1. I am proud of Justice Anand Venkatesh, a whistleblower of a creaking justice system READ MORE  
2. Why do we look up at the mention of god? READ MORE
3. Forgive, forget, give READ MORE
4. Big minds, small minds READ MORE

1. Staring at driest-ever August: Breaking down El Nino impact on the monsoon READ MORE
2. Resolving the water crisis in Tamil Nadu READ MORE

1. Controlling women’s sexual autonomy READ MORE  
2. Eliminate the shame of India called honour killings READ MORE
3. A worrying rise in atrocities on Dalits READ MORE

1. The need for an Indian system to regulate AI READ MORE   
2. Share the distress: The plight of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu shows the need for a distress-sharing formula READ MORE
3. Playing out a farce: On government and legislature functioning in Manipur READ MORE
4. The problem isn’t dynasty in parties – it’s dynastic parties READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. What to do with spent nuclear fuel? READ MORE
2. Dell, HP, 30 other firms show interest in IT hardware PLI READ MORE  
3. RBI’s Das flags concerns over a few urban cooperative banks READ MORE
4. India asks U.S. to release funds frozen over Russia link READ MORE
5. Rebel soldiers in Gabon claim to have ousted their President READ MORE
6. Global Fund secures deal to slash HIV treatment price; to benefit over 19 million READ MORE  
7. Railways to expedite installation of safety systems on passenger trains READ MORE
8.  WCS-India report flags illegal trade of red sand boa READ MORE
9.  IMSc to pay homage to founder Alladi Ramakrishnan READ MORE
10. Explained | Understanding curbs on rice exports READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Controlling women’s sexual autonomy READ MORE  
2. Eliminate the shame of India called honour killings READ MORE
3. A worrying rise in atrocities on Dalits READ MORE
4. Staring at driest-ever August: Breaking down El Nino impact on the monsoon READ MORE
5. Resolving the water crisis in Tamil Nadu READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. The need for an Indian system to regulate AI READ MORE   
2. Share the distress: The plight of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu shows the need for a distress-sharing formula READ MORE
3. Playing out a farce: On government and legislature functioning in Manipur READ MORE
4. The problem isn’t dynasty in parties – it’s dynastic parties READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. The need for loss of income cover: The missing piece of social security net READ MORE

 INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Cross the boulders in the Indus Waters Treaty READ MORE  
2. India’s G20 presidency: Financing the green transition READ MORE
3. Globalisation not to blame for bad domestic politics READ MORE
4. BRICS: 15th Summit and Beyond READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Point Blank. Why aam aadmi may not be enamoured by e-rupee READ MORE
2. Terms of Trade | The class-differentiation in India’s economic dynamism READ MORE
3. Haryana’s joblessness: An effective remedy for the problem is needed READ MORE
4. How to unlock the growth potential of working capital READ MORE
5. Indian rupee can become global reserve currency. But Modi govt must bring reforms for that READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Devise holistic plans to clean up toxic air READ MORE   
2. Air pollution: Move fast to save tier-2 cities READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. The importance of states in space missions READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Himalayan blunders that are ravaging the Himalayas READ MORE
2. India needs an integrated approach to flood management READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. I am proud of Justice Anand Venkatesh, a whistleblower of a creaking justice system READ MORE  
2. Why do we look up at the mention of god? READ MORE
3. Forgive, forget, give READ MORE
4. Big minds, small minds READ MORE

