Manthan Magazine February 23 - PDF Only (Notices)

Contents
1. Polity and Governance 03

1.1 Joint Parliamentary Committee ................................... 3 1.8 Organ Donation Policy....................................................13
1.2 Post of Deputy Speaker.................................................... 4 1.9 Expunging of Proceedings in the Indian
1.3 ‘Neutral Citation’ System of Supreme Court............ 6 Parliament...........................................................................15
1.4 ‘Corrupt act’ & Representation of 1.10 Contesting Two Seats In One Poll..............................15
People Act, 1951................................................................. 7 1.11 Judicial Majoritarianism................................................16
1.12 National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
1.5 Appointment of Governor .............................................. 8
(NCST)...................................................................................17
1.6 Digitization of Courts......................................................10
1.13 Committee of Privileges in Parliament....................18
1.7 Article 105 of the Indian Constitution.....................13 1.14 Bhasini Mission.................................................................18
2. International Relations 20
2.1 Initiative on Critical and Emerging 2.8 Munich Security Conference........................................26
Technologies (iCET).........................................................20 2.9 Green Deal Industrial Plan............................................26
2.2 New START Treaty............................................................20 2.10 Cooperation with Seychelles for
2.3 Windsor Framework.......................................................21
Enhancing Maritime Safety .........................................27
2.4 India-Canada Relations..................................................22
2.11 Operation Dost...................................................................27
2.5 India, France, UAE Trilateral Initiative....................23
2.6 A Nordic-India Connect to Power a 2.12 8th Raisina Dialogue........................................................27
Green Transition...............................................................24 2.13 US plans to resume ‘domestic visa
2.7 1st Tourism Working Group under India’s G20 revalidation’ for H-1B holders.....................................28
Presidency...........................................................................25
3. Economy 29
3.1 Union Budget 2023-24...................................................29 3.10 RBI’s Policy Review..........................................................45
3.2 Economic Survey 2022-23............................................32 3.11 Microfinance ......................................................................45
3.3 Follow-on Public Offer....................................................37 3.12 Marginal Cost of Fund-Based Lending
3.4 Stock Market Regulation in India...............................38 rates (MCLR) ......................................................................47
3.5 Draft Norms Lending and Borrowing of G-secs....39 3.13 India’s First Municipal Bond Index...........................47
3.6 Status and Proceeds of Disinvestment....................40 3.14 ‘Transfer Pricing’ Rules .................................................47
3.7 Global Quality Infrastructure Index..........................41 3.15 Payment Aggregator Licence To 32 Entities.........48
3.8 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS).......42 3.16 Social Stock Exchange.....................................................48
3.9 Windfall Taxes....................................................................44 3.17 UPI-PayNow linkage........................................................49
4. Environment and Geography 51

4.1 Earthquake in Turkey.....................................................51 4.5 Deep Sea Fish Conservation.........................................55
4.2 Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) Framework..........52 4.6 Pangolins..............................................................................57
4.3 Global Sea-level Rise and Implications....................52 4.7 Sundarban Bird Festival.................................................57
4.4 El Niño Forecast................................................................54 4.8 Malabar Tree Toad...........................................................58
5. Science and Technology 60

5.1 Lithium Resources in J&K.............................................60 5.9 Voice Deep Fakes ..............................................................66
5.2 Dusseldorf Patient ...........................................................61 5.10 Sickle Cell Anaemia..........................................................67
5.3 Standard Model of Particle Physics ..........................62 5.11 Diyodar Meteorite............................................................68
5.4 ISRO’s SSLV-D2 Launch..................................................63 5.12 Marburg Virus....................................................................69
5.5 NISAR Mission....................................................................63 5.13 Dickinsonia Fossil.............................................................69
5.6 CAR-T Cell Therapy..........................................................64 5.14 National Science Day 2023...........................................69
5.7 MicroLED Display Technology....................................64 5.15 Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre
5.8 Quasicrystals.......................................................................66 Array (ALMA) Telescope��70
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6. Defense and Security 72
6.1 CBRN Weapons..................................................................72 6.5 Shinku La Tunnel..............................................................74
6.2 All India Conference of Directors 6.6 LCA Tejas..............................................................................74
General/Inspectors General of Police......................72 6.7 REAIM 2023........................................................................74
6.3 Spy Balloons........................................................................73 6.8 Dharma Guardian Exercise...........................................75
6.4 Aero India 2023.................................................................74 6.9 Ex Cobra Warrior 22........................................................75
7. Society and Social Justice 77

7.1 Menstrual Leave ...............................................................77 7.2 Right to Protect Genetic Data......................................78
8. Art & Culture 79

8.1 Draft Geo-heritage Sites and Geo-relics Bill..........79 8.5 International Mother Language Day........................83
8.2 Dayanand Saraswati: 200 Years Celebrations......80 8.6 Dawoodi Bohras................................................................83
8.3 Sansad Ratna Awards......................................................81 8.7 Santh Sevalal Maharaj Jayanti.....................................83
8.4 Excavations in Keeladi....................................................82
9. Ethics 85
9.1 Chat GPT and Associated Ethical Concern........................................................................................................................................ 85
10. Places in News 87

10.1 Turkey and Syria.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 87
10.2 Munroe Thuruthu Islands........................................................................................................................................................................ 88
11. Miscellaneous 89
11.1 ALUAV Project............................................................................................................................................................................................... 89
11.2 Millet International Initiative for Research and Awareness (MIIRA)................................................................................... 89
12. Special Feature 91

12.1 Biosphere Reserves of India....................................................................................................................................................................91
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Polity and Governance
1 Polity and Governance
1.1 JOINT PARLIAMENTARY

COMMITTEE
Context
The Opposition demanded a probe by a Joint Probable Question:
Parliamentary Committee (JPC), into the allegations of Q. What is a Joint Parliamentary Committee and how
fraud and stock manipulation against the Adani Group. does it function in the legislative process of a country?
Image Source: Government of India
About Joint Parliamentary Committee Functioning of JPC

A JPC is set up by the Parliament for a special The mandate of a JPC depends on the motion
purpose, like for the detailed scrutiny of a subject constituting it.
or Bill. y For example, “The terms of reference for the
It has members from both the Houses and from JPC on the stock market scam asked the
both the ruling parties and the opposition. committee to look into financial irregularities,
It is dissolved after its term ends or its task has been to fix responsibility on persons and institutions
completed. for the scam, to identify regulatory loopholes
and also to make suitable recommendations”.
The government can choose to launch further
investigations based on what the JPC has said, but it The recommendations of a JPC have persuasive
can’t be forced to do so. value, they are not binding on the government.
However, the government is required to report
Setting up of JPC on the follow-up action taken on the basis of the
recommendations of the JPC.
A JPC is set up after one House of Parliament has
passed a motion and the other has agreed to it. To fulfil its mandate, a JPC can scrutinise
documents RTSEPFP
and summon people for questioning. It
Members of the JPC are decided by the Parliament. then submits a report and makes recommendations
The number of members can vary – there is no fixed to the government.
number.
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Presents reports Presents reports to

Reports
to Parliament Parliament
May have
Impact on
May influence significant impact
government
policy decisions on government
policy
policy
Additional Information
About Parliamentary Committees in India:
Parliamentary Committees are small groups of
members of Parliament who are appointed by the
Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Chairman of the
Rajya Sabha to study specific issues and make
recommendations to Parliament.
Significance of Parliamentary Committees:
Scrutiny of Bills: They are responsible for
scrutinizing the bills that are introduced in the
Parliament. These committees examine the
provisions of the bills, consult with experts, and
suggest necessary changes to improve the bills.
Oversight Function: Parliamentary Committees
examine the functioning of various departments
and ministries of the government, their policies,
and programmes.
Examination of Petitions and Demands:
Parliamentary Committees examine various
petitions and demands that are made by citizens.
They investigate and suggest remedial measures
Public Accounts Committee (PAC) vis-i-vis- Joint to the government.
Parliamentary Committee: Expertise: These committees have a wide range
Public Accounts Joint of expertise, which enables them to take informed
Committee Parliamentary decisions on various issues.
(PAC) Committee (JPC) Involvement of the Opposition: The
Examines audit Investigates and Parliamentary Committees provide an
Function opportunity for the opposition parties to voice
reports of CAG reports on issues
their concerns and opinions on various issues.
Type of Standing This ensures that there is a healthy debate and
Ad Hoc Committee
Committee Committee exchange of ideas.
22 members News Source: The Hindu
Members of both
from Lok Sabha
Members houses of
and 15 members
from Rajya Sabha
Parliament 1.2 POST OF DEPUTY SPEAKER
Constituted Formed as per
Appointment Context
every year requirement
Examines the The Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre and five
government’s states — Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar
expenditure and Empowered to Pradesh, and Jharkhand — over the failure to elect a
reports on investigate and Deputy Speaker.
whether public report on any PYQ:
Powers
funds have been matter referred to Q. ‘Once a Speaker, Always a Speaker’! Do you think
utilised it by the House or this practice should be adopted to impart objectivity
RTSEPFP
efficiently, the Speaker to the office of the Speaker of Lok Sabha? What could
effectively and be its implications for the robust functioning of
economically parliamentary business in India? (2020)
4 CURRENT AFFAIRS February 2023 www.pw.live

Image Source: PRS
Historical Background Position of the Union government on the current

The history of the office of Deputy Speaker goes vacancy in the post of Deputy Speaker:
back to the Government of India Act of 1919 The Government is of the view that there is no
when he was called Deputy President of the central “immediate requirement” for a Deputy Speaker
legislative assembly. as “bills are being passed and discussions are
being held” as normal in the House.
The position of Deputy Speaker was considered
necessary to share the responsibility of running
the House with the Speaker and guide the nascent What does the Constitution say about the
committees. Deputy Speaker?
This tradition was continued after Independence, Article 93: “The House of the People shall, as soon
when a Deputy Speaker was elected to chair, besides as may be, choose two members to be Speaker
the Speaker, the meetings of the Constituent and Deputy Speaker and, so often as the office of
Assembly (Legislative). Speaker or Deputy Speaker becomes vacant, the
House shall choose another member.
The first Speaker was G V Mavalankar and the RTSEPFP
first Deputy Speaker was M Ananthasayanam Article 178: It contains the corresponding
Ayyangar who was elected by the Constituent position for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the
Assembly (Legislative) on September 3, 1948. Legislative Assembly of a state.

Can the courts intervene in cases of a delay in Emoluments: The Deputy Speaker is entitled to a
electing the Deputy Speaker? regular salary and allowance fixed by Parliament,
In 2021, a petition was filed before the Delhi High and charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.
Court, which argued that delay in the election of the Presides Joint Sitting of Parliament: He presides
Deputy Speaker violated Article 93 (Pawan Reley over the joint sitting of both the Houses of
v. Speaker, Lok Sabha & Ors). Parliament, in case the Speaker is absent from such
However, there is no precedent of a court forcing a sitting.
the legislature to elect the Deputy Speaker.
Courts usually don’t intervene in the procedural Vacating
conduct of Parliament. Under Article 94 (Article 179 for state
Article 122(1) says: “The validity of any legislatures), the Speaker or Deputy Speaker “shall
proceedings in Parliament shall not be called in vacate his office if he ceases to be a member of the
question on the ground of any alleged irregularity House”.
of procedure.” They may also resign to each other, or “may be
removed from…office by a resolution of the House
Election of the Deputy Speaker of the People passed by a majority of all the then
Constitutionally, the government has not been members of the House”.
assigned any role in the election of the Deputy
Speaker. Do the powers of the Speaker extend to the
Rule 8 of The Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Deputy Speaker as well?
Business in Lok Sabha says the election of Deputy Article 95(1) says: “While the office of Speaker is
Speaker “shall be held on such date as the vacant, the duties of the office shall be performed
Speaker may fix”. by the Deputy Speaker”.
Like the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker is also elected In general, the Deputy Speaker has the same powers
by the Lok Sabha itself from amongst its as the Speaker when presiding over a sitting of the
members. House. All references to the Speaker in the Rules are
y He is elected after the election of the Speaker deemed to be references to the Deputy Speaker
has taken place. when he presides.
The date of election of the Deputy Speaker is fixed No appeal lies to the Speaker against a ruling given
by the Speaker. by the Deputy Speaker or any person presiding over
The Deputy Speaker is elected once a motion the House in the absence of the Speaker.
proposing his name is carried in the House. y So the Speaker is powerless in the matter of
Once elected, the Deputy Speaker usually continues revising or overruling a decision of the Deputy
in office for the entire duration of the House. Speaker.
The Deputy Speaker, while assuming office, does The Deputy Speaker gets all the powers of the
not take any separate oath or affirmation. Speaker when the office of the Speaker is vacant, so
the Deputy Speaker can also determine the petitions
relating to disqualification under the 10th Schedule
Position of Deputy Speaker of the Constitution.
Directly Responsible to House: The Deputy News Source: The Hindu
Speaker is not subordinate to the Speaker. He is
directly responsible to the House.
1.3 ‘NEUTRAL CITATION’ SYSTEM OF
Special Privilege:The Deputy Speaker has one
special privilege, that is, whenever he is appointed
SUPREME COURT
as a member of a parliamentary committee, he
automatically becomes its chairman. Context
Casting Vote: Like the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, The Chief Justice of India (CJI) announced that the
while presiding over the House, cannot vote in the Supreme Court
RTSEPFP
will adopt a “neutral citation system”
first instance; he can only exercise a casting vote in for its judgments.
the case of a tie. The Delhi, Kerala, and Madras High Courts have
already introduced neutral citation.

Probable Question: 1.4 ‘CORRUPT ACT’ &

Q. How does the ‘Neutral Citation’ system promote REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE
transparency in legal proceedings and make it easier ACT, 1951
for the public to access and understand court
judgments and legal documents?
Context
About Citation Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that providing false
information about a candidate’s educational
A case citation is essentially an identification tag
qualifications is not considered a “corrupt act” since no
for a judgement.
one in India votes for a candidate based on their
Typically, it contains a reference number, the educational qualifications.
year of the judgement, the name of the court that
delivered that judgement, and a shorthand for the PYQ:
journal publishing the judgement. Q. Discuss the procedures to decide the disputes
arising out of the election of a Member of the
Parliament or State Legislature under The
Neutral Citation Representation of the People Act, 1951. What are the
A neutral citation would mean that the court would grounds on which the election of any returned
assign its own citation — distinct from those given candidate may be declared void? What remedy is
by traditional Law Reporters. available to the aggrieved party against the decision?
Law Reporters are periodicals or annual digests Refer to the case laws. (2022)
that publish judgments, often with an editorial note
to make it accessible for lawyers to refer to
precedents.
For example:
y In Kesavananda Bharati case, the citation in
‘Supreme Court Cases’, a journal published by
the Eastern Book Company, is (1973) 4 SCC 225.
y In the All India Reporter (AIR), the citation is
AIR 1973 SC 1461.
Benefits
Easy to Publish: The Neutral Citation system will Image Source: The Indian Express
make it easier for courts to publish their orders in
the public domain by providing a consistent method Background
of citing judicial decisions.
In ‘Anugrah Narayan Singh v. Harsh Vardhan
Accessibility: Unique identification for each Bajpayee’, a bench of Justices K.M. Joseph and BV
judgement, making it easier to find online. Nagarathna of the Supreme Court heard a plea
Accuracy: Standardised format for citing challenging a 2017 Allahabad High Court ruling,
judgments, ensuring accuracy and consistency. dismissing a petition to declare the election of a BJP
Transparency: Improved accessibility to legal MLA as “null and void”.
information for the public, promoting transparency However, the Supreme Court refused to interfere
and accountability. with the High Court’s order of dismissal.
Cost Saving: Potential cost savings for legal The petitioner said that BJP MLA Harsh Vardhan
professionals and courts by reducing the need for Bajpayee committed a “corrupt practice” under
hard copies of judgments and saving time and effort Section 123(2) by interfering in the free exercise of
in accessing legal documents. electoral rights of the voters by not disclosing his
News Source: The Indian Express liabilities and correct educational qualifications
in his affidavit
RTSEPFP
of nomination.

It also argued that a “corrupt practice” under Preparation and revision of electoral rolls:
Section 123(4) was committed by Bajpayee in The act provides for the preparation and revision
publishing a false statement of fact about his of electoral rolls for every constituency in India.
character and conduct to influence the outcome of Conduct of elections: The act lays down the
his election, knowingly. rules for the conduct of elections, including the
nomination of candidates, the filing of nomination
What are ‘Corrupt Practices’ under the RPA, papers, and the procedure for polling.
1951? Election expenses: The act regulates the election
Section 123 of the Act defines ‘corrupt practices’ expenses of candidates and provides for the
to include bribery, undue influence, false submission of expenditure statements by
information, and promotion or attempted candidates.
promotion of “feelings of enmity or hatred between Disqualifications: The act lays down the grounds
different classes of the citizens by a candidate in an for disqualification of candidates, including
attempt to win election. conviction for certain offences, bankruptcy, and
mental illness.
Section 123 (2):
Electoral offences: The act provides for the
y It deals with ‘undue influence’ which it defines
prevention and punishment of electoral offences
as “any direct or indirect interference or
such as booth capturing, impersonation, and
attempt to interfere on the part of the bribery.
candidate or his agent, or of any other
Election petitions: The act also provides for the
person, with the consent of the candidate or
filing of election petitions challenging the results
his election agent, with the free exercise of
of elections.
any electoral right.”
News Source: The Indian Express
y This could also include threats of injury, social
ostracism and expulsion from any caste or
community. 1.5 APPOINTMENT OF GOVERNOR
Section 123 (4) extends the ambit of “corrupt
practices” to the intentional publication of false Context
statements which can prejudice the outcome of the Recently, the Centre announced that twelve states and
candidate’s election. the Union Territory of Ladakh will have new Governors.
PYQ:
What Practices has the court held as Corrupt Q. Discuss the essential conditions for exercise of the
Practices in the Past? legislative powers by the Governor. Discuss the legality
‘Abhiram Singh v C.D. Commachen’: In 2017, the of re-promulgation of ordinances by the Governor
Supreme Court in ‘Abhiram Singh v C.D. Commachen’ without placing them before the Legislature. (2022)
held that an election will be annulled if votes are
sought in the name of a candidate’s religion, race, Historical Background
caste, community, or language. Since 1858, when India was administered by the
S. Subramaniam Balaji vs State of Tamil Nadu’: British Crown, provincial Governors were agents of
More recently in 2022, the Supreme court directed the Crown, functioning under the supervision of the
a three-judge bench to look into prayers for Governor-General.
reconsidering its 2013 judgement in ‘S. With the 1935 Act law, the Governor was now to
Subramaniam Balaji vs State of Tamil Nadu’, where act in accordance with the advice of Ministers of
the court held that promises of freebies cannot be a province’s legislature, but retained special
termed a corrupt practice. responsibilities and discretionary power.
y However, the matter is still yet to be decided. Upon Independence, when the Provisional
Constitution of 1947 was adapted from the 1935
Act, the post of Governor was retained.
About Representation of the People Act 1951:
Under RTSEPFP
the parliamentary and cabinet systems of
The Representation of the People Act (RPA) 1951 lays
governance adopted by India, the Governor was
down the rules and regulations for the conduct of
envisaged to be the Constitutional Head of a
elections in India. It provides for the following:
State.

How is the Governor of a State appointed? discretion of the central government, as seen in
Article 153 of the Constitution says “There shall be instances of mass changing of governors when a
a Governor for each State.” new government comes to power at the centre.
Article 155 says that the “Governor of a State shall
be appointed by the President by warrant under his Constitutional Provisions and Judicial
hand and seal”. Interpretation
Article 154 of the Constitution: It says “the
Reason for adopting this system of executive power of the State shall be vested in the
appointment of Governor Governor and shall be exercised by him either
directly or through officers subordinate to him in
The Direct election of the Governor is incompatible accordance with this Constitution”.
with the parliamentary system established in the
states. Article 163: It states that the Governor shall
exercise his functions with the aid and advice of the
The mode of direct election is more likely to create Council of Ministers except for functions which
conflicts between the governor and the chief require his discretion.
minister.
Article 163 (2) states: If any question arises
whether any matter is or is not a matter as respects
Dismissal of the Governor which the Governor is by or under this Constitution
Article 156 of the Constitution states that the required to act in his discretion, the decision of the
Governor holds office at the pleasure of the Governor in his discretion shall be final.
President. The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976:
The President acts on the advice of the Council of It made ministerial advice binding on the President
Ministers, meaning that the central government has but no such provision has been made for the
the power to appoint and dismiss Governors. Governor.
The Governor does not have a fixed term of office
or security of tenure, and can be removed at the
Common Conflicts between the Governor and the government is unable to prove its majority or if
RTSEPFP
State governments in India are it fails to comply with constitutional provisions.
Dismissal of the state government: The Governor y However, there have been instances where the
has the power to dismiss the state government if Governor has dismissed state governments for

political reasons, leading to a conflict with the Way Forward

state government. Respecting Balance of Power: It is important that
Dispute over powers: There have been instances the balance of powers between the Raj Bhavan and
where the Governor has used his/her powers to the elected government is respected.
interfere with the functioning of the state Allaying the Perception: Both the Centre and the
government, leading to a conflict over powers. Raj Bhavan need to allay the perception that the
y For instance, the Governor may refuse to give governor works at the behest of Centre under the
assent to a bill passed by the state legislature, state government.
leading to a deadlock. Giving Autonomy: The Centre must allow enough
Appointment of officials: In some cases, the room to the Raj Bhavan to function- the
Governor’s appointment of officials has been seen independence and autonomy of the office should
as being influenced by the Union government, not be compromised.
leading to a conflict with the state government. Counsel of the Elected Government: The
Governor’s office is expected to conduct itself as per
Role in State politics: The Governor’s role in state the counsel of the elected government. Indeed, the
politics can also lead to conflicts with the state Governor is the representative of the Union in the
government. state.
y For instance, the Governor may take a partisan y But that is no reason for the Raj Bhavan to see
position or align with a particular political itself as a parallel power centre and usurp the
party, leading to a conflict with the state authority of the elected government.
government. News Source: The Indian Express
What Happens in case of Disagreements? 1.6 DIGITIZATION OF COURTS

There are no provisions laid down in the
Constitution for the manner in which the Governor Context
and the state must engage publicly when there is a
The Government has launched the eCourts Integrated
difference of opinion.
Mission Mode Project in the country for the
The management of differences has traditionally computerization of District and subordinate courts.
been guided by respect for each other’s boundaries.
Probable Question:
Q. Critically evaluate the effectiveness of the e-courts
What Reforms have been Suggested? project in improving access to justice in India.
From the Administrative Reforms Commission of
1968 to Sarkaria Commission of 1988, several
panels have recommended reforms, such as
selection of the Governor through a panel
comprising the PM, Home Minister, Lok Sabha
Speaker and the CM.
Fixing his tenure for five years.
Recommendations have also been made for a
provision to impeach the Governor by the Assembly.
Recent Friction points between Governor &

State Governments:
Image Source: Law Insider
In West Bengal, Dhankhar has often commented
on law and order and political violence. Ravi, in
his previous stint as Nagaland Governor, had About E-Courts Mission Mode Project
criticized affairs of the state and allegedly The eCourts Integrated Mission Mode Project is one
interfered in administration. of the National e- Governance projects being
In 2020, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed implemented
RTSEPFP in District and Subordinate Courts
Khan turned down a request to summon a special of the Country since 2007.
sitting of the Assembly to debate the three central
The project is aimed at providing the necessary
farm laws
hardware and software application to enable courts

to deliver e-services, and the judiciary to be able to computerisation of district and subordinate
monitor and manage the functioning of courts. courts in the country.
Implementation: e-Committee Supreme Court of y Enhancement of ICT enablement of the justice
India and Department of Justice system.
Funded by: Department of Justice, Ministry of Law Phases of the Project:
and Justice, Government of India y Phase I: It was implemented during 2011-2015.
Objective: y Phase II: It was started in 2015 under which
y To provide designated services to litigants, various District & Subordinate courts have been
lawyers and the judiciary by universal computerised.
Significance of Digitisation of Courts Reduction of Delay: Digitization of courts helps to

speed up the legal process by reducing the time
Access to Justice: Digitization of courts can help
taken to file cases and eliminating the need for
increase access to justice for people, particularly physical attendance in court.
those living in remote or rural areas.
y It also ensures the timely disposal of cases,
y With the introduction of digital courts, citizens reducing the backlog of pending cases.
can easily file cases, get updates on their case
Reduced time for Court proceedings.
status, and access legal documents online.
y The time consumed in summoning records from
Transparency and Accountability: Digitization of
the lower courts to the appellate courts is one of
court records and proceedings ensures that the
the major factors causing delays in cases.
data is stored electronically, providing easy access
to the public and legal practitioners. y Due to the digitisation of the records, this time
would reduce significantly.
y It also ensures the accuracy of records and helps
avoid errors and tampering.
Challenges
Time and Cost Efficiency: With digitization, court
processes can be streamlined, making it more Digitisation and usage of digital infra require
efficient and reducing the time it takes to resolve a increased funding.
case. Digital Literacy amongst the stakeholders is
y This reduces the workload of judges, lawyers, abysmal
and court staff, leading to cost savings. y Lawyers and Judges struggled to shift to virtual
Elimination of Paperwork: Digitization of court hearings during the pandemic.
records leads to the elimination of bulky paper y The status of it is poor in the case of the rural
records, making it easier to store, retrieve, and population.
share data. Privacy RTSEPFP
Concerns- With increasing digitisation,
y This reduces the physical storage space required especially of court records, privacy concerns are
for the records, and lessens the burden of likely to be at the forefront of judicial and public
paperwork on court staff. deliberations in the coming years.

