Bihar Current Wallah Monthly Compilation - January (English) - PDF Only

Bihar Current Wallah: January-2024
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. BIHAR SPECIAL ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5
1.1. Bihar's strengthening education system __________________________________________________________________________ 5
1.2. Karpoori Thakur ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6
1.3. Miss Bihar 2023 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6
1.4. Bihar Tourism Road Show ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 6
1.5. Major Mrinal ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7
1.6. Lavanya _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7
1.7. Gangasagar Fair _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7
1.8. Bihar Municipal Area Advertisement Rules ______________________________________________________________________ 7
1.9. Bankipore Club ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 8
1.10. Ram Bhog Rice _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 8
1.11. Skoch Award 2023 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 8
1.12. Bihar’s New Government ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 8
1.13. Renovated planetarium ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 9
1.14. Black Deer Sanctuary _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 9
1.15. Ropeway in Mundeshwari Dham ________________________________________________________________________________ 10
1.16. Bihar's first CBG plant _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 10
1.17. Revamping Property Tax Collection _____________________________________________________________________________ 10
1.18. Eternal Consecration of Lord Mahavir Statue in Jamui _______________________________________________________ 11
1.19. Bihar Cabinet Approves 14 Proposals __________________________________________________________________________ 11
1.20. Anand Kumar Joins Elite with UAE's Golden Visa _____________________________________________________________ 12
2. POLITY & GOVERNANCE ______________________________________________________________________________________ 13
2.1. Bilkis Bano Case ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 13
2.2. State of the Judiciary Report _______________________________________________________________________________________ 13
2.3. Gender-Neutral Judiciary ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 14
2.4. Shiv Sena MLA Disqualification Case ______________________________________________________________________________ 15
2.5. Aligarh Muslim University’s Minority Character ________________________________________________________________ 16
2.6. Police Reform _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 17
2.7. Sub-Categorisation among SCs _____________________________________________________________________________________ 17
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2.8. Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act ___________________________________________________________________________ 18

2.9. News In Shorts ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 19
3. INTERNATIONAL RELATION _________________________________________________________________________________ 22
3.1. Red-Sea Crisis_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 22
3.2. India-Myanmar Border Management _____________________________________________________________________________ 23
3.3. India-Bangladesh Relations ________________________________________________________________________________________ 23
3.4. India-Iran Relations _________________________________________________________________________________________________ 24
3.5. Shift in India-Maldives Relations __________________________________________________________________________________ 25
3.6. India-France Relations ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 26
3.7. News In Brief__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 27
3.8. India-Nigeria Relations _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 29
4. ECONOMY _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 32
4.1. Roadmap for Green Hydrogen Ecosystem in India _____________________________________________________________ 32
4.2. Harnessing the Potential of Fisheries in the Marine States ___________________________________________________ 32
4.3. Agricultural Export Policy of India ________________________________________________________________________________ 34
4.4. Fintech sector in India ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 34
4.5. News In Brief__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 35
5. ENVIRONMENT & GEOGRAPHY ______________________________________________________________________________ 40
5.1. Landslide Susceptibility Map For India ___________________________________________________________________________ 40
5.2. Ocean Acidification: Causes, Impacts and Measures ___________________________________________________________ 41
5.3. Coal Gasification Scheme ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 42
5.4. News In Brief__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 43
6. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY _____________________________________________________________________________________ 51
6.1. Assisted Reproductive Technology _______________________________________________________________________________ 51
6.2. End-to-End Encryption ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 51
6.3. Counterfeit Drugs ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 52
6.4. News In Brief__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 53
7. DEFENCE & SECURITY _________________________________________________________________________________________ 60
7.1. Peace Pact with ULFA ________________________________________________________________________________________________ 60
7.2. Defence Technology Roadmap of India ___________________________________________________________________________ 61
7.3. News In Brief__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 62
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8. SOCIETY _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 65
8.1. Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) Report 2023 ______________________________________________________ 65
8.2. Road Accidents in India _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 66
8.3. NITI Aayog’s Discussion Paper _____________________________________________________________________________________ 66
8.4. Social Security in India ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 67
8.4. News In Brief__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 68
9. MISCELLANEOUS _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 69
9.1. Sports News ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 69
9.2. Places In News ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 70
9.3. Person In News _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 73
9.4. Schemes In News _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 75
9.5. Books and Authors___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 76
9.6. Awards _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 78
9.7. Important Dates ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 79
9.8. Art & Culture __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 81
9.9. Miscellaneous ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 85
10. MCQS ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 86
10.1. Questions ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 86
10.2. Explanations ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 92
11. ESSAY ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 102
11.1. Harbari ke biyah me kanpati me sindur ______________________________________________________________________ 102
11.2. Essay Writing Challenge _________________________________________________________________________________________ 102
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1. BIHAR SPECIAL
1.1. Bihar's strengthening education system
● Effective steps towards quality education
○ In the year 2005 the student teacher ratio was 65:1, which has now improved to 35:1.
○ There has been a provision of 50% reservation for women in teacher appointments in primary schools since 2006.
● Increase in budget
○ The total budget of the Education Department in the year 2005-06 was ₹4, 261 crore, which has now increased to ₹56, 382
crore at present.
○ The largest part of this budget, about 18%, is being spent on education.
● Infrastructural development
○ 21, 310 new primary schools have been opened in the last 18 years.
○ In the year 2005, only 46% schools had toilet facilities, currently 100% schools have separate toilet facilities for boys and
girls.
● Focus on girls' education
○ Stabilization of population is directly related to girls' education.
○ Keeping this in mind, in the year 2014, it was decided to establish 10+2 schools in all the panchayats.
○ In the year 2005, the fertility rate of the state was 4.3, as a result of promoting girls' education, it has now reduced to 2.9.
● Government initiative for educational promotion
○ Chief Minister Girls Cycle Scheme: This scheme was started for girls of class nine in the year 2007-08. Seeing its
success, it was started for boys also from the year 2009-10. Mukhyamantri Child Cycle Scheme Was implemented.
○ Mukhyamantri Scholarship Scheme: Scholarship scheme was started in the year 2013-14 for all the girls from class 1-
10.
○ Mukhyamantri Kishori Health Scheme: For girls enrolled in classes 7-12 from the year 2014-15 Mukhyamantri
Kishori Health Scheme Issued under which funds are made available to purchase sanitary napkins.
○ Mukhyamantri Dress Scheme: In the year 2006-07, Mukhyamantri Dress Scheme was started for girls of class 6-8. In
the year 2011-12, Bihar Shatabdi Mukhyamantri Dress Scheme was also started for girls of class 9-12.
○ Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana: The benefit of this scheme has been given to the girls of the state from birth till
their graduation. Under this scheme, a provision has been made to give a total amount of Rs 94, 100 to girls.
○ Unnayan Bihar Scheme: The facility of this smart class is available for students of class 9-12 under Unnayan Bihar
Scheme from the year 2020.
○ Samagra Shiksha Yojana: Under this scheme,
free textbooks are being provided to all the
students of class 1-8.
○ Mukhyamantri Boys Girls Promotion
Scheme: An incentive amount of Rs 10, 000 is
given to students of all categories who have
passed first division in 10th and Rs 8, 000 is
given to students of Scheduled Caste and
Scheduled Tribe who have passed second
division.
○ Shiksha Sevak: To ensure the education of
children in the age group of 6 to 14 years of
Mahadalit Tola and minority dominated Tola,
the appointment of Shiksha Sevak (Tola Sevak)
and Shiksha Sevak (Talimi Markaz) started in
the year 2012-13.
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1.2. Karpoori Thakur

● Why In News
○ On the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of Karpoori Thakur, it has been announced that he will be awarded Bharat
Ratna posthumously.
● Personal Details:
○ Born: 24 January 1924, Pitaunjhia, Samastipur, Bihar.
○ Died: 17 February 1988, Patna, Bihar, India.
○ Political Affiliation: Socialist Party, Bharatiya Kranti Dal, Janata Party, Lok Dal.
○ Occupation: Freedom Fighter, Teacher, Politician.
○ Award: Bharat Ratna (posthumously in 2024).
● Biography:
○ Joined All India Students Federation, participated in Quit India Movement.
○ Worked as a teacher post-independence; Member of Bihar Vidhan Sabha from 1952.
○ Advocated Hindi language, removed English as compulsory subject in matriculation.
○ Fasted for 28 days in 1970 for Telco laborers' cause.
○ Firts time implemented total prohibition of alcohol in Bihar in 1977.
● Political Achievements:
○ Chief Minister during the 1977 Bihar Legislative Assembly election.
○ Implemented the Mungeri Lal Commission report, recommending reservations for Backward Castes.
○ Introduced a 26% reservation model in 1978 for backward classes in government jobs.
○ Instrumental in the split of Janata Party in 1979, sided with Charan Singh faction.
● Legacy:
○ Birthplace renamed to Karpoori Gram after his death.
○ Commemorative coin of denomination Rupees 100 launched.
○ Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Vidhi Mahavidyalaya (Law College) in Buxar named after him.
○ Jannayak Karpoori Thakur Medical College in Madhepura.
○ Commemorative stamp issued by the Department of Posts.
○ Several stadiums, colleges, statues, and hospitals named after him in Bihar.
○ Jan Nayak Express Train named in his honor.
● Tussle on legacy between Janata Dal (United) and Rashtriya Janata Dal.
● Karpoori Thakur, known as Jan Nayak, left an indelible mark on Bihar's political landscape, championing social justice,
language reform, and advocating for the marginalized.
● His legacy continues through numerous commemorative measures and institutions named in his honor across the state.
1.3. Miss Bihar 2023

● Smriti of Nawada won the title of Miss Bihar 2023, Varsha of Saharsa stood
second.
● Freedom Miss Bihar 2023 was organized by Ocean Vision in a hotel in
Patna.
1.4. Bihar Tourism Road Show
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● Bihar Tourism Road Show was organized in Varanasi by Bihar Tourism

Department.
● It was organized to draw the attention of the devotees coming to Ram Janmabhoomi
towards Punaura Dham, Sitamarhi (birthplace of Sita).
1.5. Major Mrinal

● Major Mrinal of Darbhanga was given the Chief of Army Staff Award.
● He was awarded on the occasion of Army Day on 15 January.
1.6. Lavanya
● Saran's Lavanya has been made the brand ambassador of the Election Commission in
Jharkhand in the Lok Sabha elections.
● On the initiative of Ranchi District Election Officer cum Deputy Commissioner Rahul
Sinha, Lavanya has been nominated as youth icon and brand ambassador for the
elections.
1.7. Gangasagar Fair

