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 Deepak Yadav Education

Deepak Yadav Education

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 Free Foodgrains Scheme

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 Why in News?
Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public
Distribution issued a notification to provide free foodgrains
(rice, wheat and coarse grains) to all eligible
households under the National Food Security Act, 2013, for
one year from January 1, 2023.
▪ The government, however, discontinued the Pradhan
Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.
What is NFSA?
▪ Notified On:
o 10th September, 2013.
▪ Objective:
o To provide for food and nutritional security in the
human life cycle approach, by ensuring access to
adequate quantities of quality food at
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 o affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity.

▪ Coverage:
o 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population for receiving
subsidised foodgrains under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
o Overall, NFSA covers about 81.35 crore citizens.
▪ Eligibility:
o Priority Households are to be covered under TPDS, according to guidelines by the
State government.
o Households are covered under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana.
▪ Provisions:
o 5 Kgs of foodgrains per person per month at Rs. 3/2/1 per Kg for rice/wheat/coarse
grains.
o The existing AAY household will continue to receive 35 Kgs of foodgrains per
household per month.
o Meal and maternity benefits of not
less than Rs. 6,000 to pregnant
women and lactating mothers during
pregnancy and six months after
child birth.

o Meals for children upto 14 years of

age.

o Food security allowance to

beneficiaries in case of non-supply
of entitled foodgrains or meals.

o Setting up grievance redressal

mechanisms at the district and state
level.

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 Prahari App

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 Why in News?
Recently the Union Home minister launched ‘Prahari’ app
for Border Security Force (BSF) Jawans.
▪ The Ministry also revised 13 BSF manuals to increase
the understanding of the administration, training and
operations of the border guarding organization.
▪ These manuals will help speed up the tasks of the BSF
jawans. They will ease the work of all ranks of BSF
jawans and officers.
What are the Key Features of the App?
▪ Through the ‘Prahari’ app, jawans can get personal and
service-related information, housing, Ayushman-
Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and leave related
information on their mobile.
▪ Other Features of the App Include:
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 o Availability of Bio Data
o Grievance redressal on “Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring
System” (CP-GRAMS)”
o Information on various welfare schemes
▪ The app will also connect the Jawans with the portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
What is BSF?
▪ The BSF was raised in 1965, after the India-Pakistan war.
▪ It is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces of the Union of India under the
administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
o Other Central Armed Police Forces are: Assam Rifles (AR), Indo-Tibetan Border Police
(ITBP), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF),
National Security Guards (NSG) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
▪ It is deployed on Indo-Pakistan International Border, Indo-Bangladesh International
Border, Line of Control (LoC) along with Indian Army and in Anti-Naxal Operations.
▪ It has an air wing, marine wing, an artillery regiment, and commando units.
 o BSF has been defending Sir Creek in Arabian Sea
and Sundarban delta in the Bay of Bengal with its
state of art fleet of Water Crafts.
o BSF has an instrumental role in helping state
administration in maintaining Law and Order and
conducting peaceful elections.
o BSF has been crusading against natural calamity to
save precious human lives as and when warranted.
▪ It contributes dedicated services to the UN
peacekeeping Mission by sending a large contingent of
its trained manpower every year.
▪ It has been termed as the First Line of Defence of
Indian Territories.
▪ The Border Security Force has been awarded numerous
gallantry awards including one Mahavir Chakra, 4 Kirti
Chakras, 13 Vir Chakras and 13 Shaurya Chakras.

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 Battle of Koregaon Bhima anniversary

