December Digest

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Contents
Schemes .................................................................. 3 2) High-energy ‘sun goddess’
1) Members of Parliament Local Area particle ................................................... 25
Development Scheme ......................... 3 3) XPoSat ................................................... 26
2) PRASHAD Scheme................................ 4 4) INSACOG ............................................... 27
3) Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Reports and Indices ......................................... 28
Yojana ....................................................... 4 1) Regional Overview of Food Security
4) SHRESHTA .............................................. 5 and Nutrition 2023 ............................ 28
5) Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra 2) National Policy on Child Labour -
Kalyan Yojana ........................................ 6 An Assessment .................................... 28
6) Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat............... 7 3) LEADS 2023 ......................................... 29
Initiatives ............................................................... 9 4) Climate Change Performance Index
1) Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra ............ 9 2024 ........................................................ 30
Environment ....................................................... 10 Polity ..................................................................... 32
1) COP-28 ................................................... 10 1) Suspension of MPs ............................ 32
2) Maiden winter expedition to 2) SC ruling on Article 370 .................. 32

Arctic ....................................................... 14 3) Women Reservation Bill extended
3) National Clean Air Program ........... 14 to J&K and Puducherry .................... 33
Flora & Fauna ..................................................... 16 4) Exclusive POCSO courts .................. 34
1) Green Turtles ...................................... 16 5) The Telecommunications Bill,

2023 ........................................................ 34
2) Namdapha flying squirrel............... 16
6) Bharatiya Nyaya (Second)
Agriculture .......................................................... 18 Sanhita ................................................... 36
1) Operation Greens .............................. 18 7) Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha
Economy ............................................................... 19 (Second) Sanhita, 2023 .................... 38
1) Inflation Targeting ............................ 19 8) Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill,
2) RBI keeps repo rate at 6.5% .......... 19 2023 ........................................................ 39
3) Standing Deposit Facility ................ 21 International Relations .................................. 41
4) Constitution of Sixteenth Finance 1) Annual GPAI Summit........................ 41

Commission .......................................... 21 2) Universal Declaration of Human
5) RBI tightens rules for lenders Rights...................................................... 41
investing in AIF ................................... 22 3) Article 99 of the UN Charter .......... 42
Organisations ..................................................... 24 Art & Culture ...................................................... 44
1) Central Zoo Authority ...................... 24 1) Hauz-i- Shamsi ................................... 44
Science and Technology ................................. 25 2) Warli Painting .................................... 44
1) Anthrax ................................................. 25
For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

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3) Garba dance added to UNESCO’s 1) INS Imphal ........................................... 48

List ........................................................... 45 2) Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain
4) Mudiyettu ............................................. 45 Awareness Initiative ......................... 49
5) Sahitya Akademi Awards ................ 46 Miscellaneous .................................................... 50
6) Lingayats & Veerashaivas............... 46 1) Guru Gobind Singh ............................ 50
Defence ................................................................. 48 2) Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya .... 50

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Schemes
1) Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme
 The Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme
About (MPLADS) is meant to enable Members of Parliament to
recommend works of developmental nature with emphasis on the
creation of durable community assets based on the locally felt needs.
Nodal Ministry  Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
Features  The MPLADS is fully funded by the Government of India. The

annual MPLADS fund entitlement per MP constituency is Rs. 5 crore.
 Funds under the MPLADS are non-lapsable.
 Lok Sabha Members can recommend works within their
Constituencies and Elected Members of Rajya Sabha can recommend
works within the State of Election (with select
exceptions). Nominated Members of both the Rajya Sabha and Lok
Sabha can recommend works anywhere in the country.
 All works to meet locally felt infrastructure and development
needs, with an emphasis on creation of durable assets in the area
of national priorities namely drinking water, education, public health,
sanitation, roads etc.
 The MPLADS funds can be merged with other schemes such as
MGNREGA and Khelo India.
Implementation  Under MPLADS, the role of the MPs is limited only upto
recommendation of works. Thereafter, it is the responsibility of the
District Authority to sanction, execute and complete the works
recommended by Members of Parliament within the stipulated time.
 Information on MPLADS (the number and cost of works sanctioned,
implementing agencies, projects completed, etc) should be made
available to citizens under the Right to Information Act.
 At least 10% of the projects under implementation in the district are
to be inspected every year by the district authority.
Allocation for SC & ST
 The guidelines recommend MPs to suggest works costing at least 15
percent of their MPLADS entitlement for the year for areas inhabited
by Scheduled Caste population and 7.5 per cent for areas inhabited
by Scheduled Tribe population.
 In case there is insufficient tribal population in the area of Lok Sabha
Member, they may recommend this amount for the creation of
community assets in tribal areas outside of their constituency but
within their State of election.
Why in News?  The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation said that
around 45000 projects have been sanctioned under MPLAD Scheme in
2023-23.

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2) PRASHAD Scheme
 It stands for the ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and
About Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive’ (PRASHAD).
Objective  Scheme’s objective is integrated development of identified

pilgrimage and heritage destinations.
Nodal Ministry  Launched by the Ministry of Tourism in the year 2014-15.
Features  It is a Central Sector Scheme with complete financial assistance by

the Government of India.
 The scheme has been launched with the vision of focused
infrastructure development to harness pilgrimage and heritage
tourism destinations.
 The scheme aimed at infrastructure development such as entry points
(Road, Rail and Water Transport), last mile connectivity, basic tourism
facilities like Information/ Interpretation Centers, ATM/ Money
exchange, eco-friendly modes of transport, area Lighting and
illumination with renewable sources of energy, parking, drinking
water, toilets, etc.
Implementation  The projects identified under this scheme shall be implemented

through the identified agencies by the respective State/ Union
Territory Government.
Why in the  The Ministry of Tourism has released details about projects
news? sanctioned under the PRASHAD Scheme.
3) Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

 The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), was launched in 2000 as
About a centrally sponsored scheme.
Aim  To provide connectivity to unconnected habitations of designated

population size (500+ in plain areas and 250+ in North-East, hill, tribal and
desert areas as per Census, 2001).

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 The Government had launched Phase III of PMGSY in 2019 for

consolidation of Through Routes and Major Rural Links connecting
habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary
Schools and Hospitals.
Nodal  The Ministry of Rural Development along with state governments is

Ministry responsible for the implementation of PMGSY.
Guiding  The spirit and the objective of the scheme is to provide good all-weather
Principles road connectivity to unconnected habitations. A habitation which was
earlier provided all-weather connectivity would not be eligible even if
the present condition of the road is bad.
 The unit for this Programme is a Habitation and not a Revenue village or a
Panchayat. A Habitation is a cluster of population, living in an area, the
location of which does not change over time.
 PMGSY promotes the use of new and green technology in the process of
rural road construction. Locally available materials are used in road
construction activities to promote cost effective and fast construction.
 The PMGSY shall cover only the rural areas. Urban roads are excluded
from the purview of this Programme.
Funding  Currently, the fund sharing pattern of PMGSY is 60:40 between the
Pattern Centre and States for all states except for North Eastern and
Himalayan States. For these states the fund sharing pattern is 90:10.
 In Union Territories, 100% of funds will be provided by the Central
Government.
Why in  The Ministry of Rural Development reviewed the progress of projects

News? approved under PMGSY.
4) SHRESHTA
 It stands for the Scheme for Residential Education For Students in High
About Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESTHA).
Aim  To provide residential education to Scheduled Caste students in High

School in targeted areas.

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Nodal  Launched in 2022 by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and

Ministry Empowerment.
Features  SHRESHTA has been conceived to provide access to high quality residential
education to the meritorious poor students from Scheduled Caste
communities, whose parental annual income is up to Rs. 2.5 Lakh per annum,
at free of cost from class 9th to class 12th.
 Under this, each year a specified number of meritorious SC students in
States/UTs are selected through a transparent mechanism of a National
Entrance Test for SHRESHTA (NETS) and admitted in the best private
residential schools affiliated by CBSE/State Boards in classes 9th and 11th
for completion of education till 12th standard.
 Entire cost of school fee and hostel fee including food charges shall be borne
by the Government of India.
 The Students under the Scheme may select any school across the country
for their academics.
Why in  Under the SHRESTHA scheme, a total of 2,564 students were admitted in 142
News? Private Residential Schools for academic session 2023-24.
5) Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana

 Launched in 2015, the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana
About (PMKKKY) is meant to provide for the welfare of areas and people
affected by mining related operations.
Objective  The overall objective of PMKKKY scheme include

o to implement various developmental and welfare
projects/programs in mining affected areas;
o to minimize/mitigate the adverse impacts, during and after
mining, on the environment, health and socio-economics of
people in mining districts; and
o to ensure long-term sustainable livelihoods for the affected
people in mining areas.
Nodal Ministry  Ministry of Mines.
Implementation  PMKKKY is implemented by the District Mineral Foundations

(DMFs) of the respective districts using the funds accruing to the DMF.
o The Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation)
Amendment Act, 2015, mandated the setting up of DMFs in

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all districts in the country affected by mining related

operations.
o DMF is a trust, setup as a non-profit body, in all districts
affected by mining-related operations.
 Where mining leases are granted after 2015, miners will have to
contribute an amount equal to 10% of the royalty payable by them
to the DMFs.
 Using the funds generated by this contribution, the DMFs are expected
to implement the PMKKKY.
 At least 60% of PMKKKY funds will be utilized for high priority
areas like: (i) drinking water supply; (ii) environment preservation
and pollution control measures; (iii) health care (iv)education; (v)
welfare of women and children; (vi) welfare of aged and disabled
people; (vii) skill development; and (viii) Sanitation.
 The rest of the funds will be utilized undertaking works like for: (i)
physical infrastructure; (ii) irrigation; (iii) energy and watershed
development; and (iv) any other measures for enhancing
environmental quality in mining districts.
Why in the  DMF has been set up in 644 districts in 23 States.

news?
6) Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat

 The initiative 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' was launched by the
About Government of India on 31st October, 2015 to commemorate the 140th
birth anniversary of Sardar Patel to revive a sense of ‘nationhood’.
Aim and  The programme aims to actively enhance interaction between people of
Objectives diverse cultures living in different States and UTs in India, with the
objective of promoting greater mutual understanding amongst them.
 The broad objectives of the initiative are as follows:
o To CELEBRATE the Unity in Diversity of our Nation and to maintain
and strengthen the fabric of traditionally existing emotional bonds
between the people of our Country;
o To PROMOTE the spirit of national integration through a deep and
structured engagement between all Indian States and Union
Territories through a year-long planned engagement between
States;
o To SHOWCASE the rich heritage and culture, customs and
traditions of either State for enabling people to understand and
appreciate the diversity that is India, thus fostering a sense of
common identity
o TO ESTABLISH long-term engagements and,

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o TO CREATE an environment which promotes learning between

States by sharing best practices and experiences.
Nodal  The Ministry of Education has been designated as the Nodal Ministry for
Ministry coordination of the programme.
Features  As per the programme, each year, every State/UT would be paired with
another State/UT in India for reciprocal interaction between the people.
 It is envisaged through this exchange, that the knowledge of the language,
culture, traditions and practices of different states will lead to an enhanced
understanding and bonding between one another, thereby strengthening
the unity and integrity of India.
Why in the  It was in the news recently.

news?

