Prelims Mantra (Day-20)

AIKosha – IndiaAI Datasets Platform:

• • Union government launched AI Kosha, a platform with datasets that is being touted as a home for non-personal data that will assist with developing artificial intelligence models and tools.
  • It is one of the seven pillars of the IndiaAI Mission.
  • IndiaAI Mission was launched in 2024 by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to establish an ecosystem for AI innovation through public-private partnerships.
  • Implementing agency: ‘IndiaAI’ Independent Business Division under Digital India Corporation.

 

Places in the News:

1. Vishwamitri River:

• • Originates on Pavagadh hills in Gujarat and drains into Gulf of Kambhat.
  • Vadodara city is located on its bank.
  • Vadodara stretch of the Vishwamitri is unique in that it is home to a large population of mugger or marsh crocodiles.

2. Bangus Valley: J&K govt. to promote Bangus Valley near LoC for ecotourism (Kupwara district).

3. Drake’s Passage: Located between the Antarctic Peninsula’s tip and South America.

4. Awash Fentale:

• • A swarm of earth tremors and fears of volcanic eruptions in January 2025 forced tens of thousands of people to move away from Awash Fentale, an area in the Afar region, in north-east Ethiopia.
  • Area falls within a geologically active region of Great Rift Valley that has experienced a number of earthquakes and volcanic events in the last 800 years.

 

Vitiligo:

• • It is a chronic auto immune disorder where body’s defence system begins to attack pigment-producing cells and causes de-pigmented white patches on skin.
  • There are typically two peaks in persons with vitiligo — in adolescence, and then, again, during the 40s and 50s.
  • It affects 0.5% to 2% of the global population and is linked to other health challenges, including for some persons, higher risks of cardiovascular disease, psychological distress, and endocrine disorders.

 

River cruise tourism on three National Waterways in J&K:

• • IWAI signs MoU with J&K to boost river cruise tourism on three National Waterways.
  • Of the 111 national waterways in the country, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has three declared national waterways, i.e., River Chenab (NW-26), River Jhelum (NW-49) and River Ravi (NW-84).

 

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP):

• • It was launched in November 2008 by Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, in collaboration with Central Pharma PSUs.
  • It aims to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to public through dedicated outlets called Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras.
  • March 7th is celebrated as ‘Jan Aushadhi Diwas’ to raise awareness about scheme and promote use of generic medicines.
  • Medicines are procured only from World Health Organization-Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP) certified manufacturers for ensuring quality.
  • Suvidha Sanitary Napkins– As an important step in ensuring health security for Indian women, Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Oxo-biodegradable Sanitary Napkins were launched on 27th August 2019 to be made available at Rs.1/- per pad only.
  • Jan Aushadhi SUGAM mobile application was launched the month of August, 2019.
  • Over 15,000 Janaushadhi Kendras now operational across all districts.

 

Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme:

• • Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, successfully inaugurated first batch of Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme.
  • It is launched by Capacity Building Commission
  • It aims at fostering stronger sense of Seva Bhav (spirit of service) among govt. officials who are  solution oriented, compassionate & citizen-focused.

 

Critical minerals in Ukraine:

• • Ukraine’s reserves of critical minerals accounted for roughly five per cent of global supply as of 2022.
  • These include precious and non-ferrous metals, ferroalloys, and other minerals such as titanium, zirconium, graphite and lithium.
  • Ukraine contributes around seven per cent of the world’s titanium production.
  • Country’s lithium reserves, estimated at approximately 500,000 tonnes, remain largely untapped and are regarded as one of largest in Europe.
  • Shevchenko Lithium Ore Field, one of the country’s largest lithium deposits, is situated in a rural area of Donetsk.

PRACTICE MCQs

Q1. Which of the following correctly describes the ‘Vitiligo’?

a) Chronic auto immune disorder where body’s defence system begins to attack pigment-producing cells.

b) Auto immune disorder where body’s immune system attacks red blood cells.

c) Auto immune disorder where body’s immune system weakens with growing age.

d) Chronic auto immune disorder where body’s defence system begins to attack nerve cells.

Answer: A

Q2. Consider the following statements about Vishwamitri River:

1. It originates on Pavagadh hills in Gujarat.

2. It is tributary of Sabarmati River.

3. Vadodara city is located on its bank.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: C

Q3. Consider the following statements about Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana:

1. It was launched in 2008 by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

2. Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkins are made available at Rs.1/- per pad.

3. March 7th is celebrated as ‘Jan Aushadhi Diwas’.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B

Q4. Afar Triangle, sometimes mentioned in the news, is located in –

a) Somalia

b) Egypt

c) Ethiopia

d) Sudan

Answer: C

Q5. Drake’s passage is located between-

a) Antarctica and southern tip of Africa

b) Antarctica and southern tip of South America

c) Russia and North America

d) Japan and South Korea

Answer: B

 

Download pdf

Spread the Word