State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 12 Nov 2025

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)

Why in News?

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), a major type of adult blood cancer in Uttar Pradesh, can now be effectively managed with one targeted pill a day.

• This breakthrough was highlighted at the pre-conference meeting of Haematocon-2025, organised by the Indian Society of Haematology and Blood Transfusion (ISHBT) and Uttar Pradesh Haematology Group (UPHG).

Key Points

• About: CML is a form of blood cancer that affects adults and accounts for 30% of all adult leukemia cases in India.
  • The disease occurs in approximately 5 out of 1 lakh people.
  • CML is caused by a genetic mutation known as the Philadelphia chromosome, which leads to abnormal growth of white blood cells.
• Treatment: Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs), like Imatinib and its newer versions, have transformed CML treatment over the past two decades.
  • The introduction of TKIs, taken as a single daily pill, has transformed CML from a fatal disease into a manageable condition, allowing patients to lead normal life spans.
• Cost: CML treatment with TKIs can cost as low as ₹1,600 per month, with affordable generic versions available through Jan Aushadhi pharmacies.
• Significance: Targeted therapy has transformed CML from a fatal disease to a manageable condition, with modern treatments boosting long-term survival rates to over 90%.

Devha River

Why in News? 

A petition has been filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to take urgent action to protect the Devha River in Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh, from severe pollution. 

Key Points 

• Devha River: 
  • The Devha River, also called Devbhooti Ganga, is believed to be older than the Ganga River. 
  • It originates in the Kumaun region of Uttarakhand and flows toward Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh.  
  • Its tributary Khakra River joins Devha at Bramhachari Ghat, on the outskirts of Pilibhit. The river has its confluence with the Ganga near Farrukhabad. 
• About the Petition: 
  • The petition alleges that nine drains in Pilibhit city are discharging untreated wastewater directly into the Devha River, leading to ecological degradation. 
  • A bioremediation proposal to clean the sewage was submitted a year ago but remains pending approval.

India’s First MWh-Scale Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB)

Why in News? 

Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs inaugurated India’s first megawatt-hour (MWh) scale Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) in Greater Noida. 

Key Points 

• About: 
  • The 3 MWh Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) is developed by National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)’s NETRA (National Energy Technology Research Alliance)  
  • It aims to demonstrate Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) technology for large-scale renewable energy integration and grid stability. 
• Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB): 
  • It uses vanadium ions in different oxidation states to store and discharge electricity efficiently. 
  • The system offers long operational life, and excellent scalability compared to lithium-ion batteries. 
  • Non-flammable electrolytes make it safer for large-scale energy storage applications. 
  • It is well-suited for grid-scale renewable energy storage, microgrids, and peak-load management. 
  • VRFBs are increasingly viewed as a sustainable alternative for integrating intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind into the grid.