March 24

• Genome India Project


  Research initiative led by the Bangalore-based Indian Institute of Science's Centre for Brain Research to create an 'Indian reference genome' grid
• Genome India Project

  • Involves over 20 universities across India to gather samples, compile data, conduct research
  • Funded by Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to sequence at least 10,000 Indian genomes in phase 1
  • Researchers have already identified 135 million genetic variants found in India
  • Data will be stored at the Indian Biological Data Centre in Faridabad
• India first sequenced a human genome in 2006 and announced its first complete human genome in 2009
• The Human Genome Project started in 1990 and released its latest version of the complete human genome in 2023 (13 years), with a 0.3% error margin
• Now, it takes only about five days to sequence an entire human genome and perform all the quality checks
• The Human Genome Project costed nearly $3 million
• Genome Sequencing


  The process of determining the entirety, or nearly the entirety, of the DNA sequence of an organism's genome at a single time
• DNA


  A double-helical chemical substance that holds the instructions required for regulating the growth and development of almost all living things
• Genome

  The entire set of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) residing in the nucleus of every cell of the human body
• The human genome carries the complete genetic information responsible for the development and functioning of an organism
• The sequence of base pairs is identical in all humans, but there are differences in the genome of every human being that make them unique
• The process of deciphering the order of base pairs, to decode the genetic fingerprint of a human is called genome sequencing
• Significance of Genome India Project

  • Creates a map of genetic diversity essential for understanding the history of our evolution, discovering the genetic basis for various diseases, and creating therapies of the future
  • Can help compare and contrast the impact of genetic variations on physical health
  • Can help in targeted treatments, especially for rare diseases that usually arise from genetic anomalies
• Order of the Druk Gyalpo

  Bhutan's highest civilian award, conferred in recognition of a lifetime of service to the people and Kingdom of Bhutan
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Order of the Druk Gyalpo during his two-day State visit to Bhutan
• PM Modi is the first foreign Head of the Government to receive the Order of the Druk Gyalpo
• Order of the Druk Gyalpo

  • Founded in 2008 by the King of Bhutan
  • Consists of two Classes - First Class with a Breast Star and Sash Badge, Second Class with only a Sash and Badge
  • Previous recipients include Bhutan's Grandmother Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck and Je Thrizur Tenzin Dendup (68th Je Khenpo of Bhutan)
• India shares a 605 kilometres (376 mi) border with Bhutan
• Following the Chinese expedition to Tibet in 1910, Bhutan became a protected state of British India, signing a treaty allowing the British Raj in India to "guide" its foreign affairs and defence
• Bhutan was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with India after India's independence in 1947
• Awards

  • Grandmother of Bhutan Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck - 2008
  • Je Thrizur Tenzin Dendup (68th Je Khenpo of Bhutan) - 2008
  • Je Khenpo Trulku Ngawang Jigme Choedra (chief Abbot of the central monastic body of Bhutan) - 2018
• Protected state


  An internationally recognized state under the protection of another usually larger and more powerful state
• Bhutan was one of the first to recognize India's independence in 1947 and both nations fostered close relations
• Bhutan and India signed the Treaty of Friendship

  9 August 1949
• Treaty of Friendship


  Called for peace between the two nations and non-interference in each other's internal affairs
• Their importance was augmented by the 1950 annexation of Tibet by the People's Republic of China and China's border claims on both Bhutan and India
• India re-negotiated the 1949 treaty with Bhutan and signed a new treaty of friendship in 2007
• From 2003 to 2004, the Royal Bhutan Army conducted operations against anti-India insurgents of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) that were operating bases in Bhutan
• Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has removed the United Arab Emirates from its "grey list", two years after it identified weaknesses in the Gulf state's ability to tackle financial crime
• Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

  The global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog
• FATF was founded in 1989 on the initiative of the G7 to develop policies to combat money laundering and to maintain certain interest
• In 2001, FATF's mandate was expanded to include terrorism financing
• FATF President

  Mr. T. Raja Kumar of Singapore from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2024
• The FATF Secretariat is located at the OECD headquarters in Paris
• FATF Membership

  • 38 countries
  • 2 regional organizations (Gulf Cooperation Council, European Commission)
• In February 2024, the FATF suspended the membership of the Russian Federation due to the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine
• India joined FATF with 'observer' status in 2006 and became a full member in 2010
• FATF Blacklist


  High-Risk Jurisdictions subject to a Call for Action
• FATF Graylist


  Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring
• As of February 2024, the FATF has reviewed 131 countries and jurisdictions and publicly identified 106 of them, with 82 having since made the necessary reforms to address their AML/CFT weaknesses and have been removed from the process