CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• The recent rise in water levels of the Krishna River has led to boats being swept downstream, with some even colliding with the Prakasam Barrage gates.
• About the Krishna River:
  • Location: The Krishna River is situated in south-central India.
  • Size: It ranks as the fourth largest river in terms of water inflows and basin area, following the Ganga, Godavari, and Brahmaputra.
• Course:
  • Origin: The river begins in the Western Ghats of western Maharashtra, near Mahabaleshwar, approximately 64 km from the Arabian Sea.
  • Path: It flows through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh before emptying into the Bay of Bengal at Hamasaladeevi, on the eastern coast.
  • Total Length: The river spans about 1,300 km.
• Basin:
  • The Krishna River Basin covers an area of approximately 258,948 sq. km, constituting nearly 8 percent of India's total geographical area.
  • It is bordered by the Balaghat range to the north, the Eastern Ghats to the south and east, and the Western Ghats to the west.
• Tributaries:
  • Key right-bank tributaries include the Ghatprabha, Malprabha, and Tungabhadra, while the left-bank tributaries consist of the Bhima, Musi, and Munneru.

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• A vigilant elephant patrol team recently came to the aid of a tusker trapped in a rail barricade within the Maddur range of Bandipur Tiger Reserve.
• About Bandipur Tiger Reserve:
  • Location: This reserve is located across two adjoining districts, Mysore and Chamarajanagar, in Karnataka, positioned at the convergence of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. It serves as an "ecological confluence" of the Western and Eastern Ghats.
  • History:
  • Once a hunting ground for the rulers of Mysore, Bandipur was established as Venugopala Wildlife Park in 1931 by the Maharaja of Mysore. It was later expanded and designated as Bandipur Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger in 1973. The reserve is part of the larger Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Surroundings:
  • Bandipur is bordered by:
    • Nagarahole Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu) to the northwest, separated by the Kabini Reservoir.
    • Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu) to the south.
    • Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) to the southwest.
• Rivers:
  • The reserve is flanked by the Kabini River to the north and the Moyar River to the south.
• Climate:
  • Bandipur experiences a typical tropical climate with well-defined wet and dry seasons.
• Vegetation:
  • The area features a variety of vegetation, ranging from dry deciduous forests to tropical mixed deciduous woodlands.
• Flora:
  • Notable plant species include rosewood, Indian kino tree, sandalwood, Indian laurel, and various types of bamboo.
• Fauna:
  • Bandipur is home to the largest population of wild Asian elephants in South Asia, along with other mammals such as the Bengal tiger, gaur, sloth bear, golden jackal, dhole, and four-horned antelope.

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• A group of medical students has recently submitted a review petition contesting the Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss their writ petition, which aimed to cancel the NEET UG 2024 examination.
• About Review Petition:
  • Doctrine of Functus Officio: This legal principle states that once a court has delivered a judgment or made an order, the case cannot be reopened.
  • Exception: The right to file a review petition serves as an exception to this doctrine. The term “review” implies a re-examination of the case.
  • Constitutional Basis: Article 137 of the Constitution grants the Supreme Court the authority to review any of its judgments or orders. The court may correct a “patent error” but not trivial mistakes of minor significance.
  • High Court Review: Similarly, High Courts can review their decisions under Article 226 of the Constitution, applicable when there is a legal breach or constitutional violation.
• Grounds for Review Petition:
  • In a 2013 ruling, the Supreme Court identified three grounds for seeking a review:
  • Discovery of new and significant evidence that was previously unknown to the petitioner or could not be presented.
  • Apparent mistakes or errors on the record.
  • Any other sufficient reason, akin to the first two grounds.
• Procedure:
  • Who Can File: It is not limited to the parties involved; any aggrieved person can seek a review of the judgment.
  • Time Frame: According to rules established by the Supreme Court in 1996, a review petition must be submitted within 30 days of the judgment or order.
  • Petition Requirements: The petition should clearly state the grounds for review, along with legal arguments and relevant precedents. Generally, review petitions are considered without oral arguments, as judges typically review them “through circulation” in their chambers. However, oral hearings may occur in exceptional cases.

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• Researchers focused on drug repurposing have identified the potential of an antidepressant for cancer treatment.
• Overview of Drug Repurposing:
  • This technique involves using an existing drug or drug candidate for a new medical condition for which it was not originally approved. Also known as drug repositioning or drug reprofiling, it aims to find new therapeutic applications for existing or investigational drugs. Typically, drugs are developed for a specific condition, and the process of repurposing is often serendipitous, occurring unexpectedly.
  • The primary objective of drug repurposing is to quickly identify compounds with established safety profiles and known therapeutic benefits that may be effective for different indications.
• Applications:
  • Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly engaging in drug repurposing initiatives for conditions such as rare diseases, oncology, and infectious and autoimmune diseases, among others.
• Significance:
  • Drug repurposing can considerably shorten development timelines and reduce costs compared to traditional drug development methods.
• Research Highlights:
  • This research team has demonstrated that Selegiline (L-deprenyl), an antidepressant from the monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor class, may serve as an anticancer agent for breast cancer. The studies indicated that Selegiline is effective against both estrogen and progesterone-positive (ER+ & PR+) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