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Initiatives
1) Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra government schemes
What’s in the news? through their personal
 The government has launched the stories/ experience sharing;
Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra to raise and
awareness about and track the o enrolment of potential
implementation of flagship beneficiaries through
central schemes, such as details ascertained during
Ayushman Bharat, Ujjwala the Yatra.
Yojana, PM Surkasha Bima, PM  The programme is being
SVANidhi, etc. undertaken with the active
 The yatra has four aims: involvement of various Union
o reach out to the vulnerable ministries and state governments.
who are eligible under  By January 25, 2024, the Yatra aims
various schemes but have to cover over 2.60 lakh Gram
not availed benefit so far; Panchayats and 4000+ Urban Local
o dissemination of Bodies across the country.
information and
generating awareness
about schemes;
o interaction with
beneficiaries of

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Environment
1) COP-28 About CoP
About UNFCCC  The Conference of Parties, known as
 The United Nations Framework COP, is the decision-making body
Convention on Climate Change responsible for monitoring and
(UNFCCC), signed in 1992 at the reviewing the implementation of
United Nations Conference on the United Nations Framework
Environment and Development Convention on Climate Change.
(also known as the Rio Earth  It brings together the 198 Parties –
Summit), constitutes the that have signed on to the
foundational climate agreement Framework Convention. The COP
that has provided the platform for has met annually since 1995.
most subsequent international Timeline
climate agreements. 1992: Earth Summit, Rio de Janeiro
 The UNFCCC entered into force in  It finalised the UNFCCC, the
1994. Today, it has near-universal mother agreement that lays down
membership. The 198 countries the objectives and principles on
(including India) that have ratified which climate action by countries
the Convention are called Parties to are to be based.
the Convention.  It acknowledged that developing
 The ultimate objective of the countries had fewer obligations
Convention is to stabilize and capabilities to bring down
greenhouse gas concentrations at emissions.
a level that would prevent 1997: COP3, Kyoto
dangerous anthropogenic  Delivered the Kyoto Protocol,
interference with the climate precursor to the Paris Agreement.
system.  The Protocol assigned specific
 The UNFCCC endorses the concept emission reduction targets for a
of common but differentiated set of developed countries, to be
responsibility (CBDR) in the achieved by 2012.
climate context.  Others were supposed to take
o This means that while voluntary actions to reduce
developing country parties emissions.
are expected to contribute to 2007: COP13, Bali
climate mitigation, because  It reaffirmed the principles of
of superior capacity to common but differentiated
undertake mitigation and responsibilities (CBDR) in the
greater contribution to the efforts to find a replacement to the
problem of climate change as Kyoto Protocol, which developed
a result of historical nations were getting increasingly
emissions, developed uncomfortable with, especially after
countries are expected to the emergence of China as the
take the lead in combating world’s leading emitter.
climate change and the  Developed countries want
adverse effects thereof. emission reduction targets for
everyone, or for nobody, their
argument being that without

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stringent action from China and o Achieve about 50 percent

India, the success of any climate cumulative electric power
action would not be possible. installed capacity from
2009: COP15, Copenhagen non-fossil fuel-based
 Developed countries committed energy resources by 2030.
to mobilising $100 billion every o The country will also strive
year in climate finance for to cut carbon-dioxide
developing countries from 2020. emissions by 1 billion
2015: COP21, Paris tonnes from business as
 The successor agreement was usual by 2030.
finally delivered. The Paris o By 2070, India will achieve
Agreement does not assign the target of net-zero
emission reduction targets to any emissions.
country. Instead, it asks all to do 2022: COP27, Sharm-El-Sheik
the best they can.  COP27 agreed to establish the
 The Paris Agreement requires all Special Loss and Damage Fund
Parties to put forward their best which will help to make up for the
efforts through nationally losses suffered by developing
determined contributions (NDCs) nations that are vulnerable to
and to strengthen these efforts in climate change.
the years ahead.  COP27 also agreed to the creation of
 The Paris Agreement’s central aim UN's Early Warning System for All
is to strengthen the global response initiative, with an investment of
to the threat of climate change by $3.1 billion between 2023 and
keeping a global temperature rise 2027, to improve understanding
this century well below 2 degrees of climate-related risks in
Celsius above pre-industrial developing countries.
levels and to pursue efforts to limit Why in News?
the temperature increase even  The 28th session of the Conference
further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. of the Parties (COP) – an annual
2021: COP26, Glasgow convening of countries signatory to
 India at COP 26 expressed to UNFCCC – concluded in Dubai, UAE.
intensify its climate action by Major outcomes of COP-28
updating its NDCs to the Paris Global Stocktake:
Agreement and presented to the  During the summit, the first global
world five nectar elements stocktake (GST) concluded.
(Panchamrit) of India’s climate  GST is a periodic review
action. mechanism established under the
 The updated NDCs is as follows: Paris Agreement in 2015. GST
o India will increase its non- enables countries and other
fossil fuel power capacity stakeholders to see where they are
to 500 gigawatts (GW) by collectively making progress
the end of the decade, up towards meeting the goals of the
from 450GW. Paris Agreement – and where they
o Reduce Emissions are not.
Intensity of India’s GDP by  The global stocktake revealed that
45 percent by 2030, from the Global temperature rise is
2005 level. now expected to be between 2.4-
2.6°C, a significant improvement

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from the earlier projection of 3.7- together to triple the world’s

4.8°C in 2010. installed renewable energy
 The global stocktake proposed generation capacity to atleast
measures to keep the global 11,000 GW by 2030 and to
temperatures within the ambit of collectively double the global
1.5 °C, this includes - Transitioning average annual rate of energy
away from fossil fuels, tripling efficiency improvements from
renewable energy capacity around 2% to over 4% every year
globally, accelerating efforts until 2030.
towards net zero emissions, etc.  India abstained from signing the
Loss and Damage Fund: Pledge, to which 118 countries
 At COP28 the loss and damage fund around the world, including the US
was operationalised. By the end of and UK, committed themselves.
the conference, commitments worth  India’s decision can likely be
about US$ 800 million had been attributed to the focus on coal and
made. investments in it.
o The funds are meant to Global Methane Pledge:
provide financial help to  The Global Methane Pledge
countries trying to recover launched at COP26 received
from climate-induced renewed attention at COP28.
disasters.  More than 150 countries signed
o The World Bank will be the the pledge to reduce methane
interim host of the fund for pollution which talks about
a period of four years. accelerating and substantially
o All developing countries reducing methane emissions by
are eligible to apply to the 2030.
fund and all countries can o Methane is the most
voluntarily contribute to widespread greenhouse
the fund. A certain gas apart from CO2,
percentage of the fund has accounting for nearly 25
been set aside for Least per cent of all emissions. It
Developed Countries and is also about 80 times more
Small island developing potent than CO2 in causing
states. global warming.
Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuel:  India isn’t a signatory to this
 The role of fossil fuels in causing pledge. Methane emissions in India
global warming was formally are primarily from rice cultivation
acknowledged for the first time in and enteric fermentation
COP 28. (livestock rearing), which support
 The final agreement called upon the livelihoods of small and
countries to contribute towards marginal farmers.
Transitioning away from fossil Climate and Health Declaration:
fuels, in an orderly and equitable  The U.A.E. declaration on climate
manner, so as to achieve Net zero and health, signed by 123
by 2050. countries, calls for nations to
Global Renewables and Energy reduce their greenhouse gas
Efficiency Pledge: emissions in the health sector.
 The Pledge stipulates that  But India didn’t sign this
signatories commit to work declaration because reducing GHG

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emissions in the health sector cooling-related emissions by

would mean reduction in emissions 2050.
from gases used for cooling.  India, which is likely to see the
 As India’s healthcare infrastructure greatest growth in demand for
is still growing to meet demand, cooling in the coming decades, has
such a commitment could not joined the pledge.
compromise the healthcare Tripling Nuclear Energy:
requirements of a growing  Led by the United States, 22
population. countries have pledged to triple the
Global Goal on Adaptation global nuclear installed capacity
 COP 28 resulted in the by 2050.
identification of some common  Nuclear energy is a clean but non-
adaptation goals, which are renewable source of energy. A
important for the entire world. recent study by the International
 These included reduction in Energy Agency said nuclear power
climate-induced water scarcity, had avoided nearly 70 billion
attaining climate-resilience in tonnes of carbon dioxide
food and agricultural production, equivalent emissions — in the last
and resilience against climate- 50 years.
induced health impacts.  India is not a part of the nuclear
 Positively, an explicit 2030 date energy commitment as well, in
has been integrated into the text for keeping with its position not to join
targets on water security, alliances outside the COP
ecosystem restoration, and health. process.
Climate Finance Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA)
 At COP28, discussions continued on  It is a coalition involving
setting a New Collective governments, businesses, and
Quantified Goal (NCQG) in 2024. organizations, which primarily
o NCQG refers to ongoing focuses on transitioning from
negotiations on a new unabated coal power to clean
climate finance energy.
commitment that  India is not a part of PPCA as it has
developed countries must not committed to phasing out of coal
make to developing and highlights the necessity of using
countries to accelerate the coal for developmental needs.
world’s transition away from India’s Initiatives at COP 28
fossil fuels. Green Credit Initiative
o The initial goal set in 2009,  The Green Credit Initiative has been
was to transfer nearly $100 conceptualized as a mechanism to
billion a year to developing incentivize voluntary pro-planet
countries via the Green actions, as an effective response to
Climate Fund (GCF). Only a the challenge of climate change.
small fraction of this tranche  It envisions the issue of Green
was actually realised. The Credits for plantations on waste
$100 billion commitment is or degraded lands and river
set to expire in 2025. catchment areas, to rejuvenate and
Global Cooling Pledge: revive natural ecosystems.
 Around 66 national signatories
committed to a 68% reduction in

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Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA) 2) Maiden winter expedition to

 It was launched by the National Arctic
Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) What’s in the news?
under the Ministry of Jal Shakti,  India is set to embark on its maiden
Government of India. winter expedition to the Arctic,
 GRCA highlights India’s role in making it the first Asian nation to
sustainable river-centric stay at the northernmost polar
development and climate resilience. region throughout the year.
 The GRCA platform will facilitate  Since 2008, India operates a
knowledge exchange, river-city research base in the Arctic named
twinning, and dissemination of Himadri (in the Ny-Alesund
best practices. region of Svalbard, Norway),
Leadership Group for Industry which has been mostly hosting
Transition (LeadIT 2.0) scientists during the summer.
 India and Sweden co-launched  The research areas of the latest
Phase II of LeadIT 2.0 for the period expedition will include atmospheric
2024-26, at COP-28. sciences, astronomy, astrophysics,
 LeadIT 2.0 will focus on inclusive and climate studies.
and just industry transition, Significance
codevelopment and transfer of  Temperatures in the Arctic
low-carbon technology, and region have risen by about 4
financial support to emerging degree Celsius on average over the
economies for industry transition. last 100 years; 2023 was the
Shortcomings of COP 28 warmest year on record.
 Contributions to the loss and  The extent of Arctic sea-ice has
damage fund have been made been declining at the rate of 13
voluntary. Hence, there is no clear per cent/ decade. At this rate, the
plan on how the money will be Arctic could become ice-free in less
added to the fund regularly. This than 20 years.
raises serious questions over the  Rising sea levels can influence
funds long term sustainability. atmospheric circulation. An
 The final agreement only talks increase in tropical sea surface
about transitioning away from temperatures could lead to
fossil fuels and not fossil fuel increased precipitation in the
phase out. Further no targets or tropics, a shift in the Inter
time schedules were being Tropical Convergence Zone, and
provided. high chances of an increase in
 Tripling of renewable energy is a extreme rainfall events.
global target, and it is not  The study of this region is important
incumbent on every country to to understand how it impacts the
individually triple its current Indian monsoons and the tropical
installed capacity. It is thus not clear climate.
how this tripling would be ensured.
 With regard to the Global goal on
adaptation, a lot more needs to be 3) National Clean Air Program
done, particularly in identifying the About NCAP
indicators to measure progress  The National Clean Air Programme
on each of the global goals. (NCAP) was launched in 2019 by
the Ministry of Environment

