Daily Prelims Notes 11 October 2020

October 11, 2020
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

Table Of Contents

Subject : Science and tech

Context :The 2020 Nobel Prizes for sciences announced for scientists Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier bagged the Nobel Prize for Chemistry “for the development of a method for genome editing”.

The discovery of the CRISPR/Cas9 genetic scissors will lead to the emergence of novel biological applications by making it easier to edit genes, and “may make the dream of curing inherited diseases come true”.

Concept:

Gene Editing

Gene editing is also called as genetic modification, genetic manipulation or genetic engineering.
Genome editing is a group of technologies that give scientists the ability to change an organism’s DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid). These technologies allow genetic material to be added, removed, or altered at particular locations in the genome.

What is CRISPR-Cas9?

CRISPR is a dynamic, versatile tool that allows us to target nearly any genomic location and potentially repair broken genes. .
CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) are sections of DNA and are sections of genetic code containing short repetitions of base sequences followed by spacer DNA segments.
CAS-9 (CRISPR-associated protein 9) is an enzyme. It uses a synthetic guide RNA to introduce a double strand break at a specific location within a strand of DNA. It is a system used by bacterial cells to recognize and destroy viral DNA as a form of adaptive immunity.

Discovery:

TracrRNA was part of bacteria’s(the Streptococcus pyogenes) ancient immune system, CRISPR/Cas, that disarmed viruses by cleaving (cutting) their DNA.
It is programmed to locate the particular problematic sequence on the DNA strand, and a special protein called Cas9 (also known as genetic scissor) is used to break and remove the problematic sequence.
They succeeded in recreating the bacteria’s genetic scissors in a test tube and simplifying the scissors molecular components making it easier to use.
In their natural form, the scissors recognise DNA from viruses but the duo reprogrammed them so that they could be controlled and can cut any DNA molecule at a predetermined site.

How does CRISPR – Cas9 work?

CRISPR scans the genome looking for the right location and then uses the Cas9 protein as molecular scissors to snip through the DNA.
Cas9 endonuclease – guide RNAs to direct it to a particular sequence to be edited. The genetic sequence of the RNA matches the target sequence of the DNA that has to be edited.
When Cas9 cuts the target sequence, the cell repairs the damage by replacing the original sequence with an altered version.
Unlike other gene-editing methods, it is cheap, quick, easy, safer and more accurate to use because it relies on RNA–DNA base pairing, rather than the engineering of proteins that bind particular DNA sequences.

2. HEPATITIS C VIRUS

Subject : Science and tech

Context: Harvey J Alter and Charles M Riceand Michael Houghton were awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology on Monday for the discovery of the hepatitis C virus.

Concept:

What is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected.
Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can all cause hepatitis. However, hepatitis is often caused by a virus.
The most common hepatitis viruses are hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus.

Difference between Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C

Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are liver infections caused by three different viruses.
Although each can cause similar symptoms, they are spread in different ways and can affect the liver differently.
Hepatitis A is usually a short-term infection.
Hepatitis B and hepatitis C can also begin as short-term infections(acute), but in some people, the virus remains in the body and causes chronic (long-term) infection.
There are vaccines to prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B; however, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C.

How Hepatitis C came to observation?

The discovery and identification of the Hepatitis B virus facilitated the development of a diagnostic test to detect its presence in blood.
Thereafter, only blood sanitized from this virus would be given to patients, but it was observed that even this sanitized blood was able to prevent only 20% of the blood-borne hepatitis cases.
It was then that the search for the new virus began that led to dicovery of HepatitisC.

Transmission:

The hepatitis C virus is usually spread when someone comes into contact with blood from an infected person.This can happen through:

►Sharing drug-injection equipment : sharing needles, syringes, or any other equipment used to prepare and inject drugs.

►Birth – From Infected mother to baby.

►Healthcare exposures.- Unhealthy healthcare practices.

►Sex with an infected person. – Unprotected sexual intercourse.

►Unregulated tattoos or body piercings. – During blood transfusions.

►Sharing personal items : Ex : Glucose monitors, razors, nail clippers.

►Organ transplants.

Hepatitis C is not spread by sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing. It is also not spread through food or water.

3. BLACK HOLE

Subject : Science and tech

Context: Nobel Prize in Physics for the year 2020 was awarded to three astrophysicists Roger Penrose from the UK, Reinhard Genzel from Germany, and Andrea Ghez from the USA.

Concept:

Discovery

Black hole formation is a robust prediction of the general theory of relativity

Black holes were one of the first and most extreme predictions of Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity which came in 1915.
The theory explains gravity, as objects try to follow a straight line through a universe whose geometry is warped by matter and energy. As a result, planets, as well as light beams, follow curving paths.
He proved that if too much mass accumulated in too small a place, collapse into a black hole was inevitable. At the boundary of a black hole, called the event horizon, one would have to go faster than the speed of light to escape it, which is impossible. At the centre of a black hole, where the density became infinite, the laws of physics, would no longer apply.

