What is the News ?

India has made a request to Australia for a replenishment of monoclonal antibody doses to fight against the Nipah virus.

Facts About:

Monoclonal antibodies, often abbreviated as moAbs or mAbs, are artificially created proteins in laboratories that mimic the function of natural antibodies found in our immune system.

• These antibodies play a crucial role in identifying foreign substances called antigens and attaching to them to neutralize or eliminate them.

The term "monoclonal" indicates that these laboratory-made antibodies are exact copies of a single antibody.

• They are produced by replicating a specific type of immune cell known as a B cell, resulting in large quantities of identical antibodies.

This process leads to the development of highly specialized antibodies that can precisely target specific antigens, which might include viruses, bacteria, cancer cells, or other disease-related molecules.

• Their remarkable specificity reduces the risk of unintended side effects.

Monoclonal antibodies find applications in various medical fields, including the treatment of cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases.

What is the News ?

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare (DA & FW) recently introduced the Unified Portal for Agricultural Statistics, and its launch was attended by members of NITI Aayog.

Facts About:

• This innovative platform is specifically designed to improve the management of data within the agricultural sector.
• It represents a significant stride towards a more efficient and responsive framework for agricultural policies.
• As a vital part of the Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture, it's an initiative led by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare to streamline data management in agriculture.
• The primary goal is to offer real-time, standardized, and verified data about agricultural commodities, simplifying data-driven decision-making for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders.
• This initiative is in line with the principles of e-governance, introducing intelligence, transparency, and flexibility to India's agricultural sector.

What is the News ?

The 14th World Spice Congress (WSC) recently kicked off in Vashi, Navi Mumbai.

Facts About:

• The World Spice Congress (WSC) was originally conceived in 1990 as a platform for discussions and interactions between spice importers and exporters.

  Over its three decades of existence, it has evolved into a vital gathering for the global spice industry.

• Since its inception, the Spices Board under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, has organized the WSC.

 The theme for WSC 2023 is "VISION 2030: S-P-I-C-E-S," which stands for sustainability, productivity, innovation, collaboration, excellence, and safety.

About the Spices Board of India:

• The Spices Board of India was established on February 26, 1987, through the Spices Board Act of 1986. It was formed by merging the former Cardamom Board (1968) and the Spices Export Promotion Council (1960).
• It operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• The board has the responsibility of promoting the export of 52 scheduled spices and facilitating the development of both small and large cardamom.
• It serves as a crucial link connecting Indian exporters with foreign importers.

Main Functions:

• Conducting research, development, and regulation related to the domestic marketing of small and large cardamom.
• Enhancing post-harvest practices for all spices.
• Promoting the production, processing, and certification of organic spices.
• Supporting the development of spices in the North East region.
• Providing quality evaluation services.

What is the News ?

The government has announced that starting from October 1, all births and deaths in the country will be registered digitally on the Centre's portal.

Facts About:

• Digital birth certificates are set to become a single, versatile document thanks to the 2023 Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act.
• This document will serve various purposes such as admission to schools, applying for driver's licenses, government jobs, passports, Aadhaar, voter registration, and even marriage registration.
• The central database will also keep the National Population Register (NPR), ration cards, property records, and electoral rolls up to date.
• All states will be required to use the Centre's Civil Registration System (CRS) portal to register births and deaths and share this data with the Registrar General of India (RGI).

What is the News ?

Recently, the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs announced that India has achieved the status of being an OIML certificate-issuing authority.

Facts About:

• OIML, short for the International Organisation of Legal Metrology, was established in 1955 as an international body.
• Its primary role is to develop model regulations, standards, and related documents that are used by legal metrology authorities and industry worldwide.
• OIML plays a vital part in aligning national laws and regulations concerning the accuracy of measuring instruments such as clinical thermometers, alcohol breath analyzers, radar speed measuring devices, ship tanks at ports, and petrol dispensing units.
• India joined the OIML in 1956 and simultaneously signed the metric convention.
• Headquartered in Paris, France.