Udaan+ Update (Feb-April22) Update

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OnlyIAS UDAAN PLUS: SOCIAL ISSUES
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OnlyIAS UDAAN PLUS: UPDATE FEBRUARY - APRIL 2022
PROGRAMME CHIEF ECONOMIC ADVISOR ................................. 24

1. POLITY AND GOVERNANCE ......................................................... 6
BAD BANK.................................................................................................... 24
CORRUPTION PERCEPTION INDEX 2021 ........................................ 6 UNION BUDGET 2022-23 ..................................................................... 25
VULNERABLE WITNESS ........................................................................... 6 NAL SE JAL YOJANA ................................................................................. 25
INTER-OPERABLE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM (ICJS) PM-DEVINE SCHEME.............................................................................. 25
PROJECT........................................................................................................... 6 CAPITAL INFUSION IN IREDA ............................................................ 26
OPEN DATA WEEK ...................................................................................... 6 NEW SEZ LAW ............................................................................................ 26
NATIONAL AIR SPORTS POLICY ........................................................... 7 DIGITAL RUPEE — A CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCY
NHRC SEEKS REPORT ON RACIAL PROFILING’ OF CHAKMA’S, (CBDC) ........................................................................................................... 26
HAJONGS.......................................................................................................... 7 SAFFRON BOWL PROJECT ................................................................... 27
SC SETS ASIDE HOUSE ACTION AGAINST 12 BJP MLAS ............ 7 PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN MANDHAN YOJANA ........................ 27
SC UPHOLDS OBC QUOTA IN NEET ..................................................... 8 LAKADONG TURMERIC ......................................................................... 27
USE OF DRONE TECHNOLOGY .............................................................. 8 SURETY BONDS ......................................................................................... 28
RURAL AREA DEVELOPMENT PLAN FORMULATION AND INDIAN FOOTWEAR AND LEATHER DEVELOPMENT
IMPLEMENTATION (RADP-FI) GUIDELINES ................................. 8 PROGRAMME ............................................................................................. 28
LAUNCH OF OPERATION AAHT............................................................ 8 PARVATMALA SCHEME ........................................................................ 28
E-PANCHAYAT FACILITY ......................................................................... 9 VANDE BHARAT TRAINS ...................................................................... 28
CENTRAL MEDIA ACCREDITATION GUIDELINES 2022 ........... 9 NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY ACT 2013 ......................................... 29
CONTENT REGULATORY POWERS OF THE I&B MINISTRY .... 9 IDEA DATABASE ....................................................................................... 29
ENFORCING FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES ............................................ 10 SWIFT ............................................................................................................ 29
HIJAB & FREEDOM OF RELIGION...................................................... 10 CAPITAL GAINS TAX ............................................................................... 30
ROLE AND POWER OF GOVERNOR .................................................. 11 E-RUPI: VOUCHER BASED DIGITAL PAYMENT SYSTEM ....... 30
COMMON ELECTORAL ROLL AND SIMULTANEOUS CENTRAL CONSUMER PROTECTION AUTHORITY (CCPA) .. 30
ELECTIONS .................................................................................................. 11 INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING (IPO)..................................................... 31
DRAFT INDIA DATA ACCESSIBILITY & USE POLICY 2022 .... 12 GREEN HYDROGEN/ GREEN AMMONIA POLICY ...................... 31
MINORITY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND RIGHT TO CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT SCHEME .............................................. 31
EDUCATION ................................................................................................ 12 ANGADIAS.................................................................................................... 31
LEGISLATION FOR REFUGEES ........................................................... 12 FINANCIAL STABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
DEMOCRACY INDEX ................................................................................ 13 (FSDC)............................................................................................................ 31
PUBLIC ORDER .......................................................................................... 13 NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
DIGITAL RIGHTS ....................................................................................... 13 POLICY ........................................................................................................... 32
HYDERABAD DECLARATION’ ON E-GOVERNANCE ADOPTED DOMESTIC SYSTEMICALLY IMPORTANT BANKS (D-SIBS) . 32
........................................................................................................................... 13 FINTECH OPEN HACKATHON ............................................................ 32
STATES OPPOSE RULE CHANGE ON CENTRAL POSTING OF KISAN DRONES.......................................................................................... 32
IAS OFFICERS ............................................................................................. 14 DECLINE IN FOREX RESERVES .......................................................... 33
GOVERNMENT APPROVES IMPLEMENTATION OF INTER- MONETARY POLICY COMMITTEE (MPC) ..................................... 33
OPERABLE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM (ICJS) PROJECT...... 14 DRAFT RED HERRING PROSPECTUS (DRHP) ............................. 33
SUPPLEMENTARY DEMANDS FOR GRANTS ............................... 14 INDIA’S FIRST WATER TAXI SERVICE INAUGURATED IN
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF FOREIGNERS .................................. 15 MAHARASHTRA........................................................................................ 34
SEALED COVER JURISPRUDENCE .................................................... 15 SECURITY PRINTING AND MINTING CORPORATION OF
NATIONAL E-VIDHAN APPLICATION ............................................. 15 INDIA LTD.(SPMCIL) .............................................................................. 34
COMPETITION (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2022................................. 16 RAISING AND ACCELERATING MSME PERFORMANCE
SECTION 144 CRPC .................................................................................. 16 (RAMP) PROGRAMME ........................................................................... 34
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCHEDULED TRIBES (NCST) SUNFLOWER .............................................................................................. 35
........................................................................................................................... 16 INTEGRATED BIOREFINERIES MISSION ...................................... 35
FOREIGNERS’ TRIBUNALS ................................................................... 16 STEEL SLAG ROAD ................................................................................... 35
ARTICLE 355............................................................................................... 17 INDIA’S AGRICULTURE EXPORTS .................................................... 36
LEGAL AID CLINIC .................................................................................... 17 STANDING DEPOSIT FACILITY .......................................................... 36
PRESIDENT’S RULE ................................................................................. 17 FINCLUVATION ......................................................................................... 36
UNION TERRITORIES ............................................................................. 17 INDIA POST PAYMENTS BANK (IPPB) ........................................... 37
ANTARCTIC BILL 2022 .......................................................................... 18 SPECIAL PURPOSE ACQUISITION COMPANIES (SPACS) ....... 37
FASTER PLATFORM ................................................................................ 18 DRAFT BATTERY SWAPPING POLICY ............................................ 37
NINTH SCHEDULE.................................................................................... 18 INDIA’S FIRST PURE GREEN HYDROGEN PLANT ..................... 37
LOOK OUT NOTICE................................................................................... 19 DIGITAL BANKING UNITS .................................................................... 38
RESIDENT BUT NOT ORDINARY RESIDENT (RNOR) TAG .... 19 NIDHI COMPANIES .................................................................................. 38
PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON OFFICIAL LANGUAGE . 19 CONSUMER EXPENDITURE SURVEY .............................................. 38
91ST CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ACT, 2003.................. 20 EXPORT PROMOTION CAPITAL GOODS (EPCG) SCHEME .... 39
NATIONAL PANCHAYATI RAJ DAY................................................... 20 DRAFT UNIFORM CODE FOR MEDICAL DEVICE MARKETING
OLGA TELLIS JUDGMENT ..................................................................... 20 PRACTICES .................................................................................................. 39
ENFORCEMENT DIRECTORATE (ED) ............................................. 20 BARS GIFTS TO MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ................................ 39
CENSUS NEW RULES NOTIFIED ........................................................ 21 INDIA PATENTS REPORT ..................................................................... 39
AMENDMENT TO THE MINES AND MINERALS ACT, 1957 ... 21 IT RULES, 2021 .......................................................................................... 40
ASSAM-MEGHALAYA BOUNDARY DISPUTE ............................... 22 AVSAR INITIATIVE .................................................................................. 40
DEMOCRACY REPORT 2022 ................................................................ 22 TRILATERAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (TDC) FUND40
SUPREME COURT’S JUDGEMENT ON TAXING LOTTERIES .. 22 WHEAT EXPORTS .................................................................................... 41
INTEGRATED COMMAND AND CONTROL CENTRE (ICCCS) 23 PARBOILED RICE...................................................................................... 41
SVANIDHI SE SAMRIDDHI PROGRAM ............................................ 23 MSME SUSTAINABLE CERTIFICATION SCHEME ...................... 41
INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM ENDEAVOR FOR
2. INDIAN ECONOMY........................................................................ 24 INDIAN CITIES INITIATIVE ................................................................. 42
TIME RELEASE STUDY ........................................................................... 42 SOFTWARE WITH INTELLIGENT MARKING BASED

SAGARMALA PROGRAMME ................................................................. 42 IDENTIFICATION OF ASIATIC LIONS (SIMBA) ........................... 59
DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS (DFI) .................. 42 UNEP@50 .................................................................................................... 60
3. ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT ............................................... 43 4. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND DEFENCE .................... 60
NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY (NTCA) .... 43 ASEAN DIGITAL MINISTERS ............................................................... 60
WATER ATLAS ........................................................................................... 43 AFRICAN UNION (AU) ............................................................................ 61
ORANG NATIONAL PARK...................................................................... 44 UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL
RED SANDERS ............................................................................................ 44 TRADE LAW (UNCITRAL) .................................................................... 61
INDIA STATE OF FOREST REPORT (ISFR) 2021 ........................ 44 QUIET DIPLOMACY ................................................................................. 61
BIODIVERCITIES BY 2030 .................................................................... 45 MAJOR NON-NATO ALLY (MNNA) ................................................... 61
EASTERN SWAMP DEER ....................................................................... 45 INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE (ICJ) ................................. 62
MISS KERALA ............................................................................................. 45 WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME .............................................................. 62
ASIA MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON TIGER CAATSA ......................................................................................................... 62
CONSERVATION ........................................................................................ 45 EARLY HARVEST AGREEMENT ......................................................... 63
LIVING ROOT BRIDGES OF MEGHALAYA ...................................... 46 PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM .................................................................... 63
STATE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AGENCIES ORGANIZATION OF ISLAMIC COOPERATION (OIC) ................ 63
(SEIAA) .......................................................................................................... 46 INDO-GERMAN WORKING GROUP ON QUALITY
KERALA BIRD ATLAS .............................................................................. 46 INFRASTRUCTURE .................................................................................. 63
CLIMATE HAZARDS AND VULNERABILITY ATLAS OF INDIA MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE .................................................. 64
........................................................................................................................... 46 INDIA PAKISTAN EXCHANGE LISTS OF NUCLEAR
SPOT BILLED PELICAN .......................................................................... 47 INSTALLATION ......................................................................................... 64
A NEW SPECIES OF BUTTERFLY DISCOVERED IN SIKKIM ... 47 INDIA-OMAN TIES ................................................................................... 64
SPRING SHED MANAGEMENT IN THE INDIAN HIMALAYAN INDIA AND TURKEMENISTAN SIGN MOU ON COOPERATION
REGION (IHR) ............................................................................................. 47 IN THE FIELD OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT .............................. 65
EXPANSION OF THAR DESERT .......................................................... 47 UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL (UNSC) ........................ 65
INDIA VOTES AGAINST U.N. DRAFT RESOLUTION ON COUNTER-TERRORISM COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE
CLIMATE CHANGE ................................................................................... 48 DIRECTORATE ........................................................................................... 66
SOLAW 2021: REPORT........................................................................... 49 DAVOS SUMMIT ........................................................................................ 66
FLEX FUEL VEHICLES (FFV) AND FLEX FUEL STRONG INDIA-US HOMELAND SECURITY DIALOGUE ............................ 66
HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES (FFV-SHEV) .................................. 49 US PLANS AUTONOMY IN RARE EARTH SUPPLIES ................. 67
OBSERVER STATUS GRANTED TO INTERNATIONAL SOLAR INDIA-PHILIPPINES BRAHMOS MISSILE DEAL ......................... 67
ALLIANCE (ISA) ......................................................................................... 50 FIRST INDIA CENTRAL ASIA SUMMIT ............................................ 67
GREATER MEKONG REGION ............................................................... 50 DEVELOPING COUNTRY STATUS OF CHINA ............................... 68
KHIJADIYA BIRD SANCTUARY AND BAKHIRA WILDLIFE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL (UNSC) STATES
SANCTUARY ................................................................................................ 50 PLEDGE TO AVOID NUCLEAR WAR ................................................. 68
NATIONAL ADAPTATION FUND FOR CLIMATE CHANGE ..... 51 COLLECTIVE SECURITY TREATY ORGANIZATION (CSTO) .. 68
KAKOIJANA RESERVE FOREST .......................................................... 51 HENLEY PASSPORT INDEX .................................................................. 69
GOLDEN LANGURS .................................................................................. 52 OPERATION GANGA................................................................................ 69
INDIAN GAUR ............................................................................................. 52 DONETSK AND LUHANSK REGIONS................................................ 70
KAWAL TIGER RESERVE....................................................................... 52 EXERCISE MILAN ..................................................................................... 70
WHITE CHEEKED MACAQUE .............................................................. 52 EXERCISE EASTERN BRIDGE .............................................................. 70
INDIA’S FIRST OECM (OTHER EFFECTIVE AREA-BASED EXERCISE COBRA WARRIOR .............................................................. 70
CONSERVATION MEASURES) SITE .................................................. 53 EXERCISE DHARMA GUARDIAN ....................................................... 70
WORLD SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT .................... 53 OPERATION SARD HAWA .................................................................... 71
ARMY TAG FOR NEW GECKO .............................................................. 53 COUNCIL OF EUROPE ............................................................................. 71
EXTENDED PRODUCERS RESPONSIBILITY (EPR) ON COURT OF ARBITRATION OF SPORTS............................................ 71
PLASTIC PACKAGING ............................................................................. 53 INTERNATIONAL MONSOONS PROJECT OFFICE ...................... 71
SIMILIPAL BIOSPHERE RESERVE..................................................... 54 MONTREUX CONVENTION .................................................................. 72
SUSTAINABLE CITIES INDIA PROGRAM ....................................... 54 ASIAN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT BANK (AIIB) ......... 72
FIRE READY FORMULA.......................................................................... 55 UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL (UNHRC) ....................................... 72
INDIAN ENVIRONMENT SERVICE .................................................... 55 INTERNATIONAL ELECTION VISITORS PROGRAMME .......... 72
SARISKA TIGER RESERVE .................................................................... 55 MOTOR VEHICLES AGREEMENT (MVA) ....................................... 73
DAM REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECT ....... 55 INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR AGRICULTURAL
PRAKRITI ..................................................................................................... 56 DEVELOPMENT (IFAD) ......................................................................... 73
INDIAN TENT TURTLE ........................................................................... 56 MOST FAVOURED NATION (MFN) ................................................... 73
INDIA’S FIRST CARBON-NEUTRAL PANCHAYAT ..................... 56 1954 HAGUE CONVENTION ................................................................ 74
DESERT NATIONAL PARK (DNP) ...................................................... 56 GENEVA CONVENTIONS ....................................................................... 74
BARBARA FOREST ................................................................................... 57 ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND
PURPLE FROG ............................................................................................ 57 DEVELOPMENT......................................................................................... 74
SPOTTED DEER ......................................................................................... 57 INDIA’S ARCTIC POLICY ........................................................................ 75
PERUMBAKKAM WETLAND ............................................................... 58 FINLANDIZATION .................................................................................... 75
INDIAN WOLF ............................................................................................ 58 BUCHAREST 9 ............................................................................................ 75
ROUGH-TOOTHED DOLPHIN .............................................................. 58 BRICS MEDIA FORUM............................................................................. 76
WOLF CONSERVATION: STUPAS & INSURANCE ....................... 58 BIMSTEC ....................................................................................................... 76
HERITAGE ERASED: KAREWAS......................................................... 59 HERMETIC WIPER ................................................................................... 76
PROJECT REPORTS ON REJUVENATION OF 13 MAJOR INS VISAKHAPATNAM ........................................................................... 77
RIVERS ........................................................................................................... 59 CLUSTER BOMBS AND VACUUM BOMBS ...................................... 77
HANSA-NG ................................................................................................... 77
EX VAYU SHAKTI 2022........................................................................... 77 KANYA SHIKHSA PRAVESH UTSAV ................................................. 96

SLINEX ........................................................................................................... 78 MATERNAL MORTALITY IN INDIA .................................................. 96
COLOMBO SECURITY CONCLAVE ..................................................... 78 PM-DAKSH YOJANA................................................................................. 96
BIOLOGICAL AND TOXIN WEAPONS CONVENTION ................ 78 PRADHAN MANTRI UJJWALA YOJANA .......................................... 97
WHITE PHOSPHORUS ............................................................................ 78 WORLD HAPPINESS REPORT 2022 ................................................. 97
MAN-PORTABLE AIR-DEFENCE SYSTEMS (MANPADS)........ 79 NATIONAL DRUG DE-ADDICTION PROGRAMME ..................... 97
KINZHAL HYPERSONIC MISSILE....................................................... 79 COMMON UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE TEST .................................... 98
EXERCISE LAMITIYE-2022 .................................................................. 79 SHRESTHA ................................................................................................... 98
MR-SAM MISSILES ................................................................................... 80 RASHTRIYA YUVA SASHAKTIKARAN KARYAKRAM (RYSK)98
ARTICULATED ALL TERRAIN VEHICLES ...................................... 80 MISSION VATSALYA................................................................................ 98
NATIONAL MARITIME SECURITY COORDINATOR .................. 80 HEALTH STAR RATING.......................................................................... 99
WEAPONIZATION OF SPACE .............................................................. 80 CHILDREN IN STREET SITUATION .................................................. 99
ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB) .............................................. 81 E-KHEL PATHSHALA .............................................................................. 99
INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY (IEA) ................................... 81 UGC DUAL DEGREE PROGRAMME ................................................... 99
UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ............................................................ 81 WOMEN RESERVATION BILL .......................................................... 100
UNESCO FUND FOR THE ELIMINATION OF DOPING IN
6. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ................................................. 100
SPORTS .......................................................................................................... 82
WORLD FOOD PRICE INDEX................................................................ 82 SMALL SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLE ........................................ 100
INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA) ............. 82 INDIAN SPACE STATION (ISS) ........................................................ 100
DAMASCUS GATE...................................................................................... 83 NATIONAL SUPERCOMPUTING MISSION (NSM) ................... 101
DIGITAL SERVICES ACT ......................................................................... 83 KALPANA CHAWLA CENTRE FOR RESEARCH IN SPACE
UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UNDP).. 83 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (KCCRSST)......................................... 101
OPEC+ ............................................................................................................ 83 WATER PURIFICATION ...................................................................... 101
WORLD COAL ASSOCIATION .............................................................. 84 FIRST PIG HEART TRANSPLANT IN HUMAN ........................... 102
IMEX-22 ........................................................................................................ 84 NUCLEAR FUSION ENERGY .............................................................. 102
OPERATION UPALABDH ....................................................................... 84 NASA’S IMAGING X-RAY POLARIMETRY EXPLORER ........... 102
TOUR OF DUTY SCHEME ....................................................................... 85 DEFENCE MINISTRY PUSHES FOR ‘MAKE IN INDIA’ ............ 103
DEFCONNECT 2.0 ..................................................................................... 85 NEW VACCINES AND PILL FOR COVID-19................................. 103
INS VAGSHEER ........................................................................................... 85 QUANTUM COMPUTING LAB AND AI CENTRE FOR ARMY 103
SARMAT INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC MISSILE .............. 85 ARMS RACE TOWARDS HYPERSONIC WEAPONS.................. 104
NCX INDIA .................................................................................................... 86 GREEN HYDROGEN MICROGRID PROJECTS............................. 104
INDIAN NAVY INDIGENISATION PLAN 2015-2030 ................. 86 NASA SPACECRAFT TOUCHED THE SUN ................................... 104
CERT-IN......................................................................................................... 86 CHINA AND MUSK’S SPACE WAR................................................... 105
HELINA .......................................................................................................... 86 GRAPHENE INNOVATION CENTRE .............................................. 105
PINAKA MK-I (ENHANCED) ROCKET SYSTEM ........................... 87 PARAM PRAVEGA ................................................................................. 105
VILLAGE DEFENCE GROUPS IN J&K................................................. 87 PHENOL ..................................................................................................... 106
ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK ................................................... 106
5. SOCIAL ISSUES ............................................................................... 87
FAIRBANK DISEASE ............................................................................. 106
ATAL RANKING OF INSTITUTIONS ON INNOVATION VIGYAN JYOTI SCHEME ...................................................................... 107
ACHIEVEMENTS 2021............................................................................ 87 ANOMALY DETECTION METHOD ................................................. 107
PADHE BHARAT CAMPAIGN ............................................................... 87 M2M COMMUNICATION .................................................................... 107
PROTECTION OF WOMEN FROM SEXUAL HARASSMENT GEOMAGNETIC STORM ...................................................................... 107
(POSH) ACT, 2013 .................................................................................... 88 PARKER SOLAR PROBE ...................................................................... 108
UNNAT BHARAT ABHIYAN .................................................................. 88 EOS-04 ........................................................................................................ 108
SAHODAYA SCHOOL COMPLEX ......................................................... 88 LASSA FEVER .......................................................................................... 108
ATMANIRBHAR HASTSHILPKAR SCHEME .................................. 88 MUSE AND HELIOSWARM PROJECTS.......................................... 109
PROGRAMME LAUNCHED TO UPSKILL STREET VENDORS . 89 SATELLITE BROADBAND SERVICES ............................................ 109
VERNACULAR INNOVATION PROGRAM (VIP) ........................... 89 NEUTRINO ................................................................................................ 109
E-RICH-POOR GAP IN INDIA AND THE WORLD: WORLD ...... 90 IMMUNOSENSOR FOR JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS (JE) VIRUS
FOURTH EDITION OF STATE HEALTH INDEX ............................ 90 ........................................................................................................................ 110
SEHAT INITIATIVE .................................................................................. 90 SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY .......................................................................... 110
DIGITAL VARSITY AND E-CONTENT ............................................... 91 OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA ...................................................... 110
SECTION 498A IPC ................................................................................... 91 VIGYAN SARVATRA PUJYATE.......................................................... 111
AYUSHMAN BHARAT DIGITAL MISSION (ABDM) .................... 91 DRAFT INDIA DATA ACCESSIBILITY & USE POLICY, 2022 111
SCHEME FOR ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF DNTS ............ 92 FAST RADIO BURSTS ........................................................................... 111
NEW INDIA LITERACY PROGRAMME ACCREDITATION ....... 92 HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) ............................ 112
NATIONAL MEANS – CUM - MERIT SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME DARK GENOME....................................................................................... 112
........................................................................................................................... 92 SOLAR FLARE CAUSES RADIO BLACKOUT OVER INDIAN
DARKATHON-2022 ................................................................................. 93 OCEAN ........................................................................................................ 112
DRAFT NATIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION QUALIFICATION BREAKTHROUGH IN BATTERY TECHNOLOGY ....................... 112
FRAMEWORK (NHEQF)......................................................................... 93 CODE OF PRACTICE RELEASED FOR SECURING CONSUMER
UJALA PROGRAMME ............................................................................... 94 INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT) ........................................................... 113
NARI SHAKTI PURASKAR ..................................................................... 94 ISRO’S SSLV .............................................................................................. 113
PM KUSUM SCHEME................................................................................ 94 WEB3 .......................................................................................................... 114
RASHTRIYA VAYOSHREE YOJANA ................................................... 94 DARK MATTER SHAPE IN BARRED GALAXIES........................ 114
COMPENSATION TO VICTIMS OF HIT AND RUN MOTOR LIFE ON MARS ......................................................................................... 115
ACCIDENTS SCHEME, 2022 ................................................................. 95 ISCHEMIC STROKE ............................................................................... 115
STREE MANORAKSHA PROJECT ....................................................... 95 SARAS 3 RADIO TELESCOPE ............................................................ 115
PRADHAN MANTRI JAN-AUSHADHI YOJANA ............................. 95 DAYLIGHT HARVESTING ................................................................... 116
SILICOSIS ................................................................................................... 116 LONG PERIOD AVERAGE (LPA) ...................................................... 134

JETS OF PLASMA .................................................................................... 116 TANZANIA ................................................................................................ 134
SIDE-CHANNEL ATTACKS ................................................................. 117 GILGIT-BALTISTAN .............................................................................. 134
PARAM GANGA ....................................................................................... 117 KRAMATORSK ........................................................................................ 135
GALLIUM NITRIDE ECOSYSTEM ENABLING CENTRE AND
8. ART AND CULTURE................................................................... 135
INCUBATOR ............................................................................................. 117
BLOCKCHAIN GAMING ....................................................................... 118 SAHITYA AKADEMI AWARD ............................................................ 135
INSPIRE FACULTY FELLOWSHIP ................................................... 118 RANI VELU NACHIYAR ....................................................................... 135
EXOMARS .................................................................................................. 118 BIR BIKRAM KISHORE DEBBARMAN .......................................... 136
ARTEMIS MISSION ................................................................................ 119 TAKHT DAMDAMA SAHIB................................................................. 136
PACER INITIATIVE................................................................................ 119 SRI JAGANNATH TEMPLE ACT OF 1954 ..................................... 136
MANGE DISEASE .................................................................................... 119 VEER BAAL DIWAS ............................................................................... 136
DARE2ERAD TB PROGRAM .............................................................. 119 PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS ........................................................... 137
CONVERSION THERAPY ..................................................................... 120 KATHAK ..................................................................................................... 137
BONE OSSIFICATION TEST ............................................................... 120 MAKAR SANKRANTI ............................................................................ 137
COMMON ANTIBIOTIC MANUFACTURING FRAMEWORK KALA KUMBH .......................................................................................... 138
(CAMF) ....................................................................................................... 120 GOAT HEAD YOGINI ............................................................................. 138
PROJECT NETRA .................................................................................... 120 NAGALAND’S KOHIMA WAR CEMETERY .................................. 138
WRIGHT MONS ....................................................................................... 121 RAVIDASSIAS .......................................................................................... 138
HUMAN GENOME .................................................................................. 121 REPUBLIC DAY TABLEAUX............................................................... 139
NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION (NFC) TECHNOLOGY ........ 121 CHINTAMANI PADYA NATAKAM .................................................. 139
SPLINTERNET ......................................................................................... 122 SOMNATH TEMPLE .............................................................................. 139
XE VARIANT ............................................................................................. 122 STATUE OF EQUALITY ........................................................................ 139
JUPITER LIKE PROTO-PLANET ....................................................... 123 ABIDE WITH ME .................................................................................... 140
SOLID FUEL DUCTED RAMJET ........................................................ 123 NO BLAME IN SHIFTING THE FLAME .......................................... 140
EUROPA...................................................................................................... 123 PUNAURA DHAM ................................................................................... 140
EPISODIC ACCRETING YOUNG STARS ......................................... 123 PANDIT BHIMSEN JOSHI ................................................................... 141
PERSEVERANCE ROVER .................................................................... 124 SACHINDRA NATH SANYAL ............................................................. 141
VERTICAL FARMING ............................................................................ 124 AMASR ACT, 1958 ................................................................................. 141
GAGAN ........................................................................................................ 124 MADHVACHARYA ................................................................................. 141
VERTICAL ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME TILKA MANJHI ........................................................................................ 142
........................................................................................................................ 125 MEDARAM JATHARA FESTIVAL..................................................... 142
AXIOM-1 MISSION ................................................................................. 125 INITIATIVES FOR THE LADAKH REGION................................... 142
MICRO-SWIMMERS .............................................................................. 125 ATTUKAL PONGALA FESTIVAL ...................................................... 142
CHENNAVEER KANAVI....................................................................... 143
7. GEOGRAPHY AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT ................. 126
INDIAN HOME RULE SOCIETY ........................................................ 143
CHILE........................................................................................................... 126 NABIN CHANDRA SEN ........................................................................ 143
CHILIKA LAKE ......................................................................................... 126 NETTUR PETTI ....................................................................................... 143
HORN OF AFRICA................................................................................... 126 BHASHA CERTIFICATE SELFIE INITIATIVE ............................. 143
MAHAKALI RIVER ................................................................................. 126 DEVAYATANAM ..................................................................................... 144
SIACHEN GLACIER ................................................................................ 126 NATHDWARA PAINTING ................................................................... 144
SOUTH CHINA SEA ................................................................................ 127 PERINI DANCE ........................................................................................ 144
HUNGA TONGA ....................................................................................... 127 AGNI KANDAKARNAN THEYYAM ................................................. 145
NUSANTARA ............................................................................................ 128 SWADESH DARSHAN AWARDS ...................................................... 145
SELA TUNNEL PROJECT ..................................................................... 128 SAVITRIBAI AND JYOTIRAO PHULE ............................................. 145
SERBIA ........................................................................................................ 128 THE FORT OF HALEBIDU................................................................... 146
BOMB CYCLONE ..................................................................................... 128 PAL-DADHVAV MASSACRE .............................................................. 146
LITHUANIA ............................................................................................... 128 JHAROKHA................................................................................................ 146
SIRUVANI DAM ....................................................................................... 129 NARI SHAKTI PURASKAR .................................................................. 146
SOUTH COL GLACIER ........................................................................... 129 SANTHALI SOHRAI MURALS ........................................................... 146
MARINE HEATWAVES ........................................................................ 129 OL CHIKI SCRIPT.................................................................................... 147
KENYA......................................................................................................... 129 NAVROZ ..................................................................................................... 147
MALI............................................................................................................. 129 BIPLOBI BHARAT GALLERY ............................................................. 147
FALKLAND ISLANDS ............................................................................ 130 BAPPANADU SRI DURGAPARAMESHWARI TEMPLE .......... 147
CHAR CHINAR ISLAND ........................................................................ 130 CITY OF LITERATURE ......................................................................... 148
RAZZAZA LAKE ....................................................................................... 130 KARAKATTAM DANCE ....................................................................... 148
KATCHATHEEVU ISLAND.................................................................. 130 PANRUTI CASHEWS ............................................................................. 148
BELARUS ................................................................................................... 131 MATRUBHUMI SHOW ......................................................................... 148
PAR-TAPI-NARMADA LINK PROJECT .......................................... 131 ‘BATTLE OF POLLILUR’ - THE PAINTING................................... 148
ASANI CYCLONE ..................................................................................... 131 GUDI PADWA........................................................................................... 149
ECUADOR .................................................................................................. 131 DARLONG COMMUNITY..................................................................... 149
NANAR OIL REFINERY ........................................................................ 132 RAJA RAVI VARMA ................................................................................ 149
SHINKU-LA TUNNEL ............................................................................ 132 GURU NABHA DASS .............................................................................. 149
AURORA ..................................................................................................... 132 CHENNAKESHAVA TEMPLE ............................................................ 150
KURIL ISLANDS/ NORTHERN TERRITORIES........................... 132 INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR MONUMENTS AND SITES........ 150
GULF OF GABES ...................................................................................... 133 ALLURI SITARAMA RAJU ................................................................... 150
BLACK SEA ................................................................................................ 133 KARAGA FESTIVAL ............................................................................... 151
PRANAHITA RIVER ............................................................................... 133 CYCLOPEAN WALL OF RAJGIR ........................................................ 151
KWAR HYDRO ELECTRIC PROJECT .............................................. 133 MALCHA MAHAL ................................................................................... 151
HATTIS ....................................................................................................... 151

GLOBAL SILK CITY NETWORK ........................................................ 152
PALM SUNDAY ........................................................................................ 152
PROMOTION OF RURAL AND INDIGENOUS/TRIBAL GAMES
UNDER KHELO INDIA SCHEME (KIS)........................................... 152

• Chairperson of the committee to engage with

1. POLITY AND GOVERNANCE National and State Legal Services Authorities to
provide an effective interface for schemes of training.
CORRUPTION PERCEPTION INDEX 2021 • Ministry of Women and Child Development to
designate a nodal officer for coordinating the
• In News: Recently, the Corruption Perception Index
implementation of its directions and facilitating
(CPI) 2021 was released by Transparency
logistical support to the Chairperson.
International, where it shows that control of
corruption has stagnated or worsened in 86% of • The SC urged former Chief Justice of Jammu and
Kashmir HC Justice Gita Mittal to act as
countries over the last decade.
Chairperson of a committee for designing and
implementing an All India VWDC training program.
About Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI):
• It is a composite index that draws from 12 surveys to
Witness Protection Scheme 2018:
rank nations around the globe.
• Aimed at enabling a witness to depose fearlessly
• It has become a benchmark gauge of perceptions of
and truthfully.
corruption and is used by analysts and investors.
• In 2018 Judgement, SC held that:
• The index ranks 180 countries and territories by
their perceived levels of public sector corruption. • Right of witnesses to testify freely in courts is part
of Article 21 (Right to Life).
• It uses a scale of 0 to 100, where 0 is highly corrupt
and 100 is very clean. • The scheme will be the law under Article 141/142
of the Constitution of India.
Performances: • The bench has also asked all States and UTs to set
up vulnerable witness deposition complexes.
• Top performers: Denmark, Finland and New
Zealand. • The SC had ordered to implement the scheme
immediately in all the states and the scheme would
• Bottom Performers: South Sudan, Syria and
be the law of the land.
Somalia.
• Recommendations: The State of Gujarat v. Anirudh
• India’s Performance: India ranked 85 among 180
Singh (1997), 14th Law Commission Report and
countries in the current index (86 in 2020 and 80 in
Malimath Committee Report has recommended a
2019). Transparency International gave India a CPI
witness protection scheme.
score of 40.
• India's neighbourhood: Except Bhutan, all of India's
neighbours are ranked below it. Pakistan dropped 16 INTER-OPERABLE CRIMINAL JUSTICE
spots in the index and was ranked at 140 SYSTEM (ICJS) PROJECT
In News: Recently, The government has approved the
VULNERABLE WITNESS implementation of the Inter-Operable Criminal Justice
In News: Recently, the SC has expanded the meaning of System (ICJS) project during the period 2022-23 to 2025-
vulnerable witness. 26.
• Vulnerable witnesses will not be limited to mean only
child witnesses. It will also include: About
o Age-neutral victims of sexual assault. • It is a Central Sector Scheme of Ministry of Home
o Gender-neutral victims of sexual assault, under Affairs.
section 377 IPC (unnatural offences). • Purpose: It is a national platform for enabling
o Witnesses suffering from mental illness as integration of the main IT system used for the
defined in Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. delivery of Criminal Justice in the country.
o Witnesses with threat perception and any speech • Five Pillars of the Project:
or hearing impaired individual or person 1. Police (Crime and Criminal Tracking and
suffering from any other disability. Network Systems),
2. e-Forensics for Forensic Labs
Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centre (VWDC): 3. e-Courts for Courts
• The SC directed that all High Court’s (HC) adopt and 4. e-Prosecution for Public Prosecutors and,
notify a Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centre 5. e-Prisons for Prisons.
(VWDC) scheme within a period of two months. • Implementing Agency: National Crime Records
• VWDC will provide a safe and barrier-free Bureau (NCRB) will be responsible for the
environment for recording the evidence of implementation of the project in association with the
vulnerable witnesses. National Informatics Center (NIC).
• The SC asked HC’s to ensure that there is one VWDC
in each district. OPEN DATA WEEK
• These VDWC should be established in close • In News: Recently, the Ministry of Housing and
proximity to Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Urban Affairs (MoHUA) announced the initiation of
centres. the Open Data Week.
• Chairperson to have an initial tenure of 2 years.

• Open data can be freely used, re-used and • It will represent India at the Lausanne-
redistributed by anyone subject without restrictions headquartered Federation Aeronaautique
from copyright, patents, or other mechanisms of Internationale (FAI) and other global platforms
control. related to air sports.
It can be understood under three broad categories: NHRC SEEKS REPORT ON RACIAL PROFILING’
1. Availability and Access: It is easily available at a
OF CHAKMA’S, HAJONGS
minimal cost. It should also be available in a usable
form. In News: Recently, the National Human Rights
2. Re-use and Redistribution: It is made available Commission (NHRC) in its order directed Ministry of
without any restriction on re-use and redistribution. Home Affairs and Arunachal Pradesh to submit action
3. Universal Participation: Anyone and everyone can taken report within six weeks against alleged racial
access and/or re-use it. There should be no profiling and relocation of the Chakmas and Hajongs from
discrimination against a person or group based on the State.
any criteria.
Issue:
• As per the Chakma Development Foundation of India
NATIONAL AIR SPORTS POLICY (CDFI), the census was nothing but racial profiling of
In News: Recently, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has the two communities because of their ethnic origin
released a draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP) for and violated Article 14 of the Constitution of India
public feedback and Article 1 of the International Convention on
Elimination of Racial Discrimination ratified by
About the Policy: India.
• Two-tier governance structure: The policy • Article 14: No person shall be denied treatment of
proposes a two-tier governance structure for air equality before the law or the equal protection of the
sports in the country, which will include an apex laws within the territory of India.
governing body called the Air Sports Federation of
India (ASFI) and associations for each air sport. Chakmas and Hajongs:
• Objective: It will provide governance over various • Mizoram and Tripura have a sizeable population of
aspects of air sports, including regulation, the Buddhist Chakmas while the Hindu Hajongs
certification, competitions, awards and penalties, etc. mostly inhabit the Garo Hills of Meghalaya and
• Rules and Functions of Each air sports adjoining areas of Assam.
association: Lay down its safety standards for • The Chakmas and Hajongs of Arunachal Pradesh are
equipment, infrastructure, personnel and training, migrants from the Chittagong Hill Tracts of erstwhile
and specify the disciplinary actions to be taken in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.
case of non-compliance. Inability to do so may lead to
penal action by the ASFI. Citizenship Status:
• Coverage: It will cover activities like aerobatics, • Out of the 65,000 Chakmas and Hajongs, about
aeromodelling, amateur-built and experimental 60,500 are citizens by birth under Section 3 of the
aircraft, ballooning, drones, gliding, hang gliding, Citizenship Act, 1955, after having been born before
paragliding, micro lighting, paramotoring, skydiving, 1st July 1987, or as descendants of those who were
and vintage aircraft. born before this date.
• Registration: It requires entities providing these • The Citizenship (Amendment) Act of 2019, which
services and their equipment to be registered, as well amended two sections of the 1955 Act, has nothing to
as be liable for penalties. do with the Chakma-Hajongs since they were
• Division of Indian airspace: It is divided into red, permanently settled by the Union of India in the
yellow and green zones, according to the DigitalSky 1960s.
platform of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation,
which allows air sports enthusiasts to rely on the
SC SETS ASIDE HOUSE ACTION AGAINST 12
easily accessible map for guidance. Operations in red
zones require a permission from the central
BJP MLAS
government. • In News: Recently, the Supreme Court has set aside
• Control zone: Popular air sports attractions in the the Maharashtra Assembly’s decision to suspend 12
country such as Bir Billing in Himachal Pradesh, legislators of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for a
Gangtok in Sikkim, Hadapsar in Maharashtra and one-year period beginning July 5, 2021.
Vagamon in Kerala can be declared as a “control
zone” for air sports in order to ensure the safety of Observations made by the Supreme Court:
other manned aircraft. • Suspension beyond the remainder period of the
session of the Assembly was ‘non-est’ in law,
Air Sports Federation of India (ASFI): substantially unconstitutional and irrational.
• It is an autonomous body under the Ministry of • The resolution, therefore, is illegal and was “beyond
Civil Aviation. the powers of the assembly”.

• The Ministry of Civil Aviation has unveiled the Drone

Constitutional and Statutory Provisions: Rules, 2021 based on “trust, self-certification and
• Article 190 (4) of the Constitution: If for sixty days non-intrusive monitoring to create a “digital sky
a member of a House of the Legislature of a State is platform” as a business-friendly single-window
without permission of the House absent from all online system for procuring various approvals.
meetings thereof, the House may declare his seat • There will be a minimal human interface on the
vacant. digital sky platform and most permissions will be
• Section 151 (A) of The Representation of the self-generated.
People Act, 1951: A bye-election for filling any
vacancy shall be held within six months from the date RURAL AREA DEVELOPMENT PLAN
of the occurrence of the vacancy”.
FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION
(RADP-FI) GUIDELINES
SC UPHOLDS OBC QUOTA IN NEET In News: Recently, the Ministry of Rural Development
• In News: Recently, SC upheld 27% Other Backward and Panchayati Raj released revised Rural Area
Classes (OBC) reservation in All India Quota (AIQ) Development Plan Formulation and Implementation
seats in the NEET for UG and PG medical courses. (RADPFI) Guidelines.
Background: About:
• The government introduced OBC/EWS quota before • RADPFI guidelines is a continuation to the Ministry of
the counselling of NEET counselling. Panchayati Raj’s efforts towards promotion of Spatial
• The candidates applying for NEET PG were not rural planning and would create pathways for rural
provided any information on the distribution of the transformation by developing a perspective for long
seat matrix. term planning in villages.
• Such information is provided by the counselling • It will enable effective land use planning in rural
authority only after the counselling session is to areas and in improving the quality of life in rural
begin. areas.
Issue: Focus of the new guidelines:

• The petitioners, several NEET aspirants, had argued • Typology of villages to prepare the spatial
that since the top court had limited reservation to development plan (population, agro-climatic zones,
50% in the Indira Sawhney judgment, the Hill areas, disaster occurrence, urban-peri-urban
government should have first applied to the court areas and villages, near to NH/SH, and Resilience
before tinkering with the quota calculations. strategies as suggested by BIS). One shoe does not fit
• The court further confirmed that there was no need all.
for the Centre to have got the prior consent of the • Dealing with different development Land Use
Supreme Court before introducing OBC quota in the standards for different areas, with varied
AIQ seats under NEET. characteristics. To facilitate the planned spatial
development of rural areas.
Pandey Committee: • Village Town Planning Scheme (VPS) – through
• The expert committee constituted by the Ministry community based on Collaborative Planning.
of Social Justice and Empowerment to retain the • Planning for environmental benefit and disaster
limit of Rs. 8 lakhs gross annual income for EWS preparedness.
reservations. • Linking to 15th CFC and respective SFCs and
Improving the E-Governance through Spatial Data
USE OF DRONE TECHNOLOGY Infrastructure (SDI).
• In News: Recently, the Ministry of Civil Aviation • Integrating/Consolidation of GP Development
(MoCA) plans for more effective utilization of drone with Rurban Clusters/Block/District Plan, as per the
applications in India. 73rd and 74th CAA and GPDP.
• As part of the initiatives to make India a global hub
for drones under the Atmanirbhar Bharat LAUNCH OF OPERATION AAHT
Abhiyan and in the backdrop of the Union • In News: Recently, the Railway Protection Force
government rolling out the liberalized Drone Rules (RPF) has launched a nationwide operation to curb
2021. human trafficking.
• The civil aviation ministry suggests deploying drones
for purposes like surveillance, crime control, About Operation AAHT:
situational analysis, disaster management, VVIP • Special teams will be deployed on all long-distance
security, etc. trains/routes with focus on rescuing victims,
particularly women and children, from the clutches of
Drone Rules, 2021: traffickers.

• As part of Operation AAHT, the infrastructure and relations with foreign States, public order or is
intelligence network of the force could be utilised to charged with a serious cognizable offence.
collect, collate and analyse clues on victims, source, • If actions are prejudicial to decency, or morality, or in
route, etc. and shared with other law-enforcing relation to contempt of court, defamation or
agencies. incitement to an offence.
• The RPF would act as a bridge cutting across States to • Accredited media persons have been prohibited from
assist the local police in the mission to curb the using the words “Accredited to the government of
menace. India” on public/social media profiles, visiting cards,
and letter heads or on any other form or any
Railway Protection Force (RPF): published work.
• Protection Force is a security force, established by
the Railway Protection Force Act, 1957, for "the Provisions for Granting Accreditation:
better protection and security of railway property • Accreditation is only available for journalists
and passenger area". living in the Delhi NCR region on multiple categories.
• It has the power to search, arrest, investigate, and • A journalist needs to have a minimum five years’
prosecute offenses committed under Railway professional experience as a full-time working
Property (Unlawful Possession) Act 1966 journalist or a cameraperson in a news organisation,
• The force is under the authority of the Indian or a minimum of 15 years as a freelancer to become
Ministry of Railways. eligible.
• Veteran journalists, with over 30 years of
E-PANCHAYAT FACILITY experience, and who are older than 65 years of age,
too are eligible.
In News: Under Digital India Programme, Ministry of
• A newspaper or a periodical needs to have a
Panchayati Raj is implementing e-Panchayat Mission
minimum daily circulation of 10,000, and news
Mode Project (MMP) with the aim to transform the
agencies must have at least 100 subscribers. Similar
functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
rules apply for foreign news organisations and
foreign journalists.
e-Panchayat:
• Journalists working with digital news platforms
• Under e-Panchayat MMP, Ministry of Panchayati are also eligible, provided the website has a minimum
Raj launched e-GramSwaraj, a simplified work-
of 10 lakh unique visitors per month.
based accounting application to addresses various
• No accreditation will be granted to freelance
aspects of Panchayat functioning viz. planning,
journalists working for foreign news media
budgeting, accounting and online payments.
organisations.
• As on 2 February 2022, 2.55 lakh Gram Panchayat
(GP), 5390 Block Panchayat and 481 Zilla Panchayats
Central Media Accreditation Committee (CMAC):
have prepared and uploaded their Development
• The Government shall constitute a Committee called
Plans for 2021-22on e-Gram Swaraj application.
the Central Media Accreditation Committee.
• Further, 2.19 lakh GPs have taken necessary steps for
• The Committee will be chaired by the Principal
carrying out payments through Public Finance
Director General, Press Information Bureau (PIB)
Management System (PFMS).
and composed of up to 25 members nominated by
the government to discharge the functions laid
BharatNet
down under these guidelines.
• BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased
• The CMAC would function for a period of two years
manner by Department of Telecommunications to
from the date of its first meeting and shall meet
provide broadband connectivity to all the Gram
once in a quarter or more frequently, if necessary.
Panchayats and equivalent in the country.
• As on 17.01.2022, total 1,70,136 GPs have been made
Service Ready under the BharatNet project in the CONTENT REGULATORY POWERS OF THE I&B
country. MINISTRY
• The scope of BharatNet on 30.06.2021 has been In News: Recently, the Information and Broadcasting
extended to all inhabited villages beyond GPs in Ministry (I&B) informed a Malayalam-language news
the country. channel that its broadcast license had been cancelled.
CENTRAL MEDIA ACCREDITATION About Content Regulation by I&B Ministry:

GUIDELINES 2022 • Until 2021: it had the powers to regulate content
across all sectors — TV channels, newspapers and
In News: Recently, the Central government has released
magazines, movies in theatres and on TV, and the
the Central Media Accreditation Guidelines-2022.
radio barring the internet.
• Information Technology (Intermediary
Provisions to Withdraw/Suspend Accreditation:
Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules,
• If a journalist acts in a manner prejudicial to the
2021: extended its regulatory powers over internet
country’s security, sovereignty and integrity, friendly

content too, especially on digital news platforms and

Over the Top (OTT) platforms. Laws to give effect to Fundamental Duties:
• Prevention of Insult to National Honour Act
Powers: (1971) prevents disrespect to the constitution of
• Films Related: The Central Board of Film India, the National Flag and the National Anthem.
Certification (CBFC) has a mandate to give any film • Wildlife Protection Act and Forest Conservation
that will be played in a theatre, a rating indicating the Act 1980.
kind of audience it is suitable for. • Right to Education Act 2009 specifies the duties and
• TV Channels & OTT Related: When it comes to TV responsibilities of parents in providing free and
channels, the government last year came up with a compulsory education.
three-tier grievance redressal structure for viewers
to raise concerns, if any. For content on OTT HIJAB & FREEDOM OF RELIGION
platforms too, there is a similar structure.
• Print Media and Website Related: • In News: Recently, six students were banned from
o In print, based on the recommendations of the entering a college in Karnataka’s Udupi district for
Press Council of India, the government can wearing a hijab (a head covering worn in public by
suspend its advertising to a publication. some Muslim women).
o And last year’s IT rules allowed the I&B Ministry • Issue: The issue throws up legal questions on reading
to issue orders to ban websites based on their the freedom of religion and whether the right to wear
content. a hijab is constitutionally protected.
Kind of Content is Not Allowed: Constitutional Provisions of Religious Freedom:

• No specific laws on content allowed or prohibited in Article 25: All persons are equally entitled to freedom of
print and electronic media, radio, films or OTT conscience and right to freely profess, practice and
platforms. propagate religion.
• The content on any of these platforms has to follow • Right to propagate does not include a right to
the free speech rules of the country. convert another person to one’s own religion.
• Article 19(1) of the Constitution, while protecting Forcible conversions impinge on the ‘freedom of
freedom of speech, also lists certain “reasonable conscience’ guaranteed to all the persons alike.
restrictions” including content related to: The • Art. 25 covers: religious beliefs (doctrines) +
security of the state, Friendly relationship with religious practices (rituals)
foreign states, Public order, Decency, Morality etc. o Art.25 also contains two explanations:
Action can be taken if any of these restrictions is o Wearing and carrying of kirpans is to be
violated. included in the profession of the Sikh religion;
• Hindus: include Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists.
• Available to all persons: citizens as well as non-
ENFORCING FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES citizens.
In News: Recently, the Supreme Court asked the Union • Exceptions: public order + morality + health + other
and the State governments to respond to a petition to provisions relating to fundamental rights.
enforce the fundamental duties of citizens, including
patriotism and unity of the nation, through Article 26: every religious denomination or any of its
“comprehensive, well-defined laws”. section shall have the following rights:
• Right to establish and maintain institutions for
Fundamental Duties: religious and charitable purposes
• Fundamental Duties were incorporated by 44th • Right to manage its own affairs in matters of religion
Constitutional Amendment Act in the year 1976 • Right to own and acquire movable and immovable
on the recommendation of Swaran Singh property
Committee. • Right to administer such property in accordance
• Fundamental Duties are dealt with Article 51A with law.
under Part-IV A of the Indian Constitution.
• There were 10 in number. In 2002 one more Article 27: No person shall be compelled to pay any taxes
Fundamental duty was added through 86th for promotion or maintenance of any particular religion
Constitutional amendment Act. or religious denomination.
• Unlike fundamental rights, fundamental duties are • Provision prohibits the state: favoring, patronizing
not enforceable (non-justiciable) in Courts. and supporting one religion over the other.
• It is intended to be reminder to every citizen to • Taxes can be used for promotion or maintenance of
observe certain basic norm. all religions and not any particular religion.
• The characteristic of Fundamental Duty is of two • Provision prohibits only levy of a tax and not a fee.
types - moral and civic.
• The Fundamental Duties are confined to Indian Article 28: No religious instruction shall be provided in
citizens only and do not extend to foreigners any educational institution wholly maintained out of state
unlike a few Fundamental Rights. funds.
• Not applicable to: educational institution • The Governor appoints the Chief Minister and
administered by the state but established under any other Ministers (Article 164).
endowment or trust, requiring imparting of religious • Governor assents, withholds assent, or reserves
instruction in such institution. the bill for the consideration of the President passed
• Art.28 distinguishes four types of educational by the Legislative Assembly (Article 200).
institutions: • Governors may promulgate the ordinances under
o Institution wholly maintained by the state - certain circumstances (Article 213).
completely prohibited • S.R. Bommai Judgment (1994): The case put an end
o Institution administered by the state but to the arbitrary dismissal of State governments by a
established under any endowment or trust - hostile Central government. The verdict ruled that
religious instruction is permitted the floor of the Assembly is the only forum that
o Institution recognised by state - permitted on a should test the majority of the government of the day,
voluntary basis and not the subjective opinion of the Governor.
o Institution receiving aid from the state -
permitted on a voluntary basis
COMMON ELECTORAL ROLL AND
Essential Religious Practice:
SIMULTANEOUS ELECTIONS
• Essential religious practice test is a doctrine evolved In News: Recently, the Law and Justice Minister told the
by the Supreme Court to protect only such Rajya Sabha that the Centre was not planning on
religious practices under fundamental rights, amending the Representation of the People Act, 1951 to
which are essential and integral to religion. enable a common electoral roll and simultaneous
• The doctrine of “essentiality” was invented by a elections to all electoral bodies in the country.
seven-judge Bench of the SC in the ‘Shirur Mutt’
case in 1954. Types of Electoral Rolls in India Currently:
• The court then took the responsibility of • Under the Common Electoral Roll, only one voter list
determining the essential practices of a religion will be used for Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha and other
upon itself. elections.
• The Indian constitution under Article 25-28 • Some state laws allow the SEC (State Election
guarantees the fundamental right to freedom of Commission) to borrow and use the Election
religion with some reasonable restrictions. Commission of India’s voter’s rolls for the local body
• The Indian model of secularism also provides for elections.
state’s intervention in religion to ensure freedom • In others, the state commission uses the EC’s voters
of religion. list as the basis for the preparation and revision of
• The doctrine of essentiality was utilized to decide on rolls for municipality and panchayat elections.
the constitutionality of such practices. • Few states have their own electoral rolls and do not
adopt EC’s roll for local body polls like those of Uttar
Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Odisha, Assam, Madhya
ROLE AND POWER OF GOVERNOR Pradesh, Kerala, Odisha, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh,
In News: Recently, the bitterness between states and Nagaland and the Union Territory of Jammu and
Governors has been in the news especially on the issues Kashmir.
of the selection of the party to form a government, • The distinction stems from the fact that the
deadline for proving majority, sitting on Bills, and passing supervision and conduct of elections in our country
negative remarks on the state administration. are entrusted with two constitutional authorities —
the Election Commission (EC) of India and the State
Constitutional Provisions: Election Commissions (SECs).
• Article 153 says that there shall be a Governor for
each State. One person can be appointed as Governor Simultaneous Election or One Nation One Election:
for two or more States. • It refers to holding elections to Lok Sabha, State
• A Governor is appointed by the President and is a Legislative Assemblies, Panchayats and Urban local
nominee of the Central Government. bodies simultaneously, once in five years.
• It is stated that the Governor has a dual role.
• He is the constitutional head of the state, bound by Benefits of Simultaneous Elections:
the advice of his Council of Ministers (CoM). • Governance and consistency: The ruling parties
• He functions as a vital link between the Union will be able to focus on legislation and governance
Government and the State Government. rather than having to be in campaign mode forever.
• Articles 157 and 158 specify eligibility • Reduced Expenditure of Money and Administration.
requirements for the post of governor. • Continuity in policies and programmes.
• Governor has the power to grant pardons, • Efficiency of Governance: Populist measures by
reprieves, etc. (Article 161). governments will reduce.
• There is a CoM with the CM at the head to aid and • The impact of black money on the voters will be
advise the Governor in the exercise of his functions, reduced as all elections are held at a time.
except some conditions for discretion. (Article 163)
Changes to be made in Constitution and Legislations: MINORITY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

• Constitution: AND RIGHT TO EDUCATION
o Article 83 which deals with the duration of
Houses of Parliament need an amendment. In News: Recently, the Supreme Court has refused to
o Article 85 (on dissolution of Lok Sabha by the entertain a petition questioning the exclusion of
president). madrasas and Vedic schools (Minority Educational
o Article 172 (relating to the duration of state Institutions (MEI)) from the ambit of the Right of Children
legislatures). to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act 2009.
• RPA, 1951:
o The Representation of People Act, 1951 would Legal Provisions of MEI and RTE:
have to be amended to build in provisions for • Right to Education under Article 21A: It describes
stability of tenure for both parliament and modalities of the importance of free and compulsory
assemblies. This should include the following education for children aged between 6-14 years in
crucial elements: India under Article 21 (A) of the Constitution of
o Restructuring the powers and functions of the India (86th Amendment 2002).
ECI to facilitate procedures required for • The Act mandates 25% reservation for
simultaneous elections disadvantaged sections of the society where
o A definition of simultaneous election can be disadvantaged groups include:
added to section 2 of the 1951 act. o SCs and STs
o Socially Backward Class
o Differently abled
DRAFT INDIA DATA ACCESSIBILITY & USE • Article 29 and 30 of Indian Constitution:
POLICY 2022 provisions securing rights of minorities and
In News: Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and minority-run institutions.
Information Technology (MeitY) has come out with a • Article 30: Minority institutions have the
draft Data Accessibility and Use policy. fundamental right to establish and administer their
educational institutions according to their choice.
About the Policy:
• It proposes to improve data availability, quality and Amendment of RTI:
use in line with the decade’s current and emerging • Section 1(4) of the RTE Act: “Subject to the
technology demands. provisions of Articles 29 and 30 of the Constitution,
• Any data sharing shall happen within the legal the provisions of this Act shall apply to conferment of
framework of India, its national policies and rights on children to free and compulsory education.
legislation as well as the recognized international • Section 1(5) of the RTE Act: “Nothing contained in
guidelines. this Act shall apply to madrasas, Vedic pathshalas and
• All data and information generated, created, educational institutions primarily imparting
collected, or stored by the central government and religious instruction.
authorised agencies shall be covered by the policy.
• Applicability: All government data will be open and LEGISLATION FOR REFUGEES
shareable unless it falls under a negative list of data
sets, categorized under the negative list of datasets In News: Recently, NHRC had a discussion on Protection
that won’t be shared; and restricted access and of the basic human rights of refugees and asylum seekers
shared only with trusted users, as defined by the in India
respective ministry or department, under the
controlled environment. About
• Refugees and asylum seekers are entitled to the
Important bodies proposed: rights charted in Article 14 (Right to Equality),
• It proposes the establishment of an India Data Article 20 (Protection with respect to conviction
Office (IDO) to streamline and unify data access and of offenses), and Article 21 (Right to Life) of the
sharing among government and other stakeholders. Constitution.
• In case of the institutional framework, the draft noted • Article 21 encompasses the right of non-
that every ministry or department should have Data refoulment, the principle under international law
Management Units, headed by Chief Data Officers, which states that a person fleeing persecution from
which will work closely with the IDO to ensure the his own country should not be forced to return to his
implementation of this policy. own country.
• India Data Council: comprising IDO and chief data • NHRC has drafted model law on asylum and refugees
officers — shall be constituted with the objective of a decade ago but was never implemented by
undertaking tasks that require deliberation across Government.
ministries, departments and state governments.
Refugees in India:

• India has not signed the 1951 Refugee Convention • ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects under
which leads to legal insecurity of refugees’ status and the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India.
difficulty to access in terms of refugee rights. • It is the primary duty of the State Governments to
• Due to the absence of specific laws, refugees and prevent, detect, register and investigate crime and
asylum seekers are regulated under the Foreigners prosecute the criminals.
Act, 1946. As a result, these people are treated • The Central Government supplements the efforts
similar to tourist, illegal immigrants, and economic of the State Governments by providing them financial
immigrants. assistance.
Refugee, Asylum Seeker and Migrant: DIGITAL RIGHTS

• Refugee: a person who has fled his / her country due
to risk of serious human right violations and In News: Recently, the European Commission, in a
persecution there. E.g. Rohingya Refugees global first, proposed a set of digital rights and principles.
• Asylum Seeker: a person who has left their country
About Digital Rights:
and is seeking protection from persecution and
serious human rights violations in another country. • It is closely linked to freedom of expression and
E.g. Dalai Lama in 1959 privacy, are those that allow people to access, use,
create and publish digital media, as well as access and
• Migrant: people staying outside their country of
use computers, other electronic devices and
origin who are not refugees or asylum seekers.
communications networks.
Migration can be legal or illegal. Illegal migration is
bunched with Refugees. E.g. Bangladesh migrants. • Digital rights are merely an extension of the
rights set out in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations as
DEMOCRACY INDEX applied to the online world.
In News: Recently, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) • It is a broad term implying right to privacy and data
has released the Democracy Index, 2021. protection; it can be related to trolling, online threats
and hate speech; it can address broader issues of
Key findings: equitable Internet access regardless of economic
• Norway has topped the index. It has been classified backgrounds and disabilities.
as a full democracy.
• India is ranked 46th on the 2021 index with an HYDERABAD DECLARATION’ ON E-
overall score of 6.91. It has been classified as a flawed GOVERNANCE ADOPTED
democracy.
• Note: In 2020, India was ranked 53rd in the index. In News: Recently, the 24th National e-Governance
conference unanimously adopted the Hyderabad
Note: Other parameters related to index are covered in declaration.
Udaan+ Polity (Jan21-jan22)
About the Conference:
• Jointly held by: Ministry of Electronics &
PUBLIC ORDER Information Technology (MeitY), Department of
In News: Recently, the Karnataka High Court is hearing a Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances, in
challenge to the constitutionality of the state collaboration with Telangana Government.
government’s ban on students wearing a hijab in • Objective: To transform relations with citizens,
educational institutions on the ground that it violates businesses, and other arms of government
‘public order’.
Key highlights of Hyderabad Declaration:
About • Transform citizen services by using Aadhaar, UPI,
• Public order is also one of the grounds on which DigiLocker, UMANG, e Sign etc.
the state can restrict free speech and other • Fast track implementation of national level public
fundamental rights. digital platforms in key social sectors viz. Health,
• It is one of the three grounds on which the state Education, Agriculture, etc.
can restrict freedom of religion. • Foster responsible use of emerging technology such
• Article 25: guarantees to all people’s right to as AI, Machine Learning, Blockchain, 5G etc.
freedom and conscience and the right freely to • Robust technological solutions to withstand
profess, practice and propagate religion subject to pandemic like disruptions.
public order, morality and health. • Make digital the primary aspect of government
• Public order is normally equated with public peace service design and delivery.
and safety. • National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment
• Public order is a duty imposed on the District (NeSDA) to be adopted in collaboration with MeITY.
Magistrate to assess whether it is necessary to rush
to the spot where law and order has been breached States with e-governance initiatives:
to prevent violence spreading and ease tension.

• Bhoomi Project for (Karnataka): Online Delivery of 5. e-Prisons

Land Records. • Phase-II is built on the principle of ‘one data one
• eSeva (Andhra Pradesh) entry’ whereby data is entered only once in one pillar
• Gyandoot (MP): Service delivery initiative. and the same is then available in all other pillars.
• Lokvani (UP): For handling of grievances, land • Under Phase-I, individual IT systems have been
record maintenance and providing a mixture of implemented and stabilized; search of records has
essential services. been enabled.
• FRIENDS (Fast, Reliable, Instant, Efficient • National Crime Records Bureau will be
Network for the Disbursement of Services) in responsible for the implementation of ICJS in
Kerala. association with National Informatics Center, in
collaboration with States and UTs.
STATES OPPOSE RULE CHANGE ON CENTRAL
POSTING OF IAS OFFICERS SUPPLEMENTARY DEMANDS FOR GRANTS
In News: Recently, Centre has proposed amendments to In News: Recently, the government has sought approval
the IAS (Cadre) Rules 1954 in order to exercise greater from Parliament to spend an extra ₹1.07 lakh crore in the
control in central deputation of IAS officials. current fiscal year.
Proposed amendments: About

• Each State Government shall make available for • It is needed when the amount authorised by the
deputation, such number of eligible officers of Parliament through the appropriation act for a
various levels, adjusted proportionately by the particular service for the current financial year is
number of officers available with State Government found to be insufficient for that year.
vis-à-vis total authorized strength of State cadre at a • Constitutional Provisions: Article 115 pertains to
given point of time. supplementary, additional or excess grants.
• In case State does not give effect to Central
government’s decision within specified time, “officer Procedure to be followed:
shall stand relieved from cadre from date as may • These grants are presented and passed by the
be specified by Central government.” Parliament before the end of the financial year.
• In specific situation where services of cadre officers • When actual expenditure incurred exceeds the
are required by Central government in “public approved grants of the Parliament, the Ministry of
interest” State shall give effect to its decisions within Finance presents a Demand for Excess Grant.
a specified time. • The Comptroller and Auditor General of India
bring such excesses to the notice of the
Reason behind States opposition: Parliament.
• States are arguing that the amendment is against • The Public Accounts Committee examines these
spirit of cooperative federalism and state’s power to excesses and gives recommendations to the
veto an IAS or IPS officer’s central deputation, or Parliament.
issue an objection or no objection notice, stands • The Demand for Excess Grants is made after the
‘defunct’. actual expenditure is incurred and is presented to
the Parliament after the end of the financial year in
GOVERNMENT APPROVES IMPLEMENTATION which the expenses were made.
OF INTER-OPERABLE CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Different types of Grants:
SYSTEM (ICJS) PROJECT • Additional Grant: It is granted when a need has
In News: Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs has arisen during the current financial year for
approved implementation of ICJS project Phase II during supplementary or additional expenditure upon some
2022-23 to 2025-26, as a Central Sector Scheme. new service not contemplated in the Budget for that
year.
About • Excess Grant: It is granted when money has been
• ICJS is an initiative of e-Committee of Supreme spent on any service during a financial year in excess
Court to enable seamless transfer of data and of the amount granted for that year. The demands for
information among different pillars of criminal excess grants are made after the expenditure has
justice system. actually been incurred and after the financial year to
• ICJS is a national platform for enabling integration of which it relates, has expired.
the main IT system used for delivery of Criminal. • Token Grant: It is granted when funds to meet
• Justice in the country by five pillars namely: proposed expenditure on a new service can be made
1. Police (Crime and Criminal Tracking and available by re-appropriation, a demand for the grant
Network Systems) of a token sum may be submitted to the vote of the
2. e-Forensics House and, if the House assents to the demand, funds
3. e-Courts may be so made available.
4. e-Prosecution for Public Prosecutors
• Exceptional Grants: It is granted for an exceptional considers it of confidential nature, no party

purpose which forms no part of the current service of would be allowed access to the contents of such
any financial year. information, except if the Chief Justice himself
orders that the opposite party be allowed to
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF FOREIGNERS access it.
o Section 123 of the Evidence Act: It says that the
In News: Recently, the Union government has urged the official unpublished documents relating to state
Supreme Court to help lay down a law with a “long– affairs are protected, and a public officer cannot
lasting” implication for the country on the subject of be compelled to disclose such documents.
Foreigners’ Right to approach local courts for relief after • Note: A specific law does not define the doctrine of
violating their visa conditions. sealed cover.
About Recent Supreme Court Observation:
• There are certain rights which are fundamental to the • The Supreme Court was critical about how the
all-round development of an individual. government and its agencies file reports in sealed
• These rights are recognized by the state and envelopes directly in court without sharing the
guaranteed by the Constitution itself. These rights are contents with the opposite party.
termed as Fundamental Rights (FRs). • This is usually done on the ground that the
• Promoting the ideal of political democracy, contents are highly sensitive in nature and may
Fundamental Rights prevent arbitrary rule of the injure even national security or public order.
state. • Another reason given by State agencies mostly in
money laundering cases is disclosure would affect
Rights Of Citizen And Aliens (Foreigners’): the ongoing investigation.
Rights only to Citizens:
• However, the court said this sealed cover practice
• Article 15: Right against discrimination on grounds should be used in exceptional cases in which the
of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth court, for the benefit of the parties, do not want them
• Article 16: Right to equality of opportunity in the to see the government files. For example, like in a case
matter of public employment. of child sexual abuse.
• Article 19: Right to freedom of speech and
expression, assembly, association, movement,
residence and profession NATIONAL E-VIDHAN APPLICATION
• Articles 29 and 30: Cultural and educational rights. In News: Recently, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has
• Right to vote in elections to the Lok Sabha and state developed a “National eVidhan Application (NeVA)”, a
legislative assembly. Mission Mode Project for Digital Legislatures to make the
• Right to contest for the membership of the functioning of all Legislative Houses in the country
Parliament and the state legislature. paperless.
• Eligibility to hold certain public offices: President
of India, Vice-President of India, Judges of the SC and About
the HC, Governor of states, Attorney General of India, • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
Advocate General of states. (MoPA).
• National eVidhan Application (NeVA) is a Mission
Rights to Aliens: Mode Project (MMP) included in the Digital India
• Aliens: all other rights (except Art. 15, 16, 19, 29, 30) Programme.
are enjoyed. • Aim: To make the functioning of all Legislative
• Enemy aliens: do not enjoy protection against arrest Houses in the country paperless on the theme of ‘One
and detention (Article 22). Nation – One Application’.
• Objective: To transform all State Legislatures into
‘DIGITAL HOUSES’ so as to enable them to transact
SEALED COVER JURISPRUDENCE entire Government Business on digital platforms
In News: Recently, the two separate Benches of the including information exchange with the State
Supreme Court have criticized the “Sealed Cover Government Departments in digital mode.
Jurisprudence” practiced by the Government in Courts. • Funding: The funding for e-Vidhan is provided by the
MoPA. It is on the pattern of Central Sponsored
About Scheme, i.e. 60:40 for States; 90:10 for North East &
• It is a practice used by the Supreme Court and hilly States and 100% for UTs.
sometimes lower courts of asking for or accepting • In 2021, Bihar Legislative Council became the
information from government agencies in sealed first House in the country to transit to NeVA
envelopes that can only be accessed by judges. platform completely and conducted Winter Session,
• Supreme Court derives its power from: 2021 on the NeVA platform in paperless mode.
o Rule 7 of Supreme Court Rules: It states that if • Note: The application has also enabled provisions for
the Chief Justice or court directs certain onboarding the two Houses of Parliament.
information to be kept under sealed cover or

COMPETITION (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2022 • Section 144 is imposed in urgent cases of

nuisance or apprehended danger of some event
In News: Recently, The Competition (Amendment) Bill,
that has the potential to cause trouble or damage to
2022 has been introduced that aims to improve
human life or property.
regulatory set-up by increasing the CCI’s accountability,
• No order under Section 144 shall remain in force
giving it flexibility and enforcement efficiency.
for more than two months but the state
government can extent the validity for two months
About Key Provision:
and maximum up to six months.
• Increasing transparency and strengthening the
• It can be withdrawn at any point of time if
accountability:
situation becomes normal.
o A board with part-time members to supervise
CCI activities - this would bring its regulatory
Section 144 vs Curfew:
architecture at par with that of financial
• Section 144 is generally prohibitory in nature. It
regulators.
restricts from public gathering but doesn't bar it all
o CCI to mandatorily issue penalty guidelines and
together.
give reasons in case of any divergence - it will
give much-needed certainty in regulatory • A curfew, on the other hand, orders people to stay
environment. indoors for a specific period of time. So, the
authorities can impose curfew for certain period of
• Enforcement efficiency:
time (However, the authorities can also extend the
o CCI could engage in structured negotiations with
curfew if the need be).
parties and arrive at mutually-workable
solutions without having to go through lengthy • One also needs a prior approval from the local police
formal proceedings - this will bring powers of CCI for moving out during curfew.
on par with SEBI.
o CCI can make appeals to the National Company NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCHEDULED
Law Appellate Tribunal conditional on a pre- TRIBES (NCST)
deposit of up to 25% of the penalty imposed by In News: A recent parliamentary committee's report
the CCI - this change is likely to deter frivolous highlighted that the National Commission for Scheduled
appeals. Tribes has been dysfunctional for the last four years and
o Shortening of the merger review period from 210 has not delivered a single report to Parliament.
to 150 days
• Introduction of a green channel for merger About
applications: • Status: It is a constitutional body.
o Certain categories of mergers that had to wait for • NCST was set up with effect from 19th February
CCI approval would be allowed to attain full 2004 by amending Article 338 and by inserting a
consummation without any standstill obligation new article 338A in the Constitution through the
under the new green-channel process. 89th Constitution Amendment Act, 2003.
• Objective: Article 338A inter-alia gives powers to the
SECTION 144 CRPC NCST to oversee the implementation of various
In News: Recently, Section 144 has been imposed in safeguards provided to STs under the Constitution or
Bodhan town in Telangana after protests turned violent under any other law for time being in force or under
over the installation of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji at any other order to the Government and to evaluate
Ambedkar junction in the town by the Shiv Sena and BJP the working of such safeguards.
workers. • Composition: It consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-
Chairperson and 3 other Members who are appointed
About by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
• Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code
(CrPC) of 1973 generally prohibits public gathering. Condition:
• It authorises the Executive Magistrate of any state • At least one member should be a woman.
or territory to issue an order to prohibit the • The Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson and the other
assembly of four or more people in an area. Members hold office for a term of 3 years.
• According to the law, every member of such • The members are not eligible for appointment for
'unlawful assembly' can be booked for engaging in more than two terms.
rioting. The maximum punishment for such act is • The Chairperson has been given the rank of Union
three years. Cabinet Ministers, the Vice Chairperson has the rank
• Moreover, obstructing police from breaking up of a Minister of State and other Members have the
an unlawful assembly is a punishable offence as rank of a Secretary to the Government of India.
well.
• Section 144 also restricts carrying any sort of FOREIGNERS’ TRIBUNALS
weapon in that area where it has been imposed and In News: Recently, a Foreigners’ Tribunal in Assam’s
people can be detained for violating it. Cachar district has served a notice to a deceased person,
asking him to appear before it by March 30 as he had

failed to produce valid documents to prove his Indian LEGAL AID CLINIC
citizenship.
In News: Recently, the National Commission for Women
About Foreigners’ Tribunals: (NCW) in collaboration with Delhi State Legal Services
Authority (DSLSA) has launched a Legal Aid Clinic.
• Quasi-judicial bodies established as per the
Foreigners’ Tribunal Order, 1964 and the
About
Foreigners’ Act, 1946.
• Launched by: National Commission for Women
• Composition: Advocates not below the age of 35
(NCW) in collaboration with Delhi State Legal
years of age with at least 7 years of practice (or)
Services Authority (DSLSA).
Retired Judicial Officers from the Assam Judicial
Service (or) Retired IAS of ACS Officers (not below the • Purpose: It will act as a single-window facility for
rank of Secretary/Addl. Secretary) having experience resolving the grievances of women by offering them
in quasi-judicial works. free legal assistance.
• Process of setting up these tribunals: • Located at: The legal aid clinic will operate out of the
o The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has NCW office in New Delhi.
amended the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, • Services: Under the clinic, counselling will be
1964, and has empowered district magistrates in provided for walk-in complainants, women in
all States and Union Territories to set up distress, advice and information on various schemes
tribunals (quasi-judicial bodies) to decide of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA),
whether a person staying illegally in India is a free legal aid, hearings in matrimonial cases and
foreigner or not. other complaints registered with the Commission.
o Earlier, the powers to constitute tribunals were
vested only with the Centre. PRESIDENT’S RULE
• Who can approach? In News: Recently, imposition of President’s rule in West
o The amended order (Foreigners (Tribunal) Bengal is being demanded, following the gruesome
Order, 2019) also empowers individuals to incidents in Birbhum in which 10 people, including two
approach the Tribunals. children, were burnt alive.
o Earlier, only the State administration could move
the Tribunal against a suspect. During President’s Rule:
• Who is a declared foreigner? • He can dismiss the Council of Ministers headed by
o A declared foreigner, or DF, is a person marked the Chief Minister and parliament passes the state
by Foreigners’ Tribunal (FT) for allegedly failing bills and budgets.
to prove their citizenship after the State police’s • The state administration is carried on by the
Border wing marks him or her as an illegal governor with help of the Chief Secretary on behalf
immigrant. of the President.
• The laws made by the parliament or president or any
ARTICLE 355 other authority continues to operate even after the
In News: Recently, West Bengal Congress president President’s Rule.
renewed his calls to invoke Article 355 in the state given • The Constitutional position, status, powers and
the violence that broke out in the Birbhum district. functions of the State High Court remain the same
even during President’s Rule.
About • Related Important Judgement: SR Bommai
• Article 355: “It shall be the duty of the Union to Judgement by SC in 1994
protect every State against external aggression and
internal disturbance and to ensure that the About President’s Rule (known as State Emergency):
Government of every State is carried on in Udaan+ Polity (Jan21-Jan22)
accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.”
UNION TERRITORIES
Cases for its invocation: In News: Recently, Punjab chief minister moved a
• This article thus comes handy when there are resolution in the Assembly, seeking the immediate
communal violence incidents. Over the period, this transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab.
article has gained a different texture.
• We know that the “public order” and “police” are About UTs:
state subject and states have exclusive power to • Union Territories (UT) are governed directly by
legislate on these matters. the Union.
• There might be some circumstances where states are • Part VIII of the Constitution is concerned with the
unable to maintain public order and protect people. administration of the Union Territories.
• In such situation, centre can invoke article 355 and • The President of India appoints an administrator
take measures such as taking law and order of state or Lieutenant Governor for each UT. In practice, this
under its own hand, deployment of military etc.
means that the Union Territories follow the central • The introduction of animals, birds, plants or
government’s will. microscopic organisms that are not native to
• The concept of Union Territories was not in the Antarctica is also prohibited.
original version of the Constitution but was added • Provisions for Indian Tour Operators: The Bill
by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, provides for Indian tour operators to be able to
1956. operate in Antarctica after acquiring a permit.
• There are differences in the governing of UTs
depending upon whether they have a legislative Need:
assembly or not. • India had been a signatory to the Antarctica
• The smaller ones are governed directly by the Treaty since 1983 and that encumbered India to
center, for example, Chandigarh, Daman and Diu, and specify a set of laws governing portions of the
Dadar and Nagar Haveli are UTs with no elected continent where it had its research bases.
assemblies. • India is also a signatory to treaties such as the
• On the other hand, Puducherry and J&K are UTs Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic
with a legislative assembly and government, along Marine Living Resources and the Commission for
with an LG. New Delhi is altogether different and Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living
its status lies between a UT and a state. Resources, both of which enjoin India to help
• According to Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, preserve the pristine nature of Antarctica.
the constitutional power to create new states and
union territories in India is solely reserved to the FASTER PLATFORM
Parliament of India.
In News: Recently, the Chief Justice of India has launched
• Parliament can do so by announcing new
the FASTER (Fast and Secured Transmission of Electronic
states/union territories, separating territory from an
Records) platform.
existing state or merging two or more states/union
territories or parts of them.
About FASTER Platform:
• It is a digital platform to communicate interim orders,
ANTARCTIC BILL 2022 stay orders, and bail orders of the Supreme Court to
In News: Recently, the Government of India has authorities concerned through a secured electronic
introduced the ‘Antarctica Bill’ in the Lok Sabha. communication channel.
• Developed by: Registry of the Supreme Court in
Objective: collaboration with the National Informatics
• To have India’s own national measures for protecting Centre(NIC).
the Antarctic environment and its dependent and
associated ecosystem. Functioning:
• To regulate visits and activities to Antarctica, as well • FASTER Cell: It has been established in the Registry
as potential disputes that may arise among those of the Supreme Court. The cell will transmit digitally
present on the continent. signed records of proceedings or orders related to
• To prescribe penal provisions for certain serious bail and release passed by the court to the nodal
violations. officers and duty holders concerned through email.
• Nodal Officers: To reach all districts of India, 73
Key provisions: nodal officers have been nominated at various levels.
• Applicability: The Bill will apply to Indians, foreign All nodal officers have been connected through a
citizens, corporations, firms and joint ventures specific Judicial Communication Network(JCN) by
functioning in India, and any vessel or aircraft that is creating a secured pathway.
either Indian or part of an Indian expedition. • Significance: It will ensure that undertrials are not
• Indian expedition to Antarctica: The Bill prohibits made to wait for days on end behind bars to be
Indian expedition to Antarctica or carrying out released because the certified hard copies of their
certain activities in Antarctica without a permit or the bail orders took time to reach the prison.
written authorisation of another party to the
protocol. NINTH SCHEDULE
• Committee on Antarctic governance and
In News: Recently, Supreme Court struck down the
Environmental protection: It has been set up to
10.5% internal reservation to Vanniyakula Kshatriya
monitor, implement and ensure compliance with the
community in Tamil Nadu. Reservation in Tamil Nadu
relevant international laws, emissions standards and
comprises 69% under a 1994 Act protected under the
rules of protection.
Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.
• Prohibitory Activities: The Bill prohibits drilling,
dredging, excavation or collection of mineral
About:
resources or even doing anything to identify where
• The Ninth Schedule was added by the first
such mineral deposits occur. The only exception is for
amendment to the Indian Constitution.
scientific research with a permit.