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Forest and Climate Change  An amount of Rs 9650 Cr has been

(MoEF&CC) to tackle the air released to the identified 131 cities
pollution crisis in a till FY 2023-24 under NCAP.
comprehensive manner. Related Information
 NCAP envisaged a reduction by 20- About NAAQS
30% in Particulate Matter (PM)  Ambient air quality refers to the
concentration over baseline in condition or quality of air
2017 by 2024. Target has been surrounding us in the outdoors.
revised to achieve reduction in National Ambient Air Quality
PM10 level up to 40% or Standards (NAAQS) are the
achievement of national standards for ambient air
standards (60 µg/m3) by 2025- quality set by the Central
26. Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
 131 million plus/non-attainment that are applicable nationwide.
cities (cities exceeding National  The CPCB has been conferred this
Ambient Air Quality Standards power by the Air (Prevention
(NAAQS), consecutively for five and Control of Pollution) Act,
years) have been identified for 1981.
implementing mitigation actions  NAAQS was adopted in 1982 for
under NCAP. the first time in India and it was
 City Action Plans (CAPs) have revised in 1994 and 2009.
been prepared by all 131 cities and  The current standards (2009)
are being implemented by Urban comprise the following 12
Local Bodies. pollutants:
 CAPs target city specific air o Sulphur Dioxide (SO2),
polluting sources like Soil & Road Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2),
Dust, Vehicles, Domestic Fuel, PM10, PM2.5, Lead (Pb),
Construction Material and Carbon Monoxide (CO),
Industries, etc. Ammonia (NH3),
Why in News? Benzene (C6H6),
 90 cities out of 131 cities have Benzo(a)Pyrene (BaP),
shown improvement in air quality Arsenic (As) and Nickel
in terms of annual PM10 (Ni).
concentrations in FY 2022-23 with
respect to the baseline of FY 2017-
18.

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Flora & Fauna

1) Green Turtles 2) Namdapha flying squirrel
About About
 Green turtle is one of the largest  The Namdapha flying squirrel
sea turtles and the only herbivore (Biswamoyopterus biswasi) is an
among the different species. arboreal (tree-dwelling),
 They are named for the greenish nocturnal (mainly active during
color of their cartilage and fat, not night) flying squirrel endemic to
their shells. Arunachal Pradesh.
 Green turtles are found mainly in  The most distinctive feature of this
tropical and subtropical waters. species is the furred, muscular
 In the Eastern Pacific, a group of membrane that extends along the
green turtles that have darker sides of the body, from the front
shells are called black turtles by limbs to the hindlegs.
the local community.
 Like other sea turtles, they migrate
long distances between feeding
grounds and the beaches from
where they hatched.
Threats:
 Green turtles are threatened by
overharvesting of their eggs,
hunting of adults, being caught in
fishing gear and loss of nesting
beach sites.
Protection Status:
 IUCN Red List: Endangered.
 This unique membrane acts as a
parachute when the animal leaps
from a tree, and once in the air, the
squirrel can steer by moving its
limbs and tail, and altering the
tension in the membrane.
Threats:
 The Namdapha flying squirrel is
threatened by habitat loss and
degradation, caused by felling for
Why in News? human settlements, shifting
 As per a recent study, rising global agriculture, and the extraction of
temperatures could lead to an non-timber forest products.
increase in the nesting range of Protection Status:
green turtles in the Mediterranean  IUCN Red List: Critically
Sea, spreading west from the Endangered; Wildlife Protection
current area to include much of the Act (2022): Schedule I.
North African, Italian, and Greek Why in News?
coastlines.  The elusive Namdapha flying
squirrel has made a remarkable
reappearance in the dense forests of

17
Arunachal Pradesh after 42 years of  The landscape of the park ranges

eluding detection. from tropical evergreen forests to
 This critically endangered species temperate and alpine forests.
was last officially recorded in 1981  It is home to several endangered
within the confines of the and rare species, including the
Namdapha National Park. snow leopard, red panda, and
About Namdapha National Park Hoolock Gibbon.
 It is located along the Eastern  It was declared a Tiger Reserve in
Himalayas in the state of 1983.
Arunachal Pradesh.
 Namdapha is the name of a river
which flows right across in a North-
South direction of the National Park.

18
Agriculture
1) Operation Greens Related Information
About About PMKSY
 The Ministry of Food Processing  The Ministry of Food Processing
Industries has been implementing Industries has been implementing
“Operation Greens” under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan
Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) since
Yojana since 2018-19. 2017.
 It is a Central Sector Scheme with  SAMPADA (Scheme for Agro-Marine
the objective of enhancing the Processing and Development of
value realisation of farmers and Agro-Processing Clusters) is a
minimizing post-harvest losses. comprehensive package which
 Initially the scheme covered aims to create modern
Tomato, Onion and Potato (TOP) infrastructure with efficient
only. Later the government supply chain management from
expanded the scope of the scheme farm gate to retail outlet.
to 22 perishable crops.  Under PMKSY the following
Objectives of the Scheme schemes are to be implemented.
 Enhance the value realization of o Mega Food Parks
farmers by targeted interventions o Integrated Cold Chain, Value
to strengthen production clusters Addition and Preservation
and Farmer Producer Organisations Infrastructure
(FPOs) and link the farmers with the o Creation/Expansion of Food
market. Processing/Preservation
 Reduction of post-harvest losses Capacities
by creating farm gate infrastructure, o Infrastructure for Agro
development of suitable agro- Processing Clusters
logistics, and creation of o Scheme for Creation of
appropriate storage capacity linking Backward and Forward
consumption centers. Linkages
 Development of food processing o Food Safety & Quality
capacities and value addition in Assurance Infrastructure
the value chain with firm linkages of o Human Resources and
production clusters. Institutions.
Why in News? Objectives of PMKSY
 Under “Operation Greens”, 53  Creation of modern
projects have been approved across infrastructure for food processing
the country. mega food parks/ clusters and
individual units;
 To create effective backward and
forward linkages - linking farmers,
processors and markets;
 To create robust supply chain
infrastructure for perishables.

19
Economy
1) Inflation Targeting policy is to maintain price
How does India measure retail stability while keeping in mind
inflation? the objective of growth. Price
 Inflation refers to a rise in the stability is a necessary precondition
general level of prices of a set of to sustainable growth.
goods and services over a period  In 2016, the Reserve Bank of India
of time. Act, 1934, was amended to provide
 India bases its retail inflation a statutory basis for the
metrics on the Consumer Price implementation of a flexible
Index - Combined (CPI-C). inflation-targeting framework,
About CPI where the Centre and the RBI would
 Consumer Price Index-Combined review and agree upon a specific
(CPI-C) is an index which measures inflation target every five years.
the weighted average of prices of a  In 2021, the Centre decided to
basket of consumer goods and retain the inflation target of 4%
services such as transportation, (measured by CPI-C), with a
food and medical care. tolerance band of +/- 2
 It is calculated by measuring price percentage points for the period
changes for each item in the April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2026.
predetermined basket of goods  When the Reserve Bank of India
and services and averaging them. fails to meet the inflation target, it
 It is released by the National will send a report to the central
Statistical Office (NSO) under the government stating reasons and
Ministry of Statistics and remedial actions that will be taken.
Programme Implementation.  A breach of the “tolerance level”
 The base year used to calculate CPI- for three consecutive quarters
C in India is 2012. will constitute a failure of
 Weightage of Sub-groups in CPI monetary policy.
o Food and beverages (45.86 Why in News?
percent of total weight);  India's retail inflation, measured by
o Miscellaneous (28.32 CPI-C, rose to 5.69 per cent in
percent), of which Transport December, marginally higher than
and communication (8.59 5.5 per cent in the previous month.
percent), health (5.89  It may be noted that inflation has
percent), and education remained within the RBI
(4.46 percent); acceptable range of 2-6 per cent.
o Housing (10.07 percent);
o Fuel and light (6.84 2) RBI keeps repo rate at 6.5%
percent); About MPC
o Clothing and footwear (6.53  The Monetary Policy Committee
percent); (MPC) is a committee of the RBI
o Pan, tobacco and intoxicants which is entrusted with the task of
(2.38 percent). fixing the benchmark policy interest
RBI’s Target rate (repo rate) to contain
 The RBI’s explicit mandate is to inflation within the specified
conduct monetary policy. The target level.
primary objective of monetary

20
o Under the flexible inflation quorum for the meeting is four

targeting (FIT) members.
framework, the RBI targets  The MPC makes decisions based on
to contain Consumer Price majority vote. In case of a tie, the
Index (CPI) based inflation RBI governor will have a second
within 4 percent with a or casting vote.
tolerance band of (+/-) 2  Each Member of MPC writes a
percent for the period April statement specifying the reasons
1, 2021, to March 31, 2026. for voting in favour of, or against the
 The MPC has six members: RBI proposed resolution.
Governor (Chairperson), RBI Why in News?
Deputy Governor in charge of  The Monetary Policy Committee of
monetary policy, one official RBI unanimously decided to keep
nominated by the RBI Board and the key policy repo rate
remaining 3 members would unchanged at 6.5%.
represent the Government.  The MPC last raised this rate by 25
 The MPC is required to meet at bps to 6.50% at its meeting in
least four times in a year. The February 2023.
 The Committee has raised its GDP

growth projection for 2023-24 to
7% from 6.5%.

