24-30 Mar.

2024
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Contents
GS I .................................................................................................................................................................. 5
GEOGRAPHY ................................................................................................................................................. 5
1. El Nino impact leaves Malawi and region on the edge of a hunger crisis-The Hindu......................... 5
2. Panneer Thiratchai: A sweet treat from Cumbum that is available throughout the year- Indian
express ........................................................................................................................................................ 5
INDIAN SOCIETY .......................................................................................................................................... 6
3. On campaigning in the name of religion | Explained- The Hindu ....................................................... 6
4. India’s falling fertility rate: A wake-up call- Indian Express ................................................................ 6
ART & CULTURE ........................................................................................................................................... 7
5. Why Centre won't 'protect' these 18 'lost' monuments -The Hindu .................................................. 7
6. Kalamandalam opens doors for boys to learn Mohiniyattam - The Hindu......................................... 8
GS II ................................................................................................................................................................ 8
POLITY ........................................................................................................................................................... 8
7. Preventive detention by routine exercise of powers must be nipped in bud: Supreme Court- Indian
Express ........................................................................................................................................................ 8
8. SC raises concern over the rich gagging media -The Hindu ............................................................... 9
9. Child accused of POCSO offence to be tried as per the JJ Act’ -The Hindu....................................... 10
10. Money laundering cases: Courts can order release of accused under police custody: HC- Hindu
10
11. PMLA can't be applied if conspiracy charge not related to scheduled offence, says SC dismissing
review plea -Economic times .................................................................................................................... 11
12. ECI’s C-Vigil app a big hit with voters: over 79,000 violations reported so far through the
complaints app since announcement of General Elections; 99 % cases disposed off- PIB ...................... 12
INTERNATIONAL RELATION ................................................................................................................... 12
13. UN Security Council demands immediate ceasefire in Gaza, US abstains -Indian express .......... 12
14. An expert explains: What will it take to resume India-Pakistan trade? -The Hindu .................... 13
15. China to develop Sri Lanka’s deep sea port and airport -The Hindu ............................................ 14
16. Discussed ‘peace formula’ with India: Ukraine Foreign Minister - The Hindu .............................. 14
17. India launches database to record crimes against UN peacekeepers- Business Standard ........... 15
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INTERNAL SECURITY ................................................................................................................................ 15

18. Govt. extends AFSPA in parts of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh -The Hindu ................................ 15
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE ..................................................................................................................... 16
19. Union home ministry extends validity of FCRA registered NGOs till June 30 -The Hindu ............ 16
20. DoT asks telcos to suspend USSD-based call forwarding, switch to alternate mode from Apr 15-
Economics times ....................................................................................................................................... 17
GS III ............................................................................................................................................................. 18
ENVIRONMENT........................................................................................................................................... 18
21. Water crisis in Bengaluru linked to urbanisation of Kodagu’ -The Hindu ..................................... 18
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY .................................................................................................................... 19
22. On semiconductors: how they are made, used and who manufactures them- The Hindu .......... 19
23. ISRO to hold training sessions in educational institutions -The Hindu ........................................ 19
24. How smart is the Centre’s smart meter plan and why Kerala’s move to opt out underscores
some of the scheme’s inadequacies- Indian express ................................................................................ 20
25. ICCC: Integrated farm data dashboard for customised solutions-Indian express ........................ 20
26. India achieves 16% decline in new TB cases since 2015’ -The Hindu ........................................... 21
27. Skyroot Aerospace successfully test fires stage-2 of Vikram-1 launch vehicle in A.P. -The Hindu21
28. Technology Development Board and Foundation for Neglected Disease Research (FNDR) with
₹75 Lakhs Grant for Innovative Antibiotic Development Project- PIB ...................................................... 22
ENVIRONMENT........................................................................................................................................... 22
29. Is Holi becoming warmer year on year? This is what scientists say- the tribune ......................... 22
30. GAIL to commission its first green hydrogen project in April: Report- Indian Express ................. 23
31. Is Australia’s carbon credit scheme a ‘catastrophe’? -The Hindu ................................................. 23
32. Protect Moyar valley, the home of critically endangered Gyps vulture- Indian express.............. 24
33. With less than 150 Great Indian Bustards remaining in the wild, what’s driving their extinction?
25
ECONOMY .................................................................................................................................................... 25
34. NAAC’S accreditation system needs change to be creditable- Indian express ............................. 25
35. Employment scenario in India grim, says ILO report -The Hindu................................................. 26
36. Drop in FDI mirrors global trend’ -The Hindu ............................................................................... 27
37. RBI modifies norms for lenders having exposure to AIFs -The HindU ......................................... 28
38. Pre-poll splurge lifts fiscal deficit -The Hindu ............................................................................... 29
39. Procurement through centre’s GeM portal crosses Rs 4 trillion mark in FY24 - The Indian
Express ...................................................................................................................................................... 30
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SECURITY .................................................................................................................................................... 30
40. Sensing China threat, India joins Sri Lanka in race for seabed mining; applies for exploration
rights -The Hindu ...................................................................................................................................... 30
ENVIRONMENT........................................................................................................................................... 32
41. Live Coral cover in Gulf of Mannar down to 27%- Indian Express ................................................ 32
42. The need to curb black carbon emissions -The Hindu ................................................................. 33
43. On sustainable building materials | Explained- The Hindu ........................................................... 34
POLITY ......................................................................................................................................................... 35
44. What is the district election management plan? | Explained- The Hindu .................................... 35
45. It is time for comprehensive reforms to municipal elections -The Hindu ................................... 36
46. Kerala govt goes to SC over Governor withholding assent to Bills: The issues and the law -The
Indian Express ........................................................................................................................................... 37
INTERNATIONAL RELATION ................................................................................................................... 38
47. Preventing a China-Taiwan conflict.............................................................................................. 38
ECONOMY .................................................................................................................................................... 39
48. WTO’s investment facilitation negotiations are not illegal -The Hindu ........................................ 39
POLITY & GOVERNANCE ........................................................................................................................... 40
49. Measuring internet freedom in Indiain the last 10 years -The Hindu........................................... 40
GEOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................................................... 41
50. Understanding India’s coal imports -The Hindu ........................................................................... 41
Quick Look ...................................................................................................................................................... 42
1. Global Energy Monitor (GEM) ........................................................................................................... 42
2. Teesta River ....................................................................................................................................... 42
3. La Nina............................................................................................................................................... 42
4. Right Whales ..................................................................................................................................... 42
5. Electoral Trusts.................................................................................................................................. 43
6. Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) ..................................................................................... 43
7. Magnetotactic bacteria ..................................................................................................................... 43
8. Meme coins ....................................................................................................................................... 43
9. Border Roads Organisation ............................................................................................................... 43
10. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) ............................................................................................. 44
11. Stomata ......................................................................................................................................... 44
12. Polar Vortex................................................................................................................................... 44
13. South East Africa Montane Archipelago (SEAMA) ........................................................................ 44
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14. Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO):................................................................................ 45

15. Afanasy Nikitin Seamount ............................................................................................................. 45
16. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees......................................................................... 45
17. Food Waste Index Report 2024..................................................................................................... 46
18. CoViNet ......................................................................................................................................... 46
19. United Nations Environment Programme .................................................................................... 46
20. Bird Flu .......................................................................................................................................... 46
21. Solar Flares .................................................................................................................................... 47
22. AMRUT Scheme............................................................................................................................. 47
23. Non-Performing Asset (NPA)......................................................................................................... 47
24. Cnemaspis vangoghi ...................................................................................................................... 47
Madhya Pradesh Specific ............................................................................................................................. 48
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Important News Articles

GS I

GEOGRAPHY
1. El Nino impact leaves Malawi and region on the edge of a hunger crisis-
The Hindu
Relevance: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Prelims Takeaway
Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone. etc., geographical features and their • Map Based
location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies question
and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes. • El nino
News:
• The southern African nation of Malawi has declared a state of disaster caused by drought in 23
of its 28 districts.
• Its president has also said Malawi urgently needs more than $200 million in humanitarian assistance,
less than a month after neighbouring Zambia also appealed for help.
Key Highlights
• A third country, Zimbabwe, has also seen much of its crops decimated
o And is considering following suit and declaring a drought disaster, underscoring concerns raised
by the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) late last year
o That numerous nations in southern Africa were on the brink of a hunger crisis because of the
impact of the ongoing El Niño weather phenomenon.
• Last month was the driest February in 40 years for Zambia and Zimbabwe, according to the WFP’s
seasonal monitor while Malawi, Mozambique, and parts of Angola had “severe rainfall deficits.
• El Niño is a natural, recurring weather phenomenon that affects weather worldwide, including
causing below-average rainfall in southern Africa.
• Some scientists say climate change is making El Niños stronger and their impacts more extreme.
• The 2015-2016 El Niño brought a severe drought to southern Africa, the region’s worst in 35 years,
for example-
o Before the national disaster announcements by Malawi and Zambia, the WFP
o USAID had already launched a programme to feed 2.7 million people in rural Zimbabwe facing
food shortages — nearly 20% of that country’s population.
• Zambia is also currently experiencing a major cholera outbreak as well.

2. Panneer Thiratchai: A sweet treat from Cumbum that is available

throughout the year- Indian express
Relevance: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Prelims Takeaway
literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times. • Cumbum Valley
News: • GI TAG
• Cumbum valley—grapes city of south India—is very popular for Muscat
Hamburg (panneer thiratchai) cultivation.
• It is noteworthy that the valley contributes up to 85% of panneer thiratchai production in the
country.
The Panneer Grape: A Year-Round Treat from South India
• The Panneer grape is a special grape variety grown primarily in the Cumbum Valley of Tamil Nadu.
• Unlike most Indian grapes with a limited harvest season, Panneer grapes thrive year-round.
• This makes them a favorite among farmers for their quick growth and early maturity.
Panneer grapes offer several advantages:
• Versatility: These grapes are perfect for making wine, spirits, jams, canned juices, and raisins.
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• Health Benefits: Rich in vitamins, tartaric acid, and antioxidants, Panneer grapes are known to
reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
• Superior Taste: They boast a delicious taste alongside their distinctive purplish-brown color.
• Geographical Recognition: In recognition of its unique qualities, the Panneer grape received a
Geographical Indication Tag in 2023.
• The Cumbum Valley, nestled in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, is aptly nicknamed the "Grapes City
of South India.
• This region is the heartland of Panneer grape cultivation, with the Muscat Hamburg variety (another
name for Panneer) accounting for nearly 85% of the area's vineyards.

