RELEVANCE TO UPSC SYLLABUS: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT: ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND DEGRADATION; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

THE CONTEXT: Air pollution is a big menace for the city of Delhi which faces this issue annually. The problems with poor air quality usually attract attention during late autumn when stubble burning is at its peak in the states neighbouring the NCR. However, data shows that good or even moderately satisfactory air evades the capital’s residents for most parts of the year, especially in winter.

 REASONS:

• Crop Burning:Farmers of the states around Delhi carry out stubble burning which leads to generation of pollution and these pollutants are carried towards Delhi.
• Vehicular Emissions: Vehicle emissions contribute to the dangerous impacts of smog and air pollution. Due to the sheer volume of automobiles on the road, this is a significant source of pollution.
• Construction Dust: Increase in construction and other infrastructure work in the region has led to generation of construction dust, which acts as a pollutant.
• Industrial Pollution: Delhi-NCR’s industries have not embraced environmentally friendly fuels and methods. They emit harmful gases which cause pollution.
• Stagnant Winds: During winter months, the upward movement of air from the layers below is stopped which causes polluted air to be stagnant over the region. Due to stagnant winds, the pollutants generated in the area get trapped over the region which increases the chances of pollution to a great extent.
• Geographical Reason: As Delhi is land-locked from all sides, the north-westerly winds coming from Pakistan and Afghanistan bring in large amounts of dust particles to the region. Due to the presence of Himalayas, which block the escape route of the air, the dust and pollutants settle in the region.
• Lack in programme implementation: There is lack of effectiveness in programme implementation to tackle air pollution. For example, CAQM has not developed a synergy between the different bodies whose work is crucial to ensure clean air pollution. In 2019, the government launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to reduce pollution by 20-30% by 2024 compared to 2017. In 2022, the programme’s goalposts were shifted 40% reduction in pollution by 2026. Most independent studies show that progress under NCAP has been slow.
• Unutilised funds: Recently, Centre told Parliament that cities in Delhi-NCR have utilised less than 40 per cent of the funds allocated to curb air pollution.

RECENT STEPS TAKEN:

• Commission for Air Quality Management is monitoring agency set up in 2021 and it has imposed restrictions under phase III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
• GRAP is a set of incremental anti-pollution measures that are triggered to prevent further worsening of air quality once it reaches a certain threshold in the Delhi-NCR region.
• The implementation of Stage-III GRAP mandates immediate action on multiple fronts. The Sub-Committee decides to invoke 8 point action plan as per Stage-III of revised GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect.
• The anti-pollution steps under the 8-point action plan by the central commission are:

1. Intensify the frequency of mechanised and vacuum-based sweeping of roads.
2. Ensure daily water sprinkling, along with dust suppressants, before peak traffic hours on roads and pollution hotspots.
3. Intensify public transport services and introduce differential rates to encourage off-peak travel.
4. Enforce a strict ban on construction and demolition activities in the entire NCR, except essential projects.
5. Close down operations of stone crushers.
6. Close down all mining and associated activities in NCR.
7. Impose strict restrictions on the operation of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel LMVs.
8. Make a decision on discontinuing physical classes in schools for children up to class 4 and conduct classes in an online mode.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• Address Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) burning: A study found that Delhi burns 190 to 246 tons of MSW every day, which severely pollutes the air. Therefore, any form of garbage burning must be stopped and authorities need to develop infrastructure for effective collection and disposal of MSW.
• Promote the use of electric and BS-VI vehicles: On an average vehicle can contribute up to 25% to PM 2.5 levels and at some locations, it can spike to 35%. Using Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) can significantly reduce emissions from diesel vehicles. The introduction of more electric, hybrid and BS-VI vehicles can also help reduce the pollution. Improvement of public transport is also necessary to address the problem.
• Limit biomass burning: Burning of crop residue in Haryana and Punjab needs to stop on urgent basis. Instead of burning, the residue can be used for energy production, biogas generation and feeding cattle.
• Tackle fly ash: During summers, fly ash is one of the biggest contributors to PM 10 in Delhi. To deal with the pollutants, water spraying, installation of windbreakers and plantations should be done.
• Need of long-term plan: There are several measures that are being taken from spraying water to implementing GRAP to odd even solution. However, these measures provide temporary relief, therefore, the persistent problem of air pollution needs a long-term solution like drafting out an all-year action plan to improve air quality.
• Enhanced powers to the authorities: Though CAQM has taken various steps, but the agency has functioned more like a regulator whose primary responsibility is to implement the Graded Action Response Plan. There is a need for more independent power to authorities to take pre-emptive actions and allow denser monitoring.

THE CONCLUSION: Despite several steps taken for combating air pollution in Delhi, it continues to be a much more serious problem. To significantly improve air quality in Delhi, a host of preventive steps need to be taken to provide a long-term solution to this problem.

UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

1. Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve revised standards? (2021)
2. What are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the Government of India? (2020)

 MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Delhi registered severe air pollution on the Air Quality Index (AQI) recently. In this context, analyse the major factors contributing to Delhi’s pollution and suggest measures that need to be taken to address the persistent problem of air pollution in Delhi.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/delhi-air-quality-aqi-aqi-register-caqm-pollution-monitoring-agency-9110840/#:~:text=The%20persistent%20problem%20frames%20the,So%20far%2C%20mechanisms%20are%20failing&text=Delhi’s%20problems%20with%20poor%20air,the%20states%20neighbouring%20the%20NCR.

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. What the World Malaria Report says about India READ MORE
2. COP28: What is Global Stocktake — and why is it important? READ MORE
3. RBI monetary policy: Why is the Monetary Policy Committee likely to leave repo rate unchanged? READ MORE
4. BCG revaccination study in high-risk adults to begin in 23 States READ MORE
5.  ‘India will be the largest cotton producer’ READ MORE
6. COP28 climate meet | India not among 118 nations that pledged to triple green energy READ MORE
7. Lithium supply strategy: India’s initiative with Argentina’s CAMYEN gains traction READ MORE
8. Natural superhero fungi boosts crop yields by 40% READ MORE
9. After COVID break, Centre approves fourth phase roll-out of GIAN scheme READ MORE
10. India agreed to withdraw soldiers from country, says Maldives President Muizzu READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Re-criminalising adultery as a gender-neutral offence READ MORE
2. Weather Report: East India braces for wet days ahead as Cyclone Michaung builds up; North India to remain dry READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. The legal net to trap peddlers of deepfakes READ MORE
2. Private job quota for locals ends with order READ MORE
3. Role of Governors in focus again READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. India, disability inclusion and the power of ‘by’ READ MORE  

 INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Kissinger: Cold warrior of realpolitik READ MORE  
2. Time for a reset in India-US ties READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Growth surprise points to status quo on repo rate READ MORE
2. Economy well on track but growth not yet broad-based READ MORE
3. Why government is not worried about missing disinvestment target READ MORE
4. How Indian economy has silenced ‘perennial pessimists’ READ MORE
5. India’s geo-digital age is here – tech partnerships, data protection, semiconductors READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Why India will continue to rely on coal for foreseeable future READ MORE  
2. India reduced emissions intensity 33% in 2005-2019, shows new submission to UN READ MORE
3. COP28 must put global climate action back on track READ MORE
4. Will COP28 UAE shape climate justice amid clash between urgency and economic realities in global climate action? READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. The transformative benefits of population-level genome sequencing | Explained READ MORE   
2. Artificial Intelligence: Benefits outweigh the detriments READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Combating cybercrimes READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. The Uttarakhand tunnel workers have been rescued. It’s time to ask hard questions about the project READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Panacea for grief: Realise the eternity within READ MORE
2. Your anger, your energy READ MORE
3. Serve Param Purush READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. A bottom-up approach to disability inclusion is needed to ensure that persons with disabilities are recognised as active members of society and the economy. In the light of the statement critically examine the schemes established as part of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2016).
2. The goal of social justice cannot be achieved without the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all spheres of development, starting with rural areas and rural resilience. Comment.
3. The historic marginalisation of persons with disabilities and the backsliding of the progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, a fundamental shift in commitment, solidarity, financing and action is critical. Discuss how the voices and needs of persons with disabilities be prioritised at the centre of the global development agenda.
4. ‘Strategic Autonomy’ deployed by India in recent times owes itself to the foundational principle of realpolitik, as it allows the practitioner to not get closeted within the linear grouping. Critically examine the statement.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.
• There needs to be more inclusive opportunities and employment in the rural areas as a majority of persons with disabilities live here.
• The first step is awareness to ensure last-mile connectivity of the benefits enumerated for people with disabilities by the government, which begins with the capacity-building of community leaders who can advocate for this at the grass-roots level.
• A bottom-up approach to disability inclusion is crucial to build productive pathways out of poverty and ensure that persons with disabilities are recognised as active members of society and the economy.
• The goal of social justice cannot be achieved without the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all spheres of development, starting with rural areas and rural resilience.
• A bi-directional link to poverty, nutrition, and hunger, and as a consequence, there needs to be more inclusive opportunities and employment in rural areas.
• The historic marginalisation of persons with disabilities and the backsliding of the progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, a fundamental shift in commitment, solidarity, financing and action is critical.
• It is about time that the voices and needs of persons with disabilities be prioritised at the centre of the global development agenda.
• Though the domestic economy is on a stronger footing, inflation needs to sustain at 4 per cent for interest rates to be cut.
• Though the domestic economy is on a stronger footing and global headwinds are not too threatening as to upset inflation-growth dynamics, the lingering El Nino impact on the farm sector could be a cause of concern.
• ‘Strategic Autonomy’ deployed by India in recent times owes itself to the foundational principle of realpolitik, as it allows the practitioner to not get closeted within the linear grouping and associated puritanism of ‘allies’ to which a sovereign subscribed.
• As India meanders and navigates its rise in global relevance and animus simultaneously, it would do well to mull over and keep pace with the evolving nature of diplomacy.
• The extent of moral compromises, leniencies and even suppressions done by Superpowers in their quest to assert their geopolitical agendas and interests, is even more pronounced.
• It is imperative to foster a constructive working relationship to resolve the disharmony between the Centre and the states.
• Instead of engaging in public arguments, Chief Ministers and Governors should create a more conducive environment for the federal structure to operate seamlessly. Establishing a positive and productive relationship is crucial for the efficient functioning of the state.
• The core commitment of COP28 is to conceptualise a sustainable socio-economic model that will substantively decouple itself from conventional reliance on the fossil-related energy model.
• The alignment of AI use cases with the vision of the organisation is the most important aspect of the adoption of AI.
• The development of AI should not be an ad-hoc process but a part of a well-thought-out strategy which has the support of the top management and confidence of all stakeholders as a tool for reducing their burden rather than replacing them or their work.

ESSAY TOPIC

• Strategy is not the consequence of planning, but the opposite: its starting point.

50-WORD TALK

• Tamil Nadu police have a new target. It’s called ED. Scenes of police raiding ED office upend the playbook of what has become so routine and partisan that nobody even ponders anymore. It shows how broken the federal compact is. The primary responsibility of repairing centre-state balance lies with centre.
• China has become the first nation to accept the Taliban’s ambassador, starting the normalisation of the outfit in the global order. This is the destiny of Afghanistan that everyone will have to accept, even as efforts continue to sustain international pressure on the Taliban for women’s rights and curbing terrorism.

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.

RELEVANCE TO UPSC SYLLABUS: GS 3: ECONOMIC GROWTH; EMPLOYMENT; LABOUR AND PRODUCTIVITY

THE CONTEXT: Infosys chairman N.R. Narayana Murthy sparked a debate by urging young Indians to work 70 hours per week to develop the country. He cited Japan and Germany as examples of countries that grew because their citizens worked for longer hours to rebuild their nations in the aftermath of the Second World War.

ISSUES

• Against law of economics: According to Keynesian law of economics, the output is determined by aggregate demand of goods, and the demand for labour is entirely dependent upon this demand. Firms that employ more labour while aggregate demand has not increased will find themselves with unsold goods. So, an offer by workers to work longer hours will not ensure that they will find employment so long as firms are unwilling to hire them.
• Not aligned to Indian conditions: The high working hours that contributed to

other countries are unlikely to serve the purpose in Indian conditions. In the economic rise of the mentioned countries, it was post-war reconstruction that provided the demand for greater output.

• Informal nature of economy: In India, major segment of economy is informal in nature which is another hurdle in reaping the benefits of increasing worker productivity.
• Asymmetric demography: There is asymmetric growth of the working-age ratio in India as major working population is likely to be concentrated in some of India’s poorest states. The full economic growth can fully realized only if India is able to create gainful employment opportunities for this working-age population.
• Lack of skills: Most of the new jobs that will be created in the future will be highly skilled and lack of skill in Indian workforce is a major challenge. India may not be able to take advantage of the opportunities, due to a low human capital base and lack of skills.
• Lack of capital: Indian workers do not actually lag behind other countries when it comes to clocking in long hours at work. But there is a lack of sufficient capital that can help boost their productivity. Among the top 10 biggest economies, India has the highest weekly working hours and the lowest per capita GDP.

CONDITIONS IN OTHER COUNTRIES

• Germany and Japan had experienced a decline in their workforces due to greater mortality, both from combat and the bombing after second world war. So, when it came to rebuilding these economies, the demand for labour was abnormally high. In the case of west Germany, there was the Marshall Plan by which the United States had assisted the country’s revival.
• South Korea too was recovering from a war, though a different one, and its resurgence was supported by considerable foreign aid received from the U.S.
• Prior to the resumption of production, these cities would have had to be cleared of rubble, a task requiring massive deployment of labour given the scale of the devastation.
• However, a political aspect beyond finance, common to all these three countries, is a strong nationalistic element that is likely to have accompanied their post-war reconstruction.
• There is insufficient recognition of the fact that the manufacturing success of the east is underpinned by prior success in agriculture.

THE WAY FORWARD

• Employment generation: The nation needs to create enormous job to absorb the addition of young people into the workforce. Promoting business interests and entrepreneurship would help in job creation to provide employment to the large labour force.
• Enhance human development parameters: India ranks 130 out of 189 countries in UNDP’s Human Development Index, which is alarming. Therefore, health and education parameters need to be improved substantially to make the Indian workforce efficient and skilled.
• Use of global market to grow domestic economy: There is a need to use the global market demand to grow the domestic economy for which India’s goods would have to be globally competitive. Here, the experience of South Korea is relevant. As most of the produced inputs into production are available to all countries via trade, a country’s competitiveness is determined by the productivity of its workforce. The strength of a workforce is related to its health and skill. Here, India’s workers are at a disadvantage compared to the most successful economies of Asia. Thus, there is need to enhance skills for maximum utilization of global economy.
• Expand the domestic market: There is a need to expand the domestic market which can increase the aggregate demand. For example, there is need to cut cost of food production to increase the real income of the Indian households. This would lead them to spend on non-agricultural goods and services. This would generate the demand needed to spur production in the rest of the economy.

THE CONCLUSION: India represents a unique case and any arbitrary comparison with other countries would only lead to irrational policy prescriptions. There is a need to enhance social investments potential for increased labour productivity to achieve more sustainable and desirable outcome.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

1. Faster economic growth requires increased share of the manufacturing sector in GDP, particularly of MSMEs. Comment on the present policies of the Government in this regard. (2023)
2. Is inclusive growth possible under market economy? State the significance of financial inclusion in achieving economic growth in India. (2022)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION

According to the International Labour Organization, despite long working hours, Indian economic growth is not substantial. How can India translate its worker productivity to economic growth? Explain

Refer to mains focus article for more:

https://blog.lukmaanias.com/2023/10/13/labour-force-participation-is-up-unemployment-is-down-what-about-the-quality-of-work/

https://blog.lukmaanias.com/2023/11/09/the-problem-with-the-70-hours-a-week-line/

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/making-sense-of-the-employment-challenge/article67555366.ece

TOPIC 1: RHODODENDRON

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT  

THE CONTEXT: The rhododendron flower in Uttarakhand, is portrayed as an integral part of the region’s culture, rituals, mythology, and even culinary practices.

RHODODENDRON AS A CULTURAL SYMBOL:

• Cultural and Ritual Importance:
  • The rhododendron is deeply embedded in Uttarakhand’s culture, being an essential part of local rituals and mythology.
  • Its presence in rituals and temples signifies purity and endurance, demonstrating the reverence people hold for this flower.
• Pilgrimage Significance:
  • The flower is central to the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra, a significant pilgrimage in Uttarakhand that occurs every 12 years.
  • This underscores the strong bond between the local people and their natural environment.