● The annual Gangasagar fair, celebrated on 14 or 15 January, attracted
around 51 lakh devotees in 2024.
● Taking place in South Pargana district, West Bengal, the fair occurs
at Sagardweep, where the Ganges meets the Bay of Bengal.
● Devotees partake in a ritualistic dip in the river, followed by prayers
at the temple of Kapil Muni.
● Considered the second-largest Hindu fair after Kumbh Mela,
attendees believe that taking a bath here brings salvation and
blessings from ancestors.
1.8. Bihar Municipal Area Advertisement Rules
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● Rules apply to display of advertisements in areas under

Bihar Municipal jurisdiction.
● Advertisement defined as any representation promoting a
product or service commercially.
● Advertising is the act of displaying an advertisement.
● Agency refers to the applicant, including individuals,
organizations, firms, trusts, and government departments.
● Specific categories of advertisement devices and zoning
are outlined.
● Negative advertisements and structures are clearly listed
in the rules.
1.9. Bankipore Club

● Bankipur Club situated on the banks of Ganga will soon be
rebuilt.
● It is the oldest in Bihar and the second oldest in North India.
● It was founded in 1865 by JPW Johnston.
1.10. Ram Bhog Rice

● This extinct variety of rice is now being cultivated again.
● It takes 5 months to get ready instead of the common paddy
variety which gets ready in 3 months.
● It requires double the cost to produce it and the yield is 25%.
1.11. Skoch Award 2023

● Patna Smart City's Project Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC) has been
selected for the SKOCH Award for better performance across the country.
● Scotch Awards 2023 will be organized on 10 February in Delhi.
● This time Patna Smart City is being honored in India's prestigious India's Honest
Independent Honor Skoch Award-2023.
● This award is given to people, projects and institutions who make extra efforts to make India
a better nation.
● Patna Smart City Limited had nominated in two projects.
● In this, apart from the redevelopment of Adalatganj pond, the projects of Integrated
Command and Control Center were sent.
1.12. Bihar’s New Government
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● 28 January 2024, Nitish Kumar stepped down as the Chief Minister of Bihar,
concluding his 18-month coalition with Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal
(RJD) and Congress.
● Supported by the BJP, he was sworn in as the new Chief Minister, signaling his
reentry into the NDA.
● Additionally, eight ministers, including Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar
Sinha, also took their oaths on January 28,2024.
○ Samrat Choudhary (BJP)
○ Vijay Kumar Sinha (BJP)
○ Dr Prem Kumar (BJP)
○ Vijay Kumar Choudhary – JD(U)
○ Bijendra Prasad Yadav – JD(U)
○ Shravan Kumar – JD(U)
○ Santosh Kumar Suman – Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM)
○ Sumit Kumar Singh – Independent
1.13. Renovated planetarium

● As per recent media reports, residents of Patna, the capital of Bihar, will soon have the opportunity to explore the cosmos on
a 3D screen in the new auditorium of the planetarium. The auditorium will accommodate up to 200 individuals for both 3D
and 2D shows.
● Key Points:
○ Cutting-edge American 3D screens and German 3D projectors have been installed at the planetarium, with the first show
scheduled for the third week of June.
○ The department has curated four 3D films and eight 2D films for the audience's enjoyment.
○ Each viewer will receive an active 3D glass, valued at approximately Rs 700, for the 3D shows, which must be returned
after the screening.
○ The planetarium will present top-notch films on the solar system using six digital 3D projectors.
○ Renovation work is underway at the planetarium, costing approximately Rs 34 crore, including floor fabrication and
seating arrangements. A state-of-the-art laser projector will produce true colors for the 3D show by mixing RGB rays.
○ Additionally, a 3D sound system has been implemented to enhance the audience's immersive experience, transporting
them into the galaxy with background sound.
● Selected 3D Films:
○ Astroy Mission: Explores the structure of asteroids and their
impact on humanity.
○ VR Stars: Provides insights into the origin, evolution, and
internal structure of stars.
○ Voyager Mission: Offers detailed information on the
Voyager mission, accompanied by captivating images of
Jupiter and Saturn.
○ Space Next: Delivers an in-depth narrative on space
exploration.
● Viewers can book tickets for both 2D and 3D shows, with e-
ticketing and manual ticket options available. The planetarium
will host a total of eight shows daily, comprising four 2D and
four 3D shows.
1.14. Black Deer Sanctuary
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● A plan is proposed to create a sanctuary for the rare cull

deer in Buxar on 12 acres.
● For this, the district administration has sent a draft to the
state government.
● In 2010-11, the Bihar government had also made a
scheme called Black Bag Safari which was not
successful.
● After the construction of deer sanctuary and bird
sanctuary, it will become a permanent home for Siberian
birds along with black buck and black deer.
1.15. Ropeway in Mundeshwari Dham

● New construction will be done in Maa Mundeshwari
Dham (Kaimur) with a cost of Rs 1265 crore.
● After its construction, it will be convenient for devotees
and tourists to visit.
● This new ropeway will be constructed on the lines of
Rajgir ropeway.
1.16. Bihar's first CBG plant

● Bihar's first compressed biogas plant is ready.
● It is situated in Rohtas district.
● Here it is possible to produce 3000 kg of gas daily.
● Apart from compressed biogas, organic fertilizer will also
be prepared in this plant.
● According to an estimate, about 3000 kg compressed biogas
will be made here daily from 20000 kg of parli and 10 kg of
cow dung.
● This compressed biogas will be used as fuel for vehicles.
1.17. Revamping Property Tax Collection

Scope Expansion and Fresh Surveys
● Property tax assessment to be based on electricity
connections, expanding the tax base.
● Government initiative aims to enhance property tax
coverage across all municipal bodies, including Patna.
Initiating Surveys
● Survey based on electricity connections to identify
taxable properties, starting with Patna Municipal
Corporation.
● Significant gap observed: 6.50 lakh electricity
connections in Patna, but only 2.79 lakh properties pay
holding tax.
Data Collection and Categorization
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● Data from electricity connections to categorize properties: houses, shops, commercial complexes, factories, etc.
Performance Evaluation
● Top-performing Municipal Corporations, Councils, and Nagar Panchayats identified based on tax collection
performance.
Addressing Revenue Challenges
● Rapid urbanization necessitates updated tax collection systems to fund municipal expenses and welfare schemes.
● Property tax and holding tax serve as vital revenue sources for municipal bodies, facilitating better services for residents.
1.18. Eternal Consecration of Lord Mahavir Statue in Jamui

Historical Significance
● The 2600-year-old living statue of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara of
Jainism, was eternally consecrated in Jamui.
● Installed by Lord Mahavir's brother in Kshatriya Kund village, this statue
holds immense historical and religious significance.
Recovery and Restitution
● Stolen in 2015, the statue was later found in a field in 2016 and kept in a
half-built temple in Dharamshala.
● The recent consecration marks the culmination of a 13-day program of
worship and rituals for its eternal prestige.
Rituals and Devotion
● Led by Jain sage Acharya Nayavardhan Surishwar Ji Maharaj, the rituals
were attended by devotees from India and abroad.
● Flowers were showered around the temple during Pran Pratishtha, and
devotees offered bids for every puja.
1.19. Bihar Cabinet Approves 14 Proposals

Key Decisions
● In January 2024, the cabinet hall of the Chief Secretariat witnessed the approval of 14 proposals, marking the first meeting
after the division of ministers' portfolios.
● Approved proposals included incentives for students of Government Engineering College, construction of Incubation
Center building at NIT Patna, and endorsement of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
Stipend for Science and Technology Students
● Engineering students in Bihar will now receive a stipend of Rs 10,000, benefiting those enrolled in the Government
Engineering College under the Department of Science and Technology.
● The stipend will be offered to students undertaking internships during the seventh semester of their B. Tech program,
benefiting approximately 3,46,777 applicants.
Infrastructure Development
● Approval was granted for the construction of an Incubation Center at NIT Patna, with 47.2% approval for the building's
construction.
● Additionally, Rs 6,010.48 crore was sanctioned for the construction of Panchayat Government buildings in 2,165
flood-affected Gram Panchayats across the state.
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Veterinary Service Facilities

● A new initiative to provide veterinary service facilities, including
doorstep services for cattle farmers, was greenlit by the
government.
● The scheme, approved under a budget of Rs 3,55,17,300.07, will
operate with cooperation from both the Central and State
governments.
1.20. Anand Kumar Joins Elite with UAE's Golden Visa

Inclusion in Elite
● In January 2024, Anand Kumar, the founder of Super 30, was granted the prestigious 'Golden Visa' by the United Arab
Emirates government, joining the ranks of esteemed Indian celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan and Sanjay Dutt.
About Golden Visa
● Introduced in 2019, the Golden Visa offers long-term residency in the UAE, enabling recipients to live, work, and study
independently.
Recognition for Contributions
● Kumar's nomination for the Golden Visa by the UAE Embassy in India underscores his significant contributions in
education, marking a departure from the traditional inclusion of Bollywood and sports personalities.
Expressing Gratitude
● Expressing gratitude for the honour, Kumar acknowledged the UAE authorities and expressed his appreciation for the
recognition of his work in education.
Super 30 Legacy
● Anand Kumar, a mathematics educator, established the Super 30
programme in Patna in 2002, renowned for coaching underprivileged
students for the prestigious IIT entrance exams.
Accolades and Achievements
● Recognized internationally, Kumar's accolades include being named in
Time magazine's Best of Asia 2010 list and receiving the Padma Shri,
India's fourth highest civilian award, in 2023 for his remarkable
contributions to literature and education.
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2. POLITY & GOVERNANCE

2.1. Bilkis Bano Case
● Context: In the Bilkis Bano Case, the Supreme Court rejected Gujarat's
remission for 11 convicts, directing their surrender.
More on the news:
● Legal issues included Bano's Article 32 plea, challenging the competency of the
Gujarat government.
● The court highlighted non-compliance with Section 432 CrPC and Gujarat's
policy, citing usurpation of Maharashtra's powers.
● The judgment emphasized the paramountcy of the rule of law, equality under
Article 14, and judiciary as a democratic pillar.
● Remission, reducing sentences, operates under CrPC, with the court specifying
criteria in certain cases.
● Arguments for and against remission were considered, and the decision
underscores the importance of the Rule of Law.
Argument For and Against Remission:
Arguments in Favor of Remission Arguments Against Remission
Acknowledge positive change and Concerns About Public Safety

support rehabilitation
Reflects humanitarian considerations Potential for Public Outcry in

for reformation Controversial Cases.
Encourages good behavior of the Inconsistency in Application

prisoners
Enhances Judicial and correctional Risk of Political Influence, undermines

system efficiency Deterrence and victims and survivor
concerns.
Conclusion:
● The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the remission restores faith in the legal
system and it sets an example for future remission cases by emphasizing the
importance of the Rule of Law.
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2.2. State of the Judiciary Report
● Context: The Centre for Research and Planning of the Supreme Court of India has recently released the “State of the Judiciary”
report.
More on the news:
● India has an estimated population of 139 crore and over 5 crore pending cases.
● Pendency of Cases: As of 1 September 2023, around 4.4 crore cases are pending in District Courts across India, compared to
about 60.75 lakh cases pending in the High Courts and 80, 550 cases in the Supreme Court.
● Role of Infrastructure: The pace and quality of adjudication depends on the number of judges and support staff, and adequate
judicial infrastructure, which increasingly involves Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure.
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Challenges in Indian Judiciary:

