1) India Launches Intensified NCD Screening Campaign for Early Detection

GS 2: Society: Tackling NCDs

Why is it in the news?

• The Government of India has ramped up efforts to tackle Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD).
• NCD divisions have been established at the National, State, and District levels to ensure comprehensive screening of individuals aged 30 years and above.
• The initiative targets early detection and management of common NCDs such as Diabetes, Hypertension, and cancers like Oral, Breast, and Cervical.

Understanding Non-Communicable Diseases

• NCDs are long-term illnesses that do not spread from person to person but pose significant health and economic challenges. According to WHO (2018), NCDs contribute to 63% of all deaths in India, with key causes including:
• Cardiovascular Diseases: 27%
• Chronic Respiratory Diseases: 11%
• Cancers: 9%
• Diabetes: 3%

Key Causes of Rising NCDs

Several factors contribute to the increasing prevalence of NCDs, including lifestyle choices, environmental conditions, and genetic factors:

• Unhealthy Lifestyle: Tobacco use, alcohol consumption, poor diet, lack of exercise, and air pollution.
• Health Risks: Obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and elevated blood sugar.
• Other Influences: Stress and genetic predisposition.

Impact of NCDs

The burden of NCDs affects individuals and the economy in multiple ways:

• Health Impact: Increased need for long-term care and treatment.
• Economic Burden: Reduced productivity and higher healthcare costs.
• Access Gaps: Limited diagnostic services in rural areas.

Government Interventions

To combat NCDs, the government has launched several initiatives:

• NP-NCD: Screening, early detection, and awareness programs.
• PMBJP Scheme: Affordable access to generic medicines.
• AMRIT Program: Subsidized treatment for cancer and heart diseases.
• Eat Right India Movement: Promotes healthy dietary habits.
• Ayushman Bharat: Free healthcare services for vulnerable populations.

Way Forward

To effectively address NCD challenges, the following steps are crucial:

• Strengthen Healthcare Access: Expand primary healthcare for early detection.
• Promote Healthy Practices: Conduct awareness drives for lifestyle changes.
• Address Environmental Risks: Improve air quality to reduce health hazards.
• Expand Insurance Coverage: Ensure affordable treatment for all.
• Encourage Community Engagement: Promote active public participation in health programs.

2) ‘Majorana 1’: A Breakthrough in Quantum Computing

GS 3: Science and Technology: Quantum Computing

Why is it in the news?

• Microsoft has unveiled Majorana 1, an advanced quantum computing chip, representing a major milestone in quantum technology.

Understanding Quantum Computing

• Quantum computing is a revolutionary technology that leverages quantum mechanics to solve complex problems much faster than classical computers.

How Quantum Computers Work

Quantum computers use qubits, which operate based on three key principles:

• Superposition: Qubits can exist as both 0 and 1 simultaneously, boosting computational power exponentially.
• Entanglement: Entangled qubits correlate instantly, enabling rapid data transfer regardless of distance.
• Quantum Interference: Quantum states are manipulated to optimize calculations for efficient results.

Majorana 1: A Quantum Chip

• Microsoft’s Majorana 1 chip is built using topoconductors, enabling the creation of stable topological qubits with fewer errors.
• Material Stack: It combines Indium Arsenide (semiconductor) and Aluminium (superconductor), creating a pristine environment for Majorana particles.
• Topological Core Architecture: Ensures higher stability and reliability compared to traditional qubits.

Potential Applications

Quantum computing has transformative applications across sectors:

• Cryptography: Capable of breaking traditional encryption, requiring quantum-safe algorithms.
• Healthcare: Simulates molecular interactions for faster drug discovery.
• AI and Machine Learning: Enhances optimization and model training.
• Financial Modelling: Analyzes vast datasets for accurate market predictions.
• Climate Modeling: Improves weather forecasts by simulating atmospheric interactions.

Key Quantum Milestones

• IBM Qiskit: Open-source framework for quantum algorithms.
• IBM Eagle Processor: World’s first 127-qubit processor, followed by Condor in 2023.
• Microsoft Quantum Approach:

1) Quantum Development Kit (QDK): Uses the Q# programming language.

2) Topological Qubits: More stable with lower error rates.

Challenges and Concerns

Despite advancements, quantum computing faces several challenges:

• Hardware Limitations: Maintaining qubit coherence is difficult due to environmental interference.
• Error Correction: Sophisticated techniques are required to manage computational errors.
• Scalability: Building large-scale systems demands advanced cryogenic technology, increasing costs.
• Security Risks: Quantum computers can breach current encryption standards.

