DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS ANALYSIS

08 March 2022

No.	Topic Name	Prelims/Mains
1.	ABOUT THE DRAFT NATIONAL AIR SPORTS POLICY	Prelims & Mains
2.	DETAILS OF THE COMPTROLLER AND AUDITOR GENERAL OF INDIA	Prelims & Mains
3.	ABOUT THE CHIEF ECONOMIC ADVISOR	Prelims Specific Topic
4.	Irrawaddy Dolphin	Prelims Specific Topic

 

1 – DETAILS OF THE RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS: 

GS III

Topic – Biotechnology related issues

• What exactly are antigens:
• Antigens are foreign chemicals that cause the body’s immune system to react.
• What is the Covid-19 rapid antigen detection test:
• It’s a test that looks for antigens on or within the SARS-CoV-2 virus in swabbed nasal samples.
• It is a point-of-care test that is used to provide a diagnostic result rapidly outside of a traditional laboratory setting.
• What is the difference between a rapid antigen detection test and an RT-PCR test:
• The rapid antigen detection test, like RT-PCR, aims to identify the virus rather than the body’s antibodies.
• The most fundamental distinction between the two is the passage of time.
• The time it takes to perform an RT-PCR test is between 2 and 5 hours, not including the time it takes to transfer the sample.
• The maximum time for evaluating a positive or negative test in a fast antigen detection test is 30 minutes.
• What are the limitations of the results of an antigen test:
• These tests are highly specific for the virus, but they lack the sensitivity of molecular PCR assays. This means that positive antigen test findings are quite accurate, but false negatives are more common, therefore negative results do not rule out infection.
• Negative antigen test results may need to be validated with a PCR test before treatment options are made or to prevent the virus from spreading due to a false negative.
• The sample is only stable for one hour after it is collected in the extraction buffer. As a result, the antigen test must be performed in the healthcare environment where the sample was collected.

• Source – The Hindu

2 – ABOUT THE DRAFT NATIONAL AIR SPORTS POLICY:

GS II

Topic – Government Policies & Interventions

• Context:
• Given India’s enormous geographical breadth, diverse topography, and favorable meteorological conditions, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has produced a draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP) to maximize the country’s potential for air sports.
• About the Draft National Air Sports Policy:
• Aerobatics, aeromodelling, ballooning, drones, gliding, hang gliding, paragliding, and skydiving are all included in the draft NASP 2022.
• According to the draft NASP, an Air Sports Federation of India (ASFI) will be constituted as the apex regulating body.
• The day-to-day operations will be handled by the associations for each air sport.
• The Paragliding Association of India, for example, will oversee sports under its jurisdiction.
• According to the proposed policy, air sports associations are responsible to ASFI for regulatory monitoring as well as guaranteeing safe, affordable, accessible, pleasurable, and sustainable conduct of their respective air sport.
• According to ASFI, India would be represented at the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) and other international venues connected to air sports.
• The FAI is the world’s regulating body for air sports, with headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.
• According to the proposed NASP, all competitions in India will be run according to the FAI’s criteria.
• Significance:
• The new effort, according to the ministry, will let Indians participate in and succeed in global air sporting competitions. Air sports will be encouraged to be included in the curriculum of schools, colleges, and universities.
• According to the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan, domestic design, development, and manufacturing of air sports equipment will be encouraged.
• If an air sports association fails to enforce safety requirements, the ASFI may take disciplinary action against it, including financial penalties, suspension, or dismissal.

• Source – The Hindu

3 – DETAILS OF THE COMPTROLLER AND AUDITOR GENERAL OF INDIA:

GS II

Topic – Constitutional Posts related issues

• Background of CAG:
• The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) is constituted as an independent office in Chapter V of Part V of the Indian Constitution.
• Articles 148–151 of the Indian Constitution define the CAG.
• He is the chief of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department.
• He is the guardian of the public purse and is in charge of the entire financial system of the country, both at the national and state levels.
• It is his obligation to preserve the Indian Constitution and the laws of Parliament in the sphere of financial administration.
• Term of Office and Appointment:
• The CAG is appointed by the President of India through a warrant signed and sealed by him.
• He will be president for six years or until he becomes 65, whichever comes first.
• Duties:
• The Consolidated Fund of India, as well as the Consolidated Funds of each state and UT with a legislative assembly, are audited by the CAG.
• Every spending from India’s Contingency Fund and Public Account, as well as each state’s Contingency Fund and Public Account, is audited by the CAG.
• The CAG audits all trading, manufacturing, profit and loss accounts, balance sheets, and other subsidiary accounts maintained by the federal government and state governments.
• The CAG audits the receipts and expenditures of all bodies and authorities significantly financed from Central or State income; government companies; and other corporations and bodies, as required by linked laws.
• His certification is definitive, as he determines and certifies the net earnings of any tax or duty.
• Reports:
• He delivers his audit reports on the Centre’s and State’s finances to the President and Governor, who subsequently deliver them to both chambers of Parliament and the state legislatures, respectively.
• He submits three audit reports to the President: one on appropriation accounts, one on finance accounts, and one on public undertakings.
• CAG and PAC:
• He is a counsellor, companion, and philosopher to the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.
• In addition to its statutory regulatory and compliance audits, the CAG performs a performance and efficiency audit to analyse the executive’s wisdom and economy in order to uncover instances of improper expenditure and waste of public monies.
• The independence of the CAG is guaranteed by the following constitutional provisions:
• The company has a long-term relationship with CAG. Only the president can dismiss him through the processes established in the Constitution. As a result, despite the president’s appointment, he does not take office until the president’s pleasure.
• He is disqualified for any future appointments in the Indian government or in any state after resigning from his office.
• His pay and other working conditions are set by Parliament. His pay is on par with that of a Supreme Court justice.
• His remuneration, as well as his rights to leave of absence, pension, and retirement age, cannot be amended after his appointment.
• The Consolidated Fund of India is in charge of the CAG’s office’s administrative costs, which include all salary, allowances, and pensions for individuals who work there.
• As a result, they are exempt from parliamentary scrutiny.

• Source – The Hindu

4 – ABOUT THE CHIEF ECONOMIC ADVISOR

Prelims Specific Topic

• The Indian government’s Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) gives recommendations on money, business, commerce, and the economy.
• The CEA reports directly to the Minister of Finance. The CEA is in charge of the Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA).
• The Economic Division researches economic trends in the United States and around the world. Economic research and studies on economic policy and management are conducted by it. It provides research-based advice to the Indian government.
• The Office of the Economic Advisor is a subsidiary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (OEA).
• Source – The Hindu

5. IRRAWADDY DOLPHIN:

Prelims Specific Topic

• About Irrawaddy Dolphins:

• Irrawaddy dolphins fall under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and mentioned in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Endangered Species.
• Found in coastal areas in South and Southeast Asia, and in three rivers: the Irrawaddy (Myanmar), the Mahakam (Indonesian Borneo) and the Mekong (China).
• The concentrated lagoon populations are found in Chilika Lake in Odisha, and Songkhla Lake in southern Thailand.
• About Chilika Lake:
• Chilika is Asia’s largest and world’s second largest lagoon.
• It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent and is home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals.
• In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
• Major attraction at Chilika is Irrawaddy dolphinswhich are often spotted off Satpada Island.
• The large Nalabana Island (Forest of Reeds) covering about 16 sq km in the lagoon area was declared a bird sanctuary in 1987.
• Kalijai Temple –Located on an island in the Chilika Lake.

• Source – Down to Earth