daily prelims notes dpn compilation april 2021
TRANSCRIPT
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DAILY PRELIMS NOTES
DPN COMPILATION April 2021
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Contents ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY ........................................................................................... 10
SHIGMO FESTIVAL: ...................................................................................................... 10
NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL: ........................................................................................ 10
NEW YEAR FESTIVALS IN INDIA: ................................................................................ 11
SITAGRAHA HILLS: ....................................................................................................... 11
SANCHI STUPA: ............................................................................................................ 12
THRISSUR POORAM FESTIVAL: .................................................................................. 12
MAHABALESHWAR TEMPLE: ...................................................................................... 13
SANKHA GHOSH: .......................................................................................................... 13
RAJAN MISHRA: ............................................................................................................ 13
GURU TEJ BAHADUR: .................................................................................................. 14
UNITED BENGAL PLAN: ............................................................................................... 14
REHAT MARYADA: ........................................................................................................ 15
MAHARANA PRATAP: .................................................................................................. 15
GEOGRAPHY ....................................................................................................................... 17
AVALANCHE: ................................................................................................................. 17
CHARS: .......................................................................................................................... 17
RANIAN PLATEAU: ....................................................................................................... 17
TROPICAL CYCLONE: .................................................................................................. 18
RED SEA: ....................................................................................................................... 19
LA SOUFRIERE VOLCANO: .......................................................................................... 19
UMNGOT RIVER: ........................................................................................................... 19
DOOMSDAY GLACIER: ................................................................................................. 19
LOST GOLDEN CITY: .................................................................................................... 20
PANGONG TSO: ............................................................................................................ 20
MONSOON FORECAST: ................................................................................................ 20
NOTIFIED DISASTER: ................................................................................................... 21
DUSTSTORM: ................................................................................................................ 22
MONSOON CORE ZONE: .............................................................................................. 22
BLACK SEA: .................................................................................................................. 23
CHOLISTAN DESERT: ................................................................................................... 23
IDRISS DEBY ITNO: ....................................................................................................... 23
HIMALAYAN FRONTAL THRUST: ................................................................................ 23
EARTHQUAKE: .............................................................................................................. 24
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INDIAN POLITY AND GOVERNANCE ..................................................................................... 26
ARTICLE 244 A: ............................................................................................................. 26
AIM PRIME: .................................................................................................................... 26
DOCTRINE OF COLOURABLE LEGISLATION: ............................................................ 26
CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER: ..................................................................................... 27
GRAMEEN E- STORES: ................................................................................................. 27
PRAAPTI PORTAL: ........................................................................................................ 28
SUPACE: ........................................................................................................................ 28
TRIBUNAL REFORMS ORDINANCE: ............................................................................ 28
AD-HOC JUDGES IN SUPREME COURT: ..................................................................... 29
VVPAT: ........................................................................................................................... 29
LOKADALATS: .............................................................................................................. 30
PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT: ......................................................... 30
SUO MOTU COGNIZANCE OF PIL: ............................................................................... 31
ASHA: ............................................................................................................................. 32
SHAPHARI SCHEME: .................................................................................................... 32
CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER: ............................................................................ 33
REGULATORY APPROVAL OF VACCINES: ................................................................ 33
REFUGEES & ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS: ........................................................................ 34
SECTION 144: ................................................................................................................ 35
ISI MARK & BIS HALLMARK:........................................................................................ 35
RAJYASABHA ELECTIONS: ......................................................................................... 36
e - SANTA PORTAL: ...................................................................................................... 36
REGISTER OF INDIGENOUS INHABITANTS OF NAGALAND (RIIN): ......................... 37
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION BILL: ....................................................................... 37
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE IN COURTS: ............................................................................. 38
OCI CARD SCHEME: ..................................................................................................... 38
REGULATORY REVIEW AUTHORITY 2.0: .................................................................... 39
MANAS PLATFORM: ..................................................................................................... 39
E – VISA: ........................................................................................................................ 40
SUDARSHAN SEN COMMITTEE: .................................................................................. 40
MEMORANDUM OF PROCEDURE FOR APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES: ...................... 41
PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT: ......................................................................... 42
NCT AMENDMENT BILL 2021: ...................................................................................... 43
PRESIDENT RULE IN DELHI: ........................................................................................ 44
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UNIFORM CIVIL CODE: ................................................................................................. 44
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS .............................................................................................. 46
JCPOA: ........................................................................................................................... 46
PRINCIPLE OF NON-REFOULEMENT: ......................................................................... 46
SOMALIA: ...................................................................................................................... 46
SAGAR VISION: ............................................................................................................. 47
SAUDI GREEN INITIATIVE: ........................................................................................... 47
EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE / UNCLOS: .................................................................. 48
INDIA NETHERLANDS STRATRGIC PARTNERSHIP: .................................................. 49
SOUTH ASIA WOMEN IN ENERGY: .............................................................................. 49
WMCC: ........................................................................................................................... 50
RAISINA DIALOGUE: ..................................................................................................... 50
URANIUM ENRICHMENT: .............................................................................................. 50
IP APELLATE BOARD: .................................................................................................. 51
COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN UNION: ............................................................................... 51
INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (ISS) PROGRAMME: ........................................... 52
BOAO FORUM FOR ASIA: ............................................................................................ 52
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE: ................................................................................................ 52
INDIA US CLEAN ENERGY INITIATIVE: ....................................................................... 53
ASEAN EMERGENCY SUMMIT: .................................................................................... 53
CRISIS IN CHAD: ........................................................................................................... 54
VIENNA CONVENTION ON CONSULAR ACCESS: ...................................................... 55
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH: ............................................................................................. 55
WORLD MILITARY SPENDING: .................................................................................... 55
EXTRADITION: ............................................................................................................... 56
VACCINE MAITRI PROGRAMME: ................................................................................. 56
SCRI: .............................................................................................................................. 57
ECONOMICS ......................................................................................................................... 58
CRUISE SERVICE: ......................................................................................................... 58
FPI: ................................................................................................................................. 58
TYPES OF STARTUPS: ................................................................................................. 58
SMALL SAVINGS INSTRUMENTS: ............................................................................... 59
CORE OUTPUT SECTORS: ........................................................................................... 60
FAIR & RENUMERATIVE PRICES: ................................................................................ 60
NIIF: ................................................................................................................................ 60
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REAL EXCHANGE RATE: .............................................................................................. 61
G-SAP: ............................................................................................................................ 62
MSME PRE-PACK: ......................................................................................................... 62
FCAT: ............................................................................................................................. 63
APPRECIATION &DEPRECIATION OF RUPEE: ........................................................... 63
FERTILIZER PRICING: ................................................................................................... 64
DIRECT TAX: .................................................................................................................. 64
INDIA ENERGY DASHBOARD: ..................................................................................... 65
SMALLCASES: .............................................................................................................. 65
MSME BOARD: .............................................................................................................. 66
ON TAP LICENSE FOR UNIVERSAL, SFB's: ................................................................ 66
PRIVATE SECTOR BANKS: .......................................................................................... 67
INSURANCE PENETRATION & DENSITY: .................................................................... 67
P-NOTES: ....................................................................................................................... 68
FALLING GAS & OIL PRODUCTION: ............................................................................ 68
TALCHER FERTILIZERS LTD. (TFL): ............................................................................ 69
RBI TO ISSUE CYBERSECURITY NORMS: .................................................................. 69
NATIONAL PENSION SYSTEM: .................................................................................... 70
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE: ............................................................................................. 70
SEBI DEBT RATING NORMS: ....................................................................................... 70
CURRENCY WATCH LIST: ............................................................................................ 71
SEBI NORMS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS: ........................................................................... 71
REFORM LINKED BORROWING: .................................................................................. 72
COMPULSORY LICENSING: ......................................................................................... 72
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY .................................................................................................... 74
DNA PROFILING: ........................................................................................................... 74
C BAND SPECTRUM: .................................................................................................... 74
EFFECTS OF CORONA VIRUS ON BRAIN: .................................................................. 74
NEW EMISSION NORMS FOR COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS: .................................. 75
GLASHOW RESONANCE: ............................................................................................. 75
DECISION REVIEW SYSTEM: ....................................................................................... 75
DIGITAL RMB: ................................................................................................................ 76
DIPHTHERIA: ................................................................................................................. 77
PLASMA: ........................................................................................................................ 77
VACCINE PASSPORT: .................................................................................................. 78
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GENE TRANSFER: ......................................................................................................... 78
ALKALOIDS: .................................................................................................................. 79
GEO ENGINEERING: ..................................................................................................... 79
AIR IONIZER: ................................................................................................................. 80
MUON G-2: ..................................................................................................................... 81
DOUBLE MUTANT VARIANT B.1.617: .......................................................................... 82
CRYOGENIC ELECTRON MICROSCOPY: .................................................................... 82
AEFI: ............................................................................................................................... 82
ANISOTROPY: ............................................................................................................... 83
CURIOSITY ROVER: ...................................................................................................... 83
REMDESIVIR: ................................................................................................................. 84
ONE WEB: ...................................................................................................................... 84
VIPIT: .............................................................................................................................. 85
MOXIE: ........................................................................................................................... 85
INDUSTRIAL & MEDICAL OXYGEN: ............................................................................. 85
REGEN COV: .................................................................................................................. 86
PRESSURE SWING ADSORPTION: .............................................................................. 87
MK 4482: ........................................................................................................................ 87
ADITYA-L1 SUPPORT CENTRE (ASC): ........................................................................ 88
STARSHIP: ..................................................................................................................... 88
TRIPLE MUTANT & GENOME SEQUENCING: ............................................................. 89
INGENUITY:.................................................................................................................... 89
RESPOND PROGRAMME: ............................................................................................. 90
UNICORN: ...................................................................................................................... 90
REPRODUCTIVE NUMBER: .......................................................................................... 90
OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS: ...................................................................................... 91
ZHURONG: ..................................................................................................................... 91
COVID TRIAGE CHALLENGE: ...................................................................................... 91
DEEP TIME STUDY: ....................................................................................................... 92
VACCINE WASTAGE ..................................................................................................... 92
GENERIC MEDICINE: .................................................................................................... 93
AEROSOL MODE OF TRANSMISSION: ........................................................................ 93
ENVIRONMENT .................................................................................................................... 95
BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY: ................................................................... 95
BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK: ............................................................................. 95
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NAGZIRA TIGER RESERVE: ......................................................................................... 95
KUTCH GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD SANCTUARY: ....................................................... 96
FOREST FIRE: ............................................................................................................... 96
KAVU: ............................................................................................................................. 97
INDUS & GANGES RIVER DOLPHIN: ........................................................................... 98
CORALS: ........................................................................................................................ 98
NET ZERO EMISSIONS: ................................................................................................ 99
MANAKUDY BIRD RESERVE: ....................................................................................... 99
INDIAN RHINO VISION 2020:....................................................................................... 100
MONKEYDACTYL: ....................................................................................................... 100
REWACONODON INDICUS: ........................................................................................ 101
DISC FOOTED BAT: .................................................................................................... 101
NATIONAL CLIMATE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT REPORT: ............................ 101
TYRANNOSAURUS REX: ............................................................................................ 102
EARTH DAY 2021: ....................................................................................................... 102
NATIONAL HYDROGEN ENERGY MISSION: ............................................................. 102
DEFENCE AND SECURITY .................................................................................................. 104
Military Farms: ............................................................................................................. 104
EXERCISE SHANTIR OGROSHENA: .......................................................................... 104
ULFA: ........................................................................................................................... 104
COBRA: ........................................................................................................................ 105
NATIONAL SECURITY ACT: ....................................................................................... 105
LA PEROUSE: .............................................................................................................. 106
ADVANCED CHAFF TECHNOLOGY: .......................................................................... 106
INS VIRAAT: ................................................................................................................. 107
TERRITORIAL ARMY: .................................................................................................. 107
SHANTIR OGROSENA:................................................................................................ 107
RADCLIFFE LINE: ........................................................................................................ 108
BORDER ROAD ORGANISATION: .............................................................................. 108
INAS 323: ..................................................................................................................... 108
EXERCISE VARUNA – 2021: ....................................................................................... 109
KRI NANGGALA: ......................................................................................................... 109
CRYSTAL BLADE TECHNOLOGY: ............................................................................. 109
CYBERCRIME VOLUNTEER: ...................................................................................... 110
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS ................................................................................... 111
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ADB: ............................................................................................................................. 111
NATO: ........................................................................................................................... 111
UNSC: ........................................................................................................................... 111
ICLEI: ............................................................................................................................ 112
QUAD: .......................................................................................................................... 112
OPCW: .......................................................................................................................... 113
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES ................................................................................................... 114
PLI FOR FOOD PROCESSING SECTOR:.................................................................... 114
PMSYM SCHEME: ........................................................................................................ 114
STAND UP INDIA SCHEME: ........................................................................................ 115
PLI FOR WHITE GOODS, SOLAR MODULES: ........................................................... 115
ECHS: ........................................................................................................................... 116
ECLGS: ......................................................................................................................... 116
STARTUP INDIA SEED FUND SCHEME: .................................................................... 117
REPORTS .......................................................................................................................... 118
WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK: ................................................................................ 118
N – LRSI: ...................................................................................................................... 118
GLOBAL GENDER GAP REPORT: ............................................................................. 119
AQUEDUCT WATER RISK ATLAS: ............................................................................. 119
STATE OF WORLD POPULATION REPORT 2021: .................................................... 119
CGGI: ............................................................................................................................ 120
WORLD PRESS FREEDOM INDEX: ............................................................................ 120
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ............................................................................................. 122
CBDT: ........................................................................................................................... 122
NABARD: ..................................................................................................................... 122
CSIR – NEERI: .............................................................................................................. 123
SECURITIES APELLATE TRIBUNAL: ......................................................................... 123
NCSC: ........................................................................................................................... 124
SIDBI: ........................................................................................................................... 125
EPFO: ........................................................................................................................... 125
CERT-IN: ...................................................................................................................... 125
NATIONAL COMMISSSION ON WOMEN: ................................................................... 126
Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology CCMB: .................................................... 126
MISCELLANEOUS .............................................................................................................. 128
DADASAHEB PHALKE AWARD: ................................................................................ 128
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SLBC: ........................................................................................................................... 128
WORLD CITIES CULTURAL FORUM: ......................................................................... 128
MATERNAL DEATHS: ................................................................................................. 129
ROBOT SOPHIA:.......................................................................................................... 129
CIVIL DEFENCE VOLUNTEERS: ................................................................................. 129
E-9 INITIATIVE: ............................................................................................................ 130
AIR BUBBLE PACT: .................................................................................................... 130
PROJECT INVESTMENT SURVEY: ............................................................................. 130
INDIA H2 ALLIANCE: ................................................................................................... 131
TIKA UTSAV: ................................................................................................................ 131
OXYGEN EXPRESS: .................................................................................................... 132
SUPACE: ...................................................................................................................... 132
PATENTS: .................................................................................................................... 133
WORLD INNOVATION DAY: ........................................................................................ 134
NEW COVID VACCINE POLICY: ................................................................................. 134
LEGAL STATUS OF CRYPTOCURRENCY: ................................................................ 134
SPECIAL TASK FORCE TO MONITOR J&K GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES: ............. 135
LEGISALTIONS REGARDING VACCINE PRICING: .................................................... 136
TIANHE MODULE: ....................................................................................................... 137
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ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY
SHIGMO FESTIVAL:
Context : Goa cancels the popular Shigmo spring festival this year.
Concept : • Shigmo is the celebration of a ‘rich, golden harvest of paddy’ by the tribal communities
of Goa.
• Agricultural communities including the Kunbis, Gawdas and Velips celebrate the
festival that also marks the onset of spring.
• Two Variants of the Festival:
• Dhakto Shigmo: It is celebrated by the rural population, farmers and the labour class.
• Vhadlo Shigmo: It is of greater importance and is celebrated by everyone.
Celebrations: • Time: Shigmo celebrations last over a fortnight in the months of Phalgun-Chaitra
months of the Hindu calendar that correspond with March-April every year.
• Invocation of Deities: The festival begins with ‘Naman’ that is the invocation of the
local folk deities on the village ‘maand’ or the village stage to the beats of percussion
instruments like the Ghumat, Dhol, Mhadle and Tashe by the male folk.
• It is called the ‘romta mell’ that moves from one village to another.
• Dances: Folk dances like Ghode Modni (a dance of equestrian warriors), Gopha and
Phugadi.
• Shigmo Street Parade: Shigmo street parade floats as the highlight. It is held as an
annual affair in the state capital, Panjim and other major cities like Margao, Mapusa,
Vasco, and Ponda.
• These colour-parties usually see people dressed in vibrant clothing performing
traditional folk dances to depict the historical legacy of the Maratha War that backs this
festival.
• The float parades have, over the years, been a draw for tourists both domestic and
international.
Other Names: • Shigmo is celebrated all over India but in different names:
• North India - Holi.
• Assam and Bengal - Dolyatra.
• South India - Kamadahan.
NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL:
Context : The rector of Notre Dame said Friday that the burned-out Paris cathedral and its
esplanade could remain a building site for another “15 or 20 years.”
Concept :
Notre-Dame de Paris
• It is a medieval Catholic cathedral located on an island in Seine River in the Paris,
France.
• The cathedral is consecrated to the Virgin Mary and considered to be one of the finest
examples of French Gothic architecture.
• The cathedral construction began in 1160 and completed by 1260.
• In 1804, the cathedral was the site of the Coronation of Napoleon I as Emperor of
France.
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• It contains Holy Crown of Thorns the most precious item of Holy relics and relics from
the crucifixion of Jesus- a piece of the cross on which he was nailed and one of the
nails.
NEW YEAR FESTIVALS IN INDIA:
Concept:
Chaitra Shukla Pratipada
• It marks the beginning of the new year of the Vikram Samvat also known as the Vedic
[Hindu] calendar.
• Vikram Samvat is based on the day when the emperor Vikramaditya defeated Sakas,
invaded Ujjain and called for a new era.
• Under his supervision, astronomers formed a new calendar based on the luni-solar
system that is still followed in the northern regions of India.
• It is the first day during the waxing phase (in which the visible side of moon is getting
bigger every night) of the moon in the Chaitra (first month of Hindu calendar).
Gudi Padwa and Ugadi • These festivals are celebrated by the people in the Deccan region including Karnataka,
Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
• The common practice in the celebrations of both the festivals is the festive food that is
prepared with a mix of sweet and bitter.
• A famous concoction served is jaggery (sweet) and neem (bitter), called bevu-bella in
the South, signifying that life brings both happiness and sorrows.
• Gudi is a doll prepared in Maharashtrian homes.
• A bamboo stick is adorned with green or red brocade to make the gudi. This gudi is
placed prominently in the house or outside a window/ door for all to see.
• For Ugadi, doors in homes are adorned with mango leaf decorations called toranalu or
Torana in Kannada.
Cheti Chand • Sindhis celebrate the new year as Cheti Chand. Chaitra month is called 'Chet' in Sindhi.
• The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Uderolal/Jhulelal, the patron saint of
Sindhis.
Navreh • It is the lunar new year that is celebrated in Kashmir.
• It is the Sanskrit word ‘Nav-Varsha’ from where the word ‘Navreh’ has been derived.
• It falls on the first day of the Chaitra Navratri.
• On this day, Kashmiri pandits look at a bowl of rice which is considered as a symbol of
riches and fertility.
Sajibu Cheiraoba • It is a ritual festival of Meiteis which is observed on the first day of Manipur lunar
month Shajibu, which falls in March/April every year.
• On the day of the festival, people arrange a joint family feast in which traditional
cuisines are offered to local deities at the entrance gates of the houses.
SITAGRAHA HILLS:
Context : By a hill in Jharkhand, Buddhist remains from a millennium ago.
Concept : • This site is a major Buddhist shrine from the Mauryan Period 250 before the present
era; it is aligned to dolmen and other megalithic sites and the sacred hill, Marang Buru,
of the Birhor indigenous tribe.
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• Marang Buru is also called Juljul and forms the recumbent landscape figure known as
a reclining Mother Goddess.
• On the south is a 65 foot-long stone face called Mahadeva or Great God by the
Bihors.Mahadeva is a term used alternately for Shiva and Buddha.
• The hill and the stone face continue to be worshipped ritually by the Bihors.
SANCHI STUPA:
Context : Built by emperor Ashoka, in the third century BC to accommodate the relics of
Gautam Buddha, the Sanchi Stupa is taken into account one of the greatest surviving examples
of Buddhist structure.
Concept : • Sanchi Stupa is a UNESCO world heritage site since 1989. Sanchi is in Madhya
Pradesh.
• There are many small stupas here with three mains ones – stupa 1, stupa 2 and stupa 3.
Stupa 1 is also called the Great Stupa at Sanchi. It is the most prominent and the oldest
and is believed to have the Buddha’s relics.
• It was built by Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE.
• Originally, it was smaller than its present dimensions. It was expanded in later periods.
• The original structure was made out of bricks. Later on, it was covered with stone,
vedica, and the torana (gateway).
• There are four gateways to the stupa with the southern one being built first. The others
were later added.
• The gateways are adorned with beautiful sculptures and carvings. Each torana consists
of two vertical pillars and three horizontal bars on top. The bars contain exquisite
carvings on front and back.
• They contain images of shalbhanjikas – lady holding the branch of a tree. Stories from
the Jataka tales are carved here.
• The structure has a lower and upper pradakshinapatha or circumambulatory path. The
upper pradakshinapatha is unique to this stupa.
• On the southern side of the stupa, the Ashokan Lion Capital pillar is found with
inscriptions on it.
• The hemispherical dome of the stupa is called the anda. It contains the relics of the
Buddha.
• The harmika is a square railing on top of the dome/mound.
• The chhatra is an umbrella on top of the harmika. There is a sandstone pillar in the site
on which Ashoka’s Schism Edict is inscribed.
• The original brick dome was expanded into double its size during the reign of the
Shunga dynasty with stone slabs covering the original dome.
THRISSUR POORAM FESTIVAL:
Context : Thrissur Pooram 2021 will be celebrated on Friday, April 23, 2021.
Concept : • Thrissur Pooram is an annual Hindu festival held in Kerala. It is celebrated on the day
when the star sign “Pooram” occurs in the Malayalam month of “medam (April-May)”.
• The festival was the brainchild of Raja Rama Varma, famously known as Sakthan
Thampuran, the Maharaja of Cochin (1790–1805).
• Pooram officially begins with Kodiyettam (flag hoisting ceremony) in which all the
participating temples of the festival are present.
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• The Pooram consists of ten temples in and around Thrissur and is considered to be a
ceremony where these deities come together to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva at the
Vadakkunnathan Temple, located in the centre of the town.
• One of the hallmarks of the festival is the percussion ensemble consisting of traditional
instruments like chenda, maddalam, edakka, thimila and kombu.
• The seventh day of the pooram is the last day. It is also known as “Pakal Pooram”.
• Pooram, though a Hindu ritual, has grown to encompass all religious and cultural strains
of Kerala. Both the Muslim and Christian communities participate in the festival in a
variety of ways highlighting secular credentials of the state.
MAHABALESHWAR TEMPLE:
Context : The Supreme Court Monday said the management of Gokarna Mahabaleshwar
temple would be handed over to an oversight committee headed by former apex court judge
Justice B.N. Srikrishna.
Concept : • The Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna is a 4th-century CE Hindu temple located in
Gokarna, Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka state, India which is built in the classical
Dravidian architectural style.
• It is a site of religious pilgrimage. The temple faces the Gokarna beach on the Arabian
Sea in which Hindu pilgrims cleanse before visiting the temple for worship.
• The temple is considered as holy as the Shiva temple at Varanasi or Kāśi (Kashi) in
North India on the banks of the Ganges River.
• Hence, the Mahabaleshwar temple, Gokarna is known as the Dakshin Kasi ("Kasi of
the south").
• The main attraction of this temple is the 6-foot long Shiva lingam of which only the tip
is seen, representing the stone incarnation of Lord Shiva.
• There are amid mountainous terrain, this temple glorifies the Maratha Empire and its
dominance in the 16th century.
SANKHA GHOSH:
Context : Eminent Bengali poet Shankha Ghosh passed after testing positive for COVID-
19. Ghosh was 89.
Concept :
• Considered to be an authority on Rabindranath Tagore, his famous works include
Adim Lata – Gulmomay and Murkha Baro Samajik Nay, among other books.
• The poet was vocal about contemporary issues and was also seen at the forefront
during many political upheavals in the state including the Nandigram violence.
• In 2011, he was awarded Padma Bhushan and in 2016 he received the Jnanpith
Award. In 1977, he received the Sahitya Akademi Award for his book ‘Babarer
Prarthana‘.
RAJAN MISHRA:
Context : Classical singer Rajan Mishra has died due to Covid-19 related complications.
Concept: • Belonging to the Benaras gharana, Pandit Rajan Mishra, along with brother Sajan
Mishra have performed for both Indian and global audiences for decades now.
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• Renowned vocalists in the khayal style of Indian classical singing, the brothers have
been honoured by the Padma Bhushan award, the Sangeet Natak Akademi award and
the Gandharva National award in their meritorious career.
Khayal Style • Khayal, also spelled khyal or kayal, in Hindustani music, a musical form based on a
Hindi song in two parts that recur between expanding cycles of melodic and rhythmic
improvisation.
• In a standard performance a slow (vilambit) khayal is followed by a shorter, fast (drut)
khayal in the same raga (melodic framework).
GURU TEJ BAHADUR: Context : SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal today requested that a world-class museum be
established in Delhi to showcase the life of Guru Teg Bahadur on the occasion of his 400th
birth anniversary.
Concept :
Guru Teg Bahadur (1621-1675)
• Guru Teg Bahadur was the ninth of ten Gurus of the Sikh religion.
• One hundred and fifteen of his hymns are in Guru Granth Sahib.
• He stood up for the rights of Kashmiri Pandits who approached him against the
imposition jizya tax.
• He was publicly killed in 1675 on the orders of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Delhi
for refusing to convert.
• In the words of Noel King of the University of California, “Guru Teg Bahadur’s
martyrdom was the first-ever martyrdom for human rights in the world.
• He is fondly remembered as ‘Hind di Chaadar’.
UNITED BENGAL PLAN:
Concept :
United Bengal Plan
• British Bengal roughly consisted of modern-day Bangladesh and the Indian state of
West Bengal.
• In 1905, Bengal was partitioned to achieve some political returns but people's growing
movement under the auspices of Congress led to the reunion in 1911.
• In 1947, along with India and Pakistan, there almost emerged a third sovereign country:
United Bengal.
• The division of the province was demanded on communal lines.
• However, the plan was foiled following concerted and unanimous efforts of the Hindus
of Bengal.
• Hindu opinion was firmly against a sovereign and united Bengal.
Shyama Prasad Mookerjee and his plan- • Though Mookerjee was a staunch advocate of the integrity of the country, but when the
division of India became imminent, he campaigned for the division of Bengal.
• In February 1947, the Hindu Mahasabha under Mookerjee put forward the demand for
dividing Bengal on religious grounds.
• He demanded West Bengal for Hindu Bengalis.
• He had opposed a bid to form a united, but independent Bengal in 1947 that was pushed
by Sarat Bose, brother of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and Huseyn Shaheed
Suhrawardy, former Pakistani prime minister.
Leaders who were in favour and against the Plan
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• Against: Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Vallabhbhai Patel were implacably
opposed to a United Bengal.
• In favour: Suhrawardy along with few other top Bengal politicians like Sarat Bose and
K.S. Roy came up with an alternative for the Partition.
REHAT MARYADA:
Context: SGPC demands action after Sikh youth says was asked to remove symbols of faith.
Concept: • The Sikh Rehat Maryada is a code of conduct and conventions for Sikhism, and its final
version was approved by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar in
1945 after centuries of use before the British made committee.
• It is one of many Rehitnama ('codes of conduct') written for Sikhs.
• The Rehat Maryada was created to live practical and functional aspects of the
operations of Sikh Gurdwaras, and religious practices to foster cohesion throughout the
community.
MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD
Context: Egypt sentences Muslim Brotherhood leader to life in prison .Court finds
Mahmoud Ezzat, acting supreme guide of the country’s oldest Islamist organisation, guilty of
‘terror’ acts.
Concept:
• Muslim Brotherhood is a religiopolitical organization founded in 1928 at Ismailia,
Egypt, by Hassan al-Banna.
• Islamist in orientation, it advocated a return to the Quran and the Hadith as guidelines
for a healthy modern Islamic society.
• The Brotherhood spread rapidly throughout Egypt, Sudan, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon,
and North Africa.
• Although figures of Brotherhood membership are variable, it is estimated that at its
height in the late 1940s it may have had some 500,000 members.
Global influence:
• His ideas led inspired a large number of Islamist political movements and parties
alongwith powerful missionary and charitable initiatives all over the world.
• Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Morocco, Turkey and Tunisia are among the countries
that have large parties that trace their origins to the Brotherhood.
• Hamas, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood has been designated as an Foreign
Terrorist Organisation (FTO) by the US. Ayman al-Zawahiri, the fugitive leader of al-
Qaeda, is a former member of the Egyptian Brotherhood.
Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood:
• There is a broad consensus among historians that the Egyptian Brotherhood, as an
organisation at least, has not undertaken violent action since 1960s, when it formally
announced they were only “preachers”.
• In Egypt, the Brotherhood has been in Parliament since in the 1980s, and one of its
leaders, Mohamed Morsi, became President in 2012, who was ousted the following
year.
MAHARANA PRATAP:
Context: After Outrage Over Remarks On Maharana Pratap, BJP Leader Apologises.
Concept:
Maharana Pratap
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• Rana Pratap Singh also known as Maharana Pratap was born on May 9th 1540 in
Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan.
• He was the 13th King of Mewar and was the eldest son of Udai Singh II
• Maharana Udai Singh II ruled the kingdom of Mewar, with his capital at Chittor.
• Udai Singh II was also a founder of the city of Udaipur (Rajasthan).
Battle of Haldighati: • The Battle of Haldighati was fought in 1576 between Rana Pratap Singh of Mewar and
Raja Man Singh of Amber who was the general of the Mughal emperor Akbar.
• Maharana Pratap fought a brave war, but was defeated by Mughal forces.
• It is said that Maharana Pratap’s loyal horse named Chetak, gave up his life as the
Maharana was leaving the battlefield.
Reconquest: • After 1579, the Mughal pressure relaxed over Mewar and Pratap recovered Western
Mewar including Kumbhalgarh, Udaipur and Gogunda.
• During this period, he also built a new capital, Chavand, near modern Dungarpur.
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GEOGRAPHY
AVALANCHE:
Context : BRO worker dies trapped in snow as avalanche hits Zoji La in Ladakh
Concept : • Avalanche is a rapid downslope movement of a large detached mass of snow, ice, and
associated debris such as rocks and vegetation.
• Small avalanches, or Sluffs, occur in large numbers, while large avalanches that may
encompass slopes a kilometer or more in length with millions of tons of snow, occur
infrequently but cause most of the damage.
• Humans have been exposed to the threat of sliding snow for as long as they have
inhabited mountainous regions.
Types of Avalanches: • Loose snow avalanches-formed in snow with little internal cohesion among individual
snow crystals.
• Slab avalanches-Originate in snow with sufficient internal cohesion to enable a snow
layer, or layers, to react mechanically as a single entity.
• Wet snow avalanches-These move more slowly than dry ones and are seldom
accompanied by dust clouds.
• Direct action avalanches –These are the immediate result of a single snowstorm. They
usually involve only fresh snow.
• Climax avalanches-Result of a series of snowstorms or a culmination of weather
influences. Their fall is not necessarily associated with a current storm or weather
situation.
CHARS:
Context : Cong, AIUDF set for big gains in river islands dominated by Bengali-speaking
Muslims, and hit by floods, BJP rhetoric.
Concept : • Chars are riverine islands in the Brahmaputra formed through silt deposits. Life in the
char is defined by the mighty river.
• The riverine areas (island) of the river Brahmaputra, locally known as “Char/ Chapori”
cover about 3.60 lakhs hectares of land and population of approx. 24.90 lakhs (as per
Socio Economic Survey 2002-03).
• Distinction should be made between island chars, which are surrounded by water year-
round and attached chars, which are connected to the mainland under normal flow.
• The chars follow a peculiar pattern of migration. They are subjected to erosion on their
upstream and deposition on the downstream, due to which they migrate downstream.
• This affects the geometry and location of the chars during floods almost every year.
RANIAN PLATEAU:
Context : A hotter Iran means increased monsoon flow on Indian subcontinent, study finds.
Concept : • The Iranian Plateau or the Persian Plateau is a geological feature in Central Asia, South
Asia, and Western Asia.
• It is the part of the Eurasian Plate wedged between the Arabian and Indian plates,
situated between the Zagros Mountains to the west, the Caspian Sea and the Kopet Dag
to the north, the Armenian Highlands and the Caucasus Mountains in the northwest, the
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Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf to the south and the Indo-Gangetic Plain to the
east in Pakistan.
• From the Caspian in the northwest to Balochistan in the south-east, the Iranian Plateau
extends for close to 2,000 km.
• It encompasses the greater part of Iran, all of Afghanistan, and Pakistan west of the
Indus River containing some 3,700,000 square kilometres (1,400,000 sq mi).
• In spite of being called a "plateau", it is far from flat but contains several mountain
ranges, the highest peak being Damavand in the Alborz at 5610 m, and the Dasht-e Lut
east of Kerman in Central Iran falling below 300 m.
CHENAB ARCH BRIDGE: Context : Chenab arch to bridge distance between Kashmir, Kanyakumari.
Concept : • The Chenab Bridge is a railway bridge currently under construction in the Bakkal and
Kauri in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. The project is being carried out under
the auspices of the Northern Railways
• It was announced on March 17, 2021 that the bottom ends of the arch were connected
and that the bridge is expected to be open by December 2021
• Upon completion it will span the entire length of the Chenab River at a height of 359
m (1,178 ft) above the river, making it the world’s highest rail bridge.
Chenab River • It rises in the upper Himalayas in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh
state.
• The river is formed by the confluence of two rivers, Chandra and Bhaga, at Tandi, 8
km southwest of Keylong, in the Lahaul and Spiti district.
• The Bhaga river originates from Surya taal lake, which is situated a few kilometers west
of the Bara-lacha la pass in Himachal Pradesh.
• The Chandra river originates from glaciers east of the same pass (near Chandra Taal).
• It flows through the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir into the plains of Punjab,
Pakistan, before flowing into the Indus River.
TROPICAL CYCLONE:
Context: Tropical Cyclone in Indonesia and East Timor Kills at Least 76.
Concept:
Tropical Cyclones
• Tropical cyclones are violent storms that originate over oceans in tropical areas and
move over to the coastal areas bringing about large scale destruction due to violent
winds, very heavy rainfall and storm surge.
• They are irregular wind movements involving closed circulation of air around a low
pressure center. This closed air circulation is a result of rapid upward movement of hot
air which is subjected to Coriolis force.
Conditions Favourable for Tropical Cyclone Formation • Large sea surface with temperature higher than 27°C.
• Presence of the Coriolis force enough to create a cyclonic vortex.
• Small variations in the vertical wind speed.
• A pre-existing weak low-pressure area or low-level-cyclonic circulation.
• Upper divergence above the sea level system.
Favorite Grounds for Tropical Cyclones • South-east Caribbean region where they are called hurricanes.
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• Philippines islands, eastern China and Japan where they are called typhoons.
• Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea where they are called cyclones.
• Around south-east African coast and Madagascar-Mauritius islands.
RED SEA:
Context : Iran state TV acknowledges ship attacked in Red Sea.
Concept :
Red Sea:
• The Red Sea (Erythraean Sea) is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between
Africa and Asia.
• The connection to the ocean is in the south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the
Gulf of Aden.
• To the north lie the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez (leading
to the Suez Canal).
• The sea is underlain by the Red Sea Rift which is part of the Great Rift Valley.
• The six countries bordering the Red Sea are: Saudi Arabia, Yemen , Egypt , Sudan ,
Eritrea , Djibouti .
LA SOUFRIERE VOLCANO:
Context : La Soufriere volcano erupts on Caribbean’s Saint Vincent, evacuation underway.
The volcano last erupted in 1979, and a previous eruption in 1902 killed some 1,600 people.
Concept : • La Soufrière or Soufrière Saint Vincent is an active volcano on the island of Saint
Vincent in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
• It is the highest peak in Saint Vincent, and has had five recorded explosive eruptions
since 1718, most recently in April 2021.