INDIAN SOCIETY
3. On campaigning in the name of religion | Explained- The Hindu
Relevance: Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism Prelims Takeaway
News: • Model Code of
• Recently the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lodged a complaint with the Conduct
Election Commission of India (ECI) against Rahul Gandhi for hurting the • RPA 1951
sentiments of Hindus through his remark on ‘shakti’.
Corrupt Electoral Practices:
• The Representation of People Act (RP Act) prohibits appeals to voters based on religion, race, caste,
community, or language (Section 123(3)).
• This includes attempts to promote hatred between groups (Section 123(3A)).
• Violation can lead to disqualification from contesting elections for up to six years.
Model Code of Conduct (MCC):
• This non-binding code discourages parties and candidates from exploiting religious differences for
votes.
• It prohibits using religious places for campaigning.
Stricter Law Since 1961:
• An amendment removed the requirement for "systematic" appeals to be considered corrupt.
• Now, even a single appeal based on religion is discouraged.
Challenges and Enforcement:
• Despite the law, some political leaders exploit religion for votes.
• While some face legal cases, convictions are rare (e.g., Bal Thackeray in 1995).
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) can only briefly bar campaigning for MCC violations.
Landmark Supreme Court Ruling (Abhiram Singh vs CD Commachen, 2017):
• Appealing to voters based on their own religion is also illegal.
• Elections are secular exercises, and religion is a personal matter.
Way forward
• Political parties can address grievances related to religion, caste, etc., through policy proposals.
• This should be done without jeopardizing national unity.
• Religious leaders should avoid endorsing candidates.
• ECI and courts need stronger mechanisms to enforce the law.

4. India’s falling fertility rate: A wake-up call- Indian Express

Relevance: Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and
developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies. Prelims Takeaway
News: • TFR
• India will turn into an aging society in the next three decades, • Mortality rate
according to a report in the Lancet.
• The medical journal has flagged that India’s TFR, the average number of children born to a
woman will fall to 1.29 in 2050.
Key Highlights
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• One in five persons in India will be above the age of 60 in 2050.

• Last year, the UN Population Fund’s (UNPF) India Ageing Report projected that the number of elderly
in India will more than double from 149 million in 2022 to 347 million by mid-century.
• The challenges of a growing ageing population may well be decades away.
• However, the young country would do well to prepare for them in advance.
Demographic dividend challenge
• The Lancet report is a message that India’s demographic dividend is not for perpetuity.
• Global experiences could be illustrative for the country’s policymakers.
• In China, for instance, the proportion of the working age population crossed 50 per cent in
1987 and peaked around the middle of the last decade.
• This was also the period when the country registered impressive economic growth.
• By last year, China’s TFR had dropped to a record low and its working-age population had contracted
by more than 40 million.
• The Chinese government’s pro-population-growth measures do not seem to be working.
• In fact, the last 60 years’ history of developed nations suggests that once fertility rates fall below the
replacement rate, it’s almost impossible to set them back.
• At 1.9, India’s TFR is currently just below the replacement rate, and according to UNPF calculations,
the share of the country’s working-age population will peak in the late 2030s, early 2040s.
• Policymakers must, therefore, utilise this window to maximise India’s demographic dividend,
as China did from the late 1980s till the early years of the last decade.
• No time must be lost in putting in place measures to overcome skill deficits and plug gaps in the
knowledge economy.
• The challenge will also be to generate jobs outside of agriculture — they must not be in the low-paid
informal sector.
• Going ahead, policymakers will also have to ensure adequate social security and healthcare
provisions for the growing elderly population and create opportunities to harness their skills
effectively.
Way forward
• The varying TFR rates across states in India could present the country’s planners with a somewhat
unique challenge — in fact, there are already signs that parts of south India and west India are
graying faster than those in the north.
• Policymakers must be ready to understand the demographic shift in all its dimensions, and prepare
for the change.

ART & CULTURE

5. Why Centre won't 'protect' these 18 'lost' monuments -The Hindu
Relevance: indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Prelims Takeaway
literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times. • ASI
News: • AMASR Act
• ASI has decided to delist 18 protected monuments
• ASI says the monuments have ceased to be of 'national importance'
• The 18 'lost' monuments include nine in Uttar Pradesh
The AMASR Act
• Passed in 1958 and updated in 2010, the AMASR Act is like a shield guarding India's most valuable
historical sites and monuments.
• It allows the government to officially declare these places as being of "national importance.
• Uttar Pradesh currently boasts the highest number of these protected sites.
• After considering public input, the government can officially declare a monument worthy of this
status through a public announcement.
• Once designated, the responsibility for care and upkeep falls to the Archaeological Survey of India
(ASI) under the Ministry of Culture.
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• They act as the guardians of these historical treasures.

Safeguarding the monuments
• To safeguard these monuments, the AMASR Act creates special zones around them.
• A 100-meter radius surrounding the monument becomes a "prohibited area" where construction is
entirely banned.
• Beyond that, an additional 100-meter zone is designated as a "regulated area" with stricter
building guidelines.
• If a monument is deemed to have lost its national significance, the ASI has the authority to remove it
from the protected list.
• However, this also means the ASI is no longer responsible for its upkeep.

6. Kalamandalam opens doors for boys to learn Mohiniyattam - The Hindu

Relevance: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Prelims Takeaway
literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times. • Mohiniyattam
News: • Classical dance
• Mohiniyattam, a captivating classical dance from Kerala, boasts an
ancient heritage.
• Rooted in the Sanskrit text "Natya Shastra," this dance form likely originated between the 9th and
12th centuries CE, traditionally performed by temple dancers known as Devadasis during the
Chera dynasty.
Mohiniyattam
• It is a solo dance characterized by its graceful femininity.
• It belongs to the Lasya style, emphasizing gentle movements and expressions of love and devotion to
gods, particularly Lord Vishnu or his incarnation, Krishna.
• The performance combines dance, song, and storytelling.
• Songs are usually sung in Manipravalam, a blend of Sanskrit and Malayalam, while the music follows
the Carnatic style. The dancer or a vocalist may perform the recitation.
Features
• Unlike many dances, Mohiniyattam focuses on elegant body sways rather than intricate footwork.
• Instead, it prioritizes expressive hand gestures (derived from the text "Hastha Lakshana Deepika")
and subtle facial expressions to convey emotions.
• The dancers adorn themselves in traditional white or ivory cream saris, often embroidered with
gold.
• The rhythmic accompaniment comes from instruments like the mridangam, madhalam, flute, veena,
and cymbals.

GS II

POLITY
7. Preventive detention by routine exercise of powers must be nipped in
bud: Supreme Court- Indian Express
Relevance: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive Prelims Takeaway
and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government;
• Preventive Detention
pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the
Polity. • Punitive detention
News:
• The Supreme Court has set aside a Telangana High Court order rejecting a detenu’s
appeal.preventive detention is a draconian measure
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• It Observed that and any such move based on a capricious or routine exercise of powers must be
nipped in the bud
Preventive Detention
• India balances the need for security with individual liberties through preventive detention laws.
• These laws allow authorities to hold people without a trial if they believe those people might
commit crimes in the future.
• The Indian Constitution protects people from being arrested unfairly.
• It allows preventive detention, but with safeguards.
• For instance, detention can't last more than three months without a review board finding a reason to
extend it.
• Detainees also have the right to know why they're being held (unless revealing that reason would
harm public safety).
• The power to make these laws is divided.
• The national government can make laws for national security reasons, while both national and state
governments can make laws for public order or essential services.
• Examples of preventive detention laws in India include the National Security Act and state-specific
Public Safety Acts.
• These laws allow authorities to detain people for up to a year without charges, but with a review
process.

8. SC raises concern over the rich gagging media -The Hindu

Relevance: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and
Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal Prelims Takeaway
associations and their role in the Polity. • An interim injunction
News: • SLAPP
• The Supreme Court has highlighted the problem of the affluent getting pre-trial injunctions from
courts against the media and civil society, gagging free speech and the public’s right to
information about important affairs.
Key highlights
• “The constitutional mandate of protecting journalistic expression cannot be understated, and courts
must tread cautiously while granting pre-trial interim injunctions,” the top court said.
• The Bench drew the spotlight on the phenomenon of ‘SLAPP suits’ or ‘Strategic Litigation against
Public Participation’ gaining attention across jurisdictions.
• It is an umbrella term used to refer to litigation predominantly initiated by entities that wield
immense economic power against members of the media or civil society
o to prevent the public from knowing about or participating in important affairs in the public
interest,” the court noted.
• With ex-parte injunction preventing a media outlet from publishing the article or material anytime
soon or even in the distant future
• a case — which could include expensive allegations of libel by the cash-rich entity against the media
or civil society — tends to drag on.
• It said courts should grant pre-trial injunctions only in exceptional cases.
• The importance of leaving free speech unfettered is a strong reason for dealing most cautiously and
warily with the granting of interim injunctions, the court underscored.
An interim injunction
• It is provisional measure sought during legal proceedings, before trial.
• An injunction is an order of the court that requires a party either to do a specific act, or to refrain
from doing a specific act.
• Interim injunctions are intended to prevent injustice pending trial.
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9. Child accused of POCSO offence to be tried as per the JJ Act’ -The Hindu
Relevance: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive Prelims Takeaway
and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government;
• JJ act 2015
pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the
Polity. • POCSO
News:
• The Kerala High Court has held that a child charged with the offenses under the Protection of
Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012
o Is to be prosecuted as per the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children)
(JJ) Act.
Key Highlights
• The court observed that ‘Child’ was not defined in the POCSO Act whereas it is defined in the JJ
Act, 2015.
• Section 2(12) of the JJ Act, defined a child to be a person who has not completed 18 years of age.
• The court added that “aforementioned definitions would ensure an inference that a child can be an
offender of sexual offences as defined in the POCSO Act.
• Needless to say, when a child is the offender, he cannot be tried in the ordinary criminal court, but
can be dealt with only as provided under the provisions of the JJ Act”.
Juvenile Justice Act, 2015
• Parliament introduced and passed the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act in 2015
to replace the Juvenile Delinquency Law and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children
Act) 2000.
• The Act offered provisions to allow trials of juveniles in the age group of 16-18 years as an adult
who were found to be in conflict with the law, especially heinous crimes.
• The Act replaced the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act (1956) and Guardians of the ward
Act (1890) with more universally accessible adoption law.
• The Act enabled smooth functioning of adoption procedures for orphans, surrendered, and
abandoned children
o while making the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) the statutory body for adoption-
related matters.
Child Care Institutions (CCI)
• All Child Care Institutions, whether run by the State Government or by voluntary or
o non-governmental organisations are to be mandatorily registered under the Act within 6 months
from the date of commencement of the Act.
Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Amendment Act 2021
• Crimes against children which are mentioned in the chapter “Other Offences Against Children” of the
JJ Act, 2015 that allow an imprisonment between three and seven years will be deemed “non-
cognisable”.
Adoption:
• Amendment provides that the district magistrate has the authority to issue such adoption orders.

