Prelims Focus 27th March 2025

27/03/2025

88 2 minutes read

Cryogenic Conservation of Wildlife

In news: The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (Darjeeling Zoo) has become India’s first zoo to establish a cryogenic biobank for preserving DNA samples of endangered Himalayan wildlife.

Operational since July 2024, the biobank stores genetic material, including tissues and reproductive cells, at -196°C using liquid nitrogen.
This initiative focuses on species like red pandas, snow leopards, and Himalayan wolves, aiming to safeguard genetic diversity and support future research and conservation efforts.
Spread across 67.8 acres at an altitude of 7,050 feet, Darjeeling Zoo is India’s highest-altitude zoological park.
The project is a collaboration with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
A dedicated laboratory has been set up within the zoo for cryogenic preservation, marking a significant step in combating extinction risks and advancing wildlife conservation science.

GOLD Monetisation Scheme

In news: The Indian government has officially announced the discontinuation of the Medium-Term and Long-Term Government Deposit components of the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) effective March 26, 2025. This decision is part of a broader strategy to adapt to evolving market conditions and improve the financial landscape associated with gold investments.

Overview of the Gold Monetisation Scheme

Launched in November 2015, the Gold Monetisation Scheme aimed to mobilise idle gold held by households and institutions, allowing them to earn interest on their deposits instead of storing gold in lockers. The scheme was designed to reduce India’s reliance on gold imports, thereby addressing the current account deficit.

The GMS consisted of three main components:

Short-Term Bank Deposits (1-3 years)
Medium-Term Government Deposits (5-7 years)
Long-Term Government Deposits (12-15 years)

Vikramshila University

In News: A decade after the present day Nalanda University was re-established near its historic site in Rajgir, efforts are now underway to revive Vikramshila University.

It was founded by King Dharmapala of the Pala Dynasty in the 8th to early 9th century AD.
It is present at Bhagalpur district, Bihar, India.
Vikramshila was one of the most critical Buddhist mastering centres of medieval India, second best to Nalanda University.
It was specifically established for Tantric research, which was popular during the Pala period in both Buddhist and Hindu traditions.
Destroyed in the 12th century by Bakhtiyar Khalji, a army commander underneath Qutb-ud-din Aibak.
Atisa Dipankara was a famous Buddhist master and scholar who performed a widespread position in the revival and reform of Buddhism in Tibet throughout the 11th century.

BHIM 3.0

In News: NPCI BHIM Services Limited (NBSL), a subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has launched BHIM 3.0.

Bharat Interface for Money(BHIM) is a UPI based payment interface that permits real time fund transfers the use of a single identity like your mobile number or call.
It was brought in 2016 by the Prime Minister and has played a key role in promoting digital bills in India.
BHIM 3.0 is the new model of the digital payment platform.
It introduces several developments for a higher consumer revel in, which includes:
- Expanded language support: Available in 15+ Indian languages.
- Optimised for low net areas: Ensures clean transactions even in areas with bad community connectivity.
- Advanced money control equipment: Includes cost tracking, invoice splitting, and spending analytics.
Family mode: Enables handling shared charges and assigning payments for family members.