Current Affairs 5th June 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

Table of Contents

Netherlands – 3rd Largest Export Destination

Context: In FY 2023-24, the Netherlands rose to become India’s third largest destination for exports, following the U.S. and UAE.

India and the Netherlands established diplomatic ties in 1947.
In 2023-24, the bilateral trade between the two countries marginally dipped to $27.34 billion as against $27.58 billion in 2022-23.
India’s trade surplus with the Netherlands has increased to $17.4 billion in the last fiscal from $13 billion in 2022-23.
India’s exports to the Netherlands rose by about 3.5% to $22.36 billion in 2023-24
During 2023-24, India received about $5 billion in foreign direct investment from the Netherlands. It was $2.6 billion in 2022-23.

Context: Volvo Cars is introducing the world’s first Electric Vehicle (EV) battery passport for its new EX90 SUV.

Purpose: The passport includes information about the composition of batteries, origin of materials, carbon footprint, and recycled content.
Developed: Developed in partnership with UK startup Circulor.
- Circulor’s system tracks battery materials from mining to the finished car and monitors energy sources used in production.
Technology: The blockchain technology to track supply chain details.
Battery Health Monitoring: Provides up-to-date information on the battery’s health for 15 years, aiding in assessing used EV values.
Accessibility: Owners can access a simplified version of the passport via a QR code, while a complete version will be submitted to regulators.
Regulatory Compliance: Aligns with upcoming EU regulations making battery passports mandatory for all EVs from February 2027.

Context: Recent research suggested that Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria use reverse transcriptase in defence against bacteriophages.

Discovery: Discovered in 1970 by Howard Temin and David Baltimore.
Function: RT catalyses the transcription of RNA into DNA, a process known as reverse transcription.
- This is the opposite of the usual transcription process where DNA serves as a template for RNA.
Structure: The enzyme typically has two subunits, which include an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity, ribonuclease H (RNase H), and DNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity.
- These activities collectively enable RT to convert single-stranded RNA into double-stranded DNA.
Role in Viruses: Viruses such as HIV and hepatitis B use RT to replicate their genomes.
- After infecting a host cell, the viral RNA is reverse-transcribed into DNA, which can then integrate into the host’s genome and direct the production of new viral particles.
Applications: RT is used in molecular biology for various applications, including reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), which is a technique used to amplify and study specific DNA sequences from an RNA template.
- It’s also used in research for cloning, RNA sequencing, and genome analysis.

Klebsiella Pneumoniae

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a type of bacteria that is commonly found in the human intestines, where it is generally harmless.
However, if it spreads to other parts of the body, it can cause serious infections.
Classification: It is a Gram-negative, encapsulated, non-motile bacterium.
Infections: It can lead to various infections, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), bloodstream infections, and meningitis.
Antibiotic Resistance: Klebsiella pneumoniae has a high tendency to become antibiotic-resistant, making infections difficult to treat.
Symptoms: Symptoms vary depending on the infection site but may include fever, chills, cough with yellow or bloody mucus, shortness of breath, and chest pain for pneumonia; and typical UTI symptoms for urinary infections.
Risk Factors: People with weakened immune systems, chronic illnesses, or those who are in healthcare facilities have a higher risk of infection.
Transmission: The bacteria are not airborne and require direct contact to spread. Transmission often occurs in healthcare settings through contaminated hands or medical devices.

Definition and Composition:
- DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a nucleic acid containing the sugar deoxyribose.
- It contains four nitrogenous bases: Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, and Thymine.
Structural Features:
- DNA is structured as a double-stranded helix.
- The strands are connected by hydrogen bonds between nitrogenous bases.

Stability and Replication:
- The DNA backbone is resistant to cleavage.
- It stores biological information which is replicated when the two strands separate during DNA replication.
Chromosomal Organization:
- Within cells, DNA is organised into chromosomes.
- During cell division, chromosomes are duplicated to ensure each new cell receives a complete set.
Storage Locations:
- In eukaryotic organisms (like animals, plants, fungi, and protists), DNA is primarily stored in the cell nucleus and partly in organelles such as mitochondria or chloroplasts.
- Prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea) store their DNA in the cytoplasm.
Biological Functions:
- DNA serves as the chemical basis of heredity and is considered the reservoir of genetic information.
- It maintains the identity of different species over millions of years.
- DNA is capable of self-duplication, ensuring identical DNA strands are transferred to daughter cells.

Definition and Composition:
- RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is a nucleic acid containing the sugar ribose.
- It contains four nitrogenous bases: Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, and Uracil.
Structure: RNA molecules are single-stranded.
Types and Roles:
- There are three main types of RNA: messenger RNA (mRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and transfer RNA (tRNA).
- mRNA carries genetic information that directs the synthesis of specific proteins.
- rRNA and tRNA are involved in the process of protein synthesis based on the information provided by DNA.
Biological Functions:
- RNA plays diverse roles in coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes.
- It is crucial in the synthesis of proteins within cells.
- Many viruses, such as HIV, use RNA genomes to encode their genetic information and proliferate within host organisms.

Major challenges that ISRO faces in becoming self-sufficient (GS 3):
- Limited Access to Advanced Technologies: ISRO’s growth is hindered by restricted access to cutting-edge aerospace technologies.
- Insufficient Funding for R&D: There is a lack of adequate financial support for research and development within the space organisation.
  - Example: India’s space program consumes only about 0.25 percent of the annual national budget, with less than 10 percent of that directed towards scientific missions like the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM).
- Regulatory Hurdles: The agency encounters significant regulatory obstacles that impede its operations and progress.