Quantum Research in India

India is actively advancing quantum technologies through various initiatives:

• National Quantum Mission (NQM): ₹6,003.65 crore (2023–2031) to build indigenous quantum computers.
• National Mission on Quantum Technologies & Applications (NM-QTA): ₹8,000 crore announced in the 2020 Union Budget.
• Research Institutions: IISc, IITs, C-DAC, and DRDO are leading quantum research for national security.
• DST Initiatives: Projects include quantum communication, cryptography, and materials under the Quantum-enabled Science & Technology (QuEST) program.

3) Iraq’s Slow Descent into the Earth

GS 1: Geography: Plate Tectonics

Why is it in the news?

• Iraq is gradually sinking, particularly the region surrounding the Zagros Mountains in the country’s north. This phenomenon is driven by a sinking oceanic slab beneath the Earth’s surface, which is pulling the northern region of Iraq downward.
• Unlike visible sinkholes, this geological process is extremely slow, unfolding over millions of years, according to recent studies published in the journal Solid Earth.

Cause: Plate Tectonics

• The primary cause of this sinking is plate tectonics. A growing tear has emerged along the Arabian and Eurasian continental plates, known as the Neotethys oceanic slab.
• This slab, once the floor of an ancient ocean over 66 million years ago, is now splitting from southeast Turkey to northwest Iran and sinking into the Earth’s mantle. Experts highlight that this complex process takes tens of millions of years.

Tectonic Study of the Zagros Region

• A joint research team from international universities studied the tectonic movements around the Zagros Mountains. They aimed to understand what happens to an oceanic slab when two continental plates collide.
• The deeper-than-expected depressions surrounding the Zagros Mountains indicated the sinking of the Neotethys slab, which is gradually pulling the region down.

Implications for Earthquake Prediction

• The findings have significant implications for earthquake prediction by enhancing the understanding of the planet’s interior dynamics. The study helps develop more accurate geological models depicting deep-earth activity.
• Earthquakes result from the displacement of rock layers along faults, which can occur at various depths and scales. Understanding the geological configuration and rock geometry enables scientists to predict the location, depth, and magnitude of potential earthquakes.

Relevance to Energy and Regional Safety

• The study is particularly relevant to the region, given its vulnerability to seismic activity. In February 2023, massive earthquakes in southern and central Turkey and northern Syria resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and widespread destruction.
• Additionally, understanding the region’s topography and historical changes helps identify depths with high geothermal gradients, crucial for sustainable electricity production.

4) Biodiversity to Bioeconomy: How Biotechnology is Transforming North East India

GS 3: Environment and Biodiversity: Growth and Sustainability

Context

• Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas and blessed with lush biodiversity, India’s North East Region (NER) is a land of hidden treasures. Its vibrant landscapes, rich culture, and vast pool of resources offer immense potential for innovation.
• With the transformative power of biotechnology, the NER is not only preserving its natural heritage but also scripting a new chapter of growth and sustainability.

(NER Timeline)

A Green Revolution with Biotechnology

• Biotechnology is driving a green revolution in the region, empowering farmers to cultivate medicinal plants, developing resilient crop varieties, and supporting bio-entrepreneurs.
• The Department of Biotechnology’s (DBT) North Eastern Programme has been central to this transformation. Since 2010, DBT has allocated 10% of its annual budget to NER-specific programmes, focusing on harnessing bioresources, promoting biotech education, and creating employment through bio-entrepreneurship.

Key Programmes Under the North Eastern Initiative

1) Twinning R&D Programme for NER

• Initiated in 2010-2011, this programme enhances biotechnology capacity through collaboration between NER institutions and leading institutes across India.
• It has fostered partnerships among 65+ institutions, supporting nearly 650 R&D projects and benefiting around 450 researchers and 2000 young students.

2) Establishment of Biotech Hubs

• Since 2011, DBT has established 126 Biotech Hubs across NER, equipping universities, colleges, and institutions with infrastructure for biotechnology education and research.
• In Phase-II, 54 hubs were further supported for focused research and training on local issues.

3) Biotechnology Labs in Senior Secondary Schools (BLiSS)

• Launched in 2014, the BLiSS programme introduces school students to biological sciences by providing access to well-equipped biotechnology laboratories.

