March

• DNA

  • Double-helical chemical substance that holds the instructions required for regulating the growth and development of almost all living things
  • Made of four chemical units called nucleotide bases: adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C)
  • The sequence of bases along a strand of DNA determines the genetic code

  
• Genome


  The entire set of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) residing in the nucleus of every cell of the human body<|>Carries the complete genetic information responsible for the development and functioning of an organism
• The human genome has around 3 billion pairs of bases
• 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
• Genome Sequencing


  The process of deciphering the order of base pairs, to decode the genetic fingerprint of a human
• India first sequenced a human genome in 2006 and announced its first complete human genome in 2009
• One of the first practical usages of Genome Sequencing was in 2014, when a group of scientists from M.I.T and Harvard sequenced samples of Ebola from infected African patients to show how genomic data of viruses could reveal hidden pathways of transmission
• Genome India Project (GIP)


  A research initiative led by the Bangalore-based Indian Institute of Science's Centre for Brain Research, involving over 20 universities across the country to gather samples, compile data, conduct research, and create an 'Indian reference genome' grid
• The Genome India Project was approved by the government in 2020 with the aim of creating a comprehensive catalogue of genetic variations found in the Indian population
• The initiative is funded by Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to sequence at least 10,000 Indian genomes in phase 1
• Researchers who analysed 5,750 of the genome sequences have already identified 135 million genetic variants found in India
• The huge dataset of 8 petabytes will be stored at the Indian Biological Data Centre in Faridabad
• Significance of Genome India Project


  • Create 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
  • Compare and contrast the impact of genetic variations on physical health
  • 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 nation and people 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 this award
• Order of the Druk Gyalpo

  • Founded in 2008 by the King of Bhutan
  • Consists of two Classes manufactured in sterling silver: First Class with a Breast Star and Sash Badge, Second Class with only a Sash and Badge
• Order of the Druk Gyalpo

  Highest decoration of the Kingdom of Bhutan, awarded in recognition of a lifetime of service to the people and Kingdom of Bhutan
• Order of the Druk Gyalpo was founded by the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck


  7 November 2008
• Order of the Druk Gyalpo


  • Consists of two Classes manufactured in sterling silver
  • First Class comprises a Breast Star and Sash Badge
  • Second Class has only a Sash and Badge
• Design of the Order of the Druk Gyalpo

  80mm star consists of a large ornate gold-plated back plate with an enamelled border centrepiece in orange enamel, and a red enamelled centre with the Royal Symbol in gold<|>60mm detachable badge bears the same design as the breast star, with a top suspension device for attaching to the sash<|>The ribbon is orange with large white and darker orange border stripes
• Previous recipients of the Order of the Druk Gyalpo

  • 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 and India signed the Treaty of Friendship


  1949
• The Treaty of Friendship called for peace between Bhutan and India and non-interference in each other's internal affairs</b>
• The importance of the Treaty of Friendship 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
• The 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 that sets international standards to prevent these illegal activities

  
• FATF was founded on the initiative of the G7 to develop policies to combat money laundering


  1989

  
• In 2001, FATF's mandate was expanded to include terrorism financing
• FATF President

  Mr. T. Raja Kumar of Singapore is the president of the FATF 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 and the 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 Black List

  Includes Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs) that support terror funding and money laundering activities
• FATF Gray List


  Identifies countries that are actively working with the FATF to address strategic deficiencies in their regimes to counter money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing
• As of February 2024, the FATF Black List includes Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), Iran and Myanmar