9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 6th January, 2025

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 1

The Power and Peril of Symbolism

Source: The post The Power and Peril of Symbolism has been created, based on the article “Symbolism must not become misplaced showmanship” published in “The Hindu” on 6th January 2025.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1-  Indian History and Culture

Context: The article discusses the critical role of symbolism in shaping identity, leadership, and historical remembrance. Using recent events in India as a focal point, such as the relocation of an iconic painting from the Indian Army Chief’s office and the installation of Shivaji’s statue in Ladakh, the piece explores how symbols resonate with people and their environment. The article critiques misplaced or inappropriate use of symbolism, arguing that it risks diluting the significance of history and undermines the emotional and cultural connection of the audience. The Power and Peril of Symbolism

What is the significance of symbols in leadership and public messaging?

1. Symbols hold intangible value as they represent important aspects of life.
2. Leaders use symbolism to communicate their values and vision effectively.

What are some examples of symbolism from history and global contexts?

1. Masada (Israel): Military recruits vow to protect their country after a desert march to Fort Masada, symbolizing resilience and national identity.
2. NASA Space Shuttle Discovery (U.S.): Its final flypast in 2012 represented national pride in America’s leadership in space exploration.
3. Desk Reminders: Leaders like Harry S. Truman and Jawaharlal Nehru used symbolic desk placards and poetry to remind themselves and their citizens of their duties.
4. OP Baba Shrine (Siachen Glacier): Soldiers seek blessings from the mythical OP Baba, symbolizing faith and unity among troops on the treacherous glacier.

Why is December 16, 1971, a significant day in India’s history?

It marks India’s decisive victory over Pakistan, leading to the surrender of 93,000 Pakistani soldiers. This victory is a symbol of India’s military and political competency.

Why was the 1971 painting in the Army Chief’s office considered iconic?

The painting represented India’s finest military hour and sent a strong message to visiting dignitaries about India’s military prowess.

Why did the removal of a painting from the Indian Army Chief’s office spark nationwide emotions?

1. The painting depicted the surrender of the Pakistani Army in the 1971 war, a moment of great pride in India’s military history.
2. Its removal highlighted the importance of preserving symbolic representations of significant historical events.
3. A new painting, purportedly representing the Army’s future vision, replaced it. Critics argue this diminishes the subtle yet powerful symbolism of the 1971 victory.

What is the controversy surrounding the installation of Shivaji’s statue in Ladakh?

Critics, including local leaders, feel it is an inappropriate symbol for the region. They suggest Zorawar Singh, a Dogra general with historical ties to the area, would have been a more fitting choice.

GS PAPER - 2

Impacts of China’s Mega-Dam Project

Source: The post Impacts of China’s Mega-Dam Project has been created, based on the article “Implications of China’s mega-dam project ” published in “The Hindu” on 6th January 2025.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper- 2- International relations

Context: The article delves into the geopolitical, ecological, and socio-economic implications of China’s ambitious mega-dam project on the Brahmaputra River, highlighting its potential impacts on downstream nations like India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. The proposed 60 GW hydropower project in the Great Bend region of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) signals China’s intent to assert dominance over the Brahmaputra basin, a critical transboundary river system originating in Tibet and flowing through multiple riparian countries before draining into the Bay of Bengal. Impacts of China’s Mega-Dam Project

What is China’s mega-dam project, and where is it located?

1. Project Overview: China plans to build a 60 GW mega-hydropower dam in the Great Bend region of Medog county in the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR). This project was included in China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2020) and approved on December 25, 2024.
2. Location: The Brahmaputra River, known as the Yarlung Zangbo in TAR, is a transboundary river spanning China, India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. The dam is situated at the Great Bend, where the river turns southward to enter India.

Do all riparian countries have water infrastructure projects in the Brahmaputra basin?

1. Yes, all riparian nations (China, India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh) have major water infrastructure projects, including hydropower dams, embankments, irrigation systems, and barrages.
2. China: Three Gorges Dam, Zangmu Dam (commissioned in 2015), and the planned Medog mega-dam.
3. India: Upper Siang dam, its largest hydropower project.
4. Bhutan: Multiple medium and small dams, raising concerns in downstream India and Bangladesh.

How are nation-states controlling the Brahmaputra river system?

