December Part 1

MANORAMA YEARBOOK ONLINE
Part 1
For UPSC Aspirants

www.manoramayearbook.in
India, EU sign MoU on semiconductors
• India and the European Union have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on
semiconductors that covers cooperation in areas such as research and innovation, talent
development, partnerships and exchange of market information.
• The MoU was signed ahead of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) that was
held in the virtual format.
• The MoU aims at increasing resilience of semiconductors value chain in India and EU and
covers cooperation in wide areas covering research and innovation, talent development,
partnerships and exchange of market information.
• The MoU symbolises the strong commitment between India and the EU to work towards
building robust semiconductor supply chains and work together on innovation.
• The Trade and Technology Council meeting was co-chaired on the Indian side by Minister
of External Affairs S.Jaishankar, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Min-
ister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw. Executive Vice-Presi-
dent Valdis Dombrovskis and Vice-President Vera Jourova chaired the meeting from the
European side.
• During the virtual meeting, the co-chairs reviewed the progress achieved in the working
groups since the first ministerial meeting and also discussed the future action plans of these
working groups.
India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC)
• The India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) was launched by Prime Minister Nar-
endra Modi and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen during the
latter’s visit to India in April 2022.
It led to the creation of three Working Groups:
i) Working Group on Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance and Digital Connectivity
ii) Working Group on Green and Clean Energy Technologies
iii) Working Group on Trade, Investment and Resilient Value Chains.
• The India-EU Trade and Technology Council is the second such bilateral forum for the EU
and the first one established with any partner for India. The EU and the US launched a TTC
in June 2021.
• The TTC is a key forum to deepen the strategic partnership on trade and technology
between the two partners.
• The TTC will help increase India-EU bilateral trade, which is at historical highs, with €120
billion worth of goods traded in 2022. In 2022, €17 billion of digital products and services
were traded.
Scope of TTC
• Rapid changes in the world’s geopolitical environment highlight the need for an even
deeper strategic partnership between India and the European Union. As vibrant democra-
cies, open market economies and pluralistic societies India and the European Union share
fundamental values and have a common interest in ensuring security, prosperity and sus-
tainable development in a multi-polar world. Both partners also face a challenging and vola-
tile global political, economic and security landscape.
• The TTC was set up as a key coordination platform to address key trade,
trusted technology and security challenges, to promote a human-centric
approach to the digital transformation, and to deepen their bilateral relation-
ship in these fields.
• The TTC will allow both partners to tackle challenges at the nexus of trade, trusted tech-
nology and security, and thus deepen cooperation in these fields.
• The choice of this format reflects the strategic nature both sides attach to their bilateral
relationship, the desire to guide their cooperation towards tangible results and the geo-polit-
ical significance of their trade and technology links in the context of a more contested and
rapidly evolving international environment.
• They reaffirm that international rules-based approaches to trade, technology, and innova-
tion that are founded on solid democratic principles and values can improve the lives of their
citizens and generate greater prosperity for people around the world.
• Cooperation within the TTC will also feed into coordination in multilateral bodies and wider
efforts with like-minded partners, with the aim of promoting a democratic model of digital
governance.
• It will provide the political steer and the necessary structure to operationalise political deci-
sions, coordinate technical work, and report to the political level to ensure implementation
and follow-up in areas that are important for the sustainable progress of European and
Indian economies.
• Ministerial meetings of the TTC will take place at least once a year, with the venue alternat-
ing between the EU and India.
Explainer - Tejas Twin Seat Light

Combat Fighter from HAL
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a sortie on the indigenously
designed, developed and manufactured Tejas Twin Seat Light Combat Fight-
er aircraft on November 25.
• It was for the first time that an Indian Prime Minister undertook a fighter
aircraft sortie, according to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• The sortie was carried out from the Aircraft Systems Testing Establishment in Bengaluru.
During the 30-minute sortie over the skies of Bengaluru the capabilities of Tejas were
demonstrated to the Prime Minister.
• The PM inspected the production facilities of LCA Tejas aircraft at Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited in Bengaluru and was briefed about the technology-intensive work being done at
the company towards realising the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Light Combat Aircraft Tejas
• Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas is India’s first indigenous multi-role fighter aircraft
designed and developed to meet the requirements of the Indian Air Force. It is a super-
sonic, light weight, all-weather aircraft designed for multiple combat roles.
• The 4.5 generation aircraft has advanced avionics, glass cockpit, digital quadruplex
fly-by-wire flight control system and large percentage of composite structures.
• The aircraft with delta wing is designed for ‘air combat’ and ‘offensive air support’ with
‘reconnaissance’ and ‘anti-ship’ as its secondary roles. Extensive use of advanced com-
posites in the airframe gives a high strength to weight ratio, long fatigue life and low radar
signatures.
• The IAF’s first LCA Tejas squadron, Number 45 the Flying Daggers, was raised in 2016.
• Currently, two squadrons of IAF, 45 Squadron and 18 Squadron, are fully operational
with Tejas.
• The aircraft is capable of undertaking offensive air support roles as well as

ground attach roles and is quite superior to its contemporaries.
• In the coming years, Tejas would be the largest fleet of fighter aircraft to be operated by
the IAF.
• The LCA Tejas Twin Seat Combat Fighter aircraft is a light weight, all-weather, multi-role
aircraft which can undertake all roles of a single seat Tejas fighter and can also be used
as a fighter trainer.
• This is the first time ever that an indigenous twin seat fighter has been designed, devel-
oped and manufactured in India.
• With an amalgamation of contemporary concepts and technologies such as quadruplex

fly-by-wire flight control, carefree manoeuvring, advanced glass cockpit, integrated digital
avionics systems and advanced composite materials for the airframe, it is a
state-of-the-art aircraft. The fighter aircraft has enhanced the defence capabilities and
preparedness of the nation.
• The aircraft is presently powered by GE 404 engine which will get upgraded to GE 414
engine for LCA Mk2 which will be manufactured in India with 80 per cent Transfer of Tech-
nology arrangement with GE Engines for which the MoU has been signed with it.
• An order worth Rs 36,468 crore for delivery of 83 LCA Mk1A aircraft has been placed
with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and delivery is scheduled to begin by February
2024.
• More than Rs 9,000 crore have been sanctioned for the development of LCA Mk2, an
updated and more lethal version of LCA Tejas.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is a premier aeronautical company of India. HAL,

a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSU), has 20 production divisions and
11 R&D centres spread across the country.
• HAL, with its headquarters in Bengaluru, so far has indigenously designed and devel-
oped 17 types of aircrafts and helicopters. In addition, HAL has also produced 14 types of
aircrafts and helicopters under license from foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers
(OEMs). HAL has produced over 4,100 aircrafts and over 5100 aero-engines.
• HAL is the principal partner in the LCA programme with Aeronautical Development
Agency (ADA) acting as the programme co-ordinator.
• LCA-Production Group (LCA-PG) was launched in 2002 at HAL as the des-
ignated manufacturing unit for manufacturing the indigenously designed 4.5
generation aircraft Tejas being designed by ADA.
• LCA PG was upgraded as a full fledged division of HAL and christened as

LCA Tejas Division in Bengaluru Complex in April 2014.
• LCA-Tejas Division is the prime center for manufacturing of indigenously developed LCA
Tejas aircraft.
• The HAL has established two production lines of LCA Tejas at Bengaluru, which can pro-
duce up to 16 aircraft per year.
• In addition, a production line is being established at HAL, Nasik to take the production
rate beyond 24 aircraft from 2024-25 onwards.
Centre exempts CERT-In from ambit of

RTI Act
• The central government has exempted the Computer Emergency Response Team
(CERT-In) from the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
• CERT-In is the national nodal agency for responding to computer security incidents.
• The ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions has amended Section 24
of the RTI Act and put CERT-In under the list of organisations exempted from the pur-
view of the transparency law.
• There are already 26 intelligence and security organisations, which are exempted
from providing information under the RTI Act except for matters related to
the allegations of corruption and human rights violations.
• The organisations exempted under the RTI Act include the Intelligence
Bureau, Research and Analysis Wing, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence,
Aviation Research Centre and Enforcement Directorate, among others.
• CERT-In has been put at serial number 27 in the list of the exempted organisations
under the RTI Act.
What is CERT-In?
• The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) is the national technolo-
gy arm to combat cyber attacks and guard the Indian cyber space.
• It is a statutory organisation under the ministry of electronics and information technolo-

gy.
• CERT-In is operational since January 2004.
CERT-In has been designated under Section 70B of the Information Technology Act,
2000 to serve as the national agency to perform the following functions in the area of
cybersecurity:
i) Collection, analysis and dissemination of information on cyber security incidents.
ii) Forecast and alerts of cyber security incidents.
iii) Emergency measures for handling cyber security incidents.
iv) Coordination of cyber security incident response activities.
v) Issue guidelines, advisories, vulnerability notes and white papers relating to informa-
tion security practices, procedures, prevention, response and reporting of cyber inci-
dents.
vi) Such other functions relating to cyber security as may be prescribed.
• CERT-In creates awareness on security issues through dissemination of information

on its website (https://www.cert-in.org.in) and operates a 24x7 incidence response help
desk.
• CERT-In provides incident prevention and response services as well as security quali-
ty management services.
The Right to Information Act, 2005
• The Constitution of India has enshrined the principles of democracy, by
guaranteeing to its citizens certain Fundamental Rights. Article 19(1)(a) and
Article 21 of the Constitution of India, by implication, guarantee to the citi-
zens of India the right to know everything done by public functionaries.
• To set out a practical regime for securing information by citizens from the public
authorities and to promote transparency and accountability in the working of all public
authorities, the Parliament enacted the Right to Information Act in 2005.
• The Act is comprehensive and covers disclosure of information by public authorities

on matters of governance. It is applicable to government at all levels — Union, state and
local and also to the bodies owned, controlled or substantially financed directly or indi-
rectly by the government.
• It covers legislative bodies, the judiciary, the executive and Constitutional bodies.
• The Act casts an obligation on public authorities for suo-motu disclosure/publication of

