Daily Prelims Notes 25 October 2022

October 25, 2022
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

Daily Prelims Notes

25 October 2022

Table Of Contents

Subject: Science & technology

Context: Nobel laureate Svante Paabo and his team have just published one of the biggest genetic studies yet of Neanderthals, providing clues about their community life and structure.

Concept :

Fresh from his award a couple of weeks ago of a Nobel prize for his work on the DNA of early human species, including Neanderthals, Svante Paabo have just published in Nature one of the biggest genetic studies yet of that species.
These Neanderthals lived 50,000 years ago in the Altai mountains of Russia. The remains under study—17 bone and tooth samples belonging to 13 individuals—came from two caves about 100km apart.
It is extremely unlikely that all of these individuals were contemporaries. But the researchers think they have found both a trio and a pair of relatives. They did this by computing a value called DNA or Genetic divergence.

DNA Divergence

Genetic/DNA divergence is the process in which two or more populations of an ancestral species accumulate independent genetic changes (mutations) through time, often leading to reproductive isolation and continued mutation even after the populations have become reproductively isolated for some period of time, as there isn’t genetic exchange anymore.
In some cases, subpopulations living in ecologically distinct peripheral environments can exhibit genetic divergence from the remainder of a population, especially where the range of a population is very large.
The genetic differences among divergent populations can involve silent mutations (that have no effect on the phenotype) or give rise to significant morphological and/or physiological changes.
Genetic divergence will always accompany reproductive isolation, either due to novel adaptations via selection and/or due to genetic drift.
It is the principal mechanism underlying speciation(occurs when a group within a species separates from other members of its species and develops its own unique characteristics).

Reproductive Isolation

The mechanisms of reproductive isolation are a collection of evolutionary mechanisms, behaviors and physiological processes critical for speciation.
They prevent members of different species from producing offspring, or ensure that any offspring are sterile.
These barriers maintain the integrity of a species by reducing gene flow between related species

2. Partial Solar Eclipse

Subject : Geography

Context :People in India will be able to see a partial solar eclipse on Tuesday.

Concept :

Solar Eclipse

It is a natural event that takes place on Earth when the Moon moves in its orbit between Earth and the Sun (this is also known as an occultation).
It happens at New Moon, when the Sun and Moon are in conjunction with each other.
During an eclipse, the Moon’s shadow (which is divided into two parts: the dark umbra and the lighter penumbra) moves across Earth’s surface.

Why isn’t there a solar eclipse every month?

If the Moon was only slightly closer to Earth, and orbited in the same plane and its orbit was circular, we would see eclipses each month.
The lunar orbit is elliptical and tilted with respect to Earth’s orbit, so we can only see up to 5 eclipses per year.
Depending on the geometry of the Sun, Moon and Earth, the Sun can be totally blocked, or it can be partially blocked.

Solar Eclipse Types

Total Solar Eclipse:

It occurs when the Moon completely blocks the solar disk. In a total solar eclipse, the narrowest part of the path (where the Sun is completely blocked and the Moon casts its darkest shadow (called the umbra) is called the “zone of totality”.
A phenomenon called “Bailey’s Beads” often appears as sunlight shines out through valleys on the lunar surface.

Annular Solar Eclipse:

When the Moon is farther away in its orbit than usual, it appears too small to completely cover the Sun’s disk.
During such an event, a bright ring of sunlight shines around the Moon. This type of eclipse is a called an “annular” eclipse.

Partial Solar Eclipse:

It occurs when Earth moves through the lunar penumbra (the lighter part of the Moon’s shadow) as the Moon moves between Earth and the Sun.
The Moon does not block the entire solar disk, as seen from Earth.
Depending on your location during a partial eclipse, you might see anything from a small sliver of the Sun being blotted out to a nearly total eclipse.

3. Internationalisation of the rupee

Subject :Economy

Context:

RBI Deputy Governor T Rabi Sankar drew a distinction between the status of ‘rupee as an international currency’ and the process of ‘internationalisation’ of the rupee.