CASE STUDY

1. IAS officer alleges graft in Jal Jeevan Mission scheme in J&K, says he was harassed by L-G READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. How far do you agree with this view that the expansion of BRICS will increase its envisaged role as a geopolitical alternative to global institutions dominated by the West. Critically analyse your view.
2. ‘Character is what makes a man’. In the light of the statement, discuss which three values can be considered important for a good character.
3. The long march of BRICS toward NAM-ification has gathered six new members, but BRICS can never be an anti-West platform for developing economy. Critically analyse the statement.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Agriculture not only gives riches to a nation, but the only riches she can call her own.
• A spate of recent incidents from different parts of the country show that the prejudices are ruling strong and new ways of harassment and punishment are being found and used against Dalits.
• We learn a lot when we look outside. But Indian thought and spiritual traditions teach us that we learn a lot more when we look inside.
• At the airshed level (pollution sources beyond city boundaries), Davangere was found to have the highest particulate matter emissions due to the presence of industries beyond the city limits.
• While India may take pride in feats like landing on the Moon to signify scientific progress, crimes like honour killings will continue to be our shame at the social level.
• Working capital is like a magic tool for business. It has an important role in driving the innovation and expansion of a company.
• Innovation and expansion go hand in hand with effective marketing and sales strategies.
• The failure to reform internal production relations and create participatory politics cannot be and should not be blamed on globalisation.
• The well-entrenched UPI network, lack of anonymity in e-rupee and no interest income in e-rupee wallets are deterrents.
• God is not an object of senses but the feeling of feelings, the presence of presence, the sound of silence, the essence of the world and a taste of bliss.
• The expansion significantly enhances the economic weight of BRICS and increases its envisaged role as a geopolitical alternative to global institutions dominated by the West. While
• The US dollar is projected to retain its supremacy in the international monetary system in the foreseeable future, the rupee and other currencies are anticipated to gain significant international prominence in the coming decades.
• An increased focus on crucial defence technologies and increase in funding for research and development are some of the steps that need to be taken to address the extant limitations plaguing the domestic defence industry.

ESSAY TOPIC

• Sustainable development is the pathway to the future we want for all.

50-WORD TALK

• There is political support for the idea of ensuring that Dalits get equal rights in all respects, but it is not always translated into practice. There is the need for persistent social campaigns, genuine political support, and strict enforcement of the law if the entrenched prejudices and biases are to be fought and defeated.
• Modi government’s LPG subsidy for all goes against its own 2015 Give It Up scheme. It also sets a problematic precedent by abandoning poverty-targeting subsidies and extending them to those who don’t need them. Hard to justify this approach of ‘Hum karein toh Rakhi gift, koi aur kare toh revdi’.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
• For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED. Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.

1. PM-PRANAM (PM PROGRAMME FOR RESTORATION, AWARENESS, NOURISHMENT AND AMELIORATION OF MOTHER EARTH) SCHEME

TAG: SCHEMES AND INITIATIVES

THE CONTEXT: Union Budget 2023–24 launched the PM-PRANAM to promote the balanced use of chemical and alternative fertilisers, generating awareness of Regenerative Agriculture (RA). In this context, there is debate over whether the scheme will reduce the fertiliser subsidies and boost the Regenerative Agriculture (RA).

EXPLANATION:

• Regenerative Agriculture is an outcome-based food production system that nurtures and restores soil health, protects the climate and water resources and biodiversity, and enhances farms’ productivity and profitability.
• It is worth noting that the subsidy burden on chemical fertilisers is about ₹2.25-lakh crore for FY 2022-23, which is 39 per cent higher than FY 2021-22’s figure (₹1.62-lakh crore).
• The PRANAM scheme may encounter a few challenges amid some opportunities.
• Fertiliser consumption shows that nitrogenous fertiliser consumption, especially urea, has not declined from 2012-13 until 2021-22 (P). However, the subsidy bill has increased significantly. So, promoting PRANAM will help the government reduce subsidy bills and fiscal deficits if it picks up.
• Nevertheless, the efficacy of alternative fertilisers to enhance crop yield or productivity remains a concern. Thus, a gradual phase-out of subsidies on chemical fertilisers can stimulate alternative or bio-fertiliser adoption.
• PRANAM can increase its economies of scale and help the extant distribution network stock alternative fertilisers. However, the margin on bio-fertiliser sales should be worked out to incentivise sales and distribution networks.