• At 1,234 m (4,049 ft), La Soufrière is the highest peak on Saint Vincent as well as the
highest point in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
• Soufrière is a stratovolcano with a crater lake and is the island's youngest and
northernmost volcano.
UMNGOT RIVER:
Context: Residents of 12 Meghalaya villages oppose dam on India’s clearest river.
Concept:
• Umngot River is the cleanest river in India and in some parts is as transparent as crystal
and you can actually see the river bed.
• Umngot river, that flows in both India and Bangladesh, is in Meghalaya
• The river is the natural boundary between Ri Pnar (of Jaintia Hills) with Hima Khyrim
(of Khasi Hills) over which hangs a single span suspension bridge.
DOOMSDAY GLACIER:
Context: Ice shelves including Antarctica’s ‘Doomsday Glacier’ at risk of collapse.
Concept: • Thwaites or Doomsday Glacier is 120 km wide glacier at its broadest, fast-moving and
melting fast over the years.
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• Because of its size (1.9 lakh sq.km.), it contains enough water to raise the world sea
level by more than half a metre.
• The amount of ice flowing out of this glacier has nearly doubled over the past three
decades.
• Its melting contributes 4% to global sea level rise each year, which has been a cause of
alarm for scientists.
• It is estimated that it would collapse into the sea in 200-900 years.
• Thwaites is important for Antarctica as it slows the ice behind it from freely flowing
into the ocean.
LOST GOLDEN CITY:
Context: Egypt announced the discovery of what is being touted as the most important find
since the unearthing of King Tutankhamun’s tomb almost 100 years ago.
Concept:
• A three-millennia-old “lost golden city” from the era of 18th-dynasty king Amenhotep
III, who ruled ancient Egypt from 1391 to 1353 B.C., was found in the southern
province of Luxor, near some of the country’s best-known monuments.
• The newly discovered city is located on the west bank of the Nile river, close to the
Colossi of Memnon, Medinet Habu and the Ramesseum, or mortuary temple of King
Ramses II, all of which are popular tourist destinations.
• With mud-brick houses, artefacts, and tools discovered from the reign of the Pharaohs,
some are even calling the find an “ancient Egyptian Pompeii”.
PANGONG TSO:
Context: The south bank of Pangong Tso — one of the two locations from where Indian and
Chinese troops disengaged in February has become a “no-man’s land” for the local cattle
grazers of Chushul in Eastern Ladakh, the area’s councillor said.
Concept: • Pangong Tso is an endorheic lake (landlocked) that is partly in India’s Ladakh region
and partly in Tibet.
• Nearly two-thirds of the lake is controlled by China, with just about 45 km under Indian
control. The LAC, running north-south, cuts the western part of the lake, aligned east-
west.
• Situated at an elevation of about 4,270 m, it is a nearly 135-km long, narrow lake — 6
km at its widest point — and shaped liked a boomerang
• The lake’s water, while crystal clear, is brackish, making it undrinkable. The lake
freezes during the winter, allowing some vehicular movement on it as well.
MONSOON FORECAST:
Context : Skymet Weather, a private weather forecast company, said that the monsoon in
India was likely to be 103% of the long period average (LPA) this year.
Concept : • The LPA refers to the average all-India monsoon rainfall of 88 cm, which is a 50-year
mean.
• The agency classified the forecast as “healthy normal”.
• The monsoon in 2019 and 2020 was only the third time in a century of back-to-back
years of above normal rainfall (rainfall that is 5% above normal, or 105%) during the
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season in India. This year’s forecast by Skymet falls a little short of the “above normal”
mark.
View on El Nino • The odds of an El Nino, characterised by a heating of the equatorial central Pacific over
half a degree, are low this year.
• An El Nino is historically associated, in many years, with a weakening of the monsoon
over India.
• The monsoon is also expected to be fairly well-distributed, with even September (the
month in which the season starts to recede) expected to post 10% more rainfall than
normal.
• The India Meteorological Department (IMD), which provides the official forecasts, is
expected to announce its forecast later this month.
• Along with the El Nino, another ocean variable, the Indian Ocean Dipole, characterised
by a temperature gradient in the western and eastern Indian Ocean, is expected to be
slightly on the negative. A positive dipole usually aids the monsoon.
NOTIFIED DISASTER:
Context: Declare Covid-19 pandemic a natural calamity to allow use of disaster funds:
Uddhav Thackeray to PM
Concept: • Disaster Management Act, 2005 provides for the effective management of disaster in
India.
• Overall responsibility: The Disaster Management Division of the Ministry of Home
Affairs has the overall responsibility for national disaster response.
• The Act provides for financial mechanisms like the National Disaster Mitigation Fund
and similar funds at the state and district levels.
Authorities: • The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by the Prime Minister
• State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) headed by the Chief Ministers
• District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) headed by the District Collector
or District Magistrate or Deputy Commissioner
What is a disaster? • According to the Disaster Management Act, 2005, a disaster is defined as - “a
catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or
man made causes, or by accident or negligence which results in substantial loss of life
or human suffering or damage to, and destruction of, property, or damage to, or
degradation of, environment, and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the
coping capacity of the community of the affected area”.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs in its document titled “Disaster Management in India”,
has defined a disaster as an “extreme disruption of the functioning of a society that
causes widespread human, material, or environmental losses that exceed the ability of
the affected society to cope with its own resources.”
• In 2001, the National Committee on Disaster Management mandated to look into the
parameters that should define a national calamity did not suggest any fixed criterion.
• Types of disasters: The High Power Committee on Disaster Management (1999)
identified 31 disaster categories organised into five major sub-groups, which are:
Water and climate related disasters
Geological related disasters
Chemical industrial and nuclear related disasters
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Biological related disasters, which includes biological disasters
Epidemics.
DUSTSTORM:
Context: Strong Dust Storm and Rain in Delhi, Traffic Jams in Some Areas
Concept: • Sand and dust storms are common meteorological hazards in arid and semi-arid regions.
They are usually caused by thunderstorms – or strong pressure gradients associated with
cyclones – which increase wind speed over a wide area.
• Sand and dust particles are distinguished by their grain size. Storms carrying bigger
particles are known as Sand Storm whereas those carrying smaller are called dust
Storms.
• Marginal dry lands are increasingly a source of major dust storms. These areas have
fragile, delicately balanced ecosystems. Their degradation, called desertification,
makes the soil less resilient to wind during prolonged drought.
Formation of Dust Storms • Sand and dust storms usually occur when strong winds lift large amounts of sand and
dust from bare, dry soils into the atmosphere.
• Once released from the surface, dust particles are raised to higher levels of the
troposphere by turbulent mixing and convective updrafts.
• They are transported by winds for lengths of time, depending on their size and
meteorological conditions, before being pulled back down to the surface again.
• As larger particles sediment more quickly than smaller ones, there is a shift toward
smaller particle sizes during transport.
• Areas which have higher moisture witness thunderstorm and areas relatively devoid of
moisture suffer from dust storms.
MONSOON CORE ZONE:
Context: IMD has also been making efforts to develop a separate forecast for the Monsoon
Core Zone (MCZ), which represents most of the rain fed agriculture region in the country. A
separate forecast will be more useful for agricultural planning and crop yield estimation, etc.
Concept: • Sub-seasonal rainfall fluctuations, characterized as active and weak spells during the
Indian monsoon season (June to September) is an important component of the
variability of the Indian monsoon rainfall.
• A new criteria for identification of active and break events of the Indian summer
monsoon have been recommended on the basis of the high resolution daily gridded
rainfall data set over India (1951-2007) .
• Based on this criteria, the active and break events were identified from the average
rainfall data over a critical area, called the core monsoon zone within which the
monsoon trough/ Continental Tropical Convergence Zone (CTCZ) normally fluctuates.
• The active and break spells for the period 1901-2015 were derived using IMDs new
high resolution (0.25 x 0.25 degree) daily gridded rainfall data set .
• Active and break events are defined as periods in which the normalized anomaly of the
rainfall over the monsoon zone exceeds 1 or is less than -1.0 respectively, provided the
criterion is satisfied for at least three consecutive days.
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BLACK SEA:
Context : Russia beefs up warship presence in Black Sea as Ukraine tensions simmer.
Concept : • The Black Sea is a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean lying between Europe and Asia.
It is bordered by Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine.
• It is supplied by major rivers, principally the Danube, Dnieper, and Don.
• The Black Sea ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea, via the Turkish Straits and
the Aegean Sea.
• The Bosporus Strait connects it to the small Sea of Marmara which in turn is connected
to the Aegean Sea via the Strait of the Dardanelles.
• To the north, the Black Sea is connected to the Sea of Azov by the Kerch Strait.
• The Black Sea covers 436,400 km2 (not including the Sea of Azov), making it the
world's largest inland body of water.
CHOLISTAN DESERT:
Context : The recent shooting of two Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) in Pakistan’s Cholistan
desert has left wildlife activists in Rajasthan shocked and outraged.
Concept : • The Cholistan Desert, also locally known as Rohi, is a large desert in the southern part
of Punjab, Pakistan.
• It forms part of the Greater Thar Desert, which extends to Sindh province and the Indian
state of Rajasthan.
• It is one of two large deserts in Punjab, the other being Thal Desert.
• Derawar Fort is located in the Cholistan Desert.
IDRISS DEBY ITNO:
Context : Chad’s President Idriss Deby Itno died from wounds sustained in battle after
three decades in power, the Army said, opening a period of uncertainty in a country that is a
key strategic ally of the West.
Concept : • He was killed in April 2021 while commanding forces fighting on the front against
rebels from the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT).
• The Transitional Military Council, led by interim president Mahamat Idriss Déby, son
of the late president, has assumed control of government.
About CHAD • Chad is a landlocked country in north-central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the
north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon to the
south-west, Nigeria to the southwest (at Lake Chad), and Niger to the west.
• Lake Chad, after which the country is named, is the second-largest wetland in Africa.
• The capital N'Djamena is the largest city.
HIMALAYAN FRONTAL THRUST:
Context: Recently, several houses and buildings were damaged after an earthquake of
magnitude 6.4 on the Richter scale hit Assam.
The preliminary analysis shows that the events are located near to Kopili Fault
closer to Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT).
Concept:
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Himalayan Front Thrust (HFT)
• It is also known as the Main Frontal Thrust (MFT).
• It is a geological fault along the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
• It demarcates a sharp physiographic and tectonic boundary between the Himalayan
foothills and the Indo-Gangetic Alluvial Plains.
• It represents a discontinuous zone of active faulting between the Sub-Himalaya and the
alluvial plain.
About Kopili Fault • The Kopili is the main river of the Kopili Valley.
• Geologically, Kopili Valley area comprises Neogene-Quaternary sediments which
were deposited directly over the Archean basement.
• The Kopili Fault is a 300-km northwest-southeast trending fault from the Bhutan
Himalaya to the Burmese arc.
• The Kopili Fault is a NW–SE trending strike-slip fault where intense seismic activity
occurs down to a depth of about 50 km beneath the Kopili Fault, and the activity
continues to the Main Central Thrust (MCT) in the Bhutan Himalaya.
What is a Fault?
• The United States Geological Survey (USGS) defines a fault as a fracture along which
the blocks of crust on either side have moved relative to one another parallel to the
fracture.
• According to the USGS, when an earthquake occurs on one of these faults, the rock on
one side of the fault slips with respect to the other.
• The fault surface can be vertical, horizontal, or at some angle to the surface of the earth.
Types of Fault • Normal fault: It is a dip-slip fault in which the block above the fault has moved
downward relative to the block below.
• Thrust fault: It is a dip-slip fault in which the upper block, above the fault plane, moves
up and over the lower block.
• Strike-slip fault: It is a fault on which the two blocks slide past one another.
EARTHQUAKE:
Context : A major earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter Scale jolted Northeast India
on Wednesday morning. The earthquake originated in Tezpur of Assam and tremors were felt
across Assam, North Bengal and other parts of the Northeast.
Concept : • According to the National Centre of Seismology, the earthquake measuring 6.4 on the
Richter Scale originated in Sonitpur, Tezpur of Assam.
• The first earthquake was recorded at 7:51 am and according to the seismology centre,
it was centred 43 km west of Tezpur in Assam.
• There were six aftershocks following the first major earthquake, one at 7.58 am and
another at 8.01 am.
• The six aftershocks of magnitude 3.2 to 4.7 were recorded over the next 2 hours 30
minutes in the vicinity of Sonitpur in Assam.
Earthquake • An earthquake is shaking or trembling of the earth’s surface, caused by the seismic
waves or earthquake waves that are generated due to a sudden movement (sudden
release of energy) in the earth’s crust (shallow-focus earthquakes) or upper mantle
(some shallow-focus and all intermediate and deep-focus earthquakes).
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• The point where the energy is released is called the focus or the hypocentre of an
earthquake.
• The point on the surface directly above the focus is called epicentre (first surface point
to experience the earthquake waves).
• A line connecting all points on the surface where the intensity is the same is called an
isoseismic line.
Causes:
• Fault Zones
• Plate tectonics
• Volcanic activity
• Human Induced Earthquakes
Waves: • There are several different kinds of seismic waves, and they all move in different ways.
The two main types of waves are body wavesand surface waves.
• Body waves can travel through the earth’s inner layers, but surface waves can only
move along the surface of the planet like ripples on water
• The first kind of body wave is the P waveor primary wave. This is the fastest kind of
seismic wave, and, consequently, the first to ‘arrive’ at a seismic station. The P wave
can move through solid rock and fluids, like water or the liquid layers of the earth. It
pushes and pulls the rock it moves through just like sound waves push and pull the air.
• The second type of body wave is the S waveor secondary wave, which is the second
wave felt in an earthquake. An S wave is slower than a P wave and can only move
through solid rock, not through any liquid medium. It is this property of S waves that
led seismologists to conclude that the Earth’s outer core is a liquid.
• S waves move rock particles up and down, or side-to-side–perpendicular to the
direction that the wave is traveling in (the direction of wave propagation)
Distribution of Earthquakes
Measuring earthquake: Mercallivs Richter • The Mercalli scale bases its measurement on the observed effects of the earthquake and
describes its intensity. It is a linear measurement.
• On the other hand, the Richter scale measures the seismic waves, or the energy released,
causing the earthquake and describes the quake’s magnitude. It is a logarithmic.
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INDIAN POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
ARTICLE 244 A:
Context: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi promised to implement Article 244 (A) of the
Constitution to safeguard the interests of the people in Assam’s tribal-majority districts.
Concept:
• Article 244(A) allows for creation of an ‘autonomous state’ within Assam in certain
tribal areas.
• Inserted into the Constitution in 1969, it also has a provision for a Legislature and a
Council of Ministers.
• Under Article 244(A)(1), the Parliament may, by law, form within the State of Assam
an autonomous State comprising all or any of the tribal areas.
How is it different from the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution? • The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution — Articles 244(2) and 275(1) — is a special
provision that allows for greater political autonomy and decentralised governance in
certain tribal areas of the Northeast through autonomous councils that are administered
by elected representatives.
• In Assam, the hill districts of Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong and West Karbi and the
Bodo Territorial Region are under this provision.
• Article 244(A) accounts for more autonomous powers to tribal areas. In
Autonomous Councils under the Sixth Schedule, they do not have jurisdiction of law
and order.
AIM PRIME:
Context : Recently, the NITI Aayog has launched the ‘AIM-PRIME’ (Program for
Researchers on Innovations, Market-Readiness & Entrepreneurship).
Concept :
About AIM-PRIME
• It is an initiative of the NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) in partnership
with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
• It is a nationwide program which will be implemented by Venture Center (a non-profit
technology business incubator).
• The first cohort of the program is open to technology developers (early-stage deep tech
start-ups, and scientists/ engineers/ clinicians).
• The program is also open to CEOs and senior incubation managers of AIM Funded Atal
Incubation Centers that are supporting deep tech entrepreneurs.
• It is catalyzed by the office of the Principal Scientific Advisor and the Pune Knowledge
Cluster.
DOCTRINE OF COLOURABLE LEGISLATION:
Context : The Places of worship Act of 1991, is appropriately called an Act of colourable
legislation. As the Courts have held, “you cannot do indirectly which you are prohibited from
doing directly”.
Concept :
Doctrine of Colourable Legislation
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• Legislation is considered as colourable when a legislature having no power or
legislative competence enacts legislation that is so camouflaging that it appears to fall
within its legislative competence.
• The objective lies in the fact that what the legislature can’t legislate directly; it cannot
go beyond its competency to legislate it indirectly. This principle is known as the
doctrine of colourable legislation.
CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER:
Context: BJP seeks removal of Chief Electoral Officer Sushil Lohani over conflict of
interest.
Concept: • A Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) functions under the supervision, control and overall
guidance of the Election Commission of India.
• According to the Representation of the People’s Act 1950 and 1951, each state of India
must be assisted with a Chief Electoral Officer during the State Assembly elections as
well as the general elections.
• According to provisions of the above-mentioned acts, the CEO has a significant role to
play during the elections to the office of the President and the Vice-President of India.
• The CEO supervises the preparation, revision and maintenance of the electoral rolls in
the state.
• It is the duty of the Chief Electoral Officer to ensure free and fair elections in the state,
such that more percentage of votes are cast.
• It is the responsibility of the CEO to enhance communication between the voters of a
state and the different departments of elections within the state.
• Most importantly, it is the task of the CEO to ensure that no political party has any
control with the elections in the state.
GRAMEEN E- STORES:
Context : Amazon, Walmart seek tie-ups, IT Min cites ‘independence’ to reject offers
Concept : • In an effort to enter domestic rural markets, global retail giant Walmart India had
approached the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) with a
proposal to buy out the entire chain of 1.4 lakh Grameen e-stores run and managed by
the Common Service Centres (CSC)
• E-Grameen Store is a brainchild of the 400,000-strong Common Service Centres
(CSCs) network under the Ministry of Electronics and IT, which also collaborated with
nearby ration depots to provide essentials at people’s doorsteps during the first few
phases of the lockdown.
• Under the model, a village-level entrepreneur of every CSC creates a personalised app
depending on the need and availability of goods for his surrounding areas, and delivers
those to customers.
• The government has collaborated with ecommerce company Migrocer to create a
master app which has a database of 80,000 products.
• The goods can be procured either directly from farmers or self-help groups or from
nearby retailers, wholesalers or supermarkets.
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PRAAPTI PORTAL:
Context : Distribution companies (discoms) owed a total of Rs 87,888 crore to power
generation firms in February 2020, according to portal PRAAPTI.
Concept : • The Union Ministry of Power has launched web portal and app namely PRAAPTI
(Payment Ratification And Analysis in Power procurement for bringing Transparency
in Invoicing of generators).
• The webportal and app aims to bring transparency in power purchase transactions
between Generators and Discoms.
Key Features • The PRAAPTI app and web Portal will capture invoicing and payment data for various
long term Power Purchasing Agreements (PPAs) from power generation companies
(generators).
• This will help stakeholders in getting month-wise and legacy data on outstanding
amounts of Discoms against power purchase.
• The PRAAPTI app will also allow users to know the details related to payments made
by Discoms to power generators and when they were made.
• It will also enable consumers to evaluate financial performance of their Discoms in
terms of payments being made to generators.
• The PRAAPTI portal will also help DISCOMs and GENCOs to reconcile their
outstanding payments.
• It will facilitate relative assessment of various State DISCOMs on ease of making
payments to various generators and will also help make transactions in power Sector
more transparent.
SUPACE:
Context: Recently, the Chief Justice of India has launched the Supreme Court Portal for
Assistance in Court’s Efficiency (SUPACE).
Concept:
About Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Court’s Efficiency (SUPACE)
• It is a tool that collects relevant facts and laws and makes them available to a judge.
• It is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) portal which is designed to make research easier for
judges, thereby easing their workload.
• It is not designed to take decisions, but only to process facts and to make them available
to judges looking for an input for a decision.
• It is a perfect blend of human intelligence and machine learning and 'a hybrid system',
which works better with human intelligence.
TRIBUNAL REFORMS ORDINANCE:
Context: The President of India has promulgated the Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation
and Conditions of Service) Ordinance, 2021, by which the appellate authorities under nine Acts
have been done away with and the right to hear appeals under the statute has been conferred to
High Courts.
Concept : • Section 184 of the Finance Act, 2017 has been amended to empower the Central
Government to make rules for qualifications, appointment, term of office, salaries and
allowances, resignation, removal and other terms and conditions of service of Members
of Tribunals.
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The Ordinance omits following Tribunals/ Appellate Authorities from the purview of
Finance Act:
• Airport Appellate Tribunal established under the Airport Authority of India Act, 1994
• Appellate Board established under the Trade Marks Act, 1999
• Authority for Advance Ruling established under the Income Tax Act, 1961
• Film Certification Appellate Tribunal established under the Cinematograph Act, 1952
• Further, it substitutes the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
established under the erstwhile Consumer Protection Act, 1986 with a National
Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission established under the Consumer Protection
Act, 2019.
AD-HOC JUDGES IN SUPREME COURT:
Context : Ad hoc judges should not be appointed in lieu of regular recommendations, says
Supreme Court.
Concept : • Ad hoc judges can be appointed in the Supreme Court by “Chief Justice of India” , if
there is no quorum of judges available to hold and continue the session of the court.
• He can do so only after consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court concerned
and with the previous consent of the president.
• Only the persons who are qualified as to be appointed as Judge of the Supreme Court
can be appointed as ad hoc judge of the Supreme Court. (Article 127).
• Further, as per provisions of the Article 128, Chief Justice of India, with the previous
consent of the President, request a retired Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court,
who is duly qualified for appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court, to sit and act
as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
• The salary & allowance of such judge are decided by the president.
• The retired Judge who sits in such a session of the Supreme Court has all the
jurisdiction, powers and privileges of the Judges BUT are NOT deemed to be a Judge.
VVPAT:
Context : 15 votes registered on VVPAT carried on bike, Tamil Nadu CEO
Concept : • The Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) is a method of providing feedback to
voters using a ballot less voting system.
• The VVPAT is an independent printer system attached with Electronic Voting Machine
(EVM) that allows the voters to verify that their votes are cast as intended.
• It generates a paper slip every time a voter casts his vote, recording the party to whom
the vote was made. The VVPAT slip is kept in a sealed cover.
• VVPAT slip counting takes place in the VVPAT counting booths under the close
monitoring of the returning officer and direct oversight of the observer.
How does the VVPAT work? • The voting in India is done using the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) that is designed
with two units: the control unit and the balloting unit.
• The balloting unit of the machine has a list of candidate names and party symbols with
a blue button next to it. The voter can press the button next to the candidate’s name they
wish to vote for.
• When the voter casts the vote on the EVM, printer-like VVPAT apparatus linked to the
EVM generates a slip showing serial number, name and symbol of the candidate to
whom the vote was made.
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• With this slip, the voter can verify his casted vote.
• This VVPAT slip is displayed for 7 seconds before it’s automatically cut.
• The slip, once viewed, is cut and dropped into the drop box in the VVPAT machine and
a beep will be heard.
• The VVPAT machines can only be accessed by the election officers in the rarest of rare
cases.
LOKADALATS:
Context: For Lok Adalats, speed overrides quality .The system must look beyond swift
disposal of cases and focus on just and fair outcomes.
Concept: • Lok Adalat is one of the alternative dispute redressal mechanisms, it is a forum where
disputes/cases pending in the court of law or at pre-litigation stage are settled/
compromised amicably.
• The Lok Adalats are formed to fulfil the promise given by the preamble of the Indian
Constitution– securing Justice – social, economic and political of every citizen of India.
Constitutional basis: • Article 39A of the Constitution provides for free legal aid to the deprived and weaker
sections of the society and to promote justice on the base of equal opportunity.
• Articles 14 of the Constitution also make it compulsory for the State to guarantee
equality before the law.
Statutory provisions: • Under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 Lok Adalats have been given statutory
status.
• The decision made by the Lok Adalats is considered to be a verdict of a civil court and
is ultimate and binding on all parties.
No appeal: • There is no provision for an appeal against the verdict made by Lok Adalat.
• But, they are free to initiate litigation by approaching the court of appropriate
jurisdiction by filing a case by following the required procedure, in exercise of their
right to litigate.
Court fee: • There is no court fee payable when a matter is filed in a Lok Adalat.
• Note: If a matter pending in the court of law is referred to the Lok Adalat and is settled
subsequently, the court fee originally paid in the court on the complaints/petition is also
refunded back to the parties.
Nature of Cases to be Referred to Lok Adalat: • Any case pending before any court.
• Any dispute which has not been brought before any court and is likely to be filed before
the court.
• Provided that any matter relating to an offence not compoundable under the law shall
not be settled in Lok Adalat.
PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT:
Context : The Centre’s Animal Husbandry department has suggested adding to the 1960
legislation a stringent new section that addresses the killing of animals and “gruesome cruelty”
towards them.
Concept :
About the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act:
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• It prohibits any person from inflicting, causing, or if it is the owner, permitting,
unnecessary pain or suffering to be inflicted on any animal.
• It provides for punishment for causing unnecessary cruelty and suffering to animals.
• Section 2 of the act defines animals and types of animals like domestic or captive
animals.
• Section 4 provides for Welfare Board of India (WBI), a statutory advisory body for
animal welfare and protection of animals from unnecessary suffering and pain. Late
Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, well known humanitarian and Bharatnatyam exponent
led it since its foundation for almost 20 years.
• It mentions forms of cruelty, exceptions, and killing of a suffering animal in case any
cruelty has been committed against it, so as to relieve it from further suffering.
• Provides the guidelines relating to experimentation on animals for scientific purposes.
• An animal cannot be exhibited or trained by any person, if:
Such a person is unregistered as per the provisions of this chapter;
Such an animal has been barred from being included in any performance by the
Central Government through a notification in the Official Gazette.
SUO MOTU COGNIZANCE OF PIL:
Context: ‘Health emergency’: Gujarat HC initiates PIL over covid situation
Concept:
Suo Moto Cognizance
• A Suo Moto cognizance is a Latin term which means an action taken by a government
agency, court or other central authority on their own apprehension.
• A court takes a Suo Moto Cognizance of a legal matter when it receives information
about the violation of rights or breach of duty through media or a third party’s
notification.
• In India, Article 32 of the Indian Constitution and Article 226 of the Indian Constitution
lay down the provisions for filing Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in India in Supreme
Court and High Courts respectively.
• This has given rise to the court's’ power to initiate legal action on their cognizance of a
matter.
• Suo Moto’s actions by Indian courts are a reflection of activism by the judiciary and
captivated the general public with the speedy delivery of justice by the courts.
Public interest Litigation • Public interest Litigation (PIL) means litigation filed in a court of law, for the protection
of “Public Interest”, such as Pollution, Terrorism, Road safety, Constructional hazards
etc.
• Any matter where the interest of public at large is affected can be redressed by filing a
Public Interest Litigation in a court of law.
• Public interest litigation is not defined in any statute or in any act. It has been interpreted
by judges to consider the intent of public at large.
• Public interest litigation is the power given to the public by courts through judicial
activism. However, the person filing the petition must prove to the satisfaction of the
court that the petition is being filed for a public interest and not just as a frivolous
litigation by a busy body.
• The court can itself take cognizance of the matter and proceed suo motu or cases can
commence on the petition of any public spirited individual.
Some of the matters which are entertained under PIL are:
• Bonded Labour matters
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• Neglected Children
• Non-payment of minimum wages to workers and exploitation of casual workers
• Atrocities on women
• Environmental pollution and disturbance of ecological balance
• Food adulteration
• Maintenance of heritage and culture.
Who Can File a PIL and Against Whom? • Any citizen can file a public case by filing a petition:
Under Art 32 of the Indian Constitution, in the Supreme Court.
Under Art 226 of the Indian Constitution, in the High Court.
Under sec. 133 of the Criminal Procedure Code, in the Court of Magistrate.
• However, the court must be satisfied that the Writ petition fulfils some basic needs for
PIL as the letter is addressed by the aggrieved person, public spirited individual and a
social action group for the enforcement of legal or Constitutional rights to any person
who are not able to approach the court for redress.
• A Public Interest Litigation can be filed against a State/ Central Govt., Municipal
Authorities, and not any private party.
ASHA:
Context: ASHA workers, campaigns on WhatsApp help Rajasthan fix vaccine story.
Concept:
Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA)
• ASHA is a trained female community health activist. Selected from the community
itself and accountable to it, the ASHA will be trained to work as an interface between
the community and the public health system.
• The role of an ASHA is that of a community level care provider.
• ASHA will be trained to work as an interface between the community and the public
health system
• This includes a mix of tasks: facilitating access to health care services, building
awareness about health care entitlements especially amongst the poor and marginalized,
promoting healthy behaviours and mobilizing for collective action for better health
outcomes and meeting curative care needs as appropriate to the organization of service
delivery in that area and compatible with her training and skills.
SHAPHARI SCHEME:
Context: To bolster confidence in India’s frozen shrimp produce, the country’s biggest
seafood export item, the Centre has kicked off a new scheme to certify hatcheries and farms
that adopt good aquaculture practices.
Concept:
Shaphari scheme
• The scheme has been developed by the Marine Products Exports Development
Authority (MPEDA).
• The certification scheme for aquaculture products is called ‘Shaphari’ – a Sanksrit word
that means superior quality of fishery products suitable for human consumption.
• The Shaphari scheme is based on the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture
Organization’s technical guidelines on aquaculture certification and will have two
components — certifying hatcheries for the quality of their seeds and, separately,
approving shrimp farms that adopt the requisite good practices.
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• The entire certification process will be online to minimise human errors and ensure
higher credibility and transparency.
CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER:
Context: Recently, the President has appointed Shri Sushil Chandra, the senior-most
Election Commissioner, as the Chief Election Commissioner in the Election Commission of
India.
Concept:
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)
• The Election Commission shall consist of the chief election commissioner and such
number of other election commissioners, if any, as the president may from time to time
fix.
• The appointment of the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners
shall be made by the president.
• The president may also appoint after consultation with the election commission such
regional commissioners as he may consider necessary to assist the election commission.
Conditions of service and Tenure of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) • The conditions of service and tenure of office of the election commissioners and the
regional commissioners shall be determined by the president.
• The CEC and the two other election commissioners have equal powers and receive
equal salary, allowances and other perquisites, which are similar to those of a judge of
the Supreme Court.
• They hold office for a term of six years or until they attain the age of 65 years,
whichever is earlier.
• They can resign at any time or can also be removed before the expiry of their term.
Independence of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) • The chief election commissioner is provided with the security of tenure.
• He cannot be removed from his office except in same manner and on the same grounds
as a judge of the Supreme Court.
• He can be removed by the president on the basis of a resolution passed to that effect by
both the Houses of Parliament with special majority.
• He does not hold his office till the pleasure of the president, though he is appointed by
him.
• The service conditions of the chief election commissioner cannot be varied to his
disadvantage after his appointment.
• Any other election commissioner or a regional commissioner cannot be removed from
office except on the recommendation of the chief election commissioner.
REGULATORY APPROVAL OF VACCINES:
Context: Covid-19 second surge: Centre clears way for foreign vaccines, fast-tracks
approval.
Concept: • Government announced it would not enforce the pre-condition of conducting phase 2
and 3 clinical trials in India for those vaccines that have been granted emergency
approvals by the US, EU, UK and Japanese regulators, including those listed by the
WHO.
• The Centre said that the decision to ease regulatory approvals was taken on the
recommendation of the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-
19 (NEGVAC).
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• The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said the foreign manufactures have
to comply with one condition: the first 100 beneficiaries would be assessed for seven
days for safety outcomes before the vaccines are rolled out for the immunisation
programme.
• Companies will also have to conduct a “post-approval parallel bridging clinical trial”.
Regulatory Provisions for Approval of Vaccines in India:
• Clinical trials of new drugs and vaccines, and their approvals, are governed by the
Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019.
• There is nothing such as emergency use approval in Indian rules, however the 2019
rules provide for “Accelerated Approval Process” in several situations that would
include the one like the current pandemic.
• In such situations, there is a provision for granting approval to a drug that is still in
clinical trials provided the product is of meaningful therapeutic benefit.
• Accelerated approval may also be granted to a new drug if it is intended for the
treatment of a serious, or life-threatening condition, or disease of special relevance to
the country, and addresses unmet medical needs.
• A new drug, or a vaccine, can be considered for approval if remarkable effectiveness is
reported even from phase-II trials.
• In such cases, additional post licensure studies may be required.
• The approval granted to drugs or vaccines that are still in clinical trials is temporary,
and valid only for one year.
REFUGEES & ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS:
Context: Last week, the Supreme Court appeared to accept the Centre’s contention that the
Rohingya people in India are illegal immigrants, most of whom are in a detention camp in
Jammu, and others in Delhi. It said they should be deported according to procedures under the
Foreigners Act, 1946.
Concept: • Under the 1951 UN Convention on the Status of Refugees and the subsequent 1967
Protocol, the word refugee pertains to any person who is outside their country of origin
and unable or unwilling to return owing to well-founded fear of persecution for reasons
of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political
opinion.
• Stateless persons may also be refugees in this sense, where country of origin
(citizenship) is understood as ‘country of former habitual residence’.
• Under the Citizenship Act an “illegal migrant” is defined as a foreigner who has entered
into India—
(i) Without a valid passport or other travel documents and such other document
or authority as may be prescribed by or under any law in that behalf; or
(ii) with a valid passport or other travel documents and such other document or
authority as may be prescribed by or under any law in that behalf but remains therein beyond
the permitted period of time.
• An illegal migrant is excluded from the acquisition of citizenship through birth,
registration, or naturalization. There is no program to grant citizenship to illegal
migrants or their children.
India & UN convention • India has welcomed refugees in the past, and on date, nearly 300,000 people here are
categorised as refugees.
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• But India is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Convention on the Status of Refugees and
the subsequent 1967 Protocol.
• Nor does India have a refugee policy or a refugee law of its own.
• The closest India has come to a refugee policy in recent years is the Citizenship
Amendment Act, 2019, which discriminates between refugees on the basis of religion
in offering them Indian citizenship.
SECTION 144:
Context: No lockdown, Section 144 across Maharashtra from tomorrow: Uddhav
Thackeray announces.
Concept: • Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) is frequently used to prohibit
assemblies of four or more individuals, or to order mobile phone companies to block
voice, SMS, or Internet communications in one or more geographical areas.
• It empowers a district magistrate, a sub-divisional magistrate or any other executive
magistrate specially empowered by the state government in this behalf to issue orders
to prevent and address urgent cases of apprehended danger or nuisance.
• The orders may be directed against a particular individual, or to persons residing in a
particular place or area, or to the public generally when frequenting or visiting a
particular place or area.
• No order passed under Section 144 can remain in force for more than two months from
the date of the order.
• The state government can extend this, but not more than six months.
ISI MARK & BIS HALLMARK:
Context: The Centre will go ahead with its plan to mandate hallmarking of gold jewellery
from June 1. The plan had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Concept :
ISI Mark: • Who issues: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
• Which products: Industrial products
• Effective since: 1955
• ISI Mark is a certification mark for industrial products in India.
• The mark certifies that a product confirms to the Indian Standards, mentioned as IS:
XXXX on the top of the mark.
BIS Hallmark:
• Who issues it: Bureau of Indian Standards
• For which products: Gold and silver jewellery
• Applicable since: It is applicable for gold since April, 2000 and for silver since 2005.
To judge the purity of the gold ornaments, these numbers are written on the jewelry;
• For 23 carat gold, you can find 958 number stamped on jewelry.
• For 22 carats 916
• For 21 carats 875
• For 18 carats 750
• For 17 carats 708
• For 14 carats 585
• For 9 carats 375
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RAJYASABHA ELECTIONS:
Context: The Election Commission (EC) on Monday declared that polls to the three Rajya
Sabha seats from Kerala falling vacant later this month will be held on April 30.
Concept:
Representation of States in Rajya Sabha:
• Members are elected by the elected members of state legislative assemblies
• Election Principle used – Proportional Representation by means of Single Transferable
Vote
• The population of the state is a factor that decides the representation of states in Rajya
Sabha
Representation of Union Territories in Rajya Sabha: • Members of Rajya Sabha belonging to Union Territories are indirectly elected by
members of an electoral college, that is constituted for this purpose
• Election Principle used – Proportional Representation by means of Single Transferable
Vote
• Out of 8 union territories, Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir have
representation in Rajya Sabha.
Representation of Nominated Members in Rajya Sabha: • 12 people are nominated by the President in Rajya Sabha for their contribution and
expertise in the fields of:
Art
Literature
Science
Social Service
Two changes were made to Rajya Sabha election in 2003:
• To be elected as a Rajya Sabha member from a particular state, the requirement to be
an elector from that state was removed.