● Infrastructure Gap: Shortage of 4, 250 courtrooms and 6, 021
residential units, with 38% and 30% courtroom shortages in Andhra
Pradesh and Gauhati High Courts, lacking inclusive facilities.
● Human Resource Management: Shortage of 5, 300 judges in district
judiciary, low women representation (36.3% in district judiciary,
13.4% in High Courts, and 9.3% in Supreme Court), and recruitment
delays.
● Marginalized Sections: 84.5% ST category seats in six states remain
unfilled.
● ICT Enablement: 57.4% courtrooms lack video-conferencing-
enabled computers, hindering modern legal demands.
Way Forward:
● Improve Funds Allotment: Revise CSS, aligning funds with
sanctioned judges, and relax mandatory conditions for timely fund
release.
● Timely Recruitment: Establish a dedicated Division Bench in High
Courts and publish a 'tentative schedule' for judge recruitment exams.
● Inclusive ICT: Ensure uninterrupted internet connectivity and
establish a permanent IT cadre for capacity building.
● Inclusive Infrastructure: Designate posts for creche management and
develop a pool of sign language interpreters.
● Dedicated Land Bank: Allocate a dedicated land bank for judiciary
projects.
● Timely Project Completion: Adhere to project completion timelines
and establish a Central-level body for coordination.
● Safety and Security: Set up Court Security Units and formulate a
Disaster Management Plan.
2.3. Gender-Neutral Judiciary

● Context: Recently, Supreme Court judge Justice B V Nagarathna,
who will be the 54th Chief Justice of India and the first woman CJI
in 2027, advocated for the appointment of more women judges.
Reasons for Low Representation of Women in the Indian Judiciary:
● Patriarchal Attitude: The "old boys’ club mentality" obstructs women
from lobbying for judicial posts, further exacerbated by inadequate
family support and entrenched gender roles.
● Household Responsibilities: Unshared domestic duties and childcare
responsibilities create obstacles for women entering the formal
workforce.
● Rules and Regulations: Strict criteria, including the 7-year
continuous practice requirement and age bars, contribute to
hindrances in women's representation.
● Gender Bias in Recruitment: The opaque Collegium System in
Higher Judiciary favors personal networks, perpetuating gender bias
as evidenced by research.
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● No Support through Reservation: Despite existing policies in lower courts, the Higher Judiciary lacks reservations for women.
● Neglect of Academicians: Distinguished jurist appointments to the Supreme Court are not accommodated.
● Miscellaneous Factors: Issues such as sexual harassment, client distrust, and inadequate infrastructure further impede women's
progress.
Significance of More Women in Judiciary:
● Improve Judicial Review: Enhances credibility, legitimacy, and gender-neutral administration of courts.
● Empowerment of Indian Women: Strengthens fights for equality, equal opportunity, dignity, and autonomy.
● Wider Justice and Inclusivity: Reduces case pendency, encourages women to seek justice, meets diverse needs.
● Varied Views and Sensitivity: Brings diverse perspectives, increases gender sensitivity in judgments.
● Action on International Obligations: Aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 for gender equality.
Conclusion:
● Addressing the underrepresentation of women in the higher judiciary requires comprehensive measures to promote diversity
and equal opportunities, strengthening the Indian justice system.
2.4. Shiv Sena MLA Disqualification Case

● Context: The Maharashtra Assembly Speaker has recently ruled that the faction led by Chief
Minister Eknath Shinde was the "real Shiv Sena" when the rival groups emerged on June 21,
2022.
More on the News:
● Speaker’s Verdict: According to the speaker, the former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray
had no authority to remove Eknath Shinde from the party leadership.
● Rejected Petitions: The speaker dismissed petitions filed by the Uddhav Thackeray faction
seeking the disqualification of members from the Shinde faction under the anti-defection.
● The speaker also rejected petitions seeking the disqualification of Shinde faction members
for defiance of the party whip.
● 10th Schedule and Intra-Party Disputes: The speaker observed that the tenth schedule is not
devised for intra-party disputes. It is not a deterrent to stifle the collective dissent of large
members.
Challenges of Anti-Defection Legislation:
● Speaker's Role: Impartiality concerns arise as the Speaker, typically a ruling party member,
may introduce delays, potentially undermining the law's efficacy.
● Court’s Intervention: The involvement of multiple authorities (Speaker and courts) can lead
to confusion, with court intervention post-Speaker's decision resulting in conflicting
outcomes.
● Loopholes in the Law: Exploitable loopholes, such as resignations, allow circumvention,
exemplified by MLAs joining another party after by-elections.
● Lengthy Process: Disqualification proceedings' prolonged nature enables participating
legislators to influence decisions during review.
Way Forward:
● Ensuring Speaker’s Neutrality: Enhance the perception of neutrality by transparent and
consensus-based Speaker selection, considering alternatives.
● Review and Amend Anti-Defection Law: Conduct a comprehensive review to identify and
rectify loopholes, limiting disqualification to specific scenarios, as suggested by the Dinesh
Goswami Committee.
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● Strengthen Ethics: Empower Ethics Committees for proactive scrutiny, enforcing public ethics by barring defectors from public
office and invalidating their votes.
● Time-bound Proceedings: Introduce mechanisms for timely resolution of disqualification proceedings, setting specific
timelines for Speaker decisions and allowing expedited judicial review to prevent undue delays.
2.5. Aligarh Muslim University’s Minority Character

● Context: A seven-judge Bench of the Supreme Court started hearing
the matter of Aligarh Muslim University’s minority character.
The questions of law that are being argued:
● Whether an educational institution can be granted minority status
under Article 30 of the Indian Constitution?
● Whether a centrally-funded university established by parliamentary
statute can be designated as a minority institution?
What Is Meant By The ‘Minority Character’ of an Educational
Institution?
● Article 30(1) of the Constitution empowers all religious and
linguistic minorities to establish and administer educational
institutions.
● This provision reinforces the Union government’s commitment to
foster the growth and development of minority communities by
guaranteeing that it will not discriminate in giving aid based on their
being ‘minority’ institutions.
Arguments in Favor of AMU's Minority Institution Status:
● Status Quo Order: The 1981 amendment's status quo order maintains
AMU as a minority institution.
● De Facto Administration: With Muslim vice-chancellors throughout
its history, AMU is de facto administered by the minority
community.
● State's Role: State involvement in administration doesn't negate its
minority character, established by Muslims for educational
upliftment.
● Sachar Committee Report: The report highlights educational deprivation among Muslims, reinforcing the need for minority-
focused institutions.
Arguments Against AMU's Minority Status:
● National Importance: AMU's inclusion as an "institution of national importance" in the Constitution contradicts its
classification as a minority institution.
● Reservation Compliance: Declaring it a minority institution could exempt AMU from reservation policies, impacting
marginalized groups' access to education.
● Union List Inclusion: Placement in the Union List prohibits AMU from being a minority institution, as per the Indian
Constitution.
● T.M.A Pai Foundation Case: Referring to the SC ruling, minority institutions must ensure fair, transparent, and merit-based
admission processes.
Conclusion:
● Lack of education among the minorities section, especially muslims is a reason for their backwardness. Thus, there is a need
to balance the rights of minorities and the educational rights of other backward Sections.
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2.6. Police Reform

● Context: Recently, a three-day conference of police officers
(Director General of Police level) from across India was held in
Jaipur.
More on the news:
● Stocktaking Exercise: The exercise aimed to estimate existing
policing situations in India, with many subjects of contemporary
relevance in information technology forming the agenda's core.
● Important Areas for Discussions: Discussions were held on the
necessity of changing laws, and increasing punishments and fines
with dedicated deliberations on human trafficking.
● Aim of Conference: To address the challenges posed by new
technologies and identify tangible action points.
Police reforms need:
● Police-Public Ratio: India's police-public ratio of 152.80 per lakh
persons falls short of the UN-recommended standard of 222 police
per lakh persons.
● Lack of Public Trust: The police struggle to gain trust due to an
unfavorable public image, noted by the 2nd Administrative
Reforms Commission (ARC).
● Political Influence: Political control over police forces has been
misused in the past, influencing personnel for personal or political
interests, as highlighted by the 2nd ARC.
● Centre-State Disagreements: Disputes between the Centre and some States regarding the centrally managed Indian Police
Service create tensions.
● Underutilization of Funds: Modernization funds are often underutilized, with a focus on infrastructure rather than technological
advancements.
● Police Diversity: Despite improvements, the percentage of women in the police force remains below parity, according to Home
Ministry data.
● Complex Crimes: Modern crimes like economic fraud challenge police lacking advanced investigation technology.
Way Forward:
● Independent Complaints Authority: Establish an independent complaints authority to investigate police misconduct, following
models like the United Kingdom and New York City.
● Positive Image Reinforcement: Use social media for positive information dissemination, organize sports events, and engage in
community activities to strengthen citizen-police connections.
● Community Policing Model: Adopt a community policing approach, collaborating with communities to prevent crime and
maintain public order.
● Model Police Act: State Governments should formulate or amend Police Acts based on the draft Model Police Act provided
by the Central Government.
● SMART Force: Transform the police into a 'SMART' force—Strict and Sensitive, Modern and Mobile, Alert and Accountable,
Reliable and Responsive, Techno-savvy and Trained.
2.7. Sub-Categorisation among SCs