information held by them. It also requires the public authorities to supply information
called for by any citizen and to permit him to inspect the documents and collect samples
of various works.
• The procedure for seeking information is very simple. A person seeking information
has to make a request to the concerned public information officer indicating the informa-
tion required. The request may be sent either by post, or be submitted in person or
online if such facility exists with the public authority.
• It can be made in Hindi or English or in the official language of the area in which the
application is made.
• The Act creates the machinery to ensure supply of information, which consists of
Public Information Officers, Assistant Public Information Officers, Departmental Appel-
late Authorities, independent Central and State Information Commissions, etc.
• The Act requires information to be provided in a time bound manner. A Public Informa-
tion Officer is required to send information called for at the specified address within 30
days. In case the information concerns the life or liberty of a person, it has to be provid-
ed within 48 hours.
• The Act provides for imposition of stringent penalty on the Public Information Officer,
if the information is not provided within the prescribed period.
• Certain types of information pertaining to security of the country, scientific or economic

interest of the country and information on trade secrets, etc are exempted from disclo-
sure. Certain security or intelligence organisations have been exempted from disclosing
any information except that pertaining to allegation of corruption or violation of human
rights.
• Such organisations are required to designate Public Information Officers

and First Appellate Authorities to deal with applications and appeals relating
to information pertaining to corruption or violation of human rights.
• The Act has created a system of two appeals. On not being provided information within
the prescribed period or on not being satisfied with the reply provided, an applicant can
make first appeal within 30 days to the departmental appellate authority, who is general-
ly the next superior officer to the Public Information Officer. If not satisfied with the deci-
sion of the first appellate authority, the applicant can file a second appeal to the Central
Information Commission or the State Information Commission, as the case may be,
within 90 days.
Govt to train ‘Krishi Sakhis’ to promote

natural farming
• The ministry of rural development and agriculture ministry jointly launched a training pro-
gramme for ‘Krishi Sakhis’ to promote natural farming.
• The programme was launched under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural
Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
• The initiative is aimed at training 50,000 ‘Krishi Sakhis’ to give them certification in a
phased manner by the National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF), a subor-
dinate office of the agriculture ministry, which will be the nodal institution for this pro-
gramme.
• Training modules have been prepared by the NCONF and sent to the National Institute of
Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) for the final review.
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission
• Aajeevika-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) was launched by the

ministry of rural development in June 2011.
• It was later renamed as Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission

(DAY-NRLM).
• DAY-NRLM is a flagship poverty alleviation program implemented by the ministry of rural

development.
• It aims to reduce poverty by enabling the poor household to access gainful self-employ-
ment and skilled wage employment opportunities resulting in sustainable and diversified
livelihood options for the poor.
• This is one of the world’s largest initiatives to improve the livelihoods of the poor.
• DAY-NRLM seeks to reach out to around 10 crore rural poor households in a phased
manner and organise one woman member from each household into affinity-based women
self-help groups (SHGs) and federations at village level and at higher levels.
• The Mission is for creating efficient and effective institutional platforms for the rural poor
enabling them to increase household income through sustainable livelihood enhancements
and improved access to financial services.
• It will then provide them long-term support to diversify their livelihoods, improve their
incomes and quality of life.
The Mission seeks to achieve its objectives through investing in four core components:
i) Social mobilisation and promotion and strengthening of self-managed and financially sus-
tainable community institutions of the rural poor.
ii) Financial inclusion.
iii) Sustainable livelihoods.
iv) Social inclusion, social development and access to entitlements through convergence.
• The Mission has covered 7,091 blocks spread over 742 districts across all states and
Union Territories except Delhi and Chandigarh.
• More than 9.54 crore women have been mobilised into 87.39 lakh SHGs.
India to launch generic drugs for
rare diseases
• The central government is planning to approve generic drugs that are manufactured in
the country for rare diseases soon.
• Apart from 13 rare diseases drugs for sickle cell, will also be made available.
• While the first of the four generic drugs made in India will be available soon, four others
will be launched next year.
• At present, the drugs used for treating rare diseases are imported. They are very expen-
sive too. Parents of children afflicted with rare diseases are dependent on crowdfunding.
The new drugs will bring down costs.
• Four drugs have been approved and will soon be available in the market for four rare dis-
eases, which include Tyrosinemia Type 1, Gaucher’s Disease, Wilson’s Disease, and
Dravet/ Lennox Gastaut Syndrome-related seizures.
What are rare diseases?
• WHO defines rare disease as often debilitating lifelong disease or disorder with a preva-
lence of 1 or less, per 1,000 population.
• However, different countries have their own definitions to suit their specific requirements
and in context of their own population, healthcare system and resources.
• In the US, rare diseases are defined as a disease or condition that affects fewer than
200,000 patients in the country (6.4 in 10,000 people).
• The European Union defines rare diseases as a life-threatening or chronical-
ly debilitating condition affecting no more than 5 in 10,000 people.
• Japan identifies rare diseases as diseases with fewer than 50,000 prevalent
cases (0.04 per cent) in the country.
• The field of rare diseases is complex and heterogeneous. The landscape of rare diseases
is constantly changing, as there are new rare diseases and conditions being identified and
reported regularly in medical literature. Apart from a few rare diseases, where significant
progress has been made, the field is still at a nascent stage.
• Early diagnosis of rare diseases is a challenge owing to multiple factors that include lack
of awareness among primary care physicians, lack of adequate screening and diagnostic
facilities.
• So far, only a limited number of diseases has been recorded in India from tertiary care
hospitals that are globally considered as rare diseases though ambit may encompass from
7,000 to 8,000 disorders.
• The commonly reported diseases include Primary immunodeficiency disorders, Lyso-

somal storage disorders (Gaucher’s disease, Mucopolysaccharidoses, Pompe disease,
fabry disease etc.) small molecule inborn errors of metabolism (Maple Syrup urine dis-
ease, organic acidemias etc.), Cystic Fibrosis, osteogenesis imperfecta, certain forms of
muscular dystrophies and spinal muscular atrophy, etc.
• The government has launched National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD), 2021 in March
2021 for the treatment of rare disease patients.
Why are rare diseases called ‘orphan diseases’?
• As the number of persons suffering from individual rare diseases is small, they do not
constitute a significant market for drug manufacturers to develop and bring to market drugs
for them.
• For this reason, rare diseases are also called “orphan diseases” and drugs to treat them
are called “orphan drugs”.
• At present, very few pharmaceutical companies are manufacturing drugs for rare diseas-
es globally. Where they do make drugs to treat rare diseases, the prices are extremely high
apparently to recoup the cost of research and development.
• It is estimated that for a child weighing 10 kg, the annual cost of treatment for some rare
diseases, may vary from Rs 10 lakh to more than Rs 1 crore per year with treatment being
lifelong and drug dose and cost, increasing with age and weight.
Generic drugs
• A generic drug is a medication created to be the same as an already market-
ed brand-name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration,
quality, performance characteristics, and intended use.
• A generic medicine works in the same way and provides the same clinical benefit as the
brand-name medicine.
• Generic medicines have the same active ingredient as brand-name medicines and work
in the same way.
• Generic alternatives are often cheaper than brand-name medicines. This is because the
company that produces the medicine did not need to invest money in developing and mar-
keting it.
• India is one of the largest suppliers of generic medicines. The country manufactures
about 60,000 different generic brands across 60 therapeutic categories and accounts for
20 per cent of the global supply of generics.
• Indian pharmaceutical industry plays significant role globally, supplying affordable and
low-cost generic drugs to millions of people across the globe.
• Clause 1.5 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics)
Regulations, 2002 prescribes that every physician should prescribe drugs with generic
names legibly and preferably in capital letters and he/she shall ensure that there is rational
prescription and use of drug.
• In order to make quality generic drugs available to citizens of the country at affordable
prices, the department of pharmaceuticals has launched Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janau-
shadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) wherein about 9,668 generic drugs stores have been opened
all across the country till July 31, 2023.
• The government plans to increase the number of generic drugs stores to 10,000 by
March 2024 in order to accelerate the drive to make quality medicines available at afford-
able prices to all.
What is PMBJP?
• Jan Aushadhi was launched by the government in 2008 for making quality
medicines available at affordable prices for all. The campaign was undertak-
en through the sale of generic medicines through exclusive outlets namely
Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Kendra in various districts of the country.
• It was later renamed as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
• It aims to bring down the health care budget of citizens by providing quality generic med-
icines at affordable prices.
• The scheme is being implemented through the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices
Bureau of India (PMBI), which is working under the administrative control of the depart-
ment of pharmaceuticals, ministry of chemicals & fertilisers.
Objectives of the scheme:
• To popularise generic medicines among the masses and dispel the prevalent notion that
low priced generic medicines are of inferior quality or are less effective.
• To make available quality medicines consumables and surgical items at affordable

prices for all and thereby reduce out of pocket expenditure of consumers/patients.
• Generate employment by engaging individual entrepreneurs in the opening of PMBJP

Kendras.
Other key points:
• The product basket of the scheme now covers 1,759 medicines and 280 surgical items
covering all major therapeutic groups such as cardiovascular, anti-cancers, anti-diabetics,
anti-infectives, anti-allergic, gastro-intestinal medicines and nutraceuticals, among
others.
• The endeavour of the government is to enhance the product basket of generic medi-
cines and surgicals. It is a continuous process based on feedback of various stakeholders
and market demands.
• Under PMBJP, an incentive of Rs 5 lakh is provided to the Janaushadhi Kendras as

financial assistance.
• Also, a one-time additional incentive of Rs 2 lakh as reimbursement for IT and infra

expenditure is provided to Janaushadhi Kendras opened in northeast states, Himalayan
areas, island territories and backward areas mentioned as aspirational district by NITI
Aayog or if opened by women entrepreneur, ex-serviceman, divyang, SC and ST.
• The medicines listed in the product list of PMBJP are procured only from World Health
Organisation – Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP) certified suppliers
for ensuring the quality of the products. Apart from this, each batch of the drug
is tested at laboratories accredited by the ‘National Accreditation Board for
Testing and Calibration Laboratories’ (NABL). Only after passing the quality
tests, the medicines are dispatched to PMBJP Kendras.
• A medicine under PMBJP is priced on the principle of a maximum of 50 per cent of the
average price of the top three branded medicines. Therefore, the price of Janaushadhi
medicines is cheaper at least by 50 per cent and in some cases, by 80 per cent to 90 per
cent of the market price of branded medicines.
• A mobile application ‘Janaushadhi Sugam’ has also been launched with user-friendly
options like — locate nearby PMBJK (direction guided through Google Maps), search
Janaushadhi medicines, etc.
Explainer - Why NGT banned ‘rat-hole

