Agni Missiles

• Agni-4, an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, was successfully launched from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha.
• Agni Missiles were developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) initiated by DRDO in the 1980s.
• These missiles are surface-to-surface ballistic missiles with medium to intercontinental range capabilities.
• They are fueled by solid propellant and are a key component of India's nuclear launch capability.
• Agni Prime is the latest missile in the Agni series.
• Other missiles developed under IGMDP include the short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile Prithvi, the short-range low-level surface-to-air missile Trishul, the medium-range surface-to-air missile Akash, and the third-generation anti-tank missile Nag.

Collegiums system and Judicial Review

• The Supreme Court ruled that the Chief Justice of the High Court cannot individually reconsider judges' appointments, and it must be done collectively by the collegium.
• The Supreme Court clarified that while the "content of consultation" is beyond judicial review, "effective consultation" falls within its scope.
• The collegium is a system for recommending the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts.
• Judges are appointed by the President under Article 124 and 217 of the Constitution for the Supreme Court and High Courts respectively.
• The collegium for the Supreme Court consists of the Chief Justice of India and four other senior-most judges, while the collegium for the High Court consists of the Chief Justice of the High Court and two senior judges of the concerned High Court.

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)

• The Minister of External Affairs stated that the IMEC will play a crucial role in global connectivity during the CII India Mediterranean Business Conclave.
• IMEC was introduced during the G20 summit with the aim of linking Asia, Europe, and the Middle East through various transportation networks.
• The initiative will include railroad, ship-to-rail networks, and road transport routes.
• IMEC consists of the East Corridor, which connects India to the Gulf, and the Northern Corridor, which links the Gulf to Europe.
• The members of IMEC include India, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and the US.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Food Price Index (FFPI)

• The world food commodity prices benchmark saw a slight decrease in August 2024.
• The Food and Agriculture Organization introduced the Food Price Index (FFPI) in 1996 to monitor global agricultural commodity markets.
• The FFPI measures monthly changes in international prices of a variety of food commodities.
• It is calculated by averaging five commodity group price indices, weighted by the average export shares of each group from 2014-2016.
• The five commodities included in the FFPI are Meat, Dairy products, Cereals, Vegetable oil, and Sugar.

National Initiative For Developing And Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI)

• 8 new NIDHI i-TBIs have been opened in various locations in India.
• NIDHI is a program created by the Department of Science & Technology in 2016 with the goal of supporting ideas and innovations to become successful startups.
• The National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB) under DST is responsible for implementing the NIDHI program.
• All NIDHI-Startup funds and resources are distributed to eligible startups through approved NSTEDB associated incubators in India.
• NIDHI programs are carried out through Technology Business Incubators (TBIs).
• NIDHI - iTBI (Inclusive- TBI) is a key part of NIDHI that focuses on turning innovations into startups.

Digi- Yatra

• The Union Minister for Civil Aviation launched the Digi Yatra facility at nine airports, bringing the total number of Digi Yatra-enabled airports to 24.
• Digi Yatra was introduced in 2022 by the Ministry of Civil Aviation as a digital initiative to improve the passenger experience with contactless and paperless boarding using Facial Recognition Technology.
• The pillars of Digi Yatra include Connected Passengers, Connected Airports, Connected Flying, and Connected Systems.
• The benefits of Digi Yatra include lower operational costs by streamlining processes at checkpoints and optimizing resource usage.
• Passenger data is not centrally stored, but encrypted and securely stored on their smartphones, only temporarily shared with the origin airport, and deleted within 24 hours of departure.

Light pollution and Alzheimer’s risk

• Excessive outdoor artificial light at night is connected to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.
• Light pollution refers to the inappropriate use of outdoor artificial light, impacting our ability to observe stars, human health, and wildlife behavior.
• Research shows that night time light pollution disrupts natural circadian rhythms, leading to sleep disturbances and a higher susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease.
• Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia that results in a gradual decline in memory, thinking, learning, and organizational abilities.
• Factors contributing to Alzheimer's disease include genetics, medical conditions, and environmental stresses.

Hepatitis A vaccine

• Indian Immunologicals Limited introduced a pediatric dose of the Hepatitis A vaccine, Havisure.
• Hepatitis is a liver inflammation caused by infectious viruses and non-infectious agents.
• There are five main strains of Hepatitis: Types A, B, C, D, and E.
• Types B and C are the most common causes of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and viral hepatitis-related deaths.
• The National Viral Hepatitis Control Program 2019 aims to eliminate Hepatitis C in India by 2030 and reduce the infected population with Hepatitis B and C.
• Mission Indradhanush provides vaccination against Hepatitis B and seven other infections.

