1. TECTONIC PLATES ON VENUS

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: As per a new study, Venus, often referred to as Earth’s sister planet, may have experienced tectonic activity about 4.5 billion to 3.5 billion years ago.

EXPLANATION:

• This tectonic movement is believed to have played a crucial role in shaping Venus’s carbon dioxide- and nitrogen-rich atmosphere.
• The research raises the possibility that ancient Venus could have supported microbial life, indicating that Earth and Venus might have shared similar conditions in the distant past.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE STUDY:

• Tectonic Activity on Venus:
  • The study explores the idea that plate tectonics, a geological process responsible for shaping Earth’s surface, may have also operated on Venus billions of years ago.
  • Plate tectonics involves the movement of large pieces of a planet’s outer shell, leading to the formation of continents, oceans, and mountains.

• Impact on Venus’s Atmosphere:
  • The researchers suggest that this ancient tectonic activity could have influenced Venus’s atmosphere.
  • Today, Venus’s atmosphere is primarily composed of carbon dioxide (96.5%) and nitrogen (less than 3.5%).
  • The study proposes that these tectonic processes contributed to the planet’s unique atmospheric composition.

• Potential for Ancient Life:
  • The presence of tectonic activity on Venus in the distant past opens the possibility that microbial life could have existed there.
  • This finding underscores the similarities between Earth and Venus in terms of geological processes and conditions conducive to life.

• Changes Over Time:
  • While Venus and Earth share many similarities in terms of size, mass, density, and volume, they have evolved differently.
  • The study suggests that Venus may have transitioned from early tectonic activity to a “stagnant lid” model where the planet’s surface has a single, largely immobile plate, limiting gas release into the atmosphere.

• Planetary Transitions:
  • The research challenges the notion that planets maintain a single tectonic state throughout their existence.
  • It suggests that planets, including Earth and Venus, may transition between different tectonic states, which could impact their habitability.

• Future Exploration:
• • The upcoming NASA mission to Venus, DAVINCI, is expected to provide further insights and potentially confirm the findings of this study.
  • Researchers are also interested in understanding how and why Venus lost its plate tectonics over time.

CONCLUSION:

• In essence, this study highlights the intriguing possibility of tectonic activity on ancient Venus and its role in shaping the planet’s atmosphere and habitability.
• It underscores the dynamic nature of planets and how they can transition between different geological states.
• The upcoming mission to Venus offers an opportunity to gather more data and expand our understanding of Earth’s enigmatic sister planet.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/science-technology/earth-like-tectonic-plates-on-ancient-venus-may-explain-its-carbon-dioxide-nitrogen-rich-atmosphere-92513

2. DRAFT OF BILLS REPLACING CRIMINAL LAWS

TAG: GS 2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs postponed its adoption of a draft report on three Bills seeking to replace the existing criminal laws.

EXPLANATION:

• The panel has scheduled its next meeting for November 6, which gives members an additional week to review the draft report and offer their suggestions.
• The committee aims to have the report ready for the Winter Session of Parliament.

WHY THE DELAY?

• Late Release of Draft Report:
  • The English version of the draft report was shared one week before and the Hindi version was given to members of the Parliamentary panel only hours before it was set to be adopted.
  • This short notice didn’t sit well with some members.

• Opposition’s Discontent:
  • Three members have registered their objections.
  • They’re calling for various alterations in the proposed Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, meant to replace the Indian Penal Code, and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which is set to replace the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
  • More objections are anticipated.

• Dispute Over Hindi Nomenclature:
  • The use of Hindi names for the Bills has been a source of disagreement.
  • The panel’s draft report argues that since the text of the Bill is in English, it doesn’t go against the provisions of the Constitution, which specify that English should be used in the Supreme Court and High Courts, as well as for Acts, Bills, and legal documents.

• Inadequate Consultation:
  • The Opposition members have expressed concerns about the limited consultations on the proposed bills.
  • They believe that given the extensive changes in the criminal laws, it’s vital to have more talks with state governments and concerned parties.

• Request for More Time:
• • Opposition members have requested an extension of at least three months to finalize the committee’s report on the bills.
  • They’re worried that rushing through these laws for short-term political gains could undermine the legislative scrutiny process.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/parliamentary-panel-on-home-affairs-withholds-draft-report-on-bills-replacing-criminal-laws/article67466923.ece/amp/

3. AVAIN FLU

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Scientists have detected the presence of avian flu for the first time in the Antarctic region, raising concerns for remote populations of penguins and seals.

EXPLANATION:

• Scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have identified the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as avian flu, in the Antarctic region for the first time.
• This discovery raises concerns for the welfare of remote populations of penguins and seals.
• The virus, which affects birds and can be deadly, was detected in brown skua (a predatory seabird) populations on Bird Island, South Georgia.
• It is suspected that it might have reached the region from South America.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FINDINGS:

• The virus may have been introduced to the Antarctic region from South America.
• Scientists have observed HPAI outbreaks in Europe, North America, South Africa, and South America, heightening concerns about its spread to vulnerable Antarctic wildlife.
• Threat to Wildlife:
  • Avian flu primarily affects birds, and highly pathogenic strains like H5 and H7 can cause high mortality in wild bird populations.
  • The virus can also be transmitted to mammals, particularly through predators and scavengers that feed on infected birds.

• Previous Outbreaks:
  • In 2022 and 2023, HPAI H5N1 rapidly spread in South America, impacting seabird populations.
  • It travelled southward, affecting 500,000 seabirds and causing significant outbreaks in marine mammals, resulting in the deaths of 20,000 South American sea lions.

• Response:
  • The BAS and the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) are closely monitoring the situation and have implemented enhanced biosecurity measures.
  • They are working together to manage the outbreak.

• Most Vulnerable Species:
  • According to the researchers’ risk assessment, gulls, skuas, birds of prey, terns, shorebirds, fur seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals are considered the most vulnerable species to avian flu.

• High-Risk Regions:
• • The sub-Antarctic islands located between the southern tip of South America and the Antarctic Peninsula, including the Falkland Islands, are identified as high-risk regions due to the presence of various vulnerable wildlife groups.

AVIAN FLU:

• Avian influenza or bird flu refers to the disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses.
• These viruses naturally spread among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species.
• Bird flu viruses do not normally infect humans.
• However, sporadic human infections with bird flu viruses have occurred.

CONCLUSION:

• The detection of avian flu in the Antarctic region raises concerns for the well-being of penguins, seals, and other wildlife.
• The virus’s potential impact on these vulnerable species highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring, research, and biosecurity measures to mitigate the spread of this disease.
• Steps should be taken to avoid the consequences on the unique ecosystems of the Antarctic region.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/first-cases-of-avian-flu-found-in-antarctic-region-92514

4. INDIA AND QATAR’S ENERGY SHARE

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: The death sentence given to eight former personnel of the Indian Navy by a court in Qatar presents the biggest challenge yet to New Delhi’s historically friendly ties with Doha.

EXPLANATION:

• In the relationship between nations, trade relations play a significant role.
• In the case of India and Qatar, the balance of trade is tilted heavily in the Qatar’s favour — which means imports from Qatar far outweigh India’s exports.
• The nature of the trade, which is dominated by a commodity that is very important to India, now and for the foreseeable future, also provides Qatar significant influence.
• It is India’s largest source of liquefied natural gas (LNG) — gas that has been super cooled to liquid form so that it can be transported by sea — accounting for more than half of overall import volumes of the fuel.
• Indeed, LNG is at the heart of the trade relationship, it makes up almost 50% of overall Indian imports (by value) from Qatar.

GAS IMPORT DEPENDENCY:

• India’s import dependency in natural gas is around 50%.
• Given the government’s concerted push to increase natural gas consumption, imports are only likely to rise in the coming years, even if domestic production of natural gas increases.
• Government-owned Petronet LNG, India’s largest LNG importer, has a long-term contract with Qatar for the import of 8.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG.
• India has set itself an ambitious target to increase the share of natural gas in the primary energy mix to 15% by 2030 from a little more than 6% at present.
• This is bound to result in a rapid increase in LNG imports over the next few years.
• Natural gas is seen as a significantly cleaner alternative to conventional petroleum fuels like diesel and petrol, and is usually cheaper than crude oil.
• For India, which has an import dependency of over 85% in crude, gas is both more affordable and a better transition fuel in the energy transition pathway.
• Given this situation with India’s energy security concerns and ambitions, the case of the retired Navy personnel presents a sensitive challenge for Indian diplomacy.

INDIA, QATAR, AND LNG:

• India’s total imports from Qatar in FY2022-23 were valued at $16.81 billion, of which LNG imports alone were worth $8.32 billion, or 49.5%.
• India’s other major imports from Qatar are also fossil fuel-linked commodities and products, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), plastics, and other petrochemicals.
• On the other hand, India’s exports to Qatar were valued at just $1.97 billion in FY2022-23.
• The major exports include cereals, copper articles, iron and steel articles, vegetables, fruits, spices, and processed food products.
• India imported a total 19.85 million tonnes of LNG in FY23, of which 10.74 million tonnes, or 54%, came from Qatar.
• This means that apart from the 8.5 million tonnes of LNG that Qatar supplied as part of the Petronet LNG term contract, nearly 2.25 million tonnes of additional gas was purchased from Qatar.
• While Indian LNG importers, predominantly the public sector oil and gas companies continue to make efforts to diversify sourcing, it could be years before the high reliance on Qatar can be reduced to a meaningful extent.

THE GLOBAL LNG MARKET:

• The global LNG market is a seller’s market after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the sanctions that have disrupted Russian natural gas supplies to Europe.
• After the war broke out, prices, particularly of LNG spot cargoes, surged globally.
• The war has put Qatar, the world’s largest exporter of LNG, in a unique position of strength.
• According to industry experts, the extreme price volatility of the past couple of years in global LNG markets has established that term contracts, and not spot purchases.
• This has pushed LNG importers all over the world, including India, to scout for long-term contracts with major suppliers, of whom Qatar is the foremost.
• Over the past few weeks, Doha has announced 27-year LNG supply deals with French, Dutch, and Italian energy majors.
• In the preceding months, it had signed long-term contracts to supply LNG to China and Germany.
• Petronet’s term contract runs out in 2028, and negotiations for an extension are currently under way. India is also looking to sign more long-term LNG contracts.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/natural-gas-lng-india-qatar-relations-9002396/lite/

5. ISRAEL AND PALESTINIAN TRUCE

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the United Nations General Assembly called for an immediate humanitarian truce between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas and demanded aid access to the besieged Gaza Strip and protection of civilians.

EXPLANATION:

• The resolution drafted by the Arab states is not legally binding, but politically significant.
• It passed to a round of applause with 120 votes in favour, while 45 abstained including India and 14 including Israel and the United States voted against.
• The General Assembly voted after the Security Council failed four times in the past two weeks to take action.
• A two-thirds majority was needed for the resolution to pass, in which abstentions do not count.

ASSEMBLY STRESSES PREVENTING WIDER WAR:

• The assembly stressed the “importance of preventing further destabilization and escalation of violence in the region”.
• It called on “all parties to exercise maximum restraint and work toward this objective.”
• The General Assembly asked Israel to rescind its order for civilians in Gaza to move to the south of the enclave.
• Israel ordered some 1.1 million people in Gaza – almost half the population to move south on Oct. 12.
• The General Assembly also “firmly rejects any attempts at the forced transfer of the Palestinian civilian population.”
• Israel has vowed to wipe out Hamas, which rules Gaza, after the militants killed 1,400 people and took hundreds of hostages in the attack three weeks ago that surprised and shocked Israelis.
• Israel has struck Gaza from the air, imposed a siege and is preparing a ground invasion. Palestinian authorities say more than 7,000 have been killed.
• The General Assembly called for “the immediate and unconditional release of all civilians who are being illegally held captive.”
• The initial draft of the resolution put forward by Arab states called for an immediate ceasefire. The resolution adopted “calls for an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.”
• Israel has rejected calls for a ceasefire because it says Hamas would benefit.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE REFER TO THE ISRAEL AND HAMAS NEWS IN THE DNA OF OCTOBER 2023.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/un-overwhelmingly-calls-for-aid-truce-between-israel-and-hamas/article67467892.ece

1. THE GIR COW

TAG: GS 3: AGRICULTURE

THE CONTEXT: Under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, only the Gir indigenous cow breed is being promoted.

WHY GIR IS BEING PROMOTED UNDER RGM:

• There are a number of reasons why only the Gir indigenous cow breed is being promoted under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM).
• High milk yield:
  • The Gir cow is known for its high milk yield, which can reach up to 18-20 liters per day.
  • It one of the most productive indigenous cow breeds in India.

• Hardiness:
  • The Gir cow is a very hardy breed and is well-suited to the harsh climatic conditions of India.
  • It is also resistant to a number of diseases.

• Adaptability:
  • The Gir cow is also very adaptable to different climates and feed conditions.
  • This makes it a good choice for farmers in different parts of India.

• Demand:
• • There is a high demand for Gir milk and Gir cattle in India and abroad.
  • So, it a profitable breed for farmers to raise.
  • The RGM is focused on increasing milk production and improving the income of farmers.
  • The promotion of the Gir cow breed is seen as one of the most effective ways to achieve these goals.

DRAWBACKS OF PROMOTING ONLY GIR COW UNDER RGM:

• Reduced adaptability:
  • The Gir cow is a breed that is well-suited to the climate of Gujarat, but it may not be as well-suited to other parts of India.
  • This could lead to problems for farmers who raise Gir cows in areas where the climate is different.

• Increased susceptibility to diseases:
  • The Gir cow is more susceptible to certain diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease.
  • This could increase the cost of raising Gir cows and make farmers more vulnerable to losses.

• Reduced genetic diversity:
• • The promotion of a single breed of cow can lead to a decrease in genetic diversity.
  • It will make the cattle population more vulnerable to diseases and pests.

RASHTRIYA GOKUL MISSION (RGM):

• It is under the ambit of Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
• RGM is being implemented for development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds since December 2014.
• The scheme is important in enhancing milk production and productivity of bovines to meet growing demand of milk and making dairying more remunerative to the rural farmers of the country.
• The scheme is also continued under umbrella scheme Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojna from 2021 to 2026 with a budget outlay of Rs.2400 crore.
• The RGM will result in enhanced productivity and benefit of the programme, percolating to all cattle and buffaloes of India especially with small and marginal farmers.
• This programme will also benefit women in particular since over 70% of the work involved in livestock farming is undertaken by women.

OBJECTIVES OF THE RGM:

• To enhance productivity of bovines and increasing milk production in a sustainable manner using advance technologies.
• To propagate use of high genetic merit bulls for breeding purposes.
• To enhance Artificial insemination coverage through strengthening breeding network and delivery of Artificial insemination services at farmers doorstep.
• To promote indigenous cattle & buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner.

COMPONENTS OF RGM:

• Availability of High genetic Merit Germplasm
  • Bull Production Programme
  • Support to semen stations: Strengthening of existing semen stations.
  • Implementation of IVF Technology
  • Breed Multiplication Farms
• Extension of Artificial Insemination Network
  • Nationwide AI programme
  • Using sex sorted semen for getting assured pregnancy
  • Implementation of National Digital Livestock Mission (Livestack)

• Skill Development
• Farmers Awareness
• Research Development and Innovation in Bovine Breeding
• Development and Conservation of indigenous Breeds
  • Assistance to Gaushalas, Gosadans and Pinjarapoles
  • Administrative expenditure/ operation of Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/agriculture/only-the-gir-indigenous-cow-breed-is-being-promoted-under-rashtriya-gokul-mission-here-is-why-92366

2. AUTOMATED PERMANENT ACADEMIC ACCOUNT REGISTRY (APAAR)

TAG: GS 2: GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT: To create the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR), a new student identity card, state governments requested schools to seek parental consent.

EXPLANATION:

• It is a part of the ‘One nation, One Student ID’ initiative of the Union government, stemming from the new National Education Policy of 2020.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF APAAR?

• It is envisioned as a special ID system for all students in India, starting from childhood.
• Under the initiative, each student would get a lifelong APAAR ID, making it easy for the learners, schools, and governments to track academic progress from pre-primary education to higher education.
• It would also serve as a gateway to Digilocker, a digital system where students can store their important documents and achievements, and use them in the future for, say, pursuing higher education or finding a job.

WHAT IS THE NEED TO INTRODUCE?

• The goal behind introducing APAAR is to make education hassle-free and reduce the need for students to carry physical documents.
• This initiative was launched as part of the National Education Policy 2020 by the Education Ministry.
• The vision is to create a positive change, allowing state governments to track literacy rates, dropout rates, and more, helping them make improvements.
• APAAR also aims to reduce fraud and duplicate educational certificates by providing a single, trusted reference for educational institutions.
• Only first party sources that issue certificates will be allowed to deposit credits into the system, ensuring authenticity.

HOW DOES THE GOVERNMENT ENVISION APAAR ID TO WORK?

• Every individual will have a unique APAAR ID, which will be linked to the Academic Bank Credit (ABC), which is a digital storehouse that contains information of the credits earned by students throughout their learning journey.
• With the APAAR ID, students would be able to store all their certificates and credits, whether they come from formal education or informal learning.
• When a student completes a course or achieves something, it’s digitally certified and securely stored in her account by authorised institutions.
• If the student changes schools, whether within the state or to another state, all her data in the ABC gets transferred to her new school just by sharing the APAAR ID. No need to provide physical documents or transfer certificates.

CONCERNS REGARDING APAAR:

• Parents and students have concerns about sharing their Aadhar details because they worry that their personal information could be leaked to outside parties.
• The government says that the information shared by students will be kept confidential.
• It will not be shared with any third party except for entities engaged in educational activities, such as the Unified District Information System for Education Plus or the UDISE+ database.
  • It is the government’s catalogue that contains data related to schools, teachers and students, scholarships, maintenance academic records, educational institutions and recruitment agencies.
• At any given time, students have the option to stop sharing their information with the mentioned parties, and their data processing will be halted.
• However, any personal data already processed will remain unaffected if consent is withdrawn.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/one-nation-one-student-id-apaar-explained-9000086/

3. ANAMALAI TIGER RESERVE (ATR)

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: A committee headed by Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) field director visited the enclosure at the Manthirimattam reserve forest area of the Manamobolly forest range to assess the progress of the rewilding of a sub-adult tiger.

EXPLANATION:

• The committee assessed the health of the tiger and analysed CCTV footage to know the hunting talents of the sub-adult tiger.
• The committee also discussed:
  • The selection of sites where the tiger could be released in future,
  • The fixing of a radio-collar during the release of the tiger, and
  • Constituting a squad to monitor the animal after its release.
• The tiger was rescued from a tea estate near Valparai in September 2021.
• It is claimed that the committee would submit a detailed report to the Chief Wildlife Warden, after which a decision will be taken on releasing the animal into the wild.

WHAT IS REWILDING?

• Rewilding is a conservation strategy used to promote biodiversity in ecosystems by reintroducing plant and animal species that have been driven out, largely due to humans.
• Bringing these species back into a certain environment can help struggling ecosystems self-regulate and return to their natural processes.
• For many conservationists, or those who work to protect and preserve the natural environment, rewilding is as much an activity of the heart as of the land.

ANAMALAI TIGER RESERVE (ATR):

• Anamalai Tiger Reserve was declared as a Tiger reserve in the year 2007.
• There are two Divisions and six ranges in this Reserve.
• The ranges found in this reserve include Amaravathi and Udumalpet falling in Thiruppur Division and Pollachi, Ulandy, Valparai and Manamboli in Pollachi Division.
• It is located on the southern side of the South Western Ghat landscape.
• It is surrounded by Parambikulum Tiger Reserve on the East, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Eravikulum National Park on the South Western side.
• The reserve is also surrounded by Nenmara, Vazhachal, Malayattur and Marayur reserved forests of Kerala.
• The Kariyan shola, Grass hills and Manjampatti of Anamalai Tiger Reserve has been identified as a world heritage site by the UNESCO.

FLORA:

• Around 2500 species of angiosperms are found in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, with several species of Balsam, Crotalaria, Orchids and Kurinchi.
• The reserve is rich in wild relatives of cultivated species like mango, jackfruit, wild plantain etc.

FAUNA:

• The reserve supports several species of endangered wild animals.
• There are 70 species of fishes, more than 70 species of amphibians, 120 species of reptiles, 300 species of birds and 80 species of mammals.
• The important mammals include: Asiatic elephant, Sambar, Spotted deer, Barking deer, Mouse deer, Gaur, Nilgiri tahr etc.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/committee-assesses-progress-of-tamil-nadus-first-tiger-rewilding-programme/article67462247.ece/amp/

4. GREEN HYDROGEN

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: As per a study by environmental and energy think-tank, Climate Risk Horizons (CRH), India’s plans to produce ‘green hydrogen’ might end up worsening pollution if proper checks and balances are not in place.

EXPLANATION:

• India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, piloted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) expects to manufacture five million tonnes by 2030.
• It would require the installation of renewable energy capacity worth 125 GW and the use of 250,000 gigawatt-hr units of power, equivalent to about 13% of India’s present electricity generation.
• As of August 2023, India’s total renewable energy (RE) capacity (excluding hydropower dams bigger than 25 MW) stood at 131 GW; the 2030 green hydrogen plan thus envisages adding an equivalent RE capacity by 2030.
• This is over and above the 500 GW of RE capacity that India has committed to install by 2030 as part of its Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement.
• India installed only 15 GW of new solar and wind capacity in 2023, against the 45 GW per year needed to reach the 2030 target.

COAL-BASED POWER USAGE:

• The MNRE has defined green hydrogen as hydrogen produced in a way that emits no more than 2 kg of carbon dioxide per kg of such hydrogen.
• Currently, producing 1 kg of ‘grey hydrogen’ ends up emitting 9 kg of carbon dioxide.
• The main concern is that if electrolysers, which split water to produce hydrogen and oxygen, were run 24×7, they would be expected to operate even at night when no solar power is available.
• This would then mean tapping into conventional coal-fired electricity.
• If electricity comes from India’s coal-powered grid in general, it will increase carbon emissions, since about 70% of the electricity on the grid is coal.
• Most projects have not disclosed their source of electricity. It is also not clear if those few projects that have committed to meet 100% of their requirement from these sources.

COSTLY DIVERSION:

• Another challenge is that India’s standards allow the use of biomass which also results in carbon emissions when burnt for the production of green hydrogen.
• Moreover, diverting scarce renewable energy capacity towards the production of green hydrogen might mean inadequate clean electricity being made available for consumers.
• India’s ambitious renewable energy target of 450 GW by 2030 already requires huge investment.
• The green hydrogen mission will require an additional 125 GW of RE.
• The MNRE needs to guard against the risk that finance for RE projects that would otherwise decarbonise the electricity grid will instead be diverted to produce green hydrogen.
• This would delay India’s journey to net zero, undermine a nascent industry, and deny States and electricity consumers the cost benefits that cheap renewable energy has to offer.
• Several large power utilities in India have announced ambitious plans to scale up green hydrogen production.
• The Centre’s green hydrogen mission has committed nearly ₹20,000 crore to develop and expand the industry.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/indias-green-hydrogen-mission-runs-risk-of-pollution-sans-accounting-study/article67462156.ece

5. REFERENCE FUEL

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY, GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Indian Oil launches country’s first reference fuel.

EXPLANATION:

• The Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) launched India’s first gasoline and diesel reference fuels to meet the demand of the country.
• These fuels have higher specifications, are critical for calibrating and testing by automobile manufacturers and testing agencies like the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) and the Automotive Research Association of India.
• These reference fuels are used by automobile manufacturers for testing vehicles and ensuring their operability under various global climatic conditions.
• These are essential for the development of engines and the assessment of vehicle performance.
• These reference fuels are required by automobile manufacturers to meet international benchmarks.