mining’ in Meghalaya?
• Rescue workers pulled out all 41 workers trapped in Uttarakhand’s Silkyara tunnel on
November 28 after 17 days of a multi-agency operation conducted by the central and
state governments.
• A portion of the under-construction tunnel on Uttarakhand’s Char Dham route collapsed

on November 12, blocking the exit of the workers who were inside.
• Food, medicines and other essentials were sent to them through a six-inch pipe pushed
through the debris.
• The final challenge in the rescue operation was tackled by a group of men
versed in the technique of “rat-hole mining”.
• They were called in to carry out manual drilling after a huge American-made
auger boring machine got stuck in the horizontal passage that had been dug
up to about 47 meters, the latest in a serious of snags as its blades encountered hurdles
like iron girders.
• The rat-hole mining experts worked in groups of two or three at a time in the confined
space using hand-held tools at the end of the 800-mm wide steel pipe.
What is rat-hole mining?
• Small-scale coal mining in Meghalaya started in the 19th century during British rule.
• Coal mining began to flourish in 1970s in Khasi and Jaintia Hills regions as the extract-
ed coal found uses in Assam in tea estates and brick kilns. Later, coal mining was started
in Garo Hills.
• Large-scale coal mining began in Meghalaya in 1980s. Jaintia Hills region was rec-
ognised as a major coal producing area. Coal was marketed and transported to different
parts of India and also exported to Bangladesh.
• Coal deposited in thin seams imbedded in sedimentary rocks, sandstones and shale, is
extracted manually by making narrow tunnels either through the side of the hill (referred
to as side-cutting) or through a rectangular shaft/pit (known as box-cutting).
• The tunnels being narrow are referred to as “rat holes” and the mining method is com-
monly known as “rat-hole mining”.
• Rat-hole mining involves digging of narrow tunnels, usually 3-4 feet high, for workers to
enter and extract coal. The horizontal tunnels are often termed rat holes, as each just
about fits one person.
• In side-cutting, a hole is cut from the side of the hill where coal seam is visible from out-
side or where there is a possibility of locating a coal seam. Through a narrow tunnel, the
miners explore the inside of the hill for coal and if found, extract it manually through small
implements.
• In both side-cutting and box-cutting methods, the miners enter/crawl into the tunnel and
extract the coal with a small shovel. The extracted coal is brought from the tunnel into the
shaft/pit by using a conical basket or a wheelbarrow.
• The coal is then taken out of the pit either manually or with the help of a small crane.
Environmental impact of coal mining in Meghalaya
• Mining in coal mines in Meghalaya starts in the month of September and continues till
onset of monsoon in May. Mining is initiated by draining of water accumulated in the
mines during monsoon months. Such water is collected in a small sump/tank constructed
at bottom of the mine shaft/box cutting, and is periodically drained out by using elec-
tric/diesel operated pumps.
• Quantity of water which is required to be drained for continuation of mining operations

in a typical mine during winter months is about 10,000 litres per day.
• During the monsoon season, it is not possible to drain large quantities of water accumu-
lated in these mines. The mining in such mines is therefore temporarily suspended
during the monsoon season.
• Due to very high sulphur content (about 5 per cent) in Meghalaya coal, water accumu-
lated in rat hole mines is highly acidic and has pH as low as 1.5. Such highly acidic water
is drained into nearby areas from where it finds its way to nearby streams/rivers. Most
rivers/streams in coal mining affected areas in the state are highly polluted and have pH
as low as 2.
• The coal extracted from these mines is stored in open depots. During the rains, the sul-
phur available in the coal gets dissolved in the rain water. The highly acidic rain water
originating from these depots finds its way to nearby streams resulting in the pollution/-
degradation of the land on its way and the streams into which it drains.
• Construction of mine shafts/openings, storage of coal and overburden, construction of

approach roads and coal depots has resulted in destruction of flaura, fauna and forests.
• All such coal mining in Meghalaya has been undertaken in a haphazard,
unscientific and unsafe manner without obtaining any approval from authori-
ties under any mining, environmental and labour safety laws.
• Absence of any safety measures has resulted in a number of very tragic

accidents resulting in loss of many human lives and injuries. Many of these accidents go
unreported.
• In July 2012, on account of lack of safety norms, 30 coal labourers were trapped inside
a coal mine at Nongalbibra in South Garo Hills district and 15 of them died.
• In April 2014, the National Green Tribunal in 2014 imposed a ban on coal mining using
the rat-hole mining technique in Meghalaya in the light of scientific studies.
• Though rat-hole mining has been banned in Meghalaya since 2014, the practice report-
edly continues illegally.
• In December 2018, 15 miners died when an illegal “rat-hole” mine at Ksan got flooded
by water from the Lytein river nearby.
Explainer - Model Code of Conduct
• The Election Commission withdrew permission to the Telangana government to distrib-

ute financial aid to farmers for rabi crops under the Rythu Bandhu Scheme after the
state’s finance minister violated the Model Code of Conduct by going public about it.
• Assembly elections in Telangana will be held on November 30 and results announced

on December 3.
• The Election Commission had given its nod to the state government to disburse the rabi
instalment during the Model Code of Conduct period on certain conditions,
and had asked it not to publicise the disbursement.
• After the state finance minister made a public announcement about the
release of disbursements of rabi instalments, the Election Commission asked
the chief electoral officer to convey its decision on withdrawal of permission.
• The EC said it was a violation of provisions of MCC contained in Part VII of Model Code
of Conduct.
• Rythu Bandhu Scheme is a welfare programme for farmers started by the Telangana
government in 2018. It is also known as Agriculture Investment Support Scheme.
• Under the scheme, the state government provides financial assistance of Rs 5,000 per
acre of their land to farmers. It is directly transferred to each farmer’s account. This aid is
distributed twice a year, once for kharif harvest and once for rabi harvest.
What is Model Code of Conduct?
• The Model Code of Conduct for guidance of political parties and candidates is a set of
norms which has been evolved with the consensus of political parties who have consent-
ed to abide by the principles embodied in the said code and also binds them to respect
and observe it in its letter and spirit.
• The code guides how political parties, contesting candidates and parties in power
should conduct themselves during the process of elections. It includes their general con-
duct during electioneering, holding meetings and processions, poll day activities and
functioning of the party in power, etc.
• Model Code of Conduct is not a statutory document.
• Though the Model Code of Conduct does not have legal sanctity, several of its provi-
sions have enabling laws contained in the Indian Penal Code and the Representation of
the People Act, 1951.
Origin of Model Code of Conduct
• Kerala adopted, for the first time, a code of conduct for observance for political parties
during the general election to the State Legislative Assembly in February 1960. A draft
code was voluntarily approved by the representatives of the leading political parties of the
state at a meeting specially convened for the purpose by the state government. This code
covered, in detail, important aspects of electioneering, like meetings and processions,
speeches and slogans, posters and placards.
• During general election to House of People and simultaneous elections to several state
Assemblies in 1962, the Election Commission circulated that code to all the recognised
political parties and it proved to be effective in conducting election campaigns in a peace-
ful and orderly atmosphere in the country. The political parties, by and large,
followed the code.
• Model Code of Conduct has come a long way since its inception in the
1960s. From a passive document, it has evolved into an effective and power-
ful tool in the hands of the Election Commission. Now, not only the political parties and
contesting candidates but the public servants have also been brought in the ambit of
Model Code.
• The Election Commission has become more and more assertive to ensure observance
of Model Code of Conduct in its true letter and spirit by all the stakeholders. The judiciary
has recognised the fact that the Election Commission is well entitled to take necessary
steps as per the provision of Model Code to ensure conduct of a free and fair election.
Parts of Model Code of Conduct
Model Code of Conduct contains eight parts:
• Part I of Model Code lays stress on certain minimum standards of good behaviour and
conduct of political parties, candidates and their workers and supporters during the elec-
tion campaigns.
• Parts II and III deal with the holding of public meetings and taking out processions by
political parties and candidates.
• Parts IV and V describe how political parties and candidates should conduct themselves
on the polling day and at the polling booths.
• Part VI exhorts political parties and candidates to bring their complaints to the notice of
the observers appointed by the Election Commission for remedial action.
• Part VII deals with the parties in power. This part deals with several issues relating to the
government and its ministers, such as visits of ministers, use of government transport
and government accommodation, announcements of various schemes and projects, etc.
• The Part VIII says that election manifestos shall not contain anything repugnant to the
ideals and principles enshrined in the Constitution and further that it shall be consistent
with the letter and spirit of other provisions of Model Code.
When is MCC enforced?
The Model Code of Conduct is enforced from the date of announcement of election
schedule by the Election Commission and is operational till the process of elections are
completed.
What is the applicability of MCC?
• During general elections to House of People (Lok Sabha), the code is appli-
cable throughout the country.
• During general elections to the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha), the

code is applicable in the entire State.
• During by-elections, in case the constituency is situated in state capital/metropolitan

cities/municipal corporations, then the code would be applicable in the area of concerned
Constituency only. In all other cases the MCC would be enforced in the entire district cov-
ering the constituency going for bypoll.
What is the role of the EC in the matter?
• The Election Commission ensures its observance by political parties and contesting
candidates in the discharge of its constitutional duties for conducting the free, fair and
peaceful elections to the Parliament and the state legislatures under Article 324 of the
Constitution of India.
• It is ensured that official machinery for the electoral purposes is not misused.
• Electoral offences, malpractices and corrupt practices such as impersonation, bribing