UTILIZATION BEYOND AESTHETICS:

• Culinary and Medicinal Use:
  • Beyond its visual appeal, the rhododendron finds usage in regional cuisine, with its blossoms being used to create sweets, drinks, jams, and juice.
  • Its distinct flavour and purported cooling properties make it popular among locals and visitors alike.
• Environmental Concerns:
  • Climate change-induced alterations in temperature and precipitation patterns are impacting the rhododendron’s growth and flowering cycles.
  • Consequently, conservation efforts are gaining importance, with initiatives in place to safeguard these Himalayan flowers, including the establishment of conservation zones and promoting eco-friendly travel practices.

ECONOMIC AND TOURISTIC VALUE:

• Cultural Tourism:
  • The rich cultural connection with the rhododendron offers a unique opportunity for cultural tourism.
  • Visitors are drawn not only to the natural beauty but also to the rituals and traditions associated with the flower.
• Local Economy:
  • The utilization of rhododendron in cuisine and traditional practices also contributes to the local economy, providing opportunities for culinary ventures and indigenous products.

IMPLICATIONS:

• Cultural Heritage Preservation:
  • The importance of preserving not just the flower itself but also the associated cultural heritage and traditions has been emphasized.
  • The emphasis on conservation and sustainable practices reflects a holistic approach to safeguarding this floral emblem and the surrounding ecosystem while acknowledging its cultural significance.
• Sustainable Development:
  • Balancing conservation with tourism and economic activities is crucial to ensure sustainable development, where efforts to protect the rhododendron align with the promotion of eco-friendly practices.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/the-power-of-the-rhododendron/article67529485.ece

TOPIC 2: ONATTUKARA SESAME

TAG: GS 3: AGRICULTURE

THE CONTEXT: Efforts are being made to expand the cultivation of Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged Onattukara sesame in the Kerala region.

INITIATIVE TO EXPAND SESAME CULTIVATION:

• Increase in Cultivation Area:
  • The Onattukara Vikasana Agency (OVA) plans to significantly increase the area under sesame cultivation.
  • It aimed to expand it to 2,000 hectares from the current 600 hectares in the region encompassing three districts of Kerala: Alappuzha, Kollam, and Pathanamthitta.
• Incentive Scheme:
  • To encourage farmers, a financial assistance program has been announced, offering ₹40 for a cent of land for cultivating sesame within the Thekkekara Krishi Bhavan limits.
  • This incentive is expected to attract individuals, farming collectives, Kudumbashree groups, self-help groups, and joint liability groups towards sesame cultivation.
• Collaborative Efforts:
  • The initiative is a joint venture involving local Krishi Bhavan, Onattukara Vikasana Agency (OVA), Onattukara Regional Agricultural Research Station (ORARS), Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kayamkulam, and Mavelikara Thekkekara Panchayat.
  • Collaboration between these entities indicates a concerted effort to promote sesame cultivation.
• Support Mechanisms:
  • Farmers and groups engaging in sesame cultivation are offered additional support.
  • It also includes access to workforce from Thekkekara Karshika Karma Sena and tractor rental at a nominal charge of ₹750 per hour.

SIGNIFICANCE OF ONATTUKARA SESAME:

• Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:
  • The Onattukara sesame holds a GI tag, signifying its unique characteristics and origin from a specific geographical location, adding value to its identity and quality.
• Medicinal and Nutritional Value:
  • Studies by the Kerala Agricultural University reveal the medicinal value of Onattukara sesame.
  • It contains high levels of Vitamin E, antioxidants, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and palmitoleic acid, promoting good health.
• Varieties Cultivated:
  • Apart from the traditional Ayali variety, farmers in the region are cultivating varieties like Kayamkulam-1, Thilak, Thilathara, and Thilarani, developed by the Onattukara Regional Agricultural Research Station (ORARS).

POTENTIAL BENEFITS:

• Economic Development:
  • Expanding sesame cultivation holds the potential to boost local economies, generate employment opportunities, and contribute to the agricultural sector’s growth in the region.
• Health and Nutritional Benefits:
  • Highlighting the nutritional and medicinal values of Onattukara sesame could create consumer awareness, potentially increasing demand for this particular variety.
• Collaborative Approach:
  • The joint efforts involving various agricultural institutions, local governance bodies, and farmers’ groups indicate a coordinated strategy towards agricultural development and sustainability.
• GI Tag and Quality Assurance:
  • The GI tag signifies quality, authenticity, and unique characteristics associated with the geographical region, contributing to the promotion and branding of Onattukara sesame.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/measures-on-to-expand-cultivation-of-gi-tagged-onattukara-sesame/article67551308.ece/amp/

TOPIC 3: INDIA-UK FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (FTA)

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: External Affairs Minister of India discussed the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Britain’s Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary recently.

EXPLANATION:

• The agreement is under negotiation and has not been signed yet.
• When signed, the India-UK FTA will serve as a template for an agreement with the European Union (EU).

INDIA-UK FREE TRADE AGREEMENT:

• Strategic Importance as a Template for EU Agreement:
  • The FTA between India and the UK is seen as a model for a similar pact with the European Union, India’s second-largest trade partner.
  • It signifies a shift in India’s trade strategy towards Western nations and African countries rather than solely focusing on the East, as previously done under the UPA government.
• China Factor and Supply Chain Disruptions:
  • The disruption in supply chains during the pandemic has prompted Western companies to reconsider their over-dependence on China, leading to a ‘China-plus one’ strategy.
  • This shift has motivated countries like Australia and the UK to seek stronger economic ties with India.
• Brexit-Induced Insecurities for the UK:
  • Brexit has created uncertainties for the UK, making an FTA with India crucial to compensate for the loss of access to the European Single Market.
  • However, concerns exist regarding offering work permits to Indian service sector workers due to political reasons.
• Potential Gains and Challenges for India:
  • For India, the FTA presents an opportunity to revive declining sectors like apparel and gems/jewellery by reducing tariffs in the UK.
  • However, concerns have been raised about the impact on Least Developed Countries (LDCs) like Bangladesh if India gains zero-duty access for its textiles.
• Beneficial Aspects for the UK:
  • The UK aims to gain deeper access to the Indian market, especially for goods like cars, Scotch whisky, and wines, which currently face significant tariffs.
  • Elimination or reduction of tariffs on these goods could enhance British exports to India.
• Tariff Disparity and Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs):
  • There exists a substantial tariff disparity between goods imported from India into the UK and vice versa.
  • The FTA negotiations might focus on reducing these tariff barriers.
  • Additionally, addressing non-tariff barriers such as regulations and standards could be crucial for Indian exporters, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing.
• Carbon Tax and Border Adjustment Mechanism:
  • The UK’s plan to impose a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) similar to the EU’s strategy might affect India’s exports, especially in sectors like cement, chemicals, steel, and others.
  • This imposition aims to reduce dependence on high carbon-emitting imports and could potentially impact Indian exports to the UK.

IMPACTS AND CHALLENGES:

• Strategic Shift: India’s reorientation towards Western nations and away from over-dependence on China is evident. However, concerns persist regarding the impact on LDCs, especially in terms of textiles.
• Potential Imbalance: While India aims to boost declining sectors, the disparity in tariffs and non-tariff barriers presents a challenge. Addressing these barriers will be critical for ensuring mutual benefits.
• Carbon Tax Implications: The UK’s plan for a carbon tax and CBAM could pose challenges for India’s exports, especially in energy-intensive sectors.
• Negotiation Dynamics: The negotiations hold importance for both countries, but balancing mutual benefits while addressing concerns of sectors vulnerable to tariff changes and non-tariff barriers is crucial.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/proposed-india-uk-fta-its-politics-and-why-the-uk-may-benefit-more-9031599/

TOPIC 4: 30th ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC) ECONOMIC LEADERS’ MEETING

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: The 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting concluded in San Francisco recently with the adoption of the Golden Gate Declaration. The declaration underscores the commitment to creating a resilient and sustainable future for all member economies.

EXPLANATION:

• For the first time since 2011, USA hosted annual APEC
• Theme of the meeting was creating a “Resilient and Sustainable Future for All”.

GOLDEN GATE DECLARATION:

• The declaration aims to harness the technological and economic progress to continue to unleash the enormous potential and tremendous dynamism across regions, spur economic growth.
• The declaration was adopted after the two-day meeting, during which the leaders focused on the subjects of sustainability, climate, just energy transition, interconnectedness and building inclusive and resilient economies.
• The importance of the rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization at its core, which continues to catalyze APEC region’s extraordinary growth has been reaffirmed.
• APEC economies vow to accelerate the transition towards low and zero emissions vehicles; sustainable aviation fuels; and low and zero emission maritime shipping and port decarbonization, reads the document.

APEC:

• It was formed in 1989 with 12 members.
• Now, it has 21 members.
• Grouping of economies around Pacific Ocean aiming to promote trade, investment, and economic development in region.
• Accounts for nearly 62% of global GDP, half of global trade and covers 38% of global population.
• Operates on basis of non-binding commitments with decisions reached by consensus. India is an observer since 2011.

SOURCE: https://www.wionews.com/world/apec-summit-live-updates-biden-meets-mexican-president-lopez-obrador-659895

TOPIC 5: GOVERNOR’S ROLE IN LEGISLATION

TAG: GS 2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT: Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi has withheld assent for certain Bills passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. In this article, we will analyse the governor’s role in legislation.

EXPLANATION:

• The role of a Governor in the legislative process within a state is a crucial aspect of India’s federal structure.
• The Governor, as the constitutional head of a state, plays a significant role in the enactment of laws.

GOVERNOR’S ROLE IN LEGISLATION:

• Options When Receiving a Bill for Assent:
  • Article 200 of the Indian Constitution provides a structured approach for the Governor’s actions concerning bills, emphasizing the Governor’s role as a link between the State Legislature and the Union.
  • It also outlines four alternatives available to a Governor upon receiving a bill from a State Legislature:
    • Give Assent: The Governor approves the bill, making it law.
    • Withhold Assent: The Governor refuses to approve the bill, effectively rejecting it.
    • Return for Reconsideration: If it’s not a Money Bill, the Governor can send the bill back to the State Legislature for reconsideration.
    • Reserve for President’s Consideration: Certain bills need to be reserved for the President’s consideration, such as those that reduce High Court powers or conflict with Union laws.
  • Exercise of Discretionary Powers:
    • According to judicial precedents like the Shamsher Singh case, the Governor typically acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers while withholding assent or returning a bill.
    • Discretionary powers might be exercised in rare cases where the Governor believes a bill contravenes the Constitution and should be reserved for the President’s consideration.
  • Recommendations and Unimplemented Suggestions:
    • Reports like the Sarkaria Commission and the Punchhi Commission have suggested limiting the Governor’s discretionary powers, emphasizing adherence to ministerial advice.
    • Recommendations also proposed time limits for decision-making on bills but have not been implemented.
  • Resolution of Impasses:
    • The politicization of the Governor’s role has been a persistent issue.
    • Suggestions include consulting Chief Ministers before a Governor’s appointment, and the possibility of impeachment by the State Legislature to remove an uncooperative Governor.
    • Amendments are proposed to ensure responsible cooperation between the Centre and States in matters related to Governors’ appointments and functioning.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE GOVERNOR

• Article 153 says that there shall be a Governor for each State. One person can be appointed as Governor for two or more States.
• A Governor is appointed by the President and is a nominee of the Central Government.
• It is stated that the Governor has a dual role.
• He is the constitutional head of the state, bound by the advice of his Council of Ministers (CoM).
• He functions as a vital link between the Union Government and the State Government.
• Articles 157 and 158 specify eligibility requirements for the post of governor. A governor must:
• Be a citizen of India.
• Be at least 35 years of age.
• Not be a member of the either house of the parliament or house of the state legislature.
• Not hold any office of profit.
• Governor has the power to grant pardons, reprieves, etc. (Article 161).
• There is a CoM with the CM at the head to aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his functions, except some conditions for discretion. (Article 163).
• The Governor appoints the Chief Minister and other Ministers (Article 164).
• Governor assents, withholds assent, or reserves the bill for the consideration of the President passed by the Legislative Assembly (Article 200).
• Governors may promulgate the Ordinances under certain circumstances (Article 213).
• Governor’s role:
• The Governor holds a constitutional position and is expected to perform specific functions, including granting assent to bills passed by the state legislature and ensuring the proper functioning of state administration.
• The Governor’s actions are perceived as a hindrance to these responsibilities.
• FOR FURTHER RINFORMATION PLEASE REFER TO THE DNA ARTICLE OF 1^ST OCTOBER 2023.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/the-role-of-the-governor-in-legislature-explained/article67552112.ece/amp/

RELEVANCE TO UPSC SYLLABUS: GS 2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE: IRRATIONAL FREEBIES, FREEBIES AND ITS IMPLICATION ON ECONOMY; ELECTORAL REFORMS

THE CONTEXT

The ongoing assembly elections in five states are seen as a prelude to the general election expected in the first half of 2024. Competitive populism seems to have replaced communalism in these campaigns. Whether its ruling party or opposition, India’s political landscape stuck with the dilemma of populist policies, which may end up shifting the country from reforms to retrogression.

 MORE ON THE NEWS

• Polling has concluded in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram while campaigning is peaking in Rajasthan and Telangana, which will vote on November 25 and 30, 2023.
• Competitive populism has been the defining theme of campaigning so far, and attempts at communal polarisation have been relatively understated.
• The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, the main contestants in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, have sought to outdo each other in promising a widening array of welfare schemes.
• In Telangana, the Congress, which is mounting a serious challenge to incumbent Bharat Rashtra Samithi, has promised to expand the State’s saturated welfare regime even further.
• Incumbents in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the Congress and the BJP, respectively, have relied on new welfare architectures to fight for another term.
• Tribal voters have received special attention from the BJP and the Congress. Prime Minister launched a ₹24,000-crore PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan for last-mile welfare scheme delivery and protection for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. Congress and BJP have both claimed a better track record in delivering on election promises they make.

WHAT IS COMPETITIVE POPULISM?

• Competitive populism is the idea of framing the policies and campaigns by the political parties that focuses more on the individual problem rather than the country as a whole.
• The thrust is majorly on promising schemes for the poor, senior citizens, women and children, patients, farmers, the homeless and differently-abled people, pensioners and home makers.
• This results in the implementation of short term plans and lack proper outcomes, resulting in the wastage of financial resources.

 ISSUES WITH COMPETITIVE POPULISM

Financial issues: Competitive populism raise questions about welfare schemes without specifying details about resource mobilisation. Example: Loan waiver schemes for farmers cause big relief from farmers’ perspective but cause huge problems in Indian economy by widening the fiscal deficit. Many of our states are deep in debt. The national average of liabilities of states is as high as 31% of their total GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product).This creates a financial situation that is untenable in the long run.

Temporary solutions: Competitive populism among political parties offers in the run up to elections are just temporary solutions. It does not address structural changes needed to sustainable development.

Loss of trust of people: Competitive populism causes the loss of trust and confidence of people on Government thus affecting the mechanism of good governance in India at all levels of administration.

Centralisation of power: This competitive populism leads to centralisation of power, not just institutionally but also within the Party. It implies that the voter is increasingly likely to attribute the delivery of economic benefits to one leader rather than the party as a whole.

 THE WAY FORWARD

Empowering Election Commission of India: ECI should be provided more powers to regulate and monitor the announcement of freebies by political parties during elections. This would include giving the ECI more powers to de-register parties, impose penalties on violation of model code of conduct.

Voter awareness: There is a need for educating voters about the economic and social consequences of freebies and false promises. This can be done by creating awareness campaigns to empower voters to make rational and ethical choices.

Right approach for welfare schemes: Welfare schemes can result in more equitable development outcomes, but a more thoughtful and researched approach would be healthier for public finances.

Capacity creation: There is a need for skill development rather than providing unemployment allowances that will further breed an aversion to work. There is need of building social infrastructure such as rural schools and public healthcare over vote catching vows that are seldom fulfilled.