• System of the open ballot was introduced in place of secret ballot system.
e - SANTA PORTAL:
Context : Recently, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry has virtually inaugurated e-
SANTA Web Portal.
Concept :
e-SANTA Web Portal
• It is an electronic marketplace providing a platform to connect aqua farmers and the
buyers.
• The term e-SANTA was coined for the web portal, meaning Electronic Solution for
Augmenting NaCSA farmers' Trade in Aquaculture.
• National Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture (NaCSA) is an extension arm of Marine
Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).
• It is a Digital Bridge to end the market divide and will act as an alternative marketing
tool between farmers & buyers by eliminating middlemen.
• The e-SANTA platform is available in many languages, which will help the local
population.
• It is a completely paperless and end-to-end electronic trade platform between Farmers
and exporters.
• The platform provides detailed specification of each product listing and it is backed by
an end to end electronic payment system with NaCSA as an Escrow agent.
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REGISTER OF INDIGENOUS INHABITANTS OF NAGALAND (RIIN):
Context: An apex body of Naga tribes has asked the Nagaland government not to be hasty with
the exercise to prepare the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN), seen as a
variant of Assam’s National Register of Citizens.
Concept: • Launched in July 2019.
• The objective is to prevent outsiders from obtaining fake indigenous certificates for
seeking jobs and benefits of government schemes.
• The RIIN will be the master list of all indigenous inhabitants of the state.
• The RIIN list will be based on “an extensive survey”.
• It will involve official records of indigenous residents from rural and (urban) wards and
would be prepared under the supervision of the district administration.
Concern • Locals are apprehensive of “dreadful consequences” if the “advocates of RIIN”
implement the identification process with December 1, 1963 – the day Nagaland
attained statehood – as the cut-off date for determining the “permanent residents” of the
State.
• This date is likely to exclude Nagas who have come from beyond the boundaries of
Nagaland.
• They also fear that the non-indigenous Nagas could be treated as “illegal immigrants”
and their lands and property confiscated.
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION BILL:
Context: Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, now under scrutiny by a Joint
Parliamentary Committee, could play a big role in providing robust protections to users and
their personal data.
Concept: • The Bill has three key aspects prepared by a committee headed by retired Justice B N
Srikrishna.
• The bill constitutes 3 personal information types: Critical , Sensitive , General.
• Sensitive data constitutes or is related to passwords, financial data, health data, official
identifier, sexual orientation, religious or caste data, biometric data and genetic data. It
may be processed outside India with the explicit consent of the user.
• Critical data will be characterised by the government every once in a while, and must
be stored and handled only in India.
• General data: Any data that is non-critical and non-sensitive is categorised as general
data with no limitation on where it is stored or managed.
Other Key provisions: • Data principal: As per the bill, it is the individual whose data is being stored and
processed.
• Exemptions: The government is qualified to order any data fiduciary to acquire personal
and non-personal/anonymised data for the sake of research and for national security and
criminal investigations.
• Social media companies, which are deemed significant data fiduciaries based on factors
such as volume and sensitivity of data as well as their turnover, should develop their
own user verification mechanism.
• An independent regulator Data Protection Agency (DPA) will oversee assessments and
audits and definition making.
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• Each company will have a Data Protection Officer (DPO) who will liaison with the
DPA for auditing, grievance redressal, recording maintenance and more.
• The bill also grants individuals the right to data portability, and the ability to access and
transfer one’s own data.
• The right to be forgotten: this right allows an individual to remove consent for data
collection and disclosure.
How is data handled? • Data is collected and handled by entities called data fiduciaries.
• While the fiduciary controls how and why data is processed, the processing itself may
be by a third party, the data processor.
• The physical attributes of data — where data is stored, where it is sent, where it is turned
into something useful — are called data flows.
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE IN COURTS:
Context: Ambedkar had proposed Sanskrit as official language: CJI Bobde
Concept: • Article 348 (1) of the Constitution of India provides that all proceedings in the Supreme
Court and in every High court shall be in English Language until Parliament by law
otherwise provides.
• Under Article 348 (2), the Governor of the State may, with the previous consent of the
President, authorize the use of the Hindi language or any other language used for any
official purpose of the State, in the proceedings of the High Court having its principal
seat in that State provided that decrees, judgments or orders passed by such High Courts
shall be in English.
• Section 7 of the Official Languages Act, 1963, provides that the use of Hindi or official
language of a State in addition to the English language may be authorized, with the
consent of the President of India, by the Governor of the State for purpose of judgments
etc. made by the High Court for that State.
OCI CARD
Context: Recently, the Centre has stated that the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)
cardholders will now be required to get their document re-issued only once at the age of 20
instead of multiple times needed currently.
Concept: • The notification stated that a person who has got registration as OCI cardholder prior
to attaining the age of 20 years will have to get the card re-issued only once.
• The re-issue of OCI card will begin when a new passport is issued after his or her
completing 20 years of age, so as to capture his or her facial features on attaining
adulthood.
• The centre said that if a person has obtained registration as OCI cardholder after
attaining the age of 20 years, there will be no requirement of re-issue of OCI card.
• Currently, the OCI card is required to be re-issued each time a new passport is issued
up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age.
• The Centre said there will be no restriction on the cardholder to travel to or from India
during the period from the date of issue of new passport till the date of final
acknowledgement of documents in the web-based system.
OCI CARD SCHEME:
• The OCI scheme came with the amendment of the Citizenship Act in 2005. Further in
2015 it was merged with the PIO (Person of Indian Origin) card.
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• Individuals who do not have citizenship of any other country are not eligible to gain an
OCI status.
• Individuals whose parents or grandparents hold citizenship of Pakistan and Bangladesh
are not eligible to apply.
The Ministry of Home Affairs defines an OCI as a person who:
• Was a citizen of India on or after 26th January 1950; or
• Was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26th January 1950; or
• Belong to a territory which became part of India after 15 august 1947; or
• Is a child or grandchild of such a person; or
• Is a minor child of the persons from any of the above category or either or both of the
parents are citizens of India.
• For foreign origin spouse of the Citizen of India or An OCI card holder: 1) Whose
marriage is registered 2) Married for more than two years before the date of application.
REGULATORY REVIEW AUTHORITY 2.0:
Context: RBI sets up regulatory review authority to review regulations, ease compliance.
Concept: • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday announced the setting up of a regulatory
review authority, RRA 2.0, to review its regulations internally and in consultation with
other stakeholders.
• RRA 2.0 will function for a period of one year from the date of its establishment to
review the regulatory prescriptions internally as well as by seeking suggestions from
regulated entities and other stakeholders on their simplification and ease of
implementation.
• The RRA 2.0 will focus on streamlining regulatory instructions and reducing the
compliance burden of regulated entities by simplifying procedures and reducing
reporting requirements, wherever possible.
• It shall intend to make regulatory and supervisory instructions more effective by
removing redundancies and duplication, if any.
• It will also be tasked with obtaining feedback from regulated entities on simplification
of procedures and enhancement of ease of compliance.
MANAS PLATFORM:
Context: Recently, the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India has
virtually launched the MANAS Platform.
Concept:
About MANAS Platform
• The MANAS platform stands for Mental Health and Normalcy Augmentation System.
• It was endorsed as a national program by the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology,
and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC).
• It is a comprehensive, scalable, and national digital wellbeing platform and an app
developed to augment mental well-being of Indian citizens.
• It was initiated by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of
India.
• It is a joint venture by Pune-based Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) and
National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru.
• The application has been developed by the Bengaluru centre of the Centre for
Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC).
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• It is based on life skills and core psychological process, with universal accessibility,
delivering age-appropriate methods and promoting positive attitude focusing on
wellness.
• The current version has identified two age groups i.e. ages 15 to 20, termed as Mann-
Marg, and ages 20 to 35, termed as YoungISTAN.
PM-STIAC • The Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-
STIAC), is an overarching Council that facilitates the Principal Scientific Adviser’s
Office to assess the status in specific science and technology domains, comprehend
challenges in hand, formulate specific interventions, develop a futuristic roadmap and
advise the Prime Minister accordingly.
• The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India
coordinates to facilitate and ensure the implementation of significant interventions by
concerned government departments, agencies, and ministries.
• The PM-STIAC Secretariat is based at Invest India and provides support to the Office
of the PSA on project management and monitoring of the aforesaid interventions and
national missions.
E – VISA:
Context: The Union Home Ministry has restored the electronic visa (e-visa) facility for
foreigners from 156 countries who intend to visit India for business, conferences and medical
reasons, including for medical attendants. E-visa for tourists is yet to be restored.
Concept: • An e-visa is provided in five categories — tourist, business, conference, medical, and
medical attendant.
• Under the arrangement, a foreigner can apply online four days prior to travel.
• After the details are verified, an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is generated,
which has to be presented at the immigration checkpost on arrival.
• Entry through e-visas is allowed only at 28 designated international airports and five
major seaports in India.
• Though available to people of 171 countries before restrictions were announced in
2020, the facility has been restored only for 156. China, the U.K., Canada, Hong Kong,
Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia are notable exclusions. The relaxation
comes in the wake of a deadly second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
SUDARSHAN SEN COMMITTEE:
Context : Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set up a committee to undertake
a comprehensive review of the working of asset reconstruction companies (ARCs).
Concept : • It is a six-member committee which will be headed by Sudarshan Sen, former Executive
Director of RBI.
• The other members are ICICI Bank ED Vishaka Mulye, SBI deputy MD R N Prasad,
EY partner Abizer Diwanji, MDI economics professor Rohit Prasad and CA R Anand.
• The panel will submit their report within three months of their first meeting.
• The Department of Regulation (RBI) will provide the necessary secretarial support to
the Committee.
What are Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs)? • The ARCs are entities that purchase bad loans from banks and salvage value from them
by finding buyers for the security or selling the business.
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• The ARCs are registered under the RBI and regulated under the Securitisation and
Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Securities Interest Act, 2002
(SARFAESI Act, 2002).
• The ARCs take over a portion of the debts of the bank that qualify to be recognised as
Non-Performing Assets.
• It implies that the ARCs are engaged in the business of asset reconstruction or
securitisation or both.
• All the rights that were held by the lender (the bank) in respect of the debt would be
transferred to the ARC.
• In February 2021, the government had said that public sector banks will set up a national
ARC which will buy bad loans from banks and help clean their books.
MEMORANDUM OF PROCEDURE FOR APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES:
Context: Supreme Court timeline for judges’ appointments a shift from Memorandum of
Procedure.
Concept: • In setting a fixed timeline for the government for the process of appointment of judges,
the Supreme Court, in its ruling on Tuesday, has essentially altered the Memorandum
of Procedure (MoP) through a judicial order, and said the government must act on the
names recommended for appointment within four months.
• The MoP does not prescribe a timeline for the Centre to forward the recommendations.
Methodology proposed by Supreme Court for appointment of Ad-hoc Judges in HCs
• The court ruled that the Chief Justice of a High Court may initiate the process of
recommending a name if:
The number of judges’ vacancies is more than 20 per cent of the sanctioned strength;
or
Cases in a particular category are pending for over five years; or
More than 10 per cent of pending cases are over five years old; or
Percentage of the rate of disposal is lower than the institution of the cases either in a
particular subject matter or generally in the court.
• The apex court said that the Chief Justice should prepare a panel of judges after personal
interaction with the concerned judge to take their consent.
• The court said the appointments can follow the procedure laid down in the
Memorandum of Procedure for appointment of judges.
• The number of ad-hoc judges in the court should be in the range of two to five for the
time being depending on the strength of the High Court and the problem faced by it.
• The court ruled that in case there is a need to constitute a Division Bench to hear a
matter, it would comprise of only ad-hoc judges and not a mix of ad-hoc and sitting
judges.
• It also barred ad-hoc appointees from performing any other legal work i.e. advisory,
arbitration or appearing in court for clients.
• Their emoluments and allowances should be on a par with a permanent judge of that
court minus the pension and they will be entitled to allowance/ perks/ perquisites as are
available to permanent/ additional judge(s).
About Ad-Hoc Judges & Acting Judges in High Court • The President can appoint duly qualified persons as additional judges of a high court
for a temporary period not exceeding two years when:
• There is a temporary increase in the business of the high court; or
• There are arrears of work in the high court.
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• The President can also appoint a duly qualified person as an acting judge of a high court
when a judge of that high court (other than the chief justice) is:
• Unable to perform the duties of his office due to absence or any other reason; or
• Appointed to act temporarily as chief justice of that high court
• An acting judge holds office until the permanent judge resumes his office.
• The Constitution provides that both the additional or acting judge cannot hold office
after attaining the age of 62 years.
Constitutional Provisions for Ad-Hoc Judges in High Court
• The SC had asked all 25 high courts to respond to a public interest litigation filed by
Lucknow-based non-profit organisation, Lok Prahari, asking for the appointment of
retired judges as ad-hoc judges under Article 128 of the Constitution.
• Article 128 talks about “attendance of a retired judge” as the judge of the Supreme
Court.
• It states that the Chief Justice of India at any time, with the previous consent of the
President, may request any person who has held the office of a judge of the Supreme
Court or the high court to sit and act as a judge of the Supreme Court.
• Under Article 224A, the retired high court judges can be appointed as ad-hoc judges to
HCs.
PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT:
Context : CBI registers FIR against former Maha home minister Anil Deshmukh under
Prevention of Corruption Act.
Concept : • The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted to
combat corruption in government agencies and public sector businesses in India.
• The Central and the State Government is empowered to appoint Special Judges to try
the following offences:
Any offence punishable under this Act.
Any conspiracy to commit or any attempt to commit or any abetment of any of
the offences specified under the Act.
• A Special Judge, while trying any offence punishable under the Act, shall exercise all
powers and functions exercised by a District Judge under the Criminal Law
Amendment Ordinance,1944
The following are the offences under the PCA along with their punishments:-
• Taking gratification other than legal remuneration in respect of an official act, and if
the public servant is found guilty shall be punishable with imprisonment which shall be
not less than 6 months extendable up to 5 years and shall also be liable to fine.
• Taking gratification in order to influence public servant, by corrupt or illegal means,
shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall be not less than three
years extendable up to seven years and shall also be liable to fine.
• Taking gratification, for exercise of personal influence with public servant shall be
punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall be not less than six months
extendable up to five years and shall also be liable to fine.
• Any public servant, who commits criminal misconduct shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which shall be not less than one year extendable up to 7 years
and shall also be liable to fine
Investigation shall be done by a police officer not below the rank of:
• In case of Delhi, of an Inspector of Police.
• In metropolitan areas, of an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
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• Elsewhere, of a Deputy Superintendent of Police or an officer of equivalent rank shall
investigate any offence punishable under this Act without the order of a Metropolitan
Magistrate or a magistrate of first class, or make any arrest therefore without a warrant.
2018 amendments to the act:
• Giving bribe is a specific and a direct offence.
• Those convicted of taking bribes can be imprisoned for three to seven years besides
being fined.
• It makes a provision for providing protection to ‘coerced’ (forced to pay a bribe) bribe-
givers if the matter is reported to the concerned law enforcement agencies within a
week.
• It redefines criminal misconduct and will now only cover misappropriation of property
and possession of disproportionate assets.
• It proposes a ‘shield’ for government servants, including those retired, from prosecution
by making it mandatory for investigating agencies such as the Central Bureau of
Investigation to take prior approval from a competent authority before conducting an
enquiry against them.
• However, it states that such permissions shall not be necessary for cases involving the
arrest of a person on the spot on the charge of accepting or attempting to accept any
undue advantage for himself or for any other person.
• In any corruption case against a public servant, the factor of “undue advantage” will
have to be established.
• The trial in cases pertaining to the exchange of bribes and corruption should be
completed within two years. Further, even after reasoned delays, the trial cannot exceed
four years.
• It covers bribe-giving commercial organisations to be liable for punishment or
prosecution. However, charitable institutions have been left out of its ambit.
It provides powers and procedures for the attachment and forfeiture of a corruption-accused
public servant’s property.
NCT AMENDMENT BILL 2021:
Context: The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a gazette notification stating that the
provisions of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021,
would be deemed to have come into effect from April 27.
Concept: • The Bill amends the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991. The
Act provides a framework for the functioning of the Legislative Assembly and the
government of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.
• The Bill amends certain powers and responsibilities of the Legislative Assembly and
the Lieutenant Governor.
• Restriction on laws passed by the Assembly: The Bill provides that the term
“government” referred to in any law made by the Legislative Assembly will imply
Lieutenant Governor (LG).
• Rules of Procedure of the Assembly: The Act allows the Legislative Assembly to
make Rules to regulate the procedure and conduct of business in the Assembly. The
Bill provides that such Rules must be consistent with the Rules of Procedure and
Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha.
• Inquiry by the Assembly into administrative decisions: The Bill prohibits the
Legislative Assembly from making any rule to enable itself or its Committees to:
consider the matters of day-to-day administration of the NCT of Delhi and
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conduct any inquiry in relation to administrative decisions.
Assent to Bills: • The Act requires the LG to reserve certain Bills passed by the Legislative Assembly for
the consideration of the President.
• The Bill requires the LG to also reserve those Bills for the President which incidentally
cover any of the matters outside the purview of the powers of the Legislative Assembly.
LG’s opinion for executive actions:
• The Act specifies that all executive action by the government, whether taken on the
advice of the Ministers or otherwise, must be taken in the name of the LG.
• The Bill adds that on certain matters, as specified by the LG, his opinion must be
obtained before taking any executive action on the decisions of the Minister/ Council
of Ministers.
PRESIDENT RULE IN DELHI:
Context: AAP MLA Shoaib Iqbal on Friday demanded imposition of President's rule in
Delhi in view of the massive surge in COVID-19 cases.
Concept: • In NCT of Delhi, President's rule is applied on the basis of Article 239AB of the
Constitution of India (as the Article 356 is not applicable to Union Territories) which
reads thus:
• Article 239AB. -If the President, on receipt of a report from the Lieutenant Governor
or otherwise, is satisfied—
(a)that a situation has arisen in which the administration of the National Capital
Territory cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of article 239AA or of any
law made in pursuance of that article; or
(b)that for the proper administration of the National Capital Territory it is necessary
or expedient so to do,
• the President may by order suspend the operation of any provision of Article 239AA
or of all or any of the provisions of any law made in pursuance of that article for such
period and subject to such conditions as maybe specified in such law and make such
incidental and consequential provisions as may appear to him to be necessary or
expedient for administering the National Capital Territory in accordance with
theprovisions of article 239 and article 239AA.
• Article 239 AA (inserted by 69th amendment act, 1991): UT of Delhi is called
National Capital Territory of Delhi; Legislative Assembly; make laws over State &
Concurrent List.
UNIFORM CIVIL CODE:
Context: Chief Justice of India S A Bobde recently appreciated the uniform civil code
(UCC) in Goa, the only state to have one. This brought the spotlight back on the UCC debate,
although the Law Commission had concluded in 2018 that a UCC is neither desirable nor
feasible.
Concept: • The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) calls for the formulation of one law for India, which
would be applicable to all religious communities in matters such as marriage, divorce,
inheritance, adoption.
• The code comes under Article 44 of the Constitution, which lays down that the state
shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for the citizens throughout the territory
of India.
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Background of Uniform Civil Code • The origin of the UCC dates back to colonial India when the British government
submitted its report in 1835 stressing the need for uniformity in the codification of
Indian law relating to crimes, evidence, and contracts, specifically recommending that
personal laws of Hindus and Muslims be kept outside such codification.
• Increase in legislation dealing with personal issues in the far end of the British rule
forced the government to form the B N Rau Committee to codify Hindu law in 1941.
• Based on these recommendations, a bill was then adopted in 1956 as the Hindu
Succession Act to amend and codify the law relating to intestate or unwilled succession,
among Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs.
• However, there were separate personal laws for muslim, chirstian and Parsis.
• In order to bring uniformity, the courts have often said in their judgements that the
government should move towards a uniform civil code.
• The judgement in the Shah Bano case is well known, but the courts have made the same
point in several other major judgements.
• By arguing that practices such as triple talaq and polygamy impact adversely on the
right of women to a life of dignity, the Centre has raised the question whether
constitutional protection given to religious practices should extend even to those that
are not in compliance with fundamental rights.
UCC and Implications • Protection to Vulnerable Section of Society: The UCC aims to provide protection to
vulnerable sections as envisaged by Ambedkar including women and religious
minorities, while also promoting nationalistic fervour through unity.
• Simplification of Laws: The code will simplify the complex laws around marriage
ceremonies, inheritance, succession, adoptions making them one for all. The same civil
law will then be applicable to all citizens irrespective of their faith.
• When enacted the code will work to simplify laws that are segregated at present on the
basis of religious beliefs like the Hindu code bill, Sharia law, and others.
• Adhering to Ideal of Secularism: Secularism is the objective enshrined in the Preamble,
a secular republic needs a common law for all citizens rather than differentiated rules
based on religious practices.
• Gender Justice: India has separate sets of personal laws for each religion governing
marriages, divorce, succession, adoption and maintenance.
• However, the rights of women are usually limited under religious law, be it Hindu or
Muslim. The practice of triple talaq is a classic example.
• If a uniform civil code is enacted, all personal laws will cease to exist.
• It will do away with gender biases in Muslim law, Hindu law and Christian law that
have been often challenged by women on the ground that they violate the right to
equality.
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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
JCPOA:
Context: The head of the meeting of the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive
Plan of Action (JCPOA) said the session had been a “constructive” one and the member states
have unity to lift the sanctions on Iran.
Concept: • Commonly as the Iran nuclear deal or Iran deal, is an agreement on the Iranian nuclear
program reached in Vienna on July 14, 2015
• It is signed between Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the United
Nations Security Council—China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States—
plus Germany) together with the European Union.
• Under JCPOA, Iran agreed to eliminate its stockpile of medium-enriched uranium, cut
its stockpile of low-enriched uranium by 98%, and reduce by about two-thirds the
number of its gas centrifuges for 13 years.
• For the next 15 years Iran will only enrich uranium up to 3.67%. Iran also agreed not
to build any new heavy-water facilities for the same period of time.
• Uranium-enrichment activities will be limited to a single facility using first-generation
centrifuges for 10 years. Other facilities will be converted to avoid proliferation risks.
• To monitor and verify Iran’s compliance with the agreement, the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) will have regular access to all Iranian nuclear facilities.
• The agreement provides that in return for verifiably abiding by its commitments, Iran
will receive relief from U.S., European Union, and UNSC nuclear-related sanctions.
• On 5 January 2020, in the aftermath of the Baghdad Airport Airstrike that targeted and
killed Iranian general QassemSoleimani, Iran declared that it would no longer abide by
the limitations of the deal but would continue to coordinate with the IAEA, leaving
open the possibility of resuming compliance.
PRINCIPLE OF NON-REFOULEMENT:
Context : SC allows deportation of Rohingyas detained in J&K subject to adherence to
procedures prescribed for deportation.
Concept : • Non-refoulement is a fundamental principle of international law that forbids a country
receiving asylum seekers from returning them to a country in which they would be in
likely danger of persecution based on "race, religion, nationality, membership of a
particular social group or political opinion".
• Unlike political asylum, which applies to those who can prove a well-grounded fear of
persecution based on certain category of persons, non-refoulement refers to the generic
repatriation of people, including refugees into war zones and other disaster locales.
• It is a principle of customary international law, as it applies even to states that are not
partiesto the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol.
• It is also a principle of the Trucial law of nations.
SOMALIA:
Context: Somalia, already fragile after decades of civil war and an Islamist insurgency, is
facing its worst political crisis in recent years after the failure to hold planned elections in
February.
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Concept:
• President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, best known by his nickname Farmajo, has
faced harsh criticism from foreign allies after signing a law approved by parliament
which extended his mandate by two years.
• The clashes — mainly in the northern neighbourhoods of Sanca and Marinaya and the
busy KM4 crossroads in the centre — began after dozens of opposition supporters
marched in protest against Mr. Farmajo’s term extension.
About Somalia
• Somalia is a country in the Horn of Africa.
• It is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the Northwest, the Gulf of Aden to
the north, the Indian Ocean to the east, and Kenya to the southwest.
• Somalia has the longest coastline on Africa's mainland.
• Its Capital is Mogadishu.
SAGAR VISION:
Context : Seychelles central to India’s SAGAR vision: PM
Concept :
SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region)
• SAGAR is a term coined by PM Modi in 2015 during his Mauritius visit with a focus
on the blue economy.
• It is a maritime initiative which gives priority to the Indian Ocean region for ensuring
peace, stability and prosperity of India in the Indian Ocean region.
• The goal is to seek a climate of trust and transparency; respect for international maritime
rules and norms by all countries; sensitivity to each other`s interests; peaceful resolution
of maritime issues; and increase in maritime cooperation.
• It is in line with the principles of the Indian Ocean Rim Association.
About IORA: • The Indian Ocean Rim Association was set up with the objective of strengthening
regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean Region
• The IORA is a regional forum, tripartite in nature, bringing together representatives of
Government, Business and Academia, for promoting co-operation and closer
interaction among them.
• It is based on the principles of Open Regionalism for strengthening Economic
Cooperation particularly on Trade Facilitation and Investment, Promotion as well as
Social Development of the region.
• India, Australia, Iran, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, South Africa, Mozambique,
Kenya, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Bangladesh, Singapore, Mauritius, Madagascar, UAE,
Yemen, Seychelles, Somalia, Comoros and Oman are among the members of IORA.
SAUDI GREEN INITIATIVE:
Context: Saudi Prince Announces 'Middle East Green' Initiative To 'fight Climate Crisis'
Concept: • The “Green Saudi” and the “Green Middle East” initiatives, the largest of their kind in
the world, are aimed to protect the planet through containing climate change and
promoting nature and thus enabling the Kingdom emerge as a global leader in forging
a greener world.
• It clearly chart the path for the Kingdom and the region in protecting the planet by
clearly defining an ambitious road map with major landmarks and goals that
significantly contribute to achieving the global targets in confronting climate change.
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• The “Green Saudi” and the “Green Middle East” initiatives will include planting 50
billion trees, of which the Kingdom’s share would be 10 billion trees over the coming
decades.
• This represents four percent of the Kingdom’s contribution to achieving the goals of
the global initiative to limit the land degradation and fungal habitats, and one percent
of the global target to plant a trillion trees.
• Saudi Arabia intends to start work on the “Green Middle East Initiative” together with
the Gulf, Arab and the Middle Eastern countries by planting 40 billion trees. The two
initiatives have gained global support from numerous countries as well as from
international organizations.
• The “Green Saudi Arabia” Forum will be held in the middle of this year, while the
“Green Middle East” Summit will take place by the end of 2021.
EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE / UNCLOS:
Context : Pentagon defends US Navy ship asserting navigational rights inside India's EEZ
Concept : • In an unusual move, the US Navy announced that on Wednesday it conducted a freedom
of navigation operation in Indian waters without prior consent to challenge India's
"excessive maritime claims."
• The Government of India’s stated position on the United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is that the Convention “does not authorise other States to
carry out in the EEZ and on the continental shelf, military exercises or manoeuvres, in
particular those involving the use of weapons or explosives, without the consent of the
coastal state.
• While India ratified UNCLOS in 1995, the U.S. has failed to do it so far.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) • The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) defined the
EEZ as a zone in the sea over which a sovereign nation has certain special rights with
respect to the exploration and usage of marine resources, which includes the generation
of energy from wind and water, and also oil and natural gas extraction.
• The EEZ is an area that is adjacent to and beyond the territorial sea.
• It can extend to a maximum of 200 nautical miles from the baseline. The baseline is
normally measured is the low-water line along the coast as indicated on large-scale
charts officially approved by the coastal state.
• The EEZ does not include the territorial sea and also does not include the continental
shelf beyond 200 nautical miles.
• The EEZ includes the contiguous zone.
• Within the EEZ, the country has rights over natural resources. The country has
jurisdiction over some activities for the reasons of environmental protection, among
others.
• It also has to respect the rights of other countries in the EEZ such as the freedom of
navigation.
• The difference between territorial sea and the EEZ is that the former confers full
sovereignty over the waters, whereas the latter is merely a “sovereign right” which
refers to the coastal nation’s rights below the surface of the sea. The surface waters are
international waters.
Rights of the country in the EEZ • The coastal state has the rights to:
• Explore and exploit, conserve and manage the natural resources (living or non-living).
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• Produce energy from wind, currents and water.
• Establish and use artificial islands, structures and installations.
• Conduct marine scientific research.
• Protect and preserve the marine environment.
UNCLOS • The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is an international
treaty which was adopted and signed in 1982.
• It replaced the four Geneva Conventions of April, 1958, which respectively concerned
the territorial sea and the contiguous zone, the continental shelf, the high seas, fishing
and conservation of living resources on the high seas.
• The Convention has created three new institutions on the international scene :
• the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
• the International Seabed Authority
• the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf
• UNCLOS as the currently prevailing law of the sea is binding completely.
• There are 17 parts, 320 articles and nine annexes to UNCLOS
• The law of the sea provides for full rights to nations for a 200-mile zone from their
shoreline. The sea and oceanic bed extending this area is regarded to be Exclusive
Economic Zone (EEZ) and any country can use these waters for their economic
utilization.
INDIA NETHERLANDS STRATRGIC PARTNERSHIP:
Context : Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently held a virtual summit with his
Netherlands counterpart Mark Rutte. The leaders agreed to diversify the ties in trade and
economy between the countries. They also agreed to expand their relations in smart cities,
agriculture, science and technology, healthcare, and space.
Concept :
Partnership in Water Sector
• During the summit, India and Netherlands launched a strategic partnership on water.
Under the partnership, the countries agreed to alleviate the joint working group on water
to ministerial level. It also aimed to broaden bilateral cooperation in new areas of water.
• Under the partnership the countries will focus on water budgeting, converting
wastewater to energy and decentralized treatment technologies and cost effective water
technologies.
Why did India sign the water sector partnership with the Dutch? • Netherlands is the world leader in water management. One-fourth of Netherlands lies
under sea level. Yet, the Dutch have successfully comprehended water related
challenges and have tested technologies and solutions in delta management,
desalination, flood control.
SOUTH ASIA WOMEN IN ENERGY:
Context : India is a “red-hot” investment opportunity because of its “clean energy” shift,
said U.S. special envoy, suggesting that having the US as a partner in tackling climate change
is a unique advantage at a virtual conference for South Asian women involved in the energy
industry.
Concept : • The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S.-India Strategic
Partnership Forum (USISPF) have officially launched the “South Asia Women in
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Energy (SAWIE) platform to promote women's empowerment and gender sensitization
in the energy sector in South Asia region.
• SAWIE aims to provide a platform for women to form a collaborative and strategic
approach towards reaching gender equality goals and building strong pillars across the
energy sector.
• This platform will bring together women leaders across the energy sector to work
together on designing interventions in outreach and recruitment; mentorship and
leadership; and professional development that can help bridge gender gaps.
USAID
• USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor
driving development results.
• The Market Integration and Transformation Program for Energy Efficiency
(MAITREE), is a part of the US-India bilateral Partnership between the Ministry of
Power and USAID and is aimed at accelerating the adoption of cost-effective energy
efficiency as a standard practice within buildings, and specifically focuses on cooling.
WMCC:
Concept:
• The WMCC was established in 2012 as an institutional mechanism for consultation and
coordination for management of India – China border areas, as well as to exchange
views on strengthening communication and cooperation, including between the border
security personnel of the two sides.
• It is headed by joint secretary-level officials from both sides. They are entrusted to help
the special representative for boundary talks.
RAISINA DIALOGUE:
Context : Recently, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has addressed the inaugural
session of the Raisina Dialogue 2021.
Concept :
About Raisina Dialogue
• It is India’s annual premier conference on geopolitics and geo-economics committed to
addressing the most challenging issues facing the global community.
• It is structured as a multi-stakeholder, cross sectoral discussion, involving heads of
state, cabinet ministers and local government officials.
• It is hosted by the Observer Research Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of
External Affairs, Government of India.
• The theme of Raisina Dialogue 2021 is ‘#Viral World: Outbreaks, Outliers, and Out of
Control’.
URANIUM ENRICHMENT: Context: Iran ‘almost’ ready for 60% uranium enrichment: UN nuclear agency.
Concept:
• Uranium enrichment is a process that is necessary to create an effective nuclear fuel out
of mined uranium by increasing the percentage of uranium-235 which undergoes fission
with thermal neutrons.
• Nuclear fuel is mined from naturally occurring uranium ore deposits and then isolated
through chemical reactions and separation processes.
• These chemical processes used to separate the uranium from the ore are not to be
confused with the physical and chemical processes used to enrich the uranium.
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• Naturally occurring uranium does not have a high enough concentration of Uranium-
235 at only about 0.72% with the remainder being Uranium-238.
• Due to the fact that uranium-238 is fissionable and not fissile, the concentration of
uranium-235 must be increased before it can be effectively used as a nuclear fuel.
• western side and between India and Bangladesh on the eastern side.
IP APELLATE BOARD:
Context : On April 4, the President of India signed the Tribunal Reforms (Rationalisation
and Conditions of Service) Ordinance, 2021, shutting down the IPAB and many other tribunals
for good.
Concept :
Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB)
• It was constituted on September 15, 2003 by the Indian Government to hear and resolve
the appeals against the decisions of the registrar under the Indian Trademarks Act, 1999
and the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
• Since April 2, 2007, IPAB has been authorized to hear and adjudicate upon the appeals
from most of the decisions, orders or directions made by the Patent Controller under
the Patents Act.
• Therefore, all pending appeals of Indian High Courts under the Patents Act were
transferred to IPAB.
• Organization of an IPAB Bench: Each Bench of the IPAB includes a Judicial Member
and a Technical Member.
• The qualifications for appointment as a technical member of the IPAB are mentioned
in The Trade Marks Act and the Patents Act.
• Jurisdiction: Appeals from the decision of the Controller to the IPAB must be made
within three months from the date of the decision/ order or direction, according to the,
or within such further time as the IPAB permits, with the appropriate fees.
• An extension is available for filing the appeal by way of a Condonation of Delay (COD)
petition.
COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN UNION:
Context : The Council of the European Union approved conclusions on a European Union
strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific to reinforce its strategic focus to contribute to
regional stability at a time of “rising challenges and tensions in the region.
Concept : • The Council tasked the High Representative and the Commission with putting forward
a Joint Communication on cooperation in the Indo-Pacific by September 2021.
• The EU will aim to promote effective rules-based multilateralism, reiterating its support
for ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) centrality, a point also stressed
by India.
Council of the European Union:
• It is part of the essentially bicameral EU legislature (the other legislative body being
the European Parliament) and represents the executive governments (Minister) of the
EU's member states.
• In the Council, government ministers from each EU country meet to discuss, amend
and adopt laws, and coordinate policies. The ministers have the authority to commit
their governments to the actions agreed on in the meetings.
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INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (ISS) PROGRAMME:
Context : Russia’s space agency said it hoped to launch its own orbital station in 2025 as
Moscow considers withdrawing from the International Space Station programme to go it alone.
Concept : • Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin said work had begun on the first module of a new
station, after officials warned that Russia was considering pulling out of the ISS, one of
the few successful examples of cooperation with the West.
• The announcement came with tensions soaring with the West.
• Launched in 1998 and involving Russia, the United States, Canada, Japan, and the
European Space Agency, the ISS is one of the most ambitious international
collaborations in human history.
• Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov said in recent days that Moscow was
considering whether to leave the ISS programme from 2025 because of the station’s
age. Roscosmos said that a decision on quitting the ISS had not yet been made.
• Russia lost its monopoly for manned flights to the ISS last year after the first successful
mission of U.S. company Space X.
• Despite its much-lauded history — Russia this month marked the 60th anniversary of
Yuri Gagarin becoming the first person in orbit — the country’s space programme has
struggled in recent years as president Putin is more interested in military technology
than space exploration.
BOAO FORUM FOR ASIA:
Context : While speaking at the annual Boao Forum, China’s President Xi Jinping said that
global rules cannot be imposed “by one or a few countries”.
Concept : • Headquartered in China, the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) is an international
organization jointly initiated by 29 member states.
• BFA holds its annual conference in Boao, Hainan on a regular basis.
• The founding purpose of BFA was to promote economic integration in Asia. Its mission
now is to pool positive energy for the development of Asia and the world.
• The first conference of BFA was held on Feb. 26-27, 2001 in Boao, Hainan Province,
China.
