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 Table of Contents
1. POLITY AND GOVERNANCE 1 2.15 Economic Community of
1.1 Socialist & Secular 1 West African States (ECOWAS) 17
1.2 Electoral Bonds as “Unconstitutional” 1 2.16 7th Indian Ocean Conference 18
1.3 Right to Adopt 2 2.17 Collective Security Treaty
1.4 University’s Minority Character 2 Organisation (CSTO) 18
1.5 Sub-Categorisation among SCs 2 2.18 Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) 18
1.6 Policy of Remission 3 2.19 World Telecommunication
1.7 Floor Test 3 Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24) 18
1.8 Governor’s Customary Address 4 2.20 Global Trade Update Report: UNCTAD 19
1.9 SC Legal Services Committee 4 2.21 Exploration Rights in Indian Ocean 19
1.10 Appointment of Election Commissioners 4 2.22 Places in News 20
1.11 Model Code of Conduct 5 2.23 Short News 21
1.12 Symbols & Political Parties 5
1.13 PVTG in ST Lists 6 3. ECONOMY 23
1.14 Paharis in J&K’s ST List 6 3.1 Human Development Index:
1.15 Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 6 UNDP Report 23
1.16 Public Examinations (Prevention of 3.2 World Inequality Lab Report 24
Unfair Means) Act 2024 7 3.3 Minimum Wage to Living Wage
1.17 New Guidelines for Coaching Centres 7 System by 2025 24
1.18 Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 3.4 India Employment Report 2024 25
2024 8 3.5 Hike in MGNREGA Wages 25
1.19 Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act 8 3.6 Card Networks 25
1.20 Draft Indian Stamp Bill 2023 9 3.7 GDP & GVA 26
1.21 Lokpal 9 3.8 New Service & New Instruments of
1.22 Short News 10 Service 26
3.9 State Government Guarantee 26
2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 12 3.10 Accordion Tax 27
2.1 India-Pakistan & Nuclear Installations 12 3.11 Zero Coupon Instruments 27
2.2 Matarbari Port 12 3.12 India- 4th-largest Stock Market 27
2.3 Sabroom Land Port 12 3.13 Exchange-traded Funds 28
2.4 Dominican Republic-India: JETCO 13 3.14 New Fund Offer (NFO) 28
2.5 SSN AUKUS Program 13 3.15 AIFs 28
2.6 Russia & Arms Imports 14 3.16 Trade Secrets 28
2.7 India-Belarus Relations 14 3.17 Annual Startup Awards 2022 29
2.8 37th African Union Summit 14 3.18 Third-Party Application Provider
2.9 Sweden Joins NATO 15 (TPAP) 29
2.10 G-77 Third South Summit 15 3.19 UDGAM Portal 29
2.11 G-33 16 3.20 FDI in Space 30
2.12 13th Ministerial Ministerial 3.21 WEIDE Fund 30
Conference (MC13) of WTO 16 3.22 DSR Paddy Cultivation 30
2.13 Alliance for Global Good- Gender 3.23 Codex Committee on Spices and
Equity and Equality 17 Culinary Herbs 31
2.14 Raisina Dialogue 2024 17 3.24 Sangam: Digital Twin Initiative 31

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 3.25 Green Hydrogen Plant In India 31 4.39 Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-
3.26 Geographical Indications (GI Tag) 31 Chambal-ERCP Link Project 50
3.27 Review of TRIPS Agreement 33 4.40 Living Animal Species (Reporting
3.28 SHORT NEWS 34 and Registration) Rules, 2024 50
4.41 Solid Waste Management in
Aquaculture Units 50
4. ENVIRONMENT 36
4.42 Star-Rating for State Environment
4.1 Ocean Acidification 36
Bodies 51
4.2 Cold Wave 36
4.43 Rules for Transfer of ‘Captive
4.3 World’s Biggest Iceberg: A23a 37
Elephants’ 51
4.4 Lakshadweep 37
4.44 E-Waste Responsibility Certificates 52
4.5 Atmospheric Rivers 38 4.45 CPCB Green Funds 52
4.6 Atlantic Meridional 4.46 NITI Aayog’s Grow Initiative 53
Overturning Circulation (AMOC) 38 4.47 COP 14: Convention on Migration
4.7 Antarctic Circumpolar Current 38 Species (CMS) 53
4.8 Soda Lake 39 4.48 Seven World Restoration Flagships 54
4.9 Category 6 Hurricanes 39 4.49 Sixth Assembly session of
4.10 Rip Currents 39 United Nations Environmental
4.11 Triple Dip La Nina 39 Programme (UNEA-6) 54
4.12 Desert Star Dune 40 4.50 International Big Cat Alliance 55
4.13 Anthropocene 40 4.51 Sustainable Lifestyles 55
4.14 Sela Tunnel 41 4.52 EU’ Nature Restoration Law 56
4.15 Popocatepetl Volcano 41 4.53 Green Climate Fund (GCF) 56
4.54 Carbon Absorption of India’s Forest 56
4.16 Atmospheric Research Testbed 41
4.55 State of the Global Climate 2023
4.17 Shipra River 42
(WMO) 56
4.18 Landslide Atlas of India 42
4.56 IPCC Reports 57
4.19 Butterflies and Moths 42
4.57 Food Waste Index Report 2024: UNEP 57
4.20 Green Cover in Cauvery Basin 42
4.58 Climate and Clean Air Conference 2024 57
4.21 Dry Spell in Kashmir Winter 43 4.59 Artificial Reefs 58
4.22 Water (Prevention and Control of 4.60 Five New Ramsar Sites 58
Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024 43 4.61 Snow Leopard Population 60
4.23 Netravati Riverfront Project 43 4.62 Gupteshwar Forest- Biodiversity
4.24 Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) 45 Heritage Site 60
4.25 Himalayan Wolf 45 4.63 Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve 61
4.26 Nematodes 45 4.64 Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR) 61
4.27 Kaji Nemu 46 4.65 Saltwater Crocodiles 61
4.28 Invasive Thrips 46 4.66 Vulture Restaurant 62
4.29 Aldabra Giant Tortoise 46 4.67 Mosquitofish 62
4.30 Laughing Gull 46 4.68 Melanistic Tiger Safari 62
4.31 Seaweed Cultivation 46 4.69 National Dolphin Research Centre 62
4.32 Atapaka Bird Sanctuary 47 4.70 Leopard 63
4.71 Short News 63
4.33 Arsenic & Fluoride 47
4.34 Nitrogen Pollution 48
4.35 World Air Quality Report 2023 48
5. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 71
4.36 Black Carbon Emissions 48 5.1 “10,000 Genome” Project 71
4.37 Coastal Zone Management Plans 48 5.2 Casgevy and Lyfgenia: CRISPR-based
4.38 Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana 50 Gene Therapies 71

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5.3 Ancient DNA Studies Through 5.42 Pulsar Glitch: A Cosmic Mystery 84
Genomic Techniques 71 5.43 Vyommitra: Humanoid Robot 84
5.4 Transplantation of A Pig Kidney 5.44 Cygnus X-1 84
Into A Patient 72 5.45 Helium Star 84
5.5 OpenAI’s Sora 72 5.46 Fruit Flies for Huntington’s
5.6 Bitcoin Halving 72 Disease Clues 85
5.7 C4IR 72 5.47 InfexnTN 85
5.8 Brainoware 73 5.48 The Healthy Indian Project (THIP) 85
5.9 India AI Mission 73 5.49 CoViNet- A Global Laboratory To
5.10 Embedded SIM 74 Monitor Emerging Coronaviruses 85
5.11 Mixed Reality Technology 74 5.50 Dialysis Survival Rates and
5.12 India’s 1st Future-LABS centre 76 Healthcare Disparities 86
5.13 Kairali AI Chip 76 5.51 Zoonotic Diseases 86
5.14 Meme Coins 76 5.52 WHO-Cabo Verde Malaria-Free 86
5.15 SaaS 76 5.53 HPV Vaccine Against Cervical Cancer 86
5.16 Gaia AI Project 77 5.54 Human Vaccine for Nipah Virus 87
5.17 Artificial Intelligence Tokens 77 5.55 Gut Microbiome and Health 87
5.18 Lunar Nuclear Reactor Project 77 5.56 Havisure- India's First
5.19 PACE Satellite 77 Indigenously Developed
5.20 Ergosphere 78 Hepatitis A Vaccine 88
5.21 Black Hole “Mass Gap” 78 5.57 New Three-Drug Regimen for Leprosy 89
5.22 NASA Ingenuity Mars Helicopter 78 5.58 Alaska Pox 89
5.23 Plasma Analyser Package for 5.59 Kyasanur Forest Disease 89
Aditya (PAPA) Detects CME 78 5.60 Bubonic Plague (Black Death) 90
5.24 INSAT-3DS Satellite 78 5.61 Guinea Worm Disease (Dracunculiasis) 90
5.25 Cartosat-2 79 5.62 Trichoderma and Tricholime 90
5.26 CE20 Cryogenic Engine 80 5.63 Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination 90
5.27 IM-1 Mission: Odysseus Moon Lander 80 5.64 In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Treatment 90
5.28 In-Orbit Functionality of Green 5.65 Nuclear Waste 91
Propulsion System 80 5.66 AMR surveillance in India’s
5.29 High-Altitude Pseudo Satellite Vehicle 80 fisheries, Livestock Sectors 92
5.30 MethaneSAT 80 5.67 Meropenem, Disodium 92
5.31 Lunar Gateway Station 81 5.68 Mumps Outbreak 92
5.32 Einstein Probe (EP) 81 5.69 HbA1C Test 93
5.33 India's First Dark Sky Park 81 5.70 Lyme Disease 93
5.34 ISRO’s Distress Alert Transmitter 82 5.71 Dry Ice 93
5.35 Proba-3 Mission 82 5.72 ‘Measles and Rubella Champion’
5.36 Statio Shiv Shakti’ 82 Global Award 93
5.37 India’s Second Privately Developed 5.73 Yaounde Declaration 93
Rocket 82 5.74 Tech Transfer of Cholera Vaccine 94
5.38 Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) 5.75 Ban On Harmful Dyes Used in Food 94
"Pushpak” 83 5.76 Tuberculosis- A Concerning Disease 95
5.39 Astronomical Grand Cycles 83 5.77 Joint European Torus (JET) 96
5.40 India's Second Spaceport : 5.78 Coal Gasification Scheme 96
Kulasekarapattinam (Tamil Nadu) 83 5.79 Soil Based Microbial Fuel Cell 96
5.41 Smart Lander for Investigating Moon 83 5.80 Miniature Nuclear Battery 96

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 5.81 India’s first indigenously built 7.13 Patriot Missile 114
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Ferry Boat 97 7.14 Greyzone Warfare 114
5.82 1st Small Scale LNG Plant 7.15 D4 System 114
Commissioned 97 7.16 India Club 114
5.83 Future Circular Collider 98 7.17 Desert Cyclone 114
5.84 GRAPES-3 Experiment 98 7.18 Digital Arrest 115
5.85 Ultracold Atoms 98 7.19 “Bharat Shakti”- A Tri-Service
5.86 E-Ink Display 98 Exercise 115
5.87 Proton Improvement Plan (PIP-II) 7.20 Exercise IMT TRILAT- 2024 115
Project 99 7.21 Exercise Tiger Triumph 115
5.88 MAGLEV 99
5.89 Superconductivity in LK-99 Material 100 8. ART AND CULTURE 116
5.90 Dynamic Wireless Charging 8.1 Digital Twin of Mohammed
Quli Qutub Shah’s Tomb 116
Technology 100
8.2 Bhojshala complex 116
5.91 World's First 3D-Printed Neural Tissue 101
8.3 Delisting of Monuments 116
5.92 Swarm Drones 101
8.4 Dhokra Shilpkala 117
5.93 Short News 102
8.5 Grantham Inscriptions 117
8.6 Subika Paintings 117
6. SOCIAL ISSUES 106 8.7 Anant Sutra 117
6.1 Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 8.8 Mohiniyattam 118
Report 2023 106 8.9 UNESCO’s World Heritage
6.2 Hattis Get ST Status 106 Committee 118
6.3 Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023 106 8.10 Six Heritage Sites 118
6.4 ‘Sapinda’ Marriages 107 8.11 Madhika Language 120
6.5 World Happiness Report 2024 107 8.12 Maa Kamakhya Temple 120
6.6 Surrogacy Rules 2022 109 8.13 Bharat Ratna Awardees 120
6.7 ERNET Web Portal 109 8.14 Jnanpith Award 2024 122
6.8 Short News 110 8.15 Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards 122
8.16 96th Academy Awards or Oscars 2024 123
7. DEFENCE AND SECURITY 111 8.17 Maratha Military Landscapes 123
7.1 Rejupave Technology 111 8.18 Nana Jagannath Shankarseth 123
7.2 MQ-9B Drones (UAV) 111 8.19 Gandhi’s Ashrams 123
7.3 High-Speed Expendable Aerial 8.20 Singpho Community 124
Target (HEAT): ABHYAS 111 8.21 Short News 124
7.4 Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Weapons 111 8.22 PERSONALITY IN NEWS 125
7.5 Mission Divyastra 112
7.6 Advanced Medium Combat 9. MISCELLANEOUS 127
Aircraft (AMCA) 112 9.1 Amrit Bharat Express 127
9.2 Doomsday Clock 127
7.7 Project Seabird 113
9.3 Corruption Perceptions Index 2023 127
7.8 Financial Intelligence Unit-India
9.4 Henley Passport Index for 2024 127
(FIU-IND) 113
9.5 Animal Husbandry
7.9 INS Jatayu At Minicoy Island 113
Infrastructure Development Fund 128
7.10 Sea Defenders 2024 114
9.6 Ration Card Portability 128
7.11 MILAN 24 (Multilateral Naval
9.7 SMART 2.0 128
Exercise-2024) 114
7.12 Operation Sarvashakti 114
10. PLACES IN NEWS 129

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 1
Polity and Governance
1.1 Socialist & Secular
Context: The Supreme Court was hearing a pair of
petitions that sought the deletion of the words
“secular” and “socialist” from the Preamble.
More on News:
● Recently, the Supreme Court agreed to examine
whether "socialist" and "secular" could legally be
added to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution
in 1976 without changing its original adoption date
of November 26, 1949.
● The bench raised a query regarding the potential
amendment of the Preamble.
○ Can the Preamble be changed while keeping
the other date intact?
About the Preamble of the Constitution of India:
● The Preamble is based on the ‘Objectives
Resolution’ introduced in 1946, drafted and
moved by Jawahar Lal Nehru, and adopted by
the Constituent Assembly.
● Adopted on November 26, 1949, by the
Constituent Assembly of India and came into
effect on January 26, 1950.
1.2 Electoral Bonds as “Unconstitutional”
Context: Recently, the Supreme Court struck down the
electoral bonds scheme, asserting that the scheme
violates the right to information under Article
19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
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Supreme Court Observations:
● Financial support via electoral bonds to political
parties can lead to a quid pro quo arrangement.
● Infringement to the right to information is not
justified by the purpose of curbing black money.
● Amendment to the Companies Act, which allows
blanket corporate political funding, is
unconstitutional
● The court said that the scheme provides for
“selective anonymity” and “selective
confidentiality” as the details of electoral bonds are
available with the State Bank of India (SBI) and can
also be accessed by law enforcement agencies.
● Right to Know Source of Funding: The court
criticised the government’s contention that voters do
not have the right to know the source of funding of
political parties.
● The Supreme Court directed the Election
Commission of India (ECI) to produce data on
electoral bonds’ contributions till September 30,
2023.
More on News:
● Supreme Court struck down several amendments
made through The Finance Act, 2016 and The
Finance Act, 2017.
● Amendment to Finance Act, 2017: It amended The
Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RPA), The
Income-tax Act, 1961, and The Companies Act,
2013.
○ It allowed electoral bonds to cut through many
restrictions on political party funding by
completely doing away with the donation limit
for companies and removing the requirements
to declare and maintain a record of donations
through electoral bonds.
● Amendment to Section 29C of RPA, 1951: The
requirement to declare all donations in excess of Rs
20,000 would not apply to donations received
through Electoral Bonds.
● Amendment to Section 182 of the Companies
Act, 2013: It removed the requirements to declare
and maintain a record of donations through electoral
bonds.
About Electoral Bonds:
● The Finance Bill 2017 introduced "Electoral
Bonds" as interest-free bearer instruments.
● These bonds can be purchased from the State
Bank of India within a 10-day window in
January, April, July, and October.
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 ● They are available in multiples of Rs 1,000, Rs ● Additionally, adoption in India is also governed
10,000, Rs 1 lakh, Rs 10 lakh, and Rs 1 crore. by the Hindu Adoption Maintenance Act of
● Donors, including individuals and domestic 1956 (HAMA).
corporations, can buy and redeem these bonds ● It establishes the Central Adoption Resource
within 15 days. Authority (CARA) under the Ministry of Women
● Donors remain anonymous, known only to the & Child Development.
bank. ● CARA serves as the central authority
● There is no limit on the number of bonds an responsible for monitoring and regulating both
in-country and inter-country adoptions of
individual or company can purchase.
Indian children.
● If a party hasn’t cashed any bonds within 15 days,
SBI deposits them into the Prime Minister’s
1.4 University’s Minority Character
Relief Fund.
● Eligible parties must be registered under Section Context: Recently, the Supreme Court started hearing
29A of the Representation of the Peoples Act, about Aligarh Muslim University’s minority
1951, and have received at least 1% of the votes character.
in recent elections. About the ‘Minority Character’ of an Educational
● The Finance Bill of 2017 amended three other Institution:
statutes - the RBI Act, the Income Tax Act, and ● Article 30(1) of the Constitution empowers all
the Representation of People Act. religious and linguistic minorities to establish
and administer educational institutions.
1.3 Right to Adopt ● This provision underscores the Union
government's commitment to supporting minority
Context: Recently, the Delhi High Court remarked that communities' growth by ensuring aid is not
the Right to Adopt Children is not a fundamental denied to 'minority' institutions based on their
right within Article 21. status.
More on News:
● The High Court affirmed that the right to adopt
children does not grant Prospective Adoptive
Parents (PAPs) the authority to choose whom to
adopt.
● Consequently, the court upheld Regulation 5 (7) of
the Adoption Regulations 2022, which states that
couples with two or more biological children will
only be considered for special needs children and
hard-to-place children.
● Special needs children refer to those with
disabilities as per the Rights of Persons With
Disabilities Act, 2016, while hard-to-place
children are those who haven't been adopted after
following the specified procedure.
● Regulation 5 (2) of the 2022 Regulations permits
prospective adoptive parents (PAPs), regardless of
marital status, with or without a biological child, to
pursue adoption under the following conditions:
○ Married couples require consent from both
spouses.
○ Single females can adopt a child of any gender.
○ Single males are not allowed to adopt a girl
child.
● These regulations are issued under the Juvenile
Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 1.5 Sub-Categorisation among SCs
2015.
About Juvenile Justice Act 2015: Context: Recently, the Union government established
● The JJ Act of 2015, amended in 2021, is a secular a panel of secretaries led by the Union Cabinet
law regulating the adoption of orphaned, Secretary to categorize Scheduled Castes (SCs) into
abandoned, or surrendered children in India. A, B, C, and D groups.

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About the Committee: ○ Limitation on State: In case of life
● The committee comprises secretaries of the imprisonment convicts, this remission can be
Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of done only after a period of 14 years in jail as per
Personnel and Training, Ministry of Tribal Section 433A of the CrPC.
Affairs, Department of Legal Affairs and
Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
● Chaired by: Union Cabinet Secretary
● Mandate of Committee:
○ To assess and develop a strategy for equitable
distribution of benefits and programs to the
most marginalized among the 1,200 Scheduled
Castes nationwide.
○ To address the overshadowing of interests of
marginalized SCs, such as Madigas, by more
dominant groups.
About Sub-Categorisation of Caste:
● It refers to further classifying broader caste
groups into sub-groups based on various
criteria.
● It attempts to address the diversity within
larger caste groups and provide targeted
benefits to specific sub-groups that may be
perceived as socially and economically
disadvantaged.

1.6 Policy of Remission

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court overturned the
Gujarat government's remission of 11 convicts
serving life sentences for the gangrape of Bilkis Bano.
About Policy of Remission:
● Remission' commonly denotes the reduction of a
sentence imposed on an individual convicted of a
crime.
● It involves the reduction of the duration of
imprisonment or other penalties, taking into
account various factors and considerations.
● In remission, the sentence duration is reduced but
the nature of the punishment remains the same.
● It is different from both furlough and parole,
where there is a temporary break from prison life.
Legislation on Remission:
● Articles 72 and 161 of the Constitution provide 1.7 Floor Test
powers to the President and Governor,
respectively, to grant pardon, commutation, Context: Recently, a floor test was conducted in the
remission, respite or reprieve to a convict. Jharkhand Assembly.
● Remission Process Under CrPC: About Floor Test:
○ Section 432 CrPC: It deals with the State ● A floor test is a confidence motion for or against
government’s power to suspend or remit the government in-house.
sentences. ● It is a mechanism under which a Chief Minister
○ Section 432(1): It allows the appropriate appointed by the Governor can be asked to prove
government to suspend the execution of a majority on the floor of the Legislative Assembly
sentence or remit the punishment in whole or of the state when this majority is questioned.
part. ● Presided by: The Speaker.
○ Section 432(7): The “appropriate government” ● The majority is counted based on the number of
is the state government, within whose people present and voting, and it does not include
jurisdiction the offender is sentenced. the people who are absent and not voting.

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 About Composite Floor Test:
● In case of a hung assembly with no clear
majority to any one party more than one person is
claiming to form the government and the majority
is not clear, the Governor may call for a special
session to see who has the majority. In case of a
tie, the Speaker casts his vote.
Voting in Floor Test:
● Ballot Vote: It is secret voting in a ballot box,
similar to voting in elections of the Parliament.
● Voice Vote: In this method, oral votes are taken by
the present legislatures.
● Division Vote: Voting in this method is done
through electronic gadgets or slips vote.
1.8 Governor’s Customary Address
Context: Recently, the Governor of Tamil Nadu
declined to deliver the customary address of the State
Government on "factual and moral grounds," citing
misleading claims and facts.
About Governors Address:
● It is a time-honoured constitutional convention
that the Governor should read the exact speech or
special address.
● The address, prepared by the state government, has
the following objectives:
○ Summarizing the government's achievements
and activities from the previous year.
○ Outlining plans for the upcoming session.
○ Presenting policy and legislative proposals for
the following year.
● The state government prepares and submits the
address to the Governor in advance, and it is
customary for the Governor to deliver it without
alterations.
● In India, on May 18, 1949, the Constituent
Assembly agreed to start following this practice.
Under what provisions does the President or a
Governor address the legislature?
● The Constitution gives the President (Article
87) and the Governor (Article 176) the power to
address a legislature sitting, referred to as the
President’s or Governor’s Address. Thus, it is
a constitutional requirement.
● The special power is with regard to two
occasions:
1. To address the opening session of a new
legislature after a general election.
2. To address the first sitting of the
legislature each year.
● A session of a new or a continuing legislature
cannot begin without fulfilling this requirement.
● Article 163: According to the Constitution
Article 163, the Governor is bound to act on the
aid and advice of the state governments on most
of the issues.
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1.9 SC Legal Services Committee
Context: Recently, Justice BR Gavai was nominated
as the Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services
Committee (SCLSC).
About Supreme Court Legal Services Committee
(SCLSC):
● Constituted under Section 3A of the Legal Services
Authorities Act, 1987.
● It aims to provide “free and competent legal
services to the weaker sections of society.”
● SCLSC consists of a chairperson and nine
members nominated by the Chief Justice of India(
CJI).
● Further, the Committee can appoint officers and
other employees as prescribed by the Centre, in
consultation with the CJI.
1.10 Appointment of Election
Commissioners
Context: Recently, Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir
Singh Sandhu were appointed Election
Commissioners by the President of India on the
recommendation of a high-powered panel chaired by
the Prime Minister.
More on News:
● The appointment of Election Commissioners under
the new Chief Election Commissioner and other
Election Commissioners (Appointment,
Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act,
2023 marks the first instance since its passage in
December 2023.
Appointment Process:
● The President appoints the chief election
commissioner and other election commissioners
based on the recommendation of a Selection
Committee comprising the Prime Minister, a
Union Cabinet Minister, and the Leader of the
Opposition or the leader of the largest opposition
party in the Lok Sabha.
● Recommendations made by the Selection
Committee will be valid even in case of a vacancy
in the Committee.
● A search committee headed by the Cabinet
Secretary will suggest five names each for the post
of two Election Commissioners based on laid down
rules.
○ This list would be placed before the PM-lead
panel to finalize two names whom the President
would eventually appoint as Election
Commissioners.
● The salary and conditions of service of the chief
election commissioner and other election
commissioners will be equivalent to the salary of
a Supreme Court Judge.
● Members of the Election Commission will hold
office for six years or until they attain the age of
65 years, whichever is earlier. They cannot be re-
appointed.
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● The manner of removal of the CEC and ECs is
retained as specified in the Constitution {Article
324(5)}.
● The CEC is removable in the same manner as a
Supreme Court Judge,, and the ECs are are
removable only upon the CEC's
recommendation.
● They enjoy the status of a judge of the Supreme
Court. The new act has retained that status.
1.11 Model Code of Conduct
Context: Recently, the Model Code of Conduct came
into force for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
About Model Code of Conduct (MCC):
● MCC is a set of guidelines issued by the Election
Commission of India (ECI) to regulate the
behaviour of political parties and candidates during
elections.
● It aims to prevent misuse of power by ruling parties
and curb corrupt practices.
● The MCC covers multiple aspects, such as speeches,
polling booths, election manifestos, and general
conduct, to ensure fair and ethical election practices.
Origins of MCC:
● In the Kerala Assembly elections in 1960, the
State administration introduced a 'Code of
Conduct' for political actors.
● In the Lok Sabha elections in 1962: The
Election Commission of India (ECI) circulated
the MCC to all recognized political parties and
State governments.
● Though the Election Commission of India (ECI)
demanded that the MCC be incorporated in the
law, no such law could be passed.
What Falls under the Model Code of Conduct?
● No new Projects or Schemes, Prohibition from any
recruitment process, Prohibition from Disrupting
Opponent's Campaigns, No disruption to Traffic or
the general public.
Salient Features of Model Code of Conduct:
● Political party criticism should be limited to their
policies and plans, as well as their track record and
work.
● Activities such as leveraging caste and communal
feelings to win votes, disparaging candidates based
on unverified allegations, bribing or intimidating
voters, and so on are all forbidden.
● Parties must notify the local police authority of
the location and time of any meetings in advance
so that the police can make proper security
measures.
● If two or more candidates arrange processions
along the same route, planners must make contact
ahead of time to avoid clashes.
● Carrying and burning effigies of members of
other political parties is prohibited.
● All authorised party workers at polling stations
should be issued appropriate badges or identity
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cards. They must provide voters with identity slips
printed on plain (white) paper and do not include
any symbols, candidate names, or party names.
● Only voters and those with a valid EC pass may
enter polling booths.
● The EC will designate observers to whom
candidates can raise problems with the election's
conduct.
● Ministers must not combine official visits with
election work, nor may they use official
machinery.
● The party must avoid spending money on
advertising or using official mass media to publicise
its accomplishments.
● Ministers and other officials must not make any
financial announcements or promises on road
building, drinking water availability, and so on.
● Other parties must be allowed to utilise public
venues and restrooms, and the party in power
must not monopolise these resources.
● Candidates and parties are prohibited from sharing
disrespectful remarks about their opponents or
posting misleading advertisements on social media
platforms.
● The Model Code of Conduct applies during the
general elections to the House of People (Lok
Sabha), to the Legislative Assembly of States and
during Bye Elections.
1.12 Symbols & Political Parties
Context: Recently, the Election Commission of India
brought new rules for allocating symbols to Registered
Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs).
About New Rules for Allocation of Symbols To
(RUPPs):
● As per new rules, audited accounts of the last three
financial years, expenditure statements of the last
two elections, and the signature of the authorized
office-bearer of the party are needed for the
allocation of symbols.
● After furnishing these details, the RUPPs will be
eligible for ‘concession of common symbol
allotment’.
● The symbol is allotted per the Election Symbols
(Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968.
About RUPPs:
● RUPPs are either newly-registered parties or those
which have not secured enough percentage of
votes in the Assembly or general election to
become a State party, or those that have never
contested elections after being registered.
● Registration of the Political Parties are governed
under Representation of the People Act (RPA) of
1951.
● Common symbols are provided to RUPPs based
upon an undertaking that they would put up “at least
5% of total candidates with regard to said
Legislative Assembly election of a State”.
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1.13 PVTG in ST Lists
Context: Recently, Rajya Sabha passed the
Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order Amendment
Bill, 2024 and Constitution (Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes) Order Amendment Bill, 2024.
More on News:
● New communities were added to Odisha's
Scheduled Tribes list, and synonyms and phonetic
variations of existing tribes were included in the ST
lists of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
Highlights of the Bill:
● The names of four PVTG groups in Odisha and
three in Andhra Pradesh have been specifically
added as synonyms or sub-tribes of communities
already on the ST lists of these states.
● Tamadia and Tamudia communities of Odisha
have now been included in the Scheduled Tribes list
shifted from the Scheduled Castes list.
● The Muka Dora community and the Konda
Reddy community of Odisha were also added to
Odisha’s ST list.
● The Bill also added synonyms, phonetic variations
and sub-tribes of at least eight existing communities
in the State’s ST list.
About Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups
(PVTGs):
● Following the 1973 Dhebar Commission's
recommendation, the government in 1975
created the category of Primitive Tribal Groups
(PTGs) for the least developed among tribal
groups.
● In 2006, the government renamed the PTGs as
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
● Criteria for Identification:
○ Pre-agricultural level of technology
○ Low level of literacy
○ Economic backwardness
○ A declining or stagnant population.
● There are 75 PVTGs spread over 17 states and
one Union Territory (UT) with Odisha
supporting 13 PVTG groups with No PVTG
found in Punjab and Haryana.
State Synonym/Sub- Existing Tribe
Tribes Added
Odisha Pauri Bhuyan and Bhuyan tribe
Paudi Bhuyan
Chuktia Bhunjia Bhunjia tribe
Bondo Bondo Poraja tribe
Mankidia Mankirdia tribe
Andhra Bondo Porja Porja tribe
Pradesh Khond Porja
Konda Savaras Savaras tribe
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1.14 Paharis in J&K’s ST List
Context: Recently, the Lok Sabha passed the
Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled
Tribes Order Amendment Bill, 2023 to add the
Paharis community to the ST list.
More on News:
● In addition to the Pahari Ethnic Group, the bill
also adds the Gadda Brahman, the Paddari Tribe,
and the Koli communities to the ST list of Jammu
and Kashmir.
About Scheduled Tribes:
● The Constitution of India in Article 366 (25)
prescribes that the Scheduled Tribes means
such tribes or tribal communities as are deemed
under Article 342 of the Constitution to be
Scheduled Tribes.
● Article 342 prescribes a procedure to identify
and list the Schedule Tribes through passing of
a Presidential Order through which a list of
Scheduled Tribes are notified for each State
or Union Territory and are valid only within
the jurisdiction of that State or Union Territory
and not outside.
● Criteria to establish ST status of a
community:
The Registrar General of India categorises a
community as an Schedule Tribe on the basis
of certain traits given by the Lokur Committee
1965:
○ Shyness of contact with the community at
large,
○ Ethnological and primitive traits
○ Distinctive culture
○ Geographical isolation
○ Backwardness.
1.15 Epidemic Diseases Act 1897
Context: Recently, the Law Commission published
the 286th report on “the management, control, and
prevention of epidemic diseases.”
More on News:
● The Report highlighted deficiencies in the current
legal framework, especially the Epidemic Diseases
Act, 1897, in managing future epidemics.
About Epidemic:
● The Centre for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) describes an epidemic as an
unexpected increase in disease cases in a
specific geographical area.
● Examples: Yellow fever, smallpox, measles,
and polio.
About Epidemic Diseases Act, of 1897:
● It is a colonial-era act empowering the state
governments to take extraordinary measures to
contain the fast spread of the epidemic.
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 ● Institution: School or any other educational
● It aims to prevent the spread of “dangerous
institution recognized or controlled by the State/UT
epidemic diseases”.
Government.
● First enacted to tackle the Bubonic Plague in
● Tutor: Person who guides or trains students in any
Mumbai in former British India.
coaching center and includes a tutor giving
● Provisions: The Act has four sections: specialised tuition.
○ Section 2 empowers state ● University: University established or incorporated
governments/UTs to take special by or under a Central Act, a Provincial Act, or a
measures and formulate regulations for State Act.
containing the outbreak.
Highlights of the New Guidelines for Coaching
○ Section 3 provides penalties for Centres:
disobeying any regulation or order made
● A person can maintain a coaching center only with
under the Act. These are according to
prior registration of such coaching centers.
section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.
○ Section 4 gives legal protection to the
implementing officers acting under the Act.

1.16 Public Examinations (Prevention of

Unfair Means) Act 2024
Context: Recently, the Public Examinations
(Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, was passed.
More on news:
● Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair
Means): It aims to prevent “unfair means” in order
to “bring greater transparency, fairness and
credibility to the public examinations system”.
Key Provisions Of Public Examinations Bill 2024:
● Defines Unfair Means in Exams: Includes leaking ● Coaching centres can charge fair and reasonable
questions, mass copying, tampering with OMR fees and must produce receipts, provide a
sheets, providing solutions by unauthorised prospectus mentioning courses offered by them,
personnel etc. the duration of those courses, the number of classes,
● Covers Major Recruitment Bodies: UPSC, SSC, lectures, tutorials, etc., the guidelines read.
RRBs, IBPS, NTA and other central govt ● In case a student has paid the fee for the entire
course but leaves it in the middle, the fee for the
departments.
remaining period has to be refunded within 10
● Non-bailable and Cognizable Offences: days.
Immediate arrest without warrant. Bail is not a right.
● Coaching centers should allocate a minimum of one
● Punishments: 3-5 years jail with Rs 10 lakh fine square meter per student in each class.
for offenders, extra jail term if fine not paid and up ● Compliance with fire safety and building codes,
to Rs 1 crore penalty for service providers involved. including obtaining Fire and Building Safety
● Harsher punishment for Organized Crime: 5-10 Certificates, is mandatory.
years jail term, minimum Rs 1 crore fine, candidates
not penalised under the Public Examinations Bill
and model draft law for states to adopt.

1.17 New Guidelines for Coaching

Centres
Context: Recently, Ministry of Education released
new guidelines for the operation of coaching centres
in the country.
Definition of Key Terms in the New Guidelines for
Coaching Centres:
● Coaching: Tuition, instructions, or guidance in any
branch of learning imparted to more than 50
students but does not include counseling, sports,
dance, theatre, and other creative activities.

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● Class schedules should not overlap with regular
school hours to ensure consistent attendance.
● Both students and tutors must have mandatory
weekly offs.
● Violating any terms or conditions of registration will
attract penalties:
○ First offence: ₹25,000,
○ Second Offence: ₹1 lakh.
○ Repeated Breaches: Revocation of Registration.
● Coaching center shall have committee for
redressal of complaints/grievances of students.
1.18 Cinematograph (Certification)
Rules, 2024
Context: Recently, the Cinematograph
(Certification) Rules, 2024 were notified by the
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
About Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024:
● The Cinematograph Act 2024 is an Act to make
provision for the certification of cinematograph
films for exhibition and for regulating exhibitions
by means of cinematographs.
● It aims to simplify and modernize the film
certification process.
Key improvements associated with the
Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024:
● The rules have been overhauled to align with the
transition to online certification procedures,
significantly reducing the time required for film
certification through complete digitization.
● Movies must include features that make them
accessible to people with disabilities.
● Films will now be classified into age-based
categories: UA 7+, UA 13+, and UA 16+, instead
of twelve years.
● Women's representation in the CBFC Board and
Advisory Panels is increased. One-third of Board
members, preferably half, should be women,
promoting gender diversity.
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● A system for prioritising film screenings has been
introduced.
● Certificates issued by the CBFC no longer have a
validity period of only ten years. They are now valid
indefinitely, providing long-term assurance to
filmmakers.
● Edited films must be recertified before broadcast on
television.
● Only films classified as "Unrestricted Public
Exhibition" can be shown on TV, ensuring content
suitability.
What are the legal guidelines for film certification in
India?
● Film certification in India is governed by legal
guidelines set forth by the Central Board of Film
Certification (CBFC) under the provisions of the
Cinematograph Act, of 1952.
● At present, Cinematograph (amendment) act
2023 and Cinematograph (certification) rules
2024 govern the filmmaking industry.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)
● It operates as a statutory entity under the
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
● It is known as the Censor Board.
● It oversees the public screening of films
according to the guidelines outlined in the
Cinematograph Act of 1952.
● Films are permitted for public viewing only after
obtaining certification from the CBFC.
1.19 Foreign Contribution (Regulation)
Act
Context: Recently, the Government of India cancelled
the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA)
license of the Centre for Policy Research (CPR).
About Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act:
● It regulates and prohibits the acceptance and
utilization of foreign contributions by certain
associations for any activities detrimental to the
national interest.
● FCRA registration is valid for five years.
● NGOs are expected to apply for renewal within six
months of the registration expiry date. In case of
failure to apply for renewal, the registration is
deemed to have expired.
About Amendments to the FCRA:
● Foreign Contribution (Regulation)
(Amendment) Rules, 2022: The Ministry of Home
Affairs (MHA) changed FCRA rules, increasing the
number of compoundable offenses under the Act
from 7 to 12.
○ The Other Key Changes Were:
■ Exemption from intimation to the
government for contributions less than Rs 10
lakh, the earlier limit was Rs 1 lakh.
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 ■ Increase the time limit for the intimation of
the opening of bank accounts.
1.20 Draft Indian Stamp Bill 2023
Context: Recently, Ministry of Finance prepared a
draft ‘Indian Stamp Bill, 2023’ to repeal the Indian
Stamp Act, 1899 for the stamp duty regime in the
country.
About Indian Stamp Act, 1899:
● It lays down the legal provisions for tax levied in
the form of stamps on instruments recording
transactions.
● It covers Stamp duties on instruments specified in
Entry 91 of the Union List.
Key Highlights of Draft ‘Indian Stamp Bill, 2023:
● E-Stamping: The new law will equip India for a
seamless digital era as it has a provision of e-
stamping digitally.
● Definition: The draft law defines an electronic
stamp or e-stamp as an electronically generated
impression denoting the payment of stamp duty by
electronic means or otherwise.
About Stamp Duties:
● Stamp duties are levied by the central government,
but within the states, they are collected and
appropriated by the concerned states in terms of
provisions of Article 268 of the Constitution.
● The Stamp duties on documents specified in Entry
91 of the Union List of the Seventh Schedule (viz.
Bills of Exchange, cheques, promissory notes, bills
of lading, letters of credit, policies of insurance,
transfer of shares, debentures, proxies and receipts)
are levied by the Union.
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1.21 Lokpal
Context: Recently, the President of India appointed
former Supreme Court Judge Justice AM Khanwilkar
as the Chairperson of the Lokpal.
About Lokpal:
● The Lokpal, a statutory body is India's anti-
corruption body, was established under the 2013
Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act to investigate
corruption allegations against public officials
covered by the Act.
● The Lokpal and Lokayuktas (Amendment) Act,
2016:
○ Amended Section 44 of the 2013 Act: It
replaced the time limit of 30 days. It means the
public servants will declare their assets and
liabilities in the form and manner prescribed by
the government.
○ Section 44 of the 2013 Act dealt with the
provision of furnishing of details of assets and
liabilities of public servants within 30 days of
joining the government service.
● It is mandated to present annually to the President
a report to be laid before each House of Parliament.
● Appointment: Under Section 4 of the Act, the
President appoints the Chairperson and Members
based on recommendations from a Selection
Committee.:
○ The Prime Minister—Chairperson
○ The Speaker of the House of the People
○ The Leader of Opposition in the House of
the People
○ The Chief Justice of India or a Judge of the
Supreme Court nominated by him
○ One eminent jurist, as recommended by the
Chairperson and Members (referred above),
to be nominated by the President.
● Composition: Lokpal is a multi-member body that
consists of one chairperson and a maximum of 8
members.
○ The Chairperson should be either the former
Chief Justice of India or the former Judge of
the SC or an eminent person with impeccable
integrity and outstanding ability.
○ He/she should have special knowledge and
expertise of a minimum of 25 years in matters
relating to anti-corruption policy, public
administration, vigilance, and finance including
insurance and banking, law and management.
● Members: Out of the maximum eight members,
half will be judicial members, and a minimum of
50% of the Members will be from SC/ ST/ OBC/
Minorities and women.
○ Members should have special knowledge and
expertise of a minimum of 25 years in matters
relating to anti-corruption policy, public
administration, vigilance, finance, law and
management.
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● Tenure: The Lokpal chairperson and the
members are appointed for five years or serve
until they are 70 years old, whichever is earlier.
○ They are not eligible for reappointment and
cannot hold any constitutional or governmental
office.
○ They cannot contest any elections for 5 years.
● Condition of Services: The salary allowances and
other conditions of service of the chairperson and
members are equivalent to those of Chief Justice
of India and Judge of the SC respectively.
● Jurisdiction: The Lokpal has jurisdiction over the
central government to inquire into allegations of
corruption against its public functionaries.
○ It includes the Prime Minister, cabinet
ministers, members of parliament, and
Group A officers of the Central Government
and for matters connecting them.
○ The jurisdiction also covers chairpersons,
members, officers and directors of any board,
corporation, society, trust or autonomous
body established by an Act of Parliament or
wholly or partly funded by the Centre or
state government.
About Lokpal Search Committee:
● For selecting the chairperson and the members,
the selection committee shall constitute a search
panel of at least eight persons.
● Under the Lokpal Act of 2013, the Department
of Personnel & Training put together a list of
candidates interested to be the chairperson or
members of the Lokpal.
● This list would then go to the proposed eight-
member search committee, which would
shortlist names and place them before the
selection panel headed by the Prime Minister.
● The selection panel may or may not pick names
suggested by the search committee.
About Lokayukta:
● The Lokayukta, appointed by each state's
Governor, serves as the ombudsman for India's
State Governments.
● It is an anti-corruption authority with an
objective to investigate grievances, allegations
against public servants.
● As per the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013,
“Every State shall establish a body to be known
as the Lokayukta for the State.
1.22 Short News
1.22.1 One Nation-One Pass
Context: Recently, the central government launched
the National Transit Pass System (NTPS) to facilitate
seamless transit of forest goods across the country
through a single permit.
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About National Transit Pass System (NTPS):
● The NTPS is envisioned as a "One Nation-One
Pass" regime, enabling seamless transit across the
country.
● This will streamline the issuance of timber transit
permits by providing a unified, online mode for
tree growers and farmers involved in agroforestry
nationwide.
● Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest
and Climate Change.
1.22.2 Right to Disconnect
Context: Recently, Australia introduced the 'right to
disconnect' law to shield workers from penalties for
not responding to work-related calls, messages, or
emails outside regular hours.
About Right to Disconnect:
● It refers to the concept that employees have the
right to be free from work-related
communications and tasks outside their regular
working hours.
1.22.3 Nazool Land
Context: Recently, violence broke out in Haldwani,
Uttarakhand, following a demolition drive by the
administration on disputed Nazool land.
About Nazool Land:
● It is owned by the government but is most often
not directly administered as state property.
● The state generally allots such land to any entity on
lease for a fixed period, generally between 15 and
99 years.
● The option of renewal is also available.
Emergence of Nazool Land:
● During British rule, kings and kingdoms that
opposed and revolted against the British, the
British would often take their land away from
them after defeating them in battle.
● After Independence, the British vacated these
lands to be owned by the respective state
governments.
1.22.4 Cashless Treatment & Road Accidents
Context: Launch of a pilot program to provide
cashless treatment to the victims of road accidents.
About Pilot Program:
● It aims to establish an ecosystem for providing
timely medical care to the victims of road
accidents, including during the golden hour.
● Legal mandate: Under section 162 of Motor
Vehicles Act, 1988.
● Developed by: Ministry of Road Transport and
Highways.
● Implementing Agency: The National Health
Authority (NHA) in coordination with police,
hospitals, State Health Agency (SHA).
● Broad contours of the pilot program are:
○ Cashless Treatment Benefits to the Victims:
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 ■ up to a maximum of Rs. 1.5 lakhs per
accident per person.
■ for a maximum period of 7 days from the date
of accident.
○ Beneficiary:
■ All road accidents caused by the use of motor
vehicles on any category of road.
○ Benefits will be Opted from:
■ AB PM-JAY packages for trauma and
polytrauma cases being co-opted.
■ Claims raised by hospitals for treatment
Reimbursed from: The Motor Vehicle
Accident Fund.
Additional Information:
About Golden Hour:
● According to the Motor Vehicles Amendment
Act, 2019, it is one-hour period following a
traumatic injury during which there is the
highest likelihood of preventing death by
providing prompt medical care.
About Motor Vehicle Accident Fund:
● The Central Government shall constitute a Fund
under Section 164(B)(1) of the Motor Vehicles
Amendment Act, 2019.
● Purpose:
○ To treat any person injured in road accidents
according to the golden hour scheme.
○ To compensate the dependents and other
representatives of individuals who died in
hit-and-run accidents.
○ To provide compensation to any person
grievously injured in a hit-and-run accident.
About Integrated Road Accident Database
(iRAD)/e-Detailed Accident Report (eDAR)
Project :
● It aims to develop an integrated road accident
database (iRAD) to enrich accident databases
in every part of the country.
● Nodal Agency: Ministry of Road Transport and
Highways (MoRTH), Government of India and
● Funding Partner: World Bank
About the Good Samaritan Scheme:
● Launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Road
Transport & Highways.
● It aims to motivate the general public to help
road accident victims in emergencies and
inspire others to save innocent lives.
● The award is given to a good Samaritan who
saves the life of a victim involved in a fatal
accident by providing immediate assistance
and transporting them to a Hospital/Trauma
Care Centre within the Golden Hour.
● Award & Certificate: As per the Scheme
Guidelines, the amount of award for each Good
Samaritan would be Rs. 5,000/- per incident &
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a certificate of appreciation.
1.22.5 Criminal Case Management System
Context: Inauguration of a Digital Criminal Case
Management System (CCMS) and a mobile app
Sankalan.
About Criminal Case Management System:
● Developed by: National Investigation Agency
(NIA).
● It will enable the NIA personnel to better
coordinate in terrorism and organized crime cases,
thereby improving justice delivery.
● It's a customizable, browser-based software
designed to assist State Police forces in
investigations and prosecution.
● It aims to standardize investigations and facilitate
streamlined compilation of terror-related data
nationwide.
About Sankalan app:
● It is a compendium of New Criminal Laws by
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
● It has been designed for navigating through new
criminal laws as a bridge between old and new
criminal laws. This app will work as a
comprehensive guide for all stakeholders.
1.22.6 PB-SHABD Platform
Context: Launch of PB-SHABD, a news sharing
service from Prasar Bharati.
About PB-SHABD:
● PB-SHABD stands for Prasar Bharti - Shared
Audio Visuals for Broadcast and Dissemination
(PB-SHABD).
● Its objective is to provide daily news feeds in video,
audio, text, photo and other formats to the
subscribers from the media landscape.
About Prasar Bharti:
● It is the Public Service Broadcaster established as
a statutory autonomous body under the Prasar
Bharati Act.
● Its objective is to conduct public broadcasting
services intended to inform and entertain the
public.
● It comprises the Doordarshan Television
Network and All India Radio, which were
earlier media units of the Ministry of Information
and Broadcasting.
● Headquarter: New Delhi
● Powered by the vast network of Prasar Bharati
reporters, correspondents and stringers.
1.22.7 Pandaram Lands
About Pandaram Lands:
● The Laccadive Minicoy and Amini Islands Land
Revenue and Tenancy Regulation of 1965 defines
Pandaram lands as those in which the government
holds a proprietary right before the regulation's
commencement.
● This includes any land where the government may
acquire such rights under this regulation or other
laws.
● Under the 1965 regulation, land, excluding
Pandaram land, over which a person holds
proprietary rights according to the customary law of
the islands is termed "jenmam land."
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 2
International Relations
● It will enhance exports to Southeast Asia and
2.1 India, Pakistan & Nuclear other Asian markets, improving cargo handling
Installations capabilities for international trade.