 THE CONCLUSION

With the campaign going for competitive populism, the impact of these promises on the economy would be vast. In this condition, there is a need to focus on inclusive development that would create a more conducive environment for economic growth and social progress rather than freebies.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION

Q. In what way could the replacement of price subsidy with direct benefit Transfer (DBT) change the scenario of subsidies in India? Discuss. (2015)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. Regular electioneering forces parties to indulge in competitive populism to differentiate themselves and attract voters. Can simultaneous elections help in overcoming this challenge? Argue.
2. Critically examine the socio-economic implications of competitive populism which is a recent phenomenon devised by political parties to attract voters.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/raining-promises-the-hindu-editorial-on-competitive-populism-in-the-assembly-elections-in-five-states/article67551104.ece

1. Let society evolve; resist return of regressive laws READ MORE
2. Improve teacher quality to raise school standards READ MORE
3. Extend political discourse on poverty to redistributive justice READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. India sees 6.2% rise in goods exports in October READ MORE
2. PM launches Rs 24,000-cr scheme for vulnerable tribal groups’ welfare READ MORE
3. NASA, ISRO gearing up to launch joint space mission to map globe every 12 days READ MORE
4. Gold pushed trade deficit to new high of $31.46 billion in October READ MORE
5. Greenhouse gases hit record high in 2022: UN READ MORE
6. FATF team in India to hold on-site review meetings READ MORE
7. Tribal body declares ‘self-rule’ in a few districts of Manipur READ MORE
8. India to host 2nd Voice of Global South Summit on November 17 READ MORE
9. WHO roadmap to end TB in children focuses for 1st time on pregnant, post-partum women affected by disease READ MORE
10. CBD’s Geneva meetings: Benefit sharing on traditional knowledge & digital sequence information on agenda READ MORE  
11. Why adultery was struck off IPC, and why a House panel wants to make it a crime again READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Let society evolve; resist return of regressive laws READ MORE
2. Challenges to curbing community-based prostitution READ MORE  
3. Does It Work To Pay People Not To Cut the Forest? READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. The growing wave of decentralisation: Comparative evidence from developing countries READ MORE
2. The price of persistent federal frictions READ MORE
3. Life over death: On death penalty abolition and parliamentary panel report READ MORE
4. Regulating OTT: Draft Broadcasting Regulation Bill may be an attempt to control digital infrastructure READ MORE
5. A grave error in the law READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Improve teacher quality to raise school standards READ MORE
2. Extend political discourse on poverty to redistributive justice READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. India Once Was a Strong Ally of Palestine. What Changed? READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Food flux: On food costs and the October tidings READ MORE
2. IPEF supply chain pact is unfair READ MORE
3. Is there more room for competitive populism? READ MORE
4. Electrification of last-mile mobility and logistics READ MORE
5. RBI, Narendra Modi and the Subtle Art of Ignoring Concerns READ MORE
6. How a gendered digital divide, low quality of jobs keeps Indian women out of the workforce READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Climate pledges lacking: 87% of remaining global carbon budget to limit warming may be depleted by 2030, finds UN READ MORE
2. Global emissions: UN report exposes inadequacy of efforts READ MORE
3. Climate concerns or trade barriers? READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. AI can play the sleuth to expose scientific fraud READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. MHA extends UAPA ban against eight Meitei extremist organisations READ MORE
2. Realism, not machismo, to counter terror READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Another warning in the Himalayas READ MORE
2. Tunnel tragedy is another eco-warning we need to heed READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. In the age of Kalyug, it is time to leverage the power of the collective READ MORE
2. Does Philosophical Reflection Still Hold Value? READ MORE
3. Tolerance is the key to achieving peace READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. AI is one of the most significant technical advancements in recent times, but it is posing a great danger to humanity by unleashing misinformation and deepfakes. Justify with recent examples.
2. The cause of poverty in the country is not only economic but the issue of caste plays a substantial role. Argue and justify.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• We are on a highway to climate hell with our foot still on the accelerator.
• Improving teacher quality and pedagogical innovation to enhance the overall rigour of education in the country, must be an immediate and urgent priority.
• Higher than expected tax revenues provide a cushion for the government. However, concerns remain about the medium-term fiscal deficit
• For an economy whose resilience relies on its domestic demand buffer against global shocks, reluctant or budget-cramped consumers are the biggest headwind for policymakers to strive to address.
• Any interest rate hike over and above the 2.5 percentage points already administered in this rate hike cycle would have hurt growth significantly.
• The agreement on Supply Chain Resilience will enhance the resilience of the US, while deepening the vulnerability of India and other developing countries.
• AI is one of the biggest technical advancements in recent times but it can pose a great danger to humanity by unleashing misinformation and deepfakes.
• Ensuring AI safety would require the convergence of multiple branches of activity, including skills, talent, and physical infrastructure.
• Transitioning to low-carbon cities can significantly reduce CO2 levels.
• The future will either be green or not at all.
• Energy justice and social equity issues can have severe implications for the economic well-being of people, livelihoods, and economic development.
• A beginning can be made by providing gig workers with EVs. The Govt must support them and acknowledge their contribution to the economy.
• As the demand for reservation reaches a crescendo, the original justification for this departure from formal equality has become more difficult.
• The cause of poverty in the country is not only economic. A substantial number of the poor belong to the Scheduled and Backward Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
• If background inequalities force certain people to live below the poverty line, this should be seen as a serious infringement of the right to equality granted by our Constitution.
• The idea of caste is the greatest dividing factor… all caste either on the principle of birth or of merit is bondage.
• India this time around has taken a much stronger pro-Israel stand than is typical during Israeli-Palestinian conflicts.
• The state and central governments also need to acknowledge the contributions and the critical nature of these gig workers.
• COP28 presents an opportunity to India and other nations to hold the West accountable and liable for the environmental crisis.

ESSAY TOPIC

• The future will either be green or not at all.

50-WORD TALK

• Irrational and unscientific fixed-dose combination drugs ruling the Indian pharma market is a menace that has gone on unchecked for too long. A study shows 70% of antibiotic FDC drugs in the market are banned or unapproved. This is a public health hazard; convoluted and inefficient regulations are bad medicine.
• The ordeal of 40 men trapped inside a collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand is a reminder of the tightrope walk infrastructure development is in Garhwal Himalayas. Aggressive construction without mountain-appropriate plans is a slippery slope. We hope they are rescued soon, but disregarding the region’s vulnerability will only endanger more lives.

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. G7 appeals for humanitarian pauses in Gaza, seeks hostages’ release READ MORE
2. The problem with India’s new guidelines on genetically modified insects | Explained READ MORE
3. RBI to cut rates in 2024-25 if food inflation remains under control: S&P Global Ratings READ MORE
4. World will overshoot 2030 coal limit to tame warming by twice over READ MORE
5. Kerala Government forms Organic Farming Mission to boost climate-smart agriculture READ MORE
6. One year of Project Cheetah: Hits, misses and paradigm shift ahead READ MORE
7. Possible answer to farm fires: New rice variety can replace Pusa-44 READ MORE
8. India’s Energy Conservation Building Code, 2017: Why the IEA called it a ‘notable exception’ among developing countries READ MORE
9. Horn of Africa facing deadly floods due to El Nino-linked ‘above average’ rains READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Language: Emotional connect and more READ MORE
2. Bihar survey exposes disparities among OBCs READ MORE  
3. The role of caste and gender in determining science education in India READ MORE
4. Climate change made the multi-year drought 25 times more likely in Syria and Iraq, 16 times in Iran: Analysis READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Move towards e-FIR, but with caution READ MORE
2. Reviewing freedom READ MORE
3. Reserving poverty READ MORE
4. As our democracy matures, my role is becoming more vital READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Look beyond quota politics READ MORE
2. Mensural hygiene: Adolescents continue to use cloth, pads are rare READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Taiwan, a Malacca blockade and India’s options READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. How tech can make India a farming powerhouse READ MORE
2. Two-wheeler EV startups: The new growth engines READ MORE
3. Local products can boost exports READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Importance of ‘loss and damage’ funds READ MORE  
2. Douse the fires without enraging farmers READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. The perils of patent amendments READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Hurdles delaying formation of integrated theatre commands READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. How ignored landslide warnings led to Subansiri running dry READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Why purush and prakriti are gender-neutral READ MORE
2. Living with tempests READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. The CAG promotes good governance practices and helps governments streamline their operations, reduce inefficiencies and adhere to financial discipline. Critically examine.
2. The CAG plays a crucial role in this democratic framework by ensuring transparency, accountability, and financial integrity in the government’s functioning. Comment.
3. The CAG helps maintain the separation of powers between legislature and executive by ensuring that the government’s financial activities align with legislative intentions. Comment.
4. As India’s democracy matures, the role of CAG has become more vital in promoting good governance and safeguarding the people’s interests. Critically comment.
5. Leveraging technology and digital solutions make audit’s citizen engagement more effective and scalable. Examine.
6. Social audit is an effective tool for facilitating citizen oversight. How would you justify this statement?
7. The 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments marked a quantum leap in India’s democratic set-up in creating tiers of self-governance below the level of states. Critically examine.
8. Due to the envision of grassroots participation, Local bodies not only implement the schemes of governments but ensure transparency and visibility in these schemes. Justify with the help of relevant examples.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• The solution to crop stubble burning lies in turning waste into wealth by upcycling it.
• In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons.
• The CAG promotes good governance practices and helps governments streamline their operations, reduce inefficiencies and adhere to financial discipline.
• As India’s democracy matures, the CAG’s role becomes even more vital in promoting good governance and safeguarding the people’s interests.
• The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) plays a crucial role in this democratic framework by ensuring transparency, accountability, and financial integrity in government’s functioning.
• CAG helps maintain the separation of powers between legislature and executive by ensuring that the government’s financial activities align with legislative intentions.
• India stands as the world’s largest democracy, with a vibrant political landscape, a diverse society, and ongoing efforts to overcome various socio-economic challenges.
• By placing the Indian citizen at the centre for implementation of government programmes and as ultimate beneficiaries, there is an onerous expectation of the CAG to assess the preparedness and planning, as well as to monitor and recommend corrective actions for realisation of these economic, social and environmental aspirations.
• To effectively discharge this responsibility, it is important for audit to actively work in tandem with citizens, appreciating their concerns and feedback.
• In India’s federal, multiparty democracy with both Union and state governments responsible for implementation of numerous schemes, projects and programmes, enhancing engagement with stakeholders is imperative for audit.
• Leveraging technology and digital solutions make audit’s citizen engagement more effective and scalable.
• Social audit is an interesting tool for facilitating citizen oversight.
• The 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments marked a quantum leap in India’s democratic set up, as they created tiers of self-governance below the level of states.
• Empowering PRIs and urban local bodies and municipalities, envisions people’s participation in the process of planning, decision-making, implementation and delivery of a set of functions to be devolved to local governments by state legislatures.
• Carrying forward this recognition of local self-governance as the true manifestation of democracy and the CAG’s responsibility for ensuring accountability, an international centre for local governance has been envisaged.
• Female labour force participation rates have, in the past, tended to rise during times of financial stress as women stepped out to augment their household incomes.
• While the CAG catalyses good governance, transparency and accountability, the responsibility to nurture and protect democratic principles falls not only on our institutions but on every citizen.
• The proposed changes in patent law will endanger access to affordable medicines and benefit global big pharma.
• Both Hindus and Muslims in Kashmir must strive to understand each other’s viewpoints, fostering mutual trust and loyalty within the community.
• By adopting the principles of sustainability, non-violence, and respect for all life forms, we can work towards a more harmonious relationship with nature.

ESSAY TOPIC

• Many worlds: Multipolarity in the new world order

50-WORD TALK

• In a transforming India, where education and technology act as levelling forces, caste-based affirmative action, refined through caste numbers, can drive more extensive dialogues on aspiration, ambition, freedom, opportunity, and the necessity for a system where citizens are not unfairly privileged or confined by their identities. If a robust methodology were to be used, this effort would be vital in identifying and addressing fault lines to promote gender justice.
• Extending free food for another 5 years is an acknowledgement that the poor continue to need ample support for years ahead. The move also rings the final death knell of farm laws. If government grain procurement is going to be so high, then that rules out entry of private sector.
• Indian envoy in Ottawa describing Canadian police probe into Nijjar killing as tainted and wiretapping of diplomats as illegal shows Delhi is doubling down. But Canada is being duplicitous in citing Vienna Convention on parity even as it illegally tapped diplomats. G7 and Five Eyes can’t play by different rules.

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. Cabinet approves Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2024-25 READ MORE
2. How quantum algorithms solve problems that classical computers can’t READ MORE
3. Parliamentary Panel examining Bill to increase minimum age of marriage for women gets another extension READ MORE  
4. Centre notifies transfer of 16 High Court judges, appointment of 17 READ MORE
5. OBCs and subcategories: Why this has been a hot-button issue for long READ MORE
6. Severe drought grips the Amazon rainforest: The impact, cause and grim future READ MORE
7. Israel using white phosphorus in Gaza? 5 things about the controversial weapon READ MORE
8. Flash floods in Kerala: A junked breakwater plan may have been Achilles’ heel READ MORE
9. Microalgae are adapting to warming climate, declining nutrient levels in seas with novel strategy READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. In India, reproductive autonomy remains a pipedream READ MORE
2. Why Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage verdict opens no doors for queer people READ MORE
3. Same-Sex Marriage: An opportunity lost, hope not forever READ MORE
4. Holes in the green cover READ MORE
5. Is climate change the reason for Sikkim flash floods? READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Revamp governance to make cities liveable READ MORE
2. Limits to women’s reproductive rights READ MORE
3. Same-Sex Marriage : Onus on legislature to initiate reforms READ MORE
4. Two decades on, India plans to strengthen diplomatic corps READ MORE
5. Federalism puzzle READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. India Improve nutrition delivery and don’t bristle at low rank READ MORE
2. Global Hunger Index a stark reminder to address hunger, poverty READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. The BRI at 10, some hits, many misses READ MORE
2. The old Middle East is not back READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. The measure of the working woman READ MORE
2. Fear factor: On the inflation battle READ MORE
3. Going beyond the International Year of Millets to achieve decade-long action READ MORE
4. Tackling urban poverty READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Accelerating green innovation through EVs READ MORE
2. India’s energy transition: Who will lead the way? READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. The explosion of digital uncertainty READ MORE
2. The final frontier 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. Consciousness chronicles, from duality to bliss READ MORE
2. Happy greetings 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 have opportunities to contribute to the development process of the village to upgrade education, health, sanitation and infrastructure facilities. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• You cannot continue to victimise someone else just because you yourself were a victim once.
• 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

• While arguments on who bombed al-Ahli Hospital rage, it underlines the horrors ahead if war grinds on in densely-populated Gaza. The killing of innocent civilians is empowering extremists and defeating the international peacemaking crisis. Leaders on all sides must refrain from stoking a fire threatening to spread beyond the region.
• 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.

(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.

(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.

