20th August 2025

Explanation — Rubella is a highly contagious viral infection best known by its distinctive red rash. It's also called German measles or three-day measles. Rubella isn't the same as measles, but the two illnesses share some signs and symptoms, such as the red rash. Rubella is caused by a different virus than measles, and rubella isn't as infectious or as severe as measles. Rubella is caused by the Rubella virus, an enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus, different from the measles virus. Transmission — The Rubella virus spreads from person to person when you cough, sneeze, or touch surfaces with the virus on them. It can also spread from a pregnant woman to the foetus. You can be contagious with rubella without symptoms. Symptoms — This infection may cause mild or no symptoms in most people. The main symptom of rubella is a spotty rash that starts on the face or behind the ears and spreads to the neck and body. The rash takes 2 to 3 weeks to appear after getting rubella. Rubella can cause serious problems for unborn babies whose mothers become infected during pregnancy. When a woman is infected with the rubella virus early in pregnancy, she has a 90% chance of passing the virus on to her foetus. This can cause the death of the foetus, or it may cause Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS). Infants with CRS may excrete the virus for a year or more. Children with CRS can suffer hearing impairments, eye and heart defects, and other lifelong disabilities, including autism, diabetes mellitus, and thyroid dysfunction. Prevention — The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and highly effective in preventing rubella. The vaccine provides lifelong protection against rubella. Treatment: There are currently no medications. 

Explanation — e-Jagriti is a flagship initiative by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India. It is aimed at strengthening the consumer dispute redressal system across the country. The project focuses on the computerisation and networking of all Consumer Commissions at the national, state, and district levels to ensure transparency, efficiency, and speedy resolution of consumer disputes. Features of e-Jagriti Platform — e-Jagriti enables consumers to file complaints, track case statuses, and access judgments online. The platform plays a vital role in digitising consumer commissions and empowering citizens by providing easy access to legal remedies. It provides simple, fast and a more cost-effective consumer disputes redressal software solution at all levels. It is envisaged to integrate consumer grievance platforms, namely, Online Case Monitoring System (OCMS), E-Daakhil, NCDRC Case Monitoring System, CONFONET website, mediation application, in a single platform. It has case filing, online fee payment, case monitoring modules for seamless disposal of cases by all the Commissions, has Smart search facility on archived consumer complaints / cases / judgements using AI technology for metadata and keyword creation, and Voice-to-text conversion of judgements, case history and other details using AI / ML technology. With its user-friendly interface and real-time updates, e-Jagriti ensures accountability, reduces paperwork, and fosters a more transparent and accessible justice system for consumers nationwide. 

Explanation — It is the prestigious Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science—better known as the Sakura Science Programme. It was launched globally in 2014, aims to expand scientific curiosity amongst youth and encourage international collaboration. India joined the Sakura Programme in 2016. It is implemented by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). The initiative offers young learners a chance to explore cutting-edge science and immerse themselves in Japanese culture. Under this programme, students are invited for short-term visits to Japan, providing them with the opportunity to experience Japan's cutting-edge science and technology as well as its rich culture. For the upcoming Sakura Programme 2025, JST has invited participants from six other countries Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia. The Sakura Science Program's objectives include — To support the development of talented human resources from overseas who have the potential to contribute to innovation in science and technology. To accelerate international brain circulation. To promote continuous collaboration, cooperation and interaction between Japanese educational and research institutes and those overseas. To strengthen good relationships between Japan and other countries and regions that can encourage diplomacy in science and technology. 

Explanation — The Indra Sawhney vs Union of India case (1992) was a landmark judgement that addressed reservations for both Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (SCs/STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government jobs. While upholding the concept of reservations, the court imposed certain conditions — It introduced the concept of a "creamy layer" within OBCs, excluding them from reservation benefits. It capped the total reservation quota at 50% (except in extraordinary circumstances). Reservation in promotions for SCs/STs was not automatically guaranteed and needed justification. The judgement did not abolish reservations but aimed to streamline and regulate them. 

Explanation — The PAC is the oldest parliamentary committee in the Indian legislative affairs and has been crucial in upholding the principle of accountability as it exercises oversight of public expenditure. The Committee on Public Accounts is constituted by Parliament each year for examination of accounts showing the appropriation of sums granted by Parliament for expenditure of Government of India, the annual Finance Accounts of Government of India, and such other accounts laid before Parliament as the Committee may deem fit such as accounts of autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies (except those of Public Undertakings and Government Companies which come under the purview of the Committee on Public Undertakings). The Committee on Public Accounts is the oldest Parliamentary Committee and was first constituted in 1921. The Committee consists of 22 Members, 15 Members are elected by Lok Sabha and 7 Members of the Rajya Sabha are associated with it. The Speaker is empowered to appoint the Chairman of the Committee from amongst its Members.