Biology

Purpose: Organized by the Indian Society of Soil Science (ISSS) in collaboration with the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS), the GSC aimed to address critical challenges related to sustainable soil and resource management. Theme: Caring Soils Beyond Food Security: Climate Change Mitigation & Ecosystem Services. Key Focus Areas: Recognition …

Context (IE): Recent outbreak of the Marburg virus has been reported in Rwanda. Overview of Marburg Virus Marburg hemorrhagic fever is a rare but highly dangerous disease, impacting both humans and nonhuman primates. The virus responsible for the disease is the Marburg virus, which belongs to the family of RNA …

Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare published the India TB Report 2024, which reveals a decrease in the mortality rate from Tuberculosis (TB), dropping from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 23 per lakh in 2022. Key Highlights of the Report Trends in TB Cases and Deaths: …

Context: Recently, a two-year-old child from Meghalaya was diagnosed with Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus (VDPV), prompting renewed concerns about the risks linked to the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). What is Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus? Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus (VDPV) is a rare type of poliovirus that can develop from the weakened virus strain used in the …

Context (TH): Recent government decisions that prioritize imports over local production could undermine India’s domestic pharmaceutical sector and potentially result in increased drug prices. Ensuring the availability of affordable medications is vital in India, where out-of-pocket health expenditures made up nearly 47.1% of total spending in 2021. Current Scenario India, …

Context (IE) Over the past twenty years, maize production in India has seen a remarkable increase, transforming it into a green revolution driven by the private sector. Production has surged from 11.5 million tonnes in 2000 to over 35 million tonnes in 2024, with yields rising from 1.8 tonnes to …

Context The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to frame a model policy on menstrual leave for women employees. This directive highlights the need for recognizing menstrual leave, which offers time off for those experiencing period pains, similar to sick leave. Currently, menstrual leave is not covered under standard sick …

Introduction Define Healthcare-Associated Infections (HCAIs): Infections acquired by patients while receiving medical care in a hospital or other healthcare setting. Highlight the global concern: HCAIs pose a significant public health threat worldwide, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Emphasize the Indian context: The situation in India is particularly …

X chromosome revival in older women increases risk of autoimmune disease GS Paper III: Questions related to biotechnology or genetic engineering might benefit from knowing about chromosomes. These fields use techniques like Karyotyping (Chromosomal Analysis). If a question asks about advancements in Genetics or the Human Genome Project, a basic …

West Nile Virus has been detected in Kerala. The Kerala government on Tuesday said that cases of West Nile fever have been reported from three districts in the state – Thrissur, Malappuram and Kozhikode. GS Paper III (Internal Security & Environment): Focus on Public Health Issues: If the question asks …