Hacking and Cyber Security- On the top of Way Forward

technology, cyber-security will be a huge concern For Funding
too. The government has initiated remedial steps to
y National Judicial Infrastructure Authority
address this problem and formulated the Cyber has been proposed.
Security Strategy.
y The Ministry of Law and Justice is working in
Not every case can be disposed of virtually nor this regard.
can these be live-streamed. For increasing digital literacy and technical
y These include some criminal cases. know-how
Internet connectivity issues. y Taking the help of NGOs like CLAP regarding
Deployed with adequate planning and safeguards, this.
technological tools can be a game changer. However, Technology Growth and Challenges: Data
Protection, Privacy, Human Rights, and Ethics.
technology is not per se value-neutral — that is, Solutions require self-regulation by developers, and
it is not immune to biases. Power imbalances external regulation by legislature and judiciary.
need to be checked upon. Virtual Hearings: Including Matrimonial, Domestic
Lack of a well-equipped space where lawyers can Violence, Bounced Cheque, and Motor Accident
conduct their cases. Compensation Cases in the List of Suitable Cases for
Disposal through Mediation Centers and Lokadalats.
RTSEPFP

1.7 ARTICLE 105 OF THE INDIAN Definition of Powers and Privileges:

CONSTITUTION y The third clause stipulates that the powers,
privileges, and immunities of each House of
Parliament and its members will be defined by
Context
Parliament through law.
The Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, recently Extension of Provisions:
protested against the expunction of parts of his speech
y The fourth clause extends the provisions of
on the motion of thanks on the President’s Address,
clauses 1, 2, and 3 to persons who have the right
citing his freedom of speech as an MP.
to speak and take part in parliamentary
Probable Question: proceedings, even if they are not members of
Q. Assess the impact of expunction of parts of speeches Parliament.
on parliamentary debates and the role of MPs in
shaping public discourse. Judicial Observation
Tej Kiran Jain v N Sanjiva Reddy(1970): The
More on News Supreme Court dismissed a plea for damages filed
In his letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman, he referenced by the followers of the Puri Shankaracharya against
Article 105 of the Constitution, which outlines the parliamentarians.
privileges and powers of parliamentarians. P V Narasimha Rao vs. State (1998): The SC in the
This article offers certain protections to MPs and case of ‘P V Narasimha Rao vs. State’ answered two
plays an important role in shaping parliamentary questions on parliamentary privilege, broadly
proceedings. relating to questions of corruption.
y A five-judge Bench of the apex court ruled that
the ordinary law would not apply to the
Origin of the Privilege of Parliament
acceptance of a bribe by an MP in case of
The Government of India Act, of 1935 first parliamentary proceedings.
brought this provision to India, with references to y The Court rationalised this by saying it will
the powers and privileges enjoyed by the House of “enable members to participate fearlessly in
Commons in Britain. Parliamentary debates” and that these members
An initial draft of the Constitution too contained the need the wider protection of immunity against
reference to the House of Commons, but it was all civil and criminal proceedings that bear a
subsequently dropped. nexus to their speech or vote.
Article 105 of the Indian Constitution: Article 105 of
the Constitution includes four clauses, which establish
Conclusion
the powers, privileges, and immunities of Parliament Article 105 of the Constitution plays an important
and its members. role in shaping parliamentary proceedings and
Freedom of Speech: protecting the freedom of speech and immunity of
MPs.
yThe first clause grants MPs freedom of speech
in Parliament, subject to the provisions of the While this article offers MPs certain protections, it
also sets limits on what is admissible free speech in
Constitution and parliamentary rules and
Parliament. Ultimately, the Speaker or the House
standing orders.
itself will deal with any cases where MPs exceed
Immunity from Legal Action: these bounds, rather than the court.
y The second clause provides immunity to MPs News Source: The Indian Express
from legal action for any statement made or act
done in the course of their duties. 1.8 ORGAN DONATION POLICY
y For example, a defamation suit cannot be filed
for a statement made in the House.
Context
y This immunity also extends to certain non- RTSEPFP
The Union Health Ministry has removed the age limit of
members, such as the Attorney General for India
65 years for patients registering for organ transplant as
or a Minister who may not be a member but
part of the National Organ and Tissue Transplant
speaks in the House.
Organization’s guidelines.

National Organ and Tissue Transplant The Health Ministry is charting a “One Nation, One
Organization’s guidelines: Policy” for organ donation and transplantation.
The government has decided to do away with the It will also introduce a chapter in the school
clause in the National Organ and Tissue Transplant curriculum regarding organ donation awareness
Organisation (NOTTO) guidelines as it violates the for students.
right to life.
About National Organ and Tissue Transplant and ‘Supply’ as well as ‘Quality Assurance’ in the
Organization (NOTTO) availability of various tissues.
It is a National level organization set up under
Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Function/Activities
Health and Family Welfare, The National Network division of NOTTO would
function as the apex centre for All India activities of
It has following two divisions:
coordination and networking for procurement and
National Human Organ and Tissue Removal and distribution of organs and tissues and registry of
Storage Network: organs and tissue donation and transplantation in
y This has been mandated as per the the country.
Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment)
Act 2011.
Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994
y This division of the NOTTO is the nodal
It was passed in 1994. It provides various
networking agency for Delhi and shall network
regulations for the removal of human organs and
for Procurement Allocation and Distribution of
its storage.
Organs and Tissues in Delhi.
It alsoRTSEPFP
regulates the transplantation of human
National Biomaterial Centre:
organs for therapeutic purposes and for the
y The main thrust & objective of establishing the prevention of commercial dealings in human
centre is to fill up the gap between ‘Demand’ organs.

Main Provisions: The Lok Sabha Secretariat has compiled a

The act recognises brain death identified as a comprehensive list of unparliamentary expressions,
form of the death process and defines criteria for including words and phrases considered rude,
brain death. offensive, or inappropriate in most cultures.
It provides regulatory and advisory bodies for The list is regularly updated based on rulings by the
monitoring transplantation activity. Presiding Officers.
It also provides for maintenance of a registry of
donors and recipients of human organs and Decision-Making Process for Expunging
tissues The decision to expunge a word or portion of a
News Source: The Indian Express speech is made by the Speaker.
If an MP uses a word that could be considered
1.9 EXPUNGING OF PROCEEDINGS unparliamentary or indecent, the head of the
IN THE INDIAN PARLIAMENT reporting section of Parliament submits the issue to
the Speaker with relevant rules and precedents,
along with a recommendation for expunging.
Context
The Speaker has discretion under Rule 380 to
Portions of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s speech
expunge the word or usage and, upon doing so, the
delivered in Lok Sabha have been expunged or
reporting section removes the word from the
removed from the records of Parliament by the orders of
records and mentions in the proceedings that it was
the Speaker.
expunged as ordered by the Chair.
Expunged portions of the proceedings cease to exist
in the records of Parliament, and they can no longer
be reported by media houses, even though they may Conclusion
have been heard during the live telecast of the The practice of expunging unparliamentary expressions
proceedings. from the records of Parliament serves to maintain the
decorum and dignity of the House while also allowing
Expunging of Proceedings in the Indian MPs the freedom to speak their minds within the
Parliament confines of parliamentary rules and guidelines.
Article 105(2) of the Indian Constitution: MPs
are immune from legal proceedings for anything
said in Parliament. 1.10 CONTESTING TWO SEATS IN ONE
y The speech of MPs is subject to the discipline of POLL
the Rules of Parliament, “good sense” of its
Members, and the control of proceedings by the Context
Speaker. The Supreme Court refused to set aside a provision in
Rule 380 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct the election law that allows candidates to contest polls
of Business in Lok Sabha: The Speaker can from two constituencies simultaneously.
expunged words from parliamentary proceedings if The court chose to leave the issue to the wisdom of
they are deemed defamatory, indecent, Parliament as it is a policy matter and an issue
unparliamentary, or undignified. concerning political democracy.
Rule 381: Expunged parts of the proceedings are Probable Question:
marked with asterisks and a footnote saying Q. Discuss the implications of allowing candidates to
“Expunged as ordered by the Chair” is inserted. contest from two constituencies simultaneously and
the measures that can be taken to ensure a more
What are Unparliamentary Expressions? effective and equitable electoral process.
A large number of words, both in English and Indian
languages, have been deemed unparliamentary by Legal Provision
the Presiding Officers (the Speaker of Lok Sabha Section RTSEPFP
33(7) of the Representation of People’s
and Chairperson of Rajya Sabha) over the years. Act,1951:
These unparliamentary expressions are kept out of y Section 33(7) permits a candidate to contest
the parliamentary records. any election (Parliamentary, State Assembly,

Biennial Council, or bye-elections) from up to

two constituencies.
y The provision was introduced in 1996 prior to Representation of People’s Act 1950: It lays down
which there was no bar on the number of the Procedure for:
constituencies from which a candidate could Delimitation of constituencies.
contest. The allocation of seats in the House of the People
and in the Legislative Assemblies and Legislative
Issues with Contesting from Two Seats Councils of States.
Burden on Exchequer: It imposes a financial The preparation of electoral rolls and the manner
burden on the public exchequer, government of filling seats.
manpower, and other resources. The qualification of voters.
y It leads to a waste of time and is against the Representation of People Act 1951: It provides for
spirit of the constitution. Conduct of elections of the Houses of Parliament
Power being vested upon the people in power: and to the House or Houses of the Legislature of
each State.
y Here the supreme power is lost from the hands
of people, as the valuable vote in entirety lost. Details about the structure of administrative
Brings Inequality Amongst Voters: machinery for the conduct of elections.
y The multiple-candidature is also discriminatory Qualifications and disqualifications for
in nature as it provides a second chance to the membership of those houses.
voters of a constituency where the seat is Corrupt practices and other offences at or in
vacated. connection with such elections and the decision
Vacant constituency goes unrepresented: of doubts and disputes arising out of or in
connection with such elections
y Because the candidate has to resign from one of
News Source: The Hindu
the two seats and by-elections are to be held
within the maximum period of 6 months.
1.11 JUDICIAL MAJORITARIANISM
Central Government’s View
It had argued that law cannot curtail the right of a Context
candidate to contest elections and curtail the Recent majority judgment of the Supreme Court on
polity’s choice of candidates. demonetisation came under criticism, and minority
The government informed the Supreme Court that a judgment is being praised for its challenge to the RBI’s
legislative amendment would be necessary to institutional acquiescence to the Central government.
implement a one candidate-one constituency Probable Question:
restriction. Q. What is Judicial Majoritarianism? Discuss the
factors that contribute to Judicial Majoritarianism and
Stand of ECI its implications for the independence of the judiciary
The EC has sought an amendment of Section 33(7) and the rule of law.
of the Representation of People Act, 1951 to restrict
the number of seats a candidate can contest from. About Judicial Majoritarianism
In 2004, too, the EC had proposed an amendment of Judicial majoritarianism refers to the practice in
Section 33(7). Indian constitutional law where decisions made by
Alternative suggested by the Election Constitutional Benches of the Supreme Court
commission: require a majority consensus, as stated in Article
145(5) of the Constitution.
The candidate contesting from two seats should
bear the cost of the bye-election to the seat when This means that a majority of the judges on the
the contestant decides to vacate in the event of his/ bench must agree on a decision in order to deliver a
her winning both seats. judgment.
RTSEPFP
The amount in such an event could be Rs 5 lakh for This practice is accepted without much debate and
assembly election and Rs 10 lakh for parliament aims to ensure consistency in decision-making by
election. the Supreme Court.

Concern with Judicial Majoritarianism

Meritorious dissent: When a meritorious minority
SHORT NEWS
decision, regardless of the soundness of its
reasoning, receives little weightage in terms of its 1.12 NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR
outcomes, it can undermine the legitimacy of the SCHEDULED TRIBES (NCST)
judiciary.
Methodological fallacies and errors: The majority
Context
decision may fall into methodological fallacies and
errors due to biases or limited perspectives, which CST is functioning with less than 50% of its sanctioned
N
can lead to a flawed outcome. strength according to Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA)
data presented in Lok Sabha.
Judicial hunches: The majority may also be
influenced by their own subjective experiences,
perceptions, and biases, leading to a decision based
About National Commission for Scheduled
on their “judicial hunches.” Tribes (NCST)
Influence of external factors: The rate of dissent It was established by amending Article 338 and
can be subject to external factors, such as political inserting a new Article 338A in the Constitution
pressure or the identity of the Chief Justice, which through the Constitution (89th Amendment) Act,
can call into question the efficiency and desirability 2003.
of head-counting procedures for judicial By this amendment, the erstwhile National
determinations. Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes was replaced by two separate Commissions
Lack of critical discourse: The absence of a critical
namely:
discourse on judicial majoritarianism represents
one of the most fundamental gaps in our existing (i) The National Commission for Scheduled Castes
knowledge regarding the functioning of our (NCSC), and
Supreme Court. (ii) The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
(NCST) w.e.f. February 2004.
Composition: Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson,
Examples of Judicial Dissent and 3 other Members who are appointed by the
The dissenting opinion of Justice H.R. Khanna in President by warrant under his hand and seal.
A.D.M. Jabalpur v. Shivkant Shukla (1976) Term: The term of office of the Chairperson, Vice-
upholding the right to life and personal liberty even Chairperson, and each member is three years.
during emergency.
The Chairperson has been given the rank of Union
The dissenting opinion of Justice Subba Rao in the Cabinet Minister, and the Vice-Chairperson that of
Kharak Singh v. State of U.P. (1962) case upholding a Minister of State, and other Members have the
the right to privacy which received the judicial rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
stamp of approval in the K.S. Puttaswamy v. UOI
(2017) case.
Way Forward
Encouraging and valuing dissenting opinions:
Dissenting opinions are an essential component of
judicial decision-making, as they provide alternative
perspectives and challenge the assumptions of the
majority opinion.
Emphasizing the importance of reasoning and
analysis: Judicial decision-making should prioritize
the quality of reasoning and analysis over numerical
majorities.
Critical Discourse: There should be a critical
discourse on judicial majoritarianism to bridge one RTSEPFP
of the most fundamental gaps in our knowledge

regarding the functioning of our Supreme Court.
News Source: The Hindu News Source: The Indian Express

1.13 COMMITTEE OF PRIVILEGES IN y Freedom of speech in Parliament

PARLIAMENT y Right of publication of its proceedings
The parliamentary privileges do not extend to the
President who is also an integral part of the
Context
Parliament. Article 361 of the Constitution
Recently, the Rajya Sabha Chairman directed the provides for privileges for the President.
Privileges Committee, to investigate the “disorderly
conduct” by 12 Opposition Members of Parliament.
About Committee of Privileges 1.14 BHASINI MISSION

The functions of this committee are semi-judicial
in nature. Context
It examines the cases of breach of privileges of Centre-run National Language Translation Mission,
the House and its members and recommends better known as Mission Bhashini’s capabilities have
appropriate action. been integrated with the Unified Payments Interface
The Lok Sabha committee has 15 members, while (UPI).
the Rajya Sabha committee has 10 members.
The reports of the Committee are presented to the
About Mission Bhasini
House from time to time by the Chairman of the BHASHINI4 is a local language translation
Committee or in his absence by any member of the mission aimed at bridging the gap between various
Committee Indian languages through technology.
It aims to create a National Public Digital Platform
Parliamentary Privileges for languages.
Parliamentary privileges are special rights, This government platform makes Artificial
immunities and exemptions enjoyed by the two Intelligence and Natural Language Processing
Houses of Parliament, their committees and their resources available in the public domain for use by
members. Indian MSMEs, startups, and individual innovators.
The Constitution also extends the parliamentary The platform will provide easy access to the internet
privileges to those persons who are entitled to and digital services in native languages to all
speak and take part in the proceedings of a House of Indians.
Parliament or any of its committees.
The ‘Bhasadaan’ section allows individuals to
y These include the Attorney General of India contribute to crowdsourcing initiatives.
and Union ministers.
The platform is accessible via Android and iOS
Article 105 of the Constitution expressly mentions
apps.
two privileges:
RTSEPFP

MCQs Based on
Polity & Governance
1. With reference to the ‘Governor’, consider the 3. With reference to ‘Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha’,
following statements: consider the following statements:
1. A Governor can hold office beyond his term of 1. The Deputy Speaker, while presiding over the
five years. House, cannot vote in the first instance.
2. All executive actions of the government of a 2. Salary and allowance fixed by Parliament are
state are formally taken in his name. charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.
Which of the above given statements is/are Which of the above given statements is/are
correct?
correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(a) 1 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(b) 2 only
2. Consider the following statements regarding
(c) Both 1 and 2
the reforms proposed by various Commissions
regarding Governors: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
1. Venkatachaliah Commission recommended 4. ‘National Commission for Scheduled Tribes’ has
that the central government should consult been envisaged under:
with the Chief Minister before removing (a) Article 338 (b) Article 338 A
Governors before the end of their term. (c) Article 315 (d) Article 280
2. The 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission
5. Which of the following articles specifically deals
recommended that the Inter-State Council
should formulate guidelines on how governors with ‘Freedom of speech in Parliament’?
should exercise discretionary power. (a) Article 105 (b) Article 108
Which of the above given statements is/are not (c) Article 112 (d) Article 312
correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only Answer Key
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 1. (c) 2. (d) 3. (c) 4. (b) 5. (a)
RTSEPFP

International Relations
2 International Relations
2.1 INITIATIVE ON CRITICAL AND iCET is seen as a useful mechanism to work out
regulatory barriers, as well as business and talent
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
mobility issues, in order to maximise the benefits
(ICET) for both countries.
Context Significance
The U.S. and India inaugurated their initiative on critical iCET aims to strengthen the connection between
and emerging technologies (iCET). the government, academia, and industry of two
countries.
The goal is to provide advanced technologies to the
world at a reasonable cost.
The launch of iCET is perceived as a convergence of
strategic, commercial, and scientific strategies in
the technology sector.
The development in iCET is expected to be replicated
in the informal coalition of four nations - Australia,
Japan, India, and the United States, known as Quad.
Image Source: The Hindu 2.2 NEW START TREATY

Probable Question:
Q. What are some key areas of technological Context
cooperation between India and the United States, and In the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, Russia is
how have these collaborations contributed to the suspending its participation in the New START
development of both countries? (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty).
Probable Question:
About Initiative on Critical and Emerging Q. What is the New START Treaty and how does it aim
Technology (iCET) to achieve arms reduction between the United States
The India- US Initiative on Critical and Emerging and Russia, and what impact has it had on international
Technology (iCET) was launched during the Quad security and arms control efforts?
summit in 2022.
Vision: It was established in order to elevate and About New START Treaty
expand our strategic technology partnership The name START comes from the original “Strategic
and defence industrial cooperation between the Arms Reduction Treaty”, known as START-I, which
country’s governments, businesses and academic was signed between the US and the erstwhile USSR
institutions. in 1991, and came into force in 1994.
Key Technology sectors identified under the The treaty restricts the numbers of strategic
initiative include: nuclear warheads the pair can deploy as well as
y Defence, Semiconductor supply chains, space, the missiles
RTSEPFP and bombers that carry them.
and STEM (science, technology, engineering, It was designed to replace the original START
and maths), biotechnology, advanced materials, Treaty, which expired in 2009.
and rare earth processing technology.

Key Provisions: something in their stockpile, like moving

y Deployment of strategic nuclear warheads: missiles to a new base or deploying a new
Under the Treaty, the USA and Russia cannot warhead to the system.
deploy more than 1,550 strategic nuclear
warheads and more than 700 long range Significance
missiles and bombers. It gave Washington and Moscow seven years to
y On-Site Inspections: Additionally, it allows each reduce their stockpiles, including nuclear warheads
side to carry out up to 18 short notice (32 hours) that are launched using long range missiles,
submarines, and bombers.
on site inspections of strategic nuclear weapons
sites annually to ensure that the other country
had not crossed the limits of the treaty.
y Exchange of Data: Under the agreement, Russia 2.3 WINDSOR FRAMEWORK
and the U.S. exchange data twice a year on
ballistic missiles under the treaty’s purview and Context
on bombers, test sites, nuclear bases etc. The ‘Windsor Framework’ will replace the Northern
y Updation of Stockpile: The treaty also Ireland Protocol, which had proved to be among the
mandates the two parties to send notifications thorniest of Brexit fall-outs, creating problems both
within five days if they change or update economic and political.
Image Source: FT research
About Northern Ireland Protocol The Protocol seeks to prevent the re-emergence
The Northern Ireland Protocol is a part of the of a hard border between Northern Ireland and
Brexit agreement between the UK and the EU. the Republic
RTSEPFP of Ireland, which could potentially
It addresses the issue of the land border between undermine the peace process established by the
Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK, and the Good Friday Agreement.
Republic of Ireland, which is an EU member state.

Under the Protocol, goods entering Northern Highlights of the India-Canada

Ireland from Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Strategic Dialogue
Wales) are subject to customs and regulatory checks Deepening Collaboration and EPTA: Both
at ports and airports to ensure they meet EU countries expressed interest in deepening
standards. collaboration across various domains and welcomed
The UK and the EU have been in a dispute over the the Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA).
implementation of the Protocol, with the UK Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy Welcomed:
government seeking to make changes to address Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy was discussed and
concerns raised by businesses and unionists in welcomed, with both sides sharing a vision of a free,
Northern Ireland. open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
Strengthening economic partnership, advancing
What the Windsor Framework proposes? security cooperation, facilitating migration and
The framework has two crucial aspects: mobility, and growing people-to-people ties were
also discussed.
y Introduction of a green lane and red lane
system for goods that will stay in Northern
Ireland and those that will go to the EU Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
respectively; It is a policy framework that outlines Canada’s
y ‘Stormont Brake’: It allows Northern Ireland vision for engaging with the Indo-Pacific region,
lawmakers and London to veto any EU which includes South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East
regulation they believe affects the region Asia.
adversely. The strategy was announced in 2021 and
emphasizes the importance of a rules-based
international order, free and open trade, human
rights, and security in the region.
2.4 INDIA-CANADA RELATIONS It also acknowledges the importance of the region
to Canada’s economic interests and commits to
Context strengthening partnerships with like-minded
The Canadian Foreign Minister met with India’s External countries in the region.
Affairs Minister for the India-Canada Strategic Dialogue The strategy document also expresses concerns
in Delhi. over China’s “coercive” challenge to the rules-
Probable Question: based international order and its human rights
Q. India and Canada have historically had strong record.
economic ties. Discuss the challenges and opportunities
for further enhancing trade and investment between India-Canada Bilateral Relations
the two nations. India established diplomatic relations with Canada
in 1947.
Canada was among the first countries associated
with India’s nuclear programme, but the relationship
ruptured after India’s nuclear tests in 1974.
In April 2015, the bilateral relationship was
elevated to a strategic partnership.
Bilateral Mechanisms: Both sides pursue bilateral
relations through the dialogue mechanisms such as
y Ministerial level- Strategic, Trade and Energy
dialogues;
y Foreign Office Consultations; and
Image Source: BBC RTSEPFP
y Other sector-specific joint working groups
(JWG).

Commercial Relations: Canadian pronouncements on developments in

y An annualised Trade Ministers dialogue has India, including on rights and freedoms of
been institutionalised to review trade and individuals and minorities can always set off
economic relations. diplomatic problems.
y Both sides are engaged in technical negotiations Gender Clauses in Trade Pact: The Canadian
for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Government put in gender clauses in the trade pact.
Agreement (CEPA) including trade in goods, Though it is revolutionary, in countries like India it
services, investment, trade facilitation etc. was seen as a non-tariff barrier.
Science and Technology Cooperation: Lack of Progress in Negotiations by Both
Countries: Comprehensive Economic Partnership
y IC-IMPACTS (the India-Canada Centre for Agreement (CEPA) and Investment Promotion and
Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnerships to Protection Agreements (BIPPA), have been in
Accelerate Community Transformation and negotiation for a long time and no progress is
Sustainability) is the only Canada-India reached by both the countries.
Research Centre of Excellence as a Centre
dedicated to the development of research
collaborations between Canada and India.
Conclusion
y Department of Earth Science and Polar Canada India must foster a deeper understanding of Canada and
have started a programme for exchange of the potential it holds for India. The relationship should
be elevated to a higher level in areas like urbanisation
knowledge and scientific research on Cold
development, green energy, and civil nuclear energy
Climate (Arctic) Studies
cooperation where Canada can share its expertise.
Space Cooperation:
y ISRO and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) have
signed MOUs for cooperation in the field of
exploration and utilisation of outer space and
2.5 INDIA, FRANCE, UAE TRILATERAL
two Implementation Arrangements specifically INITIATIVE
addressing satellite tracking and space
astronomy have also been signed. Context:
y ANTRIX, the Commercial arm of ISRO has India, France, and the UAE have agreed to establish a
launched many Canadian Satellites. formal trilateral cooperation initiative.
Reasons for the Acceleration in Relations

Canada’s deteriorating ties with China.
Canada’s New Indo-Pacific Strategy marked out
China as an “increasingly disruptive global power”
while referring to India as a “critical partner” with
shared traditions of democracy and pluralism.
Canada’s search for new markets to diversify its
considerable economic engagement with China
coincides with India’s push to conclude free trade
agreements with many countries.
Major Highlights of the Trilateral Initiative
Areas of Cooperation:
Both countries have been working to announce an
“Early Progress Trade Agreement” this year; y The trilateral initiative will serve as a forum to
they are also hopeful of securing a Comprehensive promote cooperation projects in the fields of
Economic Partnership Agreement soon. energy, climate change, and protection of
biodiversity, particularly in the Indian Ocean
Challenges in Bilateral Relations:
region.
Concerns Over Resurgence of Khalistani
Separatism: India has continued to express y The three countries will explore the possibility
concerns over the resurgence of Khalistani of working
RTSEPFP with the Indian Ocean Rim
separatism and calls for a “referendum” amid the Association (IORA) to pursue concrete,
Sikh community in Canada. actionable projects on clean energy,
environment, and biodiversity.