• The forum, sometimes known as the “Asian Davos” is modelled on the World
Economic Forum held annually in Davos, Switzerland.
• Its fixed address is in Bo'ao, Hainan province, China, although the Secretariat is based
in Beijing.
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE:
Context : US President Joe Biden is preparing to formally acknowledge the Armenian
Genocide, the systematic killing and deportation of hundreds of thousands of Armenians by
the Ottoman Empire that occurred more than a century ago.
Concept : • While Turkey disagrees, the consensus among historians is that during the Armenian
Genocide, between 1915 to 1922, in the First World War, thousands of Armenians
perished due to killings, starvation and disease, when they were deported by Ottoman
Turks from eastern Anatolia.
• It is difficult to estimate the total number of Armenians who died during the genocide,
but the Armenian diaspora says that approximately 1.5 million died.
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• Some researchers have asserted and drawn comparisons between the Holocaust and
the Armenian Genocide and this acknowledgement or wider acknowledgement of it in
the international community may be unwelcome and unpalatable for Turkey.
• Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day is marked annually on April 24.
Armenia
• Armenia is a landlocked country located in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.
• It is a part of the Caucasus region; and is bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to
the north, the Lachin corridor under a Russian peacekeeping force, and Azerbaijan to
the east, and Iran and the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan to the south.
• Its Capital is Yerevan.
INDIA US CLEAN ENERGY INITIATIVE:
Context : Recently, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden
launched the India-US Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership at the Leaders’ Summit on
Climate hosted by the US.
Concept : • India has made an ambitious commitment of achieving the renewable energy target of
450 gigahertz by 2030.
• The Nationally Defined Contributions (NDCs) are each country’s goals towards
achieving the Paris Agreement target of limiting rising temperatures to less than 2
degrees Celsius.
• The US pledged to cut emissions by 50 to 52 per cent of its 2005 levels by 2030
which is double the 2015 goal set by former President Barack Obama.
India-US Clean Energy Initiative • It will help in mobilising investments, demonstrate clean technologies, and enable
green collaborations.
• It will proceed along two main tracks i.e. the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership and
the Climate Action and Finance Mobilization Dialogue, which will build on and
subsume a range of existing processes.
• India and the United States aim to demonstrate how the world can align swift climate
action with inclusive and resilient economic development.
About Leaders’ Summit on Climate • It is a two-day virtual conference hosted by United States.
• It will serve as an opportunity to release their countries climate ambition and how
they will take action to reduce emissions.
The main objectives of this summit are:
• Get the world's major economies to reduce emission in this decade while also getting
the public and private sector involvement.
• Show how climate action can have economic and social benefits and build new
businesses and industries.
• Using the technology available to adapt to climate change but also reduce emissions.
• The world's top five highest emitters are China, The United States, India, Russia and
Japan.
ASEAN EMERGENCY SUMMIT:
Context : ASEAN leaders demand immediate end to 'unacceptable' killings in Myanmar,
following emergency summit.
Concept :
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• At the meeting in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, leaders of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) also told Myanmar's Min Aung Hlaing that they
wanted a commitment from the military chief to restrain his security forces, and for the
release of political prisoners.
• What's resulted is a "five-point consensus", including calls to: end violence
immediately; begin dialogue between opposing groups; create an ASEAN chair to
facilitate dialogue; give more humanitarian assistance; and allow the ASEAN chair to
visit Myanmar.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
• It is a regional grouping that promotes economic, political, and security cooperation.
• It was established on 8th August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand with the signing of the
ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the founding fathers of ASEAN,
namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
• Ten Members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
• Chairmanship: It rotates annually, based on the alphabetical order of the English names
of Member States.
• ASEAN countries have a total population of 650 million people and a combined Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) of USD 2.8 trillion. It is India’s 4th largest trading partner
with about USD 86.9 billion in trade.
• The group has played a central role in Asian economic integration, signing six free-
trade agreements with other regional economies and helping spearhead negotiations for
what could be the world’s largest free trade pact.
CRISIS IN CHAD:
Context : Recently, Chad’s longest serving president Idriss Deby died of injuries sustained
during clashes with the rebel group FACT (Front for Change and Concord in Chad) on the
frontlines.
Concept :
• The motive behind military operations in the Sahel countries is to fight Islamist groups,
monitor political ambitions, and train future African leaders.
• Chad has been France’s most effective and stable Sahel ally in achieving these goals.
• France has nearly 5,100 French soldiers in the Sahel region for France’s Operation
Barkhane which began in 2014 to lead counter-terrorism operations in the Sahel region.
• France says its objective is to help Sahel nations maintain territorial integrity and
prevent rise of Islamist groups that threaten France and the West.
About Chad • It is a landlocked state in north-central Africa.
• It is bounded on the north by Libya, on the east by Sudan, on the south by the Central
African Republic, and on the west by Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger.
• It is the fifth largest country on the African continent.
What is Sahel region of Africa?
• It is a semi-arid region of western and north-central Africa extending from Senegal
eastward to Sudan.
• It forms a transitional zone between the arid Sahara (desert) to the north and the belt of
humid savannas to the south.
• The Sahel stretches from Senegal on the Atlantic coast, through parts of Mauritania,
Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad and Sudan to Eritrea on the Red Sea coast.
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VIENNA CONVENTION ON CONSULAR ACCESS:
Context: Ramesh Taba Sosa, an Indian fisherman, is the latest victim of an inhuman and
skewed system involving India and Pakistan, in which mortal remains of prisoners are not
repatriated for months.
Concept: • India and Pakistan signed the Agreement on Consular Access in 2008. Though the deal
has a few lacunae, it was significant.
• Section 4 of the agreement said, “Each government shall provide consular access within
three months to nationals of one country, under arrest, detention or imprisonment in the
other country.”
• Further, Section 5 of the agreement stated, “Both governments agree to release and
repatriate persons within one month of confirmation of their national status and
completion of sentences.”
Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963
• It is an international treaty that defines consular relations between independent states.
• A consul, who is not a diplomat, is a representative of a foreign state in a country and
works for the interests of his countrymen in the host country.
• Article 36 of the Vienna Convention states that foreign nationals who are arrested or
detained be given notice without delay of their right to have their embassy or consulate
notified of that arrest.
• The notice to the consulate can be as simple as a fax, giving the person’s name, the
place of arrest, and, if possible, something about the reason for the arrest or detention.
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH:
Context : Human Rights Watch said that Israel is committing the crime of “apartheid” by
seeking to maintain Jewish “domination” over Palestinians and its own Arab population.
Concept : • Human Rights Watch (HRW) is an international non-governmental organization,
headquartered in New York City, that conducts research and advocacy on human rights.
• The group pressures governments, policy makers, companies, and individual human
rights abusers to denounce abuse and respect human rights, and the group often works
on behalf of refugees, children, migrants, and political prisoners.
• Human Rights Watch in 1997 shared in the Nobel Peace Prize as a founding member
of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and it played a leading role in the
2008 treaty banning cluster munitions.
• Human Rights Watch was co-founded by Robert L. Bernstein and Aryeh Neier as a
private American NGO in 1978, under the name Helsinki Watch, to monitor the then-
Soviet Union's compliance with the Helsinki Accords.
WORLD MILITARY SPENDING:
Context: Total global military expenditure rose to $1981 billion last year, an increase of
2.6 per cent in real terms from 2019, according to new data published today by the Stockholm
International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Concept: • The five biggest spenders in 2020, which together accounted for 62 per cent of global
military expenditure, were the United States, China, India, Russia and the United
Kingdom.
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• The 2.6 per cent increase in world military spending came in a year when global gross
domestic product (GDP) shrank by 4.4 per cent (October 2020 projection by the
International Monetary Fund), largely due to the economic impacts of the Covid-19
pandemic.
• In 2020 US military expenditure reached an estimated $778 billion, representing an
increase of 4.4 per cent over 2019. As the world’s largest military spender, the USA
accounted for 39 per cent of total military expenditure in 2020.
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute • This think tank is an independent international institute dedicated to research into
conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament.
• It was established in 1966 at Stockholm (Sweden).
• It provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to
policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public.
EXTRADITION:
Context: UK govt approves extradition of Nirav Modi to India
Concept: • As defined by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, ‘Extradition is the delivery on the part
of one State to another of those whom it is desired to deal with for crimes of which they
have been accused or convicted and are justifiable in the Courts of the other State’.
• An Extradition request for an accused can be initiated in the case of under-investigation,
under-trial and convicted criminals.
• In cases under investigation, abundant precautions have to be exercised by the law
enforcement agency to ensure that it is in possession of prima facie evidence to sustain
the allegation before the Courts of Law in the Foreign State.
• The Extradition Act 1962 provides India’s legislative basis for extradition.
• It consolidated the law relating to the extradition of criminal fugitive from India to
foreign states. The Indian Extradition Act, 1962 was substantially modified in 1993 by
Act 66 of 1993.
Nodal authority for Extradition in India
• The Consular, Passport & Visa (CPV) Division, Ministry of External Affairs,
Government of India is the Central/Nodal Authority that administers the Extradition
Act and it processes incoming and outgoing Extradition Requests.
An alleged offender may not be extradited to the requesting state in the following cases:
• No treaty – In absence of a treaty, States are not obligated to extradite aliens/nationals.
• No treaty crime – Extradition is generally limited to crimes identified in the treaty which
may vary in relation to one State from another, as provided by the treaty.
• Military and Political Offences – Extradition may be denied for purely military and
political offences. Terrorist offences and violent crimes are excluded from the
definition of political offences for the purposes of extradition treaties.
• Want of Dual Criminality – Dual criminality exists when conduct constituting the
offence amounts to a criminal offence in both India and the foreign country.
• Procedural considerations – Extradition may be denied when due procedure as required
by the Extradition Act of 1962 is not followed.
VACCINE MAITRI PROGRAMME:
Context: India is unlikely to resume its Vaccine Maitri programme for the neighbourhood,
including Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, until at least July, given the sudden crunch in the
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availability of vaccines amidst a surge in COVID-19 cases, and the government’s plan for
universal vaccination set to start on May 1.
Concept:
Vaccine Maitri • India will supply Made-in-India Covid-19 vaccines to its neighboring and key partner
countries Under its Neighborhood First policy.
• Bhutan and Maldives will be the first to get the vaccines followed by Bangladesh,
Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles.
• Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius will also get doses once they give necessary
regulatory approvals.
• Pakistan has not been named as a neighboring country which will get the vaccine.
• Vaccine will be Supplied to the partner countries in a phased manner, keeping in mind
the demand.
• Earlier Diplomacy measures by India:
• India had earlier supplied Hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir and Paracetamol tablets as
well as diagnostic kits, ventilators, masks, gloves and other medical supplies to a large
number of countries during the pandemic.
• Under the Partnerships for Accelerating Clinical Trials(PACT) programme, India has
also provided training to several neighbouring countries to enhance and strengthen their
clinical capabilities
PACT programme: • It has been launched for supporting COVID-19 vaccine development activities in
partnering countries.
• The initiative is being implemented by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance
Council (BIRAC) and Clinical Development Services Agency(CDSA) under the aegis
of the National Biopharma Mission and Ind-CEPI Mission of DBT.
SCRI:
Context : In a move to counter China’s dominance of supply chain in the Indo-Pacific
region, trade ministers of India, Japan and Australia on Tuesday formally launched the Supply
Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) in a virtual trilateral ministerial meeting.
Concept :
What is it?
• The SCRI aims to create a virtuous cycle of enhancing supply chain resilience with a
view to eventually attaining strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth in the
region.
• Initially, SCRI will focus on sharing best practices on supply chain resilience and
holding investment promotion events and buyer-seller matching events to provide
opportunities for stakeholders to explore the possibility of diversification of their supply
chains.
• Possible policy measures under the initiative may include:
(i) supporting the enhanced utilization of digital technology.
(ii) supporting trade and investment diversification.
Significance: • The SCRI aims to reduce dependence on China amid a likelihood of rechurning of
supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
• It seeks to build upon the existing bilateral frameworks like the Asean-Japan Economic
Resilience Action Plan and India-Japan Industrial Competitiveness Partnership and
attract foreign direct investment in the region.
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ECONOMICS
CRUISE SERVICE:
Context: Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways (I/C) Shri Mansukh Mandaviya
flagged off the Cruise service from Hazira Port of Surat to Diu today via video conferencing.
Concept: • For the cruise between Surat and Diu, the one side voyage time will be approximately
13 to 14 hours.
• The new cruise has a capacity of 300 passengers and has 16 cabins and will sail two
round trips in a week.
• The cruise has a VIP lounge, gaming lounge, entertainment on deck as well as other
modern amenities.
• One side journey of the cruise ship will cost Rs. 900 + Taxes (per head).
Hazira-Ghogha RoPAX Service: • PM Modi earlier inaugurated Hazira-Ghogha RoPAX Service and within four months
of its inauguration, the ferry service was utilized by one lakh passengers and thousands
of vehicles to save the cost of travel and journey time from Hazira (Surat) to Ghogha
(Bhavanagar).
FPI:
Context: Three countries – the US, Mauritius and Luxembourg — accounted for more than
50 per cent of the total foreign portfolio investment (FPI) that India received so far.
Concept : • Out of Rs 44.62 lakh crore investment, US investors accounted for Rs 15.38 lakh crore,
Mauritius Rs 5.29 lakh crore and Luxembourg Rs 3.74 lakh crore, according to data
from National Securities Depository Ltd (NSDL).
Foreign Portfolio Investments • Foreign portfolio investment (FPI) refers to investing in the financial assets of a foreign
country, such as stocks or bonds available on an exchange.
• This type of investment is at times viewed less favorably than direct investment because
portfolio investments can be sold off quickly and are at times seen as short-term
attempts to make money, rather than a long-term investment in the economy.
• Portfolio investments typically have a shorter time frame for investment return than
direct investments.
• As securities are easily traded, the liquidity of portfolio investments makes them much
easier to sell than direct investments. With any equity investment, foreign portfolio
investors usually expect to quickly realize a profit on their investments.
• Portfolio investments are more accessible for the average investor than direct
investments because they require much less investment capital and research.
• Examples of foreign portfolio investments include stocks, bonds, mutual funds,
exchange traded funds, American depositary receipts (ADRs), and global depositary
receipts (GDRs).
TYPES OF STARTUPS:
Context :Investors infused a whopping $4.4 billion into Indian start-ups in the January-
March quarter, according to data sourced from market research firm Venture Intelligence. This
is a decent 26% increase over the same period last year.
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Concept : • Soonicorns are startup companies that have a good possibility of becoming 'unicorns',
with the chance of acquiring late-stage investment.
• In the world of business, the term ‘unicorn’ denotes a private company, many times a
start-up with a stock valuation of over $1 billion.
• The term unicorn is of a recent origin in the business world and was coined by Aileen
Lee in 2013.
• Such companies are called unicorn so as to equate them with the mythical animal
thereby denoting the rarity of such successful businesses.
• Similarly, Decacorn and Hectocorn are other terms used to depict companies valued
over $10 billion and $100 billion respectively.
SMALL SAVINGS INSTRUMENTS:
Context : The government has sharply slashed the rates on all small savings instruments
for the first quarter of 2021-22.
Concept : • It has brought the rate of return on the Public Provident Fund down from 7.1% to 6.4%
and effecting cuts ranging from 40 basis points (0.4%) to 110 basis points (1.1%)
through a notification.
• The sharpest cut was seen in the quarterly interest rate paid on one-year term deposits,
from 5.5% in the January to March quarter to 4.4% in this quarter.
• The rate of return on the Senior Citizen Savings’ Scheme was cut from 7.4% to 6.5%,
while the Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme’s return was reduced from 7.6% to
6.9%.
• The interest rate paid on National Savings Certificate and Kisan Vikas Patra were also
reduced significantly, from 6.8% to 5.9%, and from 6.9% to 6.2%, respectively.
Consequently, the Kisan Vikas Patra, which used to mature in 124 months, will now
mature in 138 months.
• While savings deposits earned the lowest rate of 4% till now, that return has now been
further slashed to 3.5%. Among time deposits, the return on five year deposits has been
reduced from 6.7% to 5.8%.
• For savers, the option with the highest returns at this point is the Sukanya Samriddhi
Account Scheme, followed by the Senior Citizens’ Savings Schemes and the Public
Provident Fund.
About Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: • It is a small deposit scheme for the girl child launched as a part of the ‘Beti Bachao Beti
Padhao’ campaign.
• A Sukanya Samriddhi Account can be opened any time after the birth of a girl till she
turns 10, with a minimum deposit of Rs 250 (Earlier it was Rs 1,000). In subsequent
years, a minimum of Rs 250 and a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh can be deposited during
the ongoing financial year.
• The account can be opened in any post office or authorised branches of commercial
banks.
• The account will remain operative for 21 years from the date of its opening or till the
marriage of the girl after she turns 18.
• To meet the requirement of her higher education expenses, partial withdrawal of 50%
of the balance is allowed after she turns 18.
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CORE OUTPUT SECTORS:
Context : Output of eight core sectors contracts 4.6% in February – highest in six months.
Concept : • The eight-core sector industries include coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products,
fertiliser, steel, cement and electricity
• The eight Core Industries in decreasing order of their weightage: Refinery Products>
Electricity> Steel> Coal> Crude Oil> Natural Gas> Cement> Fertilizers.
• The eight core industries comprise 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index
of Industrial Production (IIP).
• These core industries are considered as main or key industries of the economy and serve
as the backbone of all other industries.
Index of Industrial Production:
• It is an index that tracks manufacturing activity in different sectors of an economy.
• All India IIP is a composite indicator that measures the short-term changes in the
volume of production of a basket of industrial products during a given period.
• It is compiled and published monthly by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
FAIR & RENUMERATIVE PRICES:
Context : Maharashtra sugar mills demand transport subsidy, FRP payment in parts for
survival of industry.
Concept : • Fair and remunerative price (FRP) is the minimum price at which rate sugarcane is to
be purchased by sugar mills from farmers.
• The FRP is fixed by Union government on the basis of recommendations of
Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
• The ‘FRP’ of sugarcane is determined under Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966.
• Recommended FRP is arrived at by taking into account various factors (cost of
production, demand-supply situation, domestic & international prices, inter-crop price
parity etc.
• FRP assures margins to farmers, irrespective of whether sugar mills generate a profit or
not.
• This will be uniformly applicable all over the country. Besides FRP, some states such
as Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, UP and TN announce a State Advised Price, which
is generally higher than the FRP.
Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)
• The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) is an attached office of the
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. It came into
existence in January 1965.
• It is an advisory body whose recommendations are not binding on Government.
NIIF:
Context : Manipal Hospitals in talks to sell minority stake to govt-backed NIIF and raise
around Rs 2,000 crore.
Concept :
National Investment and Infrastructure Fund
• The government had set up the ₹40,000 crore NIIF in 2015 as an investment vehicle for
funding commercially viable greenfield, brownfield and stalled infrastructure projects.
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• The Indian government is investing 49% and the rest of the corpus is to be raised from
third-party investors such as sovereign wealth funds, insurance and pension funds,
endowments, etc.
• NIIF’s mandate includes investing in areas such as energy, transportation, housing,
water, waste management and other infrastructure-related sectors in India.
• NIIF currently manages three funds each with its distinctive investment mandate. The
funds are registered as Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) with the Securities and
Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
The three funds are:
• Master Fund: It is an infrastructure fund with the objective of primarily investing in
operating assets in the core infrastructure sectors such as roads, ports, airports, power
etc.
• Fund of Funds: Managed by fund managers who have good track records in
infrastructure and associated sectors in India. Some of the sectors of focus include
Green Infrastructure, Mid-Income & Affordable Housing, Infrastructure services and
allied sectors.
• Strategic Investment Fund: Is registered as an Alternative Investment Fund II under
SEBI in India. The objective is to invest largely in equity and equity-linked instruments.
It will focus on green field and brown field investments in the core infrastructure
sectors.
REAL EXCHANGE RATE:
Concept:
Real Effective Exchange Rate – REER
• The real effective exchange rate (REER) is the weighted average of a country's currency
in relation to an index or basket of other major currencies.
• The weights are determined by comparing the relative trade balance of a country's
currency against each country within the index.
• This exchange rate is used to determine an individual country's currency value relative
to the other major currencies in the index.
• Countries with the largest trading relationships would typically have the largest
weightings in this comparative index, while countries with small trading relationships
would have smaller weightings in the basket of currencies.
• REER is used to evaluate how a currency is fluctuating against many others at once,
and is also used in international trade assessments.
NEER • The nominal effective exchange rate (NEER) is an unadjusted weighted average rate at
which one country’s currency exchanges for a basket of multiple foreign currencies.
• The nominal exchange rate is the amount of domestic currency needed to purchase
foreign currency.
• In economics, the NEER is an indicator of a country’s international competitiveness in
terms of the foreign exchange (forex) market. Forex traders sometimes refer to the
NEER as the trade-weighted currency index.
• The NEER may be adjusted to compensate for the inflation rate of the home country
relative to the inflation rate of its trading partners. The resulting figure is the real
effective exchange rate (REER).
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G-SAP:
Context : Recently, the governor of RBI has announced a new programme called
Government Securities Acquisition Programme (G-SAP).
Concept :
Government Securities Acquisition Programme (G-SAP)
• Under G-SAP, the RBI will purchase government securities worth Rs 1 lakh crore in
the first quarter of FY22.
• It is a structured purchase program which will definitely calm investors’ nerves and
help market participants to bid better in scheduled auctions and reduce volatility in bond
prices.
Significance of G-SAP • The G-SAP aims to provide more comfort to the bond market in the backdrop of the
government’s elevated borrowing for this year, which the RBI has to ensure goes
through without causing disruption.
• It will provide certainty to the bond market participants with regard to RBI’s
commitment of support to the bond market in FY22.
• The market participants have always wanted to know the RBI’s Open Market
Operations (OMO) purchase calendar, and the RBI has now provided that to the market
through G-SAP.
• It will help reduce the spread between the repo rate and the 10-year government bond
yield which will help to reduce the aggregate cost of borrowing for the Centre and states
in FY22.
MSME PRE-PACK:
Context: The Centre has used the Ordinance route to introduce pre-packaged insolvency
resolution process (pre-pack) for companies classified as micro, small and medium enterprises
(MSMEs).
Concept:
Pre-Packs: • A pre-pack is an agreement for the resolution of the debt of a distressed company
through an agreement between secured creditors and investors instead of a public
bidding process.
• This system of insolvency proceedings has become an increasingly popular mechanism
for insolvency resolution in the UK and Europe over the past decade.
• In India’s case, such a system would likely require that financial creditors agree on
terms with potential investors and seek approval of the resolution plan from the
National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).
Need for Pre-Packs: • Slow progress in the resolution of distressed companies has been one of the key issues
raised by creditors regarding the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP)
under the IBC.
• CIRP is the process of resolving the corporate insolvency of a corporate debtor in
accordance with the provisions of the Code.
• Under the IBC, stakeholders are required to complete the CIRP within 330 days of the
initiation of insolvency proceedings.
Key Features of Pre-Packs:
• Pre-Pack usually requires services of an insolvency practitioner to assist the
stakeholders in the conduct of the process.
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• The extent of authority of the practitioner varies across jurisdictions.
• Pre-pack envisages a consensual process - prior understanding among or approval by
stakeholders about the course of action to address stress of a Corporate Debtor (CD),
before invoking the formal part of the process.
• No requirement of Court Approval: It does not always require approval of a court.
Wherever it requires approval, the courts often get guided by commercial wisdom of
the parties.
• Outcome of the pre-pack process, where approved by the court, is binding on all
stakeholders.
FCAT:
Context: FCAT abolition will make releasing films even more tedious: Filmmakers
Concept:
Film Certification Appellate Tribunal
• The Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) is a statutory body constituted under
the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as per Section 5(D) of the Cinematograph
Act, 1952.
• The FCAT hears appeals filed by applicants aggrieved by any order of the Central
Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
• The FCAT was established in 1991 and it is headquartered in New Delhi. Generally, an
appeal against a CBFC order to the FCAT would be followed by a second review of the
film by the Censor Board.
• An aggrieved person has to file an appeal within 30 days from the date of the CBFC
order.
• An appeal against a decision of the FCAT can be made to the head of the Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting or through the country’s legal system.
• The FCAT is headed by a Chairman who is generally a retired Supreme Court judge.
He/she is assisted by other members of the Tribunal.
APPRECIATION &DEPRECIATION OF RUPEE:
Context : Indian Rupee fell sharply by 105 paise against the dollar on Wednesday.
Concept :
Appreciation and Depreciation of Currency
• In a floating exchange rate system, market forces (based on demand and supply of a
currency) determine the value of a currency.
• Currency Appreciation: It is an increase in the value of one currency in relation to
another currency.
• Currencies appreciate against each other for a variety of reasons, including government
policy, interest rates, trade balances and business cycles.
• Currency appreciation discourages a country's export activity as its products and
services become costlier to buy.
• Currency Depreciation: It is a fall in the value of a currency in a floating exchange rate
system.
• Economic fundamentals, political instability, or risk aversion can cause currency
depreciation.
• Currency depreciation encourages a country's export activity as its products and
services become cheaper to buy.
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FERTILIZER PRICING:
Context: After diesel, fertilizers to take toll on farmers; IFFCO hikes prices by 45-58%
Concept: • Farmers buy fertilisers at MRPs (maximum retail price) below their normal supply-and-
demand-based market rates or what it costs to produce/import them.
• The difference between the retail price and production cost/domestic price is given as
subsidy to manufacturers.
Present regime – Partial DBT (Since April 2018)
• The subsidy goes to fertiliser companies, although its ultimate beneficiary is the farmer
who pays MRPs less than the market-determined rates.
• Manufacturers of fertilizers (urea) receive 100% of subsidy after fertiliser is delivered
to the farmer, and the latter’s identity viz. Aadhaar is captured on the point of sale (PoS)
machine at the dealer’s shop.
• Therefore, the subsidy continues to be routed through manufacturers even though the
sale of fertilizer is being verified using Aadhar ecosystem
• The manufacturers sell urea at the maximum retail price (MRP) controlled by the
Centre, which is kept at a low level. They also get subsidy reimbursement on unit-
specific basis under the new pricing scheme (NPS).
• The MRPs of non-urea fertilisers are decontrolled or fixed by the companies. The
Centre, however, pays a flat per-tonne subsidy on these nutrients to ensure they are
priced at “reasonable levels (based on Nutrient based Subsidy scheme)
Recent proposal: • At present, the Centre is following a “no denial” policy. Anybody, non-farmers
included, can purchase any quantity of fertilisers through the PoS machines. It leads to
bulk purchase of urea that is used for non agri purposes.
• Hence , government is considering to put a cap on the maximum amount of fertilisers
anybody can buy during kharif/rabi seasons.
DIRECT TAX:
Context : The Centre’s direct tax collections, net of refunds, were estimated at Rs 9.45 lakh
crore during 2020-21, around 5% higher than the revised estimates of Rs 9.05 lakh crore for
the financial year, the government said.
Concept : • A direct tax is a tax that a person or organization pays directly to the entity that imposed
it.
• An individual taxpayer, for example, pays direct taxes to the government for various
purposes, including income tax, real property tax, personal property tax, or taxes on
assets.
• There are also indirect taxes, such as sales taxes, where a tax is levied on the seller but
paid by the buyer.
Corporate Tax: • It is levied on a firm's profit by the government.
• It is taxed on operating earnings after expenses have been deducted.
• The rate of corporate tax in India varies from one type of company to another i.e.
domestic corporations and foreign corporations pay tax at different rates .
Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT):
• Dividend refers to the distribution of profits to shareholders of a company.
• Thus, the dividend distribution tax is a type of tax that is payable on the dividends
offered to its shareholders by the corporate.
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• Higher dividends mean a greater tax burden for the corporate entity.
Minimum Alternate Tax • At times it may happen that a taxpayer, being a company, may have generated income
during the year, but by taking the advantage of various provisions of Income-tax Law
(like exemptions, deductions, depreciation, etc.), it may have reduced its tax liability or
may not have paid any tax at all.
• Due to an increase in the number of zero tax paying companies, Minimum Alternate
Tax (MAT) was introduced by the Finance Act, 1987 with effect from assessment year
1988-89. Later on, it was withdrawn by the Finance Act, 1990 and then reintroduced
by Finance Act, 1996.
• MAT is an important tool with which tax avoidance can be prevented.
INDIA ENERGY DASHBOARD:
Context: The India Energy Dashboards Version 2.0 was launched by NITI Aayog.
Concept: • India Energy Dashboards (IED) is an endeavour to provide single-window access to the
energy data for the country.
• Energy data published/provided by Central Electricity Authority, Coal Controller’s
Organisation, and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is compiled in the
Dashboards.
• NITI Aayog launched the Version 1.0 in May 2017.
The key features of the enhanced version, India Energy Dashboards Version 2.0, are -
• The IED provides time series data from FY 2005-06 until FY 2019-20;
• Enhanced data download – It enables easy downloading of data into convenient
spreadsheet formats in a cleaner, more intuitive way;
• IED provides data at sub-yearly frequencies as well. This includes monthly data and
API linked data from some portals maintained by the government agencies.
• The monthly data is sourced from the monthly reports that are regularly published for
the electricity, petroleum and natural gas sectors.
• API linked data from Saubhagya, UJALA, PRAAPTI, and Vidyut PRAVAH has been
incorporated in the portal.
SMALLCASES:
Concept:
• A smallcase is a basket of stocks that may reflect a particular investment theme, idea or
a sector. So, a dividend-yield smallcase may be made up of high dividend paying stocks
and an IT smallcase, of leading software firms.
• Smallcase today hosts dozens of ready-made portfolios and investing strategies that
have been created by SEBI-licensed professionals such as brokers and research
analysts, using quantitative models and algorithms to screen and weight constituents.
• Smallcase, which provides infrastructure to the creators of these portfolios, is partnered
with all leading brokerages including Zerodha, HDFC Securities, Kotak Securities,
Axis Direct, Edelweiss and Angel Broking.
• While some brokerage houses curate their own in-house smallcases, some rely on
smallcases built by a subsidiary of Smallcase, Windmill Capital.
• To invest in smallcases you need a demat account. When you buy/sell a smallcase, the
stocks/ETFs featuring in it will be credited or debited to your account.
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• The minimum investment amount may vary depending on the stocks that make up a
smallcase. Once a smallcase is chosen, you can invest a lumpsum or choose to run a
systematic investment in it.
• Standard brokerage charges are applicable. In addition, there will be a nominal, one-
time registration fee of ₹100-150.
MSME BOARD:
Context: Most non-official members in new MSME Board have BJP links.
Concept: • Under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006, Government
of India established The National Board for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
(NBMSME) to examine the factors affecting promotion and development of MSME.
• This board also reviews the existing policies and suggests recommendations to the
Government for the growth of the MSME sector
The services provided by the MSME Board are as follows:
• Facilities for testing, toolmenting, training for entrepreneurship development
• Preparation of project and product profiles
• Technical and managerial consultancy
• Assistance for exports
• Pollution and energy audits.
ON TAP LICENSE FOR UNIVERSAL, SFB's:
Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday unveiled the names of eight
applicants for ‘on-tap’ licence of universal banks and small finance banks.
Concept:
What is On Tap license? • On-tap licensing means that the window for getting a bank license from RBI is open
throughout the year.
• Earlier, RBI used to invite applications for giving bank licenses, and prospective
players submitted their applications within a fixed time-frame as prescribed by RBI.
This arrangement was not open all the time.
• Now, virtually anyone, who fulfils the criteria, can apply for a bank license anytime.
Universal Banks: • Universal Banks are the financial entities like the commercial banks, Financial
Institutions, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), which undertake multiple
financial activities under one roof, thereby creating a financial supermarket.
• The entities focus on leveraging their large branch network and offer a wide range of
services under a single brand name/Bank’s name.
Small Finance Banks (SFBs): • Small Finance Banks are the financial institutions which provide financial services to
the unserved and unbanked region of the country.
• They are registered as a public limited company under the Companies Act, 2013.
• Eligible candidates for setting up SFB are:
Resident individuals/professionals with 10 years of experience in banking and
finance.
The companies and societies owned and controlled by residents.
Existing Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs), Micro Finance Institutions
(MFIs), Local Area Banks (LABs) and payment banks that are owned and controlled by
residents.
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• It needs to open at least 25% of its banking outlets in unbanked rural centres.
• The bank will be required to extend 75% of its adjusted net bank credit to the Priority
Sector Lending (PSL).
• At least 50% of its loan portfolio should constitute loans and advances of up to ₹ 25
lakhs.
• The maximum loan size and investment limit exposure to a single and group would be
restricted to 10% and 15% of its capital funds, respectively. They cannot extend large
loans.
• If the initial shareholding by promoters in the bank is in excess of 40% of paid-up voting
equity capital, it should be brought down to 40% within a period of 5 years.
• The small finance banks will be subject to Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) and Statutory
Liquidity Ratio (SLR).
PRIVATE SECTOR BANKS:
Context : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) fixed the tenure of MD, CEO and whole-time
director (WTD) in a private sector bank at 15 years and prescribed the maximum age of 70
years for such functionaries.
Concept : • These directives form part of the instructions issued by the RBI with regard to the chair
and meetings of the board, composition of certain committees of the board, age, tenure
and remuneration of directors, and appointment of the WTDs.
• The RBI said it would come out with a Master Direction on Corporate Governance in
banks in due course.
• The post of the MD & CEO or WTD cannot be held by the same incumbent for more
than 15 years.
• Thereafter, the individual will be eligible for re-appointment as MD & CEO or WTD
in the same bank, if considered necessary and desirable by the board, after a minimum
gap of three years, subject to meeting other conditions.
• It added that during this three-year cooling period, the individual shall not be appointed
or associated with the bank or its group entities in any capacity, either directly or
indirectly.
• With regard to upper age limit for MD & CEO and WTDs in the private sector banks,
the RBI said that no person can continue in such positions beyond the age of 70. The
maximum age limit for chairman and non-executive directors has been fixed at 75 years.
INSURANCE PENETRATION & DENSITY:
Context: In yet another remarkable move, both the houses of Parliament have passed the
Insurance Amendment Bill in the budget session. The Bill amends the Insurance Act 1938,
increasing the FDI limit from 49% to 74%.
Concept:
Insurance Penetration
• Insurance penetration measures the contribution of insurance premium to the Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) of a country in percentage terms.
• For instance, if a country generates a total insurance premium of say, USD10 billion
and that country’s GDP for the same period is USD100 billion, insurance penetration
translates to 10% (i.e USD10b/USD100b * 100).
Insurance Density • Insurance density, on the other hand, is the ratio of insurance premium to the total
population.
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• It gives an indication of how much each of the people in a country spends on insurance
in terms of premium.
• In other words, it is the per capital premium for the country, calculated by dividing the
total insurance premium by the population. For example, if the population of the
country in the above example is 10 million people, the insurance density (per capital
premium) would be USD1,000.
P-NOTES:
Context: Investments through participatory notes (P-notes) in the Indian capital market
declined to Rs 89,100 crore at March-end, after hitting 33 months high level in the preceding
month.
Concept: • Participatory Notes or P-Notes (PNs) are financial instruments issued by a registered
foreign institutional investor (FII) to an overseas investor who wishes to invest in Indian
stock markets without registering themselves with the market regulator, the Securities
and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
• P-Notes are Offshore Derivative Investments (ODIs) with equity shares or debt
securities as underlying assets.
• They provide liquidity to the investors as they can transfer the ownership by
endorsement and delivery.
• While the FIIs have to report all such investments each quarter to SEBI, they need not
disclose the identity of the actual investors.
FALLING GAS & OIL PRODUCTION:
Context : India’s crude oil and natural gas production have been falling consistently since
2011-12 with Covid-19 related delays are among the key reasons cited by producers behind
lower production.
Concept :
Reasons for falling oil and gas production
• The experts have noted that most of India’s crude oil and natural gas production comes
from ageing wells that have become less productive over time.
• There was no more easy oil and gas available in India and producers would have to
invest in extracting oil and gas using technologically intensive means from more
difficult fields such as ultra-deep water fields.
• The experts noted that the interest from foreign payers in oil and gas exploration in
India had been low.
• The crude oil production in India is dominated by two major state-owned exploration
and production companies, ONGC and Oil India.
Recommendation of government to increase oil and gas production • The government has asked ONGC to boost its investments in explorations and increase
tie-ups with foreign players to provide technological support in extracting oil and gas
from difficult oil and gas fields.
• The government may consider providing fiscal incentives to attract foreign players to
India’s upstream sector.