REDUCING DEPENDENCE ON IMPORTS: 

• India has relied on imports for decades to meet the demand for these specialized fuels. These indigenously developed products will replace imports ensuring a reliable supply at lower cost for vehicle manufacturers and testing agencies.
• The production of these specialized reference fuels by Indian Oil aims to reduce India’s dependence on imports from European and US companies.

DOMESTIC DEMAND AND EXPORT POTENTIAL: 

• The current demand for gasoline reference fuel in India is approximately 120 kilo litre (KL) per annum, while the demand for diesel reference fuel is around 15 KL per annum.
• Indian Oil intends to fully meet the domestic demand and also explore the possibility of exporting these fuels in the future by expanding its production capacity.

GOVERNMENT’S VISION:

• The production of these reference fuels aligns with the Indian government’s vision of “AtmaNirbhar Bharat” or self-reliant India, as promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• It signifies a step toward reducing reliance on imports and enhancing domestic capabilities.

SOURCE: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/indian-oil-launches-countrys-first-reference-fuel-to-fully-meet-domestic-demand-11604911.html

THE CONTEXT: The Post Office Amendment Bill, 2023, was recently introduced in the Rajya Sabha during the special session of Parliament.

PROVISIONS OF THE BILL:

The Bill proposes to replace the Indian Post Office Act of 1898, which was enacted to consolidate and amend laws relating to post offices in India.

• Exclusive privileges of the central government: The Act provides that wherever the central government establishes posts, it will have the exclusive privilege of conveying letters by post, as well as incidental services such as receiving, collecting, sending, and delivering letters.  The Bill does not provide for such privileges.   The Act provides for the issuance of postage stamps as per the prescribed Rules.  The Bill also states that India Post will have the exclusive privilege of issuing postage stamps.
• Services to be prescribed:  The Act specifies the services provided by India Post to include: (i) delivery of postal articles including letters, postcards, and parcels, and (ii) money orders. The Bill provides that India Post will provide services as may be prescribed by the central government.
• Powers to intercept postal articles: The Act allows interception of an article being transmitted through post on certain grounds.   An interception may be carried out on the occurrence of any public emergency or in the interest of public safety or tranquillity.  Such interceptions may be carried out by the central government, state governments, or any officer specially authorised by them.

The Bill instead provides that interception of an article being transmitted through post may be carried out on the following grounds:

• 1. Security of the state
  2. Friendly relations with foreign states
  3. Public order
  4. Emergency
  5. Public safety
  6. Contravention of the provisions of the Bill or any other laws.
• An officer empowered by the central government through a notification may carry out interception.
• Director General to make regulations regarding services: The Act, as well as the Bill, provides for the appointment of the Director General of Postal Services.  Under the Act, the Director General has powers to decide the time and manner of delivery of postal services.  The Bill provides that the Director General may make regulations regarding any activity necessary to provide postal services.
• Examination of postal articles prohibited under law or liable for duty: Under the Act, an officer in charge may examine a postal article if he suspects that it contains goods which are prohibited, or are liable to be paid duty upon.  The Bill removes the powers of examination.  It instead provides that in such cases, the central government may empower an officer of India Post to deliver the postal article to the customs authority or any other specified authority.
• Exemptions from liability:  The Act exempts the government from any liability related to the loss, mis-delivery, delay, or damage to a postal article.  This does not apply where the liability is undertaken by the central government in express terms.  Officers are also exempt from such liability unless they have acted fraudulently or wilfully.  The Bill retains these exemptions.  It also provides that the central government may prescribe liability with regard to services by India Post under the Rules.
• Removal of offences and penalties: The Act specified various offences and penalties, all of which were removed by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023.  For instance, theft, misappropriation, or destruction of postal articles by an officer of the Post Office was punishable with imprisonment up to seven years and a fine.  Sending certain prohibited items through post was punishable with imprisonment up to one year, a fine, or both.  The Bill does not provide for any offences or consequences, except one.  Amounts not paid by a user will be recoverable as arrears of land revenue.

ISSUES:

• Potential misuse of power: There is absence of clear standards for state interference in the postal department. This raises concerns about the potential misuse of power by the authorities. The Bill allows the authority to arbitrarily scrutinize and seize postal articles without concrete evidence.
• Vague procedure: The grounds specified for interception are so vague that the government can bring in anything and everything under the same. Thus, it confers unlimited power on the Central government and postal officers.
• Undermines accountability: The exemption granted to postal officers from liability for any mishaps during the delivery process undermines the accountability and efficiency of the postal services. The Bill thus incites serious doubts with regard to the privacy of citizens and the efficiency of postal services.
• Violation of fundamental rights: Non-prescription of penalty for opening postal articles against the provisions of the Bill can have severe implications on the right to privacy of stakeholders. It is in clear violation of freedom of speech and expression [Article 19 (1) (a)], the right to privacy (Article 21) and subsequent violation of the right to equality (Article 14) under the Constitution of India.
• Absolute exemption: The Bill also exempts the liability for lapses of postal officers and confers the power to prescribe liability through rules framed by the Central government, which administers the postal department. This can lead to misuse of power.

THE WAY FORWARD

• Clearance on Vagueness:There is a need to have a clarification of the vagueness in the Bill and that needs to be sort out with stakeholders’ consultation.
• Ease with Facilitation:There is a need of technological intervention in postal services to ease the process of sorting and facilitating accurate delivery of mails and parcels. For example this may include delivery of parcels by drone. This can lead to expansion of services, futuristic postal delivery for a better system.
• Rule of law: The non-arbitrariness is essential to ensure the rule of law and as the Bill is in violation of Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India, the state actions need to be based on valid relevant principles.

THE CONCLUSION:

The Post Office Bill 2023 represents a vital step toward modernizing India’s postal services to align with contemporary needs. However, there are few concerns in the Bill that needs to be adequately addressed to make it a hub for various citizen-centric services.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION

Q. “Recent amendments to the Right to Information Act will have a profound impact on the autonomy and independence of the Information Commission”. Discuss. (2020)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Discuss the provisions of the Post Office Amendment Bill, 2023. Is it leading to the reduction in accountability and transparency in the postal department of the country? Examine.

SOURCE: https://www.barandbench.com/columns/the-post-office-amendment-bill-2023-beyond-reasonableness

1. THE SIENA GALAXY ATLAS (SGA)

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, astronomers have created a stunning atlas of nearly 400,000 galaxies in the cosmic neighbourhood of the Milky Way, aptly named the Siena Galaxy Atlas (SGA).

THE SIENA GALAXY ATLAS (SGA):

• This remarkable feat was achieved using data from three astronomical surveys conducted between 2014 and 2017 at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) and Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO), collectively known as the DESI Legacy Surveys.
• The cosmic atlas is a digital atlas that was created to get to know our universe better through several of the known galaxies.
• NGC 520 is one of the largest and brightest galaxies in the Siena Galaxy Atlas. It is made of two disk galaxies that will eventually merge together to form one massive system.
• A selection of 42 galaxies from the Siena Galaxy Atlas illustrates the tremendous range of galaxy types, sizes, colours and surface brightness profiles, internal structure, and environments of the galaxies in the SGA.
• IC 4212 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Virgo. It is situated close to the celestial equator, meaning it is at least partly visible from both hemispheres in certain times of the year.

HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER ATLASES?

• It is dependent on state-of-the-art digital images captured by advanced technology, unlike previous atlases which relied on antiquated equipment and photographic plates.
• As it is built on the images captured with highly sensitive instruments, it boasts of having the most accurate data.
• It is also the first cosmic atlas to feature the light profiles of galaxies - a curve that describes how the brightness of the galaxy changes from its brightest point to its dimmest.

HOW DOES IT CONTRIBUTE TO OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE UNIVERSE?

• Comprehensive and detailed view of nearby galaxies:
  • The SGA provides a comprehensive and detailed view of nearly 400,000 galaxies in the cosmic neighbourhood of the Milky Way.
  • This is a significant increase over previous atlases, which typically included only a few thousand galaxies.
  • The SGA’s large sample size allows astronomers to study the statistical properties of galaxies in more detail, and to identify rare or unusual objects.

• High-quality data:
  • The SGA is based on high-quality digital images captured with highly sensitive instruments.
  • This results in much higher data quality than previous atlases, which were often based on photographic plates.
  • The SGA’s high-quality data allows astronomers to make more accurate measurements of the sizes, shapes, colours, and luminosities of galaxies.

• Publicly available data:
• • The SGA is freely available to the public online, anyone can access and use the data for their own research or educational purposes.
  • The SGA’s public availability will help to democratize astronomy and encourage more people to participate in the scientific process.

SOURCE: https://www.universetoday.com/163807/astronomers-release-a-cosmic-atlas-of-380000-galaxies-in-our-neighborhood/

2. MANUAL SCAVENGING

TAG: GS 2: GOVERNANCE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

THE CONTEXT: The Supreme Court has issued a landmark ruling ordering the central and state governments to completely eradicate manual scavenging, a dehumanizing practice that has trapped individuals in inhumane conditions for generations.

EXPLANATION:

• The ruling comes in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against manual scavenging and underscores the need for a comprehensive effort to eradicate this deplorable practice.
• The petition has highlighted that people were still dying in sewers though the practice was banned with the introduction of the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993 and the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.
• The court’s decision stipulates significant compensation for the families of those who lose their lives while cleaning sewers.
• Under the new guidelines, the next of kin of individuals who die during sewer cleaning operations will receive Rs 30 lakh in compensation.
• Those who sustain permanent disabilities while engaging in sewer cleaning will be awarded a minimum compensation of Rs 20 lakh, and up to Rs 10 lakh can be provided for other injuries.
• The court has issued a total of 14 directives to both central and state governments, focusing on the effective implementation of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act of 2013.
• In its ruling, the court emphasized the importance of rehabilitating victims of manual scavenging and their families.
• The court directed the government to provide scholarships and skill development training to help victims transition to new livelihoods.
• The Supreme Court also reminded the Union and State governments of their duty to eliminate manual scavenging, as discrimination based on factors such as caste, race, or religion is strictly prohibited under the Constitution.
• The court asserted that genuine fraternity and dignity are fundamental values crucial to the well-being of society.
• To prevent sewer-related deaths, the government agencies must collaborate and coordinate their efforts.
• The high courts have been encouraged to monitor such cases closely. The Supreme Court has scheduled further monitoring of this matter for February 1, 2024.

PROHIBITION OF EMPLOYMENT AS MANUAL SCAVENGERS AND THEIR REHABILITATION ACT, 2013:

• It is wider in scope and importance, acknowledging the urgency of rehabilitating manual scavengers.
• The act seeks to prohibiting manual scavenging in all forms and ensures the rehabilitation of manual scavengers to be identified through a mandatory survey.

KEY FEATURES OF THE ACT:

• Prohibits the construction or maintenance of insanitary toilets.
• Prohibits the engagement or employment of anyone as a manual scavenger and violations could result in a years’ imprisonment or a fine of INR 50,000 or both.
• Prohibits a person from being engaged or employed for hazardous cleaning of a sewer or a septic tank.
• Offences under the Act are cognizable and non-bailable.
• Calls for a survey of manual scavengers in urban and rural areas within a time-bound framework.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/union-states-duty-bound-to-the-pledge-to-completely-eradicate-manual-scavenging-sc/article67443328.ece

3. SUBSIDIARY BODY ON SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVICE (SBSTTA)

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the 25th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-25) in Nairobi, Kenya came with recommendations that would help Parties move from “agreement to action” after the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) in Dec 2022.

EXPLANATION:

• The outcome is important considering that only six years remain to ensure that the targets of the Framework are achieved.
• The major agenda of the meeting was to develop a monitoring mechanism for progress, and the implication of the recently completed assessments of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES); and the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
  • The latest IPBES report pointed out the role invasive species play in extinction of plants and animals.
  • The Methodological Assessment Report on the Diverse Values and Valuation of Nature; and the Thematic Assessment Report on the Sustainable Use of Wild Species by IPBES were also discussed.
  • Findings from IPCC AR6, suggested that climate change is the main driver of the loss of biodiversity.
  • The biodiversity provides capacity to nature to support climate adaptation, resilience, mitigation and disaster risk reduction were discussed too.

FINDINGS OF THE MEETING:

• Need for urgent action to address the biodiversity crisis:
  • The meeting noted that the current rate of biodiversity loss is unprecedented in human history, and that this loss is having a significant impact on human well-being and the economy.

• The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) provides a clear roadmap for action:
  • The meeting welcomed the adoption of the KMGBF and noted that the Framework provides a comprehensive set of goals and targets for addressing the biodiversity crisis.
  • The meeting recommended to develop and implement robust monitoring and reporting systems to track progress towards the goals and targets of the KMGBF.

• Increasing financial and technical support for biodiversity conservation:
  • Current levels of funding for biodiversity conservation are far below what is needed to achieve the goals of the KMGBF.
  • Increasing financial and technical support for biodiversity conservation is recommended by the COP.

• Building the capacity of stakeholders to implement the KMGBF:
  • Many stakeholders, including government officials, local communities, and the private sector, will need support to implement the KMGBF.
  • Mainstreaming biodiversity into all relevant sectors, such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and energy.

• Raising public awareness about the importance of biodiversity:
• • Public awareness of the biodiversity crisis is low, and that this needs to be addressed in order to build support for conservation efforts.

SUBSIDIARY BODY ON SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVICE (SBSTTA):

• It is established as an open-ended intergovernmental scientific advisory body as per the Article 25 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
• It is a committee of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
• The COP is the highest decision-making body of the CBD, and it is composed of representatives of all Parties to the Convention.
• SBSTTA is responsible for providing scientific and technical advice to the COP on matters relating to the implementation of the CBD.
• In 1994, India along with other countries adopted the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
  • It is an international treaty which focuses on three main goals:
  • conservation of biological diversity,
  • sustainable use of its components, and
  • the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/sbstta-25-delegates-move-forward-on-recommendations-to-implement-kunming-montreal-global-biodiversity-framework-92409

4. INS IMPHAL

TAG: GS 3: INTERNAL SECURITY

THE CONTEXT: Yard 12706 (Imphal), the third Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyer was delivered to the Indian Navy on 20 October, 2023.

INS IMPHAL:

• The Project is a follow-on of the Kolkata class (Project 15A) destroyers commissioned in the last decade.
• It is designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, Mumbai.
• This ship is a hallmark of indigenous shipbuilding and is amongst the most technologically advanced warships in the world.
• The ship was constructed using indigenous steel DMR 249A.
• It is a guided missile destroyer with a displacement of 7,400 tons and an overall length of 164 meters.
• Imphal is a potent and versatile platform equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, including surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles and torpedoes.
• Powered by a Combined Gas and Gas Propulsion Plant (COGAG), comprising four gas turbines, she is capable of achieving speeds in excess of 30 knots (56 km/h).
• The ship boasts of a high indigenous content of approximately 75% that includes Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (BEL, Bangalore), BrahMos Surface-to-Surface Missiles (BrahMos Aerospace, New Delhi), Indigenous Torpedo Tube Launchers (Larsen & Toubro, Mumbai), Anti-Submarine Indigenous Rocket Launchers (Larsen & Toubro, Mumbai) and 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (BHEL, Haridwar).
• The delivery of Imphal is an affirmation of the impetus being given by the Government of India and the Indian Navy towards ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’.
• The induction of the destroyer is a tribute to the collaborative efforts of large number of stake holders and would enhance the maritime prowess of the country in the Indian Ocean Region.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ins-imphal-indias-first-warship-with-accommodation-for-women-staff-delivered-4-months-ahead-of-schedule/article67442738.ece

5. REGIONAL RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM (RRTS)

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the priority section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor at Sahibabad RapidX Station in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

EXPLANATION:

REGIONAL RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM (RRTS):

• It will be known as NaMo Bharat.
• It is India’s first semi-high-speed regional rail service project.
• It is constructed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), which is a joint venture company of the Central government and the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
• It is indigenously manufactured with a designed speed potential of 180 kmph and operational speed potential of 160 kmph.
• It is a new rail-based, semi-high-speed, high-frequency commuter transit system with a design speed of 180 kmph.
• A total of eight RRTS corridors have been identified for development in the National Capital Region, out of which three corridors have been prioritised to be implemented in Phase-I — Delhi Ghaziabad Meerut, Delhi-Gurugram-SNB-Alwar and Delhi-Panipat.
• The priority section of the RRTS Corridor between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot has five stations — Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai and Duhai Depot.
  • The foundation stone for the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor was laid by Prime Minister Modi on March 8, 2019.
  • The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS being developed at a cost of more than Rs 30,000 crore.
  • It will connect Delhi to Meerut in less than an hour of travel time going through the urban centres of Ghaziabad, Muradnagar, and Modinagar.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RRTS:

• RRTS being developed in the country, is a state-of-the-art regional mobility solution and is comparable to the best in the world.
• It will provide safe, reliable and modern intercity commuting solutions in the country.
• In line with PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, the RRTS network will have extensive multi-modal integration with Railway stations, Metro stations, Bus services etc.
• Such transformative regional mobility solutions will
  • Boost economic activity in the region;
  • Provide improved access to employment, education &
  • Healthcare opportunities; and
  • Help in the significant reduction of vehicular congestion & air pollution.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/new-rrts-trains-to-be-known-as-namo-bharat/article67441377.ece

1. PINK BOLLWORM

TAG: GS 3: AGRICULTURE

THE CONTEXT: The devastating impact of the pink bollworm on Bt cotton crops is a grave concern for farmers across India. The widespread infestation has resulted in significant yield losses, pushing farmers to the brink of despair.

EXPLANATION:

• Cotton crops across North Indian states, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, have reported a severe pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) attack.
  • In Haryana and Punjab, the losses are estimated to be around 65 per cent while Rajasthan is far worse.
  • The Rajasthan government has claimed the losses extend up to 90 per cent of damage.
• Genetically modified pest-resistant variety called Bt Cotton (Bollgard II seed) is falling prey to the pest it was created to resist.
• However, the insect invasion is claiming more than just the crops the losses are pushing farmers to the brink of suicide.
  • Because the severe infestation has resulted in heavy losses to farmers, burdening them with increasing debt.
• The reasons for the resurgence of pink bollworm attacks on Bt cotton in the North Zone are complex.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS OF PINK BOLLWORM ATTACKS:

• The widespread cultivation of Bt cotton varieties that express only a single Bt toxin (Cry1Ac).
• This has allowed pink bollworm populations to develop resistance to the toxin.
• The lack of effective non-Bt pest management practices which resulted in pink bollworm populations to build up in the absence of Bt cotton.
• The use of sub-optimal insecticide dosages and spray intervals. This has allowed pink bollworm larvae to survive and complete their development.

PINK BOLLWORM:

• It is a major pest of cotton, causing significant yield losses worldwide.
• It is originally native to India but now it is recorded in nearly all the cotton-growing countries of the world.
• The larvae of the pink bollworm bore into cotton bolls, feeding on the developing seeds. This can result in significant yield losses, as well as reduced seed quality.
• It is one of the most destructive pests of cotton.
• Pectinophora gossypiella is its scientific name.

DESCRIPTION:

• The adults are small moths about 3/8 inch long and are dark brown with markings on the fore wing.
• The larval stage is the destructive and identifiable stage.
• The larvae have distinctive pink bands and can reach a length of ½ inches right before they pupate.

ECOLOGICAL THREAT:

• Pink bollworms are major pests of cotton.
• Adults only last for 2 weeks, but females will lay 200 or more eggs.
• Adults lay eggs on cotton bolls; once hatched, the larvae eat the seeds and damage the fibers of the cotton, reducing the yield and quality.
• When the larvae mature, they cut out the boll and drop to the ground and cocoon near the soil surface.
• It has also been observed to attack hibiscus, okra, and hollyhock plants.

BT COTTON:

• Bt cotton has been genetically modified by the insertion of one or more genes from a common soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis.
• These genes encode for the production of insecticidal proteins, and thus, genetically transformed plants produce one or more toxins as they grow.
• The genes that have been inserted into cotton produce toxins that are limited in activity almost exclusively to caterpillar pests (Lepidoptera).
• However, other strains of Bacillus thuringiensis have genes that encode for toxins with insecticidal activity on some beetles (Coleoptera) and flies (Diptera).
• Some of these genes are being used to control pests in other crops, such as corn.

BENEFITS OF BT COTTON:

• Increased yields
• Reduced insecticide use
• Improved fiber quality
• Reduced environmental impact
• Increased farmer income

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/agriculture/cotton-curse-bt-cotton-losses-by-pink-bollworm-pushing-farmers-to-brink-of-suicide-92400

2. ORIONID METEOR SHOWER

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: The Orionid meteor shower peak will occur on October 20–21 and it is active from September 26 to November 22.

ORIONID METEOR SHOWER:

• It occurs in October each year, appear to be originating near the constellation Orion the Hunter.
• Orionids are caused by the debris of a comet that once crossed Earth’s path.
• In this case, the shower is caused by debris from Halley’s Comet, also known as comet 1P/Halley.
• The comet’s 76-year orbit brings it close enough to Earth to have been seen in the night skies for centuries.
• It last passed close to Earth in 1986 and will return in 2061.
• The Orionid meteor shower typically peaks between October 20 and 22.
• During the peak, observers can expect to see up to 20 meteors per hour. The meteors are known for their speed and brightness, and they can often leave persistent trains in the sky.
• Halley’s Comet, measuring about five by nine miles in size, loses between three to ten feet of material on each passage through the inner solar system.
• The Orionids are visible in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres during the hours after midnight.

METEOR:

• When meteoroids enter Earth’s atmosphere at high speed and burn up, the fireballs or “shooting stars” are called meteors.
• Meteor showers occur annually or at regular intervals as the Earth passes through the trail of dusty debris left by a comet.
• Meteor showers are usually named after a star or constellation that is close to where the meteors appear in the sky.

SOURCE: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/orionid-meteor-shower-to-return-due-to-halleys-comet-all-about-it-here/articleshow/104552675.cms?from=mdr

3. NIEMANN-PICK

TAG: GS 2: GOVERNANCE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

THE CONTEXT: Parents of children with Niemann-Pick disease have recently sent a request to the Union government requesting it to notify the disease under the National Policy for Rare Diseases.

EXPLANATION:

Niemann-Pick Disease:

• This rare genetic illness causes sphingomyelin to build up in cell lysosomes and is caused by a malfunction in the metabolism of sphingolipids.
  • The three most widely known varieties are Types A, B, and C of Niemann-Pick.
  • The liver, spleen, bone marrow, brain, nerves, and, in extreme situations, the lungs can all be impacted by this illness.
• People with this condition experience symptoms related to progressive loss of function of nerves, the brain and other organs.
• Although it can happen to anyone at any age, children are the ones who are most affected.

CAUSES:

• It is inherited in a c pattern, which means both copies of the gene must be defective to cause the disease.
• Most often, the parents of a child with an autosomal recessive disorder are carriers: they have one copy of the altered gene but are not affected because the other copy produces the enzyme.
• If both parents are carriers, each pregnancy has a 25% chance of producing an affected child.

SYMPTOMS:

• Enlargement of the liver and spleen (Hepatosplenomegaly)
• Low levels of platelets in the blood (Thrombocytopenia)
• Slurring of speech (dysarthria)
• Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia)
• Abnormal posturing of the limbs, trunk, and face (dystonia).
• Voluntary rapid eye movements (supranuclear gaze palsy).
• Gradual loss of intellectual abilities, causing dementia and seizures

CLASSIFICATION:

• Types A and B:
  • Mutations in the SMPD1 Gene cause types A and B.
  • They produce a deficiency in the activity of the lysosomal enzyme acid sphingomyelinase that breaks down the lipid sphingomyelin.