• It was introduced on 10th May 1951 by the person from entering the country, or inform the
Jawaharlal Nehru Government to protect land concerned investigation agencies.
reform laws from being challenged in the courts on o The proforma of the LOC also contains a request
the grounds of violation of fundamental rights. to detain the individual at the local
• It was created by the new Article 31B. police/investigation agency, which generally
• Article 31B also has a retrospective operation leads to arrest.
which means that if laws are inserted in the Ninth
Schedule after they are declared unconstitutional, RESIDENT BUT NOT ORDINARY RESIDENT
they are considered to have been in the Schedule (RNOR) TAG
since their commencement, and thus valid.
In News: Recently, Overseas Indians float local trusts to
• While most of the laws protected under the Schedule
escape Resident but Not Ordinary Resident (RNOR) tag.
concern agriculture/land issues, the list includes
other subjects.
About
• An RNOR is a non-resident Indian who:
LOOK OUT NOTICE o Has been an NRI in 9 out of the 10 previous years
In News: Recently, journalist Rana Ayyub was stopped in preceding to that year
Mumbai based on a look out circular (LOC), issued by the o Has, during the 7 previous years preceding that
Enforcement Directorate (ED), that restrains her from year, been in India for a period of, or periods
leaving the country. amounting in all to 729 days or less.
o An Indian Citizen, who is not a tax resident of any
About other country, and having a total income of Rs 15
• A Look out notice (LOC) is issued to make sure that lakh and more (Excluding income from foreign
an individual who is absconding or wanted by law sources)
enforcement agencies is not able to leave the o An Indian Citizen, or a PIO, having Income in
country. India of Rs 15 lakh or more (Excluding Income
• It is mostly used at immigration checkpoints at from foreign sources), and the period of stay in
international airports and seaports by the India was 120 days and more but less than 182
immigration branch. days.
• The police can approach a court asking for the • The status of an RNOR lies in between that of a non-
restriction of a person’s movement outside the resident Indian who stays more than 181 days in the
country, when a person is a suspect and the police country and a regular resident Indian.
apprehend that the person may not join the • Impacts - An RNOR has to fork out higher tax - unlike
investigation at a later stage. an NRI who pays a much lower tax (of 12.5% to 15%)
• The subject of an LOC can challenge the circular and in accordance with the respective tax treaty between
get relief from a court. India and the country where she is based.
• But more than the tax impact, there is a fear that this
Issuing an LOC - An LOC can be initiated by a large may be the first step towards a mandatory disclosure
number of authorised officers, including: of all overseas assets.
• An officer not below the rank of deputy secretary, • Currently, only resident Indians have to spell out
• An officer not below the rank of joint secretary in the their foreign assets in the Income Tax (I-T) return
state government forms while NRIs and RNORs do not have to make any
• A district magistrate or superintendent of police, such disclosure. This may change for RNORs.
• Designated officers of various law enforcing and
security agencies, PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON OFFICIAL
• A designated officer of Interpol, LANGUAGE
• An officer not below the rank of additional director in
• In News: Recently, the union Home minister has
the Serious Fraud Investigation Office, and the
presided over the 37th meeting of the Parliamentary
Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
Official Language Committee.
• Since 2018, an officer not below the rank of
• Created in 1976 under section 4 of the Official
chairman/managing director/chief executive of any
Languages Act,1963.
public sector bank can make a request.
• An LOC can be modified/deleted/withdrawn by the Functions:
Bureau of Immigration only on the specific request of
• The Committee shall review the progress made in
the authorised originator on whose request the LOC
the use of Hindi for the Official purposes of the
was issued.
Union and submit a report to the President
making recommendations.
Does an LOC lead to arrest?
• The President shall then lay the report before each
• Not necessarily LOC is of many types:
House of Parliament and send it to all the State
o They can seek to merely stop a person against
Governments
whom the circular has been issued from
travelling outside the country, to prevent a
Composition: • Article 40 made a mention of panchayats and Article

• The Committee comprises 30 members of 246 empowered the state legislature to legislate with
Parliament, 20 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya respect to any subject relating to local self-
Sabha. These members are to be elected respectively government.
by the members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in • Balwant Rai Committee: The establishment of the
accordance with the system of proportional Panchayati Raj System in the country was
representation by means of the single transferable recommended by the Balwant Rai Committee.
vote. • PRI is a system of rural local self-government in
• Chairman: As a convention, the Union Home India.
Minister has been the Chairman of the Committee
from time to time. OLGA TELLIS JUDGMENT
Official Language of the Union: In News: Recently, a 37-year-old Constitution Bench
• Article 343 of the Constitution of India stated that judgment of the Supreme Court which held that pavement
the official language of the Union is Hindi in dwellers are different from trespassers. This may become
Devanagari script, with the official use of English to a game-changer in the Jahangirpuri case.
continue for 15 years from 1947.
About
• Later, the Official Languages Act of 1963 allowed
for the continuation of English alongside Hindi in the • The Olga Tellis vs Bombay Municipal Corporation
Indian government indefinitely until legislation judgment in 1985 ruled that eviction of pavement
decides to change it. dwellers using unreasonable force, without giving
them a chance to explain is unconstitutional.
• It is a violation of their right to livelihood.
91ST CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ACT,
2003 Key Provision of the Judgement:
In News: Recently a politician in Goa was accorded the • Opportunity to depart: The court maintained they
lifetime status of the rank of Cabinet Minister who was, a should be given a chance to be heard and a reasonable
six-time Chief Minister of Goa and a legislator for a full 50 opportunity to depart before force is used to expel
years. Hence a PIL has been filed in the High Court of them.
Bombay at Goa. • No use of force: The Supreme Court reasoned that
eviction using unreasonable force, without giving
Note: For 91st CAA 2003, refer Polity Udaan+ (Jan21- them a chance to explain is unconstitutional.
Jan22) • Right to life: Pavement dwellers, too, have a right to
life and dignity. The right to life included the right to
NATIONAL PANCHAYATI RAJ DAY livelihood. They earn a meagre livelihood by living
and working on the footpaths.
In News: Recently, India commemorates the 12th
• No misuse of powers of eviction: A welfare state
National Panchayati Raj day on 24th April 2022.
and its authorities should not use its powers of
eviction as a means to deprive pavement dwellers of
About
their livelihood.
• Observed on 24th April every Year.
• The first National Panchayati Raj Day was celebrated
in 2010. ENFORCEMENT DIRECTORATE (ED)
• It marks a defining moment in the history of In News: Recently, the Enforcement Directorate(ED) has
decentralisation of power, with the been in the news for summoning people for possible
institutionalisation of Panchayati Raj, through the money laundering cases.
Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 which
came into force with effect from 24th April 1993. About Enforcement Directorate (ED):
• Awards Presented on the Day: Every year, the • Directorate of Enforcement is a specialized financial
Ministry of Panchayati Raj awards the best investigation agency.
performing Panchayats/States/UTs. These are • Ministry: Department of Revenue, Ministry of
conferred under various categories namely: Finance.
o Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Sashaktikaran
Puraskar (DDUPSP). Formation and Evolution:
o Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha • On 1st May 1956, an ‘Enforcement Unit’ was
Puraskar (NDRGGSP). formed, in the Department of Economic Affairs, for
o Child-friendly Gram Panchayat Award (CFGPA). handling Exchange Control Laws violations under
o Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947.
Award. • In the year 1957, this Unit was renamed as
o e-Panchayat Puraskar (given to States/UTs only). ‘Enforcement Directorate’.
Panchayati Raj in India: ED enforces the following laws:

• Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA) • Also, “print media, electronic media, social
• Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) media”, have been added to the list of modes for
ensuring wide publicity for the exercise. Earlier list
ED derive Powers from the Prevention of Money only included radio, audio-visuals and posters.
Laundering Act (PMLA): • Earlier, first phase of Census 2021, and NPR exercise
• The Act was brought in to prevent the parking of scheduled to be held in 2020 was postponed
money outside India and to trace out the layering and indefinitely due to Covid-19.
the trail of money. • Population Census is process of collecting, compiling,
• The ED got its power to investigate these crimes analyzing, disseminating demographic, economic and
under Sections 48 and 49 of the PMLA Act. social data pertaining, at a specific time, of all persons
in a country or a part of a country.
ED steps in: • Conducted by: Office of the Registrar General and
• Whenever any offence is registered by a local police Census Commissioner under Ministry of Home
station, which has generated proceeds of crime over Affairs.
and above ₹1 crore, the investigating police officer
forwards the details to the ED. Historical Background:
• A systematic and modern population census, in its
Powers: present form was conducted non synchronously
• The ED carries out search (property) and seizure between 1865 and 1872 in different parts of the
(money/documents) after it has decided that the country.
money has been laundered. On the basis of that, the • This effort culminating in 1872 has been
authorities will decide if the arrest is needed or not. popularly labeled as the first population census of
• ED can also directly carry out search and seizure India.
without calling the person for questioning. It is not • However, the first synchronous census in India
necessary to summon the person first and then start was held in 1881. Since then, censuses have been
with the search and seizure. undertaken uninterruptedly once every ten years.
• If the person is arrested, the ED gets 60 days to file
the prosecution complaint (charge sheet) as the AMENDMENT TO THE MINES AND MINERALS
punishment under PMLA doesn’t go beyond seven ACT, 1957
years.
• If no one is arrested and only the property is attached, In News: Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved
then the prosecution complaint along with the amendments to the Second Schedule of the Mines and
attachment order is to be submitted before the Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 for
adjudicating authority within 60 days. specifying the rate of royalty in respect of few minerals.
Retrospective Investigation: About

• If an ill-gotten property is acquired before the year • The Act was amended in 2015 to introduce a new
2005 (when the PMLA law was brought in) and regime of issuing mineral concessions by auction to
disposed off, then there is no case under PMLA. enhance transparency and non-discrimination in the
allocation of the country's mineral wealth.
• But if proceeds of the crime were possessed before
2005, kept in cold storage and used after 2005 by • The Act has been further amended in2021 to provide
buying properties, the colour of the money is still further impetus to the mineral sector.
black then the person is liable to be prosecuted under • The government has given a significant boost to the
PMLA. auction of mineral blocks as part of the reforms,
increasing production, enhancing the ease of doing
business in the country, and increasing the
CENSUS NEW RULES NOTIFIED contribution of mineral production to Gross
In News: Recently, the Union government has amended Domestic Product.
Census Rules, 1990, to include “electronic form” and “self- • Significance: The approval would ensure auction of
enumeration” in the schedule of questions to be asked mineral blocks in respect of Glauconite, Potash,
during census enumeration. Emerald, Platinum Group of metals, Andalusite and
Molybdenum for the first time in the country.
About New Rules:
• It will allow online self-enumeration in the upcoming Implications of the move:
Census and National Population Register (NPR). • Encouraging indigenous mining of these minerals is
• NPR is a Register of usual residents of the country. in the National interest that would lead to a
• Objective: To create a comprehensive identity reduction in imports in potash fertilizers and
database of every usual resident in the country. other minerals.
• Section 8 of Census Act, 1948, gives powers to the • This step taken by the Ministry of Mines is also
enumerator to ask questions regarding the Census expected to increase the generation of
and makes it obligatory for respondents to answer, employment in the mining sector.
with certain exceptions.
• It will also ensure increased availability of Conrad Sangma, in the presence of Home Minister
minerals for the downstream industries and Amit Shah.
support agriculture. • There is a fear among non-tribal people that they
• The approval will lead to import substitution in could end up living in a region with no right.
respect of many important minerals for the economy
of the country thereby saving valuable forex Other Inter-State Border Disputes:
reserves. • Assam-Mizoram
• It will reduce the country’s foreign dependency • Assam-Arunachal Pradesh
through the local production of minerals. • Assam-Nagaland
• Haryana-Himachal Pradesh
Previous Amendments: • Ladakh-Himachal Pradesh
• The Act was amended in 2015 to usher in a new • Maharashtra-Karnataka
regime of granting mineral concessions through
auction to ensure transparency and non-
DEMOCRACY REPORT 2022
discrimination in the allocation of the mineral wealth
of the country. In News: Recently, the latest edition of Democracy Report
• To give further impetus to the mineral sector, the Act was released by the V-Dem Institute at Sweden’s
has been further amended in 2021. Under the University of Gothenburg.
reforms, the Government has given a major boost to
the auction of mineral blocks, increasing production, About the report:
improving ease of doing business in the country and • The report classifies countries into four regime types
increasing the contribution of mineral production to based on their score in the Liberal Democratic Index
Gross Domestic Product (GDP). (LDI):
1. Liberal Democracy,
2. Electoral Democracy,
ASSAM-MEGHALAYA BOUNDARY DISPUTE 3. Electoral Autocracy,
In News: Recently, Assam and Meghalaya have partially 4. Closed Autocracy.
resolved a 50-year-old border dispute in six of the 12 • Title of the Report: ‘Democracy Report 2022:
sectors. Autocratisation Changing Nature?’
About the dispute General Findings:

• Meghalaya, carved out of Assam as an autonomous • The level of democracy enjoyed by the average global
State in 1970, became a full-fledged State in 1972. citizen in 2021 is down to 1989 levels, with the
• It was based on the Assam Reorganisation democratic gains of the post-Cold War period eroding
(Meghalaya) Act of 1969 rapidly in the last few years.
• The Meghalaya government refused to accept it • While Sweden topped the LDI index, other
because the Act followed the recommendations of a Scandinavian countries such as Denmark and
1951 committee that defined the boundary of Norway, along with Costa Rica and New Zealand
Meghalaya. make up the top five in liberal democracy rankings.
Current agreement: India’s performance:

• Both States formed three regional committees, one • It classifies India as an electoral autocracy ranking it
each for a district affected by the disputed sectors. 93rd on the LDI, out of 179 countries.
• Objective: to end the boundary dispute between the • India is one of the top ten ‘autocratisers’ in the world
two states in six of the 12 areas along their 885-km says the report.
boundary. • India is part of a broader global trend of an anti-plural
• The committees, each headed by a cabinet minister, political party driving a country’s Autocratisation.
were given “five principles” for approaching the • Ranked 93rd in the LDI, India figures in the “bottom
issue which includes- 50%” of countries.
1. Historical facts of a disputed sector • It has slipped further down in the Electoral
2. Ethnicity Democracy Index, to 100, and even lower in the
3. Administrative convenience Deliberative Component Index, at 102.
4. Willingness of people • In South Asia, India is ranked below Sri Lanka (88),
5. Contiguity of land preferably with natural Nepal (71), and Bhutan (65) and above Pakistan
boundaries such as rivers, streams and rocks (117) in the LDI.
• Of the disputed territory (a little over 36 square
kilometres), the two States will get a near equal share,
enshrining the sharing principle by adopting a give-
SUPREME COURT’S JUDGEMENT ON TAXING
and-take approach. LOTTERIES
• The agreement was signed by Assam Chief Minister In News: Recently, the Supreme Court held that a State
Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart legislature has the right to impose tax on lotteries
conducted by other States within its jurisdiction.
Supreme Court’s Ruling: • ICCCs act as the nodal point of availability of all online
• The court observed that ‘lotteries’ is a “species of data and information relating to smart services
gambling activity”. included in a smart city. Such as LED street lighting,
• ‘Betting and gambling’ is part of the State List in the CCTV surveillance cameras, and air quality sensors
Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. among others.
• The power to tax is on all activities which are in the • They are a source for integrated traffic management
nature of ‘betting and gambling’ including lotteries. monitoring.
• Betting and gambling is a genus and includes several • They are now also linked to the CCTNS (Crime and
types or species of activities such as horse racing, Criminal Tracking Networks and Systems) network
wheeling and other local variations/forms of ‘betting under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
and gambling’ activity. • During the Covid-19 pandemic, they also served as
war rooms for Covid-19 management.
Central Laws related to Lottery, Gambling and
Betting: SVANIDHI SE SAMRIDDHI PROGRAM
• The Lotteries Regulation Act, 1998: Lottery is
In News: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
considered legal in India. Lottery should be organised
(MoHUA) has launched ‘SVANidhi se Samriddhi’ program
by the state government and the place of Draw should
in additional 126 cities across 14 States/ UTs.
be in that particular state.
• Indian Penal Code, 1860: The code has provisions
About
for punishing anyone who to the annoyance of others
• It is an additional program of PM SVANidhi, launched
does any obscene act in a public place or sings, recites
on 4th January 2021 in 125 cities to map the socio-
or utters any obscene song, ballad or words, in or
economic profile of the PM SVANidhi beneficiaries
near any public place. These provisions of the IPC
and their families.
may be attracted if any obscene matter is used for the
purpose of advertising betting and gambling • Aim: To provide social security benefits to street
activities. vendors for their holistic development and socio-
economic upliftment.
• Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999:
Remittance of the income generated from lottery • Implementing Partner: Quality Council of India
winning, racing/riding is prohibited under this Act. (QCI).
• Information Technology Rules, 2011: Under these
Key Features of the Scheme:
rules, any internet service provider, network service
provider or any search engine will not host any such • Under the program, socio-economic profiling of PM
content which directly or indirectly supports SVANidhi beneficiaries and their families is
Gambling. conducted to assess their eligibility for Eight
Government of India’s welfare schemes and facilitate
• Income Tax Act, 1961: Current taxation policy in
sanctions of eligible schemes.
India covers all types of Gambling industry directly
and indirectly. Thus, it can be said that all regulated • The socio-economic profiling will also help States if
and legalised Gambling is supported in the Gross they deem fit to extend their State-specific welfare
Domestic Product (GDP) of India. schemes & benefits to the eligible PM SVANidhi
beneficiaries and their families.
INTEGRATED COMMAND AND CONTROL These Eight schemes include:

CENTRE (ICCCS) 1. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana,
In News: The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister 2. PM Suraksha Bima Yojana,
has announced that 80 Integrated Command and Control 3. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana,
Centres (ICCCs), an integral component of the Smart 4. Building and other Constructions Workers
Cities Mission, have already been set up. (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of
Service) Act (BOCW),
About ICCCs: 5. Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana,
• The Smart Cities Mission includes setting up ICCCs for 6. National Food Security Act (NFSA)-portability benefit
each such city as a vital step. – One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC),
• These ICCCs are designed to enable authorities to 7. Janani Suraksha Yojana
monitor the status of various amenities in real-time. 8. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana.
• Aimed at: controlling and monitoring water and
power supply, sanitation, traffic movement, PM SVANidhi Scheme
integrated building management, city connectivity • PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi(PM
and Internet infrastructure among other parameters. SVANidhi) was launched by the Ministry of Housing
• Hence, they basically act as a “nerve center” of a and Urban Affairs in 2020 as a Central Sector Scheme.
Smart City for operations management. • Purpose: To facilitate affordable working capital
loans of up to ₹10,000 with an interest subsidy @7%
Services provided by ICCCs: on regular repayment. The street vendors are not
required to pay any collateral for the loan.
• Implementing Agency: SIDBI has been appointed as

the implementation agency for scheme
2. INDIAN ECONOMY
administration.
• Key Features of the scheme PROGRAMME CHIEF ECONOMIC ADVISOR
o The scheme provides Graded Guarantee Cover, to In News: Recently, the Government of India has
Lending Institutions, on a portfolio basis. appointed Anantha Nageswaran as the new Chief
o The street vendors also stand a chance to avail a Economic Advisor. He is a former member of Prime
loan of ₹20,000 and ₹50,000 in the second and Minister Economic Advisory Council.
third tranches respectively on timely repayment
of the loan. About Chief Economic Advisor:
o To encourage digital transactions a cashback up • He is a former member of Prime Minister
to ₹1,200 on digital transactions at ₹100 per Economic Advisory Council.
month is provided to the street vendors under
• The CEA reports to the Finance Minister of India.
the scheme.
• The post is equivalent to Secretary in India.
• The CEA is the head of the Department of
Economic Affairs that operates under Ministry of
Finance.
• Dr Manmohan Singh was the CEA to Indira Gandhi
between 1972 and 1976.
• Renowned economist JJ Anjaria (1908-70), who co-
authored the classic text on Indian agricultural
economics, 'The Indian Rural Problem', was the
first Chief Economic Advisor of India.
PM Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM):

• EAC-PM is a non-constitutional, non-statutory,
independent body constituted to give advice on
economic and related issues to the Government of
India, specifically to the Prime Minister.
• The council serves to highlight key economic issues
to the government of India from a neutral viewpoint.
• For administrative, logistic, planning and budgeting
purposes, the NITI Aayog serves as the Nodal Agency
for the EAC-PM.
BAD BANK
• In News: A key proposal announced in last year’s
(2021) Budget, a bad bank to deal with stressed
assets in the loss-laden banking system, has received
all regulatory approvals.
About
• Setting up of National Asset Reconstruction
Company Limited (NARCL), the proposed bad
bank for taking over stressed assets of lenders,
was announced in the Budget for 2021-22.
• The plan is to create a bad bank to house bad loans
of ₹500 crore and above, in a structure that will
contain an Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC) and
an asset management company (AMC) to manage and
recover dud assets.
• The new entity is being created in collaboration with
both public and private sector banks.
• Majority-owned by state-owned banks, the NARCL
will be assisted by the India Debt Resolution
Company Ltd (IDRCL), in turn majority-owned by
private banks, in resolution process in the form of a
Principal-Agent basis.

Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC): Economy, Genomics and Pharmaceuticals, Green

• It is a specialized financial institution that buys Energy, and Clean Mobility Systems.
the Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) from banks and
financial institutions so that they can clean up their NAL SE JAL YOJANA
balance sheets. This helps banks to concentrate on
In News: Recently, an allocation of Rs 60,000 crore has
normal banking activities.
been made to cover 3.8 crore households in 2022-23
• The asset reconstruction companies or ARCs are
under Har Ghar, Nal Se Jal scheme.
registered under the RBI.
• Legal Basis: The Securitization and Reconstruction
About the scheme:
of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security
• Launched in 2019.
Interest (SARFAESI) Act, 2002 provides the legal
• Nodal Agency: Ministry of Jal Shakti.
basis for the setting up of ARCs in India.
• Aim: To provide piped drinking water to every rural
home by 2024.
UNION BUDGET 2022-23 • It is a component of the government’s Jal Jivan
In News: Recently, the Union Minister for Finance & Mission.
Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the • Implementation: The scheme is based on a unique
Union Budget 2022-23 in Parliament. model where paani samitis (water committee)
comprising villagers will decide what they will pay
About: for the water they consume.
• India’s economic growth estimated at 9.2% to be • The tariff they fix will not be the same for everyone in
the highest among all large economies. the village. Those who have large households will pay
• 60 lakh new jobs to be created under the productivity more, while poor households or households where
linked incentive scheme in 14 sectors. there is no earning member, will be exempted.
• PLI Schemes have the potential to create an
additional production of Rs 30 lakh crore. Jal Jeevan Mission:
• Entering Amrit Kaal, the 25 yearlong lead up to • Launched in 2019.
India@100, the budget provides impetus for growth • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti.
along four priorities: • JJM envisages supply of 55 litres of water per
o PM Gati Shakti person per day to every rural household through
o Inclusive Development Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) by
o Productivity Enhancement & Investment, 2024.
Sunrise opportunities, Energy Transition, and • Implementation:
Climate Action. o The Mission is based on a community
o Financing of investments. approach to water and includes extensive
Information, Education and Communication as a
Other Major Announcements in Budget: key component of the mission.
• Railways: One Station One Product concept to help o JJM looks to create a jan andolan for water,
local businesses & supply chains. thereby making it everyone’s priority.
• Parvatmala: It is a National Ropeways Development o The fund sharing pattern between the Centre and
Program, Parvatmala to be taken up on PPP mode. states is 90:10 for Himalayan and North-Eastern
• Kisan Drones: For crop assessment, digitization of States, 50:50 for other states, and 100% for
land records, spraying of insecticides and nutrients. Union Territories.
• MSME: Udyam, e-shram, NCS and ASEEM portals to
be interlinked. PM-DEVINE SCHEME
• Health: An open platform for the National Digital
In News: Recently, the Union Budget 2022-23 provided a
Health Ecosystem to be rolled out.
new scheme, Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for
• A National Tele Mental Health Programme will be
North East (PM-DevINE) which will be implemented
launched to improve access to quality mental health
through the North-Eastern Council.
counselling and care services.
• Saksham Anganwadi (New Generation About PM-DevINE:
Anganwadi): Integrated benefits to women and
• It will fund infrastructure, in the spirit of PM
children through Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya,
GatiShakti, and social development projects based on
Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.
felt needs of the North-East states.
• Vibrant Villages Programme: Vibrant Villages
• The scheme will not be a substitute for existing
Programme for development of Border villages with
central and state schemes.
sparse population, limited connectivity and
• Objectives:
infrastructure on the northern border.
o To enable livelihood activities for youth and
• Sunrise Opportunities: Government contribution to
women
be provided for R&D in Sunrise Opportunities like
o To filling gaps in various sectors.
Artificial Intelligence, Geospatial Systems and
Drones, Semiconductor and its eco-system, Space
• Implementing Agency: PM-DevINE scheme will be • IREDA gets “Mini Ratna” status by Ministry of New
implemented through the North-Eastern Council. and Renewable Energy in 2015
• Funding: An initial allocation of Rs. 1,500 crore will • IREDA’s Motto is “Energy for Ever.”
be made for the PM-DevINE scheme. • Earlier, the IREDA had launched a ‘whistle-blower
• Project Selection: Under PM-DevINE scheme, Portal’, as a part of ‘Vigilance Awareness Week 2021’
projects can be recommended by Centre and North
East States as well but priority will be given to NEW SEZ LAW
projects posed by the states.
In News: In the Union Budget 2022, the Government has
Some of the projects to be implemented: proposed to replace the Special Economic Zones (SEZs)
Act, 2006 with a new law.
• Dedicated Services for the Management of
Paediatric and Adult Haematolymphoid Cancers in
About
North East India, Guwahati
• It was enacted in 2006 with an aim to create
• Construction of Aizawl bypass on western side, gap
special economic zones.
funding for passenger ropeway system for Pelling to
Sanga-Choeling in West Sikkim • SEZ are areas within the country that have different
economic regulations and are considered foreign
• Gap funding for eco-friendly Ropeway (Cable Car)
territory. They not only aid foreign investment,
from Dhapper to Bhaleydhunga in South Sikkim
but are export hubs as well.
• Pilot project for the construction of Bamboo Link
• Units in SEZs used to enjoy 100% income tax
Road at different locations in various districts in
exemption on export income for the first five
Mizoram
years, 50% for the next five years and 50% of the
• Significance: PM-DevINE scheme will enable
ploughed back export profit for another five
livelihood activities for youth and women, filling the
years.
gaps in various sectors, the Minister explained.
• However, these zones started losing their sheen
after imposition of minimum alternate tax and
CAPITAL INFUSION IN IREDA introduction of sunset clause for removal of tax
In News: Recently, the CCEA approved infusion of incentives. Moreover, the current legislation is over
Rs.1,500 crore in Indian Renewable Energy Development 16 years old.
Agency Limited (IREDA) • Hence, that’s why a new SEZ law is needed.
Significance: Purpose of the new SEZ law:

• This will enable IREDA to lend Rs 12,000 crore to • The new SEZ legislation will enable the states to
the renewable energy sector. become partners in Development of Enterprise
• Equity infusion will help in: and Service Hubs.
o Employment generation of approximately 10200 • It will cover all large existing and new industrial
jobs-year. enclaves to optimally utilise available infrastructure
o CO2 equivalent emission reduction of and enhance competitiveness of exports
approximately 7.49 million tonnes CO2/year.
• It will facilitate the requirement of debt of DIGITAL RUPEE — A CENTRAL BANK
Renewable Energy of an additional capacity of DIGITAL CURRENCY (CBDC)
around 3500 to 4000 MW
• Improve its net worth which will help it in In News: Recently, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman
additional Renewable Energy financing, thereby has announced the launch of the Digital Rupee - a central
contributing better to the Indian government targets bank digital currency (CBDC) 2022-23 onwards.
for Renewable Energy
About
• Improve the CRAR (capital-to-risk weighted assets
ratio) in order to facilitate its lending as well as • A Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), or
borrowing operations. national digital currency, is simply the digital
form of a country’s fiat currency.
India Renewable Energy Development Agency • Instead of printing paper currency or minting coins,
Limited (IREDA): the central bank issues electronic tokens. This
• IREDA is an enterprise under the Ministry of New token value is backed by the “full faith and credit of
and Renewable Energy. the government”.
• Established in 1987 as a Public limited Government • The CBDC will be backed by blockchain technology.
Company under the Companies Act, 1956.
Definition of Crypto Assets:
• IREDA provides financial support to the renewable
energy sector. • According to the Finance Bill, 2022, any information
or code or number or token generated through
• Vision of IREDA is to expand and promote
cryptographic means or otherwise providing a digital
sustainability and affordability in the renewable
representation of value exchanged with or without
energy sector in the country."
consideration that can be transferred, stored, or
traded electronically can be defined as “virtual watershed management, telemedicine, horticulture,

digital assets”. etc.
• The Finance Bill has provided for a definition of
virtual digital assets which is wide enough to cover PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN MANDHAN YOJANA
emerging digital assets, including non-fungible
In News: Recently, the Union Minister for Agriculture and
tokens (NFTs), assets in the metaverse, digital
Farmers Welfare said that a total of 21,86,918 farmers are
currencies and tokens, among others.
enrolled in the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Mandhan Yojana.
• Tax on Crypto Assets: The Finance Minister has
proposed that transfer of any virtual/cryptocurrency
About
asset will be taxed at 30%. No deduction except the
• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojna (PMKMY) is
cost of acquisition will be allowed, and no loss in
a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for
transaction will be allowed to be carried forward.
the Small & Marginal Farmers (SMFs).
• In order to monitor the money trail in crypto deals, a
• Objective: To provide old age protection and social
1% Tax deduction at Source (TDS) will be
security net to the SMFs by way of pension.
imposed on every transaction using
cryptocurrencies. • Provision has been made for payment of a minimum
fixed pension of Rs. 3,000/- to the eligible SMFs,
• Further, gifts in virtual digital assets would be
subject to certain exclusion clauses, on attaining the
taxed in the hands of the recipient.
age of 60 years.
• Eligibility:
SAFFRON BOWL PROJECT o The beneficiary should be a Small and Marginal
In News: Recently, the North East Centre for Technology Farmer.
Application and Reach (NECTAR) under Saffron Bowl o They must have cultivable landholding up to 2
project has identified few locations in Arunachal Pradesh hectares.
and Meghalaya for saffron cultivation. o The entry age of the scheme is 18 to 40 years.
o The beneficiary should not be SMFs covered
About under any other statuary social security
• The saffron bowl of India, so far confined to parts of schemes such as NPS, Employees’ State
Kashmir, has now spread its wings to parts of the Insurance Corporation scheme, Employees’ Fund
North East through the focused efforts of the Organization Scheme etc.
NECTAR. o They should not have opted for Pradhan
• Pampore region, commonly known as Saffron Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana and
bowl of Kashmir, is the main contributor to saffron National Pension Scheme for Traders and Self
production. Other districts producing saffron are Employed Persons administered by the Ministry
Budgam, Srinagar, and Kishtwar districts. of Labour & Employment.
• In 2020, the Kashmir saffron got Geographical o Should not be from categories of beneficiaries of
Indication (GI) tag status. higher economic status.
• However, the saffron bowl which was so far confined • Contribution:
to Kashmir is being expanded to the Northeast as the o The eligible beneficiary can opt to become
North East Centre for Technology Application and member of the Scheme by subscribing to a
Reach (NECTAR) has launched the Saffron Bowl Pension Fund.
Project to explore the feasibility of growing saffron in o The beneficiary is required to contribute Rs
the region with the same quality. 100/- per month at median entry age of 29 years.
• NECTAR has identified few locations in Arunachal o The Central Government also contributes to the
Pradesh and Meghalaya for saffron cultivation. Pension Fund in equal amount, managed by the
• In Arunachal Pradesh, there is a good growth of Life Insurance Corporation, which is also
organic saffron with flowers. responsible for pension pay out.
• In Meghalaya, sample plantations were grown at • Status: As the Scheme has an entry age of 18 to 40
Cherrapunji, Mawsmai and Lalingtop sites. years, no beneficiary has yet attained the age of 60 to
be eligible for payment.
North East Centre For Technology Application and
Reach (NECTAR): LAKADONG TURMERIC
• NECTAR is an autonomous society set up under In News: Recently, drones were used for the
the Department of Science & Technology. transportation of Lakadong turmeric from Meghalaya to
• Headquarters: Shillong, Meghalaya. other parts of the country with an aim to resolve first-mile
• Objective: harnessing and leveraging niche frontier connectivity issues of farmers from the hinterland.
technologies available with central scientific
departments and institutions. About Lakadong turmeric:
• In order to assist the north-eastern region, NECTAR • Lakadong turmeric has been identified under the
ensures applications of appropriate technologies for One District, One Product (ODOP) Initiative of the
development in the areas of biodiversity concerns,

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal In News: Recently, the Indian Footwear and Leather
Trade (DPIIT). Development Programme (IFLDP) has been approved for
• It has been identified as a product with huge potential continuation from 2021-22 with an approved financial
for growth and export from West Jaintia Hills, a outlay of Rs. 1700 crore.
district of Meghalaya.
• This turmeric has the highest curcumin content of 7- About
9% (in comparison to 3% or less in other varieties). • Central Sector Scheme.
• Meghalaya has also applied for a Geographical • Aims: at development of infrastructure for the
Indication tag for Lakadong turmeric. leather sector, address environmental concerns
specific to the leather sector, facilitate additional
One District One Product Scheme (ODOP): investments, employment generation and increase in
• The scheme comes under the Department for production.
Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
(DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry. • Sub-Schemes under the Programme:
• Aimed at promoting a competitive and staple product 1. Sustainable technology and environmental
from a specific area to push sales and improve the promotion
standard of living of the local population. 2. Integrated development of leather sector (IDLS)
• It is basically a Japanese business development establishment of institutional facilities
concept. 3. Mega Leather Footwear and Accessories Cluster
• In India, Uttar Pradesh was the first state to launch Development
the concept in 2018. 4. brand promotion and development of design
studios.
SURETY BONDS • Significance: The programme has a direct benefit
towards quality employment generation especially
In News: Recently, in the Budget 2022-23, the for women, skill development, and decent work,
government has allowed the use of surety insurance making the industry more environment friendly and
bonds as a substitute for bank guarantees in case of prompting a sustainable production system.
government procurement and also for gold imports.
About PARVATMALA SCHEME

• A surety bond is a legally binding contract entered In News: Recently, the Union Finance Minister in the
into by three parties—the principal, the obligee and Union Budget for 2022-23 announced National Ropeways
the surety. Development Programme – “Parvatmala” to improve
• The obligee, usually a government entity, requires connectivity in hilly areas.
the principal, typically a business owner or
contractor, to obtain a surety bond as a guarantee About
against future work performance. • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Road Transport and
• Aimed at: infrastructure development, mainly to Highways (MORTH).
reduce indirect cost for suppliers and work- • Aim: To develop Ropeways in hilly areas of the
contractors thereby diversifying their options and country in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
acting as a substitute for bank guarantee. • Around 8 ropeway projects for a length of 60 km
• Surety bond is provided by the insurance company would be awarded in 2022-23.
on behalf of the contractor to the entity which is • The programme will also cover congested urban
awarding the project. areas, where conventional mass transit systems are
• Surety bonds protect the beneficiary against acts or not feasible.
events that impair the underlying obligations of the • Presently started in regions: Uttarakhand,
principal. They guarantee the performance of a Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Jammu & Kashmir and
variety of obligations, from construction or service the other North-Eastern states.
contracts to licensing and commercial undertakings.
VANDE BHARAT TRAINS
Issue with Surety Bond:
In News: Recently, in the Union Budget 2022-2023, the
• The surety bond is a risky concept and insurance
Union Finance Minister has proposed the manufacture of
companies in India are yet to achieve expertise in
400 new Vande Bharat trains in the next 3 years.
risk assessment in such business.
• There’s no clarity on surety bonds pricing, the About:
recourse available against defaulting contractors and
• Dubbed as Train 18, the Vande Bharat train is an
reinsurance options. These are critical and may
indigenously designed and manufactured self-
impede the creation of surety-related expertise.
propelled “engineless” train.
• In 2019, the first Vande Bharat was manufactured
INDIAN FOOTWEAR AND LEATHER by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, in
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

about 18 months as part of the ‘Make in India’ • NFSA provides coverage for nearly 2/3rd of the
programme. country's total population, basis Census 2011
• The Vande Bharat is India’s first semi high-speed population estimates.
train that can achieve a maximum speed of 160 • 75% of Rural and 50% of urban population is
kmph. entitled to receive highly subsidised food grains
• Its faster acceleration and deceleration results in under these two categories of beneficiaries – PHH
reduced journey time by 25% to 45%. and AAY Households.
• These trains operate without a locomotive and are
based on a propulsion system called distributed IDEA DATABASE
traction power technology, by which each car of the
In News: Recently, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers
train set is powered.
Welfare has commenced the work for creating various
• These have an intelligent braking system with
agricultural services built around a core layer of Farmers’
power regeneration for better energy efficiency
Database (Agristack) in the country.
thereby making it cost, energy and environment
efficient.
About IDEA Database:
• The Union Government is in the process of finalising
NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY ACT 2013 the “India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture
In News: Recently, free of cost distribution is done under (IDEA)” which lays down a framework for building
the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme to the Agristacks.
migrants/stranded migrant persons, those neither • This Ecosystem shall help the Government in
covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) nor effective planning towards increasing the income of
under any State PDS scheme. farmers in particular and improving the efficiency of
About the Agriculture sector, as a whole.
• The NFSA, 2013 aims to provide for food and • The federated farmers’ database is being built by
nutritional security in the human life cycle taking the publicly available data as existing in the
approach, by ensuring access to adequate quantities Department and in various data silos in Government
of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a and linking them with the digitised land records.
life with dignity. • The issue of data protection / data privacy etc. in the
• Now, Public Distribution System (PDS) is governed Agristack are being deliberated and hence, as of now,
by the NFSA, 2013. no decision has been taken regarding the
• NFSA provides subsidized food grains under mandatory enrolment of farmers in the Database.
Targeted PDS (TPDS). • At present, proposed farmers’ database will include
the farmers registered under the PM-Kisan Scheme.
Eligibility:
• Priority Households (PHH) to be covered under SWIFT
TPDS, according to guidelines by the State
In News: Recently, amidst the Russia-Ukraine War, the
government.
United States and the European nations agreed to block
• Existing Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) Households.
select Russian banks from SWIFT.
• Eldest woman of the beneficiary household (18 years
or above) is considered as 'Head of Family' for issuing
About
ration cards.
• Founded in 1973.
• SWIFT is a messaging network used by banks and
Provisions:
financial institutions globally for quick and
• The Act entitles 35 kg of food grains per AAY
faultless exchange of information pertaining to
Household per month, whereas 5 Kg of food grain
financial transactions.
per PHH Person per month.
• The network connects more than 11,000 banking
• These 5 Kgs of food grains per person per month will
and securities organizations in over 200
be given at Rs. 3/2/1 per Kg for
countries and territories.
rice/wheat/coarse grains.
• Headquarter: Brussels, Belgium.
• Meal and maternity benefit of not less than Rs.
• Working: Each participant on the platform is
6,000 to pregnant women and lactating mothers
assigned a unique eight-digit SWIFT code or a bank
during pregnancy and 6 months after the child birth.
identification code (BIC).
• Meals for children upto 14 years of age.
• Food security allowance to beneficiaries in case of
Role and Function:
non-supply of entitled food grains or meals.
• SWIFT is owned and controlled by its
• Setting up of grievance redressal mechanisms at
shareholders (financial institutions) representing
the district and state level.
approximately 3,500 firms from across the world.
• The shareholders elect a Board of 25 independent
Coverage:
Directors representing banks across the world,

which governs the Company and oversees the E-RUPI: VOUCHER BASED DIGITAL PAYMENT
management of the Company.
SYSTEM
• SWIFT is overseen by the G-10 central banks
(Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, The In News: Recently, the RBI has increased the e-Rupi
Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States, voucher limit to Rs 1 Lakh from Rs 10,000. RBI has also
Switzerland, and Sweden) as well as the European allowed one e-Rupi voucher to be used multiple times
Central Bank (ECB), with its lead overseer being the until it has been fully redeemed.
National Bank of Belgium.
• In 2012, this framework was reviewed, and the Read about Key Features of e-Rupi in Udaan+ Economy
SWIFT Oversight Forum was established in which (Jan21-Jan22).
the G-10 central banks are joined by the central banks
of India, Australia, Russia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, CENTRAL CONSUMER PROTECTION
Singapore, South Africa, the Republic of Turkey, and AUTHORITY (CCPA)
the People’s Republic of China. In News: Recently, the Central Consumer Protection
• Exclusion: If a country is excluded from SWIFT, its Authority (CCPA) has directed GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
foreign funding would take a hit, making it entirely Consumer Healthcare to discontinue advertisements for
reliant on domestic investors. This is particularly Sensodyne products depicting foreign dentists endorsing
troublesome when institutional investors are the product.
constantly seeking new markets in newer territories.
• Note: SWIFT is merely a platform that sends About
messages and does not hold any securities or money. • The authority is being constituted under Section
It facilitates standardized and reliable 10(1) of The Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
communication to facilitate the transaction. • Aim: To protect the rights of the consumer by
cracking down on unfair trade practices, and false
CAPITAL GAINS TAX and misleading advertisements that are detrimental
In News: Recently, the Revenue Secretary has said that to the interests of the public and consumers.
the capital gains tax structure in India is complicated, and • Headquarter: In the National Capital Region of Delhi
it is time for a relook. but the central government may set up regional
offices in other parts of the country.
About • Objective: To promote, protect and enforce the
• It is levied on the profits made on investments. It rights of consumers as a class.
covers real estate, gold, stocks, mutual funds and
various other financial and non-financial assets. Power:
• It is divided into long-term capital gains tax (LTCG) • To conduct investigations into violation of consumer
and short-term capital gains tax (STCG) depending on rights and institute complaints / prosecution
how long you have held the investment in question • Order recall of unsafe goods and services, order
discontinuation of unfair trade practices and
Difference between Capital Gains Tax and Income misleading advertisements
Tax: • Impose penalties on manufacturers/ endorsers/
• Unlike income tax, the percentage of Capital Gains publishers of misleading advertisements.
Tax does not change on the basis of your overall tax
slab. For example, the LTCG tax excluding surcharge Composition:
on equity is the same for gains of ₹10 lakh or ₹10 • It will have a Chief Commissioner as head, and only
crore. two other commissioners as members, one of
• Moreover, there is also a separate set of deductions whom will deal with matters relating to goods while
that apply to LTCG which do not apply to ordinary the other will look into cases relating to services.
income. • The CCPA will have an Investigation Wing that will be
headed by a Director General.
Complications of Capital Gains Tax: • District Collectors too, will have the power to
• The rate changes from asset to asset. LTCG tax on investigate complaints of violations of consumer
stocks and equity mutual funds is 10% but on debt rights, unfair trade practices, and false or misleading
mutual funds is 20% with indexation. advertisements.
• The holding period changes from asset to asset. The
holding period for LTCG tax is two years in real estate, Reason behind such decision:
one year for stocks and three years for debt mutual • The CCPA found that certain advertisements for
funds and gold. Sensodyne products broadcast on television,
• Exemptions available against it come with their own YouTube, Facebook and Twitter showed UK-based
complex conditions. For example - buying a house dentists recommending Sensodyne products.
after selling one can get you an exemption, but the • Dentists practising in India are not permitted to
new house must be bought in two years or built in endorse any drug or product of the industry publicly
three years of the sale.
under the Revised Dentists (Code of Ethics) o Manufacturers of Green Hydrogen / Ammonia
Regulations 2014. and the renewable energy plant shall be given
connectivity to the grid on a priority basis.
INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING (IPO) o The benefit of Renewable Purchase Obligation
(RPO) will be granted to the hydrogen/ammonia
In News: Recently, in order to replenish the public money manufacturer.
box that has been drained out by the Covid-19 pandemic, o Bunkers to be set up near ports for storage of
India is planning one of the biggest initial public offering green ammonia for export, use by the shipping
(IPO) listings ever i.e. Life Insurance Corporation of India industry.
(LIC).
About IPO: CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT SCHEME

• An initial public offering or stock launch is a public In News: Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the
offering in which shares of a company are sold to continuation of the capacity development (CD) scheme till
institutional investors and usually also retail March 2026.
investors.
• An IPO is typically underwritten by one or more About
investment banks, who also arrange for the shares • It is a Central Sector Scheme of Ministry of
to be listed on one or more stock exchanges Statistics & Programme Implementation.
• Eligibility: • Objective: To augment infrastructural, technical as
o In order to protect investors, SEBI has laid down well as manpower resources for enabling the
rules that require companies to meet certain availability of credible and timely official statistics.
criteria before they can go to the public to raise • Sub-Schemes:
funds. o Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS): It
o Among other conditions, the company must aims to improve the statistical capacity and
have: operations of State Statistical Systems for
o Net tangible assets of at least Rs 3 crore, collecting, compiling and disseminating reliable
o Net worth of Rs 1 crore in each of the preceding official statistics.
three full years, o Economic Census: It gives the complete count of
o A minimum average pre-tax profit of Rs 15 crore all non-farm economic establishments located
in at least three of the immediately preceding five within the geographical boundary of India.
years. Economic Census provides disaggregated
• Advantages of listing a company: information on various operational and
o It may help a company raise capital, diversify and structural variables of all such establishments of
broaden its shareholder base. the country.
o Listing provides an exit to existing investors of
the company. ANGADIAS
o A listed company can raise share capital for
In News: Recently, an FIR has been registered against
growth and expansion in the future through a
three Mumbai Police officials for allegedly threatening
follow-on public offering or FPO.
Angadias.
GREEN HYDROGEN/ GREEN AMMONIA About Angadia system:

POLICY • The Angadia system is a century-old parallel
In News: Recently, the Ministry of Power notifies Green banking system in the country where traders
Hydrogen/ Green Ammonia Policy. send cash generally from one state to another
through a person called Angadia that stands for
About: courier.
• Aim: To reduce fossil fuel usage and increase • It is by and large used in the jewellery business with
penetration of Green Hydrogen/ Green Ammonia. Mumbai – Surat being the most popular route as they
• Key features: are two ends of the diamond trade.
o Manufacturing zones to be set up for green • The cash involved is huge and it is the responsibility
hydrogen/ammonia of the Angadia to transfer cash from one state to
o Demand for green hydrogen from key sectors another for which they charge a nominal fee.
such as fertilizers, steel and refineries would be • Generally, it is the Gujarati, Marwari and Malbari
aggregated and offered as a mega tender by community that are involved in the business.
MNRE. • The Angadia system works completely on trust.
o Inter-state transmission charges waived for 25
years FINANCIAL STABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT
o Open access granted to source renewable energy
COUNCIL (FSDC)
from anywhere in the country
In News: The Union Minister for Chemicals and
Fertilizers has launched the National Institute of
Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Additive Manufacturing:

Research Portal. • It is a type of technology that constructs a three-
dimensional object from a digital 3D model or a
About FSDC: CAD model by adding material layer by layer.
• Establishment: A non-statutory apex council under • The addition of material can happen in multiple ways,
the Ministry of Finance constituted by the Executive namely power deposition, resin curing and filament
Order in 2010. fusing.
• Recommended by: The Raghuram Rajan committee • The deposition and solidification are controlled by a
(2008) on financial sector reforms first proposed the computer to create a three-dimensional object.
creation of FSDC. • AM has immense potential to revolutionize India’s
• Composition of FSDC: manufacturing and industrial production landscape
o Chaired by: Union Finance Minister. through digital processes, communication, imaging,
o Members: Includes the heads of all Financial architecture and engineering.
Sector Regulators (RBI, SEBI, PFRDA & IRDA),
Finance Secretary, Secretary of Department of DOMESTIC SYSTEMICALLY IMPORTANT
Economic Affairs (DEA), Secretary of Department
BANKS (D-SIBS)
of Financial Services (DFS), and Chief Economic
Adviser. In News: Recently, it has been announced that SBI, ICICI
o In 2018, the government reconstituted FSDC to Bank, HDFC Bank continue to remain D-SIB.
include the Minister of State responsible for the
Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Secretary About
of Department of Electronics and Information • D-SIB means that the bank is too big to fail.
Technology, Chairperson of the Insolvency and According to the RBI, some banks become
Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) and the systemically important due to their size, cross-
Revenue Secretary as members. jurisdictional activities, complexity and lack of
• The Council can also invite experts to its meeting if substitute and interconnection.
required. • Banks whose assets exceed 2% of GDP are
• FSDC Sub-Committee: It is headed by the Governor considered part of this group.
of RBI. • As per the framework, from 2015, the central bank
• Functions: has to disclose names of banks designated as D-SIB.
o To strengthen and institutionalize the
mechanism for maintaining financial stability, FINTECH OPEN HACKATHON
enhancing inter-regulatory coordination and In News: Recently, NITI Aayog in association with
promoting financial sector development. PhonePe has launched the first-ever open-to-all Fintech
o To monitor macro-prudential supervision of the Open Hackathon.
economy. It assesses the functioning of the large
financial conglomerates. Difference b/w Fintech and API:
NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR ADDITIVE

MANUFACTURING POLICY
In News: Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology (MeitY) unveiled the National
Strategy for Additive Manufacturing Policy.
Aim:
• To position India as a global hub for Additive
Manufacturing development and deployment.
• To create and protect the integrity of India’s AM
intellectual properties.
• To create a conducive ecosystem for Global AM KISAN DRONES
leaders to set up their operations in India. In News: Recently, PM has launched 100 Kisan Drones in
different cities and towns of the country. He also flagged
Target: off "Drone Kisan Yatra" to promote chemical-free farming
• To achieve 5% of Global AM market share and thereto in India.
add nearly US$ 1Bn to the GDP by 2025.
• To develop 50 India specific technologies, 100 new About Kisan Drones:
start-ups, 500 products, 10 existing & new • Kisan drones will have an unmanned tank filled
manufacturing sectors & 1 Lakh new skilled with insecticides and nutrients and are expected
manpower in Additive Manufacturing (AM) sector by to have a high capacity of 5 to 10 kg.
2025. • The drone will spray the same amount of pesticide
on about one acre of land in just 15 minutes. This
saves time, require less effort and spraying will be About Monetary Policy Committee:
done uniformly. • Shri Urjit Patel committee in 2014 recommended
• They will be used to carry vegetables, fruits, fish, etc. the establishment of the Monetary Policy Committee.
to the markets from the farms, with minimal damage, • It is a statutory and institutionalized framework
consuming lesser time and resulting in more profits under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, for
to farmers. maintaining price stability, while keeping in mind the
• They will also be promoted for crop assessment objective of growth.
and digitization of land records. • Composition:
• Government has recently banned the import of o Six members (including the Chairman) –
drones to encourage their manufacturing in three officials of the RBI and three external
India. members nominated by the Government of
• A target has been set for manufacturing 1 lakh Made- India.
in-India drones in the next 2 years. This will generate o The Governor of RBI is ex-officio Chairman of
fresh employment and new opportunities for the the committee
youth. • Functions: The MPC determines the policy interest
rate (repo rate) required to achieve the inflation
DECLINE IN FOREX RESERVES target (presently 4%). Decisions are taken by
majority with the RBI Governor having the casting
In News: Recently, the RBI has reported a decline of $678 vote in case of a tie.
million in the country’s forex reserves. The recent decline
is primarily due to a drop in the foreign currency assets Accommodative Policy Stance
(FCA), a vital component of the overall reserves.
• An accommodative stance means a central bank will
cut rates to inject money into the financial system
About Foreign Exchange Reserves:
whenever needed.
• Foreign exchange reserves or forex reserves include
assets held by a central bank in foreign currencies as Related Keywords:
a reserve.
• Repo rate: It is the rate at which the central bank of
• The reserves in India are managed by RBI for Indian a country (RBI in case of India) lends money to
government. commercial banks in the event of any shortfall of
• Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 and the Foreign funds. Here, the central bank purchases the security.
Exchange Management Act, 1999 set the legal • Reverse repo rate: It is the rate at which the RBI
provisions for governing the forex reserves in India. borrows money from commercial banks within the
• Components of India’s Forex Reserves: country.
1. Foreign Currency Assets (FCA) • Bank Rate: It is the rate charged by the RBI for
2. Gold lending funds to commercial banks.
3. Special Drawing Rights (SDRs)
• Marginal Standing Facility (MSF): MSF is a window
4. Reserve Tranche Position
for scheduled banks to borrow overnight from the
• Note: India’s forex reserves had hit a lifetime high of RBI in an emergency situation when interbank
$642.453 billion in September, 2021. liquidity dries up completely.
Significance of Forex Reserves:
• High forex reserves help the government and the DRAFT RED HERRING PROSPECTUS (DRHP)
central banks in managing external and internal In News: Recently, the Union government has filed a draft
financial issues. red herring prospectus with the SEBI for selling 5% of its
• The reserve helps to support and maintain shares in the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India.
confidence in monetary policy action or any exchange
rate intervention to support the domestic currency. About Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP):
• It also helps to limit any vulnerability because of a • A Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) is a
sudden disruption in foreign capital flows, which document that is prepared to introduce a new
could happen during a crisis, and gives the confidence business or product to a potential investor.
that the country’s crucial imports can be supported. • This is not a final document for an investor.
• It also assists the government in meeting its external • SEBI is required to assess the facts stated in the
debt obligations and maintain a reserve for national DRHP and recommend changes if required, before
disasters or emergencies. giving the share sale a green signal.
MONETARY POLICY COMMITTEE (MPC) Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI):
• It is the regulator of the securities and commodity
In News: Recently, Jayant Varma, Member of the market in India owned by the Government of India.
Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of
• It was established in 1988 and given statutory status
India (RBI), who has been opposing the RBI’s
through the SEBI Act, 1992.
accommodative policy stance.
• SEBI is responsible to the needs of three groups:
1. Issuers of securities
2. Investors o Currency and bank notes

3. Market intermediaries o Security paper
• Functions: o Non-judicial stamp papers, postal stamps
o Quasi-legislative – drafts regulations o Stationery
o Quasi-judicial – passes rulings and orders o Passport and visa stickers, security inks,
o Quasi-executive – conducts investigation and circulation, commemorative coins and others.
enforcement action • The nine production units of the SPMCIL, where
• Powers: banknotes and other government papers are
o To approve by−laws of Securities exchanges. manufactured, are already prohibited places.
o To require the Securities exchange to amend • Nine production units: four India Government
their by−laws. Mints, two Currency Note Presses, two Security
o Inspect the books of accounts and call for Printing Presses and one Security Paper Mill located
periodical returns from recognised Securities in Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Noida, Nashik,
exchanges. Dewas and Narmadapuram.
o Inspect the books of accounts of financial
intermediaries.
RAISING AND ACCELERATING MSME
o Compel certain companies to list their shares in
one or more Securities exchanges. PERFORMANCE (RAMP) PROGRAMME
o Registration of Brokers and sub-brokers In News: Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the
“Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance” (RAMP)
Programme.
INDIA’S FIRST WATER TAXI SERVICE
INAUGURATED IN MAHARASHTRA About:
In News: Recently, India’s first water taxi service was • It is a Central Sector Scheme of Ministry of Micro,
inaugurated in Maharashtra which connects the Navi Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
Mumbai area to mainland Mumbai. • Background: The RAMP programme was formulated
based on the recommendations made by U K Sinha
About Committee, KV Kamath Committee and Economic
• Maharashtra’s Chief Minister inaugurated the Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (PM-EAC).
Belapur jetty while Union Minister for Ports, Shipping • Funding: It is a World Bank assisted programme.
and Waterways. • Aim: To provide support to the MSMEs by improving
• The Rs. 8.37-crore project will presently operate on access to market and credit, strengthening
three routes and the State and the Centre have shared institutions and governance at the Centre and State,
the expenditure. improving Centre-State linkages and partnerships,
• The three routes include: addressing issues of delayed payments and greening
1. Belapur to Ferry Wharf – the domestic cruise MSMEs.
terminal,
2. Belapur to Elephanta Caves Key Features:
3. Belapur to JNPT. • Result Areas: The programme will focus on two
• In the initial stage, seven speedboats will run on these result areas:
routes. 1. Strengthening Institutions and Governance of the
• The ease of transport is a key factor for investors to MSME Program and
set up businesses in the region. 2. Supporting Market Access, Firm Capabilities and
Access to Finance.
SECURITY PRINTING AND MINTING • Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLI): The
CORPORATION OF INDIA LTD.(SPMCIL) disbursement of funds from the World Bank towards
RAMP would be made on fulfilling several indicators
In News: Recently, the Delhi headquarters of the Security
such as accelerating MSME Sector centre-state
Printing and Minting Corporation of India Ltd. (SPMCIL)
collaboration; reducing the incidence of delayed
has been declared a “prohibited place” under the Section
payments, enhancing the effectiveness of MSME
2 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 by the Union Home
Schemes among others.
Ministry “to prevent the entry of unauthorised persons”.
• Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs): The important
component of RAMP is the preparation of SIPs. The
About
SIPs would include an outreach plan for identification
• The Security Printing & Minting Corporation of India
and mobilization of MSMEs, identify key constraints
Ltd. (SPMCIL) is a government printing and minting
and gaps, set milestones and project the required
agency.
budgets for interventions in priority sectors
• It is under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Finance.
including renewable energy, rural & non-farm
• It was incorporated in 2006 with its registered office business, wholesale and retail trade etc.
at New Delhi.
• Monitoring of the programme: It would be done by
• Role: It is engaged in the manufacture and an apex National MSME Council headed by the
production of:
Minister for MSME, including representation from Other Initiatives:

various Ministries and supported by a secretariat. • Three Material Acceleration Platforms (MAP): It
has been set up by the Department of Science and
SUNFLOWER Technology (DST). These platforms would leverage
emerging capabilities in next-generation computing,
In News: Recently, The Ministry of Agriculture and
artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning and
Farmers Welfare is focused on promoting the area and
robotics to accelerate the pace of materials discovery
production of Sunflower in the country.
up to 10 times faster.
• Hydrogen Valley Platform: It is a global initiative to
About Sunflower:
optimize the hydrogen demand and supply by onsite
• Scientific Name: Helianthus annuus L.
generation and utilization. The platform utilizes
• Sunflower is an important oilseed crop in India, renewable resources effectively, and water in excess
popularly known as “Surajmukhi.” areas with geographical identity.
• It is known as a sunflower as it follows the sun by day, • National Funding Opportunity on Sustainable
always turning towards its direct rays.
Aviation Fuels ➔ It aims to support and conduct R,
• Sunflower is a major source of vegetable oil in the
D&D (Research, Development & Demonstration) to
world.
foster technological innovations in advanced biofuels
• It is used for a variety of cooking purposes. for aviation applications.
Sunflower seed contains about 48 – 53% edible oil.
• Largest Producer of Sunflower in the World: Mission Innovation
Ukraine is the largest producer of sunflower.
• Mission Innovation is a global initiative to catalyse
(Ukraine and Russia together account for about 60%
action and investment in research, development
of the global sunflower oil production and exports).
and demonstration to make clean energy
• The Sunflower Production States in India: In India, affordable, attractive and accessible to all this
Sunflower is grown mainly in Karnataka, decade.
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana.
• Launched alongside the Paris Agreement in 2015.
• It is the main intergovernmental platform
India’s Sunflower Oil Imports Dependence:
addressing clean energy innovation through
• Sunflower oil accounts for 10-12% of India’s total action-oriented cooperation.
220-230 lakh tonnes of annual domestic demand for
• The 23 members of Mission Innovation are:
cooking oils.
Austria, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China,
• As much as 90% of India’s sunflower oil
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy,
requirement comes from Ukraine (70%) and
Japan, the Republic of Korea, Morocco, the
Russia (20%).
Netherlands, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, the
United Arab Emirates, the UK, the USA, and the
INTEGRATED BIOREFINERIES MISSION European Commission (on behalf of the European
In News: Union Minister of State Science & Technology Union)
launched a major futuristic PPP (Public Private • Note: DST has committed to facilitate the delivery of
Participation) mode initiative for 'Clean Energy' with the three clean hydrogen valleys in India by 2030.
full launch of “Mission Integrated Bio-refineries”.
STEEL SLAG ROAD
About
In News: Surat has become the first city in the country
• Launched under Mission Innovation.
to get a processed steel slag (industrial waste) six-lane
• Co-Led by: India and Netherlands. road.
• Goal of mission: Develop and demonstrate
innovative solutions to accelerate the About Steel Slag Road:
commercialization of integrated biorefineries, with a • Background: Steel Slag Road is a brainchild of the
target of replacing 10% of fossil-based fuels, Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), NITI Aayog,
chemicals and materials with bio-based alternatives and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
by 2030. (CSIR).
• The mission is a PPP (Public Private Participation) • This road is built under the ‘Waste to Wealth and
mode initiative that unites countries, international Clean India’ initiative.
organizations, the corporate sector, academic
• Steel Slag is an industrial by-product obtained
institutions and civil society to accelerate innovation
from the steel manufacturing industry.
for renewable fuels, chemicals, and materials for a
• It is generated from a steel furnace burning at
low-carbon future.
around 1,500-1,600 degree centigrade in the form of
• Other Countries Involved in the Mission: The other molten flux material as an impurity.
countries involved are Brazil and Canada as core
• Use in Road: The construction cost of the processed
members and the European Commission and the
steel slag road is 30% cheaper than roads built from
United Kingdom as supporting members.
natural aggregates.