• The boost in oil and gas production has also been a key part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat
initiative and its goal to boost the use of natural gas in India’s primary energy mix from
the current 6.2 per cent to 15 per cent by 2030.
Impact of low oil and gas production
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• The low domestic production of crude oil and natural gas makes India more reliant on
imports.
• It increases the India’s Current Account Deficit as well as Fiscal deficit due to heavy
dependence on imports.
• The share of imports as a proportion of overall crude oil consumption in India has risen
from 81.8 per cent in FY2012 to 87.6 per cent in FY2020.
TALCHER FERTILIZERS LTD. (TFL):
Context: Union Cabinet has given its approval for the proposal of the Department of
Fertilizers for the formulation of exclusive subsidy policy for Urea produced through coal
gasification route by Talcher Fertilizers Limited (TFL).
Concept: • Considering the strategic energy security and urea self-sufficiency of the country,
looking into the country's vast coal reserves, it has been decided go ahead with Talcher
Fertilizer Limited plant based on coal gasification technology.
• The project shall improve availability of fertilizer to farmers thereby boosting
development of eastern region and will save transport subsidy for supply of urea in
eastern part of the country.
• It would assist in reducing Urea imports to the tune of 12.7 LMT per annum leading to
savings in foreign exchange.
Background • Talcher Fertilizers Ltd. (TFL) is a Joint Venture Company of four PSUs namely
Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers (RCF), GAIL (India) Ltd. (GAIL), Coal India Ltd.
(CIL) and Fertilizer Corporation of India Ltd. (FCIL) which was incorporated on 13th
November, 2015.
• TFL is reviving the erstwhile Talcher plant of Fertilizer Corporation of India Ltd.
(FCIL) by setting up a now greenfield Urea Plant with the installed capacity of 12.7
Lakh Metric Ton per annum (LMTPA). The estimated project cost of the TFL Urea
project is 13277.21 Crore (+/-10%).
RBI TO ISSUE CYBERSECURITY NORMS:
Context : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will soon issue cybersecurity norms for
payment service providers (PSPs), following a series of data breaches faced by operators
including Mobikwik and payment aggregator JusPay.
Concept : • While the standards for fintech-driven payment services providers will be similar to
cyber hygiene norms issued recently for banks and non-banking finance companies
(NBFCs), the RBI is quite clear that firms will have to do more than observe the
minimum standards to ensure safety as digital transactions gain further traction.
• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) had laid down a framework for a
more even distribution of share of third-party app providers in the UPI system.
NPCI
• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is an umbrella organisation for
operating retail payments and settlement systems under the ownership of Reserve Bank
of India in India.
• Founded in: 2008.
• Headquarters: Mumbai.
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NATIONAL PENSION SYSTEM:
Concept : • Started as the New Pension Scheme for government employees in 2004 under a new
regulator called the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA),
the National Pension System (NPS) has been open for individuals from all walks of life
to participate.
• The law regulating the NPS allows members to withdraw just 60% of their accumulated
savings at the time of retirement. With the remaining 40%, it is mandatory to buy an
annuity product that provides a fixed monthly income to retirees till their demise.
• Members who accumulate up to ₹2 lakh in their NPS account at the time of retirement
are exempted from the mandatory annuitisation, and can withdraw the full amount.
What overhaul is the PFRDA planning? • Last week, PFRDA chairman said this limit will soon be revised to ₹5 lakh.
• Separately, the regulator has decided that the annuity purchase stipulation for 40% of
members’ retirement corpus should be dropped altogether. Legislative amendments to
this effect are being worked out for Parliament’s approval.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE:
Context: To support the economy battered by sporadic state specific lockdowns, the
government is currently focussed on effective implementation of the Budget proposals as they
have a lot stimulus already built into them, two senior government officials said.
Concept: • While the Central government has announced steps to ease imports of oxygen as well
as related medical equipment, and extended the emergency credit line facility to
stressed companies, another round of economic package is yet to be discussed.
• Sources said the idea is to get the capital expenditure going and explore the possibility
of any fresh economic package later on, depending upon how the economic situation
evolves.
• In the 2021-22 Budget Estimates (BE), capital expenditure has been pegged at Rs 5.54
lakh crore, a rise of 34.5 per cent over the 2020-21 BE of Rs 4.12 lakh crore and 26.2
per cent increase over FY21 Revised Estimates (RE) of Rs 4.39 lakh crore.
Capital Expenditure • There are the expenditures of the government that result in the creation of physical or
financial assets, or depletion in financial liabilities.
• This incorporates expenditure on the investment of building, land, equipment,
machinery, investment in shares, and loans and advances by the central government to
state and union territory governments, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and other
parties.
• They are irregular, non-recurring and long term expenditure.
SEBI DEBT RATING NORMS:
Context : Markets regulator SEBIcame out with a new framework to strengthen policies
on provisional rating by credit rating agencies (CRAs) for debt instruments.
Concept : • Under the framework, all provisional ratings (‘long term’ or ‘short term’) for debt
instruments need to be prefixed as ‘provisional’ before the rating symbol in all
communications — rating letter, press release and rating rationale.
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• Further, a rating will be considered provisional in cases where certain compliances that
are crucial to the assignment of credit rating are yet to be complied with or certain
documentations remain to be executed at the time of rating.
• On validity period, SEBI said provisional rating will be converted into a final rating
within 90 days from the date of issuance of the instrument.
Provisional Rating • A bond rating that is subject to change based upon certain conditions. For example, if
the project a bond was intended to finance is completed and begins generating revenue,
a provisional rating is likely to increase.
• On the other hand, if an issuer's debt reaches too high a level, a provisional rating is
likely to decrease. It is also called a conditional rating.
CURRENCY WATCH LIST:
Context: India is one of 11 countries on the U.S. Treasury’s ‘Monitoring List’ with regard
to their currency practices as per the April 2021 edition.
Concept:
Currency Manipulators:
• This is a label given by the US government to countries it feels are engaging in “unfair
currency practices” by deliberately devaluing their currency against the dollar.
• The practice would mean that the country in question is artificially lowering the value
of its currency to gain an unfair advantage over others. This is because the devaluation
would reduce the cost of exports from that country and artificially show a reduction in
trade deficits as a result.
Currency Manipulator Watch List:
• The US Department of Treasury releases the semi-annual report where it has to track
developments in international economies and inspect foreign exchange rates.
• Criteria: An economy meeting two of the three criteria in the Trade Facilitation and
Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 is placed on the Watch List. This includes:
• A “significant” bilateral trade surplus with the US — one that is at least USD 20 billion
over a 12-month period.
• A material current account surplus equivalent to at least 2% of gross domestic product
(GDP) over a 12-month period.
• “Persistent”, one-sided intervention — when net purchases of foreign currency totalling
at least 2% of the country’s GDP over a 12 month period are conducted repeatedly, in
at least six out of 12 months.
• Consequence: Inclusion in the list does not subject to any kind of penalty and
sanctions but it deteriorates the global financial image of the country in the financial
markets in terms of foreign exchange policies including undervaluation of currencies
to gain export advantages.
SEBI NORMS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS:
Context :ecently, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has said that a minimum
20% of the compensation of mutual fund managers in an asset management company (AMC)
should be in the form of units of the mutual fund schemes they manage.
Concept :
What are changes announced by SEBI?
• The SEBI has specified the rules of allocation of this 20% by saying that is should be
proportional to the assets under management of the schemes in which an employee has
a role or oversight.
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• The SEBI has also said that a fund manager who manages only one fund will have at
least 50% of this type of compensation in the scheme she manages.
• The regulator has also specified that the units offered by way of compensation are
locked-in for three years.
Reasons for changes announced by SEBI • The primary objective of new rule is to align the interest of the key employees of the
AMCs with the unit holders of the mutual fund schemes.
• The SEBI wants fund managers to have skin in the game, or demonstrate to investors
that they have confidence in the schemes they manage.
REFORM LINKED BORROWING:
Context: States implementing key institutional reforms can borrow Rs 1.06 lakh crore
more.
Concept: • The Finance Ministry has permitted additional borrowings of Rs 1.06 lakh crore as at
March-end to those states which have carried out some key institutional reforms. Last
October, the Central government had linked permission for additional borrowing of 1
per cent of their GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product) to implementation of four
critical reforms.
• Sources said additional borrowing limit of Rs 37,600 crore has been given to states for
implementing the ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ system, while another Rs 39,521 of
borrowing has been allowed to 20 states that implemented Ease of Doing Business
reforms.
• Eleven states that have implemented urban local body and utility reforms have been
given additional borrowing limits of Rs 15,957 crore. Another 17 states received
borrowing limit of Rs 13,201 crore in lieu of power sector reforms.
• In providing leeway for extra borrowings, the Centre had stressed on the need to push
reforms in citizen-centric areas and processes.
COMPULSORY LICENSING:
Context : Govt should not hesitate to invoke compulsory licensing of drugs under Patent Act
if necessary: Delhi High Court.
Concept : • The Patents Act, 1970 was amended three times in 1999, 2002, 2005 respectively to
include the concept of ‘compulsory license’ and these are given in the sections 84-92
of the Indian Patents Act, 1970.
• A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention, whether it is a product or a
process which gives a new technical solution to a problem, and this patent is granted
for a specific period to the inventor.
What are ‘compulsory licenses’ under the Patents Act?
• In simple terms, compulsory licenses are authorizations given to a third-party by the
Government to make, use or sell a particular product or use a particular process which
has been patented, without the need of the permission of the patent owner.
• The provisions regarding compulsory licenses are given in the Indian Patents Act, 1970
and in the TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) Agreement
at the International level.
• Although this works against the patent holder, generally compulsory licenses are only
considered in certain cases of national emergency, and health crisis. There are certain
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pre-requisite conditions which need to be fulfilled if the Government wants to grant a
compulsory license in favor of someone.
• Under Indian Patents Act, 1970 the provisions of ‘compulsory license’ are specifically
given under Chapter XVI, and the conditions which need to be fulfilled are given is
Sections 84-92 of the said Act.
Section 84
• At any time after the expiration of three years from the date of the grant of a patent, any
person interested may make an application to the Controller for grant of compulsory
license on patent on any of the following grounds, namely:
• That the reasonable requirements of the public with respect to the patented invention
have not been satisfied, or
• that the patented invention is not available to the public at a reasonably affordable price,
or
• that the patented invention is not worked in the territory of India.
However compulsory licenses may also be granted under ,
• Section 92 A– For exports, under exceptional circumstances.
• Section 92A– In case of national emergency, extreme urgency of public non-
commercial use by notification of the Central Government
• Section 92 A (1) – To a country which has insufficient or no manufacturing power in
the pharmaceutical sector to address public health.
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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
DNA PROFILING:
Context : Rape-accused to move court after DNA report rules out his paternity.
Concept : • DNA fingerprinting or DNA profiling is method of isolating and identifying variable
elements within the base-pair sequence of DNA.
• DNA fingerprinting technology is utilised by police all over the world for fool-proof
identification of criminals who leave their traces at crime scene while committing
crime.
• The technology plays a crucial role in solving crimes as it has potential to link a series
of crimes by placing the suspects by linking them with the crime scene.
Significance • It is extremely useful and accurate technology in ascertaining the identity of a person
from his/her DNA sample, or establishing biological relationships between individuals.
• As a result, DNA technology is being increasingly relied upon in investigations of
crime, identification of unidentified bodies, or in determining parentage.
• But information from DNA samples can reveal intrusive information like their allergies,
or susceptibility to diseases. As a result, there is a greater risk of information from DNA
analysis getting misused.
C BAND SPECTRUM:
Context : Intelsat reported a 7% drop in revenue for 2020 after declines in multiple business
units, underlining the importance of C-band clearing proceeds for the satellite operator’s
recovery efforts.
Concept : • The C band is a designation by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
(IEEE) for a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in the microwave range of
frequencies ranging from 4.0 to 8.0 gigahertz (GHz).
• However, this definition is the one used by radar manufacturers and users, not
necessarily by microwave radio telecommunications users.
• The C band (4 to 8 GHz) is used for many satellite communications transmissions, some
Wi-Fi devices, some cordless telephones as well as some surveillance and weather radar
systems.
EFFECTS OF CORONA VIRUS ON BRAIN:
Context: SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, likely does not directly infect the
brain but can still inflict significant neurological damage, a new study suggests.
Concept: When it comes to the brain and nerves, the virus appears to have four main sets of effects:
• A confused state (known as delirium or encephalopathy), sometimes with psychosis
and memory disturbance.
• Inflammation of the brain (known as encephalitis). This includes a form showing
inflammatory lesions – acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) – together with
the effects of low oxygen in the brain.
• Blood clots, leading to stroke (including in younger patients).
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• Potential damage to the nerves in the body, causing pain and numbness (for example in
the form of post-infectious Guillain-Barré syndrome, in which your body’s immune
system attacks your nerves).
NEW EMISSION NORMS FOR COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS:
Context : The government has pushed back deadlines for coal-fired power plants to adopt
new emission norms by up to three years, and allowed utilities that miss the new target to
continue operating after paying a penalty, according to a notice.
Concept : • India had initially set a 2017 deadline for thermal power plants to install Flue Gas
Desulphurization (FGD) units that cut emissions of sulphur dioxides. But that was
postponed to varying deadlines for different regions, ending in 2022.
• The new order dated April 1 from the environment Ministry said plants near populous
regions and the capital New Delhi will have to comply by 2022, while utilities in less
polluting areas have up to 2025 to comply or retire units.
• Operators of coal-fired utilities have long been lobbying for dilution of the pollution
standards, citing high compliance costs.
• A task force will be constituted by the Central Pollution Control Board to categorise
plants in three categories “on the basis of their location to comply with the emission
norms”.
• In case of non-compliance, a penalty of up to ₹0.20 will be levied for every unit of
electricity produced.
GLASHOW RESONANCE:
Context : The neutrino observatory in Antarctica sees evidence of Glashow resonance.
Concept : • In 1959, the physicist Sheldon Lee Glashow predicted that the collision between
electron-antineutrino (the antiparticle version of the electron-neutrino) and an electron
at rest via the weak (nuclear) force can, at a particular incident antineutrino energy, give
rise to the formation of the (then) hypothetical particle called W-boson through a
resonance process.
• The W-boson, being extremely short-lived, would quickly decay into other particles
characteristic of the process, which should be observable.
• Resonance means, for instance, in mechanical systems and musical instruments. It
results in the enhancement of an effect at an instant when a certain variable of the
mechanical system or the musical instrument, say its frequency, gets tuned to a
particular value.
• In particle physics, it refers to a sudden enhancement in the probability of occurrence
of some particle interaction at a particular total energy of the interacting particles.
• In the scattering between electron-antineutrino and electron that Glashow considered,
the production of W-boson shows up as a peak in the cross section (a measure of
probability) of that process at a particular energy.
DECISION REVIEW SYSTEM:
Context : The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) cricket committee has made changes to
the way lbws will be decided under the Decision Review System (DRS).
Concept :
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• The “wicket zone”, the area of the stumps a ball must hit for an on-field not-out decision
to be overturned, which previously ended below the bails, will now extend all the way
up to the top.
• The committee also decided to retain the umpire’s call, an element that allows the on-
field decision to stand when there is no conclusive evidence to overturn it.
• A player can also ask the umpire whether an attempt was made to play the ball before
deciding to review an lbw call.
What necessitated the review? • Under DRS, 50% of the ball should predictively hit the “wicket zone” for an on-field
not-out decision to be reversed.
• Earlier, if the ball-tracking simulation showed the ball to be clipping the bails, the on-
field verdict, even if it was not out, stood because the “wicket zone” ended below the
bails.
• This left both players and supporters exasperated because two balls, both predictively
shown to be hitting the stumps, can both be out and not out depending on the on-field
umpire’s call.
• The 50% test is also applied for balls projected to hit the outside of the off-stump or
leg-stump.
DIGITAL RMB:
Context : China in February 2021 launched the latest round of pilot trials of its new digital
currency, with reported plans of a major roll-out by the end of the year and ahead of the Winter
Olympics in Beijing in February 2022.
Concept : • Officially titled the Digital Currency Electronic Payment (DCEP), the digital RMB (or
Renminbi, China’s currency) is, as its name suggests, a digital version of China’s
currency.
• It can be downloaded and exchanged via an application authorised by the People’s Bank
of China (PBOC), China’s central bank.
• China is among a small group of countries that have begun pilot trials; others include
Sweden, South Korea and Thailand.
How is it different from an e-wallet? • Unlike an e-wallet such as Paytm in India, or Alipay or WeChat Pay, which are the two
dominant apps in China, the Digital RMB does not involve a third party. For users, the
experience may broadly feel the same.
• But from a “legal perspective”, the digital currency is “very, very different”. This is
legal tender guaranteed by the central bank, not a payment guaranteed by a third-party
operator. There is no third-party transaction, and hence, no transaction fee.
• Unlike e-wallets, the digital currency does not require Internet connectivity. The
payment is made through Near-field Communication (NFC) technology.
• Also, unlike non-bank payment platforms that require users to link bank accounts, this
can be opened with a personal identification number.
Significance • While several countries have been experimenting with digital currencies, China’s recent
trials in several cities have placed it ahead of the curve.
• The central bank-issued digital RMB will turn the logic of decentralised
cryptocurrencies on its head, without the privacy and anonymity they offer, by giving
regulators complete control over transactions. There are global motivations as well.
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DIPHTHERIA:
Context : Researchers from India, the U.K. and Russia have analysed a large collection of
502 genomes sourced from over 16 countries and collected from over a period of 122 years of
the bacterium that causes diphtheria – Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
Concept : • Diphtheria is primarily caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
• Symptoms: Common cold, fever, chills, swollen gland in neck, sore throat, bluish skin
etc.
• The primary infection is in the throat and upper airways. Produces a toxin affecting
other organs.
• One type of diphtheria affects the throat and sometimes the tonsils.
• Another type causes ulcers on the skin.
• It is mainly spread by coughs and sneezes, or through close contact with someone
infected.
• Target Population: Diphtheria particularly affects children aged 1 to 5 years.
• Occurrence of diphtheria cases in under-five children reflects low coverage of primary
diphtheria vaccination.
• Fatality Rate: Diphtheria is fatal in only 5-10% cases.
• Fatality Rate is the proportion of people who die from a specified disease among all
individuals diagnosed with the disease over a certain period of time.
• Treatment: Administering diphtheria antitoxin to neutralize the effects of the toxin, as
well as antibiotics to kill the bacteria.
• Diphtheria is preventable with use of antibiotics and vaccines.
• Vaccination: The diphtheria vaccine is among the oldest vaccines in India’s Universal
Immunisation Programme. As per data from the National Family Health Survey-4, the
coverage of diphtheria vaccine is 78.4%.
• In 1978, India launched the Expanded Programme on Immunisation.
• The first three vaccines in the programme were BCG (against TB), DPT (diphtheria,
pertussis, tetanus) and cholera.
• In 1985, the programme was converted to the Universal Immunisation Programme
(UIP). DPT continues to be a part of UIP, which now includes 12 vaccines.
PLASMA:
Context : Demand for plasma increases amid Covid case spike but donations low
Concept : • Plasma is the liquid part of the blood.
• Convalescent plasma, extracted from the blood of patients recovering from an infection,
is a source of antibodies against the infection.
• The therapy involves using their plasma to help others recover.
• For Covid-19, this has been one of the treatment options.
• The donor would have to be a documented case of Covid-19 and healthy for 28 days
since the last symptoms.
Convalescent plasma therapy • Convalescent plasma therapy uses blood from people who have recovered from an
illness to help others recover.
• Blood donated by people who have recovered from Covid-19 has antibodies to the virus
that causes it.
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• The donated blood is processed to remove blood cells, leaving behind liquid (plasma)
and antibodies. These can be given to people with Covid-19 to boost their ability to
fight the virus.
VACCINE PASSPORT:
Context : Any "Covid passport" scheme to prove people in England are safe to attend mass-
audience events would be "time-limited", the government said.
Concept :
Vaccine Passports:
• A vaccine passport is an e-certificate that stores and records jabs and Covid-19 test
status.
• It can be kept in a smartphone app or in other digital formats.
• Its contents can be flashed at security checkpoints when people travel across borders.
• The idea is modelled on the proof of vaccination that several countries required even
before the pandemic.
• Travellers from many African countries to the USA or India are required to submit
proof that they have been vaccinated against diseases such as yellow fever.
• In February 2021, Israel became the first country to introduce a certification system that
allows those who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 to access certain facilities and
events.
Function of Vaccine Passports: • Will digitise vaccination records across countries.
• Supposed to function as proof that the holder has been vaccinated against Covid-19 and
is, therefore, safe.
Potential Beneficiary of the Vaccine Passports: • The primary benefit will be to the tourism and the hospitality industries, which are both
seen as being at the heart of Covid-19 spread and are the worst hit by the pandemic.
• The international air travel, which suffered massively because of the outbreak.
• Several associations and non-profits have been issuing their own versions for
international travel:
• IATA Travel Pass: The global trade body representing airlines (The International Air
Transport Association) is developing an app called IATA Travel Pass that will provide
airlines and other aviation industry stakeholders with a common platform to check for
the proof of vaccination and its validity.
• CommonPass: Non-profit Commons Project has been trying out an app called
CommonPass, which contains a passenger’s vaccination record.
GENE TRANSFER:
Context : In a first, gene-transfer between insects & plants has just been reported
Concept : • The finding, reported today in Cell1, is the first known example of a natural gene
transfer from a plant to an insect.
• It also explains one reason why the whitefly Bemisia tabaci is so adept at munching on
crops: the gene that it swiped from plants enables it to neutralize a toxin that some
plants produce to defend against insects.
• It shows whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) is able to nuetralise a toxin that is made by any
plants, including the plants, that the insect attacks, by having stolen a gene from the
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plant host millions of years ago, . It is the first such instance of genetic transfer between
plants and insects.
• But, so far, insect-pests were known to have appropriated microbial and fungal genes
to be better able to prey on plants, but with the new research showing a more direct
commandeering of genes, this could help reimagine crop protection.
ALKALOIDS:
Context : The Central government has decided to rope in the private sector to commence
production of concentrated poppy straw from India’s opium crop to boost their yield of
alkaloids, used for medical purposes and exported to several countries.
Concept : • Alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds that mostly contain
basic nitrogen atoms.
• This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic
properties. Some synthetic compounds of similar structure are also termed alkaloids.
• In addition to carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen, alkaloids may also contain oxygen,
sulphur.
• Alkaloids are produced by a large variety of organisms including bacteria, fungi, plants,
and animals.
• They can be purified from crude extracts of these organisms by acid-base extraction.
They have a wide range of pharmacological activities including antimalarial (e.g.
quinine), antiasthma (e.g. ephedrine), anticancer etc.
• The boundary between alkaloids and other nitrogen-containing natural compounds is
not clear-cut.Compounds like amino acid peptides, proteins, nucleotides, nucleic acid,
amines, and antibiotics are usually not called alkaloids.
Properties • Most contain oxygen in their molecular structure; those compounds are usually
colorless crystals at ambient conditions. Oxygen-free alkaloids, such as nicotine or
coniine, are typically volatile, colorless, oily liquids.
• Most have a bitter taste or are poisonous when ingested. Alkaloid production in plants
appeared to have evolved in response to feeding by herbivorous animals.
• Most are weak bases.
Extraction • Because of the structural diversity of alkaloids, there is no single method of their
extraction from natural raw materials.
• Most methods exploit the property of most alkaloids to be soluble in organic solvents
but not in water, and the opposite tendency of their salts.
GEO ENGINEERING:
Context : As per a report by Nature, the US’s National Academies of Science, Engineering
and Medicine (NASEM) has called on the government to fund (to the tune of $200 million over
five years) research on solar geoengineering.
Concept:
• Geoengineering is an umbrella term for human interventions that change the earth’s
climate system.
• There are currently two main approaches under the geoengineering umbrella: carbon-
dioxide removal (CDR) and solar radiation management (SRM).
• CDR tackles the root cause of global warming by removing greenhouse gases from the
atmosphere — think carbon capture and storage.
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• SRM, meanwhile, leaves greenhouse gases untouched, but offsets their impact by
reflecting sunlight away from the earth.
• Whereas CDR addresses the cause of global warming, reducing greenhouse gases, SRM
only masks it or offsets it.
Geoengineering Techniques
Bio-energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS)
• It is the process of extracting bioenergy from biomass and capturing and storing the
carbon, thereby removing it from the atmosphere. The carbon in the biomass comes
from the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) which is extracted from the atmosphere
by the biomass when it grows.
• Energy is extracted in useful forms (electricity, heat, biofuels, etc.) as the biomass is
utilized through combustion, fermentation, pyrolysis or other conversion methods.
Ocean fertilization or ocean nourishment
• Ocean fertilizationis a type of climate engineering based on the purposeful introduction
of nutrients to the upper ocean to increase marine food production and to remove carbon
dioxide from the atmosphere.
• A number of techniques, including fertilization by iron, urea and phosphorus have been
proposed.
Soil carbon sequestration (SCS) • Soils can serve as a sink for carbon dioxide since atmospheric concentrations of carbon
dioxide have crossed 410 parts per million and oceans are already turning acidic.
• Carbon sequestration in soils has the potential to offset GHG emissions from fossil fuels
by up to 15% annually.
• Soil organic carbon (SOC) comes from plants, animals, microbes, leaves and wood,
mostly found in the first metre or so.
• There are many conditions and processes that determine changes to SOC content
including temperature, rainfall, vegetation, soil management and land-use change.
Stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI)
• SAI is the main type of solar radiation management (SRM) .
• In the case of SAI, gases are pumped into the stratosphere to reflect some of the sun’s
heat, mimicking an effect that happens naturally in a strong volcanic eruption.
• Scale of SAI makes its governance difficult — implementing it in one country can
trigger rain and extreme weather across borders. Lack of public support might be the
biggest hurdle.
Marine cloud brightening (MCB)
• MCB involves reflecting sunlight away from the earth in some way. In this case, sea
salt or other particles are sprayed into marine clouds to make them thicker and more
reflective.
Cirrus cloud thinning (CCT) • CCT is almost the opposite of marine cloud brightening. High-altitude Cirrus clouds
are thin and whispy, so they don’t reflect much solar radiation back into space, and
instead trap long-wave radiation on earth.
• CCT proposes thinning them further through cloud seeding, letting more long-wave
radiation escape.
AIR IONIZER:
Context : Governments and businesses should encourage new technologies to control the
spread of the virus and enable ‘opening’ of offices, schools, colleges and cinemas rather than
lockdown
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Concept: • An air ioniser (or negative ion generator or Chizhevsky's chandelier) is a device that
uses high voltage to ionise (electrically charge) air molecules.
• Negative ions, or anions, are particles with one or more extra electrons, conferring a net
negative charge to the particle.
• Cations are positive ions missing one or more electrons, resulting in a net positive
charge.
Some commercial air purifiers are designed to generate negative ions. Another type of air
ioniser is the electrostatic discharge (ESD) ioniser (balanced ion generator) used to neutralise
static charge.
MUON G-2:
Context : Newly published results of an international experiment hint at the possibility of
new physics governing the laws of nature.
Concept : • The results of the experiment, which studied a subatomic particle called the muon, do
not match the predictions of the Standard Model, on which all particle physics is based,
and instead reconfirm a discrepancy that had been detected in an experiment 20 years
previously.
• The experiment, called Muon g–2 (g minus two), was conducted at the US Department
of Energy’s Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab).
What is the Standard Model? • The Standard Model is a rigorous theory that predicts the behaviour of the building
blocks of the universe.
• It lays out the rules for six types of quarks, six leptons, the Higgs boson, three
fundamental forces, and how the subatomic particles behave under the influence of
electromagnetic forces.
• The muon is one of the leptons. It is similar to the electron, but 200 times larger, and
much more unstable, surviving for a fraction of a second.
Muon g–2 experiment • It measured a quantity relating to the muon, following up a previous experiment at
Brookhaven National Laboratory, under the US Department of Energy.
• Concluded in 2001, the Brookhaven experiment came up with results that did not
identically match predictions by the Standard Model.
• The Muon g–2 experiment measured this quantity with greater accuracy.
What quantity was measured? • It is called the g–factor, a measure that derives from the magnetic properties of the
muon.
• The rate at which the muon wobbles is described by the g-factor, the quantity that was
measured.
• This value is known to be close to 2, so scientists measure the deviation from 2. Hence
the name g–2.
• The new experimental results (combined from the Brookhaven and Fermilab results)
announced are:
g-factor: 00233184122
anomalous magnetic moment: 00116592061.
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DOUBLE MUTANT VARIANT B.1.617:
Context : The “double mutant” virus that scientists had flagged last month as having a
bearing on the spread of the pandemic in India, has a formal scientific classification: B.1.617.
Concept : • The variant is common in India and has a couple of defining mutations, E484Q and
L425R, that enable it to become more infectious and evade antibodies.
• Though these mutations have individually been found in several other coronavirus
variants, the presence of both mutations together were first found in some coronavirus
genomes from India.
• Certain variants of the coronavirus, for instance, B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 — have been
termed the “United Kingdom” and “South Africa” variant, respectively, because they
have mutations associated with large spikes in these countries or reduce the efficacy of
vaccines and are termed “variants of concern (VOC)”.
• So far, only three global VOCs have been identified: the U.K. variant, the South African
and the Brazilian (P.1) lineage.
CRYOGENIC ELECTRON MICROSCOPY:
Context : Scientists use cryo-electron microscopy to unravel how 'guardian' of the genome
works.
Concept :
Cryo-electron microscopy
• Cryo-electron microscopy is a specific type of electron microscopy that is based on the
principle of forming a 3D image by collection and combination of thousands of
projections of bio-molecules.
• With the help of this, the researchers can now visualize the processes never seen before
by freezing the mid-movement of the bio-molecules.
• Cryo-electron microscopy makes it possible to freeze the bio-molecules at the
cryogenic temperature ie, at -150°C, preserving their natural shape. By this, the
structure of molecules is revealed in exquisite detail.
• It is significant for better understanding of basic Chemistry and for the development of
pharmaceuticals as it simplifies and improves the imaging of bio-molecules.
• It facilitates the study of fine viruses, protein complexes and cellular structures at a
molecular resolution as it gives the scientists an opportunity to have a look at the
machinery of life in a 3D form.
• The earlier forms of electron microscopes made it impossible to study the bio-
molecules in 3D form as the powerful beams often destroyed the biological matter.
• The resolution now has improved from shapeless blobs to imaging the proteins at
atomic resolution. The Cryo-Electron Microscopy has broken several limitations,
moving biochemistry into a new Era.
AEFI:
Context : 180 people died after vaccination in India till March 29, over 6 crore inoculated
by then. However, the data does not reflect if the deaths were caused due to the vaccine.
Concept :
Adverse events following immunization (AEFI)
• As vaccine-preventable infectious diseases continue to Adecline, people have become
increasingly concerned about the risks associated with vaccines.
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• Furthermore, technological advances and continuously increased knowledge about
vaccines have led to investigations focused on the safety of existing vaccines which
have sometimes created a climate of concern.
• Adverse event following immunization is any untoward medical occurrence which
follows immunization and which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with
the usage of the vaccine.
• If not rapidly and effectively dealt with, can undermine confidence in a vaccine and
ultimately have dramatic consequences for immunization coverage and disease
incidence.
• Alternatively, vaccine-associated adverse events may affect healthy individuals and
should be promptly identified to allow additional research and appropriate action to
take place.
• In order to respond promptly, efficiently, and with scientific rigour to vaccine safety
issues, WHO has established a Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety.
ANISOTROPY:
Context : Non-uniformity of Himalayas foresees significantly large earthquake events
Concept : • Anisotropy is the property of a material which allows it to change or assume different
properties in different directions as opposed to isotropy.
• It can be defined as a difference, when measured along different axes, in a material's
physical or mechanical properties (absorbance, refractive index, conductivity, tensile
strength, etc.)
• An example of anisotropy is light coming through a polarizer. Another is wood, which
is easier to split along its grain than across it.
CURIOSITY ROVER:
Context: Using observations made by ChemCam instrument on Curiosity rover at the
base of Mount Sharp on Mars, a French–US team of scientists has deduced that water did not
disappear from Mars at one go, but that it alternated between dry and wet conditions before
drying up completely 3 billion years ago.
Concept:
• Curiosity is an SUV-sized Mars rover designed to explore the Gale crater on Mars as
part of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission.
• The Curiosity is the largest and most capable rover ever sent to Mars. It landed on Mars
in August, 2012.
• The purpose of the mission is to find chemical and mineral evidence of past habitable
environments on Mars.
• Curiosity's large size allows it to carry an advanced kit of 10 science instruments.
• It has tools including 17 cameras, a laser to vaporize and study small pinpoint spots of
rocks at a distance, and a drill to collect powdered rock samples. It hunts for special
rocks that formed in water and/or have signs of organics.
Gale Crater • Gale Crater formed when a meteor hit Mars in its early history, about 3.5 to 3.8 billion
years ago.
• The meteor impact punched a hole in the terrain. The explosion ejected rocks and soil
that landed around the crater.
• Scientists chose Gale Crater as the landing site for Curiosity because it has many signs
that water was present over its history.
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REMDESIVIR:
Context: India Bans Export of Anti-Viral Drug Remdesivir amid Surge in Covid Cases
Concept: • Remdesivir is designed to obstruct the stage of replication, when the virus creates
copies of itself, followed endlessly by the copies creating copies of themselves.
• Once the virus enters the human cell, it releases its genetic material, which is then
copied using the body’s existing mechanism.
• At every stage of infection, various human proteins, virus proteins, and their
interactions come into play.
• At the replication stage, the key viral protein at play is an enzyme called RdRp (an
enzyme is a kind of protein that speeds up chemical reactions within a cell).
• It is RdRp that makes the copies, by processing components of the RNA of the virus.
• University of Alberta researchers called it the “engine” of the virus in a paper last week,
in which they described the action of Remdesivir against this “engine”.
• In scientific literature, such an enzyme is called a polymerase (the p is RdRp stands for
polymerase) or a replica.
• In any case, this is the enzyme that is targeted by Remdesivir.
ONE WEB:
Context: OneWeb to provide services in Kazakhstan.
Concept: • OneWeb is a global communications company founded by Greg Wyler.
• The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom and McLean, Virginia,
United States.
• OneWeb was formed with a mission to offer high speed, low latency wireless
broadband access to billions of people across the globe, especially in rural areas through
a constellation of satellites in low earth orbit.
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• The company was one of the earliest to propose a mega-constellation to deliver internet
to remote parts of the world but SpaceX’s Starlink constellation already has about 800
satellites in low-earth orbit against OneWeb’s 74.
• The initial focus will be to deliver a viable commercial internet service to the UK and
the Arctic region by autumn next year.
• One Web intends to complete its target of having 650 satellites in orbit by 2022 for its
global coverage.
• Goal will be to launch global commercial internet service focusing on remote areas by
2022.
VIPIT:
Context: The curious case of VIPIT: Studies needed to identify susceptibility markers,
diagnostic tests, treatments.
Concept: • The United Kingdom, European Union, and Scandinavian countries have reported that
the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine appears to be associated with rare cases of serious
blood clots, including blood clots in the brain.
• These blood clots have two important features: they occur 4 to 20 days after
vaccination, and they are associated with low platelets (tiny blood cells that help form
blood clots to stop bleeding).
• Doctors are calling this “vaccine-induced prothrombotic immune
thrombocytopenia” (VIPIT).
• VIPIT seems to be rare, occurring in anywhere from 1 in every 125,000 to 1 in 1 million
people.
• There have been no confirmed cases of VIPIT with any other COVID-19 vaccine.
MOXIE:
Context : Recently, NASA has announced that a device aboard the rover under
Perseverance Mission was able to produce oxygen from the thin Martian atmosphere for the
first time.
Concept :
Production of oxygen by Perseverance Mission
• The Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE) produced 5
grams of oxygen from carbon dioxide in the Martian atmosphere, enough for an
astronaut to breathe for 10 minutes.
• On Mars, carbon dioxide makes up ~96% of the gas in the planet’s atmosphere while
the Oxygen is only 0.13%, compared to 21% in Earth’s atmosphere.
• It is similar to a tree on Earth i.e. MOXIE inhales carbon dioxide and exhales oxygen.
• MOXIE separates oxygen atoms from carbon dioxide molecules in order to produce
oxygen.
• It does so by using heat at a temperature of around 800 degrees Celsius, and in the
process also produces carbon monoxide as a waste product, which it releases in the
Martian atmosphere.