Background

Steps taken towards internationalisation of the rupee.

Enabling external commercial borrowings in rupees– Example Masala Bonds.
Invoicing exports and imports in rupee
Rupee settlement of external trade–Rupee Payment Mechanism through vastro account.
Enabling domestic banks to operate in the offshore markets
Primary Dealers (PDs) have been allowed to operate in forex markets to improve market liquidity.

Risks:

External vulnerability–If a substantial portion of its trade is in rupee, non-residents would hold rupee balances in India which would be used to acquire Indian assets largely affected by external policies.
Reduction in forex reserves –and the need for reserves would also reduce to the extent the trade deficit is funded in rupees.
Complex monetary policy transmission – as rupee supply-demand can be affected by external policies and conditions. For instance, a global risk-off phase could lead non-residents to convert their rupee holdings and move out of India.

Concept:

Rupee as an international currency vs Internationalisation of the rupee:

Internationalisation of the rupee is a process that involves increasing use of the rupee in cross-border transactions.
- It involves promoting rupee for import and export trade and then other current account transactions followed by its use in capital account transactions.
- These are all transactions between residents in India and non-residents.
The use of rupee for transactions between non-residents would increase confidence in “rupee as an international currency”-– a final stage of “rupee internationalisation”.
Internationalization of Rupee will facilitate greater degree of integration of the Indian economy with the rest of the world in terms of foreign trade and international capital flows.
Key benefits of internationalization of Rupee include savings on foreign exchange transactions for Indian residents, reduced foreign exchange exposure for Indian corporate, reduction in dependence on foreign exchange reserves for balance of payment stability
One of the important drivers for internationalization of a currency is the countrys share in global merchandise and commercial services trade.

4. Justice Lent in Commission and Drug safety regulation

Subject :Governance

Context:

66 children died in Gambia, possibly from the presence of DEG or diethylene glycol in four cough syrups that were sent from India calling for an overhaul of the drug regulatory.
It’s been 36 years since the Justice Lentin Commission probed the death of 14 people at Mumbai’s JJ Hospital. The deaths were linked to DEG or diethylene glycol, a toxic contaminant that should not have been in the medicine.

Details:

Lentin Commission (1986) report makes a case for a strong regulatory authority and accountability in drug testing and control along:
- Investments in training more personnel and strengthening laboratories across the country.
- Implement Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) norms,
- Central regulators are given greater autonomy to function, citing examples of Brazil and Ghana.

Concept:

Health is a state subject
The Central authority is the overall supervisory body and direct States to ensure that the raw materials used are tested for purity.
The State gives manufacturing licences and inspects plants, etc., in line with central laws.
The Drug and Cosmetics Act, 1940 establishes regulatory control over the import, manufacture, distribution, and sale of drugs and cosmetics in India.
- It is mandatory for the manufacturers to adhere to the prescribed requirements for licensing of manufacturing units & medicines including proof of safety & effectiveness, compliance with the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
- This also established the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) headed by Drug Controller General of India, DCGI
  - DCGI is responsible for approval of licences of specified categories of drugs such as blood and blood products, IV fluids, vaccines and sera in India. It also sets standards for manufacturing, sales, import, and distribution of drugs in India

- Role of CDSCO
  - Prescribes standards and measures for ensuring the safety, efficacy and quality of drugs, cosmetics, diagnostics and devices in the country.
  - Regulates the market authorization of new drugs and clinical trials standards.
  - Supervises drug imports and approves licences to manufacture the above-mentioned products.
  - CDSCO regulates export of drugs in India, any manufacturer with the certification from CDSCO can export drugs outside India.
The State Health department has to regulate the manufacturing, sales, and distribution of drugs.
Drug Inspectors control the implementation at ground level.
The Drugs and Cosmetics Act also has provisions of recalling of substandard drugs from the market, to compensate the families of victims of adulteration.