• The thickness of the road is also 30% lesser than • Purpose: It is an additional tool for absorbing
normal ones, while the durability is much longer due liquidity without any collateral. By removing the
to the utilisation of steel slag. binding collateral constraint on the RBI, the SDF
• Utilization of processed steel slag in road strengthens the operating framework of monetary
construction paves the way for sustainable use of policy.
waste and reduces the reliance on perishable natural • The SDF was suggested in 2014 by a committee
aggregates, reduce GHG emissions and carbon headed by Urjit Patel.
footprint in road construction activity.
• This process is in line with India’s commitment to SDF facility operation:
the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. • The SDF would replace the Fixed Rate Reverse Repo
9 for building resilient infrastructure through (FRRR) as the floor of the Liquidity Adjustment
inclusive and sustainable industrialization & green Facility (LAF) corridor.
technologies. • At present, SDF rate will be 25 basis points (bps)
below the policy repo rate.
Other uses: • Eligible participants can place deposits with the RBI
• Steel slag can be used as aggregates in concrete to on an overnight basis at the fixed rate. However, the
replace natural aggregates, because it has favorable RBI retains the flexibility to absorb liquidity for
mechanical properties, and high resistance to longer tenors under the SDF with appropriate
abrasion and impact. pricing, as and when the need arises.
• It is used to treat acidic water. • Both the standing facilities: the MSF (marginal
• In Agricultural sector, due to its ability to correct soil standing facility) and the SDF will be available on all
acidity, it is used as silicate fertilizer that is capable of days of the week, throughout the year.
providing silicon to the plants.
Impact on Reserve Repo Rate:
INDIA’S AGRICULTURE EXPORTS • The fixed rate reverse repo (FRRR) rate will remain
part of the RBI’s toolkit and its operation will be at the
In News: India’s exports of agricultural products
discretion of the RBI for purposes specified from time
(including marine and plantation products) for the year
to time.
2021-22 have crossed $50 billion.
• This means that FRRR along with the SDF will impart
flexibility to the RBI’s liquidity management
About
framework
• Agriculture exports have grown by 19.92% during
2021-22 to touch $50.21 billion. This is the highest
level ever achieved for agriculture exports. FINCLUVATION
• This export growth has been achieved mostly In News: Recently, the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB)
because of a surge in shipments of rice, wheat, marine announced the launch of Fincluvation.
products, sugar, buffalo meat and raw cotton.
About
Data Highlights: • Fincluvation will be a permanent platform of IPPB
• Wheat has recorded an unprecedented growth of to co-create inclusive financial solutions with
more than 273%. participating Fintech Start-ups.
• In Rice, India has captured nearly 50% of the world • It is an Industry first initiative to create a powerful
rice market. platform to mobilize the start-up community towards
• The export of marine products is also the highest ever building meaningful financial products aimed at
benefiting farmers in the coastal states. financial inclusion.
• Spices exports have also touched USD 4 billion for the • Fincluvation will allow the start-ups to work
second year in a row. together with IPPB and DoP experts to develop
• Moreover, despite facing tremendous supply-side solutions and conduct pilots using the postal network
issues, coffee exports have crossed USD 1 billion for and IPPB’s technology stack.
the first time. • It invites start-ups to Participate, Ideate, Develop
and Market intuitive and tailored products and
STANDING DEPOSIT FACILITY services that can be taken to the customers.
In News: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced the Startups are encouraged to develop solutions aligned
Standing Deposit Facility (SDF), an additional tool for with any of the following tracks:
absorbing liquidity, at an interest rate of 3.75 per cent. • Creditization: Develop Innovative & Inclusive credit
products aligned with the use cases of target
About customers and take them to their doorsteps through
• Background: In 2018, the amended Section 17 of the Postal network.
RBI Act empowered the Reserve Bank to introduce • Digitization: Bring convenience by converging
the SDF. traditional services with the Digital Payment

Technologies like making usual Money Order service In News: Recently, the NITI Aayog released the draft
as Interoperable Banking service. battery swapping policy for Electric Vehicles (EVs) in the
• Any Market-led solutions that can help solve any country.
other problem relevant to IPPB and/or DoP in
serving the target customers About
• Fincluvation mentors will work closely with the • Battery swapping is a mechanism that involves
startups to tweak products to the customer needs exchanging discharged batteries for charged ones.
and align the go-to-market strategies with operating • Battery swapping offers three key advantages
models of IPPB and DoP. relative to charging: It is time, space, and cost-
efficient provided each swappable battery is actively
INDIA POST PAYMENTS BANK (IPPB) used.
• Established in 2018. Draft Battery Swapping Policy:
• It comes under the Department of Posts (DoP), • Purpose: The policy is targeted at supporting the
Ministry of Communication with 100% equity owned adoption of battery-swapping primarily for battery
by Government of India. swapping systems used in electric scooters and
• The bank has been set up with the vision to build three-wheeler electric rickshaws.
the most accessible, affordable and trusted bank for • As per the draft policy, battery swapping will fall
the common man in India. under the Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) business
• The fundamental mandate of IPPB is to remove model, and such models would have to ensure
barriers for the unbanked and under-banked and interoperability between EVs and batteries for a
reach the last mile leveraging a network comprising successful mainstreaming of battery swapping as an
160,000 post offices (145,000 in rural areas). alternative.
• IPPB’s reach is built on the key pillars of India
Stack: enabling Paperless, Cashless and Presence- Objectives:
less banking in a simple and secure manner, through • Minimum Technical Standards: That battery
a CBS-integrated smart phone and biometric device. swapping ecosystems would need to fulfil, to enable
• IPPB’s motto: Every customer is important; every effective, efficient, reliable, safe, and customer-
transaction is significant, and every deposit is friendly implementation of battery-swapping
valuable. infrastructure.
• Financial Support: Providing direct and indirect
SPECIAL PURPOSE ACQUISITION COMPANIES financial support to Battery Providers (for the cost of
(SPACS) batteries) and EV users.
• In News: Recently, the government has reportedly • Lowering Taxes: The draft policy has suggested that
considered a regulatory framework for special the Goods & Services Tax Council considers reducing
purpose acquisition companies (SPACs). the differential across the tax rates on Lithium-ion
batteries and electric vehicle supply equipment.
About Currently, the tax rate on the former is 18% and 5%
on the latter.
• A SPAC or a Blank-Cheque Company is an entity
specifically set up with the objective of acquiring • Unique Identification Number: The policy also
a firm in a particular sector. proposes to assign a Unique Identification Number
(UIN) to swappable batteries at the manufacturing
• A SPAC aims to raise money in an Initial Public
stage to help track and monitor them.
Offering (IPO) without any operations or revenues.
• Nodal Agency: The Bureau of Energy Efficiency
• The money that is raised from the public is kept in
(BEE) is the Central Nodal Agency responsible for the
an escrow account which can be accessed while
rollout of EV public charging infrastructure and will
making the acquisition.
be responsible for the implementation of battery
• If the acquisition is not made within two years of the
swapping networks across the country.
IPO, the SPAC is delisted, and the money is returned
to the investors.
INDIA’S FIRST PURE GREEN HYDROGEN
Why attractive? PLANT
• While SPACs are essentially shell companies, a key In News: Recently, Oil India Limited (OIL) has
factor that makes them attractive to investors are the commissioned India’s First pure Green Hydrogen pilot
people who sponsor them. plant at its Jorhat Pump Station in Assam.
• Globally, prominent names have participated in
SPACs. About Green Hydrogen plant:
• Location: Jorhat Pump Station in Assam
DRAFT BATTERY SWAPPING POLICY • Process: The plant produces Green Hydrogen from
the electricity generated by the existing 500kW Solar
plant using a 100 kW Anion Exchange Membrane

(AEM) Electrolyser array. The use of AEM technology Significance:

is being used for the first time in India. • DBUs can enable last-mile financial inclusion as a
lender can reach a wider customer base in a more
Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) Technology: cost-effective manner.
• Electrolysis is the process of splitting water into NIDHI COMPANIES
hydrogen and oxygen, and when powered by
renewable energy, it’s shaping up to be a key step in In News: Recently, the government of India has released
the production of green hydrogen. the Nidhi (amendment) Rules, 2022. This amendment
brings changes to the Nidhi Rules, 2014 to safeguard the
• Typically, electrolysers use proton exchange
interest of the general public.
membranes(PEMs) to produce hydrogen. But the
problem with this method is that it needs expensive
About
metals like platinum, and ruthenium to remain in an
acidic environment. • Nidhi companies are a type of non-bank lenders
that raise funds exclusively from their members
• An alternative to this method is anion exchange
and give loans to them to improve their
membranes(AEMs). This method can operate under
governance and protect the public interest.
alkaline conditions, so they don’t need expensive
metals. Hence, the materials involved are thus some • They are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India
3,000 times less expensive. (RBI) for deposit-taking and by the Department of
Company Affairs (DCA) for operational matters and
• However, AEMs have not found commercial
deployment of funds.
success in hydrogen electrolysis because they don’t
perform as well, and they don’t last as long. • To become a Nidhi company, the entity has to first
register as a public limited company which has
more disclosure requirements than a private
DIGITAL BANKING UNITS limited company.
In News: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has • Only individual members are allowed in Nidhi
reiterated her Budget announcement on setting up 75 companies, and it cannot give loans to companies.
digital banking units in 75 districts of the country this
year. Key provisions of the Nidhi (amendment) Rules,
2022:
About • A public company set up as a Nidhi with a share
• DBU is a specialized business unit of a bank that capital of Rs 10 Lakh needs to first get itself declared
houses certain minimum digital banking products as a Nidhi by the Union government.
and services. • This can be done by submitting an application
• A bank can offer specialized digital products at any showing a minimum membership of 200 and net
time all year from these units and also provide owned funds of ₹2 million within 120 days of its
existing financial services products. incorporation.
• Eligible Bank to set up DBUs: Commercial banks • The rules introduced the concept of deemed
(other than regional rural banks, payment banks and approval. This means that if no decision is taken on
local area banks) with past digital banking the application for certification as Nidhi companies
experience are permitted to open DBUs in tier 1 to within 45 days of filing the application, approval
tier 6 centres, unless otherwise specifically would be deemed as granted.
restricted, without having the need to take
permission from the RBI in each case. CONSUMER EXPENDITURE SURVEY
Services that will be provided by these units: In News: The All-India Household Consumer Expenditure
• As per the RBI, each DBU must offer certain minimum Survey is set to resume this year after a prolonged break.
digital banking products and services. Such products
should be on both liabilities and assets side of the About
balance sheet of the digital banking segment. • Conducted by: National Statistical Office (NSO)
• The services include savings bank accounts under every 5 years.
various schemes, current accounts, fixed deposits • Aim: To collect information on the consumption
and recurring deposit accounts, digital kit for spending patterns of households across the country,
customers, mobile banking, Internet banking, debit both urban and rural.
cards, credit cards, and mass transit system cards etc. • The data gathered in this exercise reveals the
average expenditure on goods (food and non-
Difference b/w DBUs and Neo banks: food) and services.
• Currently, fintechs operating as Neo Banks offer • The data helps to generate estimates of household
digital banking services but they do so in partnership Monthly Per Capita Consumer Expenditure
with non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). (MPCE) as well as the distribution of households and
Some of the non-banks offering services in India are persons over the MPCE classes.
Jupiter, Fi Money, Niyo, Razorpay X. • Benefits: The data from the survey was used to
arrive at estimates of poverty levels in different parts

of the country and to review economic indicators like DRAFT UNIFORM CODE FOR MEDICAL
the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) since 2011–12.
DEVICE MARKETING PRACTICES
About NSO: In News: Recently, the Department of Pharmaceuticals
• The government has formed an overarching body (DoP) has published a draft Uniform Code for Medical
NSO by merging the National Sample Survey Office Device Marketing Practices (UCMDMP).
(NSSO), Computer Centre and Central Statistical
Office (CSO). About
• NSO was first envisaged by Rangarajan • The code is intended to be a voluntary code with
Commission to implement and maintain statistical the aim to regulate fair marketing practices in the
standards and coordinate statistical activities of Medical Device industry.
Central and State agencies as laid down by the • This code was needed as the Medical devices
National Statistical Commission (NSC). industry is characteristically different from
• It is the statistical wing of the Ministry of Statistics pharmaceuticals.
and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). • Therefore, a separate code for medical devices
• It Compiles and releases the Index of Industrial was much needed to accurately capture the ethical
Production (IIP) every month in the form of ‘quick marketing practice requirements for the medical
estimates’ and conducts the Annual Survey of device sector.
Industries (ASI).
Key provisions of the code:
• Allows for more collaboration with medical
EXPORT PROMOTION CAPITAL GOODS professionals:
(EPCG) SCHEME • The code permits medical devices companies to
In News: Recently, the Ministry of Commerce and collaborate with medical professionals for activities
Industry has relaxed various procedures under the such as consulting services, clinical studies and
Export Promotion Capital Goods(EPCG) scheme in order research, participation in company-conducted
to reduce compliance requirements and facilitate ease of training and continued medical education sessions.
doing business.
BARS GIFTS TO MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
About
• Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry. • Aim: to ensure that medical professionals are not
• Objective: To facilitate the import of capital goods being bribed by the medical devices industry to
for producing quality goods and services and enhance promote their products, the code has clarified that no
India’s manufacturing competitiveness. gifts, advantages or benefits would be provided to
doctors or their families.
• Features: Under the scheme, imports of capital
goods are allowed duty-free, subject to an Export • These gifts of entertainment and recreational
Obligation(EO). activities include theatre, live comedy or musicals,
sporting events, golf, skiing, cruises, spas, or vacation
• The Export Obligation(EO): the exporter under the
trips.
scheme has to export finished goods worth six times
of the actual duty saved in value terms in six years. At • However, companies will be allowed to
least, 50% of the EO must be fulfilled within the first occasionally provide modest, appropriate
block of four years. educational items to doctors that benefit patients.
Changes in the EPCG Scheme: INDIA PATENTS REPORT

• Extension in the time limit for submitting the In News: Recently, published India Patents report has
Annual Report: The time limit for reporting the shown that the Technology Innovation is gaining pace in
fulfilment of EO has been extended from April 30 to India with Indian companies having filed 1,38,000 tech
June 30. Further, late fees of Rs.5000 per patents in India from 2015 to 2021.
authorization for each financial year would be levied
for delay in submission of such report. About the Report:
• Payment of Customs Duty: The facility to pay • Released by: National Association of Software and
customs duty through scrips (MEIS /RoDTEP Services Companies (NASSCOM).
/RoSCTL) for default under EPCG has been • The focus of the report: The report is one among a
withdrawn. series of Nasscom’s Emerging Technology-focused
• Export Obligation (EO): Requests for export reports that aim to understand how Indian
obligation extension under the scheme should be technology companies are creating IP assets in their
made within six months of expiry instead of the largest market.
earlier prescribed period of 90 days. However,
applications made after six months and up to six Highlights of the Report:
years are subject to a late fee of Rs 10,000 per • Patents filed by Indian Companies: Indian
authorisation. companies have filed 1.38 lakh tech patents in India
from 2015 to 2021.
• The US as a key market: The US remains a key sexual act or impersonation etc – social media
export market for India. Over 9,500 patents were platforms will be required to remove that within 24
filed by India domiciled companies in the US between hours after a complaint is made.
2015-2021, an increase of around 47% over 2015 • A monthly report: They also will have to publish a
and 2019. monthly report about the number of complaints
• Role of Start-ups: Start-ups have been key received and the status of redressal.
contributors in terms of technology innovation. Over • There will be three levels of regulation for news
60% of the technology patents were filed by Indian publishers: Self-regulation, a self-regulatory body,
companies and start-ups while 16.7% of the tech headed by a retired judge or an eminent person, and
patents were filed by Individual oversight from the Information and Broadcasting
inventors/Academia-Research. Ministry, including codes of practices and a grievance
committee.
Patents and IP rights: • Significant social media intermediaries: Social
• A patent represents a powerful intellectual media companies with more than 50 lakh registered
property right, and is an exclusive monopoly users will be considered ‘significant social media
granted by a Government to an inventor for a limited, intermediaries’, as per the new norms.
pre-specified time. • In case of noncompliance:
• It provides an enforceable legal right to prevent o Social media giants such as Facebook, Twitter,
others from copying the invention. Instagram and WhatsApp messenger could face a
ban if they do not comply with the new
Patents can be of two types: Information Technology rules.
1. A product patent ensures that the rights to the final o They also run the risk of losing their status as
product is protected, and anyone other than the “intermediaries” and may become liable for
patent holder can be restrained from manufacturing criminal action if they do not comply with the
it during a specified period. revised regulations.
2. A process patent enables any person other than the
patent holder to manufacture the patented product AVSAR INITIATIVE
by modifying certain processes in the manufacturing
exercise. In News: Recently, Airports Authority of India (AAI) has
launched an initiative named “Airport as Venue for Skilled
• Initially, India adopted process patenting in 1970s
Artisans of the Region (AVSAR)”.
which enabled India to become a significant producer
of generic drugs at global scale.
About
• However, due to the obligations under the TRIPS
• Initiative of: Airports Authority of India (AAI).
(Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property
Rights) Agreement, product patenting is also allowed • Aim: To encourage the talent of craftsmen, women,
in India. and artisans and provide them with proper
opportunities.
• TRIPS is an international legal agreement between all
the member nations of the World Trade Organization. • Under the initiative, space will be allocated to Self
Help Groups (SHGs) at the airports for the purpose of
showcasing or selling the self-made products of their
IT RULES, 2021 specific region.
In News: The Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry • At each AAI-operated airport, an area of 100-200
has blocked 16 YouTube news channels, including six square feet has been earmarked for the SHGs.
from Pakistan. The action has been taken using • On a turn-on-turn basis, this area will be provided
emergency powers under Rule 18 of the IT Rules, 2021. to the SHGs for a duration of 15 days.
• Significance: The initiative will strengthen the SHGs
About by providing them with visibility and will prepare
• It mandates a grievance redressal system for over them to market and promote their products to a
the top (OTT) and digital portals in the country. This larger population from the country as well outside
is necessary for the users of social media to raise the country.
their grievance against the misuse of social media. • Airports Authority of India: It is a statutory body
• Significant social media firms have to appoint a (created through the Airports Authority of India Act,
chief compliance officer and have a nodal contact 1994) working under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
person who can be in touch with law enforcement
agencies 24/7.
TRILATERAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
• A grievance officer: Social media platforms will also
(TDC) FUND
have to name a grievance officer who shall register
the grievance within 24 hours and dispose of it in 15 In News: The TDC fund has been recently launched by
days. India to involve private sectors with the support of the
• Removal of content: If there are complaints against state for investments in the Indo-Pacific region.
the dignity of users, particularly women – about
exposed private parts of individuals or nudity or About

• Launched by: Ministry of External Affairs. About:

• Aim: To provide an alternative to the Chinese • Parboiled rice refers to rice that has been partially
development partnership model that has pushed boiled at the paddy stage, before milling.
parts of the developing world into a debt trap. • Parboiling of rice is not a new practice and has been
• The fund would involve private sectors with state followed in India since ancient times.
support for big-ticket investments in the Indo-Pacific • There are several processes for parboiling rice. The
region as well as other geographies: Paddy Processing Research Centre (PPRC),
• India’s Global Innovation Partnership (GIP) Thanjavur follows a method known as the chromate
launched with the UK will provide a template to use soaking process.
the TDC Fund for trilateral projects with other • All processes generally involve three stages—
countries like Japan, Germany, France and the EU. soaking, steaming and drying. After passing through
• Moreover, India’s contribution to GIP will be these stages, the paddy goes for milling.
channelized through the TDC Fund
Benefits:
Global Innovation Partnership: • Parboiling makes rice tougher. This reduces the
• Launched by the Government of India and the UK chances of the rice kernel breaking during milling.
• Purpose of the GIP is to support Indian innovators to • Parboiling also increases the nutrient value of the
scale up their innovations in third countries. Thereby rice.
helping innovators to explore new markets and • Third, parboiled rice has a higher resistance to
become self-sustainable. insects and fungi.
• Under GIP, Indian entrepreneurs and innovators will
receive seed funding, grants, investments and Drawbacks:
technical assistance. They will test, scale up and take • The rice becomes darker and may smell unpleasant
innovative development solutions to select due to prolonged soaking.
developing countries. • Besides, setting up a parboiling rice milling unit
requires a higher investment than a raw rice milling
WHEAT EXPORTS unit.
In News: Recently, Egypt has approved India as a wheat
supplier. This comes amid a sharp dip in global wheat MSME SUSTAINABLE CERTIFICATION
production, largely because of the Russia-Ukraine war. SCHEME
In News: Recently, The MSME Sustainable Certification
About: scheme has been launched.
• Type of crop: Rabi Crop.
• It is the second most important cereal crop in India About
after rice. • Launched by: Ministry of MSME.
• It is mostly consumed in the north and north-west • Aim: To create awareness amongst MSMEs about
parts of the country. Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED) practices and motivate
• Suitable Climate: It is grown at a temperature of 10- and incentivise them for ZED Certification while also
15 °C (Sowing time) and 21-26 °C (Ripening & encouraging them to become MSME Champions.
Harvesting) with bright sunlight. It requires a rainfall • Phases under the scheme: The first phase will focus
of 75 to 100 cm. on manufacturing MSMEs, and the second phase
• Major wheat growing states in India: Uttar would be aimed at the MSMEs in the services sector.
Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh,
Rajasthan, Bihar and Gujarat. Benefits and Subsidies:
• MSMEs will get subsidies on the cost of ZED
Wheat Exports: certification as per the following:
• Russia and Ukraine accounted for nearly one- o Micro Enterprises: 80%,
third of global wheat exports. o Small Enterprises: 60%
• Egypt is the world’s biggest importer of wheat. o Medium Enterprises: 50%.
• India in Wheat Exports: India is the second-largest • There will be an additional subsidy of 10% for the
producer of wheat, with a share of around 14.14% of MSMEs owned by Women/SC/ST Entrepreneurs or
the world’s total production in 2020. MSMEs in NER/Himalayan/LWE/Island
territories/aspirational districts.
PARBOILED RICE • In addition to the above, there will be an additional
subsidy of 5% for MSMEs which are part of the
In News: Recently, Telangana Chief Minister K
SFURTI or Micro & Small Enterprises – Cluster
Chandrashekar Rao staged a dharna at Telangana House,
Development Programme (MSE-CDP) of the Ministry.
demanding a uniform paddy procurement policy. The
• A limited purpose joining reward of Rs 10,000 will
protest came after the Centre said it was stopping the
also be offered to each MSME once they take the ZED
purchase of excess parboiled rice, of which Telangana is a
Pledge.
major producer.
• A provision of up to Rs. 5 lakh(per MSME) will also be • The exercise is being conducted as a part of its
made available for handholding and consultancy strategic commitment to improve global trade.
support for MSMEs for assisting them to move • TRS is essentially a performance measurement
towards Zero Defect Zero Effect solutions. tool for assessing the cargo clearance process of
• ZED-certified MSME players will also be offered international trade, as recommended by the WTO
subsidies in stall charges, airfares, concession in under the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and
banks’ processing fees and rate of interest along with the World Customs Organization (WCO).
preference in lending. • Method Adopted: The study measures average cargo
release time, i.e. the time taken from the arrival of the
INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM cargo at the customs station to its eventual release for
ENDEAVOR FOR INDIAN CITIES INITIATIVE import or export as the case may be.
• Ports Covered: The TRS 2022 covered four-port
In News: Recently, The Ministry of Electronics and categories – 1) seaports, 2) air cargo complexes
Information Technology (MeitY) has launched three (ACCs), 3) inland container depot (ICDs) and 4)
software applications under the Intelligent integrated check posts (ICPs). These ports handle
Transportation System Endeavor for Indian Cities Phase- about 80% of the bills of entry (import documents)
II initiative. and 70% of the shipping bills (export documents).
About:
• Launched by: Ministry of Electronics and SAGARMALA PROGRAMME
Information Technology (MeitY). In News: Sagarmala, the flagship programme of the
• Aim: The initiative is aimed at undertaking R&D Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways completed
projects collaboratively with IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, seven years.
IISc Bangalore and C-DAC to synergize the
transformation of Intelligent Transportation System About:
(ITS) with more energy and pace. • The Sagarmala is a series of projects to leverage the
• Note: Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) are a suite country’s coastline and inland waterways to drive
of public transport planning, operations management industrial development.
and customer service applications that are enabled • The concept of Sagarmala was approved by the
by advanced information and communications Union Cabinet on March 25, 2015.
technologies. • As part of the programme, a National Perspective
Plan (NPP) for the comprehensive development
Three software applications launched under the of India's 7,500 km coastline, 14,500 km of
InTranSE -II Program: potentially navigable waterways and the
• Onboard Driver Assistance and Warning Systems maritime sector was prepared which was released
or Odaws: It includes vehicle radar sensors and in April, 2016, at the Maritime India Summit 2016.
navigation sensors to actively monitor the immediate
surroundings of a car in order to avoid road Difference b/w Bharatmala and Sagarmala:
accidents. • Bharatmala: Bharatmala is an umbrella programme
• Bus Signal Priority System (BSPS): It will seek to to enhance road connectivity across country. Under
actively track congestions at major urban arterial the 'Bharatmala Project', construction or upgradation
road traffic junctions and use conditional priority to of about 35,000 kilometres of national highways is to
facilitate faster movement of public transport be undertaken by 2022.
services such as buses in order to reduce such • Sagarmala: Sagarmala is the government’s flagship
congestions. programme to develop and modernise ports along
• Common Smart IoT ‘Connectiv’ (Cosmic): It is an the coast line.
open-standard IoT (internet of things) platform that • In addition, under the 'Sagarmala Project', a network
is compatible with the OneM2M IoT compatibility of good-quality roads is being constructed in coastal
standard. areas and areas adjoining ports.
• Note: OneM2M is a common language for IoT
sensors, algorithms and software that allow DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
connected sensors and hardware built by one (DFI)
company to be able to exchange information built by
another In News: Recently, the government backed National Bank
for Financial Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID)
to start operation from Q1 of FY23, ₹1 trillion
TIME RELEASE STUDY infrastructure lending target is set for the year.
In News: Recently, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes
and Customs (CBIC) has released Time Release Study About
(TRS) 2022. • NaBFID (HQ: Mumbai) is established as a
Development Financial Institution (DFI) under the
About:

National Bank for Financial Infrastructure and

Development Act, 2021. 3. ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
• It has authorized share capital of ₹1 lakh crore.
• RBI will regulate and supervise it as an All-India NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION
Financial Institution (AIFI) under Sections 45L and AUTHORITY (NTCA)
45N of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
In News: Recently, the 19th Meeting of National Tiger
• It will be the 5th AIFI after EXIM Bank, NABARD, NHB
Conservation Authority (NTCA) was held under the
and SIDBI.
chairmanship of Union Minister for Environment, Forest
& Climate Change and launched action plan for
introducing Cheetah in India.
About NTCA:
• Established in 2005 following the recommendations
of the Tiger Task Force.
• NTCA is a statutory body under the Ministry of
Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
• Constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act,
1972.
• Objectives:
o Providing statutory authority to Project Tiger so
that compliance with its directives becomes
legal.
o Fostering accountability of Center-State in the
management of Tiger Reserves by providing a
basis for MoU with States within our federal
structure.
o Providing for oversight by Parliament.
o Addressing livelihood interests of local people in
areas surrounding Tigers Reserves.
Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India:

• The cheetah became extinct in independent India
in 1952. Now it is all set to return.
• As part of the plan, the ministry will be translocating
around 8-12 cheetahs from South Africa, Namibia
and Botswana to Kuno Palpur National Park in
Madhya Pradesh.
• This could be the world’s first intercontinental
cheetah translocation project.
Cheetah:
• Scientific name of Cheetah is Acinonyx jubatus.
• They are a large cat native to Africa and central
Iran.
• They are fastest land animal, with running speed of
80 to 128 km/h.
• They occur in a variety of habitats like savannahs in
the Serengeti, hilly desert terrain in Iran and arid
mountain ranges in Sahara.
• They have been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red
List.
WATER ATLAS
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate
Change has released a Water Atlas.
• The atlas maps all the water bodies in the tiger-
bearing areas of India.
• The atlas contains information about presence of
such bodies in several areas including the Shivalik
Hills and Gangetic plain landscape, Central Indian
Landscape and Eastern Ghats, Western Ghats • The first survey was published in 1987, and ISFR
landscape etc. 2021 is the 17th.
• The atlas has been put together using remote-sensing • It compiles data computed through wall-to-wall
data and Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping of India’s forest cover through remote
mapping. sensing techniques.
ORANG NATIONAL PARK Categorization of forests:

• Very Dense Forest (with tree canopy density of 70 per
In News: Recently, the government has issued a
cent or above)
notification to make Orang National Park more than
• Moderately Dense Forest (tree canopy density of 40
thrice its existing size.
per cent or above but less than 70 per cent)
About Orang National Park • Open Forest (tree canopy density of 10 per cent or
above but less than 40 per cent)
• Located on the north bank of the Brahmaputra River
in the Darrang and Sonitpur districts of Assam, India. • Scrub (tree canopy density less than 10 per cent).
• Established as a sanctuary in 1985 and declared a
Key Findings:
National Park on 13 April 1999.
• Increase of 2,261 sq km in the total forest and tree
• Also known as the mini Kaziranga National Park
cover of the country in the last two years.
(IUCN site) since the two parks have a similar
landscape made up of marshes, streams, and • Area-wise Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest
grasslands. cover in the country followed by Arunachal Pradesh,
Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra.
• Flora and Fauna: rich flora and fauna, including
great Indian rhinoceros, pygmy hog, Asian elephant, • Top five states in terms of increase in forest
cover: Andhra Pradesh (647 sq km) > Telangana
wild water buffalo and Bengal tiger.
(632 sq km) > Odisha (537 sq km) > Karnataka (155
National Park: sq km) > Jharkhand (110 sq km).
• The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 provides for the • Top five states in terms of forest cover as
declaration of five types of protected areas viz. percentage of total geographical area: Mizoram
(84.53%) > Arunachal Pradesh (79.33%) >
National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Community
Meghalaya (76.00%) > Manipur (74.34%) > Nagaland
Reserves, Conservation Reserves and Tiger Reserves.
(73.90%).
• A National Park is defined by state government via
notification under the WPA. • North Eastern region: Arunachal Pradesh lost the
maximum forest cover (257 sq km), followed by
• The state government can fix and alter boundaries of
Manipur.
the National Parks with prior consultation and
approval with National Board of Wildlife. • 17 states/UT’s have above 33 percent of the
geographical area under forest cover. Out of these
• No need to pass an act for alternation of
states and UTs, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Andaman &
boundaries of National Parks.
Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya
• No human activities are permitted in a National
have more than 75 percent forest cover.
Park.
• Total carbon stock in the country's forest:
estimated to be 7,204 million tonnes, an increase of
RED SANDERS 79.4 million.
In News: Recently, the International Union for • Total mangrove cover in the country: 4,992 sq km,
Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) recently categorised the an increase of 17 sq Km observed.
Red Sanders (or Red Sandalwood) again into the • Top three states showing mangrove cover
‘endangered’ category in its Red List. It was classified as increase: Odisha (8 sq km) > Maharashtra (4 sq km)
‘near threatened’ in 2018. > Karnataka (3 sq km).
• Ahmedabad among the mega cities of India has lost
Note: Refer Udaan+ Environment (Jan21-Jan22) for other maximum forest cover.
information about Red Sanders.
Additional Information:
INDIA STATE OF FOREST REPORT (ISFR) • Forest Survey of India uses satellite Moderate
2021 Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)
for active forest fire detection.
In News: Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forests
• FSI has included a new chapter related to the
and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has released the India
assessment of forest cover in the Tiger Reserves,
State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021.
Corridors and Lion conservation area of India.
• Increase in forest cover: Buxa (West Bengal),
About
Anamalai (Tamil Nadu) and Indravati reserves
• ISFR is an assessment of India’s forest and tree cover,
(Chhattisgarh)
published every two years by the Forest Survey of
India under the MoEFCC.

• Highest losses: Kawal (Telangana), Bhadra • This species is known to inhabit fast-flowing hill
(Karnataka) and the Sundarbans reserves (West streams and is often found in rocky pools with thick
Bengal). vegetation along river banks.
• Pakke Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh has the • Threats: The fish species is being exploited for the
highest forest cover, at nearly 97%. aquarium trade.
BIODIVERCITIES BY 2030 Reason behind its inclusion in the Schedule I of WPA:

• Its beauty is the biggest threat to its survival, as it is
In News: Recently, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has
highly sought-after in the international aquarium
released a report titled “BiodiverCities by 2030:
trade, constituting 60 – 65% of the total live
Transforming cities’ relationship with nature”.
ornamental fish exported from India.
• Its numbers are also decreasing owing to habitat
About BiodiverCities by 2030:
degradation due to deforestation, mining,
• BiodiverCities by 2030 initiative is led jointly by the
agriculture, urban expansion and hydro-electric
World Economic Forum and the Alexander von
projects.
Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute
and championed by the Government of Colombia.
• The initiative aims to support city governments, ASIA MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON TIGER
businesses and citizens, to make choices that enable CONSERVATION
cities to live in harmony with nature by 2030. In News: Recently, the Union Environment Minister for
• “BiodiverCities by 2030: Transforming cities Environment, Forest and Climate Change highlighted
relationship with nature” Report various aspects of India’s successful tiger conservation
• The report is a key output of the BiodiverCities by effort at the 4th Asia Ministerial Conference on tiger
2030 initiative. conservation.
EASTERN SWAMP DEER About Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger

Conservation:
In News: Recently, it has been noticed that the Population
• Organised by: the Government of Malaysia and the
of the vulnerable eastern swamp deer has dipped in the
Global Tiger Forum(GTF).
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (Assam). The
• At the conference, the 13 Tiger Range Countries(TRC)
eastern swamp deer is extinct elsewhere in South Asia
adopted the Kuala Lumpur Joint Statement on Tiger
Conservation, which emphasised joint commitments
About:
towards tiger conservation.
• There are three subspecies of swamp deer found in
• The 13 Tiger Range Countries(TRC) consist of:
the Indian Subcontinent:
Malaysia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China,
1. The western swamp deer (Rucervus duvaucelii)
India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia,
found in Nepal.
Thailand, and Vietnam.
2. Southern swamp deer/Hard Ground Barasingha
(Rucervus duvaucelii branderi) found in central
Key highlights:
and north India.
• India will facilitate Tiger Range Countries towards
3. Eastern swamp deer (Rucervus duvaucelii
the finalisation of the New Delhi declaration for the
ranjitsinhi) found in the Kaziranga (Assam) and
Global Tiger Summit to be held at Vladivostok, Russia.
Dudhwa National Parks (Uttar Pradesh).
• A “Pre-Tiger Summit” meeting was held at New Delhi
• Protection Status of Swamp Deer:
in 2010, wherein the draft declaration on tiger
o IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
conservation for the Global Tiger Summit was
o CITES: Appendix I
finalised.
o Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I.
• Achievements of India in Tiger Conservation:
o India has achieved a remarkable feat by doubling
MISS KERALA the tiger population four years ahead of its goal.
In News: Recently, Denison barb (Miss Kerala), a fish o Conservation Assured |Tiger Standards (CA|TS)
species, has been included in Schedule I of the Wild Life accreditation has already been awarded to 14
(Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021. tiger reserves in India.
o India’s success with the tiger relocation could be
About Denison barb (Miss Kerala): replicated elsewhere. It has successfully
• Scientific name: Sahyadria denisonii. translocated a tiger in the western part of the
• Miss Kerala is also known as Denison barb, red-line Rajaji Tiger Reserve. Similar reintroduction has
torpedo barb and roseline shark. been planned for Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya
• The fish is featured with red and black stripes on its Pradesh.
body.
• It is found in the States of Kerala and Karnataka. Conservation Status of Tiger:
• IUCN Status: Endangered • Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
• IUCN Red List: Endangered.
• CITES: Appendix I. small industry projects and are considered to be ‘less

polluting.’.
Global Tiger Forum (GTF): • Companies seeking approval upload the required
• The GTF is the only intergovernmental international documents on the portal called Parivesh.
body established with members from willing • A note to States by the Union Environment Ministry
countries to embark on a global campaign to protect on January 17 spells out seven criteria to rate State
the Tiger. Environmental Impact Assessment Agencies (SEIAA)
• It was formed in 1993. on “transparency, efficiency and accountability”.
• Headquartered in New Delhi, India. • On a scale of seven, a SEIAA, for instance, gets two
• Functions: marks for granting a clearance in less than 80 days,
o The GTF has a General Assembly meeting every 3 one mark for within 105 days and no marks for more.
years and Standing committee meetings at least • If less than 10% of the projects for scrutiny prompted
once a year. a site visit by committee members, to examine
o A Chairperson, usually a Minister from one of the ground conditions, a SEIAA would get one mark.
Tiger Range countries heads GTF for a fixed • More than 20%, on the other hand, would be a
tenure of 3 Years. demerit or zero marks. SEIAA with a score of seven or
o Members: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, more would be rated ‘five star.’
India, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
KERALA BIRD ATLAS
LIVING ROOT BRIDGES OF MEGHALAYA In News: Recently, the Kerala Bird Atlas (KBA), the first-
In News: Recently, the Zoological Survey of India has of-its-kind State-level bird atlas in India, has created
underlined some green rules for the living root bridges of solid baseline data about the distribution and abundance
Meghalaya to get the UNESCO World Heritage Site tag. of bird species across all major habitats
About Living Root Bridges About Kerala Bird Atlas:

• A living root bridge is like an aerial suspension • The KBA has been prepared based on systematic
bridge formed by weaving and manipulating the surveys held twice over 60 days a year during the wet
pliable roots of the rubber fig tree (Ficus elastica) (July to September) and dry (January to March)
across a stream or river and allowing the roots to seasons between 2015 and 2020.
strengthen over time. • It was conducted as a citizen science-driven
• Such a bridge is locally called jing kieng jri. exercise with the participation of over 1,000
• They are common in the southern part of the volunteers of the birdwatching community.
Northeast Indian state of Meghalaya. • The KBA accounts for nearly three lakh records of
• Ficus elastica: Ficus elastica is conducive to the 361 species, including 94 very rare species, 103 rare
growth of bridges because of its three main species, 110 common species, 44 very common
properties: species, and 10 most abundant species.
o They are elastic, • It was found that the species count was higher during
o The roots easily combine and the dry season than in the wet season while species
o The plants grow in rough, rocky soils. richness and evenness were higher in the northern
and central districts than in the southern districts.
STATE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT • Significance of KBA: It is arguably Asia’s largest bird
ASSESSMENT AGENCIES (SEIAA) atlas in terms of geographical extent, sampling effort
and species coverage derived from the aggregation of
In News: Recently, a proposal by the Union Environment 25,000 checklists.
Ministry to “rank” and “incentivise” States on how quickly
they could give environmental clearances to proposed
infrastructure projects has drawn fire from CLIMATE HAZARDS AND VULNERABILITY
environmentalists on the grounds that it contravenes ATLAS OF INDIA
basic principles of environmental regulation. In News: Recently, India Meteorological Department
(IMD) has released India’s first “Climate hazards and
About: vulnerability Atlas of India”.
• SEIAA consists of State officers and independent
experts. Infrastructure projects above a certain size About Climate hazards and vulnerability Atlas of
which have a potential to significantly alter the India:
natural environment need to be approved by SEIAA. • Developed by: The scientists at the Climate Research
• Projects that are even bigger or involve forest and Services (CRS) office of the India Meteorological
(category A) get clearance by Centre. Department (IMD), Pune.
• Category B, which get clearance by SEIAAs are • Purpose: The atlas is depicted using Geographic
relatively smaller though they make up the bulk of Information System(GIS) tools and provide district
projects that are presented for approval. They maps on hazard events and vulnerability.
include building and construction, small mining, and • The atlas will have two uses:
a) It will act as a reference for impact-based • Uttarakhand has Common Peacock.

warnings that IMD issue for various regions, • Karnataka has the Southern Birdwing.
b) It can be used to plan climate-resilient • Kerala has Malabar banded peacock or buddha
infrastructure. butterfly.
• Key findings: • Tamil Nadu has declared the Tamil Yeoman Butterfly
o West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district within species (endemic to the Western Ghats) as the state
which the larger share of the Sundarbans is butterfly.
located is impacted by cyclones the most
frequently among Indian districts.
SPRING SHED MANAGEMENT IN THE INDIAN
o Purba Medinipur in West Bengal had the highest
cyclone vulnerability in the country for cyclones HIMALAYAN REGION (IHR)
of all intensities. In News: Recently, NITI Aayog has released a Resource
o Most of the coastal districts of the East Coast are Book on Springshed Management in the Indian
highly vulnerable to cyclones. Himalayan Region (IHR). This Resource Book is a
summarised guiding document on best practices in
springshed management in the IHR.
SPOT BILLED PELICAN
In News: Recently, a nematode infestation has led to mass About Spring:
mortality of spot-billed pelicans (Pelicanus philippensis) • Springs are groundwater discharge points in the
at Telineelapuram Important Bird Area (IBA) in Andhra mountains where the water-bearing layers (aquifer)
Pradesh. intersect with the ground surface and water seeps out
of rock pores, fissures, fractures, or depressions.
About Spot Billed Pelican: • Significance of Springs: Springs are the primary
• The spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) or water source for millions of people in the mid-hills of
grey pelican is a member of the pelican family. the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) and supply over
• It breeds in southern Asia from southern Iran across 90% of water needs for domestic uses.
India east to Indonesia.
• It is a bird of large inland and coastal waters, Recommendations:
especially large lakes. • Formation of National Springs Mission (NSM): A
• The breeding population of these pelican species is National Mission will facilitate improved
limited to India, Sri Lanka and Cambodia. coordination, efficient execution and scaling up of
• In the non-breeding season they are recorded in spring shed management initiatives in India. It can
Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. also consolidate and converge the learnings and
• Conservation status: experiences under one umbrella and help develop
o IUCN status: Near Threatened national or regional-level decision support systems.
o Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule IV • Create a national digital database on spring-
• Threat: related data: This will improve ease of access and
o Nematode Infestation has led to mass deaths of academic research. In addition, the data can be
spot-billed pelicans at Telineelapuram Important integrated into an online portal and facilitate open
Bird Area (IBA). access sharing for all stakeholders, including the local
o Since spot-billed pelicans are capable of hunting communities.
huge fish from the water bodies and swamps it is • Create support for existing, state and national-
vulnerable to infestation. level science-policy-practice consortiums: This
will facilitate experience sharing, complementary
A NEW SPECIES OF BUTTERFLY DISCOVERED knowledge generation, transfer, and capacity
IN SIKKIM building of all stakeholders.
In News: Recently, a team of researchers have discovered
Indian Himalayan Region (IHR):
a new Butterfly species in Sikkim. They have named it
• The IHR covers ten states and four hill districts of
‘Chocolate-bordered Flitter’.
India, viz. Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal
Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya,
Important Facts:
Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, among the
• A Himalayan butterfly named Golden Birdwing is
states and the hill districts of Dima Hasao, Karbi
India’s largest, a record an unknown specimen had
Anglong in Assam and Darjeeling, Kalimpong in West
held for 88 years.
Bengal.
• The smallest is the Quaker (Neopithecops
zalmora) with a wingspan of 18 mm and forewing
length of 8 mm. EXPANSION OF THAR DESERT
In News: Recently, the Central University of Rajasthan
Other State Butterflies: conducted a study on desertification of the Thar region
• Maharashtra was the first in the country to and found out it is expanding fast.
announce its state butterfly (Blue Mormon).

About the study: protect land from over-use and drought, so it can
• The study was undertaken as part of an assessment continue to provide food, water and energy.
of the environmentally sensitive areas within the • Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Environment, Forest
framework of the UN Convention to Combat and Climate Change.
Desertification (UNCCD).
• The scientists associated with the project studied the INDIA VOTES AGAINST U.N. DRAFT
climate and vegetation in Thar to understand the RESOLUTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
desertification process.
In News: Recently, India has voted against a draft
Findings: resolution at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
• It focused on Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Jodhpur linking climate to security.
districts covering more than 50% of the Thar desert.
United Nations Security Council (UNSC):
• It found that Jodhpur had witnessed a slow speed of
desertification. • The UNSC is one of the six principal organs of the
United Nations and is charged with the maintenance
• It also found that the vegetation cover and water
of international peace and security.
bodies had increased in the area in the last 46 years
and the complex sand region had decreased by • Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping
4.98%. operations, the establishment of international
sanctions, and the authorization of military action
Causes of this fast expansion: through Security Council resolutions.
• Migration of people • It is the only UN body with the authority to issue
binding resolutions to member states.
• Changes in the rainfall pattern
• Spread of sand dunes
Members:
• Unscientific plantation drives.
• The Security Council consists of fifteen members.
Impacts: • Five Permanent Member (P5): Russia, the United
Kingdom, France, China, and the United States.
• The degradation of land is posing a threat to the
desert ecology, while climate change has contributed • These permanent members can veto any substantive
Security Council resolution, including those on the
to the spread of arid regions.
admission of new member states or candidates for
• The loss of Aravali hills because of unchecked mining
Secretary-General.
activities would result in the sandstorms travelling to
NCR and Delhi. • The Council also has 10 non-permanent members,
elected on a regional basis to serve two-year terms.
• The suspended particles from the arid region are
contributing to air pollution in NCR. • The body’s presidency rotates monthly among its
members.
Thar Desert
Reasons behind India’s decision:
• The Thar Desert, also called the Great Indian Desert,
arid region of rolling sandhills on the Indian • Deviation from UNFCCC: The draft was an attempt
to shift climate talks from the UN Framework
subcontinent. It is located partly in Rajasthan state,
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to the
northwestern India, and partly in Punjab and Sindh
Security Council and a “step backward” for collective
(Sind) provinces, eastern Pakistan.
action on the issue.
• It is the world’s ninth-largest hot subtropical desert.
• Evasion of responsibility: The attempt to discuss
climate action and climate justice issues at the UNSC
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
was “motivated by a desire to evade responsibility in
(UNCCD):
the appropriate forum.”
• Established in 1994.
• Veto hegemony over Climate Action: Countries are
• It is the sole legally binding international
attempting to bring climate talks to the UNSC so that
agreement linking environment and development to
decisions could be taken without consensus or the
sustainable land management.
involvement of most developing countries.
• It is the only convention stemming from a direct
• Historic pollutants: Many of the UNSC members
recommendation of the Rio Conference’s Agenda 21.
were the primary contributors to climate change due
• To help publicize the Convention, 2006 was
to historical emissions.
declared “International Year of Deserts and
• Overtly ambitious targets: Indian officials had said
Desertification”.
at the conclusion of COP26 that India alone would
• Focus areas: The Convention addresses specifically
need a trillion dollars by 2030 to achieve its climate
the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known
ambitions.
as the drylands, where some of the most vulnerable
ecosystems and peoples can be found.
United Nations Framework Convention On Climate
• Aim: Its 197 Parties aim, through partnerships, to Change (UNFCCC):
implement the Convention and achieve the
• UNFCCC is the primary multilateral treaty
Sustainable Development Goals. The end goal is to
governing actions to combat climate change
through adaptation and mitigation efforts directed at world’s population were urban dwellers. This meant
control of emission of GHGs that cause global encroachment on good agricultural land.
warming. • Most pressures on the world’s land, soil and water
• Negotiated & signed at the UN (CED) - Conference resources are from agriculture due to use of chemical
on Environment & Development (Earth Summit), fertilizers, farm mechanization etc.
held in Rio de Janeiro, June 1992.
• Headquartered: Bonn FLEX FUEL VEHICLES (FFV) AND FLEX FUEL
• Came into force: on 21 March 1994 STRONG HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES (FFV -
• Objective: To stabilize Greenhouse Gas (GHG) SHEV)
concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that
would stop dangerous anthropogenic interference In News: Recently, the Government has advised the
with the climate system. Automobile Manufacturers in India, to start
• It has been ratified by 197 countries and is called manufacturing Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFV) and Flex Fuel
to have a near-universal membership. The countries Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicles (FFV-SHEV) complying
that have ratified the convention are called the with BS-6 Norms in a time bound manner.
UNFCCC conference of parties (COP).
About FFV and FFV-SHEV:
• India ratified the UNFCCC in 1993.
• Nodal agency for the UNFCCC in India is the Ministry • Flex-fuel vehicles (FFV): They have engines that can
of Environment, Forests and Climate Change run on flexible fuel, a combination of petrol and
(MoEFCC). ethanol, which can include up to 100% ethanol.
• Originally it sets no binding limits on GHG emissions • Flex Fuel Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicles (FFV-
for individual countries & contained no enforcement SHEV): When FFV is integrated along with strong
hybrid electric technology, it is referred as FFV-
provisions.
SHEVs.
• Kyoto Protocol (1997) was negotiated under this
framework. • Strong hybrid is another term for full hybrid
vehicles, which have the capability to run solely on
• COP is the supreme governing body of the UNFCCC.
either electric or petrol modes.
• Climate-Tech Centre Network: is the operational
• Mild hybrids cannot run purely on one of these
arm of UNFCCC. It promotes transfer of tech for low
modes and use the secondary mode merely as a
Carbon & Carbon resilient development.
supplement to the main mode of propulsion.
• The latest, COP26, was held in Glasgow, Scotland in
2021.
Significance of the Move:
• It is called the Rio Convention along with its sister
• Easing Pressure on Import Bill: The policy is
conventions:
expected to reduce the demand for petroleum
o UN Convention on Biological Diversity
products.
o UN Convention to Combat Desertification.
• Benefiting Farmers: The wide uptake of ethanol or
methanol as a fuel is intended to create an additional
SOLAW 2021: REPORT revenue stream for farmers.
In News: Recently, a report ‘The State of the world’s land • Boost to Atma Nirbhar Bharat: It is in line with
and water resources for food and agriculture released by Prime Minister’s vision of Atma Nirbhar Bharat and
FAO, highlighted that water and land resources are being government’s policy on promoting ethanol as a
pushed to limits due to human actions. transport fuel.
• Reducing Greenhouse Gas & Tackling Climate
Key Findings: Change: This move will drastically reduce
• Sources of fodder (grassland and shrub-covered greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles on a well-to-
areas) have declined by 191 million hectares in the wheel basis.
past two decades due to the conversion of this to the
cropland Government Initiatives:
• Due to population increase, agricultural land • National Policy on Biofuels, 2018
available per capita for crops and animal husbandry • E100 Project.
declined by 20 per cent between 2000 and 2017 to • Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana, 2019
0.19 ha /capita in 2017. • GOBAR (Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro Resources)
• It was reported that almost a third of rain-fed DHAN Scheme, 2018
cropland and nearly a half of irrigated land are • Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO)
subject to human-induced land degradation which
primarily affected the fertility of the soil BS-VI Fuel Norms:
• Over 60 per cent of irrigated areas are degraded in • The Bharat Stage (BS) are emission standards
northern Africa, south Asia and the middle east- instituted by the Government of India to regulate the
western Asia. output of air pollutants from motor vehicles.
• The rapid growth of cities had a significant impact on • India directly shifted from BS-IV to BS-VI norms. The
land and water resources; in 2018, 55 per cent of the switch to BS-VI vehicles was to happen in 2022 but

looking at the poor air condition, the move was o The ISA envisions to enable the full ecosystem for
advanced by four years. availability and development of technology,
• In BS-VI fuel, the volume of Particulate Matter 2.5 economic resources, and development of storage
ranges from 20 to 40 micrograms per cubic metre technology, mass manufacturing and innovation.
whereas in BS-IV fuel it is up to 120 micrograms per • Signatories: A total of 80 countries have signed and
cubic metre. ratified the ISA Framework Agreement and 101
• BS-VI fuel will bring down sulphur content by 5 times countries have only signed the agreement.
from the current BS-IV levels. It has 10 ppm of
sulphur as against 50 ppm in BS-IV. United Nation General Assembly
• With BS-VI fuel, for every one kilometre, a car will • UNGA is the main deliberative, policymaking and
emit 80% less particulate matter and nearly 70% less representative organ of the UN.
nitrogen oxide. • All 193 Member States of the UN are represented in
• Air pollutants in BS-VI fuel are much less as the General Assembly, making it the only UN body
compared to BS-IV fuel. with universal representation.
• BS-VI norms also seek to reduce the level of certain • The President of the General Assembly is elected each
harmful hydrocarbons in the emissions that are year by assembly to serve a one-year term of office.
produced due to incomplete combustion of fuel.
GREATER MEKONG REGION
OBSERVER STATUS GRANTED TO In News: Recently, the World Wildlife Fund’s report on
INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE (ISA) the greater Mekong region highlights the need to protect
In News: Recently, the United Nations General Assembly the rich biodiversity and habitats in the region.
(UNGA) has granted Observer Status to the International
Solar Alliance (ISA). About Greater Mekong Region
• The Greater Mekong Region spans six countries:
About observer status: China, Myanmar, Lao PDR, Thailand, Cambodia and
• The granting of Observer Status to ISA in the General Vietnam
Assembly would help provide for regular and well- • This region is a biodiversity hotspot and home to
defined cooperation between the Alliance and the tigers, Asian elephants, saola and thousands of other
United Nations that would benefit global energy species.
growth and development. • Saola is an extremely rare animal also called the Asian
unicorn or spindlehorn.
International Solar Alliance (ISA): • This region is the ‘rice bowl’ of Asia and at its heart
• The ISA was conceived as a joint effort by India and lays the Mekong River.
France to mobilise efforts against climate change
through the deployment of solar energy solutions. Popa Langur:
• It was presented by the leaders of the two • This monkey was the only new mammal reported
countries at the 21st Conference of Parties among the 224 new species listed in the WWF’s latest
(COP21) to the United Nations Framework update on the greater Mekong region.
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in • It is called the Popa langur, for it lives on the steep
Paris in 2015. hillsides of the extinct Mt. Popa volcano in Myanmar.
• It is an alliance of more than 122 countries • It is also called Ghostly monkey, as it has ghostly
initiated by India. white circles around its eyes.
• ISA is a coalition of solar resource rich countries • IUCN Red list: critically endangered species.
lying fully or partially between the Tropic of
Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn to specifically KHIJADIYA BIRD SANCTUARY AND BAKHIRA
address energy needs by harnessing solar energy.
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
• It facilitates the deployment of existing solar
technologies at scale, and promoting collaborative In News: Recently, on the occasion of World Wetlands
solar R&D and capacity building. Day, Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary in Gujarat and Bakhira
• Secretariat: Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh have been included as
o India and France jointly laid the foundation stone Ramsar Site from India. The National Wetland Decadal
of ISA Headquarters. Change Atlas was also launched.
o They inaugurated the interim Secretariat of the
ISA in National Institute of Solar Energy campus, Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary:
Gurugram, Haryana. • Location: Gujarat. It is a freshwater wetland located
• Objectives: near the coast of the Gulf of Kutch.
o The ISA’s major objectives include global • Formed following the creation of a bund (dike) in
deployment of over 1,000GW of solar 1920 by the then ruler of the erstwhile princely state
generation capacity and mobilisation of of Nawanagar to protect farmlands from saltwater
investment of over US$ 1000 billion into solar ingress.
energy by 2030.
• The sanctuary is now part of Marine National About NAFCC:

Park, Jamnagar, the first marine national park in • The National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change
the country. The sanctuary is also part of the Central (NAFCC) is a Central Sector Scheme which was set up
Asian Flyway. in the year 2015-16.
• The site provides habitat to endangered Pallas’s fish- • Aims: to meet the cost of adaptation to climate
eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus) and Indian skimmer change for the State and Union Territories of India
(Rynchops albicollis), and the vulnerable common that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects
pochard (Aythya ferina). of climate change.
• Implementation:
Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary: o National Bank for Agriculture and Rural
• The Bakhira Bird Sanctuary is the largest natural Development (NABARD) is the National
flood plain wetland of India. Implementing Entity (NIE) for NAFCC.
• Location: Uttar Pradesh. o The projects related to adaptation in sectors such
• Note: A freshwater marsh is a non-tidal, non-forested as agriculture, animal husbandry, water, forestry,
marsh wetland that contains fresh water and is tourism etc. are eligible for funding under
continuously or frequently flooded. NAFCC.
• Established in 1980 and is protected under the o The NAFCC projects implemented in the states of
Wildlife Protection Act (1972). It is declared as an Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh include
“eco-sensitive zone” which extends up to a activities relating to coastal areas.
kilometre around its boundary.
• The sanctuary serves as a natural habitat for the state Adaptation Fund:
bird, Sarus. It also provides a wintering ground for • Established in 2001.
over 25 species that migrate on the Central Asian • Objective: to finance concrete adaptation projects
Flyway, some of which are endangered Egyptian and programmes in developing country Parties to the
vulture (Neophron percnopterus), the vulnerable Kyoto Protocol that are particularly vulnerable to the
greater spotted eagle (Aquila clanga) among others. adverse effects of climate change.
• It is financed with a share of proceeds from the Clean
World Wetlands Day 2022: Development Mechanism (CDM) project activities
• Observed every year on February 2 to raise and other sources of funding.
awareness about the importance of wetlands and the • The share of proceeds amounts to 2% Â of certified
need to preserve them. emission reductions (CERs) issued for a CDM project
• The World Wetlands Day 2022 is significant as this is activity.
the first time that the day observed as a United • Management of the Fund: The Adaptation Fund is
Nationals International Day. supervised and managed by the Adaptation Fund
• World Wetlands Day 2022 theme is "Wetlands Board (AFB), which is composed of 16 members and
Action for People and Nature". 16 alternates and meets at least twice a year.
• India now has 49 Ramsar sites which is the highest
in South Asia. KAKOIJANA RESERVE FOREST
In News: Recently, villagers in Assam’s Bongaigaon
Montreux Record:
district have opposed a move by the State government to
• Montreux Record under the Convention is a register upgrade Kakoijana Reserve Forest to a wildlife sanctuary.
of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of
International Importance where changes in About Kakoijana Reserve Forest
ecological character have occurred, are
• Located in Bongaigaon district of Assam.
occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of
• It was constituted in the year 1966 as a reserve forest.
technological developments, pollution or other
• The reserve is one of the better-known homes of
human interference.
the golden langur (Trachypithecus geei).
• It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.
• The Montreux Record was established by
Issue:
Recommendation of the Conference of the
• Once the Kakoijana Reserve Forest is converted to a
Contracting Parties (1990).
wildlife sanctuary, stricter rules will be applied and
• Sites may be added to and removed from the Record
this will impact the customary and traditional
only with the approval of the Contracting Parties in
practices and consequently result in villagers losing
which they lie.
the rights over the forest.
• Instead, the villagers have demanded that the reserve
NATIONAL ADAPTATION FUND FOR CLIMATE forest should be converted into a community forest
CHANGE reserve using Forest Rights Act, 2006.
In News: Recently, in the Lok Sabha it was informed in the • This is because some of the areas inside the forest are
Lok Sabha that under NAFCC, till date, 30 projects are sacred, and its sanctity should be maintained.
sanctioned in 27 States and UTs.
Wildlife Sanctuary:
• It is the place that is reserved exclusively for wildlife o Found in India, China, Thailand, Malaysia,
use, which includes animals, reptiles, insects, birds, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.
etc. wild animals, especially those in danger of o The Western Ghats in southern India constitute
extinction and the rare ones, so that they can live in one of the most extensive extant strongholds of
peace for a lifetime and keep their population viable. gaur, in particular in the Wayanad – Nagarhole –
• The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 empowers the Mudumalai – Bandipur complex.
central and state governments to declare any area a • Protection Status:
wildlife sanctuary, national park or closed area. o IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
o Wild Life Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I.
Reserve forests: • Threats: Habitat Loss, Poaching for meat, Human-
• They are the most restricted forests and are Animal Conflict and food Scarcity
constituted by the State Government on any forest
land or wasteland which is the property of the KAWAL TIGER RESERVE
Government.
In News: Recently, the Kawal Tiger Reserve hosted its
• In reserved forests, local people are prohibited,
first ever ‘Bird Walk’ on February 12 and 13.
unless specifically allowed by a Forest Officer in the
course of the settlement.
About Kawal Tiger Reserve:
• Located at Adilabad district in Telangana state of
Community Forest Resource:
India.
• According to Section 2(a) of the Forest Rights Act,
• The Kawal wildlife sanctuary was established in 1965
it is the customary common forest land within the
and later declared as the Protected Area (PA) in 1999
traditional or customary boundaries of the village or
under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
seasonal use of landscape in the case of pastoral
communities, including reserved forests, protected • Flora: Dry Deciduous Teak Forests mixed with
forests and protected areas such as sanctuaries and Bamboo.
national parks to which the community had • Fauna: Mammal species that have been sighted
traditional access. include tiger, leopard, gaur, cheetal, sambar, nilgai,
barking deer, chowsingha, sloth bear.
• The River Kadam (a tributary of Godavari) flows
GOLDEN LANGURS through this area.
• Scientific Name: Trachypithecus geei.
• Golden langurs can be most easily recognized by the WHITE CHEEKED MACAQUE
color of their fur, after which they are named.
In News: The scientists recently found white cheeked
• Habitat:
macaque in Arunachal Pradesh. The discovery adds a new
o It is endemic to western Assam, India, and
species to the mammal list of India.
southern Bhutan.
o Their habitat is restricted to the region
About White Cheeked Macaque:
surrounded by four geographical landmarks: the
foothills of Bhutan (North), Manas river (East), • Scientific Name: Macaca leucogenys.
Sankosh river (West), and Brahmaputra river • Background: It was first discovered in 2015 by a
(South). group of Chinese scientists from southeastern Tibet.
• Protection Status: • Physical Characteristics: This macaque is distinct
o IUCN List of Threatened Species: Endangered from other macaques found in the region as it
o CITES: Appendix I displays white cheeks, long and thick hairs on the
o Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I. neck area and a longer tail.
• It is also the last mammal to have been discovered in
Southeast Asia.
INDIAN GAUR • Note: Arunachal macaque, as well as the White
In News: Recently, a six-years-old Indian gaur died after Cheeked Macaque, exist in the same biodiversity
consuming plastic waste which was improperly disposed hotspot in the eastern Himalayas.
of near Ooty, Tamil Nadu. • Significance of this discovery:
o With this discovery, India’s mammal count
About Indian Gaur: increases from 437 to 438.
• Scientific Name: Bos Gaurus. o This discovery will lay the foundation of the
• State Animal of Goa and Bihar. species being covered by the Wildlife Protection
• Physical Characteristics: It is one of the largest Act of India, which presently doesn’t cover it
extant bovines. It is one of the largest species among simply because we didn’t know it existed in India.
the wild cattle, reaching a shoulder height of up to • Other Macaques in India: Apart from the white
220 cm. cheeked macaque, India has Arunachal macaque,
• Habitat: Gaurs are found on the forested hills and Assamese macaque, Rhesus macaque.
grassy areas of south to south east Asia.
• Distribution:

INDIA’S FIRST OECM (OTHER EFFECTIVE • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global
AREA-BASED CONSERVATION MEASURES ) effort that has one major objective — achieving a
better future for all.
SITE
In News: Recently, on World Wetlands Day, that is, on
February 2, the Aravalli Biodiversity Park was announced
ARMY TAG FOR NEW GECKO
as the first Other Effective Area – based Conservation In News: Recently, a team of herpetologists have
Measures site, OECM site. recorded a new species of bent-toed gecko from a wooded
part of the Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya. The
About OECM: finding of the study was published in the latest issue of the
• The OECM tag is given by the International Union European Journal of Taxonomy.
for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
• The tag is conferred upon areas that have achieved About
effective in-situ conservation of biodiversity, but are • Scientific name: Crytodactylus exercitus
outside protected areas like national parks and • English name: Indian Army’s bent-toed gecko.
sanctuaries. • Note: Exercitus in Latin means army.
• The OECM tag does not bring any legal, financial • Significance: The name was given to honour the
or management implications but designates the Army for its services to the country. The military
area as a biodiversity hotspot on the international station where the bent-toed gecko was discovered
map. was also a factor behind its name.
• Background: The proposal to declare Aravalli • Types of Gecko species found:
Biodiversity Park an OECM site was sent by the o The paper recorded another new bent-toed
National Biodiversity Authority to the IUCN in 2020. gecko, the Cyrtodactylus siahaensis named after
Mizoram’s Siaha district where it was found.
Aravalli Biodiversity Park: o The study also recorded the Cyrtodactylus
• The Aravalli Biodiversity Park is located in lungleiensis, a new species of bent-toed gecko
Gurugram. It has semi-arid vegetation with lots of named after Mizoram’s Lunglei town.
native plants, trees, shrubs and several species of
birds. Geckos:
• The park was transformed into a city forest from a • Geckos are reptiles and are found on all the
40-year-old mining site through the efforts of continents except Antarctica.
citizens, ecologists and scientists along with the help • These colorful lizards have adapted to habitats
of the urban local body of Gurugram. from rainforests, to deserts, to cold mountain
• Aravallis are considered as the green lungs of slopes.
Delhi. They support leopards, fox, sambhar and • Over a long period of time, geckos have developed
jackals. The Aravallis provide 7.07% of oxygen to special physical features to help them survive and
Delhi. avoid predators.
• Gecko tails serve many purposes. They help balance
WORLD SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT their weight as they climb branches, they act as fuel
tanks to store fat, and as camouflage to help them
SUMMIT
disappear into their environment.
In News: Recently, the Prime Minister addressed the The • Geckos are also able to shed their tails if a predator
Energy and Resources Institute’s (TERI) World grabs them.
Sustainable Development Summit. • Most geckos are nocturnal, which means they are
active at night, but day geckos are active during the
About World Sustainable Development Summit: day and nibble on insects, fruits, and flower nectar.
• The World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS)
is the annual flagship event of TERI. It was earlier
known as Delhi Sustainable Development Summit. EXTENDED PRODUCERS RESPONSIBILITY
Instituted. (EPR) ON PLASTIC PACKAGING
• It is the only Summit on global issues, taking place in In News: Recently, the government has notified the
the developing world. Guidelines on Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR)
on plastic packaging under Plastic Waste Management
Sustainable Development: Rules, 2016. The guidelines will come into effect from 1st
• Sustainable development is development that meets July 2022.
the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs. About
• This most widely accepted definition of Sustainable • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) means the
Development was given by the Brundtland responsibility of a producer for the
Commission in its report ‘Our Common Future’ environmentally sound management of the
(1987). product (plastic packaging) until the end of its
life.
• India had first introduced EPR in 2011 under the • Extended Producer Responsibility shall be
Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, applicable to both pre-consumer and post-
2011 and E-Waste Management and Handling Rules, consumer plastic packaging waste.
2011.
SIMILIPAL BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Four categories of plastic packaging specified:
1. Category I: will include rigid plastic packaging. In News: Recently, the Forest Administration and SHGs
2. Category II: will include flexible plastic packaging of (Self Help Groups) have started an awareness Campaign
single layer or multilayer (more than one layer with to manage fires in Similipal Biosphere Reserve this year
different types of plastic), plastic sheets and covers
made of plastic sheet, carry bags, plastic sachet or Other Major Protected Areas in Odisha: Bhitarkanika
pouches. National Park, Badrama WLS, Chilika (Nalaban island)
3. Category III: will include multi-layered plastic WLS, Hadgarh WLS, Baisipalli WLS, Kotagarh WLS,
packaging (at least one layer of plastic and at least Nandankanan WLS, Lakhari Valley WLS, Gahirmatha
one layer of material other than plastic). (Marine) WLS.
4. Category IV: includes plastic sheet or like used for
packaging as well as carry bags made of compostable SUSTAINABLE CITIES INDIA PROGRAM
plastics. In News: Recently, the World Economic Forum (WEF)
and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) have
Guidelines also include: signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to
• Specifications for reuse, recycling, use of recycled collaborate on a jointly designed ‘Sustainable Cities India
plastic content, and end-of-life disposal of non- program’.
recyclable plastic packaging.
• Setting up a centralised online portal by Central About
Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for the • The ‘Sustainable Cities India' intends to enable cities
registration as well as filing of annual returns by to decarbonise in a systematic and sustainable way
producers, importers and brand-owners, plastic that will reduce emissions and deliver resilient and
waste processors of plastic packaging waste by equitable urban ecosystems.
March 31. • This initiative is in synergy with India’s
• The EPR target will be increased to 70% in 2022-23 commitment to turn net zero by 2070 as a climate
and 100% from 2023-24 onwards. mitigation response at COP26.
• The recycling obligation for producers will be 50%
for rigid plastics in 2024-25, 60% in 2025-26, 70% in Net Zero Carbon Cities:
2026-27, and 80% from 2027-28 onwards. • The World Economic Forum’s Net Zero Carbon
• Environmental compensation shall be levied Cities’ mission is to create an enabling environment
based upon polluter pays principle, with respect to for clean electrification and circularity, resulting in
non-fulfilment of EPR targets by producers, urban decarbonization and resilience.
importers and brand owners, for the purpose of • The program aims to do this by fostering public-
protecting and improving the quality of the private collaboration to bridge the gap across the
environment and preventing, controlling and abating energy, built environment and transport sectors.
environment pollution.
National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA):
Plastic Waste Management Rules: • Established in 1976.
• MoEFCC notified the Plastic Waste Management • It is India’s leading national think tank on urban
Rules on March 18, 2016, and the Solid Waste planning and development.
Management Rules on April 8 the same year. • As a hub for the generation and dissemination of
• As plastic waste is part of solid waste, therefore, both cutting-edge research in the urban sector.
the rules apply to managing plastic waste in the • NIUA seeks to provide innovative solutions to
country. address the challenges of a fast urbanising India, and
• The Plastic Waste Management Rules mandate pave the way for more inclusive and sustainable cities
minimising the generation of plastic waste, avoiding of the future.
littering, ensuring segregated storage of the waste at
source, and handing it over. GoI Initiatives for Urban Development:
• The rules also mandate the responsibilities of local • Smart Cities Mission
bodies, gram panchayats, waste generators, • Atal Mission for Urban Rejuvenation and Urban
retailers, and street vendors to manage plastic Transformation (AMRUT)
waste. • Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U)
• The rules cast EPR on producers, importers, and • Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs)
brand-owners. • Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework 2.0
• TULIP-The Urban Learning Internship Program

FIRE READY FORMULA environmental governance being criticised by

conservation experts and the judiciary.
In News: Recently, the United Nations Environment
• As a step for the future, the committee said, “An
Programme (UNEP) has called on global governments to
Indian Environment Service may be created, as an
adopt a new ‘Fire Ready Formula,’ as it warned that
all-India Service, based on qualifications and
incidences of wildfires would rise in the future.
other details prescribed by MoEF&CC/ DoPT/
UPSC.”
About
• This formula envisages that 66% (two-third) of
spending must be devoted to planning, prevention, SARISKA TIGER RESERVE
preparedness and recovery. In News: Recently, a massive fire has broken out in the
• The remaining 34% (one-third) can be spent on Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) and Air Force helicopters
response. equipped with water sprays are battling to bring it under
• Currently, direct responses to wildfires typically control.
receive over half of related expenditures, while
planning receives less than 1%. About Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR):
• The true cost of wildfires include financial, social, and • It represents a tiger habitat spread over the
environmental. world's oldest mountain range, the Aravallis.
• Findings: The UNEP report projected that the • It is situated in Alwar, Rajasthan.
number of wildfires is likely to increase by up to 14% • Sariska was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955
by 2030. It is projected to spike by 33% by 2050. It and was declared the tiger reserve later in 1978,
would rise by 52% by 2100. making it a part of India's Project Tiger.
• Objective: The UNEP in its report has called for • It contains mountains, grasslands, dry deciduous
strengthening international and regional cooperation forests and cliffs which span over 800 square
on wildfires. kilometres.
• The Reserve houses ruined temples, forts, pavilions
Recommendations: and a palace.
• It has also recommended for the development of an • The Reserve also houses a famous temple of lord
international standard for wildfire management. Hanuman at Pandupole related to Pandavas.
• It has also recommended that the integrated wildfire • Kankarwadi fort is located in the centre of the
management is the key to adapting to current and Reserve and it is said that Mughal emperor
future changes in global wildfire risk. Aurangzeb had imprisoned his brother Dara Shikoh
at this fort in struggle for succession to the throne.
INDIAN ENVIRONMENT SERVICE
Flora and Fauna:
In News: Recently, the Supreme Court asked the Centre
• The Reserve is immensely rich in flora and fauna, and
whether it was planning a dedicated Indian Environment
is famous for Royal Bengal Tiger.
Service in the national bureaucratic set-up, as
• The park has populations of leopards, Nilgai,
recommended by a committee headed by former
Sambar, chital etc.
Cabinet secretary TSR Subramanian in 2014.
About DAM REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT

• The Court was hearing a PIL that alleged destruction PROJECT
of environment and forests and also executive apathy In News: According to the Central Water Commission,
that had resulted in measures for environment between 1952 and 2018, floods led to the loss of one
protection emerging mostly from judicial hundred thousand lives and Rs 4,69,000 crore in
intervention. damages. According to various report, of all Asian
• The court recounted the recommendations of the countries, India has the highest flood mortality rate, or the
TSR Subramanian Committee, which had been number of lives lost to flood each year.
rejected by a parliamentary standing committee on
the ground that a dedicated all-India service may lead About DRIP:
to multiplicity of institutions and won’t serve the • Objectives: To improve the safety and performance
desired purpose. of selected existing dams and associated
• The high-level committee was constituted in 2014 appurtenances in a sustainable manner.
under the chairmanship of Subramanian by the • Launched in 2012 by the Central Water
MoEF&CC to review environmental laws in the Commission (CWC) with assistance from the World
country, and to bring them in line with the current Bank.
requirements. • Objectives: To improve the safety and operational
• The report recorded the fact that India had a strong performance of selected existing dams and
environmental policy and legislative framework associated appurtenances in a sustainable manner
but weak implementation has resulted in and to strengthen the dam safety institutional setup
of participating States/Implementing Agencies.
• The Project will be implemented over a period of About Indian Tent Turtle:
10 years duration in two Phases, each of six years • Scientific Name: Pangshura tentoria
duration with two years overlapping from April 2021 • Species Family: It is a species of turtle in the family
to March 2031. Geoemydidae.
• Characteristics: They are terrestrial, oviparous,
PRAKRITI precocial in nature.
• Habitat: Freshwater, Wetlands and Swamp.
• In News: Recently, Union Environment Minister has
• Geographical Range: The species is endemic to India
launched Awareness Mascot ‘Prakriti’ & other Green
and Bangladesh.
Initiatives for Effective Plastic Waste Management.
Conservation status:
About Prakriti:
• IUCN Status: Least Concern
• Prakriti is a mascot to spread greater awareness
among the masses about the small changes that can • Wildlife Protection Act,1972: Schedule 1
be sustainably adopted in our lifestyle for a better • CITES: Appendix II.
environment. • Major Threats: Due to the attractive appearance of
• The mascot will also inform people about various the species, they are illegally traded in the pet market
green initiatives taken by the Ministry of
Environment, Forest, and Climate Change and the INDIA’S FIRST CARBON-NEUTRAL
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to ensure PANCHAYAT
effective plastic waste management(PWM) in the In News: Recently, Palli village in Samba district of
country. Jammu and Kashmir has become the first panchayat in
the country to become carbon-neutral, fully powered by
Various Green Initiatives: solar energy.
• National Dashboard on Elimination of Single-Use
Plastic and Plastic Waste Management: It aims to About Carbon Neutrality:
bring all stakeholders including Central Ministries/ • Carbon neutrality refers to achieving net-zero
Departments, State/UT Governments in one place carbon dioxide emissions or buying enough
and track the progress made for the elimination of carbon credits to make up the difference.
single-use plastic (SUP) and effective management of • It is used in the context of carbon dioxide-
plastic waste. releasing processes associated with transportation,
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Portal energy production, agriculture, and industry.
for Plastic Packaging: It aims to improve • The term carbon neutral also includes other
accountability, traceability, transparency and greenhouse gases, usually carbon-based, measured
facilitate ease of reporting compliance to EPR in terms of their carbon dioxide equivalence.
Obligations by Producers, Importers and Brand-
• Net-zero emissions are achieved when your
owners.
organization’s emissions of all greenhouse gases
• Mobile App for Single Use Plastics Grievance (CO2-e) are balanced by greenhouse gas removals
Redressal: It aims to empower citizens to check
• Carbon-neutral status can be achieved in two ways:
sale/usage/manufacturing of SUP in their area and
1. Carbon offsetting and
tackle the plastic menace.
2. Reducing emissions
• Monitoring Module for Single-Use Plastic (SUP)
for local bodies, SPCBs/PCCs and CPCB Paris Agreement and Target:
• Industrial Production of Graphene from Waste • The Paris Agreement is a legally binding
Plastic international treaty on climate change. It was
adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21 in Paris, on 12
Steps announced to tackle Plastic Waste: December 2015 and entered into force on 4
• Prime Minister had announced India’s pledge to November 2016.
phase out single use plastics by 2022. • Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2,
• The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 were preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-
amended, paving the way for the ban on the import of industrial levels.
plastic waste, ban on use of single use plastic from • Article 4.1 of the Paris Agreement asks countries to
July 1, and increasing the minimum thickness of reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as
carrying bags from existing 75 microns to 120 soon as possible.
microns by December 2022.
DESERT NATIONAL PARK (DNP)

INDIAN TENT TURTLE
In News: Recently, a green agriculture project, funded by
In News: Recently, the Minister of State for Environment, the Food FAO’s Global Environment Facility, will act as a
Forest & Climate Change provided information regarding lifeline for the Desert National Park (DNP) Rajasthan with
the Indian Tent Turtle. the conservation of critical biodiversity and forest
landscapes.
About Desert National Park, Rajasthan: • Fauna:

• Situated in the west Indian state of Rajasthan and o Though Barbara was once historically famous for
spreads over the districts of Jaisalmer and Barmer. its tigers, it is now not clear if there are any tigers
• This is one of the largest national parks, covering there now.
an area of 3162 km o One can find animals like sambar, deer, mouse
• The Desert National Park is an excellent example of deer and bison.
the ecosystem of the Thar Desert. o The Barbara forests are also home to various
• The Desert National Park has a collection of fossils species of birds. However, the main species are
of animals and plants which is 180 million years little scaly-bellied green woodpeckers,
old. Some fossils of dinosaurs which are 60 million Himalayan tree pie, lesser golden backed
years old have been found in the area. woodpeckers, golden-backed woodpeckers,
• Flora: ronj, palm trees, ber, dhok. marahta woodpecker, Rufous woodpeckers, the
• Mammals: desert fox, Bengal fox, desert cat, wolf, long-tailed mini vet, the scarlet mini vet, etc.
hedgehog, chinkara. • Local Tribes: The forest is Inhabited by Sabara tribes
• Reptiles: spiny-tailed lizard, monitor lizard, saw- and other ethnic Odia communities.
scaled viper, Russell's viper, common krait. • Significance: It is said to be the only forest in India
• Avifauna: sandgrouse, Indian bustard, partridges, that is guarded by the CRPF (Central Reserve Police
bee-eaters, larks and shrikes are year-round Force) for protecting natural resources.
residents, while demoiselle crane and houbara
bustard arrive in winter. Raptors include tawny and PURPLE FROG
steppe eagles, long-legged and honey buzzards, and In News: Recently, some new research has been
falcons. conducted by a biologist on Purple Frog.
• Human Activity: Normally human activities are not
allowed in National Park but many villagers lived About Purple Frog:
inside Desert National park, and they did not have • Scientific Name: Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis.
access to even basic facility like road, electricity and
• Common Name: It is also known as Purple Frog,
water.
Maveli frog or Pignose Frog.
• The purple frog, Indian purple frog or pignose frog is
Desert National Park (DNP) Timeline:
a frog species of the genus Nasikabatrachus.
• 1980 - UNESCO World Heritage Site
• IUCN Status: Endangered.
• 1992 - National Park.
• Discovered in: It was first discovered in 2003 in the
Idukki district of Kerala by S.D. Biju from the Tropical
BARBARA FOREST Botanic Garden and Research Institute, India and
In News: Recently, the Odisha Govt. has decided that the Franky Bossuyt from Brussels.
Barbara Forest will be thrown open to the public from the • Distribution: Earlier thought to be restricted to the
next tourist season for promoting ecotourism. south of the Palghat Gap in the Western Ghats, the
species is now known to be quite widely distributed
About Barbara Forest: in the Western Ghats.
• Located near Chilika lake in coastal Odisha.
• It is known as Asia’s largest Teak and Sal forest. SPOTTED DEER
• Districts: The forest touches three districts Khordha, In News: Recently, a one-year-old male spotted deer was
Nayagarh and Ganjam of Odisha. found dead in Ranipet district, Tamil Nadu.
• Named After: The forest is named after a British
forest officer’s wife, who was killed in a tiger attack in About Spotted Deer:
the area 100-odd years ago. • Spotted deer (Axis axis), or Axis Deer or chital, is the
• The original Barbara forest had a lot of Sal most common deer species in Indian forests.
vegetation along with other species such as Piasal, • It lives in grasslands and forests in India and Sri
Ficus, Arjun, Ashoka and Kasi. Lanka.
• Later, Teak plantation activities were carried out by • The deer’s golden-rufus coloring is speckled with
the British forest officials in 1910. white spots, and it has a white underbelly.
• However, these plantations can only be seen in • Its curved, 3-pronged antlers extend nearly 3 feet and
valleys and foothills as teak does not grow well on shed each year.
slopes or rocky areas.
• Spotted deer has a prolonged mating season, as the
• Therefore, even today, the slopes in the hills still hold perpetually warm climate allows females to remain
the old natural forests, where Sal is the predominant fertile and to give birth to fawns any time of year.
species.
• Due to these tropical conditions, males do not have
• Flora: Barbara forests are patches of tropical semi- synchronized antler cycles.
evergreen forests with many unusual species of
• They primarily eat grasses and vegetation but will
plants, ferns, herbs that are rare in other forests of also ingest their shed antlers as a source of nutrients.
Odisha.
• It is the State animal of Telangana.
• IUCN Status: Least Concern. • The Perumbakkam wetland is a feeding habitat for
birds in Chennai, India.
Swamp Deer or the Barasingha: • It is an extension of the Pallikaranai freshwater
• IUCN status - Vulnerable. marsh wetland.
• State animal of: Madhya pradesh and Uttar pradesh. • Also, this wetland provides a peaceful environment
• In India there two races of this deer found: one is for these birds.
the swamp inhabiting and is found mainly in the Terai • Perambakkam wetland is home to 132 species
region of U.P., small numbers in the Hastinapur including the white-spotted garden skink, Russell’s
Wildlife Sanctuary. viper, dwarf gourami, chromide, windowpane oyster,
• The other race is the Hard Ground one found only in mud crab and mullet.
Madhya Pradesh.
INDIAN WOLF
The Sambhar:
In News: Recently, the first scientific population estimate
• IUCN status - Vulnerable.
of Indian peninsular wolves(Canis lupus pallipes) has
• State animal of Odisha.
revealed that only 3,100 members of the species are left
• Sambhar is the largest of all deer species found in in the country.
the Indian Sub-continent.
• In India, Sambhar is found from the lower ranges About
of Himalayas to the forests of south India, from the
• Indian wolf is a subspecies of grey wolf.
forests of Rajasthan to the forests of north east India.
• It is one of the common large carnivores found in
scrub, grasslands and agro-pastoral regions of semi-
The Hog Deer:
arid India.
• IUCN status - Endangered.
• Highest concentration is currently in Madhya
• Hog deer as named has a peculiar habit of running Pradesh, followed by Rajasthan, Gujarat,
like a hog with its head down without the traditional Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.
leaps of a deer.
• Threat: Hunting, encroachment and land conversion,
• In India, Hog Deer inhabits the alluvial grasslands growing man-animal conflict.
of the Terai forest right from Corbett to the
• Conservation status:
forests of Assam.
o Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Endangered
species in Schedule I of
The Muntjac or the Barking Deer:
o CITES: Appendix I
• IUCN status - Least Concern. o IUCN Red List: Least Concern
• It is found all over India.
• The Muntjac has small set of antler consisting of short
brow-tine and an unbranched beam. ROUGH-TOOTHED DOLPHIN
In News: Recently, a Research team of the Department of
Hangul or the Kashmir Stag: Environment and Forest in Lakshadweep has reported
• IUCN status - Critically Endangered. the first-ever live sighting of rough-toothed dolphins
• State animal of Jammu & Kashmir. (Steno bredanensis) in Indian waters.
• A deer species more related to the Red Deer found
commonly in Europe, Hangul is found in the valley of About Rough-Toothed Dolphin:
Kashmir especially in areas above Srinagar called • Found in tropical and warmer temperate waters all
Dachigam. over the world but little is known about them.
• Grow up to 8.5ft in length and have grey body with
Thamin or Brow-Antlered Deer: white lips and throat and a speckled belly.
• IUCN status - Endangered. • Conservation status:
• State animal of Manipur. o IUCN: Least Concern
• This deer is also called the Dancing Deer due to its o CITES: Appendix II
delicate style of walking.
• In India this deer is found only in Manipur in Eastern WOLF CONSERVATION: STUPAS &
India and that also on the Shore of Loktak Lake. INSURANCE
In News: Recently, village communities in Ladakh have
PERUMBAKKAM WETLAND been building Stupas and creating local insurance
In News: Recently, the State Government ordered long schemes for conservation of wolves and to compensate
ago that the bird habitat be transferred to the Forest for livestock that are preyed on by wolves.
Department. Due to procedural delays, the transfer has
not been effected yet. About
• Killing of wolves in the Ladakh region takes place
About: with the help of Shangdong usually built near villages
or herder camps.

• Shangdong are traditional trapping pits with In News: Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest
inverted funnel-shaped stone walls, usually built near and Climate Change released Rs. 19,000–crore Detailed
villages or herder camps. Typically, a live domestic Project Reports (DPRs) on rejuvenation of 13 major rivers
animal is placed in the pit to attract the wolves. Once through forestry interventions.
the wolves jump into the pit, the walls prevent them
from escaping. The trapped wolves are usually About Detailed Project Reports (DPRs):
stoned to death. • The DPRs were funded by National Afforestation &
• Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) provided Eco-development Board, (MoEF&CC) and prepared
support to neutralisation of the Shandong while by Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education
preserving their structure, and assisted the (ICFRE), Dehradun.
communities to build Stupas. • These DPRs will create a target of green cover
expansion for upcoming 10 years and 20 years, then
Wolves: the future generations will get a ‘Green India’ through
• Out of 32 sub-species of wolves that are recognised, the ‘Van Bhagidari and Jan Bhagidari’ of the
two are believed to inhabit the Indian subcontinent: current generation.
the Tibetan Wolf, whose range extends from trans- • The DPRs are expected to be executed through the
Himalaya into Tibet and China, and the Indian wolf State Forest Departments as nodal departments and
that ranges over peninsular India (Gujarat, Rajasthan, with convergence of schemes of other line
Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, departments in the states towards the activities
Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh) proposed in the DPRs and funding support from the
• Indian wolf, which we know numbers around 3,000, Government of India.
while Tibetan wolf is estimated of around 500
Selected Rivers:
Conservation Status: • The 13 Rivers that will form part of the rejuvenation
• IUCN Red List: Least Concern project include:
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I o Himalayan Rivers: Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas,
• CITES: Appendix I Sutlej, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra.
• There are no conservation projects launched by o Deccan or Peninsular Rivers: Narmada,
the Government for wolves. Godavari, Mahanadi, Krishna, & Cauvery.
o Inland drained Category River: Luni.
• These 13 rivers cover nearly 57.45% of India’s
HERITAGE ERASED: KAREWAS
geographical area.
In News: Recently, Kashmir’s highly fertile alluvial soil
deposits called ‘karewas’ are being destroyed in the name India’s targets: India had pledged to create a carbon sink
of development. of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2e by 2030. In 2015, as a
part of the Bonn Challenge, India pledged to restore 5
About Karewa: million ha of degraded land by 2030.
• In the Kashmiri dialect, the term Karewa means
“elevated table land”.
SOFTWARE WITH INTELLIGENT MARKING
• Firstly, this term was used by Godwin Austin in
1859 and later on by Lydekker in 1878 for BASED IDENTIFICATION OF ASIATIC LIONS
unconsolidated to semi-consolidated sand clay (SIMBA)
conglomerate sequence. In News: Recently, the Gujarat Forest Department has
• “Vudr” is the local name for Karewas in Kashmiri turned to an innovative solution for the management and
language. conservation of Asiatic lions.
• Karewas are the thick deposits of glacial clay and
other materials embedded with moraines. About SIMBA:
• These are unconsolidated lacustrine deposits. • SIMBA or Software with Intelligent Marking Based
Lacustrine means “associated to lakes”. identification of Asiatic lions is a photo-identification
• Kashmir valley resides between the Great Himalayas software, specifically designed to distinguish
and the Pir Panjal ranges of the Kashmir Himalayas. patterns or marks. The software has been developed
• The depth of Karewa deposits is about 1400 m and by Hyderabad-based “teliolabs”.
most of the area lies to the west of the river Jhelum. • The software is trained with sufficient training data
• Kashmir saffron, which received a Geographical and is able to isolate the region of interest (ROI) and
Indication (GI) tag in 2020 for its longer and thicker separate them for further identification.
stigmas, deep-red colour, high aroma and bitter • The SIMBA software would be used to create a library
flavour, is grown on these karewas. of data on the Asiatic lions. It can be used to create a
database with a unique identification number/ name.
• Asiatic lions have unique whisker spots on either
PROJECT REPORTS ON REJUVENATION OF 13
side of their muzzle. According to scientific studies,
MAJOR RIVERS these precise patterns are highly variable and do not
change over time.
Whisker Spot Pattern

• Each lion is identifiable from the whisker spots,
4. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
which are found on each side of the face in rows. AND DEFENCE
• Experts use other unique characteristics too, such as
manes in males, but only the whisker spots remain
unchanged throughout a lion's life.
ASEAN DIGITAL MINISTERS
• Wildlife experts use two rows, the reference row In News: Recently, the 2nd ASEAN Digital Ministers'
and the identification spots: (ADGMIN) Meeting with India virtually, where two sides
1. The reference row is the top complete row of finalized India-ASEAN Digital work plan 2022 for future
whisker spots collaboration in the field.
2. The identification spots form an incomplete row
above the reference row. There may be up to 5 About ADGMIN:
spot. • It is an annual meeting of telecom ministers of 10
ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations)
countries and dialogue partner countries such as
UNEP@50
Australia, Canada, China, EU, India, Japan, Republic of
In News: The United Nations Environment Programme Korea, New Zealand, Russia, UK and US.
(UNEP) is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2022. • ASEAN nations: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore,
About UNEP: Thailand, and Vietnam.
• The UNEP is a leading global environmental authority
established on 5th June 1972. India-ASEAN Digital Work Plan 2022:
• Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya. • The meeting was relevant for strengthening regional
• Functions: It sets the global environmental agenda, digital cooperation in the spirit of digital inclusion
promotes the sustainable development within the and integration.
United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative • They approved the India-ASEAN Digital Work Plan
advocate for global environment protection. 2022. The work plan includes:
• Major Reports: Emission Gap Report, Adaptation o System for combating the use of stolen and
Gap Report, Global Environment Outlook, Frontiers, counterfeit mobile handsets
Invest into Healthy Planet. o WiFi Access network interface for nationwide
• Major Campaigns: Beat Pollution, UN75, World public internet
Environment Day, Wild for Life. o Capacity building and knowledge sharing in
• Achievements: emerging areas in the field of Information and
o Since its creation, UNEP has worked closely with Communication Technologies such as Internet of
its 193 Member States and other stakeholders to Things (IoT), 5G, Advanced Satellite
galvanize worldwide commitments and Communication, Cyber Forensics among others.
coordinated action to address many of the
world’s most pressing environmental challenges. ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) Plus:
o It also played a leading role as the docking station • It is an annual meeting of Defence Ministers of 10
for 15 multilateral environmental agreements. ASEAN countries and eight dialogue partner
countries.
UNEP hosts the secretariats of many critical • ADMM-Plus countries: Australia, China, India,
multilateral environmental agreements and research Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russian
bodies: Federation, and the United States (same as in the
1. The Convention on Biological Diversity EAS).
2. The Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ASEAN Regional Forum:
3. The Minamata Convention on Mercury • Established in 1994, the ASEAN Regional Forum
4. The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (ARF)
5. The Vienna Convention for the Protection of Ozone • It is an important platform for security dialogue in the
Layer and the Montreal Protocol Indo-Pacific.
6. The Convention on Migratory Species • It comprises 27 members:
7. The Carpathian Convention o 10 ASEAN member: Brunei Darussalam,
8. The Bamako Convention Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
9. The Tehran Convention Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam
o 10 ASEAN dialogue partners: Australia,
Canada, China, EU, India, Japan, ROK, New
Zealand, Russia and United States of America
o 6 other countries: Bangladesh, DPRK, Mongolia,
Pakistan, Timor Leste and Sri Lanka.
o 1 ASEAN Observer: Papua New Guinea

East Asia Summit (EAS): • Established by the United Nations General

• Established in 2005. Assembly in 1966.
• It is a forum of 18 regional leaders for strategic • It provides a legislative framework that can be
dialogue and cooperation on the key political, adopted by countries with modifications to suit
security, and economic challenges facing the Indo- the domestic context of the enacting jurisdiction.
Pacific region. • It has been adopted by 49 countries, including
• It comprises 18 members: Singapore, UK, US and South Africa.
o 10 ASEAN member: Brunei Darussalam, • UNCITRAL allows foreign professionals and creditors
Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, direct access to domestic courts and enables them to
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam participate in and commence domestic insolvency
o 8 other countries: Australia, China, Japan, India, proceedings.
New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia and • It allows recognition of foreign proceedings and
the USA. enables courts to determine relief accordingly.
• The Commission carries out its work at annual
AFRICAN UNION (AU) sessions which are held in alternate years at United
Nations Headquarters in New York and at the Vienna
In News: Recently, the African Union (AU) has suspended
International Centre at Vienna.
Burkina Faso’s participation in the organization’s
activities until the country restores constitutional order
after the military mutiny. ECOWAS was the first to QUIET DIPLOMACY
suspend Burkina Faso. In News: Recently, while speaking at the UN Security
Council meeting on Ukraine, India called for quiet
About African Union: diplomacy and the peaceful resolution of the Russia-
• It is a continental union consisting of 55 countries Ukraine tensions.
of the continent of Africa, with exception of various
territories of European possessions located in Africa. About Quiet diplomacy:
• The bloc was founded on 26 May 2001 in Addis • Quiet diplomacy is also known as the "softly softly"
Ababa, Ethiopia and launched on 9 July 2002 in approach.
South Africa. • It is the attempt to influence the behaviour of another
• The intention of the AU is to replace the Organisation state through secret negotiations or by refraining
of African Unity (OAU), established on 25 May 1963 from taking a specific action.
in Addis Ababa by 32 signatory governments. • This method is often employed by states that lack
• The AU’s secretariat, the African Union Commission, alternative means to influence the target
is based in Addis Ababa. government, or that seek to avoid certain outcomes.
• Key objectives:
o To achieve greater unity and solidarity between MAJOR NON-NATO ALLY (MNNA)
the African countries and Africans.
o To defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity In News: Recently, US has designated Qatar a MNNA.
and independence of its Member States.
o To accelerate the political and social-economic About Major Non-NATO Allies (MNNA):
integration of the continent. • It is a designation given by the United States
government to close allies that have strategic
African Union’s Agenda 2063: working relationships with the US Armed Forces
• It is Africa’s blueprint and master plan for but are not members of the North Atlantic Treaty
transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of Organization (NATO).
the future. • Nations with MNNA designation are eligible to,
• It is the continent’s strategic framework that aims to among other things, host U.S. war reserve stockpiles
deliver on its goal for inclusive and sustainable of material inside their countries.
development and is a concrete manifestation of the • While MNNA status provides military and economic
pan-African drive for unity, self-determination, privileges, it does not entail any commitments to the
freedom, progress and collective prosperity. designated country.
• India is not a MNNA of US.
UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON About NATO:
INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW (UNCITRAL) • The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is an
In News: Recently, the Economic Survey 2021-22 has intergovernmental military alliance of 30 North
proposed a standardized framework for cross-border American and European states.
insolvency, similar to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy • The alliance came into existence following the North
Code (IBC). Atlantic Treaty (1949).
• NATO’s Headquarters are located in Evere,
About UNCITRAL: Brussels, Belgium, while the headquarters of Allied
Command Operations is near Mons, Belgium.
• The aim of the alliance is to constitute a system of disputes between States are binding upon the
collective defence whereby members agree to parties concerned.
mutual defence in response to an external attack. o Judgments are final and without appeal.
INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE (ICJ) WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME

In News: Recently, Ukraine has filed an application before In News: Recently, India signed an agreement with the
the International Court of Justice (ICJ), instituting United Nation’s World Food Programme (WFP) for the
proceedings against Russia. distribution of 50,000 MT of wheat that it has committed
to sending Afghanistan as part of a humanitarian
Issues: assistance.
• Ukraine has accused Russia of falsely claiming that
"acts of genocide have occurred in the Luhansk and About the Agreement:
Donetsk oblasts of Ukraine", and of using that as a • According to the MoU, the wheat will be taken
pretext to recognise the independence of these through Pakistan to the Afghan border crossing and
regions and of going to war against Ukraine. handed over to WFP officials in Kandahar beginning
• The dispute is concerning 1948 Convention on the February 22.
Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of • The wheat will eventually be divided into five batches
Genocide (the “Genocide Convention”). of 10,000 MT, to be distributed across the country on
approximately 200 trucks that are run by WFP.
About ICJ:
• The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the UN WFP:
principal judicial organ of the United Nations • It is the food assistance branch of the United
(UN). Nations and the world’s largest humanitarian
• Established in June 1945 by the Charter of the United organization addressing hunger and promoting
Nations and began work in April 1946. food security.
• HQ: The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The • Established in 1961, the WFP strives to eradicate
Hague (Netherlands). Of the six principal organs of hunger and malnutrition, with the ultimate goal in
the United Nations, it is the only one not located in mind of eliminating the need for food aid itself.
New York (United States of America). • It is a member of the United Nations Development
• Members: All UN members are its members. Group and part of its Executive Committee.
• Judges: The Court is composed of 15 judges, who are • WFP food aid is also directed to fight micronutrient
elected for terms of office of nine years by the United deficiencies, reduce child mortality, improve
Nations General Assembly and the Security Council. maternal health, and combat disease, including HIV
• Official languages: English and French. and AIDS.
• Functions:
o The Court’s role is to settle, in accordance with World Hunger Map:
international law, legal disputes submitted to it • Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of Alibaba is
by States and to give advisory opinions on legal working with WFP to develop digital “World Hunger
questions referred to it by authorized United Map”.
Nations organs and specialized agencies. • The map will help to monitor global hunger and
o The Court can only hear a dispute when operations to end scourge by 2030 which is one of
requested to do so by one or more States. It UN’s key Sustainable Development goals.
cannot deal with a dispute on its own initiative. • It also aims to boost efficiency of interventions and
• Subject matter: Sovereignty, boundary disputes, shorten emergency response times.
maritime disputes, trade, natural resources, human
rights, treaty violations, treaty interpretations and CAATSA
more.
In News: Recently, the newly appointed Russian
• Parties to dispute:
Ambassador to India Denis Alipov said threats of US
o Only States are eligible to appear before the
sanctions against India will not affect the military-
Court in contentious cases.
technical cooperation between the two countries.
o The Court has no jurisdiction to deal with
applications from individuals, non-governmental
• Background: The US has repeatedly asked India to
organizations, corporations or any other private
withdraw from the deal, indicating that the Russian
entity.
S-400 systems may trigger Countering America’s
o However, a State may take up the case of one of
Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The
its nationals and invoke against another State.
US has already sanctioned China and Turkey over
The dispute then becomes one between States.
similar purchases.
• Decisions of the Court:
o Article 94 of the United Nations Charter provides
About Countering America’s Adversaries through
that Judgments delivered by the Court in
Sanctions Act (CAATSA):

• Enacted in 2017 PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM

• Objective: To counter Iran, Russia and North Korea
In News: Recently, due to interference in the political
through punitive measures.
activities of Micronesian countries and earthquake in
• Includes sanctions against countries that engage in
Tonga, this organization is in a lot of discussion.
significant transactions with Russia’s defence and
intelligence sectors.
Pacific Islands Forum:
• Sanctions:
• The Pacific Islands Forum is the region’s premier
o Prohibition on loans to the sanctioned person.
political and economic policy organization which
o Prohibition of Export-Import bank assistance for
was founded in 1971.
exports to sanctioned persons.
• It comprises 18 members: Australia, Cook Islands,
o Prohibition on procurement by United States
Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French
Government to procure goods or services from
Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New
the sanctioned person.
Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of
o Denial of visas to persons closely associated with
Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga,
the sanctioned person.
Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
• Aims: to foster cooperation between governments,
S-400:
collaboration with international agencies, by
• The S-400 Triumf is a mobile, surface-to-air missile
representing the interests of its members for a region
system (SAM) designed by Russia.
of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion, and
• It is the most dangerous operationally deployed
prosperity, so that all Pacific people can lead-free,
modern long-range SAM (MLR SAM) in the world,
healthy, and productive lives.
considered much ahead of the US-developed
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system
Biketawa Declaration:
(THAAD).
• It is a declaration agreed to by all the leaders of the
Pacific Islands Forum constituting a framework for
EARLY HARVEST AGREEMENT coordinating response to regional crises.
In News: Recently, India and Australia have announced • The declaration was agreed to at the 31st Summit of
that they are set to conclude an Early Harvest Agreement Pacific Islands Forum Leaders, held at Kiribati in
and a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement October 2000.
(CECA) thereafter. • Principles: commitment to good governance, belief
in the liberty of the individual under the law,
About the Agreement: upholding democratic processes and institutions and
• An interim or early harvest trade agreement is used recognising the vulnerability of member countries to
to liberalise tariffs on the trade of certain goods threats to their security.
between two countries or trading blocs before a
comprehensive FTA (Free Trade Agreement) is ORGANIZATION OF ISLAMIC COOPERATION
concluded. (OIC)
• The interim agreement will cover most areas of
interest for both countries including goods, services, In News: Recently, India has lashed out at the
rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for being
and customs procedures. "communal minded" amid the Karnataka hijab row.
• Under the agreement, India is likely to seek easier
About OIC:
visa access for both students and professionals
visiting Australia. • It is an international organization founded in
1969, consisting of 57 member states.
• On the other hand, Australia is likely to seek market
access for wines and agricultural products which are • It is the second largest inter-governmental
not produced on a large scale in India. organization after the United Nations.
• However, Australia would likely not seek market • The organisation states that it is “the collective
access for products in dairy, beef and wheat voice of the Muslim world” and works to
categories as they are sensitive sectors for India. “safeguard and protect the interests of the
Muslim world in the spirit of promoting
Current Bilateral Trade between India and Australia: international peace and harmony “.
• Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at • The OIC has permanent delegations to the United
about $12.5 billion in FY21 and has already Nations and the European Union.
surpassed $17.7 billion in the first 10 months of FY22. • Permanent Secretariat is in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
• Key imports from Australia: coal, gold and LNG
while key exports to the country from India include INDO-GERMAN WORKING GROUP ON
diesel, petrol and gems and jewellery. QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE
In News: Recently, India and Germany have signed a
Work Plan 2022 during the virtually held 8th meeting of

the Indo-German Working Group on Quality has been held in Munich, Bavaria, Germany since
Infrastructure. 1963.
• The conference is held annually in February.
About Indo-German Working Group on Quality • Over the past four decades the Munich Security
Infrastructure: Conference has become the most important
• The Working Group has met annually since 2013. independent forum for the exchange of views by
• Objective: It identifies areas of cooperation to international security policy decision-makers.
support and strengthen quality infrastructure taking • Each year it brings together about 350 senior figures
into account the needs and requirements of relevant from more than 70 countries around the world to
stakeholders from diverse technology areas so as to engage in an intensive debate on current and
support bilateral trade. future security challenges.
Key highlights: INDIA PAKISTAN EXCHANGE LISTS OF

• India and Germany have signed a Work Plan 2022.
NUCLEAR INSTALLATION
• Aims: To cooperate in strengthening quality
infrastructure, reducing technical barriers to trade, In News: Recently, India and Pakistan have exchanged a
enhancing product safety and strengthening list of their nuclear installations.
consumer protection.
• Areas identified for collaboration: mobility, About
energy, circular economy, smart farming/ • The exchange was in accordance with the Article-II of
agriculture, medical devices, digitalisation (artificial Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear
intelligence, Industry 4.0 and other new technology Installations and Facilities between Pakistan and
areas), machinery safety, medical devices and India.
equipment and market surveillance. • The two countries also exchanged lists of prisoners
held in each other’s prisons under the provisions of
Global Quality Infrastructure Index (GQII): the Agreement on Consular Access signed in May
• A Global Quality Infrastructure Index (GQII) study 2008.
conducted by the German side was also shared during • Under this pact, the two countries should exchange
the group meeting. comprehensive lists on 1st January and 1st July every
• As per the study, India is placed at the seventh year.
position on standardization aspect, ninth for
accreditation activities and 19th for metrology Non-Nuclear Aggression Agreement:
related activities. • The Non-nuclear aggression agreement is a bilateral
• India scored 95.6 out of 100 and is ranked at 10th and nuclear weapons control treaty between
place in the world for the overall quality India and Pakistan, on the reduction (or
infrastructure environment in the country. limitation) of nuclear arms.
• Both pledged not to attack or assist foreign
powers to attack on each other’s nuclear
MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE installations and facilities.
In News: Recently, the latest edition of Munich Security • The treaty was drafted in 1988, and signed by the
Conference assumed significance as it was here that the PM Rajiv Gandhi and his counterpart Benazir
Ukrainian President appealed for help ahead of the Bhutto on 21 December 1988; it entered into force
Russian invasion. on January 1991.
• The treaty barred its signatories to carry out a
Background surprise attack (or to assist foreign power to
• The security conference set up by an anti-Hitler attack) on each other’s nuclear installations and
German has come a long way over the last six facilities.
decades. • Starting in January 1992, India and Pakistan have
• Munich gained a grim reputation during the 1973 annually exchanged lists of their respective
Olympics when the Israeli team was taken hostage by military and civilian nuclear-related facilities.
the Palestinian Black September group.
• MSC is often remembered as the venue where the
INDIA-OMAN TIES
Russian President made his famous 2007 speech
when he elaborated on the post-Cold War Russian In News: Recently, the Secretary General of the Ministry
security concerns and publicly opposed the of Defence of the Sultanate of Oman is on a visit to India.
expanding footprint of North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) and placing of nuclear-tipped India-Oman Relations:
missiles in Eastern Europe. • The Sultanate of Oman is a strategic partner of India
in the Gulf.
About MSC: • An Indian consulate was opened in Muscat in
• The Munich Security Conference is an annual February 1955 which was upgraded to a consulate
conference on international security policy that
general in 1960 and later into a full-fledged embassy India -Turkmenistan Relations:
in 1971. • The MoU seeks to put in place a system whereby both
• Energy: India has been considering the construction countries will benefit from the Disaster Management
of a 1,100-km-long underwater natural gas pipeline mechanisms of each other.
from Oman called the South Asia Gas Enterprise • Turkmenistan shares borders with Kazakhstan in
(SAGE). the north, Uzbekistan in the north and North-east,
Iran in the South and Afghanistan in the
Defense cooperation: Southeast.
• Naval cooperation: The Indian Navy has berthing • India has joined the Ashgabat agreement, which
rights in Oman, and has been utilizing Oman’s ports envisages setting up of an international transport and
as bases for conducting anti-piracy operations in the transit corridor linking central Asia with the Persian
Gulf of Aden. Gulf to significantly ramp up trade and investment.
• Tri-services base: In February 2018, India • India considers the TAPI pipeline (Turkmenistan,
announced that it had secured access to the facilities Afghanistan, Pakistan and India) a 'key pillar' in its
at Duqm for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. economic relations with Turkmenistan.
Duqm had previously served as a port for the INS • India provides training for Turkmen nationals under
Mumbai. ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic
• Arms trade: The standard issue rifle of the Royal Cooperation) programme.
Army of Oman is India’s INSAS rifle. • Turkmenistan supports India’s permanent
• Bilateral exercises: position in the UN Security Council.
1. Army exercise: Al Najah
2. Air Force exercise: Eastern Bridge UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL
3. Naval Exercise: Naseem Al Bahr
(UNSC)
Port of Duqm: In News: Recently, India voted in favour of a resolution to
• In a strategic move to expand its footprint in the renew the mandate of the Counter Terrorism
Indian Ocean region, India has secured access to the Committee’s (CTC) Executive Directorate
key Port of Duqm in Oman for military use and
logistical support. This is part of India’s maritime About
strategy to counter Chinese influence and activities in • The UNSC through its written silence procedure
the region. renewed the mandate of the Counter-Terrorism
• The Port of Duqm is situated on the southeastern Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) until
seaboard of Oman, overlooking the Arabian Sea and December 31, 2025. An interim review will be
the Indian Ocean. conducted in December 2023
• It is strategically located, in close proximity to the • Silence Procedure: Under it the draft of matter to be
Chabahar port in Iran. With the Assumption Island considered is circulated to all Members of the Council
being developed in Seychelles and Agalega in with copy to all other Member States for their
Mauritius, Duqm fits into India’s proactive maritime information, under a silence procedure of at least 72
security roadmap. hours. If the silence is not broken, the decision is
considered adopted
• Reason for Indian Vote: In its explanation of vote,
India said it is committed to pursue all necessary
measures in collaboration with other member states
towards the goal of zero tolerance for terrorism.
United Nations Security Council:

• The UNSC is one of the six principal organs of the
United Nations.
• It gives primary responsibility for maintaining
international peace and security to the Security
Council, which may meet whenever peace is
threatened.
• Purposes:
o To maintain international peace and security;
o To develop friendly relations among nations;
INDIA AND TURKEMENISTAN SIGN MOU ON o To cooperate in solving international problems
and in promoting respect for human rights;
COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF DISASTER
o To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of
MANAGEMENT nations.
In News: Recently, a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) was signed between India and Turkmenistan on
Cooperation in the field of Disaster Management.
COUNTER-TERRORISM COMMITTEE • One Earth, One Health: During the course of Covid-
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORATE 19, India saved many lives by exporting essential
medicines and vaccines by following its vision of "One
In News: Recently, India, which will chair the UNSC Earth, One Health". India is the world's third-largest
Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) in 2022, voted in pharmaceutical producer and is considered
favour of a resolution to renew CTED’s mandate until 'pharmacy to the world’.
December 31, 2025.
Pro-Planet People (P3) Approach:
About • Proposed the idea of the “P3 (Pro-Planet-People)
• As CTC chair, India will make determined efforts movement” that underscores India’s commitments
to further enhance the role of CTC in to climate change at the global forum (UNFCCC COP
strengthening multilateral response to counter 26).
terrorism. • Reiterated India’s “clean, green, sustainable, and
• India will also ensure that global response to threat reliable” energy goals which dwell on achieving a net-
of terrorism remains unambiguous, undivided and zero carbon emission target by 2070.
effective. • Making LIFE (Lifestyle for Environment - given by the
• CTED was established by UNSC Resolution 1535 Indian PM at UNFCCC COP 26 Conference) into a mass
in 2004 as an expert body to support CTC. movement can be a strong foundation for P3.
• CTED conducts country visits on CTC’s behalf to
assess Member States' counter-terrorism efforts, World Economic Forum:
including progress made, remaining shortfalls, • It is a Swiss non-profit foundation established in
priority areas for technical assistance needs etc. 1971, based in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Founder and Executive Chairman: Klaus Schwab.
Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC):
• Some major reports published by WEF are:
• It is a United Nation Security Council’s subsidiary o Energy Transition Index.
body composed of all 15 Council members, tasked o Global Competitiveness Report.
with monitoring Member States’ implementation o Global IT Report.
efforts. o Global Gender Gap Report.
• It was created by UNSC resolution 1373 (2001), o Global Risk Report.
which also sets forth a range of measures to be o Global Travel and Tourism Report.
implemented by Member States in order to address
the terrorist threat in a global, coordinated and
comprehensive manner. INDIA-US HOMELAND SECURITY DIALOGUE
• It was established after the 9/11 terror attack to In News: Recently, a Homeland Security Dialogue was
bolster the ability of UN member states to prevent held between the officials of India and US.
terrorist acts both within their borders and across
regions. Key Points:
• The meeting was held recently in virtual mode.
Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate • It was co-chaired by the Home Secretary,
(CTED): Government of India, and Under Secretary for
• The CTC is assisted by the Executive Directorate Strategy, Policy and Plans, Department of Homeland
(CTED), which carries out its policy decisions and Security, Government of USA.
conducts expert assessments of the 193 United
Nations Member States. U.S.- India Homeland Security Dialogue:
• CTED conducts country visits on the Committee’s • India and the U.S. have agreed to re-establish the U.S.-
behalf as part of the assessment process to India Homeland Security Dialogue, the U.S.
understand Member States’ counter-terrorism Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced
efforts, strengths, weaknesses and technical in March 2021, following a discussion between
assistance needs and to identify good practices India’s Ambassador to the United States and
employed in the implementation of resolutions. Secretary of Homeland Security.
• The first Homeland Security Dialogue between
DAVOS SUMMIT both countries was held in 2011.
• The second dialogue was held in 2021.
In News: Recently, the Prime Minister addressed the
World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Davos Agenda via video
India-US: Defence and Security
conferencing.
• India has signed all 4 foundational agreements with
the USA including.
About
• General Security of Military Information Agreement
• The WEF annual meeting in Davos (Switzerland)
(GSOMIA)
engages the world's top leaders to shape global,
• Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement
regional and industry agendas.
(LEMOA)

• Communications, Compatibility and Security Rare Earth Metals in India:

Arrangement (COMCASA) • In India, monazite is the principal source of rare
• Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo- earths and thorium.
Spatial Cooperation (BECA) • India has the world’s fifth-largest reserves of rare
• A ‘2+2’ foreign and defence ministers dialogue has earth elements, nearly twice as much as Australia,
been started. but it imports most of its rare earth needs in finished
• Malabar Exercise and QUAD form from its geopolitical rival, China.
• As per the Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-2020 and the
US PLANS AUTONOMY IN RARE EARTH effective policy on export and import, the import of
ores and concentrates of rare earth metals and of rare
SUPPLIES
earth oxides including rutile sand are permitted
In News: Recently, the US has proposed a law aiming to 'freely'.
end China’s alleged “chokehold” on rare-earth metal
supplies.
INDIA-PHILIPPINES BRAHMOS MISSILE DEAL
About Rare Earth metal: In News: Recently, Philippines has signed a deal with
• Rare earth metals are a group of 17 elements - BrahMos Aerospace Private Ltd. for the supply of a shore-
lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, based anti-ship variant of the BrahMos supersonic cruise
promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, missile.
terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium,
ytterbium, lutetium, scandium, yttrium. About the Deal:
• They are lustrous silvery-white soft heavy metals. • This is the first export order for the missile, a joint
• These metals have unusual fluorescent, conductive, product of India and Russia.
and magnetic properties, which make them very • The Philippines wants to induct this missile amid
useful when alloyed, or mixed, in small quantities tensions with China over the disputed islands in the
with more common metals such as iron. South China Sea.
• However, with the exception of the highly-unstable • Several countries have shown interest in acquiring
prometheum, rare earth elements are found in the BrahMos missile. For example, discussions are in
relatively high concentrations in the earth's crust. advanced stages with Indonesia and Thailand.
Reserves & Production: BrahMos Missile:

• China alone accounts for 44 million tonnes followed • BrahMos is a joint venture between the Defence
by Brazil and Vietnam (18% each) and Russia (15%). Research and Development Organisation of India
• China holds the leading position among (DRDO) and the NPOM of Russia.
producers of rare earth with 140 thousand tonnes. • BrahMos is named on the rivers Brahmaputra and
China accounts for 90% of the world’s rare earth Moskva.
production. • It is a two-stage (solid propellant engine in the first
• The other major producers are Australia, USA, Russia, stage and liquid ramjet in second) missile.
Malaysia and Vietnam. • It is a multiplatform missile i.e. it can be launched
• Concentrates/partially processed intermediate from land, air, and sea and multi capability missile
products are further processed at many locations in with pinpoint accuracy that works in both day and
Europe, USA, Japan and China. night irrespective of the weather conditions.
• It operates on the "Fire and Forgets" principle i.e. it
Significance: does not require further guidance after launch.
• Rare earth materials are utilised in a wide range of • Brahmos is one of the fastest cruise missiles
critical products enabling many emerging green currently operationally deployed with speed of
energy technologies, high tech applications and Mach 2.8, which is nearly 3 times more than the
defence systems. speed of sound.
• They are used in consumer goods such as
smartphones, computer screens and telescopic FIRST INDIA CENTRAL ASIA SUMMIT
lenses. In News: Recently, the first India-Central Asia Summit
• They work on clean energy which is the need of the was hosted by PM Narendra Modi with the Presidents of
hour today. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and
• Traditional uses like Cerium for glass polishing and Uzbekistan. It plan to build a “Central Asia Centre” in
lanthanum for car catalysts or optical lenses New Delhi.
• Rare earth minerals, with names like neodymium,
praseodymium and dysprosium, are crucial to the Central Asian Region:
manufacture of magnets used in industries of the • Stretches from the Caspian Sea in the west to China in
future of the 21st century’s need of electric vehicles, the east & from Afghanistan in the south to Russia in
wind turbines and Drones. the north.

• 5 countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, • Provisions requiring all WTO members to safeguard
Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan collectively referred to the trade interests of developing countries.
as the Central Asian Republics. • Support to help developing countries build the
• Initiatives undertaken to boost India-CACs capacity to carry out WTO work, handle disputes, and
relations Connectivity: INSTC; Chabahar port implement technical standards.
initiative; Ashgabat Agreement; TAPI gas pipeline. • Provisions related to least-developed country
(LDC) Members.
• The concept of non-reciprocal preferential treatment
for developing countries that when developed
countries grant trade concessions to developing
countries, they should not expect the developing
countries to make matching offers in return.
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL

(UNSC) STATES PLEDGE TO AVOID NUCLEAR
WAR
In News: Recently, in a joint statement, UNSC’s
Permanent members (Britain, China, France, Russia and
U.S.) pledged to prevent further spread of nuclear
weapons and to avoid a nuclear war.
DEVELOPING COUNTRY STATUS OF CHI NA
About
In News: Recently, China got the ‘developing country’ • Development came ahead of a five-yearly review
status at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). conference (now postponed) for Treaty on the Non-
Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
Developing Country Status in WTO: • Objective: preserving and complying with bilateral
• There are no WTO definitions of “developed” and and multilateral non-proliferation, disarmament, and
“developing” countries. arms control agreements and commitments.
• Members announce for themselves whether they
are “developed” or “developing” countries. Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT):
• However, other members can challenge the • NPT came to force in 1970 to:
decision of a member to make use of provisions o Prevent spread of nuclear weapons & weapons
available to developing countries. technology
o Foster peaceful uses of nuclear energy,
World Bank's Classification of Countries: o Further goal of disarmament.
• The World Bank assigns the world’s economies to • India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea are not
four income groups—low, lower-middle, upper- part of NPT.
middle, and high-income countries.
• The classifications are updated each year on 1st July Other multilateral treaties:
and are based on Gross National Income (GNI) per • Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT): Treaty Banning
capita in current USD of the previous year. Nuclear Weapon Tests in Atmosphere, In Outer Space
• In its latest classification (2020-21), the World Bank and Under Water, also known as Partial Test Ban
has classified India as a lower-middle-income Treaty (PTBT). India has ratified it.
country. • Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT):
bans all nuclear weapons test explosions. It was
Benefits of “developing country” status: signed globally in 1996 but has yet to enter into force.
• Developing country status in the WTO brings certain (India has not signed it)
rights. • Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
• Developing country status ensures special and (TPNW): includes a comprehensive set of
differential treatment (S&DT) or provisions which prohibitions on participating in any nuclear weapon
allow them more time to implement agreements and activities. India is not part of TPNW.
commitments, include measures to increase trading
opportunities, safeguard their trade interests, and
COLLECTIVE SECURITY TREATY
support to build capacity to handle disputes and
implement technical standards. ORGANIZATION (CSTO)
• Thousands of troops from CSTO arrived in
“Special and Differential Treatment” provisions: Kazakhstan to restore order amid spiraling unrest in
• Longer time periods for implementing Agreements Kazakhstan.
and commitments. • CSTO is a Russia-led military alliance that
• Measures to increase trading opportunities for promotes the collective defence of any member
developing countries. that comes under external aggression.
• CSTO originates from Collective Security Treaty India’s Performance:

signed in 1992 (Tashkent Treaty) by Russia and • In 2020, India stood at 84 while in 2016, India was
few Central Asian states. ranked 85th along with Mali and Uzbekistan.
• It is an intergovernmental military alliance (six • India (83rd in 2022) shares the position with Sao
countries) that came into effect in 2002. Tome and Principe in Central Africa, behind Rwanda
• The headquarter is located in the Russian capital of and Uganda.
Moscow. • India now has visa-free access to 60 destinations
• Objectives of the CSTO: to strengthen peace, worldwide with Oman and Armenia being the latest
international and regional security including additions. India has added 35 more destinations since
cybersecurity and stability, the protection on a 2006.
collective basis of the independence, territorial
integrity and sovereignty of the member states. OPERATION GANGA
• Current CSTO members are: Armenia, Belarus,
In News: Recently, ‘Operation Ganga’ was launched by
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation and
the government of India to bring back Indians stranded in
Tajikistan.
Ukraine.
• CSTO is based on the principle of collective defense
just like NATO.
About
• It is an evacuation mission by Indian government to
CSTO membership entails:
bring back all the Indian nationals who are currently
• CSTO membership means that member states are
stranded in Ukraine
barred from joining other military alliances,
• Under this, India has already successfully brought
limiting, for example, their relationship with
back more than a 1,000 of its nationals from the
NATO.
country.
• Most importantly, membership presumes certain
• It has also set up 24×7 control centres to assist in the
key security assurances – the most significant of
evacuation of Indians through the border crossing
which is deterring military aggression by third
points with Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovak
countries.
Republic.
• In the CSTO, aggression against one signatory is
• A Twitter handle, ‘Op Ganga Helpline’, has also been
perceived as aggression against all.
dedicated to the mission, where all information
• It however remains unclear whether this feature
regarding evacuation process and advisories of
works in practice.
embassies are shared to keep everyone up-to-date.
HENLEY PASSPORT INDEX Other Similar Operations:

In News: Recently, India has been ranked 83rd in the • Operation Sukoon: Operation Sukoon, or the ‘Beirut
most powerful passport report ‘Henley Passport Index Sealift,’ was launched by the Indian Navy in July 2006
2022’. to evacuate Indians, Sri Lankans, Nepalese and
Lebanese nationals with Indian spouses from
About Henley Passport Index: Lebanon during the Israel-Lebanon war in 2006.
• The Henley Passport Index is the original ranking of • Operation Safe Homecoming: The Indian
all the world’s passports according to the number government had commenced Operation Safe
of destinations their holders can access without a Homecoming on 26 February 2011 to rescue over
prior visa. 15,400 Indian nationals stuck in Libya during the civil
• Originally created by Dr. Christian H. Kaelin war.
(chairman of Henley & Partners), the ranking is based • Operation Maitri: Operation Maitri was initiated by
on exclusive data from the International Air the Indian government in the aftermath of the Nepal
Transport Association (IATA), which maintains the earthquake on 25 April 2015.
world’s largest and most accurate database of travel • Operation Raahat: An operation was launched by
information. the Indian Armed Forces to evacuate 4,640 Indians
• It was launched in 2006 and includes 199 and 960 foreign nationals of 41 countries from
different passports. Yemen during the 2015 Yemen Crisis.
• It is updated in real time throughout the year as and • Vande Bharat Mission: Evacuations during Covid-
when visa policy changes come into effect. 19 pandemic-The Indian government initiated a
massive evacuation programme titled the 'Vande
Global Rankings: Bharat Mission' on May 7, 2020.
• Japan and Singapore top the index • Operation Devi Shakti: The evacuation operation
• Germany and South Korea held onto the joint second from Afghanistan in the backdrop of the Taliban's
spot on the latest ranking, while Finland, Italy, takeover of the country is known as "Operation Devi
Luxembourg, and Spain shared third place. Shakti".
• Afghanistan and Iraq continue to be in the 'worst
passports to hold' category.

DONETSK AND LUHANSK REGIONS • The exercise is being held in Visakhapatnam for the
first time instead of the Andaman and Nicobar
In News: Recently, Russia backed separatists have
Islands.
controlled the south-eastern Ukrainian regions of
• The theme of the exercise is ‘Camaraderie Cohesion
Donetsk and Luhansk.
Collaboration’.
• The exercise will see participation from around 40
About
countries such as the US, Russia, Australia, UK, Japan,
• Russian President recognized two separatist eastern
South Korea, France and Israel, Saudi Arabia among
Ukrainian regions- Donetsk and Luhansk.
others.
• Location: Donetsk and Luhansk are two states
located in eastern Ukraine, which share a border with
Russia. EXERCISE EASTERN BRIDGE
• Separatist territories: Within these two states are In News: Indian Air Force (IAF) and Royal Air Force of
two separatist territories known as the Donetsk Oman (RAFO) are scheduled to participate in a bilateral
People’s Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People’s exercise named Eastern Bridge-VI at Air Force Station
Republic (LPR), which are run by Russian and Jodhpur.
Russian-backed separatists.
• Donbas region: This entire region, which includes About
Donetsk, Luhansk and their respective separatist • It is a Bilateral air exercise conducted between India
territories, is generally referred to as the ‘Donbas’ and Oman.
region. • First edition: held in 2009. This is the sixth edition of
• Dependent on Russia: These breakaway territories the exercise.
are heavily dependent on Moscow for financial and • The exercise will provide an opportunity to enhance
military support, and their leaders have openly operational capability and interoperability between
proposed joining the Russian Federation. the two Air Forces.
• The Minsk agreements: It refers to two accords
signed in 2014 and 2015 in a bid to quell fighting in Other Exercises Between India and Oman
the Donbas region. • Naseem-al-Bahr: It is a bilateral biennial naval
exercise between India and Oman.
• AL NAGAH: It is a bilateral military exercise between
India and Oman
EXERCISE COBRA WARRIOR

In News: Indian Air Force will participate in a multi-
nation air exercise named ‘Ex Cobra Warrior 22’ at
Waddington, UK.
About:
• Conducted by: Royal Air Force(RAF) of the United
Kingdom(UK).
• Type: Annual multinational air exercise.
• Aim: To provide operational exposure and share best
EXERCISE MILAN practices amongst the participating Air Forces,
thereby enhancing combat capability and forging
In News: Recently, the US and Russia participated in
bonds of friendship.
India’s biggest maritime exercise named “Milan-2022”
amidst escalating tensions between them over Ukraine • From the Indian side, indigenous LCA Tejas fighter
aircraft will participate in the exercise and a C-17
aircraft will provide transport support.
About Milan:
• Apart from India, the other countries participating in
• Milan began in 1995 and is held biennially and brings
the exercise are Sweden, Saudi Arabia and Bulgaria.
together Navies of all the countries in the region.
• It has so far been held at Port Blair in Andaman
Other Joint Exercises between India and the UK:
and Nicobar but is now being shifted to
Visakhapatnam which offers more infrastructure as • Navy: Konkan
well as sea space for the exercise. • Air Force: Indradhanush
• The exercise is aimed to enhance professional • Army: Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR
interaction between friendly foreign navies and learn
from each other’s strengths and best practices in the EXERCISE DHARMA GUARDIAN
maritime domain. In News: A joint military exercise, “EX DHARMA
GUARDIAN-2022”, between India and Japan is to be
Exercise Milan 2022:

conducted at Foreign Training Node, Belagavi (Belgaum, • The Council cannot make binding laws, but it does
Karnataka). have the power to enforce select international
agreements reached by European states on various
About topics.
• Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN is an annual joint • The Council is also an official United Nations
military exercise conducted between India and Japan Observer.
since 2018. • Headquarters: Strasbourg, France.
• Aim: The exercise aims to share experience gained
during various Counter Terrorism Operations in COURT OF ARBITRATION OF SPORTS
respective Countries.
• The exercise will include house interventions drills, In News: Recently, the Court of Arbitration of Sports
raid on terrorist hideouts in semi urban terrain, decided not to impose any provisional ban on a Russian
unarmed combat & close quarter combat firing where figure skater from participating in the Beijing Olympics,
both sides will jointly train, plan and execute a series who was accused of being in violation of the World Anti-
of well-developed tactical drills for neutralisation of Doping Code (WADC).
likely threats.
About
Other exercises between India and Japan: • The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is an
• SHINYUU Maitri: It is a bilateral exercise between institution independent of any sports
the Indian Air Force and the Japanese Air Self Defence organization which provides for services.
Force (JASDF). • It facilitates the settlement of sports-related
• JIMEX: It is a bilateral maritime exercise between disputes through arbitration or mediation by
India and Japan. means of procedural rules adapted to the specific
needs of the sports world.
• Sahayog-Kaijin: Joint bilateral exercise between the
Indian Coast Guard and the Japan Coast Guard. • The CAS was created in 1984 and is placed under the
administrative and financial authority of the
International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS).
OPERATION SARD HAWA • Headquartered at the Palais de Beaulieu, Lausanne
In News: Recently, the Border Security Force (BSF) (Switzerland), the courts of CAS are located in New
launched operation ‘Sard Hawa’ at the international York City (Australia), Sydney (United States) and
border of Rajasthan, under which vigil will be beefed-up Lausanne.
to check the instances of infiltration due to the dense fog
in the area. INTERNATIONAL MONSOONS PROJECT
OFFICE
About
• BSF conducts “Operation Garam Hawa” in summer In News: The Union Minister of State (Independent
and “Operation Sard Hawa” in winter every year. Charge) Science & Technology launched the International
• BSF is a central armed police force (CAPF) that Monsoons Project Office (IMPO).
functions under the Union government.
• It was raised in 1965. About IMPO
• BSF is deployed along the Pakistan and Bangladesh • It was established at the Indian Institute of Tropical
borders. Meteorology (IITM), Pune.
• It is also deployed in areas affected by Left Wing • Purpose: It would support activities and connections
Extremism etc. related to international monsoon research that
would be identified and fostered under the
leadership of the World Climate Research
COUNCIL OF EUROPE Programme and the World Weather Research
In News: Recently, the Council of Europe has suspended Programme.
Russia from its rights of representation in the Council. • Significance: The setting up of IMPO in India would
However, Russia was not permanently removed from the mean expanding an integrated scientific approach to
council, thus obligated to follow its human rights solve the seasonal variability of monsoons, enhancing
provisions. the prediction skill of monsoons and cyclones and
strengthening monsoon research for better support
About operations and services.
• Established in 1949 by the Treaty of London.
• It is an international organization founded in the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP):
wake of World War II to uphold human rights, • It is an international programme that helps to
democracy and the rule of law in Europe. coordinate global climate research.
• The council is distinct from the European Union (EU). • It was established in 1980, under the joint
• Members: It includes 47 member states (27 of which sponsorship of the World Meteorological
are EU members). Organization (WMO) and the International Council
for Science (ICSU), and has also been sponsored by

the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission • Headquartered: Beijing.

(IOC) of UNESCO since 1993. • Membership: There are more than 100 members
now.
World Weather Research Programme (WWRP): • Voting Rights: China is the largest shareholder with
• The programme is coordinated by WMO. It focuses on 26.61 % voting shares in the bank followed by India
advancing and promoting research in weather, its (7.6%), Russia (6.01%) and Germany (4.2 %). The
prediction and its impact on society. regional members hold 75% of the total voting power
in the Bank.
MONTREUX CONVENTION
Various organs of AIIB:
In News: In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine,
• Board of Governors: The Board of Governors
Turkey is activating the Montreux Convention on naval
consists of one Governor and one Alternate Governor
passage through the Black Sea Straits.
appointed by each member country. Governors and
Alternate Governors serve at the pleasure of the
About
appointing member.
• Also known as the Turkish Straits, the Black Sea
• Board of Directors: Non-resident Board of Directors
Straits are the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits.
is responsible for the direction of the Bank’s general
• These straits connect the Aegean Sea and the Black
operations, exercising all powers delegated to it by
Sea via the Sea of Marmara.
the Board of Governors.
• It is the only passage through which the Black Sea
• International Advisory Panel: The Bank has
ports can access the Mediterranean and beyond.
established an International Advisory Panel (IAP) to
• Montreux Convention of 1936 regarding the
support the President and Senior Management on the
regime of the straits is an international agreement
Bank’s strategies and policies as well as on general
governing the Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits in
operational issues.
Turkey. This pact says that Turkey has control over
both the Black Sea Straits.
• In the event of a war, the pact gives Ankara the right UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL (UNHRC)
to regulate the transit of naval warships and to block In News: India has abstained on a vote at the UNHRC
the straits to warships belonging to the countries resolution which “strongly condemned” aggression by
involved in the conflict. Russia on Ukraine.
• Exception: Article 19 of the treaty contains an
exception for the countries on the Black Sea that can About:
effectively undermine Turkey’s power in blocking the • Founded in 2006.
Russian warships entering or exiting the Black Sea. • UNHRC was reconstituted from its predecessor
• This Article says, “Vessels of war belonging to organisation, the UN Commission on Human Rights to
belligerent powers, whether they are Black Sea help overcome the “credibility deficit” of the
Powers or not, which have become separated from previous organisation.
their bases, may return thereto.” • Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
• That means warships can return to their original
bases through the passage and Turkey cannot Composition:
prevent it. • The UNHRC has 47 members serving at any time
• The condition also applies to Russian fleets currently with elections held to fill up seats every year, based
in the Black Sea that belong to a base in the on allocations to regions across the world to ensure
Mediterranean or Baltic Sea. Russia is free to take geographical representation.
them out of the Black Sea. • Each elected member serves for a term of three
years.
ASIAN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT • Countries are disallowed from occupying a seat for
BANK (AIIB) more than two consecutive terms.
In News: The Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Functions:
Investment Bank (AIIB) said it was putting on hold and
• The UNHRC passes non-binding resolutions on
reviewing all projects in Russia and Belarus.
human rights issues through a periodic review of all
193 UN member states called the Universal Periodic
About: Review (UPR).
• The AIIB is a multilateral development bank with • It oversees expert investigation of violations in
a mission to improve social and economic
specific countries (Special Procedures).
outcomes in Asia, began operations in January
2016.
• Aims to stimulate growth and improve access to INTERNATIONAL ELECTION VISITORS
basic services by furthering interconnectivity and PROGRAMME
economic development in the region through
advancements in infrastructure.

In News: The virtual International Election Visitors • As per the agreement, member countries would
Programme (IEVP) 2022 was hosted by the Election allow vehicles registered in the other countries to
Commission of India (ECI). enter their territory under certain terms and
conditions. Customs and tariffs will be decided by
About IEVP: the respective countries and these would be finalized
• Since the 2012 elections, India has hosted the at bilateral and trilateral forums.
International Election Visitors Programme (IEVP), • Assistance: Asian Development Bank (ADB) has
which invites international delegates to visit polling been providing technical, advisory, and financial
stations and observe electoral processes. support to the BBIN MVA initiative as part of its
• Hence, this programme provides a platform for the assistance to the South Asia Sub regional Economic
exchange of ideas, sharing of experiences, best Cooperation (SASEC) program.
practices and skills in the field of Electoral
Management with various countries. INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR AGRICULTURAL
• Participants of IEVP 2022: IEVP 2022 was attended DEVELOPMENT (IFAD)
by delegates from nearly 32 countries and 4
international organizations: International IDEA, In News: Recently, the government of Madhya Pradesh in
International Foundation of Electoral Systems (IFES), partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural
Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) and Development (IFAD) proposed two inexpensive and
Community of Democracies. ingenious ideas to encourage women to cook balanced
meals.
International IDEA:
• International Institute for Democracy and Electoral About
Assistance (International IDEA) is an • It is a specialized United Nations agency created
intergovernmental organization that works to in 1977 engaged in providing grants and loans with
support and strengthen democratic institutions and low interest for allied projects.
processes around the world, to develop sustainable, • The IFAD works with rural people allowing them
effective and legitimate democracies. to enhance their food security, improve nutrition
• Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden. and raise their incomes.
• It is also an official United Nations Observer. • It also helps people to expand their businesses.
• The organization is an outcome of the World Food
International Foundation of Electoral Systems (IFES): Conference of 1974.
• It is an international, non-profit organization founded • Headquartered in Rome and headed by a President.
in 1987. • Membership: It has 177 member countries.
• The organization helps develop and provides • IFAD brings out the Rural Development Report
assistance and support for elections in new and every year.
emerging democracies.
• It is based in Arlington, USA. The objectives:
1. To increase the productive capacity of poor people.
Community of Democracies: 2. To increase benefits for them from market
• It is an intergovernmental coalition of states participation.
established in 2000. 3. To strengthen the environmental sustainability &
• Aims to bring together governments, civil society and climate resilience of their economic activities.
the private sector in the pursuit of the common goal
of supporting democratic rules, expanding political The ‘7 days 7 plots’ programme:
participation, advancing and protecting democratic • Here, women from the village are taught how to grow
freedoms. Its secretariat is based in Warsaw, Poland. different vegetables in their own gardens, seven to be
exact, one for each day of the week.
• By the end of the week, the first plot is ready to be
MOTOR VEHICLES AGREEMENT (MVA) harvested again. This way, families get to eat fresh,
In News: Recently, India, Bangladesh and Nepal have affordable vegetables that they can consume for
finalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for longer and in greater quantity, as against buying from
implementing the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal the market, and so reduce sickness.
(BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA). • This scheme is an adjunct to the Tejaswini Rural
Women Empowerment Programme implemented
About by the UN-affiliated IFAD in MP.
• Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) had
signed the Motor Vehicles Agreement(MVA) in
MOST FAVOURED NATION (MFN)
2015 at Thimphu, Bhutan.
• Aim: To provide seamless people-to-people contact In News: Recently, the United States, the European Union,
and enhance economic interaction by facilitating Britain, Canada and Japan are planning to jointly revoke
cross border movement of people and goods. Russia’s “most favoured nation” (MFN) status over its
invasion of Ukraine.

About “Blue Shield Emblem”

• The World Trade Organization’s 164 members • Founded in 1996.
commit to treating other members equally so • It is an independent, neutral, non-governmental, non-
they can all benefit from each other’s lowest profit, international organization which strives to
tariffs, highest import quotas and fewest trade protect heritage during armed conflicts and disasters
barriers for goods and services. across the world.
• This principle of non-discrimination is known as • This includes all forms of cultural property including
most favoured nation (MFN) treatment. museums, monuments, archaeological sites, archives,
• There are some exceptions, such as when members libraries and audio-visual material, and significant
strike bilateral trade agreements or when members natural areas, as well as intangible heritage.
offer developing countries special access to their • The 1954 Hague Convention designates an emblem
markets. for a cultural property that should be protected,
and for identification of those working to protect
Removal of MFN status: it.
• There is no formal procedure for suspending MFN • The Blue Shield organization took up the emblem of
treatment and it is not clear whether members are the Convention as a symbol of their protective work,
obliged to inform the WTO if they do so. set in a blue circular background.
• India suspended Pakistan’s MFN status in 2019
after a suicide attack by a Pakistan-based Islamist UNESCO
group killed 40 police. Pakistan never applied MFN • It is a specialized agency of the United Nations
status to India. (UN). It seeks to build peace through international
cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture.
Implication of losing MFN status: • It was founded in 1945 and is located in Paris,
• Revoking Russia’s MFN status sends a strong signal France.
that the United States and its Western allies do not • It has 193 Members and 11 Associate Members.
consider Russia a economic partner in any way, but it • India joined UNESCO in 1946.
does not in itself change conditions for trade. • In 2019, the USA and Israel formally quit UNESCO.
• It does formally allow the Western allies to increase • Reports: UNESCO Science Report, Global Education
import tariffs or impose quotas on Russian goods, or Monitoring Report, State of the Education Report for
even ban them, and to restrict services out of the India
country.
• They could also overlook Russian intellectual
GENEVA CONVENTIONS
property rights.
In News: As the Russian-Ukraine Conflict gets intense,
there is growing concern surrounding the issue of
1954 HAGUE CONVENTION violations of human rights and Geneva Conventions.
In News: Recently, UNESCO is in contact with Ukrainian
authorities to mark cultural sites and monuments with About
the distinctive “Blue Shield” emblem of the 1954 Hague • The Geneva Conventions (1949) and their Additional
Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Protocols are international treaties that contain the
Event of Armed Conflict to avoid deliberate or accidental most important rules limiting the barbarity of war.
damages. • They protect people who do not take part in the
fighting (civilians, medics, aid workers) and those
About 1954 Hague Convention who can no longer fight (wounded, sick and
• The convention for the Protection of Cultural shipwrecked troops, prisoners of war).
Property in the Event of Armed Conflict also known • The focus of the Conventions is also on the
as the Hague Convention was adopted in 1954 under treatment of non-combatants and prisoners of
the auspices of UNESCO. war, and not the use of conventional or biological
• India is party to Hague Convention 1954. and chemical weapons.
• Aim: To protect cultural property such as • Parties to the Convention: The Geneva Conventions
monuments of architecture, art or history, have been ratified by 196 states, including all UN
archaeological sites, works of art, manuscripts, books member states. The three Protocols have been
and other objects of artistic, historical or ratified by 174, 169 and 79 states respectively.
archaeological interest, as well as scientific
collections of any kind regardless of their origin or
ownership.
ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO -
• Significance: It is the first and the most
OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT
comprehensive multilateral treaty dedicated In News: Recently, the OECD has predicted that Ukraine
exclusively to the protection of cultural heritage in war could cut 1% off global growth.
times of peace as well as during an armed conflict.
About

• Organisation for European Economic Co-operation • Currently, India has a single station, Himadri, in
(OEEC) was founded in 1948 to help administer Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago,
the Marshall Plan where research personnel are usually present for 180
• In 1961, the OEEC was reformed into the days.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and • India has sent 13 expeditions to the Arctic since 2007
Development by the Convention on the Organisation and runs 23 active science projects.
for Economic Co-operation and Development and
membership was extended to non-European states. Arctic Council:
• Headquarter: Paris, France • Eight nations — Canada, Denmark, Finland, Norway,
• It works through consensus to develop policy Iceland, Russia, Sweden and the United States make
recommendations and other “soft law” instruments up the Arctic Council.
to encourage policy reform in member countries.
• Membership: Currently, it has 38 members. India is FINLANDIZATION
not a member but a key partner.
In News: Recently, as the Russia invoked the threat of
• It provides a platform to compare policy experiences,
Ukraine joining NATO as a pretext for the invasion, the
seek answers to common problems, identify good
term “Finlandization” of Ukraine has become popular.
practices and coordinate domestic and international
policies of its members.
About
• It is a forum of countries describing themselves as
• ‘Finlandization’ is the process whereby a country is
committed to democracy and the market
induced to favour, or refrain from opposing, the
economy.
interests of a more powerful country, despite not
• Most OECD members are high-income economies being politically allied to it.
with a very high Human Development Index
• This term was originally used with reference to the
(HDI) and are regarded as developed countries.
influence of the former Soviet Union on its
neighbour Finland.
Governance:
• It refers to the policy of strict neutrality between
• OECD Council: provide direction and guidance to the
Moscow and the West that Finland followed
work of the Organisation. Each member country is
during the decades of the Cold War.
represented.
• The principle of neutrality was rooted in the
• OECD Substantive Committees: oversee all the
Agreement of Friendship, Cooperation, and
work on each theme (publications, task forces,
Mutual Assistance (or YYA Treaty) that Finland
conferences, and so on)
signed with the USSR in 1948.
• OECD Secretariat: led by the Secretary-General
provides support to Standing and Substantive
Committees BUCHAREST 9
In News: Recently, the “Bucharest Nine” wrote an article
INDIA’S ARCTIC POLICY in a popular Indian newspaper to acquaint the Indian
public with the basic facts on the ground about the
In News: The Ministry of Earth Science has unveiled premeditated, unprovoked and unjustified Russian
India’s Arctic Policy, titled ‘India and the Arctic: building aggression in Ukraine.
a partnership for sustainable development
About
The policy document lays down six pillars:
• The “Bucharest Nine” or “Bucharest Format” or
1. Strengthening India’s scientific research and
“B9” was founded in 2015, and takes its name from
cooperation,
Bucharest, the capital of Romania.
2. Climate and environmental protection,
• The “Bucharest Nine” is a group of nine NATO
3. Economic and human development,
countries in Eastern Europe that became part of
4. Transportation and connectivity,
the NATO after the end of the Cold War.
5. Governance and international cooperation
6. National capacity building in the Arctic region. • It is also regarded as the “Voice of the Eastern
Flank” in the NATO alliance.
Activities by India: • The group was created at the High-Level Meeting of
the States from Central and Eastern Europe in
• India’s engagement with the Arctic began when it
Bucharest on the initiative of, Klaus Iohannis, who
signed the Svalbard Treaty in 1920.
became the President of Romania in 2014.
• India initiated its Arctic research program in 2007
• Composition of B9 include: Romania, Poland,
with a focus on climate change in the region.
Hungary, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and
• India has the status of ‘Observer’ member in the
the three Baltic republics of Estonia, Latvia, and
Arctic Council and participates in several meetings
Lithuania.
that are mostly themed around research.
• All nine countries were once closely associated
• Arctic weather influences the Indian monsoon
with the now dissolved Soviet Union, but later
and hence has been of interest to Indian researchers
chose the path of democracy.
for decades.
• All members of the B9 are part of the European • They also signed the BRICS Contingent Reserve
Union (EU) and NATO. Arrangement (CRA) to provide short-term liquidity
• The B9 countries have been critical of Russia’s support to the members.
aggression against Ukraine since 2014, when the war
in the Donbas started and Russia annexed the BIMSTEC
Crimean peninsula.
In News: Sri Lanka is gearing up to host the Fifth Bay of
Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and
Three Seas Initiative:
Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit.
• B9 should not be confused with Three Seas
Initiative (3SI).
About
• The 3SI is a regional effort in Europe to expand cross-
• BIMSTEC is a regional multilateral organization
border energy, transportation, and digital
comprising 7 Member States lying in the littoral and
infrastructure and boost economic development in
adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal.
the area between the Adriatic Sea, Baltic Sea, and
• This sub-regional organization came into being on
Black Sea.
6 June 1997 through the “Bangkok Declaration”.
• Twelve countries (Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the
• Seven Member States: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India,
Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania,
Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand.
Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia), all of which
are members of the EU, participate in the 3SI. • It has its secretariat at Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• Initially, the economic bloc was formed with 4
Member States with the acronym ‘BIST-EC’
BRICS MEDIA FORUM (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand
In News: Recently, the leading media groups from the five Economic Cooperation).
BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South • BIMSTEC Centres: BIMSTEC Energy Centre,
Africa) have put together a three-month long training BIMSTEC Centre on Weather and Climate.
programme for journalists. The programme was an • BIMSTEC is a sector-driven cooperative
initiative of the BRICS Media Forum. organization focussing on agriculture, public health,
poverty alleviation, counter-terrorism, environment,
About: culture, climate change, etc.
• Established in 2015 by media organisations from the
five countries, including The Hindu, Brazil’s CMA
HERMETIC WIPER
Group, Russia’s Sputnik, China’s Xinhua and South
Africa’s Independent Media. In News: Recently, several Ukrainian computers and
• The Forum was “conceived and developed so that websites faced cyberattacks by a destructive data-wiper
it can function as an independent initiative and malware hours before Russia began its military assault in
set of practical activities undertaken within the the country. Moreover, Ukraine’s largest commercial
broad framework of BRICS cooperation”. bank was also hit by a DDoS or distributed denial-of-
service attack.
BRICS:
• BRICS is the group composed of the five major About Hermetic Wiper:
emerging countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China • Hematic Wiper or data wiper malware can erase
and South Africa. all the data from the system that it has infected.
• Background: The acronym BRIC was coined by • The thing that makes this malware dangerous is that
economist ‘Jim O’Neill’ of Goldman Sachs in 2001 to the data once deleted, the data cannot be recovered.
indicate the emerging powers that would be, • This malware is quite different from most of the
alongside the United States, the five largest malware out there as it doesn’t steal information, it
economies of the world in the 21st century. just destroys it.
• In 2006: BRIC countries started their dialogue, which • The malware can even attack the system recovery
since 2009 takes place at annual meetings of heads of tools without leaving any traces of the attack.
state and government. • Several cybersecurity experts believe the infections
• In 2011: with South Africa joining the group, the from the malware have spread widely.
BRICS reached its final composition, incorporating a
country from the African continent. DDoS or Distributed Denial-of-Service attack:
• Significance: It together represents about 42% of the • A DDoS attack essentially floods a website with
population, 23% of GDP, 30% of the territory and countless frivolous requests for information,
18% of the global trade. eventually leading it to paralyze or crash. It uses bots
• Key Initiatives: During the Sixth BRICS Summit in to send these queries that bombard the site, leaving it
Fortaleza (Brazil) in 2014, the leaders signed the inaccessible to legitimate users.
Agreement establishing the New Development Bank • Such attacks, in a conflict situation, can damage
(NDB headquarters - Shanghai, China). critical digital infrastructure, disable government
communication and the information ecosystem in a
country.

INS VISAKHAPATNAM o A second explosion then occurs, igniting the

aerosol cloud into a giant ball of fire and sending
In News: Recently, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh out intense blast waves that can destroy even
has dedicated INS Visakhapatnam to the nation in a reinforced buildings or equipment and vaporise
formal ceremony held at Naval Dockyard. human beings.
About Is using Cluster and Thermobaric Weapons illegal?
• Visakhapatnam is the name of the first stealth • Cluster Munitions: There is a Convention on Cluster
guided-missile destroyer ship under Project 15B. Munitions (CCM). It is an international treaty adopted
• Built by: The ship has been designed by the in 2008. It prohibits the use, transfer, production, and
Directorate of Naval Design and built by Mazagon stockpiling of cluster bombs. Currently, 110 states
Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in Mumbai. are parties to the convention and 13 other countries
• The crew of the ship abides by her motto ‘Yasho have signed up but are yet to ratify it. Neither Russia
Labhasva’ – a Sanskrit phrase that translates to nor Ukraine are signatories.
‘Attain Glory’. • Thermobaric weapons are not prohibited by any
international law or agreement, but their use against
Key Features: civilian populations in built-up areas, schools or
• It is the most technologically advanced guided hospitals, could attract action under The Hague
destroyer in the world with a displacement of 7,400 Conventions of 1899 and 1907.
tonnes.
• It is also equipped to be deployed to fight in Nuclear,
Biological and Chemical (NBC) warfare conditions. HANSA-NG
• Other Project 15B Ships: The project 15B ships are In News: Recently, HANSA-NG, a first of its kind,
a follow-on of the Kolkata class (Project 15A) indigenously developed aircraft trainer has completed
destroyers (INS Kolkata, INS Kochi and INS Chennai). sea level trials.
• The four ships are: Visakhapatnam, Mormugao,
Imphal, Surat. About
• It is a first of its kind, indigenously developed
aircraft trainer.
CLUSTER BOMBS AND VACUUM BOMBS
• Developed by: CSIR-National Aerospace
In News: Recently, Amnesty International and Human Laboratories, Bangalore under the aegis of Council of
Rights Watch, and Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Scientific and Industrial Research.
States accused Russia of using cluster bombs and vacuum • The HANSA-NG, or HANSA-New Generation, is one of
bombs in the ongoing war. the most advanced flying trainers.
• HANSA-NG is an upgraded version of HANSA, which
Cluster Bombs: saw the first flight in 1993, and was certified in 2000.
• Non-precision weapons that are designed to injure or • The aircraft was demonstrated at Aero-India 2019.
kill human beings indiscriminately over a large area • Features: The aircraft is powered by Rotax Digital
and to destroy vehicles and infrastructure such as Control Engine with unique features like Just-In-Time
runways, railway or power transmission lines. Prepreg (JIPREG) Composite lightweight Airframe,
• They can be dropped from an aircraft or launched in Glass Cockpit, Bubble Canopy with wide panoramic
a projectile that spins in flight, scattering many view, electrically operated flap among others.
bomblets as it travels. • Significance: The aircraft is designed to meet the
• Many of these cluster bombs end up not exploding, Indian flying club needs, and it is an ideal aircraft for
but continue to lie on the ground, often partially or Commercial Pilot Licensing (CPL) due to its low cost
fully hidden, posing a threat to people for long after and low fuel consumption.
the fighting has ceased.
Vacuum Bombs: EX VAYU SHAKTI 2022

• Vacuum bombs are also known as aerosol bombs, fuel In News: Recently, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided
air explosives, or thermo-baric weapons. to postpone its firepower demonstration, Ex Vayu Shakti,
• A vacuum bomb consists of a fuel container with two scheduled in the Pokhran ranges in Rajasthan.
separate explosive charges.
• They use oxygen from the air for a large, high- About
temperature blast. • It is conducted once in three years which is
• They cause significantly greater devastation than a participated by fighters, helicopters, force enablers
conventional bomb of comparable size. and support systems.
• Two separate stages: • The aim of the exercise is to detect and identify
o First explosion splits open the bomb’s fuel targets and neutralise them in day, dusk and night
container, releasing a cloud of fuel and metal capability demonstrations.
particles that spreads over a large area.

• The Indian Air Force showcases repower capability of • The pillar of cooperation of the conclave has been
indigenously developed aircrafts and its missile expanded to include Humanitarian Assistance and
arsenal in this exercise. Disaster Relief as the fifth pillar.
• Fighter aircraft including Jaguar, Rafale, Sukhoi-30, • Note: Bangladesh and Seychelles attended as
MIG-29, light combat aircraft Tejas, MIG-21 Bison, observers at this conclave meeting.
Hawk 32, M200 participates in the exercise.
BIOLOGICAL AND TOXIN WEAPONS
SLINEX CONVENTION
In News: The Ninth Edition of India - Sri Lanka Bilateral In News: Recently, India has emphasized on following the
Maritime Exercise SLINEX (Sri Lanka–India Naval Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) at the
Exercise) is scheduled at Visakhapatnam from 07 Mar to UNSC meeting on Ukraine.
10 Mar 2022.
About
About • The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) was
• The exercise is being conducted in two phases; the negotiated by the Conference of the Committee on
Harbour Phase at Visakhapatnam on 07-08 Mar 22 Disarmament in Geneva, Switzerland. It opened for
followed by the Sea Phase on 09-10 Mar 22 in the Bay signature in 1972 and entered into force in 1975.
of Bengal. • Purpose: The convention effectively prohibits the
• Sri Lanka Navy will be represented by SLNS Sayurala, development, production, acquisition, transfer,
an advanced offshore patrol vessel and the Indian stockpiling and use of biological and toxin weapons.
Navy by INS Kirch, a guided missile corvette. • If a state possesses any agent, toxin, or delivery
• SLINEX aims to enhance inter-operability, improve system for them, they have nine months from entry
mutual understanding and exchange best practices into force of the treaty to destroy their stockpiles or
and procedures for multi-faceted maritime divert them for peaceful use.
operations between both navies. • Significance: It is the first multilateral disarmament
• SLINEX is in consonance with India’s policy of treaty banning an entire category of weapons of mass
‘Neighbourhood First’ and PM Modis vision of destruction (WMD).
‘Security and Growth for All in the Region • Drawbacks of the Convention: There is no
(SAGAR)’. implementation body of the BTWC, allowing for
blatant violations as seen in the past. There is a
COLOMBO SECURITY CONCLAVE review conference every five years to review the
convention’s implementation and establish
In News: Recently, the 5th Edition of Colombo Security
confidence-building measures.
Conclave(CSC) has started in Maldives.
Membership:
About Colombo Security Conclave
• 183 States Parties and 4 Signatory States.
• India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka began a National
Security Advisor (NSA)-level trilateral meeting on • India is also a party to the convention.
maritime security cooperation in 2011. • Ten states have neither signed nor ratified the
• Following a halt from 2014-2019, the trilateral BTWC: Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Israel,
meeting was resumed in 2020, when the decision was Kiribati, Micronesia, Namibia, South Sudan, and
taken to establish the Colombo Security Tuvalu.
Conclave(CSC).
• Aim of the Conclave: To forge closer cooperation on WHITE PHOSPHORUS
maritime and security matters among the three In News: Ukrainian police has accused Russian forces of
Indian Ocean countries. launching phosphorus bomb attacks (chemical weapon)
• Pillars: There are four pillars of security cooperation in the Lugansk and Donetsk regions of eastern Ukraine,
including marine security, human trafficking, collectively known as the Donbas.
counter-terrorism and cyber security.
• Secretariat: Colombo, Sri Lanka. About
• It is a colourless, white or yellow, waxy solid.
Fifth conclave: • It does not occur naturally. It is manufactured using
• The conclave was attended by National Security phosphate rocks.
Advisors and representatives from India, Sri Lanka, • It is a highly combustible substance that reacts with
Maldives, Mauritius, Bangladesh and Seychelles. oxygen in the air.
• It can catch fire at temperatures as low as 10 to 15
Key takeaways: degrees above room temperature.
• Mauritius was included as a new member of the • Due to its combustible nature, every country has
conclave. strict regulations regarding its manufacturing and
handling.

• Applications: It is used mainly in the military, and KINZHAL HYPERSONIC MISSILE

other applications may include as a component in
In News: Recently, Russia said that it had unleashed
fertilisers, food additives and cleaning compounds.
hypersonic missiles against an arms depot in Ukraine, the
Initially, it was also used in pesticides and fireworks,
first use of the next-generation weapons in combat.
but many countries have banned its use in several
sectors.
About Kinzhal Missile:
Chemical Weapons Convention: • It is a nuclear-capable air-launched ballistic missile
that flies at 10 times the speed of sound and can
• Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is a
overcome air-defence systems. Kinzhal means
multilateral treaty banning chemical weapons and
‘dagger’.
requiring their destruction within the stipulated
time. • The missile has a range of approximately 1,500-
2,000km and can carry a nuclear payload or
• It became effective from April 1997.
conventional payload of 480 kg.
• It makes it mandatory to destroy old and
• The Kinzhal was one of an array of new weapons
abandoned chemical weapons.
Russian President Vladimir Putin unveiled in his
• Members should also declare the riot-control agents
state-of-the-nation address in 2018. Putin had
(sometimes referred to as ‘tear gas’) in possession of
termed Kinzhal as “an ideal weapon”.
them.
• India signed the treaty in January 1993. The
Hypersonic weapon:
Chemical Weapons Convention Act, 2000 was passed
• They are normally defined as fast, low-flying, and
to implement the CWC.
highly manoeuvrable weapons designed to be too
quick and agile for traditional missile defence
Convention Prohibits:
systems to detect in time, according to Bloomberg.
• The development, production, acquisition,
• Unlike ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons don’t
stockpiling, or retention of chemical weapons.
follow a predetermined, arched trajectory and
• Transferring of chemical weapons.
can maneuver on the way to their destination.
• Using chemical weapons.
• The term “hypersonic” describes any speed faster
• Assisting other States to indulge in activities that are than five times that of sound, which is roughly 760
prohibited by the CWC.
miles (1,220 kilometers) per hour at sea level.
• Using riot-control devices as ‘warfare methods’.
• At hypersonic speeds, the air molecules around the
flight vehicle start to change, breaking apart or
MAN-PORTABLE AIR-DEFENCE SYSTEMS gaining a charge in a process called ionization.
(MANPADS)
In News: Recently, the United States has approved a Countries have hypersonic missile:
$200-million arms package for Ukraine, which would • US, China and Russia have the most advanced
include US made Stinger Missiles, which are a type of capabilities.
shoulder-fired Man-Portable Air-Defence Systems • Several other countries are investigating the
(MANPADS). technology, including India, Japan, Australia, France,
Germany and North Korea, which claims to have
About MANPADS tested a hypersonic missile.
• Man-Portable Air-Defence Systems are short-range, • In fact, India is also closing in on having such
lightweight and portable surface-to-air missiles weapons in its arsenal.
that can be fired by individuals or small groups to
destroy aircraft or helicopters. EXERCISE LAMITIYE-2022
• They help shield troops from aerial attacks and are In News: Recently, the 9th Joint Military Exercise
most effective in targeting low-flying aircrafts. LAMITIYE-2022 between the Indian Army and
• MANPATs or Man-Portable Anti-Tank Systems work Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) is being conducted at
in a similar manner but are used to destroy or Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA), Seychelles from 22
incapacitate military tanks. March to 31 March 22.
Stealth features: About
• They have passive or ‘fire and forget’ guidance • It is a biennial training event which is being
systems, meaning that the operator is not required conducted in Seychelles since 2001.
to guide the missile to its target, enabling them to run • The 10 days long joint exercise will include field
and relocate immediately after firing. training exercises, combat discussions, lectures,
• The missile stays locked-on to the targeted object, not demonstrations and culminate with a two days
requiring active guidance from the soldier. validation exercise.
• The missiles are fitted with infrared (IR) seekers that • Seychelles is an archipelagic island country
identify and target the airborne vehicle through heat consisting of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean at the
radiation being emitted by the latter. eastern edge of the Somali Sea.

MR-SAM MISSILES • The Indian Army wishes to use these vehicles in the
snow-bound areas of Ladakh and in the marshy
In News: Recently, the Defence Research and
terrain of the Rann of Kutch.
Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted two
successful flight tests of the Army version of Medium
Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) at the Integrated NATIONAL MARITIME SECURITY
Test Range, Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. COORDINATOR
In News: Recently, Government has given approval for
About the appointment of the Country’s first National Maritime
• It is a surface-to-air missile developed to use for the Security Coordinator (NMSC).
Indian Army.
• Developed by: DRDO and Israel Aerospace About
Industries (IAI). • Proposed after the 26/11 terror attacks (2008), the
• Purpose: The missile provides air defence against National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC) will
aerial threats like fighter aircraft, UAVs, guided and be part of the National Security Council Secretariat
unguided munitions & cruise missiles. and will report to National Security Advisor (NSA).
• NMSC has been a long pending requirement since the
Key features: Kargil Group of Ministers (GoM) recommended it.
• The MRSAM weapon system comprises multi-
function radar, mobile launcher system and other Role:
vehicles. It has Army, Navy and Air Force variants. • Principal advisor to the government on maritime
• The missile’s management system uses the radar security domain.
to track and correctly identify the target, calculates • To coordinate among the Indian Navy, the Coast
the distance from it and gives all the information to Guard, security agencies involved in coastal and
the Commander for a decision to be made on the maritime security and 13 coastal states and UTs.
interception. • At present, all these agencies tend to work in silos
• Length and Weight: The missile is 4.5 metres in with overlapping jurisdictions and are constantly at
length with a weight of around 275 kg. It is equipped odds with each other.
with fins and canards to stabilize and provide
manoeuvrability. Other measures for maritime security:
• Speed and Range: The missile can move at a • SAGAR- Security and Growth for All in the Region is
maximum speed of Mach 2 (twice the speed of the theme of Indian Ocean Policy as outlined by PM.
sound). It can engage multiple targets up to a range of • Signing of White Shipping Agreements, and
70 km. agreements on Humanitarian Assistance and
Disaster Relief (HADR).
ARTICULATED ALL TERRAIN VEHICLES • Setting up of Coastal Surveillance Radar Systems
In News: The Indian Army has issued a Request For and medical supplies through Operation-Sagar-I and
Information (RFI) for the supply of Articulated All- Sagar II during Covid times.
Terrain Vehicles to be deployed in Ladakh and Kutch. • Net Security provider - deployment of ships by
Indian Navy and Coast guard for maritime security
About and anti-piracy operations.
• It is a twin cabin, tracked, amphibious carrier for off
road mobility. WEAPONIZATION OF SPACE
• The special design of this equipment exerts low In News: Recently, the IAF chief cautioned about the
ground pressure on the soil and a pull-push mode of newer threats in the race to weaponize the space domain,
locomotion between two cabins facilitates mobility a domain which was hitherto considered relatively safe.
over varied terrains like snow, desert and slush.
• A ballistic protection in the cabin body ensures About Weaponization of Space:
protection to troops travelling in it from small arms • The weaponization of space includes placing
fire. weapons in outer space as well as creating weapons
• They can reach where wheeled vehicles cannot due to that will travel from Earth to attack or destroy targets
deep snow, slush or marshy terrain and can be very in space.
effective for patrolling and rapid deployment in • E.g: The placing of satellites with the intention of
operational situations. attacking enemy satellites, using ground-based direct
ascent missiles to attack space assets, jamming
Where can these vehicles be used? signals sent from enemy satellites, using lasers to
• These vehicles are very useful to move troops or incapacitate enemy satellites and satellite attacks on
supplies in snow-bound terrains and in Earth targets.
marshy/sandy environments. • It is different from the militarization of space. The
militarization of space assists armies on the
conventional battlefield, whereas via the
weaponization of space, outer space itself emerges as • India is a founding member.

the battleground. • Voting rights: The ADB was modelled closely on the
• Due to these, space is now sometimes referred to as World Bank, and has a similar weighted voting
the “fourth frontier of war.” system where votes are distributed in proportion
• Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Systems, which with members’ capital subscriptions.
include long-range ICBMs, are used as an auxiliary • The president has a term of office lasting five
system capable of destroying space-based assets. years, and may be re-elected.
• Traditionally, and because Japan is one of the
United States’ programme for developing space largest shareholders of the bank, the president
weapons: has always been Japanese.
• Space-Based Lasers (SBLs): These would operate in • ADB is an official United Nations Observer.
LEO and destroy hostile ballistic missiles during their
boost phase. Highlights of the ADB Outlook Report 2020
• Space-Based Missile Interceptors. • India’s GDP growth will moderate to 7.5% in 2022-
• Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Weapons: It includes high 23, from an estimated 8.9% in 2021-22.
powered lasers, micro-satellites, Kinetic-Energy Anti- • It has factored in the Russia-Ukraine conflict’s
Satellites (KE-ASAT) weapon, Near Field IR implications for India, which would be largely
Experiment (NFIRE), etc. indirect through higher oil prices.
Outer Space Treaty:

INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY (IEA)
• It was conceptualized by the United Nations in 1967.
• It emphasizes the fact that the exploration of outer In News: Recently, India has welcomed the decision by
space should be beneficial to all mankind and nations the International Energy Agency (IEA) to release 120
and it should be for peaceful purposes. million barrels of crude oil from its strategic reserves.
• It claims that one nation cannot claim national
About
sovereignty in outer space
• The International Energy Agency (IEA) is a Paris-
Other Treaty Includes: based autonomous intergovernmental organisation.
• Limited Test Ban Treaty of 1963: It prohibits • Established in 1974 as per the framework of the
nuclear tests and any other nuclear explosions in the OECD.
atmosphere or outer space • Headquarters (Secretariat): Paris, France.
• Astronauts Rescue Agreement of 1968: It requires • Its mission is guided by four main areas of focus:
the safe return of astronauts and objects launched energy security, economic development,
into space to their country of origin; environmental awareness and engagement
• Liability Convention of 1972: It establish worldwide.
procedures for determining the liability of a state that • Membership: Only OECD member states can become
damages or destroys space objects of another state members of the IEA. In 2022, Lithuania joined the IEA
• Registration Convention of 1976: It requires the and became its 31st member.
registration of objects launched into space
Roles and functions:
• Moon Agreement of 1984: It took the first steps to
establish a regime for exploiting the natural • It was initially dedicated to responding to physical
resources of space. disruptions in the supply of oil, as well as serving as
an information source on statistics about the
international oil market and other energy sectors.
ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB) • It is best known for the publication of its annual
In News: Recently, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) World Energy Outlook.
forecasts has provided some useful insights about India’s
GDP growth. UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
About In News: Recently, the United Nations General Assembly
• The ADB is a regional development bank (UNGA) has voted to suspend Russia from the UN Human
established on 19 December 1966. Rights Council (UNHRC).
• Headquartered: Manila, Philippines.
About
• ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous,
inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the
Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate • The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental
extreme poverty. body within the ‘United Nations’ system.
• Members: The bank admits the members of the • The UNHRC replaced the former United Nations
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Commission on Human Rights.
Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). • Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
• ADB now has 68 members, 49 from within Asia.
Composition:
• UNHRC has 47 members serving at any time with • Background: It was adopted at the General
elections held to fill up seats every year, based on Conference of UNESCO in Paris in 2005. It entered
allocations to regions across the world to ensure into force in 2007.
geographical representation. • Objective: To promote the prevention of and the
• Each elected member serves for a term of three fight against doping in sports, with a view to its
years. elimination.
• Countries are disallowed from occupying a seat for • India status: India ratified this convention in 2007.
more than two consecutive terms. • National Anti-Doping Agency: It is an autonomous
body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, is
Functions: responsible for adopting, implementing and
• The UNHRC passes non-binding resolutions on enforcing anti-doping programmes in India.
human rights issues through a periodic review of all
193 UN member states called the Universal Periodic WORLD FOOD PRICE INDEX
Review (UPR).
In News: According to the UN Food and Agriculture
• It oversees expert investigation of violations in
Organization’s (FAO), the World food price index
specific countries (Special Procedures).
averaged 159.3 points in March, breaking an earlier
record of 137.6 points scaled 11 years ago in February
Removal of a country from the UNHRC:
2011.
• As per the rules, the United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA) can suspend the rights and
About
privileges of any Council member that it decides has
• Released by: UN Food and Agriculture Organization
persistently committed gross and systematic
(FAO).
violations of human rights during its term of
membership. • It was introduced in 1996 as a public good to help in
monitoring developments in the global agricultural
• To suspend a member, one needs a two-thirds
commodity markets.
majority vote by the General Assembly.
• The FAO Food Price Index (FFPI) is a measure of the
monthly change in international prices of a
UNESCO FUND FOR THE ELIMINATION OF basket of food commodities.
DOPING IN SPORTS • It measures changes for a basket of cereals, oilseeds,
In News: Recently, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and dairy products, meat and sugar.
Sports has released India’s contribution to the UNESCO • Base Period: 2014-16.
Fund for Elimination of Doping in Sport in 2022.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
About: • Founded: 16 October 1945.
• Setup in: 2008. • It is a specialized agency of the United Nations that
• The fund assists States Parties to the International leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
Convention against Doping in Sport to develop and • Headquarters: Rome, Italy.
implement anti-doping projects. • Goal of FAO: Their goal is to achieve food security for
• The Fund has three priorities: Education projects all and make sure that people have regular access to
focusing on youth and sports organizations, policy enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.
advice and mentoring and capacity-building.
INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY
Copenhagen Declaration:
(IAEA)
• Background: The Copenhagen Declaration on Anti-
Doping in Sport was agreed upon by governments at In News: Recenlty, Rafael Grossi, Director-General of
the Second World Conference on Doping in Sport held IAEA, will head an assistance mission to the now-defunct
in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2003. Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine aimed at
• The declaration was the political document through stepping up efforts to help prevent the danger of a nuclear
which governments signalled their intention to accident in the wake of the ongoing Moscow-Kiev war.
formally recognise and implement the World Anti-
Doping Code. About IAEA:
• Importance: This declaration was the first step • Founded in: 1957.
toward the preparation of the UNESCO International • Name: It is widely known as the world’s “Atoms for
Convention against doping in sports. Peace and Development” organization within the
• India status: India agreed to this declaration in the United Nations family.
year 2003. • Reports to both the United Nations General
Assembly and Security Council.
International Convention Against Doping in Sport: • Headquarters: Vienna, Austria.
• Also known as the ‘UNESCO Anti-Doping • Functions:
Convention’.

o Works with its Member States and multiple • Crisis Mechanism Clause: It incorporates a new
partners worldwide to promote the safe, secure crisis mechanism clause — it refers to the Russia-
and peaceful use of nuclear technologies. Ukraine conflict — which will be activated on the
o Seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear recommendation of the Board of national Digital
energy, and to inhibit its use for any military Services Coordinators. This clause will make it
purpose, including nuclear weapons. possible to analyze the impact of the activities of
these platforms on the crisis.
Programs: • Protection for Minors: It allows for stronger
• Program of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT). protection for minors and aims to ban targeted
• Human Health Program. advertising for them based on their personal data.
• Water Availability Enhancement Project. • Liability: The platforms and other intermediaries
• International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors will not be liable for the unlawful behaviour of users.
and Fuel Cycles, 2000 So, they still have ‘safe harbour’ in some sense.
However, if the platforms are aware of illegal acts and
DAMASCUS GATE fail to remove them, they will be liable for this user
behaviour.
In News: Since the start of Ramadan 2022, Israeli forces
have assaulted and arrested Palestinian residents in the
Damascus Gate area. UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMME (UNDP)
About In News: Recently, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the
• The Damascus Gate, or Bab al-Amud (‘gate of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have
pillar’), has been a flashpoint between Palestinians signed a joint statement of understanding on localisation
and Israeli forces in occupied East Jerusalem for a of Sustainable Development Goals.
long time.
• The Damascus Gate has become a national symbol for About
Jerusalemites and for Palestinians more generally - a • Headquartered in New York City, formed in 1965
symbol that expresses the national identity in the to help countries eliminate poverty and achieve
city. sustainable human development.
• UNDP provides expert advice, training and grants
DIGITAL SERVICES ACT support to developing countries, with an increasing
emphasis on assistance to the least developed
In News: Recently, the European Parliament and
countries.
European Union (EU) Member States have announced
• It promotes technical and investment cooperation
that they have reached a political agreement on the Digital
among nations.
Services Act (DSA).
• The UNDP Executive Board is made up of
representatives from 36 countries around the world
About
who serve on a rotating basis.
• The Act is a set of rules on intermediaries’ obligations
• It is funded entirely by voluntary contributions
and accountability across the single market and
from member nations.
ensures higher protection to all EU users irrespective
of their country. • The UNDP is considered an executive board within
the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
• The Act will work in conjunction with the EU’s Digital
Markets Act (DMA). • Report: The Human Development Report (HDR) is an
annual report published by the Human Development
• Coverage: The Act will apply to a large category of
Report Office of the United Nations Development
online services, from simple websites to Internet
Programme (UNDP).
infrastructure services and online platforms. Any
service with more than 45 million monthly active
users in the EU will fall into this category. OPEC+
In News: Recently, the Russian President Vladimir Putin
Provisions of the Act: and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman gave a
• Removal of Illegal Content: Online platforms and “positive assessment” to their cooperation on the OPEC+
intermediaries will have to add procedures for faster producers group to stabilize the world oil market.
removal of content deemed illegal or harmful.
• Data Access to researchers: It allows independent About
vetted researchers to have access to public data from • OPEC+ refers to the alliance of crude producers,
these platforms to carry out studies to understand who have been undertaking corrections in supply
these risks better. in the oil markets since 2017.
• Ban Dark Patterns: It proposes to ban ‘Dark • OPEC+ countries include Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei,
Patterns’ or “misleading interfaces” that are designed Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, South
to trick users into doing something that they would Sudan and Sudan.
not agree to otherwise.

Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS):
(OPEC): • It was established in 2007.
• Origin: OPEC was founded in 1960 in Baghdad, Iraq • It is a premier forum for cooperation and
by five countries namely Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi collaboration among navies of littoral states of the
Arabia and Venezuela. Indian Ocean Region.
• OPEC is a permanent, intergovernmental • It has enabled discussions on regional maritime
organization. issues, promoted friendly relationships, and
• Objective: OPEC’s objective is to co-ordinate and significantly improved maritime security
unify petroleum policies among Member Countries, cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.
in order to secure fair and stable prices for petroleum • The inaugural edition of IONS was held in Feb 2008
producers; an efficient, economic and regular supply at New Delhi, with Indian Navy as the Chair for two
of petroleum to consuming nations; and a fair return years.
on capital to those investing in the industry. • The IONS Chair is presently held with France.
• Headquarter: Vienna, Austria.
• OPEC membership is open to any country that is a OPERATION UPALABDH
substantial exporter of oil and which shares the
ideals of the organization. In News: Recently, the Railway Protection Force (RPF)
conducted a Pan India Drive against the alleged black
marketeers under Operation Upalabdh.
WORLD COAL ASSOCIATION
In News: Recently, Gainwell Engineering partners with About
World Coal Association to promote sustainable coal • Initiative of: Railway Protection Force (RPF).
mining in India. • Purpose: It is a pan India drive against activities of
touts who use virtual tools to buy railway tickets
About WCA: before genuine passengers do. These tickets are then
• The World Coal Association (WCA) is an international used by touts for business, such as selling tickets at a
non-profit, non-governmental association based in premium.
London, United Kingdom. • Benefits: The operation has been able to curb the
• It was created to represent the global coal activities of touts substantially and make railway
industry. tickets available to the common man.
• The association was formerly called the World Coal
Institute (WCI) but changed its name in November Railway Protection Force:
2010. • The contingent of RPF is an Armed Force of the Union
• The WCA undertakes lobbying, organises workshops, of India. It is a security force under the ownership of
and provides coal information to decision makers. Indian Railways, Ministry of Railways.
• It is co-author of a report on the future of coal in • The force was declared as statutory force in the year
ASEAN nation's. 1957.
• Primarily RPF has been entrusted with responsibility
IMEX-22 of the safety of Railway property.
In News: Recently, the maiden edition of Indian Ocean
Other operations launched by RPF:
Naval Symposium (IONS) Maritime Exercise 2022 (IMEX-
• Meri Saheli Initiative: It was launched by RPF to
22) was conducted at Goa and in Arabian Sea.
provide security to lady passengers in long distance
trains particularly travelling alone or those who are
About
vulnerable to crime.
• It is a maiden maritime exercise of the Indian Ocean
• Operation Amanat: Under this, RPF retrieved left
Naval Symposium(IONS).
behind luggage having value of more than 23 Crores
• Aim of the exercise: to enhance interoperability in
belonging to 12377 passengers and returned to them
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)
after due verification.
operations among member navies.
• Toll Free Helpline Number 139 (24 X 7): It is a
• Participating Countries: The exercise witnessed
single helpline number launched by Indian Railways
participation of 15 out of the 25 member nations of
for quick grievance redressal and enquiries by
IONS.
passengers during their train journeys.
• The exercise comprised a Harbour Phase at
• Mission Jeewan Raksha: Under this, RPF personnel
Marmugao port, Goa, followed by a Sea Phase in the
have saved 1650 lives from the wheels of the running
Arabian Sea.
trains at railway stations in the last four years.
• Significance: The exercise is seen as a significant
• Operation Number Plate: It was launched by the
stepping stone for regional navies to collaborate and
RPF to identify and verify all vehicles parked in
respond collectively to natural disasters in the region,
Railway premises, circulating areas, parking lots and
and paves the way for further strengthening regional
even in the ‘No Parking’ areas for a longer duration.
cooperation.

• Operation Thirst: It was launched by the RPF to stop Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX):
selling of unauthorised Packaged Drinking Water • iDEX, launched in 2018, is an ecosystem to foster
(PDW) in railway premises. innovation & technology development in Defence
and Aerospace by engaging innovators &
TOUR OF DUTY SCHEME entrepreneurs to deliver technologically advanced
solutions for modernizing the Indian Military.
In News: The three-year short service or 'Tour of Duty'
• It provides funding/grants to MSMEs, start-ups,
for youth in the armed forces is likely to be announced
individual innovators, R&D institutes and academia
soon.
to carry out research and development.
• iDEX is funded and managed by “Defence
About
Innovation Organisation”.
• Meaning: It means hiring a youth in the armed forces
for a short span of 3-5 years.
Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO)
• The idea of hiring jawans on a three-year contract
• DIO is a not-for-profit organisation formed under
was first floated in 2020.
section 8 of the Companies Act 2013.
• The idea was the brainchild of late Chief of Defence
• It is funded by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
Staff, General Bipin Rawat.
and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
• It will be a voluntary engagement.
• It provides high-level policy guidance to iDEX.
• It is for youths who “do not want to make defence
services their permanent vocation, but still want to
experience the thrill and adventure of military INS VAGSHEER
professionalism”. In News: Recently, the Defence Secretary has launched
• The Indian Army will be the first of the three- INS Vagsheer. It is the last of the Scorpene-class
armed forces to recruit some soldiers for a fixed submarines made under Project 75 and can join the Navy
period of three years. fleet within 12-18 months after sea trials.
• Such soldiers will be given certain medical benefits,
applicable to Armed Forces veterans, for a fixed About:
period. • INS Vagsheer is the sixth submarine of Project 75 of
the Indian Navy.
DEFCONNECT 2.0 • Manufactured by: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders
Limited(MDL) in collaboration with Naval Group,
In News: Recently, the Ministry of Defence has launched France.
Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Prime and the
• Named After: Vagsheer is named after the sandfish,
sixth Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC 6) during
a deep-sea predator of the Indian Ocean.
DefConnect 2.0 in New Delhi.
• It is also named after the first submarine Vagsheer
from Russia which was commissioned into the Indian
About DefConnect 2.0:
Navy in 1974 and was decommissioned in 1997.
• Organized by: Innovations for Defence Excellence
(iDEX), Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO),
under the aegis of the Department of Defense SARMAT INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC
Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence (MoD). MISSILE
• Purpose: To bring together start-ups, big companies In News: Recently, Russia has successfully test-fired the
and armed forces personnel to boost indigenous Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile.
innovation in the defence sector.
About:
Initiatives launched at this event: • The Sarmat is a Russian liquid-fuelled
• Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Prime: intercontinental ballistic missile capable of nuclear
It is aimed at supporting projects, requiring support charges.
beyond Rs 1.5 crore up to Rs 10 crore in the ever- • This Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry
growing defence start-ups. Vehicle (MIRV)- equipped weapon can be deployed
• Defence India Start-up Challenge(DISC 6): It has with 10 or more warheads on each missile.
been launched under the ongoing iDEX initiative. It • It is claimed that it has the longest range of
aims to achieve self-reliance and foster innovation destruction of targets in the world.
and technology development in the defence and • Dubbed Satan-2 by Western analysts, Sarmat is
aerospace sectors. designed to elude anti-missile defence systems with
• Innovate4Defence internship (i4D): It is an a short initial boost phase, giving enemy surveillance
acceleration program for students of Higher systems a tiny window to track.
Educational Institutions(HEIs). It is an opportunity • The name Sarmat is based upon the nomadic
for them to learn about developing their ideas, Sarmatian tribes which used to live between 6th
creating innovative Defence products and eventually and 4th century BC in current territories of
becoming a part of the Indian Defence ecosystem and Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.
procurement.

NCX INDIA • The plan also caters to requirements for aviation and
diving equipment for the first time.
In News: Recently, the National Security Council
• Naval Innovation and Indigenisation
Secretariat organised the National Cyber Security
Organization (NIIO) which was launched in 2020,
Incident Response Exercise (NCX India).
has provided a flexible and accessible interface for
academia and industry with the Indian Navy
About
capability development apparatus.
• Conducted by: National Security Council Secretariat
(NSCS) in association with Data Security Council of
India (DSCI) as the knowledge partner and supported CERT-IN
by the Defence Research and Development In News: Recently, CERT-In has asked all government and
Organization(DRDO). private agencies to mandatorily report cyber security
• Purpose: It aims to train senior management and breach incidents to it within six hours of noticing them.
technical personnel of Government/Critical Sector
organizations and agencies on contemporary cyber About CERT-In:
threats and handling cyber incidents and response. • CERT-In was established in 2004 as a functional
• Areas: The participants will be trained on various organization of the Ministry of Electronics and
key cyber security areas such as Intrusion Detection Information Technology.
Techniques, Malware Information Sharing platforms • CERT-In is the national nodal agency for responding
(MISP), Vulnerability Handling & Penetration to computer security incidents as and when they
Testing, Network Protocols & Data Flows among occur.
others. • The constituency of CERT-In is the Indian Cyber
• Significance: The exercise will help strategic leaders Community.
to better understand cyber threats, assess readiness
and develop skills for cyber crisis management and Functions:
cooperation. The Information Technology (Amendment) Act 2008
designated CERT-In to serve as the national agency to
National Security Council perform the following functions in the area of cyber
• NSC of India is a three-tiered organisation that security:
oversees political, economic, energy and security • Collection, analysis and dissemination of information
issues of strategic concern. on cyber incidents.
• The National Security Advisor (NSA) presides over • Forecast and alerts of cyber security incidents.
the NSC and is also the primary advisor to the • Emergency measures for handling cyber security
Prime Minister. The current National Security incidents.
Advisor is Ajit Doval. • Coordination of cyber incident response activities.
• It was formed in 1998, where all aspects of national • Issue guidelines, advisories, vulnerability notes and
security are deliberated upon. whitepapers relating to information.
• Security practices, procedures, prevention, response
INDIAN NAVY INDIGENISATION PLAN 2015 - and reporting of cyber incidents.
2030 • Such other functions relating to cyber security as may
be prescribed.
In News: The Navy is ramping up indigenisation efforts
especially in weapons and aviation related items in line
with the Government’s push to cut down on defence HELINA
imports and boost domestic manufacturing. In News: Recently, India has successfully flight-tested
Helina, an Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM), in Pokhran.
About
• Objective: To enable indigenous development of About HELINA
equipment and systems over the next 15 years. • Helina has been developed by the Defence Research
• Aims: to involve Defence Research and Development and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad
Organization (DRDO) and Indian private industry in under the Missiles and Strategic Systems (MSS)
indigenisation plans. cluster of the DRDO.
• Under the plan, the warship has been broadly divided • HELINA (Helicopter based NAG) is a third-generation
into three segments — float, move and fight. The fire and forget class anti-tank guided missile(ATGM)
Navy has achieved 90% indigenisation in the float system mounted on the Advanced Light
(ship) category while move (propulsion) and fight Helicopter(ALH).
(weapons and sensors) components stand at 60%
and 30% respectively which are priority areas to be Key Features of HELINA:
addressed. • It has a maximum range of 7 kilometres.
• The plan also focuses on the development of complex • It has all-weather, day and night capability and can
technologies like air-independent propulsion defeat battle tanks with conventional armour as well
systems in submarines and surface-to-air missiles. as explosive reactive armour.
• It has been developed for integration with choppers

in both the Army and the Air Force. The Air Force
5. SOCIAL ISSUES
version of Helina is sometimes referred to as
Dhruvastra. ATAL RANKING OF INSTITUTIONS ON
• The missile can engage targets both in direct hit mode INNOVATION ACHIEVEMENTS 2021
as well as top attack mode.
In News: Recently, the Ministry of Education’s innovation
• The missile is guided by an Infrared Imaging
cell released the Atal Ranking of Institutions on
Seeker(IIR) which makes it one of the most advanced
Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) 2021.
Anti-Tank Weapons in the world.
About
PINAKA MK-I (ENHANCED) ROCKET SYSTEM • Initiative by the Ministry of Education.
In News: Recently, Defence Research and Development • Implemented by: AICTE and the Ministry’s
Organization (DRDO) and the Indian Army have Innovation Cell.
successfully flight-tested Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket • Objective: To systematically rank all major higher
System (EPRS) and Pinaka Area Denial Munition (ADM) educational institutions and universities in India.
rocket systems. • Parameters: The various parameters considered in
ARIIA for ranking are:
About 1. Budget & Funding Support
• Developed by: Pune-based DRDO laboratories – 2. Infrastructure & Facilities
Armament Research and Development 3. Awareness, Promotions & support for Idea
Establishment (ARDE) and High Energy Materials Generation & Innovation
Research Laboratory (HEMRL). 4. Promotion & Support for Entrepreneurship
• EPRS is the upgraded version of the Pinaka Development
variant that has been in service with the Indian Army 5. Innovative Learning Methods & Courses
for the last decades. 6. Intellectual Property Generation, Technology
• Purpose: It is a long-range artillery system used for Transfer & Commercialization
attacking the enemy before close battles. 7. Innovation in Governance of the Institution.
• Range: It can destroy targets at distances up to 45
km. Categories:
• Technical - Top 3: This is the third time that IIT
Pinaka Area Denial Munition (ADM) rocket systems Madras has secured the first rank. IIT Bombay and IIT
• Developed by: Designed by Armament Research and Delhi were placed at the second and third ranks
Development Establishment (ARDE) and respectively.
manufactured by the industry partners under • Non-technical institutions: The top central
technology transfer. universities under this category include Indira
• Purpose: ADMs are a category of ammunition used Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Delhi, and
to prohibit the adversary from occupying or passing the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kozhikode.
through a particular area.
PADHE BHARAT CAMPAIGN
VILLAGE DEFENCE GROUPS IN J&K In News: Recently, Ministry of Education has launched a
In News: Recently, Ministry of Home Affairs has given a 100 days reading campaign 'Padhe Bharat' (1st January to
nod to formation of VDGs in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). 10th April 2022).
About About
• Members of VDGs will be designated as Village • Padhe Bharat is a 100-day reading campaign
Defence Guards. They will function under the starting from January 1, 2022 to April 10, 2022.
direction of SP/SSP of the concerned district. • Aim: To improve the learning levels of students as it
• VDGs were earlier known as village defence develops creativity, critical thinking, vocabulary and
committees (VDCs). the ability to express both verbally and in writing. It
• During peak of militancy in the 1990s, 4,125 VDCs also helps children to relate to their surroundings
existed in J&K. and real-life situations.
• VDCs play a significant part in assisting the forces in
counter-terrorism operations, maintaining vigil over Features:
inimical elements and assisting in maintaining peace. • The campaign will focus on children studying in
Balvatika to Grade 8. It expects the participation of all
stakeholders at the national and state level including
children, teachers, parents, community, and
educational administrators among others.
• The campaign will also focus on Indian languages,
including mother tongue/local/regional languages.

• In this regard, 21st February which is celebrated About

as International Mother Tongue Day has also been • It is a flagship program of the Ministry of Education.
integrated with this campaign. It was launched in 2014.
• The day will be celebrated with the activity of Kahani • Mission: To enable higher educational institutions to
Padho Apni Bhasa Main (Reading story in own work with the people of rural India in identifying
language) across the country by encouraging development challenges and evolving appropriate
children to read in their mother tongue/local solutions for accelerating sustainable growth.
language. This will help in promoting the local
language and culture of our society. Main Objectives:
• Significance: The Campaign is in alignment with • To engage the faculty and students of HEIs in
the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which identifying development issues in rural areas and
emphasises on promotion of joyful reading culture finding sustainable solutions for the same.
for children by ensuring availability of age • Identify & select existing innovative technologies,
appropriate reading books for children in enable customisation of technologies, or devise
local/mother tongue/regional/tribal Language. implementation methods for innovative solutions, as
required by the people.
PROTECTION OF WOMEN FROM SEXUAL • To allow HEIs to contribute to devising systems for
HARASSMENT (POSH) ACT, 2013 smooth implementation of various Government
programmes.
In News: Recently, Petition has been filed in the Supreme
• Coordinating Institute: Indian Institute of
Court challenging guidelines issued by the Bombay High
Technology, Delhi (IIT, Delhi) has been designated as
Court in cases under the Protection of Women from
the National Coordinating Institute (NCI) for the UBA
Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, 2013.
scheme.
About
Unnat Bharat Abhiyan 2.0
• History: The Supreme Court in a landmark
• It is the upgraded version of UBA 1.0. It was launched
judgement in the Vishakha and others v State of
in 2018.
Rajasthan 1997 case gave ‘Vishakha guidelines’.
• The scheme is extended to all educational institutes.
• These guidelines formed the basis for the Sexual
• Moreover, UBA 1.0 was the Invitation Mode in which
Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention,
Participating Institutions were invited to be a part of
Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 ("Sexual
UBA. Whereas UBA 2.0 is the Challenge Mode of
Harassment Act").
Unnat Bharat Abhiyan.
• Mechanism: The Act defines sexual harassment at
the workplace and creates a mechanism for redressal
of complaints. SAHODAYA SCHOOL COMPLEX
• Every employer is required to constitute an Internal In News: Recently, the Central Board of School Education,
Complaints Committee (ICC) at each office or CBSE has announced holding of 27th edition of the
branch with 10 or more employees. National Conference of Sahodaya School Complexes on
• The Complaints Committees have the powers of 17th and 18th of this month.
civil courts for gathering evidence.
• The Complaints Committees are required to provide About
for conciliation before initiating an inquiry if • Sahodaya School Complex Is a concept literally
requested by the complainant. meaning ‘rising together’.
• Penal Provisions: Penalties have been prescribed • Sahodaya concept was then concretised and
for employers. Non-compliance with the provisions developed by the Central Board of Secondary
of the Act shall be punishable with a fine. Repeated Education (CBSE) in 1986 to facilitate the synergy of
violations may lead to higher penalties and ideas among the schools of CBSE for excellence in
cancellation of license or registration to conduct education.
business. • Sahodaya School of complex is a group of
• Responsibility of Administration: The State neighborhood schools voluntarily coming to share
Government will notify the District Officer in every their innovative practices in all aspects of school
district, who will constitute a Local Complaints education including curriculum design, evaluation,
Committee (LCC) so as to enable women in the and pedagogy and also providing support services for
unorganised sector or small establishments to work teachers and students.
in an environment free of sexual harassment.
ATMANIRBHAR HASTSHILPKAR SCHEME
UNNAT BHARAT ABHIYAN In News: Recently, North Eastern Development Finance
In News: Recently, the Central Board of School Education, Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi) has announced the
CBSE has announced holding of 27th edition of the Atmanirbhar Hastshilpkar Scheme for the Artisans under
National Conference of Sahodaya School Complexes on the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.
17th and 18th of this month.

About: • Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana

• Assistance to the Artisans: The final assistance will • Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
be provided in the form of term loan for income
generating activities for setting up / expansion / VERNACULAR INNOVATION PROGRAM (VIP)
modernization / working capital requirement and
other activities related to the sector. In News: Recently, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog
• Credit Assistance to 17 artisans: During the launched the Vernacular Innovation Program (VIP) to
launching ceremony, a total of 17 artisans have been Empower Innovators, Entrepreneurs in 22 scheduled
provided with credit assistance of Rs.1 lakh per languages by the Government of India.
artisan.
About:
• Collateral free Credit Facility: The credit facility is
collateral free and carries a subsidized interest rate • Lowering the Language Barrier: VIP is an initiative
of 6% p.a., which is repayable in 24 months. to lower the language barrier in the field of
innovation and entrepreneurship such that it will
• Incentive on regular Payment: For regular
systematically decouple creative expressions and
repayment, an incentive of 1% on the interest rate is
languages of transaction.
provided, which will be refunded to the artisans on
successful repayment of loans. • Vernacular Task Force: To build the necessary
capacity for the VIP, AIM has identified and will be
Eligibility Criteria: training a Vernacular Task Force (VTF) in each of the
22 scheduled languages. Each task force comprises
• Registered/ unregistered artisan/ Individual
vernacular language teachers, subject experts,
• Having valid qualification or practicing any art form
technical writers, and the leadership of regional Atal
• No existing loan from any other bank/ financial
Incubation Centres (AICs).
institution
• Bank Account Significance of the Programme:
North Eastern Development Finance Corporation
• Strengthening the Design and Innovations: VIP
Ltd. (NEDFi)
strengthens the design and innovation capabilities of
• It is a premier financial institution in the North - communities, thereby assisting local entrepreneurs,
Eastern Region with its head office at Dispur, artisans and innovators to seamlessly assimilate the
Guwahati and branch offices all across the North - knowledge cum technical materials that AIM will
Eastern Region.
develop.
• Building Strong Local Network: This would assist
• Various Works: Over the years, the Corporation has India in building a strong local network of design
provided loans to over 7500 projects and taken up experts and innovation practitioners.
several development initiatives through its CSR
• Overcoming the Barriers of Language: This one of
activities in the eight states of North - East India. its kind initiative by Atal Innovation Mission, will help
in overcoming the barriers of language and empower
PROGRAMME LAUNCHED TO UPSKILL innovators in the farthest areas of the country.
STREET VENDORS • Equal Opportunities for the Vernacular
In News: Recently, the Ministry of Skill Development and Innovators: It will create equal opportunity for the
Entrepreneurship (MSDE) announced to skill the street vernacular innovators who represent the staggering
vendors of East Delhi and make them eligible for e-cart 90% of the Indian population.
licenses.
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM):
About • The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is a flagship
• The step has been taken in a quest to formalize the initiative set up by the NITI Aayog to promote
unorganized sector and upskill the street food innovation and entrepreneurship across the country.
vendors. • AlM’s objectives are to create and promote an
• Objective: To provide relevant skills to the Street ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship
Food Vendors and to educate them on health and across the country at school, university, research
safety standards, safety provisions under COVID-19 institutions, MSME and industry levels.
protocols, financial and digital literacy, etc. • Multiple Programs:
• Implementation: The initiative will be implemented o Atal Tinkering Labs
under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) o Atal Incubators
component of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana o Atal New India Challenges and Atal Grand
(PMKVY) 3.0. Challenges
o Industry, Academia, Government, Global
Other Schemes for Street Vendors: Collaborations.
• PM SVANidhi
• The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Eight Schedule:
Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014. • The Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India lists
the official languages of the Republic of India.
• Part XVII of the Indian Constitution deals with the • The WIL hosts the World Inequality Database, the
official languages in Articles 343 to 351. most extensive public database on global inequality
• The eighth schedule includes the recognition of the dynamics.
following 22 languages.
FOURTH EDITION OF STATE HEALTH INDEX
E-RICH-POOR GAP IN INDIA AND THE In News: Recently, NITI Aayog has released the Fourth
WORLD: WORLD Edition of State Health Index for the year 2019-20.
In News: Recently, the World Inequality Lab released
the 2022 World Inequality Report (WIR). About State Health Index:
• The State Health Index is annual tool to assess the
About: performance of states and UTs.
• The WIR studies different kinds of financial data to • It is a weighted composite index based on 24
find out how a country’s wealth is distributed. indicators grouped under the domains of ‘Health
• The report is authored by a team of top economists, Outcomes’, ‘Governance and Information’, and ‘Key
synthesizes data and analyses generated by more Inputs/Processes’.
than 100 researchers over more than 4 years. • Each domain has been assigned weights based on its
importance with higher score for outcome indicators.
Key Findings of the report: • Developed by: NITI Aayog, with technical assistance
• The gap between the rich and the poor in terms of from the World Bank, and in close consultation with
share of national income is quite large and growing the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
rapidly as a result of government policies that favour
the affluent elite. Fourth Edition of State Health Index:
• The report has been titled “Healthy States,
Global Trends: Progressive India”.
• The richest 10 percent of the global population have • It ranks states and Union Territories on their year-
52 percent of the global income, whereas the poorest on-year incremental performance in health outcomes
50 percent got only 8.5 percent of it. as well as their overall status.
• Global wealth inequalities are worse than income • Fourth edition of the report focuses on measuring
inequalities. While the poorest 50 percent own just 2 and highlighting the overall performance and
percent of the global wealth, the richest 10 percent incremental improvement of states and UTs over the
own 76 percent of all the wealth. period 2018–19 to 2019–20.
• While Europe was the region with the least amount of
inequality (the income share of the top 10 percent Key Highlights:
was 36 percent), inequality was highest in the MENA • To ensure comparison among similar entities, the
(Middle East and North Africa) region, where the ranking is categorized as ‘Larger States’, ‘Smaller
share of the top 10 percent was 58 percent. States’ and ‘Union Territories’.
• Inequality Between and within Countries: One • Among the ‘Larger States’, in terms of annual
major trend highlighted by the report is that incremental performance, Uttar Pradesh, Assam and
inequality between countries was narrowing while Telangana are the top three ranking states.
the inequality within countries was increasing. • Maximum annual incremental performance shown
• Public and Private Wealth: The report also found by Mizoram & Meghalaya among ‘Smaller States’
that the share of privately owned wealth in national while by Delhi and J&K among ‘UTs’
wealth was rising, while that of public wealth was • On overall ranking based on the composite index
shrinking. In other words, while countries are score in 2019–20, the top-ranking states were Kerala
growing richer, governments are becoming poorer. and Tamil Nadu among the ‘Larger States’, Mizoram
and Tripura among the ‘Smaller States’, and DH&DD
Inequality in India: and Chandigarh among the UTs
• The impact of the pandemic was reflected in a drop in
global income, which was impacted significantly due SEHAT INITIATIVE
to India.
In News: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has launched
• World’s most Unequal Countries: The report has
services for home delivery of medicines for veterans and
found India to be one of the world’s most unequal
serving military personnel services under an online
countries, with the top 1 percent getting 21.7 percent
medical consultation platform named Services e-Health
of the national income.
Assistance and Teleconsultation (SeHAT).
• Worse than British Era: The report established that
income inequality in India today is worse than it was
About
under British rule.
• Launched in May 2021.
• It is the tri-services tele-consultation service of
World Inequality Lab:
the Ministry of Defence designed for all entitled
• The World Inequality Lab is a research laboratory
personnel and their families.
focusing on the study of inequality worldwide.
• Aims: to provide quality healthcare services to • Objective: To protect a married woman against
patients from the comfort of their homes. dowry-related harassment and cruelty, which often
• SeHAT stay-home OPD is a patient-to-doctor system led to dowry deaths.
where the patient can consult a doctor remotely • It is defined that if the husband or the relative of the
through the internet using his smartphone, laptop, husband of a woman, subjected such woman towards
desktop or tablet. cruelty would be punished with imprisonment for a
• Furthermore, taking the healthcare delivery right to term which might extend to 3 years and may also be
the patient’s doorsteps, the Ministry of Defence liable for fine.
launched another novel initiative of providing Home • Section 498A of Indian Penal Code is one of the
Delivery or Self Pickup of Medicines to patients greatest rescues for Violence against Woman (VAW),
seeking consultation on SeHAT. which is a reflection of the pathetic reality of the
domestic violence occurring within the four walls of
DIGITAL VARSITY AND E-CONTENT a house.
In News: Recently, in Budget 2022, the Finance Minister
has announced several initiatives for the education AYUSHMAN BHARAT DIGITAL MISSION
Sector. (ABDM)
In News: The National Health Authority has announced
About the integration of its flagship Ayushman Bharat Digital
• DESH-Stack e-portal: Digital Ecosystem for Skilling Mission with the Aarogya Setu app, allowing users to
and Livelihood (DESH-Stack e-portal) will be create the 14-digit unique Ayushman Bharat Health
launched to empower citizens to skill, reskill or Account numbers from the app.
upskill through online training.
• Digital University: A digital university will be About
established to provide access to world-class quality • The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission will provide a
universal education to students across the country digital health ID to the people who will hold their
with a personalized learning experience at their health records.
doorsteps in different languages. • Aims: To liberate citizens from the challenges of
• The university will be built on a networked hub- finding the right doctors, seeking appointment,
spoke model with the collaboration of best public payment of consultation fee, making several rounds
universities and institutions in the country. of hospitals for prescription sheets, among several
• Virtual Labs: 750 virtual labs in science and others and will empower people to make an informed
mathematics and 75 e-labs for skilling with simulated decision to avail the best possible healthcare.
learning environments are to be set-up in 2022-23.
• World–class foreign universities and institutions Features of the Mission:
will be allowed in the GIFT City to offer courses in • It is a digital health ecosystem under which every
various subjects like Financial Management, FinTech, Indian citizen will now have unique health IDs,
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. digitised health records with identifiers for doctors
• Expansion of One Class-One TV Channel and health facilities.
programme of PM e-VIDYA from 12 to 200 TV • The scheme will come under the Ayushman Bharat
channels. This will enable all states to provide quality Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
supplementary education in regional languages for • It comprises six key building blocks — HealthID,
classes 1-12. DigiDoctor, Health Facility Registry, Personal Health
• Teachers will be encouraged to develop quality e- Records, e-Pharmacy and Telemedicine.
content in different languages and different subjects • The National Health Authority has been given the
so that any teacher or student can access the content mandate to design, build, roll-out and implement the
from anywhere and get benefitted. mission in the country.
• Government will set up an animation, visual effects, • The core building blocks of the mission is that the
gaming, and comic (AVGC) promotion task force to health ID, DigiDoctor and Health Facility Registry
realize the potential of this sector. shall be owned, operated and maintained by the
Government of India.
SECTION 498A IPC • Private stakeholders will have an equal opportunity
to integrate and create their own products for the
In News: Recently, the Supreme Court highlighted the
market. The core activities and verifications,
growing misuse of Section 498A IPC, with friction rising
however, remain with the government.
in marriages.
• Under the Mission, every Indian will get a Health ID
card that will store all medical details of the person
About
including prescriptions, treatment, diagnostic
• Background: Section 498A was introduced in the
reports and discharge summaries.
Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) in the year 1983.
• Health ID is a randomly generated 14 digit number
• The section of 498A of the Indian Penal Code is a
used for the purposes of uniquely identifying
criminal law.
persons, authenticating them, and threading their
health records (only with their informed consent) • Coverage: It will cover across the country covering 5
across multiple systems and stakeholders. crore non-literates during the implementation period
• The citizens will be able to give their doctors and from 2022-23 to 2026-27.
health providers one-time access to this data • Funding: The scheme has been approved with a
during visits to the hospital for consultation. financial outlay of Rs.1037.90 crore including Central
share of Rs.700.00 crore and State share of Rs.337.90
SCHEME FOR ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF crore.
DNTS • Five components:
1. Foundational Literacy and Numeracy.
In News: Recently, the Ministry of Social Justice and 2. Critical Life Skills.
Empowerment will launch the Scheme for Economic 3. Vocational Skills Development.
Empowerment of DNTs (SEED) for the welfare of De- 4. Basic Education.
notified, Nomadic and Semi Nomadic Communities. 5. Continuing Education.
Major component of the SEED scheme: Features of NILP:
• Educational empowerment- Free coaching to • Involvement of school students, pre-service students
students from these communities for Civil Services, of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), school
entry to professional courses like medicine, teachers, Anganwadi and ASHA workers.
engineering, MBA, etc.
• School to be unit for implementation of the scheme.
• Health Insurance through PMJAY of National Health
• Use of ICT and online implementation of the scheme
Authority.
through ‘Online Teaching Learning and Assessment
• Livelihoods to support income generation, and System’ (OTLAS) material and resources through
• Housing (through PMAY/IAY) digital modes, viz, TV, radio, cell phone-based
free/open-source Apps/portals, etc.
De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes:
• The term 'De-notified Tribes' stands for all those Implementation:
communities which were once notified under the • The scheme will be implemented through
Criminal Tribes Acts, enforced by the British Raj volunteerism through online mode.
between l87l and I947. • The training, orientation, workshops of volunteers,
• These Acts were repealed by the Independent Indian may be organized through face-to-face mode. All
Government in l952. material and resources shall be provided digitally.
• The De-notified and Nomadic communities have • School will be Unit for implementation of the scheme.
diverse ideological patterns, culture, political and • Schools to be used for conducting surveys of
social lifestyle, customs and traditions. beneficiaries and Voluntary Teachers.
• The social and cultural characteristics of nomadic
communities are closely related to their economic
activities. NATIONAL MEANS – CUM - MERIT
• They are engaged in various occupations such as SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME
transport, key-making, salt trading, entertaining In News: Recently, the government has approved the
acrobats, dancers, snake charmers, jugglers and continuation of the National Means-cum-Merit
pastoralists. Scholarship (NMMSS) for a period of five years i.e. from
2021-22 to 2025-26.
NEW INDIA LITERACY PROGRAMME
About National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship
ACCREDITATION
Scheme (NMMSS):
In News: Recently, a new scheme “New India Literacy • Nodal Ministry: Launched in 2008-09 by Ministry of
Programme” for the period FYs 2022-2027 to cover all the Education
aspects of Adult Education to align with National • Type: Central Sector Scheme
Education Policy 2020 has been approved.
• Aim: To award scholarships to meritorious students
of economically weaker sections to deter them from
About
dropping out at class VIII and encourage them to
• The NILP has been approved for the next five continue their education at the secondary stage.
financial years (2022-27) in order to integrate all the
• Intended Beneficiaries: The scheme envisages the
aspects of adult education with the National
award of one lakh fresh scholarships every year to
Education Policy, 2020 (NEP).
selected students of class IX and their
• The Education ministry has chosen to use ‘Education continuation/renewal in classes X to XII for study in
for All’ rather than ‘Adult Education,’ since the a State Government, Government-aided and Local
previous terminology was not applicable to non- body schools.
literates aged 15 and above.
• Scholarship Amount: An amount of Rs. 12000
• Objectives: To support the States and Union (Rs.1000/- per month) per student per annum.
Territories in promoting literacy among non-literates
• Selection of Students: Students are selected for
in the age group of 15 and above.
award of scholarships through an examination
conducted by the State/ UT Governments. • The draft framework has outlined several learning
Scholarships are disbursed directly into the bank level “descriptors” or parameters based on which
accounts of students by electronic transfer through students can be assessed at every level.
Public Financial Management System (PFMS) • Parameters include: generic learning outcomes,
following DBT mode. constitutional, ethical, and moral values, employment
ready skills, entrepreneurship mindset, and
Eligibility Criteria: application of knowledge and skills among others.
• Students whose parental income from all sources is • It envisages that students on completion of a
not more than Rs.3.5 lakh per annum are eligible to programme of study must possess and demonstrate
avail of the scholarships. the expected graduate profile/attributes acquired.
• Student must have a minimum of 55 % marks or • It also fixes the number of credits required to clear
equivalent grade in the Class VII examination for the different levels of the four-year undergraduate
appearing in the selection test for award of programme, postgraduate degrees and doctoral
scholarship (relaxable by 5% for SC and ST students). degrees.
• Student should be studying as a regular student in
Government, Government-aided and local body Background of the National Qualifications
schools. Students of NVS, KVS and residential schools Framework:
are not entitled to the scholarships. • India recognized the need for NQF both for general
education and for Vocational Education and Training
DARKATHON-2022 (VET).
• The Ministry of Labour and Employment
In News: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is
developed the National Vocational Qualifications
organising a “Darkathon-2022” to find solutions to
Framework (NVQF) and the Ministry of Education
counter drug trafficking through the darknet.
developed the Vocational Education Qualifications
Framework (NVEQF).
About Darkathon-2022
• These two frameworks were considered and used
• It is being organised in three phases from February
while developing the National Skills Qualifications
15 to April 22.
Framework (NSQF) notified in 2013.
Darknet
Higher Education Commission of India (HECI):
• The darknet or dark web or deep web is a maze of
• It will be set up as a single umbrella body for the
secret websites which can be accessed only through
entire higher education, excluding medical and legal
encrypted channels.
education.
• Unlike our traditional internet search activities which
• It will be a single, lean body with four verticals for
can be easily traced by governments, the darknet is a
standards-setting, funding, accreditation and
tough nut to crack as the person's identity remains
regulation so as to provide “light but tight” oversight
anonymous.
• Affiliation of colleges is to be phased out in 15 years
• Nowadays, darknet has become a hidden platform
and a stage-wise mechanism to be established for
meant for the sale and purchase of much of the
granting graded autonomy to colleges.
contraband items like drugs, arms, pornographic
content and other illegal activities.
University Grants Commission (UGC)
• The darkweb operates in secrecy using the onion
• It came into existence on 28th December, 1953 but
router (ToR). This is being done to avoid be snooping
became a statutory organization of the Government
by law enforcement and other intelligence agencies.
of India by the UGC Act, 1956, under the Ministry of
Education.
DRAFT NATIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION • The UGC’s mandate includes:
QUALIFICATION FRAMEWORK ( NHEQF ) o Promoting and coordinating university
In News: Recently, the University Grants Commission education.
(UGC) has released a Draft National Higher Educational o Determining and maintaining standards of
Qualification Framework (NHEQF) as a part of the teaching, examination and research in
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to assess students universities.
at different levels. o Framing regulations on minimum standards of
About Draft NHEQF education.
• The framework is not intended to promote a uniform o Monitoring developments in the field of
curriculum or national common syllabus. collegiate and university education; disbursing
• Objective: To bring up/elevate all HEIs (Higher grants to the universities and colleges.
Education Institutions) to a common level of o Serving as a vital link between the Union and
benchmarking to ensure that all institutions are state governments and institutions of higher
providing quality education. learning.

o Advising the Central and State governments on • It will also provide an opportunity to Young Indians
the measures necessary for improvement of to understand the contribution of women in building
university. society and the nation.
• Eligibility: Any individual of at least 25 years of age
UJALA PROGRAMME and institutions having worked in the relevant field
for at least 5 years are eligible to apply.
In News: Recently, the Ministry of Power has successfully
completed seven years of distributing and selling LED
lights under its flagship UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable PM KUSUM SCHEME
LEDs for All) programme. In News: Recently, it has been observed that under the
PM-KUSUM scheme, solar power in Rajasthan is expected
About: to make rapid progress.
• Launched in 2015 and initially labeled as the LED-
based Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme About PM-KUSUM:
(DELP), it aims to promote the efficient usage of • It was launched in 2019 by the Ministry of New and
energy for all i.e., its consumption, savings and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
lighting. • Aim: To help farmers access reliable daytime solar
• Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a power for irrigation, reduce power subsidies, and
government company under the administrative decarbonise agriculture.
control of the Ministry of Power, has been designated • It envisages income generation for farmers from
as the implementing agency for this programme. their infertile land with the establishment of solar
• Every domestic household having a metered power plants.
connection from their respective Electricity • While the farmers can sell the power generated from
Distribution Company is eligible to get the LED bulbs the solar plants to the power distribution companies,
under the Scheme. the solar pumps can also be installed for irrigation of
agricultural land.
NARI SHAKTI PURASKAR • State Nodal Agencies (SNAs) of MNRE will coordinate
In News: Recently, Nari Shakti Puraskar was awarded on with States/UTs, Discoms and farmers for
implementation of the scheme.
International Women’s Day by the President of India.
Nari Shakti Puraskar is the Highest Civilian Honour for
Women in India. Deployment Models: They can use one of three
deployment models-
About: • Off-grid solar pumps,
• Initiated in the year 1999, it is the highest Civilian • Solarised agricultural feeders, or
Honour for Women in India. • Grid connected pumps.
• The President of India confers the Nari Shakti
Puraskar on the International Women's Day (8th 2020 Amendments:
March), annually. • The scope of the scheme has been increased by
• The Nari Shakti Puraskar carries a cash award of Rs.2 including pasturelands and marshy lands owned by
Lakh and a certificate for individuals and institutions. farmers.
• The Ministry of Women and Child Development • The size of solar plants has been reduced so that
announces these national level awards for small farmer can participate.
individuals/ groups/ Non-governmental • Increased completion period from nine to twelve
Organisations (NGOs)/ institutions etc. months.
• The awards are given: • Penalty for the shortfall in generation removed for
o For encouraging women to participate in ease of implementation by farmers.
decision making roles. • Central Financial Allowance (CFA) will be allowed for
o Women’s skill development in traditional and solar pumps to be set up and used by Water User
non-traditional sectors. Associations (WUAs)/Farmer Producer
o Facilitating basic amenities for rural women. Organisations (FPOs)/Primary Agriculture Credit
o Promoting women in non-traditional sectors like Societies (PACSs) or for cluster-based irrigation
science and technology, sports, art, culture systems along with individual farmers.
concretely.
o For the significant work towards safety and RASHTRIYA VAYOSHREE YOJANA
security, health and wellness, education, life In News: The Ministry of Social Justice and
skills, respect and dignity of women etc. Empowerment will distribute 4,800 daily living aids and
assistive devices among 895 senior citizen beneficiaries
Objectives: under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY).
• To showcase the Government’s commitment towards
women with the aim of strengthening their position About
in the society. • Launched in 2017.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and and funding from the Ministry of Women and Child
Empowerment. Development.
• Type: It is a central sector scheme funded from the • Aimed at: extending mental health training to 6000
Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund. The fund was notified OSC functionaries across India.
in the year 2016. • The project would emphasise on the psychosocial
• All unclaimed amounts from small savings accounts, well-being and aim to improve the mental health of
PPF and EPF are transferred to this fund. women in India.
• Aim: It aims to provide aids and assistive living • Focus:
devices to senior citizens belonging to Below Poverty o On building on capacity building of OSC (One
Line (BPL) category who suffer from age-related Stop Centres) functionaries on the tools and
disabilities such as low vision, hearing impairment, techniques as to how to handle the cases of
loss of teeth and locomotor disabilities. women approaching OSC, particularly the
• The aids and assistive devices, viz walking sticks, women who have suffered violence and distress
elbow crutches, walkers/crutches, tripods/quad with due sensitivity and care.
pods, hearing aids, wheelchairs, artificial dentures o The project also focusses on self-care techniques
and spectacles are provided to eligible beneficiaries. for OSC staff and counsellors.
• Implementation: The Scheme is being implemented
by the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation Imparted in two formats:
(ALIMCO), a PSU (Public Sector Undertaking) under • One format will focus on basic training for all OSC
the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. functionaries including the security guards, cook,
helpers, case workers, counsellors, centre
administrators, para medical staff etc.
COMPENSATION TO VICTIMS OF HIT AND
• The second format will emphasise on the advanced
RUN MOTOR ACCIDENTS SCHEME, 2022
course which focuses on varied components relating
In News: Recently, The Government has released “The to multi-generational implications and life time
Compensation to Victims of Hit and Run Motor Accidents trauma in case of several violence against women.
Scheme, 2022”. • In this regard, MWCD has launched the advance
certificate course for OSC Councillors and also
About: released the resource material for capacity building
• Launched by: Ministry of Road Transport and of OSC Staff.
Highways.
• This scheme will supersede the Solatium
(Compensation) Scheme,1989.
PRADHAN MANTRI JAN-AUSHADHI YOJANA
• This scheme shall come into force with effect from In News: Janaushadhi Diwas week to be observed from
April 1,2022. 1st March to 7th March 2022. Theme of 4th Janaushadhi
Diwas: “Jan Aushadhi-Jan Upyogi”.
Key Features of the Scheme:
• The compensation to the families of hit-and-run About
victims will be increased by eight-fold to Rs 2 lakh in • Initially launched in 2008, the scheme was
cases of death. rechristened in 2015.
• The relief to a person sustaining grievous injuries in • Implementing agency: Pharmaceuticals & Medical
a hit-and-run case will now be increased to Rs 50,000 Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), under the
from the current Rs 12,500. administrative control of the Department of
• Under the scheme, the procedure has been prepared Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers,
for detailed investigations of road accidents and their Government of India.
reporting along with timelines for different • It seeks to provide quality medicines at affordable
stakeholders for quick settlements of claims. prices to the masses through special kendra’s known
• A Motor Vehicles Accident Fund has been set up. The as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra.
fund will be used for providing compensation in case
of hit-and-run cases and treatment for accident Salient features:
victims. • Ensure access to quality medicines.
• Extend coverage of quality generic medicines so as to
reduce the out of pocket expenditure on medicines
STREE MANORAKSHA PROJECT and thereby redefine the unit cost of treatment per
In News: During International Women’s Day week, Union person.
Minister for Women and Child Development has launched • Create awareness about generic medicines through
“Stree Manoraksha project”. education and publicity so that quality is not
synonymous with only high price.
About • A public programme involving Government, PSUs,
• Launched by: National Institute of Mental Health and Private Sector, NGO, Societies, Co-operative Bodies
Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, with support and other Institutions.