Platform for Sustainable Projects: India and UAE also have a joint air combat exercise
y The initiative will serve as a platform to expand called ‘Desert Eagle II’ and are working together to
cooperation between the development agencies combat terrorist threats and radicalization in the
of the three countries on sustainable projects. region.
Alignment with Paris Agreement Objectives: News Source: The Indian Express
y The three countries will seek to ensure greater
alignment of their respective economic, 2.6 A NORDIC-INDIA CONNECT TO
technological, and social policies with the POWER A GREEN TRANSITION
objectives of the Paris Agreement.
Trilateral Events:
Context
y Trilateral events will be organized in the
The Nordic countries are ready to offer their technologies
framework of the Indian Presidency of the G20
and expertise to India as it moves towards a green,
and the UAE’s hosting of COP-28 this year.
digital, and innovative future.
Cooperation in Circular Economy:
Probable Question:
y The three countries will cooperate in the field of
Q. Discuss the potential for collaboration between
the circular economy under the aegis of India’s
India and the Nordic countries in the fields of green
Mission LiFE.
technology, digital innovation, and sustainability and
Defence Cooperation: how this can contribute to India’s economic growth.
y Defence is an area of close cooperation between
the three countries, and efforts will be
undertaken to further promote compatibility,
joint development and co-production, and
collaboration and training between the three
countries’ defence forces.
India and France Cooperation

India and France have a strong defence cooperation
with regular joint exercises between their armies,
navies, and air forces.
y Exercise Shakti (Army)
y Exercise Varuna (Navy)
y Exercise Garuda (Air Force)
They are also collaborating on limiting climate Image Source: Times of India
change and developing the International Solar
Alliance. Background: Nordic-India Summit
France has agreed to participate in India’s Venus Nordic-India Summit held in Copenhagen in May
mission, and the Venus instrument VIRAL has been 2022.
co-developed by French and Russian agencies. The summit involved five Nordic Prime Ministers
and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India-UAE Cooperation The leaders agreed to intensify cooperation in
The two countries are members of the I2U2 several areas, including digitalisation, renewable
Grouping and have signed a Comprehensive energy, maritime industries, and the circular
Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to economy.
increase bilateral trade. Prime Minister expressed a desire for joint Nordic
UAE is India’s second-largest trading partner solutions that can support India’s green transition.
and export destination, with India being UAE’s
second-largest trading partner. RTSEPFP

Role of Nordic Countries

SHORT NEWS
Nordic countries have been at the forefront of
developing new green technologies and solutions
such as hydrogen, offshore wind, batteries and
carbon capture and storage.
2.7 1ST TOURISM WORKING GROUP
Together, the Nordics and India can deliver key
UNDER INDIA’S G20 PRESIDENCY
technologies and solutions to stop climate change
and boost green growth. Context
The first tourism working group meeting of the G-20
Nordic-India Partnership nations was held at the Rann of Kutch, India from
February 7th to 9th.
Trade Links:
y The past year has seen a significant rise in
trade and investments between Finland and
India.
y Trade between Norway and India has doubled
in the last three years.
y The Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund is likely
to become one of India’s largest single foreign
investors (around $17.6 billion).
y The Norwegian government has also recently
established a new Climate Investment Fund
for investments in renewables abroad, and India
has been defined as a focus country.
Untapped potential:
y Both Norway and Finland have ongoing free
trade agreements and investments Image Source: The Hindu
negotiations (FTA) with India.
y Finland, as a member of the European Union
Key Highlights
(EU), is a part of the EU-India FTA negotiations,
and Norway is negotiating through the European During a working group meeting, the Indian Presidency
Free Trade Association. identified five priority themes for the tourism sector:
1. Green Tourism: “Greening of tourism sector for a
sustainable, responsible, and resilient tourism
Conclusion
sector.”
Together, the Nordics and India can be the
2. Digitalization: “Harnessing the power of
powerhouse of the green transition globally with
digitalization to promote competitiveness,
mutually sharing experiences & collaborating in
inclusion, and sustainability in the tourism sector.”
offering expertise.
3. Skills: “Empowering youth with skills for jobs and
Additional Information entrepreneurship in tourism sector.”
About The Nordic region: 4. Tourism MSMEs: “Nurturing tourism MSMEs/
The Nordic region, also known as the Nordic Startups/private sector to unleash innovation and
countries, is a geographical and cultural region dynamism in tourism sector.”
in northern Europe that includes five countries:
5. Destination Management: “Rethinking the
y Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and strategic management of destinations towards a
Sweden. holistic approach that delivers on the SDGs.”
All G20 Members, Guest countries, and International
organizationsRTSEPFP
endorsed the five priority areas.

Rural Tourism Agenda expanded to cover various issues such as

Ladpura Khas village of Madhya Pradesh was trade, climate change, sustainable development,
nominated as the Best Rural Tourism Village by health, agriculture, energy, environment, anti-
the UNWTO. corruption, etc.
The State government has developed homestays in Importance of the G20:
the village under the Responsible Tourism Mission Members account for over 80% of the world’s
of the State. GDP, 75% of global trade and 60% of the world’s
India showcased the success of developing rural population
tourism products in and around Rann of Kutch and News Source: The Hindu
present the innovative model of community-based
Astrotourism in the Himalayas. 2.8 MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE
Nagaland’s Khonoma Village will present the
model of the Ecotourism Management Board Context
that develops Rural Tourism Products and promotes
The latest edition of Munich Security Conference
responsible travel.
assumed significance as the British Prime Minister
outlined that the United Kingdom will help any nation to
Archaeological Tourism provide planes to Ukraine.
India showcased its success in archaeological
tourism and discussed shared cultural heritage About Munich Security Conference(MSC)
with the G-20 delegates. MSC was founded by a German official Ewald-
The delegates were taken to Dholavira, a heritage Heinrich von Kleist.
site that was the southern centre of the Harappan Starting in 1963, the conference initially only
civilization. focused on military issues, later it included issues
such as climate change and migration.
Goa Roadmap and Action Plan Objective:
The first tourism working group meeting in Kutch y To build trust and to contribute to the peaceful
will also work on a Goa Roadmap and Action Plan resolution of conflicts by sustaining a
for Tourism as a vehicle for achieving Sustainable continuous, informal dialogue within the
Development Goals. international security community.
Additional Information News Source: The Hindu
History of the G20

Established in 1999 by finance ministers and 2.9 GREEN DEAL INDUSTRIAL PLAN
central bank governors of seven countries
(Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, U.K., Context
and U.S.) The European Union has unveiled a “Green Deal
The uniting factor was the 1997-98 financial Industrial Plan” to support and expand its green industry.
crisis and its aftermath.
First annual meeting held in Berlin, Germany in About ‘Green Deal Industrial Plan’
1999. The proposal involves building a simpler regulatory
Elevated to the level of heads of government/ framework, providing faster access to funds,
state in 2008. enhancing skills and improving the EU’s trade
Members: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, network.
France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the
Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Key Features
Africa, Turkey, the U.K., the U.S. and the European Simpler regulatory framework: The plan aims to
Union. a “Net-Zero Industry Act” that simplifies
create RTSEPFP
Scope of the G20: rules and speeds up permits for green projects like
Initially focused on matters related to renewable energy and carbon capture.
macroeconomics.

Providing faster access to funds: The plan About Information Fusion Centre for Indian
allocates €250 billion from the existing €800 billion Ocean Region (IFC-IOR)
to the green industry and may establish a “European It was inaugurated in 2018 within the premises of
Sovereignty Fund” for future investments. the Navy’s Information Management and Analysis
Enhancing skills: The plan aims to establish “Net- Centre (IMAC) in Gurugram.
Zero Industry Academies” that will provide up- The IMAC is the single-point centre linking all the
skilling and re-skilling programmes in strategic coastal radar chains to generate a seamless real-
industries. time picture of the nearly 7,500-km coastline and
Improving the trade network: The plan underlines several Indian Ocean littoral states have joined the
the importance of open trade and seeks to further coastal radar chain network since.
“develop the EU’s network of Free Trade Agreements Since its inception, IFC-IOR has established linkages
and other forms of cooperation with partners to with several multinational maritime security
support the green transition. centres.
News Source: The Indian Express Aim: To engage with partner nations to develop
comprehensive maritime domain awareness and
share information on vessels of interest (i.e.,
2.10 COOPERATION WITH information on white shipping).
SEYCHELLES FOR ENHANCING y (White shipping information refers to exchange
MARITIME SAFETY of advance information on the identity and
movement of commercial non-military
Context merchant vessels.)
The Navy’s Information Fusion Centre for Indian The centre also hosts International Liaison Officers
Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) signed a Memorandum of (ILOs) from 12 countries — Australia, France, Italy,
Understanding (MoU) with the Regional Coordination Japan, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Sri Lanka,
Operations Centre (RCOC), Seychelles. Seychelles, Singapore, the U.K. and the U.S.
2.11 OPERATION DOST

Under Operation Dost, India has provided life-
saving Humanitarian Medical Assistance to
quake-hit Turkey and Syria.
Emergency Relief Material comprising life-saving
medicines, protective items and critical care
equipment valued at over Rs. 7 crore arranged and
promptly dispatched to Turkiye and Syria.
Image Source: BBC
About the MoU 2.12 8TH RAISINA DIALOGUE

Aim:
Context
y To promote collaboration between the two
centres towards enhancing maritime domain Italian PM Giorgia Meloni to be chief guest at 8th Raisina
awareness, information sharing and expertise Dialogue.
development.
y To counter non-traditional maritime security
threats such as piracy, armed robbery, RTSEPFP
trafficking, IUU fishing, arms running, poaching,

maritime terrorism.
Image Source: ORF

About 8th Raisina Dialogue revalidation” on a pilot basis, which could help foreign
The Raisina Dialogue is India’s premier conference tech workers on H-1B and L1 visas.
on geopolitics and geoeconomics.
About H-1B Visas
Theme: “Provocation, Uncertainty, Turbulence:
Lighthouse in the Tempest. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant work visa that
allows US employers to hire foreign workers for
Every year, leaders in politics, business, media, and
specialty jobs that require a bachelor’s degree.
civil society converge in New Delhi to discuss the
state of the world and explore opportunities for It is crucial for technology companies to hire
cooperation on a wide range of contemporary employees from countries like India and China in
matters. fields such as IT, finance, engineering, and
architecture.
The Dialogue is structured as a multi-stakeholder,
cross-sectoral discussion, involving heads of There is an annual cap on the number of visas
state, cabinet ministers and local government issued, and the visa is valid for three years at a
officials, who are joined by thought leaders from the time.
private sector, media and academia.
The conference is hosted by the Observer Research About L1 visa
Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of The L1 visa allows qualified employees to work and
External Affairs, Government of India. live in the US, and is divided into L-1A for managerial
News Source: The Hindu or executive positions and L-1B for specialised
knowledge positions.
US tech companies use the L1 visa to hire
2.13 US PLANS TO RESUME professionals from countries like India, and there is
‘DOMESTIC VISA REVALIDATION’ no cap on L1 visas.
FOR H-1B HOLDERS L-1A visas are valid for seven years, and L-1B visas
are valid for five years.
Context News Source: The Hindu
The US is considering resuming “domestic visa
MCQ Questions Based on MCQ MCQs
MCQs Based on International Relations
1. Recently the new START treaty was in the news, 4. ‘iCET Initiative’ is a joint collaboration of:
it is between which of the following two (a) India-Germany (b) Bangladesh-Pakistan
countries? (c) India-USA (d) USA-China
(a) Russia and India (b) USA and India
5. With reference to ‘L1 visa’, consider the
(c) China and India (d) Russia and USA following Statements:
2. “Operation Dost” is related to which of the 1. The L1 visa is issued when an employer
following? petitions for authorization for qualified
(a) India - Turkey (b) India - Afghanistan employees to work and live in the United
(c) India - Ukraine (d) India - Kenya States.
3. “Windsor Framework” was in the news, it is 2. There is no cap on L1 visas.
related to which of the following options? Which of the statements given above is/are
(a) International Monetary Fund correct?
(b) Northern Ireland Protocol (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) World Health Organisation (c) Both 1 and 2
RTSEPFP
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(d) Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
Answer Key
Weapons
1. (d) 2. (a) 3. (b) 4 (c) 5 (c)

Economy
3 Economy
3.1 UNION BUDGET 2023-24 Revenue Budget Capital Budget

Receipts Taxes, duties, fees, Borrowings,
Context and other sources disinvestment
The Union Minister of Finance presented the Union of revenue proceeds, and
Budget 2023-24. other sources of
capital
About Budget Expenditure Day-to-day Government’s
operating expenses investment in
The Union Budget is the annual financial statement
of the government, long-term
that outlines the government’s revenue and
such as salaries and projects such as
expenditure for the upcoming fiscal year.
wages, interest infrastructure,
It is presented by the Finance Minister in the month payments on loans, defense, and
of February. pensions, subsidies, other
It can further be divided into Revenue Budget and grants, and other developmental
Capital Budget administrative projects
expenses
Revenue Budget
The revenue budget is concerned with the
Budget’s Vision for Amrit Kaal
government’s revenue receipts and expenditures The Indian Finance Minister referred to it as the
for the fiscal year. inaugural budget of the Amrit Kaal era.
1. Revenue Receipts: The money earned by the The Amrit Kaal envisions a financial sector that is
government from various sources, such as taxes, strong and technology-driven, supporting an
duties, fees, and other sources. empowered and inclusive economy based on
2. Revenue Expenditure: The day-to-day knowledge.
operating expenses of the government, such as
salaries, wages, interest payments on loans,
pensions, subsidies, grants, and other
administrative expenses.
Capital Budget
The capital budget is concerned with the
government’s capital receipts and expenditures for
the fiscal year.
1. Capital Receipts: The money raised by the
government from various sources, such as
borrowings, disinvestment proceeds, and other
sources of capital.
2. Capital Expenditure: The government’s
investment in long-term projects such as
infrastructure, defense, and other RTSEPFP
developmental projects.

Economy
The Budget identifies the following four Enhancing Productivity of Cotton Crop: To
opportunities that can be transformative before enhance the productivity of cotton, the Government
reaching India@100. will adopt a cluster-based and value chain approach
Economic Empowerment of Women through Public Private Partnerships (PPP).
PM VIshwakarma KAushal Samman (PM VIKAS) Atmanirbhar Horticulture Clean Plant
Tourism Programme: To boost the availability of disease-
free, quality planting material for high-value
Green Growth
horticultural crops at an outlay of Rs 2,200 crore.
Global Hub for Millets: ‘Shree Anna’: To make
Priorities of Budget India a global hub for ‘Shree Anna’, the Indian
Amrit Kaal is the term coined by the Union Institute of Millet Research, Hyderabad will be
government to mark the 25-year period till 2047 supported as the Centre of Excellence for sharing
when India will celebrate a century of freedom. best practices, research and technologies at the
It is the government’s roadmap for the next 25 international level.
years. Agriculture Credit: The agriculture credit target
Government listed seven priorities of the Union will be increased to 20 lakh crore with a focus on
Budget and act as the ‘Saptarishi’ guiding us animal husbandry, dairy, and fisheries.
through the Amrit Kaal. They are as follows:
Health, Education, and Skilling
Medical & Nursing Colleges:
y One hundred and fifty-seven new nursing
colleges will be established.
y A Mission to eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia by
2047 will be launched.
Priority 2: Reaching the Last Mile

Pradhan Mantri Particularly Vulnerable Tribal
Groups (PVTG) Development Mission to be
launched.
Financial assistance for sustainable micro irrigation
in drought-prone regions of Karnataka.
Free food grain to all Antyodaya and priority
households for one year, under PMGKAY.
Bharat SHRI to be set up for digitization of ancient
inscriptions.
y Bharat Shared Repository of Inscriptions —
Bharat SHRI — will be set up in a digital
epigraphy museum with the digitisation of one
lakh ancient inscriptions in the first stage.
Priority 1: Inclusive Development Outlay of PM Awas Yojna enhanced by 66 %.
Agriculture and Cooperation
Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture: Priority 3: Infrastructure & Investment
y Digital public infrastructure for agriculture will Increase in Capital investment outlay:
be built as an open source, open standard and
interoperable public good. y It has increased for the third consecutive year -
by 33% to Rs 10 lakh crore making it 3.3% of
y This will enable inclusive farmer-centric
GDP.
solutions through relevant information services
for crop planning and health, improved access y The ‘Effective Capital Expenditure’ is budgeted
to farm inputs, credit, etc. at Rs 13.7 lakh crore - 4.5% of GDP.
RTSEPFP
Agriculture Accelerator Fund: It will be set up to Support to State Govts for Cap-Investment:
encourage agri-startups by young entrepreneurs in y The Government has decided to continue the
rural areas. 50-year interest-free loan to state governments

Economy
for one more year to spur investment in ‘Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats &
infrastructure and to incentivize them for Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) to be taken up for
complementary policy actions. Mangrove plantation Wong coastline.
y The enhanced outlay for this is Rs 1.3 lakh crore. Amrit Dharohar to be implemented over next 3
Railways: years for optimal usage of wetlands.
y A capital outlay of Rs 2.40 lakh crore has been
provided for the Railways - the highest ever Priority 6: Youth Power
outlay and about 9 times the outlay made in To empower the youth ‘Amrit Peedhi’:
2013- 14.
y Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0
Aviation: will be launched to skill lakhs of youth within
y 50 additional airports, heliports, water the next three years.
aerodromes and advanced landing grounds will y Skill India Digital Platform: Expanding digital
be revived for improving regional air ecosystem to enable demand-based formal
connectivity. skilling, linking with employers and facilitating
An Urban Infrastructure Development Fund access to entrepreneurship schemes.
(UIDF) will be established through use of priority y National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme:
sector lending shortfall. To provide stipend support to 47 lakh youth in
y UIDF will be managed by the National Housing three years.
Bank, and will be used by public agencies to y Boosting Tourism: 50 destinations will be
create urban infrastructure in Tier 2 and Tier 3 selected and developed as complete package for
cities. domestic as well as foreign tourists.
y Setting up of Unity Malls in state capital: for
Priority 4: Unleashing the Potential promotions and sale of ODOPs(One District and
Phase 3 of E-Courts to be launched for the efficient One Product), GI and Handicraft products.
administration of justice.
Vivad so Vlshwas I for less stringent contract Priority 7: Financial Sector
execution for MSMEs. Credit Guarantee for MSMEs:
Vivod se Vishwas II for easier settlement of y In 2022, the credit guarantee scheme for MSMEs
contractual disputes of Govt and Govt undertakings. was revamped and will take effect from 1st
‘input Based’ to ‘Result Based’ Financing for better April 2023 through infusion of Rs 9,000 crore in
allocation of scarce resources. the corpus.
Entity Digi Locker to be set up for businesses for This will enable additional collateral-free
secure online storing and sharing of documents. guaranteed credit of Rs 2 lakh crore.
Financial Information Registry:
Priority 5: Green Growth y A National Financial Information Registry will
be set up to serve as the central repository of
Moving Forward to Achieve the Climate Goals
financial and ancillary information.
Green Credit Programme to be launched to
incentivize sustainable actions. y This will facilitate efficient flow of credit,
promote financial inclusion, and foster financial
PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, stability.
Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth
Small Savings Schemes:
“PM-PRANAM” to be launched to incentivize
States/UTs to promote alternative fertilizers. y To commemorate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a
one-time new small savings scheme, Mahila
500 new ‘Waste to Wealth’ plants to be established
Samman Savings Certificate, will be made
under (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources
available for a two-year period up to March
Dhan) GOBARdhan Scheme.
2025.
RTSEPFP

Economy
News Source: The PIB
3.2 ECONOMIC SURVEY 2022-23
Context It is prepared by the Economics Division of the

The Finance Minister tabled the Economic Survey 2022- Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) under
23 on January 31, 2023, in Parliament. the guidance of the Chief Economic Advisor.
About the Economic Survey of India The first Economic Survey in India was presented
The Economic Survey is an annual document in the year 1950-51.
released by the Ministry of Finance, which is y Up to 1964, it was presented along with the
presented in Parliament a day before the Union Union Budget. From 1964 onwards, it has
Budget. been delinked from the Budget.
RTSEPFP

Economy
Key Highlights of the Survey Positives Indicators:

GDP Growth: y Rebound of private consumption, which
India is to witness GDP growth of 6.0 percent to 6.8 boosted production activity.
percent in 2023-24, depending on the trajectory of y Higher Capital Expenditure (Capex) of the
economic and political developments globally. central government increased by 63.4 per cent
in theRTSEPFP
first eight months of FY23.

Economy
Fiscal Developments
The Union Government has shown a strong performance
in its finances during FY23 due to the following factors:
Continued Emphasis on Capital Expenditure

(Capex):
y The Centre’s Capex has steadily increased from
a long-term average of 1.7% of GDP (FY09 to
FY20) to 2.5% of GDP in FY22 PA.
y The Centre has also incentivized the State
y Return of migrant workers to cities to work in
Governments through interest-free loans and
construction sites leading to a significant
enhanced borrowing ceilings to prioritize their
decline in housing market inventory.
spending on Capex.
y Strengthening of the balance sheets of the
Positive Implications of Increased Capex:
Corporates.
y The increase in Capex, particularly in
y Well-capitalised public sector banks ready to
infrastructure-intensive sectors such as roads
increase the credit supply.
and highways, railways, and housing and urban
y Credit growth to the Micro, Small, and
affairs, has significant positive implications for
Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, which
medium-term growth.
was remarkably high, over 30.5 per cent, on
y The Government’s Capex-led growth strategy
average during Jan-Nov 2022.
will enable India to keep the growth-interest
rate differential positive, leading to a sustainable
India’s Medium-Term Growth Outlook debt to GDP ratio in the medium run.
Indian economy underwent structural and
governance reforms during 2014-2022, improving Monetary Management and Financial
efficiency and emphasizing ease of living and doing
Intermediation
business.
RBI Tightening Cycle and Improved Financial Sector
Reforms focused on creating public goods, adopting
Performance:
trust-based governance, partnering with private
Monetary Tightening: The RBI began its monetary
sector, and improving agricultural productivity.
tightening cycle in April 2022, raising the repo rate
One-off global shocks and credit boom caused by 225 bps, leading to a moderation of surplus
balance sheet stress, impacting credit growth, liquidity conditions.
capital formation, and economic growth.
Enhanced Lending: Cleaner balance sheets have
Similar situation occurred during 1998-2002, led to enhanced lending by financial institutions.
where transformative reforms lagged growth
Credit Growth: The growth in credit offtake is
returns due to temporary shocks.
expected to sustain, with non-food credit offtake by
Indian economy is expected to grow faster in the scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) growing in
coming decade once global shocks of pandemic and double digits since April 2022, and credit disbursed
commodity prices fade. by Non-Banking
RTSEPFP Financial Companies (NBFCs) also
on the rise.

