the following statements regarding monetary tools:
I. Open Market Operations (OMO) involve the buying and selling of government securities by the central bank to influence the money supply.
II. Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) is the percentage of total deposits that banks are required to keep with the central bank as reserves.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
a) OnlyI
b) Only II
c) Both I and II
d) None of these
Today’s Question for Mains Answer Writing
Discuss the various monetary policy tools employed by central banks to regulate the economy. Assess the effectiveness of these tools in addressing economic challenges and maintaining price stability.
Need help in writing or evaluation?
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