Context: Recently, India and Pakistan exchanged the

list of nuclear installations, covered under the
agreement on the prohibition of attack against nuclear
installations and facilities.
Key Points:
● Atomic Facility Security Pact: The list exchange
occurred under a bilateral pact prohibiting the two
sides from attacking each other's atomic facilities.
● 33rd Consecutive Exchange: This is the 33rd
consecutive exchange of such lists between the two
countries, the first one having taken place on
January 1, 1992. 2.3 Sabroom Land Port
About the Agreement between India and Pakistan:
● The agreement on the Prohibition of Attack Context: Recently, the PM inaugurated Sabroom
against Nuclear Installations and Facilities was Landport in Tripura, located along the India-
signed in 1988 and came into force in 1991. Bangladesh international border.
● It mandates that we inform each other about any About Sabroom Land Port:
nuclear installations and facilities to be covered ● It is connected to the Chittagong port of
under the agreement on the first of January of Bangladesh through the Maitree Bridge on River
every calendar year. Feni and will facilitate the movement of passengers
‘Nuclear Installation or Facility’ Includes: and cargo between India and Bangladesh.
● Nuclear power and research reactors, About Land Ports:
● Fuel fabrication, uranium enrichment ● These are areas on international borders, including
● Isotopes Separation portions of national highways, State highways, etc.,
● Reprocessing facilities, as well as any other notified as land customs stations or immigration
installations check posts, with facilities for clearance and
● Fresh or irradiated nuclear fuel and materials in transporting passengers and goods across the
any form borders.
● Establishments storing significant quantities of ● There are currently Eleven Land ports operational in
radioactive materials. India at Attari, Agartala, Dawki, Petrapole, Raxaul,
Rupaidiha, Jogbani, Moreh, Sutarkandi,
2.2 Matarbari Port Srimantapur and PTB at Dera Baba Nanak
Context: India is considering proposals to connect
Bangladesh's Matarbari Port to the Northeastern
States.
About`Matarbari Project:
● The Matarbari project would be Bangladesh's first
deep-sea port capable of hosting large vessels.
● Japan International Cooperation Agency
(JICA), granted a $750 million loan to the
Bangladesh government for the Matarbari
development.

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2.4 Dominican Republic-India: JETCO
Context: Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the
proposal to sign a protocol establishing a Joint
Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) between
India and the Dominican Republic.
About Joint Economic and Trade Committee
(JETCO):
● JETCO is a bilateral institution formed by two
countries to promote economic cooperation and
commercial relations.
● It serves as a platform for debates, information
exchange, and collaboration among member
nations, aiming to bolster economic relations, foster
trade and industry growth, and resolve export-
import challenges.
● India has Joint Economic and Trade Committee
(JETCO) agreements with countries, including the
United Kingdom, Singapore, Thailand,
Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, South Korea,
Canada, Mauritius, and Oman.
About the Dominican Republic:
● It is a Caribbean nation that shares the island of
Hispaniola with Haiti to the west.
2.5 SSN AUKUS Program
Context : Recently, Australia announced to contribute
$3bn for construction of AUKUS nuclear powered
submarines.
More on News :
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● Australia, under the AUKUS Agreement, will
procure up to five nuclear submarines from the US
by the early 2030s, followed by collaborative
construction and operation of a new SSN-AUKUS
class with Britain.
● The pact will see Australia become the seventh
nation to operate nuclear-powered submarines.
About AUKUS:
● In 2021, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the
United States have formed a significant trilateral
security partnership named AUKUS for the Indo-
Pacific.
● It aims to bolster the Collective industrial base
capacity and stimulate economic growth within the
defense and national security sectors of the involved
nations.
● The transfer of US nuclear submarine technology to
Australia, aimed at bolstering Indo-Pacific
strategic positioning, serves as a countermeasure
to China's growing assertiveness in the South
China Sea.
About SSN-AUKUS Program:
● Nuclear reactors for the vessels will be constructed
in Derby, UK, while BAE Systems in Adelaide,
Australia, will build the submarines.
● It possesses diverse functionalities such as
intelligence gathering, surveillance, undersea
warfare, and strike missions.
● It will surpass Australia's current diesel-powered
fleet in stealth and silence, enabling prolonged
deployments without surfacing.
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2.6 India’s Arms Imports
Context: India’s arms imports from Russia have
reduced significantly from 64% to 45% in the last five
years (2017-2021).
More on News:
● During the years (2018 and 2022), India relied on
France for arms purchases, making France the
second leading provider.
Global Arms Trade Trends:
● India leads as the top arms importer, followed by
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Ukraine, Pakistan, and
others.
● The US, France, and Russia are the top arms
exporters, with the US experiencing significant
growth in market share.
● India was the primary arms export market for
Russia, France, and Israel, according to SIPRI data.
● India ranked third as an arms supplier to
Myanmar, with a 14% contribution of imports,
after Russia and China.
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2.7 India-Belarus Relations
About Belarus:
● It Gained independence in 1991 from the Soviet
Union.
● Physical Location: Situated in eastern Europe, it
is a landlocked country, bordered by Russia to the
northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west,
and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest.
● Capital: The capital and largest city of this nation is
Minsk.
2.8 37th African Union Summit
Context: Recently, the 37th African Union Summit
was convened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
More on News:
● It recognised Kenya’s co-leading of the
International Taxation Taskforce.
Key highlights:
● Launch of Africa Club: An alliance of African-
owned and controlled Multilateral Financial
Institutions.
● Establishing Pan African Monetary Union: A
proposal for a central African Monetary Union
through three AU financial institutions: The
African Central Bank, the African Monetary
Fund, the African Investment Bank, and a future
Pan-African Stock Exchange.
About Agenda 2063: “The Africa We Want.”
● It is Africa’s blueprint and master plan to
transform into a global powerhouse.
● It embodies the pan-African pursuit of unity, self-
determination, freedom, progress, and collective
prosperity under Pan-Africanism and African
Renaissance.
About Africa Club:
● Launched in the 37th summit meeting of the
African Union 2024.
14 Contact us: 9920613613
 ● It includes the African Export-Import Bank,
Trade and Development Bank, Africa
Finance Corporation, African Reinsurance
Corporation, African Trade and Investment
Development Insurance, Shelter Afrique
Development Bank and ZEPRE (PTA
Reinsurance Co).
● It seeks to boost Africa's global financial
influence by aligning with the SDGs and AU's
Agenda 2063, introducing innovative financial
tools, facilitating debt management, and
promoting collaboration to meet Africa's
unique needs.

About African Union:

● It is a continental body, consisting of the 55
nations of the African Continent
● Officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the
Organisation of African Unity in Durban, South
Africa.
● Headquartered: Addis Ababa.
● It aims to increase cooperation and integration of
African states to drive Africa’s growth and
economic development.
● Principal Organs: The Assembly of Heads of
State and Government, the Executive Council, the
Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC),
the Peace and Security Council and The African
Union Commission, Pan-African Parliament and
the Economic, Social & Cultural Council
(ECOSOCC).
● In News: The African Union is the most recent
addition in the G-20 group.
2.9 Sweden Joins NATO
Context: Recently, Sweden officially joined NATO
after completing its accession process.
More on News:
● Sweden applied for NATO’s membership in 2022
and is being opposed by Turkey and Hungary
Sweden’s Shift to NATO:
● Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Sweden shares the
Maritime border with Russia and wants to safeguard
its territorial sovereignty in the face of growing
Russian Revisionism.
About North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO):
● NATO, a transatlantic alliance for political and
military collaboration, was established in 1949 by
European and North American nations through the
signing of the North Atlantic Treaty, signed in
Washington DC USA.
● Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
● Article 5 of NATO states the Collective Defense
Principle, where an attack on one member is
deemed an attack on all, with a collective response
commitment.
○ It has been invoked only once after 9/11, and
it doesn't cover members' civil wars or
internal coups.
● Members: It has 32 member states with 29
European states and 2 North American
● Membership criteria: NATO membership is
open to “any other European state in a position to
further the principles of this Treaty and to
contribute to the security of the North Atlantic
area but is subject to a consensus-based decision
of acceptance by the existing members.”
● Purposes: To deter Soviet expansionism,
forbidding the revival of nationalist militarism in
Europe through a strong North American presence
on the continent, and encouraging European
political integration.
2.10 G-77 Third South Summit
Context: Recently, the Third South Summit of the
Group of 77 and China (G-77) was held in Kampala,
Uganda.
More on News:
● Theme of Summit: "Leaving No One Behind”.
About Group of 77 and China (G-77):
● It is the largest intergovernmental organization of
developing countries in the United Nations.
● It was established in 1964 in Geneva by signing a
Joint Declaration at the first UN Conference on
Trade and Development (UNCTAD) session.
● It is guided by the Charter of Algiers, which was
established and adopted in 1967.

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● It seeks to enable Southern countries to jointly
articulate and advance their economic interests,
boost their UN negotiating power, and promote
South-South development cooperation.
● Members: 134 countries.
○ China is not a part of the group, so the group
is often known as “G-77 and China”.
○ Although the membership of the G-77 has
increased to 134 countries, the original name
was retained due to its historic significance.
● Supreme Decision-making Body: South Summit
○ First South Summit: In 2000, Havana, Cuba About Marrakesh Agreement:
● The G-77 meets annually at the UN in New York. ● Formally known as the Agreement establishing
● India was the first nation to preside over the G77 the WTO.
in New York. ● Signed in Marrakesh, Morocco, on April 15, 1994
by 123 nations.
● It culminated in an 8-year round of multilateral
2.11 G-33
trade negotiations.
Context: Recently, G-33 called for progress on ● It paved the way for the creation of WTO,
agricultural trade negotiations ahead of the 13th replacing GATT.
Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi. About Ministerial Conference of the WTO:
About G-33: ● The Ministerial Conference of WTO is the heart of
its operation.
● The G-33 (Friends of Special Products in
● By now the WTO has held 12 ministerial
Agriculture) is a coalition of developing countries
conferences.
formed prior to the 2003 Cancun ministerial
● The most recent was held in 2022 at WTO
summit. headquarters in Geneva.
● It consists of 47 member nations, including India,
China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria, the Philippines,
Turkey, Tanzania, Kenya, and South Korea.

2.12 13th Ministerial Ministerial

Conference (MC13) of WTO
Context: Recently, the 13th Ministerial Conference
(MC13) of WTO was organized in Abu Dhabi.
Key Highlights of the Conference:
● Comoros and Timor-Leste formally joined the
World Trade Organisation on the opening day in
Abu Dhabi, becoming the 165th and 166th
members of the body.
● Chaired by Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi,
minister of state for foreign trade of the United
Arab Emirates.
About World Trade Organisation (WTO):
● WTO is the only global international trade
organisation which deals with rules of trade
between nations.
● The WTO commenced operation in 1995, under the
Marrakesh Agreement, signed in 1994 by 124
nations.
● It replaced the General Agreement on Tariffs and
Trade (GATT) which commenced in 1948.
● Most of the issues focused by WTO are derived
from previous trade negotiations, especially from
the Uruguay Round (1986-1994).
Major Agreements of WTO:
● General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
(GATT):
○ Signed in 1947 by 23 nations after the 2nd
world war, aimed to reduce tariffs and other
barriers to promote trade among nations.
○ Its limitations led to the Uruguay round
negotiations, culminating in WTO in 1995.
● Agreement on Agriculture (AoA):
○ The Agreement on Agriculture (AoA), an
international treaty of the WTO, aims to
reduce government support and subsidies given
to domestic agricultural producers.
○ It consist of three pillars:
■ Domestic Support: It calls for a reduction in
domestic subsidies that distorts free trade and
fair price. The subsidies are Green Box,
Amber Box and Blue Box subsidies.

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■ Market Access: Market access for goods in
the WTO means the conditions, tariffs, and
non-tariff measures, agreed by members for
the entry of specific goods into their markets.
■ Export Subsidies: Government support that
lowers export costs, including input
subsidies, remission of import duties, and
other export incentives, falls under export
subsidies.
● General Agreement on Trade in Services
(GATS):
○ A treaty of the WTO that came into force in
1995 as a result of the Uruguay round
negotiations.
○ It was created to extend the multilateral
trading system to the service sector, in the
same way GATT provides for merchandise
trade.
○ It covers most service sectors, requiring
member countries to open their market and treat
foreign providers fairly.
● The Agreement on Trade Related Investment
Measures (TRIMS):
○ This agreement was negotiated during the
Uruguay round, and applies only to
measures that affect trade in goods.
○ Recognising that certain investment
measures can have trade-restrictive and
distorting effects, it states that no members
shall apply a measure that is prohibited by
the provisions of GATT in Article 3
(national treatment) or Article 9
(quantitative restrictions).
2.13 Alliance for Global Good- Gender
Equity and Equality
Context: Recently, the ‘Alliance for Global Good-
Gender Equity and Equality’ was announced at the
World Economic Forum’s (WEF) annual meeting at
Davos with the support of India.
About the ‘Alliance for Global Good- Gender
Equity and Equality’:
● The alliance originated from the G20 Leaders'
Declaration and India's commitment to women-led
development.
● It seeks to unite global best practices, knowledge,
and investments in women's health, education, and
enterprise.
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● Key Collaboration:
○ Network Partner: The World Economic
Forum
○ Institutional Partner: Invest India
● It will build on the initiatives within the G20
framework, including the Business 20, Women 20,
and G20 EMPOWER.
● The alliance will be based at the CII Centre for
Women Leadership with support from the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation.
2.14 Raisina Dialogue 2024
Context: Recently, the 9th edition of Raisina
Dialogue 2024 was held in New Delhi.
About Raisina Dialogue:
● “Raisina Dialogue” is derived from Raisina Hill, a
New Delhi seat of the Government of India & the
Presidential Palace, Rashtrapati Bhavan.
● It is India’s flagship conference on Geopolitics and
Geoeconomics.
● Hosted by the Observer Research Foundation
(ORF) and the Ministry of External Affairs, GoI.
● It is held annually, First Session Held in 2016.
● Organized on the Lines of :
○ Shangri La Dialogue (takes place annually in
Singapore) &
○ Munich Security Conference (the 60th edition
of which took place recently in February 2024).
2.15 Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS)
Context: The Junta (military rule) led countries in
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have declared their
abrupt withdrawal from the Economic Community
of West African States (ECOWAS).
About ECOWAS:
● ECOWAS is a regional political and economic
union of 15 countries located in West Africa.
● It aims to achieve "collective self-sufficiency" for
its member states by creating a single large trade
bloc.
● The union was formed in 1975 through the Treaty
of Lagos, aiming to promote economic integration
in the region.
● Members: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte
d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-
Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal,
Sierra Leone, and Togo.
● Headquarters: Abuja, Nigeria.
● India has had an Observer Status in ECOWAS
since 2004.
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2.16 7th Indian Ocean Conference
Context: Recently, the 7th session of the Indian
Ocean Conference was held at Perth, Australia.
More on News:
● Theme: Towards a Stable and Sustainable Indian
Ocean.
About Indian Ocean Conference:
● It is a flagship consultative forum for countries in
the Indian Ocean Region to discuss regional affairs.
● Organized by the Ministry of External Affairs in
association with the India Foundation since 2016.
● It aims to provide a platform for Indian Ocean
Region members and key maritime partners to
discuss regional cooperation for Security And
Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).
2.17 Collective Security Treaty
Organisation (CSTO)
Context: Recently, Armenia suspended its
participation in a Russia-led security bloc (CSTO),
due to differences with other member states.
About Collective Security Treaty Organization
(CSTO):
● It is an intergovernmental military alliance in
Eurasia formed in 2002.
● It originated from the conclusion of the Collective
Security Treaty, signed in Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
in 1992, by the heads of Armenia, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
● Later, it was joined by Azerbaijan, Belarus, and
Georgia (1993).
● Members: Total 6
○ Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
○ Uzbekistan joined in 2006 and then withdrew
again in 2012.
● It aims to strengthen regional and international
security and to maintain peace including
cybersecurity and stability of the member states.
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2.18 Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)
Context: Consideration of Free Trade Agreement talks
with the Eurasian Economic Union.
About Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU):
● It's an international economic union and free
trade zone spanning central and northern Asia and
Eastern Europe, established as a response to the
economic and political influence of the European
Union (EU) and other Western trade agreements.
● The EAEU heads of state comprise a governing
body known as the Supreme Eurasian Economic
Council.
● Executive body: Known as the Eurasian
Economic Commission, an analog to the European
Commission, it oversees day-to-day operations.
● Member countries: Russia, Armenia, Belarus,
Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
● No Common Currency: Unlike the European
Union (EU), the EAEU does not share a common
currency.
2.19 World Telecommunication
Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24)
Context: Launch of World Telecom Standardization
Assembly Delhi 2024 (WTSA 2024).
More on News:
● India will host ITU’s prestigious World Telecom
Standardization Assembly 2024 (WTSA 2024) in
NewDelhi from 15th - 24th Oct 2024.
About World Telecommunication Standardization
Assembly (WTSA)
● It will set the agenda for the upcoming ITU-T study
period and has been convened every four years since
2000.
● It will play a crucial role in shaping the global
agenda for standardization of telecom and
information and communication technologies
(ICTs).
● It will be preceded by the Global Standards
Symposium (GSS 2024) on 14 Oct 2024 at New
Delhi.
About International Telecommunications Union
(ITU):
● ITU, a specialized agency of the United Nations
for telecom/ICT, holds the distinction of being
the oldest agency in the UN family, dating back
to the advent of the telegraph in 1865.
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 ● Area of Work:
○ Provide International connectivity in
communication networks,
○ Allocate global radio spectrum and satellite
orbits,
○ Develop the technical standard,
○ Improve access to digital technologies
● Members: 193 Member States and more than
1000 companies, universities and international
and regional organizations.
● Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
● Report: Global Cybersecurity Index
2.20 Global Trade Update Report:
UNCTAD
Context: Recently, the United Nations Conference on
Trade and Development (UNCTAD) predicted that
global trade will improve in 2024.
About Indian Trade Performance in 2023:
● India experienced a 5% growth in merchandise
exports in the last quarter of 2023 compared to the
same period the previous year. However, there was
a 6% decrease in annual export growth.
● Services exports remained unchanged in the last
quarter of 2023 compared to the previous year.
However, there was a 14% annual growth in
services exports.
● India's reliance on China and the European Union
increased by 1.2%. Conversely, dependence on
Saudi Arabia decreased by 0.6% during the same
period.
2.21 Exploration Rights in Indian Ocean
Context: Recently, India has submitted an application
to the International Seabed Authority (ISBA)
seeking permission to explore the Afanasy Nikitin
Seamount (AN Seamount) in the Indian Ocean.
More on News:
● India has also sought authorization to explore
Carlsberg Ridge in the Central Indian Ocean to
investigate for polymetallic sulphides (which are
large smoking mounds near hydrothermal vents that
are reportedly rich in copper, zinc, gold and silver).
● Exploration licenses for extraction activities in the
open ocean must be obtained from the
International Seabed Authority (ISBA), as no
country can assert sovereignty over these areas.
About Afanasy Nikitin Seamount:
● It is a structural feature in the Central Indian
Basin, located about 3,000 km away from India’s
coast.
● It has Significant deposits of cobalt, nickel,
manganese, and copper, situated within the
Central Indian Basin.
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Seabed Mining:
● It is the extraction process that involves
retrieving submerged minerals and resources
like manganese nodules, seafloor massive
sulphides, and cobalt crusts from the ocean floor,
achieved through methods such as dredging sand or
lifting materials in various ways.
Open Ocean:
● Open ocean means the air, surface, and seabed
where no country can claim sovereignty.
● Around 60% of the world’s seas are open oceans.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the
Sea (UNCLOS):
● Adopted in 1982, it lays down a comprehensive
regime of law and order in the world’s oceans
and seas, establishing rules governing all uses of
the oceans and their resources.
● Functions:
○ Divides marine areas into five main zones:
the High Seas, Exclusive Economic Zone
(EEZ), Contiguous Zone, Territorial Sea, and
Internal Waters.
○ It serves as the framework for offshore
governance among coastal nations and
seafarers.
○ It offers detailed instructions on each state’s
rights and obligations inside the five
concentric zones.
About International Seabed Authority (ISA):
● Established in 1994, it aims to regulate mining
and related activities in the international seabed
beyond national jurisdiction, an area that includes
most of the world’s oceans.
● Headquarters: Kingston, Jamaica.
About Commission on the Limits of the
Continental Shelf:
● It aims to facilitate the implementation of the
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
regarding establishing the outer limits of the
continental shelf.
● Its role is to define the outer boundaries of the
continental shelf, extending beyond 200 nautical
miles from baselines.
● It can issue enforceable recommendations to
coastal States regarding these limits.
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2.22 Places in News
2.22.1 Haiti
Context: Recently, India launched 'Operation
Indravati' to evacuate its nationals from Haiti.
More on News:
● Haiti is currently in a state of emergency due to
escalating violence attributed to gang warfare,
resulting in the virtual disappearance of the
government.
About Haiti Country:
● It is a country in the Caribbean Sea that includes
the western third of the island of Hispaniola and
smaller islands such as Gonave, Tortue
(Tortuga), Grande Caye, and Vache.
● Haiti is bordered to the east by the Dominican
Republic, which covers the rest of Hispaniola, to
the south and west by the Caribbean, and the north
by the Atlantic Ocean.
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2.22.2 The Weimar Triangle
About Weimar Triangle:
● The Weimar Triangle, formed in 1991, aims to
foster a shared vision for Europe and strengthen
societal bonds among its three member countries-
Germany, Poland, and France.
● Initially, it played a crucial role in supporting
German-Polish reconciliation after World War II.
● Named after the city of Weimar, Germany.
2.22.3 Agalega Island
Context: Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
alongside his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth
inaugurated a new airstrip, jetty, and six developmental
projects on Mauritius' Agalega Island.
About Mauritius' Agalega Island:
● Agalega Islands are a pair of islands belonging to
Mauritius, situated in the western Indian Ocean.
● Composed of two main parts: North Island and
South Island.
2.22.4 EU’s Red Sea Mission
Context: Recently, the European Union launched a
naval mission to protect the Red Sea shipping lane
from Yemen's Houthi rebels.
Mission Aspides:
● The EU operationalized a mission named Aspides,
meaning "shield" in Greek.
● It aims to facilitate freedom of navigation on the
Red Sea.
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 ● India’s Decision: Countries like India, Italy and
France have sent ships to the region on their own
initiative, distancing themselves from the U.S.
umbrella.

● The operation will send European warships and

early warning systems to the Red Sea, Gulf of
Aden and surrounding waters.
Operation Prosperity Guardian:
● It is the US-led multinational security mission to
ensure safe transit through the Red Sea region, under
the aegis of the existing Combined Maritime
Forces’ Task Force 153.

2.23 Short News

2.23.1 (IBSA Fund) Context: Recently, India participated in the 3rd IBSA Sherpas and Sous-Sherpas
Meeting.
More on News:
● India contributed 1 million US Dollars to the Poverty and Hunger Alleviation Fund
established by India, Brazil, and South Africa (IBSA).
About IBSA (Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation):
● IBSA is a unique forum uniting India, Brazil, and South Africa, the three major
economies and democracies from different continents.
● It was named IBSA Dialogue Forum in 2003 through the Brasilia Declaration.
● IBSA neither has headquarters nor a permanent executive secretariat.
● IBSAMAR (IBSA Maritime Exercise) is part of IBSA trilateral defense cooperation.
● The IBSA Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation (IBSA Fund) was established
in 2004 and is managed by the United Nations (UN) Office for South-South
Cooperation (UNOSSC).
● Contribution: Each IBSA member country is required to contribute $1 million per
annum to the fund.
2.23.2 International Context: Recently, India officially asked to become a member of the International
Energy Agency (IEA).
Energy Agency
About International Energy Agency (IEA):
● It was created in 1974 to help coordinate a collective response to major disruptions
in the supply of oil.
● Headquarters: Paris, France.
● India’s Membership: Not a member country.
● India along with Brazil, South Africa, and China is an associate member of IEA.
● Members: 31 member countries , 13 association countries, 5 accession countries.
● Report Publication:
○ World Energy Outlook Report, World Energy Investment Report, World Energy
Statistics, World Energy Balances, Energy Technology Perspectives, and India
Energy Outlook Report.
2.23.3 World Context: Recently, the Prime Minister of India participated in the World
Governments Governments Summit in Dubai as Guest of Honour.
About World Governments Summit:
Summit 2024
● It is a neutral, non- profit global knowledge exchange platform for governments.

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 ● It was established in 2013 under leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed
bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of
Dubai.
● Theme of the World Governments Summit 2024: Shaping the Future
Governments
2.23.4 International Context: Recently, Dr. Neeraj Mittal was unanimously chosen co-chair of the ITU's
Telecommunication Digital Innovation Board.
● It aims to create a more inclusive and equitable digital future for everyone.
Union
● It was founded under the aegis of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for
Digital Development.
● The Digital Innovation Board is made up of Telecom/ICT Ministers and Vice
Ministers from 23 ITU Member Countries.
2.23.5 International The International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE)
Partnership for is holding its 41st Steering Committee Meeting in New Delhi.
About IPHE:
Hydrogen and Fuel
● The IPHE was created in 2003 as an international intergovernmental
Cells in the cooperation led by the United States.
Economy (IPHE) ● It aims to accelerate advancement in hydrogen and fuel cell technology.
● IPHE has 21 member countries and the European Commission as a non-voting
member.
○ Among the member nations are India as well as the US, Japan, Germany,
China, South Korea, and Canada.
○ Additionally, the United Kingdom, Russia, and Singapore have been mentioned
in various contexts within the supplied materials, but they are not specifically
recognised as IPHE members.
2.23.6 The Order of Recently, the Indian Prime Minister was awarded with the Druk Gyalpo order on
the Druk Gyalpo Bhutan's 114th National Day.
About Druk Gyalpo Order:
● The highest civilian honor of Bhutan, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, also referred
to as "Ngadag Pel gi Khorlo," is given in recognition of a lifetime of service to the
people and country.
● The award recognizes Prime Minister Modi’s contribution to strengthening India-
Bhutan friendship and his people centric leadership.
2.23.7 Shanghai Context: Recently, the fourth Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Startup
Cooperation Forum was held in New Delhi.
About Shanghai Cooperation Organization Startup Forum
Organization
● It serves as a platform for stakeholders in startup ecosystems across all SCO
Startup Forum Member States to engage and collaborate.
● It aims to strengthen the local startup ecosystems in the SCO Member States.
2.23.8 SASEC About South Asia Sub Regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC):
● Established in 2001 at the request of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal.
● The South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) operates under the
Asian Development Bank (ADB) as its Secretariat.
● Its goal is to enhance regional prosperity through Project-based Partnership,
fostering economic opportunities and improving quality of life.
● Members include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri
Lanka.

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 3
3.1 Human Development Index: UNDP
Report
Context: Recently, India was ranked 134th in the
global Human Development Index by UNDP.
Key Highlights of the Report:
● Theme of 2023/24 HDR Titled: “ Breaking the
Gridlock: Reimagining Cooperation in a Polarised
World”.
● India has ascended one position on the global
Human Development Index (HDI) as per the
United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) report.
Economy
● In 2022, India stands at 134th place, compared to
135th in 2021, out of 193 countries ranked.
● Gross National Income (GNI) per capita has seen
improvement rising from $6,542 to $6,951.
● Top Performers : Switzerland, Norway, Iceland,
Hong-Kong china(SAR), Denmark.
● Bottom 5 HDI Countries: Somalia, South Sudan,
Central African Republic, Nigeria, Chad.
● India lags behind its southern neighbor Sri Lanka
(ranked 78th) and China (ranked 75th) in the
High Human Development category.
● Bhutan (125th) and Bangladesh (129th) rank
above India, all falling under the Medium Human
Development category.

● Nepal (146th) and Pakistan (164th) rank lower

than India on the HDI scale.
● Improvement in reducing Gender Inequality (on
3 key Dimensions - Reproductive Health,
Empowerment & Labour Market) :
○ Gender Inequality Index value of 0.437 in 2022,
India has shown progress and fares better than
the global average of 0.462 and the South Asian
average of 0.478.
○ India ranks 108 out of 166 countries in Gender
Inequality Index (GII) 2022.
● Improvement in India's adolescent birth rate +
an improvement from 17.1 in 2021.

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About Human Development Index:
● Dr. Mahbub-ul-Haq introduced the Human
Development Index (1990).
● The HDI is the geometric mean of normalized
indices for each of the three dimensions.
○ The HDI sets a minimum and a maximum for
each dimension, called "goalposts", then
shows where each country stands in relation to
these goalposts.
○ This is expressed as a value between 0 and 1.
The higher a country's human development, the
higher its HDI value.
● A report on the Human Development Index (HDI)
is part of the Human Development Report
released by the United Nations Development
Programme.
3.2 World Inequality Lab Report
Context: According to a report titled as "Billionaire
Raj" published by the World Inequality Lab (WIL),
India's top 1% will have the greatest income and
wealth shares in history in 2022-23, at 22.6% and
40.1%, respectively.
About World Inequality Lab:
● The World Inequality Lab (WIL) is a research
facility of the Paris School of Economics.
● Its objective is to foster research in global
inequality dynamics.
● It collaborates closely with a wide international
network of scholars (more than 100 researchers
from almost 70 countries) who contribute to the
database.
3.3 Minimum Wage to Living Wage
System by 2025
Context: India is set to replace its minimum wage
system with a living wage system by 2025.
Current Wage System in India:
● Under the new Code on Wages 2019, the National
Floor Level Minimum Wage (NFLMW) is set by
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● It refers to the assessment of average
achievements in three basic dimensions of human
development - long and healthy life, access to
education, and decent standard of living.
the government which mandates the establishments
to set the minimum wage not less than the
National Floor Wage.
● As per Section 5 of the Code on Wages 2019, no
employer can fix the minimum wage below it.
● However, it’s not a mandatory provision, the
minimum wage rates can be revised accordingly
by the State.
● Currently, the National Floor Wage is Rs 178 per
day.
About Fair Wage:
● It comes after minimum wage which surpasses
the minimum threshold yet falls below what's
required for a living standard.
● While the minimum wage sets the baseline, the
upper boundary of a fair wage is determined
by the industry's financial capability to
compensate.
Legislations on Minimum Wage:
● Until 2019, the minimum wages were fixed through
the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.
● Code of Wages, 2019: It states that the minimum
wage cannot be fixed below the National Floor
Wage (NFW). However, this code, which is binding
on all states, is yet to be implemented.
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 Constitutional Provision for Living Wage:
● According to Article 43, the State shall
endeavour to secure, by suitable legislation or
economic organisation to all workers,
agricultural, industrial or otherwise, work, a
living wage.
3.4 India Employment Report 2024
Context: Recently, the International Labour
Organisation (ILO) and the Institute of Human
Development (IHD) have released a report named
"India Employment Report 2024".
Key Highlights of the India Employment Report
2024:
● Approximately 82 percent of the workforce works
in the informal sector, with approximately 90
percent informally employed.
● While casual laborer salaries rose modestly between
2012 and 2022, regular workers' actual wages
remained stagnant or fell.
● India is anticipated to have a migration rate of over
40% by 2030, with an urban population of
approximately 607 million.
About Institute of Human Development (IHD):
● It was established in 1998 by the Indian Society
of Labour Economics (ISLE).
● It aims to help establish a society that promotes
and supports an inclusive social, economic, and
political system free of poverty and deprivation.
3.5 Hike in MGNREGA Wages
Context: The Union government recently notified the
revised wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National
Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
(MGNREGS).
More on News:
● MGNREGA Rate in Uttar Pradesh: The hike
ranged from ₹7 in Uttar Pradesh (2023- ₹230 - to
2024 rate of ₹237)
● MGNREGA Rate in Goa: ₹34 hike in Goa (2023
wages ₹322 to 2024 wages ₹356)
● Highest and Lowest Wage Rate: Haryana
continues to offer the best wages at ₹374 per day,
Uttar Pradesh at ₹237 has one of the lowest wages
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About Wage Rates for MGNREGS Workers:
● Section 6 of the MGNREGA, 2005: The Ministry
of Rural Development establishes state-specific
salary rates for MGNREGS workers under sub-
section (1) of Section 6 of the MGNREGA, 2005.
● Fixing of Wage Rates: Wage rates are set in
response to changes in the CPI-AL (Consumer
Price Index-Agriculture Labourer), which
measures inflation in rural areas.
○ The Labour Bureau publishes the CPI-(AL),
which has 2010-11 as its base year.
● Determination of MGNREGA Wage rates:
MGNREGA wages are decided based on the amount
of work accomplished, using a piece-rate method.
● Payment basis: The real payment is based on the
worker's productivity, which is calculated using
each state's particular Schedule of Rates.
● Variation in Payments across states: These rates
vary by state and serve as the foundation for
computing pay for MGNREGA participants.
About Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Act:
● Introduced Year: 2005.
● Nodal ministry: Ministry of Rural Development
(MRD).
● Mandate: To Provide at least 100 days of
guaranteed employment each fiscal year to every
rural household whose adult members agree to
conduct unskilled manual labour at the statutory
minimum wage.
3.6 Card Networks
Context: Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
instructed a particular card network to halt
unauthorized payments made using business cards,
citing non-compliance with KYC norms.
More on News:
● The intermediary involved pooled funds into an
account not designated under the Payments and
Settlement System Act, 2007 (PSS Act).
About Card Networks:
● Card networks facilitate payments for goods and
services across multiple merchants without cash.
● Authorized card networks partner with
banks/non-banks for card issuance, connecting
banks, merchants, and customers for secure
transactions.
● Businesses are charged a fee, known as the
Merchant Discount Rate (MDR), by companies
processing their card transactions.
● Banks primarily determine the card networks issued
to customers for debit/credit cards, but the RBI
mandates card issuers to offer customers a choice
of networks from October 1, 2023.
● Additionally, card issuers are prohibited from
agreements restricting them to a single card
network.
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● India’s Authorised Card Networks: Visa,
Mastercard, RuPay, Diners Club,and American
Express.
● RuPay is India's domestic payment network
introduced by NPCI to enable India's participation
in the global payments market.
About National Payments Corporation of India:
● NPCI, an initiative of RBI and the Indian
Banks' Association (IBA) under the provisions
of the PSS Act, 2007, aims to establish a robust
Payment & Settlement Infrastructure in India.
● NPCI is a statutory entity incorporated as a "Not
for Profit" Company under the provisions of
Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 (now
Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013).
● Products: Immediate Payment Service, National
Automated Clearing House, Aadhar Enabled
Payment System, Unified Payment Interface etc
3.7 GDP & GVA
Context: Recently, the data released by the National
Statistical Office (NSO) showed that the difference
between the two sets of growth rates widened to a 10
Year high in Q3 (Oct-Dec 2023-24).
More on News:
● Data showed that During Q3FY24, India witnessed
a surge in GDP growth to 8.4%, surpassing
expectations, while GVA growth moderated to
6.5%.
● Divergence is due to a sharp increase in net taxes
& fall in subsidies, underscores the complexity of
economic interpretation.
About GDP:
● GDP represents the total value of goods and
services produced within a country's borders
over a specified period, offering a comprehensive
overview of the country's economic health.
● It encompasses private and public consumption,
government expenditures, investments, additions to
private inventories, paid-in construction costs, and
the foreign balance of trade.
● Calculation of GDP: GDP = private consumption
+ gross investment + government investment +
government spending + (exports-imports)
About Gross Value Added (GVA):
● GVA measures the value of goods and services
produced in a specific area, considering the value
added to a product. In India, GVA is measured at
'basic prices'.
● It is calculated by deducting the intermediate
value of consumption from the total output
produced, reflecting the added value generated
during the production process.
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Relationships Between GDP and GVA:
● GDP being derived from GVA and adjusted for
taxes levied by governments on products and
subsidies provided by the government.
● GDP = GVA + Taxes on products - Subsidies on
products.
● GDP is >> GVA, due to the higher amount of
taxes received compared to subsidies provided by
the government.
● Gross Domestic Product (GDP) consists of
demand-side components like private final
consumption expenditure (proxy for household
consumption), government final consumption
expenditure, gross fixed capital formation (proxy for
infrastructure creation), imports, exports etc.
● Gross Value Added (GVA) consists of supply-
side sectoral economic activity like agriculture,
mining, manufacturing, construction, financial, real
estate and professional services and other such
activities.
3.8 New Service & New Instruments of
Service
Context: Recently, Public Accounts Committee
approved the revision of financial limits for New
Service (NS) and New Instruments of Service (NIS).
More on News:
● New Service: Refers to expenditures resulting from
new policy decisions not previously notified to
parliament, encompassing new activities or
investments. Reporting limit: Above Rs 50 Crore to
Rs 100 Crore.
● New Instruments of Service: Refers to significant
expenditure resulting from the expansion of an
existing policy. Reporting limit: 20% of the original
appropriation or up to Rs 100 crore, whichever is
higher.
3.9 State Government Guarantee
About State Government Guarantee:
● A 'guarantee' is a legal commitment by a State to
make payments and protect an investor or lender
from the risk of default by a borrower.
● It's typically sought when investors or lenders are
unwilling to bear the risk of default.
● As per the Indian Contracts Act (1872), it is a
contract to perform the promise or discharge the
liability of a third person in case of default.
● Article 292 of the Indian Constitution grants the
Union executive power to provide guarantees on
the security of the Consolidated Fund of India,
within limits set by Parliament. Similar powers are
given to States under Article 293.
● State Governments often issue guarantees on
behalf of various Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs),
Cooperative Institutions, Urban Local Bodies, etc.,
to banks or financial institutions for financing
developmental schemes or projects.
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About Guarantee Redemption Fund:
● The Guarantee Redemption Fund (GRF) is set
up in the Public Account of India to redeem
guarantees provided by the Central Government
to Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs),
Financial Institutions, etc.
● It's financed through budgetary appropriations
under the 'Transfer to Guarantee Redemption
Fund' head in the Department of Economic
Affairs' Demands for Grants.
3.10 Accordion Tax
● The "accordion tax" is a progressive taxation
system designed to redistribute income from the
wealthy to the poor while still incentivizing
innovation and entrepreneurship.
● It works by imposing heavier taxes on higher-
income individuals, akin to the expansion and
contraction of an accordion.
3.11 Zero Coupon Instruments
Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of
India (SEBI) has issued guidelines for public issuance
of ‘zero coupons zero principle’ instruments by not-
for-profit organisations (NPOs) and listing of such
instruments on the Social Stock Exchange (SSE).
About ‘Zero Coupon Zero Principal’ Instruments:
● These are financial instruments that a non-profit
organisation may use to raise funds. When an entity
issues these securities and raises money, it is not a
loan but a donation.
○ The borrowing entity does not have to pay
interest—therefore zero coupon—and does not
have to pay the principal (zero principal)
either.
○ Like any other debt instrument, it will come
with a time duration.
● Any individual or corporate can buy the security
through SSE once they are open for business.
● The Finance Ministry had declared zero coupon
zero principal instruments (ZCZP) as securities
for the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act,
1956.
● These instruments will be governed by rules by the
SEBI.
● Significance: It will help organizations and
corporates to utilize their social responsibility funds
and support non-profit organizations more
transparently.
About SSEs:
● It is a separate segment within the existing stock
exchange.
○ It helps social enterprises raise funds from the
public through its mechanism.
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● Background: Finance Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman had proposed to initiate steps for
creating a stock exchange under the market
regulator’s ambit in the 2019 budget speech.
● Eligibility for Listing: Any for-profit social
business (FPSE) or non-profit organization (NPO)
demonstrating the importance of social intent will be
recognized as a Stock Exchange and qualified to be
listed or registered on the SSE.
○ By SEBI's Regulations, 2018, there are 17
reasonable criteria, some of which include
promoting education, employability,
equality, and environmental sustainability
and eradicating hunger, poverty, and
malnutrition.
3.12 India- 4th-largest Stock Market
Context: The Indian stock market has become the
4th largest globally, surpassing Hong Kong.
More on News:
● India’s total market value: $4.33 trillion.
● The Top 3 stock markets in the world are the US,
China, and Japan.
About Stock Market:
● It is a marketplace where publicly listed companies'
stocks (Equities or Shares) are bought and sold.
● There are two primary stock exchanges:
● The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the
National Stock Exchange (NSE).
● These stock exchanges have their own
benchmark indices:
○ The SENSEX for the BSE
○ The NIFTY 50 for the NSE
■ These benchmarks track the performance of
the top 30 and 50 companies respectively.
● Market Structure:
○ Primary Market: Companies release shares to
the public through an initial public offering
(IPO) to raise funds.
○ Secondary Market: Investors buy shares from
each other either at the current market price or
at a price they both decide on.
● The primary and secondary markets are regulated by
Security and Exchange Board of India (SEBI in
India.
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3.13 Exchange-traded Funds
About Exchange-traded Funds (ETFs):
● An ETF is a stock exchange-traded basket of
securities, providing investors with a pooled
investment in stocks, bonds, or other assets, akin to
individual stock trading.
● ETF share prices fluctuate all day as the ETF is
bought and sold and thus, it differs from mutual
funds, which only trade once a day after the market
closes.
Types of ETFs:
● Index-Based ETFs: These ETFs seek to track a
securities index like the S&P 500 stock index and
generally invest primarily in the index's component
securities.
● Actively Managed ETFs: Actively managed ETFs
are not based on an index. Instead, they seek to
achieve a stated investment objective by investing
in a portfolio of stocks, bonds, and other assets.
3.14 New Fund Offer (NFO)
Context: Tata AIA Life Insurance (Tata AIA)
recently unveiled the Tata AIA Rising India Fund.
About New Fund Offer:
● A new fund offer (NFO) refers to the initial sale of
fund shares issued by an investment company to
investors.
● Similar to an IPO in the stock market, NFOs are
intended to raise capital for the fund and attract
investors.
● Professional fund managers manage these funds,
making investment decisions on behalf of the
investors.
About Mutual Funds:
● A trust collects money from a group of
individuals with similar financial goals and
invests it in stocks, bonds, money market
instruments, and/or other securities.
● Companies that qualify to set up mutual funds
form Asset Management Companies (AMCs) or
Fund Houses, which pool investor funds, market
mutual funds, manage investments, and facilitate
investor transactions.
About Initial Public Offering (IPO):
● IPO is selling securities to the public in the
primary market.
● Through an IPO, an unlisted company can get
listed on the stock exchange.
● It is a process by which a privately held company
becomes a publicly traded company by offering
its shares to the public for the first time.
Types of New Fund Offering:
● Open-Ended: Investors may invest in and redeem
their investments in these schemes anytime.
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● Closed-Ended: A Closed-Ended NFO refers to the
launch of a mutual fund scheme with a fixed
maturity period.
● Interval Funds: These types of mutual funds
combine features of open-end and closed-end
funds. These NFO funds offer periodic intervals,
such as quarterly or semi-annually, during which
investors can buy or sell shares.
3.15 AIFs
Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made
revisions to regulated entities (REs) regarding their
investments in Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs).
More on News:
● Under the new rule, Regulated Entities (REs) are
required to reserve funds solely for the portion of
their investment in the AIF scheme, which is then
invested by the AIFs in a debtor’s company, not for
the entire investment in the AIF scheme.
● The circular doesn't apply to investments made by
REs in AIFs through intermediaries like fund of
funds or mutual funds.
About Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs):
● Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) in India are
private investment pools attracting funds from
sophisticated investors, including Indian and foreign
individuals, for investment activities.
● AIFs function in accordance with the SEBI
(Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations of
2012.
● These funds can be structured in various forms such
as companies, Limited Liability Partnerships
(LLPs), trusts, and more.
About Regulated Entity:
● This entity is the financial institution or
organizations that follow specific rules and
regulations set by regulatory authorities.
3.16 Trade Secrets
Context: Recently, the Law Commission in its 289th
Report ‘Trade Secrets and Economic Espionage’
recommended a new law to protect ‘Trade Secrets’.
About Trade Secrets:
● According to the World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO), trade secrets are
‘intellectual property rights on confidential
information such as formulas, processes, methods,
customer lists, and technicality etc which may be
sold or licensed’.
● Essentials of a Trade Secret:
○ Secret: It is known by a limited group of
people.
○ Commercial Value: Derive their value from
being kept secret.
○ Reasonable steps to be taken by the owner to
keep the information secret.
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● Unlike other forms of intellectual property, which
are limited in duration, They can be protected
indefinitely.
About Intellectual Property Rights Policy
Management (IPRPM) framework:
● Types of Intellectual Property Rights Covered
under IPRPM Framework:
○ (i) Patents, (ii) Trade mark, (iii) Industrial
Designs, (iv)Copyrights, (v) Geographical
Indications, (vi) Semiconductor Integrated
Circuit Layout Design, (vii) Trade Secret,
and (viii) Plant Varieties.
● The framework was launched in the form of
National IPR Policy 2016 encompassing all
IPRs into a single vision document setting in
place an institutional mechanism for
implementation, monitoring and review of IP
laws.
How is Trade Secret law governed in India?
Trade Secret law in India is mostly governed via
common law such as:
● Section 27 of the Contract Act - Law that bound
the parties not to disclose information contrary to
the terms of the contract between the parties i.e.,
NonDisclosure Agreements.
● Section 405-409 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860
deals with the cases when there is a Criminal
Breach of trust.
How can a Trade Secret be Protected?
● Non-disclosure agreement (NDA): employees and
business partners should sign a non-disclosure
agreement that prevents them from disclosing a
company’s confidential information.
● Non-compete agreement (NCA): employers
should ask employees, contractors and consultants
to sign a non-compete agreement to prevent them
from entering in competition when their
employment/service agreement ends.
3.17 Annual Startup Awards 2022
Context: Gujarat, Kerala and Karnataka have
emerged as the best-performing states in developing
startup ecosystems, as per the States’ Startup
Ranking 2022
About Annual Startup Awards 2022:
● It aims to recognize and reward outstanding Startups
with high potential for employment generation or
wealth creation, demonstrating measurable social
impact.
● The ranking for the states and union territories has
been released by the department for promotion of
industry and internal trade (DPIIT) under the
commerce ministry.
● Participating States: Total 33 states and UTs
● Five categories — best performers, top
performers, leaders, aspiring leaders and
emerging startup ecosystems.
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● Top Performers: Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab,
Rajasthan and Telangana are categorized as top
performers.
● Leaders: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Madhya
Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur,
and Tripura are categorised as ‘leader’.
● Aspiring leaders: Bihar, Haryana, Andaman and
Nicobar Islands, and Nagaland.
● Emerging startup ecosystems: Chhattisgarh,
Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Chandigarh, among
others.
3.18 Third-Party Application Provider
(TPAP)
Context: Recently, the NPCI granted permission to
One97 Communications Limited (OCL), the parent
company of Paytm, to operate as a Third-Party
Application Provider (TPAP) under the multi-bank
model for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services.
More on News:
● Under the new model, Paytm has teamed up with
four banks: Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, State Bank of
India, and YES Bank. These banks will serve as
Payment System Providers (PSP) to facilitate
Paytm's payment service.
About TPAP (Third-Party Application Provider):
● Third-Party Application Providers (TPAPs) offer
UPI-compatible apps for payments, including
mobile wallets, merchant apps, and other
platforms utilizing UPI.
● TPAPs use NPCI's UPI infrastructure and work
with PSPs and banks for transactions.
● TPAPs must ensure their apps meet NPCI's
security standards and compliance guidelines.
About Payment System Providers (PSPs):
● Payment Service Providers (PSPs) serve as
intermediaries within the UPI system, facilitating
secure payment processing by establishing
connections between customers, banks, and other
service providers, ensuring smooth transactions.
● PSPs establish a secure payment gateway
connecting the UPI platform with banks, ensuring
safe transfer of funds from the payer's bank account
to the recipient's bank account.
3.19 UDGAM Portal
Context: Recently, the Reserve Bank of India
launched the UDGAM Portal for unclaimed deposits
in India.
About UDGAM portal:
● UDGAM refers to the ‘Unclaimed Deposits-
Gateway to Access Information’.
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● Launched by RBI and it facilitates the registered 3.21 WEIDE Fund
users:
○ To search unclaimed deposits/accounts Context: Recently, WTO and the International
across multiple banks at one place in a Trade Centre launched a USD 50 million global fund,
centralized manner. WEIDE Fund.
○ To provide information on the About Women Exporters in the Digital Economy
claim/settlement process of each bank. (WEIDE) Fund:
● It aims to assist women-led businesses and women
● Currently, 30 banks representing 90% of entrepreneurs in developing economies and least-
unclaimed deposits in Depositor Education and developed countries in adopting digital
Awareness (DEA) Fund of RBI in India are part of technologies and expanding their online presence.
UDGAM.
● A unique Unclaimed Deposit reference number 3.22 DSR Paddy Cultivation
(UDRN) is assigned to each unclaimed account.
○ This protects privacy and prevents About Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) Technique:
identification of the bank branch or account ● Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), also known as the
holder by any third party. 'broadcasting seed technique,' is a method in
● A user is required to register on the portal by which less water is used during paddy cultivation.
providing his/her name and mobile number. ● In DSR, seeds are directly planted into the fields,
eliminating the need for transplanting seedlings
About Unclaimed Deposits: from a nursery to waterlogged fields.
● According to RBI - Balances in savings / current ● Unlike traditional methods, DSR saves
accounts which are not operated for 10 years, or groundwater by reducing the water-intensive
term deposits not claimed within 10 years from practices associated with transplanting.
date of maturity are classified as “Unclaimed ● DSR requires minimal preparation, with no need
Deposits”. for nursery setup or transplanting.
● These amounts are transferred by banks to the Difference between Direct Seeding and
“Depositor Education and Awareness” (DEA) Transplanting:
Fund maintained by the Reserve Bank of India. Direct Seeding Transplanting
1. Relatively cheaper 1. Relatively costly.
3.20 FDI in Space than transplanting.
2. Require less labour. 2. Labour requirement
Context: Recently, Government relaxed rules to allow is high.
100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in space sector. 3. Average yield is high. 3. Average yield is
4. Plants are usually lower except for long
More on News:
healthier and have aged varieties.
● Previous FDI policy restricted investment in stronger, deeper root 4. Plants have not
satellite establishment and operation to the system. vigorous deep root
Government approval route. 5. Final plant cover is system.
● However, the amended FDI policy now allows random and looks 5. Final plant cover is
100% FDI in the space sector, aligning with the natural. regular.
vision and strategy outlined in the Indian Space 6. Large amount of seed 6. Seed requirement is
Policy 2023. is required less.
FDI Limits for Satellite Sub-Sector Division: 7. Plant density is higher. 7. Plant density is
8. Weed control is optimum.
● Up to 100% FDI is allowed under the Automatic
difficult. 8. Easy of weed
Route for manufacturing components and control.
systems/sub-systems for satellites, ground segment,
and user segment. Trend of Rice Yields in India:
● Up to 74% FDI is permitted under the Automatic
Route for satellite manufacturing and operation,
satellite data products, ground segment, and user
segment.
Beyond 74%, government approval is required
for these activities.
● Up to 49% FDI is allowed under the Automatic
Route for launch vehicles and associated systems or
subsystems, as well as for creating spaceports for
launch and receiving spacecraft. Beyond 49%,
government approval is required for these
activities.