and inducement of voters, threat and intimidation to the voters are prevented by all
means. In case of violation, appropriate measures are taken.
Explainer - PM-JANMAN scheme
• The Union Cabinet has approved the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhi-
yan (PM-JANMAN), which focuses on 11 critical interventions for Particularly Vulnerable
Tribal Groups (PVTG).
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the scheme on Janjatiya
Gaurav Diwas in Jharkhand’s Khunti.
• The total outlay for the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan
(PM-JANMAN) has been pegged at Rs 24,104 crore, of which the central
share will be Rs 15,336 crore and the states will contribute Rs 8,768 crore.
• Over 28,16,000 (28.16 lakh) tribal people from 220 districts in 18 states and Andaman
& Nicobar Islands will benefit from this scheme.
• Those tribals who have not yet benefited from government of India schemes so far will
be the beneficiaries under this scheme.
• The beneficiaries have been identified from among 75 tribal communities with a scat-
tered habitation.
Main targets of the scheme:
i) To provide 4.90 lakh pucca homes at a cost of Rs 2.39 lakh per house.
Construction of 8,000 kilometres of roads at a cost of Rs 1 crore per kilometre.
ii) Piped water supply for all Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) habitations.
iii) Community water supply in 2,500 villages/habitations with a population of less than 20
households.
iv) A thousand mobile medical units with medicine cost for 10 districts at Rs 33.88 lakh
per mobile medical unit.
v) 500 hostels at a cost of Rs 2.75 crore each.
vi) Vocational education and skilling centres in 60 Aspirational PVTG block at Rs 50 lakh
per block.
vii) Construction of 2,500 Anganwadi centres (at Rs 12 lakh each).
viii) Multipurpose centres (at Rs 60 lakh each).
ix) Last-mile electricity connection for 57,000 households.
x) 0.3 KW solar off-grid system.
xi) Solar lighting in streets.
xii) Installation of mobile towers in 3,000 villages.
• The ministry of AYUSH will set up Ayush Wellness Centres, according to
existing norms, and AYUSH facilities will be extended to PVTG habitations
through mobile medical units.
• The ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship will facilitate skill

and vocational training in PVTG habitations, multi-purpose centres and hostels, accord-
ing to suitable skills of these communities.
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
• Scheduled Tribe communities live in various ecological and geo-climatic conditions

ranging from plains and forests to hills. Tribal groups are at different stages of social, eco-
nomic and educational development.
• While some tribal communities have adopted a mainstream way of life, at the other end
of the spectrum, there are certain Scheduled Tribes, 75 in number known as Particularly
Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) who were earlier termed as Primitive Tribal Groups,
whose characteristics have been covered under the Section on the Scheme for Conser-
vation and Development of PVTGs.
The criteria followed for determination of PVTGs are:
i) A pre-agriculture level of technology
ii) A stagnant or declining population
iii) Low literacy
iv) A subsistence level of economy.
• The PVTGs, like other tribal groups, are eligible for the benefits of all the schemes of
the government of India and state governments that are available to the general popula-
tion, as well as schemes under Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) of states and central government.
• The Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission to improve the socioeconomic condi-
tions of these groups was announced in the Union Budget for 2023-24.
Explainer - What is the role of
Finance Commission?
The Union Cabinet has cleared the Terms of Reference of the 16th Finance Commission
to suggest the ratio for devolution of taxes between the Centre and states and also
review financing disaster management initiatives, for five years beginning April 1, 2026.
The Finance Commission would submit its report for the five-year period (2026-27 to
2030-31) to the President by October 31, 2025.
What is the Finance Commission?
• The Finance Commission is constituted by the President under Article 280 of the Con-
stitution, mainly to give its recommendations on distribution of tax revenues between the
Union and the states and among the states themselves.
• The 15th Finance Commission was constituted on November 27, 2017 against the
backdrop of the abolition of the Planning Commission (as also of the distinction between
Plan and non-Plan expenditure) and the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax
(GST), which has fundamentally redefined federal fiscal relations.
• In November 2020, the 15th Finance Commission, led by chairman N.K. Singh, submit-
ted its report for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26 to the then President Ram Nath Kovind.
Terms of Reference for the 16th Finance Commission:
The Finance Commission shall make recommendations as to the following matters:
i) The distribution between the Union and states of the net proceeds of taxes which are
to be, or may be, divided between them under Chapter I, Part XII of the Constitution and
the allocation between the states of the respective shares of such proceeds.
ii) The principles which should govern the grants-in-aid of the revenues of the
states out of the Consolidated Fund of India and the sums to be paid to the
states by way of grants-in-aid of their revenues under Article 275 of the Con-
stitution for the purposes other than those specified in the provisos to clause (1) of that
article.
iii) The measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement
the resources of the panchayats and municipalities in the state on the basis of the recom-
mendations made by the Finance Commission of the State.
iv) The Commission may review the present arrangements on financing disaster man-
agement initiatives, with reference to the funds constituted under the Disaster Manage-
ment Act, 2005, and make appropriate recommendations thereon.
What are the functions of Finance Commission?
Two distinctive features of the commission’s work involve redressing the vertical imbal-
ances between the taxation powers and expenditure responsibilities of the Centre and
the states respectively and equalisation of all public services across the states.
It makes recommendations on:
• The distribution between the Union and the states of the net proceeds of taxes that are
to be, or may be, divided between them and the allocation between the states of the
respective shares of such proceeds.
• The principles that should govern the grants-in-aid of the revenues of the states out of
the Consolidated Fund of India.
• The measures needed to augment the consolidated fund of a state to supplement the
resources of the panchayats in the state on the basis of the recommendations made by
the Finance Commission of the state.
• The measures needed to augment the consolidated fund of a state to supplement the
resources of the municipalities on the basis of the recommendations made by the
Finance Commission of the state.
What are the qualifications required for its members?
As per the provisions contained in the Finance Commission (Miscellaneous Provisions)

Act, 1951, and The Finance Commission (Salaries & Allowances) Rules, 1951, the chair-
man of the commission is selected from among persons who have had experience in
public affairs, and the four other members are selected from among persons who:
(a) are, or have been, or are qualified to be appointed as judges of a High
Court or
(b) have special knowledge of the finances and accounts of government or
(c) have had wide experience in financial matters and in administration or
(d) have special knowledge of economics.
When was the first Finance Commission constituted?
The First Finance Commission was constituted by a presidential order under the chair-
manship of K.C. Neogy on April 6, 1952.
Do other countries have such commissions?
Most federal systems resolve the vertical and horizontal imbalances through mecha-
nisms similar to the Finance Commission. For example, Australia and Canada.
Constitutional provisions under which Finance Commission acts:
• Article 268 - Duties levied by the Union but collected and appropriated by the states.
• Article 269 - Taxes levied and collected by the Union but assigned to the states.
• Article 270 - Taxes levied and collected by the Union and distributed between the Union
and the states.
• Article 271 - Surcharge on certain duties and taxes for purposes of the Union.
• Article 274 - Prior recommendation of President required to Bills affecting taxation in

which states are interested.
• Article 275 - Grants from the Union to certain states.
• Article 280 - Constituting of the Finance Commission.
• Article 281 - Recommendations of the Finance Commission.
• Article 282 - Expenditure defrayable by the Union or a state out of its revenues.
Manipur’s rebel group UNLF signs
peace pact with govt
• The Union government and Manipur government signed a peace agreement with United
National Liberation Front (UNLF), under which the rebel group has agreed to renounce
violence.
• The UNLF is Manipur’s oldest militant organisation dominated by the majority Meitei
community.
• The UNLF was formed in 1964 and has been operating from both within and outside
Indian territory.
• Chief Minister N.Biren Singh said a new era of peace and progress has dawned in Mani-
pur as the Centre signed the peace agreement with the UNLF.
• The development comes after the ban on the group under the Unlawful Activities (Pre-
vention) Act (UAPA) was extended for five years earlier this month.
• Representatives of the UNLF signed the agreement in New Delhi with senior officials of
the Union ministry of home affairs and Manipur government.
• The Centre has signed agreements with several armed groups of the Northeast to end
militancy and promote development.
• While political settlements have been finalised with several ethnic armed groups of the
northeast as part of conflict resolution initiatives of the Centre, it is for the first time a val-
ley-based Manipuri armed group has agreed to return to mainstream by abjuring violence
and agreeing to honour the Constitution of India and laws of the land.
• The agreement will not only bring an end to hostilities between UNLF and
security forces which have claimed precious lives on both sides over the last
more than half a century but also provide an opportunity to address the long-
standing concerns of the community.
• A peace monitoring committee will be constituted to oversee enforcement of the agreed

ground rules. The development is likely to be a significant step in restoring peace and nor-
malcy in the state.
• The return of UNLF to the mainstream may also encourage other valley-based armed
groups to participate in the peace process in due course.
• Manipur has been witnessing ethnic clashes between the Meitei and tribal Kuki commu-
nities since May resulting in the death of over 180 people.
Insurgency in Northeast Region
• India’s Northeast Region stretches from the foothills of the Himalayas in the eastern
range and is surrounded by countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Nepal and Myan-
mar.
• It includes Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripu-

ra and Sikkim.
• The region is rich in natural resources, covered with dense forests, has the highest rain-
fall in the country, with large and small river systems nesting the land and is a treasure
house of flora and fauna.
• The quest for ethnic and regional identity, nationalism, and ideological motivations have
fomented a climate of insurgency in several parts of the Northeast Region, which has led
to political fragmentation of the region. The climate has been further fuelled by the slow
pace of development. The difficult terrain, dense forest cover and open borders with
Myanmar and Bangladesh have provided a congenial environment for this.
• Insurgency has taken a heavy toll on economic progress in the region.
Initiatives for peace process
The government has shown its willingness to enter into dialogue with any group, which is
willing to abjure the path of violence and place its demand within the framework of the
Constitution of India.
Pursuant to the above policy of the government, a number of outfits have come for talks
with the government for resolution to their grievances and a number of cadres of insur-
gents have surrendered with weapons.
1) Scheme for Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation of militants in North East
The ministry of home affairs has been implementing a scheme for Surren-
der-cum-Rehabilitation of militants in Northeast to wean away the misguided youth and
hardcore militants who stray into the fold of militancy and later find themselves trapped
into that net.
The scheme also seeks to ensure that the militants, who have surrendered, do not find it
attractive to join militancy again.
The scheme provides for:
• An immediate grant of Rs 1.5 lakh to each surrenderee.
• Payment of stipend of Rs 3,500 per month to each surrenderee for a period of one year.
• Vocational training to the surrenderees for self-employment.
2) Reimbursement of Security Related Expenditure (SRE)
The central government has been implementing a non-plan scheme for reimbursement of
Security Related Expenditure (SRE) for the states seriously affected by militancy/insur-
gency.
The scheme is being implemented in all states of the region except Mizoram and Sikkim.
Under it, the expenditure incurred by them on various items, is being reimbursed. It
includes:
• Raising of India Reserve Battalions.
• Logistics provided to the CAPFs/Army deployed in the state.
• Ex-gratia grant and gratuitous relief to the victims of extremist violence.
• 75 per cent of the expenditure incurred on POL (petrol, oil and lubricants) in operations
and honorarium.
• Payment to Village Guards/Village Defence Committees/Home Guards deployed for

