AgeXtend

Context: Researchers from the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi (IIIT-Delhi)  have developed AgeXtend. 

About AgeXtend

• It is an AI based tool to  identify molecules with geroprotective (anti-ageing) properties.
  • Examples of geroprotective substances: Melatonin, Carnosine, Metformin, Rapamycin, and Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN).
• It reduces time for identifying viable molecules compared to traditional methods.
• Mechanisms: Unlike other tools, AgeXtend reveals why and how specific compounds are identified as anti-ageing.

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Benefits 

• Rapid Identification: AgeXtend significantly speeds up the process of identifying potential anti-aging molecules compared to traditional methods.
• Large-Scale Screening: The platform can efficiently analyze vast chemical libraries, enabling the discovery of novel compounds.
• Predictive Power: AgeXtend can accurately predict the anti-aging potential of molecules, even those previously unknown.
• Healthier Aging: AgeXtend could lead to the discovery of new drugs and therapies that promote healthy aging and prevent age-related diseases.

Desert Knight

Context: India, France, and the UAE have launched “Desert Knight,” a trilateral air combat exercise over the Arabian Sea.

Key Highlights of the Trilateral Defence Exercise

• Objectives: Enhance trilateral defence cooperation among India, France, and UAE.
  • Foster better interoperability during complex combat scenarios.
  • Build synergy and improve combat skills of participating air forces.
• Significance: Strengthens partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and Persian Gulf regions amid global geopolitical tensions.

India-France Joint Military Exercises

• Shakti: Army-focused exercise.
• Varuna: Naval exercise.
• Garuda: Air force exercise.

India-United Arab Emirates (UAE) Defence Cooperation

• Exercise Desert Flag: It is an annual multinational large-force employment warfare exercise hosted by the UAE Air Force.
  • The Indian Air Force (IAF) frequently participates in the“Desert Flag” exercise at the Al Dhafra air base.

eCourts Mission Mode Project

Context: The eCourts Mission Mode Project is under implementation for the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) development of the Indian Judiciary.

About the Project

• The eCourts Mission Mode Project is one of the initiatives under the National e-Governance Plan.
• Implementation Of The Project: The Department of Justice, Government of India is implementing the eCourts Project in close coordination with the eCommittee of Supreme Court of India, in a decentralised manner through the respective High Courts.
• Phases of the Mission: 
  • Phase I (2011-2015): Focus was on basic computerization like setting up computer hardware.
  • Phase II (2015-2023): focused on ICT enablement of District and Subordinate Courts.
  • Phase III (2023-2027): It was approved by the Union Cabinet in September 2023.
    • The project envisages various new digital initiatives such as establishment of Digital and Paperless Courts, digitisation of court records both legacy records and pending cases etc.

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About National e-Governance Plan (NeGP)

• It is an initiative of the Government of India to make all government services available to the citizens of India via electronic media. 
• NeGP was formulated by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) and Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).

EPFO Plans ATM Card Facility for Fund Withdrawal

Context: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is working towards rolling out a facility that will allow members to withdraw funds from their corpus through an ATM card.

Reasons for Introducing the ATM Card Facility

• Ease of Access: Members can withdraw funds directly without needing approvals for withdrawals within a pre-set limit.
• Improving User Experience: Eliminates manual processes, reducing delays and providing a bank-like facility.
• Addressing High Claim Rejection Rates: The move by the EPFO for an ATM-card type facility comes in the wake of concerns over a high rate of rejection of EPF final settlements in recent months.

Current Provident Fund Withdrawal Rules

• EPFO members can withdraw the entire PF balance at age 55.
• One year prior to retirement, they are allowed to take out 90 per cent of the funds.
• Partial withdrawals are allowed for medical emergencies, unemployment, marriage etc.

About Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) 

• The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is a statutory body that oversees social security schemes for workers in India under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
• Key Responsibilities: It administers the retirement plan for employees, which includes:
  • Provident Fund
  • Basic Pension Scheme
  • Disability/Death Insurance Scheme
• International Coverage: EPFO also manages social security agreements with other countries, ensuring that international workers in countries with bilateral agreements are covered under EPFO plans.

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Saurashtra fossils

Context: A new study on archaeological sites in Gujarat’s Saurashtra peninsula has questioned the theory that early humans migrated solely along coastal routes. 

Key Highlights

• Investigated the Bhadar and Aji river basins in Saurashtra, Gujarat.
  • Tools discovered in the Bhadar and Aji river basins were made from materials like chert, jasper, and chalcedony, but there is no evidence of coastal habitation
    • Estimated Age: Artefacts dated to be 56,000 to 48,000 years old, from the Middle Palaeolithic age.

Coast vs. Inland Migration

• Coastal Route Theory:
  • British archaeologist Paul Mellars (2013) suggested humans migrated from Africa to Australia via coastal routes during the Late Palaeolithic (40,000–10,000 years ago).
  • This theory predicts the presence of Late Palaeolithic artefacts, such as sharper blade-like tools, along the coast of Saurashtra in India
• Findings of the New Study:
  • Archaeological evidence (Middle Palaeolithic artefacts ) from the Saurashtra peninsula indicates that early human settlements were primarily inland. 
  • No Late Palaeolithic artefacts were found in Saurashtra.
  • Inland Dispersal Evidence:
    • Evidence suggests human ancestors migrated through central and peninsular India, moving inland rather than sticking to the coast.
  • No Marine Resources:
    • If humans had relied on coastal routes, they would have used marine resources like fish and shellfish.
      • The study found no evidence of such food dependency.

Odisha Govt’s External Loan for PVTG Development Under Scrutiny

Context: The Odisha government plans to secure a loan of ₹734.86 crore from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to implement Phase II of PVTGs. 

About Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups

• PVTGs are a subcategory of Scheduled Tribes in India.
• This classification helps identify endangered tribal groups requiring priority support.
• Origin of Classification
  • The Dhebar Commission (1960-1961) first introduced the classification of these tribal groups.
  • Initially, these groups were called Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs).
  • In 2006, the Indian government renamed them as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) to better reflect their unique challenges and vulnerabilities.
• Criteria for Identifying PVTGs : The Government of India identifies PVTGs based on the following factors:
  • Low literacy rates among the group.
  • Use of pre-agricultural level of technology.
  • Economic vulnerability or lack of financial stability.
  • Stagnant or declining population trends
• PVTGs in Odisha
  • Odisha is home to 13 PVTGs, the highest number among all states and union territories in India.
  • The PVTGs in Odisha include:
    • Birhor, Bondo, Chuktia Bhunjia, Didayi, Dongria Khond, Hill Kharia, Juang, Kutia Khond, Lanjia Saora, Lodha, Mankidia, Paudi Bhuyan, and Saora.

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What is an international fund for agricultural development?

• It  is an international financial institution and a specialised agency of the UN.                   
  • It aims to improve agricultural development and livelihood in developing counties . 
• Established: 1977
• Headquarter: Via Paolo di Dono, 44, 00142 Rome, Italy
• Target Groups: Smallholder farmers, Pastoralists.
• Foresters, Fishers, and Small-scale rural entrepreneurs.
• Key Assistance Areas: Disaster preparedness, Social learning, plan agricultural activities, Enables Technology transfer.

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