10th JUNE, 2022

NEWS TT DAY
NEWS DAY
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TRACKING QUANTUM PHENOMENA IN 2D GRAPHENE
For conventional electrons, the current flows only in one direction dictated by the magnetic field (‘downstream’).

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However, physicists have detected counter propagating channels in two layered graphene along which certain neutral particles
move in opposite directions. This phenomenon is called the Quantum Hall effect (QHE).

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About Graphene
Graphene is an allotrope of carbon with a single layer
(monolayer) of carbon atoms, tightly bound in a hexagonal
honeycomb lattice.

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It is the thinnest compound known to man at one atom
thick, the lightest material known and the strongest
compound discovered.
Graphene is 200 times stronger than steel, 1,000 times
lighter than paper and 98% transparent.

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It has good chemical stability and high electrical
conductivity.

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About Quantum Computers
Quantum Computers are machines which harness the laws
of quantum mechanics to store data and perform
computations.

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This includes laws of superposition, entanglement, and quantum interference.
It uses quantum bits (qubits) to encode information.

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Unlike classical binary bits with 0 or 1 as only positions, qubits can hold many different arrangements all at once, known as
quantum superposition.

MINISTER FOR LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT ADDRESSES PLENARY SESSION OF INTERNATIONAL

LABOUR CONFERENCE (ILC) OF ILO AT GENEVA

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The Minister highlighted steps taken by India towards dignity and social security of informal sector workers such as E-shram portal.
About International Labour Organization (ILO) and its conventions
ILO (HQ: Geneva, Switzerland) was created in 1919 as part of the Treaty of Versailles.
In 1946, ILO became a specialized agency of the United Nations.
It has drawn Eight Fundamental Conventions and Four Governance (Priority) Conventions for effective functioning of the
International Labour Standards.
Fundamental Conventions
Convention Name India’s Convention Name India’s
Status Status
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to
Not Ratified Minimum Age Convention, 1973 In Force
Organise Convention, 1948

Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 Not Ratified Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 In Force

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 In Force Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 In Force

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 In Force Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 In Force

Governance (Priority) Conventions

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 In Force Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 Not Ratified

Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 In Force Not Ratified
Convention, 1976

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THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE CANCER CURE, AND THE THERAPY’S FUTURE IN INDIA
The patients in USA were completely cured of a particular kind of rectal cancer called ‘mismatch
repair deficient’ cancer.
This cancer is most common among colorectal, gastrointestinal, and endometrial cancers.

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Patients suffering from this condition lack the genes to correct typos in the DNA that occur
naturally while cells make copies.
The trial used a monoclonal antibody called dostarlimab for the treatment of stage two or three
rectal cancer.
About the therapy

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The immunotherapy belongs to a category called PD1 blockades.

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PD1 is a type of protein that regulates functions of the immune system, including
suppression of T-cell activity.
T-cells are part of the immune system and help protect the body from infections and cancers.
PD1 blockade therapy looks to release the T-cells from this suppression and allow the T-cells to destroy the cancerous growth.
Earlier, this therapy was used post-surgery, but the study has shown that a surgery may not be required.

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The trial showed that immunotherapy alone could completely cure such patients without other methods to cure cancer like
chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery.
With annual incidence rates of rectal cancer of 4.1 per lakh men in India (as per ICMR), INDIAN PATENT (IP) PROTECTION:
it can be of high utility if it proves effectiveness on diverse racial and ethnic
backgrounds. INDIA AMONG MOST CHALLENG-
ING ECONOMIES, SAYS U.S.

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PM INAUGURATES BIOTECH STARTUP EXPO-2022 TRADE REPRESENTATIVE (USTR)

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Biotech Startup Expo – 2022 marks the completion of ten years of setting up of
Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).
It is being organised by Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and BIRAC.
USTR, in its Special 301 report, retained India
on its Priority Watch List along with six other
countries- Argentina, Chile, China, Indonesia,
Russia and Venezuela.