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. As per GRAP, Stage-I is to be imposed in the entire NCR when the daily average AQI of Delhi touches/ crosses 201 index value READ MORE
2. India Re-elected as President of Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) for a Third Successive Term READ MORE
3. REC launches ‘SUGAM REC’, a mobile app for 54EC Bonds Investors READ MORE  
4. Two of every five amphibians threatened with extinction, reveals study READ MORE
5. Election Commission briefs observers ahead of Assembly polls in five states READ MORE
6. RBI’s status quo and an indication that rate cuts would have to wait: What’s in store for borrowers, depositors READ MORE
7. Russia may pull out of CTBT: How the treaty tried — and failed — to stop nuclear testing READ MORE
8. When can a bill be designated as a ‘money bill’: SC to hear challenge READ MORE
9. UN launches 10 principles to close Asia-Pacific sustainable finance gap READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Equality and identity: On the findings of the Bihar caste count READ MORE
2. Implement women’s reservation now READ MORE
3. Beyond Politics: Caste Census Is About Deepening India’s Social Justice Paradigm READ MORE
4. Modelling study shows how controversial geoengineering may affect global food production READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Age of Consent: Law Panel Report Simply Diagnoses, Doesn’t Solve the Problem READ MORE
2. In Strong Judgement, SC Comes Down Heavily on ‘Arbitrary Exercise of Power’ by ED READ MORE
3. Law Commission of India and Uniform Civil Code: Looking Back, Looking Forward READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Aligning higher education with the United Nations SDGs READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. India-China power play gets new life in Maldives READ MORE
2. Reading ‘India Way’ in the Neighbourhood First Policy: Moral Exceptionalism or Strategic Pragmatism? READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Revenue riddles: On GST inflows and areas of concern READ MORE  
2. RBI’s Monetary Policy and the art of letting it be READ MORE
3. Rates to stay elevated for longer READ MORE
4. Inflation clouds growth dreams READ MORE
5. De-risking is better than decoupling READ MORE
6. Factsheet of bad loans in the banking sector READ MORE
7. GDP Growth: The Gap Between Reality and Rhetoric READ MORE
8. K-shaped Recovery Dents Growth of Worker Earnings READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Over $9 trillion investments in infrastructure resilience, Net Zero needed by 2050 to mitigate climate impact: CDRI READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Inspiring colours: On the 2023 Chemistry Nobel READ MORE
2. Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2023 goes to three scientists for quantum dots fundamental to nanotechnology READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. ‘Sikkim tells us to be very careful before allowing any new hydropower project in the Himalayas’ READ MORE
2. Sikkim serves a warning, govts must heed now READ MORE
3. Deluge of apathy: Sikkim flash flood has claimed several lives after decade-old warnings were conveniently ignored READ MORE
4. Sikkim Flood Was a Disaster Forecast – But Warnings Were Ignored READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. In Manipur, another internet shutdown, a conflict intensified READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Can We Teach Someone to Be Ethical? READ MORE
2. Give us a smile READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Ethics are moral principles that govern behavior. Comment.
2. An urgent review of both the impact of climate change and infrastructure development in hilly areas is needed. Comment on the statement in the wake of the Sikkim glacial lake outburst flood.
3. India’s Neighborhood First Policy is guided by ideas of moral exceptionalism rooted in particular civilizational framings but is not without strategic pragmatism. Critically examine.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Anything that you will build on the foundations of caste will crack and will never be a whole.
• As India refigures its foreign policy to a region now changed by Armenia’s defeat in Nagorno-Karabakh, it almost certainly will have to seek out other, more stable avenues for its infrastructure ties given the potential of the INSTC project.
• India’s Neighborhood First Policy is guided by ideas of moral exceptionalism rooted in particular civilizational framings, but is not without strategic pragmatism.
• The growing dependence of female workers on self-employment points to increasing economic distress that forced women to shift from household work to informal employment.
• India’s GDP numbers need to be recalculated with a change in methodology. The argument that the discrepancies get evened out is not a strong one.
• The eastern Himalayas require special attention in terms of the potential for earthquakes as well as flood disasters. A special effort needs to be mounted to develop hazard scenarios and models as well as land zonation maps that demarcate areas prone to floods and landslides.
• Nationality is a feeling of oneness which makes those who are charged with it feel they are kith and kin. It is a feeling of ‘consciousness of kind.
• With four decades of experience in political reservation for women in local elections, there’s a compelling case for introducing the bill sooner rather than later.
• The Indian banks, especially the public sector banks, are yet to benchmark the criterion for NPA and keep risk in tolerable limits while disbursing loans.
• Globalisation has become so strong that complete economic decoupling of a country or region is not feasible. De-risking and realignment is the way forward.
• The victory of a pro-China government in the Maldives offers Beijing an opportunity to restore its influence in the Indian Ocean region.
• The rise in extreme weather events should prod the government to rehaul its management of all mountain approaches.
• We need high-elevation meteorological stations for more accurate weather forecasts. Most of us use remote-sensing methods but we also need to develop our capacity in field glaciology.
• Educational institutions have to rethink their approach so that it is in tune with the NEP which will be crucial in realising the 2030 deadline for SDGs.
• It is high time that universities adopted sustainability as a mantra and incorporated SDGs into their institutional strategies, both in daily administration and in teaching and research.
• It has been realised that higher education cannot work in isolation; rather it must be directly integrated with socio-economic development where each activity and transaction has meaningful and multiple impacts on SDGs.
• Every citizen must feel that the universities contribute directly to their well-being and nation-building.

ESSAY TOPIC

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

50-WORD TALK

• In wake of the Sikkim glacial lake outburst flood, an urgent review of both the impact of climate change and infrastructure development in such areas is needed. India alone can’t do anything about global warming. But it’s imperative to assess the viability, risks of dams generating power from glacier runoff.
• MK Stalin is right to say that National Medical Commission rules are undermining state rights. Linking MBBS seats with state population means southern states can’t raise seats or open new colleges. It amounts to punishing states that actually delivered quality medical education. Instead, add better colleges elsewhere in the country.
• Hiking LPG subsidy for Ujjwala customers by 50% is further backsliding of the government’s proclaimed freebie policy. From making scathing political speeches about opposition’s ‘revdi culture’, PM Modi is himself distributing subsidies with increasing frequency as elections approach. It’s cynical politics that fiscal prudence is being sacrificed for electoral gain.
• Nobody’s above the law of the land, including NewsClick. But UAPA, on top of the already draconian PMLA, peremptory seizure of electronic devices, characterises a heavy-handed State. Just allow the law to play out instead. The goal appears to be to silence critics through shock-and-awe while courts watch on ineffectually.

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.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. EXERCISE “AJEYA WARRIOR – 2023”

TAGS: GS-II-INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: The 7th edition of the joint military exercise “AJEYA WARRIOR-23” between India and the United Kingdom is being conducted at Salisbury Plains, United Kingdom, from 27 April to 11 May 2023.

About the Exercise:

• Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR is a biennial training event with the United Kingdom, which is conducted alternatively in the United Kingdom and India; the last edition was held at Chaubatia, Uttarakhand, in October 2021.
• Aim: The exercise aims to build positive military relations, imbibe each other’s best practices and promote the ability to operate together while undertaking company-level sub-conventional operations in urban and semi-urban environments under UN mandate, in addition to developing inter-operability, bonhomie, camaraderie, and friendship between the two armies.
• During the exercise, participants will engage in a variety of missions testing their operational acumen in various simulated situations, showcasing and refining their tactical drills, and learning from each other’s operational experience.
• “Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR” is yet another significant milestone in defence cooperation between the Indian Army and British Army which will further foster the bilateral relations between the two nations.
• Other defence Exercises with United Kingdom:
  • Navy :  Exercise Konkan.
  • Airforce: Exercise Indradhanush.

HEALTH ISSUES

2. PRET INITIATIVE

TAGS: GS-II- HEALTH ISSUES

THE CONTEXT: To help countries better prepare for future pandemics, WHO launched a new initiative that provides guidance on integrated planning for responding to any respiratory pathogen such as influenza or coronaviruses.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The new Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats Initiative, or PRET, incorporates the latest tools and approaches for shared learning and collective action established during the COVID-19 pandemic and other recent public health emergencies.
• Through the initiative, WHO will use a mode of transmission approach to guide countries in pandemic planning, given that many capacities and capabilities are common among groups of pathogens. PRET answers the call for technical guidance and support for promoting and strengthening integrated preparedness and response, as outlined in World Health Assembly resolutions.
• The COVID-19 pandemic and other health emergencies have shown that countries need to be operationally ready to respond to infectious disease threats, with tailored preparedness plans in hand and better coordination and collaboration with other sectors such as agriculture.
• RET is an evolution in WHO’s approach to pandemic preparedness through the application of a mode of transmission lens, rather than a focus on specific diseases. WHO will continue to develop and disseminate guidance on specific diseases as needed.
• The launch of the initiative is taking place on the last day of meetings with over 120 individuals representing Member States, partners, and the WHO secretariat, to define the path forward for PRET, including the development of a global implementation roadmap for respiratory pathogen pandemic preparedness.
• The PRET Initiative’s first module focuses on respiratory pathogens, including influenza, coronaviruses, and respiratory syncytial virus. Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the possible threat of avian influenza, this module will enable countries to critically review, test, and update their respiratory pandemic planning efforts to ensure they have the functional capacities and capabilities in place.

PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

3. SUPREME INITIATIVE

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

THE CONTEXT: Recently, Ministry of  Science and Technology has launched an initiative to provide financial support for the upgradation and maintenance of analytical instrumentation facilities (AIFs).

About the Initiative:

• The Support for Up-gradation Preventive Repair and Maintenance of Equipment (SUPREME), is a pioneering initiative launched by the Government of India. The program aims to provide financial assistance to analytical instrumentation facilities for their repair, maintenance, up-gradation, retrofitting, or acquiring additional attachments to increase functional capabilities.
• Eligibility: To be eligible for funding support, the analytical instrumentation facilities must have been created under the projects supported by DST, and the institutions where they are located should be recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
• Duration: The duration of support will not exceed 3 years.
• Funding: The funding pattern for private and government-owned institutions will be 75:25, while state-funded institutions will receive 100 % funding.
• Selection Criteria: In selecting proposals for funding support, the academic and research facility will provide to the scientific community, MSMEs, and start-ups. The selection process will be carried out through a peer-review mechanism and the Expert Committee will evaluate the proposals and assist DST in making the final selection.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Science & Technology

PLACES IN NEWS

4. KALESAR NATIONAL PARK

TAGS: PRELIMS- PLACES IN NEWS

THE CONTEXT: Recently, a tiger has been spotted in a camera trap at Kalesar National Park in Yamuna nagar district.

THE EXPLANATION:

• Kalesar National Park (spread over 11,570 acres in Yamuna nagar district), Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary (having an area of 13,209 acres) and Sher Jung National Park, Simbalwada in Sirmour district of Himachal Pradesh are connected to Rajaji National Park through a dense forest area.
• According to information, leopards, elephants, barking deer, wild boars, sambars and several other species of wild animals and birds are found in Kalesar National Park and Kalesar National Sanctuary.
• Afghan invader Ahmad Shah Abdali camped at Pinjore Gardens in 1765 and British Raj soldier Rollo Gillespie camped in these hills in 1807 for tiger hunting in these hills. By 1892-93, the count of tigers and panthers had dwindled due to excessive hunting. Consequently, by 1913 Sirmur State had banned the hunting.

5. THIRUNELLY TEMPLE

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

THE CONTEXT: The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has urged the government to conserve the historically significant structures, including the 600-year-old ‘Vilakkumadom’, an exquisite granite structure, at the Sree Mahavishnu Temple at Thirunelly in Wayanad district during the on-going renovation of the temple.

THE EXPLANATION:

• Thirunelli Temple (also Tirunelli) is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Maha Vishnu on the side of Brahmagiri hill in Kerala, India, near the border with Karnataka state. The temple is at an altitude of about 900m in north Wayanad in a valley surrounded by mountains and beautiful forests.
• Also, known as the “Kashi of South”, Thirunelli temple is one of the ancient temples in Kerala. It is believed that here the prathishta of Lord Vishnu was performed by Lord Brahma. Thirunelli is also the only temple in the world where devotees can perform all the rituals related to one’s life, starting from birth to death and life after death.
• Papanasini means “extinguisher of sins.” According to puranas, the immersing ashes of the dead here is equivalent to that of doing rituals in Gaya in Bihar. It is believed that River Ganga and River Saraswathi join in Papanasini and that a dip in this river will wash away all sins of mortals. There is also a sacred rock near the river called Pinnappara where ritual offerings to the spirits of the departed are made (known as bali).

HEALTH ISSUES

1. WORLD MALARIA DAY 2023

TAGS: GS-II-HEALTH ISSUES- PRELIMS

THE CONTEXT:World Malaria Day is observed every year on April 25 to raise awareness of the global effort to control, prevent and eventually eradicate malaria.

About World Malaria Day:

• The day was first recognized in 2007 by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a way to shine a light on the devastating impact of malaria and to encourage governments, health organizations, and individuals to take action against this deadly disease.
• Theme: The theme for World Malaria Day 2023 is “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement”, emphasizing the urgency to invest resources, innovate strategies and implement actions towards achieving the goal of zero malaria.
• World Malaria Day is an important opportunity to raise awareness of the ongoing fight against malaria and to mobilize support for malaria control and prevention efforts around the world.
• The day also provides an opportunity to celebrate the progress that has been made in the fight against malaria and to renew our commitment to achieving the ultimate goal of malaria eradication.

VALUE ADDITION

About Malaria:

• Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites. Malaria is not contagious and cannot spread from one person to another. The parasites are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, called “malaria vectors.” There are 5 parasite species that cause malaria in humans, and 2 of these species – P. falciparum and P. vivax – pose the greatest threat.
• Malaria continues to be a major global health challenge, with an estimated 229 million cases and 409,000 deaths worldwide in 2019. Most of these cases and deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa, where the disease disproportionately affects children under the age of five and pregnant women.

Symptoms

• Malaria is an acute febrile illness. In a non-immune individual, symptoms usually appear 10–15 days after the infective mosquito bite. The first symptoms – fever, headache, and chills – may be mild and difficult to recognize as malaria. If not treated within 24 hours, P. falciparum malaria can progress to severe illness, often leading to death.
• Children with severe malaria frequently develop one or more of the following symptoms: severe anemia, respiratory distress in relation to metabolic acidosis, or cerebral malaria.

Treatment

• Early diagnosis and treatment of malaria reduces disease and prevents deaths. It also contributes to reducing malaria transmission. The best available treatment, particularly for P. falciparum malaria, is artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT).

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2. WHAT IS CARICOM?

TAGS:GS-II-INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar co-chaired the 4th India-CARICOM ministerial meeting with his Jamaican counterpart Kaminaj Smith in Guyana’s capital and discussed a range of issues, including trade, climate change and counterterrorism.

About CARICOM:

• The Caribbean Community (CARICOM or CC) is an intergovernmental organisation that is a political and economic union of 15 member states (14 nation-states and one dependency) throughout the Americas and Atlantic Ocean.
• The primary objectives is to promote economic integration and cooperation among its members, ensure that the benefits of integration are equitably shared, and coordinate foreign policy.
• The organisation was established in 1973, with its four founding members (Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago) signing the Treaty of Chaguaramas.
• The Chairmanship of the Community is rotated every six months among the member countries Heads.
• The Secretariat headquarters is in Georgetown, Guyana. CARICOM is an official United Nations Observer beneficiary.

Members & Associate Members:

• CARICOM has 15 members: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago. Of the 15, all are nation States except Montserrat.
• Associate Members: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and Turks & Caicos Islands are Associate Members of the Community.

3. THE AZERBAIJAN-ARMENIA BORDER CLASHES

TAGS:GS-II- INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: Recently, Azerbaijan had established a checkpoint at the start of the Lachin corridor, the only land route linking Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh, a step that was followed by claims of border shootings by both Azeri and Armenian forces.

THE EXPLANATION:

What is Nagorno-Karabakh?

Nagorno-Karabakh, known as Artsakh by Armenians, is a landlocked mountainous area in the South Caucasus. It was claimed by both Azerbaijan and Armenia after the fall of the Russian Empire in 1917 and has remained a point of tension ever since.

Latest developments:

• Armenia has been witnessing domestic unrest since April this year related to Pashniyan’s handling of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
• There have been plans to oust their government or at least increase street pressure to prevent the PM from providing further concessions to Azerbaijan and Turkey when it comes to the security and right of self-determination of Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh (called Artsakh) and the recognition of Armenian Genocide.

Criticism against Armenian PM:

• In Armenia, Pashinyan’s handling of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict received criticism after he agreed to hand over Armenian control of several territories to Azerbaijan.
• Pashinyan increased the salaries of the country’s security forces, in an attempt to win their loyalty.
• The ongoing protests in Armenia have been marked by police brutality and the detaining of protestors, activists as well as Parliament members.
• Pashinyan’s stance on Nagorno-Karabakh: There has been a clear shift in Pashinyan’s views on Nagorno-Karabakh post May 2018, when he was elected leader of Armenia. Much of Pashinyan’s rhetoric was aimed at winning nationalist support.

Challenges of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

• In this disputed region, there are hundreds of civilian settlements, residents of which would be directly impacted and potentially displaced if any large-scale war were to break out between the two countries.
• Any military escalation would draw regional powers like Turkey and Russia more deeply into the conflict.
• The energy-rich Azerbaijan has built several gas and oil pipelines across the Caucasus (the region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea) to Turkey and Europe.
• This includes the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline (with a capacity of transporting 1.2 billion barrels a day), the Western Route Export oil pipeline, the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline and the South Caucasus gas pipeline.
• Some of these pipelines pass close to the conflict zone (within 16 km of the border) and in an open war between the two countries, the pipelines could be targeted, which would impact energy supplies.
• For both nations, these would create immediate challenges and war would not be in the interest of both countries.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

4. LOCKBIT RANSOMWARE

TAGS: GS-III-SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT:Recently, the LockBit ransomware was found to be targeting Mac devices.

THE EXPLANATION:

• It was first reported in September 2019 and dubbed the “abcd” virus, due to the file extension used when encrypting victims’ files.
• The LockBit ransomware is designed to infiltrate victims’ systems and encrypt important files.
• The virus is categorized as a “cryptovirus” due to its requests for payment in cryptocurrency to decrypt files on the victim’s device.
• The ransomware is therefore typically deployed against victims who feel hindered enough by the disruption to pay heavy sums in exchange for access to the files and can afford to do so.
• The gang behind the LockBit ransomware reportedly maintains a dark web portal to recruit members and release data of victims who refuse to meet their demands, as part of their business model.
• In the past, LockBit ransomware has been used to target enterprises and organizations in the U.S., China, India, Ukraine, and Indonesia.
• Attacks have also been recorded throughout Europe, including France, Germany, and the U.K.

PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

5. WHAT IS ZERO SHADOW DAY?

TAGS: PT PERSPECTIVE

THE CONTEXT: On 25^th April Karnataka’s Bengaluru city briefly witnessed a rare celestial phenomenon called ‘Zero Shadow Day’, wherein the sun was directly over the head at around 12:17 pm. As part of this rare phenomenon, there was no shadow of all vertically placed objects.

About Zero Shadow Day:

• Zero Shadow Day is a celestial phenomenon that takes place twice a year, where the position of the sun is directly overhead because of which no shadow gets cast on the surface of the Earth.
• On Zero Shadow Day, the sun moves to its highest point in the sky which results in the reduction of the shadow’s length. When a person stands on this shadow, their own shadow becomes invisible, hence it’s called “Zero Shadow”.
• ‘For people living between +23.5 and -23.5 degrees latitude, the Sun’s declination will be equal to their latitude twice – once during Uttarayan and once during Dakshinayan. On these two days, the Sun will be exactly overhead at noon and will not cast a shadow of an object on the ground’.
• In 2022, Kolkata & Kolhapur witnessed the Zero Shadow day.
• However, Bengaluru will observe the next Shadow Day on August 18, 2023. The dates when Zero Shadow Day will occur keep changing on the basis of the location and time zone.

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. NATIONAL CIVIL SERVICES DAY 2023

TAGS: GS-II-POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT:The National Civil Services Day is celebrated annually in India on April 21 to recognize the contributions and achievements of civil servants in the country. On this day, the Prime Minister of India awards officers from the central and state governments for their outstanding contributions to public administration.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The theme of this year’s Civil Service Day is – Viksit Bharat (विकसितभारत) aimed at ‘Empowering Citizens and Reaching the Last Mile’.
• The theme underscores the Government’s resolve and firm commitment to achieving a more equitable and prosperous India for all its citizens by engaging in inclusive growth.

History and Significance:

• The first National Civil Services Day was celebrated at a function held in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on April 21, 2006.
• The date April 21, is chosen for the celebration of National Civil Service Day, commemorates the day when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Independent India’s first Home Minister, addressed the probationers of the Administrative Services Officers in 1947.
• In his inspirational speech, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel acknowledged the civil servants of the country as the “steel frame of India.” National Civil Services Day recognises the exemplary services of the government workers in the country.
• The civil servants in India play a vital role in shaping the policies and programs that drive the country’s development. They work tirelessly to ensure that the government’s vision is translated into action on the ground. The day is a reminder of the importance of public service and the critical role that civil servants play in the development of the country.

PRIME MINISTER’S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

• On the occasion of Civil Services Day,Prime Minister will address civil servants on April 21, 2023 in honour of National Civil Services Day.
• During the event, PM will confer the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration. These have been instituted with a view to recognize the extraordinary and innovative work done by districts and organizations of the central and State governments for the welfare of common citizens.

Exemplary work done in four identified priority programmes will be given awards and they are:

1. Har Ghar Jal Yojana
2. Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan
3. Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Center
4. Aspirational Districts Programme

Eight awards for these four identified programmes will be given while seven awards shall be for innovations.

HEALTH ISSUES

2. N-NITROSODIMETHYLAMINE (NDMA)

TAGS:GS-II-HEALTH ISSUES-PRELIMS

THE CONTEXT: The Gujarat High Court recently issued a notice to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), under the Union Health Ministry, and the Gujarat Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA), in a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking immediate removal of drugs and medicines containing “cancerous impurities” such as NDMA from the Indian market.

THE EXPLANATION:

• N-Nitrosodimethylamine is a volatile, combustible, yellow, oily liquid nitrosamine with a faint characteristic odor that decomposes when exposed to light and emits toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides when heated to decomposition.
• N-Nitrosodimethylamine is primarily used in laboratory research to induce tumors in experimental animals.
• This substance may be formed during the cooking of foods, especially cured meats and fish, that contain sodium nitrite as a preservative, but is also found in several vegetables, cheeses, alcoholic beverages and fruits, and as a contaminant in rubber products.
• Exposure to Nitrosodimethylamine irritates the skin and eyes and damages the liver. This substance is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.

Applications:

• n-Nitrosodimethylamine is produced by industry only in small amounts for research. At room temperature, it is a yellow liquid with no distinct odor. It was used to make rocket fuel, but this use was stopped after unusually high levels of this chemical were found in air, water, and soil samples collected near a rocket fuel manufacturing plant. It is used in some cosmetic and toiletry products and in cleansers.n-Nitrosodimethylamine is unintentionally formed during various manufacturing processes and in air, water, and soil from reactions involving other chemicals called alkylamines. It is also found in some foods and may be formed in the body.

AGRICULTURE

3. TEA MOSQUITO BUG INFESTATION

TAGS: GS-III-AGRICULTURE-PRELIMS

THE CONTEXT:The United Planters Association of South India (UPASI) has urged the government to immediately intervene and take appropriate steps to control the Tea Mosquito Bug (Helopeltis theivora) (TMB) problem in the tea plantations in India.

THE EXPLANATION:

Tea Mosquito Bug (Helopeltis theivora):

• Tea mosquito bugs (TMB) (Helopeltis spp.)are serious pests of cashew during cropping season in India and other cashew growing countries.
• Pest damage begins during flushing stage of cashew and continues during flowering and fruiting. As such, TMB is a low-density pest, but causes reduction in nut yields ranging between 20 and 80 percent depending on the intensity of pest population.

Distribution and status: Serious pest of tea and widely distributed in Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Host range: Cashew, neem, moringa and guava are other host plants.

Symptoms of damage:

• Adults and nymphs suck the sap from buds, young leaves and tender stems
• Puncturing the plant tissues with their needle like rostrum and inject toxic saliva.
• Punctures appear as reddish brown spots.
• Leaves curl up, badly deformed and shoots dry up.

Identification of the pest:

• Adult – black colour with red thorax, black and white abdomen and greenish brown wings.

4. BIOMASS PELLETS

TAGS: GS-III-AGRICULTURE-PRELIMS

THE CONTEXT:The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revised the financial grants for biomass pellet manufacturing units in March 2023.

THE EXPLANATION:

• Biomass pellet is one kind of biofuel resources.
• Biomass pellets are of two kinds — torrefied and non-torrefied. Biomass, if processed at 250-350°C in the absence of oxygen, leads to the formation of torrefied biomass. Whereas, in the case of non-torrefied pellets, biomass is shredded, grinded and sent to a pellet reactor, where it is compressed into pellet form with the help of binders such as sawdust, bagasse, molasses, starch and others.

Biomass Pellets Application

• Building heating: Biomass pellets can be used in a pellet stove or furnace to heating room at school, hospital, marketplace, company, etc. Cooking with biomass pellets is also available.
• Industrial boiler: Bio-pellets can partly(or entirely) replace coal or fossil fuel in co-firing heating for large-scale industrial operation to reduce the energy cost.
• power plants :Biomass pellets can be used in power plants to solve the problem of insufficient power supply.
• Animal bedding:Bio-pellets made of softwood is a kind of slap-up animal bedding to raising animal experience.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND INTERVENTIONS

5. SATHI PORTAL

TAGS:GS-III-GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

THE CONTEXT: The Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister launched the Sathi (Seed Traceability, Authentication and Holistic Inventory) portal and mobile app, a centralized online system designed to address seed production challenges, seed quality identification, and certification.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The Seed Traceability, Authentication and Holistic Inventory (SATHI) portal is a Centralized Online System designed to deal with the challenges of seed production, quality seed identification and seed certification.
• Developed by the NIC in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the portal aims to curb the sale of spurious seeds and ensure quality seeds reach farmers.
• It will ensure a quality assurance system, and identify the source of seed in the seed production chain.
• The system will consist of integrated 7 verticals of the seed chain – Research Organisation, Seed Certification, Seed Licensing, Seed Catalogue, Dealer to Farmer Sales, Farmer Registration and Seed DBT.
• Seeds with valid certification can only be sold by valid licensed dealers to centrally registered farmers who will receive a subsidy through DBT directly into their pre-validated bank accounts.

About NIC:

The National Informatics Centre (NIC) was initially established in 1976 by Late N Seshagiri under the Electronics Commission of India. It was subsequently transferred under the then Planning Commission of India and eventually came under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

HEALTH ISSUES

1. WHAT IS BLASTOMYCOSIS?

TAGS: GS-II-HEALTH ISSUES- PRELIMS

THE CONTEXT: Recently, a person has died of a fungal infection after an outbreak at a Michigan paper mill in United states that is likely to have infected nearly 100 people in the country.

THE EXPLANATION:

• Blastomycosis is an infection caused by a fungus called Blastomyces.
• The fungus lives in the environment, particularly in moist soil and in decomposing matter such as wood and leaves.
• In the United States, the fungus mainly lives in the midwestern, south-central, and southeastern states, particularly in areas surrounding the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, the Great Lakes, and the Saint Lawrence River. People can get blastomycosis after breathing in the microscopic fungal spores from the air.

Symptoms:

Approximately half of people who are infected with the fungus Blastomyces will show symptoms. The symptoms of blastomycosis are often similar to the symptoms of other lung infections, and can include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Night sweats
• Muscle aches or joint pain
• Fatigue

2. WHAT IS HEMOPHILIA?

TAGS: GS-II-HEALTH ISSUES- PRELIMS

THE CONTEXT: Every year, World Hemophilia Day is observed on April 17 to raise awareness about the rare blood disorder and help those suffering from it lead a better life.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The day was first commemorated by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) in 1989 in remembrance of Frank Schnabel, who was born on April 17, 1942, and spent his entire life working to make the lives of those who were affected by this ailment better.
• The theme for this year is “Access for All: Prevention of Bleeds as the Global Standard of Care,” and the goal is to persuade policymakers and governments to enhance access to care with a particular emphasis on better bleeding control.

What is hemophilia?

• Hemophilia is a genetic disorder that affects the body’s ability to form blood clots. People with hemophilia have deficiencies or abnormalities in certain clotting factors, which are proteins that help the blood clot.
• As a result, they may experience prolonged bleeding or spontaneous bleeding into muscles, joints, or organs.
• The signs and symptoms of hemophilia vary depending on the severity of the condition. Some common signs and symptoms include prolonged bleeding after injury, surgery or dental procedures, frequent nosebleeds, bruising easily, joint pain and swelling, especially in the knees, elbows, and ankles, blood in urine or stool, headaches, blurred vision, or other neurological symptoms, if bleeding occurs in the brain.

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

3. EXPLAINED: WHAT IS GREEN STEEL AND HOW  IT  CAN REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS IN THE STEEL INDUSTRIES?

TAGS: GS-III-ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

THE CONTEXT:The Union Minister of Steel and Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia recently  approved 13 Task Forces for defining the roadmap for ‘Green Steel’. The task forces with the involvement of experts and the industry stakeholders have been identified to deliberate on various aspects of ‘Green Steel’ production, and chalk out action points.

What is Green Steel ?

• Green Steel refers to the production of steel without relying on fossil fuels. Instead, alternative low-carbon energy sources such as hydrogen, coal gasification, or electricity are used in place of traditional coal-fired plants, which results in reduced greenhouse gas emissions, lower costs, and improved steel quality.

Why is Green steel the need of the hour?

• Currently, the steel industry is the largest industrial sector in terms of intensive energy and resource use.
• It is among the three biggest emitters of carbon dioxide (CO2), and with the aggressive expansion plans across companies globally, the emissions levels are only expected to rise if the traditional methods were to continue.
• According to data, the iron ore and steel industry globally accounts for around 8 percent of total CO2 emissions on annual basis, whereas in India, it contributes 12 percent to the total CO2 emissions.
• With such high emissions, steel producers in India and globally are facing escalating pressure from governments and investors to reduce their carbon footprint from both environmental and economic perspectives.
• Path to Net Zero:In view of commitments made at the Conference of the Parties (COP) climate change conference, the Indian steel industry needs to reduce its emissions substantially by 2030 and hit net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.

What are the Government steps to promote decarbonisation in steel industry

• The government has taken various steps to promote decarbonisation in the steel industry. The Steel Scrap Recycling Policy, 2019 increases the availability of domestically generated scrap to reduce the use of coal in steel production.
• The National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), focuses on green hydrogen production and usage, with the steel sector being a stakeholder.
• The Motor Vehicles (Registration and Functions of Vehicles Scrapping Facility) Rules from September 2021 aim to increase scrap availability in the steel sector.
• The National Solar Mission, launched in January 2010 by the MNRE, promotes the use of solar energy and reduces emissions in the steel industry.
• The Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme incentivize the steel industry to reduce energy consumption. The steel sector has also adopted the Best Available Technologies globally in modernization and expansion projects.

VALUE ADDITION:

Steel production in India

• India is currently one of the leading producers of crude steel in the world, standing as the second largest producer with a production of 120 Million Tonnes (MT) during the financial year of 2021-2022.
• The majority of the country’s iron ore reserves, more than 80%, are located in the states of Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and the northern regions of Andhra Pradesh.
• These areas are important steel-producing centres and are home to some of the largest steel factories in the country, including Bhilai (Chhattisgarh), Durgapur (West Bengal), Burnpur (West Bengal), Jamshedpur (Jharkhand), Rourkela (Odisha), and Bokaro (Jharkhand).

4. MANGROVE PITTA BIRD CENSUS

TAGS: GS-III-ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Odisha forest officials recently have sighted 179 mangrove pitta birds in the first ever census conducted of these exotic and colourful birds in the country.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The census was carried out for the first time in the country to study the population analysis of these birds.
• The habitats of these beautiful birds are confined to mangrove forest areas in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika and Sundarban in West Bengal.
• The mangrove pitta (Pitta megarhyncha) is a species of passerine bird in the family Pittidae native to the eastern Indian Subcontinent and western Southeast Asia. It is part of a superspecies where it is placed with the Indian pitta, the fairy pitta and the blue-winged pitta but has no recognized subspecies.
• A colourful bird, it has a black head with brown crown, white throat, greenish upper parts, buff underparts and reddish vent area. Its range extends from India to Malaysia and Indonesia. It is found in mangrove and nipa palm forests where it feeds on crustaceans, mollusks and insects.
• IUCN Status: Near Threatened.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND INTERVENTIONS

5. PM MITRA MEGA TEXTILES PARK

TAGS: GS-II- GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND INTERVENTIONS

THE CONTEXT:The Prime Minister recently lauded the setting up of PM Mitra Mega Textiles Park across Lucknow and Hardoi districts in Uttar Pradesh.

THE EXPLANATION:

• Ministry of Textiles (MoT) has launched PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel Parks (MITRAs) Scheme to strengthen the Indian textile industry by way of enabling scale of operations, reduce logistics cost by housing entire value chain at one location, attract investment, generate employment and augment export potential.
• The scheme will develop integrated large scale and modern industrial infrastructure facility for total value-chain of the textile industry for example, spinning, weaving, processing, garmenting, textile manufacturing, processing & printing machinery industry.
• These parks are envisaged to be located at sites which have inherent strengths for textile industry to flourish and have necessary linkages to succeed. The scheme envisages to leverage Public Private Partnership model for fast paced implementation in a time-bound manner.

Significance

• It will reduce logistics costs and strengthen the value chain of the textile sector to make it globally competitive.
• It will lead to increased investments (FDI and local) and enhanced employment opportunities.
• It will give domestic manufacturers a level-playing field in the international textiles market & pave the way for India to become a global champion of textiles exports across all segments.

HISTORY AND HERITAGE

1. UTTARAMERUR INSCRIPTION

TAGS: GS-I- HISTORY AND HERITAGE- PRELIMS

THE CONTEXT:Prime Minister recently referred to the Uttaramerur inscription in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, while discussing India’s democratic history.

THE EXPLANATION:

Where is Uttaramerur?

• Uttaramerur lies in present-day Kanchipuram district, approximately 90 km southeast of Chennai. Today, it is a small town and had a population of roughly 25,000 in the census of 2011. It is known for its historic temples built during Pallava and Chola rule.
• The famous inscription from Parantaka I’s reign is found on the walls of the Vaikunda Perumal Temple.

What does the inscription say?

