INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANISATION INTERBANK CONSORTIUM (SCO IBC)

TAGS:GS-II- INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS- PRELIMS

THE CONTEXT: Recently, India appealed to SCO Interbank Consortium members to increase cooperation among themselves.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The SCO Interbank Consortium was established by the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in 2005.
• It provides funding and bank services for investment projects sponsored by the governments of the SCO member states.
• Objective: to provide financial services, promote trade, and facilitate investment among the member states.
• The SCO IBC Council meets ad hoc upon the consensus of all of the parties at least once per year.
• The Presidency of the Council is carried out on a rotational basis.
• It consists of major banks from the member countries, such as the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the National Bank of Kazakhstan, and the Bank of Russia.
• The first meeting of the SCO Interbank Association was held in Beijing on 21–22 February 2006.

2. NORTH SEA SUMMIT

TAGS:GS-II- INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS- PRELIMS

THE CONTEXT: Recently, nine European countries signed a declaration at the North Sea Summit.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The second edition of the North Sea Summit was held in the city of Ostend in Belgium.
• Participant countries included: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands Norway, and the United Kingdom
• Objective: to make the North Sea the largest green energy centre in Europe by accelerating the deployment of offshore wind turbines.
• The summit set ambitious targets including the production of at least 120 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy(UPCS CSE: Understanding Wind Energy) in the North Sea by 2030.
• The first summit was held in 2022 in Denmark.
• It resulted in the Esbjerg Declaration.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

3. MARS’ CORE

TAGS:GS-III-SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: A new study has revealed fascinating insights into the innermost layer of Mars – its core. The Red Planet’s core is estimated to have a radius of approximately 1,780-1,810 kilometers, smaller and denser than previously thought. It is likely in a liquid state, according to the research published in the journal PNAS.

THE EXPLANATION:

The InSight Mars Lander

• In order to gain insight into the makeup and architecture of Mars, a team of international scientists scrutinized seismic information collected by NASA’s InSight Mars Lander, which was sent into orbit in May 2018. The lander put a seismometer and other geophysical equipment on the planet’s surface. Seismometers detect and measure seismic waves – shockwaves generated after an earthquake. As seismic waves pass through different materials, they behave differently, slowing down when they pass through liquid materials or hot regions.

Farside Seismic Events

• The team looked for ‘farside’ seismic events that occur on the opposite side of the planet to InSight. The team of researchers identified two seismic occurrences, one resulting from a marsquake and the other caused by a significant impact. Afterward, they compared the duration seismic waves took to travel through the core in contrast to those that remained within the mantle. Through the use of computer models, the team made projections concerning the physical characteristics of the core, such as its dimensions.

Composition of Mars’ Core

• The research found that light elements, sulfur, and oxygen, comprise a fifth of the core’s weight. Irwing explained that although both Earth and Mars are mostly made of iron, Mars’ core is less dense than Earth’s due to several factors, including the material that formed the planets.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES IN NEWS

4. MAHILA SAMMAN SAVINGS CERTIFICATE (MSSC)

TAGS:GS-II- GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the  Union Minister for Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs opened a Mahila Samman Savings Certificate (MSSC) account.

THE EXPLANATION:

• Mahila Samman Savings Certificate Scheme was announced in the 2023-24 Union Budget) to commemorate ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
• Objective: To empower women by increasing their participation in investments.
• It is a significant step towards financial inclusion and empowerment of women including girls. It is a one-time savings scheme.
• The two-year tenure scheme offers an attractive interest rate of 7.5 per cent compounded quarterly
• It will have flexible investment and partial withdrawal options with a maximum ceiling of Rs two lakh.
• The scheme is valid for a two-year period up to 31st March 2025.
• The scheme has been made available in all 1.59 lakh post offices from April 01, 2023.