10. Money laundering cases: Courts can order release of accused under
police custody: HC- Hindu
Relevance: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive Prelims Takeaway
and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; • PMLA
pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the
• Black money
Polity.
News:
• The Punjab and Haryana high court has made it clear that courts can order release of an accused of
money laundering under police custody without fulfilling twin conditions as mandated under
the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
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The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)

• It tackles the issue of "dirty money." It defines money laundering as the act of disguising illegally
obtained funds ("black money") as legitimate income ("white money").
The PMLA aims to:
• Stop money laundering in its tracks.
• Prevent criminals from using money for illegal activities.
• Take away property gained through money laundering.
• Punish those who launder money.
• Set up a system to handle money laundering cases.
• Government agencies play a key role:
• The Enforcement Directorate investigates money laundering offenses.
• The Financial Intelligence Unit analyzes suspicious financial transactions.
• Other agencies like police and customs investigate the underlying crimes that generate the "dirty
money."
Consequences:
• Their assets can be seized or frozen.
• They can be imprisoned for several years and fined heavily.
• The PMLA also requires banks and other financial institutions to be vigilant by verifying customer
identities and reporting suspicious activity.

11. PMLA can't be applied if conspiracy charge not related to scheduled

offence, says SC dismissing review plea -Economic times
Relevance: Important aspects of governance, transparency and Prelims Takeaway
accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, • Criminal conspiracy
limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency &
• Section 120 IPC
accountability and institutional and other measures.
News:
• The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition seeking review of its verdict which held that a person
cannot be booked under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) by invoking Section 120B
of the IPC
• If the alleged criminal conspiracy was not related to a scheduled offence under PMLA.
Section 120A of the IPC
• Criminal conspiracy is a crime in India where two or more people plan to commit a crime
together.
• Agreeing to do something illegal directly.
• Agreeing to do something legal, but through illegal means.
• For a criminal conspiracy to be proven, there are three key requirements:
• Agreement: There must be a meeting of minds between the conspirators, which can be implied from
their actions even if not explicitly spoken or written.
• Common Intention: All conspirators must share the goal of committing a specific crime.
• Overt Act: At least one conspirator must take a concrete step towards carrying out the planned
crime.
• The law treats co-conspirators like partners in crime.
• This means that if one member of the conspiracy commits the crime, all members can be held legally
responsible, as per the doctrine of agency.
• The punishment for criminal conspiracy varies depending on the severity of the planned crime:
• Serious Offenses: If the conspiracy is to commit a major crime punishable by death, life
imprisonment, or rigorous imprisonment for at least two years, the punishment for conspiracy is the
same as the planned crime itself.
• Lesser Offenses: For all other conspiracies to commit illegal acts, the punishment is a maximum of
six months imprisonment, a fine, or both.
• This highlights the importance of Section 120B of the IPC, which outlines the penalties for criminal
conspiracy.
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12. ECI’s C-Vigil app a big hit with voters: over 79,000 violations reported
so far through the complaints app since announcement of General
Elections; 99 % cases disposed off- PIB
Relevance: Government policies and interventions for development in Prelims Takeaway
various sectors and issues arising out of their design and • cVigil
implementation.
• Election commission
News:
• The cVIGIL app of Election Commission of India has become an effective tool in the hands of people
to flag election code violations.
• Since the announcement of General Elections 2024, over 79,000 complaints have been received as of
today.
• Speed and transparency are the cornerstones of cVIGIL app.
cVigil: Empowering Citizens for Fair Elections
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched the cVigil app, putting the power to report
electoral malpractices right in your pocket.
• This user-friendly app makes it easier than ever to report violations of the Model Code of Conduct
(MCC) during elections.
Features for Vigilant Citizens:
• Report on the Go: Witness political misconduct? With cVigil, you can file a complaint within minutes,
eliminating the need to visit the Returning Officer's office.
• Real-Time Evidence Capture: Capture photos, videos, or audio recordings directly through the app,
providing valuable evidence of the violation.
• Track Your Complaint: Receive a unique ID for your complaint, allowing you to track its progress
on your phone.
• Time-Bound Action: The app ensures a 100-minute response window, guaranteeing a swift
response to your report.
• Precise Location Tracking: Geo-tagging automatically captures the location of the violation, aiding
flying squads in immediate action.
• Live Incident Focus: cVigil allows reporting only for ongoing violations, ensuring the most up-to-
date information reaches authorities.
• cVigil empowers citizens to become active participants in ensuring fair and ethical elections.

INTERNATIONAL RELATION
13. UN Security Council demands immediate ceasefire in Gaza, US abstains
-Indian express
Relevance: Important International institutions, agencies and fora - their Prelims Takeaway
structure, mandate. • UNSC
News: • UN
• The United Nations Security Council demanded an immediate
ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas and the immediate and unconditional
release of all hostages after the United States abstained from the vote.
Key Highlights
• The remaining 14 council members voted for the resolution, which was proposed by the 10 elected
members of the body.
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• Washington had been averse to the word ceasefire earlier in the nearly six-month-old war in the Gaza
Strip and had used its veto power to shield U.S. ally Israel as it retaliated against Hamas
• The Security Council resolution also “emphasizes the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian
assistance to and reinforce the protection of civilians in the entire Gaza Strip
o and reiterates its demand for the lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance
at scale.”
• Russia and China have also vetoed two U.S. drafted resolutions on the conflict – in October and on
Friday.
UNSC:
• The Security Council was established by the UN Charter in 1945.
• It is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations.
• The other 5 organs of the United Nations are—the General Assembly (UNGA), the Trusteeship
Council, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice, and the
Secretariat.
• Its primary responsibility is to work to maintain international peace and security.
• The council is headquartered at NewYork.
• The council has 15 members: the five permanent members and ten non-permanent members
elected for two-year terms.
• The five permanent members are the United States, the Russian Federation, France, China and
the United Kingdom.
• India, for the eighth time, has entered the UNSC as a non-permanent member last year (2021) and
will stay on the council for two years i.e 2021-22.

14. An expert explains: What will it take to resume India-Pakistan trade? -

The Hindu
Relevance: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests,
Indian diaspora. Prelims Takeaway
News: • Most Favored Nation
• Pakistan stopped trade after the constitutional changes in status
Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. • Map based questions
• Like other aspects of the India-Pak relationship, trade too has been
impacted by Islamabad’s hard line on Kashmir and its support for terrorism.
• The dire state of the Pakistani economy, however, has raised hopes for a change in Pakistan’s
approach.
Pakistan limited trade with India despite benefits:
• Although granted favorable trading terms since 1996, Pakistan restricted most Indian imports.
• India still enjoyed a trade advantage, with cotton and chemicals being key Pakistani imports.
Trade halt and reasons:
• Pakistan stopped official trade with India in 2019 after India revoked special status for Kashmir.
• This followed India raising tariffs on Pakistani goods and withdrawing its Most Favored Nation
status.
Why might Pakistan resume trade?
• A new Pakistani government and economic woes create pressure for a policy change.
• Importing from further distances strains Pakistan's finances.
• Direct trade with India would be more efficient.
• Pakistan's relations with other neighbors are currently tense.
Challenges to restarting trade:
• Political figures in Pakistan may oppose trade normalization.
• Pakistan's military traditionally disfavors improved relations.
 14

• Pakistan wants Kashmir's status reversed, which India won't do.

• India demands Pakistan address terrorism concerns before trade resumes.
Current situation:
• India holds a stronger position and won't make concessions.
• Pakistan needs to decide if economic benefits outweigh political difficulties.

15. China to develop Sri Lanka’s deep sea port and airport -The Hindu
Relevance: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing Prelims Takeaway
countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora • Hambantota
News:
• Map Based question
• Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister said that China has pledged to
develop the island nation’s strategic deep sea port and the capital’s airport after talks with his
counterpart in Beijing.
Key Highlights
• Sri Lanka said China — the island’s biggest bilateral creditor — would “assist” Sri Lanka’s
restructuring of external debt, a key condition to maintaining a $2.9 billion IMF bailout.
• Beijing’s position on debt restructuring has not been made public
o but Sri Lankan officials have said China was reluctant to take a haircut on its loans but could
extend the tenure and adjust interest rates.
• Sri Lanka in 2022 ran out of foreign exchange to finance essential imports and declared a sovereign
default on its $46 billion foreign debt.
• Beijing had offered “assistance to develop” Colombo International Airport and Hambantota port,
Japanese project halted
• A Japanese-funded expansion of Colombo airport had been on hold since Sri Lanka’s sovereign debt
default.
India’s concern
• The southern sea port of Hambantota was handed to a Chinese state-owned company in 2017 on a
99-year lease for $1.12 billion.
• India and the U.S. are both concerned that a Chinese foothold at Hambantota, on the island’s southern
coast, could boost its naval advantage in the Indian Ocean.

16. Discussed ‘peace formula’ with India: Ukraine Foreign Minister - The
Hindu
Relevance: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests,
Indian diaspora. Prelims Takeaway
News: • Map based question
• India and Ukraine recently, discussed a ‘Peace Formula’ for the • Peace plan
conflict between Russia and Ukraine
• Foreign Minister of Ukraine met with the External Affairs Minister and described the Russian
campaign against Ukraine as a “full-scale war”, while arguing for energizing India-Ukraine relations
with new projects.
Global Peace Summit on Ukraine
• The summit was Hosted by Switzerland
Aim and Agenda of the Summit :
• The summit aims to convene world leaders with the primary agenda of discussing strategies to halt
Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
• It will help to demonstrate global unity to advocate for a resolution to the conflict
• Invited Nations from the Global South to ensure diverse representation and perspectives at the
summit.
• It will be largely focused On Ukraine 10 Point Peace Plan.
 15

• The Swiss government has acknowledged the request and is currently in the process of finalizing
additional details for the summit’s organization and execution.

17. India launches database to record crimes against UN peacekeepers-

Business Standard
Relevance: Important International institutions, agencies and fora - Prelims Takeaway
their structure, mandate. • UN Peacekeeping
News: • UN
• India has launched a new database designed to record crimes
against UN peacekeepers and monitor progress in holding perpetrators accountable
The UN peacekeeping
• It marks its 75th anniversary this year and a yearlong campaign has been organized for the same.
• UN Peacekeeping has been one of the most important tools for mitigating conflict and promoting
peace and security around the globe.
• The Department of Peace Operations of the UN plays the function of peacekeeping as an “instrument
developed by the organization as a way to help countries torn by conflict to create the conditions for
lasting peace”.
• Although the United Nations acknowledges that all actions are “mutually reinforcing” and that
overlap between them is common in practice, it is separated from peacebuilding, peacemaking, and
peace enforcement.
• The theme of the 75th anniversary “Peace begins with me” recognizes the service and sacrifice of
peacekeepers, past and present.
• It also pays tribute to the resilience of the communities that we serve, who continue to strive for
peace

INTERNAL SECURITY
18. Govt. extends AFSPA in parts of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh -The
Hindu
Relevance: Security challenges and their management in border areas Prelims Takeaway
- linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
• AFSPA
News:
• The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) extended the Armed • Map based questions
Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in parts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for another six
months.
Key Highlights
• As per the notification, the AFSPA has been extended in the whole of eight districts and 21 police
stations in five other districts of Nagaland.
• In Arunachal Pradesh, it has been extended in three districts and areas falling under the jurisdiction
of three police stations in Namsai district.
Origin of AFSPA
• In the wake of the partition riots, four ordinances were promulgated in 1947.
• These were replaced by a common legislation, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1948.
• This was meant to be in force for one year, but was repealed only in 1957.
• But subsequently extended by an act of parliament -the Armed Forces (Assam and Manipur)
Special Powers Act, 1958
Which parts of the country come under AFSPA?
• Under this law, an area can be declared a ‘disturbed area’, bringing into play the protection it offers
to the armed forces for use of force in the notified area.
 16

• The notification is extended periodically, mostly for six months at a time.

