06th SEP, 2022

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SUPREME COURT (SC) SEEKS CENTRE'S RESPONSE ON PLEA TO INTRODUCE 33%
WOMEN RESERVATION IN PARLIAMENT & STATE ASSEMBLIES

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SC, while hearing a plea seeking to re-introduce Women's Reservation

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Bill, 2008, noted that it is an important matter and directed the
petitioner to serve notice to Union of India.
Constitution (One Hundred and Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2008, also
known as Women’s Reservation Bill, was passed by Rajya Sabha in 2010.

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It aimed to reserve one-third of all seats for women in Lok Sabha and
state legislative assemblies.
However, it lapsed in 2014 after dissolution of 15th Lok Sabha.

Arguments in favour of Women reservation Argument against Women reservation

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Studies on panchayats have shown positive effect of It would perpetuate unequal status of women since they
reservation on empowerment of women and on allocation would not be perceived to be competing on merit.
of resources.
Restricts choice of voters to women candidates.
Historical social exclusion of women from polity due to
Diverts attention from larger issues of electoral reform

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various social and cultural reasons and patriarchal traditions.
such as criminalisation of politics and inner party democracy.
To enhance women’s participation in decision/policy

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making process and is critical to nation building process.

HOW PAKISTAN FLOODS HAVE IMPERILLED MOHENJO-DARO’S WORLD HERITAGE TAG

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Experts have warned that Mohenjo-daro might be removed from UNESCO’s world Process for Deleting Site
heritage list, if urgent attention towards its conservation and restoration is not given.
In 2021, Liverpool became only the third location, after Arabian Oryx Sanctuary in
Oman (2007) and Elbe Valley in Dresden, Germany (2009), to lose its World Heritage
status.
Importance of Mohenjo-daro (Discovered by: RD Banerji)
Mohenjo-daro, which means ‘mound of the dead’, was one of the main centres of
ancient Indus Valley Civilisation.
It is situated on the bank of river Indus in Larkana district of Sindh province (Pakistan).
It is divided into two sections, one smaller but higher (called citadel) and other much
larger but lower (called lower town).
Known to be a model planned city of ancient civilisation, houses here had bathrooms,
toilets and drainage system.
Roads and streets were laid out along an approximate “grid” pattern, intersecting at
right angles.
On Citadel, evidence of structures that were probably used for special public purposes (warehouse, Great Bath etc) is found.
Other major findings: Dancing girl statue, Pashupati seal, Statue of bearded man etc.

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PREVENTIVE DETENTIONS (PD) UP BY 23.7% COMPARED TO YEAR BEFORE, MOST

NUMBER OF SEDITION CASES IN ASSAM
According to the Crimes in India Report 2021 by the NCRB, over 1.1 lakh people
IPC defines Sedition as an offence committed
were placed under preventive detention, the highest since 2017.
when any person by words or otherwise
For Sedition (Defined by Section 124A of IPC) - During 2014-2021, most brings or attempts to bring into hatred or
number of such cases were reported from Assam followed by Haryana. contempt, or excites or attempts to excite
disaffection toward government established by

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PD refers to detention of a person on the suspicion that some wrong actions may
be done by the person concerned which will be prejudicial to the state. law in India.
Constitutional provisions SC in Kedar Nath Vs State of Bihar, 1962
Unlike punitive detainees (detention after the crime is committed), authorities held that a citizen has a right to say or
are not obliged to present the preventive detainees before the magistrate write whatever he likes about

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within 24 hours. government, or its measures, by way of
criticism or comment, as long as he does not
According to Article 22 (5) read with Article 22 (6) the ground of the detention incite people to violence.

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may not be conveyed to the detainee if such disclosure is against the public
interest.
INDIA AND GERMANY BEGAN
The duration of PD could exceed the period for more than 3 months only on
advice of an Advisory Board consisting of persons who are, or have been, or
THE INAUGURAL NITI-BMZ
are qualified to be appointed as, Judges of a High Court.

IRENA AND INDUSTRY LEADERS LAUNCH THE DIALOGUE OF DEVELOPMENT

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ALLIANCE FOR INDUSTRY DECARBONIZATION COOPERATION
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), co-founding partner Siemens Dialogue focused on five core areas of

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Energy, and 13 companies including Tata Steel and Jindal Steel Works have cooperation: Sustainable Development Goals
launched Global Alliance for Industry Decarbonization. (SDGs), climate action, energy transition,
emerging technologies and agro-ecology.

