About Centralized Pension Payments System (CPPS):

• It is implemented by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) which allows pensioners to access their pension from any bank or branch nationwide.
• The system aims to streamline the payment process, eliminate the need for physical verifications, and ensure seamless pension disbursement for over 7.85 million pensioners.
• It is a paradigm shift from the existing pension disbursement system that is decentralised, with each zonal/regional office of EPFO maintaining separate agreements with only 3-4 banks, the ministry explained in a statement.
• Under CPPS, a beneficiary will be able to withdraw pension from any bank and there will be no need for to visit the bank for verification at the time of commencement of pension, and the amount will be immediately credited upon release.
• It will also ensure disbursement of pension throughout India without any need for transfer of pension payment orders (PPO) from one office to another even when the pensioner moves from one location to another or changes his bank or branch.

Key Facts about Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO):

• It is a statutory body under the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Act, 1952. 
• It is under the administrative control of the Union Ministry of Labor and Employment. 
• Structure of EPFO:
  • The Act and all its schemes are administered by a tripartite board called the Central Board of Trustees.
  • The board comprises representatives of the Government (both Central and State), employers, and employees. 
  • The board is chaired by the Union Minister of Labour and Employment, Government of India. 
• The Central Board of Trustees operates 3 schemes:
  • The Employees’ Provident Funds Scheme, 1952 (EPF)
  • The Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 (EPS)
  • The Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme, 1976 (EDLI)
• EPFO is also the nodal agency for implementing Bilateral Social Security Agreements with other countries on a reciprocal basis. 
• Coverage: The schemes offered by EPFO cover Indian workers and international workers (from countries with whom the EPFO has signed bilateral agreements).

Q1: What is the Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme, 1976 (EDLI)?

The EDLI scheme was launched in 1976 to provide insurance benefits to members of EPFO. The main objective of EPFO behind this scheme was to ensure that the family of members get financial assistance in case of death of the member.

Source: ET

About Baanknet Portal:

• It is an e-auction portal that consolidates information on all properties that are put up for e-auction by public sector banks (PSBs).
• The portal is a one-stop destination for buyers and investors offering a wide range of properties.
• The listings on the new platform include residential properties such as flats, independent houses, and open plots, as well as commercial properties, industrial land and buildings, shops, vehicles, plant and machinery, and agricultural and non-agricultural land.
• Features:
  • The new portal is equipped with improved and enhanced features, including frictionless user journeys where the portal will have the entire pre-auction, auction, and post-auction journeys in a single application. 
  • It includes an automated and integrated payment gateway alongside KYC tools, all built on a microservices-based architecture that allows for third-party integration through open application programming interface (API).
  • Users can benefit from a dashboard feature for easy access to ‘Spend Analytics’ and various ‘Management Information System (MIS) Reports’ at the click of a button.
  • Additionally, a dedicated helpdesk and call centre facility with a callback request option ensures customer support.
• By gathering all these details in one place, the portal simplifies the process of finding and participating in property e-auctions, making it easier for buyers and investors to identify valuable opportunities.
• It significantly aids the recovery process of public sector banks (PSBs), thereby improving the balance sheet of banks and enhancing credit availability to businesses and individuals.
• More than 122,500 properties have already been migrated to the new portal for auction.

Q1: What are public sector banks (PSBs)?

Public Sector Banks (PSBs) are banks where the majority stake is held by the Government. PSBs constitute the single largest component of the Indian banking system, accounting for over 70 per cent of the deposits received in and advances made by SCBs.

Source: LM

About Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2024: 

• It is the 6th edition of the LEADS report.
• It was conceived on the lines of the Logistics Performance Index of World Bank in 2018 by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• It evaluates logistics performance across four key pillars: Logistics Infrastructure, Logistics Services, Operating and Regulatory Environment, and the newly introduced Sustainable Logistics.
• It highlights initiatives undertaken by various States and UTs across the identified pillars also focusses on State/UT-specific opportunities to enable informed decision-making.

Key highlights of LEADS 2024

• Coastal Group
  • Achievers: Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu
  • Fast Movers: Andhra Pradesh, Goa
  • Aspirers: Kerala, West Bengal
• Landlocked Group
  • Achievers: Haryana, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand
  • Fast Movers: Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan
  • Aspirers: Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand
• North-Eastern Group
  • Achievers: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh
  • Fast Movers: Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura
  • Aspirers: Manipur
• Union Territories
  • Achievers: Chandigarh, Delhi
  • Fast Movers: Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, Puducherry
  • Aspirers: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Ladakh

Q1: What is Sustainable logistics?

It essentially involves making logistics, goods, and transportation more sustainable, minimizing the environmental impact of the practices involved in these processes. At its core, sustainable logistics seeks to balance operational efficiency with environmental responsibility. 

