News in Shorts: 25 April 2025

White Leopard Cub Born in Ratnagiri

Context: Reports of a White Leopard Cub being born around a farm in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra has surfaced.

• Reason: The Cub is born white either because of the genetic condition of albinism or leucism.

About Albinism

• Albinism is a genetic condition characterized by a partial or complete lack of melanin (It is the pigment which gives color to skin, hair, and eyes).
• Health Impacts:
  • Vision problems: Albinism often leads to vision issues like low vision, nystagmus (involuntary eye movements), and photophobia (light sensitivity). 
  • Skin problems: There is a higher risk of skin cancer due to reduced melanin’s protective role against UV radiation.

About Leucism

• Leucism is a genetic condition which occurs due to reduction or partial loss of all pigments, not just melanin in animals.
• Animals with leucism may exhibit white, pale, or patchy coloration, depending on the extent of the pigment loss.
• Leucism does not affect Eyes which is a distinguishing feature separating it from albinism.

Eco-Sensitive Zone around Kaziranga

Context: Recently, Assam has decided to withdraw the Integrated ESZ Proposal around Kaziranga. 

What is an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ)?

• ESZs are areas around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that are environmentally fragile.
• Created under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Generally extend up to 10 km from park/sanctuary boundaries but can vary based on ecological importance.
• Aim: To regulate activities near protected areas and safeguard ecosystems.
• Activities:
  • Prohibited: Mining, polluting industries, large hydroelectric projects, hazardous waste disposal.
  • Regulated: Tree cutting, building hotels, road widening, commercial water use.
  • Permitted: Organic farming, rainwater harvesting, renewable energy use.

National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign

Context: Recently, the Union Health Minister of India virtually launched the National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign 2025-26. 

About Measles – Rubella

• Rubella, also called German measles or three-day measles, is a mild viral disease.
• It is caused by the Rubella virus and spreads through air droplets from coughs or sneezes.

About National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign 2025-26

• Aim: Eliminate Measles and Rubella in India by 2026 with 100% immunization coverage.
  • Prevent diseases that are highly contagious and cause serious complications.
• Nodal ministry: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• Significance
  • Protects children and reduces mortality rates.
  • Part of India’s Universal Immunization Programme, which safeguards against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases annually.

Geographical Indication (GI) Tag For Banarasi Shehnai

Context: Recently Banarasi Shehnai was granted Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

About Banarasi Shehnai

• The shehnai is a double-reed instrument made of wood with a flared metal bell at the end.
• It is a traditional wind instrument intrinsically linked to the Banaras Gharana, one of the most prominent schools of Hindustani classical music.
• Ustad Bismillah Khan was instrumental in popularising shehnai.
  • In 2001, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour.

About Geographical Indications (GI)

• A Geographical Indication (GI) tag is a label used for products that originate from a specific geographical region and possess qualities, reputation, or characteristics unique to that location.
• Purpose of the GI Tag: To protect the unique identity and origin-based reputation of a product while preventing its misuse or imitation.
• Validity and Renewal: A registered GI tag is valid for 10 years. It can be renewed periodically to maintain legal protection.
• Administrative Authority: GI registration and regulation are managed by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Helium in the Sun’s Photosphere

Context: Researchers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have accurately measured the helium content in the Sun’s photosphere, marking a significant advancement in solar research. 

Helium in the Sun’s Photosphere

• Helium is the second most abundant element in the Sun, after hydrogen. 
• Abundance: While hydrogen makes up about 74% of the Sun’s mass, helium accounts for around 24%.
  • In the photosphere—the Sun’s visible surface—helium is present, but it is not as easily detected as hydrogen.
• Why It’s Hard to See?
  • Helium’s atomic structure requires higher energy to excite, so its spectral lines are stronger in the hotter chromosphere and solar flares, not the cooler photosphere.
• Previous estimates relied on:  
  • Extrapolation from hotter stars (which may have different compositions)  
  • Solar wind and coronal data (not representative of the photosphere)  
  • Helioseismology (indirect inferences from solar vibrations)  

The IIA’s Innovative Approach

• The IIA research team developed a novel technique using magnesium (Mg) and carbon (C) spectral lines.
• The Helium-to-Hydrogen ratio in the Sun’s photosphere was found to be 0.1, consistent with previous studies. 

Photosphere of the Sun

• Visible Surface: The photosphere is the visible “surface” of the Sun that we see from Earth.
• Temperature: The temperature of the photosphere varies from place to place but lies between 4500 and 6000 °C.
• Light Emission: Most of the Sun’s visible light comes from this layer.
• Sunspots: Dark spots, known as sunspots, appear on the photosphere and are cooler regions with intense magnetic activity.

USA Vice President Visit to India

Context: USA Vice President JD Vance is visiting India on his first 4 day official visit accompanied by Second Lady Usha Vance and a high-level delegation of senior American officials.

Key Highlights of the Visit

• JD Vance was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour upon arrival.
• Focus: The focus of the meetings will be the discussions on  the ongoing India–US trade negotiations, particularly concerning tariff issues and market access.
  • The visit signals continuity and deepening of the India–US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership
  • To engage in talks to realise a bilateral trade agreement that would avoid reciprocal tariffs of  26% by the USA on Indian Exports.
• Bilateral Meet with Indian PM: The two leaders also “formally announced the finalisation of the Terms of Reference for the negotiations of the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA)
• U.S.-India TRUST (Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology) initiative: Vance highlighted the role of the TRUST Initiative to enable future collaboration in areas such as data infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, undersea cables, and cybersecurity.
• Cultural Highlights: The US VP visited some historical and cultural sites like,
  • They first visited the Akshardham Temple in Delhi
  • Amer/Amber Fort (A Unesco World Heritage site) Jaipur, Rajasthan
  • Uttar Pradesh: 
    • Taj Mahal and Shilpgram (A cultural hub showcasing traditional Indian crafts and artisanship).

Swap Kidney Transplant

Context: AIIMS Raipur has successfully performed its first Swap Kidney Transplant, also known as a Kidney Paired Transplant (KPT).

• AIIMS Raipur became the first government hospital in the state of Chhattisgarh to carry out this transplant. 

About Swap Kidney Transplant

• A swap kidney transplant involves an exchange of kidneys between two pairs of donors and recipients who are incompatible with their initially intended donors due to kidney’s  incompatibility.
• Incompatibilities: It can arise due to mismatched blood types, incompatible tissue types, or the presence of antibodies in the recipient that would attack the donor’s kidney.
• Significance: This approach significantly expands the donor pool, reduces waiting times, and improves the chances of successful transplantation.
• Advantages: The swap Transplants has lead to a 15% increase in the number of transplants.
  • The National Organisation and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has recommended for the implementation of Swap donor transplantation to all the states and Union Territories 
  • Uniform One Nation One Swap Transplant Programme: NOTTO has decided to have a ‘uniform one nation one swap transplant programme’ to facilitate these transplants more effectively across the country.