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Current Affairs  Important Newspaper Highlights for UPSC Civil Services Examination. 07 August 2022 The HINDU   🟠 (Page 1) : Delimitation work on track, completion likely by Nov.  🟢 (Page 1) : China's military exercises simulating attack: Taiwan 🟠 (Page 1) : Jagdeep Dhankar is new Vice-President   🟢 (Page 2) : Police to reward those who detect dummy IEDs  🟠 (Page 3) : 'Odisha Govt. denying data on human rights violations'  🟢 (Page 3) : What's wrong in providing free education and health care?  🟠 (Page 3) : FC Barcelona fans to have a ball  🟢 (Page 6) : Tigers in the wild, captured by camera traps 🟠 (Page 6) : Jackfruit festival in Mysuru evokes a good response 🟢 (Page 6) : Idukki reservoir on red alert  🟠 (Page 7) : Indians become assets wherever they go: Bhagwat  🟢 (Page 7) : AI solution for real-time inputs for the Army  🟠 (Page 7) : Navy to hoist flag on 6 continents  🟢 (Page 9) : India Virtual Herbarium...

Traditional knowledge is integral to the identity of most local communities. It is a key constituent of a community’s social and physical environment. As per records of the global trademark offices it was found that approximately 2,000 patents had been issued at a cost of millions for medical plants and traditional systems that are prevalent in India. In this context Government of India took following steps to protect them from patent: Ministry of AYUSH: Dedicated ministry was formed for the traditional medicine system. Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) Made Indian traditional medicine knowledge available in the public domain so as to check the genuineness of the patent. Prevented thousands of patents from being filed internationally. Recognition under UNESCO intangible cultural heritage: UNESCO recognition to traditional medicinal knowledge such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Sowa Rigpa, Unani etc has allowed India to establish link with the country of origin and prevented patenting. S...

Recently, the Government has announced that India’s first space station would be set up by 2030. India's proposal towards space station: 1. Much smaller in mass (20 tonnes) than the International Space Station. 2. Preliminary plan-to accommodate astronauts for up to 20 days in space (an extension of the Gaganyaan mission). 3. Orbit Earth at an altitude of around 400km 4. Space docking experiment (Spadex)-Technology for making space stations functional. Benefit for our space programme: 1. Microgravity experimentation lab- for astrobiology, materials science, space medicine and space weather. 2. Repair, maintenance and refuelling station 3. Space terminal for a space voyage 4. Earth Observation (Remote- Sensing) 5. Astronomical observations- Solar flares, meteorites etc. 6. Deep Space exploration 7. Sustenance of Human Space Mission 8. Global Position as Space power- Countering china’s hegemony. Challenges 1. Budget Constraints. 2. Technological hindrances- Upgradation of GSLV-MK II...

Nanotechnology is the branch of technology that deals with dimensions and tolerances of less than 100 nanometres. Nanotechnology is applied in various fields due to its ability to change physical, chemical, and biological properties and manipulate it to achieve the required functionality which is otherwise not possible with bulk materials. Applications of Nanotechnology in healthcare: 1. Accuracy in disease diagnosis: Carbon nanotubes have been used to detect diseases such as HIV and cancer. Nanoflares are used for detection of cancer cells in the bloodstream. Similarly, nanotechnology- based TB diagnostic kit, currently undergoing clinical trials. 2. Precise Drug Delivery: Tackle the issues of low drug absorption rate by the body. Precision drugs have the characteristics of better permeation of the active ingredient to cell membranes. 3. Cell Repair: Manufactured nano-robots repairs at the cellular level. 4. Antibacterial Treatments: Technique to kill bacteria using gold nanoparticles...

Biotechnology is a technique that utilizes biological systems to create different products. Ongoing Covid pandemic has resurfaced the importance of biotechnology. Some research and development achievements in applied biotechnology: 1. Genetically Modified Organism: Made crops pest and drought resistant. E.g.: BT cotton, Golden Rice, etc. 2. Recombinant DNA: DNA from different sources is combined to form a new DNA sequence. Its application is: a). Genetically Engineered Insulin for treatment of patients with diabetes. b). Curing adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency: Only genetic engineering has a permanent cure of ADA. c). Gene Therapy: It helps in correcting the gene defects. E.g.: 3 parent baby. d). CRISPR technology: Gene-editing tool. 3. Messenger RNA Vaccine: Uses a copy of a molecule to produce an immune response. E.g.: Covid vaccines. 4. 3D Printed Organs: Artificial construction of internal organs like heart, kidney, and liver.  Potential of Bio technology in uplifting poore...

At a time when India used to witness frequent droughts and famines, contributions of Sir M Visvesvaraya in the field of water management and Dr M S Swaminathan in agricultural sciences, proved to be a guiding light for India. Contribution of Sir M Visvesvaraya. 1. Key role in development of water utilisation techniques, irrigation systems and hydropower harvesting. 2. Instrumental in construction of Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) dam in Mysore. 3. Designed and patented a system of automatic weir water floodgates. 4. Developed a system for flood protection in Hyderabad. 5. Developed a system to protect Visakhapatnam port from sea erosion. Contribution of Dr M S Swaminathan. 1. Known as 'Norman Borlaug of India', for he is the father of green revolution in India. 2. Worked on plant genetics and agricultural research, produced a cross of wheat crops. 3. Pushed for fortified crops. 4. Developed improved varieties of seeds, better farming methods, soil and water management. 5. Chaired N...