Daily Prelims Notes 4 March 2021

March 4, 2021
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

4 March 2021

By

Santosh Sir

All 6 Prelims qualified

4 CSE Mains qualified

If I can do it, you can too

Table Of Contents

1. FREEDOM IN THE WORLD 2021

Subject: International Reports and indices

Context: The report demoted India’s freedom score from “free” to “partly free”, saying rights and civil liberties “have been eroding

Concept:

The report is brought by the Washington-based noted think tank Freedom House. It assesses countries on 25 different indicators.
It is published since 1973 and assesses the condition of political rights and civil liberties around the world.
The report deported India based on attacks on Muslims, use of the sedition law, and the government’s coronavirus response including the lockdown.
India’s score decreased from 71 to 67 (100 being the ranking for the most free country), and its rank fell from 83 to 88 out of 211 countries. It places India with Ecuador and Dominican Republic.
India’s Internet Freedom Score has stayed at 51.

Significance of report

Now less than 20 per cent of the world’s people live in a Free country — the smallest proportion since 1995.
The most free countries in the world, with a score of 100, are Finland, Norway and Sweden, while the least free with a score of 1 are Tibet and Syria
India’s ranking had risen twice between 2013 to 2015, then stayed steady till 2018 and since then declining.
Amendments to the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act and the freezing of Amnesty International’s assets reflects decline in freedom of NGOs.
Score on independence of judiciary also decline with nomination of Ex-CJI in Rajya Sabha, alleged pro-govt decisions, the high-profile transfer of a judge after he ruled against the government’s political interests
Individual’s freedom of movement declined due to migrant crisis and “violent and discriminatory enforcement by police and civilian vigilantes
Again listed “Indian Kashmir” separately as “not free”

growing-democracy-gap

2. Dhrupad

Subject: Art and Culture

Context: One of the notable names in Dhrupad currently AkhileshGundecha may be suspended from Dhrupad sansthan which may also shut for time-being due to a sexual harassment charge.

Concept:

Dhrupad is ancient and powerful style of Hindustani Classical music.
It emphasizes on emphasis on maintaining purity of the Raga.
Its temperament is religious and traces its origin to the ancient text of Samveda.
The word “Dhrupad” is resultant from the word Dhruva i.e., the persistent evening star moving throng the galaxy and pada means poetry
The traditional performance is accompanied with a tanpura and pakhawaj.
Dhrupad has generally had two parts, Alap and Bandhish.
It is essentially poetic and it is presented in a style marked with precise and orderly elaboration of Raga. exposition proceedings composed verses is called Alap.
In medieval times it thrived under the patronage of Mughal and Rajput kings.

3. Outcome Budgeting

Subject: Economy

Context: Jharkhand presented its first outcome budget yesterday.

Concept:

Over the year’s performance budget was seen as following output, rather than outcomes (Budget speech of 2005-06 highlighted this).
Outcome budgeting lays emphasis on linkages between money allocated (outlay) and the outcomes (and not just outputs).
It shifts the focus to the short and long-term outcomes of governance
The outcomes are not just in Rupee terms, but in actual unit achieved (Ex- Actual KMS of road laid) and qualitative target it helped achieved.
Outcome Budget was first introduced in India in 2005-06.
From the 2006-07 financial year, every ministry handling a sector presents a preliminary outcome budget to the Ministry of Finance, which is responsible for compiling them

Understanding outlay, output and outcome

Outlays are financial resources deployed for achieving certain outcomes.
Outputs are a measure of the physical quantity of the goods or services produced through a government scheme or programme. They are usually an intermediate stage between ‘outlays’ and ‘outcomes. For example, construction of a health care centre is the ‘output’, while increase in the literacy rate is the ‘final outcome’ or ‘impact’.
Outcomes or impact are the end results of various government initiatives. Going beyond mere ‘outputs’, they cover the quality and effectiveness of the goods or services.

4. Gaphaz or the Glacier and Permafrost Hazards in Mountains

Context: A consortium of international glacier and permafrost scientists have found that mass movement activities are still occurring in the zone covering Chamoli in Uttarakhand which witnessed flash floods recently.

Concept:

Other observations

Based on high resolution satellite imagery indications the group concluded continuing mass movement in region.
It also said that another slope failure and avalanche can be critical for people and infrastructure downstream, close to the riverbed
possibility of a glacier lake outburst flood as well and also said temporary lakes formed due to damming are unlikely to have had a direct effect on the flooding
The depth of the failure plane is more than 100 m below surface, where no seasonal temperature variations are expected. The zone is in permafrost conditions, meaning ground temperatures are perennially below zero.
It is also important to note that unstable geological configuration and steep topography can, on its own, be a sufficient driver of large slope failures.