21
3) Standing Deposit Facility 4) Constitution of Sixteenth

About SDB Finance Commission
 In 2022, the Reserve Bank of India About Finance Commission
(RBI) introduced the Standing  The Finance Commission is a
Deposit Facility (SDF), allowing constitutional body set up under
banks to park their excess funds Article 280 of the Constitution.
at a higher rate but without  Under Article 280, the President of
taking any collateral from the India is required to constitute a
central bank. Finance Commission at an interval
 Currently, the SDF rate has been set of five years or earlier.
at an interest rate of 6.25%, higher What are the qualifications for
than the 3.35% fixed reverse repo Members?
rate, which is the rate at which  The Finance Commission has a
banks park their excess funds with chairman and four members
the RBI in exchange of appointed by the President.
government securities as  The Chairman of the Commission is
collateral. selected from among persons who
 SDF is a tool to absorb excess have had experience in public
liquidity, as it will be more affairs, and the four other
attractive for the commercial members are selected from among
banks to pump liquidity back to the persons who--
central bank due to higher returns, o are, or have been, or are
while for the central bank it would qualified to be appointed as
not need to offer any security to Judges of a High Court; or
the commercial bank. o have special knowledge of
Features of SDF the finances and accounts of
 SDF has the following features viz; Government; or
o it is a monetary policy o have had wide experience in
instrument to absorb financial matters and in
liquidity without any administration; or
collateral with an interest o have special knowledge of
rate of 6.25%; economics
o it is operated on an What are the functions of the Finance
overnight basis, with the Commission?
flexibility to absorb liquidity  It is the duty of the Commission to
for longer tenor with make recommendations to the
appropriate pricing; President as to—
o deposits under the SDF shall o the distribution of tax
not be reckoned as proceeds between the
balances eligible for the Union and the States and the
maintenance of the cash share of each state.
reserve ratio (CRR), but o the principles which
shall be an eligible asset for should govern the grants-
maintenance of the in-aid of the revenues of the
statutory liquidity ratio States out of the
(SLR). Consolidated Fund of India;
Why in News? o the measures needed to
 SDF was in the news recently. augment the Consolidated
Fund of a State to

22
supplement the resources of Funds) Regulations, 1996, SEBI

the Panchayats in the State (Collective Investment Schemes)
on the basis of the Regulations, 1999 or any other
recommendations made by regulations of the Board to regulate
the Finance Commission of fund management activities.
the State;  Categories of AIF:
o the measures needed to o Category I AIF:
augment the Consolidated  Venture capital funds
Fund of a State to (Including Angel
supplement the resources of Funds)
the Municipalities in the  Social Venture
State on the basis of the Funds
recommendations made by  Infrastructure
the Finance Commission of funds
the State; o Category II AIF (real estate
o any other matter referred to funds, private equity funds,
the Commission by the funds for distressed assets,
President in the interests of etc)
sound finance. o Category III AIF (hedge
Why in News? funds, private investment in
 The Government of India, with the public equity (PIPE) Funds,
approval of the President of India, etc.)
has constituted the Sixteenth  In India, AIFs are regulated by the
Finance Commission, in Securities and Exchange Board of
pursuance to Article 280 of the India (Alternative Investment
Constitution. Funds) Regulations, 2012.
 Dr Arvind Panagariya, former Why in News?
Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog, and  The Reserve Bank of India has
Professor, Columbia University will tightened norms for lenders
be the Chairman. relating to making investments in
 The Commission has been units of Alternative Investment
requested to make its report Funds to address concerns relating
available by 31st day of October, to possible evergreening of stressed
2025 covering a period of five years loans.
commencing on the 1st day of April,  RBI has prohibited all regulated
2026. entities (REs), including banks,
cooperative banks and NBFCs from
5) RBI tightens rules for lenders making investments in AIFs, if the
AIF has made any investment into
investing in AIF
a “debtor company”.
About AIF
o Debtor company means a
 Alternative Investment Fund or AIF
company in which the RE
is a privately pooled investment
currently has or previously
vehicle, which collects funds from
had a loan exposure anytime
investors, for investing it in
during the preceding 12
accordance with a defined
months.
investment policy for the benefit of
Rationale of the move
its investors.
 Since several regulated entities
 AIF does not include funds
have affiliated AIFs, routing the
covered under the SEBI (Mutual

23
money through AIFs to borrowers allowing delinquent

might lead to evergreening. borrowers to take more loans
o Evergreening refers to and repay existing ones.
practices to mask the true
extent of bad loans by

24
Organisations
1) Central Zoo Authority  The Authority evaluates the zoos
About CZA with reference to the parameters
 The Central Zoo Authority is a prescribed under the Rules and
statutory body established in 1992 grants recognition, accordingly.
under the Wildlife (Protection)  The Authority’s role is more of a
Act, 1972. facilitator than a regulator. It
 The Authority functions under the therefore provides technical and
Ministry of Environment, Forest financial assistance to such zoos
and Climate Change and consists which have the potential to attain
of a Chairman, ten members and a the desired standard in animal
Member Secretary. management.
Objectives  Apart from the primary function of
 The main objective of this Authority grant of recognition, the Central Zoo
is to complement and strengthen Authority also regulates the
the national effort in conservation exchange of animals of
of the rich biodiversity of the endangered category listed under
country, particularly the fauna as Schedule- I and II of the Wildlife
per the National Zoo Policy, 1998. (Protection) Act, 1972 among zoos.
 Other objectives of this Authority  Exchange of animals between
include- enforcing minimum Indian and foreign zoos is also
standards and norms for upkeep approved by the Authority.
and healthcare of animals in Indian Why in News?
zoos and to control mushrooming  The Central Zoo Authority
of unplanned and ill-conceived conducted a National Level
zoos. Workshop aimed at fostering
Functions collaboration for One Health
 Every zoo in the country is initiatives.
required to obtain recognition o One Health is an integrated,
from the Authority for its unifying approach that aims
operation. to sustainably balance and
optimize the health of people,
animals and ecosystems.

25
Science and Technology

1) Anthrax  Scientists have detected one of the
About most powerful cosmic rays ever
 Anthrax is an infectious disease slamming into Earth but they have
caused by rod-shaped bacteria no idea what caused it or where it
known as Bacillus Anthracis, which came from.
is found in soil naturally.  The extremely high-energy particle
 Anthrax spores can remain dormant has been named Amaterasu after
for years until they find their way the Japanese Sun goddess, and it
into a host. Common hosts for seemingly arrived from a void in
anthrax include wild or domestic space where nothing is known to
livestock, such as sheep, cattle, exist.
horses and goats. About Amaterasu
 Anthrax is a zoonotic disease,  The Amaterasu particle has an
meaning that it is naturally energy exceeding 240 exa-
transmissible from animals to electron volts (EeV). That is
humans. People can get the disease millions of times more powerful
through contact with infected than the particles produced by the
animals or animal products that Large Hadron Collider, which is
are contaminated with bacteria. the most powerful accelerator ever
 When anthrax spores get inside the built.
body, they can be “activated.” The  It is second only to the “Oh-My-
bacteria can then multiply, spread God” particle, another high-energy
out in the body, produce toxins, and cosmic ray detected in 1991. That
cause severe illness. came in at 320 EeV.
 Symptoms include black sore, What are Cosmic Rays?
headaches, fever, breathing  Cosmic rays are charged particles
difficulties, vomiting of blood, originating from elsewhere in
diarrhea. our galaxy or the universe and
 According to the World Health they travel close to the speed of
Organization, Anthrax is generally light.
regarded as non-contagious. There  They are echoes of violent
have been instances of person-to- celestial events that are constantly
person transmission, however, such arriving at Earth. However, this
instances are extremely rare. event had extraordinary energy
 All types of anthrax infection can be and is exceptionally rare.
treated with antibiotics. The Puzzle
Why in News?  The newly detected particle,
 Five countries in East and southern Amaterasu, was identified by the
Africa (Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Telescope Array in Utah, United
Zambia and Zimbabwe) are in the States.
middle of outbreaks of the anthrax  Operational since 2008, it is a
disease. specialized cosmic ray detector
which comprises 507 surface
detectors spread over 700 square
2) High-energy ‘sun goddess’
kilometers.
particle  It has detected over 30 ultra-high-
What’s in the news? energy cosmic rays, but the

26
Amaterasu particle, which struck United States to send a specialised

Earth's atmosphere on May 27, astronomy observatory to study
2021, is the largest observed to black holes and neutron stars in
date. our galaxy.
 The exact sources of these high-  The mission life of the primary
energy particles remain elusive, payload XPoSat is about five years.
despite extensive research. What is the polarisation of X-rays?
 The scientists propose three  X-rays comprise electric and
explanations for the enigmatic magnetic waves that are
origin of the particle—-One, it could constantly in motion. Being
be from a source that we have not sinusoidal waves, they do not
yet identified. Two, It might have follow a patterned direction of
been magnetically deflected motion. Whereas, a polarised X-ray
much higher than current models is both organised and has two
predict. Or three, scientists might waves vibrating in the same
need to rewrite their incomplete direction.
understanding of high-energy  When magnetars or black holes
particle physics. emit X-rays, they encounter a wide
variety of materials in the Universe.
3) XPoSat As X-rays pass through the thick
What’s in the news? cloud of materials, the electric
 Indian Space Research Organisation component of the X-ray emits a
(ISRO) has successfully launched X- photon in a changed direction, as
ray Polarimeter Satellite it has now undergone scattering.
(XPoSat) aboard Polar Satellite  In the process, the new photon has
Launch Vehicle PSLV-C58. got polarised in a direction
 The satellite was launched from perpendicular to the plane
Satish Dhawan Space Centre in formed between the original and
Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. scattered photon.
 XPoSat has been successfully  The polarisation measurements –
launched into a 650 km Low Earth angular and degree of polarisation –
Orbit as intended. are believed to provide clues about
About the Mission the bright X-ray emitting sources,
 XPoSat is India’s maiden mission the nature of these radiations and
dedicated to study how the X-rays the complex process they
from celestial sources (such as undergo.
black holes and magnetars) are o Magnetars are neutron stars
polarised, which can reveal details with the strongest-known
about the structure and magnetic fields, with up to a
conditions of the objects emitting thousand times the intensity
those X-rays. of typical neutron stars.
 XPoSat comprises two payloads, Modest disturbances to the
including Indian X-ray magnetic field can cause
Polarimeter (POLIX) and X-ray magnetars to erupt with
Spectroscopy and Timing sporadic X-ray bursts for
(XSPECT). weeks or longer.
 Following the launch of XPoSat, o A black hole is a region of
India has become the second spacetime where gravity is so
country in the world after the strong that nothing, including

27
light and other Related Information

electromagnetic waves, has What is whole genome sequencing
enough energy to escape it. (WGS)?
 The genome, or genetic material, of
4) INSACOG an organism (bacteria, virus, potato,
What is INSACOG? human) is made up of DNA. Each
 The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics organism has a unique DNA
Consortium (INSACOG) was sequence which is composed of
established in 2020 as a joint bases (A, T, C, and G).
initiative of the Union Health  If you know the sequence of the
Ministry of Health and Department bases in an organism, you have
of Biotechnology (DBT) with the identified its unique DNA
Council for Scientific & Industrial fingerprint, or pattern.
Research (CSIR) and Indian Council Determining the order of bases is
of Medical Research (ICMR). called sequencing.
 It was launched to expand the  Whole genome sequencing is a
whole-genome sequencing of laboratory procedure that
SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that determines the order of bases in
causes the Covid-19 disease, across the genome of an organism in one
India with the aim of process.
understanding how the virus Significance
spreads and evolves.  Genomic information has been
 The pan-India consortium works to instrumental in identifying
monitor genomic variations in inherited disorders,
SARS-CoV-2 by a sentinel characterizing the mutations that
sequencing effort (random drive cancer progression, and
testing in the community) which tracking disease outbreaks.
is facilitated by the National Centre  While genome sequencing is
for Disease Control (NCDC). commonly associated with
Why in News? sequencing human genomes, the
 A case of JN.1 subvariant of scalable, flexible nature of next-
COVID19 has been detected in generation sequencing (NGS)
Kerala, as part of the ongoing technology makes it equally useful
routine surveillance activity by for sequencing any species, such
INSACOG. as agriculturally important
livestock, plants, or disease-related
microbes.

