Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Context: The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun by the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. The scientists won the esteemed prize for the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation

Background: –

• Chairperson of the Nobel Committee for Physiology or Medicine 2024, said that there are no clear applications of miRNAs yet. Understanding them is the first step towards further research.

What are microRNAs?

• MicroRNAs, or miRNAs, are small, non-coding molecules of RNA. They are typically around 19-24 nucleotides long and play an important role in determining how much messenger RNA (mRNA), which carries genetic information, eventually gets translated into protein.

• The body makes proteins in a complex process with two broad steps.
  • In the transcription step, a cell copies a DNA sequence into messenger RNA (mRNA) in the nucleus. The mRNA moves from the nucleus, through the cell fluid, and attaches itself to the ribosome.
  • In the translation step, another type of RNA called transfer RNA (tRNA) brings specific amino acids to the ribosome, where they are linked together in the order specified by the mRNA to make the protein.
• Micro RNA, or miRNA, regulates the production of proteins by bonding with and subsequently silencing the mRNA at an appropriate juncture. The process is called post-transcriptional gene regulation.

Nobel-winning research: a brief history

• Ambros and Ruvkun studied a roundworm, Caenorhabditis elegans which, despite its small size, had specialised cell types such as nerve and muscle cells.
• Ambros and Ruvkun studied two mutant strains, lin-4 and lin-14, both of which exhibited abnormalities – their genetic programming that controls development was not functioning as expected. Ambros’ previous research proved that lin-4 suppressed the activity of lin-14, but could not tell how it did so.
• The biologists individually researched how lin-4 affected the activity of lin-14. Ambros analysed the lin-4 mutant and cloned the gene and found out that it produced an unusually short RNA molecule that lacked a code for protein production. The findings suggested that this small RNA molecule could be responsible for inhibiting lin-14.
• Around the same time, Ruvkun investigated the regulation of the lin-14 gene in his lab and found that lin-4 did not block the production of lin-14 mRNA. Since the late 1960s, gene regulation was understood as a process that determined which mRNAs are produced, and hence, how genetic information flows. Ruvkun found that the regulation of lin-14 mRNA occurred later in the gene expression process by inhibiting protein production.
• Ruvkon’s experiment also revealed an important segment in the lin-14 mRNA that was essential for its inhibition by lin-4. The short lin-4 sequence that Ambros discovered in his research matched complementary sequences in the critical segment of the lin-14 mRNA, which means that they can pair together like keys fit into locks.
• The two biologists conducted further experiments and found that lin-4 microRNA, the “unusually short” RNA molecule, attaches to lin-14’s mRNA and blocks the production of lin-14 protein. This is how microRNA was discovered.
• The results were not enthusiastically accepted by scientists as the behaviour was thought to be specific to C. elegans, and therefore irrelevant to complex animals. However, in 2000, Ruvkun’s research group published discovery of another microRNA, encoded by the let-7 gene. The let-7 gene is present throughout the animal kingdom.

Applications

• A single micro-RNA can regulate the expression of many genes, and alternatively a single gene can also be controlled by multiple micro-RNAs. This leads to fine tuning of different types of cells despite similar genetic information.
• Abnormal regulation by microRNA can contribute to cancer, and mutations in genes coding for microRNAs have been found in humans, causing conditions such as congenital hearing loss, eye and skeletal disorders.

Source: The Hindu

 Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2

Context: Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in New Delhi. Both countries commenced a series of initiatives as bilateral relations improve post the weak phase.

Background: –

• The Maldives is looking at a debt default as its foreign exchange reserves have dropped to $440m (£334m), just enough for one-and-a-half months of imports.