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

• Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a well-known Indian philosopher born in Tiruttani, Tamil Nadu.
• He served as India's first Vice-President from 1952 to 1962 and as the second President from 1962 to 1967.
• His birthday, September 5th, is celebrated as National Teachers' Day in India since 1962.
• He believed in the moral and ethical importance of education and considered teachers to be crucial for a nation's development.
• Some of the books authored by him include The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore and The Philosophy of the Upanishads.
• Dr. Radhakrishnan received prestigious awards such as the Bharat Ratna in 1954 and the Peace Prize in German Book Trade in 1961.
• He valued qualities like leadership and perseverance.

"PM Launches 'Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari' in Surat"

• This initiative focuses on involving the community in water conservation efforts, emphasizing the importance of partnership and ownership.
• The goal is to build thousands of rainwater harvesting structures with the help of the community to ensure long-term water sustainability.
• It is part of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain campaign, aligning with the government's larger water conservation goals.

Role of Community Participation in Water Conservation

• Local communities play a crucial role in sharing knowledge about water sources, consumption patterns, and environmental dynamics.
• Traditional water sources are being renovated with community involvement, such as the revival of kudimaramathu in Tamilnadu.
• Rejuvenation efforts like de-silting and feeder channels are carried out with community participation, as seen in the Neeru-chuttu project in Andhra Pradesh.
• Water management strategies are inclusive and cater to the needs of different socio-economic groups, like the Zing tanks in Ladakh.
• Encouraging the adoption of water-efficient practices, such as the Jal Jeevan Hariyali initiative in Bihar.

Other Community-Led Water Conservation Initiatives

• The Atal Bhujal Yojana focuses on sustainable groundwater management led by the community.
• The Jal Jeevan Mission ensures the active involvement of women in paani samitis, recognizing their role in water collection and usage in rural households.
• The Ek Ped Maa ke Naam initiative encourages communities to replenish groundwater through afforestation.
• The Namami Gange Initiative has inspired citizens to give up old traditions to ensure the cleanliness of rivers, showcasing the power of community involvement in water conservation efforts.

"WHO's Global Framework on Pathogen Origins"

About Framework

• The framework was developed by the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), which was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2021.
• SAGO consists of independent experts from around the world.

Key Principles of the Framework

• The framework aligns with the International Health Regulations (IHR) and the One Health approach.
• The IHR, adopted by WHO in 2005, is a legally binding framework that provides a public health response to the international spread of disease.
• The One Health approach aims to balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems in an integrated manner.

Significance of the Framework

• The framework aims to curtail the rising risk of known and novel pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential, such as Ebola, Nipah, novel influenza, and SARS-CoV-1.
• Timely and comprehensive investigations into the origins of pathogens are crucial for preventing and containing global health crises.
• These investigations can also help confirm or exclude the possibility of unintentional breaches in laboratory biosafety and biosecurity.
• The existence of this framework during the COVID-19 pandemic may have made finding the origin of the virus less controversial and more successful, according to the WHO.

Framework outlines scientific investigations for 6 technical elements

• Initial research into the first cases, clusters, or outbreaks that were identified.
• Research on humans to better understand the epidemiology of the disease.
• Studies on the interface between humans and animals to pinpoint potential animal reservoirs.
• Investigations to identify insect vectors or other sources of infection.
• Genomic and phylogenetic studies to identify precursor strains and genomic characteristics.
• Biosafety and biosecurity studies to determine if a breach in research activities led to the initial cases.

"Decline in Household Food Spending Since 1947"

• The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister highlighted changes in India's food consumption in a recent paper.
• The paper analyzed data from the Household Consumption Expenditure Surveys of 2011-12 and 2022-23.

Key Highlights from the Report

• Regional Variations: Household spending on food has increased in India, with varying degrees of growth in different states. For example, West Bengal saw a 151% rise and Tamil Nadu saw a 214% increase in spending between 2011-12 and 2022-23.
• Rural vs. Urban Spending: Rural households experienced higher consumption expenditure growth (164%) compared to urban households (146%).
• Nutrients and Dietary Diversity: There has been a shift from cereal-based diets to include more fruits, milk, eggs, fish, and meat.
• Processed Foods: Spending on processed foods has increased across all income groups, especially among the top 20% of households and in urban areas.

Policy Implications of Changing Consumption Patterns

• Government should focus on policies that promote the production of diverse food items like fruits, vegetables, and animal-source foods.
• Policies addressing micronutrient deficiency should be targeted based on regional variations in micronutrient intake.
• Agricultural policies should go beyond cereals, as their consumption is decreasing. Support measures like Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cereals may have limited benefits for farmers.