1. Geopolitical Control: Countries view transboundary rivers as resources to be controlled through dams and hydraulic infrastructure, symbolizing sovereignty.
2. “Water Wars” Vocabulary: Terms like “water wars” and “water bombs” reflect tensions between upstream and downstream nations. For example, China’s mega-dam is seen as a “water bomb” by India and Bangladesh.
3. China’s Strategy: As the upper riparian nation, China has complete control over Tibet’s rivers, leveraging its technological and material capabilities.

What are the risks for communities along the Brahmaputra river basin?

1. Disruption of Traditional Knowledge: Dams disrupt the natural flow of rivers, rendering communities’ traditional knowledge ineffective.
2. Adverse Impacts:
   • Blocking the Yarlung Zangbo’s perennial flow could reduce surface water levels, disrupt monsoon patterns, and harm groundwater systems.
   • Downstream agrarian communities and the Himalayan ecosystem face catastrophic risks.
   • Increased disasters such as floods affect traditional lands, livelihoods, and biodiversity.

What explains the hydropower dam-building race?

1. Geopolitical Rivalry: China’s Great Bend project and India’s Upper Siang project exemplify strategic competition.
2. Lack of Agreements: None of the riparian nations are signatories to the 2014 UN Convention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses, making water-sharing agreements unenforceable.
3. Bilateral Efforts: India and China have an Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) since 2006 to share hydrological data but lack a comprehensive treaty on shared rivers.
4. Securitization: Territorial disputes between China and India exacerbate tensions over the Brahmaputra basin.

Why are Tibet’s river systems critical to the Himalayan bioregion?

• Cryosphere Significance: Tibet’s rivers, fed by glaciers and permafrost, are vital to the Earth’s climate systems, including monsoons and precipitation pathways.
• Climate Change Impacts:
  • Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) are increasing, as seen in the 2023 Chungthang Dam collapse in Sikkim.
  • Mega-dams threaten biodiversity, agro-pastoral communities, and river ecosystems.

What historical and ecological risks are associated with the Medog dam?

• Seismic Risks: The site of the Medog dam is prone to earthquakes. The 1950 Assam-Tibet earthquake, one of the most significant in modern history, caused widespread destruction downstream in Assam and Bangladesh.
• Flooding: Annual catastrophic floods are a persistent challenge in the region, worsened by man-made interventions.

What are the broader implications of mega-dams in the region?

• Ecological and Social Impact:
  • Dams disrupt the natural life cycles of rivers, turning the Himalayan river basin into an active risk-scape.
  • Agro-pastoral communities and the Himalayan bioregion face significant threats from these projects.

How should riparian nations address these challenges?

• Alternative Approaches:
  • A bioregional/ecoregional framework could help desecuritize the Brahmaputra river basin and protect its ecology.
  • India could assume a leadership role by adopting sustainable water management practices instead of mirroring China’s dam-building strategy.
• Strategic Recommendation: Avoid “a dam for a dam” approach to prevent turning the Himalayan river systems into disaster zones.

Digital Personal Data Protection Rules

Source: The post Digital Personal Data Protection Rules has been created, based on the article “No secret affair – Deliberations on draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules must be open” published in “The Hindu” on 6th January 2025.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper- 2- Polity

Context: The article addresses the critical need for transparency in the rule-making process for India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, which seek to enforce the Digital Personal Data Protection Act passed over a year ago. Digital Personal Data Protection Rules

1. What is the significance of the draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025?

1. The draft rules are a crucial step towards enforcing the fundamental right to informational privacy for Indians, as affirmed by the Supreme Court in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy vs. Union of India (2017).
2. They aim to implement the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, passed over a year ago, which itself was delayed for seven years.
3. The delay has potentially compromised the privacy of Indians’ data during a period of rapid digitisation.

2. What are the key features of the proposed rules?

1. User Data Communication: Online services must clearly communicate the purposes of their data collection.
2. Children’s Data Protection: Specific safeguards for handling children’s data online.
3. Data Protection Board of India (DPBI): Establishes the DPBI and defines its functions.
4. Government Exemptions: Sets standards for government agencies to follow if exempted from the Act.
5. Data Breach Procedures: Outlines steps to be taken if a data fiduciary breaches personal data.

3. Are there concerns with the proposed rules?

1. Concerns remain about the institutional design of the DPBI, which has not been addressed in these rules.
2. It is unlikely that subordinate legislation will resolve these issues comprehensively.

4. Why is the rule-making process criticized?

1. The government has kept the process opaque, declining to make stakeholder recommendations public.
2. This lack of transparency has been a pattern since the Justice B.N. Srikrishna committee drafted the first Bill.
3. An open, deliberative process involving public and industry associations is essential but absent.

