• AlphaFold is an AI model that predicts the structures of proteins

Additional Information

•  The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded in two halves: one half to David Baker for his pioneering work in computational protein design and the other half jointly to Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper for their groundbreaking contributions to protein structure prediction.
• Demis Hassabis and John Jumper of DeepMind received the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for AlphaFold.
• AlphaFold is an artificial intelligence program developed by DeepMind, a subsidiary of Alphabet, which performs predictions of protein structure. 
• The program is designed as a deep learning system.
• DeepMind launched its successor AlphaFold 2 in 2020, when it was able to predict the structure of proteins with an accuracy comparable to that of X-ray crystallography.
• Jumper led the work on AlphaFold 3, which DeepMind released in May 2024. 
  • This model is able to predict the structures of various proteins as well as how two proteins and/or a protein and another molecule might interact.

Additional Information

• As a part of the 79th round of the National Sample Survey (NSS) the Comprehensive Annual Modular Survey (CAMS) was conducted from July, 2022 to June, 2023. 
• The primary objective of CAMS was to collect data to generate indicators related to education, out-of-pocket medical expenditure, use of mobile and internet, financial inclusion, ICT skills, possession of assets, etc. 
  • In addition, information related to drinking water, sanitation, energy use, birth registration, access to transport facilities, etc., was also collected.
• In this survey, Two Stage Stratified Sampling was used, where First Stage Units (FSU) were villages/sub-units (SUs) in rural areas, and Urban Frame Survey (UFS) blocks/SUs in urban areas.
• The survey covered the whole of the India Union except for some villages of Andaman and Nicobar Islands which were difficult to access.

• For the mean years of schooling in formal education, Goa leads among states/UTs with 12.1 mean years of schooling in formal education for persons aged 15 years and above, with females having 11.1 years of schooling and males having 13 years. 
• Arunachal Pradesh clocked the lowest mean years of schooling of 7.2. 
• The report also showed that 36.5 percent of primary school students aged 6-10 years in urban areas study in government schools, while nearly 80 per cent of primary school students are enrolled in government schools in rural parts of India.
• Over 95 per cent of households possess a telephone or mobile phone in India, while just 9.9 per cent of households possess a computer including desktop, personal computer and laptops
• Approximately 93.7 percent of the urban population has convenient access to low-capacity public transport (bus, car, taxi, auto etc) within 500 meters from the place of living.

For more info-Click me

Lothal

• One of the southernmost sites of the IVC in Gujarat’s Bhāl region. Believed to have been built around 2,200 BC.
• It flourished as a trade center around 2,200 BC, with trade connections reaching West Asia and Africa.
• Known for its trade of beads, gems, and ornaments.

What is the National Maritime Heritage Complex?

• The NMHC is being constructed at the historic Indus Valley civilization region of Lothal, Gujarat, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
• Its primary objective is to showcase the maritime heritage of India from ancient to modern times, utilizing an edutainment approach and incorporating the latest technology.
• Significance:
  • The NMHC is set to become the world’s largest maritime museum complex and an international tourist destination.
  • It will play a crucial role in educating visitors about India’s rich maritime history and elevate India’s image in the global maritime sector.
  • The project is part of the Sagarmala Programme and is being developed with the participation of public and private institutes, organizations, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Additional Information

Neutral Stance

• A neutral stance indicates that the RBI maintains flexibility in adjusting policy rates based on prevailing economic conditions. This means that the central bank is open to either increasing or decreasing interest rates, depending on data related to inflation and economic growth. 
• The neutral stance is generally adopted when both inflation control and economic growth are given equal priority, allowing for adjustments in either direction as new information arises.

• An accommodative stance refers to a monetary policy approach where the central bank is inclined to increase the money supply to stimulate economic growth. 
• This typically involves reducing interest rates, with no prospect of a rate increase.
• The central bank typically adopts an accommodative policy when growth needs policy support and inflation is not the immediate concern.

• A hawkish stance reflects the central bank’s focus on controlling inflation. During such periods, the central bank is likely to raise interest rates to limit the money supply and dampen demand. 
• This signals a tight monetary policy approach. 
• In this phase, interest rate cuts are almost out of the question. 
• When the central bank raises rates or tightens its monetary policy, commercial banks follow suit by increasing loan interest rates, which helps reduce demand in the financial system.

• Contrary to hawkish is the dovish stance, having which a central bank may lower interest rates or may go slow in raising interest rates.
•  This stance is taken when there is a need to push economic growth and avoid deflation in the country.

• Calibrated tightening means during the current rate cycle, a cut in the repo rate is off the table.
•  But, the rate hike will happen in a calibrated manner. This means the central bank may not go for a rate increase in every policy meeting but the overall policy stance is tilted towards a rate hike.
•  This can happen outside the policy meetings as well if the situation warrants.