Economy
Low GNPA Ratio: The Gross Non-Performing Assets Aspirational Emerged as a model for good
(GNPA) ratio of SCBs has fallen to a seven-year low Districts governance in remote areas
of 5.0. Programme
Healthy CRAR: The Capital-to-Risk Weighted
eShram Portal Over 28.5 crore unorganised workers
Assets Ratio (CRAR) remains healthy at 16.0.
registered as of 31 December 2022
High Recovery Rate: The recovery rate for the
JAM Trinity Revolutionised transparent and
SCBs through Insolvency and Bankruptcy (IBC) was
and DBT accountable governance
highest in FY22 compared to other channels.
Aadhaar’s Role Played a vital role in developing the
in Co-WIN Co-WIN platform
Prices and Inflation
Platform
India’s retail inflation rate peaked at 7.8 per cent in
April 2022, above the RBI’s upper tolerance limit of Labour Market Unemployment rates fell from 5.8%
6 per cent. Recovery in 2018-19 to 4.2% in 2020-21
Measures taken by government: Gross GER improved in FY22 for girls and
y Reducing Export Duty and Increasing Import Enrolment boys, along with improvement in
Duty Ratios in gender parity
The government implemented a phase-wise Schools
reduction in export duty of petrol and diesel Out-of-Pocket Declined from 64.2% in FY14 to
and brought the import duty on major Expenditure 48.2% in FY19
inputs to zero. on Health
y Waiving Customs Duty and Prohibiting Wheat Mortality Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Under
Product Export Rates Five mortality rate (U5MR), and
y Reducing Basic Duty on Cooking Oils: India also neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) have
reduced the basic duty on crude and refined shown a steady decline
palm oil, crude soyabean oil, and crude Ayushman Nearly 22 crore beneficiaries verified,
sunflower oil. Bharat Scheme Over 1.54 lakh Health and Wellness
y Central Bank Intervention: The Reserve Bank of Centres operationalized
India anchored inflationary expectations
through forward guidance and responsive Climate Change and Environment
monetary policy.
India is one of the most vulnerable regions to
y Housing Sector Intervention: Timely policy
climate change. Although it contributes only about
intervention by the government in the housing
4% of cumulative global emissions (for 1850-2019).
sector, coupled with low home loan interest
rates, propped up demand and attracted buyers Net Zero Pledge
more readily in the affordable segment in FY23. y India pledged to achieve net zero emissions by
2070.
Social Infrastructure and Employment Non-Fossil Fuel Targets
Social Sector witnessed significant increase in y India achieved its target of 40% installed
government spending. electric capacity from non-fossil fuels ahead of
Area of Focus Key Information 2030.
Emissions Reduction Goals
Government 2.1% of GDP in FY23 (BE) and 2.2%
Expenditure in FY22 (RE), 1.6% in FY21 y India aims to reduce emissions intensity of its
on Health GDP by 45% by 2030 from 2005 levels.
Green Hydrogen Mission
Social Sector Rs. 21.3 lakh crore in FY23 (BE) from
Expenditure Rs. 9.1 lakh crore in FY16 y India launched the National Green Hydrogen
Mission to enable the country to be energy
Poverty 41.5 crore people exited poverty in
Reduction India between 2005-06 and 2019-20 independent
RTSEPFP by 2047.
according to UNDP’s y Green hydrogen production capacity of at least
Multidimensional Poverty Index 5 MMT per annum is planned to be developed
report by 2030.

Economy
Climate Change Missions National Mission on Sustainable Habitat

y The Survey highlights the progress on eight y Under the National Mission on Sustainable
missions under the NAP on CC (National Action Habitat, 62.8 lakh individual household toilets
Plan on Climate Change) to address climate and 6.2 lakh community and public toilets were
concerns and promote sustainable development. constructed as of August 2022.
Solar Power
y India has installed 61.6 GW of solar power Agriculture and Food Management
capacity as of October 2022. The Indian government has implemented various
y This is a key metric under the National Solar measures to boost the agriculture and allied sector,
Mission. Some of the key initiatives include:
Investments in Renewables
y India has become a favored destination for
renewables, with investments totaling USD 78.1
billion in the past 7 years.
Industry Credit to MSMEs increased by 30%, while credit to

Highlights of India’s Industrial Sector Performance large industry shows double-digit growth.
Industrial sector’s GVA rose by 3.7% in H1 FY22- Electronics exports rose threefold, making India the
23 due to demand stimulus from various sources. second-largest
RTSEPFP mobile phone manufacturer.
y Private Final Consumption Expenditure, PLI schemes introduced across 14 categories with
exports, and investment demand contributed to estimated capex of ₹4 lakh crore over next 5 years.
this growth.

Economy
Services GatiShakti:
The services sector is expected to grow at 9.1% in FY23, y Aims to improve multimodal connectivity and
as against 8.4% (YoY) in FY22. logistics efficiency while addressing the critical
India among top ten services exporting countries in gaps for the seamless movement of people and
2021, with share in world commercial services goods.
exports increasing from 3% in 2015 to 4% in 2021. Electricity Sector and Renewables:
Services exports remained resilient during y As on 30 September 2022, the government has
Covid-19 pandemic, driven by higher demand for sanctioned the entire target capacity of 40 GW
digital support, cloud services, and infrastructure for the development of 59 Solar Parks in 16
modernization. states.
Credit to services sector has grown by over 16% y The total installed power capacity (industries
since July 2022, with US$7.1 billion FDI equity having demand of 1 Mega Watt (MW) and
inflows in services sector in FY22. above) increased from 460.7 GW on 31 March
2021 to 482.2 GW on 31 March 2022.
Contact-intensive services are set to reclaim pre-
pandemic level growth rates in FY23. Making Indian Logistics Globally Competitive
National Logistics Policy envisions accelerated and
Digital platforms are transforming India’s financial
inclusive growth.
services.
Rapid increase in National Highways (NHs) /Roads
India’s e-commerce market is projected to grow at Construction with 10457 km NHs/roads
18 percent annually through 2025. constructed in FY22 compared to 6061 km in FY16.
External Sector India’s Digital Public Infrastructure

Merchandise exports were US$ 332.8 billion for UPI-based transactions grew in value (121%) and
April-December 2022. volume (115%) terms, between 2019-22.
India diversified its markets and increased its Overall tele-density in India stood at 84.8% in
exports to Brazil, South Africa and Saudi Arabia. March 22. 200% increase in rural internet
subscriptions between 2015 and 2021.
To increase its market size and ensure better
penetration, in 2022, CEPA with UAE and ECTA Under Account Aggregator, the consent-based data
with Australia come into force. sharing framework is currently live across over 110
crore bank accounts.
India is the largest recipient of remittances in the
world receiving US$ 100 bn in 2022. Remittances
are the second largest major source of external 3.3 FOLLOW-ON PUBLIC OFFER
financing after service export
India is the sixth largest foreign exchange Context
reserves holder in the world. Adani Enterprises has decided not to proceed with its
fully subscribed Follow-on Public Offer (FPO).
Physical and Digital Infrastructure Probable Question:
Government’s Vision for Infrastructure Development Q. What is the difference between a Follow-on Public
Public Private Partnerships: Offer (FPO) and an Initial Public Offering (IPO), and
how do companies decide whether to opt for an FPO
y India Infrastructure Project Development
or an IPO as a means of raising capital?
Fund Scheme (IIPDF) Scheme with ₹150 crore
outlay from FY 23-25 was notified by the
government on 03 November, 2022.
About Follow-on Public Offer (FPO)
FPO (Follow on Public Offer) is a process by which a
National Infrastructure Pipeline
company, which is already listed on an exchange,
y NIP and Project Monitoring Group (PMG) portal issues new shares to the investors or the existing
linkage to fast-track approvals/ clearances for shareholders, usually the promoters.
projects FPO is used
RTSEPFPby companies to diversify their equity
National Monetisation Pipeline base.

y FY23 target is envisaged to be ₹1.6 lakh crore Companies may use an FPO to reduce debt or raise
(27 per cent of overall NMP Target) more capital for expansion.

Economy
Initial public offering or IPO Probable Question:

IPO is when a company gets listed on a stock Q. Discuss the role of SEBI in regulating the securities
exchange and offers its shares to the public for the market in India and its powers to curb market volatility
first time. A person gets part ownership in the and prevent fraud.
company when buying its shares.
As the name suggests, IPO is the first issue while
FPO is an additional issue after the initial offer.
FPO vs IPO
Parameter Follow-on Public Initial Public
Offer (FPO) Offering (IPO)
Definition A secondary The first time a
market offering of company offers
shares by a shares to the public
publicly listed for purchase.
company.
Purpose Raise additional Raise funds for the Image Source: The Hindu
funds for business company’s initial
expansion, debt expansion, debt Background
repayment, or repayment, or other Hindenburg Research’s report accusing Adani
other corporate corporate purposes. Group of engaging in accounting fraud and stock
purposes. market manipulation caused a sharp decline in the
Issuer A company that is A private company company’s stock value, resulting in significant
already listed on a that is going public losses for investors.
stock exchange. for the first time. The stock market is a crucial component of a free-
Type of Additional shares Shares are offered market economy, where various securities, such as
Shares are offered to the to the public for the shares, bonds, and stocks, are traded.
public. first time. It enables companies to raise funds, and investors
Timing Can be done at Typically done when can participate in the financial growth of these
any time after the the company is companies, earning profits through capital gains
company’s initial ready to go public and receiving dividends.
public listing. and is confident
about its financial Laws Governing Securities Market in India
performance and
prospects. The Securities and Exchange Board of India Act,
1992: It empowers SEBI to protect the interests of
Investor The company The company offers
investors and to promote the development of the
base expands its shares to the public
capital/securities market, besides regulating it.
shareholder base for the first time,
by offering expanding its The Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956
additional shares shareholder base. (SCRA): It empowers SEBI to recognise (and
to the public. derecognise) stock exchanges, prescribe rules and
News Source: The Hindu bye-laws for their functioning, and regulate trading,
clearing and settlement on stock exchanges.
3.4 STOCK MARKET REGULATION IN The Depositories Act, 1996: It introduced and
legitimised the concept of dematerialised securities
INDIA being held in an electronic form. SEBI set up the
infrastructure for doing this by registering
Context depositories
RTSEPFP and depository participants.
Recently, the SC asked the SEBI and the government to The Companies Act, 2013: It regulates the
produce the existing regulatory framework in place to incorporation of a company, responsibilities of a
protect investors from share market volatility. company, directors, and dissolution of a company.

Economy
Can SEBI step in to curb market Volatility?

SEBI does not interfere with market volatility, but it
has powers to regulate trading and settlement
on stock exchanges.
Exchanges have circuit filters to prevent excessive
volatility.
SEBI can issue directions to market participants to
prevent any misconduct or wrongdoing.
It can direct stock exchanges to stop trading, either
fully or selectively and prohibit entities or
individuals from dealing in securities, raising funds
from the market, or being associated with
intermediaries or listed companies. Image Source: Business Standard
Probable Question:
What are the Guidelines for Fundraising? Q. What are G-secs, or government securities, and how
The Companies Act regulates Indian companies and do they function as a financial instrument in the Indian
delegates some enforcement authority to SEBI. financial market, including their role in monetary
As a result, SEBI issued guidelines such as the Issue policy and government borrowing?
of Capital and Disclosure Requirement Regulations,
the Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements About
Regulations (2015), etc. Draft norms for lending and borrowing of G-secs:
Aim: To facilitate wider participation in the
Safeguards against Fraud securities lending market by providing investors an
SEBI notified the Prohibition of Fraudulent and avenue to deploy idle securities and enhance
Unfair Trade Practices Regulations in 1995 and portfolio returns.
the Prohibition of Insider Trading Regulations Government securities issued by the central
in 1992. government excluding Treasury Bills would be
y It aims to prevent the two key forms of fraud, eligible for lending/borrowing under a GSL
market manipulation, and insider trading. transaction.
These regulations define different types of fraud, Government securities issued by the central
and provide for penalties and violation of these government (including Treasury Bills) and the state
regulations is a presumed violation of the Prevention governments would be eligible for placing as
of Money Laundering Act. collateral under a GSL transaction.
Power of Civil Court: SEBI has been given the An entity eligible to undertake repo transactions in
powers of a civil court and using these powers, SEBI government securities, and any other entity
has acted against Satyam, Sahara India, Ketan approved by the Reserve Bank would be eligible to
Parekh and Vijay Mallya. participate in GSL transactions as lender of
Appeals: Appeals against SEBI and stock exchange securities.
orders can be made to the Securities Appellate Government Security (G-Sec):
Tribunal (SAT), and appeals from SAT can be made A Government Security (G-Sec) is a tradable
to the Supreme Court.
instrument issued by the Central Government or
News source: The Hindu the State Governments.
It acknowledges the Government’s debt obligation.
3.5 DRAFT NORMS LENDING AND Such securities are short term (usually called
BORROWING OF G-SECS treasury bills, with original maturities of less than
presently issued in three tenors, namely,
one year-RTSEPFP
Context 91 day, 182 day and 364 day) or long term (usually
Reserve Bank of India issues draft norms for lending and called Government bonds or dated securities with
borrowing of G-secs. original maturity of one year or more).

Economy
In India, the Central Government issues both, Probable Question:

treasury bills and bonds or dated securities while Q. What are the proceeds of disinvestment, and how
the State Governments issue only bonds or dated are they utilised by the Indian government for various
securities, which are called State Development purposes, such as funding infrastructure projects,
Loans (SDLs). recapitalizing public sector enterprises, and reducing
G-Secs carry practically no risk of default and, the fiscal deficit?
hence, are called risk-free gilt-edged instruments.
Governments routinely keep running into deficits About Disinvestment
— that is, they spend more than they earn via taxes. Disinvestment involves when the government sells
y That is why they need to borrow from the its assets or a subsidiary, such as a Central or State
people. public sector enterprise.
Dated G-Secs: The Department of Investment and Public Asset
Dated G-Secs are securities that carry a fixed or Management (DIPAM) under the Ministry of
floating coupon (interest rate) which is paid on the Finance is the nodal agency for disinvestment.
face value, on a half-yearly basis.
Generally, the tenor of dated securities ranges from
5 years to 40 years.
Repurchase (buyback) of G-Secs:
Repurchase (buyback) of G-Secs is a process
whereby the Government of India and State
Governments buy back their existing securities, by
redeeming them prematurely, from the holders.
Objectives of buyback can be:
y Reduction of cost (by buying back high coupon
securities)
y Reduction in the number of outstanding
securities
y Improving liquidity in the G-Secs market (by
Need of Disinvestment
buying back illiquid securities) and infusion of The government may disinvest in order to reduce
liquidity in the system. the fiscal burden or bridge the revenue shortfall
Trading in G-Secs: for that year.
There is an active secondary market in G-Secs. If successful, it also means that the government
The securities can be bought/sold in the secondary does not have to fund the losses of a loss-making
market either through unit anymore.
y Negotiated Dealing System-Order Matching
(NDS-OM) (anonymous online trading) or Challenges to disinvestment
through Political opposition: Disinvestment is often seen
y Over the Counter (OTC) and reported on NDS- as a politically sensitive issue in India, as it involves
OM selling government-owned assets to private entities.
y NDS-OM-Web Valuation issues: Determining the fair market
y Stock exchanges value of government-owned assets can be
challenging, as the valuation may depend on a range
of factors such as future growth prospects,
regulatory environment, and economic conditions.
3.6 STATUS AND PROCEEDS OF Lack of investor interest: Despite the potential
DISINVESTMENT benefits of disinvestment, there may be a lack of
investor interest in certain sectors, particularly in
RTSEPFP
Context the case of public sector units that are seen as less
In the Union Budget for 2023-24, the government has profitable or less attractive investments.
set a disinvestment target of ₹51,000 crores.

Economy
Complex legal and regulatory framework: The Encouragement of Private ownership:

process of disinvestment in India is governed by a Disinvestment also encourages private ownership
complex legal and regulatory framework, which can of assets and trading in the open market.
add to the time and cost of the process. News Source: The Hindu
NITI Aayog’s recommendations on 3.7 GLOBAL QUALITY

Disinvestment
INFRASTRUCTURE INDEX
First, disinvestment proposals should go directly to
the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
(CCEA).
Context
India’s national accreditation system under the Quality
Second, the Government should consider the
Council of India (QCI) has been ranked 5th in the world
appointment of Advisors and Asset valuers to
in the recent Global Quality Infrastructure Index (GQII)
speed up the process of disinvestment.
2021.
Third, an independent professional agency
should be set-up to speed-up the Asset Monetisation Probable Question:
Programme. Q. What is the Global Quality Infrastructure Index
(GQII), and how does it measure the quality of
infrastructure in different countries around the world,
Benefits including factors such as safety, resilience, and
Finance the fiscal deficit: Government uses sustainability, and what are some of the implications
disinvestment proceeds to finance the fiscal deficit, of these rankings for global economic development
to invest in the economy and development or and investment?
social sector programmes, and to retire
government debt.
RTSEPFP
Image Source: PIB

Economy
About Global Quality Infrastructure Index Additional Information

(GQII) About The Quality Council of India (QCI):
The GQII ranks the 184 economies in the world on QCI was established in 1996 as a national body
the basis of the quality infrastructure (QI). for accreditation, with the support of the
It is supported by Physikalisch-Technische Government of India and three major industry
Bundesanstalt (PTB) and the Federal Ministry for associations namely:
Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), y Associated Chambers of Commerce and
Germany. Industry of India (ASSOCHAM)
The GQII measures the relative development of y Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
countries’ QI. It calculates a score for each country y Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce
based on its position in the sub-rankings for and Industry (FICCI)
metrology, standards and accreditation. It is registered as a non-profit under the Societies
Geographically, the top 25 QI systems are mainly Registration Act.
located in Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, Nodal Ministry: Department of Industrial Policy
with some exceptions, such as Brazil (13th), and Promotion under the Ministry of Commerce
Australia (14th), Turkey (16th), Mexico (18th) and and Industry
South Africa (20th).
The Council of QCI is made up of 38 members,
with equal representation from the government,
India’s Performance industry, and consumers.
India’s overall QI system ranking continues to be in The Prime Minister appoints the Chairman of
the Top 10 at the 10th position, with the QCI based on the industry’s recommendation to
standardisation system (under BIS) at 9th and the the government
metrology system (under NPL-CSIR) at 21st News Source: The Hindu
position in the world.
India’s National Accreditation System

3.8 PRIMARY AGRICULTURAL
The National Accreditation System as per
CREDIT SOCIETIES (PACS)
international standards in India is established by
the Quality Council of India (QCI). Context
In India, the National Physical Laboratory is the The Union Budget has announced Rs 2,516 crore for
national metrology institute, the Bureau of Indian computerisation of 63,000 Primary Agricultural Credit
Standards (BIS) is the national standards body and Societies (PACS) over the next five years.
the constituent national accreditation boards under Probable Question:
Quality Council of India support are the custodians Q. What are Primary Agricultural Credit Societies
of the national accreditation system. (PACS), and what is their role in providing agricultural
credit to farmers in India, including their organisational
Importance of Accreditation structure, sources of funding, and challenges they face
Establish Competence: Accreditation helps in fulfilling their mandate?
establish the competence and credibility of
conformity assessment bodies (CABs) which About Primary Agricultural Credit Societies
perform testing, certification, inspection, etc. (PACS)
Steady growth of Conformity Assessment Bodies PACS are village-level cooperative credit
(CABs): The rise in India’s accreditation ranking is societies.
attributed to the steady growth of conformity They serve as the last link in a three-tier
assessment bodies (CABs) under the national cooperative credit structure headed by the State
accreditation system. Cooperative Banks (SCB) at the state level.
RTSEPFP

Economy
Image Source: The Hindu
Functioning of PACS Digitization of PACS: Benefits

Credit from the SCBs is transferred to the district Increased efficiency, transparency and
central cooperative banks, or DCCBs, that operate accountability in their operations;
at the district level. It will facilitate them to diversify their business and
The DCCBs work with PACS, which deal directly undertake multiple activities/ services.
with farmers. It will help in improving the outreach of the PACS as
Since these are cooperative bodies, individual outlets for banking activities as well as non-Banking
farmers are members of the PACS, and office- activities apart from improving digitalisation in
bearers are elected from within them. rural areas.
Lending Mechanism Concern

PACS are involved in short-term lending — or what Political compulsions often trump financial
is known as crop loan. discipline, and the recovery of loans is hit.
At the start of the cropping cycle, farmers avail Though geographically active PACS cover about
credit to finance their requirement of seeds, 90% of 5.8 villages, there are parts of the country,
fertilisers etc. especially in the north-east, where this coverage
Banks extend this credit at 7 percent interest, of is very low.
which 3 percent is subsidised by the Centre, and 2 RTSEPFP of the PACS are much too inadequate
The resources
percent by the state government. in relation to the short-and medium-term credit
Effectively, farmers avail the crop loans at 2 percent needs of the rural economy.
interest only.

Economy
Significance profits due to an unexpected increase in oil

They offer last mile connectivity to farmers in prices.
disbursing credit. The windfall tax is intended to recoup some of the
profits that the company earned due to factors
PACS have the capacity to extend credit with
beyond its control and to ensure that the government
minimal paperwork within a short time.
receives a share of the revenue generated by the
News Source: The Hindu windfall.
3.9 WINDFALL TAXES Controversial Nature

Windfall taxes are often controversial, as they can
Context be seen as punishing success or discouraging
Recently, the Union government hiked the windfall profit investment.
tax levied on domestically-produced crude oil as well as Supporters argue that they are a fair way to
on the export of diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF). redistribute wealth and ensure that companies and
Probable Question: individuals contribute to society when they benefit
Q. What are windfall taxes, and how do they work as a from favourable conditions.
means of generating revenue for governments from
industries that experience sudden, unexpected profits Reason for Taxing Windfall Profits
due to external factors such as changes in market The B.K. Chaturvedi committee’s report on the
conditions or natural resource discoveries? Financial Position of Oil Companies (2008) had
stated that taxing of windfall gains has been seen as
About Windfall Profits a prerogative of governments, in part to meet
‘Windfall profits’ refer to an unanticipated spike fiscal needs and in part to pursue redistributive
in earnings of an entity resulting from an justice.
exogenous event (which could be one-off and/or The central idea here is for sovereigns to capitalise
prolonged) and not resulting from a business on the lofty profits made by the entities and use
decision. it for specific domestic pursuits.
y For example, spur collections (of taxes) to
Windfall Tax guard against the consequences of a larger
A “windfall tax” is a tax imposed by a government geopolitical event or redistribute them for it to
on a sudden, unexpected or unplanned profit or be used for domestic social service schemes,
gain earned by a company or an individual. among other reasons.
y For example, a windfall tax may be imposed on
an oil company that experiences a surge in
RTSEPFP

Economy
3.10 RBI’S POLICY REVIEW the cost of borrowing funds from the RBI’s repo
rate.
Context y This means that changes in the repo rate will be
reflected in the MCLR and, in turn, the interest
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve rates offered on loans by the bank.
Bank of India (RBI) raised the repo rate by 25 basis
GDP Growth Projection:
points in an effort to bring inflation back to the target
The RBI expects India’s GDP to grow by 6.4% in the
level of 4%.
next financial year, but the growth rate is expected
to slow down in each quarter of the year.
Key Points
Inflation Forecast:
About Repo Rate:
The RBI has lowered the inflation target for FY23
The repo rate is the interest rate at which the RBI
from 6.7 percent to 6.5 percent – which is still above
lends to commercial banks.
the RBI’s comfort level of four percent.
It can be adjusted by the MPC to reduce price
Inflation is expected to be 5.3 percent in FY24.
fluctuations in the economy while keeping the
inflation rate at a reasonable level. News Source: The Indian Express
RBI Monetary Policy:

The RBI’s monetary policy aims to control the 3.11 MICROFINANCE
supply and cost of money in the economy.
If the RBI is more concerned about containing Context
inflation, it raises interest rates to curb economic The RBI recently released its 26th Financial Stability
activity, and if it wants to stimulate growth, it lowers Report (December 2022) in which the RBI remarked
interest rates. that the credit to the Microfinance sector has grown at a
The decision to raise the repo rate was made by a steady pace.
4-2 majority in the MPC. Probable Question:
The RBI’s stance was more “hawkish” than Q. What is microfinance? Highlight its objective,
expected, as it was more concerned about high components and benefits, and the challenges
inflation than the moderation in economic growth. associated with it. Suggest measures that can be taken
y A hawkish stance is a monetary policy stance to promote the microfinance sector in India.
taken by the central bank that is characterised
by a strong focus on controlling inflation and Highlights
maintaining price stability. Rise in Bad Loans: The report highlighted the
What will be the impact? building stress levels in the loans portfolio (i.e., bad
Rise in Lending rates: Lending rates of banks are loans are increasing).
expected to go up as the cost of funds is expected to y The share of loans overdue by more than 90
rise further. days has risen to 14% in September 2022, from
Dearer EMIs: EMIs on vehicles, home and personal 12% in March 2022.
loans will also rise.
Increased EBLR: The external benchmark linked About Microfinance
lending rate (EBLR) of banks will rise by 25 bps, as Microfinance is a form of financial service which
such loans are linked to the Repo rate. provides small loans and other financial services
y The EBLR is a type of lending rate adopted by to poor and low-income households.
banks, in which the interest rate on loans is The objective of microfinance is to provide financial
linked to an external benchmark instead of inclusion and empower these individuals to
being determined by the bank itself. improve their livelihoods and increase their
Increased MCLR: MCLR is also expected to move incomes.
up. The hike will help in moderating inflation in the Microcredit is delivered through a variety of
country. institutional
RTSEPFP
channels viz:
y The MCLR is calculated based on the marginal y Scheduled commercial banks (SCBs)
cost of funds, which takes into account the cost (including small finance banks (SFBs) and
of the latest deposit obtained by the bank and regional rural banks (RRBs)).
Economy
y Cooperative banks. Micro Saving: Targeted people with low incomes

y Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). and low savings. The limit of minimum deposit/
y Microfinance institutions (MFIs) registered as balance is low and there are no service charges.
NBFCs as well as in other forms. Microfinance Institutions: A large number of
It is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) organizations with varied size and legal forms offer
under the Non-Banking Financial Company- Microfinance services.
Micro Finance Institution (NBFC-MFI) category.
Status of Microfinance
Components of Microfinance According to NABARD, the SHG-Bank Linkage
Micro credit: Extension of very small loans to Programme, covers 14.2 crore families through 119
borrowers who typically lack collateral, steady lakh SHGs (87% of which are women) with savings
employment or income stream and verifiable credit deposits of INR 47,240.48 crore (March 31, 2022).
history. NABARD has sanctioned a cumulative grant
Micro Insurance: Insurance with low premiums assistance of INR 255.81 crore to Joint Liability
and low coverage. It covers low income/net-worth Groups Promoting Institutions (JLGPIs) for
persons and transactions are of low value. It can promoting 12.77 lakh JLGs (March 31, 2022).
cover a wide range of risks including damage to
crops and livestock.
RTSEPFP

Economy
What more can be done? About MCLR

Regulation of the sector is a need. Introduced on April 1, 2016, MCLR is the minimum
Interest rate transparency should be maintained. interest rate below which banks cannot lend.
Encourage Microfinance penetration Banks calculate all operating costs as a percentage
of marginal cost of funds for computing MCLR.
Expand product range
Under the MCLR regime, banks decide on the
Use of technology should be promoted.
interest rate at which they will offer to borrowers
Different sources for raising funds are required to on the basis of the marginal cost at which they get
make the sector more functioning. funds, through funds and by borrowing from the
RBI.
The components of MCLR: base repo rate, operating
costs, current cost of carry-in cash reserve ratio and
tenor premium.
3.13 INDIA’S FIRST MUNICIPAL BOND

INDEX
Context
National Stock Exchange (NSE) launched India’s first
municipal bond index, the India Municipal Bond Index
(IBMX).
The India Municipal Bond Index (IBMX) will track
the performance of Municipal bonds issued by
Indian Municipal Corporations.
Constituents: The index has 28 municipal bonds
issued by 10 issuers all having credit rating in the
AA category.
Regulation: SEBI (Issue and Listing of Municipal
Conclusion Debt Securities) Regulations, 2015.
The Microfinance sector has played an important
Utility: The municipal bond market finances the
role in ensuring inclusive and balanced
borrowing requirements of different municipal
development.
corporations in India.
There is a need for comprehensive regulation to
The raised money helps municipal corporations
make it more inclusive and sustainable.
fund new projects and in turn improve civic
News Source: RBI infrastructure.
News Source: The Hindubusinessline
SHORT NEWS
3.14 ‘TRANSFER PRICING’ RULES
3.12 MARGINAL COST OF FUND- Context
BASED LENDING RATES (MCLR) The Income Tax Department in India conducted surveys
at the premises of the British Broadcasting Corporation
Context (BBC), because of the BBC’s alleged deliberate non-
State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and Indian Overseas compliance with transfer pricing rules and its vast
Bank have raised their marginal cost of fund-based diversion of profits.
RTSEPFP
lending rates (MCLR) by up to 15 basis points.

