4th October 2024

Explanation - Sickle cell disease is a group of disorders that affects haemoglobin, the molecule in red
blood cells that delivers oxygen to cells throughout the body. People with this disorder have a typical
haemoglobin molecules called haemoglobin S, which can distort red blood cells into a sickle, or
crescent shape. Signs and symptoms of sickle cell disease usually begin in early childhood.
Characteristic features of this disorder include a low number of red blood cells (anaemia), repeated
infections, and periodic episodes of pain. The severity of symptoms varies from person to person.
Some people have mild symptoms, while others are frequently hospitalised for more serious
complications. The signs and symptoms of sickle cell disease are caused by the sickling of red blood
cells. When red blood cells sickle, they break down prematurely, which can lead to anaemia. Anaemia
can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, and delayed growth and development in children. The rapid
breakdown of red blood cells may
also cause yellowing of the eyes and skin, which are signs of jaundice.

Explanation - The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an autonomous body
established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It was set up in 2008 for the proper
monitoring of food hygiene and quality in India. It was functional from 2011 and ever since has been
responsible for managing food safety in our country. The organisation has been set up as per the Food
Safety and Standards Act 2006, until which different acts and laws were being administered under the
various ministries of Government. It is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through
the regulation and supervision of food safety. It is headed by a non-executive Chairperson, appointed
by the Central Government, either holding or has held the position of not below the rank of Secretary
to the Government of India.

Explanation - It is strait between Arabia (northeast) and Africa (southwest) that connects the Red Sea
(northwest) with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean (southeast). It forms a vital strategic link in

the maritime trade route between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean via the Red Sea and the
Suez Canal It is one of the world's most important routes for global seaborne commodity shipments,
particularly crude oil and fuel. It is bordered by Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and Djibouti and
Eritrea on the African coast.

Explanation - The Sixth Schedule under Article 244 provides for the formation of autonomous
administrative divisions — Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) — that have some legislative,
judicial, and administrative autonomy within a state. ADCs have up to 30 members with a term of five
years, and can make laws, rules and regulations with regard to land, forest, water, agriculture, village
councils, health, sanitation, village- and town-level policing, inheritance, marriage and divorce, social
customs and mining, etc. The Bodoland Territorial Council in Assam is an exception with more than
40 members and the right to make laws on 39 issues. The Sixth Schedule applies to the Northeastern
states of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram (three Councils each), and Tripura (one Council).

Explanation - The Constitution, under Sixth Schedule, contains special provisions for the
administration of tribal areas in the four north-eastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and
Mizoram. The tribal areas in the four states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram have been
constituted as autonomous districts. But, they do not fall outside the executive authority of the state
concerned. The Governor is empowered to organise and re-organise the autonomous districts. Thus,
he can increase or decrease their areas or change their names or define their boundaries and so on.