Online Gambling Industry in India

Prelims (GS - I) – Economic and social development

Mains (GS - II) – Issues relating to development and management of Human Resources.

Why in the News?

Recently, gambling addiction among youth is rising, driven by easy access to online platforms.

What is online gambling and gaming?

• Gambling – It refers to activities where the outcome is predominantly determined by chance or luck, with minimal influence from the player’s skill.

• Online gambling – It involves participating in gambling activities through the internet by placing bets or wagers on games and events to win money or prizes.
  • For example, casino games like slots, blackjack, and roulette, sports betting, poker, and lottery.
• Skill gaming – It Involves games where the outcome primarily depends on the player’s skill, knowledge, strategy, or expertise rather than chance.

Skill Gaming is legally recognized as a business activity under Article 19(1) (g) of the Indian Constitution, which protects the right to practice any profession or trade.

What are the causes for increasing addiction to gambling?

• Easier access – Betting now requires nothing more than a smartphone, making it dangerously convenient.
• Aggressive marketing – Platforms use deceptive ads and celebrity endorsements to attract users.
• Greed for money – The lure of fast money makes gambling seem like an easy solution.
• Instant gratification – It is due to the problem to a digital upbringing.
  • From birth, they have been exposed to quick rewards — games, social media, entertainment.
• Addictive medium – Gambling operates on the same principle of thrill, anticipation, and the rush of winning.
  • Their brains are wired to seek these highs, making addiction almost inevitable.
• Social expectations – Many chase the latest gadgets, social status or even family expectations to earn early.
• This pushes them toward quick money-making methods, and gambling becomes an easy escape.
• Lack of Awareness – Families and individuals often fail to recognize the signs of gaming addiction.

What are the red flags of addiction to gambling?

What are its ill impacts?

• Physical health issues – Severe physical health issues develop due to prolonged screen time and stress.
• They often neglect sleep and nutrition leading to deterioration of health.
• Mental health deterioration – It causes depression, anxiety, among the youth and some turning to nerve-calming drugs.
• Social isolation – They withdraw from social interactions, straining relationships with family and friends.
• Financial problems – They accumulate massive debts, often borrowing from instant loan apps or selling valuables.
• Economic loss – The illegal offshore betting market, worth $20-30 billion annually, costs India billions in tax evasion.
• Loss of life – The dangers of online gaming leads to suicides among youths.

What are challenges in regulating it?

• Weak enforcement – Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology amended intermediary rules in 2023 to regulate skill gaming but it lagged strict enforcements.
• October 2023 GST mandate requiring offshore betting platforms to register with Indian tax authorities has been ignored.
  • By December 2024, none had complied, prompting probe into 658 non-complaint entities for tax evasion.
• Offshore betting – Weak enforcement has made India a hotspot for offshore betting, costing the economy billions.
  • These operators run from like Curaçao, Malta, Cyprus, China and Dubai, making them nearly impossible to track.
• Misuse of rules – These platforms attract users with ‘No GST’ claims and higher payouts.
• They are exploiting the 28% tax on domestic gaming firms while evading regulations like KYC and responsible gaming.
• Blurred legal lines – Without clear regulations, users can’t tell the difference between legitimate skill-gaming apps and offshore betting sites.
• Money laundering – Illegal operators launder money through mule accounts with Rs2,500 crore in illicit transactions processed monthly.

A mule account is a bank account used by criminals to launder illicit funds, often set up by unsuspecting individuals lured by promises of easy money or coerced into participation.

• Decentralized digital advertising – User-generated content disguises gaming promotions, making tracking and removal challenging.

What are the measures taken by the Government to curb online gaming?