Economy
About Payment Aggregator

A payment aggregator is a service provider that
integrates various options of online payments
together and brings them into one place for
merchants.
It facilitates different types of payment
transactions, including cash/cheque, online
payments through multiple payment sources.
It allows merchants to accept bank transfers
without setting up a bank-based merchant account.
It means a merchant need not have a merchant
account directly with the bank.
Since a PA handles funds, it requires a licence from
Image Source: Investopedia the RBI.
Only non-bank payment aggregators require unique
What is Transfer Pricing? authorization from RBI as ‘handling funds’ is
Transfer pricing refers to the pricing of goods or considered a part of the normal banking
services transferred between two related entities relationships for bank PAs.
or companies that are part of the same multinational y For Example: Amazon (Pay) India, Google
group. India.
It is the value attached to transfers of goods, News Source: The Indian Express
services, and technology between related entities,
and between unrelated parties that are controlled 3.16 SOCIAL STOCK EXCHANGE
by a common entity.
Context
What effect does Transfer Pricing have?
The National Stock Exchange has received a green light
Insufficient taxable income or excessive loss: from the capital markets regulator to launch its Social
The effect of transfer pricing is that the parent Stock Exchange.
company or a specific subsidiary tends to produce
insufficient taxable income or excessive loss on a
transaction.
High transfer prices to siphon profits: Transfer
pricing can lead to profits accruing to the parent
company by setting high transfer prices to siphon
profits from subsidiaries domiciled in high-tax
countries and low transfer prices to move profits to
subsidiaries located in low-tax jurisdictions.
Loss of revenue and Foregin Reserve: The result
of transfer pricing can be revenue loss and a drain
on foreign exchange reserves.
3.15 PAYMENT AGGREGATOR

LICENCE TO 32 ENTITIES Image Source: Investopedia
Context About Social Stock Exchange (SSE)

RTSEPFP
Reserve Bank of India grants in-principle approval to 32 SSE is a segment of the existing Stock Exchange
entities for payment aggregator licence. to provide an alternative fund-raising instrument.

Economy
The concept of SSE gained momentum during the y However, it must comply with all provisions
pandemic, highlighting the need for social capital of the ICDR Regulations when raising through
for enterprises and voluntary organisations that are the SSE.
working for social welfare. It can raise money through issue of equity shares
Benefits: (on main board, SME platform or innovators growth
y It can help social enterprises raise funds from platform of the stock exchange) or issuing equity
the public through the stock exchange shares to an Alternative Investment Fund including
mechanism. Social Impact Fund or issue of debt instruments.
y Investors will get Section 80G benefits which News Source: The Indian Express
allow all investments in securities/instruments
of NPOs listed on SSE to be tax deductible, and
corporates to deduct CSR expenditure from
3.17 UPI-PAYNOW LINKAGE
their taxable income, among other things.
y Investment by companies will be considered as Context
part of their Corporate Social Responsibility Recently, India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and
(CSR) initiatives. Singapore’s PayNow, were integrated to enable faster
remittances between the two countries at a competitive
Social Enterprise rate.
Social Stock Exchange identifies social enterprises
as the ones engaged in creating positive impact in
the society.
These are the following two forms of social
enterprises:
y Not-for-profit organisation
y For profit social enterprise
Eligibility
Any non-profit organisation (NPO) or for-profit
social enterprise (FPSEs) that establishes the
primacy of social intent would be recognised as a Image Source: The Indian Express
social enterprise (SE), which will make it eligible to
be registered or listed on the SSE. About UPI
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is India’s mobile-
How do NPOs raise money? based fast payment system.
NPOs can raise money either through issuance of It facilitates customers to make round-the-clock
Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) Instruments payments instantly, using a Virtual Payment
from private placement or public issue, or donations Address (VPA) created by the customer.
from mutual funds. It eliminates the risk of sharing bank account details
y ZCZP bonds differ from conventional bonds in by the remitter.
the sense that it entails zero coupon and no UPI supports both Person-to-Person (P2P) and
principal payment at maturity. Person-to-Merchant (P2M) payments.
y The latter provisions a fixed interest (or It also enables a user to send or receive money.
repayment) on the funds raised through varied
contractual agreement, whereas ZCZP would Pay Now
not provision any such return, instead promising It enables peer-to-peer funds transfer service,
a social return. available to retail customers through participating
banks and Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NFIs)
in Singapore.
How do FPOs raise money? RTSEPFP
For-Profit Enterprises (FPEs) need not register

with social stock exchanges before it raises funds
through SSE.

Economy
Significance of UPI-PayNow Linkage It will facilitate faster, more efficient and

Cross-border retail payments are generally less transparent cross-border transactions relating
transparent and more expensive than domestic to trade, travel and remittances between the two
transactions. countries.
y The UPI-PayNow linkage is a significant It will make instant, low-cost fund transfers on a
milestone in the development of reciprocal basis without a need to get on board the
infrastructure for cross-border payments other payment system.
between India and Singapore. News Source: The Indian Express
It closely aligns with the G20’s financial inclusion
priorities of driving faster, cheaper and more
transparent cross-border payments.
MCQs Based on Economy
1. PM PRANAM programme seeks to: (d) a lower tax levied on a particular industry
(a) Promote solar energy working for environment protection
(b) Incentivise states and union territories for 4. With reference to ‘Follow on Public Offer’,
promoting alternative fertilisers. consider the following statements:
(c) Incentivise states for covid vaccination 1. It allows a company to raise additional funds
(d) Promote ethanol production through the issuance of new shares.
2. With reference to ‘Economic Survey’,consider 2. It is also known as a primary offering.
the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are not
1. The first Economic Survey in India was correct?
presented in the year 1947-48. (a) 1 only
2. It is prepared by the Department of Economic (b) 2 only
Affairs in the Finance Ministry. (c) Both 1 and 2
Which of the statements given above is/are not (d) Neither 1 nor 2
correct? 5. Global Quality Infrastructure Index (GQII) is an
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only initiative of:
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (a) The Coalition for Disaster Resilient
3. A windfall tax is: Infrastructure
(a) a higher tax rate on sudden big profits levied (b) Independent consulting firms Mesopartner
on a particular industry. and Analyticar
(b) a lower tax rate on sudden loss, levied on a (c) International Monetary Fund
particular industry. (d) Amnesty International
(c) a higher tax levied on a particular industry Answer Key
neglecting environment concerns 1. (b) 2. (a ) 3. (a) 4. (b) 5. (b)
RTSEPFP

Environment and Geography
4 Environment and
Geography
4.1 EARTHQUAKE IN TURKEY The boundaries between tectonic plates are a

system of faults – fractures between two blocks of
rocks.
Context
y Any sudden movement along these faults can
Three earthquakes measuring -- 7.8, 7.6, and 6.0 --
cause earthquakes.
magnitude on the Richter scale have devastated Turkey
and Syria. In addition to this, the Aegean Sea Plate, located in
the eastern Mediterranean Sea under southern
Greece and western Turkey, is also a source of
seismic activity in the region.
Earthquake Prone Region

According to one estimate, almost 95% of the
country’s land mass is prone to earthquakes,
while about a third of the country is at high risk,
including the areas around the major cities of
Istanbul and Izmir and the region of East
Anatolia.
Image Source: BBC
Turkey a Hotbed of Seismic Activity About The Alpide Belt:
Turkey sits on a hotbed of seismic activity known It spans over 15,000 km, roughly following the
as the Albide Belt — the second most active region boundary of the Eurasian and African tectonic
on Earth after the Pacific Ring of Fire. plates.
Turkey’s proneness to earthquakes comes from It extends from the Himalayas in the east, through
its tectonic location. the Mediterranean region and across to the
y Turkey is located on the Anatolian tectonic Azores in the Atlantic Ocean.
plate, which is wedged between the Eurasian It accounts for about 17% of the world’s big
and African plates.
earthquakes so far, according to the United
y On the north side, the minor Arabian plate
States Geological Survey.
further restricts movement.
One fault line — the North Anatolian fault It is home to many mountain ranges, the most
(NAF) line, the meeting point of the Eurasian significant being the Himalayas and the Alps.
and Anatolian tectonic plates — is known to Earthquakes:
be “particularly devastating”. An earthquake happens when two blocks of the
Tectonic plates are formations of the Earth’s crust earth suddenly slip past one another. The
that move slowly, often creating pressure and
surface where they slip is called the fault or fault
friction between each other.
plane.
This belt experiences a high frequency of
earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The location below the earth’s surface where the
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y This is primarily due to the collision of the earthquake starts is called the hypocenter, and
Eurasian and African tectonic plates, which drag the location directly above it on the surface of the
along and cause a build-up of immense pressure. earth is called the epicentre.

Earthquake Prone Regions: y creating a comprehensive picture of the ocean

The Ring of Fire: This is a horseshoe-shaped y providing a forum for proactive discussion and
region along the Pacific Ocean that encircles informed decision-making
the basin of the Pacific Ocean and is home to Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) will be implemented
many active and potentially dangerous volcanoes by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) through
and earthquake zones. National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) for
y Countries located on the Ring of Fire include India.
Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and the MSP is globally identified as a tool for sustainable
western coast of North America. and integrated ocean management.
The Mediterranean: The region around the
Mediterranean Sea is seismically active and is Benefits
located at the boundary between the African and Sustainable: Ensures sustainable and efficient use
Eurasian tectonic plates. Countries in this region, of marine resources, reducing the risk of over-
such as Greece, Italy, and Turkey, are prone to exploitation and degradation of marine ecosystems.
earthquakes. Conflict Resolution: Helps to prevent and resolve
The Himalayas: The Himalayas are located at the conflicts between different sectors and users in the
boundary between the Indian and Eurasian marine environment.
tectonic plates. Integrated and coordinated approach: Provides
y The region is prone to earthquakes and is at an integrated and coordinated approach to
high risk for major earthquakes due to the managing different sectors and activities in the
large amount of seismic energy stored in the marine environment.
plates Engages a wide range of stakeholders: Engages a
Submerged mid-Atlantic Ridge: The ridge wide range of stakeholders to ensure all perspectives
marks where two tectonic plates are spreading and interests are considered in decision-making
apart (a divergent plate boundary). processes.
Identification of vulnerable areas: Helps to plan
for uncertainty, such as the impacts of climate
4.2 MARINE SPATIAL PLANNING change and natural disasters, by identifying
(MSP) FRAMEWORK vulnerable areas and developing strategies to
mitigate risks and increase resilience.
Context News Source: The Indian Express
Puducherry has launched the country’s first Marine
Spatial Planning (MSP) framework as part of a pact 4.3 GLOBAL SEA-LEVEL RISE AND
under the Indo-Norway Integrated Ocean Initiative. IMPLICATIONS
Probable Question:
Q. What is the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) Context
Framework, and how does it facilitate the sustainable
Recently, the report “Global Sea-level Rise and
use of ocean resources by balancing competing
Implications” was released by the World Meteorological
demands such as conservation, recreation, and
Organisation (WMO).
economic development?
Probable Question:
About Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) Q. Sea level rise is posing a significant challenge to the
economy, society and humanitarian efforts. Discuss the
MSP is a coordinated approach to designating
overall impact of sea level rise on coastal settlements,
where human activities occur in the ocean to
infrastructure, and ecosystems.
minimise conflicts among stakeholders, maximise
the benefits that people receive from the ocean, and
help maintain healthy marine habitats.
Report Highlights
The dangers posed by the rise in sea level:
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MSP creates a blueprint for ocean use and
conservation by: y India, China, Bangladesh and the Netherlands
face the highest threat of sea-level rise globally.
y bringing together diverse ocean users

y The report stated that several big cities in all y Storm surges and tidal variations can also
continents are threatened by the rise in sea amplify the effects of rising sea levels, as seen
level. during events like Hurricane Sandy in New York
Stimulating Factors: and Cyclone Idai in Mozambique.
y Continued urbanization in vulnerable areas Melting of ice mass in Antarctica:
will worsen the impacts of sea-level rise, y The WMO reported that the speed of melting of
especially in places where essential services the largest global ice mass in Antarctica is
such as energy and water are limited. uncertain.
Impact of Sea Level Rise accelerate and have a significant impact on

Overall Impact coastal settlements, infrastructure, and
ecosystems, ultimately leading to their
y Sea level rise poses a significant challenge to the submergence and loss.
economy, society and humanitarian efforts,
Food Insecurity:
endangering coastal farmlands and water
reserves, infrastructure resilience, and human y Climate change will pressure food production
lives and livelihoods. and access
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Submergence: food security and nutrition. Droughts, floods,
and heatwaves, as well as sea level rise, will
y The report states that although sea-level rise is increase risks to food security.
not uniform worldwide, it will continue to

Three Primary Factors For Sea Level Rise: Dutch city has built barriers, drainage, and
Thermal expansion: innovative architectural features such as Water
y When water heats up, it expands. About half of Square with temporary ponds.
the sea-level rise over the past 25 years is News Source: The Indian Express
attributable to warmer oceans simply occupying
more space. 4.4 EL NIÑO FORECAST
Melting glaciers:
y Recently, though, persistently higher Context
temperatures caused by global warming have
The La Niña itself is going on for a record-breaking third
led to greater than average summer melting as
consecutive year; forecasts for 2023 are predicting that
well as diminished snowfall due to later winters
El Niño– will occur with more than a 50% probability.
and earlier springs.
India is experiencing a colder than normal winter
That creates an imbalance between runoff thanks to the north south winter flow set up by the
and ocean evaporation, causing sea levels to climate phenomenon known as La Niña.
rise.
Loss of Greenland and Antarctica’s ice sheets: Probable Question:
Q. Most of the unusual climatic happenings are
y Melting ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica
explained as an outcome of the El-Nino effect. Do you
caused by increased heat, with seepage of
agree?
meltwater and seawater accelerating ice
Image Source: BBC
movement towards the sea.
Suggestions & Way Ahead

Urban systems are critical, interconnected sites for
enabling climate-resilient development, especially
at the coast.
Coastal cities and settlements play a key role in
moving toward higher climate resilient development
given firstly, almost 11% of the global population of
896 million people lived within the Low Elevation
Coastal Zone in 2020, potentially increasing to
beyond 1 billion people by 2050.
y These people, and associated development and
coastal ecosystems, face escalating climate
compounded risks, including sea level rise.
The Coastal cities can implement the following
measures to address sea level rise
y Using Beaches As Barriers
y Building Seawalls
y Raising Roads About El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle
y Building Stormwater Pumps El Niño and La Niña are atmospheric patterns that
y Upgrading Sewage Systems influence warming and cooling of sea surface
y Creating Natural Infrastructure temperatures in the Central and Equatorial Pacific.
y Slowing Land Sinkage The two opposing patterns occur in an irregular
Global Plans to reduce the impacts of Sea Level cycle called the El Niño Southern Oscillation
rise: (ENSO) cycle.
y In Jakarta, a $40 billion project will aim to The phenomenon was discovered by Sir Gilbert
protect the city with an 80-foot-high seawall. Walker.RTSEPFP
y Rotterdam, home to the global Center on El Niño

Adaptation, has offered a model to other cities El Niño is a loose translation of “little boy” or even
seeking to combat flooding and land loss. The “Christ child” in Spanish.

El Niño is the warming of sea waters in the Central- Niña also makes winter temperatures warmer in
east Equatorial Pacific that occurs every few years. the south and cooler to the north of the U.S.
During El Niño, surface temperatures in the Impact on India’s monsoons
equatorial Pacific rise, and trade winds — east-west In India, El Niño causes weak rainfall and more
winds that blow near the Equator — weaken. heat, while La Niña intensifies rainfall across South
Normally, easterly trade winds blow from the Asia , particularly in India’s northwest and
Americas towards Asia. Due to El Niño , they falter Bangladesh during the monsoon.
and change direction to turn into westerlies, News Source: The Hindu
bringing warm water from the western Pacific
towards the Americas. 4.5 DEEP SEA FISH CONSERVATION
La Niña
La Niña, or “the girl/little girl”, is the opposite of El Niño.
Context
La Niña is cooler than average SST in the equatorial
The Supreme Court of India has given permission to
Pacific region. Trade winds are stronger than usual,
fishermen using purse seine fishing gear to fish beyond
pushing warmer water towards Asia.
territorial waters (12 nautical miles) and within the
On the American west coast, upwelling increases, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (200 nautical miles) of
bringing nutrient-rich water to the surface. Tamil Nadu, with restrictions.
Pacific cold waters close to the Americas push jet Probable Question:
streams — narrow bands of strong winds in the Q. Discuss the significance of the Supreme Court’s
upper atmosphere — northwards. decision and its potential implications on the fishing
This leads to drier conditions in the Southern U.S., industry and the marine ecosystem of India.
and heavy rainfall in the northwest and Canada. La Image Source: usgs.gov
What is the issue? Purse seiners tend to overfish, endangering the

The court has issued an interim order against the livelihoods of traditional fishermen who use
Tamil Nadu government’s ban on purse seine traditional fishing gear.
fishing. About Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ)
The court’s order focuses more on regulating fishing The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of
through administrative and transparency measures RTSEPFP
the Sea (UNCLOS) defines an Exclusive Economic
rather than conservation measures. Zone(EEZ).
Coastal states have obligations under UNCLOS to It is an area that shall not extend beyond 200
conserve marine resources in their EEZ. nautical miles from the baselines.

Access to the zone by foreign fleets is also solely Non-selective fishing technology
within the coastal state’s discretion and subject to Fishing regulations need to look into nonselective
its laws and regulations. fishing methods like turtle excluder fishing gear.
India’s Definition of EEZ: It can prevent the bycatch of other marine living
y India has legally defined the concept of EEZ in species (which could include, many a times,
its “Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, endangered species) — a potential ground for trade
Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime embargo.
Zones Act, 1976”.
y According to the Act, the EEZ of India is an area
Issue with Court’s Recent Order
beyond and adjacent to the territorial waters.
The limit of such a zone is two hundred nautical It is more concerned about regulating fishing with
miles from the baseline. administrative and transparency measures than
about the conservation measures and obligations
which a coastal state owes in its EEZ under the
Multilateral and Regional Conventions
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
(UNCLOS), 1982:
The top court should seek guidance from the
y It is an international agreement that establishes obligations arising from the multilateral and
the legal framework for marine and maritime regional conventions which are meant to bring in
activities. sustainable fishing practices.
y Under UNCLOS, coastal states have sovereign
rights to ensure that the living and non
living resources of the EEZ are used, Conclusion
conserved and managed, and not subject to Despite the best conservation measures and
overexploitation. regulation of fishing methods adopted by the
y In order to prevent overexploitation, coastal authorities, it will be a challenge in dealing with the
States must determine the total allowable limitless character of the seas which renders a
catch (TAC) in the EEZ. common resource such as fish available for
Convention for the Conservation of Southern exploitation by all.
Bluefin Tuna 1993 (SBT):The crux of the SBT is The theory of Garrett Hardin, ‘The Tragedy of
TAC and distribution of allocations among the the Commons’, which says ‘Freedom in a commons
parties to the SBT. brings ruin to all’ should convince all fishermen that
y TAC and the catch quotas are aimed at putting they must cooperate in complying with conservation
sustainable use into practice among fishermen measures.
and maintaining maximum sustainable yield
(MSY).
Current Status of Indian Fisheries
Fisheries are the primary source of livelihood for
Regulation of Fishing Methods
several communities.
Tarawa Declaration of the South Pacific Forum:
India is the world’s second-largest fish
It prohibits the use of large drift nets that allows
producer with exports worth more than Rs
maximum catch for the purse seiners, in turn
47,000 crore.
leaving behind insufficient catch for traditional
fishermen. Fisheries are the country’s single-largest
agriculture export, with a growth rate of 6 to 10
The 1989 Convention for the Prohibition of
per cent in the past five years.
Fishing with Long Drift Nets in the South Pacific
goes as far as to restrict port access for drift net Purse seine fishing:
fishing vessels. � Purse seine fishing is a type of fishing method
that uses a large net called a purse seine to catch
The United Nations General Assembly passed
fish. RTSEPFP
Resolutions 44/225 (1989) and 46/215 (1991)
supported and strengthened this development, � The net is typically set around a school of fish by
calling for a moratorium on all largescale pelagic a fishing vessel, and then the bottom of the net is
drift net fishing vessels in high seas. drawn closed, like a purse, to trap the fish inside.

About Pangolins
The Pangolin is the most trafficked animal in the
world.
Pangolins are the only mammals wholly-covered in
scales and they use those scales to protect
themselves from predators in the wild.
Pangolins eat ants, termites and larvae and are
often known as the scaly anteater.
Eight species of pangolins are found on two
continents namely Asia and Africa. They range from
Image Source: Marine Stewardship Council
Vulnerable to Critically Endangered.
News Source: The Hindu Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and Chinese
pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) are found in India.
Protection:
SHORT NEWS
y Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
y CITES: Appendix I
4.6 PANGOLINS y IUCN: Indian pangolin – Endangered; Chinese
pangolin – Critically Endangered.
Context
A not-for-profit organization has released a fact sheet on
the occasion of World Pangolin Day, revealing that 1,203 About TRAFFIC
pangolins were seized in India from 2018 to 2022 due to TRAFFIC is a leading non-governmental
their involvement in the illegal wildlife trade. organisation working globally on trade in wild
animals and plants in the context of both
biodiversity conservation and sustainable
development.
TRAFFIC is a joint programme of the World Wide
Fund for Nature (WWF) and IUCN.
It was founded in 1976, with headquarters now
located in Cambridge, United Kingdom.
TRAFFIC’s mission is to ensure that trade in wild
plants and animals is not a threat to the
conservation of nature.
It investigates and analyses wildlife trade trends,
patterns, impacts and drivers to provide the
Image Source: The Hindu leading knowledge base on trade in wild animals
Findings of the publication, titled ‘India’s Pangolins and plants.
Buried in Illegal Wildlife Trade’ News Source: The Indian Express
An analysis of illegal pangolin trade in India by
TRAFFIC in 2018 reported poaching of 6,000 4.7 SUNDARBAN BIRD FESTIVAL
pangolins between 2009 and 2017.
India reports a significant number of pangolin Context
trafficking incidents reflected by seizures across the The first-ever Sundarban bird festival was organized by
country. the Sundarban Tiger Reserve (STR) division of the
They are poached mainly for international markets West Bengal Forest Department.
in China and southeast Asia for their scales, which
are used as an ingredient in traditional medicines. About Sundarban
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Odisha reported the maximum number of The species recorded during the Bird Festival
incidents, with 154 Pangolins in 74 seizures included 78 forest birds and 42 species of waders,
followed by Maharashtra with 135 Pangolins. raptors etc.