28
Reports and Indices

1) Regional Overview of Food afford a healthy diet in other
Security and Nutrition 2023 countries, including Bangladesh
About FAO (66%), Pakistan (82%), Iran (30%),
 The Food and Agriculture China (11)%, Russia (2.6%), the US
Organization (FAO) is a specialized (1.2%), and the UK (0.4%).
agency of the United Nations o The United Nations defines a
leading international efforts to healthy diet for adults as food
defeat hunger. that includes at least 400 gms
 It is an intergovernmental of fruit and vegetables per
organization, established in 1945, day as well as nuts and whole
with more than 190 member grains.
countries (including India) and one o It also says that a healthy diet
member organization, the should have less than 10% of
European Union. the total energy intake from
 FAO’s goal is to achieve food and free sugars, less than 30% of
security for all and make sure that total energy intake from fats
people have regular access to and less than 5 gms of salt.
enough high-quality food and lead
active, healthy lives. 2) National Policy on Child Labour
 FAO works towards improving - An Assessment
nutrition, increasing agricultural What’s in the news?
productivity, raising the standard of  The Parliamentary Standing
living in rural populations and Committee on Labour has tabled a
contributing to global economic detailed report on the
growth. implementation of the Centre’s
Why in News? policy on child labour in Parliament.
 The Food and Agriculture  The report, titled ‘National Policy
Organisation has released the on Child Labour - An Assessment’,
Regional Overview of Food states the country has a long way to
Security and Nutrition 2023, a go in eliminating child labour, and
report which said 74.1% of Indians requires changes to the policies and
were unable to afford a healthy laws that govern the issue.
diet in 2021. Highlights of the Report
 In 2020, the percentage was 76.2.  The panel said the number of
Key Takeaways working children has decreased
 The report said during the COVID- from 1.26 crore (as per 2001
19 pandemic and the “5Fs” crisis – census) to 1.01 crore (as per 2011
Food, Feed, Fuel, Fertilisers, and census).
Finance – the Asia-Pacific region  Considering the prevalence of child
witnessed alarming statistics. labour at present, the panel said, it
 The Asia-Pacific region accounts is practically not possible to meet
for half of the world’s severe food the international commitment to
insecurity, with more women eliminate child labour by 2025.
than men lacking enough safe  The panel has recommended that
and nutritious food. discrepancies in the criteria for
 Comparatively, the report provides determination of the age of the
percentages of people unable to child in various Acts be examined to

29
ensure they did not lead to any 3) LEADS 2023

ambiguity in securing justice for About the Index
aggrieved children.  Logistics Ease Across Different State
o According to the Child and (LEADS) was conceived on the lines
Adolescent Labour of the Logistics Performance
(Prohibition and Index of World Bank in 2018.
Regulation) Act, 1986  Launched by the Union Ministry of
(CALPRA), ‘child’ means a Commerce & Industry, it serves as
person who has not a benchmarking tool to assess the
completed his fourteenth performance of logistics in Indian
year of age or such age as states and Union territories.
may be specified in the Right  The Report places states and UTs
of Children to Free and based on their Geography into four
Compulsory Education Act, Groups namely Coastal Group,
2009, whichever is more. Landlocked Group, North- East
o The amendment made to Group and Union Territories
the CALPRA in 2016 defines Group to analyse their logistics
the child falling in the age performance.
group of (14-18) years.  Performance of States/UTs, in each
o Under the Right of of these Groups, is measured using a
Education Act, 2009, combination of objective data and
‘Child’ means a male or user perception scores for
female aged six to fourteen individual indicators under the
years. three pillars of logistics
o The Juvenile Justice (Care performance i.e.,
and Protection of o Quality of Logistics
Children) Act, 2015 defines Infrastructure,
‘child’ as a person who has o Quality of Logistics
not completed eighteen Services, and
years of age. o Operating & Regulatory
 The Committee proposed setting up Environment.
of a National Level Child Tracking  States/UTs are classified into
Mechanism to facilitate three performance levels –
coordination among the states and Achievers, Fast Movers and
the centre. Aspirers, based on their logistics
 The panel has also recommended performance.
that, in addition to the three-four Why in News?
times increase in the amount of  The Ministry of Commerce &
fine, stricter punishment in the Industry has released the 5th
form of cancellation of license, edition of the LEADS annual
attachment of property, etc., needed exercise - LEADS 2023 report.
to be incorporated.
 The Committee asked the Ministry
to take up the issue in a mission
mode and devise a systematic action
plan based policy to meet
international commitments.

30
Highlights of LEADS 2023
 The report signals a positive shift  Published annually since 2005,

in States’ performance across the CCPI is an independent monitoring
key pillars – Logistics tool for tracking the climate
Infrastructure, Logistics Services protection performance of 63
and Operating and Regulatory countries and the European
Environment. Union.
 The latest report highlights an  The climate protection performance
enhanced overall stakeholder of these 63 countries, which
perception and impact of various together account for 90% of global
reforms, across States and UTs. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is
Recommendations assessed in four categories:
 The report noted that States/UTs o GHG Emissions (40%
can further enhance logistics weightage),
efficiency by focusing on areas such o Renewable Energy (20%),
as data-driven planning, City o Energy Use (20%) and
Logistics Plans, bridging o Climate Policy (20%).
infrastructure gaps, technology Why in News?
utilization, private sector  Climate Change Performance Index
participation, and green 2024 was released recently.
logistics. Highlights of the Index
 India has been placed 7th in this
4) Climate Change Performance year's CCPI.
 No country performs well enough
Index 2024
in all categories to achieve an
About the Index
overall “very high” rating in the
 The Climate Change Performance
index. Therefore, the first three
Index (CCPI) is developed by non-
ranks in the overall ranking
governmental organizations
remain empty.
Germanwatch and NewClimate
 Denmark is at the top of the index
Institute together with the Climate
(4th), followed by Estonia and
Action Network, a global network
Philippines (5th and 6th).
of environmental NGOs.

31
 India’s rank is the best amongst  China, the largest polluter came in
the G20 countries. India at number 51 while the US, the
maintained its top 10 position for second biggest emitter came in at
the fifth year in a row. number 57.
 India receives a high ranking in the  India's past performance in the CCPI
GHG Emissions and Energy Use ranking shows significant
categories, but a medium in improvement from 31st rank in
Climate Policy and Renewable 2014 to seventh in 2023.
Energy.

32
Polity
1) Suspension of MPs How long can MPs be suspended for?
Context  Mild offences are punished by
 146MPs were suspended recently admonition or reprimand, with
for disrupting Parliamentary the latter being the more serious of
proceedings. the two punishments.
 This is the highest number of MPs  However, continuing to disregard
suspended in a single session in the the Presiding Officer’s directions
history of Parliament. can invite the punishment of
Who can suspend the MPs? How? suspension. A member can be
 The Presiding Officer — the suspended, at the maximum, for
Speaker of LS and Chairman of RS — the remainder of the session only.
plays the major role in meting out Moreover, the House, at any point
suspensions. of time, can reinstate a suspended
 In Lok Sabha, the Speaker acts in member by passing a motion.
accordance with Rules of the Rules  In cases of extreme misconduct,
of Procedure and Conduct of the House may expel a member “to
Business. Rajya Sabha also has a rid the House of persons who are
similar procedure. unfit for membership.”
 First, the presiding officers can Is suspending MPs common practice?
direct an MP to withdraw from the  While it is a strong step, it is not
House for any disorderly conduct. If uncommon. However, the number
that does not work and the said MP of suspensions have gone up over
continues to disrupt the House the last few years.
proceedings, the presiding officer
can “name” the legislator. After 2) SC ruling on Article 370
that, the House can move a motion Background
to suspend the MP until the end of What was the Constitution position?
the session.  Article 370 of the Constitution,
 While these rules have mostly which provided autonomy for
remained unchanged since 1952, in Jammu and Kashmir, was drafted in
2001, the Lok Sabha further 1947 by Sheikh Abdullah, then the
empowered the Speaker to deal state's Prime Minister, and accepted
with “grave and disorderly by India's first Prime Minister
conduct.” Jawaharlal Nehru.
 As per the new rule (Rule 374A), an  Classified only as a temporary
MP “named” by the Speaker shall provision, it was included in the
automatically stand suspended Indian Constitution in October
for a period of five days or the 1949.
remaining part of the session. This Special status of Jammu and Kashmir
rule removes the need for the under Article 370
House to pass a motion for  Article 370 of the Constitution gave
suspension. special status to Jammu and
 Notably, the Rajya Sabha has not Kashmir in the Indian Union and
incorporated this provision in its restricted the Centre’s legislative
procedures. powers with respect to the state.
 It gave the state legislature to
make its own laws in all matters

33
except for finance, defence, other provisions in the Constitution

foreign affairs and such as Articles 371A to 371J —
communications. examples of special arrangements
Abrogation of Article 370 for different States.
 In 2019, the Government of India  The court ordered the
revoked Article 370 of the Indian establishment of a Truth and
Constitution, which granted special Reconciliation Commission to
status and autonomy to the state of address violations of human rights
Jammu and Kashmir. perpetrated in J&K both by state and
 With the abrogation of Article 370, non-state actors since the 1980s.
the Centre had also reorganised  Considering the sensitivities of the
the erstwhile state of Jammu and issues involved, the court said that it
Kashmir into two Union was up to the government to
Territories — Ladakh and Jammu decide how the Commission must
and Kashmir. be set up.
 Ladakh was carved out as a Union  The court also set a deadline of
Territory without a legislature, September 30, 2024, for the
while Jammu and Kashmir had a assembly elections to be held in J&K.
legislative body. Can a State be converted into a Union
 Both the UTs are being Territory?
administered by the Centre-  Due to the assurance given by the
appointed lieutenant governors Union government that J&K’s
since no assembly elections have statehood would be restored
taken place in Jammu and Kashmir soon, the court did not go into the
since 2019. issue of whether the conversion of
Why in News? J&K into a Union Territory was
 A Constitution Bench of the valid.
Supreme Court has unanimously  It, however, upheld the Jammu
upheld the power of the and Kashmir Reorganisation Act,
President to abrogate Article 370 2019 to the extent that it carved out
of the Constitution, which led to the Union Territory of Ladakh out of
the reorganisation of the State of the State of J&K.
J&K into two Union Territories
and denuded it of its special 3) Women Reservation Bill
privileges. extended to J&K and Puducherry
 The court reasoned that Article 370 What’s in the news?
was only a ‘temporary provision’  Parliament has passed the Jammu
to ease the accession of the then & Kashmir Reorganisation
princely State to the Union at a time (Second Amendment) Bill 2023
of internal strife and war. and the Government of Union
Highlights of the Judgment Territories (amendment) Bill
 The apex court pointed out that J&K 2023 to extend Women’s
had divested itself of any element reservation in J&K and
of sovereignty after the execution Puducherry Assemblies.
of the Instrument of Accession to o Refer Pulse September 2023
the Union in October 1947. Digest edition for details
 The judgment noted that Article 370 about the Women’s
was merely a ‘feature of Reservation Bill (Nari
asymmetric federalism’ similar to Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam)

34
which reserved one-third in position of trust or authority

of all seats for women in Lok including public servants, police,
Sabha, state legislative armed forces, management or staff
assemblies, and the of an educational or religious
Legislative Assembly of the institution.
National Capital Territory of  It also defined the procedure for
Delhi. reporting of cases, including a
Highlights of the Bills provision for punishment for
 The Bills reserve one-third of all failure to report a case or false
elected seats in the J&K and complaint.
Puducherry Legislative Assemblies  It provided procedures for
for women. This will also apply to recording of the statement of a
the seats reserved for Scheduled child by the police and court, laying
Castes and Scheduled Tribes in down that it should be done in a
the Assembly. child-friendly manner, and by the
 The reservation will be effective setting up of special courts.
once the census conducted after  Each district shall designate a
the commencement of these Bills Sessions Court to be a Special
have been published. Based on the Court. The Court shall, as far as
census, delimitation will be possible, complete the trial within
undertaken to reserve seats for one year. The trial shall be held in
women. camera and in the presence of the
 The reservation will be provided for child’s parents or any person
15 years. However, it will continue trusted by the child.
till such date as determined by a law  The Act also includes penalties for
made by Parliament. use of children for the purpose of
 Seats reserved for women will be pornography and abetment of an
rotated after each delimitation, as offence.
determined by a law made by  The Act was amended in 2019 to
Parliament. enhance punishment under various
sections of the Act including
4) Exclusive POCSO courts punishment for aggravated
Protection of Children from Sexual penetrative sexual assault to be
Offences (POCSO) Act, 2011 increased to include death penalty.
 The POCSO Act, which came into Why in News?
force in 2012, is the first  The law ministry said a total 412
comprehensive law in the country exclusive POCSO courts are
dealing specifically with sexual functional in the country which are
abuse of children. constituted for hearing cases of
 Under the Act, any person below the sexual offences against children.
age of 18 years is defined as a
“child”. 5) The Telecommunications Bill,
 The Act increased the scope of 2023
reporting offences against children, What’s in the news?
which were not earlier covered  The Parliament has passed the
under the Indian Penal Code. This 'Telecommunications Bill, 2023' to
included aggravated penetrative transform and reform the
sexual assault to include telecommunications sector,
punishment for abuse by a person services, and its networks.