PM-PRANAM (PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother earth) SCHEME

• The scheme’s goal is to encourage states and union territories to employ alternative fertilizers and balance their chemical fertilizer consumption.
• The scheme seeks to minimize the subsidy burden on chemical fertilizers, which is projected to increase by 39% in 2022-2023, from Rs.1.62 lakh crore to Rs.2.25 lakh crore.
• It seeks to discourage the use of synthetic or chemical fertilizers and encourage sustainable agricultural practices.
• The government will evaluate the utilisation of fertilisers in terms of increase or decrease in overall consumption in a year vis-a-vis consumption over the past three years.
• The Integrated Fertilisers Management System (iFMS) is the platform envisaged to track the use of fertilisers.

How will the scheme operate?

• The scheme will not have a separate budget and will be subsidized by the savings of existing fertiliser assistance under schemes run by the Department of fertilisers.
• The scheme will use savings from subsidies to encourage states to use alternative soil nutrients and keep track of the use of fertilisers.
• 50% subsidy savings will be given as a grant to the state that saves the money, of which 70% can be used for asset creation related to the technological adoption of alternative fertilisers and alternative fertiliser production units at village, block, and district levels.
• The remaining 30% can be utilised for incentivising farmers, panchayats, farmer-producer organisations, and self-help groups that are involved in the reduction of fertiliser use and awareness generation.

How is the scheme beneficial?

• The PM PRANAM scheme will accelerate policies that not only enhance agricultural production but also safeguard the environment and health.
• According to the government, India’s consumption of fertilisers was about 40 million metric tonnes from April to mid-December 2022, with production of 32 mmt and imports of 12.8 mmt.
• The scheme is aimed at reducing the use of chemical fertilisers, especially urea. Excessive exposure to fertilisers affects human health through cancer and diseases caused by DNA damage. Fertilisers also pollute water bodies, leading to algal bloom and affecting aquatic life.
• The scheme will promote the use of other nutrients and fertilisers, including natural nutrients. This is expected to improve soil quality in the long run and increase crop yields, apart from preventing environmental damage.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/can-pranam-reduce-fertiliser-subsidy-bill/article67252948.ece

2. US-INDIA RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY ACTION PLATFORM (RETAP)

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS; GS 3: ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: In a move towards a greener future, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) and India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) came together to introduce the US-India Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP).

EXPLANATION:

• During the meeting, the delegations shared information about emerging technology developments in each country, including hydrogen, energy storage, wind, geothermal energy, and clean energy deployment programs among others.
• DOE and MNRE intend to enhance RETAP collaboration, including potentially through the creation of a RETAP Steering Committee, joint working groups and collaboration among subject matter experts.
• RETAP has been established as a result-oriented, time-bound platform with a keen focus on technology. Its primary objective is to propel the development and deployment of new and emerging renewable technologies.
• In its initial phase, RETAP is set to concentrate on green and clean hydrogen, wind energy, long-duration energy storage, and explore prospects in geothermal energy, ocean/tidal energy, and other technologies as they emerge in the future.
• The collaboration blueprint for RETAP has been outlined by DOE and MNRE and is guided by five overarching themes:

1. Research & development
2. Piloting & testing of innovative technologies
3. Advanced training & skill development
4. Policy and planning for advancing renewable energy technologies
5. Investment, incubation, and outreach programs.

• DOE and MNRE intend to enhance RETAP collaboration, including potentially through the creation of a RETAP Steering Committee, joint working groups and collaboration among subject matter experts.
• It is intended to advance new and emerging renewable technologies with a view toward deployment and scaling.

SOURCE: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1953550

https://www.livemint.com/news/india/us-and-india-join-forces-to-launch-renewable-energy-technology-action-platform-11693408975833.html

3. LAKE TOBA AND UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK

TAG: GS 1 : GEOGRAPHY

THE CONTEXT: Google Doodle celebrates Lake Toba, known as Danau Toba, located on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Lake Toba was designated as UNESCO Global Geopark on August 31, 2020.

EXPLANATION:

Lake Toba

• Lake Toba is a large natural lake in North Sumatra, Indonesia, occupying the caldera of a super volcano with a surface elevation of about 900 metres (2,953 ft).
• It is the largest lake in Indonesia and the largest volcanic lake in the world and one of the deepest lakes in the world.
• Toba Caldera is one of twenty geoparks in Indonesia,and was recognised in July 2020 as one of the UNESCO Global Geoparks. It was formed as a result of a massive volcanic eruption from Toba Caldera thousands of years ago.
• The collapse of the volcano’s magma chamber formed the island of Samosir, which is a popular tourist destination and home to various Indigenous ethnic tribes.
• In addition to celebrating Lake Toba, it’s essential to acknowledge the Indigenous Batak Toba people, the lake’s native inhabitants.
• Their traditional villages, local markets, and distinctive houses attract visitors from around the world. Traditional dances like the Tor-Tor and authentic wood carvings are common in these villages.

UNESCO Global Geoparks

• UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.
• UNESCO Global Geoparks are:

1. Managed by a nationally recognised body such as a local authority or Geopark Management Group
2. Visible to the public in their promotion of geology, sustainable development and education

• Their bottom-up approach of combining conservation with sustainable development while involving local communities has become increasingly popular.
• At present, there are 169 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 44 countries.

SOURCE: https://www.livemint.com/news/world/google-doodle-celebrates-indonesias-lake-toba-largest-crater-lake-and-unesco-global-geopark-11693446907130.html

4. HOLLONGAPAR GIBBON SANCTUARY

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: Recently, Experts recommended to reroute the Railway track through the Assam Gibbon Sanctuary.

EXPLANATION:

• Primatologists have suggested to reroute a 1.65-km-long railway track that has divided an eastern Assam sanctuary dedicated to the western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) into two unequal parts.

Western hoolock gibbons in Assam’s Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary.

Hoolock Gibbon:

• It is the only ape found in India.
• It is one of the 20 species found worldwide inhabiting tropical and subtropical forests in Southeast Asia.
• They are found in forested areas of Northeast India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Southern China.
• It is the smallest and fastest of all apes.
• They have become endangered due to habitat loss and fragmentation.
• The species is listed on Schedule 1 of the Indian (Wildlife) Protection Act 1972.
• It is categorised into Western Hoolock Gibbon and Eastern Hoolock Gibbon.
• Western Hoolock Gibbon is listed as Endangered and Eastern Hoolock gibbon as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary:

• The Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary was formerly known as the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary or Hollongapar Reserve Forest.
• It is an isolated protected area of evergreen forest located in the Jorhat district of Assam.
• The upper canopy of the forest is dominated by the Hollong tree, while the Nahar dominates the middle canopy. The lower canopy consists of evergreen shrubs and herbs.
• The sanctuary has a rich biodiversity and is home to the only apes in India, the western Hoolock, as well as the only nocturnal primate found in the northeast Indian states, the Bengal slow loris.
• It is home to Stump-tailed macaque, northern pig-tailed macaque, eastern Assamese macaque, rhesus macaque, and capped langur etc.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/reroute-railway-track-running-through-assam-gibbon-sanctuary-suggest-scientists/article67247555.ece

5. SUPERMOON AND BLUE MOON

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Supermoon, a very rare event was seen on 31^st august, 2023. It is one of the largest and brightest moons of 2023. It was the second supermoon of August. The first one appeared on August 1.

Explanation:

WHAT IS SUPERMOON?

• A supermoon occurs when the Moon’s orbit is closest (perigee) to Earth at the same time the Moon is full.
• Its closest point is the perigee, which is an average distance of about 226,000 miles (363,300 kilometers) from Earth.
• When a full moon appears at perigee it is slightly brighter and larger than a regular full moon – and that’s where we get a “supermoon.
• A supermoon occurs every two and a half years on average.
• The supermoon casts 30% more light on Earth compared to the dimmest full moon.

WHAT IS BLUE MOON?

• A Blue Moon has nothing to do with the colour of the Moon.
• Normally blue moons occurs about every two or three years.
• Blue Moon can be described as the second full Moon in any calendar month with two full moons.
• As August 2023 ended up with two full moons, so by this definition second moon was blue moon.

Note:

• According to NASA: About 25 percent of all full moons are supermoons, but only 3 percent of full moons are blue moons.

SOURCE: https://www.livemint.com/science/news/supermoon-the-largest-and-brightest-moon-of-2023-11693408202630.html

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