INDUSTRIAL & MEDICAL OXYGEN:
Context: Consumption of medical oxygen doubled in five days in Gujarat.
Concept:
Medical Oxygen
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• Medical oxygen is the oxygen which we use to treat patients. We use it to maintain
enough oxygen level in our blood.
• Oxygen therapy is the use of oxygen as a medical treatment. We can use it to treat low
blood oxygen levels, carbon monoxide toxicity, cluster headaches, etc.
• This oxygen provides a basis for virtually all modern anaesthetic techniques, restores
tissue oxygen tension by increasing the oxygen availability, aids resuscitation, aids
cardiovascular stability, etc.
• However, there are some side effects as well. Furthermore, high concentrations can
cause toxicity.
Industrial Oxygen • Industrial oxygen is focused on uses in industrial plants including combustion,
oxidation, cutting and chemical reactions. The industrial oxygen purity levels are not
appropriate for human use and there could be impurities from dirty equipment or
industrial storage that could make people ill.
Followings are the uses of oxygen in industry:
• Multi-industry uses gas welding, gas cutting, oxygen scarfing, flame cleaning, flame
straightening, etc.
• Metals manufacturing uses: steel production
• Petroleum industry: coal gasification, manufacture of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide,
synthesis gas, etc.
• Glass and ceramics: conversion of air-fuel combustion systems into oxy-fuel
combustion systems for high efficiency and reduction of NOx emissions.
• Pulp and paper manufacturing: oxygen as a bleaching chemical.
Difference between Medical Oxygen and Industrial Oxygen
• Medical oxygen is the oxygen that we use to treat patients. We use oxygen to maintain
enough oxygen level in our blood.
• Industrial oxygen is the oxygen which we use for industrial purposes. We use oxygen
in industries mainly for combustion and gasification processes.
REGEN COV:
Context: Regeneron to seek US approval for COVID-19 cocktail to be used for
prevention.
Concept: • REGEN-COV, a combination of casirivimab and imdevimab, protected household
contacts from exposure to SARS-CoV-2, with 72 per cent protection against
symptomatic infections in the first week, and 93 per cent after that, according to trial
data released by the company.
• The current trial tested REGEN-COV for use as a passive vaccine, which involves
direct delivery of virus-fighting antibodies into the body unlike traditional vaccines in
which the receiver’s immune system is activated to develop its own antibodies.
• These data using REGEN-COV as a passive vaccine suggest that it may both reduce
transmission of the virus as well as reduce viral and disease burden in those who still
get infected.
Antibody Cocktail
• An antibody is a protein made by immune cells that is just the right shape and size to
attach itself to a specific spot on a particular foreign substance, such as a virus or
bacteria in the blood.
• By attaching, the antibody can potentially directly stop these invaders from causing an
infection, or it can mark them for destruction by immune cells.
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• The REGN-COV2 antibody cocktail in these trials is a combination of two potent,
complementary, virus-neutralizing antibodies.
• They were selected by Regeneron scientists after screening thousands of options. Each
binds to the spike proteins on the virus, which is that corona we see in pictures of the
virus.
PRESSURE SWING ADSORPTION:
Context: The Union Health Ministry informed on April 15, 2021 that 100 new hospitals
will get their own oxygen plants under the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in
Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) Fund.
Concept: • The Health Ministry shared that the Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) plants
manufacture oxygen and will help hospitals become self-sufficient in medical oxygen.
• Around 162 PSA plants sanctioned under PM-Cares are being closely reviewed for
early completion of 100 percent of the plants to enhance self-generation of oxygen in
hospitals, especially in remote areas.
Pressure Swing Adsorption • Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) is a technology used to separate some gas species
from a mixture of gases under pressure according to the species' molecular
characteristics and affinity for an adsorbent material.
• It operates at near-ambient temperatures and differs significantly from cryogenic
distillation techniques of gas separation.
• Specific adsorbent materials (e.g., zeolites, activated carbon, molecular sieves, etc.) are
used as a trap, preferentially adsorbing the target gas species at high pressure. The
process then swings to low pressure to desorb the adsorbed material.
MK 4482:
Context: Antiviral drug MK-4482 shows promise against Covid-19.
Concept: • An experimental antiviral drug, MK-4482, significantly decreased levels of virus and
disease damage in the lungs of hamsters treated for SARS-CoV-2 infection, according
to a new study from scientists from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), and
published in the journal Nature Communications.
• The scientists found MK-4482 treatment effective when provided up to 12 hours before
or 12 hours after infecting the hamsters with SARS-CoV-2.
About MK 4482 • The antiviral drug Molnupiravir, or MK-4482/EIDD-2801, is taken orally.
• The research team repurposed MK-4482/EIDD-2801 against SARS-CoV-2 and tested
it on ferrets.
• In ferrets, the drug was shown to completely suppress transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in
12 hours.
• Researchers infected ferrets with SARS-CoV-2 and initiated treatment with MK-
4482/EIDD-2801 when the animals started to shed the virus from the nose.
• Ferrets are a popular model for influenza and other respiratory infections because their
lung physiology is similar to humans and researchers hope they will mimic aspects of
Covid-19 in people such as its spread.
• The drug basically stops replication of the copies of the virus’s RNA in the cell.
• The drug is like any other anti-flu drug and was on our list of drugs to go into clinical
trials. There are several promising drugs and they are under evaluation.
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• The phase 2/3 trial is a randomised, placebo-controlled double-blind clinical study to
evaluate the efficacy and safety of MK-4482 in hospitalised adults with Covid 19 across
46 locations in various countries.
ADITYA-L1 SUPPORT CENTRE (ASC):
Context : The Indian programme to study the Sun and the region between the Sun and the
Earth from space – Aditya-L1 – is due to be launched next year.
Concept : • It will carry seven payloads which have been developed by various institutions across
the country. Once the mission is launched, there will be a need for a ground support
centre to monitor and coordinate the work on its various payloads.
• This role will be played by the ARIES facility (short for Aryabhata Research Institute
for observational Sciences) which is situated near Nainital.
• In January 2021, an agreement was signed to this effect based on the proposal submitted
by the ARIES team. With about four to five personnel, this centre will come up at
Haldawani, where ARIES is setting up a data centre also.
• The Aditya-L1 Support Centre (ASC) will provide training through regular workshops
for the guest users. Apart from this, it will provide ready-to-use Python and Java apps
for the satellite data and demos and handouts to facilitate the guest users.
Aditya L1 Mission • Aditya L1 will be launched using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) XL with
7 payloads (instruments) on board.
• Aditya-L1 would be placed into a point in space known as the L1 Lagrange point.
• Aditya L1 will study the Sun’s corona (Visible and Near infrared rays), Sun's
photosphere (soft and hard X-ray), chromosphere (Ultra Violet ), solar emissions, solar
winds and flares, and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), and will carry out round-the-
clock imaging of the Sun.
STARSHIP:
Context : NASA picks SpaceX and Starship to send Artemis astronauts to the moon
Concept : • Starship is a spacecraft and super-heavy booster rocket.
• It acts as a reusable transportation system for crew and cargo to the Earth’s orbit, Moon
and Mars.
• SpaceX has described Starship as “the world’s most powerful launch vehicle” with an
ability to carry over 100 metric tonnes to the Earth’s orbit.
• Starship has been under development since 2012 which is a part of Space X’s central
mission to make interplanetary travel accessible and affordable. The company is
working on building a fleet of reusable launch vehicles.
• SpaceX is planning its first cargo mission to the red planet by 2022 and by 2024.
Significance: • Starship can ferry both cargo and crew to the International Space Station (ISS) and
other destinations in the solar system.
• Starship is also expected to help in carrying large amounts of cargo to the Moon for
human spaceflight development and research.
• It could reduce the cost of travelling to space by a hundredfold.
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TRIPLE MUTANT & GENOME SEQUENCING:
Context : Double Virus Strain First Detected in Oct, But its Gene Study was Stalled; A Triple
Mutant Appears: Report.
Concept :
• The report said that a third mutation in the B.1.167 has been identified now and experts
are hoping that this time the pace of intervention and follow-up picks up.
• Genome sequencing, the study of genetic structures of an organism and the changes
happening in it, give information about the virus’ origins, routes taken to reach a
particular area and the changes, or mutations, that are making the virus stronger or
weaker.
• India, in the first six months, barely conducted a few hundred genome sequencing,
while other countries like China, the UK and US, had done several thousand and
submitted these in public global depositories for scientists across the world to study.
• It was only in December last year that the government announced setting up the Indian
SARS-CoV2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) to expedite the gene sequencing
effort from India through a consortium of 10 laboratories.
• The CCMB, which is one of the labs under INSACOG, discovered the double mutant
during genome sequencing last month.
Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG):
• INSACOG is a multi-laboratory, multi-agency, pan-India network to monitor genomic
variations in the SARS-CoV-2.
• It helps in the understanding of how the virus spreads and evolves.
• Genomic surveillance can generate a rich source of information for tracking pathogen
transmission and evolution on both national and international levels.
INGENUITY:
Context : NASA announced that Ingenuity had performed its first flight. “…the first flight
of a powered aircraft on another planet!”
Concept : • Ingenuity, the first helicopter to fly on Mars was carried by NASA’s rover called
Perseverance that was launched in July last year and will help collect samples from the
surface from locations where the rover cannot reach.
• Perseverance landed at the Jezero Crater of Mars in February year. It will remain on the
Red Planet for about two years and look for finding past signs of life.
• The rover is designed to study signs of ancient life, collect samples that might be sent
back to Earth during future missions and test new technology that might benefit future
robotic and human missions to the planet.
• Ingenuity is able to fly using counter-rotating blades that spin at about 2,400 rpm. It has
a wireless communication system, and is equipped with computers, navigation sensors,
and two cameras. It is solar-powered, able to charge on its own.
• Taking to the air would give scientists a new perspective on a region’s geology and
even allow them to peer into areas that are too steep or slippery to send a rover. In the
distant future, they might even help astronauts explore Mars.
• NASA will try and demonstrate rotorcraft flight in the extremely thin atmosphere of
Mars with this helicopter, which is why the mission is so crucial.
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RESPOND PROGRAMME:
Context : Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi said that the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) has announced that it will support eight joint research projects mooted by
the Space Technology Cell (STC), IIT-Delhi.
Concept :
• The ISRO will support eight joint research projects mooted by the Space Technology
Cell (STC), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi.
• The projects will be coordinated by ISRO scientists at the Space Applications Centre
(SAC), the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), the Semi-conductor Laboratory
(SCL) and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
RESPOND Programme of ISRO • Under RESPOND, projects in the advanced areas of relevance to Space programme are
encouraged to be taken up by premiere universities/academic institutions.
• ISRO helps the academic institutions to establish the necessary technical facilities and
also provide fellowships to researchers to work on cutting edge research topics.
• ISRO provides financial support to Academic Institutions in India for conducting
research and development activities related to Space Science, Space Technology and
Space Applications.
UNICORN:
Context : Scientists have discovered what may be the smallest-known black hole in the
Milky Way galaxy and the closest to our solar system.
Concept : • Nicknamed ‘Unicorn’ the researchers said the black hole is roughly three times the mass
of our Sun, testing the lower limits of size for these extraordinarily dense objects.
• A luminous red giant star orbits with the black hole in a so-called binary star system
named V723 Mon.
• The black hole is located about 1,500 light years - the distance light travels in a year,
5.9 trillion miles (9.5 trillion km) - from Earth. While it may be the closest one to us, it
is still far away. By way of comparison, the closest star to our solar system, Proxima
Centauri, is 4 light years away.
• Black holes like this one form when massive stars die and their cores collapse.
• The study is published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
REPRODUCTIVE NUMBER:
Context : On reproduction metric, Covid can be spreading faster in UP, Jharkhand and
Bihar.
Concept : • The R-naught, or R0, is a virus’s basic reproductive number — an epidemiologic metric
used to describe the contagiousness of infectious agents.
• At its simplest, the basic reproductive number can show us how worried we should be
about infection
• If the R0 is above one, each case is expected to infect at least one other person on
average, and the virus is likely to keep spreading.
• If it’s less than one, a group of infected people are less likely to spread the infection.
• The national average for the R-value, or reproduction number, one of the parameters of
Covid-19 transmission, is 1.32, indicating that one infected person spreads the virus to
more than one but less than two people.
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OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS:
Context : With oxygen cylinders in short supply across several states, the Oxygen
concentrator is among the most sought after devices for oxygen therapy, especially among
patients in home isolation and for hospitals running out of oxygen.
Concept : • An oxygen concentrator is a medical device that concentrates oxygen from ambient air.
• Atmospheric air has about 78 per cent nitrogen and 21 per cent oxygen, with other gases
making up the remaining 1 per cent.
• The oxygen concentrator takes in this air, filters it through a sieve, releases the nitrogen
back into the air, and works on the remaining oxygen.
• This oxygen, compressed and dispensed through a cannula, is 90-95 per cent pure. A
pressure valve in concentrators helps regulate supply, ranging from 1-10 litres per
minute.
• According to a 2015 report by the WHO, concentrators are designed for continuous
operation and can produce oxygen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for up to 5 years or
more.
ZHURONG:
Context : Recently, the China National Space Administration has announced that it will name
its first Mars rover as ‘Zhurong’.
Concept : • It is China’s first Mars rover aboard the Tianwen-1 probe that arrived in Mars orbit in
February 2020.
• It is named after a traditional fire god.
• The rover is part of Chinese space plans that include launching a crewed orbital station
and landing a human on the moon.
• The rover’s title fits with the Chinese name for Mars i.e. “Huo Xing” or fire star.
• The top candidate for the landing site is Utopia Planitia, a rock-strewn plain where the
U.S. lander Viking 2 touched down in 1976.
About Tianwen-1 • Its goals include analysing and mapping the Martian surface and geology, looking for
water ice and studying the climate and surface environment.
• It is named after the ancient Chinese poem ‘Questions to Heaven’.
• It is an all-in-one orbiter, lander and rover which will search the Martian surface for
water, ice, investigate soil characteristics, and study the atmosphere, among completing
other objectives.
• It lifted off on a Long March 5 rocket, a launch system developed by the China
Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), from the Wenchang launch centre.
• It will be the first to place a ground-penetrating radar on the Martian surface, which
will be able to study local geology, as well as rock, ice, and dirt distribution.
COVID TRIAGE CHALLENGE:
Context: The second COVID-19 wave has hit India with great ferocity. A time-tested,
effective strategy could help tackle COVID-19 but poses unique challenges in India.
Concept: • A time-tested, effective strategy to face the challenge of a sudden large load on the
healthcare system is the concept of ‘triage’.
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• This means that when there are a large number of people needing urgent care and there
are limited resources, the victims are divided into multiple categories based on severity
of disease.
• The most severe are treated first as any delay will cost lives. The rest are treated later
as per their level of severity.
• This idea was first introduced by Napoleon’s military surgeons to treat battlefield
injuries and showed immediate impact. It is now standard practice in many countries
when treating mass casualties. It has also been used effectively during COVID-19.
• But triage is not a sterile, mechanical protocol insulated from its surroundings. Its wide
acceptance and implementation are based on the powerful but complex principles of
justice and solidarity.
• It is where the interests of everyone are put above the interest of an individual; where
those who need care first are prioritised over those who can wait, irrespective of who
they are.
DEEP TIME STUDY:
Context : A group of French volunteers have emerged from a cave after a 40-day study
exploring the limits of human adaptability to isolation. The so-called Deep Time experiment
came to an end, allowing the eight men and seven women, aged 27 to 50, who took part to
leave the cave.
Concept : • The 15 participants lived in the Lombrives cave in south-west France with no phones,
clocks or sunlight. They slept in tents, made their own electricity, and had no contact
with the outside world.
• The project aimed to test how people respond to losing their sense of time and space.
• During their isolation, the group had to organise tasks without being able to use a
measure of time to create deadlines.
• Instead, they had to rely on their body clocks and sleep cycles to structure their days.
• In the cave, they had few modern comforts at their disposal. For example, volunteers
had to generate their own electricity with a pedal bike and draw water from a well 45
m (146 ft) below the earth.
Significance • The scientists behind the project say it will help them understand how people can adapt
to extreme living conditions.
• The brain activity and cognitive function of volunteers was analysed before they
entered the cave, to gather data for comparative studies after they left.
• The purpose of the study has particular relevance during the coronavirus pandemic, a
time when lockdown measures have confined millions of people to isolation.
VACCINE WASTAGE
Context: In the days ahead, Indian adults below 45 will begin registering for a COVID
vaccine that on paper will be available from May 1. Amid a crisis of vaccine supply, the Health
Ministry had said that a little over one crore vaccines remain in stock with States.
Concept: • Among large States, Tamil Nadu reported a high percentage of vaccine wastage, nearly
8.83%. Only Lakshadweep had a higher 9.76%. Assam, Manipur and Haryana ranked
after Tamil Nadu in percentage wastage of vaccines, at 7.7%, 7.4% and 5.72%
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• That a certain number of vaccines will be wasted is built into the Centre’s planning
process.
• In its operational guidelines on COVID-19 vaccination, the Wastage Multiplier Factor
has been calculated at 1.11, assuming an allowable programmatic wastage of 10%
Vaccine wastage • Vaccine wastage is directly linked to vaccine usage, which is the proportion of vaccines
administered against vaccines issued to a vaccination site.
• The vaccine wastage rate is defined as 100 minus the vaccine usage rate.
• And the wastage rate directly determines the “wastage factor” that needs to be
established for each vaccine in the immunisation schedule to accurately plan vaccine
needs.
• It is broadly divided into two categories: wastage in unopened vials, and in opened
vials.
• Wastage in unopened vials can occur due to six broad reasons: if the expiry date has
been reached; if the vaccine is exposed to heat; if the vaccine has been frozen; breakage;
missing inventory and theft; and while discarding unused vials returned from the
vaccination site.
• Wastage in opened vials can occur due to five broad reasons: while discarding
remaining doses at the end of the session; not being able to draw the number of doses
in a vial; submergence of opened vials in the water; suspected contamination; and poor
vaccine administration practices.
GENERIC MEDICINE:
Context : Hyderabad-based MSN Laboratories launched its branded generic, Favilow
(Favipiravir) 800 mg. The higher strength Favilow 800 mg is priced at Rs 144 per tablet and
will be available across pharmacies.
Concept: • A generic drug is a pharmaceutical drug that contains the same chemical substance as
a drug that was originally protected by patents.
• Generic drugs are allowed for sale after the patents on the original drugs expire.
• Because the active chemical substance is the same, the medical profile of generics is
believed to be equivalent in performance.
• A generic drug has the same active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) as the original,
but it may differ in some characteristics such as the manufacturing process, formulation,
excipients, color, taste, and packaging.
API
• An active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), is the key ingredient of a drug or medicine,
which lends it the desired therapeutic effect or produces the intended pharmacological
activity. For example, paracetamol is a bulk drug, which acts against pain.
• API , also called as Bulk Drugs are mixed with binding agents or solvents to prepare
the finished pharmaceutical product, ie a paracetamol tablet, capsule or syrup, which is
consumed by the patient.
AEROSOL MODE OF TRANSMISSION:
Context : This excessive high rate of transmission with increased disease severity means
that the virus is more virulent, escaping immunity and spreading by other means than
previously established mode such as droplets, urine or faecal matter.
Concept :
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• This new mode could be ‘aerosols,’ tiny liquid particles from the respiratory tract
generated when someone exhales, talks, or coughs.
• They can float in the air and can contain live viruses unlike droplets which do not float
but settle down on ground or any surface in one-two minutes after exhalation.
• When inhaled, these aerosols make everyone vulnerable to viral infection.
• A scientific study recently published in ‘Lancet’ provides strong and consistence
evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can remain in air for as long as for three hours with half-
life of 1.1h., i.e. it will take at least 66 minutes for half of the virus to lose activity.
• Confirmed presence of the virus in air-filters and ducts in hospitals with Covid-19
patients also means that it predominantly transmits in the form of aerosol.
• The widespread presence of the virus and its ability to spread through aerosols suggest
that a lockdown will have minimal to no impact on Covid-19 spread.
Aerosols
• Aerosols are defined as a combination of liquid or solid particles suspended in a gaseous
or liquid environment.
• In the atmosphere, these particles are mainly situated in the low layers of the
atmosphere (< 1.5 km) since aerosol sources are located on the terrestrial surface.
• However, certain aerosols can still be found in the stratosphere, especially volcanic
aerosols ejected into the high altitude layers.
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ENVIRONMENT
BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY:
Context: The garden at Government Co-ed Senior Secondary School, Sector 5, RK Puram had
started as an initiative by English teacher Ankita Singh Yadav two years ago.
Yadav said that she got her idea for this garden from her own birding and buttery sighting
outings at the Bombay Natural History Society’s (BNHS) Conservation Education Centre in
Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary.
Concept:
About BNHS
• BNHS is one of the largest non-governmental organisations in India engaged in
conservation and biodiversity research.
• It was founded on 15 September 1883 and headquartered at Hornbill House, Mumbai.
• It supports many research efforts through grants and publishes the Journal of the
Bombay Natural History Society.
• Department of Science and Technology has designated it as a ‘Scientific and Industrial
Research Organisation’.
BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK:
Context : Recently, a wildfire that had spread across several zones in Bandhavgarh
National Park has been brought under control.
Concept :
About Bandhavgarh National Park
• It is located in the Vindhya Hills of the Umaria district in Madhya Pradesh.
• It is known for the Royal Bengal Tigers.
• It was declared as a national park in 1968.
• The name Bandhavgarh has been derived from the most prominent hillock of the area
of Umaria.
• It consists of mixed vegetation ranging from tall grasslands to thick Sal forest.
• It resides on the extreme north eastern border of Madhya Pradesh and the northern edges
of the Satpura mountain ranges.
NAGZIRA TIGER RESERVE:
Context : Three labourers killed in forest fire at Nagzira tiger reserve.
Concept : • Nagzira wildlife sanctuary is located between Bhandara-Gondia district of
Maharashtra.
• Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary is locked in the arms of nature and adorned with a
picturesque landscape, luxuriant vegetation and serves as a living outdoor museum to
explore and appreciate nature.
• This sanctuary has a number of fish, 34 species of mammals, 166 species of birds, 36
species of reptiles and four species of amphibians.
• The invertebrate fauna includes a number of butterfly and other insect species. Large
wild mammals found here include the tiger, leopard, Indian gaur, sambar, nilgai, chital,
wild boar, sloth bear, barking deer, mouse deer and wild dog.
• The Nagzira-Navegaon tiger reserve is established to conserve tigers wandering outside
the Tadoba reserve territory.
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• The Nagzira sanctuary, which was of 150 square kilometer and the Navegaon National
Park, was of 130 square kilometer, which has been increased to 700 square kilometer
for new tiger reserve.
KUTCH GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD SANCTUARY:
Context : A fire broke out inside the Lala-Budiya Great Indian Bustard (GIB) Sanctuary
near Naliya in Kutch district of Gujarat on Thursday evening, damaging at least 20 hectares of
vegetation.
Concept :
• Kutch Bustard Sanctuary or Kachchh Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary, also known as
Lala–Parjan Sanctuary,is located near Jakhau village in Taluka Abdasa, Gujarat, India.
• This sanctuary is one of the two great Indian bustard sanctuaries in Gujarat; the other
one is in Jamnagar.
• However, the sanctuary presently legally covers a protected area of about 2 square
kilometres (0.77 sq mi) of area (202.86 hectares (501.3 acres) of fenced land only and
is the smallest sanctuary in the country.
About GIB
• Listed under Critically Endangered Category of IUCN Red List.
• Listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It is also listed in
Appendix I of CITES.
• Identified for the species recovery program under Integrated Development of Wildlife
Habitats Scheme.
• Declared as the state bird of Rajasthan.
Protected areas dedicated to GIB • Rajasthan: Desert National Park – Jaisalmer and Balmer
• Gujarat: Naliya Sanctuary in Kutch
• Madhya Pradesh: Karera Wildlife Sanctuary (The species disappeared from Madhya
Pradesh in early 90s’)
• Maharashtra: Nannaj Grasslands, Solapur
Andhra Pradesh: Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary
FOREST FIRE:
Context : Recently, Uttarakhand has witnessed over 1,000 incidents of forest fire over the
last six months, including 45 in the last 24 hours alone.
Concept : • Since the start of 2021, there has been a series of forest fires in Himachal Pradesh,
Nagaland-Manipur border, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, including in wildlife
sanctuaries.
• April-May is the season when forest fires take place in various parts of the country.
• But forest fires have been more frequent than usual in Uttarakhand and have also taken
place during winter; dry soil caused by a weak monsoon is being seen as one of the
causes.
• Forest fires can be caused by a number of natural causes, but officials say many major
fires in India are triggered mainly by human activities.
Causes of Forest Fires • It can be caused by a number of natural causes, but officials say many major fires in
India are triggered mainly by human activities.
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• The emerging studies link climate change to rising instances of fires globally, especially
the massive fires of the Amazon forests in Brazil and in Australia in the last two years.
• The fires of longer duration, increasing intensity, higher frequency and highly
inflammable nature are all being linked to climate change.
• In India, forest fires are most commonly reported during March and April, when the
ground has large quantities of dry wood, logs, dead leaves, stumps, dry grass and weeds.
• Under natural circumstances, extreme heat and dryness, friction created by rubbing of
branches with each other also have been known to initiate fire.
How prone to fire are India’s forests? • As of 2019, about 21.67% (7,12,249 sq km) of the country’s geographical area is
identified as forest, according to the India State of Forest Report 2019 (ISFR) released
by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun. Tree cover makes up another 2.89%
(95, 027 sq km).
• Based on previous fire incidents and recorded events, forests of the Northeast and
central India regions are the most vulnerable areas to forest fires, the FSI has said.
Forests in Assam, Mizoram and Tripura have been identified as ‘extremely prone’ to
forest fire.
• Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are the two states that witness the most frequent
forest fires annually.
Efforts to protect forests from fire • In 2004, the FSI developed the Forest Fire Alert System to monitor forest fires in real
time.
• In its advanced version launched in January 2019, the system now uses satellite
information gathered from NASA and ISRO.
• The real-time fire information from identified fire hotspots is gathered using MODIS
sensors (1km by 1km grid) and electronically transmitted to FSI.
KAVU:
Concept :
• Kavu is the traditional name given for sacred groves across the Malabar Coast in Kerala,
South India.
• Kavus are notable for Theyyam, the centuries-old ritual dance.
• A Sarpa Kavu (meaning Abode of Snakes) is a traditional natural sacred space seen
near traditional homes in Kerala state of South India.
• The site is believed to be inhabited by snakes, and the area usually contains a
representation of Naga Raja (King of the Snakes) and other Naga Devatas (snake
deities), where offerings and rites are performed during special ceremonies.
Benefits
• Sarpa Kavus even help in soil and water conservation besides preserving its rich
biological wealth.
• The ponds and streams adjoining the groves are perennial water sources. These are the
last resorts to many of the animals and birds for their water requirements, especially
during summer.
• Sacred groves also enrich the soil through its rich litter composition. The nutrients
generated thus are not only recycled within the sacred grove ecosystem but also find
their way into the adjoining agroeco systems.
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INDUS & GANGES RIVER DOLPHIN:
Context: Detailed analysis of South Asian river dolphins has revealed that the Indus and
Ganges River dolphins are not one, but two separate species.
Concept:
Indus Dolphin
• Scientific Name: Platanista minor.
• Habitat: Indus river dolphins are one of only four river dolphin species and subspecies
in the world that spend all of their lives in freshwater.
• Distribution: The Indus river dolphin is the second most endangered freshwater river
dolphin. At present, there are only around 1,800 of these in the Indus in Pakistan. Their
population in the Beas River is between eight to 10.
• IUCN status: Endangered.
Characteristics: • Indus Dolphins are brown/grey in colour.
• They are functionally blind and rely on echolocation to navigate, communicate and hunt
prey including prawns, catfish and carp.
• They live for at least for 30 years and grow over 2 metres in length.
Gangetic Dolphins • Scientific Name: Platanista gangetica
• The Ganges River Dolphin was officially discovered in 1801.
• IUCN Status : Endangered
• Ganges river dolphins live in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu
river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.
• The Ganges river dolphin can only live in freshwater and is essentially blind.
• They hunt by emitting ultrasonic sounds, which bounces off of fish and other prey,
enabling them to “see” an image in their mind. They are also called ‘susu’.
• It is a reliable indicator of the health of the entire river ecosystem.
• It was recognised as the National Aquatic Animal in 2009, by the Government of India.
CORALS:
Context: New findings from Rutgers University say corals will survive climate change.
This is owing to their capacity to form rock hard skeletons, the study finds.
Concept:
• Coral are made up of genetically identical organisms called polyps. These polyps have
microscopic algae called zooxanthellae living within their tissues.
• The corals and algae have a mutualistic relationship.
• The coral provides the zooxanthellae with the compounds necessary for photosynthesis.
• In return, the zooxanthellae supply the coral with organic products of photosynthesis,
like carbohydrates, which are utilized by the coral polyps for synthesis of their calcium
carbonate skeletons.
• In addition to providing corals with essential nutrients, zooxanthellae are responsible
for the unique and beautiful colors of corals.
• They are also called the “rainforests of the seas”.
There are 2 types of corals:
• Stony, shallow-water corals—the kind that build reefs.
• Soft corals and deep water corals that live in dark cold waters.
Coral Bleaching
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• When corals face stress by changes in conditions such as temperature, light, or
nutrients, they expel the symbiotic algae zooxanthellae living in their tissues, causing
them to turn completely white. This phenomenon is called coral bleaching.
• The pale white colour is of the translucent tissues of calcium carbonate which are visible
due to the loss of pigment producing zooxanthellae.
• Corals can recover if the stress-caused bleaching is not severe.
• Coral bleaching has occurred in the Caribbean, Indian, and Pacific oceans on a regular
basis.
NET ZERO EMISSIONS:
Context: US President’s Climate Envoy is in India. One point of discussion could be the net-
zero goal for 2050, which the US wants India to be on board on.
Concept:
Net-Zero Emissions
• ‘Net zero emissions’ refers to achieving an overall balance between greenhouse gas
emissions produced and greenhouse gas emissions taken out of the atmosphere.
• First, human-caused emissions (like those from fossil-fueled vehicles and factories)
should be reduced as close to zero as possible. Second, any remaining GHGs should be
balanced with an equivalent amount of carbon removal, for example by restoring
forests.
Time-Frame: • The time frame for reaching net-zero emissions differs significantly if one is referring
to CO2 alone, or referring to all major GHGs (including methane, nitrous oxide, and
HFCs).
• For non-CO2 emissions, the net-zero date is later because some of these emissions —
such as methane from agricultural sources — are somewhat more difficult to phase out.
• In scenarios that limit warming to 1.5 degrees C, carbon dioxide (CO2) reaches net-
zero on average by 2050. Total GHG emissions reach net-zero between 2063 and 2068.
Global Scenario: • As of June 2020, twenty countries and regions have adopted net-zero targets. This list
only includes countries that adopted a net-zero target in law or another policy document.
• The Kingdom of Bhutan is already carbon-negative, i.e. absorbs more CO2 than it
emits.
Indian Scenario: • India’s per capita CO2 emissions – at 1.8 tonnes per person in 2015 – are around a ninth
of those in the USA and around a third of the global average of 4.8 tonnes per person.
• However, overall, India is now the planet’s third-largest emitter of CO2, behind China
and the USA.
MANAKUDY BIRD RESERVE:
Context: Two tagged migratory birds spotted in salt pans in Manakudy bird reserve.
Concept: • Two tagged migratory birds — a redshank and a whiskered tern — were spotted in
the salt pans of Swamithoppu in the Manakudy bird reserve in Kanniyakumari district.
• The whiskered tern is possibly from European countries.
• The redshank spotted in Kanniyakumari district is possibly from the subarctic region
and it could be one of the birds tagged by the BNHS.
About BNHS
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• BNHS is one of the largest non-governmental organisations in India engaged in
conservation and biodiversity research.
• It was founded on 15 September 1883 and headquartered at Hornbill House, Mumbai.
• It supports many research efforts through grants and publishes the Journal of the
Bombay Natural History Society.
• Department of Science and Technology has designated it as a ‘Scientific and Industrial
Research Organisation.
INDIAN RHINO VISION 2020:
Context : The ambitious Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (IRV 2020) came to a close with the
release of two rhinos — an adult male and a female — in Assam’s Manas National Park
transported from Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary about 185 km east.
Concept :
• Designed in 2005, the IRV2020 is believed to have achieved its target of attaining a
population of 3,000 rhinos in Assam.
• But the plan to spread the Rhinoceros unicornis across four protected areas beyond
Kaziranga National Park, Orang National Park and Pobitora could not materialise.
Indian Rhino Vision 2020 • Launched in 2005, Indian Rhino Vision 2020 is an ambitious effort to attain a wild
population of at least 3,000 greater one-horned rhinos spread over seven protected areas
in the Indian state of Assam by the year 2020.
• Seven protected areas are Kaziranga, Pobitora, Orang National Park, Manas National
Park, Laokhowa wildlife sanctuary, Burachapori wildlife sanctuary and Dibru
Saikhowa wildlife sanctuary.
• It is a collaborative effort between various organisations, including the International
Rhino Foundation, Assam’s Forest Department, Bodoland Territorial Council, World
Wide Fund - India, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
MONKEYDACTYL:
Context: Researchers have described a pterosaur species with opposable thumbs, which
could likely be the earliest-known instance of the limb.
Concept: • The pterosaur species were reptiles, close cousins of dinosaurs and the first animals
after insects to evolve powered flight.
• They evolved into various species; while some were as large as an F-16 fighter jet,
others were as small as paper airplanes.
• The new pterosaur fossil was discovered in the Tiaojishan Formation of Liaoning,
China, and is thought to be 160 million years old. It has been named Kunpengopterus
antipollicatus, also dubbed “Monkeydactyl”.
What has the team of researchers found?
• “Antipollicatus” in ancient Greek means “opposite thumbs”, and it was attached to the
name because the researchers’ findings could be the first discovery of a pterosaur with
an opposed thumb.
• By studying its forelimb morphology and musculature, they suggest that K.
antipollicatus could have used its hand for grasping, which is likely an adaptation for
arboreal life.
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REWACONODON INDICUS:
Context : The Tiki Formation in Madhya Pradesh, a treasure trove of vertebrate fossils, has
now yielded a new species and two genera of cynodonts, small rat-like animals that lived about
220 million years ago.
Concept : • The researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, used scanning
electron microscopy to study about 10 teeth samples collected from the village of Tihki
in Shahdol District, Madhya Pradesh.
DISC FOOTED BAT:
Context : Meghalaya has yielded India’s first bamboo-dwelling bat with sticky discs,
taking the species count of the flying mammal in the country to 130.
Concept :
• The disc-footed bat (Eudiscopus denticulus) was recorded in the north-eastern State’s
Lailad area near the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, about 1,000 km west of its
nearest known habitat in Myanmar.
• There are a couple of other bamboo-dwelling bats in India. But the extent of adaptation
for bamboo habitat in this species is not seen in the others.
• The flattened skull and sticky pads enabled the bats to roost inside cramped spaces,
clinging to smooth surfaces such as bamboo internodes. The disc-footed bat was also
found to be genetically very different from all other known bats bearing disc-like pads.
• Scientists analysed the very high frequency echolocation calls of the disc-footed bat,
which was suitable for orientation in a cluttered environment such as inside bamboo
groves.
• The disc-footed bat has raised Meghalaya’s bat count to 66, the most for any State in
India. It has also helped add a genus and species to the bat fauna of India.
NATIONAL CLIMATE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT REPORT:
Context : National climate vulnerability assessment released.
Concept : • The report is titled ‘Climate Vulnerability Assessment for Adaptation Planning in India
Using a Common Framework’.
• It identifies the most vulnerable states and districts in India with respect to current
climate risk and key drivers of vulnerability.
• The report has been submitted by the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi and the
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati in collaboration with the Indian Institute of
Science, Bengaluru.
Key findings of the vulnerability assessment: • Based on an all-India assessment, this report identifies the most vulnerable states and
districts in India with respect to current climate risk and the main drivers of
vulnerability.
• The states with a relatively high vulnerability, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Odisha,
Chhattisgarh, Assam, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, and West Bengal, are mostly in the
eastern part of the country, requiring prioritisation of adaptation interventions.
• Assam, Bihar, and Jharkhand have over 60% of districts in the category of highly
vulnerable districts.
