Preston Curve
Relevance: GS 3 – Indian Economy
Why in News: The Preston curve illustrates the observed connection between a country’s per capita income and life expectancy.
About the Preston Curve:
- Graphical Representation: The Preston Curve is a visual representation that illustrates the link between a country’s per capita income (typically GDP per capita) and its average life expectancy.
Per Capita Income
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- Origin: This concept was first introduced by American sociologist Samuel H. Preston in 1975, in his paper “The Changing Relation Between Mortality and Level of Economic Development.”
- Positive Correlation: Preston discovered that people living in wealthier countries tend to have longer life spans compared to those in poorer countries. This is often attributed to better healthcare, education, cleaner living conditions, and improved nutrition.
- Initial Impact of Growth: When a less wealthy country experiences economic growth and its per capita income rises, life expectancy typically increases significantly. This is due to enhanced access to non-subsistence nutrition and healthcare.
- Example of India: For instance, from 1947 to 2011, India’s average per capita income rose from around ₹9,000 per year to ₹55,000 per year. During the same period, life expectancy surged from 32 years to over 66 years.
- Flattening of Relationship: However, beyond a certain point, the correlation between per capita income and life expectancy becomes less pronounced. An increase in per capita income does not contribute as significantly to life expectancy, possibly because human lifespan has its biological limits.
Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)
Relevance: GS 3- Indian Economy
Why in News: Investors are investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) focused on India in anticipation of the country’s general election outcomes.
About Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)
An exchange-traded fund (ETF) is a collection of marketable securities that reflect an underlying index, offering a blend of the features of mutual funds and stocks.
Features of Exchange-Traded Funds
Feature | Description |
Exchange-Traded | Traded on stock exchanges like individual stocks, allowing for intra-day trading and limit orders. |
Diversification | Offers instant diversification by providing exposure to a basket of underlying securities. |
Tracking Indices | Designed to track specific indices, sectors, commodities, etc., providing broad market exposure. |
Transparency | Holdings disclosed daily, providing investors with transparency regarding the underlying assets. |
Flexibility | Offers flexibility in terms of investment strategies, asset classes, and sectors, allowing investors to tailor their portfolios. |
Lower Expense Ratios | Typically have lower expense ratios compared to actively managed funds, making them cost-effective. |
Trading Efficiency | Potential for intra-day trading and limit orders, allowing for more efficient trading. |
Tax Efficiency | Typically more tax-efficient due to in-kind creations, but subject to potential capital gains tax due to fund redemptions. |
Minimum Investment | Varies, but often lower minimum investment requirements compared to mutual funds. |
Types of ETFs
- Equity ETFs: These track equity indices, offering exposure to stocks.
- Debt ETFs: These invest in government and corporate bonds.
- Commodity ETFs: These invest in commodities such as gold and silver.
- Sectoral/Thematic ETFs: These focus on specific industries or themes.
- International ETFs: These track foreign indices, providing exposure to global markets.
Exchange-Traded Funds vs Mutual Fund
Feature | ETFs | Mutual Funds |
Trading | Trade on stock exchanges like stocks, allowing for intra-day trading and limit orders | Traded only once per day at the end of the trading day at the Net Asset Value (NAV) |
Management Style | Passively managed, tracking an underlying index or asset | Actively managed by professionals aiming to outperform the market |
Expense Ratios | Generally lower expense ratios | Higher management fees |
Trading Frequency | Can be traded throughout the day | Only traded once per day |
Transparency | Daily disclosure of holdings | Periodic snapshots of holdings |
Tax Efficiency | In-kind redemptions limit capital gains taxes | Capital gains distributions can result in higher tax implications |
Minimum Investment | No minimum investment requirement | Typically higher minimum investment requirements |
Liquidity | Higher liquidity due to continuous trading | Lower liquidity due to trading only once per day |
Structure | Structured as tradable securities | Structured as pooled funds |
Creation and Redemption | Creation and redemption processes involve authorized participants (APs) | No specific creation and redemption process |
Index Tracking | Tracks specific indices or sectors | Tracks specific indices or sectors, but actively managed |
Glyptothorax Punyabratai
Relevance: GS III- Environment
Why in News: The ICAR-NBFGR has recently identified a previously unknown species of catfish in the pure waters of Arunachal Pradesh, India. This newfound species has been designated Glyptothorax punyabratai.
About Glyptothorax punyabratai:
- Found in Tung Stream, a tributary of the Tissa River, within the Brahmaputra River drainage system.
- Named Glyptothorax punyabratai.
- Named in honor of Dr. Punyabarata Das, founder director of ICAR-NBFGR, for his significant contributions to fisheries research.
- The holotype and paratype specimens are currently housed at the National Fish Museum-cum-Repository of ICAR-NBFGR in Lucknow.
Term | Definition |
Holotype | This specimen, known as the name-bearing specimen, is typically the one initially discovered and described with this name. |
Paratype | Extra specimens included in the description alongside the original discovery are referred to as holotypes and paratypes, which serve as the main types for all species. |
About Catfish
- Diversity: Catfish comprise over 2000 species, making them one of the largest groups of freshwater fishes.
- Habitats: While primarily inhabiting freshwater environments, some catfish species are also found in marine waters.
- Behavior: Most catfish are nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the night.
- Ecological Niche: Catfish are typically bottom-dwellers, occupying the benthic zone of aquatic ecosystems.
- Features:
- Body Structure: Catfish generally have a cylindrical body shape with a flattened underside, aiding in their bottom-feeding habits.
- Barbels: Named for their distinctive whisker-like barbels around the mouth, resembling those of a cat.
- Spines: Many catfish species possess prominent spines in their dorsal and pectoral fins.
- Scaleless Nature: Catfish are characterized by their lack of scales, a distinguishing feature setting them apart from other fish species.
Doxxing
Relevance: GS III: Cyber Security
Why in News: Recent, there has been a surge in doxxing occurrences online worldwide.
About Doxxing
Doxxing, or doxing, refers to the act of publicly sharing an individual’s private information online without their consent.
- This includes sensitive data like home addresses, phone numbers, email IDs, medical records, government documents, and more, often obtained through illegal means such as hacking or theft.
- Impact and Intent:
- Doxxing can lead to severe consequences for the victim, both digitally and emotionally.
- Perpetrators may have malicious intent, aiming to harass, intimidate, or incite others to harm the victim.
- Even sharing semi-public content without consent can result in doxxing and subsequent harassment.
- Consequences:
- Victims may face a multitude of challenges, including fleeing their physical location, securing leaked finances, dealing with stalkers, and enduring violent threats.
- Doxxing not only affects the victim directly but also puts their family, friends, and colleagues at risk.
