Articles Covered

1. 10,000 human genomes sequenced in India
2. Odisha has 30 tigers, 27 in Similipal, forest department officials heave sigh of relief
3. Former SC judge Khanwilkar is new Lokpal chairperson
4. Turning mushrooms into gold? Goa researchers claim breakthrough in producing nanoparticles
5. PM Modi announces 4 astronauts for Gaganyaan
6. Andhra Pradesh Speaker disqualifies 8 MLAs from assembly

10,000 human genomes sequenced in India

The project is seen as a key step to being able to learn about genetic variants that are unique to India’s population groups and use that to customise drugs and therapies

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) on Tuesday officially announced the completion of the ‘10,000 genome’ project — an attempt to create a reference database of whole-genome sequences out of India. While India first sequenced a complete human genome in 2006, creating a database that is representative of the diversity of India’s population, is seen as a key step to being able to learn about genetic variants that are unique to India’s population groups and use that to customise drugs and therapies. The United Kingdom, China, and the United States are among the countries that have programmes to sequence at least 1,00,000 of their genomes.

Recently, the ambitious Genome India initiative achieved a significant milestone as researchers completed sequencing 10,000 healthy genomes from different regions of the country, representing 99 distinct populations.

genome sequencing

Human genome

• The human genome is the entire set of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) residing in the nucleus of every cell of each human body.
• It carries the complete genetic information responsible for the development and functioning of the organism.
• The DNA consists of a double-stranded molecule built up by four bases – adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) and thymine (T).
• Every base on one strand pairs with a complementary base on the other strand (A with T and C with G).
• In all, the genome is made up of approximately 3.05 billion such base pairs.

Genome sequencing

• While the sequence or order of base pairs is identical in all humans, there are differences in the genome of every human being that makes them unique.
• The process of deciphering the order of base pairs, to decode the genetic fingerprint of a human is called genome sequencing.
• In other words, Genome sequencing is the process of determining the complete DNA sequence of an organism’s genome.
• There are several methods of genome sequencing, but the most common is called next-generation sequencing (NGS).
• NGS allows for rapid, accurate, and cost-effective sequencing of large amounts of DNA.

Human Genome Project (HGP)

1. In 1990, a group of scientists began to work on determining the whole sequence of the human genomeunder the Human Genome Project.
2. The project released the latest version of the complete human genome in 2023, with a 0.3% error margin.
3. The process of whole-genome sequencing, made possible by the Human Genome Project, now facilitates the reading of a person’s individual genome to identify differences from the average human genome.
4. These differences or mutations can tell us about each human’s susceptibility or future vulnerability to a disease, their reaction or sensitivity to a particular stimulus, and so on.

applications of genome sequencing

To evaluate rare disorder

• Genome sequencing has been used to evaluate rare disorders, preconditions for disorders, even cancer from the viewpoint of genetics, rather than as diseases of certain organs.
• Nearly 10,000 diseases — including cystic fibrosis and thalassemia — are known to be the result of a single gene malfunctioning.

Tool for prenatal screening

• It has also been used as a tool for prenatal screening, to investigate whether the foetus has genetic disorders or anomalies.
• Technology Crispr, which relies on sequencing, may potentially allow scientists to repair disease-causing mutations in human genomes.

In public health

1. Sequencing has been used to read the codes of viruses.
2. In January 2020, at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Chinese scientist sequenced the genome of a novel pathogen causing infections in the city of Wuhan.
3. Later, genome sequencing of the virus led to the development of vaccine and the creation of diagnostic PCR machines.
4. India also put in place a sequencing framework. The Indian SARS-COV-2 Genomics Consortia (INSACOG) was tasked with scanning coronavirus samples from patients.

Uses at the population level

1. Advanced analytics and AI could be applied to essential datasets created by collecting genomic profiles across the population.
2. This would allow to develop greater understanding of causative factors and potential treatments of diseases.

Genome India project

• The Genome India Project is a gene mapping project sanctioned by the Department of Biotechnology.
• It was launched with the goal of creating a comprehensive database of genetic variations among the Indian population.
• The project aims to sequence the genomes of over 10,000 Indians from different regions of the country and establish a reference genome for the Indian population.

significance of the Genome India project

To learn about genetic variants unique to the Indian population

1. This project allows researchers to learn about genetic variants unique to India’s population groups and use that to customise drugs and therapies.
2. g., a mutation MYBPC3 that leads to cardiac arrest at a young age is found in 4.5% of the Indian population but is rare globally.
3. Or, another mutation called LAMB3 that causes a lethal skin condition is found in nearly 4% of the population near Madurai but it is not seen in global databases.