5. What principles should guide the finalisation of the rules?

1. Transparency: Equal participation of stakeholders, including industry associations and the public, with visibility into all viewpoints.
2. Data Protection Goals: Focus on:
   • Minimising data collection.
   • Promoting disclosures.
   • Penalising negligence in data protection.
   • Discouraging surveillance by both private entities and the government.

3. Timeliness: The process must move quickly to ensure Indians receive the rights affirmed in 2017.

6. What are the risks of further delay or lack of transparency?

1. Continued delays erode public confidence in the government’s commitment to protecting data privacy.
2. Both private enterprises and government agencies may exploit the absence of stringent rules, compromising users’ data further.
3. By addressing these issues with openness and adherence to privacy principles, the government can reinforce trust and effectively protect Indians’ digital rights.

India Needs to Prioritize Preventive Healthcare for a Healthier Future

Source: The post India Needs to Prioritize Preventive Healthcare for a Healthier Future  has been created, based on the article “ India Needs to Prioritise Preventive Care” published in “The Hindu” on 6th January 2025.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper- 2- Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Context: The article underscores the urgent need for India to prioritize preventive healthcare as a strategic approach to address the country’s escalating healthcare crisis. With a rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, which account for a significant portion of deaths, the article highlights the economic and social implications of delayed diagnosis and treatment. It emphasizes that preventive measures, such as regular screenings and early interventions, could significantly alleviate the healthcare and financial burden on individuals and the system. India Needs to Prioritize Preventive Healthcare for a Healthier Future

1. What is the healthcare crisis India is facing?

India is witnessing a rising healthcare crisis characterized by:

1. A paradox where life expectancy is increasing, but people face diseases earlier in life.
2. A surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer.
3. NCDs accounted for 65% of all deaths in 2022, up from 50% in 2010-13.
4. High prevalence of risk factors:
   • • 1 in 4 adult men are hypertensive.
     • 1 in 8 adults are diabetic.
     • Rising cases of breast, lung, and cervical cancer with earlier diagnoses compared to global averages.

2. Why is preventive care important?

Preventive care offers the potential to:

1. Diagnose and manage conditions early, reducing severe health outcomes.
2. Lower individual and system-wide healthcare expenses.
3. Minimize the cascading economic and social effects of serious diseases.

3. What is the economic burden of NCDs in India?

1. Current Expenditure: ₹7.9 lakh crore in 2021-22, growing faster than overall inflation.
2. Household Contribution: Nearly 50% of health expenditure comes from households, one of the highest globally.
3. Future Projections: WHO estimates the economic burden of NCDs in India will exceed ₹280 lakh crore by 2030, amounting to ₹2 lakh per household.
4. Healthcare Budget: The Union Budget for 2024 allocated ₹87,657 crore, a 13% increase, but still insufficient to address India’s challenges.

4. How can regular screenings help?

Targeted and periodic screenings can significantly reduce life-threatening conditions:

1. For every 1,000 screenings in a large hospital network, at least three pre-emptive cardiac or cancer interventions are identified.
2. Recommended screenings:
   1. Mammograms for breast cancer.
   2. Pap smears for cervical cancer.
   3. Low-dose CT for lung cancer.
   4. Ultrasound for liver disease.
   5. Stress tests and echocardiograms for heart health.
3. Early interventions result in better health outcomes and cost savings.

5. What are the barriers to preventive care adoption?

1. High Costs: Comprehensive health checks cost ₹8,000-₹15,000 in metro cities.
2. Limited Tax Benefits: The ₹5,000 tax deduction under Section 80D for preventive health checks has not been revised since 2013, despite rising healthcare inflation.

6. How can the government encourage preventive care?

1. Revising Tax Deductions: Increasing the preventive health check tax deduction limit to ₹15,000 in the Union Budget 2025-26. This could:
   • Encourage preventive health adoption.
   • Save future healthcare costs worth several thousand crores.
   • Require an incremental tax expenditure of less than ₹5,000 crore.

2. Subsidised Screenings: Policies to reduce screening costs for high-risk individuals.
3. Public Awareness: Campaigns to promote preventive health measures.

7. What steps can drive preventive care adoption?

A three-pronged approach can foster change:

1. Strengthen Early Interventions:
   1. Expand the Ayushman Health and Wellness Centres.
   2. Utilize AI-enabled imaging for cost-effective, large-scale screenings.
2. Subsidise Private Screenings:
   1. Encourage insurers and private providers to offer affordable screening packages.
   2. Fund programmes through a healthcare cess or the proposed 35% GST slab on tobacco and sugar products.
3. Increase Tax Incentives:
   1. Enhance the tax deduction limit to motivate more people to undergo regular health checks.