security purposes,
• Expenditure incurred on maintenance of designated camps set up for groups with whom
the central government/state governments have entered into agreement for suspension
of operations.
3) Civic Action Programme in the North Eastern States
In order to take the local populace in confidence and boost the image of
armed forces among the common people, Army and Central Armed Police Forces con-
duct Civic Action Programme.
Under this programme, various welfare/developmental activities are undertaken like hold-
ing of medical camps, sanitation drives, sports meets, distribution of study material to chil-
dren, minor repairs of school buildings, roads, bridges and running adult education cen-
ters, etc.
4) Advertisement and Publicity
Keeping in view of the issues like militancy, infiltration and perceived feeling of alienation,
ministry of home affairs implements a scheme of Advertisement and Publicity in North
Eastern States with a view to highlight the activities being undertaken by the government
for peace in the region and also with a view to convey that “peace pays”.
5) Modernisation of Police Force
The home ministry is implementing a non-plan scheme, namely Scheme for Modernisa-
tion of State Police Forces (MPF) towards modernisation of the state police forces, espe-
cially for meeting the emerging challenges to internal security in the form of terrorism,
naxalism etc. All major items of Police infrastructure have been included under the
scheme like construction of secure police stations, outposts, police lines, mobility, modern
weaponry, security, surveillance, communication, forensic equipment, upgradation of
training infrastructure, police housing, computerisation, etc.
6) Helicopter Services in North Eastern States
At present, the helicopter services are in operation in the states of Arunachal Pradesh,
Sikkim, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura with subsidy from the ministry of home affairs.
The subsidy portion is limited to 75 per cent cost of operation of helicopter service minus
recovery from passengers. The balance cost of operation of the helicopter service is met
by concerned state governments.
NCC celebrates its 75th anniversary
The National Cadet Corps (NCC) celebrated its 75th anniversary on November 26, 2023.
NCC Day is celebrated every year on the fourth Sunday in the month of November.
National Cadet Corps
• National Cadet Corps (NCC) was established under the NCC Act, 1948. It is a tri-service
organisation comprising the Army, Naval and Air wings.
• According to the government, NCC is the largest uniformed youth organisation in the
world.
• The NCC strives to provide the youth of the country opportunities for all round develop-
ment with a sense of commitment, dedication, self-discipline and moral values, so that
they become responsible citizens of tomorrow.
• The motto of NCC is “Unity and Discipline”.
• It has been engaged in conducting various social service and community development
activities. The cadets have been contributing to the national cause during natural calami-
ties like floods, cyclones, etc since its inception.
• The defence ministry has taken several steps to encourage the students at high school
and college level to join NCC and work in a devoted manner for the betterment of the
country.
• Cadets are given basic military and weapons training by serving officers of the armed
forces. Their proficiency and dexterity is periodically tested, only after which,
they are awarded the certificates.
• The ‘A’ certificate is awarded on passing the first level and ‘B’ certificate is
awarded on passing the second level. Only those cadets who have a ‘B’ certif-
icate are eligible to get the ‘C’ certificate, the highest certificate given to NCC cadets, after
passing tough training and examination.
• The government has sanctioned an increase in NCC cadet strength to 15 lakh. Currently,
the total strength of cadets is around 14 lakh.
• Directorate General NCC in New Delhi is the headquarters and it is headed by the Direc-
tor General (DG), an Army officer of the rank of Lieutenant General.
• There are 17 Directorates, in which each state or group of states forms a Directorate.
• The Directorates are divided into Groups, which varies according to the size of the state.
The Groups are further divided into Battalions.
• In 2020, the government approved the proposal to expand the National Cadet Corps
(NCC) in 173 border and coastal districts. The expansion of the NCC was announced by
PM Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech.
Cochin Shipyard launches ships named

Mahe, Malvan and Mangrol
• The first three ships in the series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts
(ASW SWC) under construction in Cochin Shipyard Limited for the Indian Navy were
launched on November 30.
• These three ships are named INS Mahe, INS Malvan and INS Mangrol.
• The contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was signed between the
ministry of defence and Cochin Shipyard Limited on April 30, 2019.
• The Mahe class ASW Shallow Water Crafts have been named after ports of strategic
importance along the coast of India, and will look to carry forward the glorious legacy
of the erstwhile minesweepers which were their namesake.
• These ships will be equipped with indigenously developed, state-of-the-art underwa-

ter sensors, and are envisaged to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal
waters as well as Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and Mine Laying Opera-
tions.
• The ASW SWC ships are 78 metres long and displacement is approximately 900
tonnes, with a maximum speed of 25 knots.
• These ships will have over 80 per cent indigenous content, thereby ensuring that
large scale defence production is executed by Indian manufacturing units, generating
employment and capability enhancement within the country.
BSF celebrates its 59th Raising Day
The Border Security Force (BSF) observes its 59th Raising Day on December 1.
The BSF, with about 2.65-lakh personnel, guards over 6,300 km of Indian fronts with Pa-
kistan and Bangladesh.
• International borders of India with Pakistan, both east and west, were being manned
by the respective state police forces till Indo-Pak war in September 1965.
• Certain inherent shortcomings of this arrangement came to light during the war and it
was decided to have one single force under the Union of India for guarding the interna-
tional borders with Pakistan.
• The Border Security Force was raised in 1965 with 25 battalions. Over the years, the
Force has grown in size and has 186 battalions including three NDRF battalions, five
major training institutions, 11 subsidiary training centres and three minor training institu-
tions.
• The headquarters of BSF is in New Delhi.
• Its field formations include two Special Directorates General — Spl DG (Eastern Com-
mand) and Spl DG (Western Command), 13 Frontiers and 46 sector headquarters,
water wing, air wing and other ancillary units.
BSF’s role during peacetime:
i) To promote a sense of security among the people living in the border areas.
ii) To prevent trans-border crimes, unauthorised entry into or exit from the territory of India.
iii) To prevent smuggling and any other illegal activities on the border.
iv) Anti-infiltraton duties.
v) To collect trans-border intelligence.
Its role during wartime:
i) Holding ground in assigned sectors.
ii) Limited aggressive action against paramilitary or irregular forces of the enemy.
iii) Maintenance of law and order in enemy territory administered under the Army’s control.
iv) Guarding prisoners of war camps.
v) Acting as guides to the Army in border areas.
vi) Assistance in control of refugees.
vii) Provision of sectors.
viii) Performing special tasks connected with Intelligence including raids.
What is CAPF?
Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) refers to the common nomenclature of

seven security forces. It is under administrative control of the home ministry.
The CAPF consists of Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police
Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP),
Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Assam Rifles (AR) and National Security Guard (NSG).
The CAPF plays a vital role in guarding borders and assisting central / state governments
in maintenance of internal security and in curbing other illegal / unlawful activities.
DAC clears defence acquisition projects

worth Rs 2.23 lakh crore
• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh,
accorded approval in respect of Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) for various capital acquisi-
tion proposals amounting to Rs 2.23 lakh crore.
• About 98 per cent of the total procurement will be sourced from the domestic industries
and that the move will give a substantial boost to the Indian defence industry in achieving
the goal of ‘Aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) in defence industry.
• The DAC accorded AoNs for procurement of Light Combat Helicopter for Indian Air Force
and Indian Army and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A for IAF from Hindustan Aeronau-
tics Limited (HAL) under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.
• The AoNs have also been accorded by the DAC for upgradation of Su-30 MKI aircraft
indigenously from HAL.
• While procurement of these equipment will provide enormous strength to the
IAF, acquisition from domestic defence industries will take the indigenous
capability to a new height.
• The DAC has also accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) or initial approval
for procurement of two types of anti-tank munitions namely area denial munition (ADM)
type-2 and type-3.
• It also cleared acquisition and integration of automatic target tracker (ATT) and digital
basaltic computer (DBC) for T-90 tanks besides approving another proposal to buy Medium
Range Anti-Ship Missiles (MRAShM) for the Indian Navy. The MRAShM is a lightweight
surface-to-surface missile which will be a primary offensive weapon onboard various Indian
naval ships.
What is the role of the Defence Acquisition Council?
• Pursuant to the recommendations made by the group of ministers on reforming the nation-
al security system in February 2001, a separate, dedicated structure for defence procure-
ment was set up.
• In continuation of its efforts to streamline defence procurement procedures and to reduce

timelines so as to ensure timely delivery of equipment to the armed forces, various mea-
sures to simplify the defence procurement procedure have been undertaken.
• A Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) was created as an overarching structure with the
defence minister as its chairman.
• The DAC is the highest decision-making body of the defence ministry on procurement.
• The defence minister is the chairman of DAC. Its members include Chief of Defence Staff
(CDS) and chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force.
• The main objective of the DAC is to ensure expeditious procurement of the approved
requirements of the armed forces in terms of capabilities sought and time frame prescribed
by optimally utilizing the allocated budgetary resources.
Its functions include:
i) Give in principle approval of a 15 years Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP)
for defence forces.
ii) Accord of acceptance of necessity to acquisition proposals.
iii) Categorisation of the acquisition proposals relating to ‘Buy’, ‘Buy & Make’ and ‘Make’.
iv) Look into issues relating to single vendor clearance.
v) Take decisions regarding ‘offset’ provisions in respect of acquisition propos-
als above Rs 300 crore.
vi) Take decisions regarding Transfer of Technology under the ‘Buy & Make’
category of acquisition proposals.
vii) Field trial evaluation.
Indian Navy hosts MAHASAGAR
• The Indian Navy hosted the maiden edition of MAHASAGAR on November 29.
• It is a high level virtual interaction of Maritime Heads for Active Security And Growth for
All in the Region (MAHASAGAR).
• Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R. Hari Kumar interacted with heads of navies/maritime
agencies and senior leadership from Indian Ocean Region littoral states.
• The heads of navies from Bangladesh, Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauri-
tius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Tanzania participated in the interaction.
• The interaction’s theme was ‘Collective Maritime Approach Towards Countering