Deposit limits:-

• One can start investing in this scheme with a minimum amount of Rs. 1,000 or any other amount in multiples of Rs. 100.
• But one cannot make additional deposits after that.
• Under this scheme, one can open multiple accounts, but the maximum total investment should be Rs 2 lakh only.
• And each account opened should have a three-month gap between the opening date of the existing account and the new account.

Eligibility Criteria:-

• The scheme is exclusively available to women.
• Any woman above 18 years of age can invest in this scheme by herself.
• Also, in the case of minors, the guardian can open the account on behalf of the girl.

PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

5. BUREAU OF CIVIL AVIATION SECURITY (BCAS)

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

THE CONTEXT: The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is the national regulatory body for civil aviation security in India. It recently commemorated its raising day.

THE EXPLANATION:

A Brief History of BCAS

• The BCAS was established as a Cell in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in January 1978 following the hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight in September 1976.
• The primary role of the cell was to manage and train personnel on Civil Aviation Security matters. In April 1987, the BCAS became an independent department under the Ministry of Civil Aviation in response to the Kanishka Tragedy in June 1985.

Responsibilities of BCAS

• One of the key duties of BCAS is to create aviation security standards in compliance with Annex 17 to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s Chicago Convention for airlines and airport operators, as well as their security agencies, responsible for implementing AVSEC measures.
• The BCAS also monitors the implementation of security regulations and carries out assessments to determine security requirements. The bureau ensures that security staff receives appropriate training and necessary competencies to perform their duties.
• In addition, BCAS is responsible for coordinating and planning aviation security matters, including conducting surprise and dummy checks to evaluate the proficiency and alertness of security personnel. The bureau also conducts mock exercises to test the effectiveness of contingency plans and the operational preparedness of various agencies.

GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS

1. MARINE SPATIAL PLANNING FRAMEWORK

TAGS: PRELIMS- GS-II-GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS

THE CONTEXT: Puducherry has launched the country’s first Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) framework as part of a pact under the Indo-Norway Integrated Ocean Initiative.

THE EXPLANATION:

Aim: to balance growth alongside sustainable management of ocean resources and coastal environment preservation.

About Marine Spatial Planning:

• MSP is an ecosystem-based spatial planning process for analyzing current and anticipated ocean and coastal uses and identifying areas most suitable for various activities.
• It provides a public policy process for society to better determine how the ocean and coasts are sustainably used and protected – now and for future generations.
• The initiative, known as Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), will be implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) through the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) for India.

The IOC-UNESCO Marine Spatial Planning Programme:

• It helps countries implement ecosystem-based management by finding space for biodiversity, conservation and sustainable economic development in marine areas.
• IOC-UNESCO has developed several guides, including a 10-step guide on how to get a marine spatial plan started: “Step-by-step Approach for Marine Spatial Planning toward Ecosystem-based Management”.

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

2. ALLOCATION OF ELECTION SYMBOLS BY ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA (ECI)

TAGS: PRELIMS- GS-II-POLITY

THE CONTEXT: ECI has recognised Eknath Shinde group as official “Shiv Sena”, allowing them to use the official “Bow & Arrow” symbol and “Shiv Sena” name.

THE EXPLANATION:

Sadiq Ali case

• The ECI has applied the tests mentioned in the 1971 Supreme Court judgment in Sadiq Ali v. Election Commission of India.
• In the Sadiq Ali case, it was held that in matters of disputes among groups of a political party, the test of majority support among the members of the ‘organizational and legislature wings’ of the party was the critical test to decide the dispute.
• It includes the Test of aims and objects of the Party Constitution, Test of Party Constitution and Test of Majority.

The 1968 Order

• On the question of a split in a political party outside the legislature, Para 15 of the Symbols Order, 1968, states that the decision of the Commission shall be binding on all such rival sections or groups.
• This applies to disputes in recognised national and state parties (like the Shiv Sena).
• For splits in registered but unrecognized parties, the ECI usually advises the warring factions to resolve their differences internally or to approach the court.
• The first case to be decided under the 1968 Order was the first split in the Indian National Congress in 1969.