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3.23 Codex Committee on Spices and
Culinary Herbs
Context: Recently, the 7th session of the Codex
Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs
(CCSCH7) was held in Kochi, Kerala.
More on News:
● In this session, quality standards for 5 spices,
namely small cardamom, turmeric, juniper
berry, allpice and star anise were finalized.
About Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary
Herbs (CCSCH):
● It is responsible for formulating global standards
for spices and culinary herbs.
● It aims to establish thorough, science-driven quality
standards for these goods, in line with Codex
principles for global consumer protection and fair
trade.
About Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC):
● The term "Codex Alimentarius" means "food
code”.
● Jointly established by FAO and WHO in 1963 as an
intergovernmental body with membership of
over 189 countries including the EU.
● Headquarters : Rome, Italy.
● Its objective is to formulate internationally
accepted standards for all the principal foods,
whether processed, semi-processed or raw, for
distribution to the consumer.
● Being voluntary in nature, Codex standards,
whether general or specific, are acknowledged by
WTO Agreements as reference standards for
international trade.
● India became its member in 1964.
3.24 Sangam: Digital Twin Initiative
Context: Recently, the Department of
Telecommunications (DoT) unveiled the 'Sangam:
Digital Twin' initiative for Infrastructure Planning and
future Design.
About Sangam: Digital Twin initiative:
● It is a Proof of Concept [Demonstration of a
Product] distributed in two stages to be conducted in
one of the major cities of India.
○ Proof of Concept (PoC) Stages:
■ Exploratory Stage: It focuses on clarifying
goals and exploring creative ideas to unlock
potential. Demonstrative Stage: Here,
specific use cases are demonstrated to create
a blueprint for future collaboration and
scaling successful strategies.
About Digital Twin :
● It is a three dimensional virtual representation
of an object or system that delivers real type
insights into the performance, operation or
profitability of a physical object, even a city.
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● Types of digital twins (Based on the level of
product magnification): Component twins/Parts
twins, Asset twins, System or Unit twins, and
Process twins.
3.25 Green Hydrogen Plant In India
Context: Recently, the Union Minister for Steel and
Civil Aviation inaugurated India's first Green
Hydrogen Plant in the Stainless Steel Sector at Jindal
Stainless Limited (JSL), Hisar, Haryana.
About First Green Hydrogen Plant:
● It will be the world’s first green hydrogen plant
with rooftop & floating solar equipment.
● It aims to reduce carbon emissions by around 2,700
metric tonnes per annum and 54,000 tonnes of CO2
emission over 20 years.
● Location: Hisar, Haryana.
● Collaboration: between Jindal Stainless Ltd and
Hygenco.
● BOO Model: Hygenco is operating the plant under
the Build-Own-Operate (BOO) model.
More on News:
● Report: “Green Hydrogen: Enabling Measures
Roadmap for Adoption in India” was released by
World Economic Forum.
3.26 Geographical Indications (GI Tag)
Context: Recently, several products got the
Geographical Indication tag.
About Geographical Indication (GI):
● A GI tag is a sign that identifies a product as
originating from a specific geographical region and
having a distinctive quality or reputation.
● Prohibition: It prevents its use by a third party
whose product does not conform to the applicable
standards.
○ However, it does not enable the holder to
prevent someone from making a product
using the same techniques as those set out in
the standards for that indication.
31 Contact us: 9920613613
● Applicability: It is used for Agricultural products, ● Legal Framework:
foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts, and ○ Agreement on TRIPS at the World Trade
industrial products. Organisation (WTO) governs GI.
● Nodal Agency: Department for Promotion of ○ The Geographical Indications of Goods
Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks
Commerce and Industry. to provide for the registration and better
● Validity: 10 years protection of geographical indications relating
● Granted by: Geographical Indication Registry in to goods in India
Chennai.
Product Origin Description
Cuttack Rupa Tarakasi Cuttack, ● In Odia, ‘Tarakasi’ is a combination of two words:
(Silver Filigree) Odisha ‘Tara’ (wire) and ‘Kasi’ (design).
● The artisans transform silver bricks into thin fine wires
(known as “tara” or foils).

Narasapur crochet lace Narsapur, ● It is known for its intricate craftsmanship, unique
products Andhra designs and good quality crochet craft.
Pradesh

Banglar Muslin West Bengal This finest sort of muslin is made of cotton, which are spun
to create threads that maintain tensile strength at counts.

Ratlam Riyawan Lahsun Madhya It has higher oil content and bold flavours than the other
(Garlic) Pradesh. varieties.

Ambaji White Marble
Majuli Mask of Assam
Gujarat ● It is highly calcic and is produced in a town called
Ambaji (famous for its temple of Durga Devi).
● The marble has a very soft and waxy look.
● It is often used by sculptors as the marble is amenable
to carving.
Assam ● Majuli mask of Assam are mainly divided into
different categories:
○ ‘Mukha bhaona’ face mask covers the face,
○ ‘Lotokoi’ hanging mask which is bigger in size
extends to the chest and,
○ ‘Cho Mukha’ is a huge mask that is a head and body
mask.

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 Assam Majuli Manuscript Assam
Paintings
Lac Bangles Hyderabad,
Telangana
3.27 Review of TRIPS Agreement
Context: Recently, India with Bangladesh, Colombia
& Egypt have given a joint call at the WTO for review
of the TRIPS Agreement.
More on News :
● Joint Call for the review under Article 71 of
TRIPS Agreement :
○ After the failure of consensus on to extend
the temporary waiver of certain
intellectual property rights (TRIPS) for
Covid-19 therapeutics and diagnostics
production at the recently held 13th
Ministerial Conference of WTO in Abu
Dhabi.
Conflicts over CBD & TRIPS Agreement:
● CBD vs TRIPS Agreement:
○ CBD recognises countries' sovereign rights
over their biological resources, While TRIPS
Agreement allows members to provide patents
over biological resources (plants, animals and
microorganisms).
● TRIPS Limitations wrt to the CBD:
○ TRIPS mandates patents for all technological
fields, including the exploitation of biological
resources. However, it lacks mechanisms for
benefit sharing between patent holders and
material donors.
○ In contrast, CBD provides a legal basis for
developing countries to demand a share of
benefits.
● Biopiracy Concerns:
○ TRIPS lacks provisions for prior informed
consent for accessing biological resources,
leading to potential biopiracy.
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● It illustrates numerous stories and chapters taken from
the great Hindu epics Ramayana, Mahabharata and
above all subjects from the Bhagavata Purana.
● Originated over 500 years ago during the Mughal
period.
● Flourished over the decades and patronized by royal
families.
● Lac bangles are made from lac (resin).
○ CBD addresses this by granting states legal
authority to require prior informed consent,
aiming to mitigate biopiracy risks.
● Public Interest vs. Private Rights: TRIPS
prioritizes the private interests of IP rights holders
over public health and nutrition, contrary to CBD's
emphasis on the public interest and common good.
● Biopiracy : It is the unauthorised appropriation
and commercial exploitation of biological
resources and/or traditional knowledge, frequently
from indigenous communities, without fair
compensation.
About Doha Declaration on TRIPS agreement &
Public Health of 2001:
● Intellectual property (IP) and Public health : It
affirmed that the TRIPS Agreement should not
prevent members from taking measures to
protect public health and the rights of members.
● Lists Several flexibilities : Compulsory licensing
and exhaustion of IP rights.
The TRIPS Agreement of 2022:
● Ensure Equitable Access to COVID-19 Vaccines:
It has clarified the scope available to WTO members
to limit the exclusive effect of patent rights & to
access COVID-19 vaccines.
About Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual
Property Rights (TRIPS):
● Established in 1995
● Agreement : under WTO
● Objective-Establish global standards for the
protection and enforcement of intellectual property
(IP) rights.
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3.28 SHORT NEWS
3.28.1 Inland India’s First Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) has commited Rs. 45,000
Waterways crore for the development of River Cruise Tourism.
Development More on News:
Council ● The IWDC was organized by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).
About IWDC:
● The IWDC was established in 2023 by the government of India.
● It aims to develop the Inland Water Transport (IWT) ecosystem for improved cargo
efficiency, passenger movement, and river cruise tourism.
3.28.2 ‘One The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) organizes nationwide
District One ‘One District One Product Sampark’ events.
Product’ What is ODOP?
● It is an initiative launched with the aim of unlocking the full potential of districts,
fostering economic and socio-cultural growth, and generating employment,
particularly in rural areas.
○ Examples: Zari Zardozi embroidery of Bhopal, Blue Pottery of Jaipur
● Concept: The One District One Product (ODOP) concept originated in Japan as a
strategy for regional development.
● Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
● It is a centrally sponsored scheme shared by the Centre and states in 60:40
contributions.
● Objective: To transform each district in India into an export hub by promoting its
specialized products.
● The ODOP Initiative has identified 1102 products from 761 districts nationwide.
3.28.3 StartupShala has been introduced by the Department for Promotion of Industry and
StartupShala Internal Trade (DPIIT).
Flagship About StartupShala Flagship Accelerator Program:
Accelerator ● It aims to accelerate the development and success of early-stage startups by providing
resources and opportunities to accelerate one’s startup journey to the next level.
Program
● In this program an extensive network of partners from different incubation centers,
educational institutions, and large corporate entities come together to offer startups diverse
facilities and resources.
Eligibility Criteria For Startups to Apply for Program:
● It should be a DPIIT-recognised startup.
● It is important for the startup to work in the sustainability sector.
● The startup should generate revenue.
● The startup should be a growth stage startup.
3.28.4 HSN The Commerce and Industry Ministry is expanding the rise classification under HSN code
Codes for Rice to limit export curbs.
About HSN Code:
● HSN code stands for Harmonized System Nomenclature.
● It is a globally recognized system for classifying and identifying traded goods.
● It is a 6-digit uniform code introduced for the systematic classification of goods all over
the world. It first came into effect in 1988.
● Developed by: the World Customs Organization.
● Objective: In rice, HSN code is used to differentiate specific types of rice.

3.28.5 Global Recently, India has joined the Global Alliance for Circular Economy and Resource
Alliance for Efficiency (GACERE).
Circular About GACERE:
Economy and ● It is an alliance of governments at the global level willing to work together on and
advocate for a global just circular economy transition and more sustainable
Resource management of natural resources.
Efficiency ● Established by : The European Commission on behalf of the European Union (EU), and
(GACERE) by UNEP, in coordination with the UNIDO.
● Total Members: 17 including Canada, Japan, Switzerland, India & EU.
○ Observer Countries : Mexico & Singapore
● Launched in: 2021.

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3.28.6 Reverse Flip
● Reverse flipping describes the trend of overseas
startups relocating to India and listing on Indian
stock exchanges, often facilitated through share
swaps and inbound mergers.
3.28.7 Input Service Distributor (ISD)
About Input Service Distributor:
● An Input Service Distributor (ISD) is an office of a
goods or services supplier that receives tax
invoices for input services and issues a prescribed
document to distribute the tax credit to branches
with the same PAN. ISD is crucial for businesses
with multiple branches, ensuring proper distribution
of Input Tax Credit (ITC) on common expenditures.
3.28.8 Data Exclusivity
Context: Recently, India rejected the demand for
"data exclusivity" in ongoing talks with the European
Free Trade Association (EFTA).
About Data Exclusivity:
● Data exclusivity is a provision enforcing a
minimum embargo period, usually six years, on
the use of clinical trial data generated during drug
testing and development.
● This requires other manufacturers interested in
producing generic versions to either wait out the
exclusivity period or generate their own data, which
can be costly and time-consuming.
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3.28.9 White Goods
● White goods refer to heavy consumer durables or
large home appliances, which were traditionally
available only in white.
○ Examples: washing machines, air conditioners,
stoves, refrigerators, etc
3.28.10 Leniency Plus
Recently, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs notified
the introduction of the “Leniency Plus” regime to
revolutionise AntiTrust enforcement in the country
About Leniency Plus:
● Leniency Plus is an incentive program introduced
by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) in
India to encourage companies to disclose their
involvement in cartels and cooperate with
authorities in their investigations.
3.28.11 Blue Zones
About Blue Zones:
● "Blue Zones" are regions where chronic diseases
are less prevalent, and people tend to live longer.
Factors such as diet, fasting, and exercise are linked
with these areas.
● Examples of Blue Zones include Italy, Greece,
Japan, Costa Rica, Singapore and the US.
3.28.12 Digital Creator Economy
Context: Recently, Union government announced the
inaugral edition of National Creators Award.
About Digital Creator Economy:
● It refers to a segment of the economy where
individuals create and monetize content,
products, or services through digital platforms.
35 Contact us: 9920613613
 4
4.1 Ocean Acidification
Context: Rising acidity levels of the continental
shelves in Antarctic Marine Protected Areas (MPA).
About MPA’s in Antarctica:
● MPAs were instituted in the South Orkney Islands
in 2009 and the Ross Sea region in 2016.
● At present, a mere 5% of the Southern Ocean is
designated protected.
About Ocean Acidification:
● It refers to a reduction in the pH of the ocean over
an extended period of time, caused primarily by the
uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the
atmosphere.
● The ocean absorbs about 30 percent of the CO2
released in the atmosphere increasing levels of
Oceanic CO2 and acidification.
Ocean Acidification Process:
● Carbon dioxide dissolves into seawater and
forms carbonic acid (H2CO3), a weak acid that
breaks into hydrogen ions (H+) and
bicarbonate ions (HCO3-).
● This increase in H+ causes the seawater to
become more acidic and causes carbonate ions
to be relatively less abundant.
Causes of Ocean Acidification:
● Increasing carbon dioxide concentration in the
ocean: When sea organisms die on the sea beds,
their remains pile up and form corals consisting of
carbons.
● Higher concentration of hydrogen ions in water.
● Fossil Fuels: Burning petroleum, diesel, and coal
releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, which
enters water bodies through acidic rain or direct
dissolution.
● Use of oceans as possible dumping grounds for
domestic and industrial wastes.
● Growing industrialisation translates into increased
carbon dioxide concentration.
4.2 Cold Wave
Context: Minimum temperatures in several parts of
Kashmir have dropped below -3° Celsius, leading to a
cold wave in the region.
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Environment
About Cold Wave:
● Cold Wave: According to the World
Meteorological Organisation (WMO), a cold wave
is a period of marked and unusually cold weather
characterised by a sharp and significant drop in air
temperatures near the surface over a large area and
persisting below certain thresholds for at least two
consecutive days during the cold season.
○ Qualitatively, a cold wave is a condition of air
temperature which becomes fatal to the human
body when exposed.
● Criteria of Cold Wave According to IMD: When
the minimum temperature of a station is less than
or equal to 10°C for plains and less than or equal to
0°C for hilly regions.
○ Based on departure:
■ Cold Wave: Negative Departure from
normal is 4.5°C to 6.4°C
■ Severe Cold Wave: Negative Departure from
normal is more than 6.4°C.
○ Based on actual Minimum Temperature (for
Plains only):
■ Cold Wave: When Minimum Temperature is
less than or equal to 4.0°C
■ Severe Cold Wave: When Minimum
Temperature is less than or equal to 2.0°C
○ For Coastal Stations: When Minimum
Temperature departure is less than or equal
to -4.5 °C or actual Minimum
Temperature is less than or equal to 15 °C.
Major Factors for Cold Wave Occurrence Over
India:
● Build up of a ridge (an extended area of relatively
high atmospheric pressure) in the jet stream over
northwest Asia.
● Formation of surface high-pressure over north &
central India.
● Movement of cold air masses in response to
steering by upper-level winds.
● Triggering mechanisms like strong westerly waves
approaching northwest India to enhance winds for
the transport of cold air southeastward.
● Extensive snow covers over the Northwest
Himalayas.
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4.3 World’s Biggest Iceberg: A23a
About A23: The largest iceberg in the world:
● In 1986, A23a broke off Antarctica's Filchner Ice
Shelf, becoming the world's oldest and largest
iceberg, now exiting the Weddell Sea.
● This iceberg is drifting between Elephant Island
and the South Orkney Islands, on a path known as
"iceberg alley."
Iceberg and Its Types:
● An iceberg forms when ice breaks from glaciers
or ice shelves and floats in open water, moving
with ocean currents and may become stuck in
shallow areas or rest on the ocean floor.
Factors influencing the formation of icebergs
● Warmer conditions contribute to increased
melting, leading to more iceberg formation.
● Icebergs can drift over long distances due to the
influence of ocean currents.
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● The presence of underwater features affects
iceberg movement and grounding.
● Strong WInds can push icebergs in specific
directions, influencing their trajectory.
● The presence or absence of sea ice affects iceberg
mobility.
● Tidal Variations impact iceberg movement,
especially in tidal regions.
● Global Warming accelerates glacial melting,
contributing to more icebergs.
● Snow Buildup on glaciers adds stress, leading to
calving.
● Shipping and Industrial Operations can influence
iceberg movement and pose safety concerns.
4.4 Lakshadweep
Context: Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated
Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical
Fiber Connection (KLI - SOFC) project.
About Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine
Optical Fiber Connection:
● Funded by Universal Service Obligation, it aims
to increase the internet speed.
● The USO Fund was created to ensure access to
basic telecommunication services for people in
remote and rural areas at affordable prices.
● Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) was
nominated as the Project Execution Agency.
About Lakshadweep:
● Part of Reunion Hotspot Volcanism, it is an
archipelago of 36 coral islands in the Arabian Sea
off Kerala, India, with only 10 inhabited.
● There is an absence of forests, and the islands are
made of coral reefs and green coconut groves.
● Main Islands: Kavaratti, Agatti, Minicoy, and
Amini.
● Haven for endangered marine turtles, with nesting
sites for green turtles and hawksbill turtles.
● Pitti Island, a key breeding ground for sea turtles
and pelagic birds like brown noddy and crested
terns, has been declared a bird sanctuary.
37 Contact us: 9920613613
 ○ This deep, cold water then flows southward
4.5 Atmospheric Rivers along the ocean bottom, eventually returning to
the tropics to complete the cycle.
About Atmospheric River:
● It is a plume of moisture, or water vapor, that 4.7 Antarctic Circumpolar Current
moves from the tropics and is dumped over a region
as heavy rain or snow. Context: Scientists reconstructed the history of the
● They are narrow bands typically found on the world's most potent ocean circulation over the
eastern side of strong mid-latitude storms, often previous 5.3 million years.
causing heavy precipitation and rainfall over land. Key Findings of the Research:
● It is also known as "Pineapple Express” because it ● The Antarctic Circumpolar Current is crucial in
brings moisture from the tropics near Hawaii across regulating global climate and serves as the world's
the Pacific over to the West Coast of the US. most potent mechanism for inter-basin exchange
● A Pineapple Express is a type of atmospheric river of heat, carbon dioxide, chemicals, and biology.
that can affect the entire west coast of North ● Powered by continuous westerly winds, the ocean
America, resulting in extreme rainfall, excessive current circles Antarctica clockwise.
flooding, etc. ● This, in turn, has sped up the ACC, causing
relatively warm water from higher latitudes
4.6 Atlantic Meridional Overturning reaching the South Pole.
Circulation (AMOC) ● A stronger ACC means more warm, deep water
reaches the ice-shelf edge of Antarctica.
Context: A study pointed out that AMOC could
collapse between 2025 and 2095 due to the impact of
anthropogenic emissions.
About Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
(AMOC):
● AMOC is a large system of ocean currents that is
regulated by differences between salt content,
temperature, and water density of oceans.
● Also referred to as the “ocean’s conveyor belt” due
to its continuous movement of warm and cold water
masses throughout the Atlantic Ocean.
● It regulates global temperatures by moving heat
from the tropics to the poles, affecting regional
weather, rainfall, and storm tracks.
● A slowdown or collapse could significantly impact
global climate, sea levels, precipitation patterns, and
extreme weather events.
● Mechanism of AMOC:
○ AMOC moves warm water from the tropics to
the northern Atlantic Ocean basin.
○ This warm water releases heat to the
About Antarctic Circumpolar Current:
atmosphere, moderating the climate of Western
Europe. ● It's an ocean current that runs from west to east
around Antarctica.
● The Southern Ocean is a continuous body of water
with a rushing current that simultaneously isolates
Antarctica's coastal ocean.
● The largest wind-driven current on Earth is called
the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC).
○ The only current that links the Atlantic,
Pacific, and Indian oceans and
circumnavigates the entire earth.
● It is propelled by strong westerly winds and was
discovered by Edmund Halley.
● Antarctica is also the source of water that moves
○ As the water cools and becomes denser in the across the deep ocean as part of the Global Ocean
North Atlantic, it sinks to the ocean floor. Conveyor (world circulation).