8. What is the ultimate goal of prioritising preventive care?

By focusing on prevention over reactive treatments, India can:

1. Improve health outcomes.
2. Reduce economic and financial burdens of chronic diseases.
3. Build a healthier, more economically resilient nation.

2024 Faces Uncertainty With Global Polycrises

Source: The post 2024 Faces Uncertainty With Global Polycrises has been created, based on the article “Steering towards stability after a year of uncertainty” published in “Indian Express” on 6th January 2025

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.

Context: The article highlights 2024 as a year of uncertainty, with challenges in geopolitics, the economy, energy, and technology. It emphasizes anti-incumbency, global conflicts, green energy transitions, and technological risks, urging global cooperation through multidisciplinary institutions to address these polycrises. 2024 Faces Uncertainty With Global Polycrises

Why is 2024 Called “The Year of Uncertainty”?

1. The year 2024 faced multiple crises, termed “polycrisis,” where distinct but interconnected challenges overwhelmed solutions.
2. The world struggled with geopolitical tensions, economic instability, energy transitions, and rapid technological changes. This created uncertainty about the future.

What are the challenges in geopolitics, the economy, energy, and technology?

1. Challenges in Geopolitics
2. Territorial Ambitions: Putin seeks to revive “Imperia Rus,” Xi Jinping pushes for global dominance, and Netanyahu envisions “Greater Israel.”
3. Power Struggles: Erdogan aspires for Ottoman-style influence, and Trump advocates “Make America Great Again.”
4. Global Conflict Risks: These ambitions could create unintended global conflicts or modern feudalism.
5. Challenges in the Economy
6. Slow Growth: Global growth rates declined, impacting stability.
7. Protectionism: Nations adopted policies limiting international trade.
8. Public Debt: Rising debt levels created financial instability.
9. Unpredictable Policies: Trump’s trade and tax pronouncements remain unclear, adding uncertainty to global markets.

For more detailed information on Federal Reserve faces uncertainty in monetary policy read this article here

3. Challenges in Energy
4. Structural Barriers: Transitioning to green energy requires decades and infrastructure redesign.
5. Funding Gaps: Trillions of dollars are needed, requiring cooperation between governments, private sectors, and institutions.
6. Political Resistance: Leaders hesitate due to the economic and social impacts of reducing fossil fuel reliance.
7. Challenges in Technology
8. AI Risks: Concerns exist over losing control of AI.
9. Ethical Issues: Debate continues over ethics in robotics and genetic engineering.
10. Accountability: Clear lines of responsibility for technology risks are missing.

How Should the World Respond?

1. Create Global Institutions: Establish multidisciplinary organizations to address interconnected crises like geopolitics, energy, and technology.
2. Encourage Unity: Follow Epictetus’ philosophy by choosing collective, innovative responses to polycrises.

Question for practice:

Discuss how the interconnected challenges of geopolitics, the economy, energy, and technology make 2024 a “Year of Uncertainty” and the role of global institutions in addressing these polycrises.

Improving Social Security for Unorganised Workers

Source: The post Improving Social Security for Unorganised Workers has been created, based on the article “Building a system that sees the migrant worker” published in “Indian Express” on 6th January 2025

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance-Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States.

Context: The article discusses the e-Shram portal, launched to register unorganised workers, highlighting its potential to improve social security. Despite efforts like the One-Stop Solution (OSS), challenges remain in addressing exclusions, portability, gender sensitivity, and effective implementation. Improving Social Security for Unorganised Workers

What is the e-Shram Portal?

1. The e-Shram portal was launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E) in May 2021. It aims to create a national database of unorganised workers, including migrant workers.
2. Over 300 million workers are registered on the platform, making it the largest database of unorganised workers globally.

For more detailed information on e-Shram Portal read this article here

Why Was a National Worker Database Needed?

1. Pandemic Crisis: The exodus and distress of migrant workers during COVID-19 highlighted their vulnerability.
2. Supreme Court Directive: Instructed the Union government to create a national database for workers.
3. Existing Recommendations Ignored:

• The Interstate Migrant Workmen Act (1979) mandated worker registration but was poorly implemented.
• The National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector (2007) proposed universal registration for migrant workers.
• The Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act (2008) suggested issuing identity cards.