● Context: The Union government has established a panel of secretaries led by the Union Cabinet Secretary to categorize
Scheduled Castes (SCs) into A, B, C, and D groups.
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Sub-Categorisation of Caste:
● Definition: Sub-categorisation involves classifying larger caste groups into sub-groups based on various criteria to address
diversity within larger caste groups.
● Objective: To provide targeted benefits to socially and economically disadvantaged sub-groups within larger caste
communities.
Need for Sub-Categorisation:
● Unequal Opportunities: Protective discrimination leads to
disproportional representation, e.g., in Tamil Nadu, the Arundhatiyar
caste received a 3% quota within the Scheduled Caste quota to address
underrepresentation in jobs.
● Graded Inequalities: Inequalities exist among SC communities, with
some having less access to basic facilities.
● Overcoming Hierarchy: The SC category is heterogeneous, with diverse
cultural, social, and economic characteristics.
● Securing Social Mobility: The current reservation policy doesn't
uniformly benefit all sub-caste groups, leading to competition and
conflicts.
● Ensuring Social Justice: Sub-categorisation allows a targeted approach
to address specific vulnerabilities and needs of particular SC sub-
groups.
● Equitable Distribution of Resources: Helps avoid concentration of
benefits, ensuring fair distribution among SC communities.
Challenges:
● Identification and Criteria: Determining sub-categorisation criteria,
such as socio-economic status, poses challenges, with SCs being
recognized as a class rather than castes by the Supreme Court.
● Data Accuracy: Obtaining accurate socio-economic data for different
SC communities is challenging.
● Intra-group Disputes: Sub-categorisation may lead to internal disputes among SC communities, potentially affecting
affirmative action.
● Possibility of Fragmentation: There's a risk of sub-categorisation weakening the collective identity of the SC community.
● Quota Insufficiency: The National Commissions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes argue that setting aside a quota
within the quota may not be sufficient.
Way Forward:
● Legal Exploration: The Union government should explore legal options, considering recommendations such as including
Clause (3) in Article 341 through a constitutional amendment.
● Data Collection: Ensure comprehensive and accurate data collection on the socio-economic conditions of different SC
communities.
● Criteria Development: Develop transparent and inclusive criteria for sub-categorisation, considering factors like socio-
economic status and educational attainment.
● Middle Path: Strike a balance between recognizing diversity and maintaining the overall unity of the SC community. Policies
should address specific needs without causing fragmentation.
2.8. 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).
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Reasons for CPR License Cancellation:

● The license of the Center for Public Relations (CPR) was canceled due to
the violation of FCRA regulations, specifically engaging in current affairs
programming, which is prohibited for entities funded under FCRA.
Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA):
● Enacted in 1976 during the Emergency to regulate and prohibit the
acceptance and utilization of foreign contributions by certain associations.
● Aims to prevent foreign interference detrimental to national interest.
● Duration of Approval:
○ FCRA registration is valid for five years.
○ NGOs must apply for renewal within six months of expiry; failure
results in deemed expiration.
○ Basis for Approval Cancellation:
■ Registration can be canceled if an inquiry finds false statements, violations
of terms and conditions, lack of reasonable activity in the chosen field for
two consecutive years, or if the organization becomes defunct.
Need for FCRA:
● Safeguarding national interest and security by regulating foreign donations.
● Preventing money laundering and unlawful activities using foreign funds.
● Ensuring legitimate use of foreign contributions for social, educational, cultural, and economic activities benefiting India.
Concerns Associated with FCRA:
● Lack of Compatibility with International Law: Criticized by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) for not complying
with international legal obligations.
● Erosion of Civil Liberties: Concerns that FCRA may be used to suppress dissenting voices.
● Alleged Targeting of NGOs: Over 16, 700 NGOs' registrations canceled in seven years, leading to allegations of targeting.
● Stringent Regulations: Complex processes and time-consuming requirements for NGOs receiving foreign funding.
● Potential Misuse: FCRA may be used to suppress organizations focusing on environmental concerns, civil liberties, and human
rights.
● Ambiguity and Subjective Interpretation: Vague language allows arbitrary interpretation, raising concerns about discretion by
authorities.
Way Forward:
● Ensuring Transparency: Transparent processes in granting and suspending FCRA licenses are essential for accountability and
trust.
● Streamlining FCRA Processes: Reduce unnecessary delays and streamline approval processes to alleviate burdens on NGOs.
● Engaging with Authorities: Establish open communication channels with government bodies to understand concerns and foster
constructive dialogue.
● Diversifying Funding Channels: NGOs should seek financial support from local sources to reduce reliance on foreign funds.
● Promoting Credible NGOs: Recognize and promote NGOs contributing significantly to societal development to enhance their
credibility.
2.9. News In Shorts

Draft Indian Stamp Bill 2023
Context:
The Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance has prepared a draft ‘Indian Stamp Bill, 2023’ to repeal the Indian Stamp
Act, 1899 for the stamp duty regime in the country.
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Indian Stamp Act, 1899

● Objective: 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.
● Need for Reform: The Law Commission in its 67th report submitted in 1976 made extensive recommendations for reforms.
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.
Reservation in Promotions for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)

Context:
The Union government has issued an order for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to be considered for reservation in
promotions.
More on the news:
● Effective Date of Reservation: Reservation in promotions up to the lowest rung of Group A posts in the Central
government, with effect from June 30, 2016.
● Supreme Court Ruling (2016): In the case of Rajeev Kumar Gupta Vs. UOI case SC mandated reservation in promotions
for PwD.
A Demand For Reservation:
● The Supreme court withheld the right to reservation in promotions for PwDs in 2021.
● The government has decided to grant notional promotion to PwD candidates with effect from June 30, 2016.
Rules For Allocation of Symbols to Registered Unrecognised Political Parties

Context:
The Election Commission of India has brought new rules for allocating symbols to Registered Unrecognised Political
Parties (RUPPs).
New Rules for Allocation of Symbols To (Rupps):
● Criteria: 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.
● Symbol: 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
● Applicability: The new rules would come into effect from January 11, 2024.
What are RUPPs?
● Definition: 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..
No Right to Residence for Foreigners under Constitution: Delhi HC

Context:
The Delhi High Court in a recent judgment specified that the right to reside in India under Article 19(1)(e) of the
Constitution of India cannot be claimed by foreigners.
● The judgment came on a writ petition of habeas corpus moved by a suspected Bangladeshi national claiming his detention as
illegal and without authority.
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Observation by the Court:

● Hans Muller of Nurenburg Vs. Superintendent, Presidency Jail, Calcutta of 1955: The Supreme Court observed that the
power of the Indian government to expel foreigners is absolute and unlimited and there is no provision in the
Constitution fettering such discretion.
○ Article 21: The rights of foreigners are limited to the one declared under Article 21 of the Constitution of India i.e.
Fundamental Right to Life and Liberty.
Centre Issues Guidelines For Coaching Institutes

Context:
The Ministry of Education has released new guidelines for coaching centres in the country.
About the Guidelines:
● Misleading Advertisement: Coaching institutes should not make any false promises to prospective students and avoid
publishing any misleading advertisements.
● Mandatory Registration: Coaching centres must apply for registration with the local competent authority, as set by the
government.
○ Each branch of coaching is treated as a distinct entity, requiring separate registration applications for each.
● Enrollment: Only students above 16 can be admitted, and admission is permitted only after the successful completion of
secondary school examinations.
● Tutor Qualification: The coaching can not engage tutors having qualifications less than graduation.
● Fee Changes: Any fee increases during the course, including both course fees and hostel-related charges, are strictly
prohibited.
● Withdrawals: In case of mid-course withdrawals, a pro-rata refund is required within 10 days.
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.
What is the National Transit Pass System?
● The NTPS is envisioned as a "One Nation-One Pass" regime, enabling seamless transit across the country.
● Objective: 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
SC Legal Services Committee
● Justice BR Gavai has been nominated as the Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC) after
replacing Justice Sanjiv Khanna.
● What is the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC)?
○ It was constituted under Section 3A of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
○ Objective: To provide “free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of society.”
○ Composition: SCLSC consists of chairperson BR Gavai 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.
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3. INTERNATIONAL RELATION
3.1. Red-Sea Crisis
Context:
The United States-backed coalition including the United
Kingdom launched airstrikes in Yemen, targeting Houthi
rebels.
About the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb
● Red Sea: A vital waterway for global commerce and energy
shipping lanes.
● Bab el-Mandeb: It is a narrow strait between Africa and the
Arabian Peninsula. It is located between Yemen on the
Arabian Peninsula, Djibouti, and Eritrea on the African coast.
It is also known as the Gate of Tears.
● Significance: It is the route by which ships can reach the Suez
Canal from the south, itself a major shipping lane.
Implications for India:
● Impacts on Exports: The longer route is being used when
exporting to Europe, the U.S. East Coast or even to countries
in North Africa.
● Impact on Imports: Besides the extra time taken on account of
the longer route, the developments could make imports costlier
and call for better inventory management.
● Energy Security: The instability in the Middle East could lead
to a spike in global oil prices.
● Impact on Security of Merchant Vessels: Houthis are attacking
international shipping vessels with drone and missile attacks in
the area.
● Security of Indian Diaspora: The safety of the Indian diaspora
residing in the conflict zone becomes a priority.
Way Forward:
● Achieving Peace Through Mediation: The escalating Red Sea
crisis is evolving into a global security challenge that requires
a joint response from the international community.
● India needs a Balanced Approach: In response to the escalating
Middle East crisis, India should proactively engage with all
stakeholders, including Iran, the USA, and regional powers.
● Role of International Organisation: According to the UN, no
cause or grievance could justify Houthi attacks against freedom
of navigation in the Red Sea.
● Resolving Israel-Palestine Issue: The Red Sea crisis is a chain
reaction to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The international
community should promote a comprehensive ceasefire
between Palestine and Israel as soon as possible.
● Strengthen Security Governance in the Middle East: Many security problems in the Middle East have their roots in development
and governance.
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3.2. India-Myanmar Border Management