Discovery of a super massive black hole at the centre of the Milky way galaxy, now known to be the Sagittarius A*

It has a mass four million times that of the Sun and is confined to an area roughly the size of our Solar System.
In 2019, scientists got the first optical image of a black hole which is at the centre of the Messier 87 galaxy.
Sagittarius A* is the second black hole whose photographs have been captured by the Event Horizon Telescope project. It is yet to be released.

Black Hole

A black hole is formed when stars collapse and can be defined as a space in the universe with an escape velocity so strong that even light cannot escape it.
Escape velocity is the speed at which an object must travel to override a planet or an object’s gravitational force.
Since light cannot get out, black holes are invisible and can only be tracked with the help of a space telescope or other special tools.
And the reason light cannot escape is mainly that the gravity inside a black hole is very strong as a result of a lot of matter being squeezed into a small space.
It acts like an ideal black body reflecting no light. It continues to grow, by absorbing mass from its surroundings.

4. GARBA DANCE

Subject : Art and Culture

Context: This will be for the first time in the recent history of Gujarat that there will be no garba during the Navratri, which is its essential element and which the state government has branded as the ‘Longest Dance Festival of the World’.

Concept:

Garba is a dance form that originated in the Gujarat region. Traditionally it is performed during the nine-day Hindu festival Navaratri.
Either the lamp (the Garba Deep) or an image of the Goddess Durga is placed in the middle of concentric rings and the people dance around the centre, bending sideways at every step, their arms making sweeping gestures, each movement ending in a clap.

Major Folk Dances of India:

Andhra Pradesh – Vilasini Natyam, Bhamakalpam, Veeranatyam, Dappu, Tappeta Gullu, Lambadi, Dhimsa, Kolattam.
Arunachal Pradesh- Buiya, Chalo, Wancho, Pasi Kongki, Ponung, Popir
Assam – Bihu, Bichhua, Natpuja, Maharas, Kaligopal, Bagurumba, Naga dance, Khel Gopal.
Bihar – Jata-Jatin, Bakho-Bakhain, Panwariya
Chattisgarh – Gaur Maria, Panthi, Raut Nacha, Pandwani, Vedamati, Kapalik
Gujarat – Garba, Dandiya Raas, Tippani Juriun, Bhavai
Goa – Tarangamel, Koli, Dekhni, Fugdi, Shigmo, Ghode, Modni, Samayi nrutya, Jagar, Ranmale
Haryana – Jhumar, Phag, Daph, Dhamal, Loor, Gugga, Khor.
Himachal Pradesh – Jhora, Jhali, Chharhi, Dhaman, Chhapeli, Mahasu
Jammu & Kashmir- Rauf, Hikat, Mandjas, Kud Dandi Nach
Jharkhand – Alkap, Karma Munda, Agni, Jhumar, Janani Jhumar, Mardana Jhumar, Paika, Phagua
Karnataka – Yakshagana, Huttari, Suggi, Kunitha, Karga
Kerala – Ottam Thullal, Kaikottikali
Maharashtra- Lavani, Nakata, Koli, Lezim, Gafa, Dahikala Dasavtar.
Madhya Pradesh- Jawara, Matki, Aada, Khada Nach, Phulpati, Grida Dance, Selalarki, Selabhadoni
Manipur- Dol Cholam, Thang Ta, Lai Haraoba, Pung Cholom
Meghalaya- Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem, Nongkrem, Laho
Mizoram- Cheraw Dance, Khuallam, Chailam, Sawlakin, Chawnglaizawn, Zangtalam
Nagaland- Rangma, Bamboo Dance, Zeliang, Nsuirolians, Gethinglim
Odisha- Savari, Ghumara, Painka, Munari
Punjab- Bhangra, Giddha, Daff, Dhaman, Bhand
Rajasthan- Ghumar, Chakri, Ganagor, Jhulan Leela, Jhuma, Suisini, Ghapal
Sikkim- Chu Faat, Sikmari, Singhi Chaam or the Snow Lion, Yak Chaam, Denzong Gnenha, Tashi Yangku
Tamil Nadu- Kumi, Kolattam, Kavadi
Tripura – Hojagiri
Uttar Pradesh- Nautanki, Raslila, Kajri, Jhora, Chappeli
Uttarakhand- Garhwali, Kumayuni, Kajari, Jhora, Raslila

5. MGNREGA

Subject : Govt Schemes

Context: Tribal Families return to settlements in Satyamangalam Tiger Reserve , take up works under MGNREGA.

