Revised National Action Plan on Glanders
Syllabus: GS2/Health
In News
- A revised National Action Plan on Glanders was recently issued by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
Glanders
- It is an infectious and life-threatening disease that mainly affects horses, donkeys or mules caused by the bacterium Burkholderia mallei.
- It can be transmitted to humans.
- It spreads to carnivores through infected meat and can be transmitted to humans, causing various forms such as nasal, pulmonary, or septic infections.
- It has been eradicated in North America, Australia, and Europe but still occurs sporadically in parts of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America.
- Glanders is notifiable under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals (PCICDA) Act, 2009.
Source :PIB
Samvatsari
Syllabus: GS1/Culture
In News
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to citizens on the occasion of Samvatsari, describing it as a festival that embodies the spirit of forgiveness and compassion.
Samvatsari
- It is the sacred concluding day of the Jain Paryushan Parva, highlighting its themes of forgiveness, compassion, and reconciliation.
- The festival’s message of humility, kindness, and strengthening relationships, urging people to embody these values.
- On this day, followers of Jainism traditionally say “Micchami Dukkadam” which involves seeking and granting forgiveness for any harm caused, promoting spiritual peace.
| – Paryushan is a Jain festival of spiritual reflection and renunciation. It is observed by both the Shwetambara and Digambar Jain sects. |
Source :PIB
Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+)
Syllabus :GS2/Governance
In News
- Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has partnered with the Department of School Education to integrate Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) status for Aadhaar-linked school children into the UDISE+ system.
The Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+)
- It is an educational management information system under the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education.
- It functions as a central platform that enables respective schools to efficiently record and submit data related to its profile (infrastructure & facilities), individual students and teachers’ details.
- The data is validated and monitored at multiple administrative levels, making UDISE+ one of the largest and most reliable sources of official education statistics for the ministry.
Source :PIB
Restructuring and Extension of the PM SVANidhi
Syllabus: GS2/Governance
Context
- The Union Cabinet approved the restructuring of the PM SVANidhi loan scheme for street vendors, extending it till March 31, 2030, and enhancing the loan amount.
About
- Background:
- Launched: June 2020, as part of the government’s COVID-19 economic relief package.
- Objective: Provide affordable working capital loans to street vendors affected by the pandemic.
- Recent Updates:
- Extension: Cabinet approved extension of lending period from Dec 31, 2024, to Mar 31, 2030.
- Implementing Agencies: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs & Department of Financial Services.
- Key Features of the Restructured Scheme:
- Enhanced Loan Amounts: Higher loan limits under the first and second tranches.
- Digital Empowerment: UPI-linked RuPay Credit Card for beneficiaries after repayment of the second loan.
- Cashback incentives for digital retail and wholesale transactions.
- Expanded Coverage: Beyond statutory towns, it now includes census towns, peri-urban areas in a graded manner.
Significance
- Provides reliable finance for business expansion.
- Promotes digital inclusion and financial literacy among vendors.
- Ensures the holistic development of street vendors and their families.
- Supports sustainable livelihood creation.
Source: IE
Brown Dwarfs
Syllabus: GS3/Space
Context
- A team of scientists has discovered an extremely rare quadruple star system in the Milky Way, according to a new study.
- The system — known as UPM J1040−3551 AabBab — consists of a pair of cold brown dwarfs orbiting a pair of young red dwarf stars, a configuration never seen before.
What are brown dwarfs?
- Brown dwarfs are celestial bodies that share some similarities with stars and others with planets.
- These objects form like stars from collapsing clouds of gas and dust. However, they do not have enough mass to consistently fuse hydrogen, a process that heats a star and makes it shine. That is why they are often known as “failed stars”.
- They have atmospheres similar to gas giant planets such as Jupiter and Saturn.
- Their atmospheres can consist of clouds and molecules like H2O.
- Brown dwarfs can also be up to 70 times more massive than Jupiter.
- Significance:
- They help astronomers better understand the conditions that are necessary for the formation of stars and planets.
- Determining the abundance and distribution of brown dwarfs gives key information on the distribution of mass in the universe to astronomers.
Source: IE
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
Syllabus: GS3/ Environment & Disaster Management
Context
- A Supreme Court-appointed committee has given conditional approval for the construction of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) headquarters on an ecologically sensitive plot in the Morphological Ridge area of Delhi.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
- NDRF is a specialized force under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) dedicated to disaster response in India.
- It was constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, following the establishment of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
- Composition: 16 battalions, drawn on deputation from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) such as BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB, and Assam Rifles.
- Mandate & Role:
- It responds to natural and man-made disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) emergencies.
- Focus on “proactive deployment” and “pre-positioning” during imminent disasters to minimize loss of life and property.
- Motto: “Aapda Seva Sadaiv Sarvatra” (Disaster service always, everywhere).
Source: IE
Exercise Bright Star 2025
Syllabus: GS3/Defence
Context
- Over 700 Indian Armed Forces personnel are set to participate in Exercise Bright Star 2025.
About the Exercise
- Exercise Bright Star is a multilateral exercise hosted by Egypt in conjunction with the US since 1980 and is amongst the largest Tri-Service multilateral exercises in the region.
- The exercise is held biennially, with the last edition having taken place in 2023, which witnessed the participation of a host of nations including India along with troops.
Significance
- Participation of the Indian Armed Forces in this exercise underscores India’s commitment to regional peace, stability, and security while enhancing Jointness, interoperability and cooperation with friendly foreign countries.
Source: PIB
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