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Vice-President of India Syllabus: GS2 – Polity and Governance Context The BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led Opposition parties have announced their candidates for the upcoming Vice-Presidential election. This election, governed by Article 66 of the Constitution, highlights the democratic process of choosing the second-highest constitutional office in India.   About the Office The Vice-President of India is the second highest constitutional functionary after the President. Serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, ensuring the smooth conduct of parliamentary proceedings.   Constitutional Provisions Article 63: There shall be a Vice-President of India. Article 66: Election process of the Vice-President. Article 67: Term of office. Article 68: Filling of vacancies. Article 69: Oath or affirmation.   Election Procedure Conducted by the Election Commission of India. Electoral College: Members of both Houses of Parliament, including nominated members. Unlike the President’s election, state legislatures have no role. Voting Method: Proportional representation by Single Transferable Vote (STV) and secret ballot. Majority Quota: Candidate must secure more than half of total valid votes. If not achieved in the first round, the lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated and votes are transferred as per preferences until a winner emerges.   Term of Office Five years from the date of assuming office. Eligible for re-election any number of times. Continues until the successor takes office.   Significance Ensures continuity of governance by acting as President when the post falls vacant (maximum period: six months). Serves as the presiding officer of Rajya Sabha, ensuring neutrality and balance in legislative debates.   Challenges Increasing partisanship has affected the neutrality of the Vice-President as Rajya Sabha Chairman. Limited executive role reduces visibility compared to the President or Prime Minister.   Way Forward Need to reinforce the impartial image of the Vice-President, especially in Rajya Sabha proceedings. Greater engagement with states and constitutional institutions can enhance the functional relevance of the office. Which of the following statements regarding the Vice-President of India is/are correct? 1.The Vice-President is elected by an Electoral College consisting only of members of the Lok Sabha. 2.Nominated members of both Houses of Parliament are eligible to vote in the Vice-Presidential election. 3.The Vice-President serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Options:A. 1 and 2 onlyB. 2 and 3 onlyC. 1 and 3 onlyD. 1, 2 and 3  Answer:BExplanation: The Electoral College consists of both Houses of Parliament, including nominated members. Hence (1) is wrong, but (2) and (3) are correct.   Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Syllabus: GS2 – Health   Context Recent research from Germany has revealed that the deadly bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibits bistable expression of the glpD This finding offers new insights into how infections vary in severity and opens possibilities for innovative therapeutic strategies against hospital-acquired infections.   About Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Belongs to the genus Pseudomonas, widely found in soil, water, and moist environments. It is a Gram-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming rod-shaped bacterium. Known as an opportunistic pathogen — it primarily affects individuals with weakened immunity (e.g., hospitalized patients, burn victims, or those on ventilators). Causes infections in: Blood (septicemia) Lungs (pneumonia) Urinary tract Post-surgical wounds Classified by WHO as a “priority pathogen” due to its resistance to multiple antibiotics.   Recent Research Findings The glpD gene shows bistable expression, meaning genetically identical bacterial cells exhibit large variations in the gene’s activity.   Impact: Determines variability in infection severity. Tested on moth larvae and mouse immune cells – outcome showed different levels of virulence among identical strains.   Implication for Treatment: By targeting this variability in gene expression, new therapies could be designed to reduce infection risks.   Significance for Health Sector Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs): Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia and bloodstream infections. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): It has developed resistance to carbapenems, cephalosporins, and aminoglycosides, limiting treatment options. Public Health Burden: Prolonged hospital stays, increased mortality, and higher treatment costs.   Challenges Antibiotic Resistance Crisis: Conventional antibiotics becoming ineffective. Diagnostic Gaps: Early detection in hospital settings is difficult. Limited Research: Few new antibiotics are in development for Gram-negative bacteria. Global Health Inequality: Developing countries face higher risks due to inadequate infection control and poor healthcare infrastructure.   Way Forward Targeted Therapy: Focus on gene-level interventions (like glpD expression control). Strengthening AMR Surveillance: Expand networks like the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) AMR surveillance program. Infection Prevention in Hospitals: Stricter sterilization protocols, antimicrobial stewardship, and improved ICU hygiene. Global Collaboration: Align with WHO’s Global Action Plan on AMR. R&D Investment: Promote development of next-gen antimicrobials, bacteriophage therapy, and AI-based diagnostics. Which of the following are common infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa? 1.Pneumonia 2.Urinary Tract Infections 3.Wound infections after surgery 4.Tuberculosis Options:A. 1 and 2 onlyB. 1, 2 and 3 onlyC. 2, 3 and 4 onlyD. 1, 3 and 4 only Answer: B. 1, 2 and 3 only Detailed Explanation Statement 1 – Pneumonia: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia, particularly ventilator-associated pneumonia in ICUs. It thrives in moist hospital environments and infects vulnerable patients. Statement 2 – Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): This bacterium is frequently associated with catheter-associated UTIs, especially in hospitalized or immunocompromised patients. Statement 3 – Wound infections after surgery: Pseudomonas aeruginosa commonly infects surgical wounds and burn injuries, leading to delayed healing and septicemia. Statement 4 – Tuberculosis: Tuberculosis is caused by an entirely different bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is an acid-fast bacillus, not related to Pseudomonas. National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) Syllabus: GS3 – Science and Technology   Context India’s research and innovation ecosystem has received a major boost under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), with the installation of 37 supercomputers providing a combined computing power of 40 Petaflops. This marks a significant step in building indigenous high-performance computing (HPC) capabilities.   About the Mission The National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) was launched in April 2015 with a financial outlay of ₹4,500 crore. The mission envisions self-reliance and global leadership in supercomputing, ensuring that Indian researchers have access to cutting-edge computational resources. It aims to strengthen India’s global competitiveness in critical technology domains such as climate