Key initiatives

• Currency Swap Agreement: India signed a major currency swap agreement with the Maldives for $750 million, aimed at helping the Maldives manage its foreign currency crunch.
• RuPay Card and Infrastructure Cooperation: Agreements were signed for launching the RuPay card in the Maldives and the handover of 700 houses built with Indian assistance.
• Institutional Cooperation: Memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were inked between the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Maldivian Anti-Corruption Commission, as well as between policing and judicial training institutes of both countries.
• Tourism and People-to-People Ties: Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu expressed hopes for the return of Indian tourists, whose numbers had halved due to recent tensions.
• Economic Cooperation: Both nations agreed to explore further cooperation on trade in national currencies, and discussions on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) were initiated. Other requests from the Maldives, including debt repayment waivers and further economic assistance, would be reviewed by India.
• Vision Statement: A “vision statement” was released for a comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership, which includes supporting the Maldives on the refit of its Coast Guard ship Huravee at an Indian facility.
• No Indian Military Personnel: There was no mention of the return of Indian military personnel to Maldives, a subject that had led to tension between New Delhi and Male, until India agreed to withdraw them and replace them with technical personnel in May 2023.
• India as a “First Responder”: Modi reiterated that India has always been a first responder and has played a major role in assisting Maldives, including thwarting a coup in 1988, providing emergency aid after the 2004 tsunami, and offering essential commodities and COVID-19 vaccines during recent crises.

Strategic importance of Maldives

• Maldives’ proximity to the west coast of India (barely 70 nautical miles from Minicoy and 300 nautical miles from India’s West coast), and its location at the hub of commercial sea-lanes running through the Indian Ocean (particularly the 8° N and 1 ½° N channels) imbues it with significant strategic importance to India.
• Maldives is one of the key elements in India’s maritime security calculus. The security scenario in India’s periphery in the Indian Ocean is very much linked to the maritime strength of Maldives. This is the reason why India invests on Maldives’ security by training its defence forces.
• Estimates suggest that almost 70 per cent of Maldives’ defence training is done by India — either on the islands or in India’s elite military academies. India has trained over 1,500 Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) personnel in the past 10 years.
• The Indian Navy has given aircraft and choppers to the Maldivian defence forces for aerial surveillance. India also wants to set up a coastal radar system in Maldives, with a view to keep an eye on the activities in the Indian Ocean.

Source: Hindu

 Syllabus

• Mains – GS 1 & GS 2

Context: Centre has filed an affidavit in Supreme Court, supporting Marital Rape Exception (MRE) in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Background: –

• Section 63, Exception 2 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Section 375, Exception 2 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860) states that ‘Sexual intercourse or sexual acts by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under eighteen years of age, is not rape.’

Centre’s Argument on Marital Rape and Critical Reflections:

• Differential Treatment Justification: The Centre argues that married and unmarried women are not equally placed under Article 14 (right to equality) because marriage creates a ‘continuing expectation of reasonable sexual access’.
• Vagueness of ‘Reasonable Sexual Access’: There is no clear definition of what ‘reasonable sexual access’ in centres argument entails. Is it subjective or objective? It raises questions on parameters like frequency and type of sexual acts.
• Legal Inadequacy: The argument is questionable as marriage may create various expectations (e.g., financial support), but violating those doesn’t provide immunity from criminal law. Moreover, this argument doesn’t apply to other intimate relationships like live-in partnerships, undermining its logic.

Impact on Marriage and Misuse of Law:

• Sanctity of Marriage: The Centre claims recognizing marital rape would undermine the institution of marriage. However, there is no evidence supporting this, and it raises questions about the institution’s value if it relies on impunity for marital rape.
• Fear of False Allegations: Concerns about misuse are a common argument in criminal law, but sexual offences are often under-reported, and proving rape remains the real challenge. The fear of misuse is a weak argument against criminalization.

Social vs. Legal Issue Argument:

• The Centre’s affidavit also makes the claim that marital rape is a social, not a legal issue, and, therefore, not within the Court’s jurisdiction. Given that law regulates (nearly) every aspect of human life and society, it is not clear whether and how there can be such a watertight distinction between a social and a legal issue
• The Centre suggests the what should or should not be a criminal offence is a legislative matter rather than judicial. On the other hand, MRE, being part of existing law, is subject to constitutional scrutiny under Part III of the Constitution. The Court’s jurisdiction includes assessing the constitutionality of MRE and determining if it infringes on fundamental rights.

Source: The Hindu

 Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2

Context: Over the past 10 years, India has plummeted on the academic freedom index ranks, according to the “Free to Think 2024” annual report published by the Scholars at Risk (SAR) Academic Freedom Monitoring Project.

Background:

• Scholars at Risk (SAR) is a network of 665 universities across the globe, including Columbia University, Duke University, and New York University.