Common Challenges’, which highlights the present and necessary imperative for harmon-
ising and collaborating capacities and capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR),
which is in consonance with the government of India’s vision of ‘Security and Growth for
All in the Region’ (SAGAR).
What is SAGAR policy?
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the concept of SAGAR — ‘Security

and Growth for All in the Region’ during his visit to Mauritius in March 2015.
• It is a high-level articulation of India’s vision for the Indian Ocean. SAGAR has distinct but
inter-related elements and underscores India’s engagement in the Indian Ocean.
• The principles enshrined in SAGAR provide a coherent framework to address some of

the challenges related to economic revival, connectivity, security, culture and identity.
• During his address in Maldives Parliament in June 2019, Modi said SAGAR is also a
blueprint for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Under the broad vision of SAGAR, relations have been augmented with partners in the
region in defence and security, development partnership, training and capacity building.
Key features of SAGAR:
i) Enhancing capacities to safeguard land and maritime territories and interests.
ii) Deepening economic and security cooperation in the littoral.
iii) Promoting collective action to deal with natural disasters and maritime threats like
piracy, terrorism and emergent non-state actors.
iv) Working towards sustainable regional development through enhanced collaboration.
v) Engaging with countries beyond shores with the aim of building greater trust and pro-
moting respect for maritime rules, norms and peaceful resolution of disputes.
vi) The ‘Blue Economy’ has emerged as a promising new pillar of prosperity in the region,
with immense economic and employment potential. India is engaging with its neighbours
in Blue Economy initiatives, particularly in the areas of marine bio-technology, exploration
and sustainable exploitation of ocean mineral resources, sustainable fishing practices,
and harnessing of ocean energy.
ISRO scientist V.R. Lalithambika conferred
with French ‘Legion of Honour’
• ISRO scientist V.R. Lalithambika was conferred Chevalier of the Legion of Honour for her
engagement in space cooperation between France and India.
• Lalithambika is a distinguished scientist of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
and former director of the Directorate of the Human Spaceflight Programme.
• The award was given to her by ambassador of France to India, Thierry Mathou, on behalf
of the French government.
• A specialist in advanced launch vehicle technology, Lalithambika has worked extensively

on various ISRO rockets, particularly the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
• In 2018, as director of the human spaceflight programme, she coordinated closely with the
French National Space Agency (CNES) for India’s Gaganyaan project.
• Lalithambika was instrumental in signing of the first joint agreement for cooperation
between CNES and ISRO on human spaceflight, under which the two countries could
exchange specialists to work on space medicine.
• In 2021, Lalithambika coordinated with CNES for the signing of a second agreement
between France and India on the Indian astronaut programme during the visit of the former
French foreign affairs minister to ISRO, Bengaluru.
• Under this agreement, the French space agency would train India’s flight physicians and
CAPCOM mission control teams in France at the CADMOS centre for the development of
microgravity applications and space operations at CNES in Toulouse and at the European
Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany.
Legion of Honour
• Created in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Légion d’Honneur (the Legion

of Honour) is the highest civilian award given by the French Republic for out-
standing service to France, regardless of the nationality of the recipients.
• The Legion of Honour is divided into five degrees of increasing distinction.
• They are: Knight (Chevalier), Officer, Commander, Grand Officer and Grand Cross.
• It was first awarded on July 14, 1804.
• In July 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian premier to have been
conferred with the ‘Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour’.
GST collections hit Rs 1.68 lakh crore in

November
• Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue collected in the month of November 2023 was Rs
1,67,929 crore.
• It is the sixth time that the gross GST collection has crossed the Rs 1.60 lakh crore mark
in the current fiscal.
• The highest-ever revenue from GST was recorded in April 2023 at Rs 1.87 lakh crore.
• Out of the gross GST revenue, CGST is Rs 30,420 crore, SGST is Rs 38,226 crore, IGST
is Rs 87,009 crore (including Rs 39,198 crore collected on import of goods) and cess is Rs
12,274 crore (including Rs 1,036 crore collected on import of goods).
• Revenues for November 2023 are 15 per cent higher than the GST revenues
in the same month last year.
Goods and Services Tax (GST)
• The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime in the country was a very
significant step in the field of indirect tax reforms in India. By amalgamating a large number
of central and state taxes into a single tax, the aim was to mitigate cascading or double tax-
ation in a major way and pave the way for a common national market.
• Before implementation of the GST regime in the country, the issue was deliberated in
detail by the empowered committee of state finance ministers, select committee of Rajya
Sabha and Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance.
• After detailed and prolonged deliberation, the Constitution (One Hundred and First
Amendment) Act, after ratification by 50 per cent of the states, was assented to by the
President on September 8, 2016. Thereafter, Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Act,
Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) Act, Union Territory Goods and Services Tax
(UTGST) Act, and Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act were enacted in
order to achieve a successful rollout of the GST regime in the country from July 1, 2017.
• With GST, India took a quantum leap towards the goal of establishing ‘one nation, one
market’ by dismantling multiple taxes and unifying them into a single tax.
GST Council
• Goods and Services Tax Council is a constitutional body for making recommendations to
the Union and state government on issues related to GST. The GST Council is chaired by
the Union Finance Minister.
• As per Article 279A of the amended Constitution, the GST Council, which will be a joint
forum of the Centre and the states, shall consist of the following members:
a) The Union finance minister (chairperson).
b) The Union minister of state in charge of revenue or finance.
c) The minister in charge of finance or taxation or any other minister nominated by each
state government.
• As per Article 279A(4), the Council will make recommendations to the Union and the
states on important issues related to GST, like the goods and services that may be subject-
ed or exempted from GST, model GST Laws, principles that govern Place of Supply,
threshold limits, GST rates including the floor rates with bands, special rates for raising
additional resources during natural calamities/disasters, special provisions for certain
states, etc.
GST rate structure
• The GST rates on goods and services were initially fitted into four slabs largely based on
the pre-GST indirect tax incidence both of Centre and states, including the embedded
taxes. They are:
i) 5 per cent
ii) 12 per cent
iii) 18 per cent
iv) 28 per cent.
• The GST rate structure has evolved with extensive deliberations in the GST Council and
the four rate structure is a huge simplification over the multitude of taxes and cess with mul-
tiple state wise rates. GST rate structure has been further simplified after the roll out of
GST.
GST compensation to states
• The Goods and Service Tax (Compensation to States) Bill, 2017 was passed by Lok
Sabha on March 29, 2017 to provide for compensation to the states for the loss of revenue
arising on account of implementation of the GST in pursuance of the provision of the Con-
stitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016.
• Accordingly, GST compensation Act has been enacted which provides a detailed mecha-
nism for compensation to the states for loss on account of implementation of GST. For the
purpose of GST compensation to states, a cess known as Compensation Cess is being
levied on luxury and demerit goods and proceeds of such cess is being credited to a sepa-
rate Public Account fund known as Compensation Fund.
PM Modi unveils ‘Global Green
Credit Initiative’ at COP28
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched ‘Global Green Credit Initiative’ at the UN climate
conference (COP28) in Dubai on December 1.
The PM also proposed to host the UN climate conference in 2028 (COP33).
India had hosted COP8 in New Delhi in 2002 where countries adopted the Delhi Ministe-
rial Declaration which called for efforts by developed countries to transfer technology
and minimise the impact of climate change on developing countries.
What is Global Green Credit Initiative?
• PM Modi said the Green Credit Initiative is a pro-planet, proactive and positive initia-
tive, that goes beyond the commercial mindset associated with carbon credits.
• It focuses on creating carbon sinks through people’s participation.
• Carbon sink is any system that absorbs more carbon than it emits. The main natural
carbon sinks are soil, forests and oceans.
• This initiative is similar to the Green Credit Programme, notified domestically in Octo-
ber.
• This global initiative aims to facilitate global collaboration, cooperation and partnership
through exchange of knowledge, experiences and best practices in planning, implemen-
tation and monitoring of environment positive actions through programmes/mechanisms
like green credits.
• It has been conceptualised as a mechanism to incentivise voluntary
pro-planet actions, as an effective response to the challenge of climate
change.
• It envisions the issue of green credits for plantations on waste/degraded

lands and river catchment areas, to rejuvenate and revive natural ecosystems.
• It is an innovative market-based mechanism designed to reward voluntary environmen-

tal actions in different sectors by individuals, communities and the private sector.
• Participants undertaking environmentally positive actions will receive tradable green

credits.
• The entire process, from registration to plantation, verification, and issuance of green
credits, will be digitised.
‘Loss and Damage Fund’ gets approval

at COP28
• In a major breakthrough on the first day of this year’s UN climate conference in Dubai
(COP28), delegates agreed on the operationalisation of ‘Loss and Damage Fund’, that
would help compensate vulnerable countries coping with loss and damage caused by
climate change.
• The Fund has been a long-standing demand of developing nations on the frontlines of
climate change coping with the cost of the devastation caused by ever-increasing extreme
weather events such as drought, floods, and rising seas.
• Following several years of intense negotiations at annual UN climate meetings, developed

nations extended their support for the need to set up the fund last year during
COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
• However, the decisions on funding allocation, beneficiaries and administra-

tion were referred to a committee. Differences between countries were so stark
that it necessitated additional meetings to resolve these issues.
• A draft agreement was arrived in November and a revised agreement was released. It
asked the developed countries to contribute to the fund but said other countries and private
parties could also make contributions.
What is Loss and Damage Fund?
• Loss and damage refers to the negative consequences that arise from the unavoidable
risks of climate change, like rising sea levels, prolonged heatwaves, desertification, the
acidification of the sea and extreme events, such as bushfires, species extinction and crop
failures. As the climate crisis unfolds, these events will happen more and more frequently,
and the consequences will become more severe.
• Some development and adaptation efforts have reduced vulnerability, but the rise in
weather and climate extremes has led to some irreversible impacts as natural and human
systems are pushed beyond their ability to adapt.
• Acknowledging that loss and damage includes, and in some cases involves more than that
which can be reduced by adaptation, COP19 established the Warsaw International Mecha-
nism for Loss and Damage.
• Since then, it has been serving as the main catalyzer under the UNFCCC process for
enhancing knowledge, coherence, action and support to avert, minimise and address loss
and damage associated with climate change impacts in developing countries that are partic-
ularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
• In the broadest understanding, all efforts being taken to curb the global average tempera-
ture increase and to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change can contribute to pre-
venting or reducing the risks of loss and damage associated with climate change borne by
societies and individuals.
• Article 8 of the Paris Agreement enshrines the importance of averting, minimising and
addressing loss and damage and the role of sustainable development in reducing the risk
of loss and damage.
• Creating a specific fund for loss and damage marked an important point of progress, with
the issue added to the official agenda and adopted for the first time at COP27.
• Governments took the ground-breaking decision to establish new funding arrangements,