Context:
The Union government is set to issue orders for smart fencing for an
additional 300 kilometers out of the 1, 643 km of the India-Myanmar
border.
More on the news:
● Background: After the conflicts in May 2023 in Manipur, the Centre
started a project for fencing the border.
● The development follows the completion of a 10-kilometer pilot
project last year and smart fencing order for an additional 80
kilometers, bringing the total length of smart fencing to 390 km.
● Ethnic Conflicts: The decision has been made in the background of
ongoing ethnic conflicts and the illegal migration of Chin-Kuki
nationals from Myanmar.
● End of FMR: Following the installation of the smart fencing, the free
movement regime (FMR) along the border between India and
Myanmar will be stopped.
Challenges of India-Myanmar Border:
● Porous Border: Formerly Myanmar residents have crossed into India,
increasing notably since the Myanmar coup in February 2021.
● Impact of Myanmar Coup: Approximately 22, 000 refugees have
entered India from Myanmar since February 2021, according to
UNHCR.
● Drug Trafficking from Golden Triangle: Myanmar, within the Golden
Triangle, serves as a hub for drug production and trafficking,
exploiting its lawless territories.
● Human Trafficking: Instability in Myanmar has led to criminal
syndicates exploiting vulnerable individuals for illicit activities.
● Ethnic Conflicts: Illegal migration from Myanmar has fueled conflicts
between the Meiteis and Kukis tribes in Manipur, India.
Way Forward for India-Myanmar Border:
● Continuous Vigilance: Deploying Border Guarding forces for 24/7 surveillance along the India-Myanmar border.
● Infrastructure Development: Building Border Observation Posts (BOPs), roads, and obstacles for enhanced security.
● Division of Duties: Assigning Assam Rifles (AR) to patrol and security roles separately.
● Legal Framework: Improving coordination between Indian and Myanmar law enforcement to combat trafficking effectively.
● Collaborative Efforts: Enhancing cooperation between border control agencies and establishing direct communication
channels.
● Public Awareness: Conducting operations to educate border communities about security concerns and report issues.
● Institutional Mechanism: Updating existing frameworks between India and Myanmar to address evolving challenges.
3.3. India-Bangladesh Relations

Context:
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured a fifth term in the national election, facing criticism over low voter turnout
and opposition boycotts.
23
Political Dynamics:
● Awami League: Maintains friendly ties with India, cooperating on security,
extradition, and development projects.
● Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Alliance: Historically hostile to India,
aligns with radical forces and opposes Indian interests, fostering ties with
China.
Challenges in Relations:
● US Sanctions: Displeasure with Bangladesh's electoral process may push
the nation closer to China.
● Chinese Influence: Bangladesh's strategic alignment with China poses
challenges to India's regional influence.
● Minority Concerns: Hindu minorities face discrimination, and illegal
immigration from Bangladesh strains resources and creates demographic
challenges for India.
● Border Issues: Smuggling, drug trafficking, and water sharing disputes,
notably regarding the Teesta River, pose ongoing challenges.
Way Forward:
● Bipartisan Engagement: India should engage with both ruling and
opposition parties to maintain relations.
● Address Illegal Migration: Implement measures to curb illegal
immigration and resolve border security issues.
● Security Cooperation: Institutionalize security cooperation beyond
political terms.
● Water Sharing: Resolve water sharing disputes and sign bilateral
agreements.
● People-to-People Contact: Encourage growth in people-to-people contact
through liberal visa policies.
3.4. India-Iran Relations

Context:
The External Affairs Minister of India visited Iran
amidst ongoing high-level exchanges between the
two nations.
Key Highlights of Visit:
● Addressed maritime security concerns, particularly
in the Red Sea during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
● Signed a new long-term agreement for further
developing the Chabahar Port, replacing the
previous yearly renewal system.
● Proposed a Joint Transportation Committee to
enhance cooperation and activate transit capacities.
● Expressed humanitarian concern for the situation in
Gaza, focusing on civilian casualties.
● Discussed combating terrorism, ensuring stability
in Afghanistan, and strengthening international
trade.
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Bilateral Ties:
● Historical Connection: Dating back to ancient times, with trade routes linking the two regions.
● Political Dimension: Strengthened by treaties like the Tehran Declaration, affirming a shared vision.
● Strategic Geo-location: Iran provides India access to Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Eurasia markets.
● Economic Bonds: Bilateral trade reached $2.5 billion in 2022, with recent initiatives to ease visa requirements.
● Energy Security: Iran's gas reserves offer opportunities for fuel diversification and decarbonization.
● Cultural Ties: Robust people-to-people and cultural connections, with Farsi included as a classical language in India.
Challenges in Relations:
● Impact of US sanctions on oil imports and the Chabahar Project.
● China's increasing presence and its comprehensive cooperation agreement with Iran.
● Balancing relations with Israel, given its strained ties with Iran.
● Security concerns due to support for rebel groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
● Challenges in Afghanistan post US withdrawal, affecting regional stability.
Way Forward:
● Energy Security: Advance projects like the TAPI pipeline for long-term energy cooperation.
● Enhancing Trade: Reduce tariffs on Iranian goods and explore preferential trade agreements.
● Infrastructure Cooperation: Invest in Iranian oil and petrochemicals, and develop offshore gas fields.
● Tackling Terrorism: Cooperate to combat terrorism, especially in the Pak-Afghan region.
● Boosting Connectivity: Promote joint efforts to upgrade transport corridors, including the INSTC.
● Regional Cooperation: Utilize platforms like BRICS and SCO to address regional issues.
3.5. Shift in India-Maldives Relations

Context:
Maldives government suspended three ministers
for derogatory remarks on India’s Prime Minister.
More on the News:
● PM’s Lakshadweep Visit: PM visited
Lakshadweep, highlighting its tourism potential.
● Tourism Potential: Lakshadweep's scenic beauty
and rising coastal tourism in India.
● Controversy: PM's social media posts sparked a
controversy with offensive responses from
Maldivian officials.
Importance of India for the Maldives:
● Defense and Security: India provides significant
defense training and cooperation to the Maldives.
● Bilateral Trade: India is the largest trade partner
and supplier of essential commodities to the
Maldives.
● Development Projects: India supports
infrastructure, healthcare, education, and tourism
in the Maldives.
● Tourism: India is a major source of tourists for the
Maldives, contributing significantly to its
economy.
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Reasons for Increasing Divergence:

● Changing Approach: Divergent viewpoints on the 'India first' vs.
'India out' campaigns.
● Hydrography Pact: Termination of the pact affecting bilateral
relations.
● Domestic Politics: Political changes in the Maldives impacting
relations with India.
● Rising Chinese Influence: China's growing presence in the
Maldives affecting ties with India.
● Security Concerns: Maldives accused India of sovereignty
violations, raising security challenges.
Way Forward:
● For Maldives: Respect mutual sensitivities and balance China's
influence while engaging with India.
● For India: Flexibility in diplomacy to engage with various actors
in neighboring countries.
Conclusion:
● Diplomatic communication and responsible engagement are crucial for resolving disputes and maintaining regional stability.
3.6. India-France Relations

Context:
French President Emmanuel Macron attended India's 2024 Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest.
More on the News:
● Invitations: France accepted India's Republic Day invitation, marking Macron's third visit to India and the sixth occasion a
French President attended Republic Day.
● Jaipur Roadshow: Prime Minister Modi and President Macron held a roadshow in Jaipur, visiting landmarks like Amber Fort
and Jantar Mantar.
Key Outcomes:
● Defense: Agreements on defense industrial partnership and defense space
partnership.
● Space: MoU between NSIL and Arianespace SAS.
● Civil Aviation: Agreement between TASL and Airbus for H125
helicopter assembly.
● Science & Technology: Cooperation agreements between DST- INRAE
and DST- ANR.
Background:
● Established diplomatic relations in 1947, upgraded to a strategic
partnership in 1998.
● Pillars: Cooperation in defense, space, civil nuclear matters.
Significance:
● Economy: Bilateral trade, especially in goods, and services, is significant.
● Defense: Collaboration includes jet engine technology and defense deals.
● Security: Cooperation on internal security, counter-terrorism, and space.
● Multilateralism: Support for UN reforms and climate initiatives.
26
Challenges:
● Geopolitical Differences: Divergent approaches on global issues.
● Stalled Projects: Civil nuclear cooperation at Jaitapur and FTA
negotiations.
● Journalist Issue: Concerns over regulatory actions against foreign
journalists.
Way Forward:
● Project Completion: Timely execution of projects like Jaitapur
nuclear plant.
● FTA Negotiations: Resolve market access issues in India-EU FTA
talks.
● Global Collaboration: Continued cooperation on international peace
and stability.
● Bilateral Support: Strengthening historical ties and mutual support.
Conclusion:
● The India-France partnership holds promise for further collaboration across various sectors, reflecting shared interests in
strategic autonomy and resilience.
3.7. News In Brief

India, and Pakistan Exchange List of Nuclear Installations
Context:
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 took place under a bilateral pact that prohibits 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.
What is the agreement between India and Pakistan?
● The agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities was signed on December 31, 1988.
○ The treaty came into force on January 27, 1991.

● Mandates: To inform each other about any nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the agreement on the first of
January of every calendar year.
India Planning to Connect Bangladesh's Matarbari Port to Northeastern States.

Context:
India Considering Proposals to Connect Bangladesh's Matarbari Port to
Northeastern States.
About the Matarbari Project:
● The Matarbari project would be Bangladesh's first deep-sea port
capable of hosting large vessels.
● Objective:
○ To strengthen the port’s cargo-handling capacity.
○ To facilitate logistics operations with neighbouring countries.
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● Funding: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), granted a $750 million loan to the Bangladesh government for the
Matarbari development.
● Operations: The port is set to start operations in 2027.
Significance:
● Enhance exports to Southeast Asia and other Asian markets, improving cargo handling capabilities for international trade.
● Ease the burden on crowded ports like Chittagong.
Genocide Convention
Context:
Recently, South Africa moved to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), for an urgent order declaring that Israel was in breach
of its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention.
What is the UN’s Genocide Convention?
● Defining Genocide According to UN Convention:
○ The term 'genocide' is specifically defined in the UN's Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of
Genocide.
○ Enacted in 1948, it outlines criteria, including acts committed with the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or
religious group.
● Criteria for Genocide:
○ The convention lists five acts constituting genocide:
✓ (a) Killing members of the group;
✓ (b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm;
✓ (c) Inflicting conditions of life for physical destruction;
✓ (d) Imposing measures to prevent births;
✓ (e) Forcibly transferring children.
7th Meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission

Context:
Recently, the 7th meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission was held in Kathmandu, Nepal.
More on the news:
● The 7th meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission was attended by the Indian External Affairs Minister and his Nepali
counterpart.
About India-Nepal Joint Commission:
● It was established in 1987 as a platform for the Foreign Ministers of both countries to review all aspects of the bilateral
partnership.
Key Outcomes:
● Power Export Agreement: Nepal and India signed a long-term agreement for the export of 10, 000 MW of power to India for
the next 10 years.
● Cooperation in Renewable Energy: The Nepal Electricity Authority and India’s National Thermal Power Corporation Limited
(NTPC) also signed an MoU for cooperation in renewable energy.
● Inauguration of Cross-Border Transmission Lines: Inauguration of 3 cross-border transmission lines which was completed
with the help of India (132 kV Raxaul-Parwanipur, 132 kV Kushaha-Kataiya and New Nautanwa-Mainahiya lines).
● Financial Aid for Reconstruction: India will provide 10 billion rupees to Nepal for reconstruction of earthquake-hit areas of
Jajarkot and Rukum West.
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● Satellite Cooperation Agreement: An agreement for the launch of Nepali satellites was formalized between the Nepal Academy
of Science and Technology and NewSpace India Limited under the Indian Space Research Organisation.
Iran - Pakistan Conflict