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BIRAC is a non-profit enterprise set up by DBT.
Report highlighted the main point of
Its aim is to play transformative and catalytic role in building US $100
contention between India and U.S
billion Indian bioeconomy.

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related to Section 3(d) of Indian Patent
In India, the Act 1970.
bio-economy has
Section 3 deals with what does not
grown 8 times in
qualify as an invention under the Act,
the last 8 years,
and Section 3(d) prevents what is known

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from $10 billion to
as “evergreening” of patents.
$80 billion.
Evergreening means reapplying for
About patent by carrying out certain
Biotechnology minute modifications in the existing
Sector product.
Biotechnology is Indian patents are governed by Indian
a branch of Patent Act of 1970. It replaced the Indian
applied science Patents and Designs Act 1911.
which uses biological systems, living organisms or parts to develop or
create different products and processes. Under the act, patents are granted if the
invention fulfils following criteria:
Based on its field of application, we have four main types of biotechnology
as: It should be novel.
Red Biotechnology, i.e. pharmaceutical and medical applications, It should have inventive step/s or it
must be non-obvious.
Green Biotechnology, i.e. agricultural applications. E.g. Biopesticides.
It should be capable of Industrial
White Biotechnology, i.e. Industrial applications. application.
Blue Biotechnology, i.e. Marine applications. It should not attract the provisions of
Initiatives to promote Biotechnology sections 3 and 4 of Patents Act 1970.

100% FDI under automatic route for greenfield pharmaceuticals and India is signatory to IPR related
manufacturing medical devices. conventions, including TRIPS, Berne
Convention which governs copyright,
Atal Jai Anusandhan Biotech Mission by DBT. Budapest Treaty, Paris Convention for
Set up of 9 DBT-supported Biotech Parks for necessary infrastructure Protection of Industrial Property, and Patent
support. Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
MAHARASHTRA MANGROVE CELL APPOINTS CSIR-NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY
(NIO) TO IDENTIFY SITES FOR RESTORATION OF CORALS
This appointment was made under the India–United Nations Development Programme-Green Climate Fund (GOI-UNDP-GCF)
project titled ‘Enhancing Climate Resilience of India’s Coastal Communities’,
The initiative will record, identify and reason stressed coral zones along the Maharashtra coastline.
About Corals
They are invertebrate animals belonging to Cnidaria and live in symbiotic relationship with algae zooxanthellae.

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Zooxanthallae provide coral polyps different colours and food. In return they receive a protected environment and the nutrients
they need to carry out photosynthesis.
GCF is largest global fund dedicated to help fight
Gulf of Mannar, Palk bay, Gulf of Kutch, Andaman and Nicobar Islands climate change.
and the Lakshadweep islands have the major reef formations in India. It is implementing entity of United Nations

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According to the UN environment programme, corals provide at least half Framework Convention on Climate Change
a billion people with food security and livelihood. (UNFCCC) financial mechanism established in
Coral reefs also act as ‘wave breaks’ between the sea and the coastline and Cancun, Mexico in 2010.

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minimise impact of coastal erosion. GCF began operations in 2015 and is headquartered
They are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), in Songdo, South Korea.
1972.
Climate change is one of the biggest threats to corals as it causes bleaching (expulsion of zooxanthellae from coral polyps and
discoloration).

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ALSO IN NEWS
Members of the European Parliament have voted to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by
2035. The move aims to step up the fight against climate change through the faster development

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of electric vehicles.

The vote upholds a key pillar of the European Union’s plans to cut net planet-warming emissions

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EU lawmakers 55% by 2030, from 1990 levels.
back ban on new fossil-fuel The law is not yet final. But, the vote confirms the parliament’s position for upcoming
cars from 2035 negotiations with EU countries (27) on the final law.

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According to the World Investment Report from UNCTAD, India jumped by one position to 7th
among the top FDI recipients in 2021.

