30 June 2024 CNA
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A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
Social justice
1. Why has the NTA failed to deliver?
International Relations
1. What is holding up the Teesta treaty?
C. GS 3 Related
Science and Technology
1. inStem’s fabric offers protection from pesticides
2. What was the tussle over Covaxin IPR?
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
F. Prelims Facts
1. NCPCR to felicitate 30 district officials for containing drug abuse among school children
2. Synergy in data must for ‘coherent’ policy decisions: NSC chief
3. Anti-measles antibody prevents viral fusion: study
G. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
H. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

Category:International Relations

1. What is holding up the Teesta treaty?

Syllabus: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s Interests

Prelims: Teesta treaty

Mains: Issues with Teesta treaty

Context​: The Teesta water sharing treaty, a critical bilateral agreement between India and Bangladesh, has faced prolonged delays. Recent developments during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India have rekindled discussions on the treaty’s implementation, highlighting complex inter-state and international dynamics.

India’s Position

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of a technical team to discuss the conservation and management of the Teesta river in Bangladesh. However, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra clarified that the discussion focused more on managing water flows rather than water sharing per se.

West Bengal’s Objections

• West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has consistently opposed the Teesta water sharing agreement, arguing that sharing Teesta waters with Bangladesh would severely impact the livelihoods of lakhs of people in North Bengal. Her opposition has been a significant roadblock in finalizing the agreement since 2011.

Historical Context

• Ganga Water Sharing Agreement (1996): India and Bangladesh agreed on sharing the waters of the Ganga after the construction of the Farakka Barrage.
• Teesta Negotiations (2011): The United Progressive Alliance-II government nearly signed the Teesta agreement, proposing India receive 42.5% and Bangladesh 37.5% of the water during the dry season. However, Mamata Banerjee’s withdrawal from the agreement stalled the process.

Current Proposal

• The Teesta river, originating from Tso Lhamo Lake in North Sikkim, flows through Sikkim and West Bengal before entering Bangladesh and joining the Bay of Bengal. The river is crucial for Bangladesh’s agriculture, supporting 8.5% of its population and 14% of its crop production.

Political Considerations

• Bangladesh: The Awami League government faces opposition over the delay in the Teesta agreement. Chinese proposals for major dredging and embankment projects on the Teesta have added geopolitical complexity.
• India: The technical team’s visit and proposed river basin development are steps toward addressing Bangladesh’s concerns. However, Mamata Banerjee has raised issues about the Teesta’s health, affected by hydro-electric projects, deforestation, and climate change.

Environmental Concerns

• Environmental activists have highlighted the ecological impact of hydro-electric projects on the Teesta. The October 2023 glacial lake outburst, causing floods and destroying the Teesta III hydroelectric dam, underscores the river’s vulnerability to climate change.

Legal Framework

• International laws like The Helsinki Rules (1966) and Article 253 of the Indian Constitution, which empowers the government to enter treaties on transboundary rivers, provide the legal basis for water sharing agreements.

Issues

• Inter-State Tensions: West Bengal’s opposition to water sharing with Bangladesh due to potential adverse impacts on local communities.
• Environmental Degradation: Impact of hydropower projects, deforestation, and climate change on the Teesta river’s health.
• Geopolitical Dynamics: Influence of Chinese infrastructure proposals on the Teesta in Bangladesh.
• Legal and Administrative Challenges: Coordination between state and central governments and compliance with international laws.

Significance

Bilateral Relations

• India-Bangladesh Relations: The treaty’s resolution is crucial for maintaining and enhancing bilateral ties.
• Regional Stability: Effective water management can prevent conflicts and promote cooperation in South Asia.

Environmental Sustainability

• River Health: Addressing environmental concerns is vital for the long-term sustainability of the Teesta river basin.
• Climate Adaptation: Enhancing resilience against climate change impacts is essential for both countries.