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 In News:
• The 205th anniversary of the Battle of
Koregaon Bhima was celebrated at the
Jaystambh in Pune’s Perne village amidst
heavy police deployment.
• One person was killed and several others were
injured in violence in the Koregaon Bhima area
on January 1, 2018.
• Every year since then, the district
administration and police machinery has been
taking stringent steps to prevent any law-and-
order situation in the area.
What’s in today’s article:
• Battle of Koregaon Bhima
Battle of Koregaon Bhima
Background:
• A small village in Pune district of Maharashtra,
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• Bhima-Koregaon is associated with an important phase of Maratha history.
• The people of Dalit communities gather in Bhima Koregaon on 1 January every year to pay
tribute to the Dalit heroes who died in the war between the British and the Peshwas on 1
January 1818.
• The Peshwas were defeated in this battle of Bhima Koregaon.
Battle of 1818
• The battle of Bhima Koregaon was fought on January 1, 1818, between Peshwa Bajirao II
and British army commanded by Captain F F Staunton of the East India Company.
o The battle was a part of the Third Anglo-Maratha War.
• The British army was largely dominated by Mahars - the most populous of the Dalit sub-
castes in Maharashtra.
• The Dalit-dominated British Army had defeated a Peshwa army
• It resulted in losses to the Maratha empire, then under Peshwa rule, and control over most
of western, central and southern India by the British East India Company.
Koregaon Pillar (Jaystambh)
• In the memory of Battle, the British built squared-pillar to pay homage to the martyr
soldiers, which is popularly known as ‘Koregaon Pillar’.
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• The pillar symbolises the courage of
Mahar Regiment.
• The names of the martyred soldiers were
engraved on the pillars and soldiers were
honoured with a medal by the British in
1851.
Significance
• Mahar relates this battle to their self-
respect because they were insulted by the
Peshwa Baji Rao II on their identity and
caste when they offered their services to
the Peshwa.
• Many historians have termed this incident
as the first historic step towards making
India free of caste, which happened
almost two hundred years ago.
• After Dr. Ambedkar visited the site on
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 • January 1, 1927, it became a place of
pilgrimage for Dalits, an assertion of pride. In
recent years, attendance has been in the
lakhs, with Dalits coming from all over India.
What happened at Bhima Koregaon on January
1, 2018?
• 2018 marked the 200th year of battle and
hence there was a larger gathering at Bhima
Koregaon as compared to previous years.
• During the celebrations there were violent
clashes between Dalit and Maratha groups,
resulting in the death of at least one person
and injuries to several others.

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 Prelims Rapid Fire
With reference to the Ahilyabai Holkar, consider the following statements:

1. She ruled in the Malwa region during the 18th century.

2. The Sanskrit scholar Khushali Ram was a courtier of her dynasty.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.2 only
C.Both 1 and 2
D.Neither 1 nor 2
 Prelims Rapid Fire
With reference to the Ahilyabai Holkar, consider the following statements:

1. She ruled in the Malwa region during the 18th century.

2. The Sanskrit scholar Khushali Ram was a courtier of her dynasty.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.2 only
C.Both 1 and 2
D.Neither 1 nor 2
Recently, the Maharashtra state government is planning to rename the city of
Ahmednagar as ‘Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Nagar’, after the 18th century Malwa queen.
Who is Ahilyabai Holkar?
• Ahilyabai (1725 -1795) was one of the women rulers of Medieval India who belongs
to the Holkar dynasty of the Maratha Empire.
• She married Khanderao Holkar in 1733 at the tender age of 8.
• Her husband was killed in the battle of Kumbher in 1754.
• Ahilyabai is famous for having built numerous forts and roads in the Malwa region,
sponsoring festivals and offering donations to many Hindu temples. Her
philanthropy was reflected in the construction of several temples, ghats, wells, tanks
and rest houses stretching across the length of the country.
• She welcomed stalwarts such as Marathi poet Moropant, Shahir Ananta Gandhi,
and Sanskrit scholar Khushali Ram into her capital.
• John Keay, the British historian, gave the queen the title of ‘The Philosopher
Queen’. She had been an acute observer of the wider political scene.
 Prelims Rapid Fire
With reference to the Brahmos Missile, consider the following statements:

1. It is jointly developed by India and Israel.

2. It operates on the Fire and Forgets principle.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D.Neither 1 nor 2
 Prelims Rapid Fire
With reference to the Brahmos Missile, consider the following statements:

1. It is jointly developed by India and Israel.

2. It operates on the Fire and Forgets principle.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D.Neither 1 nor 2
Recently, The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully test-fired the Extended Range Version of the Brahmos
missile.
• The missile achieved the desired mission objectives in the Bay of Bengal region. With this, IAF has
achieved a significant capability boost to carry out precision strikes from SU-30MKI aircraft against
land or sea targets over very long ranges.
• The capability of striking the targets located at around 350 kilometres compared to around 290
kilometres for the initial version.
• The first test of the initial version of the Brahmos Air Launched Cruise Missile was conducted in
2017.
• For the firing of Brahmos from Sukhoi-30 MKI, the missile is gravity dropped from the fuselage of the
fighter jet, and the two-stage missile’s engine is then fired up and it propels towards the intended
target at the sea.
• The dedicated and synergetic efforts of the IAF, Indian Navy, DRDO, BAPL and HAL have been
instrumental in achieving this feat.
What are Brahmos missiles?
• Brahmos is a joint venture between the Defence Research and Development Organisation of India
and NPOM of Russia. It is named after the rivers Brahmaputra and Moskva.
• It is a two-stage, solid propellant engine in the first stage and a liquid ramjet in the second.
• It can be launched from land, air, and sea and multi a capability missile with pinpoint accuracy that
works both day and night irrespective of the weather conditions.
 Prelims Rapid Fire
• It operates on the "Fire and Forgets"
principle i.e it does not require
further guidance after launch.
• These are called “standoff range
weapons”, i.e fired from a range far
enough to allow the attacker to
evade defensive counter-fire.
• Brahmos is one of the fastest cruise
missiles currently operationally
deployed with the speed of Mach
2.8, which is nearly 3 times more
than the speed of sound.
 Prelims Rapid Fire
With reference to the Globular clusters, consider the following statements:

1. These are spherical aggregates of several thousand to millions of stars.

2. Omega Centauri is a globular cluster in the constellation of Centaurus.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.2 only
C.Both 1 and 2
D.Neither 1 nor 2
 Prelims Rapid Fire
With reference to the Globular clusters, consider the following statements:

1. These are spherical aggregates of several thousand to millions of stars.

2. Omega Centauri is a globular cluster in the constellation of Centaurus.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.2 only
C.Both 1 and 2
D.Neither 1 nor 2
Astronomers and scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), while studying Omega
Centauri found that hot stars emitted less ultraviolet radiation than expected.
• A team of Scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics detected strange hot stars in the
Globular clusters using the Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) images on AstroSat (India’s
first dedicated space observatory, which has been operating since 2015).
What are Globular clusters?
• Globular clusters are spherical aggregates of several thousand to millions of stars bound by
gravity. These systems are thought to have formed early on in the Universe and can serve as
perfect astrophysical laboratories for astronomers to understand how stars evolve through
various phases.
• Omega Centauri is a globular cluster in the constellation of Centaurus that was first identified
as a non-stellar object by Edmond Halley in 1677.
• Located at a distance of 17,090 light-years, it is the largest-known globular cluster in the
Milky Way at a diameter of roughly 150 light-years.
What is Galaxy?
• A galaxy is a huge collection of gas, dust, and billions of stars and their solar systems are
bound together by gravity.
• Milky Way, is stuffed with between 100 billion and 400 billion other stars, many of them
with planets of their own. The Milky Way got its name from the way it looks from the
ground: like a streak of spilt milk across the sky.
 Prelims Rapid Fire
With reference to Haemophilia, consider the following statements:

1. It is a medical condition in which the ability of blood to clot is severely reduced.

2. Women are more vulnerable to this disease than men.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.2 only
C.Both 1 and 2
D.Neither 1 nor 2
 Prelims Rapid Fire
With reference to Haemophilia, consider the following statements:

1. It is a medical condition in which the ability of blood to clot is severely reduced.

2. Women are more vulnerable to this disease than men.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.2 only
C.Both 1 and 2
D.Neither 1 nor 2
 Prelims Rapid Fire
Recently, U.S. drugmaker Pfizer Inc said that its experimental gene therapy for the treatment of
haemophilia B met its main goal in a late-stage study.
• Data from the study showed that a single dose of the therapy was superior to the current standard of
care in helping reduce the bleeding rate in patients with moderately severe to severe forms of
haemophilia B.

What is Haemophilia?
• It is a medical condition, mostly inherited, in which the ability of blood to clot is severely reduced.
• This disease is caused by a mutation in one of the genes,that provides instructions for making the
clotting factor proteins needed to form a blood clot.
• This change or mutation can prevent the clotting protein from working properly or being missing
altogether. These genes are located on the X chromosome.
• Men are more vulnerable to haemophilia than women. It is a rare disease where in about 1 in 10,000
people are born with it.
 Prelims Rapid Fire
Charru mussel recently seen in the news is:

A.An invasive species

B.A new organic fungicide

C.An algae

D.a type of moss

 Prelims Rapid Fire
Charru mussel recently seen in the news is:

A.An invasive species

B.A new organic fungicide

C.An algae

D.a type of moss

 Prelims Rapid Fire
Recently, the first time this invasive species has been found on the Eastern coast of India and
fishermen raised concern over this specie.
• The marine biologists identified these species as Mytella strigata or Charru mussels which
are Native to South America.
• These mussels have invaded tidal wetlands in several parts of the world, including
Vembanad in Kerala.
• This is spreading due to the discharge of ballast waters from ships visiting the ports of
Kattupalli.
• After Cyclone Vardah in December 2016, the mussels began to intensify and spread far
north towards the Pulicat waters.
• Human interference in the wetlands, pollution and nature’s actions have triggered the rapid
spread of the species.
• Threats: These mussels spread like a carpet over the river bottoms and thus preventing
prawns from grazing or burying themselves in the sediment.
• Its spread is wiping out the locally prevalent yellow clams and green mussels.
 Prelims Rapid Fire
‘Prahari App’ recently seen in the news aims to provide
A. personal and service-related information to BSF Jawans.