• Types C:
• • Mutations in NPC1 or NPC2 cause Niemann–Pick disease, type C (NPC), which affects a protein used to transport lipids. It is the most common form of the disease including types C1 (95% of type C) and C2.

TREATMENT:

• No specific treatment is known for type A and B, but symptoms are treated.

NATIONAL POLICY FOR RARE DISEASES:

• The Government has launched National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD), 2021 in March, 2021 for the treatment of rare disease patients.
• The salient features of NPRD, 2021 are as under:
  • The rare diseases have been identified and categorized into 3 groups namely Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3.
  • Group 1: Disorders amenable to one-time curative treatment.
  • Group-2: Diseases requiring long term/lifelong treatment having relatively lower cost of treatment and benefit has been documented in literature and annual or more frequent surveillance is required.
  • Group 3: Diseases for which definitive treatment is available but challenges are to make optimal patient selection for benefit, very high cost and lifelong therapy.

PROVISIONS UNDER THE POLICY:

• It provides the provision for financial support of up to Rs. 50 lakhs to the patients suffering from any category of the Rare Diseases and for treatment in any of the Centre of Excellence (CoE) mentioned in NPRD-2021, outside the Umbrella Scheme of Rashtriya Arogaya Nidhi.
• To receive financial assistance for treatment of rare disease, the patient of the nearby area may approach the nearest Centre of Excellence to get him assessed and avail the benefits.
• Eight (08) Centres of Excellence (CoEs) have been identified for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of rare diseases.
• Five Nidan Kendras have been set up for genetic testing and counselling services.
• It also facilitate promotion of research and development for diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases; promotion of local development and manufacture of drugs and creation of conducive environment for indigenous manufacturing of drugs for rare diseases at affordable prices.

SOURCE: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/list-niemann-pick-as-rare-disease-parents-of-young-patients-urge-govt/articleshow/104539755.cms

4. POSH (PREVENTION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT) ACT, 2013

TAG: GS 2: SOCIAL JUSTICE

THE CONTEXT: The Supreme Court issued a series of directions to the Centre, states and Union Territories, flagging gaps and lack of uniformity in the implementation of the POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) Act, 2013 by various state governments.

EXPLANATION:

• The judgement came on a petition by an NGO, Initiatives for Inclusion Foundation, seeking directions for implementation of the Act.
• Among others, the petitioner also urged the court to direct the different governments to ensure that the annual compliance reports collected by the district officers are consolidated and the reports are published in the public domain.

KEY DIRECTIONS ISSUED BY THE SUPREME COURT:

• The court ordered the Principal Secretaries of the Women and Child Ministries in the States to ensure appointment of a district officer in each district within their jurisdiction within four weeks from the date of this judgment as contemplated under Section 5 of the POSH Act.
• The undertaking of efforts to spread awareness about the existence of Local Committees (LCs) among workers in the unorganized sector.
• The ensuring of compliance with the provisions of the Act by all employers.
• The providing of training for Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) on the proper conduct of inquiries into complaints of sexual harassment.
• The ensuring of transparency in the disposal of complaints of sexual harassment.

POSH Act, 2013:

• The POSH Act is a legislation enacted by the Government of India in 2013 to address the issue of sexual harassment faced by women in the workplace.
• The Act aims to create a safe and conducive work environment for women and provide protection against sexual harassment.
• The POSH Act defines sexual harassment to include unwelcome acts such as
  • physical contact and sexual advances,
  • a demand or request for sexual favours,
  • making sexually coloured remarks,
  • showing pornography, and
  • any other unwelcome physical, verbal, or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature.
• The Supreme Court in a landmark judgment in the Vishakha and others v State of Rajasthan 1997 case gave ‘Vishakha guidelines’.
• These guidelines formed the basis for the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
• The SC also drew its strength from several provisions of the Constitution including:
  • Article 15 (against discrimination on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, and place of birth),
  • Relevant International Conventions and norms such as the General Recommendations of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which India ratified in 1993.

KEY PROVISIONS:

• Prevention and Prohibition:
  • The Act places a legal obligation on employers to prevent and prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace.

• Internal Complaints Committee (ICC):
  • Employers are required to constitute an ICC at each workplace with 10 or more employees to receive and address complaints of sexual harassment.
  • The Complaints Committees have the powers of civil courts for gathering evidence.

• Duties of Employers:
  • Employers must undertake awareness programs, provide a safe working environment, and display information about the POSH Act at the workplace.

• Complaint Mechanism:
  • The Act lays down a procedure for filing complaints, conducting inquiries, and providing a fair opportunity to the parties involved.

• Penalties:
• • Non-compliance with the Act’s provisions can result in penalties, including fines and cancellation of business licenses.

SOURCE: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sc-directs-centre-states-to-immediately-appoint-district-officers-under-posh-act-101697744155584.html

5. SOUTHWEST MONSOON

TAG: GS 1: GEOGRAPHY

THE CONTEXT: As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the southwest monsoon has ended, and the northeast monsoon is likely to set in the end of the October.

EXPLANATION:

• The 2023 southwest monsoon season was not only the weakest in five years but was also marked by erratic distribution of rains.
• June received 9% below normal rainfall, while July brought torrential downpour and floods across man regions in northern India.
• August was the driest month on record in 100 years, with 36% below normal rainfall.
• September saw some recovery with showers 13% above normal, but the four-month monsoon season ended with 6% below normal rainfall.
• Rains in the June-September season drives the bulk of India’s $3 trillion economy.
• It accounts for nearly 75% of the country’s annual rainfall, which plays a crucial role the agriculture, replenishes reservoirs and aquifers, and helps meet power demand.
• Over half of India’s arable land is rain-fed and agriculture remains among the biggest employment generators.
• The southwest monsoon is also crucial as ensures soil moisture when farmers begin planting rabi, or winter, crops such as wheat, the main crop of the season, chana (gram), mustard, among others.

SOUTHWEST MONSOON:

• The southwest monsoon is a seasonal wind system that brings rainfall to India and other parts of South Asia.
• It originates in the southern hemisphere, where it is known as the trade winds.
• As the trade winds cross the equator, they are deflected to the left by the Coriolis force, becoming the southwest monsoon.
• The southwest monsoon typically arrives in India in early June and lasts until September.
• It is responsible for about 80% of the country’s annual rainfall. The monsoon is vital for India’s agriculture, as it provides the water needed for crops to grow.
• The southwest monsoon is a complex weather system that is influenced by a number of factors, including the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
• ENSO is a climate pattern that involves changes in sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean.
• When ENSO is in its El Niño phase, the southwest monsoon is typically weaker than usual. This can lead to drought conditions in India.
• The southwest monsoon is a vital part of India’s climate and economy.
• The monsoon provides the water needed for agriculture, which is the backbone of the Indian economy. The monsoon also helps to regulate temperatures and reduce the risk of heatwaves.

NORTHEAST MONSOON:

• It is a comparatively small-scale monsoon, which is confined to the Southern peninsula.
• It is called the winter monsoon. It occurs during October to December.
• After the complete withdrawal of the Southwest monsoon from the country takes place by mid-October, the wind pattern rapidly changes from the south-westerly to the north-easterly direction.
• The period after the Southwest monsoon season, from October to December, is the peak time for cyclonic activity in the North Indian Ocean region covering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
• The winds associated with the formation of low pressure systems, depressions, or cyclones influence this monsoon, and therefore, the rainfall.
• Its rainfall is influenced by global climate parameters such as ENSO (El Nino/La Nina & Southern Oscillation Index – SOI), Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO).
• El Nino, positive IOD and MJO in phase 2-4 with amplitude greater than one are generally associated with good NEM rainfall.
• Also, La Nina & positive SOI during the second half of the season is also favourable for good NEM activity.

SOURCE: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/southwest-monsoon-withdraws-from-india-winter-rains-likely-in-3-days-imd/amp-11697705099396.html

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. PM inaugurates Global Maritime India Summit 2023 READ MORE
2. SC declines to legalise same-sex marriage, says legislature to decide READ MORE
3. Kerala mulls planting bamboo along Munnar’s Gap Road to avert landslips READ MORE  
4. ST status for Meiteis was considered and rejected in 1982 and 2001, government records show READ MORE
5. How synergistic barriers are affecting progress on SDGs READ MORE
6. AI finds supernova, the biggest explosion in universe, first without human help READ MORE
7. India-Sri Lanka ferry service restarted after 40 yrs: Opportunities, challenges READ MORE
8. Scientists using AI to decode secrets of ancient Pompeii scroll READ MORE
9. Amazon forests threatened: 10% more wildfires than last year, environmental gains may be undone READ MORE
10. No health warnings on iron fortified rice: SC directs govt to respond in 4 weeks READ MORE  

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Why Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage verdict opens no doors for queer people READ MORE
2. Solve water woes to save TN growth target READ MORE
3. Is climate change the reason for Sikkim flash floods? READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Demolishing the frame from outside the Constitution READ MORE
2. Centralised procurement as a powerful health idea READ MORE
3. Law and custom: On the Supreme Court’s verdict on same-sex marriage READ MORE
4. Invoking the spectre of judicial legislation READ MORE
5. Empowered CAG: Guardian of public purse must stay independent READ MORE
6. Providing non-financial services to rural communities READ MORE
7. Electoral Bonds must be scrapped READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Food deprivation & hunger remain widespread in India READ MORE
2. Higher education at crossroads READ MORE
3. Transform learning READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. A ferry tale from the neighbourhood READ MORE
2. Building bridges READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. How to read India’s latest employment data READ MORE
2. Role of banks in a knowledge economy READ MORE
3. Gig workers law deepens industrial democracy READ MORE
4. Watch out for global headwinds READ MORE
5. Farm to fork: An overview of millet supply chains in India READ MORE
6. GM crops need more research READ MORE
7. Indian Agriculture has a problem. We farm too much for too little READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Climate lessons from G20 for Dubai COP28 READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. AI could redefine police techniques READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Localise strategies to build climate resilience READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Cybercrime surge: Focus on persistent vigil, collaborative efforts READ MORE
2. Beyond ‘Black Mirror’s’ fiction – Impact of Generative AI on policing, security READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. This Quote Means: ‘Women… are fuelled by a will to survive’, from Iran’s Nobel Peace Prize winner READ MORE
2. The Buddha’s wisdom can help to heal the mind READ MORE
3. Supreme intelligence READ MORE
4. Civil servants who say no to scams are national icons READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. As the threat of climate change grows stark in the Himalayan regions, the Early Warning System should be deployed to avoid numerous disasters. Comment.
2. Despite the emergence of numerous education policies in the post-independence period, India has yet to generate an indigenous system of education that is propelled by rationality, scientific temper and empathy. Do you agree that transforming education into the practice of freedom is an effective way forward?
3. The Electoral Bonds scheme not only creates an uneven playing field for political parties but is a danger to our democracy. Comment.
4. The SHG federations with the existing panchayat-level committees has opportunities to contribute to the development process of the village to upgrade education, health, sanitation and infrastructure facilities. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• The Constitution’s identity is endangered not just by a textual transformation but also in the subversion of its liberal, democratic environment.
• Our real enemies are not men and women but suspicion, fear, hatred, violence and feeling of revenge and these enemies cannot be eliminated by military means.
• Discoms will be profitable only when they are unshackled from state controls and electricity distribution is deregulated.
• The goal should be to create more employers than employees, and it is hoped that “PM Vishwakarma” will help make this a reality.
• The SHG federations can work with the existing panchayat-level committees to contribute to the development process of the village to upgrade education, health, sanitation and infrastructure facilities.
• The SHG model is a flexible and comprehensive tool to steer holistic development services as opposed to only providing financial and livelihood services to SHG women.
• While women-led federations role in promoting empowerment and livelihoods promotion is well known, not much has been highlighted about the SHG federation’s work in providing non-financial and development services in their communities.
• As the threat of climate change grows stark in the Himalayan regions the Early Warning System should be deployed to avoid numerous disasters.
• The biggest concern for India right now is the decline in both merchandise exports and imports over the past eight months.
• If the Indian government remains convinced about not joining the RCEP, it must have strategic reasons, which is fine. But it must nevertheless address the ongoing outcomes of such a decision, and that’s where agility in policymaking comes in.
• Despite the emergence of numerous education policies in the post-Independence period, India is yet to generate an indigenous system of education that is propelled by rationality, scientific temper and empathy.
• Education has to set its epistemic and moral worth and the goals of education should be quality, equity and efficiency in learning outcomes.
• A level playing field in terms of educational opportunities and competition, coupled with affirmative action, can enhance classroom accountability.
• To integrate critical thinking, educational reform has to assimilate the willingness to be rationally critiqued and learning must inculcate the ability to question from different vantage points.
• One is the legalisation of anonymous donations, and the other is the violation of citizens’ right to information about the funding of parties.
• The legalisation of anonymous donations would amount to facilitation and legitimisation of corruption.
• In a democracy, the public have the right to know who funds parties because the funding may be used to influence policies.

50-WORD TALK

• As the threat of climate change grows stark, events like the recent glacial lake outburst flood that caused death and devastation in Sikkim are becoming frequent. This underlines the urgency of installing early warning systems in the fragile Himalayan range. Governments can no longer afford to ignore such red flags.
• Faced with a moral, legal and ethical dilemma, the Supreme Court walked on eggshells to reject a 26-week-old pregnant woman’s plea to abort her foetus on the ground that it risked her psychologically. The issue will be debated in the coming days as a prudent balance between competing fundamental rights.
• GIFT City has many infrastructural marvels, and attractive tax incentives. But, it’s nowhere near being the next Singapore. It needs to come out of Gujarat government’s shadows and allow a restriction-free, socially liberal lifestyle that youthful, global workforce thrives on. Relax prohibition, improve connectivity, housing, open spas, and golf courses.

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.

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Ministry of Ayush’s endeavours towards Special Campaign 3.0 gear up READ MORE
2. Notification issued for Green Credit Program (GCP) and Ecomark scheme Under LiFE Initiative to Promote Sustainable Lifestyle and Environmental Conservation READ MORE
3. Indian Railways’ PSUs, RITES Ltd and IRCON granted Navratna status READ MORE  
4. India’s 1st CAR-T cell therapy developed by ImmunoACT gets CDSCO nod READ MORE
5. CJI says India’s abortion law is liberal, pro-choice and far ahead of other countries READ MORE
6. Government mulls partnerships to make semiconductor chips READ MORE
7. What is Australia’s Indigenous Voice referendum? READ MORE
8. Farmers lost $3.8 trillion to disasters over 30 years: FAO’s first-ever global estimation READ MORE  
9. More than half of world’s poor out of safety net coverage, says World Bank READ MORE
10. World’s water cycle severely impacted by climate change and human activities in 2022: WMO READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Parents and educators must reduce student stress READ MORE
2. Changed outlook READ MORE
3. Is climate change the reason for Sikkim flash floods? READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Testing the waters for General Elections 2024 READ MORE
2. Democracy dies when justice suffers READ MORE
3. 16th Finance Commission’s political challenge READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Hunger pangs: Alarming findings of 2023 global index READ MORE
2. India Ranks 111 in Global Hunger Index; Report Makers Reject Indian Government Objections READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Balancing policy: On Israel, Palestine and India’s line: India must pressure Israel to act responsibly in the face of terror READ MORE
2. A war that ends the Saudi-Israel ‘normalisation’ process READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Claudia Goldin’s quiet revolution: How she helped feminise economic enquiry READ MORE
2. Why we must cheer the Nobel for Goldin READ MORE
3. The economic mosaic: Chugging along at the ‘new-old normal’ growth rate READ MORE
4. DC Edit | Inflation falls, RBI still cautious READ MORE
5. Role of Banks in Promoting Risky Financial Assets READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Clearing the air: Contrary to general perception, there is no change in India’s stand on Palestine READ MORE
2. Meeting the Goals of the Paris Agreement READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. AI could redefine police techniques READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Localise strategies to build climate resilience READ MORE
2. India’s cyclone warning system is the model for disaster-proofing the country. Floods next READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. How the Khalistan movement is interlinked with Punjab’s growing drug problem, gun culture READ MORE
2. Beyond ‘Black Mirror’s’ fiction – Impact of Generative AI on policing, security READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Working and praying READ MORE
2. Narges’ Nobel and the all-pervasive fear of freedom READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Repeated elections have a cost, but the benefits of enhanced democracy that they trigger are far greater. Critically examine the statement in the light of recent debate about One Nation, One Election.
2. India is diverse, with different regions confronting diverse issues, and that impacts politics in the states. In light of statement, how far do you agree with this view that the concept of One Nation, One Election goes against the reality of India’s diversity?
3. Balancing growth and inflation is a complex endeavour, requiring a steady hand on the economic tiller. Discuss how India can this balance in the ongoing uncertain global economic landscape?
4. Assessing vulnerabilities is the first step in reducing disaster risk. In light of recent disasters in the Himalayan region, discuss how the climate resilience approach in infrastructure development can minimize the disaster risk in that region.
5. The bureaucracy delivers on episodic events like conducting elections, which have a clear exit date but when it comes to daily events such as provision of civic amenities, the result is deeply unsatisfactory. Do you think that the division of bureaucracy between the three levels of government is a likely reason for such unamenities?
6. Modern states have evolved from directly running factories to regulating economic activity and for that, the Indian government need to revisit the bureaucracy’s recruitment process and should focus on more domain expertise. Discuss.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable.
• Delhi’s history of intervening positively also led to the ironical consternation of the Maldivian opposition parties who started a disquiet campaign against the Maldivian Government’s traditional ‘India First’ policy to suggest a compromise to Maldivian sovereignty.
• Democracy weakens when the people’s choice is not based on who will represent their interests and fulfil their aspirations.
• Democracy is always in a state of flux and not in its ideal form.
• To strengthen democracy, politics needs to be more accountable.
• Having one election every five years will make political parties more unaccountable and free to fulfil the agenda of vested interests. That will weaken democracy and cost the nation far more than the direct and indirect costs of elections at present.
• Even if India had a perfect democracy, the ‘One Nation, One Election’ idea assumes homogeneity in the nation.
• A one-size-fits-all approach goes against the reality of the nation’s diversity and can lead to severe political backlash.
• The reality is that India has an imperfect democracy that needs to be strengthened.
• Elections are the times when the public can force political parties to become answerable.
• Repeated elections have a cost, but the benefits of enhanced democracy that they trigger are far greater.
• No farmers’ company can address climatic aberrations amidst a changing climate, broken landscapes, tattered ecologies and market volatilities unless supported by policies and incentives.
• Balancing growth and inflation is a complex endeavour, requiring a steady hand on the economic tiller.
• Ever since the artificial intelligence chatbot GPT technology burst on the global computer media scene suggesting its multifarious applications and uses in almost any area of human endeavour.
• If the ASEAN has to remain relevant, it needs to reinvent itself to suit the changing regional environment.
• Shortage of workers is pushing the demand for farm equipment. India can dominate the world market by leveraging its machine tools.
• The UN has the responsibility to resolve conflicts. But its failure should not be taken as an opportunity to abet terrorism in the name of freedom.
• It is crucial to re-evaluate building typologies and focus on developing climate-resilient designs.
• The bureaucracy delivers on episodic events like conducting elections, which have a clear exit date. But when it comes to daily events such as provision of civic amenities, the result is deeply unsatisfactory.

50-WORD TALK

• Instead of issuing defensive reactions to the Global Hunger Index, the government should instead engage with the root issue—nutrition. India might not have the empty-bellied hunger such indices imply, but it does have widespread and severe malnutrition and anaemia. Free foodgrain alleviates hunger, but balanced meals are what Indians need.
• Israel cannot carpet bomb Gaza into rubble. It has a right to defend itself and respond to terrorism, but indiscriminately targeting civilian areas isn’t the way. Israel will find it increasingly difficult to have the unambiguous support of its allies. It also risks ceding Middle East leadership role to Iran.

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. INTENSIFIED MISSION INDRADHANUSH 5.0

TAG: GS 2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT: Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI 5.0), the flagship routine immunization campaign of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will conclude all 3 rounds on 14th October 2023.

EXPLANATION:

• IMI 5.0 ensures that routine immunization services reach the missed-out and dropped out children and pregnant women across the country.
• For the first time the campaign is being conducted across all the districts in the country and includes children up to 5 years of age (Previous campaigns included children up to 2 years of age).

INTENSIFIED MISSION INDRADHANUSH (IMI 5.0):

• Mission Indradhanush (MI) was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on 25th December 2014.
• It is a special catch-up campaign under the Universal Immunization Program (UIP).
• It is conducted in the areas of low immunization coverage to vaccinate all the children and pregnant women left out or dropped out from Routine Immunization.

AIM:

• IMI 5.0 campaign aims to enhance immunization coverage for all vaccines provided under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) as per the National Immunization Schedule (NIS).
  • Under UIP, immunization is being provided free of cost against 12 vaccine preventable diseases: Nationally against 11 diseases.
  • Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Rubella, severe form of Childhood Tuberculosis, Rotavirus diarrhea, Hepatitis B, Meningitis & Pneumonia caused by Hemophilus Influenza type B and Pneumococcal Pneumonia and sub-nationally against 1 disease – Japanese Encephalitis (JE vaccine is provided only in endemic districts).

SPECIAL FOCUS:

• Special focus is on improvement of Measles and Rubella vaccination coverage with the aim of Measles & Rubella elimination by 2023.
• It also focusses on use of U-WIN digital platform for Routine Immunization in pilot mode across all districts in the country.

GROUND EXECUTION:

• IMI 5.0 is being conducted in three rounds i.e., 7 -12 August, 11-16 September, and 9-14 October 2023 i.e., 6 days in a month with the inclusion of a Routine Immunization Day.
• All States/UTs except Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Punjab would conclude all the three rounds of IMI 5.0 campaign by 14th October 2023.
• These four states could not start the IMI 5.0 campaign in August due to some inevitable circumstances.
• These states have concluded 1st round and are currently conducting the 2nd round.
• They plan to conduct the 3rd round of IMI 5.0 campaign in the month of November 2023.
• As on 30th September 2023, over 34,69,705 children and 6,55,480 pregnant women were administered vaccine doses during the first 2 rounds of IMI 5.0 campaign across the country.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/imi-50-reaches-children-up-to-five-years-for-the-first-time/article67411672.ece

2. AMA ODISHA, NABIN ODISHA SCHEME

TAG: GS 2: GOVERNANCE, GS 2: SOCIAL ISSUES

THE CONTEXT: Ahead of the simultaneous General and Assembly elections in Odisha due in April-May 2024, Chief Minister (October 10, 2023) rolled out a scheme, ‘Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha’ (our Odisha, new Odisha).

AMA ODISHA, NABIN ODISHA SCHEME:

• It is a flagship program of the Government of Odisha that was launched in October 2023.
• The Government have modified the earlier “Ama Gaon Ama Bikash” by giving it a new dimension in the form of “Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha”.
• The scheme has a budget of Rs 3,397 crore and will cover all 6,794-gram panchayats in Odisha.
• Each gram panchayat will receive Rs 50 lakh to implement projects under the scheme.

KEY COMPONENTS OF THE SCHEME:

• Promotion of Jagannath culture:
  • The scheme will support the development and renovation of Jagannath temples and other religious places in Odisha.
  • It will also promote Jagannath culture through festivals, arts, and other cultural activities.