Some of the birds spotted during the festival are The list has seen an increase from 284 species to
Eurasian Curlew (Near Threatened), Fulvous- 454 species in the past decade, due to increased
breasted Woodpecker (Least Concern), Lesser documentation and genetic studies.
Sandplover (Least Concern) among others.
Aim: To create a platform for knowledge-sharing About Malabar Tree Toad
and discussion on the future of conservation of the Found in Mollem National Park and the Mhadei
Sundarban birds. Wildlife Sanctuary.
Threats: Habitat loss, climate change and
About Sunderbans Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a deadly
It is a cluster of low-lying islands in the Bay of fungus that has been decimating entire amphibian
Bengal, spread across India and Bangladesh, famous populations worldwide.
for its unique mangrove forests. Conservation status
The Sunderban forest in India is divided into the y IUCN: Endangered
Sundarbans Tiger Reserve and 24 Parganas (South)
Forest Division, and together with the forest in
Bangladesh is the only mangrove forest in the world
where tigers are found.
A publication by Zoological Survey of India, (ZSI)
in 2021, had recorded 428 bird species in the
Sundarbans which is one third of all the avian
species found in the country.
4.8 MALABAR TREE TOAD
About the Mollem National Park:
Context It is located in Sanguem taluk in Goa close to the
The updated ‘Checklist of Indian Amphibians (2023)’ border with Karnataka.
released by Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) includes the It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and
critically endangered Malabar tree toad. renamed Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary.
It includes systematic classification with updated
Since then, the national park is called Bhagwan
scientific names, year of discovery and the IUCN
Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park.
conservation status. News Source: The Indian Express
The list also includes common names for easy
identification by the public.
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MCQs Based on
1. Indian Pangolin and the Chinese Pangolin are 1. The Himalayas

found in which of the following Indian states/ 2. Ring of Fire
UTs? 3. The Mediterranean
(a) Nagaland (b) Mizoram
Select the correct answer using the code given
(c) West Bengal (d) Ladakh below:
2. In which of the following cities ‘Marine Spatial (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only
Planning (MSP) framework’ has been launched? (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
(a) Puducherry (b) Delhi
5. With reference to the ‘TRAFFIC’, consider the
(c) Chandigarh (d) Shimla following statements:
3. With reference to ‘El Niño’,consider the 1. TRAFFIC is a joint programme of the World
following statements: Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and IUCN.
1. It is the “warm phase” of a larger phenomenon 2. Its headquarters is located in Cambridge,
called the El Nino-Southern Oscillation United Kingdom.
(ENSO).
Which of the statements given above is/are
2. It occurs more frequently than La Nina. correct?
Which of the statements given above is/are (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
correct? (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Answer Key
4. Which of the following are ‘Earthquake Prone 1. (c) 2. (a) 3. (c) 4. (d) 5. (c)
Regions’?
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Science and Technology
5 Science and Technology
5.1 LITHIUM RESOURCES IN J&K
Context
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has established
“inferred” lithium resources of 5.9 million tonnes in
Salal-Haimana area of Reasi District of Jammu and
Kashmir.
Probable Question:
Q. What are some of the challenges associated with
lithium production, including environmental concerns
and issues related to supply chain security and
geopolitical tensions?
Why is lithium so important?

It is one of the most sought-after minerals globally
and is often called ‘white gold’.
Lithium has got the status of gold because of its
usability and demand in the global energy market.
About “Inferred” Lithium Resources
Lithium is an essential growth driver for the global
The term ‘inferred’ refers to the ‘preliminary
energy transition.
exploration stage’, the second of a four-step
From about 500,000 metric tonnes (MT) of lithium
process, according to the Mines and Minerals
carbonate equivalent (LCE) in 2021, the demand for
(Development and Exploration) Act 1957.
lithium is expected to reach three million to four
It is based on the classification from United Nations million MT in 2030.
International Framework Classification for
Reserves/Resources – Solid Fuels and Mineral Uses of Lithium
Commodities of 1997 (UNFC-1997).
Batteries: Lithium-ion batteries are used in wind
According to UNFC-1997, there are four stages of turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicles, all of
exploration for any mineral deposit: which are crucial in a green economy.
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Aerospace: Lithium is used in the aerospace y Industry estimates suggest that this process
industry as a component in lightweight alloys and consumes 170 cubic metres of water and
as a coolant in nuclear reactors. releases 15 tonnes of CO2 for every tonne of Li
Pharmaceuticals: Lithium is used as a medication extracted.
for the treatment of bipolar disorder and other Lack of Technology: At present, India also does not
mood disorders. have lithium extraction technologies.
Ceramics and glass: Lithium compounds are used The Geographically Unstable Region of Himalayas
as a flux in the production of ceramics and glass. for exploration is a big concern, as it can cause
Nuclear energy: Lithium is used as a coolant in natural disasters.
nuclear reactors, where it helps to transfer heat
away from the core. Significance of Discovery
Lithium Reserves in India Cut India’s dependence on lithium imports: The
Lithium reserves in Karnataka are primarily found discovery could boost the manufacturing of
in the areas of Mandya and Mysore districts. rechargeable batteries for electric cars,
smartphones, and laptops and cut India’s
In 2021-22, India’s lithium imports were $22.15
million. Hong Kong, China and the US were the top dependence on lithium imports.
three sources. Meeting Li Demand: A World Bank study suggests
that the demand for critical metals such as lithium
World Lithium reserves (Li) and cobalt is expected to rise by nearly 500%
Lithium is currently extracted from two main by 2050.
sources—hard rock mines or as brine from salt Boost to domestic battery-manufacturing
flats and lakes, from where it is recovered using industry: As India currently imports all of its Li
evaporation tanks. from Australia and Argentina and 70% of its Li-ion
Lithium resources are concentrated in a few cell requirement from China and Hong Kong, the
places. lithium reserves in J&K could boost the domestic
y For Example: Around 50 percent of the world’s battery-manufacturing industry.
lithium deposits are found in the salt flats of Push to National Mission on Transformative
Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. Mobility and Battery Storage: The J&K reserves
Lithium Triangle: will also help advance the Indian government’s
y It is an intersection of Chile, Bolivia and ambitious plan of “30% EV penetration in private
Argentina, known for high quality salt flats. cars, 70% for commercial vehicles, and 80% for two
y Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, Salar de Atacama in and three-wheelers by 2030 for the automobile
Chile and Salar de Arizaro in Argentina contain industry.”
over 50% of known global lithium reserves. Buffer against energy security risks: A high level
Australia also has around 2.7 million tonnes of of dependence on China for Li and other crucial
lithium resources. metals and their derivatives are also perceived to be
China controls 60 percent of the world’s capacity sources of energy security risks.
for processing raw lithium products into batteries. y China currently controls 77% of the global
lithium-ion battery manufacturing capacity and
Concerns
is home to six of the world’s 10 manufacturing
Geopolitical Tension: Although Reasi is in the companies.
relatively more stable Jammu region, the Union
territory of J&K (previously a state) has been the
site of historical cross-border tensions between
India and Pakistan, domestic insurgency, and 5.2 DUSSELDORF PATIENT
terrorism.
Environmental Impact: Extracting Li from hard Context RTSEPFP
rock mines, similar to what has already been A 53-year-old man from Germany, referred to as the
proposed in J&K, entails open-pit-mining followed Dusseldorf patient, has become at least the third
by roasting the ore using fossil fuels. person to have been “cured of HIV”.

About the Dusseldorf Patient: Other Reported Recoveries from HIV

Dusseldorf Patient refers to a person who was Berlin Patient: The Berlin patient received two
declared free of HIV after receiving a stem cell stem cell transplants in 2007 and 2008 for his
transplant from a donor with a rare genetic blood cancer. The donor had a genetic mutation
mutation that makes them resistant to HIV infection. called CCR5-delta 32, which makes carriers
In 2007, the patient was diagnosed with acute myeloid almost immune to HIV. This resulted in the patient
leukaemia and required a stem cell transplant. becoming the first person to overcome HIV.
The transplant was successful, and the patient’s
immune system was replaced with the donor’s cells, London Patient: In 2019, a similar treatment
including the mutation that made them resistant to HIV. was successful for the London patient, and two
Since then, the patient has been HIV-free and has more successful cases were reported in 2022.
not required any antiretroviral treatment. News Source: The Indian Express
Significance 5.3 STANDARD MODEL OF PARTICLE

The case of the Dusseldorf Patient provides
PHYSICS
valuable insight into potential HIV cure strategies,
such as gene therapy and stem cell transplants.
Context
However, these approaches are not widely
applicable due to the high risks and costs involved, Scientists conducted a new experiment to measure the
and researchers continue to search for safer and electron magnetic moment, which is a measure of the
more accessible HIV cure options. strength of the magnetic field carried by the particle.
This is a property that is predicted by the standard
Additional Information model of particle physics.
About CCR5 mutation & fight with Human
Immunodeficiency Virus(HIV): About Standard Model
HIV mainly attacks the CD4 immune cells in the The Standard Model (SM) is the theory that
human body, thereby reducing a person’s ability describes the properties of all subatomic particles,
to fight off secondary infections. classifies them into different groups.
The CCR5 receptors on the surface of the CD4 It determines how they’re affected by three of the
immune cells act as a doorway for the HIV virus. four fundamental forces of nature:
However, the CCR5-delta 32 mutation prevents
y strong-nuclear force
these receptors used by the HIV virus from
forming on the surface, effectively removing the y weak-nuclear force
doorway. y electromagnetic force
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) Applications

HIV is a virus that attacks and weakens the In the 1960s, physicists used SM to predict the
immune system, making it harder for the body existence of a particle called the Higgs boson; it was
to fight off infections and diseases. finally discovered in 2012.
HIV primarily targets CD4 T cells, which are a SM has allowed physicists to successfully predict
type of white blood cell that helps the immune the existence and properties of dozens of particles.
system fight infections.
The SM’s most precise prediction is of the electron’s
Transmission: HIV is transmitted through
magnetic moment.
certain body fluids, including blood, semen,
vaginal fluids, and breast milk. The most common
Limitations of Standard Model
modes of transmission are through unprotected
sexual contact, sharing needles or other injection Omits Force of Gravity: The Standard Model is
equipment, and from mother to child during believed to be incomplete because it only accounts
childbirth or breastfeeding. for three of the four fundamental forces of nature:
Treatment: HIV can be managed with electromagnetic,
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antiretroviral therapy (ART), which is a interactions.
combination of medications that target different y It completely omits the force of gravity.
stages of the virus’s life cycle. Therefore, it falls short of unifying all forces into

a single equation that describes all the Significance of SSLV-D2

interactions of matter. India has got a new launch vehicle which was aimed
Lack of information about Dark-Matter to commercialise the small satellite launches
Particles: Moreover, the Standard Model does not through Industry on demand basis.
provide a description of dark matter particles. ISRO looks forward to catering to the increasing
y These particles have only been detected through global need of launching small satellites into Space.
their gravitational pull on surrounding matter. News Source: The Indian Express
Hence, the Standard Model’s inability to account for
dark matter particles further highlights its 5.5 NISAR MISSION
incompleteness.
Context
NISAR satellite, a joint Earth-observing mission between
5.4 ISRO’S SSLV-D2 LAUNCH NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization
(ISRO) is all set for a possible launch in September 2024.
Context Probable Question:
The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D2) will Q. What is the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture
place the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Radar) Mission, and how does it aim to advance our
earth observation satellite EOS-07 and Janus-1 and understanding of global environmental processes,
AzaadiSat2 in circular orbit around the Earth. such as climate change, natural disasters, and
Probable Question: ecosystem dynamics, through advanced radar imaging
Q. What is a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), and technology?
how is the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
using this technology to expand its capabilities in the
satellite launch market, particularly for small
satellites?
About Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D2)

SSLV caters to the launch of up to 500 kg satellites
to Low Earth Orbits on ‘launch-on-demand’ basis.
It provides low-cost access to Space, offers low
turn-around time and flexibility in accommodating
multiple satellites, and demands minimal launch
infrastructure.
EOS07
The EOS07 is a 156.3kg satellite designed by the ISRO.
About NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar
Objective: To design and develop payload
instruments compatible with micro satellite bus (NISAR) Mission
and technologies that are required for future The NISAR mission will involve the launch of a
operational satellites. satellite equipped with a synthetic aperture radar
It would design and develop a micro satellite (SAR) to observe changes in Earth’s surface.
accommodating new technology payloads in a quick By using synthetic aperture radar (SAR), NISAR will
turnaround time. produce high-resolution images.
Janus1 NISAR satellite consists of both L-band and S-band
Janus-1 is a technology demonstrator satellite built synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instruments, which
by United States-based Antaris and its Indian makes it a dual-frequency imaging radar satellite.
partners XDLinks and Ananth Technologies. It will use a signal-processing technique called
AzaadiSAT2 interferometric
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synthetic aperture radar, or InSAR,
AzaadiSAT2 is a 8.7kg satellite - a combined effort to observe changes in Earth’s land and ice surfaces
of about 750 girl students across India guided by down to fractions of an inch.
Space Kidz India, Chennai.

Applications The cells are even more specific than targeted

NISAR will provide critical information on Earth’s agents and directly activate the patient’s immune
crust, ice sheets, and ecosystems. system against cancer, making the treatment more
clinically effective. This is why they’re called ‘living
ISRO will use NISAR for a variety of purposes drugs’.
including agricultural mapping, and monitoring
of glaciers in the Himalayas, landslide-prone
Applications
areas and changes in the coastline.
CAR T-cell therapy has been approved for
SAR is capable of penetrating clouds and can
leukaemias (cancers arising from the cells that
collect data day and night regardless of the weather
produce white blood cells) and lymphomas (arising
conditions.
from the lymphatic system).
It will spot warning signs of natural disasters,
It is also presently used among patients with
such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and
cancers that have returned after an initial successful
landslides.
treatment or which haven’t responded to previous
The satellite will also measure groundwater combinations of chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
levels, track flow rates of glaciers and ice sheets.
It will help in monitoring the planet’s forest and Potential Side-Effects
agricultural regions, which can improve our The potential side-effects are also significant,
understanding of carbon exchange. associated with cytokine release syndrome (a
News Source: The Indian Express widespread activation of the immune system and
collateral damage to the body’s normal cells) and
5.6 CAR-T CELL THERAPY neurological symptoms (severe confusion,
seizures, and speech impairment).
Context
Challenge
A new development in cancer treatment, currently
holding the attention of many researchers worldwide, is In India, introducing any new therapy faces the
CAR T-cell therapy. twin challenges of cost and value.
Critics argue that developing facilities in India may
Probable Question:
be redundant and/or inappropriate as even when it
Q. What is CAR-T cell therapy, and how does it work as
becomes cheaper, CAR T-cell therapy will be
a treatment for certain types of cancer? What are some
unaffordable to most Indians.
of the challenges associated with developing and
delivering this therapy? News Source: The Indian Express
About Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell 5.7 MICROLED DISPLAY

therapy TECHNOLOGY
CAR T-cell therapy, also known as chimeric antigen
receptor T-cell therapy, is a type of immunotherapy Context
that uses a patient’s own immune cells to fight cancer.
Apple is currently working on new display technology
based on microLED and plans to implement the same on
How CAR T-cell therapy is different from future watch models starting 2024, and gradually to its
chemotherapy? other devices including iPhones and Macs.
Unlike chemotherapy or immunotherapy, which
Probable Question:
require mass-produced injectable or oral
Q. What is MicroLED display technology, and how does
medication, CAR T-cell therapies use a patient’s
it differ from other types of display technologies, such
own cells.
as OLED and LCD?
In CAR T-cell therapy, patients’ cells are modified
in the laboratory to activate T-cells, a component of
About MicroLED
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immune cells, to attack tumours.
These modified cells are then infused back into the MicroLED is a technology that helps a display to
patient’s bloodstream which allows a gradual and produce brighter and higher-contrast images
sustained tumour kill as these cells multiply. that are not possible with other known technologies.

Principle involved: Unlike OLED displays, microLED displays use

y The basis of microLED technology are inorganic materials, which also brings in the
sapphires. A sapphire can shine on its own advantages of ultra-low black levels, but with higher
forever. peak brightness.
y A microLED screen is filled with such small but
strong light. The picture in a microLED screen is
generated by several individual light emitting
diodes.
y A microLED is as small as cutting a centimeter
of hair into 200 smaller pieces. Each of these
microLEDs are semiconductors that receive
electrical signals.
y Once these microLEDs are gathered, they form a
module. Several modules are then combined to
form screens.
MicroLED displays vis-i-vis OLED (Organic

Light Emitting Diode) panels
MicroLED displays are almost like OLED (Organic
Light Emitting Diode) panels that are made up of
numerous microscopic LEDs, which self-illuminate
per display pixel.
Feature OLED LCD MicroLED

Principle Organic compounds emit Backlight shines through Inorganic LEDs create
light when electrically liquid crystal pixels to light directly at each pixel
stimulated create images
Energy Efficiency Excellent, with only pixels Moderate, with backlight Excellent, with only pixels
that emit light drawing power drawing power even for that emit light drawing
dark images
power
Viewing Angles Excellent, with little to no Moderate, with color and Excellent, with little to
color shift at off-axis angles contrast affected by no color shift at off-axis
viewing angle
angles
Manufacturing Moderate, with some Relatively low, with mature High, with challenges re-
Complexity challenges related to lifespan manufacturing processes lated to precise placement
and consistency of organic
materials and bonding of micro-
LEDs
Size Flexibility Excellent, with flexible and Limited, with rigid dis- Excellent, with micro-
bendable OLED displays plays typically required LEDs able to be scaled
possible down to very small sizes
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5.8 QUASICRYSTALS About Voice Deep fakes

A deep fake voice is one that closely mimics a real
Context person’s voice.
Scientists have discovered a new type of quasicrystal, The voice can accurately replicate tonality, accents,
one with 12-fold symmetry, in the SandHills of north cadence, and other unique characteristics of the
central Nebraska, USA, according to a recent study. target person.
Probable Question: Creating deep fakes needs high-end computers with
Q. What are quasicrystals? Discuss some of their powerful graphics cards, leveraging cloud
potential applications in various fields, such as computing power.
materials science, electronics, and optics. OpenAI’s Vall-e, My Own Voice, Resemble, Descript,
ReSpeecher, and iSpeech are some of the tools that
About Quasicrystal can be used in voice cloning.
Quasicrystal is essentially a crystal-like substance.
Unlike a crystal, in which atoms are arranged in a Ethical Concerns
repeating pattern, a quasicrystal consists of atoms Fraud and Misrepresentation: Voice deep fakes
that are arranged in a pattern that doesn’t repeat can be used to impersonate someone’s voice,
itself regularly. potentially leading to fraud and misrepresentation.
Applications: For example, a criminal could use a deep fake voice
to impersonate a bank executive and request a
y Quasicrystals are used as coatings for non-
transfer of funds.
stick frying pans, in structural materials for
aircraft and other high-performance Misinformation: Voice deep fakes can also be used
applications, and in electronic devices. to spread misinformation, such as fake news and
y They have unique mechanical properties that propaganda.
make them useful for durable coatings and Privacy: Voice deep fakes can be created using
cutting tools. publicly available recordings of a person’s voice
y They have interesting electrical and optical without their consent, potentially violating their
properties that could lead to new types of privacy.
semiconductors and photonic devices. Consent: Using someone’s voice to create a deep
y They can be used for thermoelectric energy fake without their consent raises questions of
conversion to generate electricity from waste heat. consent and control over one’s own identity.
y They exhibit unusual catalytic properties that Legal Liability: It is unclear who would be legally
could lead to the development of new catalysts liable if a voice deep fake is used to commit a crime
for chemical reactions in petrochemicals and or cause harm, leading to questions of accountability
environmental remediation. and responsibility.
y They have potential for use in medical imaging Deception: Voice deep fakes blur the line between
to improve the resolution and accuracy of X-ray reality and fiction, potentially leading to a
and neutron diffraction images. breakdown in trust and social norms.
Threats
5.9 VOICE DEEP FAKES Attackers are using such technology to defraud
users, steal their identity, and to engage in various
Context other illegal activities like phone scams and posting
Recently, internet trolls on the anonymous image board fake videos on social media platforms.
website 4chan used ElevenLabs to make deepfake voices Voice deep fakes used in filmmaking have also raised
of celebrities such as Emma Watson, Joe Rogan. ethical concerns about the use of the technology.
Probable Question:
Q. How does the technology of voice deep fakes work, SolutionsRTSEPFP
and what are the potential consequences and ethical Call centres can also take steps to mitigate the
concerns surrounding its use in areas such as fraud, threat from voice deep fakes, according to voice
impersonation, and misinformation? recognition engineers at Pindrop.

Callback functions can end suspicious calls and Impact in India

request an outbound call to the account owner for Vulnerable Tribal Population: Research and
direct confirmation. screening programmes have found that the
Multi Factor authentication (MFA) and anti-fraud prevalence of haemoglobinopathies — disorders
solutions can also reduce deepfake risks. of the blood — is more common among tribal
News Source: The Indian Express populations than non tribal communities in
India.
5.10 SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA Impact of Malaria: Research has shown that SCA is
prevalent in communities residing in areas where
Context malaria is endemic.
Recently, the Finance Minister outlined that the Endogamy: Additionally, the documented
government will work in “mission mode” to eliminate prevalence of SCA is higher in communities that
the condition by 2047. practise endogamy, as the chances of having two
parents with sickle cell trait is higher.
Probable Question:
Q. What is sickle cell anaemia, and what are its
symptoms, causes, risk factors, and treatment options? Cure
Image Source: TOI Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic disorder, making
complete “elimination” a challenge that requires
major scientific breakthroughs.
The only cure comes in the form of gene therapy
and stem cell transplants — both costly and still
in developmental stages.
Blood transfusion, wherein red blood cells are
removed from donated blood and given to a patient,
is also a trusted treatment in the absence of
permanent cures.
What has India done so far?

