Uniyala Keralensis Latest News

Researchers have named the new species, which is endemic to southwest India, Uniyala keralensis (family Asteraceae) after the State of Kerala.

About Uniyala Keralensis

• Uniyala keralensis is a “small to large shrub,” growing up to one to three metres in height and sporting attractive light purple florets, according to the paper. 
• Uniyala keralensis has, among other things, larger leaves, fairly long petioles - the slender stalk that joins the leaf to the stem - and fewer lateral veins on the leaves. 
• Flowering and fruiting occurs during August to April.
• It is found in open areas of the western mountain slopes of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (ABR) at elevations ranging between 700 to 1,400 metres. 
• The present population consists of nearly 5,000 individuals of various ages in four subpopulations occupying an area of 250 km2. 
• Following the IUCN Red List Criteria (IUCN 2024), Uniyala keralensis is assessed as Data Deficient (DD).

Uniyala Keralensis 

Q1: Where is Uniyala keralensis found?

Ans: Uniyala keralensis is found in the open areas of the western slopes of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (ABR) at elevations of 700 to 1,400 metres.

Q2: When does Uniyala keralensis flower and fruit?

Ans: Flowering and fruiting occur between August and April.

Q3: What is the IUCN status of Uniyala keralensis?

Ans: It is classified as Data Deficient (DD) under the IUCN Red List Criteria (2024) due to limited population and data.

Source: TH

Raisina Dialogue Latest News

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, foreign ministers of at least 18 countries, top executives of several global firms and foreign policy experts will converge in the national capital for the annual Raisina Dialogue.

About Raisina Dialogue

• It is India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the international community.
• It is modeled on the lines of the Munich Security Conference and Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue.
• It is held annually since 2016 in New Delhi.
• It is structured as a multi-stakeholder, cross-sectoral discussion, involving heads of state, cabinet ministers, and local government officials, who are joined by thought leaders from the private sector, media, and academia.
• The conference is hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. 
• This effort is supported by a number of institutions, organisations, and individuals, who are committed to the mission of the conference.
• The theme of Raisina Dialogue 2025 is Kalachakra: People. Peace. Planet.

Raisina Dialogue FAQs

Q1. Who conducts Raisina Dialogue?

Ans. It is hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. 

Q2. Where is the Raisina Dialogue held annually?

Ans. The Raisina Dialogue is held annually in New Delhi, India.

Q3. What is the purpose of the Raisina dialog?

Ans. It serves as a premier global platform for discussions on geopolitics and geo-economics.

Source: TP

PM-YUVA 3.0 Latest News

The Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education recently launched PM-YUVA 3.0 -Prime Minister's Scheme for Mentoring Young Authors.

About PM-YUVA 3.0

• The Prime Minister's Scheme for Mentoring Young Authors (PM-YUVA 3.0) aims to train young and budding authors below 30 years of age to promote reading, writing, and book culture in the country. 
• The scheme will help to develop a stream of writers who can write on various facets of India, encompassing the past, present, and future. 
• PM-YUVA 3.0 intends to bring to the fore the perspectives of the young generation of writers on the following themes:
  • Contribution of Indian Diaspora in Nation Building;
  • Indian Knowledge System; and
  • Makers of Modern India (1950-2025).
• Besides, the scheme will also provide a window for the aspiring youth to articulate themselves and present a comprehensive outlook of the contribution of Indians across fields in ancient and present times.
• The National Book Trust (NBT), India, under the Ministry of Education as the Implementing Agency, will ensure phase-wise execution of the scheme under well-defined stages of mentorship. 