• The inscription gives details of the functioning of the local sabha, i.e. the village assembly. A sabha was an assembly exclusively of brahmans and had specialised committees tasked with different things.
• The Uttaramerur inscription details how members were selected, the required qualifications, their roles and responsibilities, and even the circumstances in which they could be removed.
• Qualification of the representative: To become a representative of the Gram Sabha, the age of a person should be 35 to 70 years. He must have a certain amount of land. To become a representative it was necessary to have knowledge of Vedas. Anyone could get exemption on the ownership of land, but for that he should have knowledge of one Veda and four commentaries. To become a representative, a person should also be proficient in business.
• Rules of disqualification of the representatives: The inscriptions has also been told about the rules of disqualification of the representatives. Those who have committed five great sins cannot become a representative. Four of these were murder of Papa Brahmin, drinking alcohol, theft and adultery. The one who wanted to become a member should not be of criminal nature himself.

HEALTH ISSUES

2. HEATSTROKE

TAGS: GS-II-HEALTH ISSUES- PRELIMS

THE CONTEXT:Recently, 11 persons reportedly died of heat stroke while attending the Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai.

THE EXPLANATION:

What is heatstroke?

• Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition that causes your body to overheat. It’s defined as a body temperature above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius). Heatstroke, also called sunstroke, is the most severe form of hyperthermia, or heat-related illness. Heatstroke can lead to brain damage, organ failure or death.

Types of heatstroke:

There are two types of heatstroke:

1. Exertional heatstroke: This form of heatstroke is usually the result of physical overexertion in hot, humid conditions. It can develop in a few hours.
2. Non-exertional heatstroke: Also called classic heatstroke, this type can occur due to age or underlying health conditions. It tends to develop over several days.

Symptoms of heatstroke

• Anhidrosis (dry skin that doesn’t sweat, which is more common in non-exertional heatstroke).
• Ataxia (problems with movement and coordination).
• Balance problems.
• Delirium (confusion or disorientation).
• Excessive sweating that continues after you’ve stopped exercising (more common in exertional heatstroke).
• Hot, flushed skin or very pale skin.
• Low or high blood pressure.

SOCIAL ISSUES

3. SAME-SEX MARRIAGE’S LEGAL RECOGNITION IN INDIA

TAGS: GS-II- SOCIAL ISSUES

THE CONTEXT:Recently, the Supreme Court has set up a five-judge Constitution bench to hear the batch of petitions seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriages in India.

THE EXPLANATION:

Background:

• The Court has been hearing multiple petitioners’ requests for legal recognition of same-sex marriages under a special law. Initially, it took up the case of two partners who said the non-recognition of same-sex marriage amounted to discrimination that strikes at the root of “dignity and self-fulfilment” of LGBTQIA+ couples.
• The petitioners cited the Special Marriage Act, 1954, which provides a civil marriage for couples who cannot marry under their personal law, and appealed to the Court to extend the right to the LGBTQIA+ community, by making the “marriage between any two persons” gender neutral.

Why does the community want this right?

• Even if LGBTQIA+ couples may live together, legally, they are on a slippery slope. They do not enjoy the rights married couples do.
• For example, LGBTQIA+ couples cannot adopt children or have a child by surrogacy; they do not have automatic rights to inheritance, maintenance and tax benefits; after a partner passes away, they cannot avail of benefits like pension or compensation.
• Most of all, since marriage is a social institution, “that is created by and highly regulated by law,” without this social sanction, same-sex couples struggle to make a life together.

Which way are the Courts leaning?

• The Courts, leaning on Article 21 that guarantees the right to life and liberty, have time and again ruled in favour of inter-faith and inter-caste marriages, directing the police and other rights organisations to give them protection when they were threatened by parents or society, pointing out that “all adults have the right to marry a person of their choice.” In Navtej Singh Johar (2018), when homosexuality was decriminalised.
• “Members of the LGBT[QIA+] community are entitled to the benefit of an equal citizenship, without discrimination, and to the equal protection of law”.
• “The choice of whom to partner, the ability to find fulfilment in sexual intimacies and the right not to be subjected to discriminatory behaviour are intrinsic to the constitutional protection of sexual orientation.

PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

4. TAMIL NADU’S CUMBUM GRAPES GET GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION TAG

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

THE CONTEXT: The Cumbum grapes also known as Paneer Thratchai, recently earned the Geographical Indication tag or GI tag.

THE EXPLANATION:

What is unique about these grapes?

• The Cumbum valley located at the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu is known as the ‘Grapes city of South India’ and cultivates the Paneer Thratchai. This variety which is also known as Muscat Hamburg constitutes almost 85% of the grape-growing areas in Tamil Nadu.
• Theni district is one of the highest grapes producing areas of Paneer Thratchai. However, the ‘Panneer’ variety is chiefly associated with Cumbum Valley, where the cultivation area covers around 2,000 acres at 10 villages.
• The agro climate and the soil condition of the Cumbum region is very conducive for the cultivation of the Muscat variety. This variety is popular for its quick growth and early maturity. This ensures that the crop is available in the market almost throughout the year.
• The rich soil and water of the land are said to enhance the flavour of the natural fruit. The grape bunches are medium to large in size and compact in nature. The grapes grown are suitable for making wine, spirit, jams, canned grape juice and raisins.
• The Panneer grapes were first introduced in Tamil Nadu by a French priest in 1832. These grapes are rich in vitamins, tartaric acid and antioxidants and reduces the risk of some chronic diseases. They are also known for a superior taste apart from the purplish-brown colour.

Connect the dots:

• What is GI tag?

PLACES IN NEWS

5. SHIVELUCH VOLCANO

TAGS: PRELIMS-PLACES IN NEWS

THE CONTEXT: One of the Russia’s most active volcano recently erupted on the far eastern Kamchatka peninsula region spewing ash up to 20 kilometres above sea level, according to the Russia Academy of Sciences (RAS) Geophysical Survey.

About Kamchatka Peninsula:

• The Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia is a 1,250 km long peninsula on the far eastern edge of Siberia. It sits at the junction of a triple plate collision between the North American, the Pacific and the Eurasian Plates. It occupies something called the Okhotsk Block which is being shoved into the Eurasian Plate and borders on the Bering Block which defines the area north of the Aleutian chain of volcanic islands.
• It is one of the most concentrated areas of geothermal activity in the world, with 160 volcanoes in the region, 29 of which are believed to be currently active.
• Also, it is a part of the vast belt of Earth known as the “Ring of Fire” which circles the Pacific Ocean and is prone to eruptions and frequent earthquakes.

Shiveluch Volcano:

• Shiveluch is one of the largest and most active volcanoes in Kamchatka, having erupted at least 60 times in the past 10,000 years.
• It has two main parts: Old Shiveluch, which tops 3,283 metres (10,771 ft), and Young Shiveluch – a smaller, 2,800-metre peak protruding from its side.
• Young Shiveluch lies within an ancient caldera – a large crater-like basin that likely formed when the older part underwent a catastrophic eruption at least 10,000 years ago.
• It is this part that has become extremely active; the lava dome continues to grow and that stronger “fumarole activity” has been observed.

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. PREVENTIVE DETENTION LAW

TAGS:GS-II-POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT:Recently, the supreme court said that preventive detention laws in India are a colonial legacy with great potential to be abused and must be used only in the rarest of rare cases.

THE EXPLANATION:

What is preventive detention?

• Preventive detention is when a person is held in police custody only on the basis of a suspicion that they would conduct a criminal act or cause harm to society. The police have the authority to hold anyone they suspect of committing a criminal offence.
• The police have the ability to make arrests without a warrant or a magistrate’s authorization in certain cases. Preventive detention was undoubtedly an important part of the colonial legal system in India.
• Surprisingly, the framers of the Indian Constitution, who had been the most oppressed by the preventive detention legislation, did not fail to provide the statutory validity to the same in independent India.
• The word detention simply means when any person is arrested or taken into custody. It can be legal as well as illegal. But when it comes to the security of the state and benefit of the society, there comes a new term which is Preventive Detention.

There are commonly two types of detentions:

• Punitive detention, which means detention as a punishment for the criminal offence. It occurs after an offence is actually committed, or an attempt has been made towards the commission of that crime.
• On the other hand, preventive detention means a person’s incarceration in advance to prevent any further possibility of the commitment of crime or its engagement. Preventive detention is, therefore, an action taken on the basis of apprehension that the person in question might do some wrongful act.

HEALTH ISSUES

2. CHAGAS DISEASE

TAGS:GS-II-HEALTH ISSUES- PRELIMS

THE CONTEXT: The World Health Organization (WHO) is observing World Chagas Disease Day April 14, 2023 to raise awareness about this little-known disease that affects millions every year, especially the poor population and people in Latin America.

THE EXPLANATION:

• In 2019, the 72nd World Health Assembly dedicated this day to the disease. This year’s theme is “time to integrate Chagas disease into primary health care”.

What is Chagas disease?

• Chagas disease, also called American trypanosomiasis, is a communicable parasitic disease that has infected 6-7 million people and claims around 12,000 lives every year across the globe.
• It is caused by the parasite protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. The parasites are mainly transmitted by a family of bugs called ‘triatomines’, also known as the ‘kissing bug’. These blood-sucking bugs transmit the disease from infected to healthy individuals through bites and by defecating on them.
• The systemic, chronic disease manifests as fever, headaches, rashes and inflammatory nodules, nausea or diarrhoea and muscle or abdominal pain. A majority of the patients (70-80 per cent) show an asymptomatic clinical course throughout their lives, making early detection challenging. It is often referred to as the “silent and silenced disease”.
• An individual can also contract this disease through congenital transmission (pregnant woman to their baby), blood transfusions, organ transplantation, consumption of uncooked food contaminated with faecal matter of infected bugs or even accidental laboratory exposure. The disease, however, cannot propagate by casual contact with infected humans or animals.
• The disease is named after physician Carlos Chagas who first detected it in a Brazillian child in 1909.

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

3. NEW FROG SPECIES FOUND IN MEGHALAYA SIJU CAVE

TAGS: GS-III- ENVIRONMENT- SPECIES IN NEWS

THE CONTEXT: Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new species of frogs from deep within the Siju cave in the South Garo Hills district of Meghalaya.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The ZSI team named the new cascade species Amolops siju after the cave from where this discovery was made, according to a press note by the researchers. Siju is a four-kilometre-long natural limestone cave.
• Cascade Frogs are named so because of their preference for small waterfalls or cascades in flowing hill streams.
• The genus Amolops is one of the largest groups of ranid frogs (family Ranidae) with currently over 70 known species that are widely distributed across northeast and north India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, through Indochina, to the Malaya Peninsula.
• The discovery of new species from a cave is very rare. This is the second time such a discovery has been made in India — the first being the discovery of the Micrixalus spelunca in 2014 from a cave in Tamil Nadu
• The specimens of Amolops siju were collected in January 2020 during a cave expedition by the ZSI team. The tissue samples of the specimen were subjected to molecular studies to ascertain their specific identity from the other known species of cascade Amolops frogs.
• Based on the morphological, molecular and spatial data, the team concluded this frog from the Siju cave was new to science and decided to name the new species after the cave.
• Although the specimens were collected 60-100 metres from the cave entrance and the dark zones beyond 100 m of the cave entrance, the team did not find any troglobitic or cave-adapted modification, suggesting that this species of frog is not a permanent resident of the shelter.

4. WHAT IS CRAB NEBULA?

TAGS: GS-III- SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY- PRELIMS

THE CONTEXT: Recently, scientists have mapped the iconic Crab Nebula’s magnetic field in greater detail than ever before using NASA’s latest X-ray telescope.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The Crab Nebula is the remnant of a massive stellar explosion, or supernova, that occurred in the year 1054 and left behind a dense object called the Crab Pulsar with a mass about twice that of Earth’s sun. This nebula is one of the most thoroughly studied cosmic objects, but new observations suggest that it’s far more complex than scientists had thought.
• In the 1970s, Weisskopf, now an emeritus astronomer at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and his colleagues measured X-ray polarization from the Crab Nebula to understand its extreme environment and found that Crab has an average polarization of about 20%.
• The findings indicate that the X-rays in the Crab Nebula originate from the outer magnetic field region, known as the “wind” region. However, the exact location and mechanism of this process are yet to be determined.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES IN NEWS

5. A-HELP(ACCREDITED AGENT FOR HEALTH AND EXTENSION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION) PROGRAMME

TAGS: GS-II-GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND INTERVENTIONS

THE CONTEXT:Recently, the ‘A-HELP’ (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production) programme was launched in the State of Uttarakhand. It is an initiative of the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and the Ministry of Rural Development.

THE EXPLANATION:

• ‘A-Help’ are community-based women activist groups who do tasks like assisting veterinarians in local departmental activities, helping cattle rearers to get loans for entrepreneurship development, filling applications.
• Under the A-Help scheme envisaged by the Government of India, women have been selected to strengthen livestock related activities in remote rural areas. They help in implementing various schemes and providing information to the farmers at the ground level.
• Under this,trained A-Help workers will contribute significantly in prevention of various infectious diseases in animals, artificial insemination, animal tagging and animal insurance under Rashtriya Gokul Mission.

VALUE ADDITION:

About Rashtriya Gokul Mission

• The “Rashtriya Gokul Mission” aims to conserve and develop indigenous breeds in a focused and scientific manner.
• The potential to enhance the productivity of the indigenous breeds of India through professional farm management and superior nutrition is immense, for this it is essential to promote conservation and development of indigenous breeds.
• The Rashtriya Gokul Mission is a focussed project under National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development.
• The Mission will be implemented with the objectives to:
• Development and conservation of indigenous breeds
• Undertake breed improvement programme for indigenous cattle breeds so as to improve the genetic makeup and increase the stock;
• Enhance milk production and productivity;
• Upgrade non descript cattle using elite indigenous breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Rathi, Deoni, Tharparkar, Red Sindhi
• Distribute disease-free high genetic merit bulls for natural service.

HEALTH ISSUES

1. RADHUNI OR WILD CELERY (TRACHYSPERMUM ROXBURGHIANUM)

TAGS: GS-II- HEALTH ISSUES- PRELIMS

THE CONTEXT: Recent studies show that radhuni seeds can relax the gut and airways and improve digestion.

THE EXPLANATION:

About Radhuni or wild celery (Trachyspermum roxburghianum):-

• Radhuni is a popular spice in Bengali cuisine used abundantly in West Bengal.
• Its scientific name is Trachyspermum roxburghianum.
• It is not a plant seed but rather dried fruits.
• It is called ajmod in Hindi, asamtavomam in Tamil and ayamodakam in Malayalam.
• It belongs to the family of cumin and fennel fruits, known as
• Distribution: South Asia, South East Asia, and Indonesia.
• In some nations, these are employed as herbal medicines.
• It is usually consumed as part of panch phoron, a blend of five tempering spices traditionally used in Eastern Indian cuisine.

Health benefits of Radhuni masala:-

• This spice is supposed to aid in our bodies’ detoxification.
• Menstrual cramp reduction is another benefit.
• It is also traditionally used to treat coughs and colds, asthma, digestive issues, etc.
• It also aids in the management of inflammation and pain.

Use of radhuni masala:-

• In Bengal, radhuni is a widely used
• It is employed to temper dal.
• The lentil dish masoor dal with radhuni phoron , Shukto in bengal is prepared using radhuni masala.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

2. LIGO-INDIA PROJECT

TAGS: GS-III-SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY- PRELIMS

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the government has given the final go-ahead to India’s Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, or LIGO, project.

THE EXPLANATION:

LIGO India, project:-

• LIGO is an international network of laboratories.
• It aims to detect the ripples in spacetime produced by the movement of large celestial objects.
• LIGO-India is a collaborative project between a consortium of Indian research institutions and the LIGO Laboratory in the USA, along with its international partners.
• It will be located in the Hingoli district of Maharashtra.
• It was built by the Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Science and Technology with an MoU with the S. National Science Foundation
• Objective: To detect and study gravitational waves.
• LIGOs are designed to measure changes in distance that are several orders of magnitude smaller than the length of the proton.
• Significance: This project will see India join the global effort to detect and study gravitational waves, which were first theorized in Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity.
• Gravitational waves are extremely weak and difficult to detect.
• They were first directly detected by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in 2015.
• LIGO-India is set to become the country’s largest scientific facility after the government gave the final green light for its construction.
• LIGO-India is intrinsically a multidisciplinary mega-science project that requires expertise from a variety of fields (e.g., laser, vacuum, optics, computer, etc., and of course Physics) and provides cutting-edge research opportunities.