Socio-Economic Impact

• Agriculture and Livelihoods: Ensuring equitable water distribution is crucial for the agricultural economies in the Teesta basin.
• Displacement and Rehabilitation: Mitigating the adverse effects on communities in West Bengal is necessary for socio-economic stability.

Solutions

Short-Term

• Technical Collaboration: Immediate formation and deployment of the technical team to address water management issues.
• Stakeholder Consultation: Involving West Bengal in discussions to address state-level concerns.

Long-Term

• Integrated River Basin Management: Developing a comprehensive plan for sustainable management of the Teesta river, incorporating environmental, social, and economic dimensions.
• Climate Resilience Strategies: Implementing measures to enhance resilience against climate change impacts, including infrastructure upgrades and ecological restoration.
• International Cooperation: Strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation frameworks to address transboundary water issues effectively.

Nut Graf: The Teesta water sharing treaty remains a complex issue involving inter-state, international, and environmental dimensions. Addressing the concerns of all stakeholders through collaborative and sustainable approaches is crucial for the successful resolution of the treaty, fostering stronger India-Bangladesh relations, and ensuring the long-term health and viability of the Teesta river

Category:Science and Technology

1. inStem’s fabric offers protection from pesticides

Syllabus: developments in Science and Technology, Applications of scientific developments in everyday life

Prelims: inStem’s fabric

Mains: Significance of inStem’s fabric in protection from pesticides

Context​: Researchers at the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bengaluru, have developed an innovative fabric that neutralizes organophosphate-based pesticides. This advancement builds on their previous work of creating a topical gel for pesticide deactivation, presenting a more practical and user-friendly solution.

Mechanism of Pesticide Toxicity

• Organophosphate-based pesticides contain esters that inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme crucial for neuromuscular function.
• Inhibition of AChE can lead to severe health issues such as learning deficits, suffocation, paralysis, and muscle weakness.

Development of Anti-Insecticide Fabric

• The fabric is coated with small nucleophile molecules that are covalently bonded to the cellulose of the cotton, ensuring breathability and durability.
• The nucleophile molecules detoxify the pesticides upon contact through nucleophile-mediated hydrolysis, breaking the pesticide into non-toxic products before it reaches the skin.

Reusability and Affordability

• The anti-insecticide properties of the fabric remain effective even after 150 washing cycles.
• This high reusability makes the fabric an affordable and practical solution for farmers, potentially increasing compliance.

Testing and Efficacy

• Animal studies showed that the fabric prevented the drop in active AChE levels in the blood and organs of rats exposed to pesticides.
• Rats exposed to ethyl paraoxon (a potent organophosphate insecticide) while wearing the fabric survived, unlike those with direct exposure or normal fabric.

Issues

• Compliance with Protective Measures: Previous solutions, like the topical gel, faced compliance challenges among users. Ensuring that the new fabric is widely adopted by farmers remains a critical issue.
• Manufacturing and Scaling: Developing industry-friendly chemistry to covalently attach nucleophile molecules to the fabric was challenging. Scaling up production to meet the demand while maintaining quality and effectiveness is a significant hurdle.

Significance

• Health Benefits: The fabric can potentially protect farmers from chronic toxicity and severe health effects caused by prolonged exposure to organophosphate pesticides. It offers a practical solution to a pressing issue, improving the overall well-being of agricultural workers.
• Economic Impact: By preventing pesticide-induced health issues, the fabric can reduce medical expenses for farmers. Increased compliance and protection can lead to better productivity and sustainability in farming practices.
• Environmental Impact: Reducing the toxic effects of pesticides can have positive implications for the environment, minimizing pesticide contamination and its adverse effects on ecosystems.

Solutions

• Awareness and Training: Educating farmers about the benefits and proper use of the anti-insecticide fabric. Conducting training programs to ensure correct usage and maintenance of the fabric.
• Subsidies and Support: Government and agricultural organizations can provide subsidies or financial support to make the fabric more accessible to farmers. Encouraging partnerships with NGOs and cooperatives to distribute the fabric widely.
• Research and Development: Continuous research to improve the fabric’s efficacy and develop similar protective measures for other types of pesticides. Collaborating with industries to optimize production processes and reduce costs.