• As of today, the whole of Assam and Nagaland, Manipur, with the exception of the Imphal
municipal area, few districts of Arunachal Pradesh are notified as ‘disturbed areas’.
• The AFSPA was revoked in Tripura and Meghalaya
What does the Act say?
• The Act empowers the Governor of any State, or the Administrator of a Union Territory, or the Central
Government to notify parts of or the whole of a State or a Union Territory as a ‘disturbed area
o If they consider that the condition in such areas is so dangerous or disturbed that the use of the
armed forces is necessary in aid of civil power.
• In such a notified area, any officer of the armed forces may fire upon or use force, even to the point
of causing death, against any person for the maintenance of public order.
• The Act allows arrest and search of any premises without a warrant in a notified area, and the
recovery of any confined person, or any arms and ammunition stored unlawfully.
• No person can be prosecuted or subjected to any legal proceedings for action taken under the Act,
without the Central Government’s previous sanction.
• The exercise of these extraordinary powers by armed forces has often led to allegations of fake
encounters and other human rights violations by security forces in disturbed areas
Naga People's Movement of Human Rights v. Union of India
• In this judgment Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the act but also held that
o declaration should be for limited duration and must be a periodic reviewed after 6 months
o While exercising the powers conferred upon him by AFSPA, the authorized officer should use
minimal force necessary for effective action
Jeevan Reddy committee
• In 2005, a Government-appointed five-member committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge,
B. P. Jeevan Reddy, recommended that AFSPA be repealed.
• It suggested that the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act could be suitably amended to deal
with terrorism.
Way forward
• To minimize disruption and protect human rights, AFSPA should only be used in specific districts
with proven unrest, not entire states.
• Additionally, the government and security forces must follow the regulations established by the
Supreme Court, the Jeevan Reddy Commission, and the National Human Rights Commission.

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

19. Union home ministry extends validity of FCRA registered NGOs till June
30 -The Hindu
Relevance: Development processes and the development industry — Prelims Takeaway
the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, • NGO
charities, institutional and other stakeholders. • FCRA
News:
• The Union home ministry extended till June 30 the validity of all FCRA registered NGOs whose
licences are expiring on March 31, in a relief to those whose renewal applications are still under
consideration.
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA):
• Passed in 1976 during India's Emergency, the FCRA was a response to worries about foreign
influence.
• The law aimed to control foreign donations to ensure organizations receiving them operated in line
with India's democratic values.
 17

• Strengthened in 2010 and again in 2020, the FCRA gives the government more control over how
NGOs handle foreign funds.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) enforces the law and can block donations used against India's
national interests.
Key Points of the FCRA:
• Registration: NGOs that want foreign donations must register with the FCRA and open a special
account at the State Bank of India in Delhi.
• The funds can only be used for approved purposes. Annual reports are required, and transfers to
other NGOs are not allowed.
• Restrictions: The FCRA prohibits receiving foreign funds for people in certain professions (like
journalists or politicians) and organizations with political aims.
• Registration Process: NGOs apply online with documents.
• Those with cultural, economic, educational, religious, or social programs can qualify. The MHA checks
backgrounds and approves/denies applications within 90 days. Registration lasts 5 years and needs
renewal.
• Cancellation: The MHA can cancel registration for inactivity, misuse of funds, or if deemed necessary
for public interest.
• The NGO can defend itself before cancellation, and a court challenge is possible. A cancelled NGO
cannot re-register for 3 years.
• Suspensions and freezing of funds are also possible during investigations.

20. DoT asks telcos to suspend USSD-based call forwarding, switch to

alternate mode from Apr 15- Economics times
Relevance: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; Prelims Takeaway
indigenization of technology and developing new technology. • USSD
News: • IMEI
• The Department of Telecom has asked telecom operators to
deactivate USSD-based call forwarding with effect from April 15 and move to alternative methods to
re-activate it, an official order said.
• Mobile subscribers use USSD service just by dialling any active code on their phone screens.
Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD):
• It is a communications protocol used in Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) networks
for sending short text messages.
• It is an instant messaging service and messages are not stored on the operator side or on the
subscriber’s device.
USSD format:
• It generally exist as one of two types, depending on their origin:
• The user can send the operator a request in the form of a USSD command.
• It is used to display balance deduction in mobile phones where a message pops-up on the device
screen after a call or outgoing SMS.
• It is also used for checking IMEI numbers of mobiles.
• USSD, or Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, is a way to communicate with your mobile
network operator directly from your phone. It's like a simple messaging system built into your phone
that doesn't require internet or store messages.
• The maximum length of a USSD message is 182 characters, but most codes are much shorter.
 18

GS III

ENVIRONMENT
21. Water crisis in Bengaluru linked to urbanisation of Kodagu’ -The
Hindu
Relevance: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, Prelims Takeaway
environmental impact assessment. • NITI ayoge
News: • Water crisis
• The Save Kodagu and Cauvery Campaign has said that one of the
reasons for the water shortage in Bengaluru is the rampant and unchecked commercial land
conversion and urbanisation of Kodagu
Key Highlights
Land conversion
• Gram panchayats should not issue NOCs for land conversion for commercial purposes.
• If there was a continuous growth of Bengaluru and the destruction of Kodagu’s landscape, it would
be a classic case of burning the candle at both ends.
• “The Cauvery is the lifeline not only of Bengaluru, but also for the farmers of Mandya and the
people of Mysuru,
• If the population of Kodagu increases from its present six lakh to 10 lakh or more, owing to
proliferation of layouts and colonies
o In case there is a failure of rains in the district resulting in drought conditions and water shortage,
then the government can invoke the National Disaster Act.
• The government can invoke the Act by which the borewells and water tanks of coffee growers across
Kodagu can be seized
o It will not be permitted to carry out any irrigation in the district which will result in coffee yield
reducing drastically
Reasons for the Water Crisis in India
• Rising water demand- According to NITI Aayog, India’s water demand is increasing at a rapid rate.
India’s water demand will be twice the available supply by 2030.
o Also, the rate of depletion of groundwater in India during 2041-2080 will be thrice the current
rate.
• Groundwater use for agriculture – There is high groundwater usage in agriculture due to faulty
cropping patterns.
o For ex- Water-intensive paddy cultivation in the states of Punjab and Haryana.
• Encroachment of Natural Water Bodies- There has been destruction of lakes and small ponds to
meet the infrastructure needs of burgeoning populations.
o For ex- Encroachment of lakes in Bengaluru.
• Climate Change- Climate Change has led to erratic monsoon and reduced water levels in many
rivers. This has induced water crisis in India.
o Discharge of Pollutants- There has been contamination of groundwater resources by the
discharge of industrial chemicals, sewers and improper mining activities.
 19

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

22. On semiconductors: how they are made, used and who manufactures
them- The Hindu
Relevance: Science and Technology- developments and their Prelims Takeaway
applications and effects in everyday life. • Silicon
News:
• Semiconductor
• Semiconductors represent a distinct class of materials that
possess some of the electrical properties of both conductors and insulators.
• Like a faucet which can be used to control the flow of water, semiconductors can be used to control
the flow of electric currents, and with exquisite precision.
Key Highlights
• The most important type of semiconductor is the transistor.
• At the dawn of the era of modern electronics, the first integrated circuits featured four transistors.
How do semiconductors benefit us?
• Smartphones and computers showcase the pinnacle of semiconductor technology but
semiconductors influence nearly every facet of our lives.
• Semiconductors also power ‘smart’ air-conditioners’ ability to regulate the temperature as well
as space telescopes’
o Ability to capture both awe-inspiring and scientifically interesting images in the depths of the
universe, and many other technologies in between.
• Many of the solutions to the 21st century’s most important crises — including artificial intelligence,
electric vehicles, space exploration, robotics, personalised healthcare, and environmental
monitoring
• Such semiconductor technology facilities foster innovation, create high-paying jobs, nurture the
potential for deep-tech start-ups
o And both draw from and feed into advances in materials science, computer engineering, big data,
optics, chemical engineering, and chip design, to name a few.
• Owing to their role in sectors like defence and automotives, semiconductors have also emerged
as a focal point of geopolitical interest
• India, meanwhile, has been trying to use its expertise in design to establish semiconductor
manufacturing plants.
• One hopes this strategic push plus the potential of our youth will translate to numerous opportunities
for the country to seize the international semiconductor industry.

23. ISRO to hold training sessions in educational institutions -The Hindu

Relevance: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Prelims Takeaway
Nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual • ISRO
property rights.
• START programm
News:
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will conduct the Space Science and Technology
Awareness Training (START) 2024 programme during April and May.
Key Highlights
• In this connection, ISRO solicits Expression of Interest (EoI) to host START-2024 in educational
institutes, universities, colleges within India
o who are offering UG and PG courses in physical sciences and technology.
• The main objective of the training programme is to attract the youngsters to the fields of space
science and technology.
• The training modules will comprise introductory level topics on various verticals of space science
and technology.
 20

• In addition to these, there will be sessions on Indian space exploration programmes and research
opportunities.
Eligibility:
• Post-graduate students and final year undergraduate students of physical sciences (physics and
chemistry) and technology -studying in educational institutes, universities and colleges within India
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• It is the space agency of India, responsible for the planning and execution of space-related activities
in the country.
• ISRO is one of the most prominent and successful space agencies in the world, known for its cost-
effective and efficient space missions.
• ISRO operates under the Department of Space, which reports directly to the Prime Minister of India.
• The department primarily executes the Indian Space Programme through various ISRO Centres

24. How smart is the Centre’s smart meter plan and why Kerala’s move to
opt out underscores some of the scheme’s inadequacies- Indian
express
Relevance: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Prelims Takeaway
etc. • Smart Meter National
News:
Programme
• Kerala’s move towards an alternate model for the rollout of
smart electricity meters, effectively jettisoning the Centre’s Rs 3 • Electricity grid
lakh crore smart meters project
• It comes as a spanner in the works for the Union Government scheme that aims to replace 250
million conventional meters with smart meters across all households by March 2025
Smart Meters: A Power Upgrade for India
• a meter that not only tracks your electricity use but also keeps an eye on voltage levels and sends
updates to the power company.
• The Indian government is pushing a big initiative to replace traditional meters with these high-tech
devices.
• This "Smart Meter National Programme" (SMNP) aims to install 250 million smart meters across
the country.
The benefit
• For consumers, smart meters offer a window into their electricity usage, allowing them to track
consumption and potentially save money by adjusting their habits.
• For power companies, smart meters are a game-changer.
• They can improve billing accuracy, reduce meter reading costs, and even help manage overall power
demand.
• Plus, these meters connect to a central system, helping to cut down on losses and boost revenue for
power companies.
• Overall, the smart meter rollout is a step towards a more efficient and reliable power sector in India.

