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Current Affairs 19th March 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

Dengue Vaccine

Context:

  • Indian Immunologicals Ltd. (IIL) has finished the first phase of clinical trials to determine the safety of the dengue vaccine.
  • The company is also developing a vaccine for the Zika virus and for the Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD).

About Dengue

  • Cause: Dengue virus (DENV)
  • Transmission: Bite of infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito (primarily)
  • Severity:
    • Classic dengue fever: Most common, with flu-like symptoms (high fever, headache, body aches, nausea, rash). Recovery within 1-2 weeks.
    • Severe dengue fever (dengue hemorrhagic fever): Less frequent, but can lead to serious bleeding, blood pressure drop (shock), and death.
  • Prevalence: More common in tropical and subtropical climates.
  • Treatment:
    • No specific cure exists.
    • Early detection and proper medical care are crucial for severe cases, reducing fatality rates significantly.
  • Prevention: Dengue vaccine (CYD-TDV or Dengvaxia) is available (US approval: 2019).
Facts
About Indian Immunologicals Ltd. (IIL)

IIL is a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board, established in 1982.

About Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) or Monkey fever.

  • Monkey fever is caused by the Kyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV), a member of the Flaviviridae virus family.
  • The virus, first identified in 1957 in Karnataka’s forests, is reported to have infected 400 to 500 people annually since then.
  • Transmission in humans:  Occurs through an infected tick’s bite or due to contact with an infected animal, especially a sick or dead monkey.
  • There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission.

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NCLAT

Context: The newly appointed board of debt-ridden IL&FS has urgently sought appellate tribunal NCLAT’s intervention to restrain 11 public sector lenders from initiating proceedings to declare group companies as “wilful defaulters”.

National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT)

  • Establishment:
    • Constituted under the Companies Act, 2013 (Section 410).
    • Effective date: June 1, 2016.
  • Purpose: Provides a specialised forum for appeals related to company law, insolvency, and competition law.
  • Responsibilities: Hears appeals against orders from:
    • National Company Law Tribunals (NCLT) on insolvency and bankruptcy matters (IBC).
    • Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) under specific sections of the IBC.
    • Competition Commission of India (CCI).
    • National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA).
  • Headquarters: New Delhi, India.
  • Composition:
    • Chairperson with judicial and technical members.
    • Members appointed by the Central Government based on relevant expertise (law, finance, accounting, management, administration).
  • Case Resolution:
    • Reviews appeals from aggrieved parties.
    • Conducts hearings and issues decisions.
    • Authority to confirm, modify, or cancel appealed orders.
    • Target timeframe for resolving appeals: six months from receipt.
What Is Wilful Defaulter?
Definition: As per RBI guidelines a wilful default occurs when a borrower (a person or company) misuses borrowed funds, diverting them from their intended purpose, syphoning off money, or disposing of assets securing a term loan without the lender’s knowledge.

Disqualification of MLAs

Context: The Supreme Court has decided to consider a petition from Tamil Nadu, requesting the Court’s assistance in reinstating K Ponmudy as a Minister.

Disqualification Criteria for MLA

Under the Constitution

  • Office of Profit: Disqualification if holding an office of profit under the Government of India or a state, or an office declared by state law.
  • Mental Capacity: Disqualification if declared of unsound mind by a competent court.
  • Legal and Financial Status: Disqualification if charge-sheeted, declared bankrupt or insolvent.
  • Citizenship: Disqualification if not a citizen of India or has acquired citizenship of a foreign state, or shows allegiance to a foreign state.
Office of Profit
The term ‘office of profit’ is not explicitly defined in the Constitution but is understood through articles 102 (1) and 191 (1), which restrict lawmakers from accepting government positions.

Under Schedule 10 (Anti-Defection Act)

  • Voluntary Resignation: Disqualification if voluntarily giving up membership of the political party.
  • Voting Contrary to Party: Disqualification if voting or abstaining from voting contrary to the party’s directive without prior permission.

Under Representation of the People Act, 1951

  • Election Malpractice: Disqualification if found guilty of illegal election practices.
  • Criminal Conviction: Disqualification if convicted of any offence and sentenced to imprisonment for varying terms under Sections 8 (1), (2), and (3).

Check here For Detailed Information About Anti Defection Law

Examples, Case Studies and Data Points for Value addition

Health (GS 2): National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) data – Odisha has topped the list of states for malaria cases in 2023 (18.7%).

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I, Sakshi Gupta, am a content writer to empower students aiming for UPSC, PSC, and other competitive exams. My objective is to provide clear, concise, and informative content that caters to your exam preparation needs. I strive to make my content not only informative but also engaging, keeping you motivated throughout your journey!

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