State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 14 Apr 2025

Fruit Development and Plant Hormones

Why in News? 

 Fruit ripening is the final stage and also facilitates seed dispersal as an integral part of the plant’s aging (senescence) process. 

 Key Points 

•  About Fruit Development and Plant Hormones: 
  • Phases of Fruit Development: Fruit development occurs in 3 stages:  
    • fruit set (ovary growth begins after fertilization),  
    • fruit growth (active cell division and expansion), and  
    • maturation (fruit and seed reach full size).  
    • This is followed by ripening, which improves edibility and aids in seed dispersal. 
• Process of Fruit Ripening: 

 

• Plant Hormones: 

• Substances Used for Artificial Fruit Ripening: 
  • Calcium Carbide: It releases toxic acetylene gas and may contain phosphorus, and arsenic (a carcinogenic substance)causing severe health issues.  
    • Its usage has been banned by FSSAI under Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011. 
  • Permitted Substances: 
    • Ethylene Gas: Approved by FSSAI up to 100 ppm (parts per million); triggers natural ripening. It must be applied in controlled ripening chambers and not in direct contact with fruits. 
    • Ethephon: Releases ethylene on breakdown and used for artificial ripening under regulated conditions. 
    • Ethereal: It is an ethylene-releasing compound used in controlled settings. 

Development Projects in Varanasi

Why in News? 

The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of projects worth over Rs 3,880 crore in Varanasi. 

• These projects include development works related to various sectors. 

Key Points 

• About the Projects: 
  • Laid the foundation stone of road bridge between Varanasi Ring Road and Sarnath, flyovers at Bhikharipur and Manduadih and highway underpass road tunnel on NH-31 at Varanasi International Airport. 
  • Improving the power infrastructure, inaugurated two 400 Kilo-Volt (kV) and one 220 Kilo-Volt (kV) transmission substations in Jaunpur, Chandauli and Ghazipur districts of Varanasi division. 
  • Rural education was improved with the addition of libraries and Anganwadi centres, and the foundation was laid to upgrade primary schools under the Smart City Mission. 
  • PM announced the creation of an Ekta Mall, a space where diverse crafts and products from across India will be showcased under one roof in Kashi. 
  • More than ₹105 crore in bonuses were given to livestock-rearing families, mostly women. These women are now known as “Lakhpati Didis”. 
  • PM Modi also gave Ayushman Vay Vandana cards to senior citizens, ensuring free healthcare for everyone above 70, no matter their income. 
    • Under Ayushman Bharat Yojana, many families in Uttar Pradesh have received free medical treatment.  
• Objective: 
  • These projects will accelerate economic activities in Varanasi and the surrounding Purvanchal region. 
  • These projects aim to improve the infrastructure in Varanasi and surrounding areas, which will not only improve the quality of life of common citizens but will also boost business, tourism and cultural heritage. 

Note: Over 30 local products from Varanasi and surrounding districts now carry the prestigious GI (Geographical Indication) tag, including the famous thandai, red stuffed chilli, tiranga barfi and even Jaunpur’s imarti and Pilibhit’s flute. 

Varanasi 

• Introduction 
  • Varanasi, also known as Kashi and Banaras, is a major and historical city of Uttar Pradesh 
  • This city is situated on the banks of River Ganga and is considered a very sacred and important pilgrimage site in Hinduism. 
  • The name Varanasi is derived from the names of two local rivers, Varuna River and Asi River. These rivers join the Ganges River from the north and south respectively. 
  • It is also a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists and Jains.
    • Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath (Banaras). 
  • Varanasi is revered in Hinduism as an " Avimukta Kshetra ", where the soul attains liberation after dying. 
  • Varanasi is addressed with adjectives such as "City of Temples", "City of Lights", "City of Knowledge". 
  • The city is the centre of the Banaras Gharana of Hindustani classical music.  
    • Prominent musicians and artists from here include Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pandit Ravi Shankar and Girija Devi. 
• Education and Universities: 
  • There are four major universities in Varanasi:  
    • Banaras Hindu University, Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies and Sampurnanand Sanskrit University. 
• Tourist Places: 
  • Kashi Vishwanath Temple 
  • Bharat Mata Mandir  
  • Sarnath 
  • Assi Ghat

Rohin Barrage

Why in News? 

Recently the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh inaugurated the Rohin Barrage Project in Maharajganj . 

Key Points 

• About Barrage:  
  • This project is an irrigation infrastructure project run by the Uttar Pradesh government , which is considered very important for the farmers of eastern Uttar Pradesh.  
  • The Rohin Barrage is about 86 metres long and provides irrigation facilities on both its banks, which will directly benefit more than 7,000 hectares of cultivable land. This area was till now dependent on rainfall or temporary water sources. 
  • Five minor canals drawn from this barrage— Ramnagar, Nakatoji, Watjagar, Siswa and Baulia —will strengthen the irrigation system. 
  • Through these canals, water supply for both Rabi and Kharif crops can be ensured. 
  • This barrage has been constructed on the Rohin river . 
  • This project will directly benefit 16,000 farmers . Availability of water in regular and structured form will be ensured to these farmers. 
  • Construction of the barrage will develop  a permanent canal system and water supply system in the surrounding villages . 

 Rabi crop 

• These crops are sown during the retreating monsoon and northeastern monsoon seasons (October), which are called rabi or winter crops. 
• These crops are generally harvested in the summer season during April and May. 
• The main Rabi crops are wheat, gram, peas, barley etc. 
• Warm climate is required for germination of seeds and cool climate is required for growth of crops.  

Kharif Crops:  

• The crops sown during the south-west monsoon season are called Kharif or monsoon crops. 
• These crops are sown at the beginning of the season from late May to early June and are harvested after the monsoon rains start in October . 
• These crops depend on the rainfall pattern. 
• Rice, maize, pulses like urad, moong dal and bajra are among the major Kharif crops. 
• They require more water and warm weather to grow.

System for preventing theft of vehicle

Why in discussion? 

Recently, a special device developed by a scientist of a government college situated in Noida, Uttar Pradesh for tracking stolen vehicles has been granted a patent by the Government of India.   

Key Points 

• This device is helpful in finding and tracking stolen vehicles . It has been named" System for Preventing Theft of Vehicle ". 
• In this, wireless chips are installed in three main parts of the vehicle – chassis , engine and number plate . 
• All these chips are connected to a main controller , which monitors the entire system. 
• The chips are specially coded , allowing them to be identified even if used elsewhere. 
• This system acts like a Fastag reader and helps the police to confirm the stolen vehicle or its part. 
• As per NCRB report, Delhi has the highest incidence of vehicle thefts in the country and this device can make a significant contribution especially in such areas . 

  National Crime Records Bureau  

• Introduction 
  • NCRB was established in the year 1986 under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs with the objective of empowering the Indian Police Service by providing information technology solutions and criminal intelligence to the police machinery for effective law enforcement. 
    • It was established based on the recommendations of the National Police Commission (1977–1981) and the Home Ministry's Task Force (1985). 
• Work 
  • The Bureau is entrusted with the task of maintaining the National Database of Sexual Offenders (NDSO) and sharing it with the States/Union Territories on a regular basis.  
  • NCRB has also been designated as the central nodal agency for managing the technical and operational functions of the 'Online Cyber-crime Reporting Portal' through which any citizen can lodge a complaint by uploading video clips as evidence of crime related to child pornography or rape/gang rape.  
  • NCRB has also been given the responsibility of implementing the Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) project .