25. ICCC: Integrated farm data dashboard for customised solutions-Indian

express
Relevance: Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the Prelims Takeaway
country, - different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, • AI
transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and
• The Krishi ICCC
related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
News:
• Earlier this month, Agriculture Minister inaugurated a Krishi Integrated Command and Control
Centre (ICCC) set up at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi
• Officials described the ICCC as a “significant leap forward” in leveraging technology for the
advancement of agricultural practices.
 21

The Krishi ICCC

• It is a digital hub that uses advanced technology to empower farmers.
• It acts like a central nervous system for agriculture, bringing together a wealth of information from
various sources like weather stations, land records, and past crop data.
• Using artificial intelligence, the Krishi ICCC analyzes this vast amount of detail to provide farmers
with personalized advice in their local language.
• Imagine a giant dashboard displaying real-time information about crop yields, rainfall patterns, and
even potential droughts.
• This is exactly what the Krishi ICCC offers, giving farmers a comprehensive view of the
agricultural landscape.
• By bringing all this information under one roof, the Krishi ICCC aims to revolutionize farming by
enabling better decision-making and ultimately improving agricultural outcomes.

26. India achieves 16% decline in new TB cases since 2015’ -The Hindu
Relevance: Issues relating to development and management of Social Prelims Takeaway
Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
• TB
News:
• National Tuberculosis
• India’s efforts to ensure early tuberculosis detection and
Elimination Programme
treatment initiation, along with a host of community engagement
efforts has resulted in a decline of 16% in incidence (new TB cases emerging each year) and a 18%
reduction in mortality, since 2015.
Key highlights
• The incidence rate in India had fallen and the mortality rate had declined from 28 per lakh population
in 2015 to 23 per lakh population in 2022
o according to the India TB report 2024 released by the Union Health Ministry, stating that the
country has set 2025 as the target for eliminating the disease.
• Additionally, of all the TB cases notified in 2023, nearly 32% of notifications came from the private
health care sector which is an increase of 17% from the previous year.
• According to the data released in the report, while the overall notification of TB cases has improved
by over 50% in the last nine years on an annual basis
o Uttar Pradesh saw the highest jump in notifications (by 21% compared to the previous year).
• the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) embarked on a journey towards
accelerating TB elimination, guided by the National Strategic Plan 2017–25.
• “The NTEP continued providing free diagnostic services, conducting approximately 1.89 crore
sputum smear test,” noted the report.

27. Skyroot Aerospace successfully test fires stage-2 of Vikram-1 launch

vehicle in A.P. -The Hindu
Relevance: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Prelims Takeaway
Nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual • Vikram-1 launch vehicle
property rights.
• ISRO
News:
• Leading space-tech company Skyroot Aerospace successfully test fired the stage-2 of its Vikram-1
launch vehicle at the propulsion testbed of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at Satish
Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Key Highlights
• Launch vehicles comprise multiple stages.
• Stage-2, called Kalam-250, is critical during the ascent of the launch vehicle since it will propel the
rocket through the earth’s atmosphere and into the vacuum of space.
• Vikram-1 launch will be a landmark event for the Indian space sector as it will be the country’s first
private orbital rocket launch.
 22

• It follows the suborbital launch of India’s first private rocket — the Vikram-S by Skyroot in November
2022, said an official release.
• The test, which lasted 85 seconds, recorded a peak sea-level thrust of 186 kilonewtons (kN), which
will translate to a fully expanded vacuum thrust of around 235kN in flight.
• The Kalam-250 is a high-strength carbon composite rocket motor, which uses solid fuel and a high-
performance Ethylene-Propylene-Diene terpolymers (EPDM) Thermal Protection System (TPS).
• The stage-2 houses a carbon ablative flex nozzle along with high-precision electro-mechanical
actuators for thrust vector control of the vehicle, which helps the rocket achieve the desired
trajectory.
• The solid propellant in Kalam-250 was processed by Solar Industries at their Nagpur facility.

28. Technology Development Board and Foundation for Neglected Disease

Research (FNDR) with ₹75 Lakhs Grant for Innovative Antibiotic
Development Project- PIB
Relevance: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
News: Prelims Takeaway
• In an innovative initiative aimed at propelling healthcare innovation • Gram-negative
forward, the Technology Development Board has sanctioned a bacteria
grant of ₹75 Lakhs towards the project "ANAGRANINF • Drug-Resistant
• It is Development of a Novel Class of Antibiotics Against Gram- Bacteria
Negative Bacterial-Infections,
New Antibiotic to Fight Drug-Resistant Bacteria
• This project aims to develop a new type of antibiotic to combat serious infections caused by gram-
negative bacteria.
• These bacteria are especially difficult to treat because they have multiple ways to resist drugs.
What are gram-negative bacteria?
• They have a different cell wall structure than other bacteria, making them harder to kill with
antibiotics.
• They can quickly develop resistance to new drugs and share this resistance with other bacteria.
• These bacteria can cause serious infections like pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and surgical site
infections.
The Project's Goal
• Develop a new drug (antibiotic) that can target a specific enzyme (FabI) in gram-negative bacteria.
• This new drug would be effective against these hard-to-treat infections.
Who is Funding This Project?
• The Technology Development Board (TDB) is a government agency that supports the development
of new technologies in India.
• The TDB funds research projects and helps companies bring new technologies to market.

ENVIRONMENT
29. Is Holi becoming warmer year on year? This is what scientists say- the
tribune
Relevance: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, Prelims Takeaway
environmental impact assessment. • Global warming
News:
• CO2
• The probability of temperatures soaring to 40 degrees Celsius
around the festival of Holi late March has multiplied due to climate change, according to an analysis
of temperature data since 1970.
Northern India Heating Up the Most
 23

• A study reveals that northern and western India have seen the biggest temperature increases in
March compared to 1970.
• Jammu and Kashmir has warmed the most, with average temperatures rising by about 2.8 degrees
Celsius.
Warming Spreads in April
• April's warming is more widespread across the country.
• Mizoram takes the top spot with a nearly 1.9-degree Celsius increase since 1970.
Global Warming: The Culprit
• The massive release of heat-trapping greenhouse gases has caused global temperatures to rise.
• Compared to the 1850-1900 average, the world's average temperature has increased by 1.1 degrees
Celsius.
• Since 1900, the Indian subcontinent's average annual temperature has risen by 0.7 degrees Celsius.
• The gradual rise in earth’s temperature known as global warming is typically brought on by the
greenhouse effect
o Which is brought on by elevated amounts of carbon dioxide, CFCs, and other pollutants.
• It has an immense impact on the global climate as well. Read here to know more about it.
• Global warming is the long-term heating of the Earth’s surface observed since the pre-industrial
period (between 1850 and 1900) due to human activities.
• The leading cause was primarily fossil fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping greenhouse gas
levels in Earth’s atmosphere.
• This term is not interchangeable with the term “climate change.”

30. GAIL to commission its first green hydrogen project in April: Report-
Indian Express
Relevance: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, Prelims Takeaway
environmental impact assessment. • Green hydrogen
News:
• Hydrogen
• State-run natural gas company GAIL (India) Ltd plans to
commission its first green hydrogen project in central India in April, three company sources said.
Green Hydrogen
• Under the highly ambitious National Green Hydrogen Mission, India intends to be "the Global Hub
for the Production, Use, and Export of Green Hydrogen"
o and "to assume technology and market leadership." The mission's goal is to generate 5 million
tonnes of green hydrogen for domestic use.
• Green hydrogen is a clean energy source produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable
energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydro power.
• It has the potential to become a key player in the transition to a carbon-free economy and can help
mitigate climate change.
• The hydrogen produced can be stored and used as a fuel for transportation, industry, and agriculture.
Benefit of green hydrogen
• Reducing greenhouse effect
• Reducing india import bill
• Energy Security and Independence
• Creating New Industries and Jobs

31. Is Australia’s carbon credit scheme a ‘catastrophe’? -The Hindu

Relevance: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, Prelims Takeaway
environmental impact assessment. • Carbon credit
News: • Map based question
• Australia’s carbon credit scheme was undermined by damning
new research which found a world-leading reforestation project had been an underperforming
“catastrophe”
 24

• Vast swathes of land across Australia’s desert Outback have been earmarked for native forest
regeneration meant to offset emissions as new trees suck up carbon.
Key Highlights
• But researchers have found that across almost 80% of these plantations forest growth was either
stagnant or that woodlands were shrinking.
• Despite this, Australia had used these projects to bank millions of tonnes in questionable carbon
credits, scientists said, which are used to supposedly offset polluting industries.
• Officials claim that since 2013, the native forest spreading across this land has sucked up more than
27 million tonnes of carbon.
• Each tonne of carbon sequestered by these forests is chalked up as a single carbon credit.
• These credits are then bought by mining companies, airlines, and other heavily polluting industries
to offset their emissions.
• The regulator said it “only issues carbon credits where a project can demonstrate regenerating native
forest”.
• Climate policy has long been a fraught affair in Australia, set back by a decade of political brawling
dubbed the “climate wars”.
• Despite its growing vulnerability to climate-linked natural disasters, Australia remains one of the
world’s biggest exporters of gas and thermal coal.
• Australia has committed to cutting carbon emissions by 43% by 2030 from 2005 levels, on a path to
reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
• Australia’s carbon dioxide emissions per person are among the highest in the world at 15.3 tonnes,
surpassing U.S. levels, World Bank figures show.

32. Protect Moyar valley, the home of critically endangered Gyps vulture-
Indian express
Relevance: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
News:
Prelims Takeaway
• Moyar valley or Maayar (invisible river) valley extends from
• Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Gudalur through the core area of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.
• Moyar Valley
•
• This entire stretch of nearly 85 km is a wildlife haven and important biome in the Nilgiri Biosphere
Reserve, sheltering several vital species like tiger and elephant and the critically endangered Gyps
vulture.
• It is the only region in peninsular India where you have the biggest nesting colony of Gyps vultures
in the wild.
Mudumalai: A vital wildlife corridor in India
• Mudumalai stretches through a critical area within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
• This region is home to endangered species like tigers, elephants, and Gyps vultures (the largest
nesting colony in peninsular India).
• The Moyar Valley within Mudumalai provides a natural food source for scavengers like vultures.
• This is because prey animals here die from natural causes and lack harmful chemicals.
Key details about Mudumalai Tiger Reserve:
• Located in Tamil Nadu, at the meeting point of three states (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala).
• Part of the Western Ghats mountain range.
• Shares borders with several protected areas, forming a crucial wildlife corridor.
 25

33. With less than 150 Great Indian Bustards remaining in the wild, what’s
driving their extinction?
Relevance: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, Prelims Takeaway
environmental impact assessment. • The Great Indian Bustard
News:
• IUCN
• The Supreme Court last week said it will review its April 2021
order to bury underground all power lines in the habitat of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), after the
Centre found the order “practically impossible to implement” over long distances.
The Great Indian Bustard: A Bird on the Brink
• The Great Indian Bustard (GIB), the largest of India's four bustard species, is facing a critical fight for
survival.
Habitat and Decline:
• Once widespread across the Indian subcontinent, their habitat has shrunk to a mere 10%.
• These grassland birds, crucial indicators of healthy grasslands, are now critically endangered with
just 50-249 individuals remaining.
Main Threat: Power Lines
• The biggest threat to GIBs are overhead power lines.
• Their poor frontal vision and weight make it difficult to dodge these lines, leading to collisions and
fatalities.
• Research suggests 18 GIBs die from this cause annually in Rajasthan alone.
• The recent boom in renewable energy infrastructure in their core habitat (Kutch and Thar desert)
has exacerbated the problem.
Other Threats:
• Free-ranging dogs
• Pesticide use in farmlands
• Loss of grassland (especially nesting sites)
• Decreased support from local communities
Conservation Efforts:
• Species Recovery Programme: A government initiative to create a captive breeding population for
future reintroduction.
• Bird Diverters: Reflectors installed on power lines to make them visible to GIBs and prevent
collisions.
Supreme Court Intervention:
• The Supreme Court has mandated burying power lines in core GIB habitat and set up committees to
oversee implementation.
• The Centre argues against burying all lines due to technical and economic challenges.
• In March 2024, the Court established a new committee to explore further conservation measures.
• The future of the Great Indian Bustard hangs in the balance.
• Balancing development needs with critical species protection remains a challenge.