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• Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved a proposal for the procurement of 240 aero-engines for the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Su-30MKI aircraft.
• Overview of the Su-30MKI:
  • The Su-30MKI is a multirole combat fighter aircraft developed collaboratively by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) specifically for the IAF. This aircraft is based on the Su-30 design and features thrust vectoring control and canards.
• Key Features:
  • Generation: The Su-30MKI is a fourth-generation fighter jet powered by two AL-31 FP aero engines. The AL-31FP is a high-temperature turbojet bypass engine known for its modular design.
  • Armament: The IAF's Su-30MKI fleet is equipped with the air-launched version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, which was successfully tested in November 2017.
  • Avionics: The aircraft includes a Tarang Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) that has been indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
  • Range: The Su-30MKI has a maximum unrefueled flight range of 3,000 km. With in-flight refueling, it can achieve a maximum range of 8,000 km with two refuelings.
• Manufacturer:
  • The Su-30MKI is manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

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• Recently, the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE) held a national workshop on the Indian Ocean Biodiversity Information System (IndOBIS) at its Kochi campus.
• Overview of IndOBIS:
  • The Indian Ocean Biodiversity Information System (IndOBIS) serves as the Indian regional node of the global Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). It is hosted by the CMLRE in Kochi and is responsible for gathering data on taxonomically resolved marine species occurrences in the Indian Ocean. IndOBIS contributes valuable data to OBIS as one of its 30 regional nodes.
• What is OBIS?
  • OBIS is one of the largest global repositories for marine species information, containing millions of records from thousands of datasets contributed by researchers, governments, and organizations worldwide. It provides comprehensive details on species distribution across the world's oceans, including data on occurrence, habitats, and environmental conditions.
• Key Features of OBIS:
  • Data Access: OBIS offers tools and services that allow users to search, visualize, and download biodiversity data.
  • Network: It is supported by nearly 30 regional nodes that ensure data quality and accessibility.
  • Resource for Research: OBIS serves as a vital reference resource in marine science, conservation, and education.
  • Establishment: The system was established by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO to promote marine science, conservation, and sustainable development.
  • Integration: It is now an integral part of the International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) managed by the IOC.

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• Recently, the Prime Minister of India expressed his eagerness to strengthen ties with Brunei, particularly in enhancing commercial and cultural connections, during his visit to Bandar Seri Begawan.
• Overview of Brunei:
  • Location: Brunei is situated on the northern coast of Borneo Island in Southeast Asia, straddling both the Northern and Eastern hemispheres. It is bordered by the South China Sea to the north and surrounded by Malaysia on all other sides. The country consists of two non-contiguous areas separated by a portion of Malaysia’s Sarawak state, sharing maritime borders with China and Malaysia.
  • Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital and the largest city of Brunei.
  • Geography: The highest point in Brunei is Bukit Pagon, reaching an elevation of 6,069 feet along the eastern mountainous border with Malaysia. The country is home to several rivers, including the Belait, Pandaruan, and Tutong.
  • Economy: Brunei is a significant oil producer in Southeast Asia.
  • Population: Brunei's citizens make up about 76% of the population, with the remainder consisting of permanent and temporary residents. Ethnic Malays and Chinese comprise over 80% of the population.
• Currently, approximately 14,000 Indians live in Brunei, and the contributions of Indian doctors and teachers to the development of the nation’s healthcare and education sectors have been widely recognized.

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• The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) announced that the e-Shram platform has registered over 30 crore unorganised workers, highlighting its rapid and extensive adoption among this workforce.
• Overview of e-Shram:
  • Launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in 2021, e-Shram aims to register and create a comprehensive National Database of Unorganised Workers. It serves as a “One-Stop Solution” for unorganised workers across the country.
• Key Features:
  • Registration Process: Registration on the portal is fully Aadhaar-verified and Aadhaar-seeded. Any unorganised worker can register on the platform based on self-declaration.
  • Occupational Coverage: Workers can register in the portal across 400 occupations within 30 broad occupational sectors.
  • Access to Social Security: The Ministry intends to enhance access to various social security schemes offered by different Ministries and Departments for the benefit of unorganised workers through the e-Shram portal.
  • Integration: The portal is currently integrated with several platforms, including the National Career Service (NCS) Portal, Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), myScheme portal, and the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhaan (PMSYM) scheme.

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• Recently, zoologists in Assam have identified a new species of spider, Phrynarachne decipiens, which mimics bird excrement, adding it to India’s list of arachnids.
• Overview of the Spider:
  • Commonly known as the bird dung or bird-dropping crab spider, this species was previously documented in Malaysia and Indonesia, specifically on the islands of Java and Sumatra. It has now been recorded for the first time in India, specifically from Sonapur in the Kamrup (Metropolitan) district and the Chirang Reserve Forest in Kokrajhar district.
• Habitat and Behavior:
  • The spider is typically found lying motionless 1-2 feet above the ground on the upper surface of broad leaves. Its chalky white coloration, combined with the whitish webbing that resembles bird droppings, makes it extremely difficult to detect in its natural habitat.
• Distinctive Features:
  • One notable feature of this spider is its stout spermathecae, which are sac-like organs in the female reproductive tract that store sperm from copulation; these have posterior heads that almost touch each other. The genus Phrynarachne currently includes 35 accepted species, with P. ceylonica, P. ceeliana, and P. tuberosa being previously recorded and re-described based on female specimens collected from Assam.
• What are Arachnids?
  • Arachnids are members of the arthropod group that includes spiders, daddy longlegs, scorpions, as well as mites and ticks.