Context:
Recently, Iran launched a missile attack inside Pakistan's Balochistan
province, targeting the bases of the terrorist group Jaish al-Adl.
More on the news:
● The Focal point of this operation was the region known as Kouh-Sabz (green
mountain) in Balochistan, recognized as one of the largest hubs for the Jeysh
al-Dhulm militants.
● Pakistan’s Retaliatory Response: Pakistan air force launched the operation
named “Marg Bar Sarmachar” in Iran’s Siestan-Balochistan province.
Jaish al-Adl Terrorist Group:
● Jaish al-Adl: It is a Sunni Salafist militant group with bases in Pakistan’s
Balochistan province, active in the mountainous border regions of Pakistan
and Iran.
● Goal: It claims to be fighting for the independence of the Sistan and
Baluchestan (known as Asli Balouchestan) province in the southeastern corner of Iran, bordering Pakistan’s Balochistan
province and the Indian Ocean.
3.8 India-Nigeria Relations

Context:
India’s External affairs minister co-chaired the 6th Joint
Commission Meeting between India and Nigeria at Abuja, Nigeria.
Key Highlights of Meet:
● Both Countries agreed to strengthen the efforts in the sectors of
power, renewables, transport, healthcare, fintech, agriculture and
security, including people-to-people exchange, energy, mobility and
consular cooperations.
● Stressed on expanding economic cooperation, especially trade and
investment between the two countries.
About Nigeria:
● It is officially recognised as the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
● It is a West African country located between the Sahel in the north
and the Gulf of Guinea in the South, along the Atlantic Ocean.
● It is the most populous nation & largest economy on the African
continent.
● It is a very diverse Nation which consists of more than 250 ethnic
groups and out of them Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo are predominant.
India’s Nigeria Relations:
● Economic Cooperation: Nigeria has become India's largest trading partner in West Africa and around $20 billion is India's
investment in Nigeria.
● Energy Cooperation: Nigeria is one of the leading suppliers of crude oil to India about 12% of India's oil imports are based in
Nigeria.
29
G-77 Third South Summit in Uganda

Context:
The Minister of State for External Affairs participated in the Third South Summit of the Group of 77 and China (G-77) in Kampala,
Uganda.
More on the news:
● Theme of Summit: "Leaving No One Behind”.
○ It is in line with India’s vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, i.e., “The World is one Family”.
About Group of 77 and China (G-77):
● For Developing Countries: It is the largest intergovernmental organization of developing countries in the United Nations.
● Formation: In 1964, Geneva, by signing a Joint Declaration during the first session of the UN Conference on Trade and
Development (UNCTAD).
● Guided by: The Charter of Algiers that was established and adopted in 1967.
● Purpose: To provide the means for the countries of the South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and
enhance their joint negotiating capacity within the United Nations system, and promote South-South cooperation for
development.
● Members: 134 countries across Asia, Africa, South America, the Caribbean and Oceania.
○ China is not a part of the group, so the group is often known as “G-77 and China”.
○ Although the members of the G-77 have 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
○ Second South Summit: In 2005, Doha, Qatar
● Annual Meets: The G-77 meets annually at the UN in New York.
● India was the first nation to preside over the G77 in New York.
Turkiye Ratifies Sweden’s NATO Membership

Context:
Turkey’s parliament supports Sweden NATO membership.
More on the news:
● Sweden applied for NATO’s membership in 2022 and is being opposed by Turkey and Hungary
● NATO membership: It 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.
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:

● It is an Intergovernmental Military alliance of the North American and European countries founded in 1949 through North
Atlantic Treaty signed in Washington DC USA
○ Article 5: The new Allies agreed "an armed attack against one or more of them, shall be considered an attack against them
all"
● Members: It has 31 member states with 29 European states and 2 North American
● Headquarters: It is the political and administrative centre of the Alliance and is located at Boulevard Leopold III in Brussels,
Belgium.
● 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
30
Argentina Withdraws From BRICS

Context:
The newly elected President of Argentina, Javier Milei, pulled out of plans to join the BRICS bloc. Argentina had been set to
join on January 1, 2024.
About BRICS:
● BRICS started in 2001 as BRIC, an acronym coined by Goldman Sachs for Brazil, Russia, India, and China. South Africa was
added in 2010.
● Together, BRICS countries represent 27% of the world’s land mass, and 42% of the world’s population, 24% of global GDP,
and 16% of Global trade, and produce 33% of the world’s food.
● The 1st BRIC summit was held in Yekaterinburg, in Russia in 2009.
New Members of BRICS
● The five new candidates of BRICS formally became members on January 1, 2024.
About New Members of BRICS:
● 5 new members are Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
● BRICS Summit 2024: Russia in October 2024..
Alliance for Global Good- Gender Equity and Equality

Context:
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’:
● Origin: The idea of this alliance emerged from the G20 Leaders' Declaration and India's abiding commitment to the cause of
women-led development.
● Objective: To bring together global best practices, knowledge sharing and investments in the identified areas of women’s
health, education, and enterprise.
● Key Collaboration:
○ Network Partner: The World Economic Forum
○ Institutional Partner: Invest India
● Strengthening G20 Commitments Towards Women: It will build on the initiatives within the G20 framework, including the
Business 20, Women 20, and G20 EMPOWER.
● Foundation Support: The alliance will be housed and anchored by the CII Centre for Women Leadership supported by the Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation.
31
4. ECONOMY
4.1. Roadmap for Green Hydrogen Ecosystem in India
Context:
● The Report, Green Hydrogen:
Enabling Measures Roadmap for
Adoption in India has been
released by the World Economic
Forum.
More on the news:
● The report recommends public-
private interventions in expediting
the adoption of green hydrogen in
India.
● It provides pathways for
establishing green hydrogen as a
viable energy source in India.
Green Hydrogen Definition:
● MNRE defines green hydrogen as
emitting no more than 2 kg of CO2
per kg produced. India currently
produces 6.5 MMTPA, mainly
grey hydrogen.
Need for Green Hydrogen:
● Rising energy demand, import cost
reduction, emission goals, energy
security, and forex earnings drive
India's green hydrogen push.
Challenges:
● High production costs, water-
intensive electrolysis, lacking
standards, and inadequate
infrastructure hinder green
hydrogen adoption.
Roadmap:
● Focus on renewable energy
expansion, cost reduction
strategies, incentivizing
electrolyzer innovation, carbon
disincentives, infrastructure
development, and harmonized
standards.
4.2. Harnessing the Potential of Fisheries in the Marine States

Context:
● NITI Aayog has recently hosted a National Workshop on “Harnessing Potential of Fisheries in the Marine States”
32
More on the news:

● Deliberation on Critical Aspects of Marine Fisheries: The key stakeholders from Central and State Governments, Researchers,
Industry Representatives and practitioners deliberated upon critical aspects of realizing India’s vast marine fisheries.
○ Such as sustainability practices, export competitiveness, infrastructure gaps and livelihood challenges facing India's marine
fishing industry across states.
● NITI Aayog applauded the achievement of Andhra Pradesh in the fisheries sector and emphasized the need to address the
regional disparities in terms of production and productivity in marine fisheries.
● Marine Fisheries Management: Fisheries are state subjects under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Fishing
and fisheries beyond territorial waters are on the Union list.
● Workshop Focus: NITI Aayog's workshop addressed critical issues in India's marine fisheries, including sustainability, export
potential, infrastructure needs, and livelihood challenges.
● Potential: India aims to tap its vast marine fisheries potential, estimated at 5.31 million metric tons, to double fishermen's
income by 2025 and boost seafood exports.
● Challenges: Inland fisheries, infrastructure gaps, climate change impacts, conflicts with neighboring countries, deep-sea
trawling, and illegal fishing pose significant challenges.
● Way Forward: Emphasizes sustainable practices, infrastructure development, climate resilience, diversification, technology
adoption, and subsidies to enhance the marine fisheries sector's growth and competitiveness.
33
4.3. Agricultural Export Policy of India

Context:
● The Indian government targets to double
agricultural exports to around $100 billion by
2030.
More on the news:
● Current Agricultural Export Value: The value
of India’s agricultural exports was $52.50
billion in 2022-23, while in 2021-22 it was
$50.21 billion.
● Need for Accelerated Growth: Thus, the growth
will need to be accelerated significantly in order
to attain the target of $100 billion, which will
help push agricultural growth in the country and
raise farmers’ incomes.
Agriculture Export Policy in India:
● It is framed with a focus on agriculture export
oriented production, export promotion, better
farmer realization and synchronization within
policies and programmes of Government of
India.
4.4. Fintech sector in India

Context:
● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
recently directed banks and non-
banking financial companies (NBFCs)
to reserve more capital for risk weights.
More on the news:
● Enhanced Risk Weight Requirement:
The mandatory risk weight requirement
has been increased by 25 percentage
points, which would apply to unsecured
personal loans, credit cards and lending
to NBFCs.
● Rise in cost of Loans: Banks and
NBFCs will need more capital, which
will lead to an increase in the interest
rates for loans to consumers. This will
have a direct impact on fintech firms.
● Decline in Fintech Funding: The year
2023 witnessed a steep decline in
funding by Indian fintech startups,
mainly due to a decline in seed-stage
funding.
34
What are Fintechs?