• Strengthening of digital infrastructure:
  • The scheme will provide internet connectivity, science parks, and skill development centers to villages.
  • It will also help to establish works hubs in villages to provide employment opportunities to rural youth.

• Empowerment of women and youth:
  • The scheme will support the creation of self-help groups for women and skill development programs for youth.
  • It will also provide financial assistance to women and youth entrepreneurs.

• Improvement of rural infrastructure:
• • The scheme will support the construction of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure in villages.
  • It will also help to improve the quality of education and healthcare in rural areas.
• The Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha scheme is a comprehensive program that aims to address the key challenges facing rural Odisha.
• The scheme is expected to create jobs, improve rural infrastructure, and promote sustainable development in the state.

POTENTIAL IMPACT OF THE AMA ODISHA, NABIN ODISHA SCHEME:

• The Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha scheme has the potential to have a significant impact on rural Odisha. The scheme could help to:
  • Create jobs and boost the rural economy.
  • Improve rural infrastructure and access to education and healthcare.
  • Promote sustainable development and preserve Jagannath culture.
  • Empower women and youth.

CONTROVERSY OVER THE SCHEME:

• The Opposition party has questioned use of the ‘conch’ symbol in government advertisements for the Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha scheme.
• The conch is the electoral symbol of ruling political party.
• The opposition party has also questioned the timing of the scheme, coming months before the 2024 polls.
• It also alleged that the use of the conch symbol in government ads shows that the govt. is trying to “manipulate public opinion” and state the possibility challenge the use of the symbol in court.
• The ruling government was also accused of not following proper guidelines while implementing the scheme.
• Earlier, the Orissa High Court had issued a notice to the Odisha government in response to a petition challenging the implementation process of the Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha scheme.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-politics/odisha-govts-rural-development-scheme-controversy-8980142/

3. INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT (ICC)

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: The conflict between Israel and Palestinian forces since militant group Hamas’ assault have created a huge and rising death toll on both sides. The war falls under a complex international system of justice that has emerged since World War Two.

EXPLANATION:

• Internationally accepted rules of armed conflict emerged out of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which have been ratified by all UN member states and supplemented by rulings at international war crimes tribunals.
• Here’s how they apply to the ongoing Israel-Hamas violence.

WHAT LAWS GOVERN THE CONFLICT?

• Internationally accepted rules of armed conflict emerged out of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which have been ratified by all UN member states.
• A series of treaties governs the treatment of civilians, soldiers and prisoners of war in a system collectively known as the “Law of Armed Conflict” or “International Humanitarian Law”.
• It applies to government forces and organised armed groups, including Hamas militants.
• If alleged Palestinian perpetrators of atrocities in Israel and all alleged perpetrators of crimes on the occupied Palestinian territories are not brought to justice at home, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague is the only international legal organ able to bring charges.
• The ICC’s founding Rome Statute gives it legal authority to investigate alleged crimes on the territory of its members or by their nationals, when domestic authorities are “unwilling or unable” to do so.
• Recently, the office of the prosecutor of the ICC confirmed that its mandate applies to potential crimes committed in the current conflict.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE ICC?

• The International Criminal Court (ICC), the world’s permanent war crimes tribunals, opened in The Hague in 2002.
• It has jurisdiction over war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in its 123 member states or committed by its nationals.
• Many of the world’s major powers are not members, including China, the United States, Russia, India and Egypt.
• The ICC recognises Palestine as a member state, while Israel rejects the court’s jurisdiction and does not formally engage with it.
• The ICC has had an ongoing investigation into allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the occupied Palestinian territories since 2021.
• It has not issued any arrest warrants.
• Prosecutors said in 2021 there was a reasonable basis to believe that violations had been committed on all sides, including by Israeli troops, Hamas militants and other armed Palestinian groups.

ACTS THAT CAN VIOLATE WAR CRIMES LAW:

• The possible war crimes are the deliberate targeting of civilians, indiscriminate rocket attacks, and the taking of civilians as hostages by Palestinian armed groups, as well as the Israeli counter-strikes in Gaza that killed hundreds of Palestinians.
• Deliberate killings of civilians, hostage-taking, and collective punishment are heinous crimes that have no justification.
• The taking of hostages, murder and torture are explicitly banned under the Geneva Conventions, while Israel’s response could also be subject to a war crimes investigation.
• Israeli Defence Minister drew criticism from UN officials and human rights groups by announcing a tightened blockade to prevent food and fuel from reaching the Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million people.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/what-war-crimes-laws-apply-to-the-israel-palestinian-conflict-8980317/

4. GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX (GHI)

TAG: GS 2: SOCIAL JUSTICE, GS 1: SOCIAL ISSUES

THE CONTEXT: India ranks 111 out of a total of 125 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023.

EXPLANATION:

• India ranked 101 out of 116 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2021.
• The Union government, though, contested India’s performance for the third year in a row, citing flawed methodology.
• Its progress against hunger nearly halted since 2015.
  • India made significant strides between 2000 and 2015, with its score improving from 38.4 in 2000 to 35.5 in 2008 and 29.2 in 2015, over the past eight years.
• Afghanistan, Haiti and 12 sub-Saharan countries perform worse than India on the GHI.
• India’s ranking is based on a Global Hunger Index score of 28.7 on a 100-point scale where 0 is the best score (no hunger) and 100 is the worst. This categorises India’s severity of hunger as “serious”.

HOW IS THE METHODOLOGY FLAWED?

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) questioned the GHI and called it a “flawed measure of hunger that doesn’t reflect India’s true position”.
• MoWCD said that data recorded on its Poshan Tracker portal showed child wasting prevalence of 7.2% among a total of 7.24 crore under-five-year-olds whose data was captured.
• Whereas the GHI used a value of 18.7% for child wasting.
• The latter, comes from the National Family Health Survey 5 (NFHS) 2019-2021, which is reported in the global repository, Joint Malnutrition Estimates Joint Data Set Including Survey Estimates, set up to ensure harmonised child nutrition estimates.
• The GHI uses the same data sources for all countries to calculate the respective country scores.
• This ensures that all the rates used have been produced using comparable methodologies.
• Introducing exceptions to this process for any country or countries would compromise the comparability of the results and the ranking.
• The second objection the MoWCD reiterated this year was the alleged use of a telephone-based opinion poll to calculate undernourishment, one of the indicators used in GHI.
• The GHI has maintained that it doesn’t use the poll but relies on data from India’s Food Balance Sheet to calculate undernourishment.

GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX:

• The Global Hunger Index is a peer-reviewed annual report, jointly published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe.
• It is designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger at the global, regional, and country levels.
• The aim of the GHI is to trigger action to reduce hunger around the world.
• The GHI is an annual report and each set of GHI scores uses data from a 5-year period. The 2022 GHI scores are calculated using data from 2017 through 2021.
• GHI scores are based on the values of four component indicators:
  • Undernourishment
  • Child stunting
  • Child wasting
  • Child mortality

• Undernourishment:
  • The share of the population whose caloric intake is insufficient.
  • This makes up 1/3 of the GHI score.

• Child Stunting:
  • The share of children under the age of 5 who have low height for their age, reflecting chronic undernutrition.
  • This makes up 1/6 of the GHI score.

• Child Wasting:
  • The share of children under the age of 5 who have low weight for their height, reflecting acute undernutrition.
  • This makes up 1/6 of the GHI score.

• Child Mortality:
• • The share of children who die before their 5th birthday, reflecting in part the fatal mix of inadequate nutrition and unhealthy environments.
  • This makes up 1/3 of the GHI score.
• The GHI score is calculated on a 100-point scale reflecting the severity of hunger – zero is the best score (implies no hunger) and 100 is the worst.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-ranks-111-out-of-a-total-of-125-countries-in-global-hunger-index/article67412042.ece/amp/

5. INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION (IIP)

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: The Industrial output rose in August 2023 as the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) increased by 10.3%, showed the official data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO).

EXPLANATION:

• According to the latest IIP data, the industrial growth in August 2023 is the highest in 14 months.
• The data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) showed that the manufacturing sector’s output increased by 9.3 per cent in August 2023.
• The Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production (IIP) are released on 12th of every month with a six week lag.
• It is compiled with data received from source agencies, which in turn receive the data from the producing factories/ establishments.
• The Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production (IIP) with base 2011-12 stands at 145.1. The Indices of Industrial Production for the Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity sectors for the month of August 2023 stand at 111.9, 143.5 and 220.5 respectively.

INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION (IIP):

• The All-India index of Industrial Production (IIP) is a composite indicator that measures the short-term changes in the volume of production of a basket of industrial products during a given period with respect to that in a chosen base period.
• The IIP is a quantum index, the production of items being expressed in physical terms.
• It is compiled and published monthly by the Central Statistical Organization (CSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation six weeks after the reference month ends.

REVISION OF IIP TO 2011-12 BASE YEAR:

• The Central Statistics Office (CSO) revised the base year of the all-India Index of Industrial Production (IIP) from 2004-05 to 2011-12 in 2017.
• The base year revision captures structural changes in the economy and improves the quality and representativeness of the indices.
• The revised IIP (2011-12) not only reflect the changes in the industrial sector but also aligns it with the base year of other macroeconomic indicators like the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Wholesale Price Index (WPI).

SOURCE: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1967120

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Mission Indradhanush 5.0 (IMI 5.0) campaign with special focus on improvement of Measles and Rubella vaccination coverage, will conclude all three rounds on 14 October 2023 READ MORE
2. INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION RISES TO 10.3% IN AUGUST 2023 READ MORE
3. India ranks 111 out of 125 countries in Global Hunger Index READ MORE  
4. What war crimes laws apply to the Israel-Palestinian conflict? READ MORE
5. Why Odisha govt’s new rural development scheme has triggered a controversy READ MORE
6. Dragonfly: The faces of wetlands in India READ MORE
7. IMI 5.0 reaches children up to five years for the first time READ MORE  
8. Biohydrogen’s role in India’s green hydrogen pathway READ MORE
9. Targeted methane mitigation can avoid 0.1°C warming in 2050, should be adopted with decarbonisation efforts: Report READ MORE
10. Joshimath sinking: Landslides in region not a new problem, says GSI report READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. The case for caste census in India | Explained READ MORE
2. Changed outlook READ MORE
3. Is climate change the reason for Sikkim flash floods? READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Should the 50 % legal ceiling on reservation be reconsidered? READ MORE
2. Administrators: All services need more officers, not just IFS. So do local govts. And recruit more specialists READ MORE
3. Pharma laxity: No tainted firm deserves leniency READ MORE
4. Make funding truly transparent and free of cash for fair polls READ MORE
5. ‘One Nation, One Election’ Will Further Weaken Indian Democracy READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Pro-choice, pro-women: A split SC verdict reflects a wider judicial-medical confusion about abortion rights. This must change READ MORE
2. India Ranks 111th Among 125 Countries in Global Hunger Index Report READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Non-state actors are a threat to world peace READ MORE
2. ASEAN must reinvent itself to stay relevant in region READ MORE
3. India-Maldives Ties: A Walk on Eggshells As New Delhi Faces the China Question READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Ways to make IBC more effective READ MORE   
2. Terms of Trade | Let’s discuss India’s growth forecast READ MORE
3. The right path: IMF raises India’s growth rate, validating that its economy is on a firm footing READ MORE
4. India’s farm machinery has global market READ MORE
5. By the farmers READ MORE
6. IMF and India READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Curbing air pollution: Centre, states need to work in close coordination READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. AI could redefine police techniques READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Localise strategies to build climate resilience READ MORE
2.  India’s cyclone warning system is the model for disaster-proofing the country. Floods next READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. How the Khalistan movement is interlinked with Punjab’s growing drug problem, gun culture READ MORE
2. Beyond ‘Black Mirror’s’ fiction – Impact of Generative AI on policing, security READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Lies, levels, life: Cultivating your best being READ MORE
2. Misery is a choice READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Repeated elections have a cost, but the benefits of enhanced democracy that they trigger are far greater. Critically examine the statement in the light of recent debate about One Nation, One Election.
2. India is diverse, with different regions confronting diverse issues, and that impacts politics in the states. In light of statement, how far do you agree with this view that the concept of One Nation, One Election goes against the reality of India’s diversity?
3. Balancing growth and inflation is a complex endeavour, requiring a steady hand on the economic tiller. Discuss, how India can this balance in the ongoing uncertain global economic landscape?
4. Assessing vulnerabilities is the first step in reducing disaster risk. In light of recent disasters in the Himalayan region, discuss how the climate resilience approach in infrastructure development can minimize the disaster risk in that region.
5. The bureaucracy delivers on episodic events like conducting elections, which have a clear exit date but when it comes to daily events such as provision of civic amenities, the result is deeply unsatisfactory. Do you think that the division of bureaucracy between the three levels of government is a likely reason for such unamenities?
6. Modern states have evolved from directly running factories to regulating economic activity and for that Indian government needs to revisit the bureaucracy’s recruitment process and should focus on more domain expertise. Discuss.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable.
• Delhi’s history of intervening positively also led to the ironical consternation of the Maldivian opposition parties who started a disquiet campaign against the Maldivian Government’s traditional ‘India First’ policy to suggest a compromise to Maldivian sovereignty.
• Democracy weakens when the people’s choice is not based on who will represent their interests and fulfil their aspirations.
• Democracy is always in a state of flux and not in its ideal form.
• To strengthen democracy, politics needs to be more accountable.
• Having one election every five years will make political parties more unaccountable and free to fulfil the agenda of vested interests. That will weaken democracy and cost the nation far more than the direct and indirect costs of elections at present.
• Even if India had a perfect democracy, the ‘One Nation, One Election’ idea assumes homogeneity in the nation.
• A one-size-fits-all approach goes against the reality of the nation’s diversity and can lead to severe political backlash.
• The reality is that India has an imperfect democracy that needs to be strengthened.
• Elections are the times when the public can force political parties to become answerable.
• Repeated elections have a cost, but the benefits of enhanced democracy that they trigger are far greater.
• No farmers’ company can address climatic aberrations amidst a changing climate, broken landscapes, tattered ecologies and market volatilities unless supported by policies and incentives.
• Balancing growth and inflation is a complex endeavour, requiring a steady hand on the economic tiller.
• Ever since the artificial intelligence chatbot GPT technology burst on the global computer media scene suggesting its multifarious applications and uses in almost any area of human endeavour.
• If the ASEAN has to remain relevant, it needs to reinvent itself to suit the changing regional environment.
• Shortage of workers is pushing the demand for farm equipment. India can dominate the world market by leveraging its machine tools.
• The UN has the responsibility to resolve conflicts. But its failure should not be taken as an opportunity to abet terrorism in the name of freedom.
• It is crucial to re-evaluate building typologies and focus on developing climate-resilient designs.
• The bureaucracy delivers on episodic events like conducting elections, which have a clear exit date. But when it comes to daily events such as provision of civic amenities, the result is deeply unsatisfactory.

50-WORD TALK

• The external affairs ministry’s statement has rightly made it clear that India’s condemnation of the Hamas terror attack on Israel and New Delhi’s stated support to two-states solution on Palestine are not mutually exclusive. Unnecessarily obfuscating the two issues only sullies public debate. India’s position has been nuanced but consistent.
• Supreme Court listing electoral bonds case for final hearing after six years is welcome. Issues at stake are vital for democracy— need for transparency in political funding and undue advantage to ruling party. From passage as Money Bill to legalization of anonymity—this haze-shrouded scheme calls for thorough judicial scrutiny.

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. Women’s quota — rhetoric and reality READ MORE
2. CrPC, IPC changes fall short of expectations READ MORE
3. RTI Act: Time to make it more effective READ MORE
4. Transparency Law | CIC’s evolution from defender to bystander READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Cabinet approves royalty rates for mining of three critical and strategic minerals- Lithium, Niobium and Rare Earth Elements (REEs) READ MORE
2. Cabinet approves establishment of an autonomous body Mera Yuva Bharat READ MORE
3. ‘Operation Ajay’ set to evacuate Indian nationals from Israel READ MORE  
4. Cauvery Committee retains water release recommendation of 3,000 cusecs to T.N. READ MORE
5. The cases before the new CJI-led nine-judge Constitution Bench | Explained READ MORE
6. Order on cleaning rivers not followed, NGT issues notice to Chief Secretaries of all States, Ministry of Jal Shakti READ MORE
7. India, China agree to maintain momentum of ‘dialogue and negotiations’ READ MORE  
8. How new royalty rates for strategic minerals lithium, REEs can help cut their imports READ MORE
9. What the GI tag can mean for the cashew industry in Goa READ MORE
10. India’s first bamboo-based biorefinery to start operations in March READ MORE
11. Chhattisgarh Baiga tribe gets habitat rights under FRA READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Globally, 9 million girls face extreme risks of climate disaster and child marriage every year: Report READ MORE
2. Changed outlook READ MORE
3. Even temporary global warming above 2°C will affect life in the oceans for centuries READ MORE
4. Is climate change the reason for Sikkim flash floods? READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Women’s quota — rhetoric and reality READ MORE
2. CrPC, IPC changes fall short of expectations READ MORE
3. RTI Act: Time to make it more effective READ MORE
4. Transparency Law | CIC’s evolution from defender to bystander READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Learning for the future READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. UN Security Council reform is a song in a loop READ MORE
2. Are reunifications the key to world peace? READ MORE
3. Global Leadership Is Not Just About Drafting a Statement READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. India may face economic trouble as fertility levels drop READ MORE   
2. The labour market is tougher on women. This is what the Economics Nobel for 2023 acknowledges READ MORE
3. Good, do better: For India, to be the fastest growing major economy isn’t enough. Real change needs 8% growth READ MORE
4. Focus on economy’s basics for 8% growth READ MORE
5. India Needs Stronger Exports to Hold the Line READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Curbing air pollution: Centre, states need to work in close coordination READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Generic drugs are everywhere – and that’s a problem READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. How the government covered up the severity of Teesta floods by blaming them on a ‘cloudburst’ READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. How the Khalistan movement is interlinked with Punjab’s growing drug problem, gun culture READ MORE
2. Beyond ‘Black Mirror’s’ fiction – Impact of Generative AI on policing, security READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. The inescapable meaning of life READ MORE
2. Dealing with failure READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. India’s economy is navigating a labyrinth of interconnected challenges, and addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach encompassing domestic policy reforms. Comment on the statement in light of global economic uncertainties and supply chain disruptions.
2. The challenges against world leadership cannot be addressed if the global institutions are not reformed with time. Analyse the statement in the light of recent global challenges.
3. If global institutions are not reformed as per occurring challenges, then instead of solving problems, they risk becoming part of the problem. In the light of statement, discuss the need for reforms in the United Nations.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Unlike carbon-based fuels, the wind and the sun and the earth itself provide fuel that is free.
• China’s Tibet policy is primarily based on ruthless exploitation hidden under the façade of mega infrastructure projects which are showcased to the rest of the world as a sign of development in this region.
• Goldin’s Nobel and her own awarded work which took decades of research provides a tremendous intellectual platform for a wider level of global policy discussion and action on issues of gender wage gap, women and work, and more.
• Based on its achievements in key fields of technology, India is not in the global game. Yet, as a geopolitical pivot whose importance is derived not by its national power but its sensitive location, India is being courted by all three geostrategic players.
• The inclusion of the African Union as the new G-20 member was a pyrrhic victory compared with the six new members added to the BRICS (these include all global major energy exporters and importers) given that 50 of the 54 African nations attended the 2023 BRICS summit.
• India’s economy is navigating a labyrinth of interconnected challenges and addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach encompassing domestic policy reforms, diversification of export markets and enhancing economic resilience to global shocks.
• India’s ability to overcome global economic uncertainties and supply chain disruptions hurdles will be critical in ensuring continued economic growth and stability in an ever-evolving global landscape.
• Non-urban India has remained blindsided for decades in terms of superannuation, benefits, and social security. Rural India will now catch up with its urban counterpart at a quicker pace.
• The Central Information Commission’s job is to strike a balance between people’s right to know and the State’s legitimate need for limited secrecy.
• Right to Information (RTI) has brought transparency and systemic reforms but there is need to prevent its misuse and plug in loopholes.
• Climate change is exacerbating the risks. Because of global warming, more and more glaciers are melting.
• We must be careful in granting permission for the design of our mega hydro projects. We must do proper environment assessment of these projects and ensure that these withstand any water discharge that may happen in case of a glacier outburst.
• An increase in investment in traditional sectors such as mining and utilities because they trigger wider economic activities.
• Frequent tweaks of irritants aside, the GST regime needs a holistic reform plan, including a road map to bring in excluded items such as electricity, petroleum and alcohol.

50-WORD TALK

• A radical re-imagination of growth and developmental opportunities offering a wider platform for Indian (and other developing countries’) women (especially those at the margin in the employment landscape) through a greater, more assertive policy can be a starting point for subsequent transformations to happen across other nations too.
• The disaster in Sikkim is only the latest in a string of related incidents. But it must serve as an urgent reminder at all levels of the state and Central governments that the fragile condition of the Himalayas as the effects of climate change escalate will pose a continued and imminent danger to residents of India’s hill states.

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. DANCING FROGS OF WESTERN GHAT

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Dancing frogs of Western Ghat are among the most threatened amphibians globally.

EXPLANATION:

• According to the Wildlife Trust of India, Dancing frogs are the most threatened amphibian genus of India.
• The world is facing a critical Amphibian crisis with 41 percent of species on the brink of extinction.
• The Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot spread across Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu is rich in amphibian diversity.
• About Dancing frogs: 
  • Dancing frogs belong to the Micrixalus genus and there are about 24 frog species in this family. It is also known as the Kottigehar dancing frog.
  • The dancing frogs are endemic to the Western Ghats
  • IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
  • Only the males dance.
• Habitats: Their preferred habitats are shola grasslands, myristica swamps and evergreen forests within the Western Ghats, where they mainly reside near slow-moving perennial streams.
• Breeding:
  • The males stretch up their hind legs one at a time and wave their webbed toes in the air in a rapid motion akin to a dance.
  • This is to attract mates as well as ward off competition, probably preferred because their mating calls are drowned out by the gurgling of the streams.
  • This act is called “foot flagging” and gives the species their name.
• Threats: They are threatened by invasive species like the mosquito fish, land use change, variation in temperature and humidity, extreme weather events such as floods and excess rainfall, infectious diseases, water pollution, light pollution, and infrastructure projects such as dams.

Source:(https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/dancing-frogs-of-western-ghats-among-most-threatened-amphibians-globally-92226)

2. ELECTORAL BOND 

TAG: GS 2: POLITY

THE CONTEXT:  The Supreme Court fixed October 31 for hearing a slew of petitions challenging the electoral bonds scheme.

EXPLANATION:

• A petition filed in the Supreme Court against the legality and transparency of Electoral bonds.
• The petition is filed on the basis of two main issues concerning the electoral bonds scheme:
  • The legalisation of anonymous donations to political parties.
  • The violation of citizens’ right to information about the funding of political parties, promoting corruption.
  • The above two issues are violating Articles 19, 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

Electoral bond: 

• An electoral bond is like a promissory note that can be bought by any Indian citizen or company incorporated in India from select branches of State Bank of India.
• The bonds are similar to bank notes that are payable to the bearer on demand and are free of interest.
• An individual or party will be allowed to purchase these bonds digitally or through cheque.
• The electoral bond will be valid only for fifteen days.

When was the electoral bond introduced?

• The electoral bond scheme was first announced during the 2017 budget session.
• It was notified in January 2018 as a source of political funding by way of money bills introducing amendments in the Finance Act and the Representation of the People Act.

