Today's Brief 20/05/2025

JS Analysis: https://youtu.be/Re_gtaYUb2U?si=7M25xcvQHwf2qoI2

1 .OCI Portal:

General Studies Paper-II (250 Marks) – Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the new Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Portal in New Delhi yesterday. The new portal will provide enhanced functionality, advanced security, and a user-friendly experience for the existing over 5 million OCI cardholders and new users.

The Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) scheme, introduced in 2005, offers a unique immigration status to foreign citizens of Indian origin, granting them a lifelong, multiple-entry, multi-purpose visa to India without the need for registration with local authorities.

While not equivalent to dual citizenship, as India does not permit it, OCI status provides numerous benefits, including parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in economic, financial, and educational fields, as well as ease of travel and the potential for future Indian citizenship after a specified period of residency.

Eligibility extends to individuals who were Indian citizens or eligible to become citizens at the time of India's independence, their descendants, and foreign-origin spouses of Indian citizens or OCI cardholders, with the notable exceptions of those who have ever been citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh. Despite these advantages, OCI cardholders do face certain limitations, such as not having the right to vote, hold constitutional posts, or acquire agricultural land, and may require special permissions for specific activities.

2 .The Netherlands –

General Studies Paper-I (Mains) - Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society

is a Northwestern European nation renowned for its innovative water management and flat topography, with about 26% of its land lying below sea level. The country is famous for its extensive system of dikes, windmills (over 1,000 still standing), and polders (reclaimed land), including major projects like the Zuiderzee Works and Delta Works. Amsterdam serves as the constitutional capital, while The Hague is the seat of government and home to international institutions like the International Court of Justice.

The Rhine, Meuse, and Scheldt rivers form an important delta, and the country shares borders with Belgium and Germany.

The country pioneered modern capitalism and stock markets (Amsterdam Stock Exchange being the oldest) and played a significant role in European art (Rembrandt, Van Gogh) and science (Antonie van Leeuwenhoek's microscopy).

The Dutch constitution of 1815 established the constitutional monarchy that continues today under King Willem-Alexander.

Global Significance:

• Founding member of EU, NATO, and UN

• Hosts numerous international organizations

3 .GeM celebrates 8 years as world’s largest public e-procurement platform:

General Studies Paper-II (250 Marks) – Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM), India's national public procurement portal, celebrated its 8th anniversary, marking a significant milestone as it has emerged as the world's largest public e-procurement platform.

Over these eight years, GeM has revolutionized how the government procures goods and services, fostering transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity.

With a remarkable increase in its user base to over 1.64 lakh primary buyers and 4.2 lakh active sellers, the platform now offers more than 10,000 product categories and over 330 services. GeM's impact extends beyond mere transactions, empowering Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), artisans, weavers, women entrepreneurs, and startups by providing them with a direct avenue to participate in government tenders.

Independent assessments, including those by the World Bank, highlight the significant cost savings achieved through GeM, estimated at nearly 10% in government procurement. By eliminating intermediaries, streamlining processes, and promoting the participation of diverse sellers, GeM has not only enhanced economic growth but has also contributed to the vision of an 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'.

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is India's national public procurement portal, launched on August 9, 2016, by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It serves as an online platform for the procurement of common-use goods and services required by various government departments, organizations, and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). 

The primary objective of GeM is to bring transparency, efficiency, and speed to the public procurement process.

4 .Prostate cancer,

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

a prevalent disease affecting men, arises from the uncontrolled growth of cells within the prostate gland, a small gland essential for male reproduction located below the bladder.

 Often asymptomatic in its initial stages, it may later manifest through urinary issues, such as frequent or difficult urination, a weak urine stream, and potentially blood in urine or semen, along with pain in the lower back, hips, or pelvis, though these symptoms can also indicate other conditions.

 Key risk factors include advancing age, African American ethnicity, and a family history of the disease.

 While often slow-growing, early detection through screening methods like the PSA test and digital rectal exam is crucial, although the utility of routine screening is a subject of ongoing discussion with healthcare providers.

Diagnosis typically involves a biopsy, and treatment strategies are diverse, ranging from active surveillance for low-risk cases to surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies for more advanced disease.

Reports indicate that former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9, which has metastasized to the bone.

5 .The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV),

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is one of India’s most reliable and versatile launch vehicles. Since its first successful launch in 1994, the PSLV has earned a reputation as the "Workhorse of ISRO" due to its high success rate in deploying satellites into polar, sun-synchronous, and low-Earth orbits.

Designed to carry payloads of up to 1,750 kg to polar orbits, the PSLV has been instrumental in launching Earth observation satellites, navigation satellites (IRNSS), and even lunar (Chandrayaan-1) and interplanetary missions (Mars Orbiter Mission, Mangalyaan).

The rocket follows a four-stage propulsion system, alternating between solid and liquid fuel engines, ensuring precision in satellite placement.

Notably, the PSLV created history in 2017 by launching 104 satellites in a single mission, setting a world record at the time.

Its cost-effectiveness and reliability have made it a preferred choice not only for India but also for international clients, with missions for countries like the USA, UK, Germany, and Israel.