as well as a dedicated fund, to assist developing countries in responding to loss and
damage.
‘Loss and Damage Fund’ gets
approval at COP28
• India has voted in favour of a draft resolution in the UN General Assembly that expressed
deep concern over Israel not withdrawing from the Syrian Golan.
• The Syrian Golan is a region in southwest Syria that was occupied by Israeli forces on
June 5, 1967.
• The 193-member UN General Assembly voted on the draft resolution on November 28.
• The resolution, introduced by Egypt, was adopted by a recorded vote with 91 in favour,
eight against and 62 abstentions.
What is Golan Heights issue?
• The Six-Day War was fought between June 5 and June 10, 1967, by Israel and the
neighboring states of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria
• Between June 5 and June 10, Israel defeated Egypt, Jordan, and Syria and occupied the
Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights.
• This occupation has resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestin-

ians as well as Syrians.
• Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria and annexed it in 1981.
• Most of the international community considers the move, and Israeli settlements in the
territory, illegal under international law.
• The Golan Heights is a region in southwest Syria. Before the Israeli occupation, the
Golan was home to over 140,000 Syrians, most of whom were driven out of
their homeland and into Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) status.
• Most of the Syrian cities, towns and villages in the Golan were destroyed by
Israeli occupation forces, who in turn have built illegal settlements despite all
international condemnation.
• Syria tried to regain Golan Heights in the 1973 Middle East war, but was thwarted. Israel
and Syria signed an armistice in 1974 and the Golan had been relatively quiet since.
• On December 14, 1981, Israel annexed the Occupied Syrian Golan. The international
community responded with Security Council Resolution, which unanimously called this
move “null and void”.
• Since then, every year the UN General Assembly passes a resolution titled “The Occu-
pied Syrian Golan” which reaffirms the illegality of the Israeli occupation and annexation.
• In 2000, Israel and Syria held their highest-level talks over a possible return of the Golan
and a peace agreement. But the negotiations collapsed and subsequent talks also failed.
Highlights of the new resolution
• The resolution said it is deeply concerned that Israel has not withdrawn from the Syrian
Golan, which has been under occupation since 1967, contrary to the relevant Security
Council and General Assembly resolutions.
• It also declared the Israeli decision of December 14, 1981, null and void and said it had
no validity whatsoever. It called upon Israel to rescind its decision.
• The resolution also stressed the illegality of the Israeli settlement construction and other
activities in the occupied Syrian Golan since 1967.
• It demanded Israel’s withdrawal from all the occupied Syrian Golan to the line of June 4,
1967, in implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions, and determined that
the continued occupation of the Syrian Golan and its de facto annexation constitute a
stumbling block in the way of achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the
region.
Kissinger and the Nobel Peace
Prize controversy
• Henry Kissinger, a diplomatic powerhouse whose roles as a National Security Adviser

and Secretary of State under two US Presidents left an indelible mark on US foreign policy
and earned him a Nobel Peace Prize, passed away on November 29. He was 100.
• During the 1970s in the midst of the Cold War, he had a hand in many of the
epoch-changing global events of the decade while serving as National Security Adviser
and Secretary of State under President Richard Nixon.
• His efforts led to the US diplomatic opening with China, landmark US-Soviet arms control
talks, expanded ties between Israel and its Arab neighbours, and the Paris Peace Accords
with North Vietnam.
• Kissinger’s reign as the prime architect of US foreign policy waned with Nixon’s resigna-
tion in 1974 amid the Watergate scandal.
• Still, he continued to be a diplomatic force as Secretary of State under Nixon’s succes-

sor, President Gerald Ford.
• While many hailed Kissinger for his brilliance and broad experience, others branded him
a “war criminal” for his support for anti-communist dictatorships, especially in Latin Ameri-
ca.
The diplomatic powerhouse
• Heinz Alfred Kissinger was born in Furth, Germany, on May 27, 1923, and moved to the
United States with his family in 1938.
• Anglicising his name to Henry, Kissinger became a naturalized US citizen in 1943,
served in the Army in Europe in World War II, and attended Harvard University
on a scholarship, earning a master’s degree in 1952 and a doctorate in 1954.
He was on Harvard's faculty for the next 17 years.
• During much of that time, Kissinger served as a consultant to government

agencies, including in 1967 when he acted as an intermediary for the State Department in
Vietnam.
• He used his connections with President Lyndon Johnson’s administration to pass on

information about peace negotiations to the Nixon camp.
• When Nixon’s pledge to end the Vietnam War helped him win the 1968 presidential elec-
tion, he brought Kissinger to the White House as National Security Adviser.
• Christmas 1972 saw heavy bombing raids carried out over the North Vietnamese capital
Hanoi by American B-52 bombers. All over the world, thousands of people took to the
streets in protest. The man who ordered the bombing was at the same time spearheading
ceasefire negotiations. The armistice took effect in January 1973.
• In 1973, in addition to his role as National Security Adviser, Kissinger was named Secre-
tary of State.
• An intensifying Arab-Israeli conflict launched Kissinger on his first so-called “shuttle mis-
sion”, a brand of highly personal, high-pressure diplomacy for which he became famous.
• Thirty-two days spent shuttling between Jerusalem and Damascus helped Kissinger
forge a long-lasting disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria in the Israeli-oc-
cupied Golan Heights.
• In an effort to diminish Soviet influence, Kissinger reached out to its chief communist
rival, China, and made two trips there, including a secret one to meet with Premier Zhou
Enlai. The result was Nixon’s historic summit in Beijing with Chairman Mao Zedong in
1972 and the eventual formalisation of relations between the two countries.
• The ‘Watergate Scandal’ that forced Nixon to resign barely grazed Kissinger, who was
not connected to the cover-up and continued as Secretary of State when Ford took office
in the summer of 1974. But, Ford did replace him as National Security Adviser in an effort
to hear more voices on foreign policy.
• Later that year, Kissinger went with Ford to Vladivostok in the Soviet Union, where the
US President met Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and agreed to a basic framework for a
strategic arms pact. The agreement capped Kissinger’s pioneering efforts at detente that
led to a relaxing of US-Soviet tensions.
• In 1975, he was faulted for failing to persuade Israel and Egypt to agree to a sec-
ond-stage disengagement in the Sinai.
• In the India-Pakistan War of 1971, Nixon and Kissinger were heavily criti-
cised for tilting toward Pakistan.
• When Ford lost to Jimmy Carter, a Democrat, in 1976, Kissinger’s days in

the suites of government power were largely over.
• The next Republican in the White House, Ronald Reagan, distanced himself from
Kissinger.
• Declassified documents showed that Kissinger gave his blessing to the undermining of
Chile’s elected Marxist president Salvador Allende and later the 1973 coup by General
Augusto Pinochet.
• After leaving government, Kissinger set up a high-priced, high-powered consulting firm

in New York, which offered advice to the world’s corporate elite. He served on company
boards and various foreign policy and security forums, wrote books, and became a regular
media commentator on international affairs.
The controversial Nobel Peace Prize
• In January 1973, Henry Kissinger and Le Duc signed the Paris Peace Accords calling for
an armistice in Vietnam.
• Le Duc Tho was North Vietnam’s chief peace negotiator.
• In October 1973, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded jointly to Kissinger and Le Duc Tho
for jointly having negotiated a ceasefire in Vietnam. The announcement sent shockwaves
around the world.
• Le Duc Tho refused to accept the Prize, on the grounds that the USA and South Vietnam
had violated the truce.
• He became the only person to decline the Nobel Peace Prize.
• Two Nobel Committee members resigned in an unprecedented act of protest over the
committee chairman’s statement that the committee had unanimously supported the
selection of Kissinger and Tho. The chairman violated an unwritten rule prohibiting public
mention of internal committee discussions.
• Many felt Kissinger was responsible for a bombing war that took a huge toll on civilian
lives.
• Le Duc Tho had fought for Vietnam’s independence during both the French colonial era
and the Japanese occupation during World War II. He became a leader in the Communist
Party, where he developed a reputation as a hardline hawk who would only agree to com-
promise under extreme circumstances. He was chosen as Kissinger’s negotiating partner
in 1968. When Hanoi was bombed at Christmas time on Kissinger’s orders, Le Duc Tho
agreed to an armistice.
Nearly 3 million people die of work-

related accidents and diseases every year
Nearly three million workers die every year due to work-related accidents and diseases,
an increase of more than 5 per cent compared to 2015, according to a new study by the
International Labour Organisation (ILO). The toll underscores the persistent challenges
in safeguarding the health and safety of workers, globally.
Most of these work-related fatalities, totalling 2.6 million deaths, stem from work-related
diseases. Work accidents account for an additional 330,000 deaths, according to the
analysis.
Key points of the report:
• Despite significant progress in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) over

the years, the reality remains that workers continue to suffer from work-related injuries
and diseases, with some even losing their lives, due to exposure to a range of occupa-
tional hazards and risks.
• These include risks to physical safety, biological hazards, chemicals and hazardous
substances and ergonomic and psychosocial hazards.
• Over 395 million workers worldwide sustained a non-fatal work injury.
• Around 2.93 million workers died as a result of work-related factors, an increase of more
than 12 per cent compared to 2000.
• The large majority of these work-related deaths, 2.6 million, were attributed to work-re-
lated diseases, while work accidents resulted in 330,000 deaths.
• The diseases that caused most work-related deaths were circulatory diseases, malig-
nant neoplasms and respiratory diseases. Together, these three categories contributed
to almost three-quarters of total work-related mortality.
• Among the 20 occupational risk factors considered, the one with the largest number of
attributable deaths in 2016 was exposure to long working hours (≥55 hours per week),
which killed almost 745,000 people, followed by exposure to occupational particulate
matter, gases and fumes with over 450,000 associated deaths, and thirdly occupational
injuries with over 363,000 deaths.
• The sizeable increase in the absolute number of work-related fatalities is influenced by