ECONOMY
34. NAAC’S accreditation system needs change to be creditable- Indian
express
Relevance: Issues relating to development and management of Social Prelims Takeaway
Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. • NAAC
News: • UGC
• The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), in its executive council meeting on,
decided to introduce a binary categorisation of “accredited” or “not accredited” for higher
educational institutions
 26

NAAC: Ensuring Quality in Indian Higher Education

• Established in 1994, the NAAC is an independent body under the Ministry of Education that acts as a
quality check for colleges and universities in India.
• Like a reviewer for restaurants, the NAAC evaluates and rates these institutions based on seven key
areas, including curriculum, teaching methods, research output, and student support.
• Institutions that meet NAAC's standards receive accreditation, valid for five years, which signifies
their commitment to quality education.
• Ratings range from A++ (highest) to C, with D indicating the institution is not accredited.
• Universities and colleges that have been around for at least six years or have graduated two batches
of students can apply for NAAC's evaluation process, which is currently voluntary.
• NAAC operates under a General Council and an Executive Committee, both packed with experts from
India's higher education system.
• This ensures fair and informed decisions when evaluating institutions.

35. Employment scenario in India grim, says ILO report -The Hindu
Relevance: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, Prelims Takeaway
mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. • LFPR
News: • Unemployment rate
• Recently, The India Employment Report 2024 was released by the
International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Institute of Human Development (IHD).
• The share of those with secondary or higher education among the unemployed youth in India has
almost doubled from 35.2% in 2000 to 65.7% in 2022,
Key Highlights
• The report says that youngsters account for almost 83% of the country’s unemployed workforce.
• Employment and underemployment of the youth increased between 2000 and 2019 but declined
during the pandemic years, the study, released by Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran,
said
• The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), Worker Population Ratio (WPR) and Unemployment
Rate (UR) showed a long-term deterioration between 2000 and 2018,
o but witnessed an improvement after 2019, the study said.
The paradoxes
• non-farm employment grew at a higher rate than farm employment over the different periods prior
to 2018
• Labour from agriculture was mainly absorbed by the construction and services sectors.
• Also, almost 90% of workers remain engaged in informal work, while the share of regular work,
which steadily increased after 2000, declined after 2018.
• There are widespread livelihood insecurities, the report added, with only a small percentage being
covered with social protection measures, precisely in the non-agriculture, organised sector.
• While India’s large young workforce is a demographic dividend, the report noted that they don’t
appear to have the skills to deliver
o With 75% of youth unable to send emails with attachments, 60% unable to copy and paste files,
and 90% unable to put a mathematical formula into a spreadsheet.
• The country is also facing the challenge of a substantial gender gap in the labour market, with low
rates of female labour force participation.
Social inequalities
• Despite affirmative action and targeted policies, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes still lag
in terms of access to better jobs.
• “Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have greater participation in work due to economic
necessity but engaged more in low-paid temporary casual wage work and informal employment
• Despite improvement in educational attainment among all groups, the hierarchy within social groups
persists,” the report added.
 27

36. Drop in FDI mirrors global trend’ -The Hindu

Relevance: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, Prelims Takeaway
mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. • FDI
News:
• FPI
• The decline in India’s net foreign direct investment (FDI)
inflows, which had dropped almost 31% to $25.5 billion over the first 10 months of 2023-24
• It was in line with the slowdown in such investments to developing countries, the Finance Ministry
has said, while holding out hope for an uptick in investments in this calendar year.
Key Highlights
• While overall global FDI flows rose 3% to an estimated $1.4 trillion in 2023, economic uncertainty
and higher interest rates did affect global investment
• reflected in FDI flows to developing countries falling by 9%, the Ministry said in its February review
of the economy’s performance.
• Mirroring the slowdown in FDI flows to developing countries, gross FDI inflows to India also dipped
but only slightly in the period April 2023-January 2024 [from $61.7 bn.
• Citing an UNCTAD report, the Ministry said that despite the drop in FDI inflows, the country
witnessed “a stable number of new project announcements
o keeping it in the top 5 destinations for global greenfield projects.
• The Netherlands, Singapore, Japan, the U.S.A. and Mauritius account for about 70% of the total FDI
equity inflows into India, the Ministry added.
 28

37. RBI modifies norms for lenders having exposure to AIFs -The HindU
Relevance: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, Prelims Takeaway
mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. • SEBI
News: • Alternative Investment
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has modified norms for Funds
regulated entities (REs) concerning their investments in
Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs).
Key Highlights
• As per the fresh directive, REs need to only set aside provisions to the extent their investment in an
AIF scheme is further invested by the AIFs in a debtor’s company, and not the entire investment in
the AIF scheme.
• “Provisioning shall be required only to the extent of investment by the RE in the AIF scheme which
is further invested by the AIF in the debtor company
o and not on the entire investment of the RE in the AIF scheme,” it added.
• The RBI had in December prevented REs from making investments in AIFs having downstream
investments either directly or indirectly in any debtor’s company of the REs.
o This was to stop the evergreening of loans
Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs):
• It is a special investment category that differs from conventional investment instruments.
• AIF is any fund established in India which is a privately pooled investment vehicle that collects
funds from sophisticated investors, both Indian or foreign, for investing.
• It pools funds from investors and invests them under different categories of investments as specified
by the SEBIfor the benefit of investors.
• These investment vehicles adhere to the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012.
• AIFs can be formed as a company, Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), trust, etc.
• It is an investment option for high rollers, including domestic and foreign investors in India.
• Generally, institutions and high net worth individuals invest in AIF as it needs a high investment
amount.
 29

38. Pre-poll splurge lifts fiscal deficit -The Hindu

Relevance: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, Prelims Takeaway
mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. • Fiscal deficit
News: • Budget deficit
• Signalling a sharp rise in spending ahead of the fiscal year-end, the
Centre’s fiscal deficit soared from 64% of the revised estimates in January to 86.5% by the end of
February, with capex recording a sequential bounce to ₹84,400 crore last month.
Key highlights
• In absolute value, the deficit hit ₹15 lakh crore in the first eleven months of 2023-24, from just ₹11
lakh crore at the end of January,
o And was almost 3.5% over the ₹14.5 lakh crore over the same period in the earlier financial year.
Fiscal Deficit
• Fiscal deficit refers to the shortfall in a government’s revenue when compared to its expenditure.
• When a government’s expenditure exceeds its revenues, the government will have to borrow money
or sell assets to fund the deficit.
• Taxes are the most important source of revenue for any government.
• In 2024-25, the government’s tax receipts are expected to be Rs 26.02 lakh crore while its total
revenue is estimated to be Rs 30.8 lakh crore.
• When a government runs a fiscal surplus, on the other hand, its revenues exceed expenditure.
• It is, however, quite rare for governments to run a surplus.
• Most governments today focus on keeping the fiscal deficit under control rather than on generating
a fiscal surplus or on balancing the budget.
 30

39. Procurement through centre’s GeM portal crosses Rs 4 trillion mark in

FY24 - The Indian Express
Relevance: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, Prelims Takeaway
mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. • GeM
News:
• PSU
• The procurement of goods and services through the centre’s
Government e-Market (GeM) portal has crossed Rs 4 trillion so far this fiscal
• buying activities by various ministries and departments have picked up pace, a senior government
official said
• Launched in 2016, GeM (Government e-Marketplace) is an online platform for government agencies
to buy and sell goods and services.
• It's mandatory for central and state government departments, PSUs, and affiliated organizations to
use GeM for procurement.
Benefits of GeM:
• Increased Efficiency, Transparency, and Speed: GeM streamlines public procurement by offering
various buying options like bidding and direct purchase.
• Wider Selection and Price Comparison: Buyers have access to a larger variety of products from
numerous suppliers, allowing for price comparison and cost-effectiveness.
• Benefits for Sellers: Businesses gain easy access to the national public procurement market and
government organizations, with a user-friendly platform for bids and monitoring.
Challenges for Informal Sector Sellers:
• Registration Hurdles: The current registration process can be lengthy and require documents like
GSTIN or PAN cards, which informal sector businesses often lack.
• Unrealistic Pricing: Low mandated prices set by government departments and a compulsory
minimum discount can make fulfilling orders unprofitable for small businesses.
• Distance Factor: Bids are often for distant locations, adding logistical costs and reducing profit
margins.
Proposed Solutions:
• Simplified Registration: Streamlining the registration process, similar to the MSME Ministry's
Udyam Portal, would make it easier for informal businesses to join GeM.
• Dynamic Pricing: A more flexible pricing system based on market rates and past orders could
ensure fair compensation for sellers.
• Local Matching: Matching government orders with local vendors would reduce shipping costs and
support local businesses, aligning with the "Vocal for Local" campaign.
Way forward
• Overall, GeM is a positive step towards a more efficient and transparent public procurement system.
• By addressing the challenges faced by informal sector sellers, GeM can further empower small
businesses and create a more inclusive marketplace.

