UPSC Daily Current Affairs| Prelim Bits 13-02-2025

J. C. Bose Grant (JBG)

Why in News?

J. C. Bose Grant (JBG) was launched by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).

• Launched by – Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
• Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Science & Technology.
• JBG – It is a restructured form of the J. C. Bose Fellowship.

J. C. Bose Fellowship under the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) is awarded to active scientists in recognition of their outstanding performance.

• Aim – To recognize the outstanding performance and contributions of senior Indian scientists and engineers through this extra-mural funding opportunities to enhance their research in cutting-edge scientific and technological areas.
• Objectives – To support senior-level researchers who have demonstrated exceptional achievements, with evidence of excellence such as:
  • Publications records
  • Research outcomes
  • Patents
  • Technology transfers
  • Awards
  • Grants
• The researcher’s achievements include across various domains of science and technology (S&T) including agriculture, medicine, humanities and social sciences at the interfaces of S&T.
• Eligibility – Participants must be active, senior Indian scientists or researchers with a proven track record of excellence.
• Holding at least a Professor-level position or equivalent at an Indian institution/university.
• Selection – It will be conducted once a year by a Search-cum-Selection Committee as per the broad guidelines.
• Grant – It provides an annual research funding of Rs. 25 lakhs.
• An annual overhead of Rs. 1.0 lakh will be provided to the implementing institution.
• Duration – 5 years.
• In case of PI – Principal Investigator (PI) superannuates, during the term of the grants, it can be continued subject to the host institutions willingness to host the PI and can be availed until the age of 68.

References

1. PIB| J. C. Bose Grant (JBG)
2. ANRF| J. C. Bose Grant (JBG)

Unani Medicine

Why in news?

International Conference that was organised by Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine concluded recently.

• About Unani – Unani system is one of the oldest systems of medicine, based on the teachings of Hippocrates.

Hippocrates is known as the "Father of Medicine" because he established medicine on a scientific basis and raised ethical standards.

• It is an extensive medical system that deals with various states of the body (healthy and disease).
• The system is integrated in nature and offers preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative healthcare.
• UNANI is derived from the word IONIAN which indicates its genesis in the present day Greece (Unan) and TIBB means medicine.
• World Health Organization (WHO) – Recognized it in 1976.
• Umure Tabiya – In Unani system of medicine, human body is based on seven natural principles, known as “Umure Tabiya”.
• These are the very factors responsible for the existence of the human body and are considered responsible for the maintenance of health.
• The loss of any one of these components could lead even to death of the individual.
• Hippocratic theory – Unani system is based on the Hippocratic theory which postulates that a perfect balance of "Arkan" (elements), "Akhlat" (humors) and "Mizaj” (temperament) keeps the body and mind healthy.
• The theory presupposes the presence of four humours in human body, which are:
  1. Dam
  2. Balgham
  3. Safra (Yellow bile)
  4. Sauda (black bile)
• Diagnosis – The most important aspect forthe diagnosis of diseases are three in  number,and they are Nabz (pulse), examination of baul (urine)  and Baraz (stool).
• The surroundings and the ecological conditions are very much responsible for the state of health of a person.
• International Conference – Was recently organised by Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine.
• The conference was on the topic “Innovations in Unani Medicine for Integrative Health Solutions – A way forward”.

References

1. PIB - Unani Medicine
2. Directorate of AYUSH - Unani Medicine

International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER)

Why in news?

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the President of France, H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, jointly visited the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in France recently.

• ITER – Is a large-scale scientific experiment intended to prove the viability of fusion as an energy source by building the world's largest tokamak.
• Tokamak – A magnetic fusion device that has been designed to prove the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale and carbon-free source of energy based on the same principle that powers our Sun and stars.
• Location – ITER is currently under construction in the south of France.

Fusion is the nuclear reaction that powers the Sun and the stars, is a promising long-term option for sustainable, non-carbon-emitting energy.

• ITER Council – Is the governing body that supervises the work of the ITER Organization.
• The ITER Council is responsible, in accordance with the ITER Agreement, for the promotion and overall direction of the ITER Organization.
• ITER Organization – Is an intergovernmental organization that was created by an international agreement signed in 2006, and formally established on 24 October 2007 after its ratification by all Parties.
• ITER Members – China, European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), India, Japan, Korea, the Russian Federation and the United States of America.
• India – Is among the seven ITER members contributing to the project over the last two decades.
• Around 200 Indian scientists and associates, as well as notable industry players such as L&T, Inox India, TCS, TCE, HCL Technologies, among others, are engaged in the ITER project.

References

1. PIB - ITER
2. Official website - ITER

Climate Risk Index

Why in News?

According to a climate risk index report, India was the 6^th most affected by extreme weather events over the last 3 decades from 1993 to 2023.

• Published since – 2006.
• Published by – German watch, a non-profit organization.
• Climate Risk Index – It is one of the longest running annual climate impact-related indices.
• It uses the data from:
  • Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) international disaster database.
  • World Bank.
  • International Monetary Fund (IMF).
• Methodology – It analyses climate-related extreme weather events’ impacts via 3 hazard categories:
  1. Hydrological
  2. Meteorological
  3. Climatological
• It visualizes such events’ degree of effect at 2 years before the index’s publication and over the preceding 30 years.
• 6 key indicators – Economic loss, fatalities, and affected people with each in absolute and relative terms.

• Ranking – It is based on the countries economic and human impacts (fatalities as well as affected, injured, and homeless).
• Countries most affected in last 3 decades (1993-2022) – The top 10 countries that are most affected are Dominica, China, and Honduras were the most affected countries followed by Myanmar, Italy and India (6^th most affected).

• India – It ranks 6^th among the top 10 countries which shows high absolute fatalities and economic losses.
• India has faced a variety of increasingly frequent extreme weather events, including floods, heat waves, cyclones, and drought.

More than 400 extreme weather events in the 3 decades, causing losses of nearly USD 180 billion (inflation-adjusted) and at least 80,000 fatalities.

• Floods and landslides resulting from heavy monsoons displaced millions and damaged agriculture.
• Cyclones devastated coastal areas, underscoring India's diverse cli- mate risks.

References

1. Down to Earth| India among Top 10 Countries
2. Germanwatch| Climate Risk Index 2025
3. Germanwatch Pdf| Countries Most Affected in Last 3 Decades