01 Nov 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. States Formation Day
2. India - Sri Lanka Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA)
3. 15th India-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue
4. EPFO celebrates 71st Foundation Day
5. New Treatment for Indian Red Scorpion Sting

1. States Formation Day

Syllabus: GS-2, Polity

Prelims: Formation/reorganization of states

Context:

November 1 is the formation day of many states in the country.

Details:

• The State Reorganization Act, 1956 came into effect on 1st November 1956.
• In December 1953, the States Reorganisation Commission was set up and it recommended the creation of linguistic states, at least for the major linguistic groups. 
• In 1956, the reorganisation of some states took place. 
• November 1 is celebrated as Kannada Rajyotsava (formation of Karnataka), Kerala Piravi (formation of Kerala), Foundation Day of Haryana, Foundation Day of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh Statehood Day and the Formation Day of Andhra Pradesh.

2. India – Sri Lanka Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA)

Syllabus: GS-2, International Relations

Prelims: India – Sri Lanka Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA)

Mains: India – Sri Lanka relations

Context:

India and Sri Lanka re-launched the negotiations of the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA).

Details:

• The current round of negotiations is the 12th in the series and is happening in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
• The previous 11 rounds took place from 2016 to 2018.
• Both sides undertook discussions on Trade in Goods, Technical Barriers to Trade, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Trade in Services, Custom Procedure and Trade Facilitation, Rules of Origin, Trade Remedies, Economic & Technology Cooperation and Dispute Settlement. 
• Both sides discussed challenges and issues in trade relations and acknowledged the possibility of enhancement of bilateral trade between the countries.

Also read: India-Sri Lanka relations

3. 15th India-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue

Syllabus: GS-2, International Relations; GS-3, Defence & Security

Prelims: 15th India-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue

Context:

The 15th India-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue was held in New Delhi.

Details:

• Both sides reviewed the defence cooperation between both countries and agreed to enhance bilateral defence engagements further.
• Both sides identified ways to augment existing areas of collaboration, especially in the domain of maritime security and multilateral cooperation.

4. EPFO celebrates 71st Foundation Day

Syllabus: GS-2, Polity & Governance

Prelims: EPFO

Context:

EPFO celebrates 71st Foundation Day.

Know more about EPFO and its functions in the linked article.

5. New Treatment for Indian Red Scorpion Sting

Syllabus: GS-3, Science & Technology

Prelims: Indian Red Scorpion, New Treatment for its sting

Context:

Novel therapeutic formulation developed for improved treatment of Indian red scorpion sting.

Details:

• The newly developed therapeutic drug formulation (TDF) comprises low doses of commercial equine anti-scorpion antivenom (ASA), α1- adrenoreceptor agonist (AAAs) and vitamin C.
• It is used for inhibiting the venom’s toxicity and associated symptoms which can help improve the clinical management of scorpion sting patients.
• The Indian red scorpion (Mesobuthus tamulus) is one of the most dangerous scorpions in the world and has a life-threatening sting.
• Intravenous administration of equine anti-scorpion antivenom (ASA), raised against M. tamulus venom (MTV), is the only available treatment for scorpion stings. 
• But, the low proportion of venom-specific antibodies against the toxin poses a problem. Hence, high anti-venom is required to treat the sting and this may cause adverse serum reactions in treated patients.
• The new TDF has been developed by a team of scientists from Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology as well as reserachers from scholars from Tezpur University NIELIT, Guwahati.

Read the previous PIB articles here.