Database for 1.3 billion population

1. India’s 1.3 billion-strong population consists of over 4,600 population groups, many of which are endogamous.
2. Thus, the Indian population harbours distinct variations, with disease-causing mutations often amplified within some of these groups.
3. Findings from population-based or disease-based human genetics research from other populations of the world cannot be extrapolated to Indians.

• The Department of Biotechnology announced the completion of the ‘10,000 genome’ project— an attempt to create a reference database of whole-genome sequences out of India.
• This accomplishment has culminated in the creation of a comprehensive genetic map of India, which holds immense potential for clinicians and researchers alike.
• India is the largest genetic lab in the world. This data can help drive the biology sector in the country as well.

India’s bio-economy has grown 13 folds in the last 10 years from $10 billion in 2014 to over $130 billion in 2024. It will spearhead India’s future growth.

• The entire dataset will be stored at the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) and will be made available as a digital public good or research.
• Inaugurated in 2022, the IBDC is the country’s only databank.
• Prior to that Indian researchers had to host their biological datasets on American or European servers.

Odisha has 30 tigers, 27 in Similipal, forest department officials heave sigh of relief

The Similipal tiger reserve in the Mayurbhanj district boasted of around 101 tigers between 2000-2006. In 2022, only 22 tigers were reported in the reserve, setting alarm bells ringing in the forest department

• The number of big cats in Odisha has increased, much to the relief of forest officials.
• According to the All Odisha Tiger Estimation (AOTE) 2023-2024, there are 30 adult tigers in the state with Similipal tiger reserve alone accounting for 27 of them. Besides 30 full-grown tigers, there are eight tiger cubs in the forests of Odisha. The cubs are less than one year old.

Simlipal Tiger Reserve (STR)

1. Location: STR is located within the Mayurbhanj District, in the Northernmost part of Odisha.
2. It is surrounded by high plateaus and hills, the highest peak being the twin peaks of Khairiburu and Meghashini (1515m above mean sea level).
3. It was declared a ‘Tiger Reserve’ in the year 1956 and included under the national conservation programme ‘Project Tiger’ in 1973.
4. The STR, along with a ‘transitional area’ of 2250 sq. km, was included as a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO in the year 2009.
5. Terrain: The terrain is mostly undulating and hilly, interspersed with open grasslands and wooded areas.
6. Vegetation: It is a mix of different forest types and habitats, with Northern tropical moist deciduous dominating some semi-evergreen patches.
7. It is the only landscape in the world that is home to melanistic tigers.
8. The region around STR is home to a variety of tribes, including Kolha, Santhala, Bhumija, Bhatudi, Gondas, Khadia, Mankadia and Sahara.

Flora:

• An astounding 1078 species of plants, including 94 species of orchids, are found here.
• Sal is the dominant tree species here.
• Fauna: Leopard, Gaur, Elephant, Langur, Barking and Spotted Deer,Sloth Bear Mongoose, Flying Squirrel, Porcupine, Turtle, Monitor Lizard, Python, Sambar, Pangolin etc.

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA):

1. It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
2. It was established in 2006 under Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.

Objectives:

1. Providing statutory authority to Project Tigerso that compliance of its directives become legal.
2. Fostering accountability of Center-State in management of Tiger Reservesby providing a basis for MoU with States within the federal structure.
3. Providing for an oversight by Parliament.
4. Addressing livelihood interests of local peoplein areas surrounding Tiger Reserves.

NTCA Members:

1. Minister in charge of MoEFCC (as Chairperson),
2. Minister of State in MoEFCC (as Vice-Chairperson),
3. three members of Parliament, the Secretary (MoEFCC), and other members.

Project Tiger’

1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) of the MoEFCC.
2. It was launched on 1st April 1973.
3. It provides funding support to tiger range States for the in-situ conservation of tigers in designated tiger reserves.
4. Project Tiger has been the largest species conservation initiative of its kind in the world.
5. National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is the immediate supervising agency.

The World Network of Biosphere Reserves is a program established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as part of its Man and the Biosphere (MAB) initiative. Biosphere reserves are designated areas that seek to balance conservation of biodiversity, sustainable development, and scientific research. These reserves serve as models for harmonious coexistence between humans and the environment.

Former SC judge Khanwilkar is new Lokpal chairperson

• Three judicial members among six others appointed to the Lokpal
• Nearly 19 months after he retired as a Supreme Court judge, Justice A M Khanwilkar was appointed the chairperson of the anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal on Tuesday. The post fell vacant nearly two years ago.
• “President Draupadi Murmuis pleased to appoint Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar as the chairperson of the Lokpal,” a statement released by Rashtrapati Bhavan said.

Lokpal:

• It is a statutory body established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013.
• Mandate: To inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries and for related matters.

Organisational Structure:

1. The Lokpal will consist of a chairpersonand a maximum of eight members.
2. The Chairpersonshould be either the former Chief Justice of India, or a former Judge of the Supreme Court, or an eminent person who fulfils the eligibility criteria as specified.
3. Out ofthe maximum eight members, half will be judicial members. The judicial member of the Lokpal should be either a former Judge of the Supreme Court or a former Chief Justice of a High Court.
4. A minimum of fifty per cent of the Members will be from SC / ST / OBC / Minorities and women. 

members appointed

1. The Chairperson and the Members are appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of a selection committee composed of the Prime Minister as the Chairperson, the Speaker of Lok Sabha, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, the Chief Justice of India or a Judge nominated by him/her, and one eminent jurist.
2. They hold office for aterm of five years from the date on which they enter upon the office or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
3. The salary, allowances, and other conditions of services of the Chairperson are the same as that of the Chief Justice of India.
4. The salary, allowances, and other conditions of services of the members are the same as that of a Judge of the Supreme Court.

Jurisdiction:

• It has jurisdiction to inquire into allegations of corruption against anyone who is or has been Prime Minister, a Minister in the Union government, or a Member of Parliament, as well as officials of the Union Government under Groups A, B, C, and D.
• It covers chairpersons, members, officers, and directors of any board, corporation, society, trust, or autonomous body either established by an Act of Parliament or wholly or partly funded by the Union or State government.
• It also covers any society, trust, or body that receives a foreign contribution above Rs 10 lakh.

Exceptions for Prime Minister:

• Lokpal cannot inquire into allegations against the PM relating to international relations, external and internal security, public order, atomic energy, and space.
• Also, complaints against the PM are not to be probed unless the full Lokpal bench considers the initiation of the inquiry andat least 2/3rds of the members approve it.

Powers of Lokpal:

• It has powers to superintendence over and to give direction to the CBI.
• If it has referred a case to the CBI, the investigating officer in such a case cannot be transferred without the approval of Lokpal.
• Powers to authorize CBI for search and seizure operations connected to such cases.
• The Inquiry Wing of the Lokpal has been vested with the powers of a civil court.
• Lokpal has powers of confiscation of assets, proceeds, receipts, and benefits arising or procured by means of corruption in special circumstances.
• Lokpal has the power to recommend the transfer or suspension of public servants connected with the allegation of corruption.
• Lokpal has the power to give directions to prevent the destruction of records during the preliminary inquiry.
• In terms of Section 48 of the said Act, the Lokpal is required to present annually to the President a report on the work done by it, which is caused to be laid in both the Houses of Parliament.

Turning mushrooms into gold? Goa researchers claim breakthrough in producing nanoparticles

The Termitomyces species, which grow on termite hills and is locally known as ‘roen olmi’, has been cultured in a pure three-dimensional pelletised form and successfully used to produce gold nanoparticles

Mushrooms of the Termitomyces species, which grow on termite hills and is locally known as ‘roen olmi’, is an edible wild mushroom popular among Goans and consumed during the monsoons.

Roen olmi

Researchers in Goa have synthesized gold nanoparticles from a wild mushroom species that is widely eaten as a delicacy in Goa.

• It is an edible mushroom of the Termitomyces species.
• They play a very important role as a powerful biodegrading fungus in forest and grassland ecosystems converting 50% dead plant material on the ground into rich soil.
• Habitat – Grows on termite hills in the forested areas of Western Ghats in Goa.
• Association with termites –These mushrooms have no independent existence and grow only in association with termites, therefore, impossible to cultivate artificially.
• The termites eat them to obtain enzymes and nitrogen.
• Ban – The Goa forest department banned the harvesting of these wild mushrooms in 1992.
• However, the very next year, the ban was amended to cover only wildlife sanctuaries and government-owned protected forests.
• Effect– The Goa state biodiversity board has warned that overexploitation of ‘Roen Olmi’, could result in the outbreak of new forest diseases such as Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD).

Mushrooms in Goa have interesting local names which are derived from either the:

• Habitat (Roen olmi for termite hill mushroom),
• Shape (Khut olmi for mushrooms with a long stem and Fugo olmi for balloon-shaped mushrooms)
• Colour (tamdi olmi for red mushrooms)

Fruiting season (shith olmi that grows in winter)

Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD) virus is transmitted by the bite of the tick Haemaphysalis spinigera, a tick often found at the forest margins.

• Cordy gold nanoparticles (Cor-AuNPs) is the outcome of a collaborative experiment by scientists from four Indian institutions, has earned an international patent from Germany.
• These nanoparticles, derived from the synthesis of the extracts of Cordyceps militaris and gold salts, could make drug delivery in the human body faster and surer.
• Cordyceps militarisis a high value parasitic fungus, lab-grown at the Department of Biotechnology’s Technology Incubation Centre (TIC) in Bodoland University, one of the collaborators of the patented research work.
• Gold salts are ionic chemical compounds of gold generally used in medicine.
• Wild Cordyceps mushroom is found in the eastern Himalayan belt.

Penetration:

1. Penetration in the cells is more when the drug particles are smaller.
2. Cordyceps militaris, called super mushroom because of its tremendous medicinal properties, adds bioactive components to the synthesis of gold nanoparticles for better penetration.

PM Modi announces 4 astronauts for Gaganyaan

• PM Modi has announced the names of the four astronauts, who would fly to low-Earth orbit as part of ISRO’s Gaganyaan.
• The announcement came just days after ISRO said it had successfully tested the human readiness of the cryogenic engine.
• This engine will be used on the LVM3 vehicles for all of the Gaganyaan missions.

Gaganyaan

• Gaganyaan project envisages demonstration of human spaceflight capabilityby launching a crew of 3 members to an orbit of 400 km for a 3 days mission and bring them back safely to earth.
• It is part of theIndian Human Spaceflight Programme (IHSP), which was initiated (2007) by the ISRO to develop the technology needed to launch crewed orbital spacecraft into low earth orbit (LEO).
• Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3/GSLV Mk3) rocket – the well proven and reliable heavy lift launcher of ISRO, is identified as the launch vehicle for Gaganyaan mission.
• India’s heaviest rocket consists of solid stage, liquid stage and cryogenic stage.

All systems in the LVM3 launch vehicle are re-configured to meet human rating requirements and christened Human Rated LVM3/HLVM3.

1. PM Modi announced the names of the four astronauts, who would fly to low-Earth orbit as part of the ISRO’s Gaganyaan — the first crewed Indian space mission.
2. The selected astronauts are:

• Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan, and Shubanshu Shukla.
• They are all either wing commanders or group captains with the Indian Air Force (IAF) and have extensive experience working as test pilots.

Current status of Gaganyaan missions

1. The Gaganyaan missions include both manned and unmanned missions.
2. The first unmanned Gaganyaan-1 mission, a test flight to check the technology readiness for the final mission, is scheduled to take off by the end of 2024.
3. The manned mission, which will fly a three-membered crew into a low earth orbit at an altitude of 400 km for a period of three days, is scheduled later.

Human rating of the launch vehicle

1. ISRO will use its LVM3 rocket for all of the Gaganyaan missions.
2. LVM3, earlier called GSLV-MkIII, is the space agency’s most powerful launch vehicle and has flown seven times and never failed.
3. For the manned Gaganyaan mission, ISRO has reconfigured all the components of LVM3 to meet human rating requirements.
4. Recently, in February 2024, the space agency performed final tests on the rocket’s cryogenic engine, known as CE20, which will power LVM3 during the cryogenic stage of the lift-off.
5. The engine successfully passed and was certified for missions that would transport humans into space.
6. The ‘Vikas’ engine to be used in the liquid stage and the solid booster, a part of the solid stage, have already qualified for the missions.

Development of crew module and crew escape system

1. ISRO is also developing technology for the proposed human-space flight mission.
2. These include:
3. the development of life support systems to provide an earth-like environment to the crew in space,
4. crew emergency escape provision, and
5. evolving crew management aspects for training, recovery, and rehabilitation of crew.
6. In October 2023, the space agency successfully conducted the first test of a basic crew module and crew escape system (CES).
7. CES is a part of the module that ensures “the crew is taken to a safe distance in case of any emergency either at launch pad or during ascent phase.
8. The next month, the space agency began to experiment with a crew module uprighting system.
9. This system is used to ensure that the crew module, making a splashdown in the sea after a space mission, stays upright and does not get inverted in the water.

Training of astronauts

1. The four selected astronauts have completed their generic training at Russia’s Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre.
2. Their training took place after ISRO-Glavkosmos (a subsidiary of Russian space agency Roscosmos) signed an MOU in June 2019.
3. The astronauts are currently undergoing training at ISRO’s astronaut training facility in Bengaluru.
4. One of the four astronauts is also expected to be trained by the American space agency NASA.

Andhra Pradesh Speaker disqualifies 8 MLAs from assembly

According to political analysts, the disqualification of the MLAs is unlikely to necessitate byelections as the assembly polls are expected to be held in a few weeks.

• Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker Tammineni Sitaram has disqualified eight sitting MLAs — four each from the ruling YSR Congress and the opposition Telugu Desam party — from their posts based on complaints from the respective parties, ahead of the elections.
• The disqualified members are Maddalo Giridhar Rao, Karanam Balaram, Vallabhaneni Vamsi and Vasupalli Ganesh from TDP and Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, Mekapati Chandrasekhar Reddy, K Sridhar Reddy and Undavalli Sridevi, a circular from the Speaker’s office said on Tuesday.
• “The following members of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly were disqualified on 26.02. 2024 by the Hon’ble Speaker, Andhra Pradesh, Legislative Assembly under X Schedule of the Constitution of India and as per the Members of Andhra Pradesh Assembly (Disqualification on grounds of defection rules), 1986,” it said.

conviction attract disqualification Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951, contains provisions aimed at decriminalising electoral politics. There are two categories of criminal cases that attract disqualification upon conviction. In the first category are offences that entail disqualification for a period of six years upon any conviction. If the punishment is a fine, the six-year period will run from the date of conviction, but if there is a prison sentence, the disqualification will begin on the date of conviction, and will continue up to the completion of six years after the date of release from jail. Major IPC offences are included under this head: making speeches that cause enmity between groups (Sec.153A) and doing so in a place of worship (Sec.505), bribery and personation during elections and other electoral offences, offences relating to rape and cruelty to women by husband and latter’s relatives. Besides, serious provisions of special laws such as the Protection of Civil Rights Act, Customs Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act etc are among the category of offences that entail disqualification regardless of the quantum of punishment. Laws for prevention of Sati, corruption, terrorism and insult to national flag and national anthem etc are also part of this group.

All other criminal provisions form a separate category under which mere conviction will not entail disqualification.

A sentence of at least two years in prison is needed to incur such disqualification.

Legal protection for legislators against disqualification Under Section 8(4) of the RPA, legislators could avoid immediate disqualification until 2013. The provision said that with respect to a Member of Parliament or a State legislator the disqualification will not take effect for three months. If within that period, the convicted legislator files an appeal or revision application, it will not take effect until the disposal of the appeal or application. In other words, the mere filing of an appeal against conviction will operate as a stay against disqualification. In Lily Thomas vs. Union of India, the Supreme Court struck down clause (4) as unconstitutional, thus removing the protection enjoyed by lawmakers.

Can the disqualification be removed

1. The Supreme Court has the power to stay not only the sentence, but also the conviction of a person.
2. In some rare cases, conviction has been stayed to enable the appellant to contest an election.
3. However, the SC has made it clear that such a stay should be very rare and for special reasons.
4. The RPA itself provides a remedy through the Election Commission.
5. Under Sec. 11 of the Act, the EC may record reasons and either remove, or reduce the period of, a person’s disqualification.

Origin and Evolution of the Office of the Speaker: The Speaker’s office originated in medieval Britain when the House of Commons required a representative in dealings with the King. Until the 17th century, the Speaker was often seen as a representative of the Crown. However, since the mid-19th century, the Speaker has been considered an impartial Chairman of the House of Commons, responsible for safeguarding the House’s rights, privileges, and those of its members.

The powers and functions of the Speaker in the Indian context and the challenges therein:

Powers and Functions	Their misuse
In India, the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies elect a Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively, and these individuals play vital roles in certifying Money Bills and deciding on disqualifications due to defection.	The rules of these bodies also allow for member suspension for misconduct, a provision that is sometimes misused, particularly against opposition members. Recent incidents highlight the selective application of these rules, such as the unconstitutional suspension of 12 BJP MLAs in the Maharashtra Assembly in July 2021, later overturned by the Supreme Court.
Furthermore, Speakers have the authority to refer Bills to Parliamentary Standing Committees.	This power is not consistently exercised, impacting the effectiveness of parliamentary processes.
The power to determine defections is vested in the Speaker, who is expected to act impartially.	Some legal experts argue that this power should be given to an independent tribunal led by judges, as suggested in the Keisham Meghachandra Singh vs. The Honble Speaker Manipur (2020) case. The Maharashtra Assembly Speaker’s indictment also results from inaction in deciding disqualification petitions, despite court directives, and challenges have arisen regarding the certification of Bills as Money Bills by the Lok Sabha Speaker.
In Britain, once elected, the Speaker resigns from their political party to maintain impartiality while presiding over the House of Commons.	In India, the Tenth Schedule allows the Speaker to resign from their political party upon election, but this practice has never been followed.