• Create demand for generic medicines by improving o White represents purity, albeit a controversial
access to better healthcare through low treatment concept.
cost and easy availability wherever needed in all o Note: The colors originated from the Women’s
therapeutic categories. Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK in
1908.
KANYA SHIKHSA PRAVESH UTSAV
In News: On International Women’s Day, the Ministry of MATERNAL MORTALITY IN INDIA
Women and Child Development (MoWCD) has launched a In News: The Registrar General of India has released a
landmark campaign Kanya Shikhsa Pravesh Utsav. “Special Bulletin on Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of
India”.
About
• Launched by: the Women and Child Development About Registrar General of India:
Ministry in partnership with the Education Ministry • It is under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
and UNICEF. • Apart from conducting the Population Census and
• This scheme will fulfil the target of Right To monitoring the implementation of the Registration of
Education act that says to bring out-of-school girls Births and Deaths in the country, it has been giving
back to the education system. estimates on fertility and mortality using the Sample
• Umbrella Initiative: The campaign has been rolled Registration System (SRS).
out under the umbrella of the Beti Bachao Beti • SRS is the largest demographic sample survey in the
Padhao(BBBP) Initiative. country that among other indicators provide direct
estimates of maternal mortality through a nationally
Key Features of the campaign: representative sample.
• Under the campaign, over 400 districts across all • Verbal Autopsy (VA) instruments are administered
states will be funded under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao for the deaths reported under the SRS on a regular
Scheme for outreach and awareness generation at the basis to yield a cause-specific mortality profile in the
grassroots level to sensitize communities and country.
families to enroll adolescents girls in schools.
• This funding will be over and above the funding from Key findings
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. • India’s maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has declined
• Moreover, Anganwadi workers (AWWs) will also be by 10 points. It has declined from 113 in 2016-18 to
further incentivised for counseling and referring out 103 in 2017-19 (8.8 % decline).
of school adolescent girls. • India witnessed a progressive reduction in the MMR
• Significance of the campaign: The campaign from 130 in 2014-2016, 122 in 2015-17, 113 in 2016-
intends to build on the existing schemes and 18, and 103 in 2017-19.
programmes like Schemes for Adolescent Girls (SAG),
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) and National State-wise MMR:
Education Policy (NEP) to work on a comprehensive • Among States, Kerala has recorded the lowest
system for out of school girls. Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 30 in the country.
• The number of states which have achieved the MMR
Women’s Day 2022: SDG target has now risen from 5 to 7 viz. Kerala (30),
• Celebrated every year around the world on March Maharashtra (38), Telangana (56), Tamil Nadu (58),
8. Andhra Pradesh (58), Jharkhand (61) and Gujarat
• Theme for International Women’s Day, 2022 (70).
(IWD 2022): ‘Gender equality today for a sustainable
tomorrow’. PM-DAKSH YOJANA
• IWD 2022 campaign theme is ‘#BreakTheBias’: It
In News: The Ministry of Social Justice and
intends to promote a “gender equal world”, which is
Empowerment released funds under the PM-DAKSH
“free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination”. “A
Yojana.
world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive”, and
where “difference is valued and celebrated”.
About
• History and significance: IWD has been celebrated
• The Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta
for over a century now, but many people think of it
Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana launched
purely as a feminist cause. Its roots, however, are
in 2021, by the Minister of Social Justice and
found in the labour movement, wherein it was first
Empowerment.
organised in 1911 by the early 20th century Marxist
• Purpose: It is a National Action Plan for skilling
from Germany Clara Zetkin.
marginalized persons covering SCs, OBCs, EBCs,
• Colors symbolize International Women’s Day:
DNTs, Sanitation workers including waste pickers.
Purple, green and white are the colors of
• Aim: To increase the skill levels of the target youth by
International Women’s Day.
providing them short term and long term skills,
o Purple signifies justice and dignity.
followed by assistance in wage/self-employment.
o Green symbolizes hope.
• Implementation: It is being implemented through 3 • Published by: United Nations Sustainable

Corporations - National Scheduled Castes Finance Development Solutions Network (UN-SDSN).
and Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Published since 2012
Backward Classes Finance & Development • World Happiness Report is based on two key
Corporation (NBCFDC) and National Safai ideas:
Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation 1. Happiness or life evaluation measured
(NSKFDC). through opinion surveys and
2. Identifying key elements that determine well-
Salient Features: being and life evaluation across countries.
• Training Institutions: The training is provided
through Government Sector training institutions and Parameters:
reputed institutions enabling them to take up • The report usually ranks 150 countries based on
suitable job/self-employment opportunities. several factors such as real GDP per capita, social
• Age of the candidates for undergoing skill support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life
training: Beneficiaries between the age of 18-45 choices, generosity and perceptions of corruption.
years are considered for Skill Development Training. • This year, the report ranked 146 countries.
• Stipend to the trainees: Stipend is provided to the
eligible candidates based on their attendance Scale:
through DBT. • Every year, each variable measures a populated-
weighted average score on a scale of 0-10 that is
PRADHAN MANTRI UJJWALA YOJANA tracked over a period of time and further compared
with other countries.
In News: The first independent impact assessment of the
• This year, countries which ranked in the top 10 last
Ujjwala programme has highlighted its benefits in terms
year, moved upwards and downwards.
of saving of lives and reduction in air pollution.
Key Finding:
About
• Finland has been named the world's happiest country
• Launched by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural
for the fifth year running followed by Denmark.
Gas in May 2016.
• India’s Performance: India saw a marginal
• Aim: To provide LPG (liquefied petroleum gas)
improvement in its ranking, jumping three spots to
connections to poor households and reduce health
136, from 139 a year ago.
risk associated with burning biomass.
• Key features: A deposit-free LPG connection is given
Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN):
to eligible with financial assistance of Rs 1,600 per
• The SDSN, launched in 2012, mobilises global
connection by the Centre.
scientific and technological expertise to promote
• Achievement: Government data shows that by practical problem solving for the Sustainable
January 2022, 9 crore new LPG connections had been
Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate
rolled out under this scheme, and that 99.8 per cent
Agreement.
of the over 28 crore households in India now have
• It was established under the auspices of the United
access to LPG, up from 61.9 per cent in 2015.
Nations Secretary-General.
• Eligibility criteria:
• The SDSN and the Bertelsmann Stiftung have been
o Applicant must a woman above the age of 18 and
publishing the annual Sustainable Development
a citizen of India.
Goals (SDGs) Index & Dashboards Global Report since
o Applicant should belong to a BPL (Below Poverty
2016.
Line) household.
o No one in the applicant’s household should own
an LPG connection. NATIONAL DRUG DE-ADDICTION
• The household income of the family, per month, PROGRAMME
must not exceed a certain limit as defined by the In News: Recently, the Union Minister of State for Health
government of the Union Territories and State and Family Welfare has informed Rajya Sabha about the
Government. National Drug De-Addiction Programme (DDAP)’.
• Applicant must not be a recipient of other similar
schemes provided by the government. About DDAP:
• Operated by: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
WORLD HAPPINESS REPORT 2022 • Aim:
In News: World Happiness Report 2022 was published o To provide affordable, easily accessible and
recently. evidence-based treatment for all substance use
disorders through the government health care
About facilities,
o To build the capacities of health care staff in
recognition and management of substance use
disorders.
• Implementing agencies: AIIMS, New Delhi; PGIMER, • Enhance reach of development Intervention of the
Chandigarh; NIMHANS, Bengaluru among others. Government and fill the gap in service deficient SCs
• National/Nodal centre: National Drug Dependence dominant areas.
Treatment Centre(NDDTC), AIIMS. • Earlier known as ‘Grant in-aid to voluntary and other
organisations for Scheduled Castes’,
Other programmes: • SHRESTHA has two Modes with:
• National Action Plan for Drug Demand 1. Mode 1: To provide high quality residential
Reduction(NAPDDR): It is being implemented by education to bright scheduled caste (SC)
the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment students.
(MoSJE). 2. Mode 2: It provides Grant-in-aid to Schools/
• Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA): It is being Hostels run by voluntary and other organisations
implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and meeting the required criteria.
Empowerment (MoSJE). • District administration is its prime implementing
• Establishing and Implementing Capacity Building agency for Mode 1.
Mechanism for Addiction Treatment Facilities in
India: RASHTRIYA YUVA SASHAKTIKARAN
• It is a project being implemented by the Ministry of KARYAKRAM (RYSK)
Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) through
National Drug Dependence Treatment In News: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has decided
Centre(NDDTC),AIIMS. to continue RYSK Scheme for another five years from
2021 -22 to 2025-26.
• Under the project, from 2021, 5-day training
workshops are organised for staff of various
About
Government run/supported/funded facilities
established for treatment of drug addiction in the • RYSK is a Central Sector Scheme
Country. • Aims: to develop personality and leadership qualities
of youth and to engage them in nation building
activities.
COMMON UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE TEST • It is an umbrella scheme with several sub-
In News: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has schemes under it including Nehru Yuva Kendra
announced that admission into undergraduate courses in Sangathan, National Youth Corps, National Young
all centrally-funded universities will henceforth be solely Leaders Programme etc.
on the basis of a Common University Entrance Test • Scheme beneficiaries are in age-group of 15-29
(CUET). years.
• For adolescents’ specific components,
About beneficiaries are in age-group of 10-19 years.
• All 45 central universities will have to admit students
on the basis of their scores on the test.
MISSION VATSALYA
• Class 12 Board Exam marks will no longer be
considered. In News: The Ministry of Women and Child Development
has sent its draft guidelines for Mission Vatsalya Scheme
CUET to States and Union Territories to seek their suggestions.
• The CUET will be a computerised test to be conducted
by the National Testing Agency (NTA). About
• Following the exam, the NTA will prepare a merit list • The Ministry of Women and Child Development
on the basis of which these universities will admit intended to provide ‘integrated benefits to children
students. and women’ under Mission Vatsalya.
• This entrance test is compulsory for all the central
universities and may also be adopted by the Objectives of the Mission:
state/private/deemed to be universities. • To secure a healthy and happy childhood for every
• The entrance exam will be offered in 13 languages. child in India,
• International students are exempted from CUET; • To foster a sensitive, supportive and synchronized
their admissions will be carried out on the existing ecosystem for the development of children,
supernumerary basis. • To assist States/UTs in delivering the mandate of the
Juvenile Justice Act 2015
• To achieve the SDG goals.
SHRESTHA • Components under the mission: It will include
In News: Ministry of Education has joined hands with statutory bodies; service delivery structures;
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for institutional care/services; non-institutional
SHRESTHA. community-based care; emergency outreach services
(through Childline or the national helpline 1098 for
About children); training and capacity building.
• Objective of SHRESTHA:
Key Features of the Mission: • The core principle adopted in the procedure is
• Under the mission, the Government plans to partner looking at the child in the context of the family since
with the private sector as well as volunteer groups for family is the first resort for a child.
its scheme for the protection of vulnerable children • It also focuses on providing social protection to
such as those abandoned or missing. children with and without families
• For this, a Vatsalya portal will be developed that will • Further, it also talks about an individual care plan for
allow volunteers to register so that State and District street children and families strengthening with
Authorities can engage them in executing various schemes.
schemes.
E-KHEL PATHSHALA
HEALTH STAR RATING In News: Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports has
In News: According to experts, the Health Star Rating virtually inaugurated the valedictory session of E-Khel
system that the Food Safety Standards Authority of Pathshala.
India(FSSAI) plans to adopt in order to help consumers
reduce their intake of unhealthy foods is “not evidence- About
based” and has failed to alter buyer behaviour. • It is a programme conceptualized by Sports
Authority of India(SAI).
About • It is organized in association with the Ministry of
• In February 2022, FSSAI decided to adopt the Health- Education, Khelo India and Fit India.
Star Rating (HSR) system for food products. • Aim: To develop the competencies of Grassroots/
• Aim: To guide consumers to opt for healthy food. Community Coaches and Physical Education (PE)
• Under this system, packaged foods will display teachers through the provisioning of physical &
the number of stars on the front of the pack, online training, enabling them to subsequently
indicating how healthy or unhealthy it is depending provide standardized coaching.
upon the amount of salt, sugar and fat it has. • Objective: To make sports-related knowledge
• It gives a product 1/2 a star to 5 stars, in its draft accessible to all parts of the country, regardless of
regulations for front of package labelling (FOPL). geographical constraints.
• Exclusion: milk and dairy products will be excluded
from this proposed front-of-the-pack labelling. Features:
• Adherence: This rating system will be initially • Under the programme, a professionally designed
voluntary from 2023 with a transition period of four curriculum has been developed in consultation with
years. After this, it would be made mandatory. National Sports Federations, eminent coaches,
• At present, countries such as the UK, Chile, Mexico, athletes and experts.
New Zealand, and Australia have FoPL. • Moreover, SAI has also created an online sports
learning program that would act as a catalyst to
CHILDREN IN STREET SITUATION revolutionize sports delivery at the grassroots level.
This will provide a standardized level-based quality
In News: The Supreme Court has directed the States and coaching programme across the country.
Union Territories (UTs) that have not yet framed their
own policies to rehabilitate children in street situation
(CISS) to immediately implement the Standard Operating UGC DUAL DEGREE PROGRAMME
Procedure for Care and Protection of Children in Street In News: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has
Situation 2.0. issued guidelines to allow students to pursue two
academic programmes simultaneously at higher
About education institutes recognised by it or statutory councils
• Prepared by: National Commission for Protection of or the Government of India.
Children’s Rights (NCPCR) in collaboration with Save
the Children, a non-profit organization. About
• Aim: To strengthen the processes and interventions • The UGC Dual Degree Programmes allow students
that work towards the welfare of children on the to pursue two physical degrees from two different
streets and their families. universities or institutions at the same time.
• Categories: • Aim: The rationale behind the decision is to help
o Those who are living on the streets all alone and students gain diverse skills.
with no support, • It is also aimed at translating the New Education
o Those who spend most of their time on the Policy (NEP) vision of breaking down
streets but go home to a slum at night interdisciplinary separations.
o Those whose entire families live on the streets.
Applicability of the Programme:
Key Guidelines: • The Dual Degree Programme will be allowed for
physical degrees, online degrees and even diploma

programmes. It will be applicable for all academic

programmes other than PhD. 6. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
• But the students cannot claim the retrospective
benefits of the programme. SMALL SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLE
• Moreover, the time schedule for classes and other
In News: Recently, the ISRO Chairman has said that the
academic activities for both degree programmes do
Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) named “SLV-D1
not clash with each other.
Micro SAT” will be launched in April 2022.
• This means that if a student is pursuing B.Tech from
IIT Delhi in the morning or regular session, he can opt About Small Satellite Launch Vehicle:
for a BA in Sanskrit from Delhi University, provided it
• It is an all-solid three-stage vehicle with the capability
is offered in the evening session.
to launch up to 500 kg satellite mass into 500 km Low
Earth Orbit (LEO).
WOMEN RESERVATION BILL • The SSLV is intended to cater to a market for the
In News: It has been 25 years since the Bill was first launch of small satellites into low earth orbits.
introduced in the Parliament but could not be passed • The SSLV is the smallest vehicle at 110-ton mass at
despite numerous attempts. ISRO.
• It will take only 72 hours to integrate. Only six people
About Key provisions of the bill: will be required to do the job.
• To reserve 33% seats in Lok Sabha and all state • The cost will be only around Rs 30 crore.
legislative assemblies for women. • It is best suited for launching multiple microsatellites
• Reserved seats may be allotted by rotation to at a time and supports multiple orbital drop-offs.
different constituencies in the state or union
territory. PSLV
• Reservation of seats for women shall cease to exist 15 • Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is the third
years after the commencement of this Amendment generation launch vehicle of India.
Act. • It is a four-staged launch vehicle with first and
third stages using solid rocket motors and second
Constitutional provisions for women’s political and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.
empowerment: • It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped
• Article 15 (3): the State is empowered to make with liquid stages.
“special provisions”, legislative or otherwise, to • It comes in the category of medium-lift launchers
secure women's socio-political advancement. with a reach up to various orbits, including the Geo
• Article 325: Guarantees equal rights for both sexes, Synchronous Transfer Orbit, Lower Earth Orbit, and
and entitles women to enjoy economic, social, Polar Sun Synchronous Orbit.
cultural, and political rights on an equal footing with • All the operations of PSLV are controlled from the
men. Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota.
International agreements that support proactive Difference between PSLV and GSLV:
state measures for women's political development: • India has two operational launchers: Polar
• The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous
Discrimination against Women (CEDAW): Ratified Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
by India in 1993, it provides appropriate measures, • PSLV was developed to launch low-Earth Orbit
including legislation, to ensure the full advancement satellites into polar and sun synchronous orbits. It
has since proved its versatility by launching
of women and to eliminate discrimination against
geosynchronous, lunar and interplanetary spacecraft
women in the political and public life of the country. successfully.
• The Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA), 1995 • GSLV was developed to launch the heavier INSAT
endorses affirmative action for women in the political class of geosynchronous satellites into orbit. In its
spheres for the achievement of democratic third and final stage, GSLV uses the indigenously
transformation, women's empowerment and developed cryogenic upper stage.
achieving the goals of sustainable development.
INDIAN SPACE STATION (ISS)
In News: Recently, the Union Minister for Space Jitendra
Singh announced in Parliament that India’s first space
station would be set up by 2030.
About Indian Space Station:

• The Indian space station will be much smaller (mass
of 20 tonnes) than the International Space Station

and will be used for carrying out microgravity KALPANA CHAWLA CENTRE FOR RESEARCH
experiments (not for space tourism).
IN SPACE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
• Preliminary plan for the space station is to
(KCCRSST)
accommodate astronauts for up to 20 days in space,
and the project will be an extension of the Gaganyaan In News: Recently, Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh
mission. inaugurated Kalpana Chawla Centre for Research in Space
• It will orbit Earth at an altitude of around 400km. Science & Technology (KCCRSST) at Chandigarh
• ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) is University on January 03, 2022.
working on a space docking experiment (Spadex), a
technology that is crucial for making the space station About KCCRSST:
functional. • Objective: To train students in space science,
satellite development and meet future challenges in
Other space stations: space research.
• The only space station currently in orbit is the • It has been named after India-born astronaut Kalpana
International Space Station (ISS). The ISS is backed by Chawla, who lost her life in the 2003 Columbia shuttle
the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan and Canada. disaster.
• So far, China has sent two previous space stations into • The centre will also be the ground control station for
orbit- the Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2 were trial Chandigarh University’s Student Satellite (CUSat)
stations. along with a Geo-Spatial Centre for research.
CUSat:
NATIONAL SUPERCOMPUTING MISSION • It is a nano-satellite being designed by the students of
(NSM) the Chandigarh University.
In News: Recently, under the National Super-Computer • Function: collect data related to border intrusion
Mission (NSM), four new Supercomputers have been detection, agriculture, weather forecasting, natural
installed since July 2021 at IIT-Hyderabad, NABI- Mohali, disaster forecasting, which will be helpful in research
CDAC-Bengaluru and IIT Kanpur. and study of various problems in these areas.
• The satellite will be among the 75 student-built
About National Super-Computer Mission satellites to be launched into space on the eve of the
• Announced in 2015. 75th Independence Day in 2022.
• Aim: To connect national academic and R&D • Moreover, with the launch of CUSat, Punjab will
institutions with a grid of more than 70 high- become the first border state in India to have its own
performance computing facilities at an estimated cost satellite in space.
of Rs. 4,500 crores over the period of seven years by
2022.
WATER PURIFICATION
• Implementation: NSM is jointly steered by the
Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) and In News: Recently, the Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh
Department of Science and Technology (DST - launched Artificial Intelligence-driven Start-Up by IIT
Ministry of Science and Technology) and alumni for water purification through innovative
implemented by the Centre for Development of technology.
Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune and the Indian • Launched by: Swajal Water Private Limited, a tech
Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. Startup.
Features: Water ATM:

• It is also an effort to improve the number of • It combines Internet of Things technology with solar
supercomputers owned by India. energy to provide clean drinking water.
• These supercomputers will also be networked on the • It uses solar energy to pump water from rivers, wells,
National Supercomputing grid over the National ponds or groundwater depending upon the location.
Knowledge Network (NKN). The NKN connects • The water will then be treated with appropriate
academic institutions and R&D labs over a high-speed technology to make it healthy & pure for drinking.
network. With this innovation, the cost of purified water can be
• The long-term plan is to build a strong base of 20,000 brought down to as low as 25 paise per litre.
skilled persons over the next five years who will be • Clairvoyant: It uses artificial intelligence to optimize
equipped to handle the complexities of water purification systems and predict future
supercomputers. breakdowns. Thus, it allows to remotely manage,
• Progress so far: In the first phase, PARAM Shivay, update and repair each system in real-time.
PARAM Shakti, PARAM Brahma, PARAM Yukti and
PARAM Sanganak were deployed at IIT (BHU), IIT Heli-borne Survey Technology for Groundwater
Kharagpur, Indian Institute of Science Education and Management
Research, Pune, and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for • Developed by: The Center for Scientific and
Advanced Research. Industrial Research (CSIR)-National Geophysical
Research Institute (NGRI).
• It maps groundwater sources in arid regions and thus heavier helium atoms and release tremendous
helps utilize groundwater for drinking purposes. amounts of energy in the process.
• It provides a high-resolution 3D image for sub- • Three conditions must be fulfilled to achieve fusion in
surfaces up to a depth of 500 meters below the a laboratory:
ground level and maps potential groundwater 1. Very high temperature (on the order of
sources. 150,000,000° Celsius).
2. Sufficient plasma particle density (to increase the
FIRST PIG HEART TRANSPLANT IN HUMAN likelihood that collisions do occur).
3. Sufficient confinement time (to hold the plasma,
In News: Recently, the doctors of Maryland hospital which has a propensity to expand, within a
(USA) successfully transplanted a pig heart into a patient defined volume)
in a last effort to save his life.
International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor:
About • International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor
• The first successful transplant of a pig’s heart into a (ITER) is a collaboration of 35 nations launched in
human being. However, it’s too soon to know if the 1985.
operation really will work. • It is located in France.
• The earlier attempts of animal-to-human transplants
or xenotransplantation have failed largely because
patients bodies rapidly rejected the animal organ. In NASA’S IMAGING X-RAY POLARIMETRY
1984, Baby Fae, a dying infant, lived 21 days with a EXPLORER
baboon heart. In News: Recently, NASA’s newest X-ray observatory was
launched to study exploded stars, black holes and other
How was this animal to human transplantation violent high-energy events unfolding in the universe.
different?
• This time, the surgeons used a heart from a pig that About:
had undergone gene-editing to remove a sugar in its • Joint Effort: IXPE observatory is a joint effort of
cells that’s responsible for that hyper-fast organ NASA and the Italian Space Agency.
rejection. • Mission’s Study: The mission will study “the most
extreme and mysterious objects in the universe
Why was Pig chosen for Transplantation? supernova remnants, supermassive black holes, and
• Pigs offered advantages over other animals for organ dozens of other high-energy objects.”
procurement — they are easier to raise, reach • Length and Location of the Mission in Space: The
maturation faster and achieve adult human size in six mission’s primary length is two years and the
months. observatory will be at 600 km altitude, orbiting
• Pig heart valves are routinely transplanted into around Earth’s equator. IXPE is expected to study
humans, and some patients with diabetes have about 40 celestial objects in its first year in space.
received pig pancreas cells. • Showing the Violent Universe around Us: IXPE is
• Pig skin has also been used as temporary grafts for going to show us the violent universe around us –
burn patients. such as exploding stars and the black holes at the
center of galaxies in ways we’ve never been able to
NUCLEAR FUSION ENERGY see.
In News: Recently, Scientists in the United Kingdom said
Features:
they have achieved a new milestone in producing nuclear
• Three Space Telescopes: IXPE carries three state-
fusion energy, or imitating the way energy is produced in
of-the-art space telescopes. Each of the three
the Sun.
identical telescopes hosts one light-weight X-ray
mirror and one detector unit.
Significance:
• Observing the Polarized X-rays: These will help
• Energy by nuclear fusion is one of mankind’s long
observe polarized X-rays from neutron stars and
standing quests as it promises to be low carbon, safer
supermassive black holes. By measuring the
than how nuclear energy is now produced and, with
polarization of these X-rays, we can study where the
an efficiency that can technically exceed a 100%.
light came from and understand the geometry and
• The record and scientific data from these crucial
inner workings of the light source.
experiments are a major boost for ITER, the larger
• Complementing other X-Ray Telescopes: This new
and more advanced version of the JET.
mission will complement other X-ray telescopes such
as the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the European
Fusion
Space Agency’s X-ray observatory, XMM-Newton.
• Fusion is the energy source of the Sun and stars. In
the tremendous heat and gravity at the core of these
Supernova:
stellar bodies, hydrogen nuclei collide, fuse into
• A supernova is the name given to the cataclysmic
explosion of a massive star at the end of its life.
• It can emit more energy in a few seconds than our NEW VACCINES AND PILL FOR COVID -19
sun will radiate in its lifetime of billions of years.
In News: Recently, India has cleared the vaccines
• Cannot be seen in our Galaxy, Supernovas are often
Corbevax and Covovax, pill Molnupiravir for treatment of
seen in other galaxies.
Covid-19 patients.
• But supernovas are difficult to see in our own
Milky Way galaxy because dust blocks our view.
Corbevax: Protein Subunit Vaccine
• Corbevax, is manufactured by Hyderabad-based
Black Hole:
Biological E,
• A black hole is a place in space where gravity pulls
• It is a protein subunit vaccine, which means that
so much that even light cannot get out. The gravity
instead of the whole virus, it uses fragments of it to
is so strong because matter has been squeezed into a
trigger an immune response. In this case, the subunit
tiny space. This can happen when a star is dying.
vaccine contains a harmless S protein.
• Invisible: Because no light can get out, people can’t
• Once the immune system recognizes the protein, it
see black holes. They are invisible. Space telescopes
produces antibodies to fight a real infection when it
with special tools can help find black holes. The
happens.
special tools can see how stars that are very close to
black holes’ act differently than other stars.
Molnupiravir: Oral Antiviral Drug
• Size of the Black Hole: Black holes can be big or
• Molnupiravir, developed in collaboration by US firms
small. Scientists think the smallest black holes are as
Ridgeback Bio therapeutics and Merck, initially to
small as just one atom. Another kind of black hole is
treat influenza, is a repurposed oral antiviral
called “stellar.”
candidate to treat Covid patients.
• Mass: Its mass can be up to 20 times more than the
• It has been cleared for the treatment of adult patients
mass of the sun. The largest black holes are called
with Covid-19 “who have a high risk of progression of
“supermassive.”
the disease”.
• It works by introducing errors into the virus’s genetic
Neutron Stars:
code, which prevents replication. Molnupiravir
• Neutron stars are ancient remnants of stars that
comes in 200 mg pills; the recommendation in India
have reached the end of their evolutionary
is for 800 mg twice daily for 5 days.
journey through space and time.
• It will be manufactured by 13 Indian drug makers.
• Size: Despite their small diameters—about 12.5
miles (20 kilometers)—neutron stars boast nearly
Covavax: Recombinant Nanoparticle Vaccine
1.5 times the mass of our sun, and are thus incredibly
dense. • Covavax, manufactured by Serum Institute of India
(SII), is also a protein subunit vaccine, but uses
recombinant nanoparticle technology.
DEFENCE MINISTRY PUSHES FOR ‘MAKE IN • It has been developed by US-based Novavax.
INDIA’ Harmless copies of the spike protein are grown in
In News: Recently, Defence ministry has restricted the insect cells; the protein is then extracted and
import of 351 more items for ‘Make in India’ push. assembled into virus-like nanoparticles.
• Novavax has used an immune-boosting compound
About: (adjuvant). The same technology is used in HPV and
• The defence ministry announced curbs on the import the Hepatitis B vaccine.
of 351 systems and components under a staggered
timeframe beginning December 2022 to boost QUANTUM COMPUTING LAB AND AI CENTRE
indigenisation in defence manufacturing and to FOR ARMY
ensure foreign exchange savings of ₹3,000 crores a
year. In News: Recently, the Army has set up a Quantum
Computing Laboratory and a centre for Artificial
• This was the third such list issued by the defence
Intelligence (AI).
ministry in the past 16 months as part of efforts to
make India a hub for developing and manufacturing
About:
military hardware.
• Both the centre shave been setup at the Military
About the curb list: College of Telecommunication Engineering in
Madhya Pradesh’s Mhow.
• The curbs on the import of 351 items – including
components such as a missile approach warning • The two centres will carry out extensive research in
sensor, shells, propellants, electrical parts, missile developing transformative technologies for use by
containers, a torpedo tube launcher and a gun fire the armed forces.
control system will kick in over the next three years. • They have been established with support from the
• The import of 172 systems and components will be National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS).
stopped from December 2022, while curbs on • The primary aim is to spearhead research and
another batch of 89 items will come into effect from training in this key developing field.
December 2023.
• The lab’s key thrust areas are quantum key • The hydrogen produced during sunshine hours
distribution, quantum communication and quantum would be stored at high pressure and would be
computing, among others with Indian Army’s aim of electrified using a 50 kW Solid Oxide Fuel Cell.
making steady and significant strides in the field of • The system would work in standalone mode from 5
emerging technologies. pm to 7 am.
ARMS RACE TOWARDS HYPERSONIC Significance:

WEAPONS • It is a unique project for India and would open doors
for decarbonising the far-off regions of the country
In News: Recently, a developments have put the spotlight like Ladakh, J&K etc, which as of now are dependent
on hypersonic weapons development, especially the on diesel generators.
advancements made by China and Russia
• The project is in-line with the vision of the Prime
Minister for becoming carbon-neutral by 2070 and
About Hypersonic Weapons:
making Ladakh a carbon-neutral territory.
• They are manoeuvrable weapons that can fly at
speeds in excess of Mach 5, five times the speed of Green Hydrogen:
sound. The speed of sound is Mach 1, and speeds upto
• It is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and
Mach 5 are supersonic and speeds above Mach 5 are
oxygen using an electrolyzer powered by renewable
hypersonic.
energy sources such as wind and solar.
• They are capable both of manoeuvring and of flying
• The fuel can be a game-changer for the energy
faster than 5,000 kms per hour, which would enable
security of India, which imports 85% of its oil and
such missiles to penetrate most missile defences.
53% of gas requirements.
• Hypersonic weapons travel within the atmosphere
• To promote clean fuels, India is considering making it
and can manoeuvre midway which combined with
mandatory for fertilizer plants and oil refineries to
their high speeds makes their detection and
purchase green hydrogen.
interception extremely difficult.
• Classes of the Hypersonic Weapons: There are two Other Forms of Hydrogen:
classes of hypersonic weapons, Hypersonic Glide
• Brown hydrogen: It is produced using coal where
Vehicles (HGV) and Hypersonic Cruise Missiles
the emissions are released to the air.
(HCM).
• Grey hydrogen: It is produced from natural gas
• Countries having Hypersonic Weapon: China, where the associated emissions are released to the
Russia, United States.
air.
• Other Countries: A number of other countries –
• Blue hydrogen: It is produced from natural gas,
including Australia, India, France, Germany, and
where the emissions are captured using carbon
Japan are also developing hypersonic weapons
capture and storage.
technology.
• India: National Thermal Power Corporation Limited
o India operates approximately 12 hypersonic (NTPC):
wind tunnels and is capable of testing speeds of
• NTPC Ltd. is a central Public Sector Undertaking
up to Mach 13.
(PSU) under the Ministry of Power.
o India is also developing an indigenous, dual-
• It is India’s largest energy conglomerate with roots
capable hypersonic cruise missile as part of its
planted way back in 1975 to accelerate power
Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle
development in India.
(HSTDV) program and successfully tested a Mach
• It aims to provide reliable power and related
6 scramjet in June 2019 and September 2020.
solutions in an economical, efficient and
environment-friendly manner, driven by innovation
GREEN HYDROGEN MICROGRID PROJEC TS and agility.
In News: Recently, NTPC Ltd has awarded a project of • It has been pushing towards green energy and green
“Standalone Fuel-Cell based Micro-grid with hydrogen hydrogen projects to reduce carbon footprints. It has
production using an electrolyser in NTPC Guest House at recently revised its target of achieving 60GW
its Simhadri plant in Andhra Pradesh. renewables capacity by 2032.
• It became a Maharatna company in May 2010.
About Green Hydrogen Microgrid Project: • It is located in New Delhi.
• It is India’s first Green Hydrogen based Energy
Storage Project. NASA SPACECRAFT TOUCHED THE SUN
• Under this project, hydrogen would be produced
In News: Recently, a NASA spacecraft has officially
using the advanced 240 kW Solid Oxide Electrolyser
“touched” the sun, plunging through the unexplored solar
by taking input power from the nearby Floating Solar
atmosphere known as the corona.
project.
About:

• Launch: This spacecraft was launched in the year • A low Earth orbit (LEO) is, as the name suggests, an
2018 to discover and explore the mysteries of the Sun orbit that is relatively close to Earth’s surface.
by traveling closer to it. • LEO is normally at an altitude of less than 1000 km
• Build Material: To perform its unprecedented but could be as low as 160 km above Earth
investigations, the Parker Solar Probe and its • SPACEX’S Starlink constellation is getting bigger and
instruments are protected from the Sun by a 4.5- it’s changing the shape of Low-Earth orbit.
inch-thick (11.43 cm) carbon-composite shield, • The firm is currently building out Starlink, designed
which can withstand temperatures reaching nearly to offer high-speed and low latency internet almost
2,500 degrees Fahrenheit (1,377 Celsius). anywhere in the world.
• The probe has four instrument suites designed to • SpaceX has applied for permission to launch up to
study magnetic fields, plasma, and energetic 42,000 satellites, far outnumbering the total number
particles, and image the solar wind. of satellites in Earth’s orbit.
• Parker will fly more than seven times closer to the
Sun than any spacecraft. GRAPHENE INNOVATION CENTRE
• Over seven years, the spacecraft will complete 24
orbits around the Sun. In News: Recently, the Kerala government announced
that the country’s first Graphene Innovation Centre
• At its closest approach, the spacecraft will come
would come up in Thrissur, Kerala.
within about 3.9 million miles (6.2 million
kilometers) of the Sun.
Graphene:
• Parker will keep drawing ever closer to the sun and
• Graphene is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms
diving deeper into the corona until its grand finale
arranged in a hexagonal lattice.
orbit in 2025.
• It is the thinnest, most electrically and thermally
Corona: conductive material in the world. It is also flexible,
transparent and incredibly strong.
• The corona is the outermost layer of the Sun’s
atmosphere where strong magnetic fields bind • Often referred to as a wonder material for its
plasma and prevent turbulent solar winds from extraordinary electrical and electronics properties,
escaping. graphene could replace Indium and thereby bring
down the cost of OLED (organic light-emitting diode)
screens in smartphones, studies have shown.
CHINA AND MUSK’S SPACE WAR • Graphene has a lot of promise for additional
In News: Recently, China complained to the UN detailing applications: anti-corrosion coatings and paints,
two alleged space incidents involving its Tiangong Space efficient and precise sensors, faster and efficient
Station and two Starlink satellites from SpaceX. electronics, flexible displays, efficient solar panels,
faster DNA sequencing, drug delivery, and more.
About:
• In December 2021 China said its astronauts aboard PARAM PRAVEGA
the Tiangong Space Station had to take evasive
measures on two separate occasions to avoid In News: Recently, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
potential collision with two of SpaceX’s Starlink has installed and commissioned Param Pravega, one of
satellites earlier this year. the most powerful supercomputers in India.
• China complained to the United Nations detailing the
About
alleged space incidents.
• Designed by the Centre for Development of Advanced
Starlink: Computing (C-DAC).
• Starlink is a satellite internet network operated by • It is the largest supercomputer in an Indian academic
Elon Musk’s SpaceX. institution.
• SpaceX has already launched almost 1,900 satellites • It was installed and commissioned under the
as part of the Starlink network, and plans to deploy National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).
thousands more. • It has a supercomputing capacity of 3.3 petaflops (1
petaflop equals a quadrillion, or 1015 operations per
Reasons behind China’s approach to the UN: second).
• Both the U.S. and China are parties to the Outer Space
Treaty, which is formally known as the ‘Treaty on National Supercomputing Mission (NSM):
Principles Governing the Activities of States in the • The mission was announced in 2015.
Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the • NSM envisaged setting up a network of 70 high-
Moon and Other Celestial Bodies’. performance computing facilities with an aim to
• The multilateral treaty, adopted by the UN General connect national academic and R&D institutions
Assembly, provides the basic framework on across India over a seven-year period at an estimated
international space law. cost of Rs 4500 Crores.
• Parent Body: Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY)
Low Earth Orbit and SpaceX: and Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• Nodal Agencies of NSM: Centre for Development of About

Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune, and the Indian • Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) also known as
Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. Neural Networks are a vital subset of machine
• Under NSM, the long-term plan is to build a strong learning and are at the heart of deep learning
base of 20,000 skilled persons over the next five years algorithms.
who will be equipped to handle the complexities of • Their name and structure are inspired by the human
supercomputers. brain, mimicking the way that biological neurons
• India has produced just three supercomputers signal to one another.
since 2015 under NSM: • They are not like other machine learning algorithms
o PARAM Shivay installed in IIT-BHU, Varanasi that process numbers or organize data, it is an
with 837 TeraFlop capacity algorithm that learns from experience and repeated
o PARAM Shakti at IIT-Kharagpur with 1.66 tasks performed by users.
PetaFlop capacity • It is fed massive volumes of data in the beginning
o PARAM Brahma at ISER-Pune, has a capacity of phases. In most cases, training is done by providing
797 TeraFlop. input and informing the network about what should
be the output.
PHENOL • Applications: The applications of Artificial Neural
Network(ANN) are Image Preprocessing and
In News: Recently, Indian researchers from the Centre for
Character Recognition, Forecasting, Credit rating,
nano and soft matter sciences and CSIR – National
Fraud Detection, Portfolio Management among
Chemical Laboratory have regarded electrolysis as an
others.
effective way for the oxidative transformation of phenol.
• Note: Back propagation is a commonly used method
for training artificial neural networks, especially
About
deep neural networks.
• Phenols is an organic compound. The oxidative
products of phenols like 1, 4 hydroquinone, catechol
Limitations of ANN:
or resorcinol play an important role in the synthesis
• Time it takes to train networks, which frequently
of medicinal and industrial organic compounds.
demand an acceptable level of computational power
• The product 1, 4 hydroquinone is used as an
for even complex tasks.
intermediate in the manufacturing of food
• The neural networks are computer systems in which
preservatives, pharmaceuticals and polymers.
the user categorizes the trained data and gets
responses. They have the ability to fine-tune the
Current Issue:
responses, but they do not have access to the specific
• Currently, phenol oxidation is carried out by chemical
decision-making process.
methods using catalysts involving precious metals,
metal oxides, and enzymes along with hazardous
oxidants. FAIRBANK DISEASE
• But these methods suffer from many disadvantages, In News: Recently, the Union Health Ministry has
including incomplete conversion of starting material informed the Rajya Sabha that Fairbanks Disease and
and lack of product selectivity, along with Acromegaly Disorder’s patients are getting treatment at
environmental hazards. various tertiary health facilities like Medical Colleges,
• Due to lack of efficient processes for conversion of Central Institutes like AIIMS at free or subsidized rates
Phenol, India currently imports 1, 4 hydroquinone at besides in tertiary care private hospitals.
a heavy cost.
• Indian researchers found out: that electrolysis is an About:
effective method for the oxidative transformation of • Fairbanks disease or multiple epiphyseal dysplasia
phenol to 1, 4 hydroquinone. (MED) is a rare genetic disorder (dominant form--1
• Significance: in 10,000 births) which affects the growing ends of
o This research can be industrially adopted to bones.
reduce the dependence of India on other • Bones usually elongate by a process that involves the
countries for oxidised phenol compounds. depositing of cartilage at the ends of the bones, called
o Moreover, the electrolysis method does not ossification.
involve the release of environmentally • This cartilage then mineralizes and hardens to
hazardous agents, and it is more efficient than become bone. In MED, this process is defective.
the chemical methods. • The Fairbank's disease (Multiple epiphyseal
dysplasia) patient usually requires management of
ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK pain and orthopedic procedures, for which facilities
are available at tertiary care institutions in India.
In News: Recently, the global Artificial Neural Network
(ANN) Market report was published. As per the current
Acromegaly Disorder:
report, ANN Market is to set phenomenal growth from
2021 to 2028.

• Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder that develops This method explored whether similar ‘anomaly’
when the pituitary gland produces too much growth candidates can be found.
hormone in the body.
• In childhood, this leads to increased height and is M2M COMMUNICATION
called gigantism. But in adulthood, a change in height
In News: Recently, the Government has taken steps to
doesn’t occur. Instead, the increase in bone size is
facilitate wider proliferation and innovation in Machine
limited to the bones of the hands, feet and face and is
to Machine communication (M2M) sector.
called acromegaly.
• This disorder is not inherited from a person’s
About
parents.
• Machine-to-machine (M2M) refers to any technology
• Symptoms include enlargement of the face, hands
that enables networked devices to exchange
and feet. Other symptoms may include joint pain,
information and perform actions without the manual
thicker skin, deepening of the voice, headaches, and
assistance of humans.
problems with vision.
• The first use of M2M communication is often credited
• Complications of the disease may include type 2
to Theodore Paraskevakos, who invented technology
diabetes, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure.
related to the transmission of data over telephone
lines, the basis for modern-day caller ID.
VIGYAN JYOTI SCHEME • Components: Sensors, RFID, a Wi-Fi or cellular
In News: Recently, the Vigyan Jyoti programme is being communications link, and autonomic computing
implemented in 100 schools in the country and all the software programmed to help a network device
schools are situated in rural areas. interpret data and make decisions.
About Purpose:
• It is an initiative to encourage girls to take interest in • To tap into sensor data and transmit it to a network.
science and build a career in Science, Technology, • Unlike SCADA or other remote monitoring tools, M2M
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). systems often use public networks and access
• Launched by the Department of Science & methods - cellular or Ethernet - to make it more cost-
Technology (DST) to create a level-playing field for effective.
the meritorious girls to pursue STEM.
• The scheme envisages hand-holding and Functions:
interventions right from the school level i.e., Class IX • These M2M applications translate the data, which can
and which will continue till the PhD level to trigger pre-programed, automated actions.
encourage girls to pursue a career in • Artificial intelligence and machine learning facilitate
underrepresented areas of STEM. the communication between systems, allowing them
• Activities under the scheme: Various activities such to make their own autonomous choices.
as science camps, special lectures/ classes, • M2M is also the foundation for the internet of things.
counselling of students and parents, interaction with
role models, tinkering activities, and visits to Uses:
Knowledge Partners/ Research Labs are being • It reduces costs by minimizing equipment
conducted in order to motivate girls. maintenance and downtime.
• Implementation Partner: Navodaya Vidyalaya • It was first adopted in manufacturing and industrial
Samiti (NVS), an autonomous organization of the settings, where other technologies, such as and
Ministry of Education, is the implementation partner remote monitoring, helped remotely manage and
of Vigyan Jyoti. control data from equipment.
• M2M has since found applications in other sectors,
ANOMALY DETECTION METHOD such as healthcare, business and insurance.
In News: Recently, the Astronomers from Indian Institute
of Astrophysics have developed a new way to identify GEOMAGNETIC STORM
potentially habitable planets, with a high probability. In News: Recently, Elon Musk’s Starlink has lost 40
satellites that were caught in a geomagnetic storm a day
About after they were launched.
• They used an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based
algorithm for this, where 60 potentially habitable About
planets have been found out of 5,000 known planets. • These satellites have not created any space debris
• This method is based on the postulate that Earth is an as the satellites were designed to burn up on reentry
anomaly with the possibility of the existence of a few into the Earth’s atmosphere.
other anomalies among thousands of data points. • Geomagnetic storms are caused when events such
• The method is named as Anomaly Detection Method. as solar flares can send higher than normal levels of
• Anomaly: Earth being the only habitable planet radiation towards Earth. This radiation interacts with
among thousands of planets is defined as an anomaly.

the Earth’s magnetic field causing a geomagnetic • Unpredictable solar winds cause disturbances in our
storm. planet’s magnetic field and can play havoc with
• Causes: The disturbance that drives the magnetic communications technology on Earth.
storm may be a solar coronal mass ejection (CME) or • NASA hopes the findings will enable scientists to
(much less severely) a co-rotating interaction region forecast changes in Earth’s space environment.
(CIR), a high-speed stream of solar wind originating
from a coronal hole. EOS-04
• Effects of Geomagnetic storms: Effects from the
geomagnetic storm can range from the appearance of In News: Recently, India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
auroras or the northern and southern lights to PSLV-C52 successfully injected Earth Observation
disruptions in communications systems due to high Satellite EOS-04, into an intended sun synchronous polar
radiation. This would make it difficult to orbit of 529 km altitude.
communicate with others on Earth.
About
• EOS-04 is the fourth in the series of earth observation
PARKER SOLAR PROBE satellites.
In News: Recently, the Wide-field Imager for Parker Solar • It is a Radar Imaging Satellite.
Probe (WISPR) by the American space agency has • Weighing about 1710 kg, it generates 2280 W power
managed to take pictures of the surface of Venus and has a mission life of 10 years and will be placed
revealing stunning continents, plains, plateaus and even a in a sun-synchronous polar orbit.
layer of Oxygen. • The satellite is designed to provide high-quality
images under all weather conditions for applications
About Parker Solar Probe such as agriculture, forestry and plantations, soil
• The Parker Solar Probe is a robotic spacecraft the size moisture & hydrology, and flood mapping.
of a small car and is named after American solar • The satellite will complement the data from
astrophysicist Eugene Newman Parker. ResourceSat, CartoSat and RISAT-2B series of
• It flew into the sun’s corona within 3.8 million miles satellites that are already in orbit.
from the solar surface, seven times closer than any
other spacecraft.
LASSA FEVER
• The probe is capable to endure wicked heat while
zooming through the solar corona to study this In News: Recently, one person has been diagnosed with
outermost part of the stellar atmosphere that gives Lassa fever in the UK has died. The cases have been linked
rise to the solar wind. to travel to West African countries.
About Lassa Fever:
About the mission: • Lassa fever is a zoonotic acute viral haemorrhagic
• Launched in 2018, Parker Solar Probe will travel disease.
through the sun’s atmosphere, closer to the surface • Discovery: The Lassa fever-causing virus is found in
than any spacecraft before it, facing brutal heat and West Africa and was first discovered in 1969 in Lassa,
radiation conditions and ultimately providing Nigeria.
humanity with the closest-ever observations of a star. • The fever is primarily found in countries in West
• In order to unlock the mysteries of the sun’s Africa including Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and
atmosphere, Parker Solar Probe will use Venus’ Nigeria where it is endemic.
gravity during seven flybys over nearly seven years
to gradually bring its orbit closer to the sun. Spread
• The spacecraft will fly through the sun’s atmosphere • The host of Lassa virus is a rodent known as the
as close as 3.9 million miles to our star’s surface, well multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis).
within the orbit of Mercury and more than seven • A person can become infected if they come in contact
times closer than any spacecraft has come before. with household items of food that is contaminated
with the urine or feces of an infected rat.
Objective: • It can also be spread, though rarely, if a person comes
• Trace the flow of energy that heats and accelerates in contact with a sick person’s infected bodily fluids
the solar corona and solar wind. or through mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose
• Determine the structure and dynamics of the plasma or the mouth.
and magnetic fields at the sources of the solar wind. • Person-to-person transmission is more common in
• Explore mechanisms that accelerate and transport healthcare settings.
energetic particles. • Even so, people don’t usually become contagious
before symptoms appear and cannot transmit the
Corona: infection through casual contact such as through
• The corona is hotter than the surface of the sun. hugging, shaking hands or sitting near someone who
• The corona gives rise to the solar wind, a continuous is infected.
flow of charged particles that permeates the solar
system. Symptoms:

• Symptoms typically appear 1-3 weeks after exposure. provider SES to deliver satellite broadband services
• Mild symptoms include slight fever, fatigue, across India.
weakness and headache and more serious symptoms
include bleeding, difficulty breathing and vomiting, About
facial swelling, pain in the chest, back, and abdomen • The joint venture will use multi-orbit space networks
and shock. that is a combination of GEO (geostationary
• Death can occur from 2 weeks of the onset of equatorial orbit) and MEO (medium earth orbit)
symptoms, usually as a result of multi-organ failure. satellite constellations capable of delivering multi-
• Nearly one-third of those infected report various gigabit links and capacity to enterprises, mobile
degrees of deafness. In many such cases, the hearing backhaul and retail customers across the length and
loss can be permanent. breadth of India and neighbouring regions.
• Prevention: The best way to avoid getting infected is • The joint venture will be the vehicle for providing
to avoid contact with rats. SES’s satellite data and connectivity services in India,
• Treatment: Lassa fever can be fatal, but it can be except for certain international aeronautical and
treated if diagnosed early. maritime customers who may be served by SES.
• It will have availability of up to 100 Gbps capacity
from SES.
MUSE AND HELIOSWARM PROJECTS
In News: Recently, NASA has selected two science Jio’s proposed satellite broadband service vs Starlink
missions – the Multi-slit Solar Explorer (MUSE) and or OneWeb:
HelioSwarm to help improve our understanding of the • SES primarily has satellites in the GEO and the MEO,
dynamics of the Sun, the Sun-Earth connection, and the while those of Elon Musk-led Starlink and Bharti
constantly changing space environment. Group’s OneWeb are in low earth orbit (LEO).
• While GEO satellites are positioned at an altitude of
About The MUSE Mission: 36,000 km, MEO and LEO are lower at altitudes of
• The MUSE Mission will help the scientists in 5,000-20,000km and 500-1,200 km, respectively.
understanding driving forces of Sun’s corona heating. • The altitude of the satellite is directly proportional to
• It will also help in understanding the eruptions in the area of earth that it covers. Therefore, the higher
outermost region which are at the foundation of a satellite is positioned, the larger an area it covers.
space
• It will offer deeper insight on physics of solar
atmosphere by using an instrument called multi-slit NEUTRINO
spectrometer, which will observe extreme ultraviolet In News: Recently, Tamil Nadu has said to the Supreme
radiation of Sun and obtain highest resolution images Court that it does not want the Indian Neutrino
of solar transition region and the corona. Observatory (INO) to be set up in a sensitive ecological
• Mission will further provide complementary zone in the Western Ghats at a great cost to wildlife and
observations from heliophysics research like ground- biodiversity.
based observatories and Extreme Ultra-Violet
Spectroscopic Telescope. About
• A neutrino is a sub atomic particle with no electric
The HelioSwarm mission: charge. They are considered to be the second most
• This mission is a constellation or “swarm” of nine abundant particle in the universe, after photons, or
spacecraft. light particles.
• It will be launched to capture first multiscale in-space • History: Predicted in 1931, neutrinos were detected
measurements of fluctuations in magnetic field as for the first time in 1959 by Clyde Cowan and Fred
well as motions of solar wind, called as solar wind Reines.
turbulence. • Type: They come in three ‘flavours’ or ‘types’, and
• The outermost atmospheric layer of Sun called the each flavour is associated with a light elementary
heliosphere, encloses an enormous region of solar particle:
system. Solarwinds spread through heliosphere. 1. Electron-neutrino is associated with the electron
Their interactions with planetary magnetospheres 2. Muon-neutrino with the muon
and disruptions like coronal mass ejections affect the 3. Tau-neutrino with the tau particle.
turbulence. • They are not easy to catch, as they do not carry a
• This mission will provide a unique ability to charge, as a result of which they do not interact with
investigate turbulence. Mission’s budget is USD 250 matter.
million. • They also might have unique properties that would
help explain why the universe is made of matter
instead of antimatter.
SATELLITE BROADBAND SERVICES
• Subatomic particles that make up antimatter have
In News: Recently, Digital services company Jio properties that are opposite to the subatomic
Platforms has formed a joint-venture with Luxembourg- particles of normal matter.
based satellite-linked content connectivity solutions

• Protons, neutrons and electrons (subatomic particles • A small percentage of infected people develop
of normal matter) are among the 12 quarks and inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), with
leptons have been discovered so far. symptoms including sudden onset of headache, high
fever, disorientation, coma, tremors, and convulsions.
India-based Neutrino Observatory: • There is no antiviral treatment for patients with JE.
• The India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) is a • Treatment, available, is supportive to relieve
proposed Pure-Science underground laboratory. Its symptoms and stabilize the patient.
primary goal is to study the properties and
interactions of neutrinos. SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
• The observatory is jointly supported by the
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Department In News: Recently, a draft foresight paper on synthetic
of Science & Technology (DST) with DAE acting as the biology released by the Department of Biotechnology.
nodal agency.
About
• The proposed site of the observatory is in Bodi West
Hills, in Theni district. The site is spread across • Synthetic biology refers to the science of using
Kerala and Tamil Nadu. genetic sequencing, editing, and modification to
create unnatural organisms or organic molecules that
can function in living systems.
IMMUNOSENSOR FOR JAPANESE • Synthetic biology enables scientists to design and
ENCEPHALITIS (JE) VIRUS synthesize new sequences of DNA from scratch.
In News: Recently, Hyderabad-based National Institute of
Animal Biotechnology has developed an electrochemical First usage:
based immunosensor for detecting the Non-Structural 1 • The term ‘synthetic biology’ was first used by Barbara
(NS1) secretory protein, a biomarker for Japanese Hobomin in 1980, to describe bacteria that had been
Encephalitis Virus (JEV). genetically engineered using recombinant DNA
technology.
About • Synthetic biology was initially synonymous with
• This immunosensor was developed by fabricating ‘bioengineering’.
fluorine-doped Tin Oxide electrode with reduced • In 2000, the term ‘synthetic biology’ was again
Graphene Oxide for the rapid, sensitive and specific introduced by Eric Kool and other speakers at the
detection of the NS1 secretory protein. annual meeting of the American Chemical Society in
• The synthesized NS1 Antibodies were used as the San Francisco.
bioreceptor to fabricate the electrode with reduced
graphene oxide as a conductivity enhancing Applications:
nanomaterial for the detection of JEV NS1 antigen • It has applications in various fields. It can help in:
(Ag). 1. Developing synthetic organisms for vaccination,
2. Creating natural products in a lab such as
Significance: vanillin, extracted from vanilla seeds, can be
• Detection of the NS1 instead of antibody has an added grown in yeasts with additional plant genomes.
advantage since the antigen is present from day 1 of • Pharmaceutical industry: Synthetic biology can be
the infection and hence facilitates early detection. used to make natural compounds such as artemisinin
• On the other hand, antibodies appear only after Day used for the treatment of malaria and Car T cell
4/5 of the infection. therapy for cancer treatment.
• Since there is no cure available for JEV, early • In fashion industry: Some companies are exploring
detection is essential to mitigate a breakout. the possibility of dyeing jeans without producing
• Limit of Detection (LOD) range is more sensitive than hazardous waste using synthetic biology.
other sensors developed for JEV. • In Agriculture: Companies using synthetic biology to
• This immunosensor was also specific towards JEV deliver fixed nitrogen to plants instead of using
NS1Ag as compared to other flaviviral NS1Ag. fertilisers, engineering microbes to create food
additives or brew proteins.
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) Virus:
• Japanese encephalitis is a disease caused by a flavi OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA
virus that affects the membranes around the brain.
In News: Recently, singer and music composer Bappi
• It is the major cause of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome
Lahiri (69) passed away following complications from
(AES) in India.
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA).
• The disease is transmitted to humans through bites
from infected mosquitoes of the Culex species. About Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA):
• Migratory birds along with pigs in the community • It is a disorder in which a person’s breathing stops
also play an important role in the transmission of JE and starts repeatedly in their sleep.
from one area to another area.
• Most people infected with JE do not have symptoms
or have only mild symptoms.
• This occurs when muscles in the throat and upper About Features of the Draft:
airway relax intermittently during sleep and block • Making Data Open: All data collected, generated,
the airway. and stored by every government ministry and the
• Symptoms: The most common symptoms of OSA are department will be open and shareable barring
snoring, gasping for breath, abruptly waking up certain exceptions.
gasping or choking, having a dry mouth or sore • Indian Data Office (IDO): It will be constituted by
throat, inability to concentrate during the daytime the Ministry of Electronics and Information
among others. Technology (MeitY) to streamline and consolidate
• Complications: It can be life-threatening if left data access and share public data repositories across
untreated. It can trigger chronic illnesses like high the government and other stakeholders.
blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease among others. • Indian Data Council (IDC): It will comprise the IDO
• Vulnerable group: It usually happens in obese men and data officers of five government departments. Its
and less commonly in women. tasks will include defining frameworks for defining
high-value datasets, finalizing data standards and
VIGYAN SARVATRA PUJYATE metadata standards and reviewing the
implementation of the policy.
In News: Recently, The Government of India is organizing • Common Database: All central and state
“Vigyan Sarvatra Pujyate (science is revered all over)” as government bodies will have to compulsorily share
part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. data with each other to create a common “searchable
database”.
About Vigyan Sarvatra Pujyate:
• Monetisation of Data: The datasets that have
• It is a nationwide week-long programme of undergone value addition could be monetised by the
competitions and lectures for school students and government.
collegians.
• Stakeholders like start-ups, other enterprises,
• Aim: To attract students towards scientific individuals and researchers will be able to access
knowledge of articles of daily use and propagating enriched data through data licensing, sharing and
scientific theories. valuation within the frameworks of data security and
• Organized by: Department of Science and privacy.
Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology, • A data-sharing toolkit will be provided to ministries
CSIR, DRDO and other ministries under the and departments to assess and manage risks
leadership of the office of the Principal Scientific associated with data sharing.
Officer to the Government of India and the Ministry of
• Guidelines will also be framed to decide how long
Culture.
datasets can be held by the Government.
• Coordinating Agency: Vigyan Prasar, an
autonomous organization of DST with a mandate to
promote science communication in the country, is the FAST RADIO BURSTS
coordinating agency. In News: Recently, Astronomers of the National Center of
Radio Astrophysics (NCRA-TIFR) in Pune and the
Themes under the programme: University of California in the US have used the Giant
• `From the annals of the history of S&T’: This Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) to map the
section traces the contributions of founders of distribution of atomic hydrogen gas from the host galaxy
modern science and institutions of national of a Fast Radio Burst (FRB) for the first time.
importance to nation-building.
• ‘Milestones of Modern S&T’: It will highlight critical About FRB:
discoveries, innovations, or inventions that made a • FRBs are bright bursts of radio waves (radio waves
mark in the global science or India’s development can be produced by astronomical objects with
story. changing magnetic fields) whose durations lie in the
• `Swadeshi Paramparik Inventions and millisecond scale, because of which it is difficult to
Innovations’: It will showcase 75 inventions or detect them and determine their position in the sky.
technologies that made India self-reliant. • Background: The first FRB was discovered in 2007,
• `Transforming India’: It will look at the road ahead since then scientists have been working towards
for the next 25 years of Indian S&T. finding the source of their origin.
Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT):

DRAFT INDIA DATA ACCESSIBILITY & USE
• It is an array of thirty fully steerable parabolic radio
POLICY, 2022
telescopes of 45-meter diameter, observing at meter
In News: Recently, The Government of India has released wavelengths.
a policy document called “Draft India Data Accessibility & • Purpose: It is a very versatile instrument for
Use Policy 2022”. To enhance access, quality, and use of investigating a variety of radio astrophysical
data in line with the current and emerging technology problems ranging from the nearby Solar system to
needs of the decade. the edge of the observable Universe

• Operated by: It is operated by the National Center recently evolved regions that code for proteins associated
for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), a part of the Tata with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai.
• Location: Pune. About:
• Dark genome refers to ‘DNA outside of the regions
HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) conventionally defined as genes’.
• They are genes/proteins for which there is minimal
In News: Recently, a US patient has become the third knowledge on biological function and, allied to this,
person in the world, and the first woman, to be cured of limited tools for their analysis (such as antibodies).
HIV, the deadly virus that causes AIDS.
• Thus, it adversely affects the precision medicine
initiative.
About HIV:
• Human immunodeficiency virus or HIV is an infection
that attacks the immune system by destroying the SOLAR FLARE CAUSES RADIO BLACKOUT
body’s immune cells called CD4, which help it OVER INDIAN OCEAN
respond to infection. In News: Recently, sun emitted a large solar flare that was
• Once HIV attacks the CD4 cells, it starts replicating observed by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO).
and destroying the cells, weakening the body’s
immune system and making it more prone to certain About
“opportunistic infections” that take advantage of the • SDO studies how Sun creates solar activity and drives
weak immune system. space weather.
• Solar flares are a sudden explosion of energy caused
Transmitted through: by reorganizing of magnetic field lines near sunspots.
• Bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, • Solar magnetic cycle that works in deep interior of
rectal fluids and breast milk can be carriers for HIV. Sun creates regions that rise to surface and appear
• It can also be transmitted through unprotected sex, like dark spots, known as sunspots.
transfusion of contaminated blood, sharing needles • They appear dark because they are cooler than other
and syringes, and from a mother with HIV to her parts of Sun’s surface.
infant during pregnancy. • In a solar flare, energy stored in sun’s magnetic
structures is converted into light and heat energy.
How was the woman cured of HIV? • This causes emission of high energy x-ray radiation
• In 2013, a woman from the US was diagnosed with and highly accelerated charged particles to leave the
HIV. She began to receive antiretroviral drugs to keep sun’s surface.
her virus levels low. • Sometimes solar flares also cause hot plasma to be
• Four years later, she was diagnosed with leukaemia. ejected from Sun, causing a solar storm, and this is
As part of her cancer treatment, she received a called Coronal Mass Ejection (CME).
transplant of umbilical cord blood from someone • Energy, radiation and high energy particles emitted
who had a natural resistance to HIV. Since then, she by solar flares can trigger intense lights in the sky,
has not required antiretroviral therapy. called Auroras.
• Note: The earlier two patients who were cured of HIV
received transplants from donors who have an
uncommon gene that gives them protection against
BREAKTHROUGH IN BATTERY TECHNOLOGY
HIV. In News: Recently, shareholders of California-based
QuantumScape Corp, a battery startup backed by
Significance: Volkswagen AG, have approved a multibillion-dollar pay
• This was the first time an umbilical cord blood package for CEO Jagdeep Singh, who could receive stock
transplant was successfully carried out on an HIV options potentially valued at $2.3 billion, subject to the
patient. Doctors have indicated that this approach is company meeting some performance milestones.
likely to make treatment more widely available.
• The patient was a middle-aged mixed-race woman. About QuantumScape’s solid-state battery:
This is significant since the majority of donors in the • It is a lithium metal with a solid electrolyte separating
US are of Caucasian descent. the two electrodes is seen as an exceptionally bright
• Since this breakthrough treatment only requires prospect in an increasingly crowded space.
partial matches and not exact matches, it opens up • Earlier efforts to build a solid-state separator
treatment options for people from diverse racial (electrolyte) capable of working with lithium metal
backgrounds. had to compromise on aspects such as the cycle life
and operating temperature of the battery, and the
issue of excess lithium deposits on the anode.
DARK GENOME
• This technology could make car batteries cheaper,
In News: Recently, Scientists investigating the DNA more reliable and quicker to recharge.
outside our genes (the 'dark genome) have discovered

• Volkswagen plans to have production running for (TEC), under the Department of
solid-state batteries by 2025 via the partnership with Telecommunications, has released a report “Code of
QuantumScape. Practice for Securing Consumer Internet of Things
(IoT)” as a baseline requirement aligned with global
Challenges with lithium-ion batteries: standards and best practices.
• The energy density of lithium-ion cells used in today’s • These guidelines will help in securing consumer IoT
mobile phones and electric vehicles is nearly four devices & ecosystems as well as managing
times higher than that of older-generation nickel- vulnerabilities.
cadmium batteries. • This report is intended for use by IoT device
• Lithium-ion batteries use aqueous electrolyte manufacturers, Service provider’s / system
solutions, where ions transfer to and fro between the integrators and application developers etc.
anode (negative electrode generally made of
graphite) and cathode (positive electrode made of Internet of Things (IoT):
lithium), triggering the recharge and discharge of • Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the fastest emerging
electrons. technology across the globe, providing enormous
• Despite improvements in technology over the last beneficial opportunities for society, industry, and
decade, issues such as long charging times and weak consumers.
energy density persist. • It is being used to create smart infrastructure in
• While lithium-ion batteries are seen as sufficiently various verticals such as Power, Automotive, Safety &
efficient for phones and laptops, they still lack the Surveillance, Remote Health Management,
range that would make EVs a viable alternative to Agriculture, Smart Homes and Smart Cities etc., using
internal combustion engines. connected devices.
• One major problem is that lithium metal is extremely
reactive. The main form of lithium corrosion are National Digital Communication Policy:
dendrites, which are branched lithium structures that • As per the National Digital Communication Policy
grow out from the electrode and can potentially (NDCP) 2018 released by the Department of
pierce through the separator and on to the other end, Telecommunications (DoT), an eco-system is to be
short-circuiting the cell. created for 5 billion connected devices by 2022.
• In current lithium-ion batteries, in which the • Therefore, it is expected that around 60% of 5 billion
electrolyte is a flammable liquid, dendrite formation i.e. 3 billion connected devices may exist in India by
can trigger a fire. 2022.
Advantages of Solid-State batteries: ISRO’S SSLV

• Higher cell energy density (by eliminating the carbon
In News: Recently, the Indian Space Research
anode)
Organisation (ISRO) chairman has mentioned the launch
• Lower charge time (by eliminating the need to have
of an “SSLV-D1 Micro SAT in April 2022”.
lithium diffuse into the carbon particles in
conventional lithium-ion cells),
About SSLV:
• Ability to undertake more charging cycles and
• Aim: to cater to a market for the launch of small
thereby a longer life,
satellites into low earth orbits.
• Improved safety.
• It can carry satellites weighing up to 500 kg to a low
• Lower cost could be a game-changer, given that at 30 earth orbit.
per cent of the total cost, battery expenses are a key
• The SSLV is the smallest vehicle at 110-ton mass at
driver of the vehicle costs.
ISRO.
• Lithium-ion battery costs are currently about $137
• It will take only 72 hours to integrate. Only six people
per kWh, and are expected to reach $101/kWh by
will be required to do the job.
2023. QuantumScape claims it is targeting to lower
• The cost will be only around Rs 30 crore.
battery cost by 15-20% relative to the cost of lithium-
• It is best suited for launching multiple microsatellites
ion batteries in several years.
at a time and supports multiple orbital drop-offs.
CODE OF PRACTICE RELEASED FOR Significance

SECURING CONSUMER INTERNET OF THINGS • The development and manufacture of the SSLV are
(IOT) expected to create greater synergy between the space
In News: Recently, the Department of sector and private Indian industries – a key aim of the
Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, has space ministry.
released a report “Code of Practice for Securing Consumer • One of the mandates of the newly-created ISRO
Internet of Things (IoT)” commercial arm, New Space India Limited (NSIL) is
to mass-produce and manufacture the SSLV and the
About: more powerful PSLV in partnership with the private
• In order to secure Consumer Internet of Things (IoT) sector in India through technology transfers.
devices, Telecommunication Engineering Centre
• Small satellite launches have so far depended on • Primarily, a social media kind of interaction is the
‘piggy-back’ rides with big satellite launches on the differentiating trait of Web 2.0.
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) — ISRO’s work-
horse with more than 50 successful launches. Web3
• It is about grabbing some of the power back.
Different orbits: • In a Web3 world, people control their own data and
• Geostationary orbit (GEO) bounce around from social media to email to
• Low Earth orbit (LEO) shopping using a single personalized account,
• Medium Earth orbit (MEO) creating a public record on the block chain of all of
• Polar orbit and Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) that activity.
• Transfer orbits and geostationary transfer orbit • Right now, the idea of the entire Internet reinventing
(GTO) may sound like some far-away digital utopia.
• Lagrange points (L-points) • But Web3 is driving new conversations and
generating lots of new money, particularly from
crypto investors.
WEB3
In News: Recently, the concept of Web3, also called Web Significance of Web 3.0:
3.0, is used to describe a potential next phase of the • Decentralized and Fair Internet: Web3 will deliver
internet, created quite a buzz in 2021. a decentralized and fair internet where users control
their own data.
About: • Eliminates Intermediaries: With block chain, the
• World Wide Web, also known as a Web, is a collection time and place of the transaction are recorded
of websites or web pages stored in web servers and permanently.
connected to local computers through the internet. • Decentralization and Transparency: The spirit of
• These websites contain text pages, digital images, Web3 is Decentralized Autonomous Organization
audios, videos, etc. Users can access the content of (DAO).
these sites from any part of the world over the
internet using their devices such as computers,
laptops, cell phones, etc. DARK MATTER SHAPE IN BARRED GALAXIES
• Web 3.0 is a decentralized internet to be run on In News: Dark matter forms the skeleton on which
blockchain technology, which would be different galaxies form, evolve, and merge.
from the versions in use, Web 1.0 and Web 2.0.
• In Web3, users will have ownership stakes in About:
platforms and applications unlike now where tech • Scientists investigating how the shape of dark matter
giants control the platforms. halo affects the motion of stars in stellar bars which
• Gavin Wood, founder of Ethereum, a block chain are found at the center of some galaxies, have found
technology company, used the term Web3 first in that out-of-plane bending events of the bar explain
2014 and in the past few years many others have the shape of dark matter halos in barred galaxies.
added to the idea of Web3. • Out of plane bending of the bar in barred galaxies
• The Web3 movement has been helped along by the (central bar-shaped structure composed of stars) is a
rise of NFTs (non-fungible tokens), which are digital rare violent bar thickening mechanism known as
collectibles and other online files that can be bought buckling.
and sold with cryptocurrency. • A dark halo is made up of invisible material (dark
Web 1.0: matter) that permeates and surrounds the galaxies in
• Web 1.0 is the world wide web or the internet that individuals and in clusters as well.
was invented in 1989. It became popular from 1993.
It lasted until 1999. Dark Matter:
• The internet in the Web 1.0 days was mostly static • Over 80% of all matter in the universe is made up
web pages where users would go to a website and of material scientists have never seen.
then read and interact with the static information. • It’s called dark matter and we only assume it exists
because, without it, the behavior of stars, planets, and
Web 2.0: galaxies simply wouldn’t make sense.
• Web 2.0 started in some form in the late 1990s itself • Dark matter is completely invisible. Along with dark
though 2004 was when most of its features were fully energy, it constitutes more than 95% of the Universe.
available. It is still the age of Web 2.0 now. • It emits no light or energy and thus cannot be
• The differentiating characteristic of Web 2.0 detected by conventional sensors and detectors. The
compared to Web 1.0 is that users can create content. key to its elusive nature must lie in its composition as
• They can interact and contribute in the form of per the scientists.
comments, registering likes, sharing and uploading • Visible matter, also called baryonic matter, consists
their photos or videos and perform other such of baryons an overarching name for subatomic
activities. particles such as protons, neutrons, and electrons.