3. INDIA’S FIRST 3D-PRINTED POST OFFICE

TAGS: GS-III-SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY- PRELIMS

THE CONTEXT: As per recent announcements, Bengaluru will soon have India’s first post office constructed using 3D printing technology.

THE EXPLANATION:

About India’s first 3D-printed post office:-

• India’s first 3D-printed post office would be located in Cambridge Layout in Ulsoor, Bangalore.
• The project is being implemented by Larsen & Toubro, which has experience in constructing 3D-printed buildings.
• It is a 1,100 sq ft building which is expected to cost 30-40 per cent less than conventional buildings because of the technological intervention.

About 3D printing:-

• 3D printing is a process of making three-dimensional solid objects from a digital file.
• It is achieved using additive processes.
• In an additive process, an object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the object is created.
• Each of these layers can be seen as a thinly sliced cross section of the object.
• 3D printing enables you to produce complex shapes using less material than traditional manufacturing methods.

4. NATIONAL MISSION IN INTERDISCIPLINARY CYBER PHYSICAL SYSTEMS (NM-ICPS)

TAGS: GS-III-SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY- PRELIMS

THE CONTEXT: In recent deliberations the experts emphasized on ways to strengthen the National Mission in Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).

THE EXPLANATION:

About National Mission in Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM-ICPS):-

• National Mission in Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) is a comprehensive mission which would address technology development, application development, human resource development, skill enhancement, entrepreneurship and start-up development in Cyber-Physical Systems and associated technologies.
• It aims at establishment of 15 numbers of Technology Innovation Hubs, six numbers of Application Innovation Hubs and four numbers of Technology Translation Research Parks (TTRP).
• These Hubs & TTRPs will connect to Academics, Industry, Central Ministries and State Government in developing solutions at reputed academic, R&D and other organizations across the country in a hub and spoke model.
• They mainly focus on four areas:
• Technology Development,
• HRD & Skill Development,
• Innovation,
• Entrepreneurship & Start-ups Ecosystem Development and International Collaborations.

Cyber-physical systems:-

• They integrate sensing, computation, control and networking into physical objects and infrastructure, connecting them to the Internet and to each other.
• Potential applications:-
• Driverless cars that communicate securely with each other on smart roads
• Sensors in the home to detect changing health conditions
• Improving agricultural practices
• Enabling scientists to address issues arising out of climate change,etc.

PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

5. EXERCISE KAVACH

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

THE CONTEXT: Indian Armed Force’s only tri-service command, Andaman and Nicobar Command recently concluded Exercise KAVACH, a large-scale joint military exercise. The exercise, with the participation of assets from all three services and the Indian Coast Guard.

About the KAVACH Exercise:

• The joint-military exercise aimed at finetuning joint war-fighting capabilities and standard operating procedures besides enhancing interoperability and operational synergy.
• During the exercise, soldiers performed multiple activities such as amphibious landing, air landing operations, heliborne operations, and swift insertion of special forces commandos.
• The exercise also focused on joint activities for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. And also aimed to validate India’s ability to safeguard its island territories and perform joint operations with synergy during real war scenarios.
• The exercise is crucial for India, considering the current global situation and the country’s neighbours on the northern and western borders.

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. NATURAL JUSTICE AND PRINCIPALS OF PROPORTIONALITY

TAGS: GS-II- POLITY AND CONSTITUTION

THE CONTEXT: A recent ruling of the Supreme Court brought out the issues of Natural Justice and Proportionality to the surface.

THE EXPLANATION:

Natural justice is also known as universal justice, substantial justice, or fair play in action.

 It is an essential concept of divine law, which is based on the law of equity.

Principles of Natural Justice:-

The main principles of natural justice are based on these two legal maxims:

• Nemo judex in causa sua – It means no one shall be a judge in his own case.
• Audi alteram partem – It means both parties/sides must be heard. No man should be condemned unheard.

Prerequisites of Natural Justice:-

• Absence of bias, interest, or prejudice: the judge should be neutral, impartial, and free from bias is the first and foremost prerequisite of natural justice.

Types of Bias:

• Pecuniary bias – It concerns a financial interest in the subject matter.
• Personal bias – A judge may be a relative, friend, or associate of a party.
• Official bias – When a judge has a general interest in the subject matter.

Maneka Gandhi vs Union of India, 1978

• It is well established in the case that even when there is no specific law or provision in a statute or rules made for showing cause against the action made, which affects the right of any individual, the duty to give a reasonable opportunity to be heard will be implied from nature.
• The principles of natural justice are not only binding on all courts but also on judicial bodies and quasi-judicial authorities.

Exceptions to the Principle of Natural Justice:-

• Where a statute or act expressly excludes or a particular provision of it excludes the applicability of the rule.
• Where the action is legislative in nature.
• Where the doctrine of necessity applies.
  • Doctrine of necessity applies: If a decision is to be made urgently on shorter notice, then the rule may be excluded.
• Where facts are admitted or undisputed, then there is no need to call the party again for readmitting the admitted facts. The court can proceed further with admissions made.
• Where an enquiry is confidential, then there can be ignorance of the principles of natural justice.
• Where preventive action is to be taken.
  • For example section 144 CrPC, where immediate action is required, and no reasonable or due time can be given to the other party.
• Where urgent action is necessary for a government policy decision.

Principals of Proportionality:-

• The principle requires that the decision or action must be proportionate to the objective it seeks to achieve.
• It means employed to achieve the objective must be no more than necessary to achieve it, and the harm caused by the decision or action must not be excessive in relation to the benefit gained.
• The validity of the claim of involvement of national security considerations must be assessed on the test of whether there is material to conclude that the non-disclosure of information is in the interest of national security.
• Courts can assess the validity of public interest immunity claims based on the “structured proportionality standard”.

SOCIAL ISSUES

2. WHAT IS HIKIKOMORI?

TAGS: GS-II- SOCIAL ISSUES

THE CONTEXT: A new phenomenon of Isolation known as ‘Hikikomori’ or ‘Shut-ins’ is rapidly spreading in Japan – leading to nearly 1.5 million Japanese people of working age living as social recluses, revealed by a government survey. According to the survey, around a fifth of the isolation cases have been cited to the Covid-19 pandemic.

THE EXPLANATION:

About Hikikomori:

• The term Hikikomori was coined in Japan in the 1990s to describe young adults who had withdrawn from society and remained isolated in their homes for extended periods.
• It is not recognized as a clinical diagnosis but is rather a social phenomenon that affects people of all ages.

What is the factor behind Isolation?

• Several factors have contributed to the high prevalence of hikikomori in Japan. The country’s highly competitive and demanding education system is one of the key factors. Many young people in Japan face intense academic pressure to succeed in school and secure good jobs, leading to high levels of stress and anxiety.
• As per government survey, the most common reason respondents gave for their social withdrawal was “quitting jobs”. This was closely followed by the pandemic, which was cited as the main reason by 18 percent of recluses aged 15-39 and 20 percent of those aged 40-64.
• The traditional Japanese family structure has also played a role. In Japan, there is a strong emphasis on filial piety or respect for one’s parents and elders. This has led to a culture in which children often feel a sense of obligation to care for their parents in old age, which can cause feelings of guilt and anxiety.
• Additionally, Japan’s work culture is notorious for being intense and all-consuming. Long working hours, high levels of stress, and limited opportunities for career advancement can cause burnout and contribute to the prevalence of hikikomori.

What are the Consequences of Hikikomori?

• The consequences of hikikomori can be severe, both for individuals and for society as a whole. Hikikomori can lead to social Isolation, a lack of employment opportunities, and financial hardship. It can also result in mental health issues such as depression and anxiety disorders.
• The Japanese government has recognized the problem of hikikomori and has implemented several initiatives to address it. These initiatives include counselling services, support groups, and financial assistance for individuals and families affected by hikikomori.

HEALTH ISSUES

3. SQUIRRELPOX VIRUS IN WALES

TAGS: GS-II- HEALTH ISSUES

THE CONTEXT: Red squirrels are one of Britain’s most iconic species, and yet, they are under threat from a virus that causes a fatal disease known as squirrelpox. The virus is thought to have originated in North America and was accidentally introduced to the UK by grey squirrels. It is a major threat to the red squirrel population in Wales, where numbers have declined dramatically in recent years.

THE EXPLANATION:

• Grey squirrels are the usual carriers of SQPV (Squirrelpox virus), and although they are immune to the disease, they can still spread the virus to red squirrels through physical contact or contaminated food sources.

Anecdotal Evidence of Resistance

• Despite the devastating effects of the virus, there is some good news. There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that some red squirrels have developed resistance to squirrelpox.
• In Cumbria, there have been reports of healthy red squirrels with antibodies to the virus, which indicates that they have survived an infection and built up immunity.

Impact of Squirrelpox on Red Squirrels

• Squirrelpox has a mortality rate of 100% for untreated infected squirrels in the wild, and infected squirrels typically die within four to five days.
• The virus causes cuts, blisters, and growths on the skin, which can be painful and debilitating for the squirrels. Once infected, red squirrels can take up to three weeks to die.

Efforts to Protect Red Squirrels

• There have been calls for the Welsh government to fund vaccine research to protect red squirrels from squirrelpox. A petition signed by nearly 11,000 people was submitted to the government, but so far, no action has been taken. Despite this, there are still efforts being made to protect red squirrels in Wales.

Restoring Red Squirrels in Ceredigion

• A project is underway to restore red squirrels in Ceredigion, where numbers remain small. The project involves trapping grey squirrels and replacing them with red squirrels in the hope that the red squirrel population will grow. However, this project is only one of many, and more work needs to be done to protect red squirrels in other parts of Wales.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

4. EXTENDED RANGE ANTI SUBMARINE ROCKET (ER-ASR)

TAGS: GS-III- SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ER-ASR) was successfully test-fired for the first time.

THE EXPLANATION:

About Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket:-

• The ER-ASR was designed by the Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) of the DRDO.
• It is designed to intercept submarines at specific depths.
• Its rocket system will be deployed in anti-submarine operations.
• It will be fired from an indigenised rocket launcher mounted onboard various Indian naval ships.
• ER-ASR can be fired in single or in salvo mode depending on the tactical mission requirements.
• The maiden successful test from the ship is a step towards enhancing the capability of the Indian Navy in anti-submarine warfare and towards achieving ‘AtmaNirbharta’ in defence.
• ER-ASR has been designed to replace the existing Russian-origin Rocket Guided Bombs (RGBs) which are already fitted in ships.
• While the RGB has a range of five kilometres, the ER-ASR can achieve a range of over eight kilometres.

PLACES IN NEWS

5. IZU-OGASAWARA TRENCH

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

THE CONTEXT: The Izu–Ogasawara Trench is an oceanic trench located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is known for being one of the deepest points in the world’s oceans. Here, the deepest ever fish was filmed, breaking the previous record of filming a fish swimming in the Mariana Trench.

THE EXPLANATION:

Depth and Location

• The Izu–Ogasawara Trench is also known as the Izu–Bonin Trench. It is some 9,780 meters (32,087 feet) deep. This oceanic trench is an extension of the Japan Trench and is composed of two trenches: the Izu Trench, located in the north, and the Bonin Trench, located in the south, west of the Ogasawara Plateau.
• The Izu–Ogasawara Trench is located in the western Pacific Ocean, southeast of Japan. It runs parallel to the Mariana Trench, which is the deepest point in the world’s oceans at approximately 10,935 meters (35,876 feet) deep.

Marine Life in the Trench

• Despite the extreme depths of the Izu–Ogasawara Trench, unique marine life has been found in this region. In 2019, the Minderoo-UWA Deep Sea Research Centre led a two-month expedition to explore the trench’s depths. During the expedition, the deepest fish ever caught on camera was filmed swimming at a depth of 8,336 meters (27,373 feet) in the trench. This juvenile snail fish is one of only two fish that have been collected from a depth greater than 8,000 meters.
• The slightly warmer water in the Izu–Ogasawara Trench is believed to be responsible for the survival of fish at such extreme depths. Scientists have also discovered other unique marine life forms in the trench, including the Xenophyophore Occultammina, which was first discovered at a depth of 8,260 meters (27,100 feet).

Significance of the Trench

• The Izu–Bonin–Mariana Arc system, which includes the Izu and Bonin Islands, is created by the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Philippine Sea Plate in the Izu–Ogasawara Trench. This process is responsible for creating the unique geological features and marine life in the region.
• The Izu–Ogasawara Trench is also significant for its research potential. Professor Jamieson, the founder of the Minderoo-UWA Deep Sea Research Centre, led the expedition to the trench in 2019 to study the effects of extreme ocean depths on marine life. The research conducted in this trench can help us understand more about the ocean’s depths and the unique ecosystems that exist in these extreme environments.

HEALTH ISSUES

1. WHAT ARE RARE DISEASES AND WHY IS THEIR TREATMENT SO EXPENSIVE?

TAGS: GS-II HEALTH ISSUES

THE CONTEXT: The central government recently exempted all foods and drugs for rare diseases imported by people for personal use from custom duty. With most therapy for rare diseases priced very high, this will make a significant difference to families of people living with the conditions.

THE EXPLANATION:

What are the drugs that have been exempted from customs duty?

• Medicines and foods needed for the management of 51 rare diseases have been exempt from custom duty, with the government notification stating, “drugs, medicines or food for special medical purposes used for treatment of rare diseases specified.”
• The specified conditions include lysosomal storage disorder (a group of metabolic disorders that lead to a buildup of toxic materials in the cells), maple syrup urine disease (a hereditary condition where the body cannot process the building blocks of proteins resulting in buildup of harmful substances in blood and urine), Severe food protein allergy, Wilson’s disease (a disorder that results in the body accumulating copper) among others.
• These medicines usually attract a basic custom duty of 10 per cent, with some vaccines or medicines attracting a lower 5 per cent or nil as previously notified. Medicines for the treatment of spinal muscular athrophy and duchenne muscular dystrophy were already exempt from customs.

What are rare diseases?

• Rare diseases as the name suggests are conditions that affect very few people. The World Health Organisation defines it as any debilitating lifelong disease or disorder with a prevalence of ten or less per 10,000 population; other countries follow standards ranging between 1 and 10 cases per 10,000 to define a condition as rare disease.
• There are about 7,000 to 8,000 conditions globally that have been defined as rare diseases. The landscape of rare diseases keeps changing, with newer conditions being identified and reported constantly.

Why are drugs for rare diseases so expensive?

• Even though there have been developments in the treatment of rare diseases in the recent year, almost 95 per cent of the conditions do not have specific treatment.
• With a very small number of people suffering each of the 7,000- 8,000 rare conditions, they do not make a good market for drugs. This is the reason most pharmaceutical companies are reluctant to spend on research for treatments of the disease. This is the reason the medicine for rare conditions that do exist are known as “orphan drugs” and are prohibitively priced to recoup the cost of research and development.
• As per the National Rare Disease Policy, treatment for some rare disease can vary from Rs 10 lakh to 1 crore per year for a child weighing 10 kgs. The treatment has to be continued lifelong, with the costs going up along with the age and weight of the person.
• “At present, very few pharmaceutical companies are manufacturing drugs for rare diseases globally and there are no domestic manufacturers in India”.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

2. DEEP SEA MINING

TAGS: GS-III- SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY- PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

THE CONTEXT:The UN’s decision to take deep-sea mining applications comes when there is no mining code in place. Several countries have insisted that industrial undersea mining should require strict rules.

THE EXPLANATION:

• Recently, the International Seabed Authority has decided that it will start taking permit applications in July from companies that want to mine the ocean’s floor.
• The undersea mining will be conducted to extract key battery materials — cobalt, copper, nickel, and manganese — from potato-sized rocks called “polymetallic nodules” found at depths of 4 kilometers to 6 kilometers (about 2.5 miles to 3.7 miles).
• The Jamaica-based ISA was established under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. It holds authority over the ocean floors outside of its 167 member states’ Exclusive Economic Zones.

What is Deep Sea Mining?

• Deep-sea mining is the process of retrieving mineral deposits from the deep seabed – the ocean below 200m.
• Depleting terrestrial deposits and rising demand for metals mean deep-sea mining may begin soon, even though research suggests that it could destroy habitats and wipe out species.
• Deep-sea mining should be halted until the criteria specified by IUCN are met, including the introduction of assessments, effective regulation and mitigation strategies.
• Comprehensive studies are needed to improve our understanding of deep-sea ecosystems and the vital services they provide to people, such as food and carbon sequestration.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS

3. WHAT IS MANUFACTURING PURCHASING MANAGERS’ INDEX (PMI)?

TAGS: GS-III- ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: According to S&P Global India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) New orders and output rose to a three-month high in March (2023) even as input cost inflation for manufacturing firms slipped to the second-lowest mark in two-and-a-half years.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The PMI reading rose to 56.4, from 55.3 in February, signalling the strongest improvement in operating conditions in 2023 so far. The PMI average for the January-March period was 55.7, lower than 56.3 in the previous quarter. New export orders grew at a faster pace in March than the previous month, but remained “slight and historically subdued.”