WhatQ Is the One-Stop Solution (OSS)?

1. The One-Stop Solution (OSS) was launched in October by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
2. It integrates social security schemes with the e-Shram portal, helping migrant and unorganised workers access welfare programs.
3. Key schemes linked include One Nation One Ration Card, MGNREGA, and PM Shram Yogi Maandhan.
4. More schemes like PM Matru Vandana Yojana and Shramik Suraksha Yojana will be added soon.
5. It ensures benefits such as pensions, insurance, housing, skill development, and food security.

OSS aims to make registration easier and connect workers to welfare programs.

For more detailed information on e-Shram Portal read this article here

What Are the Key Concerns?

1. Exclusion due to Lack of Documents: Many workers lack basic identity proofs, such as Aadhaar or permanent mobile numbers.
2. Gender Sensitivity: Women constitute 53.59% of registered workers, highlighting the need for gender-sensitive policies.
3. Portability of Welfare Schemes: Migrants need entitlements that can be accessed across states.
4. Diverse Needs of Migrants: Migrant workers are not a homogeneous category — there is substantial socio-cultural, regional, demographic, and economic diversity. It is essential to map out migrants’ profiles in detail.
5. Focus on Human Development: Workers must be viewed as assets, and schemes should focus on long-term outcomes rather than subsidies.

What Is the Way Forward?

1. Migrants and workers are vital to the Indian economy and must be included in development policies.
2. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes the need for better governance of migration.
3. The MoL&E must address gaps in the e-Shram portal, OSS, and social security systems to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat.

Question for practice:

Examine how the e-Shram portal and the One-Stop Solution (OSS) address the challenges faced by unorganised and migrant workers in India.

GS PAPER - 3

Badge engineering boosts carmakers market strategies

Source: The post Badge engineering boosts carmakers market strategies has been created, based on the article “What is ‘badge engineering’ in cars, how it helps customers, automakers” published in “Indian Express” on 6th January 2025

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3-Effects of liberalisation on the economy

Context: The article explains “badge engineering,” where carmakers share vehicle platforms to save costs and widen their market. It highlights Toyota-Maruti’s success in India, offering similar cars under different brands, while some global partnerships, like Renault-Nissan, faced challenges. Badge engineering boosts carmakers market strategies

What is Badge Engineering?

1. Definition: Badge engineering involves car manufacturers sharing a vehicle design or platform, allowing them to sell essentially the same car under different brand names.
2. Cost Efficiency: By using shared platforms, companies avoid the high costs of developing a new model from scratch.
3. Market Impact: This strategy contributed to Toyota achieving its best-ever wholesale figures in FY24, with over 40% year-on-year growth in unit sales.
4. Consumer Choice: Though cars share platforms, aesthetic tweaks and brand perception influence consumer purchasing decisions, allowing for targeted marketing strategies.

What are the Benefits for Manufacturers?

1. Cost Efficiency: Sharing platforms reduces R&D costs and increases economies of scale.
2. Market Expansion: Maruti targets premium buyers through Toyota’s Innova; Toyota gains access to Maruti’s budget segments.
3. Increased Options: Toyota sells strong hybrid variants of Grand Vitara, while Maruti focuses on mild hybrids.

What are Examples of Failed Badge Engineering?

1. Examples of Successful Badge Engineering
2. Toyota-Maruti Suzuki Partnership (India): Toyota’s Taisor (rebadged Maruti Fronx) and Grand Vitara-Hyryder collaboration boosted Toyota’s FY24 sales by 40%.
3. Hyundai-Kia: Creta and Seltos share platforms but compete strongly.
4. Volkswagen-Skoda: Models like Taigun-Kushaq share platforms with distinct features.
5. Hindustan Motors Ambassador: Rebadged Morris Oxford (1957-2014).
6. Examples of Failed Badge Engineering
7. Renault-Nissan (India): Terrano (Duster) and Scala (Sunny) failed.
8. Aston Martin Cygnet: Rebadged Toyota iQ sold poorly in 2011.
9. Audi 50: A rebadged VW Polo discontinued after low sales.

What are the Challenges of Badge Engineering?

1. Consumer Rejection: Poorly differentiated models, like Renault Scala (Nissan Sunny) and Nissan Terrano (Duster), failed in India due to lack of uniqueness.
2. Flagship Exclusivity: Suzuki did not share Swift or Jimny, and Toyota kept Innova Crysta and Fortuner exclusive, limiting collaboration.
3. High Price Perception: Aston Martin Cygnet, a rebadged Toyota iQ, failed in 2011 due to a significant price jump.