Election Symbols:

• Political parties are allotted the symbols by the Election Commission of India under the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968.
• A reserved symbol is one that is allocated to a registered political party while a free symbol is available to be allocated to non-recognized parties and independent candidates.
• Paragraph 4 of the order deals with the allotment of symbols.
• Paragraph 5 classifies the symbol into reserved and free symbols.
• Paragraph 8 of the Election Symbols Order deals with the choice and allotment of symbols to candidates of national and state parties.

Registration of Political Parties:

• According to the Election Commission, any party seeking registration has to apply to the Commission within a period of 30 days following the date of its formation as per guidelines prescribed by the Commission
• It is in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 324 of the Constitution of India and Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
• The registration of all political parties is governed by the provisions of Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

3. MOMENTUM 2.0 APP

TAGS: PRELIMS- GS-II- Government Schemes

THE CONTEXT: Delhi Metro will introduce the Momentum 2.0 app that will allow users to make a variety of purchases and schedule various services, including those for last-mile connectivity.

THE EXPLANATION:

About Momentum 2.0 app:

• It is India’s first virtual shopping app for the metro.
• It is launched by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
• Features:
• It will allow customers to make payments and schedule services, including those for last-mile connections.
• It will also contain features such as rapid recharge of Delhi Metro’s smart cards and smart payment choices for other utility services.
• The app would also allow users to have digital lockers at metro stations.
• Commuters can use this app to find bikes, e-rickshaws, cabs, and the schedules of feeder buses and cluster bus routes from Delhi Metro stations.
• The app will also provide complete information on metro station infrastructure, such as the location and condition of gates, lifts, escalators, platforms, train scheduling, coach occupancy, and space availability.
• The app will also provide information on shops, outlets, kiosks, and ATMs located at the stations.

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

4. PANGOLINS

TAGS: PRELIMS- GS-III- Environment

THE CONTEXT: According to the analysis by TRAFFIC, a global wildlife conservation non-profit, and World-Wide Fund for Nature-India, over 1200 Pangolins were poached for illegal wildlife trade in India from 2018-2022.

THE EXPLANATION:

About Pangolins:

• Pangolins are nocturnal, toothless mammals that dig burrows and feed on ants and termites.
• Pangolins are scaly anteater mammals and they have large, protective keratin scales covering their skin.
• Pangolin is the only scaly mammal on the planet.
• It uses these scales as armor to defend itself against predators by rolling into a ball when threatened.
• Out of the eight species of pangolin, the Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and the Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) are found in India.

About Ecosystem Services:

• They play a vital role in the ecosystem management, mostly in aerating and adding moisture to the soil as well as succession of plant communities through burrowing.
• They also keep in check the population of certain insects they prey on.
• The burrows made by pangolins also get utilized as shelters by other species within their ecosystem.

Indian Pangolin

• Range – Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
• IUCN – Endangered
• The Indian pangolin, which dons a thick scaly skin, is hunted for meat and used in traditional Chinese medicine.
• Both these species are listed under Schedule I Part I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Chinese Pangolin

• Range – Bangladesh; Bhutan; China; Hong Kong; India; Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Myanmar; Nepal; Taiwan, Province of China; Thailand; Viet Nam
• IUCN – Critically Endangered.

PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

5. KENDU LEAF

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

THE CONTEXT:The GST council meeting recently rejected Odisha’s demand for tax exemption on kendu leaf.

THE EXPLANATION:

About Kendu leaf:

• Kendu leaf is called the green gold of Odisha.
• It is a nationalized product like Bamboo and Sal seed.
• It is one of the most important non-wood forest products of Odisha.
• It is also referred to as tendu leaf in some parts of the country and is used to roll tobacco into bidis (local cigarettes).

Production:

• The states producing kendu leaves in India comprise mainly Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
• Odisha is the third-largest producer of kendu leaf after Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.