B.platform for reporting child labour

C.platform to submit sexual harassment at workplace

D.Digital health records of citizens

 Prelims Rapid Fire
‘Prahari App’ recently seen in the news aims to provide

A. personal and service-related information to BSF Jawans.

B.platform for reporting child labour

C.platform to submit sexual harassment at workplace

D.Digital health records of citizens

 Prelims Rapid Fire
Recently Union Home Minister launched ‘Prahari’ app for Border Security Force (BSF) Jawans.
About:
• BSF ‘Prahari’ app is a great example of Proactive Governance, now Jawans can get personal and service related
information, housing, Ayushman-CAPF and leave related information on their mobile.
• Other features of the app include:
o Availability of Bio Data
o Grievance redressal on “Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System” (CP-GRAMS)
o information on various welfare schemes.
• The app will also connect the Jawans with the portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Border Security Force (BSF)
• It is India's border guarding organisation on its border with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
• It is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) of India, and was raised in the wake of the 1965 war
on 1 December 1965.
• It comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• BSF contributes its personnel every year for UN Missions.
 Prelims Rapid Fire
With reference to Ethylene glycol, consider the following statements:

1. It is found in hydraulic brake fluids and ballpoint pens.

2. It is mostly used as an automotive antifreeze and as a raw material for manufacturing
polyester fibres.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.2 only
C.Both 1 and 2
D.Neither 1 nor 2
 Prelims Rapid Fire
With reference to Ethylene glycol, consider the following statements:

1. It is found in hydraulic brake fluids and ballpoint pens.

2. It is mostly used as an automotive antifreeze and as a raw material for
manufacturing polyester fibres.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.2 only
C.Both 1 and 2
D.Neither 1 nor 2
Uzbekistan’s health ministry has recently claimed India-made cough syrups contained ethylene
glycol which led to the death of at least 18 children.
About:
What is ethylene glycol?
• Ethylene glycol is a colourless and odourless alcoholic compound that can be fatal if
consumed.
• The sweet-tasting ethylene glycol is a syrupy or viscous liquid at room temperature.
• It is mostly used as an automotive antifreeze and as a raw material for manufacturing
polyester fibres.
• It is also found in several products such as hydraulic brake fluids, stamp pad inks, ballpoint
pens, solvents, paints, cosmetics and plastics.
• Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are adulterants that are sometimes illegally used as
solvents in liquid drugs.
o Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol may be used by pharma companies as an
alternative to non-toxic solvents such as glycerine or propylene glycol to cut costs.
• The ingestion of ethylene glycol can cause severe health effects. Central nervous system
depression, nausea, vomiting, intoxication, euphoria, stupor, respiratory depression, and
reduced excretion of urine can occur due to ethylene glycol intoxication.
 Prelims Rapid Fire
With reference to Pralay Missile, consider the following statements:

1. It is an indigenous short-range air-to-air missile.

2. It is developed by the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.2 only
C.Both 1 and 2
D.Neither 1 nor 2
 Prelims Rapid Fire
With reference to Pralay Missile, consider the following statements:

1. It is an indigenous short-range air-to-air missile.

2. It is developed by the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.2 only
C.Both 1 and 2
D.Neither 1 nor 2
In a major boost to the striking capabilities of the Indian armed forces, the defense ministry has
recently cleared a proposal to purchase 120 Pralay missiles for the Indian Air Force and Army.
About:
• Pralay is an indigenous short-range ballistic surface-to-surface missile. The missile will
be India’s first tactical quasi-ballistic missile and will give the armed forces the capability to
hit enemy positions and key installations in actual battlefield areas.
• Developed by: The solid-fuel, battlefield missile developed by the Defence Research
Development Organisation (DRDO) is based on Prithvi Defence Vehicle from the Indian
ballistic missile programme.
• Features:
o Pralay’ is powered with a solid propellant rocket motor and other new technologies. The
missile guidance system includes state-of-the-art navigation and integrated avionics,
according to the DRDO.
o The advanced missile has been developed in a way to be able to defeat interceptor
missiles. It has the ability to change its path after covering a certain range mid-air.
o It is capable of carrying a conventional warhead of about 350 kg to 700 kg, which gives
it a deadly punitive capability.
 Prelims Rapid Fire
• Range: The canisterised Pralay missile, has a range of 150-500 kilometres.

• Ballistic missiles: They are initially powered by a rocket or series of rockets in

stages, but then follow an unpowered trajectory that arches upwards before
descending to reach its intended target at high speed. Unlike intercontinental
ballistic missiles that exit the Earth’s atmosphere, short-range ballistic missiles stay
within it.
Thank
You
Mail- deepakyadav20389@gmail.com January 2023 Current Affairs