SECURITY
40. Sensing China threat, India joins Sri Lanka in race for seabed mining;
applies for exploration rights -The Hindu
Relevance: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing Prelims Takeaway
countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora. • Sea bed
News:
• EEZ
• Earlier this month, India applied to the International Seabed
Authority (ISBA), Jamaica, for rights to explore two vast tracts in the Indian Ocean seabed that
aren’t part of its jurisdiction.
 31

• The application to explore one of these regions, a cobalt-rich crust long known as the Afanasy
Nikitin Seamount (AN Seamount), is a gambit by India.
Key Highlights
• Rights to the region have already been claimed by Sri Lanka under a separate set of laws
o But India’s application is part-motivated by reports of Chinese vessels undertaking
reconnaissance in the same region
• The AN Seamount is a structural feature in the Central Indian Basin, located about 3,000 km off
India’s coast.
• For any actual extraction to happen, interested explorers — in this case, countries — must apply first
for an exploration licence to the ISBA
o An autonomous international organisation established under the United Nations Convention on
the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Open ocean
• These rights are specific to areas that are part of the open ocean, meaning ocean — whose air, surface
and sea-bed — where no countries can claim sovereignty.
• Around 60% of the world’s seas are open ocean and though believed to be rich in a variety of mineral
wealth, the costs and challenges of extraction are prohibitive.
o Currently, no country has commercially extracted resources from open oceans.
• However, another UNCLOS-linked body, the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, may
impede India’s exploration ambitions.
• Countries have exclusive rights up to 200 nautical miles, and its underlying sea-bed from their
borders.
• Normally, claims to the continental shelf do not extend beyond 350 nautical miles from their coast.
• “However, there is a provision under which countries along the Bay of Bengal can apply a different
set of criteria to make claims on the extent of their continental shelf.
• Using this, Sri Lanka has claimed up to 500 nautical miles.
 32

Editorials, Gists and Explainers

ENVIRONMENT
41. Live Coral cover in Gulf of Mannar down to 27%- Indian Express
Relevance: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
context:
• Climate change and anthropogenic pressures are overpowering corals’ resilience, but Tamil
Nadu forest department’s community-based initiatives have come as a ray of hope.
• The Gulf of Mannar on the southeast coast of India is a major reef region with a significant spatial
extent of corals.
 33

42. The need to curb black carbon emissions -The Hindu

Relevance: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
News:
• At the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow in November 2021, India pledged to achieve net-zero
emissions by 2070, positioning itself as a frontrunner in the race to carbon neutrality.
• According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, India had installed a renewable energy
capacity of over 180 GW by 2023 and is expected to meet its target of 500 GW by 2030.
• While carbon dioxide mitigation strategies will yield benefits in the long term, they need to go hand-
in-hand with efforts that provide short-term relief.

Conclusion
• As India navigates its responsibilities on the global stage towards long-term decarbonisation, there
is an urgent need to act.
• Recent estimates have indicated that mitigating residential emissions will avoid more than 6.1 lakh
deaths per year from indoor exposure to air pollution.
 34

43. On sustainable building materials | Explained- The Hindu

Relevance: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth,
development and employment.
Context:
• India is witnessing an unprecedented construction boom, with over 3,00,000 housing units erected
annually.
• This growth brings economic opportunities and improved living standards but also poses
significant environmental challenges.
• The building sector, a major energy consumer, accounts for over 33% of India’s electricity usage,
contributing to environmental degradation and climate change.
• The India Cooling Action Plan forecasts an eight-fold increase in cooling demand between 2017
and 2037, emphasising the need for thermal comfort while reducing active cooling demand.

What next?
• Interdisciplinary collaborations with sustainability experts to delve deeper into integrated design
and optimise strategies can unlock the potential for a sustainable built environment.
• the journey toward sustainable construction is challenging but essential for a greener future.
• By re-imagining construction design and practices, manufacturing innovative walling materials, and
fostering a culture of sustainability, we can create resilient and energy-efficient structures that align
with environmental goals and significantly improve the quality of life for the masses.
 35

POLITY
44. What is the district election management plan? | Explained- The Hindu
Relevance: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and
Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the
Polity.
context:
• conduct of elections has become increasingly complex and multifaceted, requiring meticulous
planning and execution to ensure a free, fair, and inclusive electoral process.
• A cornerstone of this planning process is the District Election Management Plan (DEMP), a
comprehensive document that uses statistics and analysis to ensure the smooth conduct of elections.
 36

45. It is time for comprehensive reforms to municipal elections -The Hindu

Relevance: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and
Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the
Polity.
News:
• The Supreme Court judgment on the Chandigarh mayoral election gives us a good occasion to
think more broadly about elections to municipalities.

Conclusion
• Perhaps it is time to also evaluate a potential role for the SECs in the elections of mayors, deputy
mayors and standing committees, given what happened in Chandigarh.
 37

46. Kerala govt goes to SC over Governor withholding assent to Bills: The
issues and the law -The Indian Express
Relevance: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and
Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the
Polity.
News:
• The Kerala government last week approached the Supreme Court saying President had
withheld assent to four Bills passed by the state “while disclosing no reason
• Governor had withheld assent to seven Bills — some for as long as two years — before referring
them to the President.
• Kerala urged the top court to declare the referring of state Bills to the President as “unconstitutional
and lacking in good faith”.

The Issue Remains:

• While the Court's decision clarifies the Governor's responsibility, it doesn't give a specific timeframe
for decision-making.
• This means the potential for conflict remains. The Kerala government's recent petition to the
Supreme Court highlights this ongoing debate.
 38

INTERNATIONAL RELATION

47. Preventing a China-Taiwan conflict

Relevance:Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests,
Indian diaspora.
Context:
• With expanding national interests, India has stronger compulsions to act against far-off hazards.
India finds its interests entangled in disputes on the far edges of Asia, including in Taiwan.

Conclusion
• Depending on the political context, they may invite Chinese retaliation, but no policy is cost-free, and
India has recently shown a tough willingness to weather Chinese opprobrium when necessary.
• India’s expanding interests and ambitions suggest the need for different policy settings, and the costs
of such policies would be dwarfed by the costs of doing nothing.
 39

ECONOMY
48. WTO’s investment facilitation negotiations are not illegal -The Hindu
Relevance: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth,
development and employment.
News:
• One of the significant developments at the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade
Organization (WTO) in Abu Dhabi was the non-adoption of the agreement on investment facilitation
for development (IFD).

Conclusion
• An essential function of the WTO is to update existing rules and make new ones to govern the
increasingly complex nature of international trade.
• However, the WTO’s decision-making process remains deadlocked because of the colossal
difficulties in arriving at consensus.
• From this perspective, PAs such as the IFD agreement are essential for reinvigorating the WTO’s
stalemated legislative function.
• India, which will soon be the third biggest economy, should reconsider its defensive approach
towards PAs, as in the proposed IFD Agreement in the WTO.
 40

POLITY & GOVERNANCE

49. Measuring internet freedom in Indiain the last 10 years -The Hindu
Relevance: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising
out of their design and implementation.
Context:
• For five straight years, India has topped the global list of countries imposing internet bans, with about
60% of all blackouts recorded in the world, between 2016 and 2022 having been in India.
• State imposed shutdowns in the last decade have cited national security and threats to public order.
 41

GEOGRAPHY
50. Understanding India’s coal imports -The Hindu
Relevance: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Context:
• In recent years, increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and a fast-growing economy have led
to big increases in electricity demand, the meeting of which in a reliable way becomes a
challenge.
• But some of the discourse in this context deserves greater scrutiny.

Conclusion
• Clearly, the discourse around coal shortages in the country needs course correction.
• It cannot be assumed that coal imports are the default way to address shortages.
• The fundamental challenge is to overcome the logistics bottlenecks that are preventing coal reaching
the locations where required.
• In the interim, regulatory commissions and distribution utilities must ensure that all coal-based
plants are alert to the possibility of coal shortages and identify the cheapest alternative sources
• Which may not be imports — to bridge the gap.
 42

Quick Look
1. Global Energy Monitor (GEM)
• GEM develops and shares information in support of the worldwide movement for clean energy.
• By studying the evolving international energy landscape and creating databases, reports, and
interactive tools that enhance understanding, GEM seeks to build an open guide to the world’s
energy system.
• Users of GEM's data and reports include the International Energy Agency, United Nations
Environment Programme, the World Bank, and the Bloomberg Global Coal Countdown.

2. Teesta River
• It is a trans-Himalayan River flowing through the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal and,
Rangpur in Bangladesh.
• It is a tributary of the Brahmaputra River.
• It originates in the Himalayas and flows through the Indian States of Sikkim and West Bengal before
entering Bangladesh, where it flows into the Brahmaputra.
• It has a total length of about 309 kilometers.
• The flow of the Teesta is greatest during the summer (June to September), when the monsoon rains
are heaviest and glaciers supply abundant meltwater.

3. La Nina
• La Nina means The Little Girl in Spanish. It is also sometimes called El Viejo, anti-El Nino, or simply
"a cold event."
• La Nina events represent periods of below-average sea surface temperatures across the east-central
Equatorial Pacific.
• It is indicated by sea-surface temperature decreased by more than 0.9℉ for at least five successive
three-month seasons.
• La Nina event is observed when the water temperature in the Eastern Pacific gets comparatively
colder than normal, as a consequence of which, there is a strong high pressure over the eastern
equatorial Pacific.

4. Right Whales
• Right whale, (family Balaenidae) is any of four species of stout-bodied whales having an enormous
head measuring one-quarter to one-third their total body length.
• While they differ genetically, and in conservation status, they do not differ significantly in their
external appearance. These whales were hunted for their oil and their strong, elastic baleen.
• The have considerable economic value of these products, this cetacean gained its name because it
was the “right whale” to take.
• When feeding, these whales swim slowly and use baleen to eat schools of small, shrimp-like
crustaceans, called zooplankton.
• Right whales were nearly exterminated by uncontrolled hunting,
o the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) considers two
of the four species as endangered. They have been completely protected by international
agreement since 1946.
 43

5. Electoral Trusts
• These are trusts set up by companies with the objective to distribute the contributions received
from other companies and individuals to political parties.
• The companies which are registered under section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956, are only eligible
to make an application for approval as an electoral trust.
• The names of electoral trusts, currently, do not indicate the name of the company/group of
companies which set up the trusts.
• For administrative expenses, the electoral trusts are permitted to set aside a maximum of 5 percent
of the total funds collected during a financial year.

6. Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA)

• It is a law enacted by the Parliament in 1958 which gives the armed forces special powers and
immunity to maintain public order in “disturbed areas”.
• It can be applied only after an area has been declared “disturbed” under section 2 of the Act.
• An area can be considered to be disturbed due to differences or disputes among different religious,
racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities.
• The Central Government or the Governor of the State or administrator of the Union Territory, can
declare the whole or part of the State or Union Territory as a disturbed area.
• It can be invoked in places where “the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary”.

7. Magnetotactic bacteria
• These are mostly prokaryotic organisms that arrange themselves along the earth’s magnetic field.
• These organisms were believed to follow the magnetic field to reach places that had optimal oxygen
concentration.
• These bacteria contained “novel structured particles, rich in iron” in small sacs that essentially
worked as a compass.
• These magnetotactic bacteria create tiny crystals made of the iron-rich minerals magnetite or
greigite.

8. Meme coins
• These are a unique category of cryptocurrencies, have gained significant popularity in the digital
currency space.
• These trace their origin to the growth of meme culture on the internet.
• These are also known as ‘memetic tokens’ or ‘community coins’, meme coins are digital currencies
created as a form of satire or humorous tribute to the internet culture.
• They often feature names, logos and branding that reference popular memes, jokes or internet
phenomena.