Question for practice:

Examine the benefits and challenges of badge engineering in the automobile industry with examples.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Indus Valley Script

News: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has announced a prize money of $1 million for experts or organisations that are successful in deciphering the scripts of Indus Valley Civilisation. 

About Indus Valley Script 

• Evolution:  
  • During the early Harappan phase (3500-2700 BCE), the earliest examples of script signs are found on Ravi and Kot Diji pottery excavated at Harappa. 
  • During the urban period (2600-1900 BCE), the script was fully developed, and longer inscriptions were recorded. 
• Though the script remains undeciphered, experts say that it was not alphabetical as it had too many signs, ranging from 375 to 400. 
• The script was written from right to left (Boustrophedon Style). This is evident as some seals show a wider spacing on the right and cramping on the left. 
• Evidence of writing has been found on a variety of objects including seals, copper tools, jewelry, terracotta tablets etc. 
• The script was pictographic and contained iconographic motifs like realistic pictures of animals.

Key attempts to decipher the Indus Valley Script  1932- Flinders Petrie attempted to decipher the script based on supposed similarity of pictographic principles between Indus Valley Script and Egyptian hieroglyphs.  Early 1970s- Iravatham Mahadevan found that an average inscription contained five symbols and longest inscription contained only 14 symbols in single line, establishing the direction of writing being from right to left.  1982- SR Rao argued for a Sanskrit based decipherment of script. He traced the gradual changes in the Harappan script from a picture cum linear script to a purely linear one.

Cowpea Explanation

News: ISRO’s PSLV-C60 POEM-4 Mission has achieved a milestone by germinating cowpea seeds under microgravity conditions within four days of the launch of the mission. 

About Cowpea 

• The cowpea is an annual herbaceous legume within the pea family. 
• The plant was originally domesticated in Africa. Presently, they are grown in semi-arid areas covering Africa, Asia, Europe, United States, Central and South America. 
• Characteristics: 
  • Tolerates sandy soil and low rainfall. 
  • Possess nitrogen fixation properties, which replenishes the fertility of soils. 
  • Has multiple uses like food, feed, forage etc. 
  • Rich source of proteins, minerals and vitamins. 
  • Its wide leaves keep soil and soil moisture conserved due to shading effect. 
• Climate: It is warm weather and semi-arid crop. The crop is best suited to temperatures ranging from 20-degree celsius to 30-degree celsius. 
• Production:
  • Globally, African continent dominates the cowpea production. 
  • In India, cowpea is cultivated mainly in the states of Rajasthan, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, Haryana etc. 

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) Explanation

News: Several state governments have issued health advisories after detection of the first Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Bengaluru. 

About HMPV 

• It is a respiratory virus that causes upper respiratory infection and mild infections that are like common cold. 
  • Sometimes, it can also cause lower respiratory infections like pneumonia, asthma flare-ups or may deteriorate Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). 
• It was first identified in 2001 and belongs to the Pneumoviridae family along with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). 
• Transmission: Spreads through direct contact with infected person or from touching contaminated surfaces.  
• Symptoms: Cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose etc. 
• Risk Factors: Children under the age of 5 years, citizens above 65 years of age, people with weakened immune systems. 
• Treatment: Currently, there are no vaccines or antiviral medications to treat HMPV. 

Golden Jackal Explanation

News– Environmentalists say that golden jackals appear to be adapting to their changing environment and are no longer avoiding humans.

About Golden Jackal

• The golden jackal, also referred to as the common jackal, is a medium-sized, wolf-like canid.
  • Activity– In human-inhabited areas, they are strictly nocturnal, but in less-disturbed regions, they may exhibit partially diurnal behavior.
  • Mating- They are monogamous, forming lifelong pairs.
• Diet-They are omnivorous and opportunistic foragers, consuming a diverse range of food.
• Habitat– These animals thrive in valleys, riverbanks, tributaries, canals, lakes, and coastal areas. However, they are less common in foothills and low mountainous regions.
• Distribution-They are widely distributed across North and East Africa, Southeastern Europe, and South Asia, extending to Burma. In India, they inhabit diverse landscapes, ranging from the Himalayan foothills to the Western Ghats.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN: Least Concern
  • CITES: Appendix III
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (India): Schedule I
• Ecological Significance– Golden jackals play a vital role in preserving the biodiversity of mangrove and grassland ecosystems.