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New Alliance aims to accelerate net-zero ambitions and decarbonization of
industrial value chains in pursuit of Paris Agreement climate goals. Both sides highlighted the need to deepen
It will strengthen dialogue and coordinate action by industrial engagement on the Lighthouse
stakeholders from across the public and private sectors. Cooperation on Agroecology and Natural
First meeting of Alliance, which was formed under Bali Declaration, is Resources and to collaborate on Natural

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planned to take place at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt in November farming in India.
2022. Other clean energy cooperation Between

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Decarbonisation refers to the process of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) India-Germany
emissions resulting from human activity in atmosphere. In May 2022, India and Germany signed a
It plays a very important role in limiting global warming. Joint Declaration of Intent on Partnership
Decarbonization would result in for Green and Sustainable Development

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(GSDP).
Low carbon replacement with alternative fuels, electrification, renewable
energy, etc. In June 2022, India and the G7 had agreed to
work towards a Just Energy Transition
Supply chain neutrality with lifecycle assessments, sustainable
Partnership (JETP).
procurement practices, etc.
Emission balancing with the help of carbon offset projects. Indo-German Energy Programme (IGEN) to
support the implementation of the Energy
Steps taken by India Conservation Act, 2001.
Perform, Achieve,
Indo-German relations
and Trade (PAT)
scheme to reduce Both have a strategic partnership and in
energy use across 2021 the two countries celebrated 70 years
cement, iron, and of diplomatic relations.
steel, and chemicals
India is the key protagonist of Germany’s
industries.
Indo-Pacific guidelines released in 2020.
National Solar
Mission to promote Germany is India's 6th largest trade
solar power in India. partner.
LED lighting Both are members of G4 (along with Brazil
programme limits and Japan) that are pitching for reforms at
emissions. UNSC.

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BLUE TRANSFORMATION - ROADMAP 2022–2030 RELEASED BY FOOD AND

AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF UNITED NATIONS (FAO)
Roadmap recognizes importance of aquatic food systems as drivers of employment, economic growth, social development and
environmental recovery, which all underpin SDGs.
It aligns with 2021 Declaration for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture of Committee on Fisheries (COFI).
Blue Transformation is a targeted effort by which agencies, countries and dependent communities, use existing and emerging
knowledge, tools and practices to maximize contribution of aquatic (both marine and inland) food systems to food security,

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nutrition and affordable healthy diets for all.
Need:
Support the provision of enough aquatic food for a growing population that is environmentally, socially and economically
sustainable and equitable.

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Availability and Accessibility of safe and nutritious aquatic food for all.
ABOUT COMMITTEE ON
FISHERIES (COFI)
Improving rights and income of vulnerable communities

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It is a subsidiary body of FAO
India’s Initiatives for Blue Transformation Council that was established in 1965.
2015-16: Blue revolution scheme launched. It is the only global
2018-19: Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) inter-governmental forum where
launched and Kisan Credit Card facility extended to fish farmers. FAO Members meet to review and
2019-20: Separate Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying created. consider issues and challenges

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related to fisheries and aquaculture.
2020-21: Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojna (PMMSY) launched.

ALSO IN NEWS

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Supreme Court has issued notice on plea seeking cancellation of registration of political parties
that use religious symbols or names of religions in their nomenclature.

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Using religion to lure voters is strictly prohibited under Section 123 of Representation of People
Act (RPA), 1951.
Section 123 RPA defines corrupt practices in elections.
Section 123 (3) prohibits any electoral appeal based on religion, race, caste, community or

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language for electoral gains.
Section 123 of RPA, 1951
Section 123(3) was amended in 1961 to strengthen provision and curb any sectarian appeal

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in election campaigns.
OPEC+, have decided to cut crude oil production from October 2022.
OPEC (HQ: Vienna) was founded in 1960 in Baghdad (Iraq) by five countries namely Iran, Iraq,
Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

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However, currently, Organization has a total of 13 member countries with Algeria, Angola,
Organization of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Libya, Nigeria, UAE as other members.
Petroleum Exporting OPEC formed an alliance with other oil-exporting nations (including Russia, Mexico,
Countries (OPEC) Kazakhstan etc) that were not a part of OPEC, creating OPEC+.
It was released by External Debt Management Unit in Department of Economic Affairs.
India's external debt rose by 8.2 per cent to stand at $620.7 billion on March 31, 2022, compared
over year earlier period.
U.S. dollar-denominated debt remained the largest component of India’s external debt.
External debt refers to money borrowed from outside the country and has to be paid back in
Status Report on India’s currency in which it is borrowed.
External Debt 2021-22 It can be obtained from foreign commercial banks, international financial institutions like
IMF, World Bank etc. and from foreign governments.