Nut Graf: The development of the anti-insecticide fabric by inStem represents a significant advancement in protecting farmers from the harmful effects of organophosphate pesticides. By neutralizing pesticides on contact, this fabric offers a practical, durable, and affordable solution that addresses compliance issues associated with previous methods.

2. What was the tussle over Covaxin IPR?

Syllabus: developments in Science and Technology, Applications of scientific developments in everyday life

Prelims: Covaxin IPR

Mains: Issue of Covaxin IPR

Context​: The controversy surrounding the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of Covaxin, an indigenous coronavirus vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL), highlights complexities in patent filings and collaborative research efforts. BBIL admitted to an “inadvertent error” by not including scientists from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) as co-inventors in the patent filings.

Vaccine Patent Rights

• Product Patents: Grant inventors monopoly over a drug.
• Process Patents: Prevent competitors from replicating the manufacturing process.
• BBIL patented the process of making Covaxin using virus strains provided by ICMR-NIV. Covaxin is an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine that includes an adjuvant to enhance potency.
• Patent applications are subjected to regulatory scrutiny to ensure novelty and inventiveness.

Roles of BBIL and ICMR

• Collaboration: BBIL and ICMR-NIV collaborated on developing Covaxin, with ICMR providing virus strains and conducting tests.
• Agreement: Defined roles, including ICMR’s responsibility for animal and human trials and funding clinical trials with ₹35 crore. ICMR was to receive 5% of royalties from Covaxin sales.
• Public Disclosure: Parts of the agreement were made public in July 2021 due to Right To Information requests and parliamentary discussions.

Patent Filings Discrepancy

• BBIL distinguished between the rights to vaccine manufacturing and clinical trial data, initially excluding ICMR from patent applications.
• BBIL later acknowledged the mistake and committed to amending patent filings to include ICMR personnel as inventors.

Issues

Exclusion of Co-Inventors

• The omission of ICMR scientists as co-inventors raised concerns about fair recognition and royalty sharing.
• It highlighted the complexities of collaborative research and IPR management.

Impact on Patent Validity

• Incomplete inventor listings can lead to patent application rejections, especially in jurisdictions like the U.S.

Public Perception and Transparency

• Delayed public disclosure and admission of error may affect the credibility of the involved organizations.

Significance

Collaborative Research

• The dispute underscores the importance of clear agreements and transparent recognition in collaborative research efforts.
• It highlights the role of public institutions like ICMR in critical health innovations.

Economic and Legal Implications

• Proper attribution of inventors is crucial for royalty distribution and legal rights over the product.
• Ensuring accurate IPR filings prevents legal disputes and enhances trust among collaborators.

Public Health Impact

• Resolving IPR issues ensures continued innovation and availability of vaccines like Covaxin, critical during health crises.

Solutions

Clear Agreements and Communication

• Establish comprehensive agreements detailing contributions and IPR rights before commencing collaborative projects.
• Regular communication among collaborators to ensure mutual understanding and transparency.

Legal and Administrative Oversight

• Implement robust oversight mechanisms to review and validate IPR filings.
• Encourage independent audits of IPR-related documents in collaborative projects.

Capacity Building

• Train researchers and institutions in IPR management to prevent similar issues.
• Promote awareness of IPR laws and best practices in collaborative research.

Nut Graf: The tussle over Covaxin’s IPR highlights the complexities of patent filings in collaborative research. Clear agreements, transparent recognition of contributions, and robust legal oversight are essential to avoid disputes and ensure fair sharing of intellectual property rights.

2. Synergy in data must for ‘coherent’ policy decisions: NSC chief

Context: The National Statistical Commission (NSC) chairman, Rajeeva Laxman Karandikar, highlighted the importance of harmonizing data collection and dissemination across various government departments to make informed and efficient policy decisions. He emphasized the need for interoperability and linking of databases for coherent analysis and decision-making.