• Scientists only speculate what dark matter is • An ischemic stroke is the more common type of
made of. It could be composed of baryons but it could stroke. It’s also referred to as brain ischemia and
also be non-baryonic, which means consisting of cerebral ischemia.
different types of particles. Causes:
• Dark matter forms the skeleton on which galaxies • It is usually caused by a blood clot that blocks a
form, evolve, and merge. blood vessel in the brain. This interrupts or reduces
blood from flowing to the brain.
Buckling Phenomenon: • This, in turn, will prevent brain tissue from getting
• Milky Way, is a disk galaxy made up of stars moving oxygen and nutrients. Brain cells begin to die in
in circular orbits around the center in a flattened disk, minutes.
with a dense collection of the stars at the center called • Another cause is stenosis, or narrowing of the
the bulge. artery.
• These bulges can have shapes ranging from nearly • This can happen because of atherosclerosis, a
spherical to as flat as the galaxy disk. disease in which plaque builds up inside your
• Milky Way has a flat boxy or peanut-shaped bulge in arteries.
its center. Such bulges are formed due to the • Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) also known as
thickening of the stellar bars in galaxies. One of the a ministroke, occur when the blood supply to the
interesting and violent thickening mechanisms is brain is interrupted briefly.
buckling, where the bar bends out of the plane of the • Having a TIA can mean you are at risk for having a
galaxy disk. more serious stroke.
LIFE ON MARS Symptoms:

• Trouble speaking & understanding what others are
In News: Recently, a new study published in the journal
saying.
“Science” offers an explanation for the existence of
organic compounds which also counter the idea that the • Paralysis or numbness of the face, arm or leg.
compounds were left by some form of life that existed on • Problems seeing in one or both eyes.
the Mars billions of years ago. • A sudden, severe headache, which may be
accompanied by vomiting, dizziness or altered
About: consciousness.
• For about four decades’ scientists have debated if the • Trouble walking.
organic compounds found on the surface of the
meteorite called (ALH) 84001–which landed on Earth SARAS 3 RADIO TELESCOPE
from Mars in 1984 were proof of ancient, primitive In News: SARAS 3 radio telescope refutes the recent claim
life on Mars. of the discovery of a radio wave signal from cosmic dawn.
• These debates also included the possibilities that the
compounds could have come from volcanic activity, About
impact events on Mars or hydrological exposure. • It was invented and built by the astronomers at
• Now, a new study published in the journal Science Raman Research Institute (RRI).
offers an explanation for the existence of these • SARAS is a precision radio telescope that is used to
organic compounds, which also counter the idea that detect extremely faint radio wave signals from the
the compounds were left by some form of life that depths of time, from our “Cosmic Dawn” when the
existed on the Red planet billions of years ago. first stars and galaxies formed in the early Universe.
• The Lunar and Planetary Institute notes that even • The SARAS radio telescope was deployed by the RRI
though no human has ever stepped on Mars and no team in isolated sites in India to gather celestial radio
rocks have as yet been analyzed (Last year, NASA’s waves with minimum terrestrial man-made radio
Perseverance rover collected the first sample of interference.
Martian rock). • It is the first telescope worldwide to reach the
• It can be said with certainty that the meteorite did required sensitivity.
come from the Red planet because of the presence of • Cosmic dawn: Cosmic dawn is the time in the infancy
traces of certain gases that are just like the Martian of our Universe when the first stars and galaxies came
atmosphere. into existence.
• The signal from Cosmic Dawn is expected to arrive
ISCHEMIC STROKE on Earth stretched in wavelength to metres and
In News: Recently, 22-year-old student from Punjab who lowered in frequency by the expansion of the
had suffered an ischemic stroke and was undergoing Universe to lie in the radio frequency band 50-200
treatment for about a month died in Ukraine. MHz.
About Background
• In 2018 a team of researchers from Arizona State
University (ASU) and MIT in the US detected a signal

from stars emerging in the early universe using data SILICOSIS

from the EDGES radio telescope.
In News: Silicosis is ravaging mine and factory workers in
• The study published in the journal Nature created
several villages of Jharkhand.
much excitement in the astronomy community
around the world.
About
• ASU/MIT team had claimed the discovery of a
• Silicosis is a type of pulmonary fibrosis, a lung
radio wave signalling the birth of the First Stars,
disease caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica, a
which was also hailed by Harvard astrophysicist Avi
common mineral found in sand, quartz and many
Loeb as worthy of two Nobel prizes. However, the
other types of rock.
world awaited confirmation from independent
researchers. • It usually happens in jobs where you breathe in
dust that contains silica.
• High-risk jobs includes: construction work, stone
DAYLIGHT HARVESTING countertop fabrication, foundry work, ceramics
In News: The Ministry of Science & Technology has manufacturing, mining and hydraulic fracturing
decided to promote a unique Start-up in Daylight (fracking).
Harvesting Technology. • Over time, exposure to silica particles causes
scarring in the lungs, which can harm your ability to
About breathe.
• Daylight Harvesting is a method of saving the • Symptoms of silicosis usually appear after many
energy costs associated with lighting. It makes use of years of exposure:
the available sunlight. • In early stages, symptoms are mild and include
• The solar energy spectrum has 45% energy as cough, sputum and progressive shortness of breath.
visible light and this can be used to harvest building • As the scarring continues to worsen, the first real
illumination for about 9-11 hours a day. signs of a problem may be an abnormal chest X-ray
• It is one of the most advanced techniques used in and a slowly developing cough.
sustainable lighting designs for contemporary • Complications from silicosis can include
buildings. tuberculosis, lung cancer, chronic bronchitis,
• It automatically dims or adjusts the brightness of autoimmune disorders and kidney disease.
light in response to the amount of natural light
available in a space. Treatment:
• Utilising natural daylight coming through the • There is no cure for silicosis, but treatment is
windows or skylights minimises the amount of available, and employers and workers can take steps
energy used in artificial lighting. to prevent it.
• The daylight harvesting system employs light • Medications (Inhaled steroids reduce lung mucus;
sensors, also known as photocell sensors, to detect Bronchodilators help relax your breathing passages;
the prevailing light level in the environment. Oxygen therapy)
• It then sends the intensity of light received to a • Lung transplant surgery
controller, which is connected to the lighting control • Cigarette smoking adds to the lung damage
system. The control system in turn adjusts the caused by silicosis. Quitting smoking is an
electric lights automatically according to the important part of managing the disease.
measured light level.
JETS OF PLASMA
Benefits:
• Reduced carbon footprint, In News: Recently, Scientists have unravelled the science
• Improve building energy efficiency behind the jets of plasma.
• Reduces electrical lighting energy consumption.
About
Government’s Initiatives in order to promote • Plasma is often called the fourth state of matter
Daylight Harvesting: (beyond the conventional solids, liquids and gases).
• The Technology Development Board (TDB) under • Jets or spicules appear as thin grass-like plasma
the Ministry of Science and Technology will provide structures that constantly shoot up from the surface
Rs 5 crore as support to a Startup called Skyshade of the sun and are then brought down by gravity.
Daylight Private Limited for developing Daylight • The amount of energy and momentum that these
Harvesting Technologies. spicules can carry is of fundamental interest in solar
• This startup has already developed several and plasma astrophysics.
technologies which harvest huge quantities of • However, the processes by which plasma is
sunlight for a building. This helps in reducing supplied to the solar wind and the solar atmosphere
electrical lighting energy consumption by 70-80 per is heated to a million degrees Celsius still remain a
cent, besides reducing air-conditioning needs. puzzle.
Scientists findings on Jets of Plasma

• Scientists have explained the origin of ‘spicules’ or • Easily be Incorporated: It has been built to be easily
‘jets’ on the Sun. incorporated into smartwatches, tablets, and a
• They explained that the plasma right below the variety of other devices.
visible solar surface (photosphere) is perpetually in • Near-Threshold Computing help reveal nothing:
a state of convection, much like boiling water in a The chip uses near-threshold computing, a
vessel heated at the bottom. This is ultimately computing method where the data to be worked on is
powered by the nuclear energy released in the hot- first split into separate, unique and random
dense core. components.
• The convection serves almost periodic but strong
kicks to the plasma in the solar chromosphere, the PARAM GANGA
shallow semi-transparent layer right above the
In News: The National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)
visible solar disk.
has deployed PARAM Ganga-a High-Performance
• The chromosphere is 500 times lighter than the
Computational (HPC) facility at IIT Roorkee, with a
plasma in the photosphere.
supercomputing capacity of 1.66 Petaflops.
• Therefore, these strong kicks from the bottom
shoot the chromospheric plasma outward at
About
ultrasonic speeds in the form of spicules or jets.
• It has been established by the Centre for
Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under
SIDE-CHANNEL ATTACKS the approach of NSM.
In News: Indian researchers have built a low-energy • It has a supercomputing capacity of 1.66 Petaflops
security chip that is designed to prevent Side-channel (1 petaflop equals a quadrillion or 1015 operations
attacks(SCAs) on IoT (Internet of Things) devices. per second).
• This supercomputer will accelerate the research
About and development activities with a focus on providing
• SCA is a security exploit that aims to gather computational power to the user community of IIT
information from the indirect effects of the Roorkee and neighbouring academic institutions.
functioning of the system hardware rather than
attacking a programme or software directly. Supercomputer in India:
• They basically aim to extract sensitive information • India’s first supercomputer was PARAM 8000.
like cryptographic keys, proprietary machine • PARAM Shivay, the first supercomputer assembled
learning models and parameters by measuring things indigenously, was installed in IIT (BHU), followed by
like timing information, power consumption and PARAM Shakti, PARAM Brahma, PARAM Yukti,
electromagnetic leaks of a system. PARAM Sanganak at IIT-Kharagpur, IISER, Pune,
• For example, it can be used on a smartwatch to JNCASR, Bengaluru and IIT Kanpur respectively.
extract ECG and heart rate signals that one wants to • In 2020, PARAM Siddhi, the High-Performance
keep secret. Computing-Artificial Intelligence (HPC-AI)
• Types of SCAs: Timing attack, Electromagnetic (EM) supercomputer, achieved global ranking of 62nd in
attack, Acoustic, Power, Optical, memory Cache, Top 500 most powerful supercomputer systems in
hardware weaknesses. the world.
Security Chip GALLIUM NITRIDE ECOSYSTEM ENABLING

• Security Chip means the application specific CENTRE AND INCUBATOR
integrated circuit that instantiates the Security
Feature after being embedded in the device. In News: The Union Minister of State for Electronics &
Information Technology and Skill Development &
Internet of Things (IoT): Entrepreneurship visited the Gallium Nitride Ecosystem
Enabling Centre and Incubator (GEECI) facility.
• IoT is a computing concept that describes the idea
of everyday physical objects being connected to the
internet and being able to identify themselves to About
other devices. • GaN is a semiconductor commonly used in blue
light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
• It is being used to create smart infrastructure in
various verticals such as Power, Automotive, Safety & • The ability to operate at much higher
Surveillance, Remote Health Management, temperatures and voltages than gallium arsenide
Agriculture, Smart Homes and Smart Cities etc, using (GaAs) transistors makes GaN an ideal power
connected devices. amplifier for microwave and terahertz (THz) devices,
such as imaging and sensing.
Significance: • Gallium Nitride Technology is of strategic
• Uses Much Less Power: The chip is smaller than the importance with its application in the field of 5G,
size of a thumbnail and uses much less power than space and defense.
traditional security measures against SCAs. • Gallium Nitride (GaN) plays a key role in enabling
e-vehicles and wireless communication.

• Specific transistors called HEMTs made of winnings in games that have adopted the ‘play-to-
aluminium gallium nitride/ gallium nitride earn’ model.
(AlGaN/GaN) provides an edge over silicon-based • In such games, gamers are rewarded for dedicating
transistors as they allow the systems to operate at their time and skill to play the game with gaming
very high voltages, switch ON and OFF faster, and coins and in-game assets.
occupy less space
• The GaN ecosystem will drive innovations by Regulatory aspects related to Blockchain Gaming:
encouraging startups and entrepreneurs. • The legality of Blockchain Gaming: Since
• The GaN technology provided various benefits such blockchain is merely the underlying technology,
as reduced energy consumption, higher switching there is no express regulation in India. However, it
frequency and lower system cost. would be relevant to explore the legality of the games
from the lens of existing Indian gaming regulations.
Gallium Nitride Ecosystem Enabling Centre and • Most Indian states regulate gaming on the basis of
Incubator (GEECI) Facility: a distinction in law between ‘games of skill’ and
• GEECI is present at the Indian Institute of Sciences ‘games of chance’.
(IISc), Bengaluru.
• The facility has been established jointly by the INSPIRE FACULTY FELLOWSHIP
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
In News: A recipient of the INSPIRE Faculty fellowship is
and IISc Bengaluru.
working on two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors.
• Aim: Establishing GaN based Development Line
Foundry facility, especially for RF and power
About INSPIRE Faculty fellowship:
applications, including strategic applications.
• Nodal Ministry: Department of Science and
Technology.
BLOCKCHAIN GAMING • Purpose: The scheme offers postdoctoral
In News: Recently, many Indian gaming companies have fellowships to young achievers with an opportunity
expressed their interest in introducing elements of for independent research.
Blockchain technology into their games in the near future. • Eligibility: The candidate should be an Indian citizen
or a person of Indian origin with PIO status having a
About Blockchain Games PhD degree (in science, mathematics, engineering,
• To revisit our definition of blockchain games: they pharmacy, medicine and agriculture-related
are online video games that are developed by subjects) from any recognised university.
integrating blockchain technology into them. • Candidates should possess a minimum of 60% (or
• It can be diversified into the following equivalent CGPA) marks throughout their academic
components. profile starting from the higher secondary
examination (class 12 onwards).
Non-fungible tokens: • Those who have submitted their PhD theses and
• NFTs represent in-game virtual assets that can be are awaiting the award of the degree shall also be
owned by players, such as maps, armour or land. eligible. However, selection for the fellowship will be
• These NFTs act as asset tags, identifying ownership of confirmed only after the PhD degree is awarded.
the in-game assets, and are stored on the blockchain. • Age Limit: The upper age limit at the time of
• Being on the blockchain allows the player to have a awarding the offer should be 32 years for considering
secure record of ownership of the in-game assets and support.
also gives the assets the ability to outlive the game • Prize: Each selected INSPIRE faculty fellow will be
itself. eligible to receive a consolidated amount of Rs
1,25,000 per month as a fellowship.
Cryptocurrency: • In addition, a research grant of Rs 7 lakh every year
• Cryptocurrency, such as tokens based on the for 5 years will also be provided to each successful
Ethereum blockchain, may be used for the purchase candidate including the carry forward amount, if any,
of in-game assets. from the previous year.
• These in-game purchases usually enable gamers to
buy items like extra lives, coins and so on directly EXOMARS
from the game.
In News: The European Space Agency’s ExoMars 2022
mission has been delayed after the agency suspended all
Gaming coins:
cooperation with Russia’s space program Roscosmos.
• Gaming coins, such as Axie Infinity (ACS) and Enjin
Coin (ENJ), are in-game cryptocurrency which may be
About
acquired and then used for the purchase of in-game
• It was a joint endeavour between ESA and the
assets.
Russian space agency, Roscosmos.
• These gaming coins may be purchased from crypto
• Aim: To check if there has ever been life on Mars and
exchanges (and eventually be traded on these crypto
also understand the history of water on the planet.
exchanges as well) or, in certain cases, be acquired as
• Stages: It is a two-stage mission: • Programmes: The important programmes under the

1. First Stage: Its first mission launched atop a initiative include: the Antarctic program, Indian
Proton-M rocket in 2016 and consisted of the Arctic program, Southern Ocean program and
European Trace Gas Orbiter and test lander Cryosphere and Climate program.
called Schiaparelli. The orbiter was successful, • Implementing Agency: National Centre for Polar
while the test lander failed during its descent to and Ocean Research (NCPOR)
Mars. • Duration of the Initiative: The initiative has been
2. Second Stage: It comprises a rover and surface approved for continuation during 2021- 2026.
platform. This second part of the mission was • Major achievements of the PACER Initiative:
originally planned for July 2020. But it was • Executed 39th & 40th Indian Scientific Expedition
postponed until this September due to technical to Antarctica. The 41st Indian Scientific Expedition
issues. to Antarctica is ongoing.
• Ten sediment cores were collected from lakes to
ARTEMIS MISSION reconstruct the past climate associated with the ice-
In News: Recently, the National Aeronautics and Space sheet dynamics.
Administration (NASA) rolled out its Artemis I moon • Clear-air atmospheric observatories containing
mission to the launchpad for testing at the Kennedy Space automatic weather stations, a suite of sensors to
Centre in Florida, United States. measure aerosol and greenhouse gas concentrations
has been established at Maitri and Bharati stations.
About • The IndARC mooring system along with the
• Named after: The mission is named after the twin Hydrophone system was successfully retrieved and
sister of Apollo from Greek mythology. Artemis is also deployed in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard.
the goddess of the moon. • Glaciological field campaigns were carried out in
• Aim: To land the first female astronaut and the first six benchmark glaciers in Chandra basin of Lahaul-
astronaut of colour on the Moon’s the South Pole by Spiti region of Western Himalaya.
2024. • The 11th Indian Southern Ocean Expedition was
• Other space agencies involved in the mission are: executed successfully.
Canadian Space Agency, European Space Agency and
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. MANGE DISEASE
• Significance: With this mission, NASA aims to In News: Recently, digital services company Jio Platforms
contribute to scientific discovery and economic has formed a joint-venture with Luxembourg-based
benefits and inspire a new generation of explorers. satellite-linked content connectivity solutions provider
SES to deliver satellite broadband services across India.
Artemis I:
• Artemis I will be the first integrated test of NASA’s About
deep space exploration systems. • It is a type of skin disease of animals caused by
• It will be an uncrewed flight test that will provide parasitic mites.
a foundation for human deep space exploration • The disease is characterized by inflammation, itching,
and demonstrate commitment and capability to thickening of the skin and hair loss.
extend human existence to the Moon and beyond. • Caused by: The most severe form of mange is caused
by the parasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei, which also
Artemis I Mission: causes human scabies.
• After Artemis-I, the second flight under the • Transmission: The disease is transmitted between
Artemis programme will be launched. animals by direct contact and by objects that have
• It will have a crew on board and will test Orion’s been in contact with infected animals.
critical systems. • Humans can also catch sarcoptic mange from
• Eventually, the learnings from the Artemis dogs, but the mites involved cannot complete their
programme will be utilized to send the first life cycle in human skin. As a result, the issue can
astronauts to Mars. cause some skin irritation in humans, but it does not
last long.
PACER INITIATIVE • Treatment: The treatment of mange requires both
In News: Recently, the Minister of Earth Sciences has oral medicines as well as the application of skin
informed Rajya Sabha about the Polar Science and medicine
Cryosphere Research (PACER) Initiative
DARE2ERAD TB PROGRAM
About In News: Recently, “Dare2eraD TB” initiative was
• Initiative of: Ministry of Earth Sciences. launched by the Department of Biotechnology on the
• Objective: To study various aspects relating to Polar occasion of World TB Day.
and the Cryosphere with special emphasis on the
Antarctic, Arctic and Glaciers of the Himalayas. About
• Full-Form: Dare2eraD TB stands for Data-Driven COMMON ANTIBIOTIC MANUFACTURING

Research to Eradicate TB. FRAMEWORK (CAMF)
• “Dare2eraD TB” will be an umbrella TB programme
of DBT. In News: Recently, the third progress report of the
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Industry Alliance
• Components:
released.
1. InTGS – Indian Tuberculosis Genomic
Surveillance Consortium: It is proposed on
About
lines of the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic
Consortia (INSACOG). It aims to monitor the • AMR Industry Alliance is a private-sector coalition
genomic variations in Mycobacterium working to tackle AMR, bringing together research
tuberculosis(Mtb) on a regular basis through a and development pharmaceutical, generic,
multi-laboratory network biotechnology and diagnostics companies together.
2. InTBK Hub-Indian TB Knowledge Hub- • In order to mitigate the environmental risks
Webinar Series: It will be a Webinar series associated with antibiotic production, Alliance
starting from World TB Day that will create manufacturing members had developed CAMF in
Academia-Industry connect to discuss challenges 2018.
and exchange ideas and carry forward open • CAMF provides a methodology and set of minimum
innovations between all TB stakeholders. requirements needed to conduct a site risk
3. Host Directed therapies against TB and evaluation of both macro and micro controls in our
developing an evidence-based regimen for supply chains.
treating extra-pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PROJECT NETRA
Other initiatives related to Tuberculosis (TB): In News: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• Regional Prospective Observational Research in is building up its orbital debris tracking capability by
Tuberculosis (RePORT) India initiative: It is a deploying new radars and optical telescopes under the
bilateral, multi-organizational, collaborative Network for Space Objects Tracking and Analysis
research effort established in 2013 under the Indo- (NETRA) project.
US Vaccine Action Program(VAP). It aims to advance
tuberculosis(TB) research in India. About
• Department of Biotechnology has initiated a • Project NETRA’ is an early warning system in
major network programme on “MDR-TB in space to detect debris and other hazards to Indian
Northeast India: a genomic driven approach” satellites in low-earth orbits.
involving 22 North East Region(NER) institutes from • Initiative of: ISRO.
8 states and 14 other Institutes. • Full-Form: NETRA stands for Network for Space
Object Tracking and Analysis.
CONVERSION THERAPY • Facilities under this Project: Under NETRA, ISRO
In News: National medical commission held that plans to put up many observational facilities such as:
conversion therapy is banned in India. o Space debris tracking radar: It will be capable
of detecting and tracking objects 10 cm and
About above in size. It will have a range of 1,500 km.
• Conversion therapy - sometimes called "reparative o Optical telescopes: These will be inducted as
therapy" or "gay cure therapy" - tries to change part of establishing an effective surveillance and
someone's sexual orientation or gender identity. tracking network.
• Several countries (Brazil, Ecuador, Malta, o Data processing units.
Switzerland, Germany, Chile etc.) have introduced o Space Situational Awareness Control Centre.
criminal bans for those found to be practicing
conversion therapy. Space Debris:
• Space Debris consists of rocket bodies that are
used to launch satellites, defunct satellites, materials
BONE OSSIFICATION TEST released during mission operations, fragments from
In News: Recently, Supreme Court has said the test can’t on-orbit breakups of space objects, and fragments
be said to be an infallible and cannot be the sole basis to from Anti-Satellite (ASAT) tests.
decide the age of an accused who claims to be a juvenile. • These space objects move with an average speed of
27,000 km per hour in Low Earth Orbits, therefore, a
About Bone Ossification Test collision with even a centimetre sized tiny fragment
• It is an age determination test of a person on the can be catastrophic to an operational space asset.
basis of assessment of his or her bony framework • According to ISRO, the volume of space debris is
done through X-Rays/ CT-scans. likely to go up in the coming years with the increase
• The test is required to determine the age in order to in space missions globally.
fix the criminal liabilities based on which the law
treats the persons differently based on their age.

• Globally, 2021 saw the highest space object-to- Gene:

launch ratio. In other words, more space objects are • A gene is a part of a DNA molecule.
placed in orbit per launch. • Hereditary element of genetic information.
• Encodes proteins synthesis
WRIGHT MONS • Length is about a few hundreds of bases
In News: Recently, new findings about Pluto have been • A Higher organism has about thousands of genes
reported by the National Aeronautics and Space • Variations of the gene named alleles can be naturally
Administration’s (NASA) New Horizons probe. selected
About Genome:
• The probe reported that icy lava flows have • The genome is the total DNA in a cell
recently (no more than a billion years ago) covered • All set of nuclear DNA
substantial tracts of its surface. • Encodes both proteins and regulatory elements for
• The findings drew particular attention to a proteins synthesis
mountainous feature named Wright Mons. • Length of the genome of a higher organism is about
• The only spacecraft to visit Pluto is NASA’s New billion base pairs
Horizons, which passed close by in July 2015. • Each organism has only one genome
• Horizontal gene transfer & duplication cause large
Wright Mons: variations in the genome
• Wright Mons is a mountainous feature found on
Pluto. It was informally named by the New Horizons Human Genome Sequencing:
team in honour of the Wright brothers. • Human Genome Sequencing was made available
• It is about 150 km across its base and has a in 2003 by the Human Genome Project, an
central depression (a hole) 40-50 km wide, with a international collaboration between 1990 and 2003.
floor at least as low as the surrounding terrain. • It contained information from a region of the
• Scientists claim that Wright Mons is a volcano and human genome known as the euchromatin. This
cite the lack of impact craters as evidence that it is not chromosome is rich in genes, and the DNA encodes
likely to be older than 1-2 billion years. for protein.
• The volume of Wright Mons exceeds 20 thousand • The remaining 8% that was left out was in the area
cubic kilometres. Although considerably less than called heterochromatin. This is a smaller portion of
the volume of Mars’s biggest volcanoes, similar to the the genome and does not produce protein.
total volume of Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, and much
greater than the volume of its above sea-level portion. Heterochromatin not sequenced:
• The slopes of Wright Mons and much of its • There were two key reasons why heterochromatin
surroundings are seen to be crowded with was given lower priority:
hummocks (humps or ridges in an ice field). 1. This part of the genome was thought to be “junk
• These hummocks were likely created by some DNA” because it had no clear function
sort of ice volcanism, known by the technical term 2. The euchromatin contained more genes that
“cryovolcanism” – erupting icy water rather than were simpler to sequence with the tools available
molten rock. at the time.
Present Status:
HUMAN GENOME • A global collaboration called the Telomere-2-
In News: Nearly two decades ago, when scientists Telomere (T2T) project has completed the reading
published the map of the human genome for the first time, of the remaining 8% of the genome.
about 8% of the human DNA was left un-sequenced. Now, • They found a new reference genome called T2T-
this has been completed by a large global collaboration CHM13. This genome includes highly repetitive DNA
called the Telomere-2-Telomere (T2T). sequences found in and around the telomeres
(structures at the ends of chromosomes) and the
About centromeres (at the middle section of each
• A genome refers to all of the genetic material in an chromosome).
organism. • The sequence also reveals long stretches of DNA
• The Human genome is mostly the same in all that are duplicated in the genome and are known to
people, but a very small part of the DNA does vary play important roles in evolution and disease.
between one individual and another.
• By constructing a complete human genome, NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION (NFC)
scientists can use it for reference while studying the
TECHNOLOGY
genome of various individuals, which would help
them understand which variations if any, might be In News: Google Pay has recently launched a new feature
responsible for the disease. in India, ‘Tap to pay for UPI’, in collaboration with Pine

Labs. The feature makes use of Near Field Communication communication should take place with, making it
(NFC) technology. more difficult for the attacker to get connected.
• The security level of the NFC communication is by
About default higher compared to other wireless
• NFC is a short-range wireless connectivity communication protocols.
technology that allows NFC-enabled devices to
communicate with each other and transfer Other wireless technologies:
information quickly and easily with a single touch. • Bluetooth: Although both Bluetooth and NFC can be
• It makes possible to pay bills, exchange business used to transfer data, Bluetooth has been designed to
cards, download coupons, or share a document. transfer data over much greater distances. NFC is
• Working Mechanism: designed to be close proximity only.
• NFC transmits data through electromagnetic • Wi-Fi / IEEE 802.11: Wi-Fi is designed for local area
radio fields, to enable communication between two networks, and is not a short range peer to peer
devices. Both devices must contain NFC chips, as technology.
transactions take place within a very short distance. • RFID: Although RFID is very similar to NFC in many
• NFC-enabled devices must be either physically respects, RFID is a much broader technology. NFC is
touching or within a few centimetres from each a specific case which is defined by standards enabling
other for data transfer to occur. it to be interoperable.
‘Tap to pay for UPI’: SPLINTERNET

• Google Pay has been the first among UPI apps to
In News: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine does seem as a
bring the Tap to Pay feature working on POS
potential trigger for a splintered internet.
terminals.
• It will allow users with UPI accounts configured
• Background: The idea of ‘Splinternet’ was proposed
on Google Pay to make payments just by tapping
by Clyde Wayne Crews, a researcher at libertarian
their NFC-enabled Android smartphones on any Pine
think-tank Cato Institute.
Labs Android POS terminal.
• The ‘Splinternet’ is an internet splintered into
• Once users tap their phones on the POS terminal,
disparate realms controlled by different
it will automatically open the Google pay app with the
dispensations or powers.
payment amount pre-filled.
• It is also referred to as cyber-balkanization or
• Users can then verify the amount and merchant
internet balkanization.
name and authenticate the payment, using their UPI
PIN. • The fundamental proposal was to have more
internets instead of having more regulations.
• The process is much faster compared to scanning
a QR code or entering the UPI-linked mobile number • Over the past two decades, a splintering of internet
has occurred in some limited ways. For example:
which has been the conventional way till now.
o China’s ‘Great Firewall’ keeps American tech
giants out while pushing online services
Other applications of NFC technology:
developed indigenously.
• Driving payment services like Google Wallet and
o In 2019, Russia passed the online Iron
Apple Pay.
Curtain (the sovereign internet law) that
• Wireless Charging and generating contact-less
enabled it to disconnect its internet from rest of
tickets for public transport.
the world.
• NFC is behind the cards that can wave over card o In Iran, a project called the National
readers in subway turnstiles and on buses to check
Information Network (NIN) or National
tickets. Internet in Iran has been initiated by the state-
• With just a touch, NFC can also set up WiFi and owned Telecommunication Company of Iran.
Bluetooth devices in homes.
• It also has an application in healthcare to monitor
patient stats through NFC-enabled wristbands. XE VARIANT
In News: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation(BMC)
How safe is NFC technology? has announced that a woman with a travel history to
• NFC technology is designed for an operation South Africa may have been infected with the newly-
between devices within a few centimetres from discovered ‘XE’ variant of the coronavirus.
each other.
• This makes it difficult for attackers to record the About
communication between the devices compared to • XE is a sub-variant of Omicron which caused the
other wireless technologies which have a working third wave of Covid-19.
distance of several metres, according to the NFC • Background: XE was first discovered in the United
forum, a non-profit industry association. Kingdom in January 2022 and so far more than 600
• The user of the NFC-enabled device determines samples of XE have been found in different countries.
by the touch gesture which entity the NFC • Formation:

• The Omicron variant has two prominent sub- • Aim: To develop critical technologies required in the
variants, called BA.1 and BA.2. There is also a BA.3 propulsion systems of future long-range air-to-air
sub-variant as well, but that is less common. missiles.
• The XE variant is what is called a ‘recombinant’ • Technology: The system is based on a solid fuelled
variant. This means it contains the mutations found air-breathing ramjet engine. Unlike the other solid-
in BA.1 as well as BA.2 varieties of Omicron. propellant rockets, the Ramjet takes up oxygen from
the atmosphere during flight without the need for
Recombinant Variant: cylinders. Due to this, it is light in weight and can
• Apart from the errors in the virus genome, carry more fuel, making it more efficient.
another process through which the virus increases its
genetic diversity is recombination. Significance:
• Recombination occurs in extremely rare • It enables the missile to intercept aerial threats at
situations. In this, two different lineages of the virus very long range at supersonic speeds.
co-infect the same cell in the host and exchange • Air-to-air missiles which use SFDR technology can
fragments of their individual genomes. achieve longer ranges as they do not require
• This generates a descendent variant having oxidisers (take oxygen from the atmosphere).
mutations that occurred in both the original lineages • The missile based on SFDR fly at supersonic
of the virus. speeds and high manoeuvrability ensures the target
• Recombination of lineages happens in a variety of aircraft cannot get away.
other viruses, including those that cause influenza,
as well as other coronaviruses. EUROPA
In News: Researchers have said that there might be an
JUPITER LIKE PROTO-PLANET abundance of water pockets beneath formations called
In News: Recently, the Hubble Space Telescope has double ridges on Jupiter’s moons Europa.
photographed a Jupiter-like protoplanet forming through
a process that researchers have described as intense and About
violent. • Europa is slightly smaller than Earth’s moon and
its diameter is about one-quarter that of the Earth.
About • Europa has a very thin oxygen atmosphere.
• The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of • Interestingly, while its diameter is less than the
international cooperation between National Earth’s, Europa probably contains twice the amount
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and of the water in all of the Earth’s oceans.
ESA (European Space Agency). • NASA is expected to launch its Europa Clipper in
2024. The module will orbit Jupiter and conduct
Protoplanets multiple close flybys to Europa to gather data on the
• Protoplanets are small celestial objects that are moon’s atmosphere, surface and its interior.
the size of a moon or a bit bigger. They are small
planets, like an even smaller version of a dwarf EPISODIC ACCRETING YOUNG STARS
planet.
• Astronomers believe that these objects form In News: Indian astronomers from the Aryabhatta
during the creation of a solar system. Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)
have discovered Gaia 20eae belonging to the extremely
• Disk Instability Theory
rare group of young stars that exhibit episodic accretion.
• According to this theory, matter slowly moves
inwards in this disc as dust particles grow into
About
centimetre-sized pebbles.
• Episodically accreting young stars are young, low-
• This is seen as the first step towards the
mass stars that have not initiated hydrogen fusion in
formation of kilometre-sized planetesimals that
their core.
eventually come together to form planets.
• They are fuelled by gravitational contraction and
deuterium fusion (pre-main-sequence phase of the
SOLID FUEL DUCTED RAMJET star).
In News: India successfully flight-tested Solid Fuel
Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) Booster, a missile system, at the Episodic Accretion:
Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur off the Odisha • Episodic accretion is a process where stars
coast. accrete (grow by accumulation) via a disk from a
more spherically distributed envelope which adds
About mass to the disk and makes it unstable on an irregular
• SFDR is a missile propulsion system being basis.
developed by the Defence Research and Development • Such instability dumps extra material onto the star
Organisation (DRDO). and the accretion rate and luminosity increase.

PERSEVERANCE ROVER • In this method, the root system is supported using an

inert medium such as perlite, clay pellets, peat moss
In News: NASA’s (National Aeronautics and Space
or vermiculite.
Administration) Perseverance Rover has captured a solar
• Aeroponics: Aeroponics is an environment-friendly
eclipse on Mars.
way of farming in which the roots are suspended in
the air and plants grow in a humid environment
About
without soil. It is a variation of hydroponics where
• Launched by NASA on 30th July 2020 and Land on
both growing medium and flowing water are absent.
18th February 2021.
• Aquaponics: Aquaponics is a system that combines
• It is the centerpiece of NASA's Mars 2020 mission
hydroponics and aquaculture within a closed system.
which also included the small robotic and coaxial
There are three biological components in the
helicopter Ingenuity.
aquaponics process - fishes, plants, and bacteria.
• It is the most advanced, most expensive and most
sophisticated mobile laboratory sent to Mars. Advantages of vertical farming:
• It is different from previous missions because it is • Increased crop yield
capable of drilling and collecting core samples of the
• Resistant to weather disruptions
most promising rocks and soils and setting them
• Prevent ecosystem disruption
aside in a "cache" on the surface of Mars.
• Helps in environment conservation
• Power Source: A Multi-Mission Radioisotope
• Helps in water conservation
Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) which converts
heat from the natural radioactive decay of plutonium
Disadvantages of vertical farming:
(Plutonium Dioxide) into electricity.
• High initial investment and operational costs.
Objectives: • Interfere with Pollination
• Perseverance’s primary objective is looking for • High Labor Costs
signs of ancient microbial life. • Disruption to the Rural Sector
• The rover is studying and analyzing the Red
Planet's regolith, rock and dust, and is the first rover GAGAN
to collect and cache samples. In News: An IndiGo-operated ATR 72-600 aircraft landed
at Kishangarh airport using an approach process guided
Other Mars Missions: by GAGAN or GPS-aided GEO Augmented Navigation.
• Exo Mars rover (2021) – (European Space Agency About
and Russian space agency ) • It is a satellite-based augmentation system
• Tianwen-1: China's Mars Mission (2021) (SBAS) developed to provide the best possible
• UAE’s Hope Mars Mission (UAE’s first-ever navigational services over Indian FIR (Flight
interplanetary mission) (2021) Information Region) with the capability of expanding
• India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) or Mangalyaan to neighbouring FIRs.
(2013). • Developed by: The Airport Authority of India (AAI)
and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
VERTICAL FARMING • Note: While GAGAN is primarily meant for aviation, it
In News: India is evolving every day with something new. can provide benefits to several other segments such
as intelligent transportation, maritime, highways,
Also, industrialization is increasing dramatically due to
which many arable lands are at greater risk. Vertical railways, security agencies, and telecom among
farming in India is the answer to all these problems. others.
• Working of GAGAN: GAGAN uses a system of ground
About Vertical farming: stations – in Delhi, Guwahati, Kolkata, Ahmedabad,
Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru, Jammu and Port
• Vertical Farming is the process of growing
agricultural crops in vertical stacks in door, in a Blair – to provide necessary augmentation to the GPS
controlled environment. navigation signal.
• It uses the same amount of water as that of regular • A network of precisely surveyed ground
farming. reference stations is strategically positioned across
the country to collect GPS satellite data. Using this
• However, the other raw materials consumed by
information, the master control centre in Bengaluru
vertical farming are less.
generates messages to correct any signal errors.
• According to FAO (Food and Agriculture
• These correction messages are then uplinked and
Organization) of the United Nations, vertical
broadcast through geostationary communication
farming consumes 75% less raw material as
satellites to receivers onboard aircraft using the same
compared to traditional farming.
frequency as GPS.
Types of Vertical Farming: • Coverage Area: GAGAN covers the area from Africa
to Australia and has the capability to cater to 45
• Hydroponics: Hydroponics is a method of growing
plants in a water-based, nutrient-rich solution.
reference stations for expansion to neighbouring • Purpose: Under the mission, the astronauts will
countries. spend more than a week conducting scientific
• The system is also interoperable with other research, outreach and commercial activities on the
international SBAS systems such as the U.S. Wide space station.
Area Augmentation System (WAAS), the European
Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) Axiom Space
and the Japanese MTSAT Satellite Augmentation • Axiom Space is a company that is focusing on making
System (MSAS). space travel more commercially available.
• Besides this, it also aims to improve the
VERTICAL ENGAGEMENT AND PARTN ERSHIP understanding of space and the human body by
PROGRAMME bringing researchers into space.
In News: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
has invited the Expression of Interest (EoI) for the “5G MICRO-SWIMMERS
Vertical Engagement and Partnership Programme In News: Micro-swimmers’ may soon help with drug
(VEPP)”. delivery- Studies.
About About
• Launched by: Department of Telecommunications • Researchers have developed a microbot made
(DoT). from the two-dimensional compound poly (heptazine
• Objective: To build strong collaborative imide) carbon nitride (aka PHI carbon nitride).
partnerships across 5G Use-case ecosystem • These microbots are like miniaturized humans.
stakeholders with velocity and with an exclusive They range from 1-to 10 micrometres (a micrometre
emphasis to address User/Vertical Industry needs. is one-millionth of a meter) in size and can self-propel
when energized by shining light.
Key Features of the Programme:
• The programme is being offered to Industry How do these microbots swim?
verticals that have potential as testing cum breeding • The PHI carbon nitride microparticles are
grounds for innovative 5G use cases. photocatalytic. This means that, just like in a solar
• Under the programme, DoT will partner with cell, the incident light is converted into electrons and
other ministries, state governments and start-up holes.
hubs to facilitate necessary approvals, and regulatory • These charges drive reactions in the surrounding
clearances to enable use case prototyping, pilots, liquid. This reaction combined with the particle’s
demos, and trials at the user or vertical industry electric field makes the microbots (micro swimmers)
premises. swim.
• On the other hand, technology stakeholders will • Hence, as long as there is light, electrons and
have to work to develop and deploy prototypes and holes are produced on the surface of the swimmers,
pilots for 5G use cases as per the needs of the which in turn react to form ions and an electric field
respective ministries or industry verticals to help around the swimmer.
accelerate commercial usage and adoption by • These ions move around the particle and cause
enterprises. fluid to flow around the particle. So this fluid flow
• The program will enable close collaboration causes the microbots to swim.
between User verticals and 5G Tech stakeholders
(Service providers, Solution providers & partner Significance:
Original Equipment Manufacturers). This can trigger • This development has shown that it is possible to
a multiplier effect to try & finetune 5G digital have microrobots streaming through blood or
solutions in respective economic verticals. through other fluids in the human body, which are
driven by light and can carry drugs to cancer cells and
AXIOM-1 MISSION drop off the medication on the spot.
In News: The first-ever private mission to the
International Space Station (ISS) named Axiom-1 has
reached the ISS.
About
• It is the first all-private astronaut mission to the
International Space Station.
• Organized by: US Based company Axiom Space.
• Launched from: The mission was launched from
NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and is flying
on the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour.

7. GEOGRAPHY AND DISASTER HORN OF AFRICA

MANAGEMENT In News: China set to name envoy to Horn of Africa.
About
CHILE • Horn of Africa is the easternmost extension of
In News: The South American country of Chile has formed African land and includes the region that is home to
a Constitution Convention to write a new constitution to the countries of Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and
tackle a "climate and ecological emergency." Djibouti (Remember as SEED!), whose cultures
have been linked throughout their long history.
About
• Chile is officially known as the Republic of Chile. Its
capital is Santiago.
• It is a South American country occupying a narrow
strip of land between the Andes to the east and the
Pacific Ocean to the west.
• It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast,
Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the
south.
• The Atacama desert is one of the driest places in
the world and touches Chile in its northern side and
is a source of sodium nitrate fertilizer.
• It owes its aridity due to a constant temperature
inversion of cool north-flowing Humboldt ocean
current.
• Chuquicamata is the World’s largest copper town of
Chile.
• Spanish is the national language of Chile.
MAHAKALI RIVER
In News: The Union Cabinet of India has approved the
MoU between India and Nepal for construction of bridge
over Mahakali River at Dharchula (India) - Dharchula
(Nepal).
About
• River Mahakali is a trans-boundary/international
river between India and Nepal.
• Also known as Kali, Sarda along its course, River
Mahakali is a Himalayan catchment of Ghagra sub
CHILIKA LAKE basin of the large Ganga Basin.
In News: As per the water bird status survey-2022 • Originating at Kalapani in the Trans Himalayan
conducted in the Chilika lake, nearly 11 lakhs water bird region, this River ultimately drains the region
and wetland dependent species visited the lake. through the Tarai plains of Uttar Pradesh.
• The large part of catchment area of Mahakali lies in
Water Bird Status Survey-2022 Uttarakhand and rest lies in Nepal. It joins Ghaghra
• Conducted in Chilika Lake. River, a tributary of the Ganges.
• It was undertaken jointly by the Odisha State Wildlife • The river is also proposed as source for one of the
Organization, the Chilika Development Authority many projects in the Himalayan component of the
(CDA) and the Bombay Natural History Society. Indian Rivers Inter-link project.
• Key findings:
o Around 10.7 lakh birds belonging to the 107 bird SIACHEN GLACIER
species were counted in Chilika Lake. (Last year, In News: We are “not averse” to demilitarisation of the
the number of birds counted was over 12 lakh). Siachen glacier but the pre-condition is Pakistan has to
o The lake reported a rare sighting of the accept the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL), Army
uncommon Mongolian gull. chief General Manoj Naravane said.
Note: Refer Udaan+ Geography (Jan21-Jan22) for more About
details about Chiika lake.

• The Siachen Glacier is a glacier located in the o The Paracel Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan
eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas, just and Vietnam.
northeast of the point NJ9842 where the Line of o The Spratly Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan,
Control between India and Pakistan ends. Vietnam, Brunei and Philippines.
• The glacier lies between the Saltoro Ridge o The Scarborough Shoal is claimed by the
immediately to the west and the main Karakoram Philippines, China and Taiwan.
range to the east. • Since 2010, China has been converting uninhabited
• The Saltoro Ridge originates in the north from the Sia islets into artificial islets to bring it under UNCLOS
Kangri peak on the China border in the Karakoram (For example, Haven Reef, Johnson South Reef and
range. Fiery Cross Reef).
• The entire Siachen Glacier, with all major passes, is • Strategic Importance: This sea holds tremendous
currently under the administration of India since strategic importance for its location as it is the
1984(Operation Meghdoot). connecting link between the Indian Ocean and the
• Pakistan controls the region west of Saltoro Ridge, far Pacific Ocean (Strait of Malacca).
away from the glacier. • According to the United Nations Conference on Trade
• The glacier's melting waters are the main source of And Development (UNCTAD) one-third of the global
the Nubra River in the Indian region of Ladakh, shipping passes through it, carrying trillions of trade
which drains into the Shyok River. The Shyok in turn which makes it a significant geopolitical water body.
joins the 3000 kilometre-long Indus River which
flows through Pakistan. Thus, the glacier is a major
source of the Indus.
• At 76 km long, it is the longest glacier in the
Karakoram and second-longest in the world's
non-polar areas.
• The Siachen Glacier is the world's highest
battlefield.
HUNGA TONGA
In News: The Pacific country of Tonga experienced a
large volcanic eruption followed by a tsunami that
flooded parts of the capital, Nuku'alofa, which is lies just
SOUTH CHINA SEA 65km north of the volcano.
About
In News: The U.S. State Department says that China’s
• The eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai
claims in the South China Sea is inconsistent with
volcano sent shockwaves across the South Pacific.
international law as reflected in the UN Convention on the
Law of the Sea 1982. • Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai is a volcanic island in
Tonga, located about 30 km south of the submarine
About volcano of Fonuafoʻou and 65 km north of Tongatapu,
the country's main island.
• South China Sea is an arm of the western Pacific
Ocean that borders the Southeast Asian mainland. • The volcano is part of the highly active Tonga–
Kermadec Islands volcanic arc, a subduction zone
• South China Sea is connected by Taiwan Strait with
extending from New Zealand north-northeast to Fiji.
the East China Sea and by Luzon Strait with the
Philippine Sea. • The island arc is formed at the convergent boundary
where the Pacific Plate subducts under the Indo-
• It is bounded by the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan, the
Australian Plate.
Philippines, Borneo, the Gulf of Thailand, the Malay
Peninsula, and the Asian mainland.
• Contesting Claims Over Islands:
NUSANTARA About
• A landlocked country situated at the crossroads
In News: Indonesia’s parliament passed a law approving
between Central and Southern Europe, Serbia is
the relocation of its capital from slowly sinking Jakarta to
located in the Balkan peninsula and the Pannonian
a site 2,000 kilometres away on the jungle-clad Borneo
Plain.
island that will be named “Nusantara”.
• Its total border length amounts to 2,027 km
(1,260 mi): Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
About
Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, North Macedonia,
• Home to more than 30 million people in its greater Montenegro and Romania.
metro area, Jakarta has long been plagued by serious
• Capital: Belgrade.
infrastructure problems and flooding exacerbated by
• Currency: Serbian dinar.
climate change.
• Indonesia is not the first country in the region to
relocate from an overpopulated capital. BOMB CYCLONE
• Malaysia moved its government to Putrajaya from In News: Recently, the US East Coast is bracing itself for a
Kuala Lumpur in 2003, while Myanmar moved its “bomb cyclone” (Nor’easter) that is on course to to barrel
capital to Naypyidaw from Rangoon in 2006. in from the mid-Atlantic."
SELA TUNNEL PROJECT About

• Bombogenesis is the technical term. ‘Bomb
In News: The final blast for the 980-metre long Sela
cyclone’ is a shortened version of it, better for social
Tunnel (Tunnel 1) was conducted by Director General
media.
Border Roads (DGBR). This marks the culmination of the
• It is a mid-latitude cyclone that intensifies rapidly.
excavation works on the complete Sela Tunnel Project.
• It has low pressure at its center, weather fronts and
About an array of associated weather, from blizzards to
severe thunderstorms to heavy precipitation.
• Located in the West Kameng District of Arunachal
Pradesh. • Formation: Generally, a bomb cyclone happens
when atmospheric pressure in the middle of the
• The tunnel is a part of the Balipara-Chariduar-
storm drops at least 24 millibars over 24 hours,
Tawang(BCT) road, one of the key strategic projects
quickly increasing in intensity. The lower the
near the Chinese border.
pressure, the stronger the storm.
• Significance: Once completed, it will be a lifeline as it
will provide all weather connectivity to Tawang. It
Difference from Hurricane:
will also be one of the longest tunnels to have been
• It essentially amounts to a rapidly developing storm
constructed above altitude of 13,000 feet. Moreover,
system, distinct from a tropical hurricane because it
the project will also allow faster deployment of
occurs over midlatitudes where fronts of warm and
weapons and soldiers to forward areas in the Tawang
cold air meet and collide, rather than relying on the
sector.
balmy ocean waters of late summer as a catalyst.
• Bomb cyclones have cold air and fronts: Cold air
SERBIA rapidly weakens hurricanes, while it is an essential
In News: The Serbia government has revoked the licenses ingredient for bomb cyclones.
for lithium mining to Rio Tinto, an Anglo-Australian • Bomb cyclones form during winter: Hurricanes
multinational mining organisation, following protests for form from late spring to early fall, while bomb
nearly two months. cyclones form from late fall to early spring.
• Bomb cyclones form at higher latitudes:
Hurricanes form in tropical waters, while bomb
cyclones form over the northwestern Atlantic,
northwestern Pacific and sometimes the
Mediterranean Sea.
LITHUANIA
In News: Recently, the European Union launched action
against China at the World Trade Organization (WTO) for
targeting Lithuania over its stance on Taiwan.
About
• The capital is Vilnius.
• Lithuania, country of north-eastern Europe, the
southernmost and largest of the three Baltic states.
• Lithuania is bounded by Latvia to the north,
Belarus to the east and south, Poland and the

detached Russian oblast of Kaliningrad to the • These are periods of extremely high temperatures
southwest, and the Baltic Sea to the west. overseas and oceans.
• Lithuania was admitted into the European Union • Such heat waves are caused by an increase in the heat
(EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in content of oceans, especially in the upper layers.
2004. • Around 90% of the warming caused by greenhouse
gas emissions is absorbed by the oceans.
• During an MHW, the average temperatures of the
ocean surface (up to a depth of 300 feet) go 5-7
degrees Celsius above normal.
Impacts:
• Worldwide, they are one of the major results of
human-induced global warming.
• These MHW events cause habitat destruction due to
coral bleaching, seagrass destruction, and loss of kelp
forests, affecting the fisheries sector adversely.
• An underwater survey showed that 85% of the corals
in the Gulf of Mannar near the coast of Tamil Nadu got
bleached after the MHW in May 2020.
KENYA
SIRUVANI DAM In News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met former
In News: Recently, Tamil Nadu has urged Kerala to Prime Minister of Kenya Raila Amolo Odinga who is
maintain the storage of the Siruvani dam up to its full currently in India on a private visit.
reservoir level (FRL).
About:
About • Kenya is a country in Eastern Africa.
• Location: Palakkad District, Kerala. • Kenya's capital and largest city is Nairobi, while its
• Built across the Siruvani river, a tributary of oldest city and first capital is the coastal city of
Bhavani River which forms part of the Cauvery basin. Mombasa.
• It was constructed in 1984 for supplying drinking • Kenya is bordered by South Sudan to the northwest,
water to the city of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, Uganda to
the west, Tanzania to the south, and the Indian Ocean
• The catchment is in the reserve forests of both
to the southeast.
Kerala and Tamilnadu.
• Muthikulam hill is situated on the eastern side of the
dam. MALI
In News: France and its allies in a European force have
SOUTH COL GLACIER announced they will begin withdrawing troops from Mali
after nearly 10 years fighting armed unrest.
In News: A new study highlighted that, Ice on a glacier
near the summit of Mount Everest has shrunk
About:
dramatically, in last three decades. Research was led by
• Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa.
University of Maine and published by Nature.
• Its capital is Bamako.
About • Mali borders Algeria to the north-northeast, Niger to
• The South Col is a sharp-edged col between Mount the east, Burkina Faso to the south-east, Ivory Coast
Everest and Lhotse, the highest and fourth-highest to the south, Guinea to the south-west, and Senegal to
mountains in the world, respectively. the west and Mauritania to the north-west.
• The glacier sits around nearly 7,906m (25,938 ft) • Most of the country lies in the southern Sahara
above sea-level. Desert. its borders on the north reach deep into the
middle of the Sahara Desert, while the country's
southern part features the Niger and Senegal rivers.
MARINE HEATWAVES • Some of Mali's prominent natural resources include
In News: For the first time, a study has found a close link gold, being the third largest producer of gold in the
between marine heatwaves and atmospheric circulation African continent and salt.
and rainfall. It has also found that the marine heatwaves
have been on the rise in the waters around India. Mali So far:
• Since 1960, when Mali gained independence from
About France, there have been five coups — and only one
• Marine heat waves (MHW) are the heatwaves that peaceful transition from one democratically elected
form on oceans. president to another.
• Recent coup: In 2021, President Ibrahim Boubacar • The lake was constructed as a measure to control
Keita was overthrown in the wake of mass anti- floods in the Euphrates
government protests. Following this, the army and to be used as a
detained the President and the Prime Minister. huge reservoir for
irrigation purposes.
FALKLAND ISLANDS • Iraqis and tourists
frequented the lake as
In News: Four decades after the Falklands War between
a recreational spot to
the United Kingdom and Argentina ended bitterly for
cool down during
Buenos Aires, a statement from China on the side-lines of
Iraq’s hot summers
the Winter Olympics, that affirmed Beijing’s support for
• Note: Euphrates River is the longest river in
Argentina’s claim to the Falkland Islands, had stirred
southwest Asia. The river rises in Turkey and flows
discussions around the long-standing dispute.
southeast across Syria and through Iraq.
About
Iraq:
• Falkland Islands, also called Malvinas Islands or
• Location: Iraq is a country in Western Asia.
Spanish Islas Malvinas, internally self-governing
• Borders: It is bordered by Turkey to the north, Iran
overseas territory of the United Kingdom in the South
to the east, the Persian Gulf and Kuwait to the
Atlantic Ocean.
southeast, Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the
• It lies about 300 miles northeast of the southern tip
southwest and Syria to the west. The capital and
of South America and a similar distance east of the
largest city is Baghdad.
Strait of Magellan.
• Important Citiers: Mosul, Al Basrah, Baghdad,
• The capital and major town is Stanley, on East
Kirkuk, Al Najaf etc.
Falkland; there are also several scattered small
• Rivers: Two major rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates,
settlements as well as a Royal Air Force base that is
run south through Iraq and into the Shatt al-Arab
located at Mount Pleasant, some 35 miles southwest
near the Persian Gulf.
of Stanley.
KATCHATHEEVU ISLAND
CHAR CHINAR ISLAND
In News: Recently, eight fishermen from Tamil Nadu
In News: Two tall chinar trees were planted on the iconic
were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy near Katchatheevu
island Char Chinari in the middle of the Dal Lake in
Island for crossing the International Maritime Boundary
Srinagar with the Zabarwan hills in the backdrop. The
Line (IMBL).
2014 floods left two mighty chinars damaged.
About
• Char Chinar, also sometimes called Char Chinari,
Ropa Lank, or Rupa Lank, is an island in Dal Lake,
Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.
• Dal Lake includes 3 islands, 2 of which are marked
with beautiful Chinar trees.
• The island located on the Lakut Dal (small Dal) is
known as Roph Lank (Silver Island), is marked with
the presence of majestic Chinar trees at the four
corners, thus known as Char-Chinari (Four Chinars).
• The second Chinar Island, known as Sone Lank
(Gold Island), is located on the Bod Dal (Big Dal)
and overlooks the holy shrine of Hazratbal.
RAZZAZA LAKE
In News: Iraq’s Razzaza Lake was once a tourist
attraction known for its beautiful scenery and an
abundance of fish that locals depended on. Now, dead fish
litter its shores and the once-fertile lands around it have
turned into a barren desert. About
• Katchatheevu is an uninhabited islet in the Palk
About: Strait that was formed due to volcanic eruption in the
• Razzaza Lake, also known as Lake Milh, Arabic for 14th century.
Salt Lake, is located in Iraq. • This 285-acre land was owned by the Raja of
• It is the second-largest lake in Iraq and is part of a Ramanathapuram.
wide valley that includes the lakes of Habbaniyah, • Later, it became part of the Madras Presidency
Tharthar and Bahr al-Najaf. after the delimitation of Gulf of Mannar and Palk
Strait during British rule between the then

governments of Madras and Ceylon.
• During the British rule, it was administered
jointly by India and Sri Lanka.
• In 1921, both Sri Lanka and India claimed this piece
of land for fishing and the dispute remained
unsettled.
• In 1974, then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi
ceded Katchatheevu
• to Sri Lanka under the "Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime
agreement"
• Another agreement signed in 1976 restricted both
the countries’ fishermen from fishing in the other’s
exclusive economic zones.
BELARUS
In News: Belarus, the largest landlocked European
country bordering the two warring nations has found
itself in a precarious position amid its political proximity
with Russia.
About
• Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. Benefits of interlinking:
• It is bordered by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to • Enhances water and food security.
the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and • Proper utilisation of water.
Latvia to the northwest. • Boost to agriculture.
• Its capital is Minsk. • Disaster mitigation.
• After the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991, • Boost to transportation.
Belarus became a sovereign nation, and its first
presidential elections were held in 1994. ASANI CYCLONE
• Alexander Lukashenko has served as the country's In News: Year’s 1st cyclone Asani likely to form over Bay
first president since 1994. Belarus has been labelled of Bengal on Mar 21.
"Europe's last dictatorship" by some Western
journalists, on account of the country's poor human About
rights record and Lukashenko's self-described
• A low-pressure area that formed over the southwest
authoritarian style of government.
Indian Ocean is expected to intensify into a cyclone
this week.
PAR-TAPI-NARMADA LINK PROJECT • The Cyclone has been named The name was
In News: Recently, the tribals in Gujarat are protesting suggested by India’s southern neighbour Sri Lanka.
against the Centre’s Par Tapi Narmada river-linking • It is expected to travel along and off the coast of the
project. Andaman and Nicobar Islands before it intensifies
into a depression.
About the Project:
• Envisioned under the 1980 National Perspective ECUADOR
Plan.
In News: Ecuador, a South American country has become
• It proposes to link three rivers:
the first country in the world to give legal rights to
o Par, originating from Nashik in Maharashtra and
wild animals.
flowing through Valsad.
o Tapi from Saputara that flows through
About
Maharashtra and Surat in Gujarat.
• Capital: Quito
o Narmada originating in Madhya Pradesh and
• Ecuador is a country in the north-western part of
flowing through Maharashtra and Bharuch and
South America.
Narmada districts in Gujarat.
• It is bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the
• The project proposes to transfer river water from the
east and south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west.
surplus regions of the Western Ghats to the deficit
regions of Saurashtra and Kutch. • Ecuador also includes the Galápagos Islands in the
Pacific which is about 1,000 kilometres west of the
• Significance: The surplus water proposed to be
mainland.
diverted through the estimated Rs 10,211 crore Par-
Tapi-Narmada link project is expected to irrigate an • Ecuador is a part of the Pacific Rim’s “Ring of Fire”
area of 2,32,175 hectares, of which 61,190 ha is en region. It has eight volcanoes in its territory.
route to the link canal.

NANAR OIL REFINERY • It has diversified into a large spectrum of

construction and development works comprising
In News: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has
airfields, building projects, defence works and
indicated that the Nanar oil refinery project in Konkan
tunneling and has endeared itself to the people.
region may be revived as the Maharashtra government
was reconsidering its decision about stalling the project.
AURORA
About In News: Stunning aurora glow was recently observed
• The project, Ratnagiri Refinery and Petrochemical above Iceland after a ‘dead’ sunspot erupted.
Limited, was going to be Asia’s ‘biggest oil refinery’
and was proposed to be built at Nanar village in About
Ratnagiri district in coastal Konkan region. • An Aurora is a display of light in the sky
• It was supposed to be a joint venture between Indian predominantly seen in the high latitude regions
Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum, and (Arctic and Antarctic). It is also known as a Polar light.
Saudi Arabia-owned Aramco and United Arab • Types: There are two types- the aurora borealis and
Emirates’ National Oil Company. aurora australis – often called the northern lights and
southern lights.
• Place of occurrence: They commonly occur at high
northern and southern latitudes, less frequent at mid-
latitudes, and seldom seen near the equator.
• Colors: While usually a milky greenish color, auroras
can also show red, blue, violet, pink, and white. These
colors appear in a variety of continuously changing
shapes.
Science behind their occurrence:

• Auroras are a spectacular sign that our planet is
electrically connected to the Sun. These light shows
are provoked by energy from the Sun and fueled by
electrically charged particles trapped in Earth’s
magnetic field.
• The typical aurora is caused by collisions between
fast-moving electrons from space with the oxygen
SHINKU-LA TUNNEL and nitrogen in Earth’s upper atmosphere.
In News: India will soon be home to the world’s longest • The electrons which come from the Earth’s
highway tunnel beneath Shinku-La Pass. magnetosphere, the region of space controlled by
Earth’s magnetic field transfer their energy to the
About oxygen and nitrogen atoms and molecules, making
• Built by: Border Roads Organization(BRO) under them “excited”.
Project Yojak by 2025.
• The Shinku-La tunnel will be built at Shinku La Originate:
Pass at an altitude of 16,580ft. • They origin at altitudes of 100 to more than 400 km.
• Feature: The tunnel will be 4.25 km in length. It will • Effects: Auroras affect communication lines, radio
provide all-weather connectivity between Ladakh lines and power lines.
and Himachal. • Note: It should also be noted here that the Sun’s
• Significance: Once constructed, it will be the world’s energy, in the form of solar wind, is behind the whole
longest and highest tunnel at this altitude. process
Shinku-La Pass: KURIL ISLANDS/ NORTHERN TERRITORIES

• Shinku-La Pass is a mountain pass between Zanskar
Valley in Ladakh and Lahaul Valley in Himachal In News: Japan has recently described the Kuril Islands
Pradesh. (which Japan calls the Northern Territories and Russia as
the South Kurils) as being under Russia’s “illegal
• This pass may be considered as an entry point to
occupation”.
Lugnak Valley in Zanskar.
About
Border Roads Organisation (BRO):
• These are a set of four islands situated between
• BRO was conceived and raised in 1960 by Pandit
the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean near the
Jawaharlal Nehru for coordinating the speedy
north of Japan’s northernmost prefecture,
development of a network of roads in the North and
Hokkaido.
the North Eastern border regions of the country.
• It works under the administrative control of the
Ministry of Defence.
• Both Moscow and Tokyo claim sovereignty over them • It is surrounded by the Pontic, Caucasus, and Crimean
though the islands have been under Russian control Mountains in the south, east and north respectively.
since the end of World War II. • The Turkish straits system the Dardanelles, Bosporus
• The Soviet Union had seized the islands at the end of and Marmara Sea forms a transitional zone between
World War II and by 1949 had expelled its Japanese the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
residents. • The Black Sea is also connected to the Sea of Azov
• Tokyo claims that the disputed islands have been part by the Strait of Kerch.
of Japan since the early 19th century. • The bordering countries of Black Sea are: Russia,
Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania
GULF OF GABES
In News: A Fuel Ship with 750 tons of diesel sinks off the
Gulf Of Gabes in Tunisia. PRANAHITA RIVER
In News: The mega river festival dedicated to
About worshipping the Pranahita river drew to a close on a
• The Gulf of Gabes also known as Lesser Syrtis grand note with hordes of devotees swarming
contrasting with the Greater Syrtis in Libya, is a gulf Kaleshwaram.
on Tunisia’s east coast in the Mediterranean Sea, off
North Africa. About
• The gulf roughly spans the coast from Sfax to Djerba. • Pranahita River is the largest tributary of the
• At the head of the gulf is the city of Gabès Godavari.
(Ghannouche) where the tides have a large range of • This river acts as border between Telangana and
up to 2.1 m at spring tides. Maharashtra.
• Both Gabès and Sfax are major ports on the gulf, • Origin: Thumbidihatti, Asifabad, Telangana.
supporting sponge and tuna fisheries, with Gabès • It begins at the confluence of 2 rivers: Wardha and
being the economic and administrative centre. Wainganga.
• It is 60 miles (100 km) long and 60 miles wide and is • Outflow: Godavari River near Kaleshwaram.
bounded by the Qarqannah (Kerkena) Islands on the • States: Maharashtra, Telangana.
northeast and by Jarbah (Djerba) Island on the • Kaleshwaram irrigation project, one of the two
southeast. components of the redesigned Pranahita- Chevella
project, was proposed across the Godavari after the
BLACK SEA tributaries - Pranahita and Indravati.
In News: The sinking of the warship Moskva, the 600-
foot, 12,500-tonne flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet KWAR HYDRO ELECTRIC PROJECT
— whether due to a Ukrainian missile strike or, as Russia In News: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
claims, a fire on board is a serious setback for Russia. (CCEA) has approved the investment of Rs.4526.12 crore
for 540 Megawatt (MW) Kwar Hydro Electric Project.
About
• The Black Sea, also known as the Euxine Sea, is one of About
the major water bodies and a famous inland sea of the • Located on river Chenab, in Kishtwar district of
world. Union Territory of Jammy and Kashmir.
• This marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, located • Implemented by Chenab Valley Power Projects
between Eastern Europe and Western Asia. Private Ltd., a joint venture between the NHPC and

the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development • Dodoma is the official capital and Dar es Salaam is the
Corporation, with equity contribution of 51% and seat of most government administrations as well as is
49%. the largest city and port in the country.
• The project, to be commissioned within 54 months, is • It is located in east Africa just south of the Equator. It
expected to generate 1975.54 million units in a 90% is bounded by Uganda, Lake Victoria and Kenya to the
dependable year. north, by the Indian Ocean to the east, by
• This is part of the Indus basin and would be one of Mozambique, Lake Nyasa, Malawi and Zambia to the
the at least four projects coming up in the district, south and
including the • southwest and by Lake Tanganyika, Burundi and
• 1,000 MWs Pakal Dul hydroelectric project and 624 Rwanda to the west.
MWs run-of-the-river Kiru hydroelectric project. • Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro (5,895
metres) and the world’s second deepest lake, Lake
Indus Water Treaty (IWT), 1960 Tanganyika (1,436 metres deep) are located in
• Under the 1960 vintage Indus Water Treaty (IWT) Tanzania.
between India and Pakistan, the two countries share
the waters of six rivers in the Indus basin that flow GILGIT-BALTISTAN
through India towards Pakistan.
In News: Valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan are resonating with
• Of these, India has complete rights over three eastern
loud protests by local communities against Pakistan for
rivers - Sutlej, Beas and Ravi, while Pakistan has
forcibly usurping village lands and plundering their
rights over the western rivers - Chenab, Jhelum, and
natural wealth.
Indus.
• India can, however, build run-of-the-river projects on
About
the western rivers.
• It borders China in the North, Afghanistan in the west
and Kashmir in the southeast.
LONG PERIOD AVERAGE (LPA) • It shares a geographical boundary with Pakistan-
In News: The country is likely to receive a normal occupied Kashmir.
monsoon for the fourth consecutive year, the India • The region was a part of the erstwhile princely state
Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its first Long of Jammu and Kashmir, but has been under Pakistan’s
Range Forecast (LRF) for this year. control since 4th November, 1947, following the
invasion of Kashmir by tribal militias and the
About Pakistan army.
• The IMD predicts a “normal”, “below normal”, or • The China Pakistan Economic Corridor passes
“above normal” monsoon in relation to a benchmark through this region.
“long period average” (LPA).
• According to the IMD, the “LPA of rainfall is the
rainfall recorded over a particular region for a given
interval (like month or season) average over a long
period like 30 years, 50 years, etc”.
• Along with the countrywide figure, the IMD also
maintains LPAs for every meteorological region of
the country.
Need for LPA:
• Because annual rainfall can vary greatly not just from
region to region and from month to month, but also
from year to year within a particular region or month,
an LPA is needed to smooth out trends so that a
reasonably accurate prediction can be made.
TANZANIA
In News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid tributes
Current Status of Gilgit-Baltistan:
to the great leader, former Tanzania President and friend
of India, Mwalimu Nyerere on his 100th Birth • It is an autonomous region now and with this
Anniversary. elevation, it will become the 5th province of the
country.
About • Currently, Pakistan has four provinces namely
• It was formed as a sovereign state in 1964 through Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and
the union of the separate states of Tanganyika and Sindh.
Zanzibar. • India’s position: India has clearly conveyed to
Pakistan that the entire Union Territories of Jammu
and Kashmir and Ladakh, including the areas of Gilgit

and Baltistan, are an integral part of the country by

virtue of its fully legal and irrevocable accession. 8. ART AND CULTURE
KRAMATORSK SAHITYA AKADEMI AWARD

In News: Ukraine is preparing for “important battles” In News: Recently, Sahitya Akademi announced the
against Moscow’s forces in the east of the country, Sahitya Akademi Award 2021 in 20 languages. The
especially in Kramatorsk. Akademi also announced Yuva Puraskar and Bal Sahitya
Puraskar for 2021.
About
• Kramatorsk is a city and the administrative centre of About
Kramatorsk Raion in the northern portion of Donetsk • Established in 1954.
Oblast, in eastern Ukraine. • It is a literary honour that is conferred annually by
• Since October 11, 2014 Kramatorsk has been the Sahitya Akademi, India’s National Academy of
provisional seat of Donetsk Oblast, following the letters.
events surrounding the war in Donbas. • Akademi gives 24 awards annually to literary
Sievierodonetsk has a similar status for Luhansk works in the languages it has recognized and an equal
Oblast. number of awards to literary translations from and
• The city is located on the banks of the Kazennyi into the languages of India.
Torets River which is a right tributary of the Siversky • Besides the 22 languages enumerated in the
Donets. It is an important industrial and mechanical Constitution of India, the Sahitya Akademi has
engineering centre in Ukraine. recognised English and Rajasthani as languages in
which its programme may be implemented.
• The Sahitya Akademi award is the second-highest
literary honour by the Government of India, after the
Jnanpith award.
• Eligibility:
o The author must be of Indian Nationality.
o Book/work eligible for the award must be an
outstanding contribution to the language and
literature to which it belongs.
o When equal merit for books of two or more are
found, certain criteria like total literary
contribution and standing of authors shall be
taken into consideration for declaring the award.
• The award is presented in the form of a casket
containing an engraved copper-plaque, a shawl and a
cheque of Rs 1 lakh.
Other Sahitya Akademi Awards:

• Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar: Sahitya Akademi
introduced Yuva Puraskar in 2011 to encourage
young writers writing in Indian languages and who
are below the age of 35.
• Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar: Given to an
author based on his/her total contribution to
children literature and relates to books first
published during the five years immediately
preceding the year of Award.
RANI VELU NACHIYAR

In News: Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid
tributes to Rani Velu Nachiyar on her birth anniversary.
About
• Rani Velu Nachiyar was a queen of Sivaganga estate
from c. 1780–1790.
• She was the first Indian queen to wage war with the
East India Company in India.
• She is known by Tamils as Veeramangai (“brave
woman”).

