CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• The Irula Snake Catchers' Industrial Cooperative Society, an organization comprised of Irula tribals residing on the outskirts of Chennai, is currently confronting a period of uncertainty.
• About the Irula Tribe:
  • Ancient Heritage: The Irulas are among the most ancient indigenous groups in India.
  • Vulnerable Status: They are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
  • Geographic Distribution: Their primary settlements are in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu, with additional populations in parts of Kerala and Karnataka.
  • Language: The Irula language is closely related to Tamil and Kannada, both of which are Dravidian languages native to southern India.
  • Religious Beliefs: The Irula community practices pantheism, acknowledging the presence of spirits in both humans and objects. Their principal deity is Kanniamma, a virgin goddess associated with cobras.
  • Living Arrangements: Irula dwellings are clustered in small settlements known as mottas. These are typically located on the edges of steep hills, surrounded by dry fields, gardens, and forested or plantation areas.
  • Traditional Skills: Historically, the Irulas have been adept hunters, gatherers, and honey collectors, with their livelihood intricately tied to the forest.
  • Herbal Medicine: They possess extensive knowledge of traditional herbal remedies and healing techniques.
  • Expertise in Snake Handling: The Irulas are renowned for their profound knowledge of snakes and snake venom. Their expertise is highly valued in snake rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
  • Anti-Snake Venom Production: The Irula Snake Catchers' Industrial Cooperative Society plays a crucial role in India’s anti-snake venom production, contributing nearly 80 percent of the venom used in anti-venom production across the country. Their traditional methods are employed to safely capture snakes, extract venom, and release the snakes back into their natural habitat without causing them harm.

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• Approximately 42% of crude oil production and 53% of natural gas output in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico have recently been halted due to the impact of Hurricane Francine.
• About the Gulf of Mexico:
• Geographical Description: The Gulf of Mexico is a partially enclosed body of water located on the southeastern edge of the North American continent.
• Oceanic Affiliation: It is a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean and is the largest gulf in the world.
• Surrounding Regions: To the west, it is bordered by the Mexican regions of Yucatan and Veracruz; to the north, by the United States; to the east, by the Caribbean islands and Cuba; and to the south, by the narrowing Mexican mainland.
• Connections: The Gulf connects to the Caribbean Sea through the Yucatán Channel (between Cuba and Mexico) and to the Atlantic Ocean via the Straits of Florida (between Cuba and the U.S.).
• Historical Formation: One of the oldest and largest water bodies on Earth, the Gulf of Mexico was formed during the late Triassic period, approximately 300 million years ago, due to seafloor subsidence caused by tectonic plate movements.
• Size and Dimensions: Often called the "Mediterranean of the Americas," the Gulf of Mexico is the 9th largest body of water globally, stretching about 1,600 km from west to east and around 900 km from north to south, covering roughly 600,000 square miles (1,550,000 square km).
• Depth: The Gulf is relatively shallow along its coastal continental shelves, with an average depth of 1,615 meters.
• Climate: The climate ranges from tropical to subtropical, and the region is prone to severe weather events including major hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorms.
• Ocean Currents: Water from the Caribbean Sea entering the Gulf through the Yucatán Channel forms a clockwise loop current, exiting through the Florida Straits and contributing to the Gulf Stream—a powerful and warm ocean current flowing towards the northern Atlantic Ocean.
• Major Rivers: The Mississippi and the Rio Grande are the principal rivers draining into the Gulf.
• Resource Deposits: The shallow continental shelf areas of the Gulf contain significant deposits of petroleum and natural gas.
• Economic Significance: The Gulf of Mexico is a key hub for the U.S. oil refining and petrochemical industry, with over 18% of U.S. oil production originating from offshore wells in the region.

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• The Union Cabinet has recently approved the Ministry of Power's proposal to revise the scheme for budgetary support for Enabling Infrastructure for Hydro Electric Projects (HEP), with a total allocation of Rs. 12,461 crore.
• About the Scheme for Budgetary Support for Enabling Infrastructure for Hydro Electric Projects (HEP):
  • Duration and Objective: This scheme, which will be in effect from FY 2024-25 to FY 2031-32, is designed to bolster infrastructure and support the growth of hydro power in India.
  • Scope and Coverage: It aims to address significant challenges such as remote project locations and insufficient infrastructure by expanding its coverage to include additional costs. This includes funding for the construction of transmission lines, enhancement of pooling substations, and development of ropeways, railway sidings, and communication infrastructure.
  • Support for Infrastructure: The scheme also provides assistance for upgrading existing roads and bridges leading to project sites.
  • Capacity and Eligibility: It will support hydro power projects with a total generation capacity of approximately 31,350 MW. The scheme is applicable to all hydro projects exceeding 25 MW, including those in the private sector and Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs).
  • Revised Budgetary Support Limits: The support limits have been updated to Rs. 1 crore per MW for projects up to 200 MW, and Rs. 200 crore plus Rs. 0.75 crore per MW for projects exceeding 200 MW. In exceptional cases, support may increase up to Rs. 1.5 crore per MW.
  • Approval Process: A stringent approval process is in place, requiring cost appraisals by the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) and the Public Investment Board (PIB), followed by final approval from the Competent Authority.
  • Eligibility Criteria: Projects that receive the Letter of Award for the first major package by June 30, 2028, will be eligible for support under this scheme.