The Indian Council of Medical Research and the
About Sickle Cell Anaemia
National Rural Health Mission in different States
Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic blood disorder are undertaking outreach programmes for better
that affects the production of haemoglobin, the management and control of the disease.
protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched a portal
throughout the body.
wherein people can register themselves if they
Abnormal Shape: People with sickle cell anaemia have the disease or the trait, in order to collate
have abnormal haemoglobin that causes their red all information related to SCA among tribal
blood cells to become rigid and shaped like a groups.
crescent or sickle.
In the Budget, the Union Health Minister said the
These abnormally shaped cells can get stuck in government plans to distribute “special cards”
small blood vessels, causing a variety of across tribal areas to people below the age of 40.
complications.
Occurrence: It is most common among people of
African, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean descent. Treatment
Some of the common symptoms of sickle cell There is no cure for sickle cell anemia, but treatment
anaemia include: can help manage symptoms and prevent
y anaemia, pain crisis, fatigue, jaundice, delayed complications.
growth, and increased susceptibility to infections. Treatment options may include medications to
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Occurence: It is most commonly found in people of manage pain, blood transfusions, bone marrow
African descent, but it can also occur in people of transplants.
Hispanic, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean descent. News Source: The Indian Express

SHORT NEWS They are also important for understanding the

early history of the solar system and the processes
that led to the formation and differentiation of the
5.11 DIYODAR METEORITE planets.
Context
Meteors
Scientists from the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)
in Ahmedabad have identified the meteorite that crashed Meteors are pieces of some solid object in space
in two villages in Banaskantha, Gujarat in August 2022, that broke away, descended onto a planet or moon,
as an aubrite. and managed to reach the surface.
About Aubrites y Once on the surface, they are called meteorites.
Aubrites are a type of meteorite; scientists are not They typically appear as a brief flash of light,
yet sure of their origin, although some signs lasting only a few seconds, but they can also produce
indicate that they could be from the asteroid 3103 long-lasting trails of glowing gas or dust.
Eger or from the planet Mercury. Most meteors are only the size of a grain of sand,
They are primarily composed of enstatite, a type but they can produce bright, visible displays in the
of pyroxene mineral, and they often contain metallic night sky.
iron and nickel.
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Image Source: Universe Today


5.12 MARBURG VIRUS About Dickinsonia

Dickinsonia is an extinct genus of soft-bodied,
Context disc-shaped organisms that lived during the
Equatorial Guinea has confirmed its first-ever outbreak Ediacaran Period, which occurred between 635 and
of Marburg virus disease. 542 million years ago.
About Marburg Virus: These organisms are considered to be some of the
Marburg Virus was first identified in 1967 after it earliest known complex organisms in the fossil
caused simultaneous outbreaks of disease in record.
laboratories in Marburg, Germany and Belgrade, Dickinsonia fossils are typically found as
Serbia. impressions in rock formations.
It is part of the filovirus family that also includes They have a distinct oval or circular shape, with a
the Ebola virus. raised rim and a central depression.
It causes severe fever that often includes bleeding. News Source: The Indian Express
The virus frequently targets several organs and
reduces the body’s ability to function on its own. 5.14 NATIONAL SCIENCE DAY 2023
Transmission:
y The natural carrier of the Marburg virus is the Context
African fruit bat, which carries the virus but In 1986, the Government of India, designated February
does not fall sick from it. 28 as National Science Day to commemorate the
y Animals can pass the virus to primates in announcement of the discovery of the “Raman Effect”.
close proximity, including humans. This year’s edition is being celebrated under the
y Human-to-human transmission then occurs theme of “Global Science for Global Wellbeing”,
through contact with blood or other bodily in light of India’s G20 presidency.
fluids
No authorised vaccines or drugs to treat Marburg,
but rehydration treatment to alleviate symptoms
can improve the chances of survival.
5.13 DICKINSONIA FOSSIL
Context
A team of researchers from the University of Florida
mistook decaying beehive imprints as Dickinsonia Fossil
at the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters. Image Source: The Indian Express
About Raman Effect

Sir CV Raman won the Nobel Prize in 1930 for his
discovery of the Raman Effect.
It refers to the inelastic scattering of light by matter,
resulting in a shift in the frequency of the scattered
light.
y In simpler words, it is a change in the wavelength
of light that occurs when a light beam is
deflected by molecules.
The Raman effect forms the basis for Raman
spectroscopy
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which is used by chemists and
physicists to gain information about materials.

y Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction ALMA is an international partnership of the

between matter and electromagnetic radiation. European Southern Observatory (ESO), the U.S.
News Source: The Indian Express National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National
Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS) of Japan,
together with NRC (Canada), MOST and ASIAA
5.15 ATACAMA LARGE MILLIMETRE/ (Taiwan), and KASI (Republic of Korea), in
SUBMILLIMETRE ARRAY (ALMA) cooperation with the Republic of Chile.
TELESCOPE
Context:
Why is ALMA located in Chile’s Atacama
ALMA, a radio telescope in Chile’s Atacama Desert, is Desert?
scheduled for software and hardware upgrades. ALMA is located in Chile’s Atacama Desert at an
altitude of 16,570 feet, because millimeter and
submillimeter waves are highly affected by
atmospheric water vapor absorption on Earth.
Desert makes it ideal for clear and cloud-free nights,
perfect for astronomical observations.
The Chajnantor plateau provides a stable and dry
atmosphere for high-quality observations.
Notable Discoveries
ALMA discovered starburst galaxies earlier than
Image Source: National Radio Astronomy previously thought, providing insight into the
Observatory universe’s early history.
It provided detailed images of the protoplanetary
About ALMA disc surrounding HL Tauri, challenging previously
accepted theories about planetary formation.
It is a state-of-the-art telescope that studies
celestial objects in space, even when they’re ALMA helped scientists observe the Einstein ring
obscured by dust. This helps scientists learn more phenomenon in extraordinary detail in 2015.
about distant galaxies and stars. News Source: The Indian Express
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MCQs Based on Science and Technology
1. Consider the following statements regarding Which of the following statements is/are not
lithium: correct?
1. It is a non-ferrous metal. (a) 1 only
2. It is highly reactive and flammable, and is (b) 2 only
stored in kerosine oil to prevent oxidation. (c) Both 1 and 2
Which of the above statements is/are correct? (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(a) 1 only 4. CAR T-cell therapy is related to which of the
(b) 2 only following diseases?
(c) Both 1 and 2 (a) Alzheimer (b) Cancer
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 (c) Diabetes (d) COVID-19
2. The word ‘Dickinsonia’ is sometimes mentioned 5. Consider the following statements regarding
in news is in reference to: Marburg Virus Disease:
(a) earth’s oldest animal fossil 1. It is carried by rats and monkeys.
(b) an early human species 2. It doesn’t spread through human-to-human
(c) a cave system found in North-East India transmission.
(d) a geological period in the history of Indian Which of the statements given above is/are
subcontinent incorrect?
3. Consider the following statements regarding (a) 1 only
Small Satellite Launch Vehicle: (b) 2 only
1. It is a 3 stage Launch Vehicle. (c) Both 1 and 2
2. It is capable of launching a 500 kg satellite in a (d) Neither 1 nor 2
5000km planar orbit. Answer:
1. (c) 2. (a) 3. (b) 4. (b) 5. (c)
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Defense and Security
6 Defense and Security
6.1 CBRN WEAPONS and nerve agents (victims rapidly become

unconscious, have breathing difficulties, and
may die).
Context
y Biological agents like anthrax (causes fever,
An ongoing Indo-US joint exercise, named TARKASH, malaise, cough, and shock. Death can be within
has for the first time included “Chemical, Biological, 36 hours), botulinum toxin (leads to paralysis of
Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) terror response” in respiratory muscles) and plague are some
its drill. examples of biochemical weapons.
Probable Question: y Radiological weapons include weaponised
Q. What are CBRN weapons, and what types of radioactive waste and dirty bombs as well as
weapons fall under this category? What are the nuclear weapons.
potential effects of CBRN weapons on humans and the
environment? Suggest measures to prevent the About TARKASH Drill
proliferation and use of CBRN weapons. It is a joint exercise by NSG and US (SOF) teams.
Objective: To rapidly neutralise the terrorists,
rescue the hostages safely and deactivate the
chemical weapons being carried by the terrorists.
6.2 ALL INDIA CONFERENCE OF

DIRECTORS GENERAL/
INSPECTORS GENERAL OF
POLICE
About Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Context:
Weapons:
The annual All India Conference of Directors General/
CBRN weapons have the capability of creating mass
Inspectors General of Police was held recently.
casualties as well as mass disruption and therefore,
are classified as weapons of mass destruction.
Use of CBNR Weapons in Modern Warfare:
y During World War I, the French forces deployed
tear-gas grenades that they had developed in
1912 for police use.
y The Americans used napalm and the herbicide
Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.
y In the 1980s, Iraq used chemical weapons
against Iran and Iraq’s Kurdish minority during
the Iran-Iraq war.
According to a 2005 study, the range of these
weapons is quite extensive which includes: Image Source: DD News
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y Chemical weapons include mustard gas (which

damages the respiratory tract, skin, and eyes)

Probable Question: the dangers of their own predilections is the skill

Q. What are the recent police reforms being that should be imparted during the training.
implemented in India to improve the efficiency and Mindset: Police forces must develop a different
accountability of the country’s law enforcement mindset, including that force cannot be the answer
system? to every situation. The police forces must mirror the
kind of society we live in today.
About All India Conference of Directors Security Discourse: The nature of the security
discourse should also focus on how to bring about
General/Inspectors General of Police changes in regard to intelligence techniques,
Annual Feature: This conference of the Directors investigative methodologies, and improving the
General of Police is an annual feature. ground situation.
Organised by: Intelligence Bureau Separate Conferences:
Coverage: The conference discusses a wide range y Splitting the annual conference of DGPs/IGPs
of issues including: into two separate conferences : a higher level
y Cyber Crime, Technology in Policing, Counter conference of DGPs/IGPs to discuss policy
Terrrorism challenges, Left Wing Extremism, related issues, and a separate conference to
capacity building, Prison Reforms. be held of intelligence and security
specialists (IGs/CID) to discuss the finer
points of methodology, techniques and
What is missing on the agenda?
acquisition of new skills for current and future
Lack of In-depth discussion:The proliferation of problems.
subjects up for discussion in recent conferences,
and the presence of increasing numbers of
delegates to cover the various subjects leave little
scope for any in depth discussion. SHORT NEWS
Checking evolving threats: India’s security threats
are evolving with cyber crime, the dark web, crypto,
maritime security, the threat from drones, and 6.3 SPY BALLOONS
unchecked social media along with the presence of
conventional threats such as left wing extremism, Context
counterterrorism, drug trafficking and border
issues. Recently, the United States shot down a Chinese ‘spy’
balloon in its air space.
Grass root issues remain unresolved: The agenda,
year after year, reflects the security-related
problems of the country at the macro level. But the
About Spy Balloons
grass roots problems like policing issues, crowd Spy balloons are high-altitude surveillance tools
management are seldom taken up or deliberated that usually operate at 80,000-120,000 feet — well
upon. above the cruising altitude of commercial aircraft.
No attention on Law and Order: The attention of They gather intelligence and carry out other
most security forces in the country has essentially military missions.
been devoted to ongoing threats such as terrorism, Typically, a spy balloon is equipped with cameras
which has resulted in law and order management and imaging devices suspended beneath the gas-
being put on the back burner. filled white object to capture things of interest.
y Unlike satellites, balloons are economically
Way Forward viable.
Greater Innovativeness: The emerging challenges Due to their proximity to Earth’s surface, they can
would require greater innovativeness and agility as widely scan an area from close quarters and
well as a demonstration of newer cognitive skills to capture clearer, high-resolution images of the
meet the challenges posed. Hence, decision making target.
in these circumstances needs to undergo These are not directly steered, but can be roughly
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fundamental changes. guided by changing altitudes to catch different wind

currents.
Focus on Training: Understanding the psychology
of agitating mobs and, in turn, making them realize News Source: The Hindu

6.4 AERO INDIA 2023 6.6 LCA TEJAS
Context Context
Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated Aero India A full scale LCA Tejas aircraft in Final Operational
2023, a five-day event at an Air Force station in Clearance (FOC) configuration will be at the centrestage
Bengaluru, India. of India Pavilion at Aero India 2023.
About Aero India 2023 About LCA Tejas Aircraft

Theme: ‘The runway to a billion opportunities’ LCA Tejas is a single engine, lightweight, highly
Aero India 2023 showcases equipment and agile, multirole supersonic fighter.
technologies made in India and aims to establish It has quadruplex digital fly by wire Flight Control
partnerships with foreign companies. System (FCS) with associated advanced flight
y This is in line with the vision of “Make in India, control laws.
Make for the World.” The aircraft with delta wing is designed for air
News Source: The Hindu combat and offensive air support with
reconnaissance and anti ship as its secondary roles.
6.5 SHINKU LA TUNNEL
The key characteristics of LCA are
Context Smallest & lightest aircraft in its class:
Dimensionally smallest which is coupled with
The Cabinet has approved the construction of the
Extensive use of composite structure to make the
4.1-km-long Shinku La Tunnel at an estimated cost of Rs
aircraft lighter.
1,681 crore to provide all-weather connectivity in
Ladakh. Excellent flight safety record.
Compound Tail-Less Delta: Increases the capacity
to carry wider range of weapons like Bombs,
Missiles etc
In Flight Refuelling (IFR) Probe: Enhances range
during mission undertaken.
6.7 REAIM 2023
Context
World’s first global summit on Responsible AI in the
Image Source: Hindustan Times Military kicks off in The Netherlands.
About Shinku La Tunnel

It will provide all-weather connectivity between
Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.
The tunnel under Shinku La on the Manali-Darcha-
Padam-Nimu axis will allow a continuous supply of
troops, equipment, and rations to East Ladakh in
winter.
The Shinku La tunnel is a part of Project Yojak which
is implemented by the Border Roads Organisation.
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About Responsible AI in the Militar (REAIM) interoperability between the forces and to promote
Army to Army relations.
The REAIM 2023 is the world’s first international
summit on the responsible use of artificial
intelligence in the military. Other Military Exercises between India and
Aim: To raise awareness, discuss issues, and Japan
possibly agree on common principles in deploying Malabar: India and Japan with the United States
and using AI in armed conflicts. and Australia participate in the Naval exercise
y The summit is attended by 80 government named Malabar.
delegations, as well as researchers and defence JIMEX (naval)
contractors. SHINYUU Maitri (Air Force)
The use of AI in the military presents both Veer Guardian: The Air Forces of both countries
opportunities and risks.
had held the maiden air exercise ‘Veer Guardian’ in
AI-powered weapon systems could make armies January 2023.
more efficient, but they could also pose serious
risks and dangers for civilians. News Source: PIB
The use of AI in wars could encode biases that target

certain segments of people, making the weapons 6.9 EX COBRA WARRIOR 22
more lethal and precise.
News Source: The Hindu Context
Indian Air Force will participate in a multi nation air
6.8 DHARMA GUARDIAN EXERCISE exercise named ‘Ex Cobra Warrior 22’ at Waddington,
UK from 06 to 27 March 2022.
Context
The fourth edition of the India-Japan bilateral Army
About
exercise ‘Dharma Guardian’ began recently at Camp Participants: Finland, Sweden, South Africa, United
Imazu in Shiga province, Japan. States of America and Singapore.
Aim: To provide operational exposure and share
About Dharma Guardian Exercise best practices amongst the participating Air Forces,
It is an annual exercise between the Indian Army thereby enhancing combat capability and forging
and Japanese Ground Self Defence Force. bonds of friendship.
The joint exercise schedule includes house Other Joint Exercises between India and the UK:
interventions drills, raid on terrorist hideouts in y Navy: Konkan
semi urban terrain, combat first aid, unarmed
combat & close quarter combat firing. y Air Force: Indradhanush
y Army: Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR
Special emphasis is being laid on enhancing tactical
skills to fight global terrorism and on enhancing News Source: The Hindu
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MCQs Based on
Defence and Security
1. Consider the following statements regarding (c) Artificial Intelligence in the Military Sector
India-Japan exercise: (d) Readymade Infrastructure creation technology
1. Dharma Guardian is a bilateral air exercise. for earthquake hits areas
2. Veer Guardian is a bilateral army exercise.
4. Consider the following statements regarding
Which of the statements given above is/are Shinku La Tunnel:
correct?
1. It will provide all-weather connectivity
between Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
2. It is a part of Project Yojak which is implemented
2. Which of the following ministries organised the by the Border Roads Organisation. .
Aero-India Show?
(a) Ministry of Civil Aviation Which of the following statements is/are not
correct?
(b) Ministry of External Affairs
(c) Ministry of Defence (a) 1 only
(d) Ministry of Home Affairs (b) 2 only
3. Recently the world’s first REAIM meeting was (c) Both 1 and 2
held in the Hague, Netherlands. This meeting (d) Neither 1 nor 2
was related to which of the following? Answer:
(a) Real Sector Investment
1. (d) 2. (c) 3. (c) 4. (d)
(b) Maritime Security
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Society and Social Justice
7 Society and Social Justice
7.1 MENSTRUAL LEAVE Bihar and Kerala are the only ones to introduce
menstrual leave to women.
Context In 2017, MP Ninong Ering from Arunachal Pradesh
The Supreme Court of India recently directed a petitioner introduced ‘The Menstruation Benefits Bill,
to take up the issue of menstrual leave with the Ministry 2017’ in Parliament. It was represented in 2022 on
of Women and Child Development. the first day of the Budget Session in the Lok Sabha,
but was disregarded as an “unclean topic”.
Probable Question:
Q. What is menstrual leave, and what are the arguments Similarly, Dr. Shashi Tharoor introduced the
for and against its implementation in the workplace? Women’s Sexual, Reproductive and Menstrual
Rights Bill in 2018, which proposed that sanitary
About Menstrual Leave pads should be made freely available for women by
public authorities in their premises.
Menstrual leave or period leave refers to all
policies that allow employees or students to take The Bill titled ‘The Right of Women to Menstrual
time off when they are experiencing menstrual pain Leave and Free Access to Menstrual Health
or discomfort. Products Bill, 2022’ provides for three days of
In the context of the workplace, it refers to policies paid leave for women and transwomen during the
that allow for both paid or unpaid leave, or time for period of menstruation.
rest.
Menstrual leave policies are designed with a view to International Precedents
allow women time off if they suffer from symptoms
which may hamper their functioning and Spain became the first European country to grant
productivity. paid menstrual leave to workers, among a host of
other sexual health rights.
y Workers now have the right to three days of
menstrual leave— expandable to five days— a
month.
In Asia, Japan introduced menstrual leave as part of
labour law in 1947, after the idea became popular
with labour unions in the 1920s.
Indonesia too introduced a policy in 1948,
amended in 2003, saying that workers experiencing
menstrual pain are not obliged to work on the first
two days of their cycle.
In the Philippines, workers are permitted two days
of menstrual leave a month. Taiwan has an Act of
Gender Equality in Employment in place.
Pros of Menstrual Leave Cons of Menstrual Leave
What attempts are being made in India?
1. Promotes gender 1. Can perpetuate gender
In India, too, certain companies have brought in equality andRTSEPFP reduces stereotypes that women
menstrual leave policies— the most famous discrimination against are weak or incapable.
example being Zomato in 2020, which announced women.
a 10-day paid period leave per year.

Society and Social Justice
2. Recognizes the impact 2. May create resentment Observations of the Supreme Court
of menstrual health on or a negative work Right to Privacy: The court ruled that genetic
work productivity and environment if colleagues information is personal and intimate, and it goes
mental health. feel they are picking up to the very heart of who a person is.
the slack. y Therefore, a child’s genetic information is part
3. Provides support and 3. Could lead to fewer job of their fundamental right to privacy.
accommodations for opportunities for women Emphasis on Children’s Right: The court
employees who experience or discrimination in the emphasized that children have the right not to have
painful or debilitating hiring process. their legitimacy questioned frivolously before a
menstrual symptoms. court of law, and courts must not regard children as
4. Increases employee 4. Could result in material objects to be subjected to forensic/DNA
morale and job decreased pay or limited testing.
satisfaction. career advancement psychological trauma: The court also highlighted
opportunities for women the psychological trauma a child would suffer if
who use menstrual leave. their legitimacy was put under a cloud through DNA
5. Demonstrates a 5. Could lead to increased tests.
commitment to employee costs for employers due to Last Resort: The judgment emphasized that family
wellness and work-life the need for temporary courts should only direct DNA tests in expedient
balance. staff or overtime for situations and as a last resort.
remaining employees. Justice Nagarathna drew attention to the rights of
News Source: The Hindu privacy, autonomy and identity recognised under the
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
7. 2 RIGHT TO PROTECT GENETIC DATA
About ‘United Nations Convention on the
Context Rights of the Child’
The Supreme Court in India has ruled that children It was adopted by the United Nations in 1989. It
cannot be subjected to DNA tests in every case of warring entered into force in 1990.
parents who seek proof of infidelity. It recognises a child as every human being under
18 years old.
Background India ratified the 1989 United Nations’ Convention
A petition was filed by a man who questioned his on the Rights of the Child in 1992.
second child’s paternity while accusing his wife of Several laws have been enacted to protect the rights of
an adulterous relationship. children but their implementation has often been dodgy
But the mother declined to subject the child to a The principle of best interest of the child must be at
paternity test. the centre of every aspect of social behaviour and
not just in custody disputes.
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Art & Culture
8 Art & Culture
8.1 DRAFT GEO-HERITAGE SITES areas were to be acquired by it, and objections
to this can be raised within two months.
AND GEO-RELICS BILL
Compensation to the land owners:
Context y Provision is made for compensation to the
owner or occupier of land who incurs loss or
Recently, the Ministry of Mines notified the draft Geo- damage from the land due to the exercise of any
heritage Sites and Geo-relics (Preservation and power under this Act.
Maintenance) Bill.
y The market value of any property will be
ascertained in accordance with the principles
Draft bill highlights set out in the RFCTLARR Act.
Aim: Prohibitions:
y The Bill is aimed at providing for the declaration, y The Bill imposes a prohibition on construction,
preservation, protection and maintenance of reconstruction, repair or renovation of any
geo-heritage sites and geo-relics of national building within the geo-heritage site area or
importance, for geological studies, education, utilisation of such area in any other manner,
research and awareness purposes. except for construction for preservation and
Definitions: maintenance of the geo-heritage site or any
y The draft bill defines Geoheritage sites as: public work essential to the public.
Sites containing geo-relics and phenomena, Penalties:
stratigraphic type sections, geological y Penalties for destruction, removal, defacement
structures and geomorphic landforms or contravention of any direction issued by the
including caves, natural rock-sculptures of Director General, GSI in the geo-heritage site are
national and international interest; and mentioned.
includes such portion of land adjoining the y There is a penalty of imprisonment which may
site, that may be required for their extend to six months or a fine which may extend
conservation or to access to such sites. to Rs.5 lakh or both.
y A Geo-relic is defined as: y In the case of a continuing contravention, an
Any relic or material of geological additional fine of up to Rs.50,000 for every day
significance or interest like sediments, of continuing contravention may be imposed.
rocks, minerals, meteorites or fossils.
The GSI will have the power to acquire geo- Concerns & challenges
relics “for its preservation and maintenance”.
Issues of distribution of power:
Role of Central Government:
y The need for the preservation of such sites, and
y The bill would authorise the Central Government particular laws for them, has been felt for a long.
to declare a geoheritage site to be of national
y But as a Science article points out, there are
importance.
concerns over the distribution of power as
y This would be under the provisions of the Right mentioned in the Bill.
to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land
Issues with local communities:
Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement
Act, 2013 (RFCTLARR Act). y GSI has the authority to acquire any material of
RTSEPFP
Raising objections: geological significance, including sediments,
rocks, minerals, meteorites, and fossils, as well
y Through a public notification in the Official as sites of geological importance.
Gazette, the government would spell out what

Art & Culture
y The issue of land acquisition for the purpose of About Dayanand Saraswati
safeguarding these sites could also lead to Dayananda Sarasvati, original name Mula Sankara,
issues with local communities. (born 1824, Tankara, Gujarat, India—died October
Need of more inclusive body: 30, 1883, Ajmer, Rajputana),
y Critics are demanding a more inclusive body, on A believer in the supreme authority of the vedas, he
the lines of a National Geoheritage Authority, established the Arya Samaj in 1875, leading a
that can, more democratically, decide on reform movement within orthodox Hinduism.
declaring sites as being of ‘geohistorical’
y This was a monotheistic Hindu order that
importance and how best to preserve artefacts
rejected the ritualistic excesses and social
and finds.
dogmas of orthodox Hinduism and promoted a
united Hindu society on the basis of Vedic
Way Ahead teachings.
Given the premium for land and India’s economic Contributions:
needs, there will be conflict over questions of
preservation and livelihood, but any legislation y Social Reforms: He opposed child marriage,
must endeavour to balance these forces and enable advocated the remarriage of widows.
consensus. y Nationalism: The Arya Samaj also contributed
greatly to the reawakening of a spirit of
Additional Information Indian nationalism in pre-Independence days.
Geo-heritage Sites and Geo-relics: y Religion:
According to the Ministry of Mines, the Geological He through Arya Samaj opposed idol
Survey of India (GSI) declares geo-heritage sites/ worship, animal sacrifice, basing caste
national geological monuments for protection upon birth rather than upon merit,
and maintenance. untouchability, and temple offerings.
y The GSI or the respective state governments He upheld the infallibility of the Vedas, the
take necessary measures to protect these doctrines of karma (the accumulated effect
sites. of past deeds) and samsara (the process of
y The 32 geo-heritage sites spread across 13 death and rebirth), the sanctity of the cow,
states in India. the importance of the samskaras (individual
Geological Survey of India (GSI): sacraments).
y Coming under the Ministry of Mines, the GSI y Education:
was established in 1851 to investigate and Dayanand Saraswati had founded multiple
assess coal and other mineral resources of the Vedic schools. Modelled on missionary
country through regional-level exploration. schools that were increasingly popular
News Source: The Hindu among Indians, these Gurukuls provided an
Indian alternative, based on principles of
the Vedas.
8.2 DAYANAND SARASWATI: 200
Vedic Education: He advocated Vedic
YEARS CELEBRATIONS education for all castes.
Women’s Education: He campaigned for
Context the education of women as well as against
The Prime Minister paid tribute to Dayanand Saraswati ‘regressive practices’ such as child
on his 200th birth anniversary. marriage.
y Humanity: Dayanand Saraswati preached
respect and reverence for other human beings,
supported by the Vedic notion of the divine
nature of the individual.
Views on Caste: While Dayanand did not fully
opposeRTSEPFP
the institution of caste itself, he advocated
for significant reform within it.
y Citing the Vedas, he claimed that caste is not
Image Source: India Today supposed to be hereditary but rather on the

Art & Culture
basis of an individual’s talents and disposition. his criticism of Christianity) as well as providing an
Rejection of idolatry: Among his various beliefs ancient Indian alternative was crucial to the
included a rejection of idolatry and the overly nationalist discourse of the time.
ritualistic traditions of Hinduism, support for Consolidation of Hindus: His work was also
women’s education, denunciation of child marriage important for the consolidation of Hindus. Through
and an opposition to untouchability. the organisation of Arya Samaj, he was among the
Literary Work: His magnum opus, Satyarth first to advocate ‘conversion’ into the Hindu fold –
Prakash (1875), emphasised the “return to Vedic he supported the idea of shuddhi, to bring back
principles” Islamic or Christian converts into Hinduism.
Maker of Modern India: Sarvapalli
Significance of Dayanand Teachings Radhakrishnan, India’s second President and an
influential educationist, called Dayanand
Promoted Nationalist Sentiment: Dayanand
Saraswati “a maker of modern India”.
Saraswati’s legacy has had an enduring influence.
unquestionable.
First, his message was particularly important at a
time when nationalist sentiment in India was rising. News Source: Press Information Bureau
Towards Swaraj (Self-rule): He is credited to have

first used the term swaraj (self-rule) in 1875, 8.3 SANSAD RATNA AWARDS
which would later be picked up by the likes of
Lokmanya Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi. Context
Shaping nationalist Discourse: His criticism of Recently, the Prime Minister congratulated fellow
the British from a religious point of view (chapter Members of Parliament who were conferred the Sansad
13 of Satyarth Prakash is completely dedicated to Ratna Awards 2023.
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Image Source: PIB