About Scholars at Risk (SAR

• SAR’s mission is to protect scholars who face threats to their lives, liberty, and well-being. SAR advocates for academic freedom and works to raise awareness about the importance of protecting scholars and their work.
• Services and Support
  • Temporary Academic Positions: SAR arranges short-term academic positions at member institutions for at-risk scholars. These positions typically last from 6 months to 2 years, allowing scholars to continue their research and teaching in a safe environment.
  • Advisory and Referral Services: SAR provides guidance and referrals to scholars in need, helping them navigate their situations and find appropriate support.

Key takeaways from Free to Think 2024 report :

• The report notes that India’s academic freedom slipped from 0.6 points to 0.2 points from 2013 to 2023.
• In India, the most pressing threats to the academic freedom of students and scholars included the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s efforts to exert political control and impose a Hindu nationalist agenda on universities and university policies limiting student protest, the report states.
• According to the Academic Freedom Index, India now ranks as “completely restricted”, its lowest score since the mid-1940s.
• The report highlights some instances of the Indian government putting in stringent measures on campuses.
  • Many restrictions: Both Jawaharlal Nehru University and South Asian University announced new policies restricting student expression. While JNU barred students from protesting near academic buildings, SAU barred students from protesting on campus at all.
  • The reporting period saw the BJP-led Union government battle with State governments over the control of higher education.
  • In Kerala, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan fought with the State government over a legislative amendment that would have him replaced as the Chancellor of the State’s universities. In April 2024, the Kerala government filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the action of President Droupadi Murmu withholding assent to the proposed amendment.
  • Similar battles for control of higher education took place in other States, including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Punjab, the report points out.

Source: The Hindu

 Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – ECONOMY

Context: Telangana will soon have dry port facilities to boost logistics services for its industries.

Background: –

• Logistics is the backbone of industrial development.

Key takeaways

• A dry port is an inland terminal directly connected to a seaport by road, rail, or waterways. It functions as a multimodal logistics hub where goods are handled, stored, and cleared for customs, thus extending the capabilities of seaports.
• An exporter can complete all customs formalities at the dry dock, saving time and cost.

Purpose:

• Reduce Congestion at Seaports: By handling container traffic away from the seaport, dry ports help reduce congestion at major ports.
• Facilitate Trade: They provide efficient customs clearance and reduce time for cargo processing, thus facilitating faster and cheaper trade.
• Enhance Connectivity: Dry ports improve connectivity between the hinterland and international trade gateways by integrating various transport modes like road, rail, and waterways.

Functions:

• Cargo Handling: Sorting, labeling, packing, and distribution of goods.
• Customs Clearance: Enables customs inspections and procedures inland, reducing the burden on seaports.
• Warehousing and Storage: Offers facilities for long-term storage of goods.
• Logistics and Distribution: Acts as centers for regional and international distribution of cargo.

Importance for India:

• Improves Trade Efficiency: Dry ports help in faster cargo movement, making India’s export-import system more efficient.
• Boosts Hinterland Connectivity: Enhances the connection of remote areas with international trade, contributing to balanced regional development.
• Supports ‘Make in India’: By providing logistics solutions, dry ports support India’s manufacturing sector by ensuring smooth supply chains.
• Cost Reduction: Reduces transportation costs by minimizing delays and streamlining logistics operations.

Examples in India:

• Concor’s Inland Container Depots (ICDs): Located at places like Tughlakabad (Delhi), Dadri (Uttar Pradesh), and Whitefield (Bangalore).
• Jawaharlal Nehru Port Dry Port: Near Jalna, Maharashtra, which improves connectivity for industries in central India.

Source: Hindu Businessline

Q1.) With reference to Dry Ports, consider the following statements:

1. Dry ports help in reducing congestion at seaports by handling customs clearance and cargo operations inland.
2. Dry ports play a critical role in boosting India’s regional development by improving connectivity between remote areas and international trade hubs.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q2.) With reference to microRNAs (miRNAs), consider the following statements:

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by degrading mRNA or inhibiting its translation.

MicroRNAs function in gene regulation at the transcriptional level.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q3.) With reference to the Scholars at Risk (SAR) network, consider the following statements:

1. Scholars at Risk (SAR) is an international network that aims to protect scholars and promote academic freedom globally.
2. SAR provides temporary academic positions to scholars who face threats in their home countries due to their work.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’  8th October 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) –  c

Q.2) – a

Q.3) – b