35
 The Bill seeks to amend and the interest of public safety

consolidate the law relating to the or public emergency, and
development, expansion, and must be in the interest of
operation of telecommunication specified grounds which
services. The Bill seeks to replace include: (i) security of the
the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 state, (ii) prevention of
and the Indian Wireless incitement of offences, or
Telegraphy Act, 1933. (iii) public order.
Key Features o Telecom services may be
Authorisation for telecom-related suspended on similar
activities: grounds.
 Prior authorisation from the  The government may take
central government will be temporary possession of any
required to: telecom infrastructure, network, or
(i) establish and operate services on occurrence of any
telecommunications public emergency or public
networks, safety.
(ii) provide o An officer authorised by the
telecommunications government may search
services, or premises or vehicles for
(iii) possess radio possession of unauthorised
equipment. telecom network or
o Existing licences will equipment.
continue to be valid for the Protection of users:
period of their grant, or for  The central government may
five years, where the period provide for measures to protect
is not specified. users which include:
Assignment of spectrum: (i) prior consent to receive
 Spectrum will be assigned by specified messages such as
auction, except for specified uses, advertising messages,
where it will be allocated on an (ii) creation of Do Not
administrative basis. Disturb registers, and
o Specified purposes include: (iii) a mechanism to allow
(i) national security and users to report malware or
defence, (ii) disaster specified messages.
management, (iii) weather  Entities providing telecom services
forecasting, (iv) transport, must establish an online
(v) satellite services such as mechanism for registration and
DTH and satellite telephony, redressal of grievances.
and (vi) BSNL, MTNL, and Right of way:
public broadcasting  Entities laying telecommunication
services. infrastructure may seek right of
Powers of interception and search: way over public or private
 Messages or a class of messages property.
between two or more persons may o Right of way must be
be intercepted, monitored, or provided on a non-
blocked on certain grounds. discriminatory and non-
o Such actions must be exclusive basis to the
necessary or expedient in extent possible.

36
Appointments to TRAI: the central government. The

 The Bill amends the TRAI Act to also question is whether these should be
allow individuals with: provided by the Bill.
(i) at least 30 years of  The Bill may allow mass
professional experience to surveillance; such measures may
serve as the Chairperson, violate the fundamental right to
and privacy on the account of
(ii) at least 25 years of proportionality.
professional experience to  The Bill does not specify
serve as members. procedural safeguards with
Digital Bharat Nidhi: respect to powers to search
 The Universal Service Obligation premises and vehicles.
Fund has been established under  The Bill vests several regulatory
the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 to functions with the central
provide for telecom services in government. This is distinct from
underserved areas. sectors such as power and finance,
 The Bill retains this provision, where these functions have been
renames the fund as Digital Bharat delegated to the regulators.
Nidhi, and also allows its use for
research and development in 6) Bharatiya Nyaya (Second)
telecom.
Sanhita
Offences and penalties:
What’s in the news?
 The Bill specifies various criminal
 The Parliament has passed the
and civil offences with provision of
Bharatiya Nyaya (Second)
stringent punishment for violators.
Sanhita, 2023 which will replace
Adjudication process:
the Indian Penal Code (IPC),
 The central government will
1860, which is the principal law on
appoint an adjudicating officer to
criminal offences in the country.
conduct inquiries and pass orders
 The Bharatiya Nyaya (Second)
against civil offences under the Bill.
Sanhita (BNS2) largely retains the
The officer must be of the rank of
provisions of the IPC, adds some
joint secretary and above.
new offences, removes offences that
 Orders of the adjudicating officer
have been struck down by courts,
may be appealed before the
and increases penalties for several
Designated Appeals Committee
offences.
within 30 days.
Key changes in the BNS2 include:
 Members of this Committee will
Offences against the body:
be officers of the rank of at least
 The IPC criminalises acts such as
Additional Secretary. Appeals
murder, abetment of suicide, assault
against the orders of the Committee,
and causing grievous hurt. The
in connection to breach of terms
BNS2 retains these provisions.
and conditions, may be filed with
 It adds new offences such as
Telecom Disputes Settlement and
organised crime, terrorism, and
Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT)
murder or grievous hurt by a
within 30 days.
group on certain grounds.
Key Issues and Analysis
Sexual offences against women:
 The Bill provides that procedure
 The IPC criminalises acts such as
and safeguards related to
rape, voyeurism, stalking and
interception will be prescribed by
insulting the modesty of a woman.

37
The BNS2 retains these o strike terror in the people or

provisions. any section of people in
 It increases the threshold for the India.
victim to be classified as a major,  Attempting or committing
in the case of gangrape, from 16 to terrorism will be punishable with
18 years of age. life imprisonment or death.
 It also criminalises sexual Mob lynching:
intercourse with a woman by  The BNS2 adds murder or
deceitful means or making false grievous hurt by five or more
promises. people on specified grounds, as an
Sedition: offence.
 The BNS2 removes the offence of  These grounds include race, caste,
sedition. sex, language, or personal belief.
o It instead penalises the  The punishment for such murder
following: is life imprisonment or death.
 exciting or Community Service:
attempting to excite  The BNS2 adds community service
secession, armed as a punishment.
rebellion, or  It extends this punishment to
subversive activities, offences such as:
 encouraging feelings o theft of property worth less
of separatist than Rs. 5,000,
activities, or o attempt to commit suicide
 endangering the with the intent to restrain a
sovereignty or unity public servant, and
and integrity of o appearing in a public place
India. intoxicated and causing
o These offences may involve annoyance.
exchange of words or Key Issues and Analysis
signs, electronic  Age of criminal responsibility is
communication, or use of retained at seven years. It
financial means. extends to 12 years depending
Organised crime: upon the maturity of the accused.
 Organised crime includes offences This age is lower than the age of
such as kidnapping, extortion, criminal responsibility in other
contract killing, land grabbing, countries.
financial scams, and cybercrime o In 2007, a UN Committee
carried out on behalf of a crime recommended states to set
syndicate. the age of criminal
 Attempting or committing responsibility to above 12
organised crime will be punishable years.
with life imprisonment or death.  Several offences overlap with
Terrorism: special laws. In many cases, both
 Terrorism includes an act that carry different penalties or provide
intends to: for different procedures. This may
o threaten the unity, integrity, lead to multiple regulatory regimes,
security or economic additional costs of compliance and
security of the country, or possibility of levelling multiple
charges.

38
 The BNS2 retains the provisions of  The BNSS2 provides that any police
the IPC on rape and sexual officer can request such an
harassment. It does not consider examination.
recommendations of the Justice Forensic investigation:
Verma Committee (2013) such as  The BNSS2 mandates forensic
making the offence of rape investigation for offences
gender neutral and including punishable with at least seven
marital rape as an offence. years of imprisonment.
 The BNS2 does not define what  If a state does not have a forensics
community service will entail facility, it shall utilise such facility
and how it will be administered. in another state.
Signatures and finger impressions:
7) Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha  The CrPC empowers a Magistrate
to order any person to provide
(Second) Sanhita, 2023
specimen signatures or
handwriting.
 The BNSS2 expands this to include
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha
finger impressions and voice
(Second) Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS2)
samples. It allows these samples to
which seeks to replace the
be collected from a person who has
Criminal Procedure Code, 1973
not been arrested.
(CrPC). The CrPC provides for the
Timelines for procedures:
procedure for arrest, prosecution,
 The BNSS2 prescribes timelines
and bail.
for various procedures. For
 The BNSS2 retains most of the
instance, it requires medical
provisions of the CrPC.
practitioners who examine rape
Key changes proposed include:
victims to submit their reports to
Detention of undertrials:
the investigating officer within
 As per the CrPC, if an accused has
seven days.
spent half of the maximum period
 Other specified timelines include:
of imprisonment in detention, he
o giving judgement within 30
must be released on personal
days of completion of
bond.
arguments,
 This does not apply to offences
o informing the victim of
punishable by death. The BNSS2
progress of investigation
adds that this provision will also
within 90 days, and
not apply to:
o framing of charges by a
o offences punishable by life
sessions court within 60
imprisonment, and
days from the first hearing
o persons against whom
on such charges.
proceedings are pending in
Hierarchy of Courts:
more than one offence.
 The CrPC establishes a hierarchy of
Medical examination:
courts for the adjudication of
 The CrPC allows medical
criminal matters in India. These
examination of the accused in
courts include:
certain cases, including rape
o Magistrate’s Courts:
cases. Such examination is done by
subordinate courts
a registered medical practitioner on
responsible for the trial of
the request of at least a sub-
most criminal cases,
inspector level police officer.