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TYRANNOSAURUS REX:
Context : Recently, a study by paleontologists from the Netherlands have published a
report that Tyrannosaurus had a preferred walking speed of just 5 kmph which is about the
same as the average walking speed of humans.
Concept :
About Tyrannosaurus Rex
• It is considered the most fearsome eating machine to have evolved on Earth.
• It lived toward the end of the Cretaceous period, around 66 million to 68 million years
ago.
• It is believed that an adult member of the species stood 12 feet tall and 40 feet long, and
weighed between 5,000 to 7,000 kg.
• The dinosaur inhabited what is today’s western United States and it was not found in
India.
• The fiercest of all Indian dinosaurs was probably the Rajasaurus narmadensis, followed
by another specimen of the Abelisauridae family, the Indosuchus raptorius.
• The habitat of the T. Rex could have extended from as far as Alaska in North America
up until Mexico in the south.
EARTH DAY 2021:
Context : Recently, the Earth Day is being celebrated around the world on April 22nd to
pledge support for environmental protection.
Concept : • Earth Day was first observed in 1970, when 20 million took to the streets to protest
against environmental degradation.
• The event was triggered by the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, as well as other issues such
as smog and polluted rivers.
• In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22 as ‘International Mother Earth Day’.
• The landmark Paris Agreement, which brings almost 200 countries together in setting
a common target to reduce global greenhouse emissions, was signed on Earth Day 2016.
• Earth Day aims to build the world’s largest environmental movement to drive
transformative change for people and the planet.
• Its mission is to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement
worldwide.
• According to the United Nations, International Mother Earth Day is celebrated to
remind each of us that the Earth and its ecosystems provide us with life and sustenance.
Significance of Earth Day 2021 • The year 2021 marks the 51st anniversary of the annual celebrations.
• The theme for Earth Day 2021 is ‘Restore Our Earth’.
• The 2021 Earth Day theme focuses on natural processes, emerging green technologies,
and innovative thinking that can restore the world’s ecosystems.
NATIONAL HYDROGEN ENERGY MISSION:
Context: India will soon join 15 other countries in the hydrogen club as it prepares to
launch the National Hydrogen Energy Mission (NHEM)
Concept:
National Hydrogen Energy Mission • This mission will emphasise hydrogen from clean sources.
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• It also envisages linking the country’s growing renewable energy capacity with the
hydrogen economy.
• India’s target for 2022 for renewable energy generation is 175 GW and this mission is
expected to bolster the process.
The renewable energy target for 2030 is 450 GW.
The country has set to decarbonise by 2050.
• Using hydrogen will serve the twin purposes of achieving India’s emission
commitments under the Paris Agreement and reducing the import dependence on
fossil fuels.
• The end-users of hydrogen energy are the transportation sector, chemical industry and
steel sector.
• These sectors contribute to 1/3rd of all greenhouse gas emissions because of their
using fossil fuels.
• Replacing fossil fuels with hydrogen in these sectors will help reduce GHGs in a big
way.
Hydrogen: • Hydrogen is the lightest and first element on the periodic table. Since the weight of
hydrogen is less than air, it rises in the atmosphere and is therefore rarely found in its
pure form, H2.
• At standard temperature and pressure, hydrogen is a nontoxic, nonmetallic, odorless,
tasteless, colorless, and highly combustible diatomic gas.
• Hydrogen fuel is a zero-emission fuel burned with oxygen. It can be used in fuel cells
or internal combustion engines. It is also used as a fuel for spacecraft propulsion.
Type of Hydrogen:
Grey Hydrogen:
• Constitutes India’s bulk Production.
• Extracted from hydrocarbons (fossil fuels, natural gas).
• By product: CO2
Blue Hydrogen: • Sourced from fossil fuels.
• By product: CO, CO2
• By products are Captured and Stored, so better than gey hydrogen.
Green Hydrogen: • Generated from renewable energy (like Solar, Wind).
• Electricity splits water into hydrogen and oxygen.
• By Products : Water, Water Vapor
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DEFENCE AND SECURITY
Military Farms:
• Military Farms were set up with sole requirement of supplying hygienic cow's milk to
troops billeted in various garrisons across British India.
• First Military farm was raised on 01 Feb 1889 at Allahabad.
• After independence Military Farms flourished with 30,000 heads of cattle in 130
Military Farms all over India. Military Farms were even established in Leh and Kargil
in late 1990s, with the role of supply of fresh and hygienic milk to troops at their
locations on daily basis.
• Another major task was management of large tracts of defence land, production and
supply of Baled Hay to animal holding units.
• Military Farms are credited with pioneering the technique of Artificial Insemination of
cattle and introduction of organised Dairying in India.
• In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, they established "Project Freiswal",
credited to be the world's largest cattle cross-breeding program.
• They also teamed up with DRDO in development of Bio-Fuel.
After 132 years of glorious service to the nation, curtains were drawn on this organisation.
EXERCISE SHANTIR OGROSHENA:
Context : Recently, the Ministry of Defence has announced that the Indian Army will
participate in the Exercise Shantir Ogroshena-2021.
Concept :
About Exercise Shantir Ogroshena
• The Exercise Shantir Ogroshena (Front Runner of the Peace) is a multinational military
exercise.
• The 2021 edition of Exercise Shantir Ogroshena will be held in Bangladesh to
commemorate the birth centenary of Bangladesh ‘Father of the Nation’ Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
• The theme of the exercise is “Robust Peace Keeping Operations”.
• The military observers from USA, UK, Turkey, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and
Singapore will also be in attendance throughout the exercise.
• The participants of Exercise Shantir Ogroshena -2021 will be the DOGRA Regiment
of Indian Army along with contingent of Royal Bhutan Army, Sri Lankan Army and
Bangladesh Army.
ULFA:
Context : Khagaria man awaits release as Ulfa (I) frees Assam colleague.
Concept: • The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) is a militant outfit operating in Assam.
It seeks to establish an independent state of socialist Assam with an armed struggle.
• It was founded in 1979 by Paresh Baruah. The organisation established ties with the
Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland in 1983, with the Burma based Kachin
Independent Army in 1987 and began its own operations in 1990.
• Military operations against the ULFA by the Indian Army began in 1990 and continue
into the present. The Government of India banned the organisation in 1990 under the
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act citing it as a terrorist organisation.
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• The outfit suffered a major setback in 2003 when Bhutan flushed them out of its
territory via its Operation All Clear.
Operation All Clear • In December 2003, Operation All Clear was launched by the Royal Bhutanese Army,
with the `logistical support’ of the Indian security forces.
• The objective was to clear southern Bhutan of camps of the ULFA, the National
Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), and the Kamatapur Liberation Organisation
(KLO).
• Several senior ULFA, NDFB and the KLO leaders were captured and handed over to
the Indian Army.
COBRA:
Context: Security agencies working to ascertain naxals claim that they abducted a CoBRA
commando.
Concept:
Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA)
• COBRA is a special operation unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) of India.
• The operation unit is skilled in the guerrilla tactics and jungle warfare.
• It established in the year 2009 to counter the Naxalite problem.
• It is deployed to tackle the insurgent groups who are engaged in asymmetrical warfare.
• Currently, there are ten battalions of CoBRA.
• The battalions are one of the most experienced and successful law enforcement units.
• Recently, a contingent of women personnel has been inducted into it.
First Women CoBRA Unit • A member of 34 CRPF women personnel contingent have been selected from 6 all-
women battalions of CRPF. They will now undergo pre-induction training for 3 months.
• After that, they will be deployed with the units in Naxal violence-affected districts in
the state of Chhattisgarh.
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) • It is largest Central Armed Police Force in India. The force works under Ministry of
Home Affairs (MHA).
• It assists the State or Union Territories in the police operations to maintain the law &
order and counter insurgency.
• It was established as the Crown Representative’s Police in July 1939. After Indian
Independence, it was renamed as CRPF in accordance with the CRPF Act.
NATIONAL SECURITY ACT:
Context: Allahabad HC cancels 94 NSA cases lodged by UP govt, calls them misuse of
law.
Concept:
About the National Security Act, 1980
• The NSA is a preventive detention law.
• The NSA empowers the Centre or a State government to detain a person to prevent him
from acting in any manner prejudicial to national security.
• The government can also detain a person to prevent him from disrupting public order
or for maintenance of supplies and services essential to the community.
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Period of Confinement: The maximum period for which one may be detained is 12
months. But the term can be extended if the government finds fresh evidence.
No Basic Rights to People Detained under the NSA, including:
• The right to be informed of the reason for the arrest (Section 50 of the Criminal
Procedure Code -Cr.PC).
• Under the NSA, a person could be kept in the dark about the reasons for his arrest for
up to five days, and in exceptional circumstances upto ten days.
• Even when providing the grounds for arrest, the government can withhold information
which it considers to be against public interest to disclose.
• Sections 56 and 76 of the Cr. PC also provides that a person has to be produced before
a court within 24 hours of arrest.
• Article 22(1) of the Constitution says an arrested person cannot be denied the right to
consult, and to be defended by, a legal practitioner of his choice.
• Under the NSA, the arrested person is not entitled to the aid of any legal practitioner in
any matter connected with the proceedings before an advisory board, which is
constituted by the government for dealing with NSA cases.
Preventive Detention • Preventive Detention involves the detainment (containment) of a person in order to
keep him/her from committing future crimes and/or from escaping future prosecution.
• Article 22 (3) (b) of the Constitution allows for preventive detention and restriction on
personal liberty for reasons of state security and public order.
• Further, Article 22(4) states that no law providing for preventive detention shall
authorise the detention of a person for a longer period than three months unless:
• An Advisory Board reports sufficient cause for extended detention.
• The 44th Amendment Act of 1978 has reduced the period of detention without
obtaining the opinion of an advisory board from three to two months. However, this
provision has not yet been brought into force, hence, the original period of three months
still continues.
• Such a person is detained in accordance with the provisions of any law made by the
Parliament.
LA PEROUSE:
Context: Indian Navy Ships INS Satpura and INS Kiltan along with P8I Long Range
Maritime Patrol Aircraft are participating, for the first time; in multi-lateral maritime exercise
La Pérouse, being conducted in the Eastern Indian Ocean Region from 05 to 07 April 2021.
Concept: • The Indian Navy ships and aircraft will exercise at sea with ships and aircraft of French
Navy (FN), Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Japan Maritime Self Defence Force
(JMSDF) and United States Navy (USN) during the three day exercise at sea.
• The exercise La Pérouse is led by French Navy.
• Exercise La Pérouse will witness complex and advanced naval operations including
surface warfare, anti-air warfare and air defence exercises, weapon firing exercises,
cross deck flying operations, tactical manoeuvres and seamanship evolutions such as
replenishment at sea.
ADVANCED CHAFF TECHNOLOGY:
Context : Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an
Advanced Chaff Technology to safeguard the naval ships against enemy missile attack.
Concept :
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• Defence Laboratory Jodhpur (DLJ), a DRDO laboratory, has indigenously developed
three variants of this technology namely Short Range Chaff Rocket (SRCR), Medium
Range Chaff Rocket (MRCR) and Long Range Chaff Rocket (LRCR) meeting Indian
Navy’s requirements.
• Chaff is a passive expendable electronic countermeasure technology used worldwide to
protect naval ships from enemy’s radar and Radio Frequency (RF) missile seekers.
• The importance of this development lies in the fact that very less quantity of chaff
material deployed in the air acts as decoy to deflect enemy’s missiles for safety of the
ships.
INS VIRAAT:
Context : INS Viraat, the Navy’s decommissioned aircraft carrier, has become the “private
property” of a ship-breaker who has already torn down 40% of its body, chiefly for scrap, the
Supreme Court told a private company, that wants to turn the vessel into a maritime museum-
cum-adventure centre.
Concept : • On February 10, the court had ordered a stay on the process of dismantling the ship.
• The carrier was bought by the Gujarat-based Shree Ram Group, a ship-breaking firm,
in a bid.
• The 67-year-old iconic warship was towed to the breaking yard after over three
decades’ service in the Navy.
INS VIRAAT: • INS Viraat was a Centaur-class aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy.
• INS Viraat was the flagship of the Indian Navy before INS Vikramaditya was
commissioned in 2013.
• The ship was completed and commissioned in 1959 as the Royal Navy's HMS Hermes,
and decommissioned in 1984. It was sold to India in 1987.
• INS Viraat was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1987 served till 2016 when it
was decommissioned.
TERRITORIAL ARMY:
Context : Kashmir: Militants kill Territorial Army soldier at his home
Concept :
• India’s first Governor General Shri C Rajagopalachari formally inaugurated the Indian
Territorial Army on October 9 in 1949.
• It is an organization where volunteers apply for a short period of training every year, so
as to be ready to tackle any emergent situation or to serve for the defence of India.
• The Territorial Army, also known as the ‘Terriers’, is considered the second line of
national defence after the regular Army.
• The Territorial Army is part of a Regular Army and its present role is to relieve the
Regular Army from static duties and assist civil administration in dealing with natural
calamities and maintenance of essential services in situations where life of the
communities is affected or the security of the country is threatened and to provide units
for Regulars Army as and when required.
• Territorial Army comes under the Defence Ministry.
SHANTIR OGROSENA:
Context: Exercise SHANTIR OGROSENA-2021 culminated today.
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Concept:
Exercise ShantirOgroshena
• The Exercise ShantirOgroshena (Front Runner of the Peace) is a multinational military
exercise.
• The 2021 edition of Exercise ShantirOgroshena will be held in Bangladesh to
commemorate the birth centenary of Bangladesh ‘Father of the Nation’ Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
• The theme of the exercise is “Robust Peace Keeping Operations”.
• The military observers from USA, UK, Turkey, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and
Singapore will also be in attendance throughout the exercise.
• The participants of Exercise ShantirOgroshena -2021 will be the DOGRA Regiment of
Indian Army along with contingent of Royal Bhutan Army, Sri Lankan Army and
Bangladesh Army.
RADCLIFFE LINE:
Concept:
• The Radcliffe line is spread through the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat till international
border in Jammu in Jammu & Kashmir, dividing India and Pakistan into two different
countries.
• Radcliffe divided India into three halves: West Pakistan, East Pakistan and India.
• It was named after the chairman of the Border Commissions, Sir Cyril Radcliffe. He
was a lawyer from England who had no previous knowledge or experience with
cartography.
BORDER ROAD ORGANISATION:
Context: Delhi High Court directs Centre to pay the family of missing BRO engineer.
Concept:
About BRO:
• Functioning under the control of the Ministry of Defence since 2015, the BRO is
engaged in road construction to provide connectivity to difficult and inaccessible
regions in the border areas of the country.
• It is staffed by officers and troops drawn from the Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers,
Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Army Service Corps, Military Police and army
personnel on extra regimental employment.
• Engineering Service and personnel from the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF)
form the parent cadre of the Border Roads Organisation.
• Currently, the organisation maintains operations in twenty-one states, one UT
(Andaman and Nicobar Islands), and neighbouring countries such as Afghanistan,
Bhutan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.
INAS 323:
Context : Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 323, the first unit of the indigenously built
ALH Mk III aircraft, was commissioned into the Indian Navy.
Concept : • The squadron will operate three state-of-the-art Advanced Light Helicopters Mk III, a
multirole helicopter with Shakti engine manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited (HAL).
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• The Mk III version of the ALH has an all glass cockpit and will be used for Search and
Rescue, Special Operations and Coastal Surveillance.
• 16 aircraft are under procurement and the aircraft are being delivered in a phased
manner to the Indian Navy.
EXERCISE VARUNA – 2021:
Context : The 19th edition of the Indian and French Navy bilateral exercise ‘VARUNA-
2021’ is scheduled to be conducted in the Arabian Sea from 25th to 27th April 2021.
Concept : • From the Indian Navy’s side, guided missile stealth destroyer INS Kolkata, guided
missile frigates INS Tarkash and INS Talwar, Fleet Support Ship INS Deepak, with
Seaking 42B and Chetak integral helicopters, a Kalvari class submarine and P8I Long
Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft, will participate in the exercise.
• VARUNA-21 highlights growing bonhomie and showcases increased levels of
synergy, coordination and inter-operability between the two friendly navies.
KRI NANGGALA:
Context : The Indian Navy dispatched its deep submergence rescue vessel (DSRV) from
Visakhapatnam to support the Indonesian Navy in the search and rescue efforts for its
submarine KRI Nanggala that went missing with 53 personnel aboard.
Concept : • KRI Nanggala (402) is a diesel-electric attack submarine of the Indonesian Navy, one
of two Cakra-class submarines (Type 209 design).
• On 21 April 2021, it went missing in deep waters during a SUT torpedo drill north of
Bali.
• The boat is named after the Nanggala, a divine and powerful short spear that was
owned by Prabu Baladewa (the elder brother of Kresna), a recurring character in
wayang puppet theatre.
Deep submergence rescue vessel (DSRV)
• India is amongst the few countries in the world capable of undertaking search and
rescue of a disabled submarine through a DSRV.
• Indian Navy’s DSRV system can locate a submarine up to 1,000-metre depth utilising
its state-of-the-art side scan sonar and remotely operated vehicle.
• After the submarine is successfully located, another sub module of DSRV — the
submarine rescue vehicle (SRV) — links with the submarine to rescue the trapped
personnel. The SRV can also be used to provide emergency supplies to the submarine.
CRYSTAL BLADE TECHNOLOGY:
Context: DRDO develops crystal blades for aero engines.
Concept: • India-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has received 60 single-crystal
blades for helicopter engines from the Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO).
• The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that the technology had been developed as
part of a programme taken up by the DRDO’s Defence Metallurgical Research
Laboratory (DMRL).
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• A total of 300 single-crystal high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades will be developed and
delivered in five 60-blade sets. The remaining four sets are expected to be delivered at
a later point.
Crystal Blades • Helicopters need compact and powerful aero-engines for operating at extreme
conditions and to achieve this, state-of-the-art single crystal blades are used.
• Made using a nickel-based superalloy, the blades feature a complex geometrical design
and can withstand high temperatures.
• The blades are used in the development of engines to allow helicopters to operate
reliably in complex conditions.
• The US, UK, Russia and France are among the few countries that can design and
produce single-crystal components.
CYBERCRIME VOLUNTEER:
Context : The Union Home Ministry has said it does not maintain a centralised list of
volunteers enrolled under the cybercrime volunteer programme since the police is a “State
subject” under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
Concept : • The Ministry, through its cybercrime grievance portal, cybercrime.gov.in, aims to raise
a group of “cybercrime volunteers” to flag “unlawful content” on the Internet.
• A digital rights group, the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF), has said the programme
enables a culture of surveillance and could create potential social distrust by
encouraging civilians to report the online activities of other citizens.
• In response to a RTI application on the total number of volunteers who have applied
under the Cybercrime Volunteers Programme of the National Cybercrime Reporting
Portal, the Ministry said the information could be sought directly from the respective
States and Union Territories.
• The programme was expected to include 500 volunteers, 200 “cyber awareness
promoters” and 50 “cyber experts”.
• The National Cybercrime Ecosystem Management Unit, of which the Cybercrime
Volunteers Programme is a constituent, is part of the Indian Cybercrime Coordination
Centre (I4C) scheme launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in January 2020.
• The project was approved in October 2018 at an estimated cost of ₹415.86 crore. The
I4C scheme that includes other components also has been allocated ₹69.80 crore in the
2021-22 Budget.
Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre • It has been established under the Ministry of Home affairs (MHA) to act as a nodal
point at National level in the fight against cybercrime.
• The scheme to set up I4C was approved in October 2018, to deal with all types of
cybercrimes in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.
• This state-of-the-art Centre is located in New Delhi.
• Various States and Union Territories have given their consent to set up Regional Cyber
Crime Coordination Centres.
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INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
ADB:
Context : ADB Approves USD 484 Mn Loan To Improve Transport Connectivity At
CKIC In Tamil Nadu.
Concept : • ADB is a regional development bank established on 19th December 1966.
• ADB now has 68 members, 49 from within Asia.
• ADB’s five largest shareholders are Japan and the United States (each with 15.6% of
total shares), the People’s Republic of China (6.4%), India (6.3%), and Australia
(5.8%).
• It aims to promote social and economic development in Asia.
• ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia
and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.
• ADB is headquartered in Manila, Philippines.
NATO:
Context: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday urged NATO to speed up
his country's membership in the alliance, saying it was the only way to end fighting with pro-
Russia separatists.
Concept:
North Atlantic Treaty Organization:
• It is an intergovernmental military alliance.
• Established by Washington treaty that was signed on 4 April 1949.
• Headquarters — Brussels, Belgium.
• Headquarters of Allied Command Operations — Mons, Belgium.
Significance: • It constitutes a system of collective defence whereby its independent member states
agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party.
Composition: • Since its founding, the admission of new member states has increased the alliance from
the original 12 countries to 30. The most recent member state to be added to NATO
was North Macedonia on 27 March 2020.
• NATO membership is open to “any other European state in a position to further the
principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area.”
Objectives: • Political – NATO promotes democratic values and enables members to consult and
cooperate on defence and security-related issues to solve problems, build trust and, in
the long run, prevent conflict.
• Military – NATO is committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes. If diplomatic
efforts fail, it has the military power to undertake crisis-management operations.
• These are carried out under the collective defence clause of NATO’s founding treaty –
Article 5 of the Washington Treaty or under a United Nations mandate, alone or in
cooperation with other countries and international organisations.
UNSC:
Context: India condemns Myanmar violence, expresses concern at UNSC meeting.
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Concept:
• The UN Security Council was established by the UN Charter in 1945. It is one of the
six principal organs of the United Nations.
• The other 5 organs of the United Nations are—the General Assembly, the Trusteeship
Council, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice, and the
Secretariat.
• Its primary responsibility is to work to maintain international peace and security.
• The council has 15 members: the five permanent members and 10 non-permanent
members elected for two-year term
• The five permanent members are the United States, the Russian Federation, France,
China and the United Kingdom.
• Each member of the Security Council has one vote. Decisions of the Security Council
on matters are made by an affirmative vote of nine members including the concurring
votes of the permanent members.
• A “No” vote from one of the five permanent members blocks the passage of the
resolution.
• Any member of the United Nations which is not a member of the Security Council may
participate, without vote, in the discussion of any question brought before the Security
Council whenever the latter considers that the interests of that member are specially
affected.
• The council’s presidency is a capacity that rotates every month among its 15 members.
• The council is headquartered at NewYork.
ICLEI:
Context: ICLEI elects Atishi as next Global Vice President; first from South Asia.
Concept: • ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network of more than 1,750
local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development.
• Active in 100+ countries, It influence sustainability policy and drive local action for
low emission.
• It focuses on nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development.
• ICLEI creates connections among the local, regional, national and global governmental
levels.
• ICLEI advocate for robust national and global sustainability policies that reflect the
interests of local and regional governments and their communities.
• ICLEI forges strategic alliances with international organizations, national governments,
academic and financial institutions, civil society and the private sector.
QUAD:
Context: Navies of the ‘Quad’ can swing together to tackle any threat in Indo-Pacific: Top
Indian & US commanders.
Concept: • It is a four-nation alliance of India, Australia, USA and Japan which was established in
2007.
• It is often dubbed as an "Asian" or "mini" NATO, and is viewed as a counterbalance to
China's military and economic clout in the Indo-Pacific region.
• The 2020 US-China Economic and Security Review Commission shows China's
growing power projection along the Indian Ocean rim with military or economic
activities in countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
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• Interestingly, the QUAD, which used to be known as the quadrilateral security dialogue,
is now known as the quadrilateral framework to indicate it has gone beyond a narrow
security dialogue.
• In November 2017, India, the USA, Australia and Japan gave shape to the long-pending
"QUAD" Coalition to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-
Pacific free of any influence (especially China).
• Since then, QUAD has taken several steps to bolster military and strategic ties with a
series of working- and ministerial-level meetings.
Participation in Malabar Exercise: • In 2020, all four QUAD Countries - Japan, India, Australia and the USA took part in
the Malabar exercise.
• Malabar exercise is an annual trilateral naval exercise between the navies of India,
Japan, and the USA which is held alternately in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
OPCW:
Context : India’s Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), has been appointed as external
auditor of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) at The Hague.
Concept : • The OPCW is an independent, autonomous international organisation with a working
relationship with the United Nations.
• The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is the implementing body
of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which entered into force in 1997.
• The organisation was awarded the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize “for its extensive efforts to
eliminate chemical weapons”.
• The OPCW Member States share the collective goal of preventing chemistry from ever
again being used for warfare, thereby strengthening international security.
To this end, the Convention contains four key provisions:
• Destroying all existing chemical weapons under international verification by the
OPCW.
• Monitoring chemical industry to prevent new weapons from re-emerging.
• Providing assistance and protection to States Parties against chemical threats.
• Fostering international cooperation to strengthen implementation of the Convention
and promote the peaceful use of chemistry.
The Chemical Weapons Convention prohibits:
• Developing, producing, acquiring, stockpiling, or retaining chemical weapons.
• The direct or indirect transfer of chemical weapons.
• Chemical weapons use or military preparation for use.
• Assisting, encouraging, or inducing other states to engage in CWC-prohibited activity.
• The use of riot control agents “as a method of warfare.”
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GOVERNMENT SCHEMES
PLI FOR FOOD PROCESSING SECTOR:
Context : The Union Cabinet has approved the Central Sector Scheme - "Production
Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI)" with an outlay of Rs. 10900
crore.
Concept : • The objectives of the Scheme are to support food manufacturing entities with stipulated
minimum Sales and willing to make minimum stipulated investment for expansion of
processing capacity and Branding abroad to incentivise emergence of strong Indian
brands.
• The scheme will be rolled out on All India basis.
• The scheme shall be implemented through a Project Management Agency (PMA). The
Scheme would be monitored at Centre by the Empowered Group of Secretaries chaired
by the Cabinet Secretary.
• The duration of the scheme will be six years i.e., 2021-22 to 2026-27. The incentive
under the scheme would be paid for six years ending 2026-27.
The scheme is "fund-limited", i.e., cost shall be restricted to the approved amount
PMSYM SCHEME:
Context : PMSYM pension scheme for low-wage earners loses steam.
Concept :
Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM)
• M-SYM is a Central Sector Scheme administered by the Ministry of Labour and
Employment and implemented through Life Insurance Corporation of India and
Community Service Centers (CSCs).
• LIC will be the Pension Fund Manager and responsible for Pension pay out.
• This scheme seeks to benefit around 42 crore workers from the unorganized sector of
the country.
Eligibility
• The unorganised workers (home based workers, street vendors, mid-day meal workers,
head loaders, landless labourers and similar other occupations) whose monthly income
is Rs 15,000/ per month or less.
• The Subscriber should belong to the entry age group of 18-40 years.
• The subscriber will be required to have a mobile phone, savings bank account and
Aadhaar number.
• They should not be covered under New Pension Scheme (NPS), Employees’ State
Insurance Corporation (ESIC) scheme or Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation
(EPFO).
• He/She should not be an income tax payer.
Salient Features • Minimum Assured Pension: Each subscriber shall receive minimum assured pension
of Rs 3000/- per month after attaining the age of 60 years.
• Family Pension: During the receipt of pension, if the subscriber dies, the spouse of the
beneficiary shall be entitled to receive 50% of the pension received by the beneficiary
as family pension. Family pension is applicable only to spouse.
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• If a beneficiary has given regular contribution and died due to any cause (before age of
60 years), his/her spouse will be entitled to join and continue the scheme subsequently
by payment of regular contribution or exit the scheme as per provisions of exit and
withdrawal.
• Contribution: The subscriber’s contributions shall be made through ‘auto-debit’
facility from his/ her savings bank account/ Jan- Dhan account.
• PM-SYM functions on a 50:50 basis where prescribed age-specific contribution shall
be made by the beneficiary and the matching contribution by the Central Government.
STAND UP INDIA SCHEME:
Context : Stand Up India scheme: Rs 25,586 crore sanctioned to ST, SC, women
entrepreneurs.
Concept : • Stand Up India Scheme was launched on 5 April 2016 to promote entrepreneurship at
the grass-root level of economic empowerment and job creation.
• This scheme seeks to leverage the institutional credit structure to reach out to the
underserved sector of people such as SCs, STs and Women Entrepreneurs.
• The objective of this scheme is to facilitate bank loans between Rs.10 lakh and Rs.1
crore to at least one SC or ST borrower and at least one woman borrower per bank
branch for setting up a Greenfield enterprise.
• The offices of SIDBI and NABARD shall be designated Stand-Up Connect Centres
(SUCC)
Eligibility under Stand Up India Scheme • SC/ST and/or women entrepreneurs; above 18 years of age
• Loans under the scheme are available for only Greenfield project
• Borrower should not be in default to any bank or financial institution
• In case of non-individual enterprises at least 51% of the shareholding and controlling
stake should be held by either an SC/ST or Woman entrepreneur.
PLI FOR WHITE GOODS, SOLAR MODULES:
Concept:
White Goods
• The Union Cabinet approved the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for White
Goods (Air Conditioners and LED Lights) with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 6,238 crore.
• The PLI Scheme for White Goods shall extend an incentive of 4% to 6% on incremental
sales of goods manufactured in India for a period of five years to companies engaged
in manufacturing of Air Conditioners and LED Lights.
• An entity availing benefits under any other PLI Scheme of Govt. India will not be
eligible under this scheme for the same products but the entity may take benefits under
other applicable schemes of Govt. of India or schemes of State governments.
• The Scheme will be implemented as a pan India scheme and is not specific to any
location, area or segment of population. A number of global and domestic companies,
including a number of MSMEs are likely to benefit from the Scheme.
What are White goods ? • A major appliance, also known as a large domestic appliance or large electric appliance
is a non-portable or semi-portable machine used for routine housekeeping tasks such as
cooking, washing laundry, or food preservation.
• Such appliances are sometimes collectively known as white goods, as the products were
traditionally white in colour, although a variety of colours are now available.
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Solar Modules • The Union Cabinet has approved the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy's proposal
for implementation of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme 'National
Programme on High Efficiency Solar PV (Photo Voltic) Modules' for achieving
manufacturing capacity of Giga Watt (GW) scale in high efficiency solar PV modules
with an outlay of Rs.4,500 crore.
• Solar PV manufacturers will be selected through a transparent competitive bidding
process.
• PLI will be disbursed for 5 years post commissioning of solar PV manufacturing plants,
on sales of high efficiency solar PV modules.
ECHS:
Context: Soon, night-time medical consultation for ex-servicemen from ECHS centres.
Concept: • ECHS is a flagship Scheme of the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of
Defence. It was launched with effect from April 2003.
• To provide quality healthcare for Ex-servicemen (Army, Navy and Air Force)
pensioners and their dependents.
• Under the scheme allopathic and AYUSH medicare is provided through a network of
ECHS Polyclinics, AYUSH hospitals spread across the country.
• ECHS Polyclinics are designed to provide 'OutPatient Care' which includes
consultation, essential investigation and provision of medicines.
• Specialized consultations, investigations and 'In Patient Care' (Hospitalization) is
provided through spare capacity available in Service hospitals/Government
Hospitals/civil hospitals empanelled with ECHS.
• The Scheme is financed by the Government of India.
• The Central Organisation ECHS is located at Delhi in the Integrated Headquarters of
Ministry of Defence (Army).
ECLGS:
Context: Finance Ministry widens emergency credit line guarantee scheme scope to
SMA-1 loans.
Concept : • ECLGS was rolled out as part of the Centre’s Aatmanirbhar package in response to the
Covid-19 crisis. The objective was to support small businesses struggling to meet their
operational liabilities due to the imposition of a nationwide lockdown.
• The ECLGS provides for the Guaranteed Emergency Credit Line (GECL) facility. The
GECL is a loan for which 100% guarantee is provided by the National Credit Guarantee
Trustee Company (NCGTC) to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) – banks, financial
institutions and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).
• The loans are extended in the form of additional working capital term loan facility in
case of banks and additional term loan facility in case of NBFCs to eligible MSME
enterprises and interested Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) borrowers.
• First-time borrowers and Non-Performing Asset (NPA) accounts cannot raise funds
under the scheme.
• The tenor of loans provided under the GECL facility is four years from the date of
disbursement.
• A moratorium period of one year on the principal amount is provided.
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• Interest rates of banks and financial institutions have been capped at 9.25% per annum,
while NBFCs can lend at a maximum of 14% per annum.
STARTUP INDIA SEED FUND SCHEME:
Context : Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal today launched the
Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)
Concept : • It is a Rs 1,000-crore seed fund for startups.
• The scheme will help startups with the initial capital for growth and operations.
• The government will provide guarantees to help startups raise debt-capital in order to
build a startup ecosystem which functions on the ‘of the youth, by the youth, for the
youth’ mantra.
• It is the need of the hour that the technologies of the future come out of the lab of Asia
and the entrepreneurs of the future should be prepared from here.
Fund of Fund Scheme
• It is a scheme that invests in units of other Mutual Fund (MF) schemes.
• The FoF is an MF scheme but one that does not invest directly in stocks or securities
but in other MF schemes.
• It gives the investor an opportunity to invest in different schemes managed by different
fund managers.
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REPORTS
WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK:
Context: In its annual World Economic Outlook, the Washington-based global financial
institution said that the Indian economy is expected to grow by 6.9 per cent in 2022.
Concept: • Also, the IMF projected an impressive 12.5 per cent growth rate for India in 2021,
stronger than that of China, the only major economy to have a positive growth rate last
year during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In 2020, India's economy contracted by a record eight per cent.
World Economic Outlook • WEO is a survey by the IMF that is usually published twice a year in the months of
April and October.
• It analyzes and predicts global economic developments during the near and medium
term.
• In response to the growing demand for more frequent forecast updates, the WEO
Update is published in January and July between the two main WEO publications
released usually in April and October.
• IMF also releases Global Financial Stability Report.
N – LRSI:
Context : M.P., West Bengal, Odisha top in land records digitisation: N-LRSI index
Concept : • NCAER (National Council of Applied Economic Research) has released India’s first
land records and services index, which evaluates the quality of land records in the
country and the extent of their digitalization.
• The N-LRSI( NCAER Land Record Services Index) aims at filling the gaps in
economic research, policy analysis, and systematic data on land.
• Land access is a crucial factor for poverty alleviation and boosting economic growth.
In order to resolve disputes and effectively use asset, land records are essential.
Methodology • The 2020 N-LRSI is based on data collected over 2019-20 on two aspects of the supply
of land records: extent of digitalization and quality of land records.
• The first component, which aims to assess whether a state has made all its land records
digitally available, has three dimensions—the text of the land records (also called the
record of rights), the official map associated with a land , and the property registration
process.
• The second component of the Index aims to assess if the land records are comprehensive
and reliable–are ownership details updated as soon as a sale occurs, the extent of joint
ownership, type of land use, land area on the record and on the map, and are
encumbrances being recorded.
National Council for Applied and Economic Research (NCAER) • Established in 1956, NCAER is India’s oldest and largest independent, non-profit,
economic policy research institute.
• It is one of a handful of think tanks globally that combine rigorous analysis and policy
outreach with deep data collection capabilities, especially for household surveys.
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GLOBAL GENDER GAP REPORT:
Context : Recently, the World Economic Forum has released the Global Gender Gap
Report 2021.
Concept :
• Iceland continued to top the index in 2021, followed by Finland and Norway, while
Afghanistan was at the last position of 156.
• The report highlighted that South Asia incidentally is one of the worst performing
regions, followed only by the Middle East and northern Africa.
• In South Asia, Bangladesh was the top performer on the gender gap index with a global
ranking of 65, followed by Nepal at 106, Sri Lanka at 116, and Bhutan at 130.
• Apart from Afghanistan, Pakistan was the only country behind India on the index with
a global ranking of 153.
• The report states that many countries have fared worse in this year’s rankings compared
to last year’s, on account of economic performance.
About Global Gender Gap Report • It was first published in 2006 by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
• The Index benchmarks the evolution of gender-based gaps among four key dimensions
i.e. economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and
survival, and political empowerment.
• It examines the drivers of gender gaps and outlines the policies and practices needed
for a gender-inclusive recovery.
• It presents information and data that were compiled and/or collected by the World
Economic Forum.
AQUEDUCT WATER RISK ATLAS:
Context : Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas released by the World Resources Institute (WRI) ranks
India at 13th among the world’s 17 extremely water-stressed countries.
Concept :
Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas(AWRA)
• The AWRA, developed by the World Resources Institute, is a global water risk
mapping tool that assistsfirms, investors, governments, and other users comprehend
where and how water risks and opportunities are surfacingglobally.
• The Atlas employs a sturdy, peer reviewed methodology and the most accurate
available data to create high-resolution, customizable global maps of water risk.
