CURRENT-AFFAIRS

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• Recent research has demonstrated that FP 100 (Hygromycin A), an innovative small molecule antibiotic with a narrow spectrum of action, effectively eliminates Fusobacterium nucleatum while preserving the integrity of the oral and gut microbiomes.
• About Narrow-Spectrum Antibiotics:
  • Antibiotics are categorized as either “narrow-spectrum” or “broad-spectrum” based on their range of bacterial targets.
  • Narrow-spectrum antibiotics are designed to target a specific subset of bacterial types.
  • They may act on either gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria, but not both simultaneously.
  • These antibiotics are chosen for treating infections when the specific pathogen is identified.
  • They tend to preserve more of the body's normal microbiota compared to broad-spectrum antibiotics.
  • By focusing on specific bacteria, they help prevent the development of antibiotic resistance and the spread of drug-resistant infections.
  • Examples of narrow-spectrum antibiotics include Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, and Erythromycin.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• The central government has recently approached the Supreme Court, alleging that there were insufficient arrangements made for the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel stationed at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata.
• About Central Industrial Security Force (CISF):
  • CISF is a Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) in India.
  • Established under an Act of the Parliament of India on March 10, 1969, with an initial strength of 2,800 personnel, it was later reclassified as an armed force of the Republic of India through another Act of Parliament on June 15, 1983.
  • The force has expanded significantly and now boasts a strength of over 188,000 personnel, evolving into a premier multi-skilled organization.
  • It operates directly under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, with its headquarters located in New Delhi.
  • Currently, the CISF provides security services to 359 establishments across the country.
• Organizational Structure:
  • The CISF is led by an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer holding the rank of Director-General, supported by another IPS officer at the rank of Additional Director-General.
  • The organization is segmented into seven sectors: Airport, North, North-East, East, West, South, and Training, and also includes a specialized Fire Service Wing.
• Functions:
  • CISF is responsible for securing some of India’s most vital infrastructure, including nuclear facilities, space centers, airports, seaports, and power plants.
  • In 2000, CISF was tasked with airport security following the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814 to Kandahar.
  • The force also safeguards important government buildings, heritage monuments, the Delhi Metro, the Parliament House Complex, and the Central Jails of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • It has a specialized VIP Security unit that provides 24/7 protection to key individuals.
  • CISF is one of the largest fire protection service providers in the country, with a dedicated fire wing unique to its force.
  • After the Mumbai terror attack in November 2008, CISF's mandate was extended to include security for private corporate entities.
  • The CISF also offers security consultancy services to private organizations, reflecting the high demand for its expertise.
  • Notably, CISF maintains the only daily public interface among CAPFs, operating in airports, the Delhi Metro, and at iconic monuments.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• The Smart Cities Mission (SCM), designed to improve the quality of life in urban areas, has achieved completion of over 90% of its total projects, according to a recent statement from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
• About the Smart Cities Mission (SCM):
  • Launch Date: The mission was inaugurated on June 25, 2015.
  • Objective: The SCM’s primary goal is to foster cities that offer robust infrastructure, a clean and sustainable environment, and a high quality of life for residents through innovative 'smart solutions'.
  • Mission Goals: It aims to stimulate economic growth and enhance living standards by addressing social, economic, physical, and institutional aspects of urban development. The focus is on sustainable and inclusive growth, creating models that can be replicated by other cities.
  • Cities Selected: A total of 100 cities were chosen to be developed as Smart Cities through a competitive process held between 2016 and 2018. Each city has a five-year timeframe from its selection to complete the associated projects.
  • Administration: The SCM is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme managed by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
  • Core Infrastructure Elements: Key components in a Smart City include reliable water and electricity supply, sanitation and solid waste management, efficient public transport, affordable housing, robust IT infrastructure and digital services, effective governance including e-Governance and citizen engagement, a sustainable environment, enhanced safety and security, and improvements in health and education.
  • Strategic Components: The mission encompasses city improvement (retrofitting), city renewal (redevelopment), city extension (Greenfield development), and a Pan-city initiative where smart solutions are implemented across broader areas of the city.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• A team of researchers has recently encountered the rare Arnoux’s Beaked Whales off the coast of Antarctica.
• About Arnoux’s Beaked Whale:
  • Species Overview: Arnoux’s Beaked Whales are an uncommon cetacean species. Cetaceans are large aquatic mammals that include whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
  • Scientific Name: Berardius arnuxii
  • Social Structure: This species is typically seen in groups of 6-10 individuals, although larger groups of up to 80 have been observed.
• Distribution:
  • Geographical Range: Arnoux’s Beaked Whales are exclusively found in the Southern Hemisphere. Their habitat spans circumpolar regions in deep, cool temperate and subpolar waters, generally from 40°S to the Antarctic ice shelf, around 78°S.
• Features:
  • Size and Appearance: These whales can reach lengths of up to approximately 30 feet. Females are generally slightly larger than males. They have a spindle-shaped body and their appearance is somewhat dolphin-like.
  • Dorsal Fin: They possess a small, triangular, slightly hooked dorsal fin located towards the rear of their body.
  • Coloration: They are primarily dark brown with lighter coloration on their head and ventral sides, including white patches. Males often display significant scarring, especially around their dorsal fins.
  • Unique Characteristics: Known as Southern four-toothed Whales, they have four visible teeth in their lower jaws even when their mouth is closed.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Classified as Least Concern

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has recently introduced a range of blockchain-based solutions, including the Vishvasya-Blockchain Technology Stack.
• About Vishvasya-Blockchain Technology Stack:
  • Purpose: This stack is designed to provide Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) with a geographically distributed infrastructure, facilitating a variety of permissioned blockchain applications.
  • Hosting: It is deployed across NIC Data Centers located in Bhubaneswar, Pune, and Hyderabad, ensuring robust and scalable service delivery.
  • Additional Solutions: The government has also launched the NBFLite-Lightweight Blockchain Platform and Praamaanik, a blockchain-based solution for authenticating the origin of mobile apps.
• Applications of Vishvasya BaaS:
  • e-Stamps Solution
  • Judiciary Application
  • IPS Officers Service Level Training Record Management
  • Forensic Application
  • Praamaanik: Mobile app authenticity verification
  • Consent Management Framework
  • IoT Device Security Management
  • Cotton Bale Identification and Tracking
  • Domicile Certificate Chain
  • Document Chain (e.g., Caste Certificate Chain)
• National Blockchain Framework (NBF):
  • Vision: The NBF aims to create reliable digital platforms by leveraging blockchain technology.
  • Components: It is built on a distributed infrastructure and comprises key elements such as Distributed Infrastructure, Core Framework Functionality, Smart Contracts & API Gateway, and Security, Privacy & Interoperability.
  • Support: The framework currently supports two permissioned blockchain platforms and is designed to be extensible for future needs.