PM-YUVA 3.0 Features

• The contestants will be asked to submit a book proposal of 10,000 words. This includes a synopsis of 2000-3000 words, a chapter plan, two-three sample chapters of 7000-8000 words, a bibliography, and references.
• A total of 50 authors will be selected. The selection will be made by a committee to be constituted by NBT. 
• Applicants who had qualified for the PM-YUVA Scheme 1.0 and PM-YUVA Scheme 2.0 are not eligible for the PM-YUVA 3.0 scheme.
• The selected young authors will engage with esteemed writers, participate in literary festivals, and contribute to a diverse body of work that reflects India's rich heritage and contemporary progress.
• The books prepared under this scheme will be published by National Book Trust, India, and translated into other Indian languages, fostering cultural and literary exchange while promoting 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'. 
• A consolidated scholarship of Rs. 50,000 per month for a period of six months (50,000 x 6 = Rs. 3 Lakh) per author will be paid under the Mentorship Scheme.
• A royalty of 10% will be payable to the authors on successful publications of their books at the end of the Mentorship Program.
• They will also be given a platform to promote their books and also to propagate the reading and writing culture on a national scale.

PM-YUVA 3.0 FAQs

Q1. What is the age limit for PM-YUVA 3.0?

Ans. 30 years of age

Q2. Which ministry launched the PM-YUVA 3.0 scheme?

Ans. The Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education launched the PM-YUVA 3.0 -Prime Minister's Scheme for Mentoring Young Authors.

Q3. Which is the Implementing Agency of PM-YUVA 3.0 scheme?

Ans. The National Book Trust (NBT), under the Ministry of Education, is the Implementing Agency of the PM-YUVA 3.0 scheme.

Source: NDTV

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

Drying up of Tamulidoba Beel, a major wetland in Assam’s Pobitora wildlife sanctuary brings to the fore an urgent need for habitat management.

About Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

• Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the eastern region of Guwahati, Assam, was established in 1998 and covers an area of 48.81 square kilometres.
• The Sanctuary consists of the Rajamayong Reserve Forest and Pobitora Reserve Forest.
• Flora: 
  • 72% of Pabitora consists of wet savannah of Arundo donax, Erianthus ravennae, Phragmites karka, Imperata cylindrica, and Saccharum spp.
  • Water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) is a major problem, especially to waterfowl, as it forms thick mats on the water surface.
• Fauna: 
  • Pobitora is mainly famous for its great Indian One-horned rhinoceros. 
  • Besides rhinoceros, the other animals are leopard, wild boar, Barking deer, wild buffalo etc. 
  • It is also home to more than 2000 migratory birds and various reptiles.
• History: 
  • Pobitora became a reserved wooded area in the year of 1971 with the approval done by Government of Assam Tourism. 
  • The Government of India included Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary with the association of a rhino breeding program named "Indian Rhino Vision 2020".
  • Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is known for holding the highest density of Greater One Horned Rhinoceros in the country.

Tamulidoba Beel

• Tamulidoba Beel is a wetland in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, near Morigaon, that's a popular spot for birdwatchers and photographers, especially during winter when it becomes a hub for migratory birds.
• Tamulidoba has been an ideal habitat for rhinos and buffaloes in particular, besides hosting wide-ranging water birds. 
• The wetland is a major attraction for tourists, who can enjoy a panoramic view of Pobitora and its varied wildlife right from the road.

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary FAQs

Q1: What is Pobitora wildlife famous for?

Ans: Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for having the world's highest density of Indian one-horned rhinos.

Q2: Which is better, Pobitora or Kaziranga?

Ans: Kaziranga is larger and more diverse, but Pobitora offers higher rhino density and easier sightings within a smaller area.

Q3: Which is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Assam?

Ans: Marat Longri Wildlife Sanctuary is Assam's largest, covering approximately 451 sq km.

Source: ETV

Assam Rifles Latest News

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently announced the relocation of Assam Rifles battalions to Mizoram.

About Assam Rifles

• Assam Rifles is one of the six Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) that come under the MHA’s administrative control.
• It conducts counterinsurgency operations in north-eastern India and other areas where deemed necessary.
• Its operational control is with the Indian Army, with an officer of the rank of Lieutenant General commanding the force. 
• The headquarters of the Director-General of Assam Rifles (DGAR) is in Shillong unlike other Central paramilitary forces, all of which have their headquarters in New Delhi.