What is a PMI?

• PMI or a Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is an indicator of business activity — both in the manufacturing and services sectors. It is a survey-based measures that asks the respondents about changes in their perception of some key business variables from the month before. It is calculated separately for the manufacturing and services sectors and then a composite index is constructed.

How is the PMI derived?

• The PMI is derived from a series of qualitative questions. Executives from a reasonably big sample, running into hundreds of firms, are asked whether key indicators such as output, new orders, business expectations and employment were stronger than the month before and are asked to rate them.

How does one read the PMI?

• A figure above 50 denotes expansion in business activity. Anything below 50 denotes contraction. Higher the difference from this mid-point greater the expansion or contraction. The rate of expansion can also be judged by comparing the PMI with that of the previous month data.
• If the figure is higher than the previous month’s then the econ-omy is expanding at a faster rate. If the figure is higher than the previous month’s then the econ-omy is expanding at a faster rate. If it is lower than the previous month then it is growing at a lower rate.

What are its implications for the economy?

• The PMI is usually released at the start of the month, much before most of the official data on industrial output, manufacturing and GDP growth becomes available.
•  It is, therefore, considered a good leading indicator of economic activity. Economists consider the manufacturing growth measured by the PMI as a good indicator of industrial output, for which official statistics are released later.
• Central banks of many countries also use the index to help make decisions on interest rates.

4. WHAT ARE ELECTORAL BONDS?

THE CONTEXT: The government recently announced the 26th tranche of electoral bond sales to be undertaken over a ten-day window at all authorized branches of the State Bank of India.

THE EXPLANATION:

About Electoral Bonds:

• The electoral bond scheme was launched by the Union government in 2018.
• It is a bearer instrument, like a promissory note that can be bought by any Indian citizen or company incorporated in India.
• The citizen or corporate can then donate the same to any eligible political party of his/her choice.
• The bonds are similar to bank notes that are payable to the bearer on demand and are free of interest.
• An individual or party is allowed to purchase these bonds digitally or through cheque.

Process:

• EBs are issued/purchased for any value, in multiples of Rs 1,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 1,00,000, Rs 10,00,000 and Rs 1,00,00,000.
• The electoral bonds are available for purchase for 10 days at the beginning of every quarter.
• SBI is the only bank authorized to sell these bonds.
• Anonymous cash donations were capped at Rs 2,000.
• EBs have a life of only 15 days during which it can be used for making donations to political parties.

Eligibility:

• Only political parties registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and which secured not less than 1% of votes polled in the last general election to the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of the State, are eligible to receive electoral bonds.
• The bond can be encashed by an eligible political party only through a designated bank account with the authorized bank.
• The political parties have to disclose the amount to the Election Commission.
• The electoral bonds will not bear the name of the donor.

MISCELLANEOUS

5. WHAT IS SARBAT KHALSA?

TAGS: MISCELLANEOUS

THE CONTEXT: The Sarbat Khalsa, a term meaning “all congregation,” refers to a traditional assembly of all factions of Sikhs (Khalsa) to discuss political, social, and religious issues of great importance to the community. The idea of a deliberative assembly of Sikhs originated in the 18th century and was convened twice a year.

THE EXPLANATION:

Origins and Significance of Sarbat Khalsa

• The word “sarbat” means all, and the Sarbat Khalsa was an assembly where all members of the Khalsa were represented. It was a democratic institution where members could participate in decision-making. The assembly was called at times of crisis and was considered the supreme authority in the Sikh community.
• During the Mughal period, Zakarya Khan, the governor of Lahore, offered the title of Nawab to the Sikhs as a reward for their services. The Sikhs, however, refused to accept the title and instead called for a Sarbat Khalsa to discuss the issue. This marked the beginning of the tradition of calling the Sarbat Khalsa.
• The tradition continued during the period of the Sikh misls, which were essentially confederacies of Sikh chiefdoms. However, after the establishment of the Sikh kingdom by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1799, the need for an institution like the Sarbat Khalsa was reduced with the formation of the SGPC.

Sarbat Khalsa in Modern Times

• The Sarbat Khalsa was called in 1920 to discuss control over gurdwaras, and again in 1984 after the Indian Army’s Operation Blue Star in the Golden Temple. In 1986, a panthic committee was formed that gave a call for Khalistan.
• The Sarbat Khalsa was called again on November 10, 2015, by Sikh bodies opposed to the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal). The gathering attracted a large number of Sikhs from all over the world, and its impact on Punjab politics was significant. It led to a demand for a separate Sikh state, the revival of the demand for the release of Sikh prisoners, and the establishment of a parallel committee to the SGPC

INDIAN HERITAGE

1. KHAJURAHO TEMPLES

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

THE CONTEXT: While Khajuraho is internationally recognized for its rich architectural grandeur of the Western Group of temples that UNESCO recognizes as world heritage, the districts of Chhatarpur and Panna have lesser-known destinations that can serve as model local tourist destinations.

THE EXPLANATION:

About Khajuraho Temple

• The Temples of Khajuraho are a magnificent example of the Nagara style of temples as the temples consist of

• a sanctum,
• a narrow ante-chamber (antarala),
• a transept (mahamandapa),
• additional halls (ardha mandapa),
• a mandapa or nave and
• an ambulatory passage (Pradakshina-path) which is lighted by large windows.

• These are a collection of Hindu and Jain temples located in Madhya Pradesh.
• They are known for its ornate temples, was built by the Chandela rulers between 900 CE to 1130 CE.
• These are located in the Vindhya Mountain range.
• They  got the status of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site in 1986.
• Erotic imagery is very common in the Temples of Khajuraho.
• Sculptures of celestial nymphs with broad hips, heavy breasts and languishing eyes are commonly found in the Kandariya Mahadeva and Vishwanath Temple. These sculptures are believed to reflect the idea of female beauty and fertility.
• Other scenes depicted on the walls of the temples are a part of the Narathara (the human life cycle) signifying how sexual procreation and kama are an essential aspect of human life.
• The major focus of the study of the Temples of Khajuraho have been on the sculptures.

• The walls of these temples have some of the best sculptures of the time, making Khajuraho a representation of excellent artistic features.
• It is believed that the temples constitute five different sets of sculptures:

• cult images
• the parivara, parsva and avarana devatas
• the apsaras and the surasundaris
• secular sculptures of miscellaneous themes (dancers, musicians, disciples and domestic scenes)
• mythical creatures (vyalas, sardula and other animals)
• The first mention of Khajuraho and its temples is in the accounts of Abu Rayhan al Biruni( 1022 CE) and Ibn Battuta (1335 CE).
• The carvings on them reflect the four goals of life in Hinduism, viz, dharma, kama, artha, moksha.
• One theory posits their construction can be understood as a part of the proliferation of the Siva-Sakti cult. The other theory is that the temples are a representation of the devadasis who were once a major part of the temple activities.
• The Temples of Khajuraho are divided into three groups, the Western Group, the Eastern Group and the Southern Group.

The Western Group:

• Chausath Yogini Temple-this temple stands on the low rocky eminence to the south west of the Sib-Sagar
• Kandariya Mahadeva Temple– Largest of all the temples in Khajuraho, it dates back to the 10th century CE.
• Devi Jagdamba Temple -this temple is now known by the name of Devi Jagdamba or the ‘Mother Goddess of the World’.
• Chitragupta or Bharat ji’s Temple -This temple is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya), an image of the Sun God is enshrined within the sanctum, wearing high boots and driving a chariot of seven horses.
• Vishwanath Temple – Vishwanath, or the ‘Lord of the Universe’, is another name for Lord Shiva to whom this temple is dedicated.
• Laxmana Temple -also known as the Chaturbhuj Temple.
• It is popularly known for its innovation in the technique of architecture.

The Eastern Group:

• Brahma Temple -situated on the banks of Khajuraho Sagar.
• Vamana Temple -situated on the north-east side of the Brahma Temple
• Ghantai Temple -this temple got its name from the bells suspended on chains which adorn the pillars of its portico.
• Parshwanath Jain Temple – it is the largest of the Jaina temples. It is believed to be a shrine of Parshwanath, the 22nd Jain Tirthankara.

The Southern Group:

• Duladeo Temple – It is about a mile and a half away from the main Khajuraho Temples and was originally dedicated to the Siva
• Jatkari or Chaturbhuja Temple -situated near the Jatkari village, this temple faces west. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

About Chandela Dynasty:

• The Chandela Empire ruled central India from the tenth to the fourteenth centuries.
• Chandela were well known for their interest in art and architecture.
• Although followers of Shaivism, the Chandela were also said to have been inclined towards Vaishnavism and Jainism as well.

About Panna Biosphere :

• The Panna Biosphere is located in the Panna and Chhatarpur districts of Madhya Pradesh.
• It  is situated in the Vindhya Mountain range in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh
• Ken River, a tributary of the Yamuna River, flows through the reserve.
• The ken-Betwa river interlinking project will be located within the tiger reserve.
• The region is also famous for Panna diamond mining.
• The Panna National Park got the status of  India’s 22nd tiger reserve in 1994.
• In 2011, it was notified as a Biosphere Reserve by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of tigers in the country followed by Karnataka and Uttarakhand.

HEALTH ISSUES

2. BRAZIL MAD COW DISEASE

TAGS: PRELIMS- GS-II-HEALTH ISSUES

THE CONTEXT: Brazil is the largest beef exporter in the world. And China is one of the largest beef consumers in the world. Brazil recently suspended its beef exports to China due to mad cow disease. The disease is also called Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy.

THE EXPLANATION:

What is Mad Cow Disease?

• It is incurable. The disease occurs due to an infection in a protein called a prion.
• The disease spreads when cows consume the meat of the cattle that are already infected with the disease.
• It is a fat neurodegenerative disease, meaning affects brain cells
• Symptoms of the disease include weight loss, trouble walking, etc.
• It has a long incubation period and therefore very difficult to identify. The incubation period is the time between the infection and the occurrence of the first symptom.
• The outbreak of the disease occurred in the US, China, Egypt, Hong Kong, Chile, UAE, etc.

What will China do now?

• The Chinese may look for alternatives. They will probably turn to Australia, Japan or Korea. The relations between Australia and China were not too good in recent times. Australian government ordered the removal of all the Chinese-made cameras in public offices. Maybe, this is an opportunity for the countries to reconcile. However, China may have to pay the extra price as the situation is in favour of Australia.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

3. CHINA-JAPAN SECURITY DIALOGUE

TAGS: PRELIMS- GS-II-INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT:China and Japan held a security dialogue for the first time in four years. It was held in Tokyo. During the meeting, the countries agreed to strengthen their security relations and communication. They will work to gain mutual trust. Also, they agreed to bring upon a framework of maritime and air liaison.

THE EXPLANATION:

Why is China being nice all of a sudden?

• If you notice, China recently held the WMCC meeting with India on withdrawing troops in the borer. China is planning on holding talks with Australia.
• China has been changing its tone of business in recent days, that is, 30-40 days. This is because the economy of the country is becoming more and more fragile. And with the dependent population increasing and the working population decreasing in the country because of its birth control policies, China will face a big setback in its economic growth coming days. These predictions are being repeated by the IMF and World Bank only to remind world business investors about the Chinese state!
• Right now China is facing a lack of promising jobs for the youth in the country, the property market is declining, the growth rate has been the slowest in a decade, consumer confidence has become zero due to cheap low-quality products, etc.

China’s policy change

• China was a pro-business market for quite some time in the past. Meaning, the capitalists were given preference. But lately, the Chinese Communist Party’s (the ruling government) goals are prioritized over business interests. The case of Jack Ma is the best example of the Chinese policy shift.

What is China-Japan issues?

• The dispute between the countries is over the Senkaku islands. The islands is being administered by Japan since 1972. However, the legal status of the islands is still disputed. After the world war, II Japan gave up its claims over several parts of the world. In 1951, Japan gave up Taiwan under the Treaty of San Francisco. The Senkaku islands are near Taiwan. And according to Japan, the islands belong to the country under the US Trusteeship treaty signed in 1971.
• China did not raise any issues when Japan signed the San Francisco agreement. In 1969, oil reserves were found in the Senkaku islands. Since the discovery of oil reserves, China is making the claim on the island.
• Of all this, China has now entered Ukraine war talk backing Russia.

PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

4. THE INDIAN COUNCIL OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH (ICHR)

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

THE CONTEXT: Recently, after objections, ICHR stopped singing the daily national anthem, and removed the images of Bharat Mata and DeenDayal Upadhyaya.

THE EXPLANATION:

About THE INDIAN COUNCIL OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH (ICHR) :

• The Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
• It was established by the Ministry of Education & Social Welfare, Govt. of India (now, Ministry of Education) in 1972.
• ICHR was registered under the Societies Registration Act (Act xxi of 1860), an Act for the registration of Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies in India.
• The primary aim and objective of the Indian Council of Historical Research are to promote and give directions to historical research and to encourage and foster objective and scientific writing of history.

Some of the objectives of the Council:

• To foster objective and scientific writing of history such as to inculcate an informed appreciation of the country’s national and cultural heritage;
• To review the progress of historical research from time to time.
• To advise the Government of India on all such matters pertaining to historical research and training in history methodology as may be referred to it from time to time.
• To sponsor historical research programmes.
• To provide technical assistance for the formulation of historical research programmes by individuals or institutions.
• To promote publications of historical research of a high standard
• Generally, take all such measures as may be found necessary from time to time to promote historical research and its utilization in the country.

Functions:

• To provide fellowships and financial assistance to young teachers in colleges, universities and registered research organizations,
• To publish a biannual Journal – the Indian Historical Review, and another journal Itihas in Hindi.
• To maintain a large and expanding Library-cum-Documentation Centre with facilities of DELNET and J-STOR.
• To maintain two regional centres namely ICHR North-East Regional Centre (Guwahati) and ICHR Southern Regional Centre (Bangalore).

5. COMPTROLLER AND AUDITOR-GENERAL OF INDIA (CAG) AND INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION (ILO)

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India , has been selected as External Auditor of the International Labour Organization in Geneva for a four-year term from 2024 to 2027.

THE EXPLANATION:

About CAG:

• CAG is an independent authority under the Constitution of India.
• The Constitution of India provides for an independent office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in chapter V under Part V.
• He is the head of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department.
• He is the guardian of the public purse.
• He acts as a guide, friend and philosopher of the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament.
• Incumbent CAG of India: Shri Girish Chandra Murmu.

Constitutional Provisions regarding the CAG:

• Article 148–151 , in  Part V of the constitution of India deals with the appointment, oath and conditions of service ,Duties and Powers of CAG.
• Article 279 – The calculation of “net proceeds” is ascertained and certified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India, whose certificate is final.
• Third Schedule – Section IV of the Third Schedule of the Constitution of India prescribes the form of oath or affirmation to be made by the Judges of the Supreme Court and the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India at the time of assumption of office.
• Sixth Schedule– According to this schedule, the District Council or Regional Council should be kept in such form as the CAG prescribes with the approval of the President.
• In addition, these bodies’ accounts are audited in such manner as CAG may think fit, and the reports relating to such accounts shall be submitted to the Governor who shall cause them to be laid before the Council.

About International Labour Organization (ILO):

• It was established by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.
• It is the only tripartite N. agency. It brings together governments, employers and workers.
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
• It received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969

The eight-core conventions of the ILO are:

• Forced Labour Convention (No. 29)
• Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (No.105)
• Equal Remuneration Convention (No.100)
• Discrimination (Employment Occupation) Convention (No.111)
• Minimum Age Convention (No.138)
• Worst forms of Child Labour Convention (No.182)
• Freedom of Association and Protection of Right to Organised Convention (No.87)
• Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention (No.98)
• India is a founding member of the ILO
• India has ratified six out of the eight-core/fundamental ILO conventions. These conventions are:
  • Forced Labour Convention (No. 29)
  • Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (No.105)
  • Equal Remuneration Convention (No.100)
  • Discrimination (Employment Occupation) Convention (No.111)
  • Minimum Age Convention (No.138)
  • Worst forms of Child Labour Convention (No.182)

Key reports by ILO :

• World Employment and Social Outlook.
• Global Wage Report.