● Fintech, a combination of the terms “financial” and
“technology,” refers to businesses that use technology
to enhance or automate financial services and
processes.
Significance in India:
● Fintech Sector: India is home to the third-highest
number of fintechs globally, with more than 9, 000
fintechs, holding a 14 per cent share of Indian start-up
funding.
● Adoption Rate: As per the Economic Survey 2022-23,
Indian fintech companies witnessed an 87% adoption
rate across varied user bases as opposed to the global
average rate of 64%.
● Digital Transactions: Fintech companies account for 70
per cent of digital payment transactions, marking a
twofold rise in their share during FY22 compared to
FY19.
● Financial Inclusion: More than 10 million people and
small businesses gained access to savings accounts,
insurance, investment options, and credit facilities
through mobile-based services and digital platforms.
● Democratising Lending Process: Peer-to-peer lending
platforms are democratizing lending, providing
individuals and small businesses with access to funds
without the need for traditional financial institutions.
● Rise in Public Investment: Investment platforms and
robo-advisors are making investing in stocks, mutual
funds, and other financial instruments more accessible..
4.5. News In Brief

India’s Regional Income Disparities
Context:
● The income disparities among India's states over the past three
decades have increased significantly.
More on the news:
● Geographical Divide of SDP: A clear geographical distinction
exists between states with per capita State Domestic Product
(SDP) above the national average in 2019-20 and those below it.
● The affluent states are situated in the south, west, and northwest,
while the less prosperous ones are in the north, center, and east
(refer to the map).
● During 1990-91, the per capita State Domestic Product (SDP) of
the higher-income states was 1.7 times that of the lower-income
states which increased to 2.5 times by 2019-20.
35
Indian Aviation Sector

Context:
● According to the Union Civil Aviation Minister, the government is
working to make India the third largest aviation sector in the world
in the next three years from the fifth position currently.
More on the news:
● Increasing Domestic Passenger Market: The domestic passenger
market will grow to 300 million by 2030.
● Increasing Aviation Capacity: On the sidelines of Wings India
2024 in Hyderabad, the Minister said that India should increase its
aviation capacity to 2000 aircraft from the current 700 plus by
2030.
● Wings India 2024: It is the biennial aviation event which brings
together business leaders and policymakers.
Horticulture Sector in India

Context:
● The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare released the Third advance estimate of area and production of various
horticultural crops for the year 2022-23.
Total Horticulture 2021-22 2022-23 2022-23

Production (Final) (Second (Third
advance advance
Estimate) Estimate)
Area 28.04 28.12 28.34
(in million hectares).
Production 347.18 351.92 355.25
(in million tonnes).
More on the news:

● Increase in Horticulture Production: The total horticulture production estimated for the year 2022-23 is 355.25 million tonnes,
which is an increase of about 8.07 million tonnes from the year 2021-22 (347.18 million tonnes).
● Expansion in Plantation Crops: Production of plantation crops is estimated to increase to 16.84 million tonnes in the year 2022-
23 as compared to 15.76 million tonnes in the year 2021-22 i.e. an increase of about 6.80%.
About Horticulture Sector:
● Horticulture can be defined as the branch of agriculture concerned with intensively cultured plants directly used by people for
food, medicinal purposes, or aesthetic gratification.
● M. H. Marigowda is considered the father of horticulture in India.
Govt to Extend Duty Remission Benefits to E-Commerce Exports:

● The Union government plans to extend export benefits to e-commerce exports under its duty remission scheme (RoDTEP).
● India aims for USD 200 billion in e-commerce exports by 2030.
● The RoDTEP scheme refunds taxes and duties incurred during the manufacturing and distribution process, encouraging export
competitiveness.
36
SEBI Unveils Norms For Zero Coupon Instruments By NPOs:

● SEBI has issued guidelines for ‘zero coupon zero principle’ instruments by non-profit organizations (NPOs) on the Social
Stock Exchange (SSE).
● These instruments, declared as securities by the Finance Ministry, help raise funds transparently.
● SSEs enable social enterprises to raise funds from the public, promoting social impact.
Annual Startup Awards 2022:

● Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu lead in the startup ecosystem, as per the States’ Startup Ranking 2022.
● The ranking by DPIIT recognizes states' efforts in developing startup ecosystems.
● Categories include best performers, top performers, leaders, aspiring leaders, and emerging startup ecosystems.
Extension of Bharatmala Phase 1:

● Bharatmala Phase 1 deadline extended to FY 2027-28 due to increased costs and pandemic impacts.
● The project aims to develop road connectivity across India, linking border areas, ports, and economic corridors.
● Phase 1 covers 34, 800 km out of the total 74, 942 km.
UPI Tap & Pay:

● NPCI introduces UPI Tap and Pay for offline payments using UPI architecture.
● It utilizes Near Field Communication (NFC) technology for quick transactions.
● UPI enables round-the-clock money transfers between bank accounts without account details.
Draft National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP):

● A draft National Deep Tech Startup Policy aims to propel innovation and economic growth by fostering India's emerging deep
tech startup ecosystem.
● The policy focuses on ensuring economic security, transitioning to a knowledge-driven economy, bolstering national capability
and sovereignty, and fostering ethical innovation.
● Deep tech startups leverage high-tech innovations in engineering and scientific advances, such as AI, blockchain, and VR,
promising significant impact.
Adani-Hindenburg Row: SC Verdict:

● The Supreme Court orders the Centre and SEBI to investigate if the Hindenburg report on short selling violates any laws.
● Short selling involves speculating on a stock's decline, with naked and covered short selling being common types.
● Only selected securities are eligible for short selling in India, with naked short selling prohibited.
Seven Products From Odisha Gets GI tags:

● Seven products from Odisha receive Geographical Indication (GI) tags, indicating their origin and quality.
● GI tags assure consumers of a product's distinctiveness and quality.
● Newly added products include Kapdaganda shawl, Lanjia Saura Painting, Koraput Kala Jeera Rice, and others, reflecting the
state's rich cultural heritage.
World Employment and Social Outlook Report: Trends 2024:

● The ILO releases the World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2024 Report, highlighting global labour market trends.
● Key findings include deteriorating macroeconomic environment, anticipated rise in global unemployment, and declining real
wages in many countries.
37
● Despite challenges, there's modestly higher growth than anticipated, with improved labour market participation rates globally.
Mapping and Exchange of Good Practices (MEGP) Initiative:
● Implemented by NITI Aayog and the World Food Programme (WFP), the MEGP Initiative aims to document good practices
in traditional climate-resilient crops like millet.
● It facilitates experience sharing among Asian and African developing countries in millet value chain and mainstreaming
dimensions.
● Benefits include access to bridge initiatives for millet startups and networking platforms for learning dissemination.
India's First National Highway Steel Slag Road Section:
● India inaugurates its first National Highway steel slag road section on NH-66 (Mumbai-Goa NH), utilizing steel slag for road
construction.
● Developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), Steel Slag Road Technology transforms waste into wealth,
offering stronger, cost-efficient, and eco-friendly roads.
GPS-Based Toll Collection:
● The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) introduces GPS-based toll collection to reduce toll booth congestion.
● The system charges based on distance traveled, utilizing GPS/RFID devices for accurate tracking and automatic number plate
recognition (ANPR) cameras as an alternative.
● Benefits include equitable charges, faster toll collection, and reduced wear and tear on roads, contributing to a more efficient
and fair toll collection system.
Guidelines for Implementation of SIGHT:
● The Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) program, part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission
(NGHM), aims to support domestic electrolyser manufacturing and green hydrogen production.
● Implementation guidelines focus on aggregating demand, inviting competitive bids, and monitoring scheme performance.
● The NGHM aims to make India a global hub for green hydrogen production and utilization, with sub-schemes like SIGHT and
Green Hydrogen Hubs.
India Replaces Hong Kong as 4th-largest Stock Market:
● The Indian stock market surpasses Hong Kong to become the 4th
largest globally, with a total market value of $4.33 trillion.
● The Indian stock market operates through primary and secondary
markets regulated by the Security and Exchange Board of India (SEBI),
with benchmark indices like SENSEX and NIFTY 50 tracking top
companies' performance.
Ropeway Projects: Parvat Mala Program:
● The Union Minister of Road and Transport announces over 200 Ropeway Projects Worth 1.25 Lakh Crore under the
'Parvatmala Pariyojana' at the 'Ropeway: Symposium-Cum-Exhibition' in New Delhi.
● Ropeways are transport systems connecting hilly areas or crossing valleys or rivers, regulated by the Ministry of Road
Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
● The Parvatmala Pariyojana, announced in the union budget 2022-23, aims to develop a national ropeway network through
public-private partnerships to enhance connectivity and promote tourism in the Himalayan region.
NPAs: Amount Recovery Via Debt Recovery Tribunal Falls To 9.2% in FY23:
● In FY23, cases referred to debt recovery tribunal (DRT) saw a sharp rise, with the amount involved reaching Rs 4.02 trillion
compared to Rs 69, 000 crore.
● However, the recovery of non-performing assets (NPAs) via DRTs fell to 9.2% in FY23 from 17.5% in FY22, leading to a
decline in overall recovery percentages.
● Recovery through the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) improved, reaching over 40% in FY23 after a two-year gap.
38
Atal Setu:
● The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), known as Atal Setu, the longest sea bridge in India, has been inaugurated by the
Prime Minister.
● Atal Setu bridge spans 22 km, including a 16.5 km-long sea bridge and a 5.5 km-long elevated road, connecting Sewri in
Mumbai to Nhava Sheva in Uran taluka in Raigad district.
Inland Waterways Development Council:
● India’s First Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) has committed Rs. 45, 000 crore for the development of River
Cruise Tourism.
● IWDC, established by the government in October 2023, aims to develop the Inland Water Transport (IWT) ecosystem for
improved cargo efficiency, passenger movement, and river cruise tourism.
Aadhar Linked MGNREGS Workers:
● From January 01, 2024, all wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
scheme will be paid through an Aadhaar-based payment system (ABPS).
● ABPS, introduced in 2017, utilizes the worker’s 12-digit Aadhaar number as their financial address, ensuring transparency and
speedy payments.
39
5. ENVIRONMENT & GEOGRAPHY

5.1. Landslide Susceptibility Map For India
Context:
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi has made the first high-
resolution landslide susceptibility map for India and the map data
is available for free.
Background:
● In late 2023, torrential rain during the northeast monsoon triggered
heavy floods and landslides in multiple States in India, killing
hundreds of people.
● It highlights the need for a national landslide susceptibility map to
identify the most dangerous areas and help allocate resources for
mitigation strategies better.
About Landslide Susceptibility Map:
● The team from IIT Delhi built a national landslide susceptibility
map that uses the latest data and data collection and mapping
techniques.
○ High Resolution: The map, could plot the susceptibility at a
resolution of 100 m.
○ Identified Region: The map acknowledged some high
landslide susceptibility, like parts of the foothills of the
Himalayas, the Assam-Meghalaya region, and the Western
Ghats.
○ New Insight: It also revealed some previously unknown
places with high risk, such as some areas of the Eastern Ghats,
north of Andhra Pradesh.
● Leveraging Ensemble Machine Learning Technology: Ensemble machine learning is when multiple machine learning models
are used together to average out an oversized impact from any one model.
● Factors Used: They collected information on factors like soil cover, number of trees covering the area, distance from roads or
mountains, etc.
○ They used GeoSadak, an online system with data on the national road network in India, displaying data on roads located
outside cities.
About Landslides:
● Definition of Landslide: It is a movement of a mass of rock, earth or debris down a slope.
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.
● Landslide Prone Regions: The regions with fewer trees, closer to road-building activity, and steeper local slopes are more
unstable and prone to landslides.
40
5.2. Ocean Acidification: Causes, Impacts and Measures