Use of electoral bond: 

• Using electoral bonds is quite simple.
• The bonds will be issued in multiples of Rs 1,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 100,000 and Rs 1 crore (the range of a bond is between Rs 1,000 to Rs 1 crore).
• A donor with a KYC-compliant account can purchase the bonds and can then donate them to the party or individual of their choice.
• Now, the receiver can encash the bonds through the party’s verified account.

Eligibility for foreigners:  

• The Finance Act, 2016 was amended the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010, to allow foreign companies with subsidiaries in India to fund political parties in India.

Tax exemption: 

• Donations made under an electoral bond scheme by companies and even foreign entities enjoy 100% tax exemption, while identities of the donors are kept confidential both by the bank as well as the recipient political parties.

Benefits:

• Electoral bonds are a more transparent tool than cash because the contributor acquires them after providing the bank with their KYC information.
• The short 15-day life of these bonds limits the potential for abuse.
• Political parties must provide the Election Commission with information about contributions made through electoral bonds. As a result, the bonds contribute to the improvement of India’s electoral financing system.

Challenges: 

• It is an obscure funding system which is unchecked by any authority.
• There is no cap on how much a company or individual can donate to a political party.
• Anonymity of donors under the scheme makes the process opaque instead of meeting its aim of bringing about transparency.
• The bonds are sold via a government-owned bank (SBI), leaving the door open for the government to know exactly who is funding its opponents.
• It violates the Right to Information of Citizens.
• By allowing foreign companies it effectively exposing Indian politics and democracy to international lobbyists.

Source:(https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-to-hear-final-arguments-in-electoral-bonds-case-on-october-31/article67402901.ece)

3. PROMPT CORRECTIVE ACTION FRAMEWORK

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY 

THE CONTEXT: RBI extends prompt corrective action framework to government NBFCs.

EXPLANATION:

• The Reserve Bank of India has decided to extend the ‘prompt corrective action (PCA) framework for non-banking financial companies (NBFCs)‘ to government NBFCs.
• The PCA Framework for NBFCs came into effect from October , 2022.

Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework:

Reserve Bank of India had introduced a Prompt Corrective Action Framework (PCA) for Scheduled Commercial Banks in 2002 and the same has been reviewed from time to time based on the experience gained and developments in the banking system.

Objective:

• The objective of the PCA Framework is to enable supervisory intervention at appropriate time and require the supervised entity to initiate and implement remedial measures in a timely manner, so as to restore its financial health.
• The framework is also intended to act as a tool for effective market discipline. It does not preclude the apex bank from taking any other action as it deems fit at any time in addition to the corrective actions prescribed in the Framework.

 PCA framework for NBFCs: 

• NBFCs have been growing in size and have substantial interconnectedness with other segments of the financial system.
• Accordingly, it has now been decided to put in place a PCA Framework for NBFCs to further strengthen the supervisory tools applicable to NBFCs.
• The PCA Framework for NBFCs, as contained in the enclosed Annex, comes into effect from October 1, 2022, based on the financial position of NBFCs.

Actions taken under PCA framework:

source:(https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/pca-regime-to-cover-psu-nbfcs-from-october-2024/articleshow/104324374.cms)

4. PM CARES FUND 

TAG: GS 2: POLITY, GOVERNANCE, SOCIAL JUSTICE.

THE CONTEXT: State of Rajasthan alleged that there is discrimination in the treatment of the CM Relief Fund as compared to the PM CARES Fund in the context of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

EXPLANATION:

• The State of Rajasthan had raised concerns over excluding the CM Cares Fund as a CSR activity under Schedule 7 of the Companies Act, 2013, while the PM Cares Fund enjoys such recognition.
• An original suit filed by the State of Rajasthan under Art 131 of the Constitution challenging the Union of India challenging the exclusion of CM Relief Fund from CSR Activity.
• State of Rajasthan formed a separate Rajasthan CMRF COVID-19 Mitigation Fund (CMRF). This fund functioned as a specialized account within the Chief Minister Relief Fund, with a clear focus on addressing the negative consequences of COVID-19.
• However, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs did not include in Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013 and therefore any contribution to such funds shall not qualify as admissible CSR Expenditure.

About PM CARES fund:

• The Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situation (PM-CARES) Fund has been set up to provide relief to those affected by any kind of emergency or distress situation.
• PM CARES Fund has been registered as a Public Charitable Trust. The trust deed of PM CARES Fund has been registered under the Registration Act, 1908 at New Delhi on 27th March, 2020.
• Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairman of the PM CARES Fund and Minister of Defence, Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Finance, Government of India are ex-officio Trustees of the Fund.
• The fund consists entirely of voluntary contributions from individuals/organizations and does not get any budgetary support. The fund will be utilized in meeting the objectives as stated above.
• Donations to PM CARES Fund would qualify for 80G benefits for 100% exemption under the Income Tax Act, 1961.
• Donations to PM CARES Fund will also qualify to be counted as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditure under the Companies Act, 2013
• PM CARES Fund has also got exemption under the FCRA and a separate account for receiving foreign donations has been opened. This enables PM CARES Fund to accept donations and contributions from individuals and organizations based in foreign countries.

Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR):

• Corporate Social Responsibility is a management concept whereby  companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business  operations and interactions with their stakeholders.
• All businesses that have a net worth of at least Rs 500 crore, a revenue of at least Rs 1 billion, or a net profit of at least Rs 5 crore are expected to devote 2% of their annual profits, on average, to CSR initiatives.
• According to the updated CSR regulations, businesses may put aside CSR expenses that exceed the minimum 2% requirement in any fiscal year against mandatory expenses for up to three financial years.

Chief Minister’s relief fund: 

• The Chief Minister’s relief fund aims at providing immediate relief to the people in distress in the State as well as in the country.
• The Chief Minister Relief fund provides financial assistance to the people affected by the major natural calamities like flood, drought, fire accident etc.
• It also provides financial assistance to the economically weaker citizens for treatment of some of the major diseases.
• This fund was specifically designed to counter the adverse impacts of COVID-19 and had a separate account for funds.

Source:(https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/supreme-court-cm-relief-fund-vs-pm-cares-fund-csr-discrimination-rajasthan-government-plea-article-131-constitution-239799?infinitescroll=1)

5. MULTINATIONAL SECURITY MISSION OF UNITED NATION

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATION

Context:  Haiti approached the United Nations seeking urgent help to combat deadly gang violence.

Explanation:

• Haiti has experienced a surge in violence over the past year as armed groups (G-9) took control of large parts of the country, including the capital Port-au-Prince.
• Haiti has approached the United Nations seeking urgent help to combat deadly gang violence in the country.
• The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has approved international intervention in the form of multi-national security mission (MSS) to restore security, protect critical infrastructure and control spiralling violence in the country.
• The multi-national security mission (MSS) will not be operated by the United Nations.
• However, Kenya has volunteered to lead the force. Other countries like the Bahamas, Jamaica and Antigua and Barbuda have also offered support.

Multinational security mission:

• A multinational security mission is a military or police operation that is conducted by two or more countries.
• Multinational security missions are often carried out under the auspices of an international organization, such as the United Nations or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
• Multinational security missions can be used for a variety of purposes:
  • Maintaining or restoring peace and security in a conflict zone.
  • Protecting civilians from harm.
  • Promoting democracy and human rights.
  • Combating terrorism and other transnational crimes.
  • Providing humanitarian assistance.
• Multinational security missions can be complex and challenging. Multinational missions must coordinate the efforts of different countries, which can be a challenge.
• However, multinational security missions can be an effective way to address global security challenges. By working together, countries can bring more resources and expertise to bear on a problem.

Examples of multinational security missions:

• The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO)
• The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan
• The European Union-led Operation Atalanta to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia
• The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM)

About “G9 and Family”:

• The “G9 and Family” (G9 fanmi e alye) is a criminal federation of over a dozen gangs based in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
• It was founded in June 2020 by former police officer turned gang leader Jimmy Chérizier, alias “Barbecue.”
• The G9 has emerged as one of the most powerful gangs in Haiti, and controls large swaths of territory in the capital city.
• The group has been accused of a wide range of crimes, including murder, kidnapping, extortion, and drug trafficking.
• The G9 has also been linked to Haitian politics and has been accused of carrying out assassinations and other attacks on behalf of politicians. The group has also been accused of manipulating elections.

What is the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH)?

• The United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) was a peacekeeping operation established by the United Nations Security Council on April 30, 2004, to help Haiti recover from a rebellion and coup that had ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
• The mission was authorized to use all necessary means to protect civilians and promote political stability.
• MINUSTAH was deployed to Haiti on June 1, 2004, and remained in the country for over 13 years. During its time in Haiti, MINUSTAH played a significant role in helping to stabilize the country and support the democratic process.
• The mission also helped to improve security conditions and provide humanitarian assistance to the Haitian people.

Source: (https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/haiti-crisis-explain-kenya-united-nations-international-mission-security-force-support-international-affairs/article67388970.ece)

1. Caste census: Why the liberal intelligentsia’s opposition is misplaced READ MORE
2. Stop being vindictive’: SC directive to ED welcome READ MORE
3. DC Edit | SC’s relook at PMLA provisions welcome READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Competition Commission of India to host 8th BRICS International Competition Conference during October 11-13, 2023 in New Delhi READ MORE
2. SC to hear pleas challenging electoral bond scheme on October 31 READ MORE
3. Net direct tax collections up 21.8% to ₹9.57 lakh crore READ MORE  
4. PCA regime to cover PSU NBFCs from October 2024 READ MORE
5. IMF raises India growth forecast to 6.3% for FY24 READ MORE
6. India, Italy sign defence cooperation agreement READ MORE
7. SC to hear petition challenging electoral bonds: What is the scheme and its criticisms? READ MORE  
8. Dancing frogs of Western Ghats among most threatened amphibians globally READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Mental disorders 10 times more likely following detention among asylum-seeking children: Report READ MORE
2. Women want change, society needs change READ MORE
3. DC Edit | Caste census to address inequity READ MORE
4. Something changed about cyclone formation in the 1990s | Explained READ MORE  
5. What the hottest September ever reveals about climate change READ MORE
6. India can reap the demographic dividend – but there’s a deadline READ MORE
7. Why does Delhi NCR frequently experience earthquakes, what causes seismic activity in region? READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Caste census: Why the liberal intelligentsia’s opposition is misplaced READ MORE
2. Stop being vindictive’: SC directive to ED welcome READ MORE
3. DC Edit | SC’s relook at PMLA provisions welcome READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Learning for the future READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. BRICS: The mortar of competition in a globalised world READ MORE
2. ‘West is hypocritical’ is now India’s go-to foreign policy response. Delhi not exempt either READ MORE
3. India and the Israel-Palestine War: Choices, challenges and trade-offs READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. The impact of Claudia Goldin’s work READ MORE  
2. Achieving the green energy goal READ MRE
3. Centre’s push on infra is transforming India READ MORE
4. West Asia crisis can hit global economy READ MORE
5. Claudia Goldin’s Nobel is a Wake-up Call for India’s Disjointed Labour Markets READ MORE
6. DC Edit | RBI keeps its focus on inflation READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Deregulation of biodiversity regime to impact environment READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. We need evidence-based traditional medicine READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. More people moved into high flood zones, exposing larger populations to water disasters: World Bank READ MORE
2. Sikkim’s Chungthang dam collapse signals the need for dam safety & emissions reduction READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. How the Khalistan movement is interlinked with Punjab’s growing drug problem, gun culture READ MORE
2. Beyond ‘Black Mirror’s’ fiction – Impact of Generative AI on policing, security READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Gita unfolds the true essence of sanatan dharma READ MORE
2. Dealing with failure READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Why does Delhi NCR frequently experience earthquakes? What causes seismic activity in this region?
2. There is a need to redefine the relationship between the State and universities for a truly autonomous and thriving academic environment. Comment on the statement in light of recent developments.
3. While constitutional safeguards and legal protection for Dalits exist, caste-based discrimination has taken on new forms in the modern era. Discuss why the safeguards and legal protection failed to address the issue of discrimination in higher educational institutions?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• A leader who doesn’t hesitate before he sends his nation into battle is not fit to be a leader.
• India must carefully weigh the situation, its long-term trajectory, and fall outs and find sensible geopolitical choices and security measures to deal with future challenges.
• The growing perception of Canada being a sanctuary for global offenders not only tarnishes its international reputation but also poses a threat to its societal fabric.
• It is difficult to fathom how a pause in policy rates or controlling liquidity could bring down food inflation, which was caused mainly because of supply shortages.
• Inclusion does not happen on its own in a society beset with inequalities which have a history of thousands of years; it takes deliberate and forceful attempts.
• While the apex court puts its imprimatur on the law finding it an effective tool to take on international terror rackets, its use on the ground does not share that confidence.
• It may be a paradox that a country which runs per a democratic Constitution and vouches by the rule of law has for all these years let an investigating agency infringe on the fundamental right to liberty of citizens without offering them a reason.
• Future-ready education is one that will help students adapt to ever-changing circumstances, prepare them for the drastic fallouts of climate change, teach them the importance of maintaining a balanced ecology and help them to be genuine global citizens.
• Generative AI’s impact on military warfare can be both revolutionary and riddled with ethical and legal considerations. It has significant implications for defence strategies, intelligence gathering, and training simulations.
• The fall in prices and the strengthening of international financial linkages will allow India to attain a current account surplus.
• The United Nations’ report on ageing in India serves as a reminder that the country’s opportunity to reap the demographic dividend is not perpetual.
• Russia’s increasing involvement in Africa is about its geopolitics, economics, and intricate security concerns.
• Reservation is the most effective form of affirmative action and equity is the first step to equality.

50-WORD TALK

• Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is complaining about India to a growing list of global leaders from the UK, the UAE, and now Jordan. If Trudeau has concrete evidence of Indian wrong-doing, he should present it. Else, he’ll have to get used to the eye-rolling all whiny children eventually get.
• Awarding the Economics Nobel to economic historian Claudia Goldin is entirely appropriate. She’s greatly enhanced our understanding of women’s pay and labour participation, and historical issues therein. That she’s only the third woman to win this Nobel, and the first to do it solo, highlights how vital her research is.

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.

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Harvard professor Claudia Goldin wins Nobel Economics Prize for gender gap research READ MORE
2. Scientists untangle mystery about the universe’s earliest galaxies READ MORE
3. Sri Lanka to take over as Chair of Indian Ocean Rim Association READ MORE  
4. Ahead of Bima Vistaar rollout, IRDAI issues guidelines on Bima Vahaks READ MORE
5. ICMR to set up study to develop solutions to remedy childhood undernutrition READ MORE
6. What is multimodal artificial intelligence and why is it important? READ MORE
7. Joint Statement during the State Visit of the President of Tanzania to India and launch of Strategic Partnership between India and Tanzania (8-10 October 2023) READ MORE  
8. Appointment of Manipur HC CJ to be notified soon, Centre tells apex court READ MORE
9. Unemployment rate drops to 6.6% in urban areas in Q1 READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Mental health and the floundering informal worker READ MORE
2. Socio-economic takeaways from Bihar caste survey READ MORE
3. Does India need a caste census? READ MORE
4. Extreme weather impact: 20,000 children displaced every day in last 6 years READ MORE  
5. How climate crisis will trigger more water wars in India READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. The state of India’s Scheduled Areas READ MORE
2. Uncertain timing, Census and delimitation hurdles cast shadow over women’s reservation READ MORE
3. Law Commission age of consent recommendations threaten to criminalise the young READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. The ‘invisible’ disability of mental illness: Challenges of social security access READ MORE
2. Fundamental health services for women: Analysing gender disparities READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. The end of the two-state solution: Hamas’s spectacular terrorism will push back Palestinian statehood by a generation READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. With food inflation limited to dal roti, why govt policy may need changes READ MORE  
2. Economics Nobel 2023: How Claudia Goldin shed light on the status of women in the workforce READ MORE
3. Is RBI heading in the right direction? READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Why India is launching a national framework for climate services Extreme weather impact: 20,000 children displaced every day in last 6 years READ MORE
2. Natural disasters occur due to our apathy towards environment READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. More people moved into high flood zones, exposing larger populations to water disasters: World Bank READ MORE
2. Sikkim’s Chungthang dam collapse signals the need for dam safety & emissions reduction READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Back to square one on theatre commands READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. It’s okay to be not okay READ MORE
2. Only we can reform our society READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Empowering women with the right to a safe and inclusive online environment is a crucial step toward a more equitable and just society in the digital age. Comment.
2. There is a need to redefine the relationship between the State and universities for a truly autonomous and thriving academic environment. Comment on the statement in light of recent developments.
3. While constitutional safeguards and legal protection for Dalits exist, caste-based discrimination has taken on new forms in the modern era. Discuss why the safeguards and legal protection are failed to address the issue of discrimination in higher educational institutions?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Palestine is the cement that holds the Arab world together, or it is the explosive that blows it apart.
• The disturbing trends seen in women’s mental health call for immediate gender mainstreaming action in mental health policies.
• Policy neglect, uncertain job market, and increased contractualisation are making labourers’ economic condition worse. Inflation is negating purchasing power too.
• Wages of informal labourers neither become an election issue nor do they count as a measure of poverty.
• ]The only way to protect the Indian rupee is through price stability. Assured stability through firmer anti-inflationary measures sends an effective message to overseas investors.
• We need to enhance our responsibility and responsiveness towards climate cure and healing; we must investment in climate-pro solutions.
• Enhance cooperation for mitigation efforts, and develop sustainable and viable ecosystems for a crisis-free society.
• A caste census is deemed discriminatory and opposed by those who seek equal rights for all. Besides, opinions are sharply divided on its impact.
• The release of the socio-economic profile of various SRCs can bring back the lost focus on the ‘economic’ aspect of social justice.
• The promise of a caste census could influence outcomes in the upcoming assembly elections but not do much for the cause of universal welfarism.
• India and South Korea, guided by universal values, should build beyond bilateralism as they refuse to be bystanders amid global disorder.
• Law Commission recommendations on age of consent sidestep key question of how to protect the young from sexual abuse, while ensuring they are not punished for consensual sexual activity with peers.
• Informal workers, despite their significant contribution to national income, are perennially exposed to economic, physical, and, in turn, mental vulnerabilities.
• The only way forward is for a Palestinian leadership that can credibly signal to the Israeli people that it will not use the freedoms it gains from any peace deal to hurt Israel. The prospects for that seem dim.

50-WORD TALK

• The shocking failure of Israel’s security services to preempt Hamas’ brutal strikes illustrates the damage caused when elected dictators operate without scrutiny and the perils of emulating Erdogan-style rule. PM Netanyahu’s politics undermined Jerusalem’s military and intelligence leadership. Israel will prevail—but at a price that need not have been paid.
• Army signing contracts worth Rs 18,000 crore under emergency procurement and asking it be institutionalised shows how convoluted military procurement has become. It is a shame that Services have to use EP to fill up critical gaps. This piecemeal approach should be stopped and procurement systems decluttered for faster procurement.

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.

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Recommendations of 52nd GST Council Meeting READ MORE
2. India and Saudi Arabia sign MoU in Electrical Interconnections, Green / Clean Hydrogen and Supply Chains READ MORE
3. PATA and India to jointly promote Travel for LiFE in Asia-Pacific region READ MORE  
4. Attophysics — new tools to fathom the world of electrons | Explained READ MORE
5. Significance of quantum dots in nanotechnology | Explained READ MORE
6. Ganga-Ghagra basin canals pose a threat to dolphins: study READ MORE
7. Prey, habitat dictate Asiatic wild dog-tiger coexistence, says study READ MORE
8.  Afghanistan earthquake kills 2,000: The frequent tremors the country sees READ MORE  
9. Why the RBI’s Open Market Operation plan caught the market by surprise READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Women farm workers need workplace safety READ MORE
2. Dalit students still face discrimination READ MORE
3. Caste-wise census: An opportunity to rectify the injustice done to the Adi Dravidas READ MORE
4. What caused the flood in Sikkim? | Explained READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Why does the State want to control universities? READ MORE
2. Women’s reservation: A law on paper, but a reality far away READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. New malaria vaccine to be a game changer READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Why did Hamas launch a surprise attack on Israel? | Analysis READ MORE
2. Toofan Al-Aqsa jolts West Asian geostrategic architecture READ MORE
3. Regime change in the Maldives distinctly favours China READ MORE

 GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Revenue riddles: By not raising interest rates, RBI betrays its concerns about slowing growth READ MORE  
2. Building an India for manufacturers READ MORE
3. Inflation clouds growth dreams READ MORE
4. Why IBC should give bankrupting promoters a second chance READ MORE
5. Globalisation of Indian financial markets READ MORE
6. Rate decision signal of concern, uncertainty READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Why India is launching a national framework for climate services READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. What turned Teesta into a killer? Here’s proof Sikkim flash floods are a man-made disaster READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. How the Digital India Act will shape the future of the country’s cyber landscape READ MORE
2. Beefing up cybersecurity for India’s energy transition READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Gita can take you from mediocrity to perfection READ MORE
2. Why must you suffer? READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Empowering women with the right to a safe and inclusive online environment is a crucial step toward a more equitable and just society in the digital age. Comment.
2. There is a need to redefine the relationship between the State and universities for a truly autonomous and thriving academic environment. Comment on the statement in light of recent developments.
3. While constitutional safeguards and legal protection for Dalits exist, caste-based discrimination has taken on new forms in the modern era. Discuss why the safeguards and legal protection are failed to address the issue of discrimination in higher educational institutions?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• All wars are follies, very expensive and very mischievous ones.
• Recognising internet access as a fundamental human right, India is bound by international agreements like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
• The Adi Dravida community should seize the forthcoming caste census as an opportunity to rectify the errors made during the 1931 caste census.
• To create a world-class clean energy ecosystem in India that is safe, all stakeholders must work collectively to develop all critical components and associated cyber architecture.
• Implementation of reservation of seats for women in Parliament and State Assemblies will have to wait for the Census and a delimitation exercise.
• Since no one knows when women’s reservation will legally come into force, in the immediate future we can only monitor ticket allocation by all parties across the ideological spectrum and see who stands where.
• To keep up with the developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning, suitable vulnerability management tools and cyber-attack resilient capabilities may be co-developed with indigenous centres of excellence.
• Addressing cybercrimes requires tackling under-reporting, which currently obscures the true scale of the problem.
• Empowering women with the right to a safe and inclusive online environment is a crucial step toward a more equitable and just society in the digital age. It is time to act, bridge the gender gap, and make the internet a safer space for all.
• Dalit students face various forms of exclusion and caste-based discrimination in educational institutions across the country. While constitutional safeguards and legal protection for Dalits exist, caste-based discrimination has taken on new forms in the modern era.
• There is a need to redefine the relationship between the State and universities for a truly autonomous and thriving academic environment.
• In sync with India’s rising stock in the global economy and geopolitics, Indian financial market is about to be truly globalized.
• Measures such as collecting data, raising awareness, and creating safe spaces are needed to combat violence against women in agriculture.
• The proposed Digital India Act (DIA) encompasses several pivotal clauses that mirror the dynamic evolution of the digital environment, addressing its multifaceted challenges and opportunities.