About Gamphaz

It is a scientific standing group of the International Association of Cryospheric Sciences and the International Permafrost Association.

Aim of the group

Improving the international scientific communication on glacier and permafrost hazards
Compiling of a state of knowledge related to glacier and permafrost hazards in high mountains
Working towards a greater transfer of information and improved communication between the scientific and governmental communities
Signposting sources of advice to international and national agencies, responsible authorities and private companies
Acting as a focal point for information for international media during relevant crises.

About IACS

IACS is one of eight associations of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG). IACS aims to promote the advancement of cryospheric sciences of the Earth and the solar system.

About IPA

The International Permafrost Association, founded in 1983, has as its objectives to foster the dissemination of knowledge concerning permafrost and to promote cooperation among persons and national or international organizations engaged in scientific investigation and engineering work on permafrost.
Membership is through adhering national or multinational organizations or as individuals in countries where no Adhering Body exists.
It is an affiliated Organization of the International Union of Geological Sciences in July 1989.
primary responsibilities are convening International Permafrost Conferences, undertaking special projects such as preparing databases, maps, bibliographies, and glossaries, and coordinating international field programs and networks

5. Complete blood count (CBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), or Immunoglobulin-E (IgE) levels

Subject: Science and Technology

Context: Amidst vaccination the precautions are being taken before it is given by adhering to these tests.

Concept:

Complete blood count (CBC)

It is a group of tests that evaluate the cells (produced and mature primarily in the bone marrow and, under normal circumstances, are released into the bloodstream as needed) that circulate in blood, including red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets (PLTs). overall health and detect a variety of diseases and conditions, such as infections, anemia and leukemia.

C-reactive protein (CRP)

It measures he level of c-reactive protein (CRP) in your blood. CRP is a protein made by liver. It’s sent into bloodstream in response to inflammation (body’s way of protecting tissues if one is injured or have an infection)

Immunoglobulin-E (IgE) levels

This test is a blood test that detects circulating IgE in our blood.
Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is an antibody produced during a type I hypersensitivity reaction to an allergen.
Allergen is any substance (antigen), most often eaten or inhaled, that is recognized by the immune system and causes an allergic reaction.

6. Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR)

Subject: Economy

Context: With two of the three operators having huge AGR liabilities as a result of the SC judgement the govt saw the raising of Rs 77, 814 crore through spectrum allocation as a positive development.

Concept:

It is the usage and licensing fee (spectrum usage charges and licensing fees, pegged between 3-5 percent and 8 percent respectively) that telecom operators are charged by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
It is calculated based on all revenues earned by a telco – including non-telecom related sources such as deposit interests and asset sales.
Earlier the SC upheld the DoT definition of the AGR which included dividend, interest income or profit on sale of any investment or fixed assets.

7. Epigrap

Subject: Science and technology

Context: A new algorithm can potentially create a reactive influenza vaccine for swine flu, and offers a path toward a pan-influenza vaccine and possibly a pan-coronavirus vaccine as well.

Context:

Epigrap is an algorithm and has already been used to predict therapeutic HIV vaccine candidates, and it has also shown promising potential as a vaccine against highly diverse Ebola and Marburg viruses, protecting against disease when tested in an animal model.
The epigrap designed product led to vaccination impact with a strong cross-reactive antibody response in mice.
The tool creates a cocktail of vaccine antigens designed to maximize efficacy across a highly diverse population.
It was developed by scientists at the Los Alamos National Lab in the USA.

8. 30-Share Index (BSE Sensex)

Subject: Economy

Context: Led by Reliance Industries (RIL), the 30-share index rallied by another 1,147.76 points to 51,444.65 amidst strong global cues and hopes of stronger economic recovery and earnings growth.

Concept:

NSE Nifty index also increased by 326.50 points to 15,245.60 on sustained buying support.

About BSE Sensex

It is the benchmark index of India’s BSE, formerly known as the Bombay Stock Exchange.
It was created in 1986, the Sensex is the oldest stock index in India.
It comprised of 30 of the largest and most actively-traded stocks on the BSE, providing a gauge of India’s economy.
Sensex uses weighted average method for price movement calculation. That means each shares price has a weightage proportional to its market capitalization.
The index’s composition is reviewed in June and December each year.
Five criteria for being listed in BSE Sensex:

It should be listed in India on BSE
It should be a large-to mega-cap company
The stock should be relatively liquid
The company should generate revenue from core activities
It should keep the sector balanced broadly in line with the Indian equity market.

About NSE Nifty Index

Nifty is the stock market index for National Stock Exchange (NSE).