Art & Culture
About Sansad Ratna Awards About Sangam Age

The Sansad Ratna Awards were instituted in 2010, The Sangam age is a period of history in ancient
inspired by the teachings of former President APJ Tamil Nadu which was believed to be from the third
Abdul Kalam. century BCE to the third century CE.
They seek to recognise and felicitate the top- The name is derived from the renowned Sangam
performing MPs on the basis of their work in the poets of Madurai from that time.
apex legislative body.
It is named after the Sangam literature, a
The awards were instead the brainchild of K
collection of Tamil poems and songs that were
Srinivasan, a communication strategist who
composed during this time.
founded the Prime Point Foundation in 1999.
The Sansad Ratna Awards are not given by the The Sangam Age is considered a significant period
Government of India, though over the years, its of Tamil history, as it saw the development of a
jury members have included individuals in the unique Tamil culture and society.
government The Sangam literature provides insights into the
social, economic, and cultural aspects of Tamil
How Winners are chosen? society during this time.
The Jury Committee has chosen a total of 13 MPs The Tamil people worshipped a variety of deities,
and two parliamentary committees(Finance including Murugan, Kali, and Vishnu.
Committee and Transport, Tourism and Culture
Committee) for the award. Significance of Keeladi Excavations
Winners are decided through its jury committee
Provides Crucial Evidence: Keeladi could also
which comprises “eminent Parliamentarians and
provide crucial evidence for understanding the
(members of) civil society”.
missing links of the Iron Age (12th century BCE to
These nominations were based on an MP’s sixth century BCE) to the Early Historic Period
cumulative performance in Parliament, from the (sixth century BCE to fourth century BCE) and
beginning of the 17th Lok Sabha until the end of
subsequent cultural developments.
Winter Session 2022
Factors that the decision is based on include Characteristics of an Urban Civilisation: Keeladi
questions asked, private members’ Bills has all the characteristics of an urban civilisation,
introduced, debates initiated, attendance, funds with brick structures, luxury items and proof of
utilised, etc. internal and external trade.
News Source: The Hindu Source of Authentic Information: Keeladi has also
added to the credibility of Sangam Literature.
8.4 EXCAVATIONS IN KEELADI Gives Clue about Keeladi People’s Lifestyle: Gold
ornaments, copper articles, semi-precious stones,
Context shell bangles, ivory bangles and ivory combs reflect
the artistic, culturally rich and prosperous lifestyle
Keeladi is an archaeological site that has been excavated
by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology of the Keeladi people.
since 2014. Additional Information:
About Vaigai River:
About Keeladi y It is an east-flowing river.
Keeladi is a tiny hamlet in the Sivaganga district of y The Vaigai river basin is bounded by the
Tamil Nadu, located along the Vaigai river. Cardamom Hills and the Palani Hills on the
The excavations here from 2015 prove that an West and by the Palk Strait and Palk Bay on
urban civilisation existed in Tamil Nadu in the the East.
Sangam age on the banks of the Vaigai river. RTSEPFP News Source: The Hindu

Art & Culture
SHORT NEWS y The Bombay Prevention of Excommunication

Act, of 1949 was enacted to stop the practice
of excommunication prevalent in certain
8.5 INTERNATIONAL MOTHER communities.
LANGUAGE DAY y This is because excommunication is said to
deprive the legitimate rights and privileges of
Context: its members.
y The leader of the community has the right to
International Mother Language Day is observed globally
excommunicate its members.
on February 21.
About International Mother Language Day

It was formally recognised by the UN General 8.7 SANTH SEVALAL MAHARAJ
Assembly in its resolution of 2002. JAYANTI
y It was Bangladesh that had put forward this
idea to celebrate one’s mother language. Context
Objective: To promote linguistic and cultural The Union government began a year-long celebration of
diversity and multilingualism. Santh Sevalal Maharaj’s 284th birth anniversary, a
Theme for 2023: “Multilingual education – a spiritual and religious leader of the Banjara community,
necessity to transform education”. a nomadic community that has been declared a
Scheduled Tribe (ST) in some Indian states.
8.6 DAWOODI BOHRAS
Context
A five-judge Constitution Bench of Supreme Court
referred the issue of the constitutional validity of
excommunication in the Dawoodi Bohra community to a
nine-judge Bench.
About Dawoodi Bohras Community Image Source: The Hindu

The Dawoodi Bohras are a Shia Muslim community
with around 1 million members worldwide. About Sant Sevalal Maharaj
The leader of the community, known as the Al-Dai- Early life and birthplace: He was born in
Al-Mutlaq, has been based in India for over 400 Surgondankoppa in the Shivamogga district of
years. Karnataka on February 15, 1739.
The current and 53rd leader is His Holiness Dr Samadhi Sthal: The Samadhi Sthal of Sant Sevalal
Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. is situated in Manora taluk of Washim District of
Members recognize the leader’s authority to Maharashtra at Pohradevi, which is also known as
excommunicate other members. Banjara Kashi.
Excommunication means being barred from Contributions to society: Sant Sevalal used his
accessing community mosques and burial sites. knowledge and skills in ayurveda and naturopathy
to dispel myths and superstitions prevalent in the
Past reasons for excommunication include
tribal communities.
contesting the leadership of the community.
y He brought about reforms in their way of life
What is Excommunicate? and advocated against blind beliefs and animal
y In practice, being excommunicated includes sacrifices.
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not being allowed to access a mosque y He also preached to respect parents and women,
belonging to the community or a burial and to lead a life that protects nature and wildlife.
dedicated to the community. News Source: The Hindu

Art & Culture
MCQs Based on
ART & CULTURE
1. The term “excommunication” was in the news, 1. It was inspired by the teachings of Dr BR
what does it mean? Ambedkar.
(a) Excommunication means not being allowed to 2. These are awarded by the Prime Point
access a mosque belonging to the community Foundation.
or a burial dedicated to the community. Which of the statements given above is/are
(b) Excommunication means not being allowed to incorrect?
access communication during war time. (a) 1 only
(c) Excommunication means communication (b) 2 only
using online technology.
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Excommunication means the threat of data
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
leak using online technology.
4. Who considered Vedas as ‘India’s Rock of Ages’?
2. Keeladi was an Urban Settlement of Sangam Age
on the banks of which river? (a) MK Gandhi
(a) Cauvery (b) BR Ambedkar
(b) Godavari (c) Swami Vivekanand
(c) Tungabhadra (d) Swami Dayanand Saraswati
(d) Vaigai Answer:
3. Consider the following statements regarding 1. (a) 2. (d) 3. (a) 4. (d)
the Sansad Ratna Awards:
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Ethics
9 Ethics
9.1 CHAT GPT AND ASSOCIATED Performing a range of other tasks, such as language
translation, text summarisation, and sentiment
ETHICAL CONCERN
analysis.
Context
Public testing of ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot, has Ethical Concerns Associated with ChatGPT
raised concerns among intellectuals due to users testing Bias: AI models like ChatGPT can perpetuate
its capability for immoral actions, highlighting potential existing biases and discrimination present in the
exploitative uses. data used to train them.
y If the training data contains biased or
About ChatGPT discriminatory content, the model may generate
ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence language model responses that reflect those biases.
developed by OpenAI. Privacy: ChatGPT and other AI models can process
It uses deep learning techniques to generate and store large amounts of user data, raising
human-like responses to text-based prompts. concerns about privacy and data security.
It was trained on a massive amount of data from the y Users may not be aware of how their data is
internet, enabling it to produce coherent and being used or stored by the model.
contextually appropriate responses on a wide range Misinformation: ChatGPT can generate highly
of topics, including complex reasoning and natural convincing and contextually appropriate responses
language processing tasks. to prompts, which raises concerns about its
potential to spread misinformation and propaganda.
Working of Chat GPT Accountability: The development and deployment
Training: ChatGPT is trained on a large corpus of of ChatGPT and other AI models raises questions
text data from the internet, such as books, articles, about who is responsible for their actions and
and websites. decisions.
Pre-processing: Before being fed into the model, y As AI models become increasingly complex, it
the text data is pre-processed to remove noise, may be difficult to trace their decision-making
correct spelling and grammar errors, and tokenize processes and hold those responsible for any
the text into individual words. negative outcomes.
Encoding: Each word in the input text is encoded Transparency: ChatGPT’s complex algorithms and
into a high-dimensional vector representation using decision-making processes can make it difficult to
a technique called word embedding. understand how it generates responses to text-
based prompts.
Model Architecture: ChatGPT uses a deep learning
architecture called a Transformer, which is y This lack of transparency raises concerns about
optimized for processing sequential data like text. the model’s potential biases and limitations.
Output: The model generates a response in natural Malicious Code Generator:
language, which is then returned to the user. y Recently, many users claimed the chatbot
helped them write malicious code.
Uses of Chat GPT y ChatGPT, is programmed to block obvious
ChatGPT is much more than a chat bot (generating requests
RTSEPFP to write phishing emails or code for
responses). For example, it can be asked to write a hackers.

program or even a simple software application. Impact on written assignments:

Ethics
y Teachers and academicians have also expressed Advanced Language Generation: Developing
concerns that the bot could be used to turn in ChatGPT’s ability to write coherent and persuasive
plagiarised essays that could be hard to detect essays and generate engaging fiction.
for invigilators due to lack of time. Multilingual Capabilities: Improving ChatGPT’s
ability to understand and respond to different
Way Forward languages and dialects.
Contextual Understanding: Improving ChatGPT’s Interactive Capabilities: Developing ChatGPT’s
ability to understand and respond to specific topics ability to handle multiple tasks and engage in
and interpret the tone and intent of messages. complex conversations.
Knowledge Base and Response Accuracy: News Source: The Hindu
Increasing ChatGPT’s knowledge base and accuracy
in generating informative responses.
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Places in News
10 Places in News
10.1 TURKEY AND SYRIA Capital: Ankara is Turkey’s capital, while Istanbul
is its largest city and financial centre.
About Turkey Population: Turks form the vast majority of the
Turkey is a transcontinental country located in both nation’s population and Kurds are the largest
Europe and Asia. minority.
It is bordered by several countries, including Greece
and Bulgaria to the west, Georgia, Armenia, and About Syria
Azerbaijan to the northeast, and Iran, Iraq, and Syria is a West Asian country having Turkey, Iraq,
Syria to the southeast. Jordan, Lebanon and Israel as its bordering
The country is also surrounded by several bodies of countries.
water, including the Black Sea to the north, the
It also has a coastline with the Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea to the south, and the Aegean Sea
on its west.
to the west.
RTSEPFP
Image Source: CDC


Places in News
10.2 MUNROE THURUTHU ISLANDS About Munroe Thuruthu Island

Munroe Thuruthu is an inland island group located
Context at the confluence of Ashtamudi Lake and the
A study conducted by the National Centre for Earth Kallada River, in Kollam district of Kerala.
Science Studies (NCESS) has revealed anthropogenic The place is named in honour of Resident Colonel
interventions as the main reason for the plight of Munroe John Munro of the former Princely State of
Thuruthu residents, Kerala’s first set of climate refugees. Travancore.
The islanders are facing steady land subsidence, It is a group of eight small islets comprising a total
tidal flooding and lower agricultural productivity, area of about 13.4 km2.
all of which have triggered a mass exodus from the This island is also known as “Sinking Island of
region. Kerala”.
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Miscellaneous
11 Miscellaneous
11.1 ALUAV PROJECT Applications

ALUAVs are used in a variety of applications,
Context including military reconnaissance, surveillance,
The Ministry of Defence and the U.S. the Department and target acquisition.
of Defense signed a project agreement for ALUAV They can also be used for civilian purposes, such
under the Joint Working Group Air Systems in the as monitoring and mapping natural resources,
Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI). inspecting power lines, and conducting search
and rescue operations.
11.2 MILLET INTERNATIONAL

INITIATIVE FOR RESEARCH AND
AWARENESS (MIIRA)
Context
India proposed MIIRA, a global initiative to promote
millet consumption and production, at the first G20
Image Source: BBC Agriculture Working Group (AWG) Meeting in Indore,
Madhya Pradesh (Feb 13-15, 2023).
About Project Agreement
The Project agreement involves the development of
an air-launched unmanned aerial vehicle
(ALUAV) that can be launched from a C130J aircraft.
The Aeronautical Development Establishment
(ADE) in Bengaluru and the Aerospace Systems
Directorate at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory
are the primary organisations working on the
project.
Air-launched unmanned aerial vehicle

(ALUAV) Image Source: The Indian Express
An air-launched unmanned aerial vehicle
(ALUAV) is a type of drone or unmanned aerial
About Millet International Initiative for
vehicle (UAV) that is designed to be launched from Research and Awareness (MIIRA)
an aircraft. The MIIRA will be aimed at coordinating millet
Unlike other UAVs, an ALUAV is not launched research programmes at the international level.
from the ground, but rather from an aircraft in It is in line with the UN declaring 2023 as the
flight, such as a C130J aircraft. International
RTSEPFP Year of Millets, the proposal for
This allows the UAV to cover a wider range and which was moved by India and supported by 72
stay aloft for longer periods than ground-launched countries.
UAVs. Secretariat: Delhi, India

Miscellaneous
It will set up a web platform to connect researchers They are mainly grown in rainfed areas and
and holding international research conferences. require less water than rice and wheat.
India will contribute the “seed money” while each Millets are the traditional food for over half a billion
G20 member will later have to contribute to its people in Asia and Africa and are now grown in
budget in the form of a membership fee. more than 130 countries.
Jowar is the most widely grown millet crop
About Millets globally, with major producers including the US,
Millets are small-grained cereals, including China, India, and Nigeria.
sorghum, pearl millet, foxtail millet, little millet, In India, bajra, jowar, and ragi account for around
kodo millet, finger millet, proso millet, barnyard 7% of the gross cropped area, and are mainly grown
millet, and brown top millet. as kharif crops.
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Special Feature
12 Special Feature
12.1 BIOSPHERE RESERVES OF INDIA Transition Area

The transition area is where communities foster
socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable
About Biosphere Reserves:
economic and human activities.
Biosphere reserves are ‘learning places for
sustainable development’.
They are sites for testing interdisciplinary
approaches to understanding and managing
changes and interactions between social and
ecological systems, including conflict prevention
and management of biodiversity.
Biosphere Reserves involve local

communities and all interested stakeholders
in planning and management. They integrate
three main “functions”
Conservation of biodiversity and cultural diversity
Economic development that is socio-culturally and
environmentally sustainable
Logistic support, underpinning development
through research, monitoring, education and
training
These three functions are pursued through

the Biosphere Reserves’ three main zones
Core Areas
It comprises a strictly protected zone that
contributes to the conservation of landscapes,
ecosystems, species and genetic variation.
Buffer Zones
It surrounds or adjoins the core area(s), and is
used for activities compatible with sound ecological
practices that can reinforce scientific research,
monitoring, training and education.
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Special Feature
S. No. Name Location

1 Nilgiri (1986) Location: Part of Western Ghats covering Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Forest type: Wide spectrum of Tropical Forests (Evergreen, semi-evergreen,
moist and dry deciduous, thorn forests, montane sholas and grasslands)
Wildlife Sanctuaries: Brahmagiri, Wayanad (Kerala), Karimpuzha, Cauvery,
Mudumalai, Mukurthi, Sathyamangalam (TR) (TN).
National Park: Bandipur (TR) Nagarhole (KA), , Silent valley national park.
Important Rivers: Bhavani, Moyar, Kabini (Tributaries of Cauvery) and
Chaliyar, Punampuzha.
2 Nanda Devi (1988) Location: Part of Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar districts (Uttarakhand).
Wildlife Sanctuaries/NP: Nanda Devi National Park and the Valley of the
Flowers National Park (WHS)
Rivers: Alaknanda, Rishiganga, Dhauliganga
3 Nokrek (1988) Location: Part of northeast of India on the Tura Range, which forms part of the
Meghalaya Plateau. Nokrek is the highest peak of the Garo hills.
Forest type: Evergreen and semi-evergreen deciduous forests (Patches of
Bamboo forests in the lower altitudes).
Rivers/Streams: Ganol, Dareng and Simsang (originates from Nokrek).
4 Great Nicobar Location: Southernmost island of the Nicobar Islands Archipelago.
(1989) Forest Type: Tropical evergreen forest.
Endemic species (flora):Cyathea albosetacea (tree fern) and Phalaenopsis
speciosa (orchid).
Endemic and endangered species of fauna: Crab-eating Macaque, Nicobar
Tree Shrew, Dugong, Nicobar Megapode, Serpent Eagle, saltwater crocodile,
marine turtles and Reticulated Python.
Protected Areas: Campbell Bay National Park, and Galathea National Park.
5 Gulf of Mannar Location: Running down south from Rameswaram to Kanyakumari in Tamil
(1989) Nadu.
Bioclimatic Zone: Semi-arid.
Globally threatened species: Dugong (Dugong dugon), whale shark, green sea
turtle , hawksbill turtle and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin.
Endowed with three distinct Coastal ecosystems namely coral reef, seagrass
bed and mangroves.
6 Manas (1989) Location: Part of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamprup and Darang
districts (Assam)
Geological Habitats: Bhabar savannah, Terai tract, marshlands and riverine
tracts
Tiger Reserve: Manas Tiger Reserve
Faunal Species: Tiger, Greater one-horned rhino, swamp deer, pygmy hog and
Bengal florican.
Rivers/Streams: Manas-Beki River system.
RTSEPFP

Special Feature
7 Sunderbans Location: Part of delta of Ganges and Brahmaputra river system (West Bengal).
(1989) Protected Area: Sunderban Tiger Reserve, Sunderban National Park (core area),
Halliday Island and Lothian Island Wildlife Sanctuaries with Sajnakhali Wildlife
Sanctuary.
Forest Type: Moist tropical seral forest with beach and tidal forests.
Rivers: Bound on the west by river Muriganga and on the east by rivers
Harinbhahga and Raimangal.
Other major rivers flowing through this ecosystem are Saptamukhi, Thakuran,
Matla and Goasaba.
8 Simlipal (1994) Location: Part of Mayurbhanj district (Orissa).
It lies within two biogeographical regions: the Mahanadian east coastal
region of the Oriental realm and the Chhotanagpur biotic province of the
Deccan peninsular zone.
Forest Type: Moist mixed deciduous forest with tropical semi- evergreen forest.
Protected Area: Similipal-Kuldiha-Hadgarh Elephant Reserve popularly known
as Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve, which includes 3 protected areas i.e. Similipal
Tiger Reserve, Hadagarh Wildlife sanctuary and Kuldiha wildlife sanctuary.
Major rivers: Budhabalang, Baitarani and Subarnarekha.
9 Dibru-Saikhowa Location: Part of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia Districts (Assam)
(1997) Landscape: Semi-evergreen forests, deciduous forests, littoral and swamp
forests and patches of wet evergreen forests.
Rivers/Streams: Floodplains of River Brahmaputra.
10 Dehang-Dibang Location: In the districts of West Siang, Upper Siang and Dibang valley of
(1998) Arunachal Pradesh, forms a part of Biodiversity Hotspot.
Landscape: Subtropical broad-leaved forests, Subtropical pine forest, Temperate
broad-leaved forests.
Tribes: Adi, Buddhist and Mishmi, Paris, Padams, Karkos, Pangis, Simongs,
Ashings.
11 Pachmarhi (1999) Location: Along Betul Plateau, Satpura Range, Madhya Pradesh. It is known as
‘Queen of Satpura’.
Wildlife Sanctuaries/NP: Bori Sanctuary, Satpura National Park and Pachmarhi
Sanctuary(TR).
Plant Species: Ferns, Teak, Sal, Jamun, Arjun
Important Fauna: Giant Squirrel, Crested Serpent Eagle, Gaura.
Rivers: Denwa (a tributary of Tawa).
12 Khangchendzonga Location: Sikkim, bordering Nepal to the west and Tibet (China) to the north-
(2000) west.
Floral Species: Mainly Epiphytes, Rhododendrons.
Faunal Species: musk deer, Indian leopard, snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, dhole,
sloth bear, red panda, Tibetan wild ass.
13 Agasthyamalai Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries and their adjoining areas
(2001) in Kerala.
14 Achanakmar - Covers parts of Anuppur and Dindori districts of M.P. and parts of Bilaspur
RTSEPFP
Amarkantak districts of Chhattisgarh
(2005)
15 Kachchh (2008) Part of Kachchh, Rajkot, Surendra Nagar and Patan Civil Districts of Gujarat.

Special Feature
16 Cold Desert (2009) Location: Rain shadow region of Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh.
Ecosystem: Cold Desert (Unaffected by Monsoon)
Wildlife Sanctuaries/NP: Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Pin Valley National Park
(Both in HP).
Plant Species: Medicinal Plants
Important Fauna: Snow Leopard,Wooly Hare, Tibetan Gazelle, Tibetan wolf,
Himalayan Ibex.
Rivers: Spiti
17 Seshachalam Hills Seshachalam Hill Ranges covering parts of Chittoor and Kadapa districts of
(2010) Andhra Pradesh
18 Panna (2011) Location: Madhya Pradesh.
Forest type: Dry Deciduous Forest.
Wildlife Sanctuaries/NP: Panna National Park, and Gangau Wildlife Sanctuary
(Sections I, III and IV)
Plant Species: Kattha, Gum and resins
Important Fauna: Bengal Tiger, Indian Paradise Flycatcher
Rivers: Ken
RTSEPFP

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Contents

1. Polity and Governance 03

4. Environment and Geography 51

5. Science and Technology 60

www.pw.live January 2023 CURRENT AFFAIRS 1

7. Society and Social Justice 77

8. Art & Culture 79

10. Places in News 87

12. Special Feature 91

2 CURRENT AFFAIRS January 2023 www.pw.live

1 Polity and Governance

1.1 JOINT PARLIAMENTARY

Image Source: Government of India

About Joint Parliamentary Committee Functioning of JPC

www.pw.live February 2023 CURRENT AFFAIRS 3

Presents reports Presents reports to

4 CURRENT AFFAIRS February 2023 www.pw.live

Image Source: PRS

Historical Background Position of the Union government on the current

www.pw.live February 2023 CURRENT AFFAIRS 5

6 CURRENT AFFAIRS February 2023 www.pw.live

Probable Question: 1.4 ‘CORRUPT ACT’ &

www.pw.live February 2023 CURRENT AFFAIRS 7

8 CURRENT AFFAIRS February 2023 www.pw.live

www.pw.live February 2023 CURRENT AFFAIRS 9

political reasons, leading to a conflict with the Way Forward

What Happens in case of Disagreements? 1.6 DIGITIZATION OF COURTS

Recent Friction points between Governor &

10 CURRENT AFFAIRS February 2023 www.pw.live

Significance of Digitisation of Courts  Reduction of Delay: Digitization of courts helps to

www.pw.live February 2023 CURRENT AFFAIRS 11

 Hacking and Cyber Security- On the top of Way Forward

News Source: The Indian Express

12 CURRENT AFFAIRS February 2023 www.pw.live

1.7 ARTICLE 105 OF THE INDIAN  Definition of Powers and Privileges:

www.pw.live February 2023 CURRENT AFFAIRS 13

14 CURRENT AFFAIRS February 2023 www.pw.live

Main Provisions:  The Lok Sabha Secretariat has compiled a

www.pw.live February 2023 CURRENT AFFAIRS 15

Biennial Council, or bye-elections) from up to

16 CURRENT AFFAIRS February 2023 www.pw.live

Concern with Judicial Majoritarianism

of the most fundamental gaps in our knowledge

www.pw.live February 2023 CURRENT AFFAIRS 17

1.13 COMMITTEE OF PRIVILEGES IN y Freedom of speech in Parliament

About Committee of Privileges 1.14 BHASINI MISSION

18 CURRENT AFFAIRS February 2023 www.pw.live

www.pw.live February 2023 CURRENT AFFAIRS 19

Image Source: The Hindu 2.2 NEW START TREATY

20 CURRENT AFFAIRS February 2023 www.pw.live

 Key Provisions: something in their stockpile, like moving

Image Source: FT research

www.pw.live February 2023 CURRENT AFFAIRS 21

 Under the Protocol, goods entering Northern Highlights of the India-Canada

22 CURRENT AFFAIRS February 2023 www.pw.live

 Commercial Relations:  Canadian pronouncements on developments in

Reasons for the Acceleration in Relations

www.pw.live February 2023 CURRENT AFFAIRS 23

Significance of Digitisation of Courts Reduction of Delay: Digitization of courts helps to

Hacking and Cyber Security- On the top of Way Forward

1.7 ARTICLE 105 OF THE INDIAN Definition of Powers and Privileges:

Main Provisions: The Lok Sabha Secretariat has compiled a

Key Provisions: something in their stockpile, like moving

Under the Protocol, goods entering Northern Highlights of the India-Canada

Commercial Relations: Canadian pronouncements on developments in

Rural Tourism Agenda expanded to cover various issues such as

Context It is prepared by the Economics Division of the

Key Highlights of the Survey Positives Indicators:

Continued Emphasis on Capital Expenditure

Climate Change Missions National Mission on Sustainable Habitat

Industry Credit to MSMEs increased by 30%, while credit to

National Monetisation Pipeline base.

In India, the Central Government issues both, Probable Question:

Complex legal and regulatory framework: The Encouragement of Private ownership:

y Cooperative banks. Micro Saving: Targeted people with low incomes

For-Profit Enterprises (FPEs) need not register

Significance of UPI-PayNow Linkage It will facilitate faster, more efficient and