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The USA remained the top recipient with $367 billion of FDI, followed by China and Hong Kong.
UNCTAD (HQ: Geneva) is a permanent intergovernmental body established by the UN General
Assembly in 1964.
United Nations Conference It has 195 member states and it is part of the UN Sustainable Development Group.

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on Trade and Development
(UNCTAD) Other Major Reports by UNCTAD: Trade and Development Report, Digital Economy Report,
Technology and Innovation Report etc.

More than 4.11 lakh Point of Scale (PoS), mobile PoS and other physical devices were deployed
under PIDF scheme as on April 2022.
PIDF Scheme operationalised by Reserve Bank of India in 2021.
It subsidises deployment of PoS infrastructure (physical and digital modes) in tier-3 to tier-6
centres and north eastern states of country.
Payment Infrastructure Fund is operational for three years and may be extended for two more years depending upon
Development Fund (PIDF) the progress.
scheme It is governed by an ex-officio Advisory Council.

The 2nd edition of ‘Awards for Excellence in District Skill Development Planning (DSDP) were
organised recently.
The project aims to maximise the impact of SANKALP project.
SANKALP was launched under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship with
loan assistance from the World Bank.
SANKALP (Skill Acquisition It aims to improve short-term skill training qualitatively and quantitatively through
and Knowledge Awareness strengthening institutions, bringing in better market connectivity and inclusion of marginalised
for Livelihood Promotion) sections of the society.

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 Recently, the National Open Access Registry was made live.
NOAR is a centralized online platform to maintain the short-term open access to the inter-state
transmission system in India.
National Load Dispatch Centre (NLDC) is the nodal agency for implementation and operation of
National Open Access NOAR.
Registry (NOAR)
The reintroduction of Greater One-Horned Rhino in Manas National Park of Assam has indicated
higher life expectancy of them.
Rhino reintroduction programme was started in 2006 under the Indian Rhino Vision 2020 from

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Kaziranga National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.
Manas National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a tiger reserve in Western Assam.
Greater One-Horned Rhino, also known as Indian Rhino, is Asia’s largest Rhino species found in India
and Nepal.

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Greater One-Horned Rhino IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):
Appendix I.

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Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I.

Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy has said that India plans to have a capacity of
30,000 MW of offshore wind power.
Offshore wind energy is the power generated by wind blowing across the sea.

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They are more efficient than onshore wind energy (power generated by wind turbines located on
land driven by the natural movement of the air) owing to higher speed of winds, greater
Offshore wind energy in
consistency and lack of physical interference that the land or human-made objects can present.
India
Thailand becomes first Asian country to legalise Marijuana or cannabis.
Cannabis is a plant that has uses as a recreational and medicinal drug.

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It contains at least 120 active ingredients, or cannabinoids.
Most abundant ones are cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-THC.

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Some cannabinoids can have euphoric or psychoactive effects. THC produces both effects.
Marijuana (Cannabis) In India, cannabis-derived drugs are unavailable, illegal and cannot be prescribed by doctors.

A common Rashtriya Puruskar Portal (https://awards.gov.in ) was launched under the Ministry of
Home Affair to bring together all the Awards of the various Ministries/Departments/Agencies of

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the Government of India under one digital platform to ensure transparency and public partnership.
This Portal aims to facilitate citizens to nominate individuals/organizations for various Awards

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instituted by the Government of India including Padma Awards, Sardar Patel National Unity Award,
Rashtriya Puruskar Portal
Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award, Jeevan Raksha Padak series of Awards.
Launched
Tasmania, Australia.
Tasmania is the first region to become carbon negative.

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Political boundaries
Tasmania, formerly Van Diemen’s Land, is an island
state of Australia.
Lies about 150 miles south of state of Victoria, from
which it is separated by relatively shallow Bass
Strait.
Constitutes southern extension of Great Dividing
Range.
Places in News Widely known for having the cleanest air in the world.
Geographical features
Two major river systems- Derwent in southeast and South Esk in northeast.
Mountainous island- Highest peak Mount Ossa.
Soils are leached, acidic, poorly drained, high in humus, and low in fertility.

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