9. Border Roads Organisation

• It is a road construction executive force in India that provides support to Indian Armed Forces.
• It was formed in 1960 to secure India's borders and develop infrastructure in remote areas of the
north and north-east states of the country.
• In order to ensure coordination and expeditious execution of projects, the Government of India set
up the Border Roads Development Board (BRDB) with the Prime Minister as Chairman of the Board
and Defence Minister as Deputy Chairman.
 44

• It develops and maintains road networks in India's border areas and friendly neighboring
countries.
• This includes infrastructure operations in 19 States and three Union Territories (including
Andaman and Nicobar Islands) and neighboring countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar,
Tajikistan and Sri Lanka.

10. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

• It was established in the year 1861 by Alexander Cunningham.
• After independence, it was established as a statutory body under the Ancient Monuments and
Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958(AMASR Act).
• ASI is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural
monuments in the country.
• Its activities include carrying out surveys of antiquarian remains, exploration and excavation of
archaeological sites, conservation and maintenance of protected monuments etc.
• It comes under the Ministry of Culture.

11. Stomata
• They are tiny openings or pores in plant tissue that allow for gas exchange. They are typically found
in plant leaves but can also be found in some stems.
• They allow a plant to take in carbon dioxide, which is needed for photosynthesis. They also help to
reduce water loss by closing when conditions are hot or dry.
• Stomata look like tiny mouths which open and close as they assist in transpiration. Plants that reside
on land typically have thousands of stomata on the surfaces of their leaves.
• The majority of stomata are located on the underside of plant leaves, reducing their exposure to
heat and air currents.

12. Polar Vortex

• The polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the Earth’s poles.
o It weakens in summer and strengthens in winter.
• The term "vortex" refers to the counter-clockwise flow of air that helps keep the colder air near the
poles.
• Many times, during winter in the northern hemisphere, the polar vortex will expand, sending cold
air southward with the jet stream.
• This occurs fairly regularly during wintertime and is often associated with large outbreaks of Arctic
air in the United States and Canada.
• Portions of Europe and Asia also experience cold surges connected to the polar vortex.

13. South East Africa Montane Archipelago (SEAMA)

• It is a newly recognised mountainous ecoregion. It stretches across northern Mozambique to Mount
Mulanje in Malawi, southern Africa’s second-highest mountain.
• The ecoregion encompasses 30 granitic inselbergs reaching > 1000 m above sea level, hosting the
largest (Mt Mabu)
o And smallest (Mt Lico) mid-elevation rainforests in southern Africa, as well as biologically
unique montane grasslands.
• SEAMA has distinctly higher annual rainfall and humidity, especially in the dry season, compared to
surrounding regions.
• Since 2000, the SEAMA has lost 18% of its primary humid forest cover (up to 43% in some sites)—
one of the highest deforestation rates in Africa.
 45

14. Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO):

• It is a project of international collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the U.S.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
• It was launched in December 1995, SOHO was designed to study the Sun.
• In order to provide continuous observations, it was maneuvered to orbit the first Lagrangian point
(L1), a point some 1.5 million km (900,000 miles) from Earth toward the Sun where the
gravitational attraction of Earth and the Sun, combine in such a way that a small body remains
approximately at rest relative to both.
• It carries 12 scientific instruments to study the solar atmosphere, helioseismology and the solar
wind.
• Though its mission was scheduled to run until only 1998, it has continued collecting data, adding to
scientists' understanding of our closest star, and making many new discoveries, including thousands
of comets.
• It is the longest-lived Sun-watching satellite to date.

15. Afanasy Nikitin Seamount

• The AN Seamount is a structural feature in the Central Indian Basin, located about 3,000 km away
from India’s coast.
• It comprises a main plateau, rising 1200 m above the surrounding ocean floor (4800m). It is rich in
deposits of cobalt, nickel, manganese, and copper.

16. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

• It protects refugees worldwide and facilitates their return home or resettlement. Headquarters:
Geneva, Switzerland
• It was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1950 in the aftermath of the
Second World War to help the millions of people who had lost their homes.
• It is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for
people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution.
 46

• It was awarded Nobel Peace Prizes in 1954 and 1981. It started Nansen Refugee Award in 1954 for
recognition of outstanding service to the cause of refugees, displaced or stateless people.

17. Food Waste Index Report 2024

• It a study jointly authored by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and WRAP
(Waste and Resources Action Programme), a U.K.-based non-profit.
• It tracks the global and national generation of food and inedible parts wasted at the retail and
consumer (household and food service) levels.
• The report defines “food waste” as “food and the associated inedible parts removed from the human
food supply chain”.
• ‘‘Food loss” is defined as “all the crop and livestock human-edible commodity quantities that,
directly or indirectly, completely exit the post-harvest/slaughter production/supply chain up to,
and excluding, the retail level”.
• It noted that in 2022, there were 1.05 billion tonnes of food waste generated (including inedible
parts), amounting to 132 kilograms per capita and almost one-fifth of all food available to
consumers.
• Many low- and middle-income countries continue to lack adequate systems for tracking progress to
meet Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 of halving food waste by 2030.

18. CoViNet
• It is a network of global laboratories with expertise in human, animal and environmental
coronavirus surveillance.
• It will identify and monitor potentially novel coronaviruses that could emerge shortly.
• The network will now have animal health and environmental surveillance and timely risk
assessment to feed WHO policies and protective measures.
• In low- and middle-income countries, CoViNet will support the building of more laboratories to
monitor MERS-CoV and novel coronaviruses of public health importance.
• Data generated through CoViNet's efforts will guide the work of WHO's Technical Advisory Groups
on Viral Evolution (TAG-VE) and Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC).
• It currently comprises 36 laboratories from 21 countries in all six WHO regions.

19. United Nations Environment Programme

• The UNEP was established in 1972 at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment,
popularly known as the Stockholm Conference, as it was held in Stockholm, Sweden.
Objective:
• To provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring,
informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising
that of future generations.
• It uses its expertise to strengthen environmental standards and practices while helping implement
environmental obligations at the country, regional and global levels.

20. Bird Flu

• Bird flu, also known as avian flu, refers to an infectious viral illness that mainly infects and spreads
among poultry and some wild birds.
• There are different strains of bird flu virus, which have been circulating for a very long time among
at least 100 bird species without much harming them.
Cause of concern
• From time to time, a form of the flu virus jumps from wild birds to poultry farms, and replicates in
cramped warehouses of farmed birds.
 47

• It then quickly evolves into a highly pathogenic flu virus that causes a larger wave of illness and
death than usual among birds.

21. Solar Flares

• Solar flares are large explosions that occur at the sun's surface when twisted magnetic field lines
suddenly snap, emitting large bursts of electromagnetic radiation.
• They are seen as bright areas on the sun and they can last from minutes to hours.
• In a matter of just a few minutes, they heat the material to many millions of degrees and produce a
burst of radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum
o Including from radio waves to x-rays and gamma rays.
o Although solar flares can be visible in white light, they are often more readily noticed via their
bright X-ray and ultraviolet emissions.

22. AMRUT Scheme

• It was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in 2015, in 500 selected cities and
towns across the country.
• It has been subsumed under AMRUT 2.0 in 2021.
• It focuses on development of basic infrastructure in the selected cities and towns in the sectors of
water supply, sewerage and septage management, storm water drainage, green spaces and parks,
and non-motorized urban transport.
• A set of Urban Reforms and Capacity Building have been included in the mission.
• AMRUT 2.0, which was launched for a period 2021-26, is designed to provide universal coverage of
water supply through functional taps
o to all households in all the statutory towns in the country and coverage of sewerage/septage
management in 500 cities covered in the first phase of the AMRUT scheme.

23. Non-Performing Asset (NPA)

• A NPA is a loan or advance for which the principal or interest payment remained overdue for a
period of 90 days. They can include various types of loans, such as personal loans, business loans,
mortgages and credit card debt.
• When the ratio of NPAs in a bank's loan portfolio rises, its income and profitability fall, its capacity
to lend falls and the possibility of loan defaults and write-offs rise.
• Types of NPAs: Different types of NPAs depend on how long they remain in the NPA category

24. Cnemaspis vangoghi

• It is a new species of lizard discovered from the Southern Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu. It is named
for Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh (1853–1890), as the striking colouration of the new species is
reminiscent of one of his most iconic paintings, The Starry Night.
• It is described as a small-sized gecko and has a distinctive yellow head and forebody, adorned with
light blue spots on the back.
• It prefers living among rocks and can occasionally be found on buildings and trees.
• Both species inhabit low-elevation, deciduous forests within the Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger
Reserve, adding to the five previously known endemic vertebrates of the region.
 48

Madhya Pradesh Specific

25 March
1. Body Donation – Organ Donation
o Indore ranks second in the country in skin donation
o More than 20 body donors and organ donors were honored by Maharishi Dadhichi Dehdan and
2. Indore GER
o On this Ranga Panchami will mark 75 years of the historic Ger being held in Rajwada.
o Special efforts to include Ger in UNESCO's World Heritage.
o Ger is being organized since the time of Holkar dynasty.
27 March
1. Mahakal Temple Incident
o During the Holika festival in Mahakal temple, there was a fire in the sanctum sanctorum.
o A magisterial inquiry was ordered by the Chief Minister.
o It may be known that in 1996, more than 35 people died during the crowd uncontrollable which
is known as the Mahakal tragedy.
2. Siddhi Mishra
o Bhopal's Siddhi Mishra became the first youngest child to reach Mount Everest Base Kemp at the
age of two years.

28 March

1. Kareela Dham
o In the fair held on Rang Panchami in Ashoknagar district, a unique confluence of faith and folk
culture is seen.
o There are temples of Mata Janaki, Luv, Kush and Maharishi Balmiki.
o The fair has kept alive the folk dance of Bundelkhand and the state folk dance Rai.
2. M.P. Public Service Commission
o State Public Service Examination 2021 interviews from April 18.
o The evaluation of the State Service mains Exam 2022 will be completed soon.
o The Commission will release the results only after consent from the Election Commission.
29 March
1. Lok Sabha Elections
o In order to increase voting in all the 4 phases of elections to be held in the state, the Election
Commission has announced the holiday of employees in the polling districts.
o The state will go to polls on April 19, April 26, May 7 and May 13.
2. M.P. Public Service Commission
o MPPSC has released the calendar for the upcoming examinations.
o In this, the dates of upcoming examinations including State Service Preliminary Examination
2024 and State Forest Service 2024 have been announced.
 49

30 March
1. Green Corridor
o indore famous for organ donation a green corridor was created for the 54th time.
o After the death of scientist Sriramulu Kanjati, working in Bhabha Atomic Research Center, family
members donated his organs
2. It has become mandatory for firecracker manufacturing companies to take license and permission
from Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board.
31 March
1. Eric Michael Garcetti
o The US Ambassador to India recently visited the Chaunsad Yogini Temple of Mitawali located in
Morena, Madhya Pradesh
o It is known that the old Parliament House of India was based on the replica of this temple.
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