50-WORD TALK

• Addressing cybercrimes requires tackling under-reporting, which currently obscures the true scale of the problem. Psycho-social cybercrimes pose a significant threat to women, particularly due to the gender gap in online access. These crimes thereby violate fundamental rights, including the right to privacy, freedom of speech, dignity, education, and information.
• In the face of a growing crisis of cybercrimes against women, recognising the right to internet access is imperative. It aligns with India’s democratic principles, expands on existing constitutional rights, and addresses the gender data gap. Empowering women with the right to a safe and inclusive online environment is a crucial step toward a more equitable and just society in the digital age. It is time to act, bridge the gender gap, and make the internet a safer space for all.

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.

REFERENCE TO UPSC SYLLABUS: GS 2: DIGITAL INDIA, INTERNET SHUTDOWNS, GS 3: INTERNAL SECURITY

THE CONTEXT

The internet shutdown in Manipur was reimposed on September 26, 2023.  The internet had been back in place for barely three days after the 143-day-long shutdown that began on May 3, 2023 before it was shut down again as the conflict intensified.

MORE ON THE NEWS

• There is a cycle of internet shutdowns happening in the state of Manipur as it is trapped in ethnic conflict, marked by frequent loss of life and property. It underpins a lack of confidence in the state as a recurring theme for protests in Imphal, regardless of internet access.
• Violence and brutality from Manipur reflect a deep-seated social discord and a breakdown in public trust. The term “cycle of violence,” is aptly used here. It was coined by Lenore Walker to describe situations of domestic abuse, and is no longer used in this context.
• However, it captures the toxic relationship that can develop between the state and its citizens. Those in power persist in depriving citizens of digital access to essential aspects of life, all to evade accountability. Cycles do not stop by themselves. To end, they require political leadership, not the continued use of “limited internet shutdowns” in Manipur.

WHAT IS INTERNET SHUTDOWN?

• Internet shutdowns are an absolute restriction placed on the use of internet services due to an order issued by a government body.
• It may be limited to a specific place and to specific period, time or number of days. Sometimes it can even extend indefinitely.
• An internet shutdown may be limited to mobile internet that you use on smartphones, or the wired broadband that usually connects a desktop – or both at the same time.

INTERNET SHUTDOWNS IN INDIA

• Data compiled by global digital rights group Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition reveals that India implemented at least 84 shutdowns in 2022, the highest number of shutdowns in the by any country in 2022.
• Since 2016, India has accounted for approximately 58% of all shutdowns documented in the Shutdown Tracker Optimization Project (STOP database).

REGULATION RELATED TO INTERNET SHUTDOWNS IN INDIA

• Till the year 2017, shutdowns were imposed largely under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
• However, in 2017 the law was amended and the Government promulgated the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules 2017 under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
• The 2017 Rules provide for temporary shutdown of telecom services in a region on grounds of public emergency and give senior bureaucrats from the Home Ministry at the central and state levels the power to order shutdowns.
• The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 grants the central government the power to disconnect or intercept communication services in the interest of case including:  Public safety, sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, or public order.
• Section 69 of the IT Act allows the government to issue content-blocking orders to online intermediaries such as Internet Service Providers (ISPs), telecom service providers, web hosting services, search engines, online marketplaces, etc. However, the Section requires the information or content being blocked to be deemed a threat to India’s national security, sovereignty, or public order.

ISSUES RELATED TO INTERNET SHUTDOWNS

• Economic impact: Internet shutdown has vast economic implication due to disruptions in communication as businesses and startups mostly rely on internet to operate.
• Suppress dissent: Internet shutdowns are tend to often used by governments to suppress dissent and limit political opposition.
• Affects day to day life: Shutdowns tend to disturb day-to-day life as online transactions, delivery and essential services came to a standstill. Students preparing for their boards, patients unable to reach their doctors and candidates struggling to commute to their job interviews were.
• Affects international reputation: India is seen as democratic nation and frequent internet shutdowns have a negative impact on India’s international reputation as a democratic nation.
• Not effective steps by regulators: As, the Department of Telecom refuses to maintain a centralised database and has proposed a Telecom Bill that retains unchecked power to implement internet shutdowns. Also, a recently concluded Telecom Regulatory Authority of India consultation ignored internet shutdown issue. Thus, institutions which serve as checks on a state government are either offering tacit support or adopting wilful ignorance towards internet shutdowns.

THE WAY FORWARD

• Need of political leadership: The Cycles of shutdowns do not stop by themselves. To end, they require political leadership, not the continued use of ‘limited internet shutdowns’ for long term solutions.
• Reforming the Legal Framework: Existing legal framework seems to be inadequate in limiting the internet shutdowns, government should repeal or amend the outdated laws.The state also needs to follow the Anuradha Bhasin judgement of the SC in letter and spirit.
• Alternative solution: There can be alternative solution by engaging civil society for peace and communication. Also, instead of complete shutdown, there can be blocking of specific content or websites.
• Action by private players: There is need of cautionary approach by private players. OTT platforms must exercise due caution and discretion when featuring the activities, beliefs, practices, or views of any racial or religious group. For example, Major telecom players like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone are advocating for service-level blocks by internet companies, a move that could not only increase compliance burdens but also risk government-dictated “essential” internet services.

THE CONCLUSION

A proportionality and necessity test analysis to determine the proper course of action are essential at this juncture. For better internet governance and government and the Indian civil society needs to push for a transparent and accountable system.

 PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

1. Has digital literacy, particularly in rural areas, coupled with lack of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) accessibility hindered socio-economic development? Examine with justification. (2021).
2. Discuss different types of cybercrimes and measures required to be taken to fight the menace. (2020).

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. India has accounted for one of the highest internet shutdowns in recent years. In this respect, discuss the laws for internet shutdown regulation and issues arising out of frequent shutdown in India.
2. Is internet shutdown provides an effective solution for maintaining public order or it is used as a tool to evade accountability? Discuss.

 SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/apar-gupta-writes-in-manipur-another-internet-shutdown-a-conflict-intensified-8970390/

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. PM hails landmark of 50 lakh beneficiaries of PMSVANidhi Scheme READ MORE
2.  2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry: Three share prize for discovery of quantum dots, now used in LEDs READ MORE  
3. National Action Plan for Green Shipping promotes eco-friendly practices: DG of Shipping READ MORE
4. U.S. keeps distance on Muizzu’s plan to end Indian military presence in Maldives READ MORE
5. New defence indigenisation list has futuristic weapons, systems READ MORE
6. In first polls post-370, Kargil hill council elections sees over 78% turnout READ MORE
7. Glacial lake outburst flood kills 14 in Sikkim, 102 people missing: What is GLOF, and why does it happen? READ MORE
8. Delhi HC passes ‘dynamic injunction’ against illegal ICC World Cup broadcast: What this means, what was the case READ MORE
9. Latest Nipah Virus Outbreak reports 33% case fatality rate, all bat samples tested negative: WHO READ MORE
10. India, Japan launch sustainability fund worth $600 million for low carbon emission projects READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Hugh and Colleen Gantzer write: Women’s Bill, through our travels READ MORE
2. Missing in the caste survey READ MORE
3. Economic and social reform constitute a radical agenda of eradicating caste READ MORE
4. Cause and Effect | Did an underwater volcanic eruption add to rising temperatures? READ MORE
5. Monsoon woes READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Women’s quota, panchayats to Parliament READ MORE
2. Retribution for the south, accolade for the north READ MORE
3. Drawing lines in Cauvery waters READ MORE
4. Court’s Sweeping Powers Under Article 142 Can’t Be Used to Override Substantive Law: SC READ MORE
5. Age of Consent: Law Panel Report Simply Diagnoses, Doesn’t Solve the Problem READ MORE
6. “One Nation-One Election” is vital for good governance READ MORE
7. Dynamics of women’s empowerment in Indian politics READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Making menstrual health a welfare priority: Insights from three states READ MORE
2. NEP 2020 centralises education, worsens existing maladies READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Development partnerships for food security: India in the Indo-Pacific READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Driving mobility to a sustainable future READ MORE  
2. Advancing women’s role in India’s economic progress READ MORE
3. It is a global recession with economic growth among lowest in four decades READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Keeping tabs on carbon with an accounting system READ MORE
2. Tackle climate risk firmly to minimise economic losses READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Let there be light: On the 2023 physics Nobel READ MORE
2. Don’t deprive scientists of funds, incentives READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. As Sikkim Reels From Disastrous Floods, Concerns Over Warning Signs and Enormous Impact READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Mizoram National Front and the politics of cross-border kinship READ MORE
2. Why the Five Eyes remain blind to India’s security concerns READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Is mortality subjective? READ MORE
2. God and his many forms READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. ONOE would be a great help in substantially minimizing the effects of using polarisation based on socio-economic toxicity to win elections. How far do you agree with this statement? Analyse your viewpoint.
2. Discuss the issue of climate migrants. Suggest ways to address the challenges related to climate migration.
3. By collaborating with neighbouring countries, India can serve as a catalyst for positive change and promote food security and sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific. Comment.
4. India’s female workforce participation remains paltry and calls for an urgent review of India’s policies and schemes related to women’s empowerment. Argue.
5. While legislative representation is a critical aspect, it must be complemented by measures that empower women at the grassroots level. Comment on the statement in the light of the recent Women’s Reservation Act

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Don’t hit at all if it is honourably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft!
• ONOE would be a great help in substantially minimizing the effects of using polarisation based on socio-economic toxicity to win elections.
• An election should mark the celebration of a vibrant democracy. It should not degenerate into an exercise maximising polarisation based on socio-economic toxicity. ONOE would be a great help in substantially minimising this adverse impact.
• Being a multilateral forum of international economic cooperation, the G20 can serve as a suitable platform for creating a dedicated fund for climate migrants.
• By collaborating with neighbouring countries, India can serve as a catalyst for positive change and promote food security and sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific.
• India’s female workforce participation remains paltry and calls for an urgent review of India’s policies and schemes related to women’s empowerment.
• While legislative representation is a critical aspect, it must be complemented by measures that empower women at the grassroots level.
• Achieving gender equity and true empowerment requires a deeper understanding of the complexities involved and a commitment to addressing them effectively.
• True empowerment necessitates a sociopolitical transformation at the grassroots level, characterised by women’s access to education, equal opportunities, economic independence, and, most importantly, political independence.
• Consent is pivotal as it respects individual autonomy, fosters safety, maintains ethical standards, and promotes healthy, respectful relationships.
• A good plan of action is being implemented by the Integrated Development Project implemented by the Himachal Forest Department with the assistance of the World Bank. It seeks to improve upstream water management and water productivity of selected gram panchayats.
• Resolution of dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu can pave the way for addressing interstate river water conflicts.
• The five southern States have effectively controlled their population and should not be penalised through reduced political representation.

ESSAY TOPIC

• India to awaken the people, it is the women who must be awakened
• What we sow we reap.

50-WORD TALK

• Canada should have first pursued private diplomatic talks with New Delhi before it decided to go to parliament with Nijjar killing allegations and collect a mohalla-style panchayat of its global allies. The onus of privileging its domestic politics over diplomacy is on Ottawa. Justin Trudeau can’t have it both ways.
• The journey to gender equality in India’s workforce is long and challenging. Yet, the potential benefits of women’s economic empowerment are enormous and transformative, both for women and society. Our collective responsibility is to ensure that the women workforce in India gets their due.
• India can serve as a catalyst for positive change, promoting food security and sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific for the benefit of the entire region. Regional cooperation, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration among nations in the region are vital for developing and implementing effective strategies to overcome these challenges.

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 VISHWAKARMA SCHEME.

TAG: GS 2: SOCIAL JUSTICE

THE CONTEXT:  The PM Vishwakarma scheme has an outlay of Rs 13,000 crore, aimed at the skill up-gradation and income-boost of carpenters, washermen, cobblers, coir weavers, etc.

EXPLANATION:

• The scheme will be fully funded by the central government.
• Under the scheme, beneficiaries will also be provided Rs 15,000 each as toolkit incentives through e-vouchers or e-RUPI. It will be a purpose-specific voucher issued by banks on behalf of the central government. This means the voucher can be utilized only for the purpose of purchase of toolkits.
• The minimum age of the beneficiary should be 18 years on the date of registration.

About the scheme:

• The name of the scheme is kept in honor of the divine builder and craftsman lord Vishwakarma. The PM Vishwakarma scheme is a central sector scheme.
• The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) will handle the scheme.
• It would be open to traditional artists and crafters from 2023-24 to 2027-28.
• Eighteen(18) traditional trades such as carpenter, boat maker, armorer, blacksmith, hammer and tool kit maker, locksmith, goldsmith, potter, sculptor, stone breaker, cobbler, ma son, basket/mat/broom maker/coir weaver, traditional doll and toy maker, barber, garland maker, washerman, tailor and fishing net maker will be covered under the Scheme.

Aim of the scheme:

• The scheme aims to support and preserve the “Guru-Shishya parampara” (teacher-student tradition), or the family-based practice of ancient skills by artisans and craftspeople using their hands and tools.
• The scheme also aims to improve the quality and reach of the artisans’ and craft-people’s products and services as well as to make sure that the Vishwa karmas are integrated with the domestic and international value chains.

Benefits of the scheme:

• Training and Skill Development: A comprehensive 6-day training program will provide traditional artists with an invaluable opportunity to develop their talents. By equipping them with cutting-edge skills and knowledge, this program is specifically designed to meet the demands of carpenters, tailors, basket weavers, barbers, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, potters, confectioners, cobblers, and others.
• Financial Support: The PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card, as well as credit support up to Rs. 1 lakh (first tranche) and Rs. 2 lakh (second tranche) at a concessional interest rate of 5% without any collateral, would be given to artisans and craftspeople.
• Opportunities for Employment: The PM Vishwakarma Scheme is a catalyst for opening doors for employment. It aims to promote economic stability and prosperity by creating jobs for about 15,000 people each year.

Challenges:

• DMK and its allies have opposed the scheme saying it promoted traditional businesses and lured students with its eligibility age of 18, thus discouraging them from entering colleges.
• Lack of Awareness: Many artisans and craftsmen are frequently not aware of the different government programs, financial assistance, and training possibilities available to them. They are unable to use the resources that could assist them advance their knowledge and enterprises due to their ignorance.
• Economic viability: Due to poor demand, insufficient price, and a lack of effective marketing channels, some craftsmen find it difficult to make a reasonable living from their crafts. Younger generations may become less interested in pursuing traditional crafts as a result of this.
• Infrastructure and Training: For artisans to improve their trade, they need access to specialized training facilities, adequate infrastructure, and raw materials. The enhancement of product quality and skill development may be hampered by a lack of these facilities.

Source:(https://www.deccanherald.com/india/pm-modi-launches-rs-13000-crore-pm-vishwakarma-scheme-for-traditional-workers-2689848)

2. OVER THE TOP PLATFORM REGULATIONS (OTT)

TAG: GS 2: GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT:  The telecom regulatory authority of India asking for opinions on selectively banning OTT services such as WhatsApp, Facebook, X etc.

EXPLANATION:

• Authority of India (TRAI) invited responses to a consultation paper it released on a regulatory mechanism for over-the-top (OTT) communication services.
• Telecom Service Providers are of the opinion that OTTs should be regulated and charged because they use and thrive on the infrastructure built by operators over the years.

OTT Services:

• A company that offers streaming media as a stand-alone product is known as an “over-the-top” media service. OTT communication services like WhatsApp, Signal, Meta, Google Meet, Zoom, X, etc. Audio streaming, messaging services, or internet-based voice calling solutions also come under the OTT communication services.
• In India, there is currently no formal regulatory structure in place for OTT communication services.
• Since 2015, TRAI has published a number of consultation papers on this subject, but no recommendations or regulations have been finalized.

Banning of OTT service: Banning of OTT service is a set of service rules that the operator applies to the specific set of BTSs (Base Stations) that it intends to block. Through this rule, the targeted BTSs can be set for zero or very low data rates, so that all kinds of data services emanating or targeted towards them get throttled — making them useless.

Selective Blocking (OTT level): Selective blocking of OTT applications can get executed either at the OTT player level or at the telecom operator level. Now for the OTT player to block services in a specific geography it will need the location information of all the users. The location information can be at the GPS level or at the Cell ID level.

Why is there a need for a regulatory framework for over-the-top (OTT) communication services?

• OTT communications services have led to erosion of revenues for the telcos.
• These platforms offer users an array of services, sending of Multimedia Messaging Services (MMS), instant messaging to voice and video calls, delivered over the internet.
• This circumvents the need for traditional telecom services, particularly voice calls and text messages, leading to a significant reduction in the revenue streams of telecom companies, responded the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), representing telecom players like Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea.
• OTT communication service providers neither contribute to the exchequer nor make investments like the TSPs in the spread of network infrastructure in the country.
• The OTT communication service providers take a free ride on TSP funded networks without contributing to the setting up and maintaining digital infrastructure for access networks.

What is the argument for banning OTT services?

For:

• OTTs obtain the location of the customers and can easily bar access. Once the OTT communication services are under license this barring will be much easier to implement.
• Telecom service providers in India are regulated by several laws, including the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997, and have to adhere to requirements such as lawful interception. Such requirements are not applicable to OTT services currently.
• According to the Internet Service Providers Association of India, if OTT services are a substitutable service offered by licensed service providers, then such OTT services should be considered as the same services offered under the telecom licence granted by the Government.

Against:

• According to COAI, the Government should consider source-level blocking so that the desired outcome may be achieved without any significant difficulties.
• The IAMAI believes that there is no need to implement additional regulations governing OTT services, or even a regulatory framework for the selective banning of OTT services.
• The Broadband India Forum (BIF) firmly opposed any selective ban on OTT services as they are adequately regulated under the existing IT Act, 2000, Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and other associated Acts and Rules.

Source:(https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/explained-why-is-the-government-pushing-for-regulatory-mechanisms-for-ott-services/article67319360.ece#:~:text=Telecom%20Service%20Providers%20are%20of,of%20revenues%20for%20the%20telcos.)

3. ANAMUDI SHOLA NATIONAL PARK

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

THE CONTEXT:  Anamudi Shola National Park, near Munnar has transformed into a green heaven teeming with life, through an initiative by the Forest department.

EXPLANATION:

• Munnar Wildlife Division converted a park filled with exotic species of trees into 50 hectares of forest land. The project was implemented through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It was started in 2019 and completed in 2022.

About Anamudi shola National Park:

• The Anamudi shola National Park is located in the western Ghats.
• The Park is surrounded by Eravikulam National Park, Pambadum Shola National Park, Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary, Mathikettan Shola National Park.
• Anamudi shola National Park consists of three Shola Reserve Forests namely Pannavan shola, Pullaradi shola and Indivara shola together occupying an area of 42068 Sq.Km.
• The area is drained by small streams and they finally join Pambar river, which flows east and joins Amaravathi reservoir.

Forest:

• Anamudi Shola consists of southern subtropical hill forests, southern montane wet temperate forests and moist deciduous forests. The unique things are the dense shola woods that houses a dense patch of stunted trees and the luxurious presence of lichen, mosses, and climbers, which are all hallmarks of the pure air in such high altitudes.

Fauna:

• The park provides safe and comfortable habitat to the wild species of flora and fauna. The rich wildlife includes Elephant, Tiger, Panther, Indian Bison, Nigiri Tahr, Gaur, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Giant Grizzled Squirrel, Hanuman Langur, Sloth Bear, Flying Squirrels etc.

Source:(https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/eco-restoration-project-covers-anamudi-shola-national-park-area-in-munnar-with-natural-grasslands/article67318532.ece#:~:text=The%20project%20was%20implemented%20through,converted%20into%20a%20natural%20grassland.)

4. THE SCRUB TYPHUS

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, Odisha has been hit by a deadly disease called scrub typhus.

THE SCRUB TYPHUS:

• Scrub typhus is also referred to as bush typhus.
• It is a life-threatening infection caused by the bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi.
• Scrub typhus is transmitted to humans by bites from tiny, infected mites.
• The transmission to humans mostly occurs through the bites of chiggers, which are infected larval mites.
• Chiggers are also called berry bugs, bush-mites, red bugs or scrub-itch mites.
• The disease is predominantly seen in the rural locales of Southeast Asia, Indonesia, China, Japan, India, and northern Australia.
• The symptoms of scrub typhus typically begin within 10 days of being bitten.
• Some of the symptoms of the scrub typhus: Fever and chills Headache, Body aches and muscle pain, Mental changes: ranging from confusion to coma.
• One-third of patients develop a severe disease that affects multiple organs in the body and leads to lethally low blood pressure.

SCRUB TYPHUS: TREATMENT

• In March 2023, a team of Indian scientists has identified a significantly more effective treatment for severe scrub typhus.
• The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), showed that treating patients with a combination of intravenous antibiotics doxycycline and azithromycin is more effective than the current monotherapy of using either drug alone.
• The study found that when both azithromycin and doxycycline were administered together to patients with severe scrub typhus, the bacteria were cleared away quicker and patients improved faster.
• This could be because doxycycline and azithromycin stop the bacteria from producing proteins through different, but complementary, mechanisms.

SOURCE: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/46-scrub-typhus-cases-in-kumaon-since-aug/articleshow/103723769.cms?from=mdr

5. GROWTH IN THE BASMATI RICE EXPORTS

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: Approximately $5 billion export of basmati rice from India is testimony of what can be accomplished with effective public sector breeding and industry collaboration.

EXPLANATION:

• Basmati rice annual exports from India have soared from 0.3-0.35 million tonnes valued at $200-250 million to 4.5-4.6 million tonnes (mt) worth $4.7-4.8 billion, in the past three decades.
• Much of this has been courtesy of scientists at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi.

BASMATI RICE:

• Basmati rice is known for its fragrance and unique flavour. It is popularly known as ‘Queen of Rice’ and ‘Pearl of Rice’.
• India is the largest cultivator, consumer, and exporter of basmati rice.
• India enjoys monopoly over basmati in the world markets.
• Basmati rice is exported to more than 80 countries mainly to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Kuwait and others Gulf and European Countries United Kingdom, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy.
• Half the quantity of basmati exported from the country is sela (parboiled) basmati mainly to the gulf countries.

Origin:

• Basmati rice originated in India.

Distribution:

• Basmati rice is grown in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh.

Climate:

• The rainfall requirement is 700 mm to 1100 mm.
• The mean temperature ranges from 16.4 to 32.1 ° C.
• Relative humidity ranges from 65 to 92%.

Soil:

• Basmati type rice is mostly cultivated in alluvial and Tarai soils.
• The soils are neutral to slightly alkaline and calcareous.
• Soils are loam to clay loam.

Now, let’s see revolution of basmati rice in India with passage of time.

THE FIRST REVOLUTION (PB-1):

• Till the late 1980s, Indian farmers grew traditional basmati varieties having tall plants (150-160 cm) which were prone to lodging (bending over when heavy with well-filled grains) and yielding barely 10 quintals of paddy an acre over 155-160 days from nursery sowing to harvesting.
• These included Taraori (also called Karnal Local or HBC-19) and Dehraduni (Type-3).
• The breakthrough happened with Pusa Basmati-1 (PB-1); an improved variety released in 1989.
• It was a cross between Karnal Local and Pusa-150, a high-yielding non-basmati line.
• With a plant height of 100-105 cm, PB-1 didn’t lodge, yielded 25-26 quintals grain per acre, and matured in 135-140 days.
• PB-1 was bred by a team of Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) scientists.
• At the turn of the century, India was exporting 0.6-0.7 mt of basmati rice fetching $400-450 million annually, with PB-1’s share at roughly 60%.

THE SECOND REVOLUTION (PB-1121):

• PB-1 delivered a yield revolution and helped double India’s basmati exports. But the real revolution came in 2003, with the release of Pusa Basmati-1121 (PB-1121).
• PB-1121 yielded less (20-21 quintals/acre) with a slightly longer maturity of 140-145 days with the good quality of grain.
• Between 2001-02 and 2013-14, India basmati rice exports surged from 0.7 mt to 3.7 mt, and from $390 million to $4.9 billion in value terms.
• Over 70% of that was from PB-1121.