• Aqueduct now includes 13 indicators of water risk, including new additions such as
groundwater availability and water depletion, and monthly snapshots of water stress
and variability.
World Resources Institute (WRI) • It is a global research non-profit organization (based in USA) which focuses on 7 areas:
Food ,Forests,Water,Energy,Cities,Climate, Ocean.
• The mission is to shift human society to live in ways that safegaurd Earth’s
environment.
STATE OF WORLD POPULATION REPORT 2021:
Context: The United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) flagship ‘State of World
Population Report 2021’ titled ‘My Body is My Own’ was launched
Concept:
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• This is the first time a United Nations report has focused on bodily autonomy, defined
as the power and agency to make choices about your body without the fear of violence
or having someone else decide for you.
• Nearly half the women from 57 developing countries do not have the right to make
decisions regarding their bodies, including using contraception, seeking healthcare or
even on their sexuality.
• In countries where data is available, only 55% of women are fully empowered to make
choices over healthcare, contraception and the ability to say yes or no to sex. It also
highlights that only 75% of countries legally ensure full and equal access to
contraception.
• Under its ambit also fall people with disabilities stripped of their rights to self-
determination, to be free from violence and to enjoy a safe and satisfying sexual life.
• Women around the world are denied the fundamental right of bodily autonomy with the
COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbating this situation.
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) • UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency.
• Its mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is
safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
CGGI:
Context : India ranked 49th in CGGI.
Concept :
• Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) is an annual Index, built by government
practitioners, for government practitioners, measuring the capabilities and effectiveness
of 104 governments around the world.
• India has been ranked 49th in the Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI). Finland
topped the CGGI list.
• The index focuses on seven pillars: leadership and foresight; robust laws and policies;
strong institutions; financial stewardship; attractive marketplace; global influence and
reputation; and helping people rise.
WORLD PRESS FREEDOM INDEX:
Context: Recently, the Reporters without Borders (RSF) has released the 2021 edition
of World Press Freedom Index.
Concept: • It ranks 180 countries, topped by Norway followed by Finland and Denmark, while
Eritrea is at the bottom.
• China is ranked 177, and is only above North Korea at 179 and Turkmenistan at 178.
• In the South Asian neighbourhood, Nepal is at 106, Sri Lanka at 127, Myanmar (before
the coup) at 140, Pakistan at 145 and Bangladesh at 152.
• The report said that Asia Pacific’s authoritarian regimes have used the Covid-19
pandemic to perfect their methods of totalitarian control of information.
• India has not slipped further on the World Press Freedom Index 2021.
• India is ranked 142 after it had consistently slid down from 133 in 2016.
About World Press Freedom Index • It is an annual report published every year since 2002 by Reporters Without Borders
(RSF).
• It is a qualitative analysis combined with quantitative data on abuses and acts of
violence against journalists during the period evaluated.
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• The countries have been given scores ranging from 0 to 100, with 0 being the best
possible score and 100 the worst, ever since the 2013 index.
• The Index ranks 180 countries and regions according to the level of freedom available
to journalists.
It does not rank public policies even if governments obviously have a major impact on their
country’s ranking.
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NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
CBDT:
Context : A delay in appointing members of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT),
the apex body of the Income Tax Department, is puzzling the entire revenue service and tax
bureaucracy.
Concept : • The Central Board of Direct Taxes is a statutory authority functioning under the
Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963.
• The officials of the Board in their ex-officio capacity also function as a Division of the
Ministry of Finance dealing with matters relating to levy and collection of direct taxes.
• The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is a part of the Department of Revenue in
the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
• It provides essential inputs for policy and planning of direct taxes in India and is also
responsible for administration of the direct tax laws through Income Tax Department.
• It is India’s official Financial Action Task Force unit.
• The Central Board of Revenue as the Department apex body charged with the
administration of taxes came into existence as a result of the Central Board of Revenue
Act, 1924.
• Initially the Board was in charge of both direct and indirect taxes. However, when the
administration of taxes became too unwieldy for one Board to handle, the Board was
split up into two, namely the Central Board of Direct Taxes and Central Board of Excise
and Customs in 1964.
• The CBDT Chairman and Members of CBDT are selected from Indian Revenue Service
(IRS), a premier civil service of India, whose members constitute the top management
of Income Tax Department.
NABARD:
Context : RBI extends fresh support of ₹50,000 cr. to NABARD, others.
Concept :
About NABARD:
• It is an apex development and specialized bank established on 12 July 1982 by an act
by the parliament of India.
• Its main focus is to uplift rural India by increasing the credit flow for elevation of
agriculture & rural non farm sector.
• It was established based on the recommendations of the Committee set up by the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under the chairmanship of Shri B. shivaraman.
• It replaced the Agricultural Credit Department (ACD) and Rural Planning and Credit
Cell (RPCC) of Reserve Bank of India, and Agricultural Refinance and Development
Corporation (ARDC).
• It has been accredited with “matters concerning policy, planning and operations in the
field of credit for agriculture and other economic activities in rural areas in India”.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently sold its entire stakes in the National Bank
for Agriculture & Rural Development (NABARD) and National Housing Bank.
• The decision to divest its entire stake was taken based on the recommendations of the
second Narasimham Committee. The government now holds a 100 per cent stake in
both NHB and NABARD.
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CSIR – NEERI:
Context: The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has divested Rakesh
Kumar, Director, National Environment Engineering and Research Institute (NEERI) .
Concept:
• The CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) is a
research institute created and funded by Government of India.
• It was established in Nagpur in 1958 with focus on water supply, sewage disposal, and
communicable diseases and to some extent on industrial pollution and occupational
diseases found common in post-independent India.
• NEERI is a pioneer laboratory in the field of environmental science and engineering
and part of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
• NEERI has five zonal laboratories at Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai.
NEERI falls under the Ministry of Science and Technology (India) of central
government.
About CSIR • Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is the largest research and
development (R&D) organisation in India.
• Established: September 1942
• Located: New Delhi
• CSIR is funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology and it operates as an
autonomous body through the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• CSIR covers a wide spectrum of streams – from radio and space physics, oceanography,
geophysics, chemicals, drugs, genomics, biotechnology and nanotechnology to mining,
aeronautics, instrumentation, environmental engineering and information technology.
• It provides significant technological intervention in many areas with regard to societal
efforts which include the environment, health, drinking water, food, housing, energy,
and farm and non-farm sectors.
Organisation Structure • President: Prime Minister of India (Ex-officio)
• Vice President: Union Minister of Science and Technology (Ex-officio)
• Governing Body: The Director-General is the head of the governing body.
• The other ex-officio member is the finance secretary (expenditures).
• Other members' terms are of three years.
• CSIR Advisory Board: 15-member body composed of prominent members from
respective fields of science and technology.
• Its function is to provide science and technology inputs to the governing body.
• Member terms are are of three years.
SECURITIES APELLATE TRIBUNAL:
Context : The Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) has asked markets regulator Sebi to
pass final order in six months in a case related to CG Power and Industrial Solutions, wherein
the company's ex-chairman Gautam Thapar and three other former officials were banned from
the securities market.
Concept: • SAT is a statutory body established under the provisions of Section 15K of the SEBI
Act, 1992.
• Located at Mumbai.
Composition: • SAT consists of a Presiding Officer and Two other members.
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• The Presiding officer of SAT shall be appointed by the Central Government in
consultation with the Chief Justice of India or his nominee.
Powers & Functions:
• It has the same powers as vested in a civil court. Further, if any person feels aggrieved
by SAT’s decision or order can appeal to the Supreme Court.
• To hear and dispose of appeals against orders passed by the SEBI or by an adjudicating
officer under the SEBI Act,1992.
• To hear and dispose of appeals against orders passed by the Pension Fund Regulatory
and Development Authority (PFRDA).
• To hear and dispose of appeals against orders passed by the Insurance Regulatory
Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
NCSC:
Context: National Commission for Scheduled Castes starts online complaints portal.
Concept: • NCSC is a constitutional body that works to safeguard the interests of the scheduled
castes (SC) in India.
• Article 338 of the constitution of India deals with this commission:
• It provides for a National Commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
with duties to investigate and monitor all matters relating to safeguards provided for
them, to inquire into specific complaints and to participate and advise on the planning
process of their socio-economic development etc.
History and Origin: • Special Officer: Initially, the constitution provided for the appointment of a Special
Officer under Article 338.
• The special officer was designated as the Commissioner for Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes.
• 65th Amendment, 1990: It replaced the one-member system with a multi-member
National Commission for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
• The Constitution (65th Amendment) Act 1990, amended Article 338 of the
Constitution.
• 89th Amendment, 2003: By this amendment, the erstwhile National Commission for
SC and ST was replaced by two separate Commissions from the year 2004 which were:
National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and National Commission for
Scheduled Tribes (NCST)- under Article 338-A.
Structure: • It consists of Chairperson, Vice-chairperson and three other members.
• They are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
Functions: • Monitoring and investigating all issues concerning the safeguards provided for the SCs
under the constitution.
• Enquiring into complaints relating to the deprivation of the rights and safeguards of the
SCs.
• Taking part in and advising the central or state governments with respect to the planning
of socio-economic development of the SCs.
• Regular reporting to the President of the country on the implementation of these
safeguards.
• Recommending steps to be taken to further the socio-economic development and other
welfare activities of the SCs.
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• Any other function with respect to the welfare, protection, development and
advancement of the SC community.
• The Commission is also required to discharge similar functions with regard to the
Anglo-Indian Community as it does with respect to the SCs.
• Till 2018, the commission was also required to discharge similar functions with regard
to the other backward classes (OBCs). It was relieved from this responsibility by the
102nd Amendment Act of 2018.
SIDBI:
Context : Sivasubramanian Ramann from Tamil Nadu has taken charge as the Chairman
and Managing Director of the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).
Concept : • It is a statutory body which was set up on 2nd April 1990 under an Act of Indian
Parliament.
• It acts as the Principal Financial Institution for Promotion, Financing and Development
of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector as well as for co-ordination
of functions of institutions engaged in similar activities
• Its mission is to facilitate and strengthen credit flow to MSMEs and address both
financial and developmental gaps in the MSME eco-system.
• It is one of the four All India Financial Institutions regulated and supervised by the
Reserve Bank of India.
EPFO:
Context: Net new enrolments with retirement fund body EPFO grew by nearly 20 per cent
to 12.37 lakh in February compared to the same month in 2020, according to the payroll data.
Concept:
• It is a statutory organization that manages provident fund and pension accounts for the
workforce engaged in the organized sector in India.
• It implements the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.
• The Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 provides for
the institution of provident funds for employees in factories and other establishments.
• It is administered by the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India.
• It is one of the World's largest Social Security Organisations in terms of clientele and
the volume of financial transactions undertaken.
CERT-IN:
Context : The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has warned
WhatsApp users in India of multiple vulnerabilities it detected in the instant messaging
platform, which could lead to breach of sensitive user data and personal information.
Concept :
Computer Emergency Response Team - India (CERT-IN)
• It is an organisation of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology,
Government of India, with the objective of securing Indian cyberspace.
• It is the nodal agency which deals with cybersecurity threats like hacking and phishing.
• It collects, analyses and disseminates information on cyber incidents, and also issues
alert on cybersecurity incidents.
• CERT-IN provides Incident Prevention and Response Services as well as Security
Quality Management Services.
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Additional Facts: • Budapest Convention on Cybercrime: It is the first international treaty that seeks to
address Internet and cybercrime by harmonizing national laws, improving investigative
techniques and increasing cooperation among nations.It came into force in 2004.India
is not a signatory to this convention.
• Cyber Surakshit Bharat Yojana: It was launched in 2018 by Ministry of Electronics
and Information Technology in association with National e-Governance
Division(NeGD) and industry players.It includes awareness programs on cyber
security; workshops on best practices and enablement of the officials with cyber
security health tool kits.
• Cyber Swachhta Kendra (Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre): It provides
for the detection of malicious programs and free tools to remove such programs.
• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre(I4C): It was established in 2018 to
combat cybercrime in India in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.It functions
under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
NATIONAL COMMISSSION ON WOMEN:
Context : The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Thursday launched a message-
only helpline for providing assistance to expectant mothers.
Concept : • It was set up as a statutory body in January 1992 under the National Commission for
Women Act, 1990.
• Its mission is to strive towards enabling women to achieve equality and equal
participation in all spheres of life by securing her due rights and entitlements through
suitable policy formulation, legislative measures, etc.
Its functions are to:
• Review the constitutional and legal safeguards for women.
• Recommend remedial legislative measures.
• Facilitate redressal of grievances.
• Advise the Government on all policy matters affecting women.
Composition:
• Chairperson: The central government should nominate the chairperson.
• Five members: The five members are also to be nominated by the central government
from amongst the person of ability, integrity, and standing. They should possess
experience in various fields like law or legislation, trade unionism, management of
industry potential of women, women’s voluntary organization, education,
administration, economic development, and social good-being.
• Member Secretary: The Central Government also nominates member secretary. He/
she should be either an expert in the field of management, an organization, or an officer
who is a member.
Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology CCMB:
Context: Scientists at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, at the forefront of
sequencing the SARS-CoV-2 genome, will culture the double mutant strain B.1.617 and other
variants of concern and check if antibodies of vaccinated or recovered persons can neutralise
the virus.
Concept:
About Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology:
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• The Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB) is a premier research
organization which conducts high quality basic research and trainings in frontier areas
of modern biology, and promote centralized national facilities for new and modern
techniques in the interdisciplinary areas of biology.
• It was set up initially as a semi-autonomous Centre on April 1, 1977 with the
Biochemistry Division of the then Regional Research Laboratory (presently, Indian
Institute of Chemical Technology, IICT) Hyderabad.
• It is located in Hyderabad and operates under the aegis of the Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR).
It is designated as “Center of Excellence” by the Global Molecular and Cell Biology
Network, UNESCO.
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MISCELLANEOUS
DADASAHEB PHALKE AWARD:
Context : The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Rajinikanth after he has
been conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2019.
Concept : • Dadasaheb Phalke award is India's highest award in cinema.
• It is presented annually at the National Film Awards ceremony by the Directorate of
Film Festivals (an organisation set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting).
• The award prize consists of a golden lotus, a cash prize of ₹10 lakh and a shawl.
• The award is given to people for their "outstanding contribution to the growth and
development of Indian cinema".
• It was first presented in 1969. The first recipient of the award was actress Devika Rani,
“the first lady of Indian cinema.”
Dadasaheb Phalke • Dadasaheb Phalke (1870–1944), was an Indian film-maker who directed India's first
full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra (1913).
• He is regarded as "the father of Indian cinema."
SLBC:
Context : Owing to a rise in infection among staff, the State-Level Bankers’ Committee is
considering limiting operations – from 10 am to 2pm.
Concept : • State Level Bankers' Committee, set-up as per the Lead Bank Scheme of the Reserve
Bank of India, is the highest body of bankers in the state.
• The committee meets once a quarter. In addition to reviewing the activities of the
institutional lending, the quarterly meetings discuss various issues concerning the
economic development of the state, where banks play a pivotal role.
• The meetings aim at finding solution to the various problems confronting the state.
The forum takes the lead in initiating, streamlining and accelerating the process of
development in close co-ordination with various government departments, Reserve
Bank of India, NABARD and other developmental agencies.
• The quarterly meetings are attended by top-level functionaries of member institutions
of SLBC, thereby enabling them for meaningful and purposeful discussions on
various matters aimed at solving the various issues.
WORLD CITIES CULTURAL FORUM:
Context : Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be representing Delhi and India at the World
Cities Cultural Forum (WCCF) , according to a statement issued by the city government.
Concept : • World cities cultural forum began in 2012 with 8 members in London. Now it is
network of 40 key cities like London, Hong Kong, Amsterdam etc.
• The WCCF enables the policy makers of member cities to share research and
intelligence, while exploring the vital role of culture in prosperity.
• Forum members collaborate via a program of events including themed symposia,
regional summits and workshops.
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• Delhi become the newest member and the second Indian city after Mumbai on the
World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF), a platform for cities to share their culture.
MATERNAL DEATHS:
Context : The failure of the health system to cope with COVID-19 pandemic resulted in
an increase in maternal deaths and stillbirths, according to a study published in The Lancet
Global Health journal.
Concept : • Overall, there was a 28% increase in the odds of stillbirth, and the risk of mothers dying
during pregnancy or childbirth increased by about one-third.
• There was also a rise in maternal depression.
• COVID-19 impact on pregnancy outcomes was disproportionately high on poorer
countries.
• The report is an analysis of 40 studies across 17 countries including Brazil, Mexico, the
U.S., Canada, the U.K., Denmark, Netherlands, Italy, India, China and Nepal.
• The study attributes the worsening trend to the failure of the “inefficiency of the
healthcare system and their inability to cope with the pandemic” instead of strict
lockdown measures. This resulted in reduced access to care.
• In India, during the months of national lockdown last year between April and June,
compared to the same period in 2019, there was a 27% drop in pregnant women
receiving four or more ante-natal check-ups, a 28% decline in institutional deliveries
and 22% decline in prenatal services.
ROBOT SOPHIA:
Context : 'Artist' Sophia robot's digital creations sold for $688,888, aims for a music
career
Concept : • Sophia is the first robot citizen of the world after Saudi Arabia granted her citizenship
in October 2017.
• She is a social humanoid robot, which using artificial intelligence (AI) programming,
can imitate human gestures and facial expressions, and is able to converse on predefined
topics.
• It was developed by the Hong Kong-based Hanson Robotics and ‘activated’ on
February 14, 2016.
• She made her maiden India debut on December 30, 2017 at the Indian Institute of
Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) during its cultural festival TechFest.
CIVIL DEFENCE VOLUNTEERS:
Context: Argument between students, Delhi Civil Defence volunteers turns violent.
Concept:
• Civil Defence operates under the Civil Defence Act and associated rules and
regulations.
• The Act was amended in 2009 and a notification was issued in 2010 to include disaster
management as an additional role.
• Civil Defence is primarily organised on voluntary basis except for a small nucleus of
paid staff and establishment which is augmented during emergencies.
Administration:
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• Although it is a Central law, Section 4 of the Civil Defence Act empowers State
governments to raise corps at the local administration level as per their requirement.
The District Magistrate, District Collector or Deputy Commissioner is designated as
Controller of the Civil Defence.
Eligibility for becoming a Civil Defence Volunteer: • A person who intends to apply for appointment to a Civil Defence Corps must fulfil the
following conditions;
• s/he shall be a citizen of India, or a subject or Sikkim or of Bhutan or of Nepal.
• s/he shall have completed the age of 18 years provided that this age limit may be relaxed
at the discretion of the competent authority up to a maximum of 3 years for any branch
or category of the Corps.
• s/he shall have passed at least the primary standard, that is to say, the fourth class, and
this condition may be relaxed by the Controller at this discretion.
• Both men and women shall be eligible for appointment to the Corps.
E-9 INITIATIVE:
Context: Consultation meeting of Education Ministers of E9 countries on E9 initiative to be
held tomorrow.
The consultation is the first of a three-phased process to co-create an initiative
on digital learning and skills, targeting marginalised children and youth, especially girls.
Concept:
E9 initiative
• The initiative aims to accelerate recovery and advance the Sustainable Development
Goal 4 agenda by driving rapid change in education systems in three of the 2020 Global
Education Meeting priorities: (i) support to teachers; (ii) investment in skills; and (iii)
narrowing of the digital divide.
Participants: • Spearheaded by the UN, the E9 countries include Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt,
India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria and Pakistan.
Benefits: • Building on the established partnership of E9 countries allows these nine countries the
opportunity to benefit from this global initiative and accelerate progress on digital
learning and skills towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 –
Quality Education.
AIR BUBBLE PACT:
Context: India has finalised air bubble pact with Sri Lanka: Aviation Ministry
Concept: • Under the air bubble pact between the two countries, special international passenger
flights can be operated into each other's territories under restrictive conditions due to
the COVID-19 pandemic
• With this, India now has such pacts with 28 countries, including Afghanistan, Bahrain,
Canada, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, the Maldives, Nigeria, Qatar, the UAE, the U.K.
and the USA.
PROJECT INVESTMENT SURVEY:
Context: Investment projects bounce back in Q4: report
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Concept: • The 82nd Survey of Projects Investment in India conducted by Projects Today indicated
a healthy quarter-on-quarter growth of 33.4 percent in fresh investment in the last
quarter of the fiscal 2020-21 (Q4/FY21).
• Fresh investments rebounded strongly in the last quarter of 2020-21, with both private
sector and government-backed capital spending taking off sharply for the first time in
the pandemic-hit year, even as the project execution ratio, which denotes actual ground-
level action, hit a five-year high.
• The Q4 surge drove up the overall fresh investments in 2020-21 to ₹10.72 lakh crore,
just 1.2% below the 2019-20 levels, although investments had plummeted sharply that
year from ₹16.87 lakh crore in 2018-19.
INDIA H2 ALLIANCE:
Context: Reliance, other energy majors form hydrogen coalition.
Concept: • The Global energy and industrial majors have joined together to form a new coalition
called the India H2 Alliance. The initiative to form the alliance was begun by the
Reliance industries and Chart Industries.
• The IH2 alliance will mainly focus on industrial clusters such as refineries, steel,
cement, fertiliser, ports and logistics and heavy-duty transport use cases. It will also
create standards for storage and transport of hydrogen in pressurised and liquefied form.
The following are the main objectives of IH2A:
• To build hydrogen economy and supply chain in India
• To help develop blue and green hydrogen production and storage
• To build hydrogen-use industrial clusters
• To increase hydrogen-powered fuel cells-based transport
The India H2 Alliance will closely work with the Government of India on the following five
areas:
• To develop National Hydrogen Policy and roadmap 2021-30.
• To create National H2 Task Force and Mission in a PPP model
• To identify National Large H2 Demonstration Stage Projects
• To create a National India H2 Fund
• To create a good hydrogen linked capacity.
TIKA UTSAV:
Context: India celebrates 'Tika Utsav' to combat Covid-19
Concept: • Tika Utsav is a vaccine festival. It is to be held between April 11, 2021 and April 14,
2021.
• The main objective of the festival is to vaccinate as many people as possible. It will
also focus on zero wastage of COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 Vaccination Drive in India • Currently, three states are receiving maximum number of COVID-19 doses. They are
Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
• COVAXIN and COVISHIELD are the two major COVID-19 vaccines that are
currently administered in India.
• So far, India has shipped 64 million doses of vaccines to 84 countries in Caribbean,
Africa, and Asia. The major recipient countries of the Indian COVID-19 vaccines are
Mexico, Canada, and Brazil.
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• The GoI has planned to cover 250 million people included in “high priority” category
by July 2021 under its vaccination programme.
OXYGEN EXPRESS:
Context : Railways to run ‘Oxygen Express’ trains to meet demand; UP, Delhi, Gujarat register
record spike in cases.
Concept : • The Railways will run ‘Oxygen Express’ trains over the next few days to transport
liquid medical oxygen and oxygen cylinders across the country, the national transporter
said on Sunday.
• Amid spiralling coronavirus cases in the country, the demand for medical oxygen in
the country has gone through the roof.
• Empty tankers will begin their journey from Kalamboli and Boisar railway stations in
and near Mumbai on Monday to load liquid medical oxygen from Vizag, Jamshedpur,
Rourkela and Bokaro, officials said.Medical Oxygen
SUPACE:
Context : SUPACE, a composite AI-assisted tool, can be used to push up efficiency of
legal researchers and judges; it will read case files, extract relevant information, draft case
documents and manage apportioning of work.
Concept :
• SUPACE is short for Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Court’s Efficiency.
• Earlier, the E-Courts Project was conceptualised on the basis of "National Policy and
Action Plan for Implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
in the Indian Judiciary - 2005" submitted by the e-Committee of the Supreme Court.
About SUPACE: • It is a tool that collects relevant facts and laws and makes them available to a judge.
• It is not designed to take decisions, but only to process facts and to make them available
to judges looking for an input for a decision.
• Initially, it will be used on an experimental basis by the judges of Bombay and Delhi
High Courts who deal with criminal matters.
Significance: • It will produce results customized to the need of the case and the way the judge thinks.
• This will be time saving. It will help the judiciary and the court in reducing delays and
pendency of cases.
• AI will present a more streamlined, cost effective and time bound means to the
fundamental right of access to justice.
• It will make the service delivery mechanism transparent and cost-efficient.
SUVAS ( ‘Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software’)
• It is a machine-assisted translation tool trained by Artificial Intelligence.
• This Tool is specially designed for Judicial Domain and at present, has the capacity
and capability of translating English Judicial documents, Orders, or Judgments into nine
vernacular language scripts and vice versa.
• This is the first step towards the introduction of Artificial Intelligence in the Judicial
Domain.
• Currently, SUVAS software is being used for translating Supreme Court judgments into
nine vernacular languages -- Assamese, Bengali, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Odiya,
Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu which will be further expanded to other regional languages
too.
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• Right now cases related to Labour, Rent Act, Land Acquisition and Requisition,
Service, Compensation, Criminal, Family Law, Ordinary Civil, Personal Law,
Religious and Charitable Endowments, Simple money and Mortgage, Eviction under
the Public Premises (Eviction) Act, Land Laws and Agriculture Tenancies and
Consumer Protection are being translated.
PATENTS:
Context : Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) have filed
184 patents during the year 2020, including 65 international ones.
Concept : • A patent is an intellectual property right.
• A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention, which is a new product or
process that meets conditions of
novelty,
non-obviousness, &
industrial use.
• A patent provides the owner with the right to decide how – or whether – the invention
can be used by others.
Criteria for issuing Patents in India • Novelty: it should be new (not published earlier + no prior Public Knowledge/ Public
Use in India)
• Non obviousness: It must involve an inventive step (technical advanced in comparison
to existing knowledge + non‐ obvious to a person skilled in the relevant field of
technology)
• Industrial use: It should be capable of Industrial application
• Patents in India are governed by “The patent Act 1970” which was amended in 2005 to
make it compliant with TRIPS.
What cannot be patented? • Frivolous Invention: Invention that harms public order/Morality/ health of animals,
plants & humans
• Methods of agriculture or horticulture
• Traditional Knowledge
• Computer Program
• Inventions related to Atomic Energy
• Plants & Animals
• Mere discovery of scientific principle
Patent (Amendment) Rules, 2020 • The central government has published an amended Patent (Amendment) Rules, 2020.
• The new rules have amended the format of a disclosure statement that patentees &
licensees are required to annually submit to the Patent Office.
• The format contains disclosing the extent to which they have commercially worked or
made the patented inventions available to the public in the country.
• The disclosure is to be made in the Form 27 format as prescribed under the Patent Rules,
2003.
• The patentees & licensees as well as the Patent Office have blatantly disregarded this
statutory requirement.
• There has been significant pressure from MNCs & the U.S. to do away with this
requirement.
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WORLD INNOVATION DAY:
Context : Recently ,World Innovation Day is celebrated.
Concept : • World Creativity and Innovation Day (WCID) is a global UN day celebrated on April
21 to raise awareness around the importance of creativity and innovation in problem
solving with respect to advancing the United Nations sustainable development goals.
• The first World Creativity and Innovation Day was celebrated on April 21, 2018.
• World Creativity and Innovation Day 2021 celebrates the creative economy that
consists of audiovisual products, design, new media, performing arts, publishing and
visual arts.
• The creativity and innovation sector is a highly transformative sector of the world
economy in terms of income generation, job creation and export earnings.
NEW COVID VACCINE POLICY:
Context : It seems certain that many recipients will pay more than in the first three phases
of vaccination, but key questions about availability, distribution, prioritisation remain
unanswered.
Concept : • India will dramatically expand its vaccination coverage from May 1, including
everyone aged 18 and older.
• The fourth phase of the mass inoculation programme incorporates several changes in
vaccine policy.
• In the first three phases, when healthcare workers, frontline workers, and those above
the age of 45 were vaccinated, the Centre procured the entire quantity of vaccines from
the manufacturers, Serum Institute of India (Covishield) and Bharat Biotech (Covaxin),
and distributed it to states.
• The states distributed the stock to government vaccination centres, which administered
the vaccine free of cost, and to private hospitals that charged recipients Rs 250 per dose.
• First, the 50 per cent basket of vaccine doses earmarked for states and private hospitals
in the open market will be used to vaccinate those above the age of 18 years.
• Second, free vaccination would be available at all vaccination centres that receive doses
from the Government of India — with those doses, healthcare workers, frontline
workers, and those above 45 will be vaccinated.
LEGAL STATUS OF CRYPTOCURRENCY:
Context : Recently, the uncertainty over the legal status of cryptocurrencies is unnerving
Indian investors who hold around $1.5 billion (Rs 10,000 crore) in digital currencies.
Concept :
Cryptocurrency Law proposed by RBI
• The Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2021 will
prohibit all private cryptocurrencies.
• It will lay down the regulatory framework for the launch of an “official digital
currency”.
• A 3-6 month exit period prior to banning the trading, mining and issuing of cryptos
has been discussed in inter-ministerial discussions regarding the law.
• The high-power inter-ministerial committee has previously recommended a ban on all
private cryptocurrencies.
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• The sources have said that the proposed law will be prospective, even though
declarations of holdings and transactions may be sought retrospectively.
Digital Currency of RBI • The RBI had said central banks are exploring DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology)
for application in improving financial market infrastructure.
• The RBI is considering DLT as a potential technological solution in implementing
central bank digital currency (CBDC).
• A recent survey of central banks conducted by the Bank for International Settlements
found that some 80 per cent of the 66 responding central banks have started projects
to explore the use of CBDC in some form.
• The RBI had expressed concern over other cryptocurrencies, saying they can be used
for illegal activities, and poses a threat to financial stability.
What is Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)? • The central banks are keen on designing their own network of digital payments by
officially issuing what is called a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in order to
prevent extreme decoupling.
• It is a legal tender and liability of a nation's central bank in the digital form.
• It is denominated in a sovereign currency and appears on the balance sheet of a
nation's central bank.
• It is a digital currency which can be converted/exchanged at par with similarly
denominated cash and traditional central bank deposits of a nation.
• The novelty of such general-purpose CBDCs lies in its character of being legal tender.
SPECIAL TASK FORCE TO MONITOR J&K GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES:
Context : The J&K government constituted a Special Task Force (STF) for identifying
and scrutinising the government employees who are involved in any cases related to posing
threat to the security or anti-national activities.
Concept : • The STF will have the ADGP, (CID), J&K, as its chairman and the IGP,
representatives of the Home Department; Department of Law, Justice Member and
Parliamentary Affairs and the concerned department as its members.
• The STF will scrutinise cases of employees suspected of activities requiring action
under Article 311(2)(C) of the Constitution.
• The STF has been tasked to compile records of such employees and engage with other
members of the Terror Monitoring Group (TMG) for identifying such other
employees.
• The move comes as a number of government employees in the past were found
expressing their political opinion in public space on the Kashmir conflict.
Provision of Article 311 of the Constitution • The special task force has been passed under provisions of Article 311(2) (C) of the
Constitution.
• It gives the administration power to terminate an employee without constituting an
inquiry against him or her on grounds of security of the State.
Article 311 provides two safeguards to civil servants against any arbitrary dismissal
from their posts:
• A civil servant cannot be dismissed or removed by an authority subordinate to that by
which he was appointed.
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• A civil servant cannot be dismissed or removed or reduced in rank except after an
inquiry in which he has been informed of the charges against him and given a
reasonable opportunity of being heard in respect of those charges.
• The above two safeguards are available only to the members of the civil services of
the Centre, the all-India services, the civil services of a state or to persons holding
civil posts under the Centre or a state.
• It is not available to the members of defence services or persons holding military
posts.
The second safeguard of holding inquiry is not available in the following three cases:
• Where a civil servant is dismissed or removed or reduced in rank on the ground of
conduct which has led to his conviction on a criminal charge; or
• Where the authority empowered to dismiss or remove a civil servant or to reduce him
in rank is satisfied that for some reason (to be recorded in writing), it is not reasonably
practicable to hold such inquiry; or
• Where the president or the governor is satisfied that in the interest of the security of
the state, it is not expedient to hold such inquiry.
LEGISALTIONS REGARDING VACCINE PRICING:
Context : SC has noted that ‘different manufacturers are quoting different prices’ for
Covid-19 vaccines, and told govt it has ‘powers under the Drugs Control Act and Patents Act’
that it can employ.
Concept :
Indian patent act 1970 • The Patents Act, 1970 is the legislation that till date governs patents in India. It first
came into force in 1972.
• The Patents Act has been repeatedly amended: 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006. These
amendments were required to make the Patents Act TRIPS-compliant
• The major amendment was in 2005, when product patent was extended to all fields of
technology like food, drugs, chemicals and micro organism
• The Indian Patent Act, 1970 strikes a balance between the rights of the applicant and
his obligation to the society granting the rights.
• Some salient features of the Act include, product and process patent, term of patent as
20 years,patent examination conducted on request, fast track mechanism for quick
disposal of appeals, pre-grant and post-grant opposition allowed, protection of
biodiversity and traditional knowledge, and, publication of applications after 18 months
of date of filing of patent application.
• One of the most important aspects of Indian Patents Act, 1970, is compulsory licensing
of the patent subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions.
• Section 3(d) stipulates that the mere discovery of a new form of a known substance
which does not result in the enhancement of the known efficacy of that substance or the
mere discovery of any new property or new use for a known substance or of the mere
use of a known process, machine or apparatus unless such known process results in a
new product or employs at least one new reactant, is not patentable.
Essential Commodities Act • The ECA is an act which was established to ensure the delivery of certain commodities
or products, the supply of which if obstructed owing to hoarding or black-marketing
would affect the normal life of the people.
• The ECA was enacted in 1955. This includes foodstuff, drugs, fuel (petroleum
products) etc.
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• It has since been used by the Government to regulate the production, supply and
distribution of a whole host of commodities it declares ‘essential’ in order to make them
available to consumers at fair prices.
• Additionally, the government can also fix the maximum retail price (MRP) of any
packaged product that it declares an “essential commodity”.
• The list of items under the Act includes drugs, fertilizers,Food items, pulses and edible
oils, and petroleum and petroleum products.
• The Centre can include new commodities as and when the need arises, and takes them
off the list once the situation improves.
Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 • TheEpidemic Diseases Act aims to provide for the better prevention of the spread of
dangerous epidemic diseases.
• The colonial-era Act empowers the state governments to take special measures and
prescribe regulations in an epidemic.
• It also defines penalties for disobedience of these regulations, and provides for
immunity for actions taken under the Act “in good faith”.
• The Epidemic Diseases Act (EDA) was enacted by the colonial government in India to
curb the spread of the bubonic plague in erstwhile Bombay.
Provisions of the 1897 Epidemic Diseases Act: • The Act, which consists of four sections, aims to provide “for the better prevention of
the spread of Dangerous Epidemic Diseases.”
• Section 2 empowers state governments/UTs to take special measures and formulate
regulations for containing the outbreak.
• The state may determine in what manner and by whom any expenses incurred
(including compensation if any) shall be defrayed.
• It also provides penalties for disobeying any regulation or order made under the Act.
• It also gives legal protection to the implementing officers acting under the Act.
TIANHE MODULE:
Context: China launched the core module of its space station, kicking off a series of key launch
missions that aim to complete the construction of the station by the end of next year.
Concept: • The Long March-5B Y2 rocket, carrying the Tianhe module, blasted off from the
Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on the coast of the southern island province of
Hainan.
• The Tianhe module will act as the management and control hub of the space station
Tiangong, meaning Heavenly Palace, with a node that could dock with up to three
spacecraft at a time for short stays, or two for long
• Tianhe has a total length of 16.6 meters, a maximum diameter of 4.2 meters and a take-
off mass of 22.5 tonnes, and is the largest spacecraft developed by China.
• The space station will be a T shape with the core module at the centre and a lab capsule
on each side.
• The station will operate in the low-Earth orbit at an altitude from 340 km to 450 km. It
has a designed lifespan of 10 years, but experts believe it could last more than 15 years
with appropriate maintenance and repairs.
China’s Space Station: • The new, 66-tonne, multi-module Tiangong station is set to be operational for at least
10 years.
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• Tianhe is one of three main components of what would be China’s first self-developed
space station, rivalling the only other station in service – the ISS.
• It forms the main living quarters for three crew members in the Chinese space station.
• The Tianhe launch is the first of 11 missions needed to complete the space station,
which will orbit Earth at an altitude of 340 to 450 km.
• In the later missions, China will launch the two other core modules, four manned
spacecraft and four cargo spacecraft.
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