22nd August 2025

Explanation – Huntington's Disease is a rare, inherited disease that causes the progressive breakdown (degeneration) of nerve cells in the brain. It has a wide impact on a person's functional abilities and usually results in movement, thinking (cognitive) and psychiatric disorders. There are two types of Huntington's disease — Adult onset — This is the most common form. Symptoms usually begin after age 30. Early onset (juvenile Huntington's disease): Early onset affects children and teenagers. It's very rare. When Huntington's develops early, symptoms are somewhat different and the disease may progress faster. Cause — A genetic change (mutation) of the HTT gene causes Huntington's disease. The HTT gene makes a protein called huntington. This protein helps your nerve cells (neurons) function. The normal HTT gene contains a stretch of DNA that specifies the number of times the amino acid glutamine is repeated in the HTT This number varies from 11 to 31. In the mutant versions of the HTT gene, this stretch is expanded to encode 35 or more repeats. As the number of repetitions increase, the severity of Huntington's disease increases and its 

Explanation – It was established in the year of 1969 by the Government of India to promote research in social sciences in the country on the recommendation of Prof. V. K. R. V. Rao Committee. It is an autonomous organisation funded by the Ministry of Education. Functions — It provides grants for projects, fellowships, international collaboration, capacity building, surveys, publications etc., to promote research in social sciences in India. The Council aims to — Review the progress of social science research and give advice to its users; Sponsor social science research programmes and projects and administer grants to institutions and individuals for research in social sciences. 

Explanation – The act provides exemptions for the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes in certain circumstances. These exemptions are granted based on specific conditions and subject to approval from the central government. The act seeks to strike a balance between conservation efforts and necessary development activities. The act applies uniformly across the country and is not limited to select states. It covers all forest areas, irrespective of their location. The act imposes penalties for violations of its provisions. It aims to regulate and monitor the use of forest land to ensure its conservation and prevent unauthorised activities. The act does not focus primarily on promoting commercial activities within forest areas. Its primary objective is to regulate and conserve forests while allowing sustainable and balanced use of forest resources.

Explanation – Inflation targeting is a central banking policy that revolves around adjusting monetary policy to achieve a specified annual rate of inflation. The principle of inflation targeting is based on the belief that long-term economic growth is best achieved by maintaining price stability, and price stability is achieved by controlling inflation. India commenced inflation targeting 'formally' in February 2015 when an agreement between the GoI and the RBI was signed related to it — the Agreement on Monetary Policy Framework. According to the agreement - The RBI will aim to bring Consumer Price Index - Combined (CPI-C) Inflation below 6 per cent by January 2016. The target for financial year 2016–17 and all subsequent years shall be 4 per cent with a band of +/- 2 per cent. The RBI shall be seen to have failed to meet the target if inflation is: More than 6 per cent for three consecutive quarters for the financial year 2015–16 and all subsequent years OR less than 2 per cent for three consecutive quarters in 2016–17 and all subsequent years. If the RBI fails to meet the target it shall set out in a report to the GoI - the reasons for its failure to achieve the target under set in this agreement; Remedial actions proposed to be taken by the RBI; and an estimate of the time-period within which the target would be achieved pursuant to timely implementation of proposed remedial actions. 

Explanation – NBWL is chaired by the Prime Minister. Its role is "advisory" in nature and advises the Central Government on framing policies and measures for conservation of wildlife in the country.