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 ○ The global ocean conveyor belt is a dynamic
system of deep-ocean circulation driven by
temperature and salinity.
● Different weather conditions further north, at 45-55
degrees south, result in the formation of another
water body known as Antarctic Intermediate
Water.
○ In this area, precipitation is greater than
evaporation, hence the salinity of the water is
low.
4.8 Soda Lake
Context: Recently, Scientists discovered a shallow
"Soda Lake", Lake Chance, in Canada, resembling
Darwin's "Warm Little Ponds".
About Soda Lake:
● Soda lakes, rich in dissolved carbonates, sodium,
and phosphates, address the "phosphate problem"
in the emergence of life.
● Unlike conventional bodies of water with low
phosphate levels, lakes like Last Chance Lake in
Canada can have concentrations up to 1 million
times higher.
● This suggests that such environments, common on
early Earth, may also exist on other planets, aiding
origin-of-life research and the search for habitable
conditions beyond our solar system.
About Darwin's Warm Little Ponds Hypothesis:
● It suggests that life on Earth might have begun in
shallow, high-temperature bodies of water,
resembling soda lakes, where complex molecules
could spontaneously form.
● These pond-like environments could offer ideal
conditions for the synthesis of essential
biomolecules.
About Phosphate Problem:
● The problem concerns theories of life's emergence
on Earth.
● RNA, DNA, and cell membranes rely on phosphates
as a backbone, a naturally occurring element crucial
for life.
About Last Chance Lake:
● It's a shallow, murky soda lake in British
Columbia, Canada, situated on federal land above
volcanic rock.
4.9 Category 6 Hurricanes
About Category 6 Hurricanes:
● Recently, experts have proposed the creation of a
new hurricane category, Category 6, to address the
intensifying tropical storms fueled by climate
change.
More on News:
● The Saffir-Simpson scale, currently with five
categories, reaches its highest at Category 5.
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● However, storms with winds surpassing 192 mph
would meet the criteria for the new Category 6
● The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale
(SSHWS) assists emergency officials in assessing
the wind hazards of an approaching hurricane.
● It rates hurricanes on a scale of 1 to 5 based on their
sustained wind speed.
● Scale's Categories are:
○ Category 1: A minimal hurricane.
○ Category 3 to 5: Major Hurricanes that are
considered to have the potential for significant
loss of life and damage.
○ Category 5: A worst-case scenario.
4.10 Rip Currents
Context: INCOIS and ISRO are collaborating to
monitor rip currents to enhance beach safety.
About RIP Currents:
● A rip current is a strong, narrow flow of water
moving away from the shore, cutting through
breaking waves.
● Rip Tides: Rip Tides refer to tidal movements
through narrow coastal features and not the shore-
directed flow of rip currents.
4.11 Triple Dip La Nina
Context: A recent study by the National Institute of
Advanced Sciences, Bangalore, and the Indian
Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, revealed
that La Nina affected air quality in India during the
winter of 2022.
More on News:
● The Study has argued that the unusual air quality
in some Indian cities in the winter of 2022 could be
attributed to the La-Nina prevailing at that time.
Key Finding of the Study:
● La Nina Anomaly In Usual Condition (2022):
West Indian and south Indian cities like Mumbai,
Bengaluru and Chennai, experienced worse-than-
usual air quality while Northern Indian cities,
including Delhi, were cleaner than usual.
● Triple dip La Nina: The researchers correlated
global air circulation data during La Nina with wind
patterns over India. Anomalous wind patterns,
strongly influenced by La Nina conditions, were
observed, disappearing when these conditions
ceased.
How Has La Nina Affected Air Quality?
● During winters, the typical northwesterly wind
direction shifted to a north-south direction.
● This caused pollutants and smoke from stubble
burning in Punjab and Haryana to bypass Delhi and
the Gangetic Plains, instead traveling over
Rajasthan and Gujarat towards southern regions.
● In 2022, near Mumbai, local winds remained
consistently in one direction for over a week or 10
days, contrary to their usual pattern of changing
every four to five days.
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● Typically, wind currents alternate between blowing
from land to sea, but this deviation led to increased
pollutant accumulation in Mumbai.
● When the winds blew from land to sea, they carried
pollutants away from the city, exacerbating
pollution levels.
About La Niña:
● It is cooling of the ocean surface, or below-
average sea surface temperatures (SST), in the
central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean along
the Peruvian Coast strengthening the cold
Humboldt current.
● Impact: In reverse from El-Nino, Indonesia and
South Asia receive higher rainfall while it
decreases over the central and eastern tropical
Pacific Ocean.The normal easterly winds along
the equator become even stronger.
About Triple Dip La-Nina:
● It is a rare phenomenon where La-Nina
conditions persists for 3 consecutive years.
● 2020 to 2023: The world witnessed a ‘triple
dip’ La Nina with the last event being in 1998-
2001.
4.12 Desert Star Dune
About Star Dunes:
● Star dunes - or pyramid dunes - are named after
their distinctive shapes and reach hundreds of
metres in height.
● Formed in areas with complex wind regimes,
where winds blow from different directions,
leading to net sand accumulation and the
formation of giant dunes.
● They are found in Africa, Asia, North America,
and on Mars, comprising just under 10% of Earth's
desert dunes.
● Found in deserts including the Sahara Desert in
Morocco, the Badain Jaran desert in China, the
Namib Sand Sea in Namibia, and the Rub' al
Khali in Saudi Arabia.
● Also found in North America, such as at Great Sand
Dunes National Park in Colorado.
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● Star dunes are the tallest and most complex sand
dunes, surpassing other types like crescent-shaped
barchan and linear dunes.
4.13 Anthropocene
Context: Recently, scientists voted against declaring
the Anthropocene, or Human Epoch, on the geologic
time scale.
More on News:
● The proposal was taken up for a vote by the
Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy
(SQS), a constituent body of the International
Commission on Stratigraphy (the largest scientific
organization within the IUGS).
● We are currently in the Phanerozoic eon, Cenozoic
era, Quaternary period, Holocene epoch, and
Meghalayan age.
About Anthropocene Epoch
● The term Anthropocene was first coined in 2000
by the Dutch meteorologist Paul Crutzen and
American botanist Eugene Stoermer.
● It denotes the present geological time interval in
which the Earth’s ecosystem has gone through
radical changes due to human impact, especially
since the onset of the Industrial Revolution.
● It is associated with global warming, sea-level rise,
ocean acidification, the advent of deadly heat waves,
deterioration of the biosphere and other detrimental
changes in the environment.
● Members of the Anthropocene Working Group
(AWG) have estimated that the new epoch started
between 1950 and 1954.
● The AWG submitted its proposal to the
International Union of Geological Sciences
(IUGS) in 2023.
About Geologic time scale (GTS):
● Designed by scientists to measure the history of
the planet Earth.
● The GTS is divided, in descending order of
duration, into eons, eras, periods, epochs, and
ages since the formation of Earth.
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 ● It is based on chronostratigraphic
classification, an aspect of stratigraphy that deals
with the relation between rock strata and the
measurement of geological time.
● Characteristics of Chronostratigraphic Units:
○ They are not uniform and any two eons,
eras, periods, epochs, and ages do not
encompass the same length of time.
○ Transition from one to another is marked by
events that shape the planet and its living
conditions.
○ Each interval of Earth time must have a clear
objective and a universally applicable
starting point.
About International Union of Geological Sciences
(IUGS):
● Founded in 1961, it's a scientific organisation in
geological sciences with 121 national members,
representing over a million geoscientists.
● It promotes international cooperation in Earth
sciences for human welfare and is a member of
the International Science Council (ISC).
About International Commission on Stratigraphy
(ICS):
● It is the largest and oldest constituent scientific
body in the International Union of Geological
Sciences (IUGS).
● It is to define precisely global units (systems,
series and stages) of the International
Chronostratigraphic Chart which is the basis
for the units (periods, epochs and age) of the
International Geological Time Scale
● It sets the global standards for the fundamental
scale for expressing the history of the Earth.
4.14 Sela Tunnel
Context: Recently, the Prime Minister virtually
inaugurated the Sela Tunnel project at the Viksit
Bharat Viksit North East programme in Itanagar,
Arunachal Pradesh.
About Sela Tunnel:
● Constructed at 13,000 feet, the tunnel connects
Tezpur, Assam, to Tawang in Arunachal
Pradesh's West Kameng district.
● It has been constructed using the new Austrian
Tunnelling Method.
● The tunnel ensures all-weather connectivity to
Tawang across Sela Pass on the Balipara -
Chariduar - Tawang Road in the Northeast region.
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About New Austrian Tunneling Method
(NATM):
● Also Known as the Sequential Excavation
Method (SEM) or Sprayed Concrete Lining
(SCL) Method.
● It's a modern tunnel design and construction
method using advanced monitoring to tailor wall
reinforcement techniques to the rock type
encountered during tunneling.
4.15 Popocatepetl Volcano
Context: The Popocatépetl volcano has been spewing
thick plumes of volcanic ash into the sky outside
Mexico.
About Popocatepetl Volcano:
● Popocatépetl — which means "smoking
mountain" — is located in central Mexico.
● It is the second-highest peak in Mexico after
Citlaltepetl (Pico de Orizaba).
Geological Details:
● Popocatepetl is a stratovolcano (composite
volcano) characterized by its steep, conical shape
built up by successive layers of volcanic ash, lava
flows, and pyroclastic materials.
4.16 Atmospheric Research Testbed
Context: Recently, the first phase of the Atmospheric
Research Testbed in Central India (ART-CI) was
inaugurated in Sehore district in Bhopal.
About Atmospheric Research Testbed (ART):
● The ART programme focuses on studying
atmospheric processes using advanced
measurement systems.
● It aims to understand cloud dynamics, land-
atmosphere interactions, and radiative processes.
● Phases of Implementation
○ Phase One: Under this phase, an ART in
central India was to be established to study
convection, land-atmosphere interactions, and
precipitation.
○ Phase Two: Under this phase, an ART in the
northeast/eastern region would be set up to
investigate severe thunderstorm processes.
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About Blue Economy:
● The blue economy emphasises on the sustainable
use of ocean resources to promote economic
growth.
● It aims to improve livelihoods and create jobs while
preserving the health of marine ecosystems.
4.17 Shipra River
About Shipra River:
● The Shipra is a river in Madhya Pradesh state.
● It is a perennial river and is considered as sacred as
the Ganga River by the Hindus.
● It originates in the Vindhya Range from a hill
called Kakri-Tekdi, which is in the north of Dhar.
● It flows across the Malwa Plateau to join the
Chambal River.
● The Puranas put forward that the Shipra originated
from the heart of Varaha, Lord Vishnu’s
incarnation as a boar.
● The holy city of Ujjain is located on the right bank
of the Shipra River.
● The famous Kumbha Mela takes place in the ghats
of this city, once every 12 years, a yearly
celebration of the river goddess Kshipra.
● Major Tributaries: Khan and Gambhir.4
4.18 Landslide Atlas of India
● Landslide Atlas of India: It is a detailed guide
identifying landslide hotspots in the country.
● Released by: Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO).
● ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC)
has created a database of India's landslide-prone
regions based on events from 1998 – 2022.
● Regional Focus: The database contains regions
primarily along the Himalayas and the Western
Ghats.
4.19 Butterflies and Moths
Context: Recently, the Zoological Survey of India
published a book entitled, ‘An Illustrated Guide to the
Lepidoptera of India’.
About Lepidopteran and Lepidopterology:
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● Order Lepidoptera: Consists of species of
butterflies, moths, and skippers.
● Lepidopterology: It is a branch of entomology
concerning the scientific study of moths and the
two superfamilies of butterflies.
4.20 Green Cover in Cauvery Basin
Context: Recently, NGT expressed concerns over the
reduction of green cover in the Cauvery basin.
More on News:
● Only 18% of the area remains forested, and dense
forests are confined to a mere 13% of the region.
● The Cauvery Basin has witnessed a reduction of
12,850 sq km of green cover from 1965 to 2016.
● Karnataka has lost around 57 percent of the green
cover, Tamil Nadu has witnessed a loss of 29
percent and Kerala has lost 27 percent of its green
cover during the same period.
○ Bandipur National Park: The forest area in
the park has decreased by 15.19% over the past
50 years.
○ Nagarhole National Park: It has witnessed an
11% reduction in forest cover..
○ Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple (BRT)
Wildlife Sanctuary: It has also experienced
reduction in forest cover.
○ Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary: Faced around 18
percent reduction in greenery between 1973
and 2016.
○ Bannerghatta National Park: Significant
decline in dense forest cover, to 28 percent in
2016 from 50.40 percent in 1973.
About Cauvery Basin:
● The basin spreads over the states of Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka, Kerala and the Union Territory of
Puducherry which is nearly 2.7% of the country's
total geographical area.
● It is bounded by the Western Ghats on the west, by
the Eastern Ghats on the east & the south and by
the ridges separating it from Krishna basin and
Pennar basin on the north.
● The Cauvery River, rising at Talakaveri on the
Brahmagiri range in the Western Ghats,
Karnataka, is the main river in this basin.
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More on News:
● Suspension of stone quarrying within Krishna Raja
Sagar (KRS) Dam under provisions of Dam Safety
Act 2021.
● About the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam:
○ Located near the confluence of river Kaveri
with its tributaries, Hemavati and
Lakshmana Tirtha,in Karnataka.
○ Designed by Sir M. Visvesvaraya.
4.21 Dry Spell in Kashmir Winter
Context: Western Himalayas witnessing prolonged
dry spell.
More on News:
● Kashmir experienced a 75 percent rainfall deficit
in December and January, causing severe dry
spells.
About Winter in Kashmir:
● The winter in Kashmir is about 70 days long,
beginning on December 22nd.
● The first forty days are called the Chilla Kalan,
the next twenty days are called the Chilla Khurd,
and the last ten days are called the Chilla Bachi.
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The main reasons for the dry spell are:
● Global warming has reduced the frequency of
Western Disturbances (WDs) as the mid-latitude
jet streams cause them to shift north towards the
polar regions, decreasing crucial winter
precipitation in the country.
● The frequency of Western disturbances typically
increases before El Nino onset in an El Nino year,
but this year, global warming has become the
dominant factor.
● Experts state a strong positive correlation between
the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and winter
precipitation in Kashmir.
○ Positive NAO leads to more active western
disturbances (WDs) that bring the majority of
winter precipitation to the Kashmir region
○ There was a negative NAO during December
2023 and a strongly negative NAO is predicted
for January 2024, leading to very low snowfall
this season.
About North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO):
● The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is an
irregular atmospheric pressure fluctuation
over the North Atlantic Ocean, significantly
impacting winter weather in Europe, Greenland,
northeastern North America, North Africa, and
northern Asia.
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4.22 Water (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024
Context: Recently, the Parliament passed the Water
(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment
Bill, 2024.
More on News:
● It amends the Water (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act, 1974.
About the Water (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act, 1974:
● It is the first national law for pollution control in
India.
● Establishes an institutional structure for
preventing & abating water pollution.
● It sets standards for water quality & effluent.
● It aims to check water pollution of major rivers & its
subsidiaries due to sewage systems, chemicals from
fertilizers & insecticides.
About Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):
● Constituted in 1974 under the Water
(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,
1974.
● Principal Functions:
○ To promote cleanliness of streams and
wells in different areas of the States by
About Promenade Development under Netravati
Waterfront Development Project:
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prevention, control and abatement of
water pollution, and
○ To improve the quality of air and to
prevent, control or abate air pollution in
the country.
● Provides technical services to the Ministry of
Environment and Forests under the provisions
of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
4.23 Netravati Riverfront Project
Context: Recently, the National Green Tribunal
(NGT) initiated action on the Netravati Waterfront
Promenade Development Project in Mangalore.
About Netravati River:
● It originates in the Western Ghats in the
Bangrabalike forest Valley of Yellaner Ghats of
the Kudremukh range in Chikkamagaluru district
of Karnataka.
● It merges with the Kumaradhara River, a left-bank
tributary before flowing to the Arabian Sea.
● Kumaradhara River originates in Western Ghats.
● The Netravati also flows through the popular
pilgrim place called Dharmasthala.
● Netravati river is the main source of water to
Bantwal and Mangalore.
● The project aims to link the city to the river and
sea via proposed landmarks and nodes, connected to
the city by a network of roads acting as connectors
to the promenade.
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● The project intends to develop the waterfront as an
active recreational and commercial area with
waterfront gardens, parks, pedestrian-friendly
walkways, bicycle track, boardwalks, nature parks,
adventure sports etc.
About Waterfront Development:
● It refers to transforming waterfront areas into
livable spaces and community gathering
places.
4.24 Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR)
About Valmiki Tiger Reserve:
● It forms the eastern-most limit of the Himalayan
Terai forests in India.
4.25 Himalayan Wolf
About Himalayan Wolf:
● Found in high altitudinal regions in the Himalayas
and the Tibetan plateau of India, Nepal and China.
● Habitat: High altitude Grasslands.
● Larger in size than the Indian and European wolves.
● Feeding habits: Their prey base includes yak,
kiang, bharal, Tibetan gazelle, Siberian ibex,
marmot and other small mammals like hare.
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● It is in the Terai in Bihar’s West Champaran
district in the Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary, Nepal
borders it to its north and Uttar Pradesh to its
west.
● Rivers Gandak, Pandai, Manor, Harha, Masan,
and Bhapsa flow through various parts of the
reserve.
● The mixed moist deciduous vegetation along the
alluvial plains of the Gandak River is dominated
by sal, Rohini and sihor etc.
● Tigers, Leopards and Indian Wild Dogs are the
large predators.
● Other species found here are the leopard cat, fishing
cat, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, hog
deer, Indian bison (Gaur), Nilgai, wild boar, etc.
Protection Status:
● IUCN's Red List: Vulnerable
● Wildlife Protection Act: Schedule 1
● CITES: Appendix I
4.26 Nematodes
Context: Researchers recently discovered a new
nematode species, Steinernema adamsi, which shows
promise for controlling crop pests in warm, humid
regions.
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About Nematodes:
● Nematodes, also known as roundworms or
eelworms, are microscopic organisms found
worldwide, spanning diverse habitats from deserts
to oceans.
● They are part of the phylum Nematoda and exist in
both free-living and parasitic forms.
4.27 Kaji Nemu
Context: Recently, Assam declared "Kaji Nemu"
(Citrus Lemon) as the state fruit.
About Kaji Nemu:
● Known for its unique aroma, anti-oxidant
properties, juiciness, and medicinal properties.
4.28 Invasive Thrips
Context: Invasive Thrips damaged chilli crops in
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
About Invasive Thrips:
● Thrips Parvispinus is an invasive pest species,
native to Thailand and prevalent in Southeast
Asian countries.
● It can feed on a variety of host plants, including
ornamental plants, vegetables, and fruit crops.
4.29 Aldabra Giant Tortoise
Context: Reintroduction of Aldabra Giant Tortoises
to Madagascar.
About Aldabra Giant Tortoises:
● A species of tortoise native to Seychelles.
● Protection Status: Vulnerable.
● Habitat: Mangrove Forests, Swamps, Coastal
Beaches.
● One of the largest land tortoise and longest living
animals on earth.
4.30 Laughing Gull
About Laughing Gull:
● The bird is known for its unique laughter-like
calls, resembling human laughter.
● They are most common on the Atlantic and Gulf
coasts of North America, the Caribbean, Central
America and northern South America.
● Description: Smaller than typical seagulls, they
have black beaks and legs, with dark wings setting
them apart from other seagull species.
● Laughing gulls are monogamous and form long-
term pair bonds.
● During winter, these birds embark on migratory
journeys, with occasional sightings along Africa’s
southern coast.
● Its presence in Asia had been recorded only in
countries such as Malaysia and the Philippines.
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Protection Status:
● IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern.
● CITES and CMS Status: Not Evaluated
4.31 Seaweed Cultivation
Context: Recently, the National Conference on
Promotion of Seaweed Cultivation was held at
Koteshwar (Kori Creek), Kutch, Gujarat.
About Seaweeds:
● Seaweeds are a form of macroscopic algae, a
primitive type of plant lacking true roots, stems and
leaves
● They grow in the marine and shallow coastal
waters or brackish water habitats and on rocky
shores.
● Seaweeds are recognized into Four groups
according to their pigments that absorb light of
particular wavelengths.
● These are Chlorophyta (green algae), Phaeophyta
(brown algae) and Rhodophyta (red algae) and
Blue algae.
Seagrasses:
● Seagrass is a marine vascular plant flowering
plant which is a true vascular plant.
● It has true stems, roots and leaves. Furthermore,
seagrass produces fruits and seeds, unlike
seaweeds.
● Around 844 species of seaweeds have been reported
from Indian seas primarily found along the coast of
Tamil Nadu and Gujarat and around
Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Application of Seeweed:
● Renewable source of Food, energy, chemicals and
medicines with manifold nutritional, industrial,
biomedical, agriculture and personal care
applications.
● They are used as laxatives, for making
pharmaceutical capsules, in the treatment of goitre
cancer, in bone-replacement therapy and in
cardiovascular surgeries.
● They are a source of Agar, Alginates and
Carrageenan used in laboratories, pharmaceuticals,
cosmetics, cardboard, paper, paint and processed
foods.
● Seaweeds are incredibly efficient at sucking up
carbon dioxide.
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4.32 Atapaka Bird Sanctuary
About Atapaka Bird Sanctuary:
● Located in Kolleru Lake on Krishna-West
Godavari borders, Andhra Pradesh.
● It falls under the Kaikalur forest range.
● It was officially declared a sanctuary in the year
1999 by the Andhra Pradesh government.
● Important Flora & Fauna:
○ Flora: Avicennia Marina (white mangrove),
Rhizophora Mucronata (red mangrove),
Ceriops Decandra, etc.
4.33 Arsenic & Fluoride
Context: Recently, National Green Tribunal (NGT)
pointed out the presence of arsenic and fluoride
in groundwater.
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○ Fauna: Spot-billed Pelican, Open-billed Stork,
Painted Stork, Asian Openbill Stork, White Ibis,
Grey Heron, Little Cormorant, Eurasian
Spoonbill, etc.
About Kolleru Lake:
● Located between the Krishna and Godavari rivers
and deltas in Andhra Pradesh.
● It was designated as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1999
under India's Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.
● It was declared a wetland of international
importance in 2002 under the Ramsar Convention.
About Arsenic:
● A highly toxic element, naturally occurring in the
environment, earth's crust, and groundwater in
various countries.
● Arsenic’s long-term exposure to drinking-water
and food can cause cancer, skin disease,
cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
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● World Health Organisation’s provisional
guideline value for arsenic in drinking water - 0.01
mg/l (10 μg/l) and permissible limit of arsenic in
India in absence of an alternative source - 0.05 mg/l
(50 μg/l).
About Fluoride:
● Fluoride is found in trace amounts in soil, water,
plants, and foods, with most human consumption
coming from fluoridated water, foods and
beverages made with it, and fluoride-containing
dental products.
● Highly toxic, prolonged consumption of fluoride in
high concentrations in water can cause dental and
skeletal fluorosis, kidney diseases, and arthritis.
● According to WHO 1984 and Indian Standard
Drinking Water Specification 1991 the maximum
permissible limit of fluoride in drinking water is 1.5
ppm and highest desirable limit is 1.0 ppm.
Fluoride Remediation:
● Renewable biochar from rice husk biomass can
absorb fluoride pollutants from groundwater,
showing significant removal at neutral pH.
● Biochar-mediated sand columns can be used for
defluoridation in hand pumps and tube wells.
4.34 Nitrogen Pollution
Context: Nitrogen Pollution Control Initiatives in the
News.
About International Nitrogen Initiative:
● Set up in 2003 under sponsorship of the
Scientific Committee on Problems of the
Environment (SCOPE) and from the
International Geosphere-Biosphere Program
(IGBP).
● A leading science-policy platform for nitrogen's
sustainable management.
About Gothenburg Protocol (1999):
● It is a multi-pollutant protocol designed to
reduce acidification, eutrophication and
ground-level ozone by setting emissions ceilings
for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile
organic compounds and ammonia.
About South Asia Nitrogen Hub (SANH):
● It aims to tackle the nitrogen challenge by
bringing together experts from over 32 leading
research organizations from across South Asia
and the UK.
About Colombo Declaration on Sustainable
Nitrogen Waste Management:
● It aims to reduce nitrogen waste by 2030.
4.35 World Air Quality Report 2023
Context: According to the World Air Quality Report
2023, Delhi has the worst air quality of any capital
city in the World.
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About World Air Quality Report:
● It is published by IQAir, a Swiss organisation.
Key Highlights of the Report:
● India has the third poorest air quality, with an
average annual PM2.5 concentration of 54.4
micrograms per cubic meter.
● While Bangladesh remained the world's most
polluted country, with an average PM2.5
concentration of 79.9 micrograms per cubic meter,
Pakistan ranked second, with a level of 73.7.
● For the fourth year in a row, Delhi was named the
world's most polluted capital city.
○ Begusarai, Bihar, has been described as the
world's most polluted urban area.
○ Ten of the top eleven most polluted cities in the
world are from India, with the other being
Lahore, Pakistan.
About Particulate Matter:
● It is made up of solid particles and liquid
droplets in the air.
● PM comes in a variety of sizes.
○ Larger particles are typically derived from
the soil.
○ Smaller particles result from the combustion
of fossil fuels, such as petrol in automobiles,
diesel in trucks, and coal used in power plants.
● Primary PM is directly emitted by a
smokestack or tailpipe.
● Chemical processes cause secondary PM to
form downwind of gaseous emission sources.
● PM 2.5: PM 2.5 is an atmospheric particulate
matter with a diameter of less than 2.5
micrometers.
● PM 2.5 particles are small enough to penetrate
deep into the lungs and even reach the
bloodstream.
4.36 Black Carbon Emissions
Context: India is actively reducing black carbon
emissions through the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala
Yojana (PMUY).
About Black Carbon:
● It is the dark, sooty material emitted alongside other
pollutants when biomass and fossil fuels are not
fully combusted.
● It forms a significant portion of particulate matter
(PM) and contributes notably to global warming by
efficiently absorbing light and heating its
surroundings.
● Additionally, it influences cloud formation, regional
circulation, and rainfall patterns.
3.37 Coastal Zone Management Plans
Context: Recently, the National Green Tribunal
(NGT) directed the MoEFCC to ensure coastal States
and Union Territories prepare the Coastal Zone
Management Plan (CZMP).
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About Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ):
● Under the Environment Protection Act of 1986,
the Ministry of Environment and Forests issued the
Coastal Regulation Zone notification to regulate
activities in coastal areas.
● As per the notification, the coastal land up to a
distance of 500m from the High Tide Line (HTL)
and a stage of 100m along banks of creeks,
estuaries, backwaters and rivers subject to tidal
fluctuations, is called the Coastal Regulation Zone
(CRZ).
High Tide Lines (HTL):
● HTL is defined as the line on the land up to which
the highest water line reaches during the
Spring Tides.
Low Tide Lines (LTL):
● LTL is defined as the line on the land up to which
the lowest water line reaches during the Spring
Tides.
Spring Tide:
● Spring tide occurs on the full moon and new
moon day. High tides of spring tide are higher
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than the average high tide and low tide of spring
tide is lower than the average low tide.
● CRZ are as follows:
○ CRZ I – Ecologically Sensitive Areas.
■ They lie between the low and high tide lines,
where the exploration of natural gas and salt
extraction are permitted.
○ CRZ II – Shore Line Areas
■ Shoreline areas refer to regions developed
near the shoreline, where unauthorized
structures are prohibited.
○ CRZ III – Undisturbed Area
■ Rural and urban localities outside Zones I
and II, where only specific agricultural
activities and some public facilities are
permitted.
○ CRZ IV – Territorial Area
■ An area spanning from the Low Tide Line to
12 Nautical Miles seaward where fishing
and related activities are allowed, and
discharging solid waste is prohibited.
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● New reforms under coastal regulation zone
notification 2018 & 2019 are as follows:
○ A No Development Zone (NDZ) of 20 meters
has been stipulated for all islands.
○ For CRZ-III (Rural) areas, two separate
categories have now been created for improved
management: CRZ-III A and CRZ-III B.
■ CRZ-III A: Undeveloped rural areas with
a population density over 2161 per km²
as per the 2011 census are designated as
CRZ-III A, with a 'No Development Zone
(NDZ)' up to 50 meters from the High Tide
Line (HTL), reduced from 200 meters as
per the CRZ Notification of 2011.
■ CRZ-III B: Undeveloped rural areas where
the population density of less than 2161
per km², as per 2011 census base, is
designated as CRZ-III B and the area up to
200 meters from the HTL on the
landward side shall be earmarked as the
'No Development Zone (NDZ)'.
4.38 Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana
Context: Recently, the Prime Minister launched
‘Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana’ with the target
of installing rooftop solar on one crore houses.
More on News:
● In 2014, the government initiated the Rooftop
Solar Programme to reach 40 gigawatts (GW)
by 2022. However, this target couldn’t be
achieved.
About the ‘Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana:
● It aims to equip 1 crore households with rooftop
solar panels.
● It will lower monthly electricity bills, reduce air
pollution compared to coal or oil power, and support
India's move towards renewable energy self-
sufficiency.
4.39 Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-
Chambal-ERCP Link Project
Context: Recently, an MoU was signed between
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and the Union
Ministry of Jal Shakti to implement the Modified
Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-ERCP (PKC )Link
Project.
About PKC Link Project:
● It is one of the 30 links in the National Perspectives
Plan, formulated by the Ministry of Water
Resources and the Central Water Commission in
1980.
● The preliminary feasibility report of the Kalisindh-
Chambal link canal project proposes diverting
water from the Newaj (a tributary of Kalisindh) and
Kalisindh rivers to the Chambal river at either the
Rana Pratap Sagar dam or the Gandhi Sagar
dam.
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About Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP):
● It aims to transfer water within the Chambal basin,
utilizing surplus monsoon water from the
Kalisindh, Parvati, Mej, and Chakan sub-basins to
the water-deficit Banas, Gambhiri, Banganga, and
Parbati sub-basins.
● It aims to supply drinking and industrial water to 13
eastern Rajasthan districts: Alwar, Bharatpur,
Dholpur, Karauli, Sawai-Madhopur, Dausa, Jaipur,
Ajmer, Tonk, Bundi, Kota, Baran, and Jhalawar.
About Modified PKC-ERCP link Project:
● It is an inter-state river linking project.
● It will supply drinking and industrial water to 13
districts in eastern Rajasthan and the Malwa and
Chambal regions of Madhya Pradesh, and
provide irrigation for 2.8 lakh ha in each state,
totaling over 5.6 lakh ha.
4.40 Living Animal Species (Reporting
and Registration) Rules, 2024
Context: Notification of rules framed under Section
49M of the WPA 1972 by the Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
More on News:
● Section 49 M: It mandates the registration of
possession, transfer, birth, and reporting of death
for species listed in CITES Appendices and
Schedule 4 of the WPA 1972.
● All persons possessing a living specimen of such an
animal species are required to apply for registration
of such possession to the concerned State Chief
WildLife Warden, through the PARIVESH 2.0
portal.
4.41 Solid Waste Management in
Aquaculture Units
Context: Introduction of new guidelines for solid
waste management in coastal aquaculture units.
About Guidelines On Solid Waste Management In
Aquaculture Units:
● It aims to delineate protocols spanning from waste
handling to prohibiting its burning and minimize
waste generation and ensure its responsible
disposal.
● Provisions:
○ It aims to identify, categorize, and manage
waste streams effectively.
○ Each unit will have to assess waste generation,
segregate solid waste into biodegradable, non-
biodegradable, and hazardous categories, and
provide adequate bins for segregation.
○ The facility managers will have to plan waste
transportation and implement reuse or
recycling measures to minimize environmental
impact.
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 ○ The guidelines also impose a ban on the burning
of plastic.
○ Plastics of any grade shall not be burnt at any
time by the units, and shall be handed over to
the local body or the appointed agency.
○ Larger units generating significant sewage are
also required to operate in-house sewage
treatment plants meeting Pollution Control
Board standards.
○ Various methods such as fermentation and
composting are recommended for biological
waste management. Incineration of old or dead
animals is advised in certain facilities.
○ Storing of fuel, oil, and lubricants must adhere
to legal requirements, with regular
maintenance and staff training to prevent
spills and ensure safety compliance.
○ Each unit is required to maintain adequate
temporary storage capacity to handle
different categories of waste effectively.
○ Recyclable Non-degradable Waste can be
stored and periodically sold or handed over to
recyclers based on storage facility capacity and
disposal schedules.
○ Units will also have to create designated spaces
for landfill disposal.
4.42 Star-Rating for State Environment
Bodies
About Star Rating System for State Environment
Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAA):
● In 2022, the MoEFCC introduced a star-rating
system, assessing pollution control, environmental
management practices, and regulatory compliance.
● Industries must apply for the rating annually,
ranging from one to five stars, with five stars
denoting the highest level of environmental
compliance and performance.
● According to the star rating system, the SEIAA
would receive points in a range of 0 to 7.
○ A SEIAA would receive two points for granting
permission in less than 80 days, one point for
clearing a project between 80 and 105 days,
and 0.5 points for clearance issued between
105 and 120 days.
○ If an SEIAA takes more than 120 days to grant
environmental clearance, they will receive
zero points.
About SEIAA:
● SEIAA is a regulatory agency formed by the
MoEFCC through the Environment Impact
Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006.
● SEIAAs grant clearances based on
recommendations from Expert Appraisal
Committees, which thoroughly review project
proposals with significant potential
environmental impact.
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4.43 Rules for Transfer of ‘Captive
Elephants’
Context: Recently, the government introduced the
Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules,
2024, to ease restrictions on transferring elephants
within or between states.
Key provisions of the Captive Elephant (Transfer or
Transport) Rules, 2024:
● Liberalises conditions for transferring captive
elephants within or between states in India.
● Criteria- Elephants may be transferred under
certain circumstances:
○ When the current owner is unable to adequately
care for the elephant.
○ When it is deemed that the elephant will receive
better care elsewhere.
○ When the state's Chief Wildlife Warden
determines it is necessary for the elephant's
well-being.
● The rule has outlined health certification by
veterinarians required for intra-state and inter -
state transfers.
● Before transferring an elephant within the state:
○ A veterinarian must certify the elephant's
health.
○ The Deputy Conservator of Forests must
confirm the suitability of the current and
prospective habitats.
○ The Chief Wildlife Warden has the authority
to approve or reject the transfer based on these
assessments.
○ Similar conditions apply for transferring
elephants between states:
○ The elephant's genetic profile must be
registered with the Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change before the transfer
is initiated.
● The rule has given some Transportation
Guidelines for Elephants:
○ Elephants being transported must be
accompanied by a mahout and an elephant
assistant to ensure their welfare during the
journey.
○ A health certificate from a veterinary
practitioner is necessary to confirm the
elephant's fitness for transport and absence of
musth or infectious diseases.
○ In cases of contagious diseases, the transfer can
only proceed after completing a mandatory
quarantine period recommended by the
veterinary practitioner.
○ Provision of food and water must be ensured
throughout the journey to meet the elephants'
nutritional and hydration needs.
○ Tranquilizers or sedatives may be
administered by a veterinary practitioner if
elephants exhibit nervous or temperamental
behavior, ensuring their safe transportation.
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 About Captive Elephants:
● These elephants are tamed, not domesticated
and are controlled by humans.
● The main goal of keeping these elephants is to use
them for various purposes such as educational,
entertainment, and work purposes.
● Captive elephants can be found at various sites
like zoos, sanctuaries, circuses, and camps, etc.
Additional Info:
Wildlife Protection Act (Trade and Transfer in
elephants):
● Previous Prohibitions: Until 2022, the
Wildlife Protection Act strictly prohibited
the trade in wildlife, including both wild
and captive elephants.
● Amendments to the Act introduced an
exemption clause, permitting the transfer
of captive elephants for the first time.
● However, only elephants with an existing
certificate of ownership are eligible for
transfer.
4.44 E-Waste Responsibility Certificates
Context: Recently, the government launched a
platform for trading e-waste responsibility
certificates.
About Online Platform for E-waste Responsibility
Certificate:
● It will streamline the EPR certificate market and
promote better compliance with guidelines.
Additionally, it targets the management of
electronic waste like outdated mobile phones and
laptops to curb proliferation.
● Developed by: Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB).
● Regulation of the Platform:
○ The CPCB will establish guidelines for
operating the platform and set a price range for
EPR certificates.
○ The Price Range will be between 30 % and
100% of the environmental compensation
amount imposed for failing to meet EPR
obligations.
About Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR):
● According to the OECD, extended producer
responsibility (EPR) is an environmental policy
approach wherein a producer's responsibility
for a product extends to its post-consumer
stage in the product's life cycle.
About Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Certificate System:
● Regulated under E-Waste (Management) Rules,
2022.
● It allows for the quantification of e-waste
recycling efforts and incentivises producers to
meet or exceed their EPR obligations.
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● Applicable to:
○ All items of electrical and electronic equipment
(EEE) and its parts (computers, equipment,
home appliances, audio or video products & all
of their peripherals )that its owner has discarded
as waste without the intent of re-use.
○ 'Orphaned products' means non-branded or
assembled electrical and electronic equipment
as specified in Schedule I or those produced by
a company which has closed its operations.
● Obligation for the E-Waste Generating
Companies:
○ By collecting and processing their waste or
○ By purchasing EPR certificates from entities
that have exceeded their collection targets.
○ They are tradable credits just like green credits
or carbon credits.
About E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022:
● It aims to manage e-waste in a way that protects
human health and the environment from potential
adverse effects.
● Every manufacturer, producer refurbisher,
dismantler and recycler involved in the
manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase,
refurbishing, dismantling, recycling and
processing of e-waste or electrical and
electronic equipment listed in Schedule I,
including their components, consumables, parts
and spares which make the product operational.
● Exceptions:
○ Waste batteries (under Battery Waste
Management Rules, 2022);
○ Packaging plastics (under the Plastic Waste
Management Rules, 2016);
○ Microenterprise as defined in the Micro,
Small and Medium Enterprises
Development Act, 2006 (27 of 2006); &
○ UNDP reportRadio-active wastes (under
the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act,
1962 (33 of 1962).
4.45 CPCB Green Funds
About Environment Protection Charge:
● The EPC is received as per an order of the
Supreme Court and is utilised for air quality
improvement and related work in Delhi-NCR.
● Under this charge, the dealer/manufacturer must
pay a one per cent environment protection
charge on the ex-showroom price of new diesel
vehicles with engine capacity of 2000cc and above,
registered only in Delhi and NCR.
● Usage: specific projects to control pollution in
Delhi-NCR and Punjab.
○ Research and development activities,
○ Vehicular pollution control,
○ Health impact studies
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About Environmental Compensation:
● The CPCB also receives 25 per cent of the
environmental compensation collected by state
pollution control boards.
● It also collects environmental penalties directly
from polluters/defaulters in various matters.
About Green Funds:
● Green funds are financial resources (interest
bearing deposit) designated for environmentally
sustainable projects and activities.
4.46 NITI Aayog’s Grow Initiative
Context: Recently, NITI Aayog launched the
Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with
Agroforestry (GROW) report and portal.
About GROW Report:
● The report highlights the potential of transforming
wastelands into productive agroforestry zones.
● It utilized remote sensing and GIS techniques to
assess agroforestry suitability across all Indian
districts, introducing a national-level Agroforestry
Suitability Index (ASI) for prioritization.
● NITI Aayog also launched the "GROW-Suitability
Mapping" portal on Bhuvan, ISRO's geoportal,
ensuring universal access to state and district-level
data.
Additional Info:
● Wastelands are unproductive lands unsuitable
for cultivation, grazing, or economic activities,
constituting 16.96% of India's geographical area
according to the Wasteland Atlas of India 2019.
● Agroforestry integrates trees with crops or
animal production, currently covers 8.65% of
India's total geographical area.
4.47 COP 14: Convention on Migration
Species (CMS)
Context: Recently, the 14th Conference of Parties of
CMS ended in Samarkand.
More on News:
● The Committee of the Whole (COW) reviewed and
proposed amendments to CMS Appendices 1 and
2, recommending them for adoption by participating
countries.
● Slogan: “Nature Knows No Borders.”
● Committee of the Whole (COW) is the main
decision-making body of CMS which meets to
review the work of the secretariat.
About Convention on Migration Species (CMS):
● CMS, or the Bonn Convention, is an international
treaty under UNEP with 133 parties, focusing on
the conservation of migratory species.
● Effective from 1983, it's the sole UN-based global
organization dedicated to the conservation and
management of avian, terrestrial, and aquatic
migratory species.
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About Migratory Species:
● According to CMS, migratory species are
animals that undertake regular, cyclical journeys
between different habitats owing to factors like
food, temperature, shelter, etc.
India and CMS (Bonn Convention):
● India, a CMS signatory since 1983, has signed
non-legally binding MoUs with CMS for the
conservation and management of Raptors,
Dugongs, Siberian Cranes, and Marine
Turtles.
● India hosts the Central Asian Flyway,
providing temporary shelter to migratory species
like Amur Falcon, Black-necked Cranes,
Dugongs, Humpback Whales, etc.
● Classification of Species:
○ Appendix 1: Migratory species assessed as
being in danger of extinction across all or a
significant part of their range.
○ Appendix 2: Migratory species with an
unfavorable conservation status needing
international agreements for their conservation
and management.
Key Highlights of 14th CMS:
● Enlisting of 14 migratory species:
○ Eurasian Lynx, Peruvian pelican, Pallas’s cat,
Guanaco, Lahille’s bottlenose dolphin, Harbour
porpoise, Magellanic plover, Bearded vulture,
Blackchin guitarfish, Bull ray, Lusitanian cow
nose ray and Gilded catfish.
● Initiative “Global Partnership on Ecological
Connectivity (GPEC)”: It aims to protect and
connect natural areas, to ensure that key areas of
migratory species are identified, protected, and
connected.
○ The GPEC will be a multi-stakeholder
partnership that will provide a collaborative
network to facilitate knowledge and
information exchange.
● COP 14, led by the International Union for
Conservation of Nature, launched the One Health
Central Asia Project to address zoonotic diseases
transmissible from animals to humans.
● COP 14 gave recognition to the Central Asian
Flyway for Migratory Birds that stretches from
Siberia to the Maldives.
● The COP 14 adopted an action plan to enhance the
conservation of migratory landbirds in the
African-Eurasian region.
● India and Bangladesh jointly proposed listing the
Indian Skimmer under the Convention of
Migratory Species.
● The COP 14 of CMS adopted the Single Species
Action Plan for the conservation of the Hawksbill
Turtle in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific
Ocean region and for the Angel Shark in the
Mediterranean Sea.
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 About Single Species Action Plan:
● It aims to mitigate potential impacts on the
conservation of significant faunal species and
ensure the project is developed in an
environmentally acceptable manner.
About Hawksbill Turtle:
● IUCN: Critically Endangered.
● Habitat: Nest mainland sandy beaches in tropics
and subtropics.
● Maturation: Slow and is estimated between 25-
40 years.
● Distribution: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the
coasts of Tamil Nadu and Orissa.
About Angel Shark:
● IUCN: Critically Endangered.
● Distribution: Northeast Atlantic from Norway,
Sweden, Morocco, Mediterranea, and Black Seas.
● Habitat: Inhabit temperate and tropical marine
environments.
4.48 UN World Restoration Flagships
Context: Recently, UNEP and FAO designated seven
initiatives from Africa, Latin America, the
Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia as UN World
Restoration Flagships.
About the UN World Restoration Flagships:
● With the World Restoration Flagships, the UN
Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is honouring
the best examples of large-scale and long-term
ecosystem restoration in any country or region,
embodying the 10 Restoration Principles of the
UN Decade.
● Seven World Restoration Flagships of the UN
are:
○ From Fires to Forests – Resilience in the
Mediterranean
○ Living Indus – Restoring a Cradle of
Civilizations
○ Acción Andina – Saving a Global Water and
Climate Hotspot
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○ The Sri-Lanka Mangrove Regeneration
Initiative
○ Terai Arc Landscape: Reviving Asia’s Mega-
Fauna
○ The Regreening Africa initiative
○ Growing Forests in Africa's Drylands
About Terai Arc Landscape:
● The Trans-boundary Terai Arc Landscape
(TAL), initiated in 2001, is a critical habitat for
tigers, rhinos, elephants, and other species.
● It aims to conserve ecosystems in the Terai and
Churia hills, covering protected areas like Corbett
Tiger Reserve and Rajaji National Park.
● Extending over 900 km from the Bagmati River in
Nepal to the Yamuna River in India.
About UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration:
● The UN General Assembly declared 2021–2030
a UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
● It is led by UNEP and the FAO, together with the
support of partners to prevent, halt, and reverse
the loss and degradation of ecosystems
worldwide.
● It aims at reviving billions of hectares, covering
terrestrial as well as aquatic ecosystems.
4.49 Sixth Assembly session of United
Nations Environmental Programme
(UNEA-6)
Context: Recently, the Sixth Assembly session of the
United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEA-
6) was held in Nairobi, Kenya.
More on News:
● Theme: Effective, inclusive and sustainable
multilateral actions to tackle climate change,
biodiversity loss and pollution.
● The UNEA called for nominations for its Young
Champions of the Earth award, recognizing youth
contributions to environmental protection in
partnership with the UN Decade on Ecosystem
Restoration and supporting the new Global
Biodiversity Framework.
Highlights of the Assembly Session:
● Environmental Multilateralism: On 28 February
2024, an entire day was devoted to discuss the
importance of cooperation and convergence with
multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs)
for the first time with 2 high level dialogues.
○ Dialogue Agenda 1: Strengthening the science
policy interface for effective implementation of
environmental commitments.
○ Dialogue Agenda 2: Strengthening
cooperation between UNEA, UNEP and
MEAs to enhance effective implementation at
the national level including through means of
implementation.
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● Session on energy transition to Renewable
Energy.
○ Theme: Ensuring that the energy transition
contributes to a nature and people positive
planet.
○ Rapid adoption of Renewable Energy
sources: The world needs three times the RE
compared to present by 2030
○ Develop globally acceptable RE standards:
To standardize the growth and provide a
direction, by spelling out the best practices on
how to best utilize RE for powering
development around the world.
○ IUCN is in process to develop new standards
for REs to make sure that projects were
environmentally sustainable
○ Resource Circularity and responsible
sourcing of minerals: There is a need to move
towards the principle of circularity in the
mining sector, with renewed hunt for mineral
sources to power the Industrial Revolution 4.0
■ Example: lithium for batteries
○ Alternative business models: A low return on
investment was one of the impediments in the
transition to RE with low profitability when
compared to traditional energy sources which
calls for the adoption of alternative business
models.
● A legally binding treaty on plastics discussed:
○ The event is co-hosted by PR3: The Global
Alliance to Advance Reuse along with
delegations from Chile, Fiji and the European
Investment Bank
○ Theme: Incorporating strong reuse provisions
by Introducing packaging reuse options is the
central theme of the negotiations for a legally
binding instrument on plastic pollution.
■ The updated draft of the plastics treaty will
be presented at the fourth session of the
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee
(INC-4) to be held in Ottawa, Canada from
April 2024.
○ Standards for global scalability of reuse: It
should start with harmonizing definitions of
reuse and circularity with the reuse
mechanism necessitating a system.
United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA):
● It is the highest-level decision-making body on
environmental issues with universal
membership of all 193 UN Member States.
● It sets the global environmental agenda and
defines policy responses to address emerging
environmental challenges.
4.50 International Big Cat Alliance
Context: Recently, the Cabinet approved the
establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance.
About International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA):
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● In 2023, India launched the International Big Cat
Alliance to protect the seven large cats: tiger, lion,
leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma.
● Open to 97 'range' countries with native big cat
habitats, interested states, and international
organizations, offering a forum for information
exchange and assistance with habitat restoration.
Organizational Structure of IBCA:
● The IBCA is governed by a General Assembly of
all members, an elected Council, and a
Secretariat.
● On the Council's suggestion, the General Assembly
names the Secretary General of IBCA.
● The IBCA aims to be self-sustaining after the first
five years through membership fees, contributions
from institutions, and the private sector, supported
initially by India's $100 million grant.
4.51 Sustainable Lifestyles
Context: During its Sixth Session in Nairobi, Kenya,
the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA)
adopted a resolution on sustainable lifestyles submitted
by India.
More on News:
● This resolution is co-sponsored by Sri Lanka and
Bolivia.
Resolution on sustainable lifestyles by UNEP
● The resolution embraced the concept of LiFE
(Lifestyle for Environment), envisioned by Hon’ble
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
● The resolution reaffirmed the commitment to the
2030 Agenda for sustainable development.
About Mission Life:
● Mission LiFE was launched by the Honorable
Prime Minister on October 20, 2022.
● It promotes an eco-friendly lifestyle centered around
mindful and purposeful use, rather than thoughtless
and wasteful consumption.
● The mission aims to shift from a "use-and-dispose"
economy to a circular economy based on conscious
and intentional consumption.
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4.52 EU’ Nature Restoration Law
Context: Recently, European Union adopted Natural
Restoration Law.
About EU's Nature Restoration Law:
● It aims at restoring degraded ecosystems across
the EU's land and sea areas.
● It sets ambitious targets, including restoring at
least 20% of the EU's land and sea areas by 2030
and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.
● Member states need to restore specific habitats
including forests, grasslands, wetlands, rivers, coral
beds, and lakes to good condition by 2030,
increasing 90% by 2050.
4.53 Green Climate Fund (GCF)
Context: Recently, $120 million Avaana
Sustainability Fund (ASF) anchored by SIDBI as an
accredited entity was approved by Green Climate
Fund (GCF).
About Green Climate Fund:
● The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was formed under
the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change.
● It works as a Financial Mechanism entity, focusing
on developing nations' efforts to adapt to and
mitigate the effects of climate change.
● Headquarters: Incheon, South Korea.
● It aims to help developing countries reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen their
capacity to respond to climate change.
● The GCF primarily assists developing nations most
susceptible to climate change, such as Least
Developed nations (LDCs), Small Island
Developing States (SIDS), and African States.
● Loss and Damages Fund: At the COP27 summit,
delegates from the United Nations agreed to create
a ‘Loss and Damages’ fund to compensate the
most vulnerable countries for their losses
resulting from climate-related disasters.
About Avaana Sustainability Fund (ASF):
● It is a USD 120 million venture capital fund that
aims to invest in early-stage companies
harnessing technology-led innovation to spur
climate solutions and sustainability.
● Support the transition to low-carbon and climate-
resilient development pathways.
4.54 Carbon Absorption of India’s Forest
Context: ISRO is undertaking studies under its
Geosphere-Biosphere Programme to understand the
impact of climate change on 12 different forest types in
the country.
Key Findings of the study :
● In key forested regions of Northeast, Peninsular
India and the Western Ghats, despite an increase
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in green cover, there has been a decrease in CO2
absorption over the past two decades (2001-
2019).
● Effects examined on Leaf Area Index (LAI - a
measure of the total green cover of a region) & net
primary productivity (NPP- the total CO2
absorbed by plants after accounting for
respiration).
● Canopies with multiple layers are better at
photosynthesis than single-canopy forests because
of the increase in photosynthetic space.
About ISRO-Geosphere Biosphere Programme
(ISRO-GBP)
● Initiated in 1990, it aims to address several
science questions related to global climate
change.
● Motive is to understand & address atmospheric
aerosols, trace gases, GHGs, paleoclimate, land
cover change, atmospheric boundary layer
dynamics, energy and mass exchange in the
vegetative systems, National Carbon Project
(NCP) and Regional Climate Modeling (RCM).
International Forest Day:
● It is celebrated on 21st March.
● 2024 Year Theme : “Forests and Innovation:
New Solutions for a Better World”.
● Idea was proposed in 1971 by the General
Assembly of the European Confederation of
Agriculture.
● United Nations General Assembly proclaimed
to celebrate it from 2012.
● Why March 21?: it aligns with the Vernal
Equinox and Autumn Equinox in the northern
and southern hemispheres, respectively.
4.55 State of the Global Climate 2023
(WMO)
Context: Recently, the World Meteorological
Organization (WMO) released the State of the
Global Climate Report 2023.
More on News:
● Key Indicators: Greenhouse gas levels (GHGs),
surface temperatures, ocean heat, sea level rise,
Antarctic sea ice cover, glacier retreat, etc.
Key Findings of the State of the Global Climate
Report 2023:
● The report found that 2023 was the warmest year
on record, above the pre-industria average.
● Concentrations of the three main greenhouse gases-
Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide -
reached record levels.
● Ocean heat content reached its highest level in the
65- year observational record.
● Global mean sea level reached a record high. The
rate of sea level rise in the past 10 years (2014-2024)
has more than doubled.
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● Antarctic sea ice extent reached an absolute record
low.
● Glaciers in Switzerland lost around 10% of their
remaining volume in the past two years.
About World Meteorological Organization
(WMO):
● The WMO is an intergovernmental
organization with 193 member states and
territories.
● India is one of the Member States of the WMO.
● It originated from the International
Meteorological Organization, the roots of
which were planted at the 1873 Vienna
International Meteorological Congress.
● It became the specialized agency of the United
Nations for Meteorology (weather and climate),
operational hydrology and related geophysical
sciences.
● Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
4.56 IPCC Reports
Context: Recently, the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) released its 6th Synthesis
Report, which updated and summarised the IPCC's
sixth assessment cycle.
More on News:
● The IPCC is in its Seventh Assessment cycle
(AR7), comprising comprehensive reports on
climate change knowledge, including its causes,
potential impacts, and response options.
● Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs): IAMs are
complicated models that investigate various futures
of the energy and climate systems, as well as
economies, with the goal of guiding climate policy.
Key Highlights of Future Emission Scenarios
Presented by IPCC:
● According to the report, by 2050, per-capita GDP
in regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia,
and West Asia will remain lower than the global
average.
● The Global North and South are likely to continue
to consume commodities, services, and energy at
disparate rates.
● Developing countries are expected to bear a heavier
burden of carbon sequestration and the
implementation of Carbon Capture and Storage
technology.
● Human activities have resulted in a considerable
increase in mean surface temperature and CO2
concentrations. Fossil fuel use remains the
principal driver of GHG emissions.
About Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change:
● It is the UN body in charge of examining climate
change science.
● Established in 1988 by the World
Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the
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United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP).
● Secretariat: Geneva, Switzerland, housed by the
World Meteorological Organisation.
● There are 195 member states in the IPCC,
including India.
● It presents the latest insights into climate change,
covering scientific, technical, and socioeconomic
aspects, along with its implications, future risks,
and strategies to mitigate its pace.
4.57 Food Waste Index Report 2024:
UNEP
Context: Recently, the Food Waste Index Report
2024 by the UN Environment Programme was
released ahead of the International Day of Zero
Waste (March 30).
More on News:
● The Food Waste Index monitors the global and
national generation of food waste and inedible parts.
● Authored by the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) and WRAP (Waste and
Resources Action Programme), a U.K.-based non-
profit organization.
About Food Waste/Loss:
● Food Waste: This term refers to food and its
associated inedible parts that are removed from the
human food supply chain.
● Food Loss: It includes all the edible parts of crops
and livestock that exit the production or supply
chain before reaching the retail level.
International Day of Zero waste:
● Celebrated on 30th march every year.
● It highlights the importance of waste management
on the international level.
4.58 Climate and Clean Air Conference
2024
Context: Recently, Climate and Clean Air
Coalition's annual meeting, the Climate and Clean
Air Conference 2024 was held in Nairobi, Kenya.
More on News:
● It aims to highlight ways to scale up the
implementation of the Global Methane Pledge,
Clean Air Flagship and Kigali Amendment.
● Key Outcomes:
○ Launch of Clean Air Flagship aimed at
supporting governments to achieve cleaner air,
consistent with improved WHO air quality
interim targets.
○ UNEP and the CCAC outlined roadmap for
reducing emissions and released a report "Used
Heavy Duty Vehicles and the Environment."
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About Short Lived Climate Pollutants:
● Also known as Super Pollutants, they are
greenhouse gases and air pollutants that have a
significant impact on climate change and air quality.
● These pollutants stay in the atmosphere for a
shorter time than carbon dioxide and have a much
stronger warming effect than carbon dioxide.
Policy Framework for Short Lived Climate
Pollutants on the International Level:
● Paris Agreement’s objective is to keep low
temperatures below 2 degrees.
● Kyoto Protocol’s main objective is the reduction
of global warming.
It covers 7 greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide
(CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O),
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons
(PFCs), sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and Nitrogen
Triflouride (NF3).
● International Gothenburg Protocol deals with the
issue of air pollution.
● Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete
the Ozone Layer (Montreal Protocol) addresses
the issue of ozone depletion by substances such as
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).
About Climate and Clean Air Coalition:
● Founded in 2012, it is the only global alliance
dedicated exclusively to the reduction of short-
lived climate pollutants.
● It is convened within UNEP and India joined it
in 2019.
4.59 Artificial Reefs
Context: Artificial Reefs project in Vizhinjam,
Thiruvananthapuram.
About Artificial Reefs Project:
● It aims to create an artificial habitat on the seafloor,
creating favorable conditions for fish breeding and
their sustainable survival.
● Nodal Agency: Union Department of Fisheries
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● A joint initiative of the Central and State
governments, implemented under Pradhan
Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana with technical
assistance being provided by The Central Marine
Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).
About Artificial Reef Technology:
● Artificial reefs are human-built structures
designed scientifically and placed on the seabed
to substitute natural habitats, functioning as a
self-sustaining ecosystem.
● BioRock Technology: Biorock technology
restores damaged coral reefs by electro-
accumulating minerals dissolved in saltwater
onto steel structures submerged in the sea.
4.60 Five New Ramsar Sites
Context: Recently, India expanded its Ramsar sites
(Wetlands of International Importance) to 80 by adding
five new wetlands, three in Karnataka and two in
Tamil Nadu, increasing from 75.
About Newly Designated Ramsar Sites:
● Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve:
○ It is a human made village irrigation tank in
Karnataka that supports more than 1% of the
biogeographic population of Painted Stork
and Black-headed Ibis.
● Aghanashini Estuary:
○ Located at the Aghanashini River's confluence
with the Arabian Sea in Karnataka, it supports
traditional fish farming in the estuarine rice
fields (locally known as Gazni rice fields) and
over 1% of the biogeographic population of 15
waterbird species.
● Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve:
○ It is a human-made wetland in Karnataka
that harbors two vulnerable species, Common
pochard and River tern and four near-
threatened species, namely Oriental Darter ,
Black-headed Ibis , Woolly- necked Stork
and Painted Stork .
○ It is one of the largest wintering grounds for
the Bar-headed goose in Southern India and is
a designated Important Bird Area (IBA).
● Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary:
○ An inland Tamil Nadu wetland, hosting fauna
like Bar-headed Goose, Pin-tailed Duck,
Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Common
Pochard, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal,
and Cotton Teal.
● The Longwood Shola Reserve Forest:
○ Located in Tamil Nadu, it serves as a habitat
for endangered species such as the Black-
chinned Nilgiri Laughing thrush, Nilgiri
Blue Robin, and the vulnerable Nilgiri Wood-
pigeon.
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 About Ramsar Convention and Sites:
● A Ramsar site is a wetland designated as of
international importance under the Ramsar
Convention, an intergovernmental
environmental treaty established by UNESCO
in 1971 and named after Ramsar, Iran, where it
was signed.
● Ramsar recognition is the identification of
wetlands that are of international importance,
especially if they provide habitat to waterfowl
(about 180 species of birds).
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● A wetland is a place in which the land is covered
by water (salt, fresh, or somewhere in between)
either seasonally or permanently.
● First Ramsar Site in India: Chilika Lake in
Orissa and Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan
● Largest Ramsar Site in India: Sundarbans in
West Bengal.
World Wetland Day 2024:
● Recently, India celebrated the World Wetlands
Day 2024 at Sirpur Lake, a Ramsar site in Indore.
● Theme: Wetlands and Human Wellbeing.
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4.61 Snow Leopard Population
Context: The Snow Leopard Population Assessment
in India (SPAI) Programme estimates India's snow
leopard population at 718, representing 10-15% of the
global population.
More on news:
● The highest number of snow leopards is in Ladakh
(477), followed by Uttarakhand (124), Himachal
Pradesh (51), Arunachal Pradesh (36), Sikkim
(21), and Jammu and Kashmir (9).
About Snow Leopard Population Assessment
(SPAI):
● The first-ever scientific exercise, conducted from
2019 to 2023, was coordinated nationally by the
Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
● Region Covered: Snow Leopard habitat across the
trans-Himalayan region, including Ladakh, Jammu
and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand,
Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
● The program conducted a two-step framework:
○ The first step evaluated snow leopard spatial
distribution according to 2019 MoEFCC
guidelines, followed by estimating their
abundance using camera traps in identified
regions.
About Snow Leopard
● Snow Leopard is a species of large cats perfectly
adapted to the cold, barren landscape of high
altitude.
● They are usually solitary and highly elusive.
● They are crepuscular, i.e., most active at dawn and
dusk.
● As they are rarely seen by humans, it has come to
be known as the ‘ghost of the mountains.'
● Snow Leopards are carnivorous, with their main
prey being ibex, argali, and blue sheep.
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● Their geographical range encompasses a large part
of the Western Himalayas, including the Union
Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh,
Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, as well as parts
of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
● The Government of India has identified the snow
leopard as a flagship species for the high-altitude
Himalayas.
Protection Status
● IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
● CITES: Appendix I
● Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1.
4.62 Gupteshwar Forest- Biodiversity
Heritage Site
Context: Recently, Odisha added Gupteshwar forest
division to the Biodiversity Heritage Site making it
fourth in the biodiversity heritage site from the state.
About Gupteshwar Forests:
● Located in Odisha’s Koraput district, known for its
natural diversity and revered sacred groves by the
local community.
● Flora: Indian trumpet tree, Indian snakeroot, Garlic
pear tree, Indian jointfir.
● Fauna: Mugger crocodile, kanger valley rock
gecko, common hill myna, white-bellied
woodpecker, etc are found.
● Other Biodiversity Heritage Site in Odisha:
○ Mandasari (Kandhamala district)
○ Mahendragiri (Gajapati district)
○ Gandhamardan (Baragarh and Bolangir
district.)
About Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS):
● BHS are areas recognized for their unique
ecosystems and rich biodiversity.
● Criteria:
○ Richness of wild and domesticated species
○ High endemism
○ Presence of keystone, rare and threatened
species.
○ Wild ancestors of domestic/ cultivated
species.
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 ○ Prior importance of biological elements such
as fossil beds and holding cultural, ethical, or
aesthetic significance.
● Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act,
2002, allows State Governments, in
consultation with local bodies, to designate areas
of biodiversity importance as BHS (Biodiversity
Heritage Sites).
● The State Government, in consultation with the
Central Government, may establish rules for
BHS (Biodiversity Heritage Sites) management
and conservation.
● Creating BHS (Biodiversity Heritage Sites)
should not impose restrictions on the traditional
practices and usages of local communities.
● Nallur Tamarind Grove in Karnataka became
India's first BHS in 2007.
4.63 Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
Context: Celebration of Maasi Magam festival by the
Uppiliya Naicker community inside
Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve(STR).
More on News:
● Maasi Magam Festival: A Tamil festival that
occurs during the Tamil month of Masi (February
– March) on the day when the full moon day aligns
with the Magha star.
About Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve:
● Located in the Erode District of Tamil Nadu,
within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, at the
confluence of the Eastern and Western Ghats.
● The Great Moyar Corridor, linking Mudumalai
and Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserves, spans
Mudumalai – Mangalapatti – Thengumarada –
Karachikorai – Bannari.
● Consists of ‘Southern Tropical dry thorn forests’,
mixed deciduous forests, semi-evergreen forests,
and Riparian forests.
● Flora: Albizziaamara Chloroxylonswictenia,
Gyrocarpusjacquini, Neem, Tamarind, Sandalwood,
Randi dumetorum, Zizyphus and associates.
● Fauna: Elephant, Tiger, Panther, Sloth bear, Gaur,
Black Buck,
Spotted deer,
Wild boar,
Black napped
hare,
Common
langur, Nilgiri
langur, Striped
neck
mongoose and
Bonnet
macaque.
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4.64 Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR)
About Melghat Tiger Reserve:
● Located in Maharashtra's Amravati district,
situated on the Gavilgarh Hill, a southern offshoot
of the Satpura Hill Range.
● Declared a tiger reserve in 1974, it was
Maharashtra's first under Project Tiger in 1973-
74.
● "Melghat" means the confluence of various
valleys.
● Vegetation: Tropical dry deciduous forest,
predominantly consisting of teak.
● Acts as a catchment area for five major rivers:
Khandu, Khapra, Sipna, Gadga, and Dolar,
tributaries of the Tapti River.
● Tapti River and Gawilgadh ridge form its
boundaries.
● Mainly inhabited by Korkus, with other
communities like Gawlis, Gonds.
● Flora: Includes teak, Lagerstroemia Parviflora,
Terminalia Tomentosa, Ougeinia Oojeinensis,
Emblica Officinalis, Bamboo, and more.
● Fauna: Tigers, Sloth Bear, Indian Gaur, Sambar
deer, Leopard, Nilgais, dhole, hyena, jungle cat,
langur, etc. Also, a stronghold for the critically
endangered forest owlet.
4.65 Saltwater Crocodiles
Protection Status
● IUCN Red List: Least Concern
● CITES: Appendix I
● Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
Context: Recently, the annual census revealed the
presence of 1,811 saltwater crocodiles in Odisha’s
Bhitarkanika.
About Saltwater Crocodiles:
● They are the planet's largest crocodile species and
thrive in saltwater habitats like mangrove swamps,
estuaries, and coastal areas.
● It tolerates saltwater and can travel long distances
across open oceans, utilizing tidal currents.
● It is one of three crocodile species native to the
Indian Subcontinent, alongside the mugger
crocodile (Vulnerable) and the gharial (Critically
Endangered).
● Saltwater Crocodiles in India:
○ Bhitarkanika National Park
○ Sundarbans
○ Andaman and Nicobar Islands
● It is also found in Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia,
Brunei, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea,
Australia, and the Solomon Islands.
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 About Bhitarkanika National Park:
● Located in Kendrapara district of Odisha, it is
surrounded by Bhitarkanika Wildlife
Sanctuary, Gahirmatha Beach and Marine
Sanctuary.
● It lies in the estuarial region of Brahmani-
Baitrani with Bay of Bengal lying in the east.
● It has been a Ramsar site since 2002, becoming
the second such site in Odisha after Chilika
Lake.
● Rivers: Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra, and
Pathsala.
● Fauna: Saltwater crocodile , Indian python, king
cobra, black ibis, darter etc.
● Olive ridley turtles nest on Gahirmatha and
other nearby beaches.
● Unique features:
○ It is home to all three crocodile species: the
Gharial, Mugger, and Saltwater crocodile.
○ Bagagahana, near Surajpore creek, sees
thousands of birds nesting and performing
aerial acrobatics before mating, creating an
impressive spectacle.
4.66 Vulture Restaurant
Context: Recently, a 'Vulture restaurant' has been set
up in Koderma district, Jharkhand to conserve the
vulture species.
About Vulture Restaurant:
● It is an example of in-situ conservation.
● First in the World: The first such restaurant was
created in South Africa in 1966.
○ Inspired by this concept, similar restaurants
were created in several other countries,
including Cambodia, Switzerland, Spain and
Nepal.
● In India: The first such restaurant was opened in
2015 at Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary in Raigad
district of Maharashtra.
Reference: Page 86 of Udaan 500 Environment.
4.67 Mosquitofish
Context: Release of mosquitofish in Andhra Pradesh,
Odisha, and Punjab into water bodies to handle
mosquito menace.
About Mosquitofish:
● Originally from the U.S., it is a freshwater fish,
named mosquitofish as it eats mosquito larvae, thus
is used as a malaria control measure.
● First brought to India by the British in 1928.
● Mosquitofish were first brought to India by the
British in 1928.
● Gambusia, a species of mosquitofish, is well known
in India.
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Effects of mosquitofish on Ecosystem:
● Considered a harmful invasive species, their
aggressive feeding disrupts local food webs,
leading to the decline of native fish, amphibians,
and communities.
● If these species accumulate toxins in their
tissue, it can also impact human health.
4.68 Melanistic Tiger Safari
Context: The Odisha Government is establishing a
melanistic tiger safari.
About Melanistic tiger:
● Melanistic tigers are a rare variant of the Bengal
tiger and are also called “black tigers.”
● They have thick stripes on their bodies due to
pseudo-melanism.
● Pseudo-melanism involves a mutation in
Transmembrane Aminopeptidase Q (Taqpep),
responsible for similar features in other cat species.
About Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR):
● Located in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district within
the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve, it was
declared a tiger reserve in 1956 and has been part
of UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere
Reserves since 2009.
● Tribes: Kolha, Santhala, Bhumija, Bhatudi,
Gondas, Khadia, Mankadia, and Sahara.
● Dominant tree species: Sal.
4.69 National Dolphin Research Centre
Context: Recently, India's first National Dolphin
Research Centre (NDRC) was opened in Patna, Bihar.
About National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC):
● NDRC is established on Patna University's
premises, located near the Ganga.
● Its strategic location aids researchers in studying
dolphins' behavior, diet, and causes of death in
their natural habitat, and educates fishermen on
dolphin-safe fishing practices.
About Gangetic Dolphin:
● The Gangetic River Dolphin is one of the most
endangered species found in the Ganges,
Brahmaputra, and their tributaries.
● They are the ecological health indicators of major
river systems.
● Females are larger than males.
● It is popularly referred to as ‘Susu’ because of the
sound it produces when breathing.
● They can live only in freshwaters, are generally
blind, and catch their prey with the aid of an
ultrasonic sound.
● Echolocation occurs when an animal emits a sound
that bounces off objects, informing it of the object's
distance and size.
● These dolphins live in the river systems of India,
Bangladesh, and Nepal.
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● Habitat: Upper Ganga River, Chambal River, Kulsi
River (a tributary of Brahmaputra), etc.
● The emphasis on crocodiles, as the flagship species
of the river systems, has helped this species to some
extent from extinction.
● Gangetic river dolphins are often spotted either
alone or in small groups, consisting of a mother
dolphin and her calf.
● They prefer 5-8 feet deep water, often in turbulent
areas with abundant fish and places with minimal
current to conserve energy.
Protection Status
● IUCN Red List: Endangered
● CITES: Appendix I
● Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1.
● Convention on Migratory Species( CMS):
Appendix I
4.70 Leopard
Context: India’s leopard numbers rose by 8% from
12,852 in 2018 to 13,874 in 2022.
More on News:
● The highest number of leopards were reported in
Madhya Pradesh (3,907).
Fifth Estimation Cycle for Leopards:
● The National Tiger Conservation Authority
(NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and
State Forest Departments estimated the leopard
population in their fifth cycle.
● It concentrated on roughly 70% of the animals'
predicted habitat and encompassed 18 states in
India.
Key Highlight of the Survey :
● India's leopard population is stable at 13,874,
compared to the 2018 estimate, covering 70% of
their habitat, excluding the Himalayas and semi-
arid areas.
● Madhya Pradesh is followed by Maharashtra,
Karnataka , and Tamil Nadu.
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● Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and West Bengal
recorded a combined 150% increase to 349 large
cats, whereas Uttarakhand reported a 22% fall in
big cat numbers.
About Indian Leopard:
● Indian leopards are distributed across a variety
of forested habitats in India, Nepal, Bhutan,
and Pakistan.
● Leopards, the smallest of the big cats, don't have
any stripes and are known for their adaptability
to various environments.
● Conservation Status: Vulnerable (IUCN Red
List).
● Appendix I of CITES and Schedule I of the
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
4.71 Short News
4.71.1 Lake Retba
Context: Lake Retba is disappearing in Senegal.
About Lake Retba:
● Lake Retba (Lac Rose), also known as” the pink
lake”, is situated approximately 35 km from Dakar,
Senegal.
● Located in a depression 6.5 meters below sea level
and isolated from the sea by 1 km of sand dunes,
the lake receives fresh water from seasonal water
tables and its water and salt mainly from the sea
Reasons for Pink Water:
● Presence of halophilic green algae, specifically
Dunaliella salina, containing red pigments.
● Dunaliella salina contains antioxidant pigments:
Beta-Carotene, Astaxanthin, Lutein, Zeaxanthin
which are rich in vitamins and trace elements.
● High salinity promotes the growth of red-colored
algae, while lower salt levels favor green-colored
algae.
4.71.2 Star Metric
About Star Metric:
● STAR Metric stands for Species Threat
Abatement and Restoration Metric.
● The STAR metric utilizes data from the IUCN Red
List of Threatened Species to quantify extinction
risks and threats faced by species.
● It assesses the potential of specific actions at
specific locations to contribute to international
conservation targets, estimating the contribution of
threat abatement and habitat restoration actions.
4.71.3 Brumation
Context: During winter, American alligators undergo
brumation, a form of hibernation.
More on News:
● Hibernation: A period of inactivity that allows
animals to survive food scarcity and harsh weather.
● Brumation is dormancy seen in reptiles and
amphibians during colder months, essential for
ectothermic reptiles dependent on environmental
temperature. In brumation, reptiles may seek refuge
in underground burrows or sheltered areas.
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4.71.4 WINDS
Context: Recently, Ministry of Agriculture initiated
the Weather Information Network and Data System
(WINDS) to generate long-term, hyper-local weather
data.
About WINDS Portal:
● It established a robust mechanism to consolidate
weather data from various observation systems
into a single national-level WINDS portal.
● Through this initiative, over 200,000 ground
stations will be installed to enhance weather data
utilization, thus improving weather predictions and
decision-making.
About Hyperlocal Weather Forecasting:
● It offers precise and localized weather
predictions, empowering farmers to make informed
decisions regarding planting, irrigation, and
harvesting based on real-time weather data tailored
to their location.
● It leverages advanced technology, including high-
resolution weather models, weather sensors, and
data analytics.
4.71.5 The Energy Charter Treaty
Context: Recently, UK decided to leave the Outdated
Fossil Fuel Friendly Treaty ie The Energy Charter
Treaty.
About The Energy Charter Treaty:
● The treaty offers a unique multilateral framework
for energy cooperation, in force since 1998.
● It aims to enhance energy security by fostering
open and competitive energy markets, while
upholding principles of sustainable development
and sovereignty over energy resources.
● Presently, it has 53 signatories and contracting
parties.
4.71.6 Punganur Breed
Context: Recently, the Prime Minister fed cows of the
Punganur breed of Andhra Pradesh on the occasion
of Pongal/ Makar Sankranti.
About Punganur Cattle Breed:
● It is an indigenous breed native to the Punganoor,
Vayalapadu, Madanapalli, and Palamaneer
talukas of Chittoor district in the Rayalaseema
region of southern Andhra Pradesh.
● It is considered to be the world's smallest humped
cattle.
● Highest Population States in Pure Breed
Category: Andhra Pradesh (8,806), followed by
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Telangana (977), Karnataka (66), Kerala (15),
Maharashtra (6), and Tamil Nadu (6).
● Highest Population States in the graded
category: Andhra Pradesh (2,725), followed by
Telangana (399), Karnataka (351), Tamil Nadu (10),
and Kerala (4).
4.71.7 Melanochlamys Droupadi
Context: Recently, the Zoological Survey of India
named a newly discovered marine head-shield sea
slug with a ruby red spot from the West Bengal and
Odisha coast after President Droupadi Murmu.
About Melanochlamys Droupadi:
● Found in Digha, West Bengal coast, and Udaipur,
Odisha coast.
● Short, blunt, cylindrical body with smooth dorsal
surface, two dorsal shields, tiny brownish-black
invertebrate up to 7 mm long with ruby red spot at
rear, hermaphrodite with internal shell.
● Typically found along intertidal zones, leaving
crawl marks on sandy beaches.
● Primarily in temperate regions of Indo-Pacific
Ocean; Melanochlamys bengalens is found in
West Bengal and Odisha coasts.
4.71.8 Belgium Recognises ‘Ecocide’ as a
Crime
Context: Recently, Belgium became the first
European Union country to recognise ‘ecocide’ as a
national as well as an international crime.
More on News:
● It will apply to individuals in the highest positions
of decision-making power and to corporations.
About Ecocide:
● Ecocide translates to ‘killing one’s home’ or
‘environment’.
● According to the Stop Ecocide Foundation in
2021” Ecocide is any unlawful or wanton acts
committed with knowledge that there is a
substantial likelihood of severe and either
widespread or long-term damage to the
environment.”
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4.71.9 Nano DAP (Di- Context: Recently, the Interim Budget 2024-25 announced the expansion of the
Ammonium application of Nano DAP.
Phosphate) About Nano DAP:
● Composition: 8% Nitrogen and 16% Phosphorus by volume.
● In Liquid State: Unlike conventional DAP, which comes in granular form,
IFFCO’s Nano DAP is in liquid form.
● Its particle size is less than 100 Nanometre (nm).
● This tiny particle size makes Nano DAP more efficient and enables the fertilizer
to enter easily inside the seed surface or through stomata and other plant
openings.
● Better assimilation of the fertilizer inside the plant system leads to “higher seed
vigor, more chlorophyll, photosynthetic efficiency, better quality and increase in
crop yields.”
4.71.10 Sacred Groves Context: Kerala has sought funds from the "Development of Wildlife Habitat"
Protection scheme to protect its Kadalundi-Vallikkunnu community reserve.
About Kadalundi-Vallikkunnu Community Reserve:
● India’s first river-front community reserve.
● Located on the western side of Northern Kerala in Kozhikode and Malappuram
districts.
● It lies on the river mouth of the Kadalundi River.
● The community reserve inhabits green mangrove patches and wetlands.

4.71.11 Ratle Hydro Chenab River was successfully diverted to achieve expedited construction of dam
Electric Project in at Ratle Hydro Electric Project in Kishtwar district J&K.
J&K More on News: The river diversion will enable isolation of the dam area at the
river bed for starting the critical activity of excavation and construction of the dam.
Ratle Hydro Electric Project
● Execution: Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (RHPCL)
● Situated on: River Chenab
● Capacity: Installed capacity of 850 MW. Nature: It is a Run of the River
Scheme located on River Chenab.
● Dam type: Concrete Gravity
● Components: The project includes a 133 m (436 ft) tall gravity dam and two
power stations adjacent to one another.
Chenab River
● Common name: Chandra-bhaga, Askini
● Origin: The streams of Chandra and the Bhaga originate from the south-west
and north-west faces of Barelacha pass respectively in the Himalayan canton of
Lahaul and Spiti valley in Himachal Pradesh.
○ The Chandra joins the Bhaga at Tandi, Himachal Pradesh.
● Tributaries
○ Left bank: Tawi River, Ravi River
○ Right bank: Marusudar River,Jhelum River, Neeru river and Kalnai River
4.71.12 Wetland City About Wetland City Accreditation (WCA):
Accreditation ● Wetland City Accreditation, introduced at the 2015 Ramsar Convention
COP12, is a voluntary recognition for cities that have taken exceptional steps
to protect their urban wetlands.

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4.71.13 Global Waterscape and its Challenges
Context: UNESCO led the development of the United
Nations World Water Development Report 2024 on
World Water Day (March 22, 2024).
About World Water Day:
● In 1992, the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development in Rio de
Janeiro saw the first formal proposal of World
Water Day under Agenda 21.
● The United Nations General Assembly adopted a
resolution in December 1992 by which March
22 was declared World Water Day.
4.71.14 Pandavula Gutta & Ramgarh Crater
Geoheritage Sites
Context: Pandavula Gutta was recently officially
recognised as Telangana's sole geo-heritage site.
More on News:
● Recently, the Rajasthan Government also
designated Ramgarh Crater at Baran District as a
Geoheritage site.
About Pandavula Gutta:
● It is a geological marvel older than the Himalayan
hills.
● Located in Telangana.
● Features:
○ It exhibits many sites from mesolithic to
medieval periods.
○ Prehistoric man’s rock art was identified on
walls and ceilings of caves, rock shelters and
isolated boulders.
○ The rock art paintings depict wildlife like Bison,
Antelope, Tiger, Leopard etc.
○ It has unique blend of Natural Colors with
impressions in green, red, yellow and white
pigment colors.
○ Swastika Symbols, circles and squares,
weapons depicted such as bows, arrows, swords
and lancer etc, are present in these paintings.
○ Paleolithic Rock Art Paintings, Eduru
Pandavula Guhalu, Rock Climbing, Rappelling
and Hiking.
Ramgarh Crater:
● Located in Rajasthan, it is a terrestrial Meteorite
Impact Crater.
● It was formed around 165 million years ago due to
Meteor impact.
● Features:
○ It forms a circular depression surrounded by
hills and forests.
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○ It provides essential ecosystem services to
preserve the ecological balance, biodiversity
and cultural heritage of the region.
● Major Attraction:
○ Bhand Devra Temple, influenced by
Chandela dynasty and their temples at
Khajuraho.
○ Ramgarh Conservation Reserve ( recognised
under the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972).
○ Pushkar Talab complex (wetland, recognised
under wetland conservation & Management
Rules, 2017) located inside the crater, is a saline
and alkaline water source.
● Other Important Recognized Meteorite Craters
in India: Lonar in Maharashtra & Dhala in Madhya
Pradesh.
About Geoheritage Sites:
● Geoheritage sites are rare and unique geological
and geomorphological locations of national and
international importance, encompassing features
like caves, natural rock formations, and
significant geological, mineralogical,
petrological, paleontological, and stratigraphic
features.
● Geological Survey of India (GSI) recognizes,
declares, and maintains its heritage sites.
● Features:
○ Geological Features and unique Fossils that
are crucial for research.
○ Visuals on geological features depict cultural
& aesthetic importance.
● Recognized Geo-heritage Site:
○ Till now, GSI has recognised more than 90
sites.
○ Out of these, 34 are geo-heritage
sites/national geological monuments declared
for protection and maintenance after
Pandavula Gutta & Ramgarh Crater.
○ Some prominent geo-heritage sites are
Mamluh caves in Meghalaya and Barbara
Caves in Bihar.
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 Geological Survey of India (GSI):
● It is a globally recognized geo-scientific
organization tasked with assessing mineral
resources, exploring mineral, energy, and water
reserves, and updating national geo-scientific
data.
● Founded in 1851.
● Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Mines.
● Headquarters: Kolkata ( WB).
4.71.15 Declining Fertility Rate
Context : A recent Lancet study warned that India's
total fertility rate (TFR), representing the average
number of children per woman, will plummet to 1.29
by 2050, well below the replacement threshold of 2.1.
Key Findings of the study:
● Between 1950 and 2021, the global total fertility
rate (TFR) decreased by more than half, dropping
from approximately 5 children per woman in 1950
to 2.2 children in 2021.
● In 1950, one-third of global live births were in
Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania.
Additional Information:
Total Fertility Rate (TFR):
● The number of live births per woman
completing her reproductive life, if her
childbearing at each age reflects the current age-
specific fertility rates (typically 15-49 Year).
Replacement Level Fertility :
● It is the level of fertility at which a population
exactly replaces itself from one generation to
the next. In developed countries, replacement
level fertility can be taken as requiring an
average of 2.1 children per woman.
NFHS-5, 2019-21 :
● Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has declined from 2.2
in 2015-16 to 2.0 in 2019-21.
● Maximum TFR States wise : Bihar (2.98),
Meghalaya (2.91), Uttar Pradesh (2.35),
Jharkhand (2.26) and Manipur (2.17).
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4.71.16 Bamboo Composites
About Bamboo composites:
● Bamboo composites are industrial products
crafted through eco-friendly methods that harness
the versatility of bamboo, declared as grass and
matures in 3-4 years.
● The process entails cutting, splitting, knot removal,
chemical treatment for preservation, conversion to
fibrous form, and compaction under heat and
pressure to create durable materials akin to teak
wood.
4.71.17 Bio-Credits
● Bio-credits, akin to carbon credits, are proposed
financial instruments to aid the goals set in the
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity
Framework.
● They generate funds for biodiversity protection
and restoration by selling credits, with proceeds
funding conservation projects.
● The Biodiversity Credit Alliance, launched during
COP15 of CBD in 2022, promotes bio credits.
● Initiatives like the Ocean Conservation
Commitments also endorse the utilization of Bio-
credits.
4.71.18 Thylakoid Membranes
Context: Recent findings indicate thylakoid
membranes significant role in the "Great
Oxygenation" event around 2.4 billion years ago.
About Thylakoid Membranes:
● Thylakoid membranes are small pouches, found in
plant chloroplasts that store chlorophyll and are
vital for photosynthesis.
● Originally from ancient cyanobacteria, these light-
sensitive organisms are thought to have boosted
oxygen levels in Earth's atmosphere billions of
years ago.
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● This event involved cyanobacteria releasing 4.71.20 Yellow Rust
oxygen, initially filling oceans and later permeating About Yellow Rust:
the atmosphere, fundamentally altering Earth's ● Yellow rust, a fungal disease, harms wheat crops
atmospheric makeup. by causing yellow stripes on leaves, which obstruct
4.71.19 Green Fuels Alliance India photosynthesis and reduce grain size.
Context: Recently, Denmark introduced the Green ● Commonly occurring in cool weather, particularly
Fuels Alliance India (GFAI). in the northern hills and north-western plains.
About Green Fuels Alliance India (GFAI): ● Fungicides such as Propiconazole or
● The GFAI aims to advance the green fuels sector, Tebuconazole are used.
including green hydrogen, through innovation and 4.71.21 Humbolt’s Enigma
partnerships, fostering an ecosystem for sustainable About Humboldt’s Enigma:
energy growth in India involving businesses, ● Proposed by Alexander von Humboldt, it explores
government entities, and research institutions. the relationship between temperature, altitude,
● The initiative is part of the Green Strategic humidity, and biodiversity.
Partnership signed in 2020 between India and
Denmark. 4.71.22 Green Election
● It aligns with India's goal of carbon neutrality by ● A Green Election emphasizes eco-conscious
2070 and Denmark's top ranking in the 2024 practices to minimize environmental impact, such
Climate Performance Ranking. as using sustainable materials for campaign
materials, adopting digital voting systems,
Other Initiatives:
promoting energy-efficient transportation, and
● Global Biofuels Alliance (Brazil, India, and the minimizing waste generation.
United States)
● India-U.S Strategic Clean Energy Partnership
● Green/ Clean Hydrogen India and Saudi
Arabia
● India-Australia Green Hydrogen Taskforce
4.71.23 More Species in News:
Eurasian Otter Context: Recently, Eurasian otters have been discovered in the Chinnar
Wildlife Sanctuary in Idukki, a first in Kerala.
● There are three species of Otters found in Kerala, including smooth-coated
otters and small-clawed otters.
About Eurasian otter:
● It is a captivating semiaquatic mammal native to Eurasia.
● Habitat: Western Ghats and Himalayas.
● They live in small packs and are mostly nocturnal but can be diurnal in
less disturbed areas.
● Diet comprises several small animals, mainly crabs and small fishes.
● It is regarded as a flagship species and indicator of high-quality aquatic
habitats.
● It is distributed throughout three continents i.e., Europe, Asia and Africa.
● In India, it occurs in northern, northeast and southern India.
● Conservation Status:
○ IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Near Threatened
○ Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Appendix I
○ Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
Himalayan Wolf Context: Assessment of the Himalayan Wolf in the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List.
More on News:
● Himalayan wolf has now been categorized as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN
Red List.
About Himalayan Wolves:
● Found in high altitudinal regions in the Himalayas and the Tibetan plateau
of India, Nepal and China.
● Habitat: High altitude grasslands.
● It is larger in size than the Indian and European wolves.

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 ● Their prey base includes yak, kiang, bharal, Tibetan gazelle, Siberian ibex,
marmot and other small mammals like hare.
● India is also home to the Indian/Common/Peninsular Wolf found in the
plains and the Deccan Plateau.
New Butterfly Species Context: Recently, a new species of Silverline butterfly has been recognized
within the Western Ghats in India.
About New Butterfly Species:
● Named "conjoined silverline" due to its distinctive wing pattern.
● Habitat and Location: Honey Valley, Kodagu district, Karnataka.
● It marks the second endemic species discovered in the Western Ghats.
Distinct Wing Patterns:
● Appears similar at a distance but unique upon closer inspection.
● Fused bands on the underside of the wings set it apart.
Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
● Situated in the southern part of the Kodagu district in Karnataka.
● Named after its highest peak, Brahmagiri Hill.
● Origin point of River Laxmantirtha, a significant tributary of the Cauvery
River.
Green Anaconda Context: Scientific discovery has raised understanding about two genetically
different species of green anaconda.
More on News:
● Southern Green Anaconda is already known and resides in Peru, Bolivia,
French Guiana, and Brazil.
● Northern Green Anaconda : Recently discovered, this species is found in
Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname, and French
Guiana. It's named the "Northern green anaconda".
● The two species closely resemble each other in their physical
characteristics.
About Green Anaconda
● Green anacondas are the largest and longest snakes in the world.
● They mostly live in rivers and wetlands in South America and are not
venomous.
● Females can grow over seven meters long.
● IUCN Status: Least Concern.
Rare Wader Bird Context: African-Mediterranean wader bird spur-winged lapwing has been
spotted at Ammavari Pet Lake near Warangal, Telangana for the first time in
India.
About spur-winged lapwing
● It is a wading bird.
● IUCN Status: Least Concern
● Habitat: Spur-winged lapwings live primarily in the sub-Saharan belt of
central Africa.
● Thrives in the environment of marshes and freshwater wetlands.
● Native: The Middle East and Mediterranean regions.
● This bird is vocal and produces repeated “sik-sik-sik…” calls.
● Dieting and Forage: Feeds on insects, worms, and small fish.
Horseshoe Crab- Marine About Horseshoe Crabs:
Living Fossil ● These are marine and brackish water arthropods.
● They prefer shallow coastal waters with soft sandy or muddy bottoms.
● Placed in Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 in 2009.
● Type of Species & Habitat :
○ Atlantic or American horseshoe crab:
■ Found on the Atlantic coast of the US and the Southeast Gulf of
Mexico.
■ IUCN Status : Vulnerable
○ Tri-spine horseshoe crab:

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A Northern Pintail
Black-Necked Crane (Grus
nigricollis)
World's First IVF Rhino
Pregnancy
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■ Coastal waters of Odisha (India), southeast Asia, China, and Japan.
■ IUCN : Endangered
○ Mangrove horseshoe crab : Found in mangrove habitats of Southeast
Asia.
About Northern Pintail:
● Named for its long central tail feathers, it's nicknamed "The greyhound
of the skies."
● Northern pintails live in open wetlands and make nests on the ground,
away from water.
● They have a unique appearance with a black and white striped head.
● Diet and Foraging: Pintail ducks are omnivores, eating both plants and
animals.
The Wildlife Institute of India and the Zoological Survey of India have been
carrying out assessments of the black-necked cranes.
About Black-Necked Cranes:
● Habitat & Distribution:
○ Range Countries: India, China and Bhutan.
■ In winter, they are found at lower altitudes. A small wintering
population is also found in the Sangti and Zimithang valleys of
Arunachal Pradesh.
○ Breeding Ground: High altitude marshes and lakes of Tibetan Plateau
(Tibet, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Gansu), Sichuan (China), and eastern
Ladakh (India).
■ The high altitude wetlands in the Tibetan plateau are the main
breeding ground.
● Protection Status:
○ Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
○ CITES and the Convention on conservation of Migratory Species:
Appendix I
○ IUCN Red List: Near Threatened (NT).
● Significance: These are revered by the Monpas Community, a major
Buddhist ethnic group of Arunachal Pradesh as an embodiment of the sixth
Dalai Lama.
Context: First successful embryo transfer in a white rhinoceros through in
vitro fertilization (IVF).
About White Rhinoceros:
● The white rhinoceros includes two distinct subspecies, northern and
southern.
● Habitat: Grasslands and Savanna woodlands of Africa
● Northern White Rhino: Critically Endangered
● Southern White Rhino: Near Threatened.
About Indian Rhino:
● Habitat: Asia Grasslands and riverine forest and Nepal.
● Protection Status: Vulnerable.
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 5
Science and Technology
5.1 “10,000 Genome” Project
Context: Recently, the Department of Biotechnology
(DBT) announced the completion of the “10,000
Genome” project.
More on News:
● It attempts to create a reference database of whole-
genome sequences out of India.
● The USA, UK, and China are the sole nations with
initiatives to sequence at least 100,000 genomes
each.
About Genome India Project:
● It is a research initiative led by the Indian Institute
of Science’s Centre for Brain Research.
● It is funded by the Department of Biotechnology
(DBT) to sequence at least 10,000 Indian genomes
in phase 1.
● Its objective is to gather samples, compile data,
conduct research, and create an “Indian reference
genome” grid.
● In phase 2, the project would collect genetic
samples from patients with three broad categories -
Cardiovascular diseases, Mental illness, and
Cancer.
About 10,000 Genome Project:
● Initiative of: Department of Biotechnology
● Aim: To sequence 10,000 Indian genomes.
● Objective: Understanding variations in Indian
genes to predict diagnosis.
5.2 Casgevy and Lyfgenia: CRISPR-
based Gene Therapies
Context: Casgevy and Lyfgenia, the first CRISPR-
based gene therapies have received approval from the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for sickle cell
anemia and beta-thalassemia treatment.
More on News:
● Casgevy™ made by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and
CRISPR Therapeutics, and Lyfgenia™, by
Bluebird Bio—is for people 12 years of age and
older.
About Casgevy Therapy:
● The therapy uses the patient’s blood stem cells,
which are precisely edited using Crispr-Cas9.
● The therapy targets a gene called BCL11A, which
is crucial for switching from fetal to adult
haemoglobin.
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● The therapy uses the body’s mechanisms to produce
more foetal haemoglobin, alleviating the symptoms
of the two conditions.
About Lyfgenia Therapy:
● It uses a viral envelope to deliver a healthy
hemoglobin-producing gene.
● Lyfgenia works by taking a piece of a virus (a
lentivirus, which belongs to the HIV family) and
using it to deliver a functional version of a
haemoglobin-producing gene.
5.3 Ancient DNA Studies Through
Genomic Techniques
About Genomic techniques:
● Genomic techniques are a bunch of different
methods scientists use to study all the DNA in an
organism.
● This includes figuring out the order of the DNA
building blocks, finding where specific genes are,
and understanding how genes work.
● These approaches involve processes such as
sequencing, mapping, and analyzing DNA at the
molecular level.
Significance of Studying Ancestral DNA:
● The use of sequences of a DNA has helped to know
about genetic diseases such as Down's syndrome,
Klinefelter's syndrome and Turner syndrome.
○ For Example: Researchers at the Francis
Crick Institute discovered early cases of
Turner syndrome, Klinefelter’s syndrome, and
Down syndrome in ancient British aDNA from
the Iron Age.
○ Lifestyles of ancient humans: Ancient
humans' lifestyles can be understood by
studying genetic remains like birch tree
pitch.Birch pitch was commonly used by
ancient humans to fix tools and
arrowheads.Microbes found in birch pitch can
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 tell us about the oral health of the people who
chewed it.
● Creation and development of stone tools:
Studying ancient DNA can give us important clues
about how stone tools were made.
○ In the 1930s, a cave was excavated in Ranis,
Germany, where ancient stone tools were
discovered.
■ The cave gave signs when modern humans,
Neanderthals, and Denisovans lived together.
■ The DNA sequencing of the bones found in
this site showed they belonged to Homo
sapiens or modern humans.
● Cardiovascular disease:
○ This research showed that ancient people also
faced a risk of developing cardiovascular
disease and calcified heart vessels.
Genetic Ancestry Testing:
● Also known as genetic genealogy, it allows
researchers to know more about family history
way more than mere relatives and historical
records.
● Common types of testing are Y chromosome
testing, Mitochondrial DNA testing, and Single
nucleotide polymorphism testing.
5.4 Transplantation of A Pig Kidney Into
A Patient
Context: Recently, US surgeons said it’s the first time
a pig's kidney has been transplanted into a living
person.
More on News:
● Previously, pig kidneys have been temporarily
transplanted into brain-dead donors.
● In New York Hospital, a gene-edited pig kidney
was successfully transplanted into a brain-dead
patient.
● German Organ Farm Initiative: A German doctor
plans to establish a farm for cultivating genetically
modified organs, aiming to address organ scarcity
and enhance transplantation possibilities.
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About Xenotransplantation:
● Xenotransplantation is the process of
transplanting organs from one species to another,
particularly from animals to humans.
● It is any procedure that involves the
transplantation, implantation or infusion into
a human recipient of either:
○ Live cells, tissues, or organs from a non-
human animal source.
○ Human body fluids, cells, tissues or organs
that have had ex-vivo contact with live non-
human animal cells, tissues or organs.
○ Ex-vivo contact refers to a medical
procedure in which an organ, cells, or tissue
are taken from a living body for a
treatment or procedure, and then returned
to the living body.
Reasons to Choose Pigs for Transplantation:
● They are easier to raise and achieve adult
human size in six months.
● The pig’s anatomical and physiological
parameters are similar to that of humans and the
breeding of pigs in farms is cost-effective.
5.5 OpenAI’s Sora
Context: Recently, OpenAI introduced Sora, a new
generative AI model.
About OPENAI's Sora:
● It is capable of converting text prompts into
videos up to a minute long with maintained visual
quality and adherence to user instructions.
● It is still not available for general use as Open AI is
ensuring safety protocols and collecting feedback
from visual artists and filmmakers.
5.6 Bitcoin Halving
About Bitcoin Halving:
● It is an event in the cryptocurrency world where
the reward for mining Bitcoin transactions is
reduced by half.
● Halving diminishes the rate of new coin creation and
aim to simulate diminishing returns and increase
demand.
5.7 C4IR
Context: Recently, the World Economic Forum's
Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) was
inaugurated in Hyderabad.
About C4IR:
● It aims to establish centres that focus on harnessing
the potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
technologies and driving collaboration between
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 governments, businesses, and academia to address
global challenges and opportunities.
● Focus Areas: Real-World Evidence, Healthcare
Analytics, and Informatics.
5.8 Brainoware
Context: Combination of real human brain tissue with
electronics to make a new kind of biocomputer.
More on News:
● It will Extend the scope of neuromorphic
computing to make an ‘organoid neural network’
that can recognise voices and solve complex
mathematical problems.
About Organoids:
● An organoid refers to three-dimensional
structures typically originating from stem cells.
● These structures have the ability to simulate both
the architecture and functionality of specific
organs within the body.
● Brain organoids: These are three-dimensional
aggregates of brain cells.
○ They are formed by extracting human
pluripotent stem cells,( which are cells that can
develop to become almost any kind of cell
within the human body, and make them into
brain cells).
○ Brain organoids are aggregates of neuron
progenitor cells, early-stage neurons, mature
neurons, and astrocytes (cells that maintain
and protect neurons).
What are Organoid Neural Networks?
● These are networks formed by changing the function
of self-organizing brain-like structures called
organoids which are connected to microelectrode
arrays (MEAs) to create networks that resemble real
brains.
How will Brainoware Work?
● It linked a brain organoid to microelectrodes,
forming an organoid neural network, a live
component in an artificial neural network.
● This network was integrated into a reservoir
computer, consisting of three layers: input,
reservoir, and output.
○ Input signals (electrical stimulation) were
processed by the reservoir( organoid neural
network), a black-box system converting
signals into mathematical entities. The output
layer, modified computer hardware,
recognized Brainoware's neural activity.
About Neuromorphic Computing:
● It is a process in which computers are designed
and engineered to mirror the structure and
function of the human brain.
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5.9 India AI Mission
Context: Recently, the Union Cabinet approved a
comprehensive national-level India AI mission for the
period of 5 years.
Key Highlights of the Mission:
● Initiative of: Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology
● It aims to ensure a structured implementation of the
IndiaAI Mission through a public-private
partnership model aimed at nurturing India’s AI
innovation ecosystem.
● The Mission will be implemented by ‘IndiaAI’
Independent Business Division (IBD) under
Digital India Corporation (DIC).
About INDIA AI:
● INDIA AI is a knowledge portal, research
organization and ecosystem-building initiative
launched in 2020.
● It is a joint venture by the Ministry of
Electronics and Information Technology
(MeitY), National e-Governance Division
(NeGD) and National Association of Software
and Service Companies (NASSCOM).
Components of the Mission:
● IndiaAI Compute Capacity: It aims to develop AI
compute infrastructure of 10,000 or more
Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) through
public-private partnerships.
● IndiaAI Innovation Centre to undertake the
development and deployment of indigenous Large
Multimodal Models and domain-specific
foundational models in critical sectors.
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● IndiaAI Datasets Platform: It will provide a one-
stop solution for seamless access to non-personal
datasets to Indian Startups and Researchers.
● IndiaAI Application Development Initiative: It
will promote the AI applications in critical sectors
for the problem sourced from Central Ministries,
State Departments, and other institutions, and then
focus on developing/scaling/promoting the
adoption of impactful AI solutions for large-scale
socio-economic transformation.
Compute Capacity:
● It defines the amount of server and storage
resources that are available to the databases in an
instance.
5.10 Embedded SIM
Context: Recently, the Telecom Regulatory Authority
of India (TRAI) has released recommendations on
‘Usage of Embedded SIM for Machine-to-Machine
(M2M) Communications’.
About Machine-to-Machine (M2M)
Communications:
● It involves direct communication between devices
via any communication route, including wired and
wireless.
● It allows networked devices to share data and
conduct tasks without the need for human
intervention.Application of M2M:
○ Transportation & Automotive uses:
Monitoring driver performance, fuel
consumption, GPS tracking, E-Tolls, theft
prevention, traffic control, smart parking, and
emergency calls.
○ Financial: M2M modules are put in remote
wireless or wired Point of Sale (PoS) terminals
such as ATM machines, to provide online
credit or debit card transactions.
○ Automation in Home and Buildings: Monitor
and regulate energy, health, HVAC, lighting,
solar, wind, and building alarms (security, fire,
incursion, and emergency).
○ Security and Surveillance: Alarm system
monitoring, video surveillance, real-time
monitoring, and video analytics for banking,
retail, and buildings, as well as smart card and
facility management.
○ Healthcare: Smart body sensors, remote
patient monitoring in residential/institutional
settings that communicate with a smartphone
and a central server.
○ Electronic Goods: e-readers, gaming consoles,
picture frames, TVs, and refrigerators.
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About Embedded Sim:
● It's a non-removable SIM card designed to stay
within a device. Unlike traditional SIM cards,
which can be easily swapped between phones,
these cards are fixed in a device, maintaining core
service information without transferability to
other physical devices.
● With an embedded SIM, the chips are made to
allow for information switching, so that the
actual physical chip would not get removed from
the device.
Key Steps taken by the Government of India to
Promote M2M:
● Guidelines, new licences, and an additional 1 MHz
are made available to service and connectivity
providers, allowing them to provide connectivity to
M2M/IoT networks.
● A 13-digit numbering plan was released
specifically for M2M/IoT devices connected via
mobile networks.
● The DoT has approved using embedded SIMs,
allowing Telecom Service Providers to configure
them over the air (OTA).
5.11 Mixed Reality Technology
Context:
● Spatial Computing: It is an overarching term for
AR, MR, and VR, along with other immersive
experiences such as 3D movies and telepresence.
About Mixed Reality Technology (MR):
● The term was coined in 1994 to describe the
continuum between totally real and totally
virtual environments.
● Modern mixed reality headsets blend virtual
reality and augmented reality, offering a seamless
and immersive experience where users can interact
with both the real and digital worlds.
● Examples: Microsoft hololens, Magic Leap One,
Oculus Quest, Meta Quest.
● Mixed reality (MR) enables real-time interaction
with virtual objects through gestures, voice
commands, or other input methods. It fosters
immersion by making users feel like they're
interacting with the virtual world as if it were real.
● An MR headset works by using advanced AI
sensors, cameras, CPUs and GPUs to process and
store data in three dimensions based on the mixed
reality spectrum.
● Mixed Reality Spectrum: It is a way of describing
how physical and digital worlds can be combined
in different ways to create immersive experiences.
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5.12 India’s 1st Future-LABS centre 5.14 Meme Coins
Context: Inauguration of India’s first FutureLABS About Meme Coins:
centre in C-DAC Thiruvananthapuram. ● The term “meme coin” originated with Dogecoin.
More on News: ● Meme coins, also known as ‘memetic tokens’ or
● It will be named as the Centre for Semiconductor ‘community coins’, are digital currencies created
Chips & Systems for Strategic Electronics. as a form of satire or humorous tribute to the internet
About the Centre for Semiconductor Chips & culture.
Systems for Strategic Electronics: ● Examples: Dogecoin (DOGE),Shiba Inu
● It will catalyse an ecosystem for next-generation (SHIB),Retik Finance (RETIK)
chip design, manufacturing, and research. ● Working of Meme Coins :
● It will help to strengthen domestic research and ○ Meme coins function similarly to traditional
development (R&D) and innovation in cryptocurrencies, leveraging blockchain
automotive, computing, communication, technology to operate.
strategic electronics, industrial electronics, and ○ Commonly established on platforms like
internet-of-things. Ethereum and Solana, which facilitate their
functionalities.
Centre for Development of Advanced Computing
(C-DAC):
● It is the premier research and development
organisation for R&D in IT, electronics, and
other areas Established in the Year 1988.
● Parent Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology (MeitY)
● It was set up to build supercomputers in the
context of the denial of the importation of
supercomputers by the USA. Pros & Cons of Meme Coins:
● Headquarters of CDAC: Pune Pros Cons
● Notable Contribution: C-DAC built India’s ● Highly Volatility ● Lacks intrinsic
first indigenously built supercomputer, Param ● Minimal values per value or unique
8000 in 1991. token due to extensive utility.
supply. ● High risk and
5.13 Kairali AI Chip ● Comparatively volatility
straightforward creation ● Lack of
Context: The Kairali AI Chip, developed by Digital process. Regulation :
University Kerala, is the State’s inaugural silicon- ● Potential participation in ● Limited adoption
proven AI Chip, providing speed, power efficiency, an active investing and ● Technologically
and scalability across diverse applications. trading community complex for some
About Kairali AI Chip: users
● Kairali AI Chip targets delivering edge AI solutions
across sectors like agriculture, aerospace, mobile, 5.15 SaaS
and automotive.
Potential Application: About Software-as-a-Service (SaaS):
● SaaS is a software licensing model which provides
● Precision farming, Aerospace Industry,
access to applications on a subscription basis
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and Satellites,
through external servers.
Automobile Industry, Facial Recognition,
● It enables each user to access programmes over the
Communication and IT Sector, Real-Time
Internet.
Language Translation etc.
● Examples: Salesforce, Google Workspace apps,
About Edge Intelligence: Microsoft 365, HubSpot, Trello, Netflix,Zoom,
● It refers to combining AI and edge computing. Zendesk, DocuSign
● It entails deploying machine learning algorithms Benefits of Using Saas
on the edge device where the data is generated, ● It includes file sharing, email, calendars, customer
rather than relying on cloud computing. retention management, and human resources.

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● Easy to update, cost dffective and can be accessed
through Multiple locations.
How Does Saas Work?
● Software as a Service works through a cloud
delivery model.
● SaaS vendors commonly host applications and data
on their own servers and databases, or utilize the
servers of a third-party cloud provider.
● SaaS vendors also manage platforms, operating
systems, and middleware.
● Once a subscription to a SaaS solution is signed, the
provider grants the customer access to the
application through web browser user registration
and login.
● SaaS vendors usually adopt a multi-tenant model,
meaning a single version of the SaaS solution will
be hosted on the vendor's servers and provided to
individual subscribers.
Types of Cloud Services:
● Platform-as-a-Service(PaaS): PaaS is a cloud
computing model that offers users a complete cloud
platform—hardware, software, and infrastructure—
for developing, running, and managing applications
without the high expense, complexity, and
inflexibility associated with establishing and
maintaining that platform on-premises.
○ Examples: Microsoft Azure App Service, AWS
Elastic Beanstalk, Aadhaar authentication
services, etc.
● Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): IaaS is a type
of cloud computing service that provides critical
computation, storage, and networking resources on
demand and on a pay-per-use basis.
○ Examples: Amazon E2C Services, MeghRaj
Initiative, etc.
● Serverless Computing : Serverless computing
allows developers to create applications without
managing infrastructure. With serverless
applications, the cloud service provider
automatically provisioned, scaled, and managed
the infrastructure required to run the code, but
the code remained active.
5.16 Gaia AI Project
Context: Central banks, such as the European Central
Bank and the Bank of Spain, have initiated Project
Gaia, employing artificial intelligence (AI) to assess
climate-related financial risks.
About Gaia AI Project:
● This innovative program tackles inconsistent
reporting standards by analyzing corporate carbon
emissions, green bonds, and disclosures of net-zero
commitments.
● The initiative seeks to democratize climate risk
research by potentially making Gaia accessible to
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the public as an online tool.
5.17 Artificial Intelligence Tokens
Context: Surge in AI tokens amid growing demand for
Machine Learning applications.
About AI Tokens:
● These refer to cryptocurrencies that are
specifically developed to fuel AI-based projects,
applications, and services.
● These tokens serve either as a means of payment
for transactions on the AI platform or as a way of
conferring governance rights to holders.
● Examples: Scotty the AI, eTukTuk, Nosana, and
Artificial Liquid Intelligence - An ecosystem built
to enhance AI ownership.
About Cryptocurrency:
● It is a digital form of currency secured by
Blockchain Technology that operates
decentralised, free from government or
institutional control. Ex- Bitcoin, Ethereum, and
Litecoin.
5.18 Lunar Nuclear Reactor Project
Context: Recently, NASA completed the first phase of
its project to develop a nuclear fission reactor for the
Moon.
About Lunar Nuclear Reactor Project:
● It aims to create a small electricity generating
reactor for future Lunar Missions.
● The project involves designing a reactor, power
conversion systems, heat rejection mechanisms, and
power distribution systems.
● It supports NASA's objective of establishing a
sustained human presence on the Moon.
5.19 PACE Satellite
Context: Recently, NASA's PACE Satellite was
launched by SpaceX to monitor ocean, atmosphere, and
climate.
About Plankton, Aerosol, Climate, Ocean
Ecosystem (PACE):
● PACE is positioned in a sun-synchronous orbit,
ensuring it stays synchronized with the Sun's
position.
● Objectives:
○ Facilitate understanding of carbon dioxide
exchange between the ocean and atmosphere.
○ Investigate how aerosols influence
phytoplankton growth.
○ Contribute to global measurements of ocean
color, cloud properties, and aerosols.
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5.20 Ergosphere 5.23 Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya
About Ergosphere:
(PAPA) Detects CME
● The ergosphere is a region surrounding a rotating Context: Recently, the Plasma Analyser Package for
black hole, located between the event horizon and Aditya (PAPA) payload onboard the Aditya-L1
the stationary limit. detected solar wind impact of Coronal Mass
● In this area, space-time itself is dragged along with Ejections.
the rotation of the black hole. About Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya
● Objects within the ergosphere are forced to rotate (PAPA):
along with the black hole’s spin due to the distortion ● PAPA is an energy and mass analyzer.
of spacetime caused by its immense gravitational ● It is designed for in-situ measurements of solar
pull. wind electrons and ions in the low energy range.
About Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs):
5.21 Black Hole “Mass Gap”
● Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) are large
About Black Hole “Mass Gap”: expulsions of plasma and magnetic fields from the
Sun’s corona into space.
● The gap between the mass of the Neutron star and
the Black hole is called the “Mass Gap”. ● Their magnetic fields merge between
interplanetary magnetic fields (IMF) and
Reference: Page 42 of Udaan 500 Science & Tech
geomagnetic field lines.
● This merging accelerates energy transfer from
5.22 NASA Ingenuity Mars Helicopter
solar wind to the magnetosphere.
Context: Recently, the National Aeronautics and ● Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) play a crucial role
Space Administration (NASA) regained contact with in driving geomagnetic storms and substorms.
its Mars helicopter Ingenuity on January 21. ● Substorms produce the mesmerizing northern and
About Ingenuity Helicopter: southern auroral lights visible at high latitudes.
● It is a small, autonomous aircraft that flew to Mars
aboard NASA’s Perseverance rover.
● It is a solar powered aircraft which consists of a
wireless communication system, navigation
system, computers and cameras.
● It was built by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
(JPL) of NASA.
● It is an experimental flight test to determine
whether life is possible on Mars.
Perseverance Rover:
● It aims to study signs of ancient life, and collect
samples of soils & rocks that can be sent back to
Earth for future missions.
● Mission Duration: At least one Mars year
(approximately 687 Earth days).

5.24 INSAT-3DS Satellite

Context: Launch of INSAT-3DS satellite for
enhanced meteorological observation from Satish
Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
About Indian National Satellite - 3D (INSAT-3DS):
● It is an exclusive meteorological satellite designed
for enhanced meteorological observation of land
and ocean surfaces for weather forecasting and
disaster management.
● It is the third in a series of INSAT 3D satellites. Its
predecessors were INSAT-3D ,and INSAT-3DR .

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● It is a byproduct of the collaborative efforts of ISRO
and the Indian Meteorological Organisation
(IMO).
● The satellite is funded by the Ministry of Earth
Science, and configured around ISRO’s I-2k bus
platform with a lift-off mass of 2275 kg.
● Payload:
○ Meteorology: Equipped with 6-channel
imager and 19-channel sounder for enhanced
meteorological observation.
○ Communication: It includes Data Relay
Transponder (DRT) and Satellite aided
search and Rescue (SAS&R) transponder.
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How INSAT-3DS works?
● Data Relay Transponder (DRT) instrument
enhances weather forecasting capabilities by
receiving meteorological, hydrological, and
oceanographic data from automatic data collection
platforms or automatic weather stations (AWS).
5.25 Cartosat-2
Context: Recently, the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) announced the completion of the
de-orbiting of Cartosat-2.
About De-orbiting of Cartosat-2:
● In 2020, ISRO decreased perigee from 635 km to
130 km using onboard fuel, facilitating final de-
orbiting over the eastern Indian Ocean.
● This action aims to ensure safe disposal, aligning
with international guidelines on space debris
mitigation.
● Natural de-orbiting is estimated at 30 years.
About Cartosat-2 Series:
● Launched in 2007, it is the first satellite in ISRO's
second generation of high-resolution imaging
satellites.
● Operated in a sun-synchronous polar orbit at an
altitude of 635 km.
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5.26 CE20 Cryogenic Engine
About Cryogenic Engine (CE20):
● CE20, developed by ISRO's Liquid Propulsion
Systems Centre (LPSC), powers the cryogenic
stage of LVM3.
● Underwent 39 hot firing tests totaling 8,810 seconds
to meet human-rating standards.
● Features a gas-generator cycle, making it the first
Indian cryogenic engine with this technology.
About Cryogenic Stage:
● Utilizes liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen as
propellants cooled to extremely low temperatures.
● Offers higher efficiency and thrust compared to
solid and earth-storable liquid propellant stages.
Reference: Page 29 of Udaan 500 Science & Tech
5.27 IM-1 Mission: Odysseus Moon
Lander
Context: Recently, SpaceX launched Intuitive
Machines' IM-1 mission from the Kennedy Space
Center in Florida carrying the private “Odysseus”
moon lander.
About the Mission:
● NASA selected Intuitive Machines to build a
lander as part of the space agency's Commercial
Lunar Payload Services Initiative (CLPS), in
which a commercial firm receives a contract.
● It aims to place Odysseus at crater Malapert A near
the lunar south pole.
● Payloads: Odysseus carries five NASA payloads,
and commercial cargo.
○ Lander is equipped with solar panels which
will allow it to generate 200 Watts of power on
the lunar surface.
○ Main Engine is placed at the bottom of
Odysseus, uses liquid methane as fuel, and
liquid oxygen as oxidiser.
● It will have a mission life of 14 Earth days, in the
presence of sunlight.
● Functions:
○ Study interactions between the lunar surface
and plumes, which are clouds of gas.
○ Conduct Radio Astronomy Experiments
○ Demonstrate precision landing technologies,
and exhibit communication and navigation
mode capabilities.
5.28 In-Orbit Functionality of Green
Propulsion System
Context: The Green Propulsion System, funded by
DRDO's Technology Development Fund (TDF),
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showed successful in-orbit functionality on a payload
launched via PSLV C-58 mission.
More on News:
● The TDF is a flagship programme of the Ministry
of Defence executed by DRDO under the ‘Make in
India’ initiative for funding innovation in defense
and aerospace.
About Green Propulsion Systems:
● The system consists of indigenously-developed
propellant, fill and drain valves, latch valve,
solenoid valve, catalyst bed, drive electronics, etc.
● ISRO has made a beginning by developing an eco-
friendly solid propellant based on Glycidyl Azide
Polymer (GAP) as fuel and Ammonium Di-
Nitramide (ADN) as oxidizer at the laboratory
level, which will eliminate the emission of
chlorinated exhaust products from rocket motors.
● Executed by Bengaluru-based startup Bellatrix
Aerospace Pvt Ltd, the project involves a 1N Class
Green Monopropellant thruster designed for
microsatellite attitude control and orbit
maintenance.
About Green Propellants:
● Green propellants offer 50% higher performance
over a traditional hydrazine propulsion system, due
to its higher density and higher specific impulse
(Isp).
● They are easier to handle and, therefore, lower cost
to integrate and fuel for operation.
5.29 High-Altitude Pseudo Satellite
Vehicle
Context: The CSIR-National Aerospace
Laboratories (NAL) completed the first test of a solar-
powered “High-Altitude Pseudo Satellite Vehicle”.
About the HAPS:
● It is a new-age unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
that can hold a fixed position.
● HAPS operate in the stratosphere, closer to Earth
than many satellites but further up than drones and
conventional aircraft.
● It can fly at altitudes of 18-20 km from the ground,
almost double the heights attained by commercial
airplanes.
5.30 MethaneSAT
Context: Recently, MethaneSAT was launched aboard
a SpaceX Falcon9 rocket from California.
About MethaneSAT
● It is an Earth observation satellite that will
monitor and study global methane emissions in
order to combat climate change.
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● Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), a US-based
non-profit environmental advocacy group.
● Developing partners: Harvard University, the
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and the
New Zealand Space Agency.
● Mission Partner: Google
Features of MethaneSAT
● High Resolution Sensor: The satellite, equipped
with a high-resolution infrared sensor and a
spectrometer, which will help fill important data
gaps.
● Detection: It can detect changes in methane levels
as small as three parts per billion in the atmosphere,
allowing it to identify smaller sources of emissions
compared to previous satellites.
● Super Emitters: MethaneSAT also boasts a broad
camera perspective, covering approximately 200 km
by 200 km, enabling it to detect larger emitters
known as “super emitters“.
About Methane Emission:
● Occurrence: Atmospheric methane (CH4)
occurs in nature as the primary component of
natural gas.
● Contribution: It is the second largest
contributor to climate change, accounting for
around 16% of the warming effect
○ According to the UNEP, methane has 80
times the warming power of carbon dioxide
during the first 20 years after it is released
into the atmosphere.
● Global Warming Potential: Its warming effect
is 28 times greater than CO2 over a 100-year
timescale (80 times over 20 years).
5.31 Lunar Gateway Station
● The Lunar Gateway is an innovative space station
intended to orbit the Moon.
● Developed jointly by NASA, ESA, JAXA, CSA,
and MBRSC, it serves as a versatile platform for
communication, scientific research, astronaut
habitation, and staging missions for rovers and other
robots.
5.32 Einstein Probe (EP)
Context: Recently, China launched a astronomical
satellite named Einstein Probe (EP).
About Einstein Probe (EP):
● The Einstein Probe (EP) satellite, equipped with
wide-field X-ray telescopes (WXT) and follow-up
X-ray telescopes (FXT), aims to capture initial
light from supernova explosions, detect X-ray
signals associated with gravitational wave events,
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and identify dormant black holes and celestial
objects.
● Inspired by lobster-eye telescopes, its innovative X-
ray detection technology sets it apart.
5.33 India's First Dark Sky Park
Context: The Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in
Maharashtra has been marked as India's first Dark
Sky Park and the fifth Dark Sky Park in Asia for
protecting the night sky and preventing light
pollution.
About Dark Sky Park:
● About: A dark-sky park is an area usually
surrounding a park or observatory which restricts
artificial light pollution.
● Objective: The purpose of the dark-sky movement
is generally to promote astronomy.
● Certification: The certification was given by the
International Dark-Sky Association. As a global
dark sky movement to promote astronomy.
Significance of Night Sky:
● The IUCN highlights the need to preserve natural
darkness for nature conservation, ecological
integrity in protected areas, and the well-being of
communities in healthy cities.
About Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR):
● The Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) derives its name
from the River Pench, dividing the reserve into
almost two equal halves.
● Totladoh Reservoir built on the Pench River plays
an important role in enriching and sustaining the
wildlife in the tiger reserve
● The PTR spans across two states -Madhya
Pradesh and Maharashtra.
● Flora: It supports many Gaur (Indian Bison),
Sambar, Barking deer, Chousingha, Chinkara
and Wild boar.
● Fauna: The Pench National Park consists of dry
deciduous forests and flora including species of
Mahua Tree, Palash Tree, Teak Tree, etc.
Additional Information:
Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO):
● About: The IAO, a high-altitude astronomy
station located in Hanle, Ladakh and operated by
the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, is India's
first dark-sky reserve.
● Location: Situated in the Western Himalayas at an
elevation of 4,500 meters, the IAO is one of the
world's highest-located sites for optical, infrared and
gamma-ray telescopes.
Reference: Page 33 of Udaan 500 Science & Tech
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5.34 ISRO’s Distress Alert Transmitter political personalities before the nineteenth
century.
Context: Recently, the Indian Space Research About International Astronomical Union (IAU)
Organisation (ISRO) has developed an improvised ● IAU was established in 1919 in Brussels, Belgium.
Distress Alert Transmitter (DAT) for fishermen at ● It aims to promote and protect astronomy in all of its
sea to send emergency messages from fishing boats. forms through international cooperation.
About Distress Alert Transmitter (DAT): ● Headquarters: Paris, France.
● Using DAT, messages are sent through a ● IAU membership includes 92 countries. Out of
communication satellite and received at a central those countries, 85 are National Members. India is
control station (INMCC: Indian Mission Control represented by the Astronomical Society of India
Centre), where the alert signals are decoded for the (ASI).
identity and location of the fishing boat.
● The decoded information is then forwarded to
Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres
(MRCCs) under the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
● Using this information, the MRCC coordinates to
undertake search and rescue operations to save the
fishermen in distress without delay.
● Sagarmitra: The central control centre (INMCC)
has a web-based network management system
called Sagarmitra which maintains a database of
registered DAT-SGs and helps MRCCs to access
the information about boat, coordinate the boat in
distress in real time.

5.35 Proba-3 Mission

● Proba-3 is a pioneering European Space Agency's
mission that involves two spacecraft demonstrating
precision formation flying in space.
● Its aim is to form a 144 metre long solar
coronagraph for study of the sun's corona. 5.37 India’s Second Privately Developed
Rocket
5.36 Statio Shiv Shakti’
Context: Recently, a Chennai based space start-up
Context: Recently, International Astronomical
launched its first rocket Agnibaan Sub Orbital
Union's (IAU) approved the name 'Statio Shiv Shakti'
Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD).
for the landing site of Chandrayaan-3's Vikram
More on News
lander.
● Agnibaan would be India’s second privately
About Statio Shiv Shakti’:
developed rocket to be launched, developed by
● It is located between the lunar craters Manzinus C
Agnikul Cosmos Private Limited.
and Simpelius N.
● Vikram-S launched in 2022, was India’s first
● The term 'Shiv Shakti' represents nature's privately-developed rocket.
masculine-feminine duality, embodying strength
Key Features of Agniban-SOrTED:
and resolution.
● Agnibaan features the world’s first single piece 3D
Nomenclature Criteria by IAU printed engine designed and built indigenously.
● Rule 4: It emphasizes the international aspect of ● It is a single-stage launch vehicle demonstration,
solar system nomenclature and promotes the fair powered by a semi-cryogenic engine, the Agnilet.
representation of names from many ethnic
● This sub-orbital mission employs a complete stack
groups, countries, and genders.
of closed-loop feedback guidance and control,
● Rule 11: It emphasizes that names should be featuring gimballed thrust vector control for precise
distinct within the context of celestial navigation.
nomenclature to avoid confusion.
● Rule 9: The IAU follows Rule 9, which prohibits
names having political, military, or religious
implications, with the exception of historical

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5.38 Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV)
"Pushpak”
Context: Recently, ISRO successfully conducted the
landing experiment of Pushpak Reusable Launch
Vehicle (RLV).
About Pushpak:
● Pushpak RLV is designed as an all-rocket, fully
reusable Single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) Vehicle,
incorporating advanced elements from previous
demonstrators like the X-33, X-34, and the upgraded
DC-XA.
About Re-Usable Landing Vehicle (RLV):
● A reusable launch system enables the recycling of
its components, allowing the vehicle to return to
Earth intact post-mission.
● The configuration of RLV-TD is similar to that of
an aircraft and combines the complexity of both
launch vehicles and aircraft.
● Eventually, this vehicle is planned to be expanded
into the initial stage of India's two-stage reusable
orbital launch vehicle.
● The key objective of mastering the RLV
technology is to achieve low-cost access to space.
About Space Port:
● A spaceport is a site for launching or receiving
spacecraft.
● Factors Considered for a spaceport
Establishment: Geographical location, weather
conditions, and availability of vast tracts of
uninhabited land, among others.
● India established its first spaceport, Satish
Dhawan Space Centre (initially known as
Sriharikota Range), in the year 1971, in
Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
About Kulasekarapattinam:
● Kulasekarapattinam, located 700 kilometers south
of Sriharikota, offers a strategic advantage for such
launches without the need to overfly Sri Lanka
(Dogleg Maneuver).
● It was an ancient port dating back to the 1st
century AD.
● During that period, it thrived alongside other
renowned ports such as Kollam, Cheran, and
Pandyan.

5.39 Astronomical Grand Cycles

Context: The Earth undergoes climate fluctuations in
a 2.4-million-year cycle, discovered through geological
sedimentary evidence in the deep ocean currents,
termed "astronomical grand cycles."
About Astronomical Grand Cycle:
● The concept of the Astronomical Grand Cycle
(AGC) suggests that the gravitational interaction
between Earth and Mars cyclically influences deep
ocean currents, leading to recurring patterns every
2.4 million years.
● This cycle is attributed to the interference of gravity
fields between the two planets, causing a resonance
that affects Earth’s orbit around the Sun.
Key Feature of Milankovitch Cycles:
● Eccentricity: The shape of Earth’s orbit, known
as eccentricity; 5.41 Smart Lander for Investigating
● Obliquity: The angle Earth’s axis is tilted with Moon
respect to Earth’s orbital plane, known as
obliquity; and Context: Recently, Japan's Smart Lander for
● Precession: The direction Earth’s axis of rotation Investigating Moon (SLIM) successfully landed on
is pointed, known as precession. the lunar surface, marking Japan as the fifth country
after the USA, the Soviet Union, China and India to
5.40 India's Second Spaceport : achieve this feat.
More on News:
Kulasekarapattinam (Tamil Nadu)
● Soft Landing Club: Japan follows the United
Context : Foundation stone for India's second States, the Soviet Union, China and India in
spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam, a coastal village reaching the moon making it the 5th country to do
in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi district. so.

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About Smart Lander for Investigating Moon
(SLIM):
● SLIM is a small-scale exploration lander designed
for pinpoint landings on the Moon’s surface.
● Launched by: Japan Aerospace Exploration
Agency.
5.42 Pulsar Glitch: A Cosmic Mystery
Context: The first pulsar (PSR B1919+21) was
discovered by scientists Jocelyn Bell Burnell and
Antony Hewish in 1967.
About Pulsars:
● Pulsars are rotating neutron stars observed to
have pulses of radiation at very regular intervals
that typically range from milliseconds to seconds.
● They have very strong magnetic fields which
funnel jets of particles out along the two magnetic
poles.
About Neutron Stars:
● They are formed when the core of a massive star
runs out of fuel and collapses, crushing together
every proton and electron into a neutron.
● Collapse of a star having a mass between 1 and
3 solar masses, will form a neutron star.
However if the star has a higher mass than 3 solar
masses, it will continue to collapse into stellar-
mass black holes.
About Pulsar Glitch:
● Origin: Before it was considered that neutron stars
after their formation started rotating slowly
over time, as the energy ‘saved’ by reducing the
rotation rate was used to accelerate electric charges
outside the star, producing the radio signals.
● The problem of Pulsar Glitch was discovered in
1969 when two research groups reported an abrupt
and brief increase in the rotation rate of the
pulsar PSR 0833-45.
● Assumption : The familiar decreasing pattern was
visible but during a glitch, the rate increases briefly
before relaxing to the original value. Scientists
assume that the glitch is the result of something
happening inside the star.
● Hypothesis: Although the problem of the glitch has
no solution as of now, some hypotheses surround
the scientific community.
○ Presence of superfluid: The slow post-glitch
relaxation hints that the neutrons inside the star
were in a slippery, frictionless state, which is
called a superfluid.
5.43 Vyommitra: Humanoid Robot
ISRO to launch India’s female robot astronaut,
Vyommitra into space ahead of Gaganyaan mission.
About Vyommitra:
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● Vyommitra, a creation of the Indian Space
Research Organization (ISRO), is a female robot
that has been specifically crafted for unmanned
test missions preceding the Gaganyaan human
spaceflight endeavor.
● Classified as a half-humanoid robot due to the
absence of legs, Vyommitra possesses the ability
to bend forward and sideways.
● Resembling a human, it features facial expressions,
speech capabilities, and sight functions.
5.44 Cygnus X-1
Context: Recently, India’s space telescope AstroSat
has measured X-ray polarization from the Cygnus X-
1 black hole.
About Cygnus X-1:
● Cygnus X-1 is a black hole about 15 times the mass
of the Sun in orbit with a massive blue companion
star.
About AstroSat:
● India’s first dedicated multi-wavelength space
observatory.
● It simultaneously studies celestial sources in X-ray,
optical, and UV spectral bands.
● Launcher: PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle).
● Mission Life: Minimum useful life is around 5
years.
● Objectives: Understand high-energy processes in
binary star systems, estimate magnetic fields of
neutron stars, study star birth regions beyond our
galaxy, detect new bright X-ray sources in the sky,
and perform a limited deep-field survey in the
Ultraviolet region.
5.45 Helium Star
Context: Astronomers have discovered a rare class of
stars, called helium-covered hot stars.
About Helium Star:
● A Helium Star is a class O or B star (blue), which
has extraordinarily strong helium lines, and weaker
than normal Hydrogen lines, indicating strong
stellar winds.
○ Class O: It includes bluish-white stars with
surface temperatures typically 25,000–50,000
K.
■ Lines of ionized helium appear in the spectra.
○ Class B: These stars typically range from
10,000 K to 25,000 K and are also bluish-white
but show neutral helium lines.
● Helium-rich stars are the hottest star category,
almost 10 times as hot as the Sun.
● A Helium star is also a term for a hypothetical star
that could occur if two helium white dwarfs
subsequently start nuclear fusion of helium, with a
lifetime of a few hundred million years.
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5.46 Fruit Flies for Huntington’s Disease
Clues
Context: A research paper published in Scientific
Reports Journal, has provided important information on
Huntington’s disease, using fruit flies.
More on News:
● Methodology: Researchers genetically engineered
fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) to express the
polyglutamine tract of a mutated human HTT
gene (which causes the disease) in the nervous
system of fruit flies.
○ Drosophila Melanogaster are common pests
and are important pollinators for plants.
● Solution: Through overexpression of a specific
gene called Yod1, the signs of neurodegeneration
by the disease were ameliorated.
● Usefulness: Model systems such as fruit flies and
yeasts offer scientists unparalleled versatility to
investigate the molecular mechanisms triggered by
disease genes in humans.
About Huntington’s Disease:
● It is a neurological genetic disorder which
damages nerve cells in the brain causing them to
stop working properly. It's passed on from a
person's parents.
● The reason for the disease is that they carry a
mutated version of a gene called HTT. The HTT
gene provides a blueprint for a protein called
huntingtin, or Htt.
○ Htt protein: Nerve cells in the human body
require the Htt protein for their normal
functioning and survival.
○ The mutated gene encodes an abnormal Htt
protein that instead destroys the neurons that
regulate movement, thinking, and memory.
● The normal HTT gene contains a stretch of DNA
that specifies the number of times the amino acid
glutamine is repeated in the Htt protein about 11 to
31 times.
○ The mutant version contains 35 or more
repeats up to 150 repeats.
○ As the number of repetitions increase, the
severity of Huntington’s disease increases and
its debilitation begins at an earlier age.
● Dominant Gene: Of the two copies of the HTT
gene, one from the father and one from the
mother, The disease is triggered even if only one
copy of the gene is mutated.
5.47 InfexnTN
Context: InfexnTN, India's first genomics based test
for diagnosing infectious diseases.
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About InfexnTN:
● Developed in collaboration between IIT Bombay
based Haystack Analytics and NIMS Medicity.
● It detects bacterial and fungal infections, along with
antimicrobial resistance genes, and can be
conducted within hospital settings.
● This test marks a major advancement in medical
diagnostics, offering precise results within 24 hours
using genome sequencing technology.
5.48 The Healthy Indian Project (THIP)
Context: Recently, The Healthy Indian Project has
joined the World Health Organization's Vaccine
Safety Net.
About The Healthy Indian Project (THIP):
● It is a health information and fact-checking
platform in India.
● Its aim is to improve health literacy among
Indians.
About Vaccine Safety Net (VSN):
● VSN, an initiative of the WHO, is a global network
of websites that provide reliable information on
vaccine safety.
5.49 CoViNet- A Global Laboratory To
Monitor Emerging Coronaviruses
Context: Recently, the World Health Organization
(WHO) has launched CoViNet.
About CoViNet:
● CoViNet is a network of global laboratories with
expertise in human, animal and environmental
coronavirus surveillance.
● CoViNet comprises 36 laboratories from 21
countries in all six WHO regions (Africa,
Americas, South-east Asia, Europe, Eastern
Mediterranean and Western Pacific), including
three Indian laboratories.
○ Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research-National Environmental
Engineering Research Institute
○ The Indian Council of Medical Research-
National Institute of Virology in Pune
○ The Translational Health Science and
Technology Institute
COVID-19 and ‘Disease X’:
● First ‘Disease X’: As per experts, COVID-19 was
the first ‘Disease X’ and it may happen again.
○ Coronaviruses are a large family of RNA
viruses.
● ‘Disease X’: It is a placeholder for an unknown
disease anticipated by the WHO to be of
unprecedented magnitude. It is mostly likely to be a
zoonotic disease with a ribonucleic acid (RNA)
virus.
● Zoonotic diseases are infections that are spread
between people and animals.
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5.50 Dialysis Survival Rates and Protozoan Toxoplasmosis, Trypanosomiasis,
Zoonoses Leishmaniasis, African Sleeping
Healthcare Disparities Sickness, Chagas Disease,
Helminthic Echinococcosis (hydatid disease),
Context : Recently, A study published in the Medical
Zoonoses Taeniasis
Journal ‘Lancet’ establishes a national benchmark for
dialysis success rate for the first time. Fungal Deep Mycosis - Histoplasmosis,
About Dialysis : Zoonoses Cryptococcosis
● It is a medical treatment to help individuals with Ectoparasites Scabies, Myiasis
kidney failure filter waste and excess fluid from the Acellular Mad Cow Disease, also known as
blood. non-viral Bovine Spongiform
About Hemodialysis (HD-Water Dialysis): Pathogens Encephalopathy. In human known
● It requires an artificial kidney machine to filter as Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease
blood at a dialysis centre. (CJD)
● In it blood is filtered through a machine that acts
like an artificial kidney & is returned back into 5.52 WHO-Cabo Verde Malaria-Free
the body.
About Peritoneal dialysis (PD-Blood Dialysis): Context: Recently, the World Health Organization
● It is the process in which the patient’s own blood (WHO) certified Cabo Verde as a malaria-free
lining of the abdomen acts as a filter. country, becoming the third country to acquire the
● A solution composed primarily of salts and sugars status in the African region.
is injected into the abdomen to facilitate filtration. More on News:
● Cabo Verde has joined Mauritius and Algeria,
5.51 Zoonotic Diseases certified in 1973 and 2019, respectively.
● Till now, WHO has awarded the ‘malaria-free’
Context: As per the Union Health Ministry, 75% of certification to 43 countries and 1 territory.
new infectious diseases that have emerged over the About Cabo Verde:
past three decades have been zoonotic, and the ● It comprises a group of islands around the west
Ministry is increasing its focus on zoonotic diseases. coast of Africa.
What are Zoonotic diseases? ● It comprises a group of ten volcanic islands, which
● Zoonotic diseases are infections that are spread are divided into the Barlavento (windward) and
between people and animals. Sotavento (leeward) groups.
● These infections are caused by germs, such as ● It is located in the central Atlantic Ocean, off the
viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. northwest coast of Africa near Senegal, the nearest
● For Example: point on the African continent.
○ Rabies, Anthrax, Brucellosis, Plague, ● Westernmost Cape: Cabo Verde is named for the
Tuberculosis, Leptospirosis and Salmonellosis. westernmost cape of Africa.
Zoonoses Associated Diseases ○ The term cape refers to a large, narrow,
elevated landform that extends into a body of
Bacterial Anthrax, Tuberculosis,
water, such as an ocean, river, or lake.
Zoonoses Brucellosis, Plague, Leptospirosis,
Salmonellosis, Lyme Disease,
Leprosy 5.53 HPV Vaccine Against Cervical
Viral Rabies, Hantavirus, Arbovirus Cancer
Zoonoses Infections, Yellow Fever,
Influenza, Acquired Immune Context: The Indian government plans to launch an
Deficiency Syndrome- AIDS, HPV immunisation campaign to curb cervical cancer
Ebola, Chikungunya Fever, cases in the second quarter of the year.
Dengue Fever, Zika Fever, More on News:
Severe acute respiratory ● The initiative will offer free vaccinations to girls
syndrome (SARS), Monkeypox, aged 9-14 in three phases over the next three
Coronavirus Disease 2019 years.
(COVID-19) ● The indigenously developed Cervavac will be
Rickettsial Murine Typhus, Tick Typhus, used in the government campaign.
Zoonoses Scrub Typhus, Q-fever, Epidemic About Cervavac: India's Indigenous HPV Vaccine:
Typhus, Rocky Mountain Spotted ● Cervavac is India's first indigenously developed
Fever, Queensland Tick Typhus quadrivalent human papillomavirus (qHPV)
vaccine designed to prevent cervical cancer.

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● It is based on VLP (Virus-Like Particles)
● A quadrivalent vaccine is a vaccine that works by
stimulating an immune response against four
different antigens, such as four different viruses or
other microorganisms.
● Developed by: The Serum Institute of India in
collaboration with the Government of India’s
Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
● How does the Vaccine Work?
○ HPV vaccines prevent the entry of four
common HPV types: 16, 18, 6, and 11.
○ Key HPV Types Targeted:
■ Types 16 and 18: These are the most
oncogenic HPV types, causing approximately
70% of all global cervical cancer cases.
○ The vaccine focuses on preventing infections
from these high-risk strains.
Cervical Cancer:
● Cervical cancer is a growth of cells that starts in
the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus
that connects to the vagina.
● It is caused by persistent infection with the human
papillomavirus (HPV).
● Vaccination at age 9–14 years is a very effective
way to prevent HPV infection, cervical cancer and
other HPV-related cancers.
● Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer
in Indian women.
About Human Papillomavirus:
● Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection
that’s passed between people through skin-to-skin
contact.
● There are over 100 varieties of HPV, more than 40
of which are passed through sexual contact and can
affect genitals, mouth, or throat.
5.54 Human Vaccine for Nipah Virus
Context: Scientists at the University of Oxford U.K.
have launched first-in-human vaccine trials for the
Nipah virus.
More on News:
● Name: ChAdOx1 NipahB vaccine.The vaccine
uses the ChAdOx1 platform, the same that was
used for the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19
vaccine.
About Nipah Virus:
● It belongs to a family of paramyxoviruses.
● First identified: In 1998 in Malaysia and
Singapore in an outbreak among pig farmers.
● Carriers: Fruit bats of the family Pteropodidae
acts as a natural host of the virus
● Outbreaks: Outbreaks have occurred in countries
in Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Bangladesh
and India with Kerala seeing annual outbreaks.
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● Nature of Transmission:
○ It is zoonotic in nature (transmitted from
animals to humans)Unprotected exposure to
secretions or tissues of a sick animal (Eg:
Malaysia)
○ Consumption of fruits or fruit products
(such as raw date palm juice) contaminated with
urine or saliva from infected fruit bats was the
most likely source of infection.
● Human-to-human transmission of Nipah virus
has also been reported among family and caregivers
of infected patients.
● Infection: Human infections range from
asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory
infection (mild, severe), and fatal encephalitis
progressing to coma within 24 to 48 hours.
○ The incubation period (interval from infection
to the onset of symptoms) is believed to range
from 4 to 14 days.
● Diagnosis: The main tests used are real-time
polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from bodily
fluids and antibody detection via enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
● Treatment: There are currently no drugs or
vaccines specific for Nipah virus infection.
● WHO Status: WHO has identified Nipah as a
priority disease for the WHO Research and
Development Blueprint saying it has pandemic
potential.
About Viral Vector-based Vaccines:
● They use a harmless virus to smuggle the
instructions for making antigens from the disease-
causing virus into cells, triggering protective
immunity against it.
● It differs from most conventional vaccines in that
they don’t actually contain antigens, but rather use
the body’s own cells to produce them.
● Mechanism: It uses a modified virus (the vector) to
deliver genetic code for antigen, in the case of
COVID-19 spike proteins found on the surface of
the virus, into human cells.
● Vector infects cells and instructs them to make
large amounts of antigen, which then trigger an
immune response, the vaccine mimics what happens
during natural infection with certain pathogens -
especially viruses.
5.55 Gut Microbiome and Health
About Human Microbiomes:
● The human microbiome is a community of trillions
of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi archaea,
protists, and viruses) that live in our body,
especially in the digestive tract.
○ These microbes change in response to the
environment, diseases and human diets.
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About Probiotics:
● Probiotics are foods or supplements that contain
live microorganisms intended to maintain or
improve the "good" bacteria (normal microflora)
in the body.
● These are foods (typically high-fiber foods) that act
as food for human microflora.
About Human Microbiome Project (HMP):
● It aims to generate the baseline microbiome data of
Indians.
● It will enable tracing trillions of microbes found
in Indians, particularly on their skin.
● This Union government-funded, ₹150 crore project
was initiated in 2019 by the Department of
Biotechnology.
● Led by Pune’s National Centre for Microbial
Resource (NCMR), which is a part of the National
Centre for Cell Science.
5.56 Havisure- India's First Indigenously
Developed Hepatitis A Vaccine
Context: Recently, Hyderabad-based Indian
Immunologicals Ltd (IIL) has launched India’s first
indigenously developed Hepatitis A vaccine
Havisure®.
More on News:
● Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL) is a wholly
owned subsidiary of National Dairy Development
Board (NDDB).
○ NDDB was founded in 1965 for transforming
dairying into an instrument for the
development of India's rural people.
About Havisure® Vaccine:
● It is a two-dose vaccine wherein the first dose is
administered at above 12 months of age and the
second dose is given at least after 6 months of the
first dose.
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● It is recommended for children in routine
immunisation as well as for individuals at risk of
exposure or travel to the regions with high hepatitis
A prevalence.
About Hepatitis and its types:
● Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver.
● It can be either acute (short-term) or chronic.
● Hepatitis A is an acute infectious liver disease
often unrecognized, especially in young individuals,
caused by the Hepatitis A virus.
● Hepatitis B is a contagious disease caused by the
Hepatitis B virus, transmitted through blood, saliva,
or bodily secretions of an infected individual.
● Hepatitis C, caused by the Hepatitis C virus, is a
liver infection transmitted through infected needles,
at birth, exposure to an infected person's body fluids,
or sexual contact, especially with HIV-infected
individuals.
● Hepatitis C: The Hepatitis C virus causes an
infection of the liver. This can be transmitted
through infected needles, at birth, through an
infected person's body fluids, or by having sex with
several partners, particularly HIV-infected people.
● Hepatitis D, caused by the Hepatitis D virus, is a
serious liver illness transmitted through infected
blood or wounds. It may occur alongside Hepatitis
B.
● Hepatitis E is a waterborne disease caused by a
virus, spread through contaminated food, water, or
infected blood. It can manifest as acute or chronic.
About Hepatitis A:
● It is a highly contagious liver infection caused by
a virus.
● The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through
ingestion of contaminated food and water or through
direct contact with an infectious person.
● It is common in low- and middle-income
countries.
● Symptoms: Fever, abdominal discomfort, dark-
coloured urine and jaundice.
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Status of Hepatitis in IndiaInfected Population:
● The National Viral Hepatitis Control
Programme (NVHCP) was launched in 2018, with
the goal of eliminating Hepatitis C by 2030.
● Hepatitis B Vaccine: Shantha Biotech
(Hyderabad), created the first recombinant DNA-
based vaccination against Hepatitis B infection.
● COBAS 6800: Recently, an automated
coronavirus testing instrument called the
'COBAS 6800' was introduced.
● Hepatitis B is covered in Universal Immunization
Programme.
Nobel Prize in Hepatitis C Vaccine:
● In 2020, Americans Harvey J Alter and Charles
M Rice, as well as British scientist Michael
Houghton, were given the Nobel Prize in
Medicine or Physiology for their discovery of
the Hepatitis C virus.
5.57 New Three-Drug Regimen for
Leprosy
Context: Recently, the Ministry of Health Affairs The
Ministry has decided to introduce a three-drug
regimen for Pauci-Bacillary (PB) cases in place of a
two-drug regimen for six months.
● A Drug Regimen is a prescribed systematic form
of treatment for a course of drug(s).
More on News:
● Multi Drug Therapy (DMT): WHO's
recommended treatment regimen comprises three
drugs -- dapsone, rifampicin and clofazimine --
and the combination is referred to as multi-drug
therapy or MDT.
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Reference: Page 45 of Udaan 500 Science & Tech
5.58 Alaska Pox
About Alaska Pox:
● It is a rare viral infection caused by an
orthopoxvirus first identified in Fairbanks,
Alaska in 2015.
● It was first discovered in the Fairbanks area of
Alaska, but the more recent case occurred in the
Kenai Peninsula.
● No evidence yet of human-to-human
transmission, but possible via direct contact with
lesions.
● No specific treatment or vaccine available.
5.59 Kyasanur Forest Disease
About Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD):
● It is a tick-borne viral haemorrhagic fever.
● KFD was first identified in 1956 in the Kysanur
Forest area in Shivamogga district, Karnataka. The
disease is named after this region.
● Symptoms: High fever, Severe muscle pain,
Bleeding problems, Low blood pressure
● Hosts: Porcupines, rats, squirrels, mice, and shrews
are considered reservoir hosts for KFDV.
● Transmission: Disease transmission primarily
occurs through the forest tick Haemaphysalis
spinigera.
○ It may occur after a tick bite or contact with an
infected animal (a sick or recently dead
monkey).
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5.60 Bubonic Plague (Black Death)
Context: Recently, a confirmed case of Bubonic
plague was reported in Oregon, USA.
About Bubonic Plague:
● It is a severe bacterial infection caused by a
Yersinia pestis, a Zoonotic bacteria (that can
spread between animals & people) which is usually
found in small mammals and their fleas.
● Name Derived – from the Swollen lymph nodes
(buboes), that it induces.
● Ways of Transmission (According to WHO):
○ The Bite of infected Vector Fleas,
○ Unprotected Contact with infectious bodily
fluids or contaminated materials (like bitten by
an infected rat) and
○ The Inhalation of Respiratory droplets/small
particles from patients with pneumonic plague.
● Current Endemic Countries: Democratic
Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, and Peru.
5.61 Guinea Worm Disease
(Dracunculiasis)
About Guinea Worm Disease:
● It is an infectious ‘Neglected tropical disease’
(NTD).
● Agent: parasite “Dracunculus Medinensis” fiery
serpent.
● It is primarily a human disease but can also
spread to animals and humans by eating certain
aquatic animals that might carry Guinea worm
larvae, like fish or frogs.
● India eliminated GWD in the 1990s.
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5.62 Trichoderma and Tricholime
● Trichoderma is a fungal biocontrol agent which
is effective against soil-borne pathogens in crop
production.
● Tricholime is a lime based formulation which
helps in controlling soil acidity. It promotes plant
growth, protects against pathogens and serves as
a bio-pesticide and bio-fertilizer.
5.63 Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination
Context: Launch of the Bi-annual Nationwide Mass
Drug Administration (MDA) campaign for
Lymphatic Filariasis elimination.
About Lymphatic Filariasis:
● It is a neglected tropical and vector-borne
disease.
● Caused by: Lymphatic filariasis commonly known
as elephantiasis, results from parasitic (nematodes
(roundworms)) worms transmitted by Culex
mosquitoes, infiltrating the lymphatic system and
disrupting fluid balance, causing extensive
swelling—lymphedema.
● Three Types of Thread-like Filarial Worms
causes Lymphatic Filariasis:
○ Wuchereria bancrofti- responsible for 90% of
the cases
○ Brugia malayi- causes most of the remainder of
the cases,
○ Brugia timori- also causes the disease.
● Symptoms: It may be asymptomatic, acute and
chronic conditions.
● Treatment: The World Health Organization
recommends three drug treatments, known as IDA,
a combination of ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine
citrate and albendazole.
5.64 In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Treatment
Context : Recently, the Union Health Ministry sought
a report regarding the IVF treatment where the age
brackets were breached as stipulated by the Assisted
Reproductive Technology Act.
About In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF):
● IVF is a method of assisted reproduction in which
the woman’s eggs and man’s sperm are fertilized
outside the body in a lab.
● This fertilized egg (embryo) is then transferred in
the woman’s womb where they stick in the uterine
lining and grow.
● Considerations for IVF: Reproductive history,
maternal age, cause of infertility, and lifestyle
habits.
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● Age Limit for IVF Treatment: (The Assisted
Reproductive Technology (ART) (Regulation) Act,
2021, dictates the age limits for IVF treatment in
India)
5.65 Nuclear Waste
Context: Recently, India started its Prototype fast
breeder reactor (PFBR) into operation, progressing
towards the second stage of its nuclear program.
More on News:
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○ For Women : between 21 and 50 years & For
Men between 21 and 55 years.
● In the second stage, India will use uranium and
plutonium.
● In stage III, India hopes to use thorium to produce
nuclear power.
About Nuclear Waste and its Types:
● It refers to materials containing radioactive isotopes
that are no longer useful for their original purpose.
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Nuclear Waste Management Conventions:
● Bamako Convention: This treaty was framed by
African nations to prohibit the import of hazardous
waste(radioactive) into Africa.
● Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel
Management and on the Safety of Radioactive
Waste Management: It is an international treaty of
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
● Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS): It ensures
that all nations with nuclear power plants prioritise
safety.
Nuclear Waste Handling Techniques:
● Spent Fuel Storage: Spent fuel is initially stored
underwater for several decades to facilitate cooling.
Subsequently, it's transferred to dry casks for
longer-term storage.
● Vitrification: "High-level liquid waste contains
nearly all of the fission byproducts created in the
fuel. It is turned into a glass-like material called
vitrification for storage."
● Reprocessing: Reprocessing is a method to separate
usable material from spent fuel.
● Geological Disposal: Geological disposal of waste
includes sealing nuclear waste in special containers
buried deep underground in granite or clay.
5.66 AMR surveillance in India’s
fisheries, Livestock Sectors
Context: Recently, FAO and the ICAR published the
surveillance data of the Indian Network for Fishery
and Animal Antimicrobial Resistance (INFAAR)
for 2019-22.
Key Findings of the Report:
● Resistance Patterns in Fisheries Sector:
○ Species-Specific Resistance: Isolates of
Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative
Staphylococcus species were highly resistant
to penicillin across all three Aquaculture
systems (Freshwater system,Brackish Water
system and Marine Production Systems).
○ Variation Across Environments: Marine
samples showed greater resistance to
cefotaxime, but freshwater fish displayed
substantial resistance to ciprofloxacin.
○ Aquaculture of Shrimps: Shrimp samples
notable resistance to cefotaxime and ampicillin.
Additional Info:
About Multiple Drug Resistance (MDR):
● Multiple Drug Resistance (MDR) is
antimicrobial resistance shown by a species of
microorganism to at least one antimicrobial drug
in three or more antimicrobial categories.
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About Isolates:
● A sample Collected for Anti-microbial Profiling.
About Indian Network for Fishery and Animal
Antimicrobial Resistance (INFAAR):
● INFAAR, founded by ICAR, consists of 20
laboratories, comprising 17 ICAR Research
Institute Laboratories, one Central Agriculture
University Laboratory, one State Agriculture
University Laboratory, and one State Veterinary
University.
5.67 Meropenem, Disodium
Context: Recently, the Central Drugs Standard
Control Organisation (CDSCO) cautioned against the
manufacture and sale of unapproved drugs.
More about the news:
○ CDSCO has directed that all manufacturers be
made aware of the two drugs – Meropenem (an
antibacterial agent) and Disodium EDTA
(used to treat calcium overload).
About Central Drugs Standard Control
Organisation (CDSCO):
● CDSCO under Directorate General of Health
Services, Ministry of Health & Family
Welfare, Government of India is the National
Regulatory Authority (NRA) of India.
● It is responsible for ensuring quality drugs supply
across the country.
● DGCI has authority to give approval to new drugs
and to regula clinical trials.
5.68 Mumps Outbreak
Context: Kerala is currently facing a surge in mumps
cases.
About Mumps Disease:
● Mumps is caused by the paramyxovirus and
spreads through close contact or airborne droplets
from the respiratory system of an infected
individual.
● In most cases, mumps is self-limiting.
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5.69 HbA1C Test
Context: The haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) test is
widely used for prevention and early detection of non-
communicable diseases, including diabetes (both type
1 and type 2).
About HbA1C Test:
● The HbA1C test is also known as the glycated
haemoglobin or glycosylated haemoglobin test.
● Food contains sugar, which enters the bloodstream.
This sugar sticks to a protein called hemoglobin in
your red blood cells.
● Hemoglobin's job is to carry oxygen to all parts of
your body.
● The HbA1C test measures the percentage of red
blood cells with sugar-coated hemoglobin.
● It indicates the average blood sugar level over
recent months.
● Elevated levels imply inadequate blood sugar
management, while lower levels signify better
control.
5.70 Lyme Disease
About Lyme Disease:
● This disease is a bacterial infection caused by
Borrelia bacteria.
● When an infected tick bites a person and sucks their
blood, it can pass on the bacteria that cause Lyme
disease.
○ Infected black-legged ticks are also known as
deer ticks.
● No human vaccine is currently available.
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5.71 Dry Ice
About Dry Ice:
● It is the solid form of carbon dioxide, commonly
used as a cooling agent for food products like ice
cream, frozen desserts etc.
● Properties of Dry Ice:
○ It remains at extremely low temperatures,
around -78.5 degrees Celsius (-109.3 degrees
Fahrenheit).
○ Sublimation which enables it to transition
straight from a solid to a gas without going
through a liquid phase unlike regular ice.
○ It's commonly employed for refrigerating or
freezing food items without mechanical
cooling.
● Uses of Dry Ice:
○ It's employed for freezing at ultra-low
temperatures, preserving food without water,
and extending shelf life.
○ It is crucial in transporting and storing
biological samples and medicines.
○ Keep moisture-sensitive goods free from water
during transportation and storage, as dry ice
does not melt.
○ In Entertainment Photography, film, and
theater leverage dry ice for special effects,
utilizing its sublimation for visual impact.
5.72 ‘Measles and Rubella Champion’
Global Award
Context: India has been bestowed with the Measles
and Rubella Champion Award by The Measles and
Rubella Partnership at the American Red Cross
Headquarters, USA.
More on News:
● The Measles and Rubella Partnership is a multi-
agency planning committee which includes the
American Red Cross, BMGF, GAVI, US CDC,
UNF, UNICEF, and WHO.
5.73 Yaounde Declaration
Context: Signing of the Yaounde Declaration with
the objective of ending malaria deaths.
About Yaounde Declaration:
● Signed by the health ministers of 11 African
countries worst affected by malaria, this
commitment, made at the Yaoundé conference co-
hosted by the World Health Organization and the
Government of Cameroon, aims to accelerate
efforts to end malaria-related deaths.
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● Signatories: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali,
Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda
and Tanzania.
Reference: Page 48 & 54 of Udaan 500 Science and
Tech
5.74 Tech Transfer of Cholera Vaccine
Context: Recently, the International Vaccine
Institute (IVI) announced that it has commenced a
technology transfer of simplified oral cholera
vaccine (OCV-S) to Hyderabad-based pharma major
Biological E.
More on News:
● OCV-S: It is a simplified formulation of oral
cholera vaccine with the potential to lower
production costs while increasing production
capacity for current and aspiring manufacturers.
About Cholera:
● It is a bacterial infection of the small intestine that
causes a lot of watery diarrhoea.
● Causing Agent: Vibrio cholerae.
● Cholera bacteria can be transmitted to people
through contaminated water or food.

5.75 Ban On Harmful Dyes Used in Food

Context: Recently Karnataka banned harmful dyes in Gobi Manchurian cotton candy.
Chemicals Banned:
Chemical Description Colour Produced
Tartrazine Can induce allergic or pseudo-allergic reactions. Yellow
Sunset Yellow Can cause allergic or pseudo-allergic reactions. Yellow
Carmoisine May lead to skin rashes and respiratory allergies. Red
Rhodamine B Considered carcinogenic; commonly used in textile dyeing and the Pink
paper industry.

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About Rhodamine B:
● Rhodamine B (RhB), a common dyeing
contaminant, was found in candy samples during
a recent investigation. It's an industrial dye used as
an artificial coloring ingredient.
● Rhodamine-B is utilised as a colouring agent in
food products such as chilli powder and chilli oil
and in Textile Colouring, Fluorescence
Microscopy, including industrial applications as
inks, cosmetics etc.
● It has been classified as a potential carcinogen by
the International Agency for Research on Cancer
(IARC).
HARMFUL COLOURS FOUND IN FOOD:
Sunset Yellow: ● It is a synthetic dye used in
food, drugs, and cosmetics.
● Sunset Yellow can cause
allergic reactions.
Carmoisine: ● A synthetic food dye, it is also
called Food Red.
Tartrazine: ● A yellow, nitrous derivative
compound, it is used as a
synthetic food colouring
chemical.
5.76 Tuberculosis- A Concerning Disease
Context: Recently, the World Tuberculosis (TB) Day
was celebrated on 24 March.
More on News:
● Discovered by Dr. Robert Koch in 1882.
● World TB Day commemorates the discovery of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
● Theme for 2024: ‘Yes, we can end TB!’
Tuberculosis- A Concerning Disease & Statistics:
● As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), TB
remains a global pandemic, with 1.8 billion people
estimated to be infected.
● Top eight high-burden countries included India,
Indonesia, China, the Philippines, Pakistan,
Nigeria, Bangladesh, and the Democratic
Republic of Congo.
● India’s Position: As per the Global TB Report
2023 (released by the WHO), India has the highest
incidence of bacterial infection and accounts for
27% of the total TB cases in the world.
● Tuberculosis that does not respond to standard drugs
is called drug-resistant TB and requires more
toxic treatment with different medicines.
● Types: It has two main types:
○ Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-
TB): A form of TB caused by bacteria that do
not respond to at least isoniazid and rifampicin,
the two of the most effective TB drugs.
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■ MDR-TB is treatable and curable by using
second-line drugs such as Bedaquiline
(practically incurable by standard first-line
treatment).
○ Extensively Drug-Resistant TB (XDR-TB): It
is a more serious form of MDR-TB caused by
bacteria that do not respond to the most
effective second-line anti-TB drugs.
Global Actions to Eradicate Tuberculosis:
● End TB Strategy By WHO:
○ Reduce TB incidence by 80%, TB deaths by
90%, and to eliminate catastrophic costs for
TB-affected households by 2030.
○ The WHO has launched a joint initiative “Find.
Treat. All. #EndTB” with the Global Fund
and Stop TB Partnership.
○ WHO releases the Global Tuberculosis
Report.
○ WHO also published the World Development
Report (1993), which labeled TB treatment for
adults as the best buy among all developmental
interventions.
● The Global Fund:
○ It is a private public partnership aimed at
leveraging and providing funding for HIV, TB
and malaria and ensuring a healthier, safer,
more equitable future for all.
● The Stop TB Partnership:
○ Established in 2001 to eliminate tuberculosis as
a public health problem.
● Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: To end
the TB epidemic by 2030.
○ India is a signatory of the United Nations SDGs
and has targeted TB elimination by 2025, five
years ahead of the SDG timeline.
About Tuberculosis:
● TB is an infectious disease that most often
affects the lungs and is caused by bacteria,
Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
● It spreads through the air when infected people
cough, sneeze or spit.
● TB is preventable and curable.
● Common Antibiotics: isoniazid, rifampin,
pyrazinamide, ethambutol and streptomycin.
● In certain countries, the Bacille Calmette-
Guérin (BCG) vaccine is given to babies or
small children to prevent TB, which prevents TB
outside of the lungs but not in the lungs.
● Existing Forms: The disease exists in both
latent and active form.
○ Latent Form: The latent type does not
express any symptoms and is not
transmissible unless it develops into the
active type.
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 ○ Active Form: This form expresses
symptoms such as chronic cough and bloody
mucus.
India’s Efforts to Eradicate Tuberculosis:
● National TB Programme (NTP): Launched in
1962 as a District TB Centre model involving
imparting BCG vaccination and TB treatment to
fight tuberculosis.
● The National Tuberculosis Elimination
Programme (NTEP): Launched in 2017 by the
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
● The National Strategic Plan (NSP) for TB
Elimination: It aims to achieve a rapid decline in
burden of TB, morbidity and mortality while
working towards elimination of TB in India by
2025.
● Nikshay TB Program: To monitor and track
services and status related to screening, diagnosis,
treatment and follow-up of TB cases.
● Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY): Launched in 2018
by the MoHFW with an aim to support every TB
patient by providing a Direct Benefit Transfer of
Rs 500 per month for nutritional needs.
● Universal Drug Susceptibility Testing (UDST) -
To ensure every diagnosed TB patient is tested to
rule out drug resistance before or at the time of
treatment initiation itself.
● Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
(PMTBMBA): It is an initiative of the MoHFW to
accelerate India's progress towards TB elimination
by 2025 by bringing together all community
stakeholders.
● NIKSHAY 2.0 Portal: For effective
implementation of PMTBMBA initiative, the Ni-
kshay 2.0 portal provides a platform for community
support to TB patients and is accessible in the public
domain.
● The Saksham Project: Project of the Tata Institute
of Social Sciences (TISS) to provide psycho-social
counselling to TB patients.
5.77 Joint European Torus (JET)
About Joint European Torus:
● Led by the European research consortium
EUROfusion, it is a large tokamak, the first
device to achieve controlled fusion power using
deuterium and tritium.
● Tokamaks: They are machines that confine plasma
using magnetic fields in a donut shape.
5.78 Coal Gasification Scheme
Context: Recently, the Union Cabinet approved a
viability gap funding (VGF) scheme of ₹8,500 crore
for coal gasification projects.
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About Coal Gasification:
● Coal Gasification is a thermo-chemical process
that converts coal into simple molecules, primarily
carbon monoxide and hydrogen, called synthesis
gas or syngas.
● In the gasification process, coal is partially
oxidised by air, oxygen, steam, or carbon dioxide
under controlled conditions to produce a liquid
fuel known as syngas.
● Syngas or synthesis gas can be used to generate
power and make methanol.
● The combustion of syngas is cleaner and more
efficient than coal combustion since emissions are
trapped at the gasification stage.
5.79 Soil Based Microbial Fuel Cell
About Soil-Based Microbial Fuel Cell:
● The soil microbial fuel cell (SMFC) is a promising
technology for generating bioelectricity,
converting organic compound chemical energy
into electrical energy using exo-electrogenic
bacteria present in the soil.
● They were first created in 1911 and have a similar
mechanism as a normal battery.
● They have an anode, a cathode and electrolyte.
But instead of using chemicals to generate
electricity, they harvest electricity from bacteria that
naturally give out electrons. These electrons then
create an electric circuit.
● Uses: It can potentially be used to fuel
underground sensors used in green
infrastructure and precision agriculture.
5.80 Miniature Nuclear Battery
About Miniature Nuclear Battery:
● It is a miniaturized atomic energy system, which
utilizes Nickel-63 nuclear isotopes compactly
arranged within a module smaller than a coin.
● It generates electricity by converting the energy
released from decaying isotopes into electricity.
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● These atomic energy batteries can provide enduring
power in aerospace, AI equipment, medical
devices, microprocessors, advanced sensors,
small drones, and micro-robots.
● Construction:
○ It has a layered structure that prevents the
battery from catching fire or exploding when
subjected to sudden force.
○ The battery can operate in a wide temperature
range, from -60 degrees Celsius to 120 degrees
Celsius.
○ It uses 10 microns thick diamond
semiconductors to convert the decay energy
into electrical current.
5.81 India’s first indigenously built
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Ferry Boat
Context: Recently, the Prime Minister flagged off
India’s first indigenously built hydrogen fuel cell
inland waterway vessel in Thoothukudi, Tamil
Nadu.
Key Features of the Green Hydrogen Vessel:
● Manufactured by : Cochin Shipyard Limited
(CSL), under the Harit Nauka initiative.
About Harit Nauka- Inland Vessels Green
Transition Guidelines:
● The Harit Nauka Guidelines show MoPSW's
commitment to transforming the maritime
landscape by adopting green vessels &
establishing operationalization of the green
ecosystem.
● It also aims to attain 100% green vessels in the
Indian waters by 2047.
Working Principle of the Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Vessel:
● The green hydrogen vessel operates by converting
hydrogen's chemical energy into electricity
through a reaction with oxygen.
● Utilizing Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM)
fuel cell technology, specifically designed for
transportation,
● The vessel's fuel cell generates electricity by
directing hydrogen fuel through PEM cell stacks.
● Consequently, the vessel emits only water and
warm air, ensuring zero emissions.
About Green Hydrogen :
● Green hydrogen is defined as hydrogen produced
by the electrolysis of water, that is splitting water
into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable
electricity.
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PEM Fuel Cell Technology:
● Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells,
also called proton exchange membrane fuel
cells, use a proton-conducting polymer membrane
as the electrolyte.
● These cells operate at relatively low
temperatures and can quickly vary their output
to meet shifting power demands.
5.82 1st Small Scale LNG Plant
Commissioned
Context: Recently, GAIL (India) Ltd commissioned
a Small-Scale LNG plant in Madhya Pradesh.
More on News:
● The facility has SSLNG skids capable of producing
36 tonnes of LNG daily which includes Treatment
skids (ZPTS) and liquefaction skids (cryo boxes)
to convert natural gas into LNG.
● India plans to raise the proportion of natural gas in
its primary energy mix to 15% by 2030, up from
over 6% currently.
About Small-Scale LNG:
● SSLNG involves cooling and transporting natural
gas on a smaller scale than usual methods.
● The SSLNG unit is managed by an automated
SCADA system.
About LNG:
● Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas that
has been chilled to a liquid form to enable its
transportation and storage.
Benefits
● Acts as a transitional energy source.
● Produces fewer CO2 emissions compared to oil
and coal.
● Competitive pricing encourages adoption.
● Liquid form facilitates storage and transport.
● Enhances energy security through supply
diversity.
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Difference Between SSLNG and LNG:
Feature SSLNG (Small-Scale LNG)
Scale Smaller liquefaction plants, lower capacity.
Transportation Cryogenic trucks, small vessels
Target Market Remote areas without pipeline
infrastructure, specific fuel requirement
industries, automotive fuel
Regasification May or may not require regasification
depending on end use
Infrastructure Lower investment needs, faster deployment
5.83 Future Circular Collider
Context: CERN is in the planning stages for a multi-
billion euro project to build a larger and more
powerful particle collider known as the Future
Circular Collider.
About Future Circular Collider:
● The Future Circular Collider (FCC) is a next-
generation particle accelerator project expected to
be completed in 2035.
● It aims to create a hadron collider with a center-of-
mass energy of around 100 TeV, housed in a new
80–100 km long tunnel.
● The FCC extends the research conducted at the
Large Hadron Collider (LHC), operational near
Geneva, Switzerland, since 2010.
5.84 GRAPES-3 Experiment
Context: GRAPES-3 Experiment- Conducted by the
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
About GRAPES-3 Experiment:
● GRAPES-3 stands for the Gamma Ray Astronomy
PeV Energies Phase-3.
● It is a collaboration between the Indian Tata
Institute.
● Located in Ooty, India and is designed to study
cosmic rays.
● It uses an array of air shower detectors and a large
area muon detector to study cosmic rays in the
energy range from a few TeV to over 10 Pev.
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LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas)
Larger liquefaction plants, much higher
capacity.
Large LNG tankers
Large-scale industrial users, power generation
Requires regasification for pipeline
distribution
Higher investment needs, complex
infrastructure
● Its aim is to probe the acceleration of cosmic rays
in four astrophysical settings.
5.85 Ultracold Atoms
Context: Recently, Raman Research Institute
developed a new image-correction technique to
enhance the study of cold atoms.
About Ultracold Atoms and the technique:
● In condensed matter physics, an ultracold atom is an
atom with a temperature near absolute zero.
● Image Correction Technique reduces 50% of
unwanted interference fringes in images, crucial for
studying the quantum mechanics properties of cold
atoms.
● Traditional imaging methods suffer from
interference fringes, compromising result quality
and accuracy in parameters like atom number and
temperature.
● The new algorithm, outlined in a recent Applied
Optics paper, notably diminishes interference
fringes, improving temperature uncertainty in cold
Rubidium atoms by 50%.
5.86 E-Ink Display
Context: Newly launched Minimal Phone features
monochrome E-Ink display.
About E-Ink Display:
● E-Ink, or electrophoretic ink, is a type of E Paper
display, which is a broader term encompassing
displays that imitate the look of real paper.
● E-Ink uses ink similar to that used in printing and
replicates the appearance of regular ink on paper.
● Initially monochrome, color E-Ink displays were
introduced in 2010.
● These screens operate via microcapsules containing
positively charged white particles and negatively
charged black ones suspended in fluid.
● By applying electrical charges to specific areas, the
particles rise to the surface, forming text and images
on the display.
● Developed at MIT in the 1990s, E-Ink is now
owned by E Ink Corporation.
● It finds applications in cell phones, signs, and e-
readers such as the Amazon Kindle.
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Advantages of E-Ink displays include:
● Eye comfort: They reflect light like paper, reducing
eye strain during long reading sessions.
● Outdoor visibility: Easier to read in bright light
compared to LCD/LED displays.
● Long battery life: Minimal power consumption as
they don’t require a backlight and only use energy
when the image changes.
Limitations:
● It has Low Refresh Rates of 1 Hz or less.
● It is Niche-Specific- limited to specific industries.
● It has Color Limitation as it limits the color
diversity that people expects.
● It is Expensive.
Other display technologies include:
● Liquid Crystal Display (LCD): Uses liquid
crystals controlled by electric currents between
transparent electrodes to modulate light
transmission.
● Light-emitting diode (LED): Emits light when
current passes through a semiconductor.
● Organic LED (OLED): Employs organic thin
films between conductors to emit light without
requiring a separate backlight.
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5.87 Proton Improvement Plan (PIP-II)
Project
About Proton Improvement Plan (PIP-II) Project:
● PIP-II, the first particle accelerator in the U.S. (at
Fermilab), involves international collaboration,
including contributions from India, France, Italy,
Poland, and the UK.
● PIP-II will fuel the high-energy neutrino beam for
the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment
(DUNE) at the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility
(LBNF).
● Particle accelerators propel charged particles, such
as protons and electrons, close to the speed of light.
● They consist of four main components: a particle
source, a device to speed up the particles, vacuum-
sealed metallic tubes for particle movement, and
electromagnets for particle beam steering.
Some Large Particle Accelerators:
● Large Hadron Collider (LHC): Located at
CERN in Geneva, it's the most powerful
accelerator. Notable achievements include the
discovery of the Higgs Boson and previously
unknown hadrons.
● Stanford Linear Accelerator Centre (SLAC),
USA: Home to the world's longest linear
particle accelerator. It's known for the
discovery of quarks and tau leptons.
● European Synchrotron Radiation Facility
(ESRF), France: Located in Grenoble, it hosts
the most intense hard x-ray source globally.
5.88 MAGLEV
About Magnetic Levitation (MAGLEV):
● Maglev is a system where vehicles float above the
guideway, propelled by superconducting magnets.
● These magnets repel each other due to their polarity.
● Advantages include zero emissions, high speeds
due to lack of friction, and the prevention of
collisions between trains on the same route.
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5.89 Superconductivity in LK-99 Material
Context: Researchers from China and Japan have
identified indications of superconductivity in the
contentious material LK-99.
More on News:
● The researchers identified a near-RTP
superconductivity indication LK-99.
● The researchers witnessed the manifestation of the
Meissner effect in LK-99.
● Meissner Effect: When a material shifts from a
normal to a superconducting state, it actively repels
magnetic fields from its interior.
About LK-99:
● LK-99 is a superconductor under the conditions of
room temperature and standard atmospheric
pressure.
● LK-99 comprises powdered lead, oxygen, sulfur,
and phosphorus compounds.
● Subjected to high temperatures, it transforms into a
dark grey solid.
About Superconductivity:
● It is the property of certain materials to conduct
direct current (DC) electricity without energy
loss when they are cooled below a critical
temperature (referred to as Tc).
● These materials also expel magnetic fields as they
transition to the superconducting state.
About superconductors:
● Superconductors are substances that, when cooled
to extremely low temperatures, display a
complete absence of electrical resistance.
● It enables the transmission of electricity without any
energy loss.
● Two common low-temperature superconductors:
lead and mercury.
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5.90 Super-Energetic Particles from
Outer Space
Context: Recently, scientists have detected a rare and
extremely high-energy particle cosmic ray known as
Amaterasu particles falling to Earth.
About Amaterasu:
● It is the second-highest-energy cosmic ray
detected and was found by the Telescope Array
Project in the U.S.
● Amaterasu’s origin remains a mystery as it appears
to come from an empty part of the universe, defying
existing astronomical explanations.
● The Amaterasu particle has an energy exceeding
240 exa-electron volts (EeV), millions of times
more than particles produced in the Large Hadron
Collider (the most powerful accelerator ever built).
About Cosmic Rays:
● Cosmic rays are high energy particles that move
through space at nearly the speed of light.
● Most cosmic rays are atomic nuclei stripped of their
atoms with protons (hydrogen nuclei) being the
most abundant type but nuclei of elements as heavy
as lead have been measured.
● Cosmic rays provide direct samples of matter from
outside the solar system.
5.90 Dynamic Wireless Charging
Technology
● Dynamic wireless charging enables electric
vehicles (EVs) to charge while moving, utilizing
base pads embedded under the road surface.
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5.91 World's First 3D-Printed Neural
Tissue
Context: Recently, a study in ‘Cell Stem Cell’ pointed
out the creation of the first functional 3D-printed
brain tissue.
About 3D Printing:
● Also known as additive manufacturing, it is a
method of creating a three dimensional object layer-
by-layer using a computer created design.
● This is the opposite of subtractive manufacturing
processes, where a final design is cut from a larger
block of material.
5.92 Swarm Drones
Context: The Shahed-model drone is built by Shahed
Aviation Industries Research Center, an Iranian
company.
About Swarm Drones:
● SWARM stands for “Smart War-Fighting Array
of Reconfigured Modules’’.
● These systems consist of multiple drones working
together in a coordinated manner to achieve various
objectives.
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● There are a variety of 3D printing materials,
including thermoplastics such as acrylonitrile
butadiene styrene (ABS), metals (including
powders), resins and ceramics.
About 3D-Bioprinting:
● It is a computer-guided process that builds layers
of materials, cells, and other components to build
living structures.
About the First Functional 3D-printed Brain
Tissue:
● It provides neuroscientists with a new tool for
studying communication between brain cells and
other parts of the human brain.
● It can develop and form connections in the same
way as real human brain tissue.
● These exhibit collective self organizing (SO)
behavior through interaction and cohesion
between robots, as well as interaction of robots with
the environment.
● An armed, fully autonomous drone swarms
(AFADS) with distributed AI will locate, identify,
and attack targets without human intervention.
Features of Drone Swarms
● Drone swarms can vary in size, ranging from just
a few drones to hundreds or even thousands of
units.
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 ● Drone swarms are designed to operate
autonomously, without direct human control.
Technology Behind Swarm Drones
● Swarm Algorithms required to govern the
behaviour of individual drones inside a swarm and
ensure coordination.
● Protocols of Communication: Drones can
communicate either directly or via a central system,
such as a ground station or a leader drone.
● Decentralized Control: Swarm drones frequently
employ decentralised decision-making methods to
improve adaptability and robustness.
● Sensors: Drones are outfitted with a variety of
sensors (such as cameras, LiDAR, and GPS) for
navigation, obstacle recognition, and situation
awareness.
● Computer Vision: It Allows drones to recognise
and track objects, people, and terrain features, which
helps in navigation and mission execution.
● Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence:
Algorithms allow drones to learn, adapt, and make
autonomous decisions based on input data.
Advantages of Swarm Drones:
● The Swarm Drone System can function in inclement
weather and at high altitudes.
● Drone swarm technology can extend to land for
creating robot soldiers in land warfare or mini-
submarine swarms for sea-surface or submarine
threats.
● Drones exhibit remarkable speed and agility,
reaching speeds up to 100 km/h thanks to advanced
motors.
● Drones serve diverse roles in both offensive and
defensive military missions, targeting terror launch
sites, ammunition storage, tanks, and combat
vehicles.
● Swarm drones utilize Artificial Intelligence and
Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) to
automatically detect targets such as tanks, weapons,
vehicles, and individuals.
Additional Information:
Drone Regulations in India:
● National Counter Rogue Drone Guidelines: In
2019, the Ministry of Civil Aviation released the
document to lay out guidelines assessing drone
threat.
● Drone Rules 2021: It divides the Indian airspace
into three zones Green, Yellow and Red based
on acceptability of flying drones.
○ Red zones are no go zones where no drones
can be operated except for a permission given
by Central Government.
Drones:
● India’s Indigenous Drones: Lakshya, Nishant,
TAPAS UAV (Rustom) etc.
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● Heron Mark-ll drones: A Medium Altitude
Long Endurance (MALE) UV, inducted by
Indian Air Force to carry out surveillance along
Northern borders with Pakistan and China.
● Searcher Mk Il drones: Developed by Israel
Aerospace Industries, it is a reconnaissance drone
used by army and navy.
5.93 Short News
5.93.1 India Innovation Centre for Graphene
(IICG): India’s first Graphene Center.
● Aim: To foster R&D, product innovation and
capacity building in Graphene and 2D material
systems.
● Technical Partners: Digital University Kerala
(DUK) and Centre for Materials for Electronics
Technology (CMET)-Thrissur.
Graphene:
● It is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms that
forms the building block of Graphite.
● Characteristics: It is the thinnest, most
electrically and thermally conductive material
globally.
Applications:
● Food Packaging: Graphene polymers on food and
drug packages will stop water and oxygen exchange
for longer, keeping food and consumer goods
fresher.
● Batteries: Using graphene, the useful life of
batteries could be increased by 10, as well as
charging in less time.
● Electricity: Graphene applied to electronic circuits
would make devices ‘immune’ to dampness, one of
the main causes of deterioration.
● Construction: The use of graphene applied to
construction promises to improve the insulation of
buildings.
5.93.2 Bio-manufacturing and Bio-foundry
Context: Recently, the Finance Minister proposed a
new scheme of bio-manufacturing and bio-foundry
in the Interim Budget 2024-25.
About Bio-manufacturing and Bio-foundry:
● Biomanufacturing: It is the use of biological
systems that have been engineered, or that are used
outside their natural context, to produce a product.
○ It uses living systems, particularly
microorganisms and cell cultures, to produce
molecules and materials on a commercial scale.
● Synthetic Biology: Synthetic biology includes
creation of new genomes, biological pathways, or
organisms not found in nature and redesign of
existing genes, cells, or organisms.
● BioFoundry: Biofoundry is a place where
biomanufacturing meets automation.
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 ○ A bio-foundry is a specialized facility or
laboratory equipped with automated tools
and technologies for the high-throughput
design, construction, and testing of biological
systems.
○ High-throughput (HT) refers to the use of
automated equipment to quickly test large
numbers of samples for biological activity.
5.93.3 Nitrogen Hypoxia
Context: In Alabama, USA a convict has been
executed using nitrogen hypoxia for the first time as a
method of capital punishment.
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● DBTL Cycle: At the core of bio foundries is the
Design-Build-Test-Learn (DBTL) cycle, which
involves:
○ Computational design of DNA genetic parts.
○ Physical assembly of designed DNA parts.
○ Prototyping and testing performance of
designs in living cells.
○ Applying modelling and computational
learning tools to inform the design process.
5.93.4 Smart Food Grain Storage System
(SAFEETY) technology
Context: Recently, the Ministry of Electronics & IT
(MeitY) transferred the Smart Food Grain Storage
System (SAFEETY) technology to Paras Defense and
Space Technology Ltd.
About SAFEETY:
● Developed By: Society for Applied Microwave
Electronics Engineering and Research (SAMEER)
● Innovative Design: Represents a significant
advancement in grain storage methodologies.
● Cutting-Edge Components: Incorporates state-of-
the-art features and functionalities.
● Conveyorized Loading and Unloading Systems:
Streamlines the storage process, enhancing
efficiency.
● RFID Tags: Each grain bag equipped with RFID
tags for meticulous traceability.
● Real-Time Measurement: Allows real-time
monitoring of weight and moisture content.
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5.93.5 Micellar Water
About Micellar Water and Micells:
● Micellar water is a popular makeup and sunscreen
remover known for its effective cleansing
properties.
● It contains micelles, clusters of molecules
specialised in removing oily substances.
● Micelles are created by surfactants, molecules with
both hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic
(water-hating) properties.
5.93.6 Frozen Smoke
Context: Recently, Researchers developed a sensor
using frozen smoke or aerogels to detect
formaldehyde in real-time concentrations.
More on News:
● Formaldehyde is a common indoor pollutant
emitted by household items.
● Frozen Smoke: It is a nickname for aerogel, a silica
based material that is the lightest solid known.
5.93.7 Hypervelocity Expansion Tunnel Test
Facility
About Hypervelocity Expansion Tunnel Test
Facility:
● The facility located within IIT Kanpur's
Hypersonic Experimental Aerodynamics
Laboratory (HEAL) is capable of simulating
hypersonic conditions with flight speeds ranging
from 3 to 10 km/s.
● Hypersonic means moving at a speed that is five
times or more the speed of sound. Often stated to
start at Mach 5 or above.
5.93.8 Hanooman
Context: Recently, BharatGPT Group unveiled
Hanooman, a series of large language models
(LLMs) capable of responding in 11 Indian languages.
About Hanooman:
● It is a multimodal AI tool designed for use in
healthcare, governance, financial services, and
education sectors.
● It can generate text, speech, videos in multiple
Indian languages.
5.93.9 Steel Slag Road
Context: Recently, India’s first National Highway
(NH) steel slag road section on NH- 66 (Mumbai-
Goa NH) was inaugurated.
About Steel Slag Road Technology (SSRT):
● It is a method that uses steel slag to build roads.
● CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-
CRRI) developed SSRT to transform the waste of
steel industries into wealth.
● Steel Slag is a by-product of steel making,
produced during the separation of the molten steel
from impurities in steel-making furnaces.
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● The slag occurs as a molten liquid melt and is a
complex solution of silicates and oxides that
solidifies upon cooling.
● It is used as an aggregate in granular base,
embankments, engineered fill, highway
shoulders, and hot mix asphalt pavement.
5.93.10 Devin, World's first AI Software
Engineer
Context: Recently, a US-based AI lab, Cognition,
announced the launch of world's first fully
autonomous AI software engineer, named Devin.
5.93.11 White Asbestos
Context: Recently, the United States’ Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) announced a
comprehensive ban on all forms of the deadly
carcinogen asbestos.
More on News:
● Chrysotile asbestos, also known as white asbestos,
was the last remaining type still legally used in the
US.
About Asbestos:
● It denotes a group of six silicate minerals with
similar but distinct properties.
● They are commonly known by their colours, as blue
asbestos, brown asbestos, white asbestos and
green asbestos.
● Asbestos mainly comes from Russia, Kazakhstan
and China.
● Characteristics: Sound absorption, average tensile
strength, affordability and excellent electrical
insulator and being highly fire and heat resistant.
● It is known to be a highly toxic material and a
carcinogen.
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 Asbestos Use in India:
● Although India banned asbestos mining in 1993,
there are no laws to limit its use in construction,
importation, or trade.
● It is used in housing and construction, especially
in roofing and also used in piping, vehicles,
brake parts, etc.
About Chrysotile Asbestos:
● Chrysotile Asbestos is a carcinogen (a substance
capable of causing cancer).
● It is the most common type of asbestos, making up
99% of the world's current asbestos production.
● It is also the only serpentine form of asbestos,
made up of long, curly fibers that weave to make
sheets.
5.93.12 Prithvi Vigyan
About Prithvi Vigyan Initiative:
● It is an overarching initiative proposed by the
Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) to club five
ongoing sub-schemes related to earth sciences.
● Sub- Schemes:
○ Atmosphere and Climate Research-Modelling
Observing Systems and Services (ACROSS).
○ Ocean Services, Modelling Application,
Resources and Technology (O-SMART).
○ Polar Science and Cryosphere Research
(PACER).
○ Seismology and Geosciences (SAGE).
○ Research, Education, Training and Outreach
(REACH OUT).
5.93.13 Virtual Digital Asset Service
Providers (VDA SPs)
About VDA SPs:
● VDA SPs are entities that operate within or outside
India and offer digital asset services, such as
cryptocurrency exchanges.
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5.93.14 Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel
Cell
● Also called proton exchange membrane fuel cells,
are electrochemical devices that convert chemical
energy into electricity using a proton-conducting
polymer membrane as the electrolyte and hydrogen
as the fuel.
5.93.15 Direct to Cell
● Direct-to-cell is a technology enabling
communication signals, like text messages, voice,
and data, to be sent directly from satellites to
mobile devices (cell phones), bypassing traditional
ground-based infrastructure.
5.93.16 Bio-Imaging Bank
● Recently, Tata Memorial Hospital established a Bio-
Imaging Bank by leveraging AI to address the
increasing challenge of Cancer Cases.
● It uses deep learning to create a cancer specific
algorithm for early stage cancer detection.
Funded by the Department of Biotechnology in
collab with other institutions.
5.93.17 4.93.18 E-Fuels
● Electrofuels are a type of synthetic fuels that can be
used to power vehicles, ships and aeroplanes.
● They are made from captured Carbon Dioxide or
Monoxide and hydrogen obtained from water split.
5.93.18 Soil Powered Fuel Cell
About Soil Powered Fuel Cell:
● It is a small fuel cell that can be used to power
underground sensors in applications like green
infrastructure and precision agriculture.
● It can generate electricity indefinitely as long as
there are microbes and carbon in the soil.
5.93.19 Mpemba Effect
● The Mpemba effect describes the counter-intuitive
phenomenon where hot water can freeze faster than
cold water under similar conditions.
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 6
6.1 Annual Status of Education Report
(ASER) Report 2023
Context: Recently, the Annual Status of Education
Report (ASER) titled ‘Beyond Basics’ based on a
survey led by the Pratham Foundation has been
released.
More on Survey:
● A household survey was conducted among rural
students aged 14 to 18 years in 28 districts across
26 states to assess the foundational reading and
arithmetic abilities of 34,745 students.
● The survey was focused on the following
domains:
○ Activities in which India's youth are currently
engaged.
○ Awareness of digital technologies and
platforms among the youth.
○ Aspirations of Indian youth
○ Basic and applied reading and math abilities
among the youths.
6.2 Hattis Get ST Status
Context: Recently, the Himachal Pradesh
government has issued a notification granting
Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Hatti community
in the Trans-Giri area of Sirmaur district.
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Social Issues
About Hattis:
● The Hattis are a close-knit community who got
their name from their tradition of selling
homegrown vegetables, crops, meat and wool etc.,
at small markets called ‘haat’ in towns.
● The Hattis are governed by a traditional council
called Khumbli, which like the Khaps of Haryana,
decide community matters.
About Kuki and Zomi Tribes:
● Kuki-Zomi Tribes are one of the Ethnic groups
from the Bangladesh region. They are mainly
residents of Manipur and Mizoram in India.
● They are also known as Chin or Mizo people, and
they share a common ancestry and culture.
● They speak various dialects of the Chin-Kuki-
Mizo language family, which belong to the
Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan
languages.
● They are related to the larger Zo people, along
with other tribes such as Chin and Mizo.
6.3 Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023
Context: Recently, the President of India, conferred
Swachh Survekshan awards 2023 at Bharat
Mandapam, New Delhi.
● During the Annual Clean City Award 2023, Surat
in Gujarat and Indore in Madhya Pradesh were
announced as the cleanest cities in the nation.
About Swachh Survekshan:
● It is an annual survey of cleanliness, hygiene and
sanitation in villages, cities and towns across India.
● It is a part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan,
specifically under SBA-Urban.
● It was Launched by the Ministry of Housing and
Urban Affairs (MoHUA), with the Quality
Council of India (QCI) as its implementation
partner.
● The methodology for cleanliness assessment relies
on two primary criteria: citizen feedback and field
assessment.
About Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023:
● Cleanest City:
○ Indore has been recognized as the cleanest city
for the seventh consecutive time.
○ Surat has been declared the cleanest city for
the first time.
● Theme of Survey 2023 - 2024:
○ The theme of the cleanliness survey in 2023 was
'Waste to Wealth'.
○ The theme for 2024 is 'Reduce, Reuse and
Recycle'.
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 The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan:
● The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, initiated on
October 2, 2014, aimed to achieve cleanliness
and eradicate open defecation in India by October
2, 2019.
● The SBA was divided into two subparts
○ Rural (SBA-Gramin, monitored by the
Department of Drinking Water and
Sanitation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti)
○ Urban (SBA-Urban, overseen by MoHUA).
● SBM-U 2.0 launched on 2021 focused on
ensuring universal access to sanitation facilities.
6.4 ‘Sapinda’ Marriages
Context: Recently, the Delhi High Court rejected a
challenge to the constitutionality of Section 5(v) of the
Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (HMA), which prohibits
marriage between Hindus if they are "sapindas" of
each other.
About Sapinda Marriage:
● A sapinda marriage is one between individuals who
are related to each other within a certain degree of
closeness.
● Under the HMA, marriage is prohibited within
certain generations on both the mother's and father's
sides.
○ Mother's Side: Marriage is forbidden within
three generations.
■ Sibling (first generation), their parents
(second generation), their grandparents (third
generation)
○ Father's Side: It extends to five generations.
■ This prohibition would extend up to their
grandparents’ grandparent’
Prohibition Criteria
● Marriage Voidance
○ If a marriage violates Section 5(v) of the HMA
by being a sapinda marriage without an
established custom permitting it, it is deemed
void.
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Exception to Prohibition:
● The Hindu Marriage Act (HMA) provides an
exception to the prohibition against sapinda
marriages. This exception applies when the customs
of each individual involved permit such marriages.
● Criteria for Custom:
○ According to Section 3(a) of the HMA, a
custom must be continuously and uniformly
observed for an extended period to gain
legitimacy.
○ It should have the force of law among Hindus in
a local area, tribe, group, or family.
● Conditions for Valid Custom:
○ For a custom to be valid, it must be certain, not
unreasonable, and in line with public policy.
Additionally, if the custom applies only to a
specific family, it should not have been
discontinued by that family.
6.5 World Happiness Report 2024
Context: Recently, the United Nations Sustainable
Development Solutions Network released the World
Happiness Report 2024.
About World Happiness Report:
● It is an annual report that evaluates happiness
levels across more than 140 nations and is
published in celebration of the International Day
of Happiness.
● Six Considered Factors: Social support, income
(GDP per capita), health, freedom, generosity and
the absence of corruption.
● Use of Cantril ladder: They also measured
people’s life satisfaction, through a self-assessed
evaluation tool called the Cantril ladder.
● The Cantril Ladder asks respondents to think of a
ladder, with the best possible life for them being a
10 and the worst possible life being a 0.
● Collaborators include the UN Sustainable
Development Solutions Network, Gallup, and the
Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre.
About International Happiness Day:
● Observed on 20th March every year.
● Established: By the United Nations General
Assembly in 2012.
● Theme 2024: “Reconnecting for Happiness:
Building Resilient Communities”
● The General Assembly in its resolution 66/281
proclaimed 20 March the International Day of
Happiness.
● The resolution was initiated by Bhutan.
About Sustainable Development Solutions
Network (SDSN):
● It is a non-profit created in 2012 by the United
Nations to promote the 17 Sustainable
Development Goals at national and international
levels.
● It was established under the auspices of the
United Nations Secretary-General.
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Key Insights of the World Happiness Report 2024:
● Top 10 Happiness Rankings:
○ Worldwide: Finland, Denmark, Iceland,
Sweden, Israel, Netherlands, Norway,
Luxembourg, Switzerland and Australia.
○ In Asia: Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, South
Korea, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand,
Malaysia, China and Mongolia.
● Afghanistan Remains Least Happy Country:
○ Followed by Lebanon, Lesotho, Sierra Leone
and Congo.

India’s Ranking:
● India ranked at 126 place (same as last year).
● India lags behind its neighbouring countries like
China at 60, followed by Nepal at 93, Pakistan at
108 and Myanmar at 118.

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 India’s Position on Elder Population:
● India holds the second position (only after
China) globally in terms of its elderly population,
with 140 million individuals aged 60 and above.
6.6 Surrogacy Rules 2022
Context: Amendment in Surrogacy Rules 2022, which
allowed couples with medical conditions to use donor
gametes for surrogacy.
More on News:
● The Central government has modified the Surrogacy
(Regulation) Rules, 2022 and notified that both
gametes need not come from a married couple in
case they are certified as suffering from a medical
condition.
● As per the latest amendment, the couple can have a
child born through surrogacy but must have at least
one gamete from the intending couple.
● Single Women (widow or divorcee) undergoing
surrogacy must use self-eggs and donor sperm to
avail of surrogacy procedures.
About Surrogacy:
● Surrogacy is a contractual undertaking whereby the
surrogate mother agrees to conceive a child through
artificial insemination with the sperm of the
natural father and to terminate all of her parental
rights after the child’s birth.
Types of Surrogacy:
● Altruistic Surrogacy: When the surrogate offers to
carry the child of the commissioning couple in her
womb purely out of love and empathy for their need
to have a child
● Commercial Surrogacy: When money is paid to
the surrogate for her services, it is taken as an act of
commercialisation.
Surrogacy (regulations) rules for 2021:
● Surrogacy: A practice where a woman gives birth
to a child for an intending couple to hand over
the child after the birth to the intending couple.
● Individuals or couples who fall within specific
criteria may pursue surrogacy for medical reasons.
○ Eligible parties include widowed or divorced
women aged between 35 and 45 years, as well
as legally married couples.
● The law strictly prohibits commercial surrogacy,
imposing severe penalties such as imprisonment for
up to 10 years and fines of up to Rs 10 lakhs.
Surrogacy in India: Assisted Reproductive
Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021
● The Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
Regulation Act, 2021, defines ART procedures as
all techniques that attempt to obtain a pregnancy
by handling the sperm or the oocyte (the
immature female egg) outside the human body
and transferring into the reproductive system of a
woman.
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● It regulates the assisted ART clinics and ART
banks.
● This is open to married couples, live-in
partners, single women, and also foreigners.
● ART procedures include gamete donation,
intrauterine insemination, and in-vitro
fertilisation or IVF.
About Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser
(MRKH) Syndrome:
● It is a rare congenital disorder that affects female
reproductive system and cause infertility.
Regulations of Surrogacy in India:
● Prohibits: Commercial surrogacy
● Permits: Altruistic surrogacy for intending
couples who suffer from proven infertility
● Rights of surrogate child: A child born out of
surrogacy procedure, shall be deemed to be a
biological child of the intended couple or
intending woman.
● Prohibition of abortion: At any stage of
surrogacy except in such conditions as may be
prescribed.
● The Intending Couple: Must be an Indian man
and woman, legally married, within the specified
age groups with no surviving biological, adopted,
or surrogate child, and must suffer from a medical
indication necessitating gestational surrogacy.
● An Intending Woman: Must be a widow or
divorcee within the specified age group.
Eligibility Criteria for surrogate mother:
● Any Close relative of the couple willing to do
surrogacy
● A married woman with a child of her own
● Required Age of Women: 25 to 35 years old
● Women can surrogate only once in her lifetime
● Possess a certificate of medical and psychological
fitness for surrogacy
● The surrogate mother cannot provide her gametes
for surrogacy.
6.7 ERNET Web Portal
Context: An integrated web portal for educational
institutes in the country developed by ERNET India
was launched by the Ministry of Electronics &
Information Technology (MeitY).
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About Web Portal:
● The portal will offer domain registration, DNS
and Value-added Services viz. Website as a
Service (WaaS) and Learning Management as a
Service (LMaaS).
● It will utilize open-source software and emerging
technologies like Artificial Intelligence /Machine
Learning.
● Function:
○ The users can select from the variety of
available templates for schools, colleges, and
universities as per their requirements and
create their own website and Learning
Management System.
○ The user can publish the website and LMS by
customizing the template with single click.
About ERNET (Education and Research Network)
India:
● ERNET India is an autonomous not-for-profit
scientific society.
● Nodal ministry: Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology
● It is the exclusive domain registrar for all the
education & research institutes having ‘ac.in’,
‘edu.in’ & ‘res.in’ as domain name.
○ It offers smart classrooms, campus Wi-Fi, web
accessibility, and satellite and terrestrial
systems connectivity to the nation's research
and educational institutions.
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6.8 Short News
6.8.1 Shompen Tribe
About Shompen Tribe:
● Reside in the dense tropical rainforest of the Great
Nicobar Island, Andaman and Nicobar group of
Islands.
● Estimated at 229 according to Census 2011.
● Semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers; primary sources
include hunting, gathering, fishing, and rudimentary
horticulture.
● Live in small groups, territories identified by rivers.
○ Nuclear families with husband, wife, and
unmarried children; eldest male member
controls family activities.
○ Generally monogamous, but polygamy is
allowed.
6.8.2 PM-STIAC Discusses Regulations of
Medical Products
The 24th meeting of PM-STIAC discussed issues
related to medical and health industries in India.
About Prime Minister Science, Technology and
Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC):
● Constituted in 2018, PM-STIAC serves as an
important council to assess the status of various
science and technology-related matters,
comprehend challenges, formulate interventions,
develop a futuristic roadmap, and advise the Prime
Minister accordingly.
● Presided by: Principal Advisor to the Govt of India
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 7
Defence and Security
7.1 Rejupave Technology
Context: Recently, the Border Roads Organisation
(BRO) employed 'Rejupave' technology to construct
bituminous road sections at the world's highest Sela
road tunnel and the LGG-Damteng-Yangste (LDY
Road) near the China border in Arunachal Pradesh.
About Rejupave Technology:
● Developed by: CSIR-Central Road Research
Institute (CSIR-CRRI).
● It's a low-temperature bituminous road
construction technology primarily for high-
altitude regions, particularly effective in low and
sub-zero temperatures.
● Rejupave, an asphalt modifier derived from bio-
oil, reduces heating needs for bituminous mixes and
maintains their temperature during transportation.
● Bituminous Road: Also known as the asphalt
road, is a type of road construction that involves the
use of bitumen as a binding agent to hold together
a mixture of aggregates.
About CSIR-Central Road Research Institute
(CRRI):
● It is a premier national research organization
established in 1952 and a constituent of the
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
(CSIR) for highway traffic, transport planning,
and other allied aspects.
7.2 MQ-9B Drones (UAV)
Context: Recently, the US State Department
approved the sale of MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft
to India under the foreign military sales program.
About UAVs:
● Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are aircraft that
do not require a human pilot onboard.
About MQ-9B UAV:
● It is a derivative of the MQ-9 Reaper designed for
both remotely controlled and autonomous flight
operations.
● It is a high-altitude, long-endurance drone
equipped with precision strike missiles.
● Developed by : General Atomics Aeronautical
Systems (GA-ASI).
● Two variants — The SkyGuardian and its
maritime counterpart, the SeaGuardian.
Features of MQ-9B UAV:
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● Payload capacity of 5,670 kg and a Fuel capacity
of 2,721 kg.
● Operating Altitude & Endurance Range: over
40,000 feet altitude, a maximum endurance of 40
hours, making it an ideal platform for extended
surveillance missions.
● Versatile Operational Capabilities:
○ It demonstrates all-weather capabilities,
conducting over-the-horizon flights via satellite
for up to 40 hours, regardless of weather
conditions.
7.3 High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target
(HEAT): ABHYAS
Context: DRDO carries out successful flight trials of
High-speed Expendable Aerial Target ‘ABHYAS’
from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha.
About Abhyas:
● Abhyas is a High - speed expendable aerial target.
● It uses a small gas turbine engine which helps it to
maintain long flights at a high speed.
● Designed by: DRDO’s Aeronautical Development
Establishment (ADE).
Features:
● This system comprises a visual and infrared
augmentation system.
● It has an Inertial Navigation System (INS) along
with a Flight Control Computer (FCC) for
guidance and control that helps to carry out flight
and post-flight analysis.
● This system has a measurable radar cross-section.
7.4 Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Weapons
Context: Recent statements from U.S. officials have
raised concerns about a purported Russian space-based
anti-satellite weapon.
About Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Weapons:
● Weapons designed to destroy or disable satellites in
orbit, crucial for defense and strategic purposes.
● They can be ground-based, air-based, or space-
based. ASATs can use various methods to attack
satellites, including kinetic impact, lasers, and
directed energy weapons.
● In 2019, India conducted Mission Shakti, an anti-
satellite missile test, becoming the fourth country
worldwide to demonstrate satellite destruction
capabilities in orbit.
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Types of ASAT Weapons:
● Kinetic Energy Methods:
○ Involves launching a missile to physically
collide with the target satellite, destroying it
through impact.
○ Examples: Ballistic missiles, drones, satellites
designed for ASAT purposes.
● Non-Kinetic Methods:
○ Utilizes non-physical attacks such as cyber-
attacks, jamming, and lasers to disable satellites
without destroying them.
○ Examples: Cyber-attacks targeting satellite
systems, jamming satellite communications,
lasers used to blind satellites.
7.5 Mission Divyastra
Context: Recently, Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully
test-fired indigenously developed Agni-5 ballistic
missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-
entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology under Mission
Divyastra.
More on News:
● India Achieves MIRV Capability:
With this test, India has joined the select group of
nations with MIRV capability.
About Agni-5 missiles:
● Agni is a long-range missile developed
indigenously by the DRDO.
● It uses a three-stage solid-fuelled engine having a
range of over 5,000 km.
● The Agni-5 weapon system is equipped with
indigenous avionics systems and high-accuracy
sensor packages, which ensured that the re-entry
vehicles reached the target points within the
desired accuracy.
● This latest variant of the missile is equipped with
MIRV technology.
● This Agni, capable of carrying nuclear warheads,
has a range of more than 5,000 km, making it a long-
range missile, and is aimed mainly at thwarting the
challenge from China.
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Other Variants of Agni Missile: The other variants
of the Agni missiles developed by DRDO include
the 700-km range Agni-1, the 2,000-km Agni-2,
the 3,000-km Agni-3, and 4,000-km range Agni-
4.
About MIRV technology:
● MIRV technology enables a single missile to carry
multiple warheads, allowing it to target multiple
locations hundreds of kilometers apart with a single
launch.
● These missiles can be launched from land or sea
from a submarine.
● Nations with MIRV Technology: As of now, the
United States, Russia, China, France and the
United Kingdom are known to have MIRV-
equipped missiles.
Working of MIRV:
● A MIRV-equipped missile is launched and follows
a ballistic trajectory into space, similar to any other
ballistic missile.
● After the boost phase, the missile's upper stage,
known as the "bus," reaches a suborbital spaceflight.
In this phase, the bus manoeuvres and aligns itself
based on the designated targets.
● The bus sequentially deploys multiple warheads
along with decoys and countermeasures. Each
warhead can be assigned a different trajectory and
target.
● The warheads re-enter the Earth's atmosphere
independently and proceed to their respective
targets.
7.6 Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft
(AMCA)
Context: Recently, the Cabinet Committee on
Security (CCS) approved a project to design and
develop the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft
(AMCA).
About Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft
(AMCA):
● AMCA is India’s fifth-generation multirole
fighter jet.
● The aircraft will put India in a select group of
nations that have their own fifth-generation fighter
aircraft.
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● Organizations involved: Aeronautical
Development Agency (ADA) & Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
● The twin-engine aircraft will incorporate advanced
stealth capabilities to evade radar detection.
● It will feature a sizable concealed internal fuel
tank with a capacity of 6.5 tonnes, along with an
internal weapons bay capable of housing various
armaments.
● Stealth is the combination of passive low
observable (LO) features and active emitters such
as low-probability-of-intercept radars, radios and
laser designators.
Different Generations of Jet Fighters:
● First Generation Fighters: Fighter planes built
from the mid-1940s to mid-1950s are classified as
first-generation fighters. These planes had
rudimentary avionics but lacked radar or self-
protection systems.
● Second Generation Fighters: Unlike their
predecessors, which relied on cannons, machine
guns, unguided bombs, and rockets for attacks, these
jets were capable of achieving supersonic speeds
and were equipped with semi-guided missiles.
● Third Generation Fighters: Third-generation
aircraft, developed from the early 1960s to the early
1970s, boasted enhanced weaponry and
maneuverability. Jets like the Mirage III and MiG-
23 could engage targets beyond the pilot's line of
sight.
● Fourth Generation Fighters: The fourth-
generation fighters entered service in the early
1980s. They introduced fly-by-wire systems,
replacing human control with electronic flight
control.
● Fifth-generation multi-role fighters: They possess
all-aspect stealth, Low Probability of Intercept
Radar (LPIR), high-performance airframe, and
engines capable of supercruise without afterburner.
About Light Combat Aircraft:
● The Light combat Aircraft (LCA) is a supersonic,
all-weather, multi-role fighter with sophisticated
technology for air-to-air, air-to-ground, and air-to-
sea warfare.
● It has a single seat and a single engine.
● Key organizations involved in the LCA program
include the Aeronautical Development Agency
(ADA), established by the government in 1984 to
oversee the program, and primary partner
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL),
collaborating with DRDO and CSIR laboratories.
● It stands as the country's largest naval project.
● Its goal is to offer assistance to fleets and maintain
warships.
7.8 Financial Intelligence Unit-India
(FIU-IND)
Context: Recently, the Financial Intelligence Unit-
India (FIU-IND) imposed a penalty on Paytm
Payments Bank Ltd concerning the violations under
the PMLA.
More On News:
● The order was issued by the Director FIU-IND
under Section 13(2)(d) of the Prevention of Money
Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 read with the
Prevention of Money Laundering (Maintenance
of Records) Rules, 2005.
About Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND):
● Established in 2004, it acts as the central national
agency responsible for receiving, processing,
analyzing and disseminating information relating
to suspect financial transactions.
● Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Finance
● FIU-IND is an independent body and reports
directly to the Economic Intelligence Council
(EIC) headed by the Finance Minister.
● With a sanctioned strength of 75 personnel, the FIU
is a multi-disciplinary body that recruits staff from
various agencies,
○ Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Central
Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), Reserve
Bank of India (RBI), Securities Exchange
Board of India (SEBI), Department of Legal
Affairs and Intelligence agencies.
7.9 INS Jatayu At Minicoy Island
Context: Recently, the Indian Navy commissioned
Naval Detachment Minicoy as INS Jatayu.

7.7 Project Seabird

Context: Inauguration of infrastructure projects as part
of Project Seabird.
About Project Seabird:
● Project Seabird is a major naval infrastructure
initiative aimed at establishing and expanding a
naval base in Karwar, Karnataka, on India's west
coast.

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More on News:
● INS Jatayu is the second Naval base in
Lakshadweep after INS Dweeprakshak in
Kavaratti.
About Minicoy:
● It is the southernmost island of Lakshadweep
which straddles the vital Sea Lines of
Communications (SLOCs).
About Sea lines of Communication:
● It is a term describing the primary maritime routes
between ports, used for trade, logistics and naval
forces.
7.10 Sea Defenders 2024
Context: The joint Coast Guard exercise between India
and the United States of America ‘Sea Defenders-
2024’ took place recently off the coast of Port Blair.
More on News:
● Focus of the Joint Exercise:
○ Maritime piracy and asymmetric threats
○ Simulated drone attacks on commercial
merchant traffic.
○ Joint maritime search and rescue operations
○ Major firefighting, marine pollution response
○ Counter-drug interdiction exercises
● Enhancing Readiness in Emergencies: The event
will also witness a simulated medical evacuation to
enhance readiness in emergencies.
7.11 MILAN 24 (Multilateral Naval
Exercise-2024)
Recently, the 12th edition of MILAN was conducted
at Visakhapatnam under the aegis of Eastern Naval
Command.
About MILAN: Indian Navy's flagship event.
● It is a biennial multilateral naval exercise which
was conceived by the Indian Navy in 1995.
MILAN 24:
● Theme: 'Camaraderie, Cohesion, Collaboration'.
● The Indian Navy showcased its Deep Submergence
Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) to the delegates of 50
countries.
7.12 Operation Sarvashakti
Context: The Indian Army is launching Operation
Sarvashakti to counter terrorist activities in Jammu
and Kashmir.
About Operation Shakti:
● Pakistani proxy terrorist groups have tried to
revive terrorism in the area South of Pir Panjal
ranges, especially the Rajouri-Poonch Sector.
● The Indian Army has started in close coordination
with the Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, Special
Operations Group, and the intelligence agencies.
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7.13 Patriot Missile
About Patriot Missile:
● The PATRIOT (Phased Array Tracking Radar
for Intercept on Target) is a theater-wide
surface-to-air missile defense system, among the
most advanced in the U.S. arsenal.
● Typically equipped with powerful radar, a control
station, a power generator, and a launch station.
7.14 Greyzone Warfare
About Greyzone Warfare:
● Grey Zone Warfare has emerged as a battlefield-
centric conceptand is defined as the use of coercive
measures to exploit the operational space
between peace and war, that deliberately stay
below a threshold so as not to prompt a conventional
military response to alter the status quo which
otherwise would have been attracted.
7.15 D4 System
Context: Recently, ISRO developed an integrated
Anti-Drone System (D4 System).
About Anti-Drone Tech- Drone, Detect, Deter and
Destroy (D4 System):
● The D4 system can quickly detect and jam micro
drones (Soft kill) and employ a laser-based
mechanism to eliminate targets (Hard kill). I am
running a few minutes late; my previous meeting is
running over.
● It utilizes the Global Navigation Satellite System
(GNSS) to identify controller frequencies and
disrupt signals accordingly.
7.16 India Club
Context: India’s own planned Protection and
Indemnity (P&I) Entity to provide insurance for ships
operating along its coasts and waterways.
About P&I Clubs:
● They are mutual insurance associations provide
risk pooling and coverage for third-party risks such
as cargo damage, war, and environmental hazards.
● The initiative seeks to decrease susceptibility to
international pressures.
● The India Club, led by the Ministry of Ports,
Shipping, and Waterways, will initially
concentrate on insuring ships involved in domestic
movements.
● Global P&I Club: This international group,
headquartered in London, comprises 13 clubs
covering approximately 90% of the world's ocean-
going vessels.
7.17 Desert Cyclone
● Recently, the India-UAE Joint Military Exercise,
named ‘DESERT CYCLONE,’ commenced in
Mahajan, Rajasthan.
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● It aims to enhance interoperability in Sub-
Conventional Operations.
7.18 Digital Arrest
About Digital Arrest:
● It refers to a fraud where impostors impersonating
law enforcement officers deceive the victims into
believing that their bank account, SIM card,
Aadhaar card, or other cards linked to their bank
account has been used unlawfully.
7.19 “Bharat Shakti”- A Tri-Service
Exercise
Context: Recently, a tri-service military exercise
“Bharat Shakti” was held in Pokhran, Rajasthan.
More on News:
● The exercise commenced with the Army’s Special
Forces, MARCOS of the Indian Navy and
GARUDS of the Indian Air Force.
About Pokhran:
● A remote region in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan’s
Jaisalmer district.
● Earlier, it witnessed India’s nuclear test.
● Now, it has become a witness of the triveni of India's
Atma Nirbharta, self-confidence and its glory.
7.20 Exercise IMT TRILAT- 2024
Context: The second edition of the Trilateral Exercise
(IMT TRILAT) started recently in the western Indian
Ocean.
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About IMT TRILAT
● Maritime Exercise: It is a Trilateral maritime
exercise between India, Mozambique, and
Tanzania.
● Aim: To create capabilities for dealing with
common dangers through training and the
sharing of best practices.
7.21 Exercise Tiger Triumph
Context: Tiger Triumph, India, U.S. Tri-Service
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief
(HADR) exercise.
About the Exercise Tiger Triumph:
● It is the bilateral tri-service amphibious military
exercise involving the armed forces of India and the
US. It is the first tri-service military exercise
between the two countries.
○ Its 1st edition was held in 2019.
● Location: Eastern seaboard (US)
● It aims to develop interoperability for conducting
HADR operations and refine Standard Operating
Procedures (SOPs) to enable rapid and smooth
coordination between forces of both countries.
Other Joint Exercises of India-US:
● Military Training: Yudh Abhyas and Vajra Prahar
● Air Forces: Cope India
● Naval Exercise (along with Japan): Malabar
● HADR: In September 2022, the QUAD countries
(US, India, Japan and Australia) signed the
“Guidelines for the Quad Partnership on
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief
(HADR) in the Indo-Pacific”.
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 8
8.1 Digital Twin of Mohammed Quli
Qutub Shah’s Tomb
Context: Recently, a reality technology company,
Hexagon, presented a data-rich digital twin of the
Qutub Shahi Tombs to the Telangana State
government.
About Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah’s Tomb:
● Built in 1602, the tomb at Qutb Shahi heritage
park is one of the largest, standing at 60m high, and
part of a group on a raised platform memorializing
the Golconda kings.
● Built by: The Qutub Shahis
● Located north of Golconda Fort’s called Banjara
Darwaza, Hyderabad.
● Architectural Style: They resemble Persian,
Pathan and Hindu architectural styles.
● Material Use: Grey granite, with stucco
ornamentation.
Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (1581- 1611), the
fourth king of the Qutb Shahi dynasty laid the
foundation of Hyderabad. During his reign, the
dynasty reached the zenith of its material and
cultural life.
8.2 Bhojshala complex
Context: Recently, the Madhya Pradesh High Court
directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to
conduct a scientific survey of the Bhojshala Temple-
Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district.
About Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque
complex:
● The structure is a protected monument under the
Archaeological Survey of India and is situated in
the middle of the medieval circular city of Dhar in
Madhya Pradesh.
● It is believed that it was originally a temple of
goddess Sarasvati built by Paramara King Bhoja
in circa 11th Century AD and the city was long one
of the capitals of Malwa.
● King Bhoja is said to have established a school,
now known as Bhojashala in the complex.
● Delhi Sultanate: Malwa came under the Delhi
Sultanate in the early 14th century, and soon after
that, a hypostyle mosque was constructed.
● After the death of Chishti Sufi saint Kamal-al-Din
in 1331 CE, his tomb was placed next to the
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Art and Culture
mosque, and the building became known as Kamal
Maula mosque.
● Architecture:
○ The complex has numerous sandstone pillars
of varying design dating to the 11th and 12th
centuries.
○ Domes of trabeate construction, decorated
with intricate cusping and lotus forms, have
been added.
○ The mihrab and minbar are later in date, being
added in the 1400s by the kings of Mandu in the
time of the Malwa Sultanate.
○ The complex contains a range of stone panels
with Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions
installed on the walls and floors. These include
Sanskrit grammar rules and esoteric diagrams.
○ The inscription on the pedestal (bhojshala)
mentions a statue of Vagdevi (Sarasvatī),
showing that the Sarasvati at Dhar was the
Jain form of this goddess.
8.3 Delisting of Monuments
Context: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
has decided to delist 18 centrally protected
Monuments.
More on News:
● Delisted Monuments: These monuments,
including landmarks like the medieval highway
milestone Kos Minar No.13 in Haryana,
Barakhamba Cemetery in Delhi, and Telia Nala
Buddhist ruins in Varanasi, are considered
‘untraceable’ as their precise locations or current
conditions are unknown.
● The decision follows the criteria outlined in the
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites
and Remains Act, 1958.
About Centrally Protected Monuments:
● Centrally protected monuments are locations
designated as such under the provisions of the
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological locations
and Remains Act of 1958 (AMASR Act).
Process of deleting the lost/untraceable monuments
from the protected list:
● Delisting means these monuments will no longer
receive conservation, protection, or maintenance
from ASI, allowing construction and urbanization in
the area.
● Section 35 of the AMASR Act: The deletion
necessitates denotification of the stated monument
under Section 35 of the AMASR Act.
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 ○ Section 35 allows for the issuance of
notifications only for Centrally Protected
Monuments that the Union government
determines to be no longer of national interest.
8.4 Dhokra Shilpkala
Context: Chhattisgarh's Ocher Studio is helping to
preserve India's 4,000-year-old craft viz. Dhokra
Shilpkala.
About Dhokra Sculptures:
● "Dhokra," deriving from the Dhokra Damar tribes
of Central India, represents a metal casting
tradition over 4,000 years old.
● Its origin traces back to tribal communities in
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and
Odisha, evolving as a key part of their culture and
religion.
● It utilizes the lost-wax technique, or cire perdue,
for metal casting.
● The beauty of Dhokra Shilpkala lies in rustic
charm and organic motifs:
○ Inspiration drawn from nature, mythology,
and daily life.
○ Motifs include animals, birds, deities, and
tribal symbols.
○ Miniature figurines include jewelry,
sculptures, and functional objects.
8.5 Grantham Inscriptions
Context: Recently, stones bearing 11th century
Grantham inscriptions and 16th century Tamil
inscriptions were discovered in Tamil Nadu.
About Grantham Inscriptions:
● Grantha script, used in Tamil Nadu, is for writing
Prakrit and Sanskrit.
● Its origins date back to the Pallava period, seen in
Mahendravarman’s Tiruchirappalli rock-cut cave
inscriptions.
● Notable Grantha inscriptions include those by
Narasimhavarman in Mamallapuram and by the
Pandyan and Chola dynasties in various locations.
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8.6 Subika Paintings
About Subika Paintings:
● Subika painting style is connected with the Meitei
Community's cultural history.
● The paintings incorporate cultural motifs
influenced by pre-existing features and by the
cultural worldviews of the community.
● The paintings are created on handmade paper,
with materials like handmade paper or tree bark for
manuscripts being locally sourced and prepared.
8.7 Anant Sutra
Context: Recently, the Ministry of Culture
showcased the ‘Anant Sutra - The Endless Thread’
textile installation at Kartavya Path on Republic Day.
About Anant Sutra:
● Anant Sutra is a visually stunning tribute to the
saree.
● It showcased nearly 1,900 sarees and drapes from
every corner of the country.
● It had QR codes that could be scanned to know the
details about weaving and embroidery arts used in
it.
Saree Origins and History:
● The history of sari-like drapery in India traces back
to the Indus Valley Civilization (2800–1800 BCE)
and the term "sari" evolved from "śāṭikā,"
referenced in early Hindu and Buddhist texts around
the 6th century BCE.
● Saree wasn't just one garment, but a three-piece
ensemble:
○ Antarīya: The lower garment, resembling a
"fishtail" dhoti with flowing pleats.
○ Uttarīya: A shawl-like veil worn over the
shoulder or head, evolving into the modern
dupatta and ghoonghat.
○ Stanapatta: A chestband that transformed into
the choli, a fitted blouse.
● Over time, these pieces merged into a single draped
garment “saree”, Indian women wear.
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8.8 Mohiniyattam
Context: Recently, the Kerala Kalamandalam, a
deemed university for arts and culture, has lifted
gender restrictions to learn Mohiniyattam.
About Mohiniyattam:
● Mohiniyattam is an Indian classical dance form
that evolved in the state of Kerala.
● Mohiniyattam dance, derived from 'Mohini,' a
female incarnation of Lord Vishnu, traces its
origins to the ancient Sanskrit Hindu text on
performing arts, the 'Natya Shastra'.
● Mohiniyattam used to be performed by Devadasis
(temple dancers) in temples, during the rule of the
Chera kings from 9th to 12th C.E.
● This dance form also has elements of other
performing art forms of Kerala viz. Koothu and
Kutiyattam in it.
● References of Mohiniyattam can be found in the
texts Vyavaharamala written in 1709 by
Mazhamagalam Narayanan Namputiri and in
Ghoshayatra, written later by great poet Kunjan
Nambiar.
8.9 UNESCO’s World Heritage
Committee
Context: India to host the 46th session of UNESCO’s
World Heritage Committee.
More on News:
● This will be the first instance of India hosting the
meeting of the World Heritage Committee.
About World Heritage Committee:
● Established under the Convention for the
Protection of the World Cultural and Natural
Heritage (World Heritage Convention), adopted
by the General Conference of UNESCO at its
seventeenth session in 1972.
● Members: 21 States Parties, including India.
● Member's Term: six years.
● Responsibility:
○ Defines the use of the World Heritage Fund
and allocates financial assistance.
○ Prepares World Heritage Sites list
○ Monitoring conservation efforts:
About United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
● It is a United Nations Specialised Agency
founded in 1945 as the successor to the League
of Nations International Committee on
Intellectual Cooperation.
● It aims to contribute to peace and security by
promoting international cooperation in
education, sciences, culture, communication and
information.
● Members: 194 member states, including India
and 12 associate members.
○ Membership of the United Nations carries
with it the right to membership of UNESCO:
Israel, Liechtenstein are not member
states of UNESCO.
○ The United States became the 194th
Member State of UNESCO.
● Headquarters: Paris
● India has 42 World Heritage Sites, including
the recent additions of Shantiniketan and the
Sacred Ensembles of Hoysalas in 2023.
8.10 Six Heritage Sites
Context: Recently, Six properties were added to
India’s Tentative List by the UNESCO World
Heritage Centre.
More On News:
● Following are the Six Heritage Sites:
○ Gwalior Fort
○ The Historic Ensembles of Dhamnar
○ The Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple, Bhojpur
○ Rock Art Sites of the Chambal Valley (Serial
Nomination)
○ Khooni Bhandara, Bhuranpur
○ Gond Monument of Ramnagar, Mandla
About UNESCO Tentative List :
● The Tentative List is an inventory of natural
and/or cultural heritage sites that a State Party
considers to demonstrate potential Outstanding
Universal Value to humanity and therefore suitable
for nomination to the World Heritage List.

Gwalior Fort ● Known as the ‘Gibraltar of India’.

● Location: A mountain named 'Gopachal' (Gop + Achal = Gop Parvat)
Gwalior city, Madhya Pradesh.
● Built By: Suraj Sen of Tomar Dynasty from 525 CE
● The fort showcases a unique amalgam of Rajput, Mughal, and Hindu style
of architecture.
● Famous Monuments & Artifacts:
○ Chaturbhuj temple: Zero (0) is carved on the wall of the temple.
○ Sas Bahu (Sahastrabahu) Temple: Dedicated to Lord Vishnu built by
King Mahipal of the Kachhapaghat dynasty of Gwalior in 1092-93 CE
○ Teli ka Mandir (Dravidian style architecture) : Built by the Pratihara
King Mihira Bhoja.

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 ○ Gurudwara ‘Data Bandi Chhor’: where 6th Sikh Guru Hargobind
Sahib was arrested and held captive by Mughal Emperor Jahangir.
○ Siddhachal Jain Temple Caves were built in the 7th to 15th century.
○ Famous Mahal & Palaces: Gujari Mahal, Man Mandir
○ Impressive Ramparts and Gateways
The Historic Ensembles of ● Dhamnar caves are situated near Dhamnar village of Mandsaur district,
Dhamnar Madhya Pradesh.
● Built in : the 5th-7th century CE.
● Explored by James Tod in 1821, James Furgusson in 1845, and Alexander
Cunningham in 1864-65.
● Two main groups exist: Series of Buddhist caves and the Hindu temple
complex known as the Dharmrajeshwar temple.
● Cave Characteristics:
○ Bari Kacheri (large courtyard) and Bhima Bazaar are outstanding
caves.
○ The caves vary in size and function, with dwellings, halls, stupas, and
statues of Buddha.
○ This place has huge statues of Gautam Buddha sitting and in Nirvana
posture.
● Temple Complex include a large hall, pillars resembling wood, and a stupa
in the rear.
The Bhojeshwar Mahadev ● It is known as Somnath of the East, named after the Paramara King Bhoj
Temple, Bhojpur ○ Raja Bhoj was known for his architectural treatise,
Samaranganasutradhara.
○ Paramara Dynasty: Ruled the Malwa region and adjacent areas during
the 9th -14th century. )
● Located on the banks of Betwa River in Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh.
● Built by : Raja Bhoj on a hill between : 1010-1053 AD.
● Temple dedicated to : Lord Shiva
● About Temple Architecture:
○ Bhumija Style of Temple (influenced by Dravida style, they have
towering shikharas and ornate carvings)
○ Massive lingam : The most notable feature of the temple is its massive
lingam, measuring approximately 2.3 meters in height and 5.4m in
circumference that sits on a square pedestal approx. 8m high.
Rock Art Sites of the ● The Chambal River originates from the Malwa trap zone, with tributaries
Chambal Valley (Serial flowing from the Aravali and Vindhya hills.
Nomination) ● The Basin covers parts of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.

Khooni Bhandara, ● Situated in : Burhanpur, it is an underground water management system.

Burhanpur ● Built in: 1615 by Abdul Rahim Khankhana, the ruler of Burhanpur.
● Constructed to address water scarcity faced by the growing settlement of
Burhanpur due to its strategic importance during Mughal rule.
The Gond monuments of ● Gondwana, historically home to the Gond tribe, encompassed parts of
Ramnagar, Mandla present-day Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra.
● Major kingdoms like Garha-Mandla, reigning from 1300 AD to 1789 AD,
emerged within Gondwana.
Architectural Complexes:
● Notable monuments built by Gond ruler Hirday Shah: include Moti Mahal,
Raibhagat ki Kothi, Vishnu Mandir, Begum Mahal, and Dalbadal Mahal.
● Moti Mahal: Built-In 1667 by Gond king Hriday Shah, situated on the
Narmada river bank.

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 mentioned in Samudragupta's Allahabad pillar
8.11 Madhika Language inscription.
● The temple's architecture follows the Nilachal
Context: Madhika, a language with just two speakers Style, blending Nagara (North Indian) and
in Kerala with no scripts is on the brink of extinction. Saracenic (Mughal) styles.
About Madhika Language: Additional Information:
● Madhika is a language spoken by the Chakaliya About Shakti Peeths:
community and is a blend of Telugu, Tulu, ● Shakti Peeths are revered sites dedicated to Sati
Kannada, and Malayalam. or Shakti, with a total of 51 spread across India,
Addition Information: Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, and Sri
● UNESCO reported that 42 languages are heading Lanka, including 18 Maha Shakti Peeths.
towards extinction in India. ● Some notable Shakti Peeths outside India are
● According to UNESCO norms, any language Guhyeshwari in Nepal, Kottari Devi in Pakistan,
spoken by only 10,000 people is potentially Indrakshi in Sri Lanka, Dakshayani Devi in Tibet
endangered. (China), and Maa Bhabani in Bangladesh.
● 2011 Census: India's language Census records only About Nagara Style of Temple Architecture:
those with more than 10,000 speakers. ● First developed in North India during the Gupta
About Chakaliya Community: period in the 5th century AD, this style is
● The community was nomadic and worshippers popular in Northern, Western and Eastern India
of Thiruvenkatramana and Mariamma. (except the Bengal region), especially in the
● Initially recognised as a Scheduled Tribe, it was regions around Malwa, Rajputana and Kalinga.
later included in the Scheduled Caste category ● It is built on a simple stone platform with steps
in Kerala. leading up to the temple.
● They were regarded as untouchables. ● The garbhagriha is always located directly below
the highest tower called Shikhara.
8.12 Maa Kamakhya Temple ● A Kalash or Amalaka is installed atop the
shikhara.
Context: Recently, Prime Minister laid the foundation ● Absence of boundary walls or gateways, unlike
stone for the Maa Kamakhya Access Corridor in Dravida school, is a prominent feature.
Assam. ● Sub schools of Nagara style include Orissa
About Maa Kamakhya Access Corridor: school, Chandel school and Solanki school.
● Funded under the Prime Minister’s Development About Saracenic Style of Architecture:
Initiative for North Eastern Region (PM- ● Also known as Indo-Islamic architecture, is
DevINE), it targets infrastructure development, characterized by a fusion of Islamic influences
social advancement, livelihood opportunities, and with local architectural styles.
bridging development gaps in the Northeast. ● Features elements such as domes, arches,
● Led by the Ministry of Development of North minarets, and intricate geometric patterns.
East Region. ● Notable examples include the Taj Mahal, Jama
About Maa Kamakhya Temple: Masjid, and Qutub Minar in India.
● One of India's Maha Shakti Peeths, dedicated to
Maa Kamakhaya/Kameswari, the Goddess of 8.13 Bharat Ratna Awardees
desire, located atop Nilachal Hills near Guwahati,
Assam. Context: Recently, Bharat Ratna, India’s highest
● Reconstructed in 1562 by King Naranarayan of the civilian award, was conferred on Karpoori Thakur,
Koch dynasty after destruction by Kala Pahar, it's PV Narasimha Rao, LK Adwani, Chaudhary
Charan Singh, and MS Swaminathan.
About Karpoori Thakur: ● Born in 1924, he is renowned as ‘Jan Nayak’ (People’s Leader) for his
commitment to the marginalized sections and also participated in the Quit
India Movement, facing imprisonment.
● He joined All India Students’ Federation (AISF) and was the Chief
Minister of Bihar twice.
Contributions:
● Implementing the Mungerilal Commission Report which recommended job
reservations for the backward classes in Bihar.
● Empowered millions of farmers by boosting agricultural productivity and
rural development by implementing land reforms through the Bihar
Tenancy Act.

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 ● His significant contribution, the National Mid-Day Meal Scheme, continues
to enhance educational outcomes across India.
● Removed English as compulsory subject for the matriculation
examinations; prohibition of alcohol; preferential treatment for unemployed
engineers in government contracts.
● Karpoori Thakur along with JP Narayan, was instrumental in launching
the iconic ‘Sampoorna Kranti’ (Total Revolution) movement with the aim
of transforming Indian society in a non-violent way.
About P.V. Narasimha Rao: ● He was a freedom fighter, academician, and literary figure, who served as
the 9th Prime Minister of India from 1991 to 1996 and was the Chief
Minister of Andhra Pradesh from 1971-73, holding various important
portfolios.
● He published ‘SahasraPhan’; ‘Abala Jeevitam’, “Pan Lakshat Kon
gheto”.
● He spearheaded India's 1991 economic liberalization, aiming to dismantle
the license raj, cut bureaucracy, boost industry competitiveness, and set the
groundwork for trade liberalization and global economic reintegration.
Chaudhary Charan Singh: ● He was a freedom fighter who served as the 5th Prime Minister of India and
also as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
● He was a follower of Mahatma Gandhi in the non-violent independence
movement and was imprisoned for 12 years in 1930 by the British for
violating salt laws.
● He is renowned for advocating farmers' rights and welfare, playing a key
role in initiating several agricultural reforms for farmer prosperity:
○ Formulation and finalization of the Debt Redemption Bill 1939,
which brought great relief to rural debtors.
○ Bringing about the Land Holding Act, 1960 that aimed at lowering the
ceiling on land holdings to make it uniform throughout the State, etc.
● He was the author of several books and pamphlets, including Abolition of
Zamindari, Co-operative Farming X-rayed, India’s Poverty and its Solution,
Peasant Proprietorship or Land to the Workers and Prevention of Division of
Holdings Below a Certain Minimum.
● Kisan Diwas is observed across the country to celebrate his birth anniversary.
MS Swaminathan: ● Known as the Father of India's Green Revolution, he introduced
technological innovations in the 1960s that transformed the country's food
security.
● He introduced high-yielding seeds, modern irrigation techniques, and
optimal use of fertilizers, which led to a remarkable increase in crop
productivity and making India self-sufficient in food production.
● He also invited Dr. Norman Borlaug to India to introduce the Mexican
dwarf wheat variety.
● Achievements:
○ Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha from 2007 to 2013.
○ International Awards: Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community
Leadership (1971), Albert Einstein World Science Award (1986), World
Food Prize (1987).
○ National Awards: S.S. Bhatnagar Award (1961), Padma Shri (1967),
Padma Bhushan (1972), Padma Vibhushan (1989), Indira Gandhi Prize
for Peace, Disarmament and Development (2000) and Lal Bahadur
Shastri National Award (2007).
LK Advani: ● Born in 1927, he began his political career by being elected to the Rajya
Sabha in 1970 and co-founded the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1980.
● Served as India’s Deputy Prime Minister from 2002 to 2004.
● Contributions to economic reforms, infrastructure development, and nuclear
tests of 1998.

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About Bharat Ratna:
● It is the highest civilian award of the Republic of
India, instituted on 2nd January 1954.
● It is awarded in recognition of exceptional
service/performance of the highest order in any
field of human endeavor.
● Award Specifications: The original Bharat Ratna
award design specified a 35 mm circular gold
medal featuring the sun and "Bharat Ratna" in
Hindi, a floral wreath below, and the state emblem
and motto on the reverse.
Other Criteria:
● Bharat Ratna recommendations are made by the
Prime Minister to the President, with a maximum
of three awards given annually.
● Upon confirmation, recipients get a Sanad signed
by the President and a medallion, without any
monetary grant.
● In terms of Article 18 (1) of the Constitution, the
award cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the
recipient’s name.
Additional Information:
● The holders of Bharat Ratna rank 7th in the Indian
order of precedence.
● Till now it has been given to 49 persons and 15 are
awarded posthumously.
● First Bharat Ratna Awardee: Shri
Rajagopalachari, Sarvapalli Radha Krishna, CV
Raman.
● First foreigner Recipient: Abdul Gaffar Khan &
Nelson Mandela..
● Bharat Ratna was suspended from July 1977 to
January 1980 due to a change in government and
again suspended between August 1992 to
December 1995.
8.14 Jnanpith Award 2024
Context: Recently, renowned Urdu poet Gulzar and
Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya were
named the recipients of the 58th Jnanpith Award.
More on news:
● The Jnanpith Award has been awarded to Sanskrit
for the second time and Urdu for the fifth time,
with Goan writer Damodar Mauzo receiving the
2022 award.
About Jnanpith Award:
● Established in 1961, the first Jnanpith Award was
presented in 1965, sponsored by the Bharatiya
Jnanpith cultural organization.
● The Award is open to only Indian citizens and is
given annually for the best creative literary
writing to writers in any of the 22 Constitutionally
recognised Scheduled Languages and, since 2013,
in English.
● The prize carries a cash award of Rs 21 lakh, a
citation, and a bronze replica of Vagdevi
(Saraswati), the goddess of learning.

About Rambhadracharya:
● He founded and leads Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot, a prominent Hindu
spiritual leader.
● Famous Literary Works: Śrīrāghavakṛpābhāṣyam,Bhṛṅgadūtam,
Aṣṭāvakra.
● In 2015, he received the Padma Vibhushan Award.
● He is one of the four Jagadguru Ramanandacharyas of the Ramananda
sect and has held this position since 1982.

About Gulzar: ● Sampooran Singh Kalra, known as Gulzar, is celebrated for his
contributions to Hindi cinema and recognized as one of the finest Urdu
poets of this era.
● In poetry, he invented a new genre, 'Triveni', a non-muqaffa poem of three
lines.
● Earlier Achievements: Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu in 2002, the
Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2013, Padma Bhushan in 2004, and at least
five National Film awards for his works.
● One of his finest works includes the song "Jai Ho" for the film "Slumdog
Millionaire", which received an Oscar award in 2009 and a Grammy
Award in 2010.

About Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards:

8.15 Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards
Context: Recently, the President of India conferred
Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards for the years 2022
and 2023 to 94 eminent artists (two joint awards) in
the field of performing arts.
● The Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards are the highest
national recognition conferred on practicing artists
(music, dance, and drama).
● The Akademi also confers fellowships on eminent
artists and scholars of music, dance, and drama.
● In 2006, it instituted Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva
Puraskar for young artists.

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● Sangeet Natak Akademi, an autonomous body of 8.17 Maratha Military Landscapes
the Ministry of Culture, was set up in 1953.
● The Chairman of the Akademi is appointed by the Context: Recently,India put "Maratha Military
President of India for a term of five years. Landscapes of India" as its nominee for inclusion in
● The Akademi Awards have been conferred since the UNESCO World Heritage List for 2024-25.
1952. About The Military Landscapes of the Marathas:
● Akademi Award carries award money of Rs ● The Maratha military landscape, established during
1,00,000, besides a Tamrapatra and the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1670
Angavastram. CE, lasted until 1818 through successive rulers.
Eligibility For Akademi Ratna & Awards: ● It was utilized by the Maratha army to develop
● Maximum: Awards 41 & Fellowship 40. guerrilla warfare strategies.
● Age Criteria: No person below 50 & at least 35 UNESCO-Recognised Sites in India at present:
years of age. ● India has 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites,
● A deceased person cannot be considered for with 34 Cultural, 7 Natural, and 1 Mixed sites,
Akademi Ratna or Puraskar. each recognized for their exceptional universal
The Sangeet Natak Akademi Confers Classical value.
Status on Nine Indian Dance Forms: ● Recently, UNESCO added Shantiniketan, the
● Bharatanatyam: Tamil Nadu, 41st UNESCO World Heritage Site in India and
● Kathak: Northern India, the inscription of the 13th-century sacred
● Kathakali: Kerala, ensemble of temples of the Hoysala rulers —
● Kuchipudi: Andhra Pradesh, the famed temples of Belur, Halebid and
● Manipuri: Manipur, Somananthpura in Karnataka — into the
● Mohiniyattam: Kerala, World Heritage list making India’s total sites on
the World Heritage list as 42.
● Odissi: Odisha,
● Sattriya: Assam,
● Chhau: Mayurbhanj Chhau of Odisha (Two
8.18 Nana Jagannath Shankarseth
other Forms of Chhau: Purulia Chhau of West About Nana Jagannath Shankarseth:
Bengal, the Seraikella Chhau of Jharkhand).
● He was a social reformer, educationist and
philanthropist is often described as the “architect”
8.16 96th Academy Awards or Oscars of Mumbai (then Bombay).
2024 ● He was greatly inspired by the legendary merchant
and philanthropist Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy.
Context: Recently, the 96th Academy Awards ● He became the first Indian to be nominated to the
ceremony took place in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Legislative Council of Bombay.
California. Significant Contributions:
About the 96th Academy Awards or Oscars 2024: ● He founded the Native School of Bombay, which
● The Academy Awards are organized by the was renamed first the Bombay Native Institution
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and then the Board of Education. Finally, this
(AMPAS), established in 1927. institution evolved into the prestigious Elphinstone
● Originally, it composed 36 original members, College.
including writers, directors, producers and other ● Shankarseth was among the wealthy donors who
industry insiders. helped promote Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum in
● It celebrates artistic and technical excellence in the Byculla.
film industry and is considered the pinnacle of ● Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy and Nana Shankarseth
achievement for filmmakers and actors worldwide. were among the committee members who gave the
Awards Winners project (the first train in India between Boribunder
Best Picture Oppenheimer and Thane) impetus.
Best Actor Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer).
8.19 Gandhi’s Ashrams
Best Actress Emma Stone (Poor Things).
Best Director Christopher Nolan Context: Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated
(Oppenheimer). the refurbished Kochrab Ashram and unveiled the
Master Plan for the Gandhi Ashram Memorial at the
Best Supporting Robert Downey Jr
Mahatma Gandhi Ashram in Sabarmati,
Actor (Oppenheimer).
Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

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More on News: ● In India, they mostly inhabit the Changlang and
● Gandhi Ashram Memorial and Precinct Namsai districts of Arunachal Pradesh, and the
Development Project is located near the Sabarmati Tinsukia district of Assam.
River on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. ● Chieftainship is an important feature of Singpho
● Kochrab Ashram was the 1st Ashram established society.
by Mahatma Gandhi after coming to India from ● The Singpho family system is patriarchal and lives
South Africa in 1915. in a joint family.
Settlements of Mahatma Gandhi: ● They have their names in the order of birth.
Name Yea Place Countr ● The Singpho women are experts in weaving.
r y About Singhpo Uprising of 1843:
Phoenix 1904 Natal South ● An uprising of the Singhpos took place in 1843
Settlement Africa against the Britishers in Tirap, Arunachal
Tolstoy 1910 Near South Pradesh.
Farm Johannesburg Africa ● It was an act of retaliation to reclaim the
Singhpo lands that were encroached on by the
Kochrab 1915 Ahmedabad India
East India Company.
Ashram
● All the Singhpo chiefs came together to fight
Sabarmati 1917 Ahmedabad India against the common enemy, including those who
Ashram had signed an agreement of support with the
Sevagram 1936 Wardha India Britishers earlier.
Ashram ● The Singhpos attacked soldiers posted at the
Beesa post, for which they were captured and
8.20 Singpho Community held captive by the garrisoned soldiers.
● Prominent leaders of the Singhpos like Beesa
About Singphos: Gaum and Nigroola had no choice but to finally
● Singphos is an ethnic group inhabiting 27 countries, surrender to the advanced British artillery.
including China’s Yunnan province.

8.21 Short News

8.21.1 Context: Excavation in Lodrani, Kutch, uncovered a fortified Harappan-era settlement.
Morodharo About Morodharo:
● The fortified settlement in Gujarat's Kutch District dates back to the Harappan era,
spanning the mature (2,600-1,900 BCE) to late (1,900-1,300 BCE) phases.
● Features a 10 x 10 meter platform on the southwest side and a well on the northeast side.
● Mounds of stones used to demarcate boundaries are found in the area.
● Unearthed Harappan pottery includes perforated jar sherds, reserved slipware, and
terracotta cakes, similar to those found in Dholavira.
8.21.2 Context: The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is making
Paruveta efforts to secure UNESCO recognition for the annual 'Paruveta' festival.
Festival About Paruveta Festival:
● Celebrated at Sri Narasimha Swamy temple in Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh.
● Known as the ‘mock hunting festival’.
8.21.3 Martand About Martand Sun Temple:
Sun Temple: ● Built around the 8th Century CE by King Lalitaditya Muktapida, the third ruler of the
Karkota Dynasty.
● A Hindu temple near Anantnag in the Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Kashmir, dedicated
to the Sun God, "Martand" is a Sanskrit synonym for Surya.
● Architecture: Unique blend of local Kashmiri style with Gupta, Chinese, Gandhara,
Roman, and Greek architectural influences
● Constructed entirely from stone, standing on a plateau with 86 fluted columns around a
courtyard, with the main shrine designed to capture direct sunlight during sunrise and
sunset.
8.21.4 Shore About Shore Temple:
Temple ● Located in Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), Tamil Nadu, India, the complex is
dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

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 ● Constructed in the 7th century CE during Narasimhavarman II's reign (Rajasimha), it
stands as a pinnacle of early Dravidian architecture and showcases the Pallava
dynasty's artistic prowess.
8.21.5 About Batadrava Than:
Batadrava ● Batadrava Than, a sacred site for Assamese Vaishnavites, is located in Nagaon District,
Than the birthplace of Vaishnavite reformer-saint Srimanta Sankardeva (1449-1568).
● His philosophy, Ek Saran Naam Dharma, emphasized bhakti (devotion) to Lord
Krishna, focusing on singing and congregational listening of His name and deeds.
8.21.6 Kaji Context: The Assam Government declared “Kaji Nemu” as the state fruit.
Nemu About Kaji Nemu:
● Kaji Nemu, also called Citrus Limon, is a juicy, aromatic lemon with immense nutritional
value.
● Endemic to North East states of India, especially Assam.
● Given a Geographical Indication Tag by the Assam govt in 2019.

8.22 PERSONALITY IN NEWS

8.22.1 Srila Context: Recently, the Prime Minister commemorated Srila Prabhupada's 150th
Prabhupada anniversary.
About Srila Prabhupada:
● He was the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON),
commonly known as the Hare Krishna movement.
● It aims to spread the teachings of Bhagavad-gita and the principles of Bhakti Yoga (the
path of loving devotion to God), particularly focused on the worship of Lord Krishna.
● He was the founder of Gaudiya Mission, which played a pivotal role in preserving and
spreading the fundamental tenets of Vaishnava faith.
8.22.2 Context: Recently, an International Conference on Photonics, Quantum Information, and
Satyendra Quantum Communication was held by the S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences in
Nath Bose- Kolkata.
About Satyendra Nath Bose:
● An Indian mathematician and physicist and an expert in theoretical physics, his
contributions helped improve the Standard Model of Particle Physics.
● Inspired by: Jagdish Chandra Bose and Prafulla Chandra Ray.
● He had derived Planck’s law for black body radiation (which refers to the spectrum of
light emitted by any hot object) without any reference to classical electrodynamics.
● Rabindranath Tagore dedicated his only book on science – Vishwa Parichay to SN Bose.
● Bosons named after S N Bose: Bosons are a class of elementary subatomic particles in
particle physics that were named after Satyendra Nath Bose to commemorate his
contributions to science.
8.22.3 Context: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti / Shiv Jayanti, is celebrated on February 19
Chhatrapati every year.
Shivaji More in News:
Maharaj ● 2024 marks the 394th birth anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj.
Historical Background:
● Birth: Shivaji Maharaj was named Shivaji Bhosale and was a member of the Bhonsle
Maratha clan.
○ He was born at Shivneri Fort in 1630.
● Founder of Maratha Empire: He carved an enclave from the Adilshahi sultanate of
Bijapur that marked the beginning of the Maratha Empire.
● Titles: Chhatrapati, Shakakarta, Kshatriya Kulavantas and Haindava Dharmodhhaarak.
● Capital: Raigad Fort; he ruled from there until his death.
● Naval Force: He ensured that a strong naval presence was established along the Konkan
coast to protect the sea trade of the Maratha empire. (The Indian Navy’s new ensign draws
inspiration from Shivaji Maharaj)
● Revenue administration: He implemented the Ryotwari system. The revenue system was
based on the Kathi system, in which every piece of land was measured by Rod or Kathi.

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 ○ Chauth and Sardeshmukhi were sources of income in Maratha
administration:Chauth referred to 1/4th of the standard paid to Marathas as a
safeguard against Shivaji’s forces raiding non-Maratha territories.
○ Sardeshmukhi was an additional levy of 10% demanded from areas outside of the
kingdom.
8.22.4 Usha Context: Recently, "Ae Watan Mere Watan," movie was released based on the biography of
Mehta Usha Mehta.
About Usha Mehta:
● Usha Mehta was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and joined the Quit India Movement.
● She was instrumental in establishing Congress Radio, an underground radio station that
operated during the Quit India Movement in 1942.
Setting up an underground station:
● As part of the Quit India Movement, Congress Radio was launched, becoming one of
India's earliest radio networks. Mahatma Gandhi utilized it to propagate the message of
independence.
● Organizers: Alongside Usha Mehta, Babubhai Khakar, Vithalbhai Jhaveri, and
Chandrakant Jhaveri Nariman Printer, etc. were key figures in organising Congress
Radio.
● The Union Government conferred upon her the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest
civilian honour, in 1998.
8.22.5 Rani Context: Recently, the 200th anniversary of the Kittur Revolt, led by Rani Chennamma,
Chennamma was commemorated.
About Rani Chennamma:
● Born in 1778 in Kakati village, present-day Karnataka.
● Married Raja Mallasarja of Kittur, reigning until 1816.
● Upon Mallasarja's death, adopted Shivalingappa as heir and asserted leadership amidst
family turmoil in Kittur.
Clash with the British East India Company:
● British East India Company challenged her adopted son's claim, invoking the Doctrine of
Lapse.
● Refusing to accept this, she led a rebellion against the Company's rule.
About Kittur Revolt 1824:
● Led by Rani Chennamma, it marked India's first major armed resistance against the
British East India Company.
● After initial British losses, negotiations led to temporary peace, but the British reneged,
restarting the conflict.
● Despite fierce resistance, the British eventually captured Kittur Fort. Rani Chennamma and
her family were imprisoned, and she died in captivity in 1829.

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 9
MISCELLANEOUS
9.1 Amrit Bharat Express
About Amrit Bharat Express:
● The Amrit Bharat Express is designed to be a train
for the common man, combining features from the
Vande Bharat Express.
● Manufacture: At the Integral Coach Factory
(ICF) in Chennai.
● It has a high speed potential of 130 kmph with
aerodynamically designed locomotives.
● It is a non-air-conditioned train.
9.2 Doomsday Clock
Context: The hands of the clock in 2023 moved from
two minutes to 100 seconds for the first time in
history.
Doomsday Clock:
● Designed by: The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists,
founded by Albert Einstein and students from the
University of Chicago in 1945, created the
‘Doomsday Clock’.
● It acts as a symbol to represent how close the world
is to a possible apocalypse.
○ By creating imagery of an apocalypse
(midnight)
○ Using the contemporary idiom of a nuclear
explosion (countdown to zero) to illustrate the
threats to humanity.
● It is set annually by a panel of scientists, including
13 Nobel laureates, based on the world's threats in
that year.
● The clock was originally set to seven minutes to
midnight and The furthest it has been is 17
minutes after the end of the Cold War in 1991
with 2023 seeing the Clock moving to 100 seconds
to Midnight.
● Threats: Nuclear weapons, Climate Change,
Pandemics and disruptive technologies like artificial
intelligence.
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9.3 Corruption Perceptions Index 2023
Context: Recently, Transparency International's
Corruption Perception Index positioned India at 93 out
of 180 countries.
Key Findings of the Index:
● The global Average remains stagnant at a mere
43, with most countries showing no improvement
or experiencing a decline over the past decade.
● Asia Pacific region: The average score is stagnated
at 45, New Zealand ranked 3rd with a score of 85,
Singapore at 5th & 14th with scores of 83 and 75
respectively.
● India: India has tied with Maldives, Kazakhstan
& Lesotho to rank at 93 with a score of 39, only
small fluctuations from the previous year's score of
40.
○ Compared to our neighboring countries, China
scored 42 with a rank of 76 & Pakistan 29
with a rank of 133.
About Corruption Perception Index (CPI):
● Released by: Transparency International.
● The CPI ranks 180 countries and territories
around the globe by their perceived levels of public
sector corruption, scoring on a scale of 0 (highly
corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
9.4 Henley Passport Index for 2024
Context: Recently, France secured the top spot in the
Henley Passport Index for 2024, while India's ranking
slipped from 84th to 85th position.
Henley Passport Index 2024:
● Initiated in 2006 as the Henley & Partners Visa
Restrictions Index (HVRI).
● Utilizes data from the International Air Transport
Association (IATA) and Henley & Partners’
research team.
● Data and Coverage: Index includes 199 passports
and 227 travel destinations.
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9.5 Animal Husbandry Infrastructure
Development Fund
About the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure
Development Fund (AHIDF):
● Announced under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan
stimulus package as a Central Sector Scheme for
ensuring growth in infrastructure of Animal
Husbandry.
● It aims to create wealth creation in the livestock
sector
● Eligibility:
○ Farmer Producer Organization(FPO)
○ Private companies
○ Individual entrepreneurs
○ Section 8 companies
○ Micro Small and Medium Enterprises
● Government of India (GoI)will also provide credit
guarantee to the MSME and Dairy Cooperatives
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up to the 25% of the credit borrowed from the Credit
Guarantee Fund of Rs.750 crore.
● GoI will provide 3% interest subvention for 8
years including two years of moratorium for loan up
to 90% from the scheduled bank and National
Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC),
NABARD and NDDB.
9.6 Ration Card Portability
About One Nation One Ration Card Scheme:
● It facilitates nationwide portability of ration cards
under National Food Security Act (NFSA).
● It aims to empower poor beneficiaries especially
migrants, to avail subsidised ration across country.
● Nodal agency: Department of Food And Public
Distribution, Ministry Of Consumer Affairs
● All beneficiaries, especially migrants can claim
either full or part foodgrains from any Fair Price
Shop (FPS) in the country through an existing
ration card with biometric/Aadhaar authentication.
9.7 SMART 2.0
Context: Launched by the Central Council for
Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) along
with National Commission for Indian System of
Medicine (NCISM).
About 'SMART 2.0' Program (Scope for
Mainstreaming Ayurveda Research among
Teaching Professionals):
● It aims to To promote robust clinical studies in
priority areas of Ayurveda with Ayurveda
academic institutions/hospitals across the country
through mutual collaboration.
● It aims at safety, tolerability and adherence to
Ayurveda formulations in the priority research
areas of Bal Kasa, Malnutrition, Insufficient
lactation, Abnormal Uterine Bleeding, Osteoporosis
in postmenopausal women and Diabetes Mellitus
(DM)2.
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 10
PLACES IN NEWS

Malawi Context: Recently, Malawi declared a state of disaster in 23 out of its 28 districts due to
severe drought.
Geographical Features:
● Malawi is a landlocked country in Southeastern Africa and lies in the Southern and
Eastern Hemisphere regions of the Earth.
● Bordering Regions: Malawi is bordered by:
○ East: Lake Malawi and Mozambique
○ West: Zambia
○ North and northeast: Tanzania
○ South: Mozambique
● Main rivers
○ Western coast: Lufira, Songwe, Rukuru, Dwangwa, Bua, and Linthipe
○ Eastern coast: Ruhuhu and Rio Lunho
○ The Shire River connects Lakes Malawi and Malombe.
Somaliland Context: Recently, Ethiopia signed a deal for naval and commercial access to ports along
Somaliland’s coast.
About Somaliland:
● Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in the early 1990s, when Somalia had
descended into a protracted civil war.
● Somaliland has not gained widespread international recognition, despite declaring
autonomy from Somalia in 1991.
Geographical Location:
● Situated in the Horn of Africa.
● The Horn of Africa is a region that is recognized internationally as comprising Somalia,
Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti.

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 ● Borders Ethiopia to the south and west, Djibouti to the northwest, the Gulf of Aden to
the north, and the autonomous Puntland region of Somalia to the east.
● It has a long coastline along the Gulf of Aden.
Khorasan Context: Shooting massacre in a concert hall near Moscow.
About Khorasan:
● Khorāsān, historical region and realm comprising a vast territory now lying in
northeastern Iran, southern Turkmenistan, and northern Afghanistan.
● The historical region extended, along the north, from the Amu Darya (Oxus River)
westward to the Caspian Sea and, along the south, from the fringes of the central Iranian
deserts eastward to the mountains of central Afghanistan.
Torkham Border ● Trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan resumed with the reopening of the Torkham
border crossing after a 10-day closure.
● This vital northwestern crossing is crucial for the economic and strategic interests of
both nations.
Ecuador Context: Recently, the Ecuadorian President declared a state of emergency for 60 days
after a jailbreak incident.
Republic of Ecuador:
● It is a country situated in the north-west of the continent of South America.
● It falls on the Equator, from which its name derives.
● It is part of the Andes Mountains and occupies part of the Amazon basin.
● It borders Colombia to the north, Peru to the east and the south, and the Pacific Ocean
to the west and includes the Pacific archipelago of the Galapagos Islands.
Mount Marapi Context: Recently, Mount Marapi on the Indonesian island of Sumatra erupted.
About Mount Merapi:
● Mount Merapi means "Mountain of Fire '' .
● It is situated in the Padang Highlands of West Sumatra, Indonesia.
● Mountain type: Complex Volcano and is a part of the Ring of Fire (a long, horseshoe-
shaped, seismically active belt that rings the Pacific Ocean.)
Indonesia:
● Indonesia is one of the equatorial countries located in the Pacific Ring of Fire (It is a
horseshoe shaped area of approximately 40,000 km from South America to North
America through the Bearing Strait, Japan up to New Zealand).
Nauru Context: Recently, the South Pacific nation of Nauru announced its decision to switch its
diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China.
About Nauru:
● Nauru is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.
● It consists of a raised coral island located in southeastern Micronesia, south of the
Equator.
● Phosphate Rock Island: It is one of three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific
Ocean – the other two being Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in
French Polynesia.
● Nauru has no official capital.
Baltic Port of Ust- Context: Recently, Russia blamed Ukraine for an attack that at the Baltic port of Ust-
Luga Luga, close to Russia's border with Estonia.
About the Baltic Port of Ust-Luga:
● UST-LUGA is located in the Baltic Sea, Finland Gulf in Russia.
About Baltic Sea:
● It is an arm of the North Atlantic Ocean and the world's largest expanse of brackish
water.
● 9 Countries with a Shoreline at the Baltic Sea: Denmark, Germany, Poland, Russia,
Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Sweden.
● Major Gulfs and Bays: The Gulf of Bothnia is between Finland's west coast and
Sweden's east coast; the Gulf of Finland is between Finland and Estonia; the Gulf of
Riga is a bay between Latvia and Estonia, Gulf of Gdańsk, also known as Gdańsk Bay.
● Rivers Draining into the Baltic Sea: The largest rivers are the Neva, Vistula, Oder,
Daugava (Western Dvina), Nemunas (Memel), Kemijoki, Narva, etc.
Lake Victoria Context: Lake Victoria is facing numerous environmental challenges.
About Lake Victoria:
● It is the world's largest tropical lake and the second largest freshwater lake (after
Lake Superior in North America).

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 ● Bordering Countries: Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya.
● It is a source of the White Nile River which flows northward and eventually joins the
Blue Nile in Sudan to form the Nile River.
● Source of Water: Though the Kagera River is its largest tributary.
● The lake lies within an elevated plateau in the western part of Africa's Great Rift
Valley.
Greenland Context: Researchers found that over 20% of ice around the edges of Greenland had been
lost over the past four decades.
About Greenland:
● It is the world’s largest island in the North Atlantic Ocean.
● It is located off the northeastern coast of Canada, bounded on the north by the Arctic
Ocean, on the west by Smith Sound, Baffin Bay and the Davis Strait, and on the east by
the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans.
● It shares its maritime borders with Canada, Iceland and Norway.
● It is noted for its vast tundra and immense glaciers. One of the largest glaciers is the
Peterman.
● Greenland’s major physical feature is its massive ice sheet, which is second only to
Antarctica’s in size and covers over four-fifths of Greenland’s total land area.
● Northeast Greenland National Park is the world’s largest national park.
Tigray Region Context: Nearly 400 Ethiopians in the Tigray Region have died of starvation recently.
About Tigray Region:
● Tigray, renowned for its mountainous landscapes, is in northern Ethiopia.
● It has historically used its terrain to defend against invaders, including the Greeks,
Turks, and Italians.
● Tigray shares borders with Eritrea to the north, Sudan to the west, the Amhara Region
to the south, and the Afar Region to the east and southeast.
Suriname Context: Recently, a parliamentary delegation from the Republic of Suriname called the
President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
About Suriname:
● Suriname is one of the smallest countries located on the northern coast of South
America.
● Suriname is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, French Guiana to the east,
Brazil to the south, and Guyana to the west.
● Suriname was a plantation colony of the Netherlands that gained its independence in
1975.
● Suriname’s significant rivers flow northward into the Atlantic, including the Corantyne,
Coppename, and Suriname.
Mozambique Context: Recently, the Indian Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) ICGS Varaha
(indigenously built) made a significant port call at Maputo Port, Mozambique.
● Port of call means an intermediate stop for a ship on its scheduled journey for cargo
operation or transporting supplies or fuel.
About Mozambique:
● Located in Southeastern Africa.
● Bordering Countries: It is bordered by six countries:
○ North: Tanzania
○ Northwest: Zambia and Malawi
○ West: Zimbabwe
○ Southwest: South Africa and Eswatini
● Mozambique Channel: Mozambique also has a coastline on the Indian Ocean to the
east.
● The Mozambique Channel separates the island countries and territories of Madagascar,
Comoros, and Mayotte from Mozambique.
● Major Rivers: Zambezi, Limpopo, Licungo, Lurio, Rovuma, Save and others.
● Major Lakes: Malawi (Nyasa)and Kariba.
Republic of Context: Recently, the Indian Prime Minister met the President of Madagascar on the
Madagascar sidelines of the World Governments Summit in Dubai.
About Madagascar:
● Madagascar is located off the coast of East Africa in the Indian Ocean.
● Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world, after Greenland, New Guinea and
Borneo.

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 ● Madagascar is bordered by:
○ East: The island country of Mauritius and Réunion
○ Northwest: Mayotte and the island country of Comoros
○ The Ankaratra Massif is a major volcanic mass.
● Major Rivers: Mananara, Mangoro Sambirano, Mahajamba, Betsiboka, Mania, north
and south Mahavavy, Mangoky, Onilahy, and the Ikopa.
● Major Lakes: Alaotra, Lake Kinkony and Lake Ihotry.
Guyana Context: The Prime Minister of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana recently arrived on an
official visit to India.
More on News:
● The President of India congratulated Guyana on assuming the rotating Presidency of
CARICOM, as well as this month’s Presidency of the United Nations Security Council.
Location:
● Guyana is located on the northern edge of South America.
● It is geographically positioned in the Earth's Northern and Western hemispheres.
● Guyana is bordered by:
○ East: Suriname
○ West: Venezuela
○ North: Atlantic Ocean
○ South and Southwest: Brazil Maritime Borders: Guyana shares its maritime
borders with Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.
Caribbean Community (CARICOM):
● Formed in 1973 by the Treaty of Chaguaramas.
● Members: 15 Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada,
Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St. Vincent and the
Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.
● Chairmanship is rotated every six months among the member countries.
● Secretariat: Georgetown, Guyana
● Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ): In 2007, CARICOM officially inaugurated the CCJ.
○ It serves as the final court of appeal for CARICOM members and handles regional
trade disputes
Valdivian Forest ● The Valdivian temperate forests stretch along the west coast of southern South
America, spanning Chile and Argentina.
● This ecoregion falls within the Neotropical realm and is named after the city of Valdivia.
Primorye Forest ● The Primorye Forest, situated in Russia's Far East within the Primorsky Krai region,
stands out as a hub of biodiversity.
Strait of Context: Recently, Iran threatened to close the Strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean
Gibraltar Sea unless Israel halts bombings in Gaza.
About Strait of Gibraltar:
● The strait, a vital passage connecting the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, historically
served as the sole access point to the Mediterranean before the opening of the Suez Canal
in 1869.
● It's bordered by Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco, and the Spanish exclave Ceuta.
Sargasso Sea Context: The Sargasso Sea near Bermuda is experiencing unprecedented warmth, salinity,
and acidity.
● Situated solely within the Atlantic Ocean, it lacks land boundaries.
● Named after Sargassum, a golden drift algae forming large floating mats, it's a unique
ecosystem facing environmental challenges.

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