THE THIRD REVOLUTION (PB-1509):

• In 2013, the IARI released Pusa Basmati-1509 (PB-1509).
• It yielded just as much as PB-1, with the milled rice length before and after cooking comparable to PB-1121’s.
• PB-1509’s seed-to-grain duration was just 115-120 days.
• Being an early-maturing high-yielding variety made PB-1509 advantageous for farmers, as they could now take an extra crop.
• Crop combinations being adopted by farmers after harvesting of PB-1509 include planting of a three-month potato crop in the first week of October, followed by sunflower, sweet corn or onion in early-January and maturing in 90-100 days.

BREEDING FOR DISEASE RESISTANCE:

• In the last few years, IARI scientists have focused on preserving the yield gains from their improved basmati varieties by incorporating genes for disease resistance.
• PB-1121, for instance, has become susceptible to bacterial leaf blight.
• To control it, the scientists have sought to transfer genes from landrace cultivars and wild relatives of paddy that are resistant to this bacterial disease.
• Such genes have been identified through a technique called marker-assisted selection.
• In 2021, IARI released Pusa Basmati-1885 and Pusa Basmati-1847.
• These were basically PB-1121 and PB-1509 having “in-built resistance” against bacterial blight as well as rice blast fungal disease.
• Both incorporated two bacterial blight resistant genes Xa21 and xa13, derived from a wild rice species (Oryza longistaminata) and a traditional indica landrace (BJ1) respectively.
• They also carried two other genes Pi2 and Pi54 against blast, similarly, sourced and transferred from an indica rice cultivar (5173) and landrace (Tetep).
• In-built resistance to bacterial blight and blast through such marker-assisted backcross breeding means farmers no longer have to use streptomycin or tetracycline combinations and fungicides such as tricyclazole, azoxystrobin and picoxystrobin.
• Minimising the spraying of crop protection chemical also helps protect the premium value of Indian basmati in the global market.

RISK FACTORS:

• There’s no minimum support price (MSP) for basmati paddy. Also, its rice is mostly exported with only a limited domestic market.
• Farmers are also exposed to the vagaries of the market and government policy with regard to exports.
• The recent restrictions not allowing basmati shipments priced below $1,200 per tonne is only a pointer to that.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/how-basmati-in-india-is-reaping-the-rewards-of-research-8944481/V

1. BASIC STRUCTURE DOCTRINE

TAG: GS 1: POLITY

THE CONTEXT: The debate, which had raised great passions in 1951 during the discussion on the First Amendment of the Constitution has now been revived by the assertion of Previous CJI that the “Basic Structure Doctrine” has “a very debatable jurisprudential basis”.

EXPLANATION:

What is the basic structure doctrine?

• The Doctrine of Basic Structure is a form of judicial review that is used to test the legality of any legislation by the courts.
• The doctrine was evolved by the Supreme Court in the 1973 landmark ruling in Kesavananda Bharati v State of Kerala. In a 7-6 verdict, a 13-judge Constitution Bench ruled that the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution is inviolable, and could not be amended by Parliament.
• There is no exclusive and definitive list of what the basic features are, for the judiciary decides this on a case-by-case basis.
• The test is widely regarded as a check on majoritarian impulses of the Parliament since it places substantive limits on the power to amend the Constitution.

Elements of the basic structure

• Parliament under Article 368 can amend any part of the Constitution including the Fundamental Rights but without affecting the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution.
• However, the Supreme Court is yet to define or clarify as to what constitutes the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution.
• From the various judgements, the following have emerged as ‘basic features’ of the Constitution or elements / components / ingredients of the ‘basic structure’ of the constitution:

1. Supremacy of the Constitution
2. Sovereign, democratic and republican nature of the Indian polity
3. Secular character of the Constitution
4. Separation of powers between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary
5. Federal character of the Constitution
6. Unity and integrity of the nation
7. Welfare state (socio-economic justice)
8. Judicial review
9. Freedom and dignity of the individual
10. Parliamentary system
11. Rule of law
12. Harmony and balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles
13. Principle of equality
14. Free and fair elections
15. Independence of Judiciary
16. Limited power of Parliament to amend the Constitution
17. Effective access to justice
18. Principles (or essence) underlying fundamental rights.
19. Powers of the Supreme Court under Articles 32, 136, 141 and 142
20. Powers of the High Courts under Articles 226 and 227

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/dont-shut-down-the-debate-on-the-basic-structure-of-the-constitution-8912185/

2. CHOKUWA RICE

TAG: GS 1: ART AND CULTURE

THE CONTEXT: Chokuwa rice recently earned a GI (Geographical Indication) tag for its exquisiteness.

EXPLANATION:

• Chokuwa rice ,also known as magic rice is a part of Assam culinary heritage, this unique rice has been a staple of the troops of the mighty Ahom dynasty.
• This unique and healthy rice is cultivated around the Brahmaputra area and is cultivated in several parts of Assam like Tinsukia, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Nagaon, Morigaon etc.
• Chokuwa rice is basically a semi-glutinous winter rice also known as Sali rice. The sticky and glutinous variety is categorized as Bora and Chokuwa based on their amylose concentration.
• The low amylose Chokuwa rice variants are used to make soft rice, which is known as Komal Chaul or soft rice.

• This whole grain can be consumed after soaking the rice in the cold or lukewarm water.
• For the uninitated, this rice is pre-boiled, dried, then stored and soaked right before consumption.
• This rice variety is widely consumed for its convenience of preparation and nutritional value.
• This unique rice variety is consumed with curd, sugar, jaggery, bananas to name a few. This rice is also used in making several Assamese delights like Pithe and other local dishes.

NOTE: Refer to 2^nd August DNA for more information on Geographical Indication tag.

SOURCE: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/what-is-magic-rice-what-is-special-about-this-rice-that-it-got-gi-tag/photostory/103109458.cms?from=mdr

3. NATIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL PRICING AUTHORITY (NPPA)

TAG: GS 2: SOCIAL JUSTICE; GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has brought 44 new drugs under price control. These drugs are commonly used for pain management, depression, anxiety, gastro- related ailments, hypertension and several auto-immune diseases.

EXPLANATION:

• The move is aimed to make these drugs cheaper. Manufacturers failing to comply with the price cap have to return the overcharged amount to the government.
• Retail price for various drugs as paroxetine controlled release and clonazepam, a combination drug used for treating mood swings and anxiety and Itraconazole capsule, used to treat fungal infections, has been fixed.
• Other drugs as metformin and sitagliptin combination, used to treat high blood sugar levels caused by type 2 diabetes and Chlorthalidone, amlodipine and telmisartan tablets, a combination used in the treatment of high blood pressure has been fixed.
• The manufacturers not complying with the regulations shall be liable to deposit the overcharged amount as per the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 and Essential Commodities Act 1955.

National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority

• National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority was established as an attached office of the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
• It is in charge of controlling medicine pricing in the nation and ensuring that they are accessible, affordable, and readily available to all of the nation’s citizens.
• The NPPA was set up in 1997 to fix/revise prices of controlled bulk drugs and formulations and to enforce price and availability of the medicines in the country, under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 1995-2013.

Functions of National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA):

• Utilizing the authority granted to it, administer and enforce the requirements of the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO), 1995/2013.
• To carry out and/or support pertinent studies about the cost of medications/formulations.
• To gather and retain information on manufacturing, exports, and imports, individual company market shares, business profitability, etc. for bulk pharmaceuticals and formulation.
• To handle all legal issues resulting from the Authority’s judgments.
• To provide guidance to the central government on modifying or updating the drug policy.

Essential Commodities Act 1955:

• The Act gives powers to the central government to add or remove a commodity in the “Schedule.” The Centre, if it is satisfied that it is necessary to do so in public interest, can notify an item as essential, in consultation with state governments.
• At present, the “Schedule” contains 9 commodities — drugs; fertilisers, whether inorganic, organic or mixed; foodstuffs, including edible oils; hank yarn made wholly from cotton; petroleum and petroleum products; raw jute and jute textiles; seeds of food-crops and seeds of fruits and vegetables, seeds of cattle fodder, jute seed, cotton seed; face masks; and hand sanitisers.
• By declaring a commodity as essential, the government can control the production, supply, and distribution of that commodity, and impose a stock limit.

SOURCE: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/nppa-brings-44-drugs-under-price-control-making-pain-management-depression-anxiety-medications-cheaper-11693330020854.html

4. ADDIS ABABA DECLARATION

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: Environment ministers of the African continent have agreed to institute national and regional strategies to minimise environmental impacts in the extraction and processing of critical mineral resources.

EXPLANATION:

• The continent is facing several challenges as countries, especially China, rush to Africa for its mineral resources.
• Fifty-four countries acknowledged key environmental challenges faced by the continent land degradation, desertification, and drought in the Addis Ababa declaration.

The 19th session African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) was held at Addis Ababa from August 14-18, 2023.

Addis Ababa Declaration 2023:

• 19th African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) 2023 held from August 14 to 18, 2023 at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
• The theme for AMCEN 2023 was “Seizing Opportunities and Enhancing Collaboration to Address Environmental Challenges in Africa”.
• Addis Ababa declaration was signed by 54 nations and acknowledge challenges of land degradation, desertification and drought.
• The declaration focus was urgent, wide-ranging action on environmental challenges related to climate change, plastics pollution, marine protection, biodiversity conservation and natural capital.
• The countries also committed to take appropriate measures to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework through updating or revising national biodiversity strategies and action plans or national targets.
• The Goal of the declaration is to increase the global finance flow to at least $100 billion per year.
• Countries agreed to work on a priority to implement the Africa Blue Economy Strategy of the African Union.

Africa Blue Economy Strategy of the African Union:

• The African Union (AU) published the Africa Blue Economy Strategy in 2018 because the continent’s BE could be a generator of jobs and livelihoods for millions of current and future generations.
• The objective of the BE Strategy is to guide the development of an inclusive and sustainable blue economy that becomes a significant contributor to continental transformation and growth.
• It is done through advancing knowledge on marine and aquatic biotechnology, environmental sustainability, the exploitation and beneficiation of deep-sea mineral and other resources

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/world/over-50-african-countries-agree-to-work-on-minimising-impact-of-mineral-mining-91402

5. CLIMATE ACTION TO PROTECT CHILDREN’S RIGHTS

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: The United Nations released a new guidance “General Comment No. 26” on children’s rights and the environment, with a particular focus on climate change.

EXPLANATION:

• It provides a legal framework to address the adverse effects of environmental degradation and climate change on the enjoyment of children’s rights and to ensure a clean, healthy, and sustainable world and to preserve it for future generation.
• The recognition is legally significant as it details member states’ obligations under the Child Rights Convention to address environmental harms and guarantee that children can exercise their rights.

NEW GUIDELINES:

• In the new guidelines, the UN member states have been asked to take all necessary, appropriate, and reasonable measures to protect against harms to children’s rights related to climate change that are caused by businesses.
• Nations have been urged to equitably phase out the use of coal, oil and natural gas.
• They have also been asked to ensure a fair and just transition of energy sources and invest in renewable energy, energy storage and energy efficiency to address the climate crisis.
• Establishing inclusive early warning systems must be a priority of all the nations to protect children from impacts of the extreme weather events.
• It has also urged upon the developed countries to provide grants rather than loans for actions to avoid negative impacts on children’s rights.
• It has voiced its concerns over the unequal share of finances provided for adaptation and loss and damage measure.

OTHER REPORTS OR CONVENTION:

• In 1989, the UN convention on rights of the child outlined children’s rights, which includes the right to life, health, clean drinking water and survival and development. It has been ratified by 196 countries.
• As per research of UNICEF, all of the world’s 2.02 billion children are expected to be exposed to high heatwave frequency, regardless of whether the world achieves a low greenhouse gas emission scenario by 2050.
• Reducing carbon emissions can prevent 4,000 to 6,000 child deaths due to heat in Africa every year, according to a study. Extreme weather events around the world displaced at least 12 million children in 2022, as per the UNICEF estimates.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/climate-change/first-of-its-kind-un-guidance-calls-for-climate-action-by-states-to-protect-children-s-rights-91433

1. E-GOVERNANCE DELIVERY REPORT RELEASED

TAG: GS 2: GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the fifth edition of ‘National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment (NeSDA) – Way Forward Monthly Report for States/UTs’ on status of e-service delivery across States/UTs has been released.

EXPLANATION:

Findings of the report:

• National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment (NeSDA) initiative has been undertaken by Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DAPRG), Govt. of India.
• It aims to boost the e-government endeavors at all levels of governance and embark on the journey for Digital Government excellence.
• The report showed that e-services saturation had reached 69 per cent with the maximum e-services reported in the Local governance and Utility services sector.
• State Wise assessment showed, 21 out 36 States/UTs have achieved saturation of mandatory e-services in the Tourism sector while 17 states have achieved saturation in the Environment sector.

National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment (NeSDA) framework:

• It was launched in August 2018, was conceptualized with an overall objective to measure the depth and effectiveness of existing e-Governance service delivery mechanisms.
• This framework, based on the Online Service Index (OSI) of UNDESA eGovernment Survey, has been customized for the Indian federal structure and the e-Governance landscape of the States and UTs.
• The first edition of the biennial study – National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment 2019 was released during February 2020.

NeSDA Framework

Categorisation of states

• To account for the variations in the size and diversity of the States, they have been categorized into three groups:
• North East States and Hill States (11)
• Union Territories (7), and
• Remaining States (18)

Sectors covered

• 2019 – The framework covers six sectors, viz. Finance, Labour & Employment, Education, Local Government & Utilities, Social Welfare (including Agriculture & Health) and Environment (including Fire) sectors.
• 2021 – In NeSDA 2021, Additional services added such as Public Procurement, Home Department, and Tourism in alignment to the UN eGovernment Survey online services coverage and country’s priority sectors.
• 2023 – In NeSDA 2023, Transport and Public Grievance sectors are added.

Parameters covered

• The State / UT / Ministry Portals – seven parameters, namely, Accessibility, Content Availability, Ease of Use, Information Security & Privacy, Open Government Data (OGD), E-Participation and Leveraging Emerging Technologies.
• The Services Portals – eight parameters, viz. Accessibility, Content Availability, Ease of Use, Information Security & Privacy, End-service Delivery, Integrated Service Delivery, Status & Request Tracking and Leveraging Emerging Technologies
• The City Portals – seven parameters, namely, Accessibility, Content Availability, Ease of Use, Information Security & Privacy, Open Government Data (OGD), E-Participation and Leveraging Emerging Technologies.

SOURCE: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/e-governance-delivery-report-released/articleshow/102918144.cms?from=mdr

2. BHARAT NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (BHARAT NCAP)

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced the implementation of new safety rating system for passenger cars from October 1, 2023.

EXPLANATION:

• With the launch of the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP), India is set to get its own crash safety assessment system.
• With NCAP, the Centre is aiming to increase demand for safer cars and encourage manufacturers to comply with customer needs.
• High safety standards could help Indian cars compete better in the global market and increase the export potential of Indian car manufacturers.

What is Bharat NCAP?

• The Bharat NCAP is a safety assessment initiative introduced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
• It aims to evaluate the safety performance of passenger vehicles in India that weigh less than 3.5 tonnes and can accommodate up to eight passengers.
• The programme aims to provide a tool to the car customers to make a comparative assessment of crash safety of motor vehicles available in the market.
• It is designed to align India’s safety standards with countries like the USA, Australia, Japan and the UK.
• The vehicles will be given star ratings based on crash tests and point-based evaluations.

How will the rating be given?

• The rating will be given based on a series of crash tests. A frontal crash test is conducted at a speed of 64 kilometres per hour (kmph). Side and pole-side tests occur at 50 kmph and 20 kmph, respectively.
• Ratings are assigned based on two criteria: Adult safety for front passengers and child safety at the rear. For adult safety, a car needs to score a minimum of 27 out of a maximum of 32 points to achieve a 5-star rating
• A 5-star rating for child safety is granted to vehicles scoring at least 41 out of 49 points.

How can automakers get a BNAP rating for their cars?

• Under the BNCAP, manufacturers or importers of motor vehicles will have to apply for FORM 70-A to the agency designated by the central government.
• Under this programme, car manufacturers can voluntarily offer their cars to be tested as per the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197.
• Based on the performance of the car in the tests, car will be awarded star ratings for Adult Occupants (AOP) and Child Occupant (COP).
• The vehicle’s star rating shall be uploaded on the designated portal by the designated agency.

SOURCE: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/auto/auto-news/indias-new-safety-ratings-for-passenger-cars-to-start-on-oct-1-govt/articleshow/102933251.cms?from=mdr

3. INDIA, ASEAN AGREE TO REVIEW FTA BY 2025

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

THE CONTEXT: Recently, India and the ASEAN countries reached an agreement to review their free trade pact for goods and set a 2025 goalpost for concluding the review aimed at addressing the “asymmetry” in bilateral trade. 

EXPLANATION:

• India and the ASEAN have agreed to fast track negotiations for the review of the existing free trade agreement in goods between the two regions and conclude the talks in 2025.
• The issue was discussed during the 20^th ASEAN Economic Ministers-India Consultation meeting, held at Semarang, Indonesia.
• The commerce ministry said that the main agenda of this year’s meeting was the timely review of ASEAN -India Trade in Goods Agreement which was signed in 2009 and implemented in January 2010.
• The economic ministers’ meeting was preceded by AITIGA Joint Committee meeting, which deliberated the roadmap for the review and finalised the term of reference and the work plan of the review negotiations.
• The review of AITIGA is expected to enhance and diversify trade while addressing the current asymmetry in bilateral trade.
• Trade experts said the review demand is there because India’s exports to ASEAN have been affected due to non-reciprocity in FTA concessions, non-tariff barriers, import regulations and quotas.

Associated concerns:

• Concerns have been raised about routing of goods from third countries in India through ASEAN members by taking the duty advantages of the agreement.
• ASEAN also has a much deeper economic engagement with China through the ASEAN China Trade and Goods Agreement.
• The trade deficit has widened to $43.57 billion in the last fiscal from $25.76 billion in 2021-22. It was just $5 billion in 2010-11.

ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA)

• It aims to enhance the free flow of goods in the region to lessen trade barriers and deeper economic linkages among Member States to translate into lower business costs, increased trade, and a larger market and economies of scale for businesses.
• It goes beyond tariff reductions and contains specific provisions on rules of origin (ROO), non-tariff measures (NTMs), trade facilitation, and sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) measures.

• Through ATIGA, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand have eliminated intra-ASEAN import duties on 99.65 percent of their tariff lines.
• Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam have reduced their import duties to 0-5 percent on 98.86 percent of their tariff lines.

Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN)

• The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration).
• Its founding members included Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
• It is a political and economic union of 10 member states in Southeast Asia i.e Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

ASEAN’s primary objectives are:

• to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region; and
• to promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries in the region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/business/india-asean-agree-to-review-fta-by-2025/article67220771.ece

4. METHYLOTUVIMICROBIUM BURYATENSE 5GB1C BACTERIA

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: According to a study published in the journal “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences”, 240 million tonnes of methane could be prevented from reaching the atmosphere by using Methylotuvimicrobium buryatense 5GB1C bacteria extensively by 2050.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE STUDY:

• Methylotuvimicrobium buryatense 5GB1C is a bacterial strain that consumes methane and can help mitigate global warming.
• Researchers explained that the global average temperature rise can be reduced 0.21-0.22 degree Celsius by removing 0.3-1 petagrams of methane by 2050.
• Bacteria that consume methane (methanotrophs) can be a desirable choice. However, they thrive in environments with methane concentrations of between 5,000 and 10,000 parts per million (ppm).
• But methane levels in key emission sites are around 500 ppm.
• To identify methanotrophs that consume such low methane (500 ppm) at much higher rates, researchers screened a range of existing methanotrophs.
• At 500 ppm, they discovered that Methylotuvimicrobium buryatense 5GB1C performed at its best. Additional research revealed that this strain continued to grow effectively at 200 ppm.
• It can grow at low methane concentrations ranging from 200-1,000 ppm.
• These features make this strain a promising candidate for methane removal technology.

What are the constraints?

• Scaling up the technology is challenging.
• To control temperature is tricky. As the optimal temperature range is 25-30oC, both too-low and too-high temperatures become problematic for bacterial growth.
• Controlling temperature will be expensive and will have an impact both economic feasibility and energy balance.
• When comparing temperate temperatures to tropical climates and polar climates, the issue is cost and energy utilisation.
• To test the feasibility of the technology in implementation, researchers called for additional field experiments.

Methane:

• It is flammable and is used as a fuel worldwide.
• It has a shorter lifespan in the atmosphere compared to carbon dioxide.
• Oil and natural gas networks, agricultural practises, coal mining, and garbage are some of the common sources of methane.
• Methane is 85 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) on a 20-year timescale.
• Methane is responsible for around 30% of the rise in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution.

What are the other initiatives to tackle methane emissions?

• India shifted from Bharat Stage-IV (BS-IV) to Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) emission norms.
• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) was launched in 2008, aimed to create awareness among the representatives of the public, industries, communities etc on the threat posed by climate change and the steps to counter it.
• India Greenhouse Gas Program is an industry-led voluntary framework to measure and manage greenhouse gas emissions.
• Global Methane Initiative (GMI) is an international public-private partnership focused on reducing barriers to the recovery and use of methane as a clean energy source.
• Global Methane Pledge at the Glasgow climate conference (UNFCCC COP 26) in 2021 to cut methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030 from the 2020 levels. India is not a part of Global Methane Pledge.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/climate-change/now-a-bacteria-that-can-eat-methane-can-it-reduce-global-warming-researchers-say-it-s-possible-91289

5. JAXA’ s XRISM and SLIM spacecraft

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Japan’s Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is ready to launch X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) spacecraft along with Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) on 26 August.

X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM):

• It aims to study the universe’s hottest regions, largest structures, and objects with the strongest gravity.
• It is a joint initiative of NASA and JAXA.
• The spacecraft would be able to detect X-ray light from gas released from galaxy clusters and help astronomers to measure the total mass of these systems.
• It will reveal information about the formation and evolution of the Universe, according to European Space Agency.
• XRISM’s observations of galaxy clusters will also provide insight into how the chemical elements were produced and distributed by the Universe.

Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM):

• JAXA’s SLIM set to land on Moon from Tanegashima Space Center in Japan.
• It aims to demonstrate accurate landing techniques by a small explorer.
• This will give an impetus to Moon and planet study through lighter exploration systems.
• It is scheduled to launch as a “ride-share” payload with XRISM.
• It will ride a Mitsubishi H-IIA launch vehicle.
• It has clocked up over 30 successful missions in a row since 2005.
• Successful landing will lead to a qualitative shift towards being able to land where we want and not just where it is easy to land.
• It also has high-resolution cameras and an image processing algorithm. The smart lander would be able to calculate and finalising an optimal spot for landing based on information of craters and their position.

SOURCE: https://www.livemint.com/science/news/japans-space-agency-to-launch-xrism-and-slim-moon-sniper-spacecraft-26-august-nasa-mission-to-moon-jaxa-lunar-mission-11692682731077.html

1. LANDSLIDE IN UTTARAKHAND

TAG: GS 1: GEOGRAPHY; GS 3: DISASTER MANAGEMENT

THE CONTEXT: Recently, landslide hit the state of Uttarakhand in the Langha Jakhan village of Vikasnagar tehsil in Dehradun district.