Assam Rifles History

• Assam Rifles has its origins in 1835 as a militia called the ‘Cachar Levy’ to protect British tea estates and their settlements against tribal raids. 
• It later became the ‘Frontier Force’ conducting punitive expeditions across the borders of Assam. 
• In 1870, the existing elements were merged into three Assam Military Police Battalions, sending over 3,000 men as part of the British Army to Europe and West Asia. 
• In 1917, the name was changed to Assam Rifles.
• The force has evolved post-Independence, from combat roles during the Sino-India War 1962 to being a part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka in 1987, besides performing peacekeeping roles in north-eastern India. From 17 battalions in 1960 it has grown to 46 battalions today.

Assam Rifles FAQs

Q1: Who founded Assam Rifles?

Ans: Assam Rifles was founded by the British in 1835 as "Cachar Levy" to protect tea gardens from tribal raids.

Q2: Is Assam Rifles central or state?

Ans: Assam Rifles is a central paramilitary force under India's Ministry of Home Affairs, operationally controlled by the Indian Army.

Source: Statesman

CAR T-Cell Therapy Latest News

The clinical trial results of India’s first CAR T-cell therapy, published in The Lancet, show that it worked for nearly 73 percent of patients.

About CAR T-Cell Therapy

• CAR T-cell therapy, or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, trains the body’s own immune cells to identify and destroy cancer cells. 
• This treatment is designed for specific types of blood cancer and is given to patients whose cancer has either relapsed or not responded to first-line treatment.

How does the Therapy Work?

• For any CAR T-cell therapy, a patient’s immune T-cells are collected by filtering their blood. 
• These cells are then engineered in a lab to add receptors that can bind with cancer cells. These cells are then multiplied and infused in the patient. 
• Usually, the cancer cells are adept at evading the unmodified T cells. 
• The treatment developed in India is meant for patients with two types of blood cancers that affect the B cells — acute lymphoblastic leukemia and large B cell lymphomas.

Side Effects of CAR T Therapy

• A serious immune overreaction causing hyperinflammation and organ damage, seen in 12% of participants, resulting in at least one death.
• Low red blood cell count, reported in 61% of participants, causing fatigue and weakness.
• Thrombocytopenia: Low platelet count, increasing the risk of bleeding, reported in 65% of patients.
• Neutropenia: Low neutrophil count, seen in 96% of participants, raising the risk of infections.

CAR T Therapy FAQs

Q1: What does CAR T-cell therapy do?

Ans: CAR T-cell therapy genetically modifies a patient's immune cells (T-cells) to effectively recognize and destroy cancer cells.

Q2: What is the controversy with CAR T-therapy?

Ans: CAR T-cell therapy faces controversy due to potential risks of causing secondary cancers, such as T-cell lymphomas, through unintended genetic mutations.

Q3: What diseases can CAR T-cell therapy treat?

Ans: CAR T-cell therapy treats certain blood cancers like lymphoma and leukemia, especially when other treatments have failed.

Source: IE

Melioidosis Latest News

A recent study has revealed that melioidosis disease in Odisha has clear seasonality, with infections peaking during and after the monsoon season.

About Melioidosis

• It is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei.
• B. pseudomallei lives in surface water (streams, rivers, lakes) and soil, mostly in tropical or subtropical areas.
• It is endemic in Southeast Asia, northern Australia, much of the Indian subcontinent, southern China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
• It is also sometimes called Whitmore’s disease.
• It has a high case fatality rate (CFR) ranging from 16% to 50% in known endemic regions.
• Transmission: 
  • Both humans and animals can get melioidosis, but people can’t get it from animals. 
  • It's spread to people and animals through direct contact with soil, air, or water contaminated by the bacteria. 
  • Cases may increase after hurricanes, heavy rain, and other severe weather events because the bacteria rise to the surface of the soil.
• In areas where it’s more commonly found, melioidosis usually affects adults 40 to 60 years old with certain underlying conditions. Children under 15 rarely get melioidosis.
• Symptoms: 
  • Melioidosis may present with localised infection (such as cutaneous abscess), pneumonia, meningoencephalitis, sepsis, or chronic suppurative infection. 
  • Depending on the site of infection, common symptoms include fever, headache, localised pain or swelling, ulceration, chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, haemoptysis, and swelling of regional lymph nodes.
• Treatment: 
  • It can be treated with antibiotics. 
  • Long-term treatment may be necessary for some chronic infection cases.

Melioidosis FAQs

Q1. What is the melioidosis infection?

Ans. It is a bacterial infection in people and animals. 

Q2. What is the causative agent of melioidosis?

Ans. The causative agent of melioidosis is the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei.

Q3. Is there a vaccine for melioidosis?

Ans. No, there is currently no approved vaccine for melioidosis.

Source: TH

North East Center for Technology Application and Reach Latest News

The Union Minister of Science and Technology recently laid the foundation stone for the North East Center for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) permanent campus at Mawdiangdiang, Shillong.

About North East Center for Technology Application and Reach 

• It is an autonomous society, set up under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, with its headquarters at Shillong, Meghalaya. 
• It was established in 2012 by merging two missions, viz., the National Mission for Bamboo Application (NMBA) and the Mission for Geospatial Applications (MGA).
• The Centre will look at harnessing and leveraging niche frontier technologies available with central scientific departments and institutions.
• In order to assist the northeastern region, NECTAR will be ensuring applications of appropriate technologies for development in the areas of biodiversity concerns, watershed management, telemedicine, horticulture, infrastructure planning & development, planning and monitoring, and tele-schooling using cutting-edge MESHNET solutions, employment generation, etc. through utilization of local products/resources and associated skill development.
• The Centre is sought to be designed in terms of:
  • The Role of Solution Designer
  • Being a Partnership Institution
  • Technology Assistance to the State Government in North Eastern Region
  • Assistance to State Government in Technology-Assisted Decision Support Systems Focus on Technology Reach Function
  • Differentiated Approach from Technology Development Organizations
• At present, NECTAR is functioning from the Survey of India Campus, Shillong, having branch offices at Delhi and Agartala.

North East Center for Technology Application and Reach FAQs

Q1. Which ministry is the North East Center for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) under?

Ans. It is under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.

Q2. Where is North East Center for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) located?

Ans. It has its headquarters at Shillong, Meghalaya. 

Q3. What is MESHNET?

Ans. It is a type of virtual network that allows multiple devices to connect and communicate with one another directly.

Source: TOI

Foreign Exchange Reserve Latest News

In the sharpest jump in over two years, the country’s foreign exchange reserves increased by $15.267 billion to $653.966 billion recently.

About Foreign Exchange Reserve

• Foreign Exchange Reserves (also called Forex Reserves) are foreign currency assets held by the central banks of countries.
• These assets include foreign marketable securities, monetary gold, special drawing rights (SDRs), and reserve position in the IMF.
• These are denominated and expressed in the US dollar, which is the international numeraire for the purpose.
• China is the largest foreign exchange reserve holder in the world.
• RBI is the custodian of the foreign exchange reserves in India.
• India’s foreign exchange reserves comprise of;
  • Foreign currency assets (FCAs): These are maintained in currencies like the US dollar, euro, pound sterling, Australian dollar, and Japanese yen.
  • Gold
  • SDR (Special Drawing Rights): This is the reserve currency with the IMF.
  • RTP (Reserve Tranche Position): This is the reserve capital with the IMF.
• The biggest contributor to India’s Forex reserves is foreign currency assets, followed by gold.

Foreign Exchange Reserve Purpose

• They ensure that the country has sufficient liquidity to carry out foreign exchange transactions or cope with a balance of payments deficit. 
• A central bank can use its foreign exchange reserves (foreign currencies) to intervene in Forex markets and influence its currency’s exchange rate.
• If the value of the Rupee decreases due to an increase in the demand for the foreign currency, then RBI sells the dollar in the Indian money market so that depreciation of the Indian currency can be checked.
• A country with a good stock of forex has a good image at the international level because the trading countries can be sure about their payments.

Foreign Exchange Reserve FAQs

Q1. Who has the largest foreign exchange reserves?

Ans. China is the largest foreign exchange reserve holder in the world.

Q2. Who is the custodian of the foreign exchange reserves in India?

Ans. Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

Q3. What constitutes the largest share of India’s Forex reserves?

Ans. The biggest contributor to India’s Forex reserves is foreign currency assets, followed by gold.

Source: TH