New Treatment Regimen Approved for MDR-TB by Ministry of Health

• The new BPaLM regimen, which includes Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, and Moxifloxacin, has been shown to be a safer, more efficient, and faster treatment option compared to previous methods.
• Pretomanid has been approved for use in India by CDSCO.
• The treatment time has been reduced to 6 months from the previous 20-month duration.
• The BPaLM regimen was implemented as part of the National TB Elimination Programme and is expected to accelerate India's efforts to achieve its goal of ending TB by 2025.

About Tuberculosis

• Tuberculosis is a contagious disease primarily affecting the lungs, caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• The Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine offers protection against TB.
• The India TB Report 2024 reported 25.52 lakh notified TB patients in 2023.

Challenges in Tuberculosis Eradication

• Social stigma surrounding TB leads to delayed diagnosis.
• High treatment costs, comorbidities with diseases like HIV and diabetes, and lack of diagnostic facilities in rural areas are obstacles to eradication efforts.

Other Initiatives taken for Tuberculosis Eradication

• The Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan provides extra support for TB patients and encourages community involvement.
• Ni-kshay Mitra offers additional diagnostic and nutritional assistance to individuals undergoing TB treatment.
• Nikshay Poshan Yojana provides financial aid to TB patients for their nutritional needs.

Types of Drug - Resistant TB

• MDR TB is resistant to Isoniazid and Rifampicin.
• XDR-TB is resistant to Isoniazid, Rifampin, fluoroquinolones, and at least one injectable second-line drug.
• TDR-TB is resistant to all first- and second-line TB drugs.

"South Asian Leaders Call for SAARC Revival"

• Nepal hosted the most recent SAARC biennial summit in 2014.
• The 2016 summit, which was supposed to be hosted by Pakistan, was postponed due to the terror attack in Pulwama.

Reasons for SAARC’s failures

• Pakistan’s actions: Pakistan's involvement in projects like CPEC and state-sponsored terrorism have caused tension with India.
• Big Brother perception: There is a fear of India dominating the political and economic aspects of SAARC.
• Structural issues: The lack of mechanisms for resolving disputes and the requirement for unanimous decisions have hindered progress.

Why SAARC needs revival

• Dealing with common issues: Issues like climate change, poverty, and food security affect the entire region.
• Untapped trade potential: South Asia has a low level of intra-regional trade compared to other regions.
• Past successes: SAARC has had successful initiatives like the South Asia Free Trade Agreement and regional centers on agriculture and energy.

About South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)

• Genesis: SAARC was established in 1985 through the SAARC Charter in Dhaka.
• Objectives: The goal of SAARC is to improve the quality of life and promote economic development in the region.
• Member States: SAARC consists of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
• Secretariat: The SAARC Secretariat is located in Kathmandu, Nepal.

"India-Maldives Defence Cooperation Dialogue in New Delhi"

• The discussion covered bilateral military exercises and marked the first defense dialogue following tense relations between India and Maldives.
• The Maldives President previously pushed for Indian military personnel to leave the country as part of his "India Out" campaign and pursued policies favoring China.
• The recent improvement in cooperation aligns with the visit of India's External Affairs Minister to Maldives and the Maldives President's attendance at India's Prime Minister's oath ceremony.

Importance of India for Maldives

• India is considered a key security provider in the Indian Ocean Region.
• India has been quick to respond to crises in Maldives, such as providing assistance during a water crisis in 2014 and through the Vaccine Maitri initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Maldives aims to boost tourism and wants to bring India back among its top three tourist markets.
• Maldives has experienced a decrease in tourist arrivals from India recently.

Significance of Maldives for India

• Maldives is a cornerstone of India's Neighbourhood First Policy (NFP) and Vision SAGAR, reflecting India's commitment to the Global South.
• The strategic location of Maldives between major Indian Ocean chokepoints makes it crucial for India's maritime security, serving as a first line of defence against threats like terrorism and piracy.
• Strengthening ties with Maldives also helps India reduce the influence of China in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

India's Initiatives to Strengthen Relations with Maldives

• India is constructing a new Coast Guard base at Uthuru Thilafalhu (UTF) atoll to enhance maritime security cooperation with Maldives.
• India provides grants for High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) in Maldives, supporting infrastructure and community development.
• The Greater Male Connectivity Project, India's largest infrastructure project in Maldives, aims to improve connectivity and boost economic development.
• Both countries have agreements in place for open skies and visa-free entry for tourism, medical, and business purposes, facilitating closer people-to-people ties.