• During this period, she formed an army and sought an The other four Takhts are linked to Guru Gobind
alliance with Hyder Ali with the aim of launching a Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru:
campaign against the East India Company in 1780. • Takht Keshgarh Sahib: Located in Anandpur Sahib
in Punjab. It was here that Guru Gobind Singh raised
BIR BIKRAM KISHORE DEBBARMAN Khalsa, the initiated Sikh warriors, in 1699.
• Takht Patna Sahib: Guru Gobind Singh was born
In News: The Prime Minister inaugurated the New
here in 1666.
Terminal Building of Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in
• Takht Hazur Sahib: In Nanded, where Guru Gobin
Agartala to strengthen connectivity along with the launch
Singh spent time and where he was cremated in 1708.
of developmental initiatives.
• Takht Damdama Sahib: In Talwandi Sabo of
Bathinda. Guru Gobind Singh spent several months
About
here
• Bir Bikram Kishore Debbarman was the revered ruler
of Tripura belonging to the Manikya dynasty.
Amendment to the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Act means:
• He was born on August 19th 1908.
• It adds one more ex officio member in the Delhi Sikh
• He became the 184th and the second last Maharaja of
Gurdwara Managament Committee (DSGMC) house.
the Kingdom of Tripura in 1923 and ruled till 1947.
• Earlier, there were four ex officio members in the
• Maharaja Kirit Bikram Kishore Deb Barman
house — the chiefs (jathedars) of the other four Sikh
succeeded his father Bir Bikram and continued as the
Takhts.
nominal king for two years until the merger of
Tripura with India in 1949.
• He played an important role in the development SRI JAGANNATH TEMPLE ACT OF 1954
of Tripura: In News: In a historic decision, the Odisha state cabinet
o Father of modern architecture in Tripura: on Wednesday approved amendments to the Sri
During his rule the entire planning of present- Jagannath Temple Act of 1954, simplifying issues
day Tripura was initiated. pertaining to land owned by the Jagannath Temple.
o Pioneer in land reforms: In 1939, he reserved
land for the local Tripura tribals. Later, this step About
was instrumental in the creation of the Tripura • Before Independence: In the year 1806, the then
autonomous district council. British government had issued regulations for
o Airport development: He built the first airport management of the Jagannath temple, which was
in Tripura (Agartala airport). referred to as the Juggernaut temple by the colonial
rulers.
TAKHT DAMDAMA SAHIB • Under these regulations, pilgrims who visited the
temple were expected to pay taxes. The British
In News: Ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections, the
government was entrusted with appointing senior
Aam Aadmi Party(AAP)-led Delhi Assembly on passed an
priests at the temple.
amendment Bill to the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1971,
• The powers of management of the temple were
recognising Takht Damdama Sahib as the fifth Takht of
passed on to the King of Khordha after three years,
Sikhs.
while the colonial government continued to retain
some control.
About
• After India gained Independence: Jagannath
• A Takht, which means a throne, is a seat of
Temple Act was introduced in the year 1952, which
temporal authority for Sikhs.
came into effect in 1954.
• The Takhts are known to issue hukumnamas from
• The Act contains provision regarding:
time to time on issues that concern the Sikh
o Land rights of the temple,
community.
o Duties of the sevayat (priests),
• There are five Sikh Takhts, three in Punjab and one
o Administrative powers of the shri jagannath
each in Maharashtra and Bihar.
temple managing committee,
o Rights and privileges of the raja of puri and other
Akal Takht:
persons connected with the management and
• Located in Amritsar, it is the oldest of the Takhts,
administration of the temple.
and considered supreme among the five. It was set up
in 1606 by Guru Hargobind.
• The Akal Takht, a raised platform that he built in VEER BAAL DIWAS
front of the causeway leading to the sanctum In News: The Prime Minister has announced that 26th
sanctorum of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple). December shall be observed as ‘Veer Baal Diwas’ to mark
• It symbolised the coming together of the the martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and
temporal authority and the political sovereignty of Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji.
the Sikh community (miri) with the spiritual
authority (piri). About Sahibzades:
• It is seen as the first marker of Sikh nationalism.

• Guru Gobind Singh ji had four sons – Sahibzada Ajit KATHAK

Singh, Sahibzada Jujhar Singh, Sahibzada Zorawar
In News: Recently, the famous Kathak dancer Pandit
Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh.
Munna Shukla died. His most noted works include the
• All four of his sons were initiated into the Khalsa and
dance-drama Shan-e-Mughal, Inder Sabha, Ameer
all were executed by Mughal forces before the age of
Khusro, Anga Mukti, Anvesha, Bahar, Tratak, Kraunch
19.
Badh, Dhuni, among others.
• Sikhism honors the illustrious martyred sons of Guru
Gobind Singh ji in the prayer of ardas for their valor
About
and sacrifice as ‘Char Sahibzade’, that is the four
• Kathak is the traditional dance form of Uttar
princes of the Khalsa warrior order.
Pradesh. Kathak derives its name from the '
Kathika' or storyteller who recites verses from
Guru Gobind Singh:
the epics with music and gestures.
• Guru Gobind Singh was the 10th Sikh guru.
• During the Mughal times, it was influenced by Islamic
• He was born in Patna, Bihar in 1666.
features, especially in costume and dancing style.
• He became the Sikh guru at the age of nine,
• Later in the twentieth century, Lady Leela Sokhey
following the demise of his father, Guru Tegh
revived the classical style of Kathak.
Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru.
• It is commonly identified with the court tradition in
• He founded the Sikh warrior community called
North India.
Khalsa in 1699.
• Kathak is based on Hindustani music.
• He introduced the turban to cover the hair along
• It consists of different kharanas like Lucknow,
with the principles of Khalsa or the five ‘K’s.
Jaipur, Raigarh, and Banaras.
• He laid the rules of Khalsa warriors, like abstaining
• Jugalbandi is one of the main features of Kathak
from tobacco, alcohol, halal meat, and imbibing the
recital. It shows a competitive play between dancer
duty of protecting innocent people from prosecution.
and tabla player.
• He named Guru Granth Sahib as the religious text
• Gatbhaar is the dance without music or chanting.
of the Khalsa and the Sikhs. He fought against the
Mythological episodes are outlined by this.
Mughals in the Battle of Muktsar in 1705.
• Kathak is accompanied by dhrupad music. During the
• He also wrote the “Zafarnama” which was a letter to
Mughal period, Taranas, Thumris, and Gazals were
the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
introduced.
• Lachha Maharaj, Shambu Maharaj and Birju Maharaj
PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS etc are the main proponents of Kathak.
In News: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on • Other Classical Dances in India: Bharatanatyam
9th January every year to mark the contribution of the from Tamil Nadu, Kathakali from Kerala, Kuchipudi
Overseas Indian community in the development of India. from Andhra Pradesh, Odissi from Odisha, Sattriya
from Assam, Manipuri from Manipur, Mohiniyattam
About from Kerala.
• It is the flagship event of the Ministry of External
Affairs and provides an important platform to MAKAR SANKRANTI
engage and connect with the overseas Indian.
In News: PM has greeted people across the nation on the
• Purpose: To recognize the overseas Indians who
occasion of harvest festivals Makar Sankranti, Uttarayan,
have contributed to the development of India.
Bhogi, Magh Bihu and Pongal.
• Significance of the day: It is celebrated every year
on January 9th because Mahatma Gandhi had
About
returned to India from South Africa on January
• Makar Sankranti is a festival day in the Hindu
09,1915.
calendar, in reference to deity Surya (sun).
• Theme: “Contributing to Atma Nirbhar Bharat”.
• Date of observance: Makar Sankranti is observed
• Pravasi Bharatiya Samman(PBSA): It is conferred
according to solar cycles. It is held normally on the
every year on the occasion of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
14th of January, or a day before or after. In certain
to select Indian diaspora members to recognize their
regions celebrations can go on for even four days and
achievements and honour their contributions to
vary a lot in the rituals.
various fields, both in India and abroad.
• Significance: It marks the –
o First day of sun's transit into the Makara
Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD):
(Capricorn), marking the end of the month with
• It will also be celebrated virtually on the theme
the winter solstice and the start of longer days.
“Bringing together Young Achievers from India and
o End the inauspicious phase of the preceding
Indian Diaspora” and will be anchored by the
month that is called Paush.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
o Beginning of the end of chilling winter.
• The Special Guest for the event is Ms.Priyanca o Occasion to celebrate the hard work of millions
Radhakrishnan, Minister for Community & Voluntary of our farmers and people across the country (it
Sector of New Zealand.
is celebrated as a harvest Festival).

KALA KUMBH • Yoginis: Yoginis are a group of powerful female

divinities associated with the Tantrik mode of
In News: Recently, the National Gallery of Modern Art
worship. They are worshipped as a group, often 64
(NGMA) celebrated 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ with Kala
and are believed to possess infinite powers.
Kumbh.
About NAGALAND’S KOHIMA WAR CEMETERY

• The Kala Kumbh paintings are drawn on gigantic In News: The United Kingdom-based Commonwealth
scrolls. These scrolls are to be displayed on Raj Path War Graves Commission (CWGC) has listed five sites with
during republic day celebrations. Each scroll is 750 unusual features. These sites are associated with World
metres in length approximately. War I and World War II.
• They will display the courageous stories of unsung
independence struggle heroes of India. Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC)
• Organised under: The Kala Kumbh is organized • It is an intergovernmental organisation of six
under azadi ka amrit mahotsav. It will reflect unity in member-states who ensure the men and women
diversity in the country. More than 600 artists will who died in the wars will never be forgotten.
participate in creating the scrolls. The artists are
predominantly from Odisha and Chhattisgarh. • The commission was founded by Sir Fabian Ware and
• Aim: It is intended to inspire people about the rich constituted through Royal Charter in 1917 as the
national heritage and legacy of Bharat in its true Imperial War Graves Commission.
sense. • Membership: Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand,
• Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat: The scrolls will also South Africa and the United Kingdom.
carry message of Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat. It aims
to interact and promote the mutual understanding
between different states and people. It includes RAVIDASSIAS
language, traditions, culture, music, cuisine, best In News: The postponement of the Assembly elections in
practices, etc. Punjab to February 20 underlines the importance of the
Ravidassia community in the state.
National Gallery of Modern Art
• It is a national premier Institute that was About Ravidassias:
established in 1954 by then vice-president Dr. S • The Ravidassias are a Dalit community of whom the
Radhakrishanan in the presence of Prime bulk nearly 12 lakh live in the Doaba region.
Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. • The Dera Sachkhand Ballan, their largest dera with 20
• NGMA is a repository of the cultural ethos of the lakh followers worldwide, was founded in the early
country and showcases the changing art forms 20th century by Baba Sant Pipal Das.
through the passage of the last hundred and fifty • Once closely connected with Sikhism, the dera
years starting from about 1857 in the field of Visual severed these decades-old ties in 2010, and
and Plastic arts. announced they would follow the Ravidassia religion.
• Headquarters: New Delhi. • The dera made the announcement on Guru Ravidas
• Nodal Ministry: It is run and administered under the Jayanti in Varanasi.
Ministry of Culture • From 2010, the Dera Sachkhand Ballan started
replacing the Guru Granth Sahib with its own Granth,
GOAT HEAD YOGINI Amritbani, carrying 200 hymns of Guru Ravidas, in
Ravidassia temples and gurdwaras.
In News: Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy announced
that a 10th century stone idol of Goat Head Yogini that had Guru Ravidas:
been illegally removed from a temple in Lokhari, Banda, • Guru Ravidas was a mystic poet saint of the Bhakti
Uttar Pradesh is being returned to India. Movement from the 15th and 16th centuries, and
founded the Ravidassia religion.
About
• It is believed that he was born in Varanasi in a
• It is a 10th Century Stone Idol. cobbler’s family.
• The sculpture is of a goat headed Yogini that • He gained prominence due to his belief in one God
originally belonged to a group of stone deities in and his unbiased religious poems.
sandstone and installed in Lokhari temple.
• He dedicated his whole life to the abolition of the
• The idol had been illegally removed from a temple in caste system and openly despised the notion of a
Lokhari, Banda, Uttar Pradesh in the 1980s. Brahminical society.
• The sculpture had briefly surfaced in the art market • His devotional songs made an instant impact on the
in London in 1988. Bhakti Movement and around 41 of his poems were
• In October 2021, the idol was discovered in London. included in ‘Guru Granth Sahib’, the religious text of
And now it is being returned to the Archaeological the Sikhs.
Survey of India, New Delhi.

REPUBLIC DAY TABLEAUX • Subbisetty, Chintamani, Bilvamangaludu, Bhavani

Shankaram, and Srihari are some of the characters in
In News: Recently, West Bengal’s tableau for the Republic
the play.
Day parade was rejected without assigning any reasons
or justifications.
Its performance:
• The play is named after the main character,
About
Chintamani, a woman born into a family involved in
• Tableaux refer to a group of models or motionless
the flesh trade.
figures representing a scene from a story or from
• The play focuses on how she attained salvation after
history.
repentance.
• On Republic Day, states and different departments
• Subbi Shetty, a character in the play, loses his wealth
and ministries showcase their achievements in form
to Chintamani and his character is utilised in a way
of cutting-edge technology and instruments or their
that engages the audience.
history and culture in their respective tableaux.
• Chintamani play is popular across the state. It has
been performed at thousands of places.
Basic Guidelines over the Tableaux:
• The play continues to engage the audience even today
• Defence Ministry also share basic guidelines on
and has become a must stage play in villages during
what all the tableaux can or should include.
Dasara celebrations.
• Participating entities are mandated to engage “young
qualified designers from renowned institutions”.
Reason behind banning:
• They are also asked to engage moving elements using
• Began as a social sermon, this play has been
robotics or mechatronics, electronic display walls for
increasingly going vulgar.
bright display of images or content 3D printing for
• Subbi Shetty, who resembles a person of a
certain elements, special effects to improve optics &
transgender community, is used to portray the social
visual effects of the tableau and use of augmented or
group in a bad way.
virtual reality.
• Obscene dialogues are added to the play in the name
• Tableaux of two different states or UTs cannot be
of creativity.
similar, in a bid to showcase the diversity of India.
• Tableaux cannot have any writing or use of logos,
except for the name of state, UT or department. SOMNATH TEMPLE
In News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate
Tableaux Selection Process: the new Circuit House at Somnath on 21st January, 2022.
• The selection process is elaborate and time-
consuming. About
• The Defence Ministry constitutes an expert • The Somnath temple, also called Somanātha temple
committee of distinguished persons from fields like or Deo Patan, is located in Prabhas Patan, Veraval
art, culture, painting, sculpture, music, architecture in Gujarat, India.
and choreography. • One of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for the
• The Committee examines the proposals on the basis Hindus, they believe it to be the first among the
of theme, concept, design and visual impact before twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.
making its recommendations. • It was reconstructed several times in the past after
repeated destruction by several Muslim invaders and
Note: Republic Day celebrations from this year will start rulers.
on January 23 instead of January 24 to include the birth • After India's independence, those ruins were
anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose demolished and the present Somnath temple was
reconstructed in the Māru-Gurjara style of Hindu
CHINTAMANI PADYA NATAKAM temple architecture.
In News: The Andhra Pradesh government has brought • The contemporary Somnath temple's reconstruction
the curtains down on the popular Telugu play was started under the orders of the first Home
Minister of India Vallabhbhai Patel and completed in
‘Chintamani Padya Natakam’, which has enthralled
people for almost 100 years. May 1951 after his death.
• Presently the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi
About is the chairman of Shree Somnath Mandir trust.
• It is a stage play penned by social reformer, writer
and poet Kallakuri Narayana Rao about 100 years STATUE OF EQUALITY
ago. In News: The Prime Minister is all set to unveil the statue
• In the play, the writer explains how people neglect of Equality in Hyderabad, Telangana.
their families by falling prey to certain social evils.
• It was aimed to create awareness on the Devadasi About
system and how the flesh trade was ruining many • Statue of Equality is a 216-foot-tall statue dedicated
families at that particular period. to 11th-century social reformer and saint,
Ramanujacharya. The statue will be in a sitting • It is always the last piece to be played by the brass
position. bands before the troops recede up Raisina Hill to the
• The world’s second tallest statue in a sitting position tune of poet Allama Iqbal’s Saarejahan se achha.
is made up of ‘panchaloha’, meaning a combination • Abide with me Hymn in India: It is one of the
of five metals i.e. gold, copper, silver, brass and zinc. favourite hymn of Mahatma Gandhi. It was sung in
• Note: The tallest is the Great Buddha in Thailand at Sabarmati Ashram. It was the only cross religion
302 ft]. hymn to be sung in the Ashram.
• The inner sanctorum deity of Sri Ramanujacharya is
built of 120 kilos of gold. This commemorates the 120 NO BLAME IN SHIFTING THE FLAME
years the saint spent on earth.
In News: Some sections of the society are against the
merging of the Amar Jawan Jyoti flame with the torch at
Sri Ramanujacharya:
the National War Memorial.
• Born in 1017 CE in Tamil Nadu.
• He is the most respected Acharya in the
About Amar Jawan Jyoti:
philosophy of Sri Vaishnavism.
• It was a tribute to the 3,483 martyrs of the 1971
• He is famous as the chief proponent of
Bangladesh War.
Vishishtadvaita subschool of Vedānta. He was also
• The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had
referred to as Ilaya Perumal, which means the
inaugurated it on Republic Day 1972, after India
radiant one.
defeated Pakistan in December 1971.
• He worked tirelessly against casteism and social
• The eternal flame at the Amar Jawan Jyoti underneath
hierarchies, proclaiming that all living beings had the
India Gate in central Delhi was an iconic symbol of the
right to Realization.
nation’s tributes to the soldiers who have died for the
• He also enacted several reforms in temple
country in various wars and conflicts since
administration. For instance, at one time the entire
Independence.
administration in the Srirangam Temple in
• India Gate: it was built as a tribute to the fallen
Tiruchirappalli was controlled by a specific caste. He
soldiers who fought under the British flag in World
included persons from different castes in the Temple
War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War.
administration. A number of responsibilities were
given to women also.
The National War Memorial:
• He wrote nine works that came to be known as
• It was inaugurated in 2019. It is intended as a homage
the Navratnas including three major commentaries,
to martyrs of conflicts after Independence.
the Vedartha-Sangraha, the Sribhasya and the
Bhagavadgita-bhasya aimed at providing a • The layout of the structure comprises four
concentric circles, named:
philosophical foundation for devotional worship.
o the "Amar Chakra" or Circle of Immortality,
o the "Veerta Chakra" or Circle of Bravery,
Vishistadvaita:
o the "Tyag Chakra" or Circle of Sacrifice and
• It is a non-dualistic school of Vedanta philosophy.
o the "Rakshak Chakra" or Circle of Protection
It is non-dualism of the qualified whole, in which
Brahman alone exists, but is characterized by
multiplicity. PUNAURA DHAM
• It can be described as qualified monism or In News: As per the request received from the State
qualified non-dualism or attributive monism. Government of Bihar, Ministry of Tourism has included
• It is a school of Vedanta philosophy which believes Punaura Dham in the Ramayana circuit of Swadesh
in all diversity subsuming to an underlying unity. Darshan Scheme. The destination of Punaura Dham has
been recently included under PRASHAD Scheme of the
ABIDE WITH ME Ministry of Tourism.
In News: Mahatma Gandhi's favourite hymn ‘Abide With About
Me’ which used to be played at the end of the Beating the
• Punaura Dham, considered to be birthplace of
Retreat ceremony on 29 January, has once again been
Goddess Sita, is spread over around 10 acres of land
dropped from the ceremony this year.
in Punaura village, about 5km west of Sitamarhi
town.
About Abide With Me:
• The shrine compound has a Ram Janki temple, a
• It is the Christian hymn.
pond called Sita Kund and a hall.
• Penned in the pre-modern world by Henry Francis
Lyte, a Scottish Anglican minister and son of a naval
PRASHAD Scheme:
captain, the hymn, which is known for its simplicity
• The ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation
and sombre theme, is often sung to English composer
and Spiritual Augmentation Drive’ (PRASAD).
William Henry Monk’s evocative tune Eventide, and
• Launched by: Ministry of Tourism (2014-15).
has been a fixture in the Indian Beating Retreat
ceremony since 1950.

• It was changed from PRASAD to “National Mission on • He was also jailed by the British for his involvement
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage in Kakori Conspiracy.
Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)” in October 2017. • Sachindra Nath Sanyal passed away in Gorakhpur Jail
• Objective: on 7th February 1942.
o Holistic development of identified pilgrimage
destinations; AMASR ACT, 1958
o Rejuvenation and spiritual augmentation of
important pilgrimage and heritage sites; In News: The Ministry of Culture is working on
o Follow community-based development and amendments to the Ancient Monuments and
create awareness among the local communities; Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958.
o Strengthen the mechanism for bridging the
infrastructural gaps. About
• AMASR Act provides for the preservation of ancient
and historical monuments and archaeological sites
PANDIT BHIMSEN JOSHI and remains of national importance.
In News: Recently, he Prime Minister has remembered • It also provides for the regulation of archaeological
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi on his 100th birth anniversary. excavations and for the protection of sculptures,
carvings and other like objects.
About • The Act was amended in 2010 to declare the 100-
• Born in 1922 at Ron, Gadag district, Karnataka, metre radius of protected monuments as prohibited
Bhimsen Joshi was the eldest among 16 children born areas and the next 300-metre radius as regulated
to Gururaj Joshi and Godavaribai. areas. However, this amendment was brought about
• He left home at a young age in pursuit of music and a without any inputs from the Archaeological Survey of
suitable guru. India.
• He found his guru Pandit Sawai Gandharva at
Kundagol, Dharwad district. Amendments proposed in the AMASR Act:
• There he met Gangubai Hangal, another disciple of • It proposes to change Section 20A of the Act, which
Sawai Gandharva, whom he fondly called ‘akka’ refers to the prohibited area.
(elder sister). • This amendment would rationalise the prohibited
• Gangubai went on to become a doyenne of Hindustani and regulated areas.
classical music and settled down in Hubballi. • An Expert Committee would decide the prohibited
• After the training, the ‘Ganda Bandhan’ (ritual that area around a particular monument, which could be
creates a bond between guru & disciple) took place in as wide as 500 metres for some sites like the Taj
Dharwad, where Bhimsen Joshi chose to settle down. Mahal.
• When All India Radio opened a station in Dharwad in • It aims to enable the Archaeological Survey of
1950, the inaugural song Vande Mataram was sung India(ASI) to act against encroachment by holding
by Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Gangubai Hangal, the relevant authorities liable in case of illegal
Mallikarjun Mansur and Basavaraj Rajguru. buildings at a protected site. This would be similar to
• He organised the Sawai Gandharva Music festival the enforcement powers under the Indian Forest Act.
in Pune.
MADHVACHARYA
SACHINDRA NATH SANYAL In News: The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paid his
In News: The Nation is remembering Revolutionary obeisances to Sri Madhvacharya on the occasion of
Sachindra Nath Sanyal on his 80th death anniversary. Madhva Navami.
About About
• He was the founder of the Hindustan Republican • Shri Madhvacharya was born near Udupi. He was
Association also known as Hindustan Socialist born in 1238, on the auspicious day of Vijayadashami,
Republican Association. It was created to carry and he was named Vasudeva.
out armed resistance against the British Empire • He was the third of the trinity of philosophers who
in India. influenced Indian thoughts after the ages of the Vedas
• Sachindra Nath Sanyal was a mentor for and Puranas (the other two being Shankaracharya
revolutionaries like Chandrasekhar Azad and and Ramanujacharya).
Bhagat Singh. • He propounded the philosophy of Dwaita or
• He along with Rashbehari Bose attacked Viceroy Dualism.
Hardinge and injured him while he was entering new • It was Achyutapreksha who gave him the title
capital of Delhi. ‘Madhva’ by which he was more famously known.
• Sanyal was closely involved in the plans for the • Literary works: He wrote various texts that detailed
Ghadar Conspiracy. He was sentenced to life for his his philosophy which he called Tattvavada, or as it is
involvement in the conspiracy and was imprisoned at more popularly known, Dvaita. Some of his works
Cellular Jail.

were the Gita Bhashya, Brahma Sutra Bhashya, Anu • It is the second-largest fair in India, after the
Bhashya, Karma Nirnaya, and Vishnu Tattva Nirnaya. Kumbh Mela.
• It is organised by Koya Tribe in collaboration with
Dvaita philosophy: the Tribal Welfare Department, Government of
• The basic tenet of Dvaita philosophy is the refutation Telangana.
of the Mayavada of Sri Shankara. Dvaitha emphasizes • It was declared a State Festival in 1996.
that the world is real and not just an illusion.
• The soul is bound to this world through ignorance Koya Tribe:
• The way for the soul to release itself from this • Koya is a tribal group found in southern India,
bondage is to seek the grace of Sri Hari especially Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh
• To reach Sri Hari, one has to practice Bhakthi, there is and Odisha.
no other way • Language: Koyas speaks the Koya language, also
• To practice Bhakthi, one needs to meditate known as Koya Basha and is a member of the
• To meditate, one needs to clear the mind and attain Dravidian language family.
detachment by studying the sacred texts. • Livelihood: The Koyas are mainly settled cultivators
and artisans expertise in making bamboo furniture
TILKA MANJHI including mats for fencing, dustpans, and baskets.
They grow Jowar, Ragi, Bajra and other millets.
In News: The Nation is remembering revolutionary
• Religion and festival:
freedom fighter and tribal leader Tilka Manjhi on his
o Lord Bhima, Korra Rajulu, Mamili and Potaraju
272nd birth anniversary.
are the important deities to Koyas.
o Their main festivals are Vijji Pandum (seeds
About
charming festival) and Kondala Kolupu (festival
• He organized Adivasis into an army and led the to appease Hill deities).
famous Santhal Hool in 1784 against the exploitative o Koyas perform a robust colourful dance called
British. Permakok ata (Bison horn dance) during
• In 1770, there was a severe famine in the Santhal festivals and marriage ceremonies.
region and people were dying of hunger. Tilka Manjhi
looted the treasury of the Company and distributed it
among the poor and needy. INITIATIVES FOR THE LADAKH REGION
• Inspired by this noble act of Tilka, many other tribals In News: Recently, the Union Minister has announced
also joined the rebellion. With this began his Santhal several initiatives for the Ladakh region
Hool, the revolt of the Santhals. He continued to
attack the British and their allies. About
• From 1771 to 1784, Tilka Manjhi never surrendered. • Snow Sculpture will be introduced in Ladakh in a
Tilka Majhi attacked Augustus Cleveland, an East big way from the winter season as a tourist attraction.
India Company administrator and fatally wounded • The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
him. (CSIR) is promoting “Leh Berry” which is an
• The British surrounded the Tilapore forest from exclusive food product of the cold desert and also a
which he operated but he and his men held them at means of wide-ranging entrepreneurship as well as
bay for several weeks. self-livelihood.
• When he was finally caught in 1784, he was tied to the • Commercial cultivation of three medicinal plants
tail of a horse and dragged all the way to the will begin this spring season at a height of above
Collector's residence at Bhagalpur, Bihar, India. 15,000 feet. This also includes “Sanjeevani Booty”,
There, his lacerated body was hung from a Banyan locally known as “Sola” which has very high life-
tree. saving and therapeutic properties.
MEDARAM JATHARA FESTIVAL ATTUKAL PONGALA FESTIVAL

In News: Recently, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has In News: The Attukal Pongala festival in Kerala will be a
sanctioned funds for various activities pertaining to muted affair this year with strict Covid-19 protocols
Medaram Jathara 2022. limiting rituals to the temple and homes.
About About
• Medaram Jatara is also known as Sammakka • The Attukal Pongala of Kerala is the world’s largest
Saralamma Jatara. congregation of women for a festival.
• It is a tribal festival honoring the fight of a mother • It is a famous festival celebrated annually at
and daughter, Sammakka and Saralamma, with Attukal Bhagavathy Temple,
the reigning rulers against an unjust law. Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.
• It is celebrated in the state of Telangana. • It is a 10 days event commencing on the Karthigai star
• It is celebrated once in two years in the month of of the Malayalam month of Makaram or Kumbham
“Magha” (February) on the full moon day.
and closing with the sacrificial offering known as • Prime Minister Narendra Modi had brought the ashes
Kuruthitharpanam at night. of Shyamji Krishna Varma back to India from
• On the 9th day of the festival the Attukal Pongala Switzerland in 2003 when he was Chief Minister of
Mahotsavam takes place. Gujarat. Mr Modi got the reinstatement certificate of
• Pongala, which means 'to boil over’, is the ritual in Shyamji Krishna Varma from UK when he visited
which women prepare sweet payasam (a pudding there in 2015.
made from rice, jaggery, coconut and plantains
cooked together) and offer it to the Goddess or NABIN CHANDRA SEN
‘Bhagavathy’.
In News: The nation is remembering revolutionary
• This ritual can only be performed by women.
Bengali poet and writer Nabin Chandra Sen on his 175th
• Attukal Bhagavathi is believed to be an incarnation of
birth anniversary.
Kannaki, the central character of the Tamil epic
'Silappathikaaram'.
About
• He described the battle of Plassey and the arrival
CHENNAVEER KANAVI of British rule in India as “A Night of Eternal
In News: Celebrated Kannada poet, critic and professor Gloom”.
Channaveera Kanavi, whose poems spoke of simplicities • Nabin Chandra Sen's novel-in-verse Bhanumati and
of life and betrayed a yearning for rural idyll, recently memoir of his travels 'Prabaser Patra' brought him
passed away. fame.
• His five-volume autobiography, Aamar Jiban-My Life
About is an important document chronicling the politics and
• Nadoja Chennaveera Kanavi (1928 – 2022) was an social aspirations of the Bengali literati in the late
Indian writer. nineteenth century.
• He was considered one of the major poets and writers
in the Kannada language and received the Sahitya NETTUR PETTI
Akademi Award for his work Jeeva Dhwani (Poetry)
In News: Recently, Nettur Petti or aada petti is a
in 1981.
handcrafted, ornamental box created by traditional
• He was popularly known as "Samanvayada Kavi"
craftsmen in Kerala making a comeback
and "Soujanyada Kavi".
• In 2011, he was honoured with the Sahitya Kala About
Kaustubha Award.
• Nettur Petti or aada petti is a handcrafted,
ornamental box created by traditional craftsmen
INDIAN HOME RULE SOCIETY in Kerala.
In News: Under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Government of • The Nettur petti is often made with brass
India organized an event to recall the foundation of IHRS embellishments and its lid is shaped like the roof of a
in London on 18 Feb, 1905 which sought to promote the traditional house in Kerala.
cause of self-rule in British India. • In the past, the lid of the petti was made from a single
piece of wood with no joint at all. But now, four pieces
About of wood are joined for the lid.
• The organisation was founded by Shyamji Krishna • In the past, the Nettur Petti was made only in teak or
Varma, with support from a number of prominent rosewood, but now it is made using jack, wild jack and
Indian nationalists in Britain at the time including mahogany also.
Bhikaji Cama, Dadabhai Naoroji and Sardarsinhji • It was once used by the royals, wealthy families and
Ravaji S. R. Rana. aristocrats as well as in temples as a safe box to store
• It was intended to be a rival organisation to the valuables and ornaments.
British Committee of the Indian National • Nettur petti derives its name from Nettur, a place that
Congress that was the main avenue of the loyalist now exists both in Ernakulam and Kannur districts
opinion at the time. (Kerala) and in Tirunelveli district (Tamil Nadu).
• The Indian Home Rule Society was a metropolitan
organisation modelled after Victorian public BHASHA CERTIFICATE SELFIE INITIATIVE
institutions of the time.
In News: The Ministry of Education launched a campaign
• It had a written constitution and the stated aims to
‘Bhasha Certificate Selfie under Ek Bharat Shreshtha
secure Home Rule for India and to carry on a
Bharat (EBSB).
genuine Indian propaganda in this country by all
About
practicable means.
• It was established to promote cultural diversity,
• The IHRS was open for membership to Indians
multilingualism, and to foster the spirit of EBSB.
only and found significant support amongst Indian
• Its goal is to promote the Bhasha Sangam mobile app,
students and other Indian populations in Britain.
which was developed by the Ministry of Education
• It recruited young Indian activists and maintained
and MyGov India.
close contact with revolutionary movements in India.

• On Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (31st October)2021, the temples of Belur and Somnathpur to the UNESCO
Bhasha Sangam mobile app was launched. World Heritage List.
• Aims to ensure that people acquire basic
conversational skills in Indian languages. To achieve Major Styles of Temples:
this, a target of 75 lakh people acquiring basic • There are three major styles of setting up temples in
conversational skills has been set. India known as: Nagara, Dravidian and Vesara.
• The ‘Bhasha Certificate Selfie’ initiative is • Dashavatara Temple in Devgarh (UP) is of Nagara
encouraging people to upload their selfie with the style which is prevalent between the Himalayas and
certificate from their social media accounts. the Vindhya mountains.
• Kailasanathar temple in Kanchi (Tamil Nadu) is
Bhasha Sangam Initiative: Dravidian style temple, developed on the land of
• It is an initiative that aims to teach basic sentences Krishna and Kaveri River and
of everyday usage in 22 Indian languages (Eighth • Papanatha temple from Karnataka is one of the
Schedule languages). examples of Vesara style (Vesara is a hybrid form of
• People are encouraged to learn basic conversational Nagara and Dravidian style).
skills in an Indian language other than their mother
tongue. NATHDWARA PAINTING
• It is available through DIKSHA, ePathshala, and 22
In News: A new book features 60 miniature works from
booklets.
the collection of the late Gokal Lal Mehta and an essay by
Amit Ambalal.
Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Initiative:
• It is an initiative of the Ministry of Education
About
launched in 2015
• Nathdwara Painting refers to a painting tradition and
• Aims: To promote engagement amongst the people
school of artists that emerged in Nathdwara, a town
of different States/UTs so as to enhance mutual
in Rajasthan.
understanding and bonding between people of
• Nathdwara school is a subset of the Mewar school of
diverse cultures, thereby securing stronger unity and
painting and is seen as an important school in the
integrity of India.
17th and 18th-century miniature paintings.
• Every State and UT in the country would be paired
• Nathdwara paintings are of different sub-styles of
with another State/UT for a time period, during
which Pichhwai paintings are the most popular
which they would carry out a structured engagement
• Most works produced in this style revolve around the
with one another in the spheres of language,
figure of Shrinathji as a manifestation of Krishna and
literature, cuisine, festivals, cultural events, tourism
refer to the incident of him holding the Govardhan hill
etc
on his last finger.
• Note: Shrinathji is a form of Krishna, manifested as a
DEVAYATANAM seven-year-old child (Balak).
In News: Recently, the Union Culture Minister
inaugurated Devayatanam, a one-of-a-kind conference on Pichhwai Paintings:
temple architecture of India, at Hampi, Karnataka. • Pichhwai literally meaning ‘that which hangs from
the back’ are large devotional Hindu painted pictures,
About normally on cloth, which portray Krishna.
• It is organized by the Archaeological Survey of • The purpose of Pichhwais, other than artistic appeal,
India (ASI) of Ministry of Culture. is to narrate tales of Krishna to the illiterate.
• It is a conference on the journey of Indian Temple
Architecture. PERINI DANCE
• Aims:
In News: A Perini dance performance by artistes in
o To deliberate upon the philosophical, religious,
Hyderabad has left the audience awestruck.
social, economic, technical, scientific, art and
architectural aspects of the temple.
About
o To initiate a dialogue on the evolution and
development of the various styles of temple • Perini Sivathandavam is an ancient dance form, from
architecture such as the Nagara, Vesara, Dravida, Telangana, which has been revived in recent times.
Kalinga and others. • It originated and prospered in Telangana, during the
Kakatiya dynasty.
Key highlights from the conference: • It is performed in honour of Lord Siva, the hindu god
• Hindu temples are a combination of art and of destruction and it is believed that in ancient times
science which includes Shilpa sastra, vasthu sastra, this was performed before the soldiers set to war.
geometry and symmetry. • One can find evidence of this dance in the sculptures
• For instance, Temples of Hampi are already near Garbha Gudi (Sanctum Sanctorum) of the
featured in the World Heritage List of UNESCO. Ramappa Temple at Warangal.
Further, the Government has proposed Hoysala
AGNI KANDAKARNAN THEYYAM Circuit, Desert Circuit, Eco Circuit, Heritage Circuit,
Himalayan Circuit, Krishna Circuit, North-East
In News: Ritual dance Agni Kandakarnan Theyyam Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual
performing at the Kaliyattam festival has begun in Circuit, Sufi Circuit, Tirthankar Circuit, Tribal Circuit
Kannur, Kerala. and Wildlife Circuit.
• The Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial
About
Assistance – CFA to State Governments, Union
• Theyyam is a popular thousand-year-old ritual form Territory Administrations for the infrastructure
of dance worship in Kerala and Karnataka, India. development of these theme based circuits.
• The people of these districts consider Theyyam itself
as a channel to a god and they thus seek blessings
from Theyyam. SAVITRIBAI AND JYOTIRAO PHULE
• There are about 456 types of Theyyam. In News: Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has recently
• Theyyam is performed by males, except the received flak for his remarks on the child marriage of the
Devakoothu theyyam; the Devakoothu is the only social reformist couple Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule.
Theyyam ritual performed by women.
• It is performed only in the Thekkumbad Kulom About Jyotirao Phule:
temple. • Born in 1827 in Satara district of Maharashtra.
• Phule was given the title of Mahatma on May 11,
Major types of performances: 1888, by Vithalrao Krishnaji Vandekar, a
• Vishnumoorthi: It is the most popular Vaishnava Maharashtrian social activist.
Theyyam. This theyyam narrates and performs the • His work is related mainly to eradication of
story of Hiranyakashipu’s death by the Lord Vishnu untouchability and caste system, emancipation and
in his avatar of Narasimham. empowerment of women, reform of Hindu family life.
• Sree Muthappan Theyyam: It consists of two divine • In 1873, Phule founded the Satyashodhak Samaj,
figures is considered as the personification of two or the Society of Seekers of Truth, for the rights of
divine figures— the Thiruvappana or Valiya depressed classes, to denounce the caste system and
Muttapan (Vishnu) and the Vellatom or Cheriya to spread rational thinking.
Muttapan (Shiva). • His famous works: Tritiya Ratna (1855), Gulamgiri
• Padikutti Amma: It is believed to be the mother of (1873), Shetkarayacha Aasud, or Cultivator’s
Muthapan. The Padikutti Amma Theyyam is Whipcord (1881), Satyashodhak Samajokt
performed in the Palaprath Temple in Kodallur near Mangalashtakasah Sarva Puja-vidhi (1887).
Parassini Kadavu in the Meenam (a Malayalam
month) Savitribhai Phule:
• Born in Naigaon in Maharashtra on January 3,
SWADESH DARSHAN AWARDS 1831.
• Phule is widely regarded as one of India’s first
In News: The Ministry of Tourism constituted the generation modern feminists for her significant
Swadesh Darshan awards in various categories. contributions in ensuring equal education
opportunities under the British raj.
About
• She became the first female teacher in India in
• Constituted by: Ministry of Tourism. 1848 and opened a school for girls along with her
• Aim: To highlight best practices undertaken by the husband, social reformer Jyotirao Phule.
State Governments, Union Territories and various • The two also worked against discrimination based on
implementation agencies in planning, design and caste-based identity, something vehemently opposed
operations, efficient project monitoring, attracting by the orthodox sections of society in Pune.
private investments, operations and maintenance.
• The couple set up ‘Balyata Pratibandak Gruha’, a
• Categories: The award will be given under the childcare centre for the protection of pregnant
following categories as: Best Tourist Interpretation widows and rape victims.
Center, Best Log Hut Facility, Best MICE Facility, Best
• Phule also played a pivotal role in directing the
Cafeteria, Best Craft Haat. Best Sound and Light Show
work of the Satyashodhak Samaj, formed by her
and Best Waterfront Development (Beach/ River/
husband with the objective to achieve equal rights for
Lake).
the marginalised lower castes.
• As an extension, they started, ‘Satya Shodhaka
Swadesh Darshan Scheme:
Marriage’ where the marrying couple has to take a
• It is a Central Sector Scheme launched by Ministry of
pledge to promote education and equality.
Tourism in 2014-15.
• Savitribai opened a clinic in 1897 for victims of
• Aim: To develop theme-based tourist circuits on the
the bubonic plague that spread across Maharashtra
principles of high tourist value, competitiveness and
just before the turn of the century.
sustainability in an integrated manner.
• She also set up “Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha”.
• Under the scheme, 15 themes have been identified.
• She organised a boycott by barbers against the
These themes include Buddhist Circuit, Coastal
tradition of head tonsuring of widows.
• In her honour, University of Pune was renamed • It will be a pan India celebration that will be held at
Savitribai Phule University in 2015. 16 locations in 13 states and UTs.
• The first event under this celebration is being
THE FORT OF HALEBIDU organized in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
• It will be organized at Rani Kamlapati Railway Station
In News: The historic fortification which stood for
which is named after the brave and fearless Queen
centuries at Halebidu was demolished recently to lay a
Kamlapati of the Gond kingdom of Madhya Pradesh.
road.
About NARI SHAKTI PURASKAR

• It was once the capital of Hoysalas in the state of In News: On International Women’s Day on Tuesday,
Karnataka. President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the Nari Shakti
• The place has been recommended for the World Puraskars on 29 outstanding individuals for 2020 and
Heritage Site Tag. 2021.
• The Hoysala rulers had built the fort using granite
boulders in the 11th century. About
• It served as a protective wall for the capital • Initiated in the year 1999, it is the highest Civilian
township, which included temples, including Honour for Women in India.
Hoysaleshwara, Shantinath Basadi among other • The awards are given away by the President of India
historic structures and monuments. every year on 8 March, International Women’s Day.
• At present, the Hoysaleshwara temple is not part • The Ministry of Women and Child Development
of the Swachh Iconic Places (SIP). announces these national level awards for eminent
women, organisations and institutions.
PAL-DADHVAV MASSACRE
Eligibility Criteria:
In News: On Monday, March 7, the Gujarat government
• Open to individuals, groups and institutions for
marked 100 years of the Pal-Dadhvav killings, calling it a
outstanding work towards empowerment of women.
massacre “bigger than the Jallianwala Bagh”.
• Individual applicant must be at least 25 years of age.
• Institutions must have at least 5 years of relevant
About
experience.
• The Pal-Dadhvav massacre took place on March 7,
• The Nari Shakti Puraskar carries a cash award of Rs.2
1922, in the Pal-Chitariya and Dadhvaav villages of
Lakh and a certificate for individuals and institutions
Sabarkantha district, then part of Idar state.
• Villagers from Pal, Dadhvav, and Chitariya had
gathered on the banks of river Heir as part of the ‘Eki SANTHALI SOHRAI MURALS
movement’, led by one Motilal Tejawat. In News: Santhali communities of Odisha and Jharkhand
• The movement was to protest against the land are changing their ways of painting traditional Sohrai
revenue tax (lagaan) imposed on the peasants by the murals to modernity.
British and feudal lords.
• British Paramilitary force was on hunt for Tehawat. It About
heard of this gathering and reached the spot. • Sohrai painting is an indigenous art form practised
• Nearly 200 bhils under the leadership of Tehawat by tribal women in the Hazaribagh district of
lifted their bows and arrows. But, the Britishers Jharkhand.
opened fire on them. Nearly 1,000 tribals (Bhils) fell • The paintings are done on mud walls to welcome the
to bullets. harvest and to celebrate the cattle. The women clean
• Tejwat, however, escaped and later “returned to the their houses and decorate their walls with murals of
spot to christen it ‘Veerbhumi’.” Sohrai arts.
• Legacy: A Gujarat government release on the • This art form has continued since 10,000-4,000 BC. It
centenary of the massacre described the incident as was prevalent mostly in caves, but shifted to houses
“more brutal than the Jalliawala Bagh massacre of with mud walls.
1919”.
Key Features of Sohrai Art Form:
JHAROKHA • The Sohrai art form can be monochromatic or
colourful. The people coat the wall with a layer of
In News: Recently, the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of
white mud, and while the layer is still wet, they draw
Textiles are organizing “Jharokha-Compendium of Indian
with their fingertips on it.
handicraft/ handloom, art and culture”.
• Their designs range from flowers and fruits to
various other nature-inspired designs. The cow dung
About
that was earlier used to cake the walls of the house is
• Jharokha is a celebration of traditional Indian
used to add colour.
handicrafts, handlooms, and art & culture.
• The artists are spontaneous in their drawings. The
designs are usually drawn from the artist’s memory.
The personal experience of the artist and their NAVROZ

interaction with nature are the biggest influence.
In News: The Prime Minister of India has greeted the
• Note: Sohrai Khovar painting received the
people on the occasion of Navroz or Nowruz (21 March
Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2020.
2022).
Sohrai
About
• Sohrai is a five-day festival of the Santhal, Munda,
• Navroz is the new year celebrations for Parsis
Prajapati, Khurmi and Oraon tribes in the Indian
(Zoroastrians) and Muslims (both Shia and
states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and
Sunni).
West Bengal.
• It is celebrated on 21st March every year.
• It is a Harvest Festival held at the start of the
winter harvest season. • In 1079 AD, a Persian (Iranian) king named
Jalaluddin Malekshah introduced this festival to
• It is also called cattle festival.
generate revenue and collect taxes from people.
• It is celebrated during Amavasya in Kartik
(October-November) month of the Hindu • It was observed on March 21 to mark the beginning
of spring and the day of equinox.
calendar.
• It is inscribed in the list of UNESCO Intangible
• For Santhals - Sohrai is the most important festival of
Cultural Heritage of Humanity of India.
the Santhals.
• In India it is known as Jamshed Navroz.
OL CHIKI SCRIPT
BIPLOBI BHARAT GALLERY
In News: For first time, the Indian Constitution has
been translated in Santali, written in the Ol Chiki script. In News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate
Biplobi Bharat Gallery at Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata
About today on the occasion of Shaheed Diwas (March 23).
• Also known as Ol Cemet', Ol script and Ol ciki Script,
About
the Ol Chiki script is used for writing Santali.
• The Gallery displays the contribution of the
• Pandit Raghunath Murmu (Guru Gomke) is the
Revolutionaries in the freedom struggle and their
inventor of Ol Chiki script.
armed resistance to British colonial rule.
• In the novel Bidu Chandan, he described how god
• The purpose of this new gallery is to provide a holistic
Bidu, and godess Chandan who appear on Earth as
view of the events that led up to 1947 and highlight
humans had naturally invented the Ol Chiki script to
the important role played by the Revolutionaries.
communicate with each other using written Santali.
• Biplobi Bharat Gallery depicts the political and
• One of the interesting feature of the Ol Chiki script is
intellectual backdrop that triggered the
that it makes use of signs and symbols long familiar
Revolutionary movement.
to the Santals.
• It showcases the birth of the revolutionary
Santali: movement, formation of significant associations by
revolutionary leaders, spread of the movement,
• Santali is a language with its own special
formation of Indian National Army, contribution of
characteristics, and has a literature which dates
Naval Mutiny, among others.
back to the beginning of the 15th century.
• Santali belongs to the Munda group languages of the
Austro-Asiatric family. BAPPANADU SRI DURGAPARAMESHWARI
• According to the 2011 Census of India, Santali is TEMPLE
spoken by over 70 lakh people across the country. In News: Denying reports that Muslim traders were sent
• In 2003, the 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act away from having their stalls at the ongoing temple fair,
added Santhali (along with the Bodo, Dogri and Bappanadu Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple authorities
Maithili languages) to Schedule VIII (Official said that traders have themselves left the place.
Languages of India) to the Constitution of India.
• This addition meant that the Indian government About
was obligated: • Sri Durga Parameshwari temple was built in the
o To undertake the development of the Santali Bappanadu village of Mulki town at a distance of
language and 22.5km away from Mangalore, Karnataka.
o To allow students appearing for school-level • This temple is situated on the banks of Shambhavi
examinations and entrance examinations for River.
public service jobs to use the language. • The Goddess here is in the form of Linga and is
• In 2005, India’s Sahitya Akademi started handing believed to have emerged in conjunction of the rivers
out awards every year for outstanding literary Nandini and Shambhavi at the border of Mulki.
works in Santali, a move that helped preserve and • History: The temple has been believed to be built by
give more visibility to the community’s literature. a Muslim merchant from Kerala called Bappa Beary
with the help of Mulki Swantha (Jain ruler).

• Hence, the name of the village is called Bappanadu

and the temple is famous as Bappanadu Durga About
Parameshwari. • Known as the ‘goldmine’ of Cuddalore, demand for
• The date of inception of the temple is unknown. Panruti Cashew is huge because of its unique taste
However, the temple architecture style resembles the and quality.
14th century. • A GI is a sign used on products that have a specific
• Specialty: Uniquely, along with the Hindu devotees, geographical origin and possess qualities or a
the temple also has Muslim devotees who come here reputation that are due to that origin.
to seek blessings from the Goddess, who is also called • Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration
‘Ulladi’. and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide for the
• Another specialty of the temple is the, beating of registration and better protection of GI relating to
drums which is followed during the annual festival goods in India.
celebrations.
MATRUBHUMI SHOW
CITY OF LITERATURE In News: Recently, As part of the Red Fort Festival –
In New: Kozhikode was proposed by the Kerala Institute Bharat Bhagya Vidhata, the Projection Mapping Show
of Local Administration (KILA) to be branded as a ‘City of ‘Matrubhumi’ is receiving an overwhelming response.
Literature’ with the help of UNESCO.
About
About • It is a Projection Mapping Show that showcases the
• UNESCO’s City of Literature programme is part of rich and diverse culture of India using light, sound
the wider Creative Cities Network. and music with state-of-the-art technology.
• The Network was launched in 2004, and now has • It is being organized as part of the Red Fort Festival –
member cities in seven creative fields. Bharat Bhagya Vidhata.
• The other creative fields are: Crafts and Folk Art, • This show will now be a permanent fixture at the
Design, Film, Gastronomy, Media Arts, and Music. historic Red Fort and will run throughout the year.
• A city designated as ‘Creative City of Literature’ must
have a sufficient number of institutions taking care of Red Fort Festival – Bharat Bhagya Vidhata:
its literary life. • It is organized by Ministry of Culture as part of
Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Indian Cities on UNESCO Creative Cities Network: • Purpose: It is a cultural festival that aims to
• Srinagar - Crafts and Folk Arts (2021) showcase India’s rich history and diversity in art,
• Mumbai – Film (2019). heritage, culture, cuisine and more.
• Hyderabad – Gastronomy (2019). • Ministry of Culture has collaborated with the Dalmia
• Chennai- Creative city of Music (2017). Bharat Group (DBG) to organize this event as DBG has
• Jaipur- Crafts and Folk Arts (2015). adopted the Red Fort as its Monument Mitra under
• Varanasi- Creative city of Music (2015). the ‘Adopt A Heritage’ project.
KARAKATTAM DANCE Adopt a Heritage Project:

In News: Kerala Nattukala Kshema Sabha has demanded • Launched in: 2017
that Karakattam (known as Kumbakkali in certain parts) • Nodal Ministry: It is a collaborative effort by the
be recognised as agricultural art form of Kerala. Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture,
Archaeological Survey of India and State/ UTs
About Governments.
• Karakattam is an ancient folk dance of Tamil • Aim: To ensure quality & inclusive provision of
Nadu performed in praise of the rain goddess amenities and facilities across heritage, natural, &
Mariamman. tourist sites through active participation of private
• It’s performed in different parts of Kerala as well. and public sector organizations and individuals.
• It is performed at festivals, roadshows and primarily These organizations would be known as “Monument
at Mariamman festivals. Mitras” for their collaboration initiative.
• It involves balancing a large number of pots of
decreasing size on the head of the dancers while
‘BATTLE OF POLLILUR’ - THE PAINTING
dancing and expressing theme of the dance.
• Mariamman pooja is held in the month of Medam In News: Titled ‘The Battle of Pollilur’, this is another
after Makarakkoythu (harvest season) in Kerala. work from the treasury of Tipu Sultan that was recently.
About
PANRUTI CASHEWS • Known to be a patron of art, Tipu Sultan
In News: Cashew Processors and Exporters based in commissioned numerous significant paintings.
Tamil Nadu have sought GI tag for Panruti Cashews.

• Titled ‘The Battle of Pollilur’, the work is nearly 32- In News: Recently, the Lok Sabha passed a Bill to include
foot long monumental painting. the Darlong community as a sub-tribe of the Kuki tribe on
• It depicts the victory of the Mysore army led by the list of Scheduled Tribes of Tripura.
Haidar Ali, the ruler of Mysore, and his son Tipu,
against the British East India Company forces in the About
Battle of Pollilur or the Battle of Perambakam (1780). • Darlong is a tribal community of Tripura, which has
• The work was commissioned by Tipu Sultan (the last a population of 11,000.
ruler of Mysore), as part of a large mural for the newly • The community has a high prevalence of education
built Daria Daulat Bagh in Seringapatam in 1784. and cultural activities and members of the
• Another memorabilia of Tipu is the “Magic Box”. community serve in senior positions in the local
administration.
GUDI PADWA • Tribes of Tripura: These include Tripuri or
Debbarma, Reangs or Brus, Jamatia, Noatia, Uchoi,
In News: The President of India has sent his greetings to Chakma, Mog, Lushai, Kuki, Munda, Kour, Oram,
fellow citizens on the eve of Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Santhal, Bhil, Bhutia, Chaimar or Sermai, Garo, Khasi,
Padwa, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba. Lepcha and Halam.
About
• Gudi Padwa is a spring-time festival that marks the RAJA RAVI VARMA
traditional New Year for Marathi and Konkani In News: Raja Rai Varma’s Draupadi Vastraharan is
Hindus, but is also celebrated by other Hindus as expected to fetch between Rs 15 and Rs 20 crore at an
well. auction.
• It is celebrated in and around Maharashtra, Goa,
and the union territory of Daman on the first day About
of the Chaitra month, to mark the beginning of the • Raja Ravi Varma (1848 – 1906) is considered
New Year according to the luni-solar method of among the greatest painters in the history of
the Hindu calendar. Indian art.
• Padava or paadvo comes from the Sanskrit word • His works are held to be among the best examples of
pratipada, which is the first day of a lunar fortnight. the fusion of European techniques with a purely
• The spring festival is observed with colourful floor Indian sensibility.
decorations called rangoli, a special Gudhi dvaja (flag • Through his printing press, Varma’s humanised
garlanded with flowers, mango and neem leaves, depiction of Hindu pantheon travelled beyond
topped with upturned silver or copper vessels), the surfaces of costly canvases, and into the
street processions, dancing& festive foods. prayer and living rooms of working-class homes.
• He was notable for making affordable lithographs of
Significance: his paintings available to the public, which greatly
• Gudhi Padva signifies the arrival of spring and to enhanced his reach and influence as a painter and
the reaping of Rabi crops. public figure.
• The festival is linked to the mythical day on which • His depictions of Hindu deities and episodes from the
Hindu god Brahma created time and universe. epics and Puranas have received profound
• To some, it commemorates the coronation of Rama in acceptance from the public and are found, often as
Ayodhya after his victory over evil Ravana. objects of worship, across the length and breadth of
India.
State-wide celebrations: • Famous works: Damayanti Talking to a Swan,
• Bihu among the Assamese of Assam. Shakuntala Looking for Dushyanta, Nair Lady
• Cheti Chand among the Sindhi people Adorning Her Hair, and Shantanu and Matsyagandha.
• Navreh among the Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu and
Kashmir. Awards and Honours:
• Pahela Baishakh among the Bengalis in West Bengal • In 1904, the British colonial government awarded
and Bangladesh. Varma with the Kaiser-i-Hind Gold Medal.
• Puthandu among the Tamils in Tamil Nadu. • In 2013, a crater on the planet Mercury was named in
• Samvatsar Padvo among Hindu Konkanis of Goa and his honour
Konkani diaspora in Kerala
• Vaisakhi or Baisakhi among the Punjabis in Punjab. GURU NABHA DASS
• Vishu or among the Malayalis in Kerala. In News: Punjab government has announced gazetted
• Ugadi among the south-Indian states of Karnataka, holiday on the birth anniversary of Guru Nabha Dass, a
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. 16th century saint, taking it out from list of restricted
• Sajibu Cheiraoba in Manipur. holidays.
DARLONG COMMUNITY About

• Guru Nabha Dass was born on April 8, 1537, at village INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR MONUMENTS AND
Bhadrachalam on the bank of Godavari river in SITES
Khammam district, which falls in the present-day
Telangana. In News: Every year, the United Nations marks April 18
• He belonged to Mahasha also known as doom or as the International Day for Monuments and Sites.
dumna community, which is one of the Schedule
Caste communities. About
• Since childhood, orphaned Guru Nabha Dass, whose • Official name: The International Day for Monuments
original name was Narayan Dass, had an inclination and Sites.
towards spirituality. • Common name: World Heritage Day.
• Two religious gurus Agar Dass and Keel Dass who • Date of observance: Annually on April 18.
were passing through his village took the orphan • History: The world heritage day was proposed by the
child to a temple at Ghalta Dham, which is now main International Council on Monuments and Sites
pilgrimage of Nabhadassias, at Jaipur. (ICOMOS) in 1982 and approved by the General
• People from this community are also known as Assembly of UNESCO in 1983.
Nabhadassias. They are known for making baskets • Objective: To raise awareness about monuments
and grain storage containers with bamboo. and other sites which form a part of our history and
• His legacy: Guru Nabha Dass wrote ‘Bhagatmal’ in culture.
1585. It has the life history of around 200 saints. He • The theme for World Heritage Day 2022 is “Heritage
died in 1643. and Climate”.
• His connection with Punjab: Guru Nabha Dass used
to visit village Pandori in Gurdaspur district where World Heritage site:
people of Doom community live. • These sites are officially recognised by the UN and
the United Nations Educational Scientific and
Cultural Organisation, also known as UNESCO.
CHENNAKESHAVA TEMPLE UNESCO believes that the sites classified as World
In News: The recital of the Quran marks the beginning of Heritage are important for humanity, and they hold
the rathotsava (chariot festival) at the historic cultural and physical significance.
Chennakeshava temple in Belur, Karnataka. • The list is maintained by the international World
Heritage Programme administered by the
About UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of
• The 900-year-old Chennakeshava temple was 21 UNESCO member states which are elected by the
consecrated by Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana in the General Assembly.
Vijayanagar style. • Each World Heritage Site remains part of the legal
• He built the temple to mark his victories in 1116 AD territory of the state wherein the site is located and
against the Cholas in the Battle of Talakkad and called UNESCO considers it in the interest of the
it the Vijaya Narayana Temple. international community to preserve each site.
• This 12th-century temple was built using soft • Eligibility: To be selected, a World Heritage Site must
soapstone as they were found suitable for intricate be an already classified landmark, unique in some
carvings. respect as a geographically and historically
• The temple was built by master craftsmen - Dasoja identifiable place having special cultural or physical
and Chavana, a father and son duo, hailing from significance.
Balliganve, a centre of Kalyana Chalukya art.
• Shantaladevi, the queen of King Vishnuvardhana is Heritage sites in India:
the model for a sculpture in the Vavaranga - Darpana • India is home to 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Sundari (lady with the mirror). • Harappan city of Dholavira in Gujarat as India’s
• The temples of Kappe Chennigaraya, Soumyanayaki, 40th world heritage site.
Andal and other Vaishnava manifestations surround • Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim has been
this main temple. inscribed as India’s first and the only “Mixed
World Heritage Site”.
Belur:
• Beluru (also known as Velapuri, Velur and Belapur in ALLURI SITARAMA RAJU
olden times) is situated on the banks of Yagachi
River. In News: The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu
• Belur was the first capital city of the Hoysalas. today visited the birthplace of noted freedom fighter and
revolutionary, Shri Alluri Sitarama Raju in Pandrangi
• The city was so revered by the Hoysalas that it is
village near Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
referred to as “earthly Vaikuntha” (Vishnu’s
abode) and “Dakshina Varanasi” (southern holy
About
city) in later inscriptions.
• Alluri Sitarama Raju (1897 – 1924) was an Indian
revolutionary who waged an armed campaign
against British colonial rule in India.
• Born in present-day Andhra Pradesh, he became • It is among the oldest examples of cyclopean masonry
involved in anti-British activities in response to the in the world.
1882 Madras Forest Act, which effectively restricted • It is believed that the Cyclopean Wall at Rajgir is
the free movement of Adivasis (tribal communities) similar to “Frontiers of the Roman Empire” that runs
in their forest habitats and prevented them from through Germany, the UK and Northern Ireland
practicing a traditional form of agriculture known as which was already included on UNESCO’s world
podu. heritage list in 1987.
• Rising discontent towards the British led to the
Rampa Rebellion of 1922, in which he played a major Also Remember:
part as a leader. • Bihar is currently home to two UNESCO World
• He was nicknamed "Manyam Veerudu" (Hero of the Heritage Sites namely:
Jungle) by local villagers for his heroic exploits. o Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at
Nalanda
KARAGA FESTIVAL o Mahabodhi temple of Bodhgaya
In News: The centuries-old Karaga (temple fair) festival
was recently held at the Dharmaraya Swamy Temple in MALCHA MAHAL
Bengaluru. In News: The Delhi government is about to renovate the
14th century monument Malcha Mahal.
About
• It is celebrated annually in the Chaitra month About
(March/April) according to the Hindu calendar. • Built by: The then Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq on
• The festival has found its roots in the epic 1325 and was, for a long time, used as a hunting
Mahabharata. lodge.
• It honours Draupadi as the ideal woman and Goddess • It later became the residence of the descendants of
Shakti. the Nawab of Awadh.
• The word ‘Karaga’ translates to an earthen pot, • It is said that it came to be known as ‘Wilayat Mahal’
supporting a floral pyramid and an idol of Goddess. after Begum Wilayat Mahal of Awadh, who claimed
• The Karaga is carried on the head of the bearer that she was a member of the royal family of Oudh.
without touching it. She was given the palace by the government in 1985.
• The carrier wears a woman’s attire with bangles,
mangal-sutra, and vermillion on his forehead. Feroz Shah Tughlaq:
• Born in 1309 and ascended the throne of Delhi after
Cultural significance of Karaga: the demise of his cousin Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq.
• The Karaga procession makes a customary halt at • He was the third ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty that
Astana e-Hazrath Tawakkal Mastan Shah Saharwardi ruled over Delhi from 1320 to 1412 AD. Tughlaq was
Dargah to pay obeisance to Tawakkal Mastan. in power from 1351 to 1388 AD.
• The Dargah, a symbol of syncretic Sufism, has been • He was the one who started the imposition of
taken care by the Muzavvar family for several Jaziya.
generations. • Jaziya' or 'Jizya' implies a per capita yearly
taxation historically levied in the form of financial
CYCLOPEAN WALL OF RAJGIR charge on permanent non-Muslim subjects of a state
governed by Islamic law to fund public expenditures
In News: Recently, The Bihar government has sent a fresh of the state.
proposal to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to get • He provided the principle of inheritance to the
the Cyclopean wall listed as a UNESCO World Heritage armed forces where the officers were permitted to
Site. rest and send their children to the army in their place.
However, they were not paid in real money but by
About land.
• It is a 40 km long wall of stone built in Rajgir, Bihar. • The British called him the ‘father of the irrigation
• It was built to encircle the ancient city of Rajgir to department’ because of the many gardens and
protect it from external enemies and invaders. canals that he built.
• Built by: It is believed to have been built in the pre-
Mauryan era (before the 3rd century BC) using
massive undressed stones. HATTIS
• Significance: The walls are mentioned in the In News: The Centre is set to consider the Himachal
Buddhist works. Moreover, the wall is already a Pradesh government’s request for inclusion of the Hatti
Nationally protected monument under the ASI. community in the list of Scheduled Tribes in the state.
Why should it be included as a UNESCO World About

Heritage Site? • The Hattis are a close-knit community who got their
name from their tradition of selling homegrown

vegetables, crops, meat and wool etc. at small • The feast commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry
markets called ‘haat’ in towns. into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in each of the
• The Hattis are cut off from Sirmaur by two rivers four canonical Gospels.
called Giri and Tons. • Palm Sunday marks the first day of Holy Week.
• The two clans of the Hattis have similar traditions, • For adherents of mainstream Christianity, it is the last
and inter-marriages are commonplace. week of the Christian solemn season of Lent that
• There is a fairly rigid caste system among the Hattis - precedes the arrival of Eastertide.
the Bhat and Khash are the upper castes, while the
Badhois are below them. PROMOTION OF RURAL AND
• Inter-caste marriages have traditionally remained a INDIGENOUS/TRIBAL GAMES UNDER KHELO
strict no-no.
INDIA SCHEME (KIS)
• Due to topographical disadvantages, the Hattis living
in the Kamrau, Sangrah, and Shilliai areas lag behind In News: ‘Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal
in education and employment. games’ component of KIS is specifically dedicated to the
• The Hattis are governed by a traditional council development and promotion of rural and
called Khumbli, which like the khaps of Haryana, indigenous/tribal games in the country.
decide community matters.
• The Khumbli’s power has remained unchallenged About
despite the establishment of the panchayati raj • KIS aims at infusing sports culture and achieving
system. sporting excellence in the country thus allowing the
populace to harness the power of sports through its
cross-cutting influence.
GLOBAL SILK CITY NETWORK • It is the flagship Central Sector Scheme of Ministry of
In News: Recently, Bengaluru has become the first Indian Youth Affairs & Sports.
city to become a member of the Global Silk City Network. • Mallakhamb, MP: It is a combination of Yoga,
Gymnastics, and Martial Arts. Many types of
About Mallakhamb as Pole, Rope, Hanging, Niradhar
• Global Silk City Network helps artisans and (without support), on cane, on floating platform,
craftsmen to exchange knowledge, build trade Mallakhamb with weapons etc.
relations and understand various craftsmanship • Kalaripayattu, Kerala) it is a form of Marital Art.
techniques. Has different techniques like meipayattu (physical
• Currently, 13 best silk-producing cities and nine body exercise), vadipayattu (fight using sticks),
countries are members of this network. valpayattu (fight using swords) etc.
• Gatka, Punjab: Traditional martial art form, that is
Bengaluru included in the Global Silk City Network: historically associated with the Sikh gurus. Stick
• There are historical reasons why Bengaluru has fighting between two or more practitioners, with
been included in the Silky City Network. The wooden sticks (called Soti) intended to simulate
International Sericultural Commission was held at swords.
Lyon in the 1950s and came to Bengaluru in 2013. • Thang ta, Manipur: Traditional martial art also
• Also, Bengaluru is the Silicon Valley of India and called Huyen Lallong ("method of safe-guarding").
Lyon has a big cluster of innovation and IT. • Yogasana: Describes a seated posture in yoga
typically used for meditation, such as a basic cross-
Which other Indian Cities are in line to join the Global legged position. Examples: Padmasana (lotus pose),
Silk City Network? Siddhasana (perfect or accomplished
• West Bengal’s Murshidabad district known to pose),Vajrasana (thunderbolt pose) etc.
produce fine silk over the past 300 years — may join • Silambam, TN: Weapon-based Indian martial art, but
the Global Silk City Network in future. also traditionally practiced by the Tamil community
• The history of silk weaving in Murshidabad goes back of Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
to the early eighteenth century during the Mughal
rule, when the Nawab of Bengal, Murshid Quli Khan,
shifted his capital from Dhaka to a town on the east of
the Bhagirathi river and named it Murshidabad.
PALM SUNDAY
In News: Believers across Kerala celebrated Palm
Sunday, marking the beginning of the holy week ahead of
Easter Sunday.
About
• Palm Sunday is a Christian moveable feast that falls
on the Sunday before Easter.

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PROGRAMME CHIEF ECONOMIC ADVISOR ................................. 24

TIME RELEASE STUDY ........................................................................... 42 SOFTWARE WITH INTELLIGENT MARKING BASED

EX VAYU SHAKTI 2022........................................................................... 77 KANYA SHIKHSA PRAVESH UTSAV ................................................. 96

SILICOSIS ................................................................................................... 116 LONG PERIOD AVERAGE (LPA) ...................................................... 134

HATTIS ....................................................................................................... 151

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• Chairperson of the committee to engage with

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CENTRAL MEDIA ACCREDITATION About Content Regulation by I&B Ministry:

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Changes to be made in Constitution and Legislations: MINORITY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

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COMPETITION (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2022 • Section 144 is imposed in urgent cases of

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Retrospective Investigation: About

About the dispute General Findings:

Current agreement: India’s performance:

INTEGRATED COMMAND AND CONTROL These Eight schemes include:

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PM Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM):

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