Source: PIB

About Banded Royal Butterfly:

• It is a species of lycaenid or blue butterfly found in parts of South and Southeast Asia.
• Scientific Name: Rachana jalindra
• Habitat:
  • Found in forests, particularly near the Western Ghats, Northeast India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia.
  • Prefers dense vegetation and can often be seen resting on leaves.
• There are three subspecies of Rachana jalindra found in India, including macantia, distributed from southwest India to Goa; R. j. tarpina, distributed in the Andamans; and R. j. indra, distributed from Orissa to lower West Bengal and Bangladesh.
• Presently the subspecies R. j. indra is recorded from Assam, Meghalaya, and Jharkhand.
• Appearance:
  • Upper Side: Males have a deep purple or bluish sheen with dark brown borders, while females are more brownish with white markings.
  • Under Side: Pale brown with distinct white bands running across the wings, giving it the "banded" appearance.
• It is legally protected under Schedule II of the Indian Wildlife (Protected) Act, 1972.

Key Facts about Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary (SWL):

• It is situated in the state of Tripura, 25 kilometers from the capital, Agartala.
• It spans an area of approximately 18.53 sq.km.
• It is divided into five sections, basically to segregate the different types of animals living here. They are the carnivore section, primate section, ungulate section, reptile section, and aviary section.
• Clouded Leopard National Park, established in 2007, is a part of SWL.
• It also has two natural lakes, namely Abasarika and Amrit Sagar.
• Vegetation: Moist deciduous forest
• Flora: The sanctuary has no less than 456 plant species; many kinds of bamboo and a variety of grasses and medicinal plants also grow in the sanctuary.
• Fauna: 
• It is the habitat of different species of primates like Rhesus macaque, Pigtailed macaque, Capped langur, Spectacled langur, Slow loris and several other wild animals like Leopard, Clouded leopard, Jungle fowl, Civets, Barking, Deer, Wild pig, etc.
• The crab-eating mongoose (which was last seen in the 1930s) has also been revived here.

Q1: What is the Indian Wildlife (Protected) Act, 1972?

The Government enacted Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 with the objective of effectively protecting the wildlife of this country and to control poaching, smuggling and illegal trade in wildlife and its derivatives. The Act was amended in January 2003 and punishment and penalty for offences under the Act have been made more stringent. The Ministry has proposed further amendments in the law by introducing more rigid measures to strengthen the Act. The objective is to provide protection to the listed endangered flora and fauna and ecologically important protected areas.

Source: TOI

About Human Metapneumovirus:

• It is a respiratory virus that causes mild infections similar to that caused by a common cold.
• It was first identified by scientists in 2001 which belongs to the Pneumoviridae family, of which respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), measles and mumps are also members.
• It can cause both upper and lower respiratory tract infections and is generally seen in winter and early spring.
• Children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to the infection and to developing complications from it.
• Signs and symptoms
  • Symptoms can resemble those caused by a common cold. They include a cough, runny or blocked nose, sore, throat, fever and wheezing.
  • The estimated incubation period is three to six days.
  • In most people, the illness goes away on its own within a few days, with rest and supportive care at home.
  • In a few people however, complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia may arise, requiring medical care.
• Transmission
  • It spreads through contact with an infected person or touching objects that have the virus on them.
  • This can be through: secretions from coughs, sneezes; close contact with someone who has the infection such as shaking hands, hugging; touching a doorknob or a phone or a keyboard that may be contaminated with the virus and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes.
• Treatment: There is no vaccine and there is no specific antiviral to treat HMPV. Most people require over-the-counter medications to relieve fever and pain, possibly with a decongestant. Antibiotics will not work for HMPV.

Q1: What is Pneumonia?

It is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing.

Source: TH

About Project VISTAAR: 

• It is a digital platform designed by integrating information about start-ups in the agriculture and allied sectors.
• The initiative aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the agricultural extension system through digitalisation.
• This will help farmers and other stakeholders access the capabilities and offerings of these start-ups more easily.
• It contains details on over 12,000 start-ups in the agriculture and farming sectors.
• This database serves as a valuable resource for connecting farmers with relevant technological solutions and services.
• Significance
  • The digitalisation of the agricultural extension system will substantially expand its outreach, enabling every farmer to access high-quality advisory services on crop production, marketing, value addition, and supply chain management.
  • Additionally, the advisory services will provide comprehensive information on government schemes related to agriculture, allied sectors, and rural development, ensuring farmers can benefit from them effectively.
  • By delivering timely, contextual, and accurate information, the process of digitalisation will augment the current extension system, ensuring better support for farmers in agriculture and allied fields.

Q1: What is Digitisation?

It is the process of converting information from a physical format into a digital one. When this process is leveraged to improve business processes, it is called digitalisation. The results of this process are called digital transformation.

Source: DD News

About Blue Baby Syndrome:

• Blue baby syndrome, also called cyanosis, is a condition in babies in which their skin appears blue or purple tinged. 
• What causes blue baby syndrome?
  • The baby takes on a bluish hue because of poorly oxygenated blood.
  • Normally, blood is pumped from the heart to the lungs, where it receives oxygen.
  • The blood is circulated back through the heart and then throughout the body.
  • When there’s a problem with the heart, lungs, or blood, blood may not be oxygenated properly.
  • This causes the skin to take on a blue color.
  • The lack of oxygenation can occur for several reasons.
• It can occur due to several congenital (meaning present at birth) heart defects or environmental or genetic factors.
• Acquired methemoglobinemia is more common than the congenital form. It can be caused by exposure to a variety of substances and by some health conditions.
• The most common cause of blue baby syndrome is water contaminated with nitrates.
• Symptoms:
  • The most common symptom of blue baby syndrome is a blue discoloration of the skin around the mouth, hands, and feet.
  • Other potential symptoms of blue baby syndrome include:
    • difficulty breathing
    • vomiting
    • diarrhea
    • lethargy
    • increased salivation
    • loss of consciousness
    • seizures
• In severe cases, blue baby syndrome can even cause death.
• Treatment:
  • Treatment will vary depending on what is causing the baby to turn blue.
  • If congenital heart disease is causing the discoloration, surgery may be required to correct the abnormalities.
  • Children with a more severe form of the condition may need a medication called methylene blue, which a doctor will give as an injection.

Q1: What is methylene blue?

Methylene blue (MB) is a synthetic dye and medication with various scientific, medical, and industrial applications.

Source: CNBC

About Open Data Kit (ODK) Platform: 

• It is a digital platform which allows the CAG to collect and manage data securely.
• It is used for designing, collecting, and managing data to enhance transparency in public spending and accountability in government schemes.
• Features
  • It is integrated with CAG's own operating system called OIOS.
  • It is an end-to-end encrypted online portal.
  • It is used to collect information for identifying problem areas warranting additional review.
  • It also helps CAG in launching surveys in multiple languages at the same time
• Benefits
  • Beneficiary Survey is one of the sources for information for audit planning as well as for collection of audit evidence.
  • ODK toolkit was deployed to ascertain patient satisfaction while gathering evidence in auditing the performance of the AIIMS at Mangalagiri in Guntur district and the AIIMS at Bibinagar in Hyderabad.

Q1: What is Encryption?

It is the process of protecting information or data by using mathematical models to scramble it in such a way that only the parties who have the key to unscramble it can access it.

Source: ET

About Har Ghar Lakhpati Scheme:

• It is a pre-calculated recurring deposit scheme designed to help customers to accumulate Rs 1 lakh or multiples thereof.
• The new scheme simplifies the process of achieving financial goals, allowing customers to plan and save effectively.
• This product is also available to minors, encouraging early financial planning and savings habits.
• The minimum tenure of recurring deposits is 12 months (one year), and the maximum is 120 months (10 years).

About SBI Patrons Scheme:

• This is a specialized fixed deposit scheme tailored for senior citizens aged 80 years and above. 
• It offers enhanced interest rates, recognizing the long-standing relationship many senior customers have with the bank.
• SBI Patrons is available to existing and new term deposit customers.
• SBI Patron's depositors would earn an additional 10 basis points higher interest rate than what is offered to senior citizens.

Q1: What is a Recurring Deposit?

A Recurring Deposit (RD) is a type of term deposit offered by banks and financial institutions, allowing individuals to save money systematically by making fixed monthly deposits for a predetermined period. At the end of the tenure, the depositor receives the principal amount along with interest.

Source: LM

About Methylcobalamin: 

• It is a naturally occurring form of vitamin B12 that can be obtained through supplements, as well as food sources like fish, meat, eggs, milk and milk products.
• It consists of distinctive methyl group (-CH3) bonded to the cobalt atom, methylcobalamin differs structurally from other forms of vitamin B12, such as cyanocobalamin, adenosylcobalamin, and hydroxocobalamin.
  • Vitamin B12 is crucial water-soluble vitamin, is integral to DNA synthesis, red blood cell production, and neurological function.
  • Deficiency in this vitamin can lead to serious health consequences, often requiring supplementation.
• It regulates body functions like cell growth, blood formation, and protein synthesis.
• Uses:
  • It has been used as a supplement in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency and in those with diabetes and other neuropathies.
  • It is essential for the creation of red blood cells, which helps to avoid anemia.
  • A healthy consumption of Methylcobalamin enables adequate erythrocyte synthesis, minimizing weariness and weakness.
  • Its relevance extends to its role in the prevention and treatment of neurological illnesses.
  • It also participates in the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which are critical in controlling mood, emotions, and general mental health.

Q1: What is the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)?

It is an autonomous body established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The FSSAI has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which is a consolidating statute related to food safety and regulation in India.

Source : TH