26 Mar 2024: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

F. Prelims Facts

1. It’s official: ‘Statio Shiv Shakti’ approved as name of Chandrayaan-3 landing site

Context: The International Astronomical Union’s Planetary System Nomenclature working group recently approved the name “Station Shiv Shakti” for the Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander landing site.

About:  

• This endorsement follows strict guidelines set by the IAU for naming planetary surface features. 
• According to IAU Rule 9, names with political, military, or religious connotations are prohibited, except for historical political figures predating the 19th century. 
• “Station Shiv Shakti” was chosen for its depiction of the dual nature of masculinity (“Shiva”) and femininity (“Shakti”) in Indian mythology.

Significance: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the name citing the significance of “Shiv” for humanity’s welfare and “Shakti” for providing strength to fulfil resolutions. The naming aligns with the IAU’s goal of providing unique identifiers for planetary features, facilitating scientific discourse and exploration.

2. On the resurgence of mumps in Kerala

Context: The resurgence of mumps in Kerala has sparked concerns among public health officials and experts.

About: 

• The viral infection, traditionally affecting children, has seen a significant increase in cases, not only in Kerala but also in several other states like Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Despite being a self-limiting disease, mumps can lead to complications such as meningoencephalitis, pancreatitis, and even infertility in the long term.
• One of the reasons behind the surge in cases is the lack of mumps vaccination in the national immunization schedule. 
• While diseases like measles have been prioritized due to their morbidity and mortality rates, mumps has been overlooked despite its potential long-term health impacts.
• To control the current outbreaks, health officials emphasize the importance of public awareness, isolation of infected individuals, and improving immunization coverage, particularly among unvaccinated children and adolescents. 
• Strategies suggested by the World Health Organization advocate integrating mumps vaccination with existing measles and rubella control efforts.

Significance: Kerala’s initiative to replace the MR vaccine with MMR in its UIP reflects the urgency to address the mumps resurgence.

A coordinated effort between state and central health authorities is essential to combat the mumps’ resurgence effectively. By integrating mumps vaccination into routine immunization programs and raising public awareness, we can mitigate the impact of this preventable disease and safeguard public health.

3. What are the new rules for elephant transfers?

Context: The recently notified Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024, have stirred debate over their implications on the transfer and ownership of elephants in India. 

About: 

• Under these rules, relaxations have been introduced, allowing for the transfer of captive elephants under various circumstances. 
• While captive elephants have historically been used for forest management, religious purposes, and by erstwhile royal families, strict regulations governed their ownership and transfer.
• The updated rules provide more flexibility, allowing for transfers when the current owner is unable to maintain the elephant or when deemed necessary by the Chief Wildlife Warden. 
• However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential for exploitation and illegal trafficking. 
• Critics argue that the amendments could facilitate the commercialization of elephant ownership and endanger wild populations.
• The establishment of large private zoos, like the one affiliated with the Reliance Foundation in Gujarat, has intensified scrutiny. 
• Reports suggest that these facilities house a significant number of elephants, raising questions about their origins and welfare. Allegations of sourcing elephants from the wild further complicate the situation.

Significance: It’s crucial to balance the welfare of captive elephants with conservation efforts to protect wild populations and prevent exploitation. Transparency and accountability in elephant ownership and management are essential to ensure the ethical treatment of these majestic animals.

4. To curb illegal trade, Health Ministry tells States to plug gaps in compiling data of organ donors

Context: The Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has expressed concern over several states failing to compile crucial data on living and deceased donors, vital for monitoring the organ transplantation program and preventing illegal organ trade.

About: 

• The Ministry highlighted the importance of linking hospitals conducting transplant procedures with the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) to maintain a national registry of donors and recipients.
• It emphasized the need for regular updates of transplant-related data and monthly reports to NOTTO. 
• Non-compliance could result in penalties under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994. 
• The advisory underscores the significance of a robust national registry to ensure ethical transplantation practices and prioritize Indian patients on transplant waitlists. 

Significance: It urges transplant hospitals to actively promote deceased organ donation and establish protocols for brain stem death certification. This advisory follows NOTTO’s efforts to address allegations of organ trafficking and underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in organ transplantation.

5. Bharat Biotech commences clinical trials of Spanish tuberculosis vaccine in India

Context: Clinical trials of the MTBVAC tuberculosis (TB) vaccine have commenced in India, marking a significant advancement in the fight against the infectious disease. 

About: 

• Developed by Spanish biopharmaceutical company Biofabri in collaboration with Bharat Biotech, the vaccine offers a promising alternative to the existing BCG vaccine. 
• Unlike BCG, MTBVAC is genetically modified to contain all antigens present in human-infecting strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the TB-causing pathogen. 
• Bharat Biotech is conducting Phase 3 trials in India following successful Phase 1 and 2 trials conducted by Biofabri in other countries. 
• The vaccine aims to provide better protection and longer-lasting immunity for both newborns and adults, addressing the need for more effective TB prevention measures. 

Significance: With India bearing a significant burden of TB cases globally, these trials hold immense importance in advancing the development of MTBVAC and combating the spread of TB.

6. Can ‘good sounds’ help coral islands recover from bleaching?

Context: Climate change poses a significant threat globally, largely due to the extraction and burning of fossil fuels, leading to rising temperatures and environmental instability. 

About: 

• Coral reefs, vital marine ecosystems, face unprecedented destruction as a result of warming oceans and ocean acidification. 
• Scientists are exploring innovative strategies to mitigate coral reef degradation. 
• Their recent study suggests that playing healthy reef sounds can enhance coral settlement rates in degraded areas, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the crisis. 
• These interventions require further study and careful implementation to ensure their effectiveness and sustainability. 

Significance: As climate change continues to impact our planet, urgent action is needed to address its root causes and protect vulnerable ecosystems like coral reefs for future generations.

Q1) Which of the following provisions in the Indian Constitution are right?

Q2) Which of the following factors contribute to the water crisis in India?

Q3) Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the United 
Nations Security Council (UNSC)?

Q4) Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding wastewater recycling?

Q5) Which of the following are envisaged by the Right against Exploitation in the
Constitution of India? 

Click on the link for the video explanation of the above questions and answers.