Current State of Data Collection

• Fragmented Data Collection: Numerous entities in national and state governments collect and use data independently.
• Public Availability: Some data is publicly available, while other data is not. Even when available, the data lacks coherence and interoperability.
• Example: GST and export-import data use different codes, making it difficult to correlate and analyze these datasets together.

Challenges

• Lack of Interoperability: Different coding systems and formats hinder the integration of datasets.
• Data Isolation: Data collected by various agencies is often isolated, making comprehensive analysis difficult.
• Privacy Concerns: There are significant concerns about data privacy and the extent to which data can be shared, even with decision-makers.

Importance of Harmonized Data

• Informed Policy Decisions: Integrated data allows for more informed and effective policy-making.
• Efficient Resource Utilization: Harmonized data can lead to more efficient use of resources and better-targeted policies.
• Enhanced Analysis: Correlated datasets can provide deeper insights into economic and social trends.

Significance

Impact on Policy Making

• Comprehensive Analysis: Coherent data enables policymakers to consider multiple factors, leading to more holistic decisions.
• Better Outcomes: Policies based on integrated data can address issues more effectively and result in better outcomes for the population.

National Development

• Economic Growth: Efficient policies can drive economic growth by addressing systemic issues comprehensively.
• Social Welfare: Targeted policies can improve social welfare by effectively addressing the needs of different population segments

3. Anti-measles antibody prevents viral fusion: study

Context: A recent study utilizing cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has revealed that an anti-measles antibody can block the virus’s fusion process. This discovery has significant implications for the development of next-generation therapeutics for measles and potentially other paramyxoviruses such as mumps.

Study Overview

• Research Technique: Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) was used to determine the structures of the anti-measles antibody.
• Key Finding: The antibody blocks the fusion process of the measles virus (MeV), preventing it from entering host cells.
• Potential: The study suggests the therapeutic potential of the antibody in treating measles.

Mechanism of Action

• Fusion Blockage: The antibody prevents the measles virus from merging with host cell membranes, a crucial step in viral entry and infection.
• Epitope Identification: Researchers identified an important epitope, a part of the virus that the antibody targets, which may be a new druggable site for MeV and other paramyxoviruses.

Implications for Therapeutics

• Next-Generation Therapies: The study’s findings could lead to the development of new therapeutic agents targeting the identified epitope.
• Broad-Spectrum Potential: The mechanism of action observed in the study might be applicable to antibodies against other viral pathogens, suggesting broader therapeutic applications.

Issues

Technical Challenges

• Cryo-EM Complexity: Using cryo-EM to determine antibody structures is technically challenging and requires specialized equipment and expertise.
• Therapeutic Development: Translating these findings into effective therapies involves extensive research, clinical trials, and regulatory approvals.

Viral Resistance

• Mutations: Viruses can mutate, potentially leading to resistance against the antibody. Continuous monitoring and adaptation of therapeutic strategies are necessary.

Significance

Public Health Impact

• Measles Control: Effective therapeutics could significantly reduce the incidence and severity of measles outbreaks.
• Global Health: Measles is a major public health concern, especially in regions with low vaccination coverage. New treatments could complement vaccination efforts.

Scientific Advancement

• Innovative Techniques: The use of cryo-EM highlights the advancement in structural biology techniques, opening new avenues for drug discovery.
• Cross-Viral Applications: Insights gained from this study could be applied to other viral infections, enhancing our overall antiviral arsenal.

Q1.Chhip,Chitoi and Sorpi recently seen in news are:

Q2.Consider the following statements with respect to UN Statistical Commission:

Q3.How many among the following diseases is/are transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes?

Q4.Consider the following statements with respect to River Teesta:

Q5.Finance Commissions are constitutional bodies set up under which of the following 
articles of the Indian constitution?