EXPLANATION:

• Incessant rain has been lashing various parts of the hill state, causing landslides that demolished buildings and flooding rivers and streams whose swirling waters swept away people in separate incidents.
• Landslide in Uttarakhand disrupted livelihoods, cause lossof human lives and damages to property and infrastructure.
• Meanwhile, State Disaster Response Force personnel have safely evacuated pilgrims stranded since Monday on the trek route to Madmaheshwar temple following a bridge collapse in rain-hit Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district.
• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted substantial rainfall in the mountainous regions of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand over the next four days.

What is a Landslide?

• A landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope. Landslides are a type of “mass wasting,” which denotes any down-slope movement of soil and rock under the direct influence of gravity.
• The term “landslide” encompasses five modes of slope movement: falls, topples, slides, spreads, and flows.
• These are further subdivided by the type of geologic material (bedrock, debris, or earth). Debris flows (commonly referred to as mudflows or mudslides) and rock falls are examples of common landslide types.
• A general landslide hazard map of India shown here marks the areas of different hazard zones in various states of India where Himalayas of Northwest and Northeast India and the Western Ghats are two regions of high vulnerability and are landslide prone.
• NDMA guidelines are being followed for Landslide Hazard Zonation (LHZ) maps at 1: 50,000 scale and progressively larger scales for specific areas.

Causes of landslides:

Landslides occur when masses of rock, earth, or debris move down a slope. Debris flows, also known as mudslides, are a common type of fast-moving landslide that tends to flow in channels. Landslides are caused by disturbances in the natural stability of a slope.

Natural causes:

• Earthquake: When earthquakes occur on areas with steep slopes, many times the soil slips causing landslides. Furthermore, ashes debris flows caused by earthquakes can also trigger mass movement of soil.
• Heavy rainfall: When sloped areas become completely saturated by heavy rainfall many times landslides can occur. Without the aid of mechanical root support the soil simply runs off when it contains too much water.

Human causes:

• Clear cutting of forest: Method of timber harvesting which completely removes all old growth timber from the area. This method is hazardous because it destroys the existing mechanical root structure in the area.
• Mining: Mining operations that use blasting techniques often cause other areas that are at the risk of sliding to slide due to vibrations under the soil.

Government Initiatives for landslide management:

• The Landslide Hazard Atlas of India containing small scale maps was published jointly by the Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC) and Anna University in 2004.
• The Geological Survey of India (GSI) was given the responsibility of nodal agency for LHZ and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Ministry of Environment and Forests and climate change (MoEFCC) were identified as nodal agencies for the remaining two task forces, respectively.
• In June 2009, the National Disaster Management Authority released the Guidelines on Management of Landslides and Snow Avalanches, laying down national policy for the management of landslides and related activities in the country.

SOURCE: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/uttarakhand-rains-landslide-destroys-15-houses-7-cowsheds-in-dehradun-11692244128608.html

2. COMPETITION COMMISSION OF INDIA (CCI)

TAG: GS 2: GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has slapped a fine of Rs 40 lakh on Axis Bank for failing to notify the regulator about its acquisition of a stake in CSC e-Governance.

EXPLANATION:

• The transaction under consideration comprised acquisition of a 9.91 per cent stake in CSC e-Governance by Axis Bank and got completed in November 2020.
• For the transaction, Axis Bank was required to give notice to the fair-trade regulator. However, it failed to do so.
• It is apparent that the acquisition of stake in CSC e-Governance by Axis Bank was neither solely as an investment nor can be considered to be in ordinary course of business.
• Therefore, the Axis-CSC e-Governance acquisition is not eligible for the benefit of the Item 1 of Schedule I (combination regulation) and accordingly, it is immaterial whether the transaction led to acquisition of control or not.
• To avail the benefit of combination rules, the acquirer should not be a member of the board of directors, does not have a right to nominate a director and should not participate in the affairs or management of the enterprise whose shares or voting right are being acquired.
• CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd is a special-purpose vehicle set up by the electronics and information technology ministry to oversee the implementation of the common services centre scheme.

Competition Commission of India (CCI)

• Competition Commission of India (CCI) is the chief national competition regulator in India.
• It is a statutory body within the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and is responsible for enforcing the Competition Act, 2002.
• It aims to promote competition and prevent activities that have an appreciable adverse effect on competition in India. The CCI looks into cases and investigates them if the same has a negative impact on competition.

Objectives of CCI:

• Make the markets work for the benefit and welfare of consumers.
• Ensure fair and healthy competition in economic activities in the country for faster and inclusive growth and development of the economy.
• Implement competition policies with an aim to effectuate the most efficient utilization of economic resources.
• Develop and nurture effective relations and interactions with sectoral regulators to ensure smooth alignment of sectoral regulatory laws in tandem with competition law.
• Effectively carry out competition advocacy and spread the information on benefits of competition among all stakeholders to establish and nurture competition culture in Indian economy.

SOURCE: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/banking/finance/banking/competition-commission-of-india-slaps-rs-40-lakh-on-axis-bank/articleshow/102839553.cms?from=mdr

3. OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: The Union ministry of new and renewable energy has sought bids to survey sites identified for offshore wind power projects in Tamil Nadu.

EXPLANATION:

• A notification released by the ministry showed that the government plans to bid out projects of 4GW capacity on 1 December. Further, in the next financial year, it plans to bid out projects with a total capacity of 3GW.
• The government will bid out sites for offshore wind power projects through two models.
• In one model, the government will provide viability gap funding, and in the other, identified offshore wind sites will be leased out under competitive bidding for carrying out studies and surveys and subsequent project development without any central financial assistance.
• The bids for the study of the sites have been called for the second model where financial support is not available.
• Under this model, sites are proposed to be allocated for a period of two years to carry out the survey.
• The government may also call for bids for procurement of power for distribution companies based on tariffs after two years.
• Although the government notified the national offshore wind energy policy in 2015, and efforts have been on to establish the sector in the country, the sector has not taken off as anticipated.
• To boost investments in this space, the Union power ministry in May announced a waiver of Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charges on the transmission of electricity generated via offshore wind sources.

OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY IN INDIA

• India is blessed with a coastline of about 7600 km surrounded by water on three sides and has good prospects of harnessing offshore wind energy.
• The wind resources assessment carried out by the National Institute of Wind Energy shows India’s total wind energy potential at 302GW at 100m and 695.50GW at 120m hub height.
• Out of the total estimated potential, more than 95% of commercially exploitable wind resources are concentrated in seven states—Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.
• Considering this, the Government had notified the “National offshore wind energy policy” as per the Gazette Notification dated 6th October 2015.
• As per the policy, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will act as the nodal Ministry for development of Offshore Wind Energy in India.
• It will work in close coordination with other government entities for Development and Use of Maritime Space within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the country and shall be responsible for overall monitoring of offshore wind energy development in the country.
• National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), Chennai will be the nodal agency to carryout resource assessment; surveys and studies in EEZ demarcate blocks and facilitate developers for setting up offshore wind energy farms.
• India has extensive experience with onshore wind turbines, with an installed capacity of more than 30 gigawatts. As part of its efforts to mitigate climate change, the country has decided to utilize offshore wind energy as well.
• India’s plan is a call for 5,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2022, and 30,000 megawatts by 2030.
• Offshore wind is an important component of India’s plan to install 500GW of renewable capacity by 2030 and to achieve its target of reaching net zero by 2070.

SOURCE: https://www.livemint.com/industry/energy/centre-sets-the-ball-rolling-for-offshore-wind-projects-11692379960523.html

4. BA.2.86: A NEW VARIANT OF THE CORONAVIRUS

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States centre for Disease Control and Prevention are monitoring a new variant of the coronavirus, BA.2.86, also known as BA.X.

EXPLANATION:

• It has been detected in the U.S., the U.K., Denmark, and Israel.
• Over 1.4 million new COVID-19 cases and 2,300 deaths were reported from WHO’s six regions in the period of 28 days (July 17 to August 13, 2023).
• Reported cases do not accurately represent infection rates due to the reduction in testing and reporting globally.
• But the potential impacts of the BA.2.86 mutations are presently unknown and undergoing careful assessment.
• The United States federal agency Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring the lineage.
• WHO monitors the different COVID variants under three categories.
• variant under monitoring (VUM)
• variant of interest (VOI)
• variant of concern (VOC)
• WHO has classified BA.2.86 as a VUM.
• A “variant under monitoring” is a strain with genetic changes that could affect its characteristics like transmissibility, but that limited evidence makes its impact unclear, WHO has classified BA.2.86 as a VUM.

SOME NEW CORONAVIRUS VARIANTS

• 5:
• It is a descendent of the Omicron lineage of XBB.1.9.2.
• It was designated as VOI after risk evaluation by the World Health Organization. It was previously designated as VUM.
• 5 was first reported on February 17, 2023, and it has been reported from a total of 48 countries and in India, one EG.5.1 was detected in Maharashtra in May, 2023.
• 1.5:
  • It is derived from the 2 Omicron subvariant and the most contagious variant of the virus causing COVID-19.
  • The XBB.1.5 subvariant has a mutation that can become more transmissible.
  • IT IS DESIGNATED AS variant of interest (VOI)
  • It was reported in dec 2022, and it has been detected in 28 other countries worldwide.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/health/who-us-cdc-are-now-tracking-new-covid-variant-ba-2-86-91247

5. 3D PRINTED BUILDINGS

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: India Inaugurated its first 3D-Printed Post Office in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

EXPLANATION:

• The post office building has been fully developed with the use of 3D printing technology.
• The company Larsen & Toubro Limited undertook the construction while IIT Madras provided technical guidance on the project.
• This new and unique building construction used 3D-concrete printing technology method.

3D Concrete Printing Technology

• It is a fully automated construction technology in which a robotic printer deposits the concrete layer after layer much like a human worker.
• It is also known as additive manufacturing.
• It carries out the construction in accordance with the approved design.
• Special-grade concrete is used in the project because it hardens quickly, ensuring easy and fast bonding between the layers to print the structure.
• Compared to the conventional methods, this technology has completed the construction of entire structure in just 45 days.
• Additive Manufacturing Society of India (AMSI) promotes 3D printing & Additive Manufacturing Technologies in India
• It is helping in the design, R&D organisations, manufacturing professionals and academics in 3D Printing.
• Its applications are Helmets, Dental meds, Jet Engine parts, Cars and Hearing aid and now even a house.

Benefits of 3D Printing Technology

• Contrasting to the traditional machines, it decreases waste and costs (through economy of scale).
• It is appropriate for products with challenging environmental conditions.
• It reduces capital, space required, and carbon footprint and improves customisation.
• Different materials can be mixed during the printing process to create a unique alloy.
• Prototypes can be made quicker allowing designers to check different iterations resulting in a quicker design cycle phase.
• Robust IT infrastructure and increased connectivity will support the Digital India Campaign.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/how-does-3d-printing-work-8898689/

1. ARBITRAGE FUNDS

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: Investors are back to arbitrage funds, pouring in as much as Rs 10,074 crore in July, with cumulative flows rising to Rs 23,800 crore this financial year.

EXPLANATION:

• The inflows reflect high returns and better taxation treatment these funds offer compared to debt plans.
• Over the last year, data from value research show arbitrage funds generated 6.25% returns. This is higher than 2.7-3% that big banks pay for parking money savings accounts.

What is an arbitrage fund? How does it generate returns?

• An arbitrage fund seeks to generate returns on the price differential in the cash and futures market.
• In such a scheme, the fund manager simultaneously buys a company in the cash market and sells an equivalent quantity in the futures segment as long as the futures trade at a reasonable premium.The spread between the two generates the return for the scheme.
• The fund does not take any naked exposure to any individual security or an index as each buy transaction in the cash market has a corresponding sell transaction in the futures
• While 65% of the corpus is allocated to arbitrage products the fund manager is free to choose the balance of 35% between arbitrage or debt products, depending on his view on the market.

Why is it gaining popularity with investors?

• High returns compared with savings accounts and better taxation are driving investors to arbitrage funds.
• Rich investors also prefer these funds as they are treated as equity funds for taxation, which significantly increases post tax returns.
• Investors holding for less than a year pay 15% capital gains tax, while if they sell after a year they pay only 10% long term capital gains tax for gains above Rs 1 lakh. Compared to this in a debt fund, rich investors have to pay short term capital gains tax at 30%.

What are the risks of investing in this scheme?

• Arbitrage funds rank high on safety. The scheme always has a market neutral position by buying in the cash market and simultaneously selling the same security in the futures market.
• Compared to debt funds where there could be some credit risk, there is no such risk here.

What is Futures Market?

• A futures market is an auction market in which participants buy and sell commodity and futures contracts for delivery on a specified future date.
• Futures contracts are derivatives contracts to buy or sell specific quantities of a commodity or financial instrument at a specified price with delivery set at a specified time in the future.
• Futures market provide physical or electronic trading venues, details of standardized contracts, market and price data, clearing houses, exchange self-regulations, margin mechanisms, settlement procedures, delivery times, delivery procedures and other services to foster trading in futures contracts.
• Futures market can be organized as non-profit member-owned organizations or as for-profit organizations.
• Futures markets can be integrated under the same brand name or organization with other types of exchanges, such as stock markets, options markets, and bond markets.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/mf/analysis/why-are-arbitrage-funds-gaining-popularity-with-investors/articleshow/102757727.cms?from=mdr

2. THE BHARATIYA SAKSHYA BILL, 2023

TAG: GS 2: GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT: Recently, Union Home Minister introduced the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill in Lok Sabha that would repeal the current Indian Evidence Act of 1872.

EXPLANATION:

• The new Bharatiya Sakshya Bill has 167 sections. Of these, 23 sections sourced from the Evidence Act have been amended, 1 section is entirely new, and 5 sections have been removed.

Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 definition:

• As per the Bill, it aims to ‘consolidate and to provide for general rules and principles of evidence for fair trial’.
• Citing the reason for bringing this Bill, the government said that the existing Indian Evidence Act has not kept up with the technological advancements and societal changes of the past decades.
• Adding on, the government says the new Bill aims to align the laws with the contemporary needs and aspirations of the people.

Key provisions of the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill:

• The Bill makes electronic or digital records admissible as evidence, thereby they will have the same legal effect as paper documents.
• It repeals five existing provisions of the Evidence Act, modifies 23 provisions, and adds one new provision.
• Also, the Bill proposes amendments to 23 Sections and contains 170 Sections in total.
• In the Bill, the scope of expansion for secondary evidence to include copies made from the original by mechanical processes, counterparts of documents, and oral accounts of document contents has been done.
• Through the Bill, the government is aiming to introduce precise and uniform rules for dealing with evidence during the trial of cases.

Indian Evidence Act, 1872

• The Indian Evidence Act, originally passed in India by the Imperial Legislative Council in 1872, during the British Raj, contains a set of rules and allied issues governing admissibility of evidence in the Indian courts of law
• It consolidates, defines, and amends the law of evidence in India. It extends to the whole of India. It introduced a standard set of law applicable to all Indians. It has eleven chapters and 167 sections,
• The Act applies to all judicial proceedings in or before any Court in India, including Courts-martial (except those convened under the Army Act, the Naval Discipline Act, or the Indian Navy Discipline Act, 1934, or the Air Force Act).
• It does not apply to affidavits presented to any Court or officer, or proceedings before an arbitrator.
• The enactment and adoption of the Indian Evidence Act was a path-breaking judicial measure introduced in India, which changed the entire system of concepts pertaining to admissibility of evidences in the Indian courts of law.
• Until then, the rules of evidences were based on the traditional legal systems of different social groups and communities of India and were different for different people depending on caste, community, faith and social position.
• The law is mainly based upon the firm work by Sir James Fitzjames Stephen, who could be called the founding father of this comprehensive piece of legislation.
• When India gained independence on 15 August 1947, the Act continued to be in force throughout the Republic of India. After 1947, the Act continues in force in India.
• However, it was repealed in Pakistan in 1984 by the Evidence Order 1984 (also known as the “Qanun-e-Shahadat”).

This Act is divided into three parts and there are 11 chapters in total under this Act.

Part 1: Part 1 deals with relevancy of the facts. There are two chapters under this part: the first chapter is a preliminary chapter which introduces to the Evidence Act and the second chapter specifically deals with the relevancy of the facts.

Part 2: Part 2 consists of chapters from 3 to 6. Chapter 3 deals with facts which need not be proved,  chapter 4 deals with oral evidence, chapter 5 deals with documentary evidence and chapter 6 deals with circumstances when documentary evidence has been given preference over the oral evidence.

Part 3: The last part, that is part 3, consists of chapter 7 to chapter 11. Chapter 7 talks about the burden of proof. Chapter 8 talks about estoppel, chapter 9 talks about witnesses, chapter 10 talks about examination of witnesses, and last chapter which is chapter 11 talks about improper admission and rejection of evidence.

Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/bharatiya-sakshya-bill-to-replace-indian-evidence-act-heres-what-may-change-11691776626038.html

3. LUNA -25: RUSSIAN LUNAR MISSION

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Russia has once again shown its interest into lunar exploration with the much-anticipated launch of the Luna-25 recently. If successful, this will be the first lunar mission by Russia to touch down on the moon’s surface in 47 years since 1976. 

EXPLANATION:

• The launch comes nearly a month after the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) sent its own moon lander, Chandrayaan-3, which is supposed to land on August 23, 2023.
• The US, China and the erstwhile USSR are the only three countries that have managed to successfully execute a soft-landing on the moon.

What is the Luna-25 mission?

• The Luna 25 mission’s main objective is to execute a pinpoint landing near the moon’s south pole, due to its potential for revealing critical insights into the moon’s geological composition.
• The mission aims to collect geological samples which will give scientists the opportunity to study this unexplored region of the moon.
• Furthermore, scientists also hope that the mission is successful in finding water or at least its building blocks which could aid in establishing human colonies in the near future.
• The landing craft was launched in a Souyz-2 Fregat rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome and is expected to stay on the moon for a year.
• In the meantime, it will collect samples using its robotic arm, collect data from its spectrometers, use the imaging systems to take pictures and beam all the information back to Earth.

Why is this mission important for Russia?

• Russia’s Luna-25 mission is also called as Luna-Glob-Lander which is seen as a bid to reclaim some of its prestige back as one of the leaders in space exploration.
• The last successful lunar mission was the Luna-24 probe launched by the Soviet space programme in 1976. This mission returned with geographical samples which showed the presence of water on the moon.
• Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia has tried to launch two landing missions to Mars–Mars-96 in 1996 and the Phobos Grunt in 2011. Both missions ended with the spacecrafts crash-landing into the Pacific Ocean.
• Russia’s space programme has been hampered due to the multiple sanctions imposed on the country since 2014 and the latest sanctions imposed in 2022 due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
• The restriction of access to equipment and expertise from western countries have impeded on the success of the Russian space programme.

 Luna-25 mission and  Chandrayaan-3:

• According to Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, the landing of Luna-25 will not have any impact on Chandrayaan-3 as the landing region of the spacecrafts is different and “there is enough space on the moon for everyone.”
• Moreover, the Luna-25 landing craft is stationary while Chandrayaan-3 comes with a landing craft and a rover.
• Also, the Chandrayaan-3 mission is supposed to last for two weeks though both missions have similar objectives–find traces of water on Earth’s only natural satellite while collecting scientific data.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/russia-luna-25-mission-explained-isro-chandrayaan-3-artemis-mission-roscosmos-space-race-china/article67194691.ece

4. VISHWAKARMA SCHEME

TAG: GS 2: SOCIAL JUSTICE

THE CONTEXT: Prime Minister announced Vishwakarma scheme, which will allocate between 13,000 and 15,000 crores for people with traditional skills.

EXPLANATION:

• On the occasion of India’s 77th Independence Day, the Prime Minister addressed the nation from the Red Fort’s ramparts and unveiled several programmes for the urban poor, women’s self-help groups, and skilled professionals.
• The Vishwakarma scheme, which is for skilled workers like barbers, goldsmiths, washing men, etc., is one of the programmes.
• On the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti (on 17^th September), the programme will be unveiled.

Vishwakarma Scheme

• Prime Minister Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman (PM-VIKAS) scheme has been announced for traditional artisans and craftsmen in the budget 2023-24.

• The components of the scheme will include access to
• Financial support
• Access to advanced skill training to increase the calibre.
• Knowledge of modern digital techniques and efficient green technologies
• Brand promotion
• Linkage with local and global markets
• Digital payments
• Social security
• The Vishwakarma Scheme strives to raise the quality, scope, scale, and accessibility of the goods and services provided by artisans and craftspeople.
• It seeks to incorporate them into both the national and international value chains.
• These workers will become more economically empowered, particularly those from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Communities, women etc.

SOURCE: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/pm-modi-announces-vishwakarma-scheme-allocates-rs-13-000-cr-15-000-cr-for-those-with-traditional-skills-details-here-11692067668533.html

5. BIRD SURVEY AT CORBETT TIGER RESERVE

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: Recently, a bird survey was conducted in Corbett Reserve in Nainital, Uttarakhand.

EXPLANATION:

• The Corbett Tiger Reserve in Nainital conducted a bird study that resulted in a count of about 275 bird species.
• A 62-member team consisting of ornithologists, conservationists, volunteers from World Wide Fund (WWF) India, Tiger Conservation Foundation, and Village Volunteer Protection Force conducted the survey between June 20 and June 23.
• It covered overall 540 km of 135 forest trails provided insights into the diverse bird species inhabiting at Corbett Tiger Reserve.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT

• The report is compiled by Oriental Trials, an NGO working for conservation of wildlife.
• The data included both non-resident species that seek shelter during their hard treks and resident species, who call the reserve their year-round home.
• The survey documented two species that are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list of critically endangered.
• Red-headed vulture
• White-rumped vulture
• It covered the vast range of landscape in the reserve, including grassland, dense forest, rivers, and hilly terrains.
• The researchers included two endangered species in their survey:
• Egyptian vulture
• Pallas’s fish-eagle.
• The scientific names of Pallas’s fish-eagle and Egyptian vulture are halieetus leucoryphus and neophron percnopterus respectively.
• Four threatened bird species were also counted in the survey:
• Great hornbill
• Great slaty woodpecker
• Grey-crowned prinia
• River tern.
• The reserve is home to about 10 near-threatened bird species:
• Alexandrine parakeet
• River lapwing
• Red-breasted parakeet
• Oriental darter
• Lesser fish-eagle
• Himalayan griffon
• Great thick-knee
• Gray-headed fish-eagle
• Black-necked stork
• Asian woolley-necked stork.
• The IUCN classifies around 256 of the species found in the survey as being of least concern.

Corbett Tiger Reserve

• Corbett tiger reserve is located in Ramnager in Nainital district.
• The distinctive features of the park are:
• It has sub-Himalayan belts.
• It is the best eco-tourism destination.
• It has 488 different species of plants.
• Rich fauna
• The climate is sub-tropical.
• It has Dhikala, Bijrani, Jhirna, Durgadevi and Sitavani zones.
• Ramganga, Sonanadi, Mandal, Palain and Kosi are the major rivers are the most significant hydrological resource flowing through the Corbett.
• It shelters lots of endangered species includes 50 mammal species, 549 bird species, and 26 reptile species.
• Corbett Tiger Reserve which covers 1288.31 sq. kms spreading over three districts of Uttarakhand viz., Pauri, Nainital and Almora comprising of Sonanadi wildlife sanctuary & reserve forest area, Corbett National Park of 521sq km forms.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/two-critically-endangered-four-vulnerable-and-two-endangered-species-found-during-bird-survey-at-corbett-tiger-reserve-in-nainital/article67197809.ece