Concept:

MGNREGA

MGNREGA is one of the largest work guarantee programmes in the world. It is one of the core of the core scheme under Government of India.
Objective: The primary objective of the scheme is to guarantee 100 days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work.
Legal Right to Work: Unlike earlier employment guarantee schemes, the act aims at addressing the causes of chronic poverty through a rights-based framework.
At least one-third of beneficiaries have to be women.
Wages must be paid according to the statutory minimum wages specified for agricultural labourers in the state under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.
Demand-Driven Scheme: The most important part of MGNREGA’s design is its legally-backed guarantee for any rural adult to get work within 15 days of demanding it, failing which an ‘unemployment allowance’ must be given.
This demand-driven scheme enables the self-selection of workers.
Decentralised planning: There is an emphasis on strengthening the process of decentralisation by giving a significant role in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in planning and implementing these works.
The act mandates Gram sabhas to recommend the works that are to be undertaken and at least 50% of the works must be executed by them.

Satyamangalam Tiger Reserve:

Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve is a protected area and tiger reserve along the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu.It covers a forest area of 1,411.6 km2 and is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu.
The wildlife sanctuary is part of Project Tiger and Project Elephant conservation programmes.These forests are home to indigenous tribal people belonging largely to the Irula tribe (also known as the Urali) and Soliga communities
Flora: It is mostly tropical dry forest, part of the South Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests ecoregion. There are five distinct forest types: tropical evergreen (Shola), semi-evergreen, mixed-deciduous, dry deciduous and thorn forests.
Fauna: It links the Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats allowing gene flow between diverse fauna populations of the two eco-regions. Important fauna include- Bengal tigers, Indian elephants, gaurs, leopards ,spotted deer, blackbucks, sambar deer, barking deer ,four-horned antelopes, wild boars, sloth bears , striped hyenas and feral buffaloes .
Birds: Many bird species including treepies, bulbuls, babblers, mynahs , crows and critically endangered Indian vulture (Gyps indicus) are noted.

6. RERA

Subject: Legislations

Context: Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TNRERA) has ruled that the provisions of the RERA Act are in addition to and not in derogation of other laws.

Concept:

Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) act seeks to protect home-buyers as well as help boost investments in the real estate sector by bringing efficiency and transparency in the sale/purchase of real estate.
It establishes Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) in each state for regulation of the real estate sector and also acts as an adjudicating body for speedy dispute resolution.

Key Provisions of Real Estate Regulation Act

Establishment of state level regulatory authorities– Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA): The Act provides for State governments to establish more than one regulatory authority for promotion and regulation of the sector.
Establishment of Real Estate Appellate Tribunal- Decisions of RERAs can be appealed in these tribunals.
Mandatory Registration: All projects with plot size of minimum 500 sq.mt or eight apartments need to be registered with Regulatory Authorities.
Deposits: Depositing 70% of the funds collected from buyers in a separate escrow bank account for construction of that project only.
Liability: Developer’s liability to repair structural defects for five years.
Penal interest in case of default: Both promoter and buyer are liable to pay an equal rate of interest in case of any default from either side.
Cap on Advance Payments: A promoter cannot accept more than 10% of the cost of the plot, apartment or building as an advance payment or an application fee from a person without first entering into an agreement for sale.
Defines Carpet Area as net usable floor area of flat. Buyers will be charged for the carpet area and not super built-up area.
Punishment: Imprisonment of up to three years for developers and up to one year in case of agents and buyers for violation of orders of Appellate Tribunals and Regulatory Authorities.

7. PASSEX

Subject : Security

Context: Navy is scheduled to hold a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier group.The PASSEX is likely to be held in the waters off Kochi.

Concept:

A passage exercise is normally undertaken whenever an opportunity arises, in contrast to pre-planned maritime drills.

India has conducted passage exercises with French Navy, Japenese Navy and US Navy.

Aim:

To improve the cooperation between the U.S. and Indian maritime forces and to maximize training and interoperability, which also include air defence.

Impact:

It will enhance both sides’ ability to counter threats at sea, from piracy to violent extremism.
A free and open sea promotes an international rules-based order wherein each country can reach its potential without sacrificing national sovereignty.
It will also present opportunities to build upon the pre-existing strong relationship between the United States and India and allow both countries to learn from each other.

8. NPA CLASSIFICATION

What are NPA’s?

NPA is any asset of a bank which is not producing any income. In other words, a loan or lease that is not meeting its stated principal and interest payments.
On a bank’s balance sheet, loans made to customers are listed as assets. The biggest risk to a bank is when customers who take out loans stop making their payments, causing the value of the loan assets to decline.

Criteria

Loans don’t go bad right away. Most loans allow customers a certain grace period. Then they are marked overdue. After a certain number of days, the loan is classified as a nonperforming loan.
Banks usually classify as nonperforming assets any commercial loans which are more than 90 days overdue and any consumer loans which are more than 180 days overdue.
For agricultural loans, if the interest and/or the installment or principal remains overdue for two harvest seasons; it is declared as NPAs. But, this period should not exceed two years. After two years any unpaid loan/installment will be classified as NPA.

Categories

Sub-standard: When the NPAs have aged <= 12 months.
Doubtful: When the NPAs have aged > 12 months.
Loss assets: When the bank or its auditors have identified the loss, but it has not been written off.