• Taxing online games – The Finance Act, 2023 introduced a 30% income tax on net winnings in online games from 2024-25.
• A 28% GST on online gaming was implemented from October 1, 2023, with mandatory registration under the Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) Act.
• Statutory provisions – Online games are regulated by the Public Gambling Act 1867 and the Information Technology Act 2000, which govern online gaming activities in India.
• Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act also direct intermediaries to block unregistered online money gaming platforms.
• Regulation of platforms – Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) blocked 1,410 online betting, gaming, and gaming websites during 2022 - 2025.
• Intermediary Rules, 2023 were amended to regulate skill gaming.
• Punishments – Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 punishes unauthorized betting with 1–7 years of imprisonment and fines.
• Cybercrime enforcement – The Ministry of Home Affairs set up the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to tackle cybercrimes including online gambling and scams.
• A National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and helpline (1930) enable reporting of cyber financial frauds.
• Public awareness – The Ministry of Education issued an advisory for parents & teachers on “Overcoming online gaming downsides” and “Children's safe online gaming”.
• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting mandates gaming ads to carry financial risk disclaimers per Advertising Standards Council of India guidelines.
• State-level legislation – Betting and gaming fall under entry 34 of the State List, empowering state to make laws banning it.
  • Telangana Gaming (Amendment) Act, 2017

What lies ahead?

• Government can introduce regulations to distinguish legal skill gaming from illegal gambling and close loopholes.
• Strengthening enforcement of digital regulations and hold celebrities accountable for endorsements.
• Promoting awareness campaigns to educate youth and families about the dangers of online gambling.
• Certain habits must be monitored from childhood.
• Parents can be encouraged to use site-blocking tools and Children must be taught the value of money and the dangers of easy wealth.

Reference

The Hindu| Debt, Despair and Online Gambling

China’s Dominance in Africa’s Nuclear Energy

Prelims (GS - I) – International Relations, Science & Technology

Mains (GS - II & III) – GS II (International Relations)| GS III – (Science & Technology & Economy)

Why in news?

The recent emergence of China as the dominant player in Africa’s nuclear energy market poses strategic and energy security challenges for other global players, including India.

What are the countries having nuclear energy stakes in Africa?

• • France – So far, it had dominated Africa’s nuclear market but it is rapidly losing its influence and struggling to maintain its relevance, particularly in Francophone Africa.
  • United States – It has been organised as US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit (USANES) since 2023.
  • Russia – It had agreements with Egypt, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Burundi, but progress of reactor building is slow due to economic issues.
  • South Korea – It is showing interest in entering the market with Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP).
  • China – It is now leading the market with aggressive investments and partnerships.

What are the reasons for China’s Dominance in Africa’s nuclear market?

• • China’s nuclear ambition in Africa is a relatively new phenomenon.
  • Energy development programmes – China Atomic Energy Authority began a scholarship programme for students from African to develop national nuclear programmes.
  • It was launched in 2012, in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and provided training in Chinese procedures.
  • Higher operational capacity – Today, China has more than 50 operating reactors.
  • Strong government support – China’s nuclear expansion in Africa is being spearheaded by 2 large state-owned companies.
    • China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) and the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).
  • Nuclear agreement
    • In Nigeria – For design, construction, and operation of nuclear power plants.
    • In Uganda – For building a 2 GW nuclear plant, first unit (1 GW) to be completed by 2031.
  • Financial & technical Support – Assisting African nations in infrastructure, financing, and transmission networks.
    • West African nations (Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali) initially approached Russia but may turn to China due to Russia’s financial constraints.
  • China is actively building transmission networks which other countries were lagging behind.

What are its implications for India?

• • Strategic implications – China’s dominance undermines India's strategic influence in the region.
  • It could limit India's access to critical resources, including uranium.
    • India plans uranium mining projects in Niger and Namibia.

India’s current nuclear capacity (as of Jan 2025) is 8,180 MW and its target is to generate 100 GW by 2047 that requires stable uranium supply.

• • Economic implications – India's nuclear industry could lose potential business opportunities, revenue, and job creation.
    • India signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Namibia (2009).
  • Energy security implications - India's ambition to increase its nuclear energy mix in the overall energy portfolio might be impacted due to limited access to affordable technology and fuel.
  • Diplomatic implications – India may need to strengthen ties with other African countries to counterbalance China's influence.
  • Global position – India's role in global nuclear governance and non-proliferation efforts might be affected by China's expanding nuclear presence in Africa.

What lied ahead?

• India needs to strengthen nuclear cooperation with African nations through strategic partnerships.
• India can expand investments in uranium mining in Africa to secure supply chains.
• Steps can be taken to increase engagement with African nations under frameworks like International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Global South Initiatives.
• Developing indigenous nuclear reactor technology for export.

Reference

The Hindu| China’s Dominance in Africa’s Nuclear Energy

UPSC Daily Current Affairs| Prelim Bits 01-04-2025

Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) between India and Japan

Prelims (GS - I) – Environmental Ecology & Climate Change, International Relations.

Mains (GS - II & III) – GS II (Governance, International Relations) | GS III (Environment, Economy, Science & Tech).

Why in News?

India and Japan plan to sign a Memorandum of cooperation for setting up a Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) to share emission reduction credits under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement.

• Initiated by – Japan.
• Objective – To facilitate the transfer of low-carbon technologies and infrastructure through investment by Japanese corporations to developing nations in exchange for carbon credits.
• Purpose – Helps both India and Japan achieve their climate targets (NDCs) by implementing sustainable technologies and sharing the resulting emission reductions.

• Tracking Mechanism – Carbon credits will be tracked through a registry system, with joint committees managing projects and certifying credits.   

• Key Features of India-Japan JCM - Japan will invest in India’s decarbonization efforts by deploying advanced clean energy technologies.
• India will adopt new emission-reducing technologies in various industries, focusing on high-cost sectors that lack financing.
• Japan can use these credits to meet its NDC commitments, while India benefits from technology transfer and infrastructure development.
• Sectors Covered Under the JCM Agreement - The agreement covers 14 key sectors, including
  • Renewable energy with storage solutions
  • Solar thermal power plants
  • Green hydrogen production
  • Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
  • Decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors

Reference

Business Standard | Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM)

Sangita Kalanidhi Award

Prelims (GS - I) – Current events of national and international importance.

Mains (GS - I) – Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.

Why in News?

Rudrapatna Krishnamurthy Shriramkumar has been chosen for this year’s Sangita Kalanidhi Award by the Music Academy, Chennai.

• Sangita Kalanidhi, which translates as ‘Treasure of Music and Art’, is the highest honour in Carnatic music.
• It is awarded annually by the Madras Music Academy, one of the oldest academies of Carnatic music in India.
• Established in – 1928.
• The Music Academy was established in 1928, following a decision taken at the Indian National Congress session in Chennai in December 1927 to promote Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam.
• Rewards – The award comprising a gold medal and a birudu patra (citation).
• Since 2005, the Sangita Kalanidhi also receives the MS Subbulakshmi Award instituted by The Hindu.

The lawyer, freedom fighter, and artiste E Krishna Aiyar was trying at the time to revive Bharatanatyam, which had suffered from the stigma of association with devadasis.

• Carnatic music – Carnatic music is a classical music tradition of South Indian states such as South Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and southern Odisha.
• It emphasizes vocal music and compositions, with a focus on intricate melodies, rhythms, and improvisations based on ragas and talas.
• Origin – Carnatic music has roots in ancient Hindu traditions and scriptures, particularly the Samaveda.
• It is considered one of the two main classical music traditions of India, the other being Hindustani music.
• Instrumented used – The violin, mridangam, tambura, ghatam, and veena.
• Carnatic music uses the Melakarta system, a system of 72 parent ragas (janaka ragas) to classify ragas.

Reference

The Indian Express | Sangita Kalanidhi award

India Bio-Economy Report

Prelims (GS - I) – Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.

Mains (GS - III) – Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.

Why in News?

India Bio-Economy report has pegged the value of India’s bioeconomy in 2024 at more than $165 billion, accounting for over 4.2% of the country’s GDP.

• Bio-economy – Refers to the industrial use of biological resources (plants, animals, and microorganisms), and the replication of natural biological processes in the production of goods and services.
• Released by – Department of Biotechnology.
• Key findings – The report shows that the value of India’s bioeconomy nearly doubled in the last 5 years, from 2020 to 2024.

• The number of companies operating in the bioeconomy has gone up by almost 90% in the last 3 years, from 2021 to 2024.
• This number is projected to double again by 2030, by which time such companies would employ close to 35 million people.
• Nearly half the value of the bioeconomy was generated in the industrial sector, for the development and use of biofuels and bioplastics, among other things.
• The pharma sector accounted for another 35% of the total value, with vaccines the major contributor.
• But the fastest growing segment in 2024 was research and IT, which includes biotech software development, clinical trials, and bioinformatics that helps in areas such as drug research.
• The report showed that only 5 states — Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, accounted for more than two-thirds of the value generated in the bioeconomy.
• The entire eastern and northeastern region generated less than 6% of the total value.
• Achievements in Bioeconomy – India is among the top producers of vaccines globally and developed the world’s first DNA COVID-19 vaccine.
• Ethanol blending largely increased from 2014 to 2024, with a target of 20% by 2025.
• The sector contributes 4.25% to GDP with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.9% over the past four years.
• While the 4.2% share in the overall GDP was comparable to figures in the United States and China, the bioeconomy of countries like Spain and Italy accounts for more than 20% of their GDP.

Reference

The Indian Express | India Bio-Economy Report

Aortic Stenosis & TAVI

Prelims (GS - I) – General Science.

Mains (GS - III) – Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

Why in News?

TAVI is a minimally invasive procedure for treating severe heart valve diseases in high-risk patients.

• Aortic Stenosis – It is a condition where the aortic valve narrows, obstructing blood flow from the heart to the aorta.
• As a result, the heart must work harder to pump blood, causing increased pressure within the heart chamber, which can lead to further complications.
• Aortic valve is a door that separates the heart from the aorta, the largest artery that carries blood to different organs of our body.
• As people age, the valve stops working properly. It becomes stiff and calcified (like a bony structure) that restricts its movements.

• Common causes - Degenerative aortic valve disease, bicuspid aortic valve disease and rheumatic heart disease.
• Prevalence - 0.4% in the general population and as high as 2.8% in people above the age of 75 years. It is also estimated that more than 10% of individual may have it after 80 years.
• Symptoms - Most of the patients remain asymptomatic till the disease becomes severe.
• Some symptoms include - Breathlessness, chest pain, syncope (passing out) and fatigue. Some of the individuals develop the weakness of the left side of the heart due to this disease.
• Diagnosis - Echocardiogram plays pivotal role in diagnosing the problem.
• Treatment -Until a few years ago, the treatment for this condition was surgical replacement of the valve through open-heart surgery.
• Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVI) – First done in 2002 by professor Alain Cribier, France.
• It is the first percutaneous valve replacement procedure, where a new valve is implanted into the old, diseased valve via the arteries.
• It is also known as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVR).
• TAVI is superior to Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR).
• TAVI is a minimally invasive procedure, and patients can often be discharged successfully within 2-3 days after the procedure.
• In younger patients, Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR) remains the treatment of choice.
• However, in older patients, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is done through the leg arteries for patients aged 65 or older or for those expected to have a life expectancy of less than 10 years.
• The ESC (European Society of Cardiology) recommends considering TAVI for patients older than 75.

Reference

The Hindu | Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVI)

Neutrinos

Prelims (GS - I) – Current events of national and international importance | General Science.

Mains (GS - III) – Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

Why in News?

The AMoRE experiment in South Korea has reported not finding evidence of neutrino less double beta decay, imposing stringent limits on this elusive subatomic event.         

• Neutrinos – They are the 2^nd-most abundant subatomic particle in the universe, after photons, the particles of light.
• They were produced in abundant amounts during the Big Bang event.
• They are produced in radioactive decay, when massive stars explode, and when cosmic rays strike the earth’s atmosphere.
• They are also made during nuclear fusion; the sun alone is responsible for flooding every square centimetre on the earth with 60 billion neutrinos each second.
• These particles are also extraordinarily hard to catch because they interact very weakly and very rarely with matter.
• Weight – Unknown.
• Types – It come in three flavours, or varieties, and the differences between the squares of their masses is known, but not the individual masses themselves.
• Anti-Particle- A subatomic particle having the same mass as a given particle but opposite electric or magnetic properties.
• If two of them meet, they will annihilate each other in a flash of energy.
• Majorana particle – It is a type of fermion that, gets its mass through a self-interaction mechanism that does not involve the Higgs field.

Higgs field gives mass to fundamental particles such as electrons and quarks. Particles gain mass by interacting with the Higgs field and the strength of the interaction is proportional to mass of the particle.

• Key feature – Majorana fermions must be their own antiparticle. where the particle and its anti-particle are identical.
• Since antiparticles typically have opposite electric charges to their corresponding particles, Majorana fermions can only be neutral particles.
• Majorana hypothesis – As a result, neutrinos are often considered as potential candidates for being Majorana particles, since they are neutral.
• This has led to several experiments attempting to find evidence of Majorana neutrinos through neutrino less double beta decay.
• Double beta decay – It typically involves a nucleus emitting 2 protons, 2 electrons and 2 anti-neutrinos.
• Neutrino less Double Beta Decay (0νββ) – It is a rare nuclear process where two neutrons decay into two protons and emit two electrons, but no anti-neutrinos are produced.
• For 0νββ to occur, neutrinos must be their own anti-particle.
• Here the neutrino emitted by one neutron is absorbed as an anti-neutrino by the other neutron, allowing the decay to proceed without emitting an anti-neutrino.
• Significance – If 0νββ is observed, it would prove that neutrinos are Majorana particles, because such a decay can only happen if neutrinos and anti-neutrinos are the same.
• Ongoing experiments like the AMoRE experiment aim to detect 0νββ by looking for the distinct energy signatures and confirming if neutrinos are indeed Majorana particles.

Reference

The Hindu | Neutrinos

Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) between India and Japan

Prelims (GS - I) – Environmental Ecology & Climate Change, International Relations.

Mains (GS - II & III) – GS II (Governance, International Relations) | GS III (Environment, Economy, Science & Tech).

Why in News?

India and Japan plan to sign a Memorandum of cooperation for setting up a Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) to share emission reduction credits under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement.

• Initiated by – Japan.
• Objective – To facilitate the transfer of low-carbon technologies and infrastructure through investment by Japanese corporations to developing nations in exchange for carbon credits.
• Purpose – Helps both India and Japan achieve their climate targets (NDCs) by implementing sustainable technologies and sharing the resulting emission reductions.

• Tracking Mechanism – Carbon credits will be tracked through a registry system, with joint committees managing projects and certifying credits.   
• Key Features of India-Japan JCM - Japan will invest in India’s decarbonization efforts by deploying advanced clean energy technologies.
• India will adopt new emission-reducing technologies in various industries, focusing on high-cost sectors that lack financing.
• Japan can use these credits to meet its NDC commitments, while India benefits from technology transfer and infrastructure development.
• Sectors Covered Under the JCM Agreement - The agreement covers 14 key sectors, including
  • Renewable energy with storage solutions
  • Solar thermal power plants
  • Green hydrogen production
  • Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
  • Decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors

Reference

Business Standard | Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM)

Sangita Kalanidhi Award

Prelims (GS - I) – Current events of national and international importance.

Mains (GS - I) – Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.

Why in News?

Rudrapatna Krishnamurthy Shriramkumar has been chosen for this year’s Sangita Kalanidhi Award by the Music Academy, Chennai.

• Sangita Kalanidhi, which translates as ‘Treasure of Music and Art’, is the highest honour in Carnatic music.
• It is awarded annually by the Madras Music Academy, one of the oldest academies of Carnatic music in India.
• Established in – 1928.
• The Music Academy was established in 1928, following a decision taken at the Indian National Congress session in Chennai in December 1927 to promote Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam.
• Rewards – The award comprising a gold medal and a birudu patra (citation).
• Since 2005, the Sangita Kalanidhi also receives the MS Subbulakshmi Award instituted by The Hindu.

The lawyer, freedom fighter, and artiste E Krishna Aiyar was trying at the time to revive Bharatanatyam, which had suffered from the stigma of association with devadasis.

• Carnatic music – Carnatic music is a classical music tradition of South Indian states such as South Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and southern Odisha.
• It emphasizes vocal music and compositions, with a focus on intricate melodies, rhythms, and improvisations based on ragas and talas.
• Origin – Carnatic music has roots in ancient Hindu traditions and scriptures, particularly the Samaveda.
• It is considered one of the two main classical music traditions of India, the other being Hindustani music.
• Instrumented used – The violin, mridangam, tambura, ghatam, and veena.
• Carnatic music uses the Melakarta system, a system of 72 parent ragas (janaka ragas) to classify ragas.

Reference

The Indian Express | Sangita Kalanidhi award

India Bio-Economy Report

Prelims (GS - I) – Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.

Mains (GS - III) – Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.

Why in News?

India Bio-Economy report has pegged the value of India’s bioeconomy in 2024 at more than $165 billion, accounting for over 4.2% of the country’s GDP.

• Bio-economy – Refers to the industrial use of biological resources (plants, animals, and microorganisms), and the replication of natural biological processes in the production of goods and services.
• Released by – Department of Biotechnology.
• Key findings – The report shows that the value of India’s bioeconomy nearly doubled in the last 5 years, from 2020 to 2024.

• The number of companies operating in the bioeconomy has gone up by almost 90% in the last 3 years, from 2021 to 2024.
• This number is projected to double again by 2030, by which time such companies would employ close to 35 million people.
• Nearly half the value of the bioeconomy was generated in the industrial sector, for the development and use of biofuels and bioplastics, among other things.
• The pharma sector accounted for another 35% of the total value, with vaccines the major contributor.
• But the fastest growing segment in 2024 was research and IT, which includes biotech software development, clinical trials, and bioinformatics that helps in areas such as drug research.
• The report showed that only 5 states — Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, accounted for more than two-thirds of the value generated in the bioeconomy.
• The entire eastern and northeastern region generated less than 6% of the total value.
• Achievements in Bioeconomy – India is among the top producers of vaccines globally and developed the world’s first DNA COVID-19 vaccine.
• Ethanol blending largely increased from 2014 to 2024, with a target of 20% by 2025.
• The sector contributes 4.25% to GDP with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.9% over the past four years.
• While the 4.2% share in the overall GDP was comparable to figures in the United States and China, the bioeconomy of countries like Spain and Italy accounts for more than 20% of their GDP.

Reference

The Indian Express | India Bio-Economy Report

Aortic Stenosis & TAVI

Prelims (GS - I) – General Science.

Mains (GS - III) – Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

Why in News?

TAVI is a minimally invasive procedure for treating severe heart valve diseases in high-risk patients.

• Aortic Stenosis – It is a condition where the aortic valve narrows, obstructing blood flow from the heart to the aorta.
• As a result, the heart must work harder to pump blood, causing increased pressure within the heart chamber, which can lead to further complications.
• Aortic valve is a door that separates the heart from the aorta, the largest artery that carries blood to different organs of our body.
• As people age, the valve stops working properly. It becomes stiff and calcified (like a bony structure) that restricts its movements.

• Common causes - Degenerative aortic valve disease, bicuspid aortic valve disease and rheumatic heart disease.
• Prevalence - 0.4% in the general population and as high as 2.8% in people above the age of 75 years. It is also estimated that more than 10% of individual may have it after 80 years.
• Symptoms - Most of the patients remain asymptomatic till the disease becomes severe.
• Some symptoms include - Breathlessness, chest pain, syncope (passing out) and fatigue. Some of the individuals develop the weakness of the left side of the heart due to this disease.
• Diagnosis - Echocardiogram plays pivotal role in diagnosing the problem.
• Treatment -Until a few years ago, the treatment for this condition was surgical replacement of the valve through open-heart surgery.
• Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVI) – First done in 2002 by professor Alain Cribier, France.
• It is the first percutaneous valve replacement procedure, where a new valve is implanted into the old, diseased valve via the arteries.
• It is also known as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVR).
• TAVI is superior to Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR).
• TAVI is a minimally invasive procedure, and patients can often be discharged successfully within 2-3 days after the procedure.
• In younger patients, Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR) remains the treatment of choice.
• However, in older patients, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is done through the leg arteries for patients aged 65 or older or for those expected to have a life expectancy of less than 10 years.
• The ESC (European Society of Cardiology) recommends considering TAVI for patients older than 75.

Reference

The Hindu | Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVI)

Neutrinos

Prelims (GS - I) – Current events of national and international importance | General Science.

Mains (GS - III) – Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

Why in News?

The AMoRE experiment in South Korea has reported not finding evidence of neutrino less double beta decay, imposing stringent limits on this elusive subatomic event.         

• Neutrinos – They are the 2^nd-most abundant subatomic particle in the universe, after photons, the particles of light.
• They were produced in abundant amounts during the Big Bang event.
• They are produced in radioactive decay, when massive stars explode, and when cosmic rays strike the earth’s atmosphere.
• They are also made during nuclear fusion; the sun alone is responsible for flooding every square centimetre on the earth with 60 billion neutrinos each second.
• These particles are also extraordinarily hard to catch because they interact very weakly and very rarely with matter.
• Weight – Unknown.
• Types – It come in three flavours, or varieties, and the differences between the squares of their masses is known, but not the individual masses themselves.
• Anti-Particle- A subatomic particle having the same mass as a given particle but opposite electric or magnetic properties.
• If two of them meet, they will annihilate each other in a flash of energy.
• Majorana particle – It is a type of fermion that, gets its mass through a self-interaction mechanism that does not involve the Higgs field.

Higgs field gives mass to fundamental particles such as electrons and quarks. Particles gain mass by interacting with the Higgs field and the strength of the interaction is proportional to mass of the particle.

• Key feature – Majorana fermions must be their own antiparticle. where the particle and its anti-particle are identical.
• Since antiparticles typically have opposite electric charges to their corresponding particles, Majorana fermions can only be neutral particles.
• Majorana hypothesis – As a result, neutrinos are often considered as potential candidates for being Majorana particles, since they are neutral.
• This has led to several experiments attempting to find evidence of Majorana neutrinos through neutrino less double beta decay.
• Double beta decay – It typically involves a nucleus emitting 2 protons, 2 electrons and 2 anti-neutrinos.
• Neutrino less Double Beta Decay (0νββ) – It is a rare nuclear process where two neutrons decay into two protons and emit two electrons, but no anti-neutrinos are produced.
• For 0νββ to occur, neutrinos must be their own anti-particle.
• Here the neutrino emitted by one neutron is absorbed as an anti-neutrino by the other neutron, allowing the decay to proceed without emitting an anti-neutrino.
• Significance – If 0νββ is observed, it would prove that neutrinos are Majorana particles, because such a decay can only happen if neutrinos and anti-neutrinos are the same.
• Ongoing experiments like the AMoRE experiment aim to detect 0νββ by looking for the distinct energy signatures and confirming if neutrinos are indeed Majorana particles.

Reference

The Hindu | Neutrinos