Context:
● A new study published in the Journal Nature Communications has raised concerns about the rising acidity levels of the
continental shelves in Antarctic Marine Protected Areas (MPA).
More on the news:
● Continental Shelves More Vulnerable: According to the study, continental shelves (shallow, underwater areas extending from
the edge of continents) are expected to see more severe acidification than the open ocean.
● Impact of CO2 Emission: In case of the high and very high emissions scenarios, there will be a widespread lack of aragonite
(a type of carbonate mineral) saturation in the proposed and established MPAs by the end of the century.
○ This undersaturation implies that organisms such as pteropods that form aragonite won't be able to find places with stable
conditions for their shells.
○ MPAs: According to IUCN, it is any area of intertidal or sub-tidal terrain, together with its overlaying water and associated
flora, fauna, historical and cultural features, which has been reserved by law or other effective means to protect part or all
of the enclosed environment.
● Projection of Acidification: The study projected that the pH scale could decline by up to 0.36 for the top 200 meters of the
ocean by 2100.
○ Before the 18th to 19th century Industrial Revolution, the ocean’s average pH was about 8.2. Today, the ocean’s average
pH is 8.1. This means that the ocean today is about 30 per cent more acidic than in pre-industrial times.
About Ocean Acidification:
● 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.
● CO2 Absorption: The ocean absorbs about 30
percent of the CO2 released in the atmosphere
increasing levels of Oceanic CO2 and
acidification.
○ The ocean helps mitigate the effects of global
warming by absorbing some of the carbon
dioxide gas (CO2) released into the
atmosphere.
○ This comes at a cost to ocean health because
the uptake of anthropogenic CO2 causes
acidification, which can harm marine
ecosystems.
● Ocean Acidification Process: When CO2 is
absorbed by seawater, a series of chemical
reactions occur resulting in the increased
concentration of hydrogen ions.
○ 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.
41
5.3. Coal Gasification Scheme

Context:
● Recently, The Union Cabinet approved a viability gap funding (VGF) scheme of ₹8, 500 crore for coal gasification projects
for public and private sector companies.
About the Coal Gasification Scheme:
● VGF to three Categories of Projects:
○ First category: Under this, a provision of Rs 4, 050 crore has been made for Public Sector Utilities (PSUs), supporting up
to three projects.
✓ This support will be extended through a lump sum
grant of Rs 1, 350 crore or 15% of the capital
expenditure, whichever is lower.
○ Second category: Under this, Rs 3, 850 crore has been
allocated for both government and private sector
projects.
■ Each project in this category will receive a lump sum grant
of Rs 1, 000 crore or 15% of the capital expenditure,
whichever is lower.
○ Third Category: Under this, Rs 600 crore has been
provisioned for demonstration projects (indigenous
technology) or small-scale product-based gasification
plants.
✓ A lump-sum grant of Rs 100 crore or 15 per cent of
capex, whichever is lower, will be given to the
selected entity.
● Incentives for Gasification: The government has also offered a 50 per cent rebate in revenue share for the coal used for
gasification, provided the quantity used for gasification is at least 10 per cent of the total coal production.
● Approval for Coal Gasification Projects: The Cabinet also approved two coal gasification projects under the scheme where
Coal India Limited (CIL) will make equity investments beyond the limit of 30 per cent.
What is Coal Gasification?
● About: Coal Gasification is a thermo-
chemical process that converts coal into
simple molecules, primarily carbon
monoxide and hydrogen, called synthesis gas
or syngas.
● Mechanism: 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.
● Significance: The combustion of this gas is
cleaner and more efficient than coal
combustion since emissions are trapped at the
gasification stage.
42
Challenges with Coal Gasification in India:

● Inferior Quality of Coal: The high ash content in Indian coal is a technical barrier to a larger adoption of coal gasification.
● The ash percentage of indigenously available coal ranges between 30-35 per cent even after washing, which is quite high.
● Induced Subsidence of Surrounding Rocks: The space created by deep mining during the coal gasification may cause
significant deformation in the remaining coal and surrounding rocks.
● Heating, quenching, water flux and potential roof and wall collapse may seriously compromise the integrity of the cavity,
leading to a subsidence.
● Occupational Hazard: The coal Gasification process cannot be controlled to the same extent as surface gasifiers, which poses
the risk of high temperature and pressure in the cavity, furthering the workers' risk.
● Groundwater Contamination: While the nation already faces water scarcity, coal gasification is a more water-intensive energy
generation method.
● Economy of Project: It is an inherently ‘unsteady’ state process; the flow rate and the heating value of the product gas will
vary over time.
● Changes in the quantity and quality of gas produced will significantly impact the project's economics.
● Technological Concern: Lack of availability of proven gasification technology suitable for poor poor-quality Coal.
5.4. News In Brief

Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana
Context:
● The Prime Minister launched ‘Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana’ with the target of installing rooftop solar on one crore
houses.
More on the news:
● Background: In 2014, the government launched the Rooftop Solar Programme that aimed to achieve a cumulative installed
capacity of 40, 000 megawatts (MW) or 40 gigawatts (GW) by 2022. However, this target couldn’t be achieved.
○ As a result, the government extended the deadline from 2022 to 2026.
○ The Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana seems to be a new attempt to help reach the target of 40 GW rooftop solar capacity.
● Renewable Energy Target of India: The government, since 2010, has been claiming to install 100 GW by 2022 — 60 GW from
utility projects (mega concentrated solar parks) and 40 GW from rooftop solar projects.
○ So far, about 56 GW has been installed in the utilities (July 2023) and 12 GW in rooftops.
○ Of the nearly 12 GW of rooftop solar installations as of July 2023, about 87% are “non-residential”.
NGT Raised Concerns over Reduction of Green Cover in Cauvery Basin

Context:
● The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the governments of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala following a
report by the Indian Institute of Science (IISC) over a reduction of green cover in the Cauvery basin.
More on the news:
● Concerns over Decrease in Forest Cover: The NGT has expressed concerns about the extensive agricultural and horticultural
activities in 73.5% of the Cauvery basin.
○ Only 18% of the area remains as forested areas and dense forests are confined to a mere 13% of the region.
Key Highlights from the Report:
● Decline in Green Cover: The Cauvery Basin has witnessed a reduction of 12, 850 square kilometers (sq km) of green cover
from 1965 to 2016.
○ Karnataka has lost around 57 percent of the green cover, equivalent to 9, 664 sq km, Tamil Nadu has witnessed a loss of
29 percent (2, 905 sq km) and Kerala has lost 27 percent (279 sq km) of its green cover during the same period.
● Decrease in Forest Cover in Natural Reserves: The expansion of agricultural activities and mining and development projects
has exacerbated the pressures on the natural reserves.
43
Dry Spell in Kashmir Winter

Context:
● The entire western Himalayas has been witnessing a prolonged dry spell.
More on the news:
● There is around 75 percent rainfall deficit in Kashmir in December and January leading to severe dry spells and impact on
groundwater, horticulture and tourism.
Winter in Kashmir:
● The winter in Kashmir is about 70 days long, beginning from December 22nd 2023.
● 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.
● These are the times for water recharge through winter snowfall.
● However, in this season, there is an absence of winter moisture and snowfall with experts predicting no improvement in the
next 2 weeks.
Reasons for the Dry spell:
● Absence of Western Disturbance (WD): The absence of WD has led to an absence of snowfalls, as snow falls happen due to
the WDs.
● Relation with El Nino: The frequency of WD generally increases before the onset of the El Nino in an El Nino year. However,
this year, global warming seems to have become dominant.
● Impact of Global Warming: Due to global warming, the frequencies of WDs have reduced as the mid-latitude jet streams
causing such circulations are moving north towards the polar region robbing the country of crucial winter precipitations.
● North Atlantic Oscillation: Experts have said a strong positive correlation exists between the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)
and winter precipitation in the Kashmir region.
● Ecological: The forests in Gulmarg are continuously cut down to build hotels. Additionally, garbage and plastic wastes are
being dumped in forests, affecting climate and ecological balance.
Cold Wave Grips North India

Context:
● Minimum temperatures in several parts of Kashmir have dropped below -3° Celsius, leading to a cold wave in the region.
More on the news:
● Chilla-i-Kalan is a local name given to a 40-day harsh winter period in Kashmir. Chilla-i-Kalan will be followed by the 20-
day "Chilla-i-Khurd" and the 10-day "Chilla-i-Bachha".
● Freezing Temperature: Kashmir is currently in the grip of "Chilla-i-Kalan", when temperatures drop considerably, leading to
freezing of water bodies.
● Snowfall: The chances of snowfall are the highest during this period, and most areas, especially the higher reaches, receive
heavy snowfall.
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.
Krishna Raja Sagar Dam

Context:
Recently the Karnataka High Court has suspended all mining licenses for stone quarrying within a 20-km radius of the Krishna
Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam under provisions of the Dam Safety Act, 2021.
44
About the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam:

● Location: It is located near the confluence of river Kaveri with its tributaries, Hemavati and Lakshmana Tirtha, in Karnataka.
● It was designed by Sir M. Visvesvaraya.
● Purpose: To store water from the Cauvery River to support agricultural activities in the surrounding regions.
Dam Safety Initiatives taken by the Government of India:
● Dam Safety Act 2021: It provides for an empowered institutional framework for dam safety both at the Centre and State and
will also help in standardizing and improving dam safety practices across the country.
● Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP): It is used to improve the safety and operational performance of selected
existing dams in the country.
● National Hydrological Project: It will help in gathering hydro-meteorological data on a real real-time basis.
Increase in Population of Saltwater Crocodiles

Context:
There are 1, 811 saltwater crocodiles in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika, the annual census reveals.
More on the news:
● The presence of 1, 811 crocodiles in the park is a marginal increase from last year's census numbered at 1, 793.
Saltwater crocodiles:
● Scientific name: Crocodylus porosus
● Protection Status:
○ IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
○ CITES: Appendix I
○ Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
● They are the largest crocodile species on the planet, with
individuals that are 8-10m long.
● Saltwater Crocodiles in India:
○ Bhitarkanika National Park
○ Sundarbans
○ Andaman and Nicobar Islands
● Habitat: Typically found in the brackish water of
estuaries.
Bhitarkanika National Park:
● Location: District Kendrapara, 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
● Ramsar site: It is Ramsar site since 19 August 2002 and is Second site from state of Odisha after the Chilika Lake.
● Rivers: Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra, and Pathsala.
● Fauna: Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), Indian python, king cobra, black ibis, darter etc. Olive ridley turtles nest on
Gahirