1.Nagasaki Day 2024

In news:

● Nagasaki Day, observed each August, solemnly commemorates the atomic
bombing of Nagasaki, Japan, by the United States during World War II in
1945.This tragedy occurred only three days after the Hiroshima bombing,
representing the second and last instance of nuclear weapons used in
warfare.
● The day is marked by memorial services, peace vigils, and educational
programs designed to highlight the humanitarian impact of nuclear
warfare.

Context: During World War II, Japan fought against the US and Allies. After Germany’s
surrender on May 8, 1945, the war in Europe ended, but the Pacific War continued.
Potsdam Declaration: In July 1945, Allies demanded Japan’s unconditional surrender,
which Japan ignored.
US-Japan Relations: Relations worsened as Japan targeted Indochina and the East
Indies.
Atomic Bomb Authorization: US President Harry Truman authorized atomic bomb use
to compel Japan’s surrender.

Bombings:
● “Little Boy” (Uranium bomb) dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.
● “Fat Man” (Plutonium bomb) dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945.
Impact:
● Hiroshima: Over 28,000 dead, buildings destroyed within a 2.5 km radius.
● Nagasaki: Over 75,000 dead, long-term health issues for survivors.
Significance of Nagasaki Day:
● Observed annually on August 9 in Japan as a Black Day.
● Honors victims and survivors, promotes peace, and fosters global
coexistence.
● Involves peace campaigns, conferences, and efforts to advocate for a
peaceful world.

Results:
● Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945, ending World War II officially on
September 2.
● Japan adopted a pacifist, non-nuclear stance.
● US atomic bombings prompted the Soviet Union to develop its own
nuclear weapons, leading to the Cold War.

Atomic Bomb Overview
● Nuclear Fission: A process where the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller
nuclei and by-products, resulting in elemental transmutation.
● Atomic Bomb: Also known as the A-bomb, atom bomb, nuclear bomb, or
nuclear warhead.
● Destructive Power: Comes from nuclear fission reactions or a combination of
fission and fusion reactions.
● Explosion Mechanism: The bomb releases an enormous amount of energy
through nuclear fission, involving the splitting of heavy element nuclei such as
uranium or plutonium.
● Result: Causes massive destruction due to the intense energy released.

Additional Information:
Hydrogen Bomb vs. Atomic Bomb
● Hydrogen Bomb:
○ Explodes due to the extreme energy released by nuclear fusion
reactions.
○ Has more destructive potential than an atomic bomb.
○ Releases significantly more energy.
○ Generally lighter than an atomic bomb.
○ More sophisticated and difficult to make.

● Atomic Bomb:
○ Explodes due to the extreme energy released by nuclear fission
reactions.
○ Has less destructive potential than a hydrogen bomb.
○ Releases comparatively less energy.
○ Heavier than a hydrogen bomb.
○ Less sophisticated and comparatively easier to make.

2.Monetary Policy Committee:

In news:
● Core inflation stayed moderate and fuel prices decreased, but persistent food
prices led to a rise in overall inflation. As a result, the RBI decided to maintain
current interest rates. The MPC is maintaining a disinflationary approach while
still supporting economic growth.
About Monetary Policy Committee:
● The MPC is a statutory framework under the RBI Act, 1934, aimed at maintaining
price stability while considering growth objectives.
● The MPC sets the policy interest rate (repo rate) to achieve the inflation target of
4%.
● The Governor of RBI serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the MPC.
● The MPC publishes the Monetary Policy Report.

Monetary Policy Committee (MPC):
● The MPC, established by the RBI Act, 1934 (amended in 2016), is responsible
for setting the benchmark policy interest rate to manage inflation.
● The amendment aimed to enhance transparency and accountability in monetary
policy.
● The policy is published after each meeting, with individual member opinions
provided.
● If inflation exceeds the target range for three consecutive months, the committee
must explain its stance to the Government of India.
● The idea of an MPC was proposed in various committees: YV Reddy (2002),
Tarapore (2006), Percy Ministry (2007), Raghuram Rajan (2009), and Urjit Patel
(2013).

Composition and Working:
● The MPC consists of six members: three RBI officials and three external
members nominated by the Government of India.
● Meetings occur at least four times a year, with decisions published after each
meeting.
● The RBI Governor, as ex-officio Chairperson, has a casting vote in case of a tie.

Encephalitis and Chandipura Virus

In news:
● Gujarat is experiencing its most severe outbreak of Chandipura virus and viral
encephalitis, with 73 reported deaths to date. Since the outbreak began last
month, the state has recorded 162 cases of viral encephalitis, including 60 cases
of Chandipura virus.

About Encephalitis :
Definition and Symptoms:
● Encephalitis is the inflammation of the brain, while AES includes cases with an
acute onset of neurological symptoms such as fever, seizures, altered mental
status, and sometimes coma.
Causes:
● Viral Infections: Common viruses include Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV),
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), and Dengue Virus.
● Bacterial Infections: Such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and certain types of
meningococcal infections.
● Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like autoimmune encephalitis can also
cause AES.
● Other Causes: Can include parasitic infections (e.g., toxoplasmosis), metabolic
disorders, and post-infectious conditions.

Management and Treatment:
● Supportive Care: Includes hydration, antipyretics, and management of seizures.
● Antiviral Medications: For specific viral infections.
● Antibiotics: For bacterial causes.
● Immunotherapy: In cases of autoimmune encephalitis.
Chandipura Virus Infection Overview:
● Virus Information:
○ Name: Chandipura Virus (CHPV)
○ Family: Rhabdoviridae
○ Genus: Vesiculovirus

Transmission:
○ Vectors: Phlebotomine sandflies (e.g., Phlebotomus papatasi) and
mosquitoes (e.g., Aedes aegypti)
○ Mode: Transmitted through insect bites
● Affected Population:
○ Age Group: Primarily children under 15 years old
● Symptoms and Complications:
○ Early Symptoms: Fever, body aches, headache
○ Advanced Symptoms: Altered mental state, seizures, encephalitis,
respiratory distress, bleeding tendencies, anaemia
● Treatment:
○ Current Approach: Supportive and symptomatic care only
○ No Specific Treatment: No antiviral drugs or vaccine available
● Epidemiology:
○ Initial Identification: First identified in Chandipura village, Maharashtra,
in 1965
○ Current Endemicity: Endemic in central India, particularly in rural and
tribal areas
○ Seasonal Outbreaks: More frequent during the monsoon season due to
increased sandfly breeding

4.Citizenship Amendment Act(2019):

In news:
● The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has changed a rule in the Citizenship
(Amendment) Act, 2019. Previously, people applying for citizenship needed to
provide documents from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan showing their
roots in those countries.
● Now, they can also use documents from Indian government authorities. The rule
has been updated to give officials some flexibility if the documents are not
perfect. Additionally, local priests or respected community institutions can now
certify an applicant’s faith.
● The Citizenship Act offers citizenship to six non-Muslim communities from these
countries if they arrived in India before December 31, 2014.

Citizenship Amendment Act 2019:
● Origins:
○ Based on the Indian Constitution (Articles 5-11) and the Citizenship Act of
1955.
○ The 1955 Act covers citizenship by birth, descent, registration, and
naturalization.
● Eligibility:
○ Amends the 1955 Act to make illegal migrants who are Hindus, Sikhs,
Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh,
and Pakistan eligible for Indian citizenship.
○ Pakistani Hindus were already eligible under Sections 5 and 6(1) of the
1955 Act; CAA expedites their application process.
● Illegal Migrants:
○ Defined as those who enter India without valid documents or overstay
their permitted time.
○ These migrants face prosecution, deportation, or imprisonment.
● Path to Citizenship:
○ Individuals from eligible communities who arrived in India on or before
December 31, 2014, are not considered illegal immigrants and can apply
for naturalization.
● Exemptions:
○ The Act does not apply to Muslims from these countries.
○ It excludes certain tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura,
and states with the “Inner Line” permit under the Bengal Eastern Frontier
Regulations 1873.

● Relaxations:
○ Reduces the residency requirement for naturalization from 11 years to 5
years.
○ Exempts members of these communities from prosecution under the
Foreigners Act of 1946 and the Passport Act of 1920.
○ Applicants are not considered “illegal immigrants”.
Citizenship Amendment Rules 2024:
● Notified by: Ministry of Home Affairs.
● Application Process: Under Section 6B of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
● Requirements:
○ Country of Origin: Proof can include birth or educational certificates,
identity documents, licenses, land records, or evidence of previous
citizenship.
○ Date of Entry: Acceptable documents include visas, permits, census
slips, driving licenses, Aadhaar cards, ration cards, government letters,
birth certificates, etc.
● Authority:
○ Final Authority: Empowered committee led by the Director, Census
Operations.
○ Application Scrutiny: Handled by a district-level committee (DLC) led by
Department of Post officials.
○ Oath of Allegiance: Administered by DLCs upon successful document
verification.

5.Types Of Markets:

In news:
● Google ‘monopoly’ antitrust case
● On August 5, 2024, a federal judge ruled that Google’s payments to be the
default search engine on smartphone browsers break US antitrust laws. Judge
Amit Mehta said that Google’s $26 billion in payments prevented other
competitors from having a fair chance in the market.
Various Types of Markets:

1.Perfect Competition:
● Many buyers and sellers.
● All sellers are small and compete with each other.
● No single seller influences the market; all are price takers.
2.Monopolistic Competition:
● Many buyers and sellers.
● Products are similar but slightly differentiated.
● Consumers can choose based on product differences.
● Sellers have some market power and can set prices to some extent.

3.Oligopoly:
● Few dominant firms (typically 3-5).
● Many buyers, but fewer sellers.
● Firms may compete or collaborate to set prices and maximize profits.
● Barriers to entry make it hard for new firms to enter the market.
● Consumers become price takers.
4.Monopoly:
● One seller controls the entire market.
● The single firm sets the price, with no alternatives for consumers.
● Consumers have no choice and must accept the set price.
● Pure monopolies are rare and generally undesirable.