SIDS Lighthouses Initiative
(LHI)
It was launched at the UN Climate Summit in 2014 to support Small Island Developing States
(SIDS) in their energy transition efforts from fossil fuel dependence to renewables.
It brings together 38 SIDS as well as other stakeholders. Its target is 10GW of total renewable
energy installed capacity in all SIDS by 2030.
It is coordinated by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), an intergovernmental
organisation.

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NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) snapped a perfect shot of an 'Einstein Ring'.
Launched in 2021, JWST is NASA’s largest and most powerful space telescope to probe cosmos
to uncover history of universe.
Einstein Ring is when light from a star or a galaxy passes another galaxy or a massive object on
its way towards Earth.
Einstein Ring Since gravitational force of large object bends the light, it develops gravitational lensing,
forming a ring-like effect, making the light of galaxy appear as an almost perfect ring.

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India has witnessed substantial reduction in PTR over last one decade.
In Primary Schools, PTR which was at 43 in 2010-11 has come down to 26.3 in 2020- 21.
In Upper Primary schools, it has reduced from 33 in 2010-11 to 18.9 in 2020-21.
PTR at different levels of education show availability of adequate number of teachers for
teaching children enrolled at different grade.

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Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR)
Increase in number of teachers in schools is contributing to focused delivery of education.

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PM has announced development and upgradation of 14,500 schools across India under
PM-SHRI Yojana.
These centrally sponsored schools will have a modern, transformational, holistic,
inquiry-driven and learner-centric method of imparting education.
PM-SHRI schools will showcase all components of National Education Policy 2020 and act as

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exemplar schools and also offer mentorship to other institutions in their vicinity.
Pradhan Mantri Schools They will be equipped with modern infra, including labs, smart classrooms, libraries, sports
For Rising India (PM-SHRI) equipment etc.
Yojana They will also be developed as green schools with water conservation and waste recycling
provision.

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Schemes were launched by University Grant Commission (UGC) to enable research ecosystem

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in the Universities across the country.
Schemes launched are:
Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child,
Dr Radhakrishnan UGC Post-Doctoral Fellowship,
New research fellowship

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Superannuated Faculty Members Fellowship,
and research grants Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members,
schemes launched

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Dr D S Kothari Research Grant for Newly Recruited Faculty Members.

Vallinayagam Olaganathan Chidambaram Pillai (5 September 1872- 18 November 1936)

The freedom fighter from Tamil Nadu is popularly known as ‘Kappalottiya Tamizhan’ (The Tamil
Helmsman). Bal Gangadhar Tilak was his guru.

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In 1906, he started the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company to break the monopoly of British
shipping in the Indo-Ceylon waters.
On 13th March, 1908 the people of Tirunelveli retaliated against his imprisonment for leading a
strike in the British owned Coral Mills at Tuticorin. Now this day is observed by as Tirunelveli
Uprising Day.
Literary work: Commentary on the Thirukural, compiled ancient works of Tamil grammar
(Tholkappiam), and wrote a biography on Bal Gangadhar.
Values- Conviction, Leadership and Compassion.
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (5 September 1888- April 16, 1975)
He was a renowned Indian philosopher born in Tiruttani, Tamil Nadu, he became India’s first
Vice-President and second President. Since 1962 his birth anniversary has been celebrated as
national Teachers’ Day.
Books Authored by him: The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore, The Reign of Religion in
Contemporary Philosophy, Indian Philosophy, The Philosophy of the Upanishads, etc.
Personalities in News Awards: Bharat Ratna (1954), the Peace Prize in the German Book Trade in 1961, appointed a Knight
Bachelor in 1931
Values: Leadership, perseverance, hard work, etc.

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