Unlike BSE Sensex it consists of weighted average of 50 of the largest Indian companies.

9. Similipal Biosphere

Subject: Environment

Context: Massive threatening fire in Similipal biosphere has led to the Odisha govt deploying big contingent of field staff to douse it.

Concept:

Fire started in isolated places of Similipal in Mayurbhanj district in the first week of February has spread to eight forest ranges.
Concern has been rising over possible damage to flora and fauna.

About Similipal Biosphere reserve:

The biosphere spread over 4,374 sq km has 845 sq km of core forest (tiger reserve), 2,129 sq km buffer area and 1,400 sq km of transition space.
It lies within two biogeographical regions: the Mahanadian east coastal region of the Oriental realm and the Chhotanagpur biotic province of the Deccan peninsular zone.
Volcanic sedimentary rocks are aligned in three concentric rings and accentuate the area’s geologic formations. The highest peak in the Similipal hill range is Khairiburu.
Numerous waterfalls and perennial streams flow into major rivers, such as the Budhabalang, Baitarani and Subarnarekha.
It has largest zone of Sal in all of India.
A distinctive biodiversity, highlighted by 1,076 species of vascular plants is result of tropical monsoonal climate.
Two endemic Orchid species are Eriameghasaniensis and Tainiahookeriana. Other noteworthy flora species include Callicarpaarborea (a species of beautyberry), Bombaxceiba (Cotton tree) and Madhucalongifolia (Mahua).
Approximately 52 fauna species here are endangered.
Paradoxusjorandensis is an example of a valuable and endemic fauna species within the area.
In addition, Pantheratigris (Royal Bengal Tiger) and Elephasmaximus (Asiatic Elephant) have both been observed within the Similipal Biosphere Reserve.
Approximately 73% of all inhabitants are Aboriginals. Two tribes, the ErengaKharias and the Mankirdias, inhabit the reserve’s forests and practise traditional agricultural activities (the collection of seeds and timber). Other dominant tribes include the Ho, Gonda and Munda,
stories and paintings that date back to the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas shows its cultural significance. Ex- a sacred grove called ShamiVrikhya is said to have been the secret hiding place of the bow and arrow of the hero Arjuna

10. Pre-monsoon shower

Subject: Geography

Context: IMD projects that the first spell of thundershowers of this year’s pre-monsoon season (March-May) is expected to break out over parts of Tamil Nadu and most of Kerala this week.

Concept:

Pre-monsoon showers are the key to plantation crops such as tea, rubber, coffee, pepper and cardamom in South India. However Coeffee varieties like Arabica coffee needs 90-120 days stress period and robusta about 60 days to blossom. But the rains every month since December have left the lands with moisture and vegetative growth preventing reproductive growth.
Frequent rains will also help pepper catkins to gain weight, though new ones may not appear until the plants undergo a stress period.

About Pre-Monsoon shower

Pre-monsoon shower or summer rain is formed due to the storm over the Bay of Bengal.
It is a mixture of dry and moist winds. It at times gives rise to local storms, such as the occurrence of violent winds, heavy rain and hailstorms.
These showers’ effect can be seen in two ways such as in some states of northern India it reduces the intensity of heat waves, but it also come with the blessing of showers in the Eastern and Southern India for the farmers.
Different names of pre-monsoon shower

Tea Shower in Assam
Kalbaishakh in West Bengal
Mango Shower in Kerala and Coastal areas of Karnataka
Cherry Blossoms/ Coffee showers in Kerala and some part of Karanataka

11. Covaxin shows 81% efficacy

Subject: Science and Technology

Context: Bharat Biotech reportedinterim clinical efficacy of 81% in the phase 3 clinical trial of its vaccine Covaxin.

Concept:

Covaxin is India’s first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine by Bharat Biotech is developed in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
It is an inactivated vaccine (do not replicate and are therefore unlikely to revert and cause pathological effects). They contain dead virus, incapable of infecting people but still able to instruct the immune system to mount a defensive reaction against an infection.
COVAXIN is included along with immune-potentiators, also known as vaccine adjuvants, which are added to the vaccine to increase and boost its immunogenicity.
It is a 2-dose vaccination regimen given 28 days apart.
It is a vaccine with no sub-zero storage, no reconstitution requirement, and ready to use liquid presentation in multi-dose vials, stable at 2-8 degree C.
Earlier the vaccine received DCGI approval for Phase I & II Human Clinical Trials in July, 2020.
COVAXIN was granted approval for emergency restricted use in India by DCGI-CDSCO on Jan 03, 2021 with efficacy data for Phase-3 data pending.

More about efficacy data