several factors, which may relate to an aggravation in terms of unprotected exposures to
occupational risks, as well as to socio-demographic changes. For example, the global
labour force increased by 26 per cent between 2000 and 2019, from 2.75 billion to 3.46
billion
• Work-related deaths are unequally distributed, with the male mortality rate (108.3 per
100,000 in the labour force) being significantly higher than the female rate (48.4 per
100,000).
• In terms of regional distribution, Asia and the Pacific holds the highest share, contribut-
ing to almost 63 per cent of global work-related mortality.
• Working in hazardous sectors such as agriculture, forestry and fishing, mining, con-
struction, and manufacturing continues to represent the main risk to workers’ lives and
well-being.
• Each year, 200,000 fatal injuries occur in these sectors, representing 60 per
cent of all fatal occupational injuries.
• Looking at the fatal occupational injury rate, the mining and quarrying, con-
struction, and utilities sectors are the three most hazardous sectors globally.
UK detects its first human case of

new swine flu strain
• A new strain of swine flu has been detected in a person in the UK for the first time and
close contacts are being monitored to determine its potential to spread among humans.
• The UK Health Security Agency (HSA) said the virus strain found in pigs was detected in
a person with mild respiratory symptoms after a routine test at a general practitioner sur-
gery was analysed in a lab.
• Influenza A(H1N2)v is similar to flu viruses currently circulating in pigs in the UK.
• There have been a total of 50 human cases of influenza A(H1N2)v reported globally since
2005. However, none of them are related genetically to this strain.
• This is the first detection of this strain of flu in a human in the UK.
• The case was detected as part of routine national flu surveillance undertaken by UKHSA
and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).
• While investigations are underway to determine the source of the infection, the close con-
tacts of the individual who has since fully recovered are being monitored.
Influenza viruses
• Influenza A(H1) viruses are enzootic in swine populations in most regions of

the world. When an influenza virus that normally circulates in swine is detected
in a person, it is called a ‘variant influenza virus’.
• H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 are major subtypes of swine influenza A viruses in pigs and occa-
sionally infect humans, usually after direct or indirect exposure to pigs or contaminated
environments.
• Based on early information, the infection detected in the UK is a distinct clade (1b.1.1),
which is different from recent human cases of influenza A(H1N2) elsewhere in the world but
is similar to viruses in UK swine.
• In 2009, there was a pandemic in humans caused by an influenza virus (influenza A

H1N1(pdm09)) commonly referred to as ‘swine flu’. That virus contained genetic material
from viruses that were circulating in pigs, birds and humans in the 1990s and 2000s.
• Influenza A H1N1(pdm09) is now circulating in humans seasonally and is no longer

referred to as swine flu. It is distinct from the viruses currently circulating in pigs.
China, Japan & South Korea to revive

trilateral summit
• The top diplomats from China, Japan and South Korea have agreed to revive cooperation
and resume their leaders’ trilateral summit.
• In 2008, South Korea, Japan and China had agreed on annual summits to bolster diplo-
matic and economic exchanges. But, two-way rows and the COVID-19 pandemic interrupt-
ed the plan, with the three leaders last meeting in 2019.
• The three foreign ministers met in the South Korean port of Busan on Novem-
ber 26 for their first such meeting since 2019.
• Closely linked economically and culturally with one another, the three countries together
account for about 25 per cent of the global Gross Domestic Product.
• But efforts to boost cooperation have often hit a snag because of a mix of issues including
historical disputes stemming from Japan’s wartime aggression and the strategic competition
between China and the United States.
• Even as China and the United States seek to mend frayed ties, including a summit this
month between Presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden, Beijing is concerned that Washington
and its key regional allies are strengthening their three-way partnership.
Japan-South Korea issues
• Japan effectively colonised the Korean Peninsula between 1910 and 1945, in a regime
that imposed Japanese names and language on Koreans and conscripted many into forced
labour or forced prostitution in military brothels before and during World War II.
• Japan gave $800 million to South Korea’s military-backed government under a 1965
accord to normalise relations, which were mainly used on economic development projects
driven by major South Korean companies.
• A semi-government fund set up by Japan offered compensation to former “comfort women”

(a Japanese euphemism for the sex abuse victims) when the government apologised in
1995, but many South Koreans believe that the Japanese government must take more
direct responsibility for the occupation.
• The two sides also have a longstanding territorial dispute over a group of islands controlled
by South Korea but claimed by Japan.
• South Korea and Japan have attempted to establish better ties before.
• In 2004, leaders began regular visits, but these ended in 2012 after then-South Korean
President Lee Myung-bak visited the disputed islands.
• Tensions escalated as conservative Japanese governments moved to rearm the country

while stepping up attempts to whitewash Japan’s wartime atrocities, and in 2018 South Ko-
rea’s Supreme Court ordered Japan’s Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to com-
pensate forced labour victims.
• In 2019, Japan placed export controls against South Korea on chemicals used to make
semiconductors and displays used in smartphones and other high-tech devices.
Irish author Paul Lynch wins
Booker Prize 2023
Irish author Paul Lynch’s ‘Prophet Song’ was named the winner of the Booker Prize 2023.
Lynch received his trophy and £50,000 from Sri Lankan author Shehan Karunatilaka, last
year’s Booker winner for ‘The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida’, at the awards ceremony
held at Old Billingsgate in London.
Who is Paul Lynch?
• Paul Lynch was born in Limerick in 1977 and lives in Dublin. He was previously the chief
film critic of Ireland’s Sunday Tribune newspaper from 2007 to 2011 and wrote regularly for
the Sunday Times on cinema.
• He is an internationally acclaimed Irish novelist who has published five novels, winning
several awards in the process. Before ‘Prophet Song’, Lynch wrote ‘Beyond the Sea’,
‘Grace’, ‘The Black Snow’ and ‘Red Sky in Morning’.
• Paul Lynch, 46, is the fifth Irish author to win the Booker Prize, after Iris Murdoch, John
Banville, Roddy Doyle and Anne Enright. The Northern Irish writer Anna Burns won in
2018.
What is ‘Prophet Song’ about?
• Lynch won for his novel presenting a dystopian vision of Ireland in the grips
of totalitarianism. Set in Dublin, ‘Prophet Song’ tells the story of a family grap-
pling with a terrifying new world in which the democratic norms they are used
to begin to disappear.
• The book captures some of the biggest social and political anxieties of our age, from the
rise of political extremism to the global plight of refugees.
• Ireland is in the grip of a government that is taking a turn towards tyranny and Eilish
Stack, the novel’s protagonist, soon finds herself trying to make sense of the nightmare
of a collapsing society – assailed by unpredictable forces beyond her control and desper-
ate to do whatever it takes to keep her family together.
Other books in the shortlist:
• The Bee Sting - by Paul Murray
• If I Survive You - by Jonathan Escoffery
• Western Lane - by Chetna Maroo
• This Other Eden - by Paul Harding
• Study for Obedience - by Sarah Bernstein.
The Booker Prize
• The Booker Prize awards any work of long form fiction originally written in English and
published in the UK and Ireland in the year of the prize, regardless of the nationality of
their author. The work of long form fiction must be an original work in English (not a trans-
lation) and published by a registered UK or Irish imprint. Self-published works of long
form fiction are not eligible.
• The Booker Prize is worth £50,000 to the winner. It is awarded to the author of the best,
eligible full-length work of long form fiction in the opinion of the judges. In addition, £2,500
is awarded to each of the six shortlisted authors.
• The Booker Prize for Fiction was first awarded in 1969.
• Past winners of the Booker include Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie and Yann
Martel.
International Booker Prize
• The International Booker Prize, formerly known as the Man Booker Interna-
tional Prize, has been awarded since 2005, when it was won by Albanian
writer Ismail Kadare.
• It is awarded annually for a single book, translated into English and pub-
lished in the UK or Ireland.
• It is a sister prize to the Booker Prize.
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MANORAMA YEARBOOK ONLINE

For UPSC Aspirants

It led to the creation of three Working Groups:

i) Working Group on Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance and Digital Connectivity

ii) Working Group on Green and Clean Energy Technologies

iii) Working Group on Trade, Investment and Resilient Value Chains.

Explainer - Tejas Twin Seat Light

Light Combat Aircraft Tejas

• The aircraft is capable of undertaking offensive air support roles as well as

• With an amalgamation of contemporary concepts and technologies such as quadruplex

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is a premier aeronautical company of India. HAL,

• LCA PG was upgraded as a full fledged division of HAL and christened as

Centre exempts CERT-In from ambit of

• It is a statutory organisation under the ministry of electronics and information technolo-

• CERT-In is operational since January 2004.

i) Collection, analysis and dissemination of information on cyber security incidents.

ii) Forecast and alerts of cyber security incidents.

iii) Emergency measures for handling cyber security incidents.

iv) Coordination of cyber security incident response activities.

vi) Such other functions relating to cyber security as may be prescribed.

• CERT-In creates awareness on security issues through dissemination of information

The Right to Information Act, 2005

• The Act is comprehensive and covers disclosure of information by public authorities

• The Act casts an obligation on public authorities for suo-motu disclosure/publication of

• Certain types of information pertaining to security of the country, scientific or economic

• Such organisations are required to designate Public Information Officers

Govt to train ‘Krishi Sakhis’ to promote

• Aajeevika-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) was launched by the

• It was later renamed as Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission

• DAY-NRLM is a flagship poverty alleviation program implemented by the ministry of rural

ii) Financial inclusion.

iii) Sustainable livelihoods.

What are rare diseases?

• The commonly reported diseases include Primary immunodeficiency disorders, Lyso-

Why are rare diseases called ‘orphan diseases’?

• It was later renamed as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).

Objectives of the scheme:

• To make available quality medicines consumables and surgical items at affordable

• Generate employment by engaging individual entrepreneurs in the opening of PMBJP

Other key points:

• Under PMBJP, an incentive of Rs 5 lakh is provided to the Janaushadhi Kendras as

• Also, a one-time additional incentive of Rs 2 lakh as reimbursement for IT and infra

Explainer - Why NGT banned ‘rat-hole

• A portion of the under-construction tunnel on Uttarakhand’s Char Dham route collapsed

What is rat-hole mining?

• Quantity of water which is required to be drained for continuation of mining operations

• Construction of mine shafts/openings, storage of coal and overburden, construction of

• Absence of any safety measures has resulted in a number of very tragic

Explainer - Model Code of Conduct

• The Election Commission withdrew permission to the Telangana government to distrib-

• Assembly elections in Telangana will be held on November 30 and results announced

What is Model Code of Conduct?

• Model Code of Conduct is not a statutory document.

Origin of Model Code of Conduct

Parts of Model Code of Conduct

Model Code of Conduct contains eight parts: