Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 13th October 2024

1. Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECPs) Accessibility and Regulations

---

• Subject: Science
• UPSC Mains Paper: GS2 (Health)

Why in News?

• Headline: “Emergency contraceptive pills need no prescription” (Source: The Hindu)

About Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECPs) and Their Regulation

• Current Status of ECPs:
  • The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) confirmed that Emergency Contraceptive Pills like I-Pill and Unwanted-72 remain available over-the-counter without a prescription.
  • No regulatory changes have been made requiring ECPs to become prescription-only.
• Importance of ECPs:
  • ECPs are crucial for preventing unintended pregnancies and are most effective within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse.
  • According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-2021), 57% of women access ECPs without a prescription, highlighting the importance of OTC availability.
• Types of Contraceptive Drugs:
  • Other contraceptive drugs, such as Centchroman and Ethinyloestradiol, are regulated under Schedule ‘H’ of the Drugs Rules, requiring a prescription for sale.
  • Specific combinations and strengths of DL-Norgestrel, Levonorgestrel, and Ethinyloestradiol are classified under Schedule K, allowing them to be sold without a prescription.
• Role of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO):
  • CDSCO is India’s national regulatory body for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and medical devices, operating under the Ministry of Health.
  • Key responsibilities include drug approvals, clinical trial oversight, setting safety standards, quality control for imports, and coordination with state drug control organizations.
• Regulatory Context for Contraceptives:
  • Schedule H drugs require a doctor’s prescription and a caution label warning against OTC sale.
  • Schedule K drugs include contraceptives that do not require a prescription, as they are considered essential and safe for broad public access.
• Health Impact:
  • Accessibility to ECPs plays a role in reducing unwanted pregnancies, which contributes to maternal health and economic stability for many women.
  • Easy access to emergency contraceptives supports women’s reproductive rights and freedom of choice in family planning.
• Global Context:
  • ECP regulations vary worldwide, with many countries offering OTC access to support women’s health.
  • Research suggests that making ECPs more accessible without prescription does not lead to misuse and contributes to lower rates of unintended pregnancies.

Source: The Hindu, CDSCO guidelines

---

2. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Its Historical Influence

---

• Subject: History
• UPSC Mains Paper: GS1 (Modern India)

Why in News?

• Headline: “Modi lauds RSS for its 100-year journey” (Source: The Indian Express)

About Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Its Legacy

• Founding and Ideology:
  • The RSS was founded on September 27, 1925, by K.B. Hedgewar in Nagpur, India, with a focus on promoting Hindu cultural and national identity, commonly referred to as Hindutva.
  • RSS is often considered the ideological parent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has influenced Indian politics significantly.
• Organizational Structure and Activities:
  • The RSS operates as a volunteer-based organization with a hierarchical structure, including various wings and affiliates engaged in social, cultural, and educational activities.
  • It conducts regular training camps, cultural programs, and community service projects to foster discipline and patriotism among its members.
• Criticism and Controversies:
  • The RSS faced severe criticism after Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination in 1948, leading to a temporary ban.
  • The organization has been criticized for promoting Hindu nationalism and alleged communal tensions, though it advocates national unity and social welfare.
• History of Bans on RSS:
  • 1948: Banned following Gandhi’s assassination, later lifted in 1949 after pledging allegiance to the Constitution.
  • 1975-1977: Banned during the Emergency, lifted after the Emergency ended.
  • 1992: Banned after the Babri Masjid demolition, with the ban later removed as investigations progressed.
• Impact and Outreach:
  • RSS has thousands of branches (shakhas) across India and a growing presence among the Indian diaspora, influencing social and political discourse.
  • The organization is involved in education, health, and rural development projects, often through its affiliates.
• Global Context and Diaspora:
  • RSS has inspired similar organizations worldwide, particularly among Indian communities, promoting Indian culture and identity overseas.

Source: The Indian Express, RSS Archives

---

3. Charles Correa: Legacy in Architecture and Urban Planning

---

• Subject: History
• UPSC Mains Paper: GS1 (Art and Culture)

Why in News?

• Headline: “Charles Correa’s designs were about people, climate” (Source: The Hindu)

About Charles Correa and His Architectural Contributions

• About Charles Correa:
  • An influential architect and urban planner, Charles Correa advocated for architecture as a socially responsive and climate-sensitive discipline.
  • Correa’s projects emphasized inclusivity, responding to the local climate, and meeting the needs of the people.
• Z-Axis Conference:
  • The Z-Axis Conference, organized by the Charles Correa Foundation, is a platform dedicated to architecture and urban planning, bringing together professionals and enthusiasts.
  • The sixth Z-Axis Conference, titled “Conversations with Charles Correa,” included a review of his six-decade career, and showcased a documentary, Volume Zero, highlighting Correa’s dedication to people and nature.
• Notable Projects:
  • Gandhi Memorial Museum: Designed to promote inclusivity and reflect Gandhi’s ideals.
  • Bharat Bhavan: A cultural center that integrates art and performance with a public space.
  • Jawahar Kala Kendra: Inspired by traditional Indian architecture, combining functionality with cultural aesthetics.
  • Navi Mumbai: Proposed and planned as a new city to ease congestion in Mumbai, later implemented by the government.
• Innovative Concepts in Urban Planning:
  • Correa advocated for affordable housing and urban design that cater to the needs of lower-middle-class families.
  • His work on Navi Mumbai demonstrated a vision of sustainable urban expansion that balanced development with people’s needs.
• Climate Sensitivity in Design:
  • Correa emphasized designing structures that adapt to local climates, reducing dependency on artificial climate control systems.
  • His designs reflect a deep respect for natural surroundings and the environment, influencing sustainable architectural practices.
• Legacy in Education and Mentorship:
  • Correa’s work has inspired a generation of architects who prioritize sustainability and community-centric design.
  • His foundation continues to support young architects, preserving his vision and principles in contemporary architecture.

Source: The Hindu, Charles Correa Foundation

---

4. MicroRNA Discovery and Its Significance in Gene Regulation

---

• Subject: Science
• UPSC Mains Paper: GS3 (Biotechnology)

Why in News?

• Headline: “Revolutionary Discovery of MicroRNA: Unlocking the Secrets of Gene Regulation” (Source: Indian Express)

About MicroRNA (miRNA) and Its Role in Gene Regulation

• Definition and Function:
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules, typically 21-24 nucleotides long, that regulate gene expression by interfering with mRNA translation into proteins.
  • miRNAs bind to messenger RNA in the cell cytoplasm, leading to mRNA degradation or preventing translation, thus controlling protein levels.
• Discovery and Research:
  • Research on C. elegans (roundworm) revealed post-transcriptional gene regulation, previously thought to be managed only by transcription factors.
  • By 2001, scientists identified miRNAs in invertebrates and vertebrates, showing their evolutionary conservation and universal regulatory role.
• Role in Cellular Processes:
  • miRNAs play key roles in cell differentiation, proliferation, development, and apoptosis (programmed cell death).
  • They help maintain cellular homeostasis and adapt to environmental stimuli.
• Health Implications:
  • Abnormal miRNA expression contributes to diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders.
  • Circulating miRNAs in human fluids are being studied as biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognosis due to their stability.
• Nobel-Winning Contributions:
  • Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, Nobel Prize laureates, discovered miRNAs while studying mutant strains of roundworms.
  • Their work identified miRNAs as crucial regulators in gene expression, reshaping understanding of molecular biology.
• Therapeutic Applications:
  • miRNA research opens possibilities in gene therapy, targeted cancer treatments, and genetic disorder diagnosis.
  • Researchers are exploring how to manipulate miRNA pathways to address diseases resulting from gene dysregulation.

Source: Indian Express, Nobel Foundation

---

5. Frontier Nagaland Territory and Constitutional Provisions for Autonomy

---

• Subject: Polity
• UPSC Mains Paper: GS2 (Federalism)

Why in News?

• Headline: “Deadline Set for Nagaland Government’s Response on Creation of Frontier Nagaland Territory” (Source: Indian Express)

About Frontier Nagaland Territory and Constitutional Autonomy Provisions

• Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT) Proposal:
  • The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) demanded the creation of an autonomous Frontier Nagaland Territory, citing longstanding neglect by the Nagaland state government.
  • FNT would include six districts: Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang, representing about 20 of 60 seats in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
• ENPO and Cultural Representation:
  • ENPO represents seven Naga tribes and claims these regions have faced insufficient development in infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
• Constitutional Provisions:
  • Article 371A: Grants Nagaland special autonomy, where acts of Parliament affecting Nagas’ religious or social practices, land ownership, or resources require Assembly approval.
  • Sixth Schedule: Allows the formation of autonomous administrative regions with legislative power, applicable mainly in North East India.
• Impact of Territorial Autonomy:
  • Creation of FNT could empower local governance, enabling the region to address specific development needs.
  • Frontier Nagaland would gain administrative powers under the Sixth Schedule, facilitating self-governance in tribal affairs.

Source: Indian Express, Constitution of India

6. Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024: Advancements in Protein Research

---

• Subject: Science
• UPSC Mains Paper: GS3 (Biotechnology)

Why in News?

• Headline: “Impact of Technological Advancements on Protein Studies: Insights from 2024 Chemistry Nobel Laureates” (Source: Indian Express)

About Proteins and Nobel-Winning Research in Protein Structure Prediction

• Importance of Proteins:
  • Proteins are complex molecules essential for numerous biological processes, including enzyme catalysis, structural support, cellular transport, and immune defense.
  • Composed of amino acid chains, proteins have intricate structures that determine their specific functions.
• Levels of Protein Structure:
  • Primary: Amino acid sequence.
  • Secondary: Folding into alpha-helices and beta-sheets.
  • Tertiary: Three-dimensional structure of a single polypeptide.
  • Quaternary: Multi-subunit complexes.
• Protein-Folding Problem:
  • Protein folding is the process by which an amino acid sequence acquires its specific 3D structure, essential for functionality.
  • Predicting this structure based solely on amino acid sequence has been a longstanding challenge in molecular biology.
• AlphaFold’s Role in Protein Structure Prediction:
  • Developed by Demis Hassabis and John Jumper at DeepMind, AlphaFold is a deep-learning model capable of accurately predicting protein 3D structures.
  • AlphaFold’s predictions are comparable to traditional methods like X-ray crystallography but require less time and resources.
• Rosetta Program:
  • David Baker introduced the Rosetta software for predicting and designing protein structures, revolutionizing computational biology.
  • Rosetta’s approach in understanding protein folding and designing functional proteins has found applications in biotechnology.
• Applications of Protein Design:
  • COVID-19: Developed an antiviral nasal spray targeting COVID-19’s spike protein.
  • Pharmaceuticals: Designed enzymes for producing atorvastatin (a cholesterol-lowering drug) and vitamin B6.
• Significance of Protein Research:
  • Understanding protein structures aids in drug development, synthetic biology, and disease treatment.
  • Protein misfolding, implicated in diseases like Alzheimer’s, highlights the importance of accurately predicting protein shapes.
• Future Prospects:
  • Protein structure prediction and design may advance precision medicine and accelerate research on genetic disorders and new therapies.

Source: Indian Express, Nobel Prize Foundation

---

7. Physics Nobel Laureates 2024: Breakthroughs in Artificial Neural Networks

---

• Subject: Science
• UPSC Mains Paper: GS3 (Awareness in IT and Computers)

Why in News?

• Headline: “2024 Physics Nobel Laureates: Pioneers of Artificial Neural Networks and Their Role in AI” (Source: Indian Express)

About Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and Contributions of Nobel Laureates

• Definition of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs):
  • ANNs are computational models inspired by biological neural networks, designed to simulate human cognitive functions like learning and problem-solving.
  • ANNs consist of layers of interconnected nodes (neurons), enabling them to recognize patterns and make decisions based on data input.
• Structure and Function of ANNs:
  • ANNs include an input layer, hidden layers, and an output layer, with connections that strengthen or weaken based on learning algorithms.
  • Nodes in hidden layers process input data and adjust the network through algorithms like backpropagation to minimize prediction errors.
• Types of Neural Networks:
  • Feedforward Networks: Information flows in one direction, from input to output.
  • Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs): Suitable for sequence prediction, allowing data to flow in cycles.
  • Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs): Used in image and video recognition.
• John J. Hopfield and the Hopfield Network:
  • Introduced in 1982, the Hopfield network models associative memory, allowing the network to recall patterns based on stored information.
  • The network’s learning mechanism is based on Hebbian learning, where connections between frequently co-activating neurons are strengthened.
• Geoffrey Hinton and the Boltzmann Machine:
  • Adapted the Boltzmann machine to simulate cognitive tasks, later developing Restricted Boltzmann Machines (RBMs) for deep learning applications.
  • Hinton’s work laid the groundwork for today’s deep-learning models in image recognition, natural language processing, and medical diagnostics.
• Relation to Deep Learning:
  • Deep learning is a subset of machine learning involving multi-layered ANNs, allowing for complex pattern recognition from large datasets.
  • It includes specialized architectures like CNNs for tasks in visual recognition and LSTM networks for sequential data.
• Applications of ANNs:
  • Image and Speech Recognition: Used in applications like facial recognition and voice assistants.
  • Medical Diagnostics: Helps identify patterns in medical images to detect diseases.
  • Autonomous Vehicles: Processes sensor data for navigation and object recognition.
  • Finance: Employed in stock predictions and fraud detection.

Source: Indian Express, Nobel Prize Foundation