4) Visiting Research Professorship (VRP) Programme

• Initiated in 2015, the VRP programme leverages the expertise of eminent scientists to advance biotechnology and life sciences in NER institutions.

5) Specialized Training Programmes

• Chemical Ecology Programme: Initiated in 2015, this programme trains Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows in chemical ecology through collaborations with Bengaluru-based institutes.
• Genomics-Driven Research: Launched in 2016 by DBT-NIBMG, Kaylani, this programme trains NER scientists, research students, and clinicians in molecular and genetic analyses for biomedical research.

Major Achievements

The North Eastern Programme has yielded several significant outcomes:

• Bacterial Blight Resistant Rice Variety “Patkai”: Developed by Assam Agricultural University (AAU), this variety has been notified by the Central Variety Release Committee (CVRC).
• Lateral Flow Assay for Brucellosis Detection: A chimeric protein-based Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) was standardized for rapid detection of anti-brucella antibodies in livestock, demonstrating high sensitivity compared to the iELISA test.
• Pig Disease Diagnosis Expert System (PDDES): A mobile app developed for diagnosing pig diseases, helping veterinarians, farmers, and swine industry professionals identify and treat conditions efficiently. The app is available on the Google Play Store.

Conclusion

• By harnessing the region’s rich biodiversity and empowering local communities through education, research, and entrepreneurship, DBT’s initiatives are preserving cultural and ecological heritage while driving sustainable economic growth.
• As North East India evolves into a hub of bio-innovation, it exemplifies how science and tradition can coexist to shape a prosperous and sustainable future.

5) Melting Glaciers and Rising Seas: A Growing Global Threat

GS 3: Environment and Biodiversity: Global Sea Rise

Why is it in the news?

• Melting glaciers worldwide have caused nearly 2 cm of sea level rise this century, according to a recent study published in Nature on February 19, 2024. The study, conducted by scientists from the University of Edinburgh and the University of Zurich, found that glaciers have been losing 273 billion tonnes of ice annually for the past 25 years.
• This ice loss equals the amount of water the global population would consume over 30 years. Further, every centimetre of sea level rise exposes an additional 2 million people to annual flooding.

Causes of Sea Level Rise

Two primary factors drive sea level rise:

• The first is glacier and ice sheet melting due to global warming. Since 2000, glaciers have lost 2% to 39% of their regional ice and around 5% globally—18% more than the ice loss from the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets combined.
• The second factor is the thermal expansion of seawater, where warming oceans expand in volume. NASA estimates that thermal expansion contributes to one-third to half of the current global sea level rise.

Rising Sea Levels: By the Numbers

• The global sea level has risen by approximately 21 cm since 1880, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). However, the rise has accelerated significantly, doubling from 0.18 cm per year in 1993 to 0.42 cm per year in 2024.
• NASA reports that global sea levels have increased by over 10 cm between 1993 and 2024, a rate unprecedented in the past 2,500 years. The rise is uneven, with regions like the southwestern Indian Ocean experiencing a 2.5 mm per year increase, faster than the global average, as per a 2022 World Meteorological Organization report.

Impact on Indian Coastal Cities

• India’s coastal cities have also experienced rising sea levels. Mumbai recorded a 4.44 cm rise between 1987 and 2021, the highest among Indian cities, according to a 2024 report by the Centre for Study of Science, Technology, and Policy (CSTEP). This is concerning, as Mumbai’s average elevation is around 10 meters above sea level.
• Other cities, such as Haldia in West Bengal, witnessed a rise of 2.726 cm, Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh 2.381 cm, and Kochi in Kerala 2.213 cm, the report added.

Why It Matters

• Rising sea levels threaten both human and natural systems. Coastal flooding becomes more frequent and severe, accelerating erosion and displacing communities. Between 1990 and 2016, West Bengal alone lost nearly 99 sq km of land, according to a 2018 National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) report.
• A 2024 Scientific Reports study revealed that by 2018, 29% of the global population lived within 50 km of the coast, with 15% residing just 10 km away.

Future Risks and the Need for Action

• Higher sea levels lead to intensified storm surges, which push water further inland during tropical storms. This damages coastal ecosystems like mangroves, coral reefs, and salt marshes, contaminates freshwater supplies, and disrupts daily life. If greenhouse gas emissions remain unchecked, the situation could worsen.
• The director of NASA’s sea level change team, warned in 2024 that current acceleration rates could result in an additional 20 cm rise by 2050, doubling the increase of the past century and significantly amplifying flood risks worldwide.