39
o Sessions Courts: presided Key Issues and Analysis

over by a Sessions Judge and  The BNSS2 allows up to 15 days of
hear appeals from police custody, which can be
Magistrate’s Courts, authorised in parts during the initial
o High Courts: have inherent 40 or 60 days of the 60 or 90 days
jurisdiction to hear and period of judicial custody. This may
decide criminal cases and lead to denial of bail for the entire
appeals, and period if the police has not
o Supreme Court: hear exhausted the 15 days custody.
appeals from High Courts  The use of handcuffs is permitted
and also exercise its original in a range of cases including
jurisdiction in certain organised crime, contradicting
matters. Supreme Court directions.
 The CrPC empowers the state  The BNSS2 retains provisions of
governments to notify any city or the CrPC related to maintenance
town with a population of more of public order. Since trial
than one million as a metropolitan procedure and maintenance of
area. Such areas have Metropolitan public order are distinct
Magistrates. functions, the question is whether
 The BNSS2 removes the they should be regulated under the
classification of metropolitan same law or be dealt with
areas and Metropolitan separately.
Magistrates.
Other Features: 8) Bharatiya Sakshya (Second)
 The BNSS2 provides for the use of
Bill, 2023
handcuffs during arrest. Handcuffs
may only be used to arrest:
o a habitual or repeat offender
Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill,
who has escaped custody, or
2023 (BSB2) which seeks to
o a person who has committed
replace the Indian Evidence Act,
offences such as rape, acid
1872. The Act governs the
attack, organised crime, drug
admissibility of evidence in Indian
related crime, or offence
Courts. It applies to all civil and
against the State.
criminal proceedings.
 All trials, inquiries, and
 BSB2 retains most provisions of the
proceedings may be held in
IEA including those on confessions,
electronic mode.Production of
relevancy of facts, and burden of
electronic communication devices,
proof.
likely to contain digital evidence,
Key changes proposed in the BSB2
will be allowed for investigation,
include:
inquiry, or trial.
Documentary evidence:
 If a proclaimed offender has
The IEA provides for two kinds of evidence
absconded to evade trial and there
– documentary and oral evidence.
is no immediate prospect of
 Under the IEA, a document includes
arresting him, the trial can be
writings, maps, and
conducted and judgement
caricatures. The BSB2 adds that
pronounced in his absence.
electronic records will also be
considered as documents.

40
 Documentary evidence includes a joint trial, if a confession made by

primary and secondary evidence. one of the accused which also
Primary evidence refers to the affects other accused is proven, it
original document, while will be treated as a confession
secondary evidence includes against both.
documents that can prove the  The BSB2 adds an explanation to
contents of the original. this provision. It states that a trial of
 The BSB2 retains this multiple persons, where an accused
classification. has absconded or has not
Oral evidence: responded to an arrest warrant,
 Under the IEA, oral evidence will be treated as a joint trial.
includes statements made before Key Issues and Analysis
Courts by witnesses in relation to a  The Supreme Court has recognised
fact under inquiry. that electronic records may be
 The BSB2 allows oral evidence to tampered with. While the BSB2
be given electronically. This provides for the admissibility of
would permit witnesses, accused such records, there are no
persons, and victims to testify safeguards to prevent the
through electronic means. tampering and contamination of
Admissibility of electronic or digital such records during the
records as evidence: investigation process.
 Under the IEA, electronic records  The IEA provides that if a fact is
are categorised as secondary discovered as a result of
evidence. The BSB2 classifies information received from an
electronic records as primary accused in police custody, that
evidence. information can be admitted if it
 It expands such records to include distinctly relates to the fact
information stored in discovered. The BSB2 retains this
semiconductor memory or any provision. However, the Supreme
communication devices Court and various Law Commission
(smartphones, laptops). reports have highlighted that facts
Secondary evidence: may have been discovered in
 The BSB2 expands secondary custody due to the accused being
evidence to include: subject to duress and torture.
o oral and written admissions,  The Law Commission has made
and several recommendations, which
o the testimony of a person have not been incorporated. These
who has examined the include the presumption that the
document and is skilled to police officer caused the injuries
examine the documents. if an accused was injured in
Joint trials: police custody.
 A joint trial refers to the trial of
more than one person for the
same offence. The IEA states that in

41
International Relations
1) Annual GPAI Summit 2) Universal Declaration of
About GPAI Human Rights
 Global Partnership on Artificial Context
Intelligence (GPAI) is an  The Universal Declaration of Human
international initiative to support Rights is marking its 75th
responsible and human-centric anniversary.
development and use of Artificial What is the Universal Declaration of
Intelligence (AI). Human Rights?
 GPAI is a congregation of 29  The Universal Declaration of Human
member countries, including Rights, adopted by the United
Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Nations on 10 December 1948,
Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, sets out the basic rights and
Denmark, France, Germany, India, freedoms that apply to all
Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, people.
the Netherlands, New Zealand,  Drafted in the aftermath of World
Poland, the Republic of Korea, War Two, the declaration includes a
Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, preamble and 30 articles
Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, the United expanding on the human rights of all
Kingdom, the United States and the people, from freedom of expression
European Union. to freedom from torture to the right
 India had joined the GPAI in 2020 as to equality before the law.
a founding member.  The Declaration is the most
 GPAI brings together engaged translated document with
minds and expertise from science, translations in over 500 languages.
industry, civil society, governments, What did it achieve?
international organisations and  The declaration isn’t a treaty and
academia to foster international isn’t legally binding in itself, but
cooperation. the principles it sets out have been
Why in News? incorporated into many
 As the Lead Chair for GPAI in 2024, countries’ laws and it is viewed as
India recently hosted the Annual the basis for international human
GPAI Summit. rights law.
 Member countries unanimously  It is recognized as having inspired
adopted the New Delhi and paved the way for more than 70
Declaration underscoring the need human rights treaties at global and
to mitigate risks arising from the regional levels.
development and deployment of AI  It served as a source of inspiration
systems, and promoting equitable for the decolonization movement,
access to critical resources for AI the anti-apartheid movement, and
innovation. freedom fighters globally, whether
their focus was on gender issues,
LGBTIQ+ rights, or combating
racism.

42
3) Article 99 of the UN Charter 1946 as one of the six principal

Context organs of the UN. It is generally
 Amid Israel’s ongoing military viewed as the apex of the UN
attacks on the Gaza Strip, United system.
Nations Secretary-General Antonio  It is responsible for the
Guterres has invoked Article 99 of maintenance of international
the UN Charter in a bid to establish peace and security.
a ceasefire.  Its powers include the
What is Article 99 of the UN Charter? establishment of peacekeeping
 The UN Charter is the founding operations, the establishment of
document of the United Nations. international sanctions, and the
Based on the powers conferred authorization of military action
through it, the UN can take action on through Security Council
a wide variety of issues. resolutions.
 The Charter is considered an  It is the only UN body with the
international treaty, meaning UN authority to issue binding
Member States are “bound by it”. resolutions to member states.
However, in practice, there is little Membership
that member countries can be  UNSC consists of 15 Members.
forced to do.  The council has five permanent
 Article 99 states: “The Secretary- members (P-5) United States,
General may bring to the attention Russia, China, United Kingdom and
of the Security Council any matter France.
which in his opinion may threaten  These permanent members can
the maintenance of international veto any substantive Security
peace and security. Council resolutions, including
 It is seen as a discretionary those on the admission of new
power. member states.
 According to the UN, the President  The Security Council also has 10
of the Security Council is under the non-permanent members,
obligation to call a meeting of the elected on a regional basis as
Council if the Secretary-General follows:
brings to the attention of the Council o five for African and Asian
any matter under Article 99. States;
When has Article 99 been invoked in the o one for Eastern European
past? States;
 The provision has been rarely o two for the Latin American
invoked. and Caribbean States; and
 Past examples include the upheaval o two for Western European
in the Republic of the Congo in 1960 and other States.
following the end of Belgium’s  Each year the 193-member UN
colonial rule and a complaint by General Assembly (UNGA) elects
Tunisia in 1961 against France’s five non-permanent members for a
naval and air forces launching an two-year term.
attack.  The body's presidency rotates
Related Information monthly among its members.
About UNSC Vote and Majority Required
 The United Nations Security  Each member of the Security
Council (UNSC) was established in Council shall have one vote.

43
 Decisions of the Security Council on concurring votes of the

procedural matters shall be made permanent members.
by an affirmative vote of nine  However, any member, whether
members. permanent or nonpermanent, must
 Decisions of the Security Council on abstain from voting in any decision
all other matters shall be made by concerning the peaceful settlement
an affirmative vote of nine of a dispute to which it is a party.
members including the

44
Art & Culture

1) Hauz-i- Shamsi  These rudimentary paintings are
About Hauz-i-Shamsi made using a set of geometric
 Hauz-i- Shamsi, also known as the shapes - a circle, a triangle, and a
Shamsi Talab, is a water reservoir square.
located in Mehrauli, Delhi.  People and animals represented in
 It was built between 1211- 1236 Warli paintings are depicted by two
AD by Iltutmish of the Slave inverse triangles joined at their
Dynasty. tips.
 It is a double-storeyed structure
supported on twelve pillars and is
built using red sandstone.
 A popular legend narrates of
Iltumish's dream in which Prophet
Muhammad directed him to build a
reservoir at a particular site.
 Once spread over 100 hectares, this
water body has shrunk into a patch
of filthy water over the years.
 In Warli paintings, male gods are

uncommon to find and are usually
related to spirits which have taken
human form.
Why in News?  The central motif in every ritual
 The Ministry of Jal Shakti organised painting is a square known as the
a ‘Jal Itihas Utsav’ here to raise “chauk” or “chaukat”. It is depicted
public consciousness about by scenes that portray hunting,
safeguarding water heritage sites. fishing and farming. Festivals and
folk dances are also common
2) Warli Painting scenes depicted through Warli art.
About  Apart from ritualistic paintings,
 Warli painting is a form of tribal Warli paintings also represent
mural art created by the tribal various day-to-day activities
people from the North Sahyadri performed by village members.
Range in Maharashtra.  Jivya Soman Mashe is known as the
 It is based on the concept of Mother Father of Warli art because he
Nature and the elements of nature pulled it out of the traditional
are often kept in focus. domain and popularised it beyond
 Warli artists are known to use their the Sahayadri mountains.
clay huts as backdrops for creating Why in News?
these warli paintings, similar to the  Warli painting was in the news
way prehistoric paintings were recently.
made.

45
3) Garba dance added to UNESCO’s to the UNESCO list. Kolkata’s

List Durga Puja was the last one added
About Garba dance two years ago.
 Garba dance is a popular folk o Refer Pulse August 2023
dance of Gujarat. Digest edition: “Kalbelia
 The name Garba is derived from the Dance” topic - for details
Sanskrit term Garbha (womb) about the List of the
implying life. Intangible Cultural Heritage
 It is a ritualistic and devotional of Humanity.
dance dedicated to the worship of
the feminine energy or Shakti. 4) Mudiyettu
 Traditionally, it is performed during About Mudiyettu
the nine-day Hindu festival of  Mudiyettu is a traditional ritual
Navratri. theatre and folk dance drama
Key features of garba dance from Kerala that enacts the
 Garba is often performed in mythological tale of a battle
circular formations, symbolizing between the goddess Kali and the
the cyclical nature of life and the demon Darika.
universe.  The ritual is a part of the
 Dancers use a variety of hand Bhagavathi or Bhadrakali cult.
gestures and claps in rhythmic  It is a community ritual and
patterns. The hand movements are generally the whole village
intricate and expressive, and they participates.
often tell stories related to Hindu  Mudiyettu performers purify
mythology or cultural themes. themselves through fasting and
 Garba music is characterized by prayer, then draw a huge image of
lively and rhythmic beats. goddess Kali, called as kalam, on
Traditional folk instruments like the temple floor with coloured
dhol (drum), tabla, and dandiya powders, wherein the spirit of the
sticks are commonly used. goddess is invoked.
 Mudiyettu is performed annually in
‘Bhagavati Kavus’ which are the
temples of the goddess Kali in
different villages along the rivers
called Chalakkudy Puzha, Periyar
and Moovattupuzha.
 In 2010, Mudiyettu was inscribed in
the UNESCO’s Representative List
of the Intangible Cultural
Heritage of Humanity, becoming
Why in News? the second art form from Kerala
 Gujarat’s traditional dance form after Koodiyattam.
‘Garba’ has been included in the list
of Intangible Cultural Heritage by
the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO).
 The popular dance form is the 15th
cultural item from India to make it