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• Researchers have recently discovered a previously unknown species of dung beetle, named Onitis bordati, within the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary in Meghalaya.
• About the New Dung Beetle Species:
  • Taxonomy: Onitis bordati is a species of dung beetle belonging to the genus Onitis.
  • Physical Characteristics: Males of this genus typically have distinct forelegs that are long, slender, and curved, often adorned with teeth or spines.
  • Behavior: Beetles of the Onitis genus are known as tunnellers. They dig tunnels for their dung, which plays a role in their ecological functions.
  • Previous Distribution: Prior to this discovery, Onitis dung beetle species were only known from Vietnam and Thailand.
  • Ecological Importance: Dung beetles are crucial for their ecological roles, including seed dispersal, nutrient cycling, pest control, and promoting plant growth.
  • Threats: The species faces threats from habitat destruction and climate change.
• Key Facts About Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary:
  • Location: Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot within the state of Meghalaya, India.
  • Geography: The sanctuary features undulating plains and low hills that are part of the Archaean Meghalaya Plateau. The terrain is particularly rugged towards the west and north due to ongoing erosion from the Umtrew River, its tributaries, and other smaller streams.
  • Rivers: The Umtrew River, the main river in the sanctuary, along with its tributaries, demarcates the western boundary of both the Reserve Forest and the Sanctuary.
  • Wildlife: The sanctuary is home to species such as the Clouded Leopard, majestic Elephants, and the formidable Himalayan Black Bear.
  • Flora: The vegetation includes species like Shorea robusta, Tectona grandis, Terminalia myriocarpa, and Gmelina arborea.

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• Recently, the National Instructional Media Institute (NIMI) has launched YouTube Channels specifically designed for Industrial Training Institute (ITI) students.
• About the National Instructional Media Institute:
  • History and Status: Originally known as the Central Instructional Media Institute (CIMI), NIMI was established in December 1986 by the Government of India as a Subordinate Office under the Directorate General of Employment and Training (DGE&T) within the Ministry of Labour & Employment. It now operates as an autonomous institute under the Directorate General of Training (DGT), Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
  • Primary Role: NIMI serves as the central body for developing Instructional Media Packages (IMP), which include digital content and question banks for various vocational courses.
• Recent Initiative by NIMI:
  • YouTube Channel Launch: NIMI has introduced YouTube Channels aimed at Industrial Training Institute (ITI) students. These channels are designed to deliver high-quality training videos to learners across India’s ITI network, and are available in nine languages.
  • Language Options: The new channels offer content in English, Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Marathi, Punjabi, Malayalam, Telugu, and Kannada, providing accessible digital resources to enhance technical skills.
  • Content and Features: Each channel includes tutorials, skill demonstrations, and theoretical lessons, all curated by industry experts to ensure they are relevant to current vocational training standards.
  • Alignment with National Goals: This initiative supports India’s National Skill Development Mission and aligns with the objectives of the New Education Policy (NEP).
  • Encouragement to Engage: NIMI invites ITI students, instructors, and those interested in skilling to subscribe to their regional language channels to stay informed with the latest educational content.

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• Recently, the Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying unveiled the "Rangeen Machhli" mobile app at the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA) in Bhubaneswar.
• About the "Rangeen Machhli" Mobile App:
  • Purpose: The app is designed to cater to the growing needs of the ornamental fisheries sector, offering essential information for hobbyists, aquarium shop owners, and fish farmers.
  • Development and Support: It has been developed by ICAR-CIFA with backing from the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
• Features:
  • Multilingual Information: The app provides detailed information on popular ornamental fish species in eight Indian languages, making it widely accessible.
  • Comprehensive Guidance: It includes extensive details on the care, breeding, and maintenance of ornamental fish for both farmers and hobbyists.
  • "Find Aquarium Shops" Tool: A notable feature of the app is the "Find Aquarium Shops" tool, which helps users locate nearby aquarium shops through a dynamic directory updated by shop owners. This feature supports local businesses and connects users with dependable sources for ornamental fish and related products.
  • Educational Modules: The app also contains educational modules aimed at both beginners and professionals in the ornamental fish industry.
• About the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR):
  • Role and Functions: ICAR is the premier organization responsible for coordinating, guiding, and managing agricultural research and education across India. It operates under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

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• Recently, OpenAI has introduced a new AI model named o1, along with a smaller and more affordable variant called o1-mini.
• About the o1 Model:
  • Overview: The o1 model is a sophisticated large language model designed to excel in complex reasoning tasks through reinforcement learning.
  • Thinking Process: Unlike its predecessors, o1 engages in an extensive internal thought process before providing responses, allowing it to tackle more challenging problems in areas such as science, coding, and mathematics.
  • Advancements: This model represents a significant advancement towards achieving human-like AI capabilities. It shows notable improvements in generating code and handling complex, multistep tasks with greater efficiency compared to earlier models.
  • Performance: According to OpenAI, o1 achieved an 83 percent score on the qualifying exam for the International Mathematics Olympiad, a significant leap from the 13 percent scored by its predecessor, GPT-4o.
  • Training Approach: While previous GPT models were trained primarily to generate responses by identifying patterns in data, the o1 model was initially trained using a reward and penalty system. Subsequently, it learned to process and address user queries by breaking them down into manageable steps.
• Limitations:
  • Current Capabilities: The o1 model currently cannot browse the internet or process files and images. It also lacks up-to-date factual information about recent global events.