46
 When two or more works have

similar worth, specific factors such
as overall literary contribution and
author status must be considered
before awarding a prize.
Why in News?
 Mudiyettu was recently performed
in Kerala.
5) Sahitya Akademi Awards

About the Awards
 The Sahitya Akademi award is
considered as the Government of
India's second-highest literary
honour, following the Jnanpith Why in News?
prize.  Sahitya Akademi has announced its
 The Akademi is under the central annual Sahitya Akademi Awards in
government’s Ministry of Culture, 24 languages. 9 books of poetry, 6 of
but works as an autonomous novel, 5 of short stories, 3 Essays
institution. and 1 Literary Study have won the
 Every year since its inception in Sahitya Akademi Awards 2023.
1954 (and first awarded in 1955),  The award consists of an engraved
the Sahitya Akademi Award prizes copper-plaque, a shawl and a cash
to the most outstanding books of prize of ₹1 lakh.
literary merit published in any of
the major Indian languages 6) Lingayats & Veerashaivas
recognised by the Akademi. About Lingayat sect
 Akademi bestows 24 prizes on
 The Lingayat sect is believed to have
literary works in the languages it stemmed from the principles of the
has recognised, as well as an equal 12th century social reformer and
number of honours for literary Kannada poet Basava.
translations from and into Indian  Inspired by the ‘Bhakti’
languages. movement, Basava rejected
 In addition to the 22 languages
temple worship and Brahmin
listed in the Eighth Schedule of rituals and envisaged a religion
Indian Constitution, the Sahitya free of gender and religious
Akademi has designated English discrimination.
and Rajasthani as the languages  Several people from backward
chosen. castes opted to be Lingayats over
Conditions of bestowing the award the centuries to escape the rigid
 The author must be of Indian
Hindu caste system.
origin. Who are veera shaivas?
 The book/work must be an
 Veerashaivas are worshippers of
excellent contribution to the Lord Shiva. They precede
language and literature.

47
Basavanna, the founder of Shiva, the two sects are not

Lingayatism. synonymous.
 Veerashaivas do not worship any  The major difference between the
God other than Shiva and can be Lingayats and the Veerashaivas is
found spread across India. that while the former reject the
 They believe that they are born Vedas and the caste system, the
straight out of the Shivalingam – latter don’t.
the phallic symbol worshipped by  The Lingayats worship Shiva as a
Shaivas. formless entity (ishta linga), while
 People from the community are Veerashaivas worship the Vedic
found largely in Karnataka, idol of Shiva with a snake around
Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. his neck.
 Veerashaivas are the followers of Why in News?
the five peethas (religious centres),  The Veerashaiva Mahasabha has
called pancha peethas. Kashi mutt, asked its community members not
Rameshwaram Mutt, Ujjaini Mutt, to describe themselves as Hindu in
Rambhapura Mutt and Srishaila the forthcoming caste census in
Mutt are the core holy places for the Karnataka.
community.
Are Lingayats and Veerashaivas the
same?
 No. While both Veerashaivas and
Lingayats pray to the Hindu god

48
Defence
1) INS Imphal
What is Project 15B?
 Between 2014 and 2016, the Indian
Navy commissioned three guided
missile destroyers of Kolkata
class under a project codenamed
‘15A’. The Kolkata class included
INS Kolkata, INS Kochi and INS
Chennai.
o A ship class signifies a group
of ships built with similar  With a length of 163 meters and
tonnage, usage, capabilities 7,400 tons displacement, Imphal is a
and weaponry. The class is formidable naval presence.
identified by its lead ship.  The ship has a ‘combined gas and
 These ships were a step ahead of gas’ (COGAG) configuration
their precursor Delhi class of integrating four gas turbines. The
ships, which included INS Delhi, INS propulsion system allows the ship
Mysore and INS Mumbai, built to reach a maximum speed of 30
under Project 15 and knots and a maximum range of
commissioned between 1997 and 4000 nautical miles.
2001.  The ship is a potent and versatile
 Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders platform equipped with state-of-
Limited (MDSL), one of India’s key the-art weapons and sensors,
Defence Public Sector Undertakings including surface-to-air missiles,
(PSUs), has built all these ships. anti-ship missiles, and torpedoes.
 In 2011, Project 15B was initiated  Imphal has the unique distinction of
for building the advanced variants being the first warship to be
of the Kolkata class guided named after a city in the
missile destroyers. Northeast.
 The lead ship of Project 15B, INS Strategic Significance
Visakhapatnam was  Technically, destroyers are a
commissioned into the Indian Navy category of warships that have high
in 2021 and the second ship INS speed, manoeuvrability and
Mormugao in 2022. The fourth longer endurance. They are
ship, INS Surat, was launched in designed to be part of naval
May last year. formations like a fleet or a carrier
Why in News? battle group also known as carrier
 The third of four P-15B strike group.
‘Visakhapatnam’ class stealth  The modern destroyers that are
guided missile destroyers, INS swift, sleek and difficult to detect,
Imphal, was recently primarily protect the fleets and
commissioned into the Indian Navy. carrier battle groups from the short-
About INS Imphal range attackers from surface, air
 Built by Mazgaon Dock Limited, and sub-surface.
the ship boasts a high indigenous  The guided-missile destroyers are
content of approximately 75 per the destroyers that are armed with
cent. guided missiles for anti-aircraft

49
warfare, anti-surface operations  With growing concerns in all four

and anti-submarine warfare. quad countries about Chinese
 The state-of-the-art stealth foreign policy and regional
feature makes Visakhapatnam influence, the group has found
class have the radar signature of a renewed relevance.
very small ship. A very high Why in News?
indigenous component gives this  India said that the Indo-Pacific
platform a strategic edge. Maritime Domain Awareness
(IPMDA) initiative, announced by
2) Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain the Quad grouping, is a testament to
our commitment to a free, open,
Awareness Initiative
inclusive and rules-based Indo-
Quad grouping
Pacific.
 The grouping of four democracies –
About IPMDA
India, Australia, US and Japan –
 The IPMDA was announced by the
known as the quadrilateral
Quad grouping in 2022 to build a
security dialogue or quad, was
near-real-time, integrated, and
first mooted by former Japanese
cost-effective maritime domain
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007.
awareness to partners in the Indo-
Quad was revived in 2017.
Pacific.
 The QUAD partners share a
 Essentially, the IPMDA initiative
commitment towards a free,
focuses on monitoring regional
open, prosperous and inclusive
maritime spaces, securing open sea
Indo-Pacific region based on
lines of communication (SLOCs),
shared values and principles and
and providing capacity-building
respect for international law.
measures for regional partners.
 There is a focus on practical
 It aims to combat challenges from
cooperation in the areas of
natural disasters to human and
connectivity and infrastructure
weapons trafficking to illegal,
development, and counter-
unreported and unregulated (IUU)
terrorism, cyber security, maritime
fishing and dark shipping.
security, humanitarian and disaster
o "Dark Shipping" is a term
relief, with the objective of
used to describe vessels with
promoting peace, security,
their Automatic
stability and prosperity in an
Identification System (AIS) –
increasingly inter-connected Indo-
a transponder system –
Pacific region.
switched off so as not to be
detectable.

50
Miscellaneous
1) Guru Gobind Singh role in the Indian Independence
About movement.
 Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth  He played a key role in the Indian
and last Sikh Guru who became the independence struggle against
leader of the Sikhs at the age of 9 British rule and founded the
after Guru Tegh Bahadur was Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
beheaded. in 1916. BHU is one of the largest
 He was a spiritual master, and oldest universities in Asia.
warrior, poet and philosopher.  One of the most famous slogans,
 In 1699, he established the Sikh 'Satyamev Jayate' was said by
warrior community called Khalsa. Pandia Malviya in the session of
 Guru Gobind Singh started the 1918 when he was the President of
tradition of the Five K’s for the the Indian National Congress.
Khalsa. The Five K’s are kesh (uncut  Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya was
hair), kanga (wooden comb), kara the President of the Indian
(iron or steel bracelet), kirpan National Congress for four
(dagger) and kacchera (short sessions (1909, 1913, 1919, and
breeches). 1932).
 His literary contributions include  He played a big role in the Civil
the Jaap Sahib, Benti Chaupai, Disobedience and Non-
Amrit Savaiye, etc. cooperation movement which
 Chandi di Var was his famous were led by Mahatma Gandhi.
composition is Punjabi.  He was given the title of
 In 1708, he declared that Guru 'Mahamana' or great soul by
Granth Sahib would be the holy Mahatma Gandhi, who considered
scripture of Sikhism and would be him as an elder brother.
the permanent Guru of Sikhs.  Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya was
Why in News? also one of the founders of Scout
 Veer Bal Diwas was observed on and Guide in India.
26th December to honor the  In 2014, Pandit Malviya was
martyrdom of the sons of Guru posthumously conferred with
Gobind Singh in the 17th century. Bharat Ratna, the country's highest
civilian award.
Why in News?
2) Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi
About
remembered Mahamana Pandit
 Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya was
Madan Mohan Malaviya on his birth
born in 1861, in Allahabad, Uttar
anniversary.
Pradesh.
 He is known for his contribution to
India's education system and his

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1

Environment ....................................................... 10 Polity ..................................................................... 32

1) COP-28 ................................................... 10 1) Suspension of MPs ............................ 32

2) Maiden winter expedition to 2) SC ruling on Article 370 .................. 32

Flora & Fauna ..................................................... 16 4) Exclusive POCSO courts .................. 34

1) Green Turtles ...................................... 16 5) The Telecommunications Bill,

3) Standing Deposit Facility ................ 21 International Relations .................................. 41

4) Constitution of Sixteenth Finance 1) Annual GPAI Summit........................ 41

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3) Garba dance added to UNESCO’s 1) INS Imphal ........................................... 48

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Nodal Ministry  Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

Features  The MPLADS is fully funded by the Government of India. The

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

Objective  Scheme’s objective is integrated development of identified

Nodal Ministry  Launched by the Ministry of Tourism in the year 2014-15.

Features  It is a Central Sector Scheme with complete financial assistance by

Implementation  The projects identified under this scheme shall be implemented

3) Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

Aim  To provide connectivity to unconnected habitations of designated

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 The Government had launched Phase III of PMGSY in 2019 for

Nodal  The Ministry of Rural Development along with state governments is

Why in  The Ministry of Rural Development reviewed the progress of projects

Aim  To provide residential education to Scheduled Caste students in High

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Nodal  Launched in 2022 by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and

5) Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana

Objective  The overall objective of PMKKKY scheme include

Nodal Ministry  Ministry of Mines.

Implementation  PMKKKY is implemented by the District Mineral Foundations

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

all districts in the country affected by mining related

Why in the  DMF has been set up in 644 districts in 23 States.

6) Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat

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o TO CREATE an environment which promotes learning between

Why in the  It was in the news recently.

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stringent action from China and o Achieve about 50 percent

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from the earlier projection of 3.7- together to triple the world’s

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emissions in the health sector cooling-related emissions by

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Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA) 2) Maiden winter expedition to

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Forest and Climate Change  An amount of Rs 9650 Cr has been

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Flora & Fauna

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Arunachal Pradesh after 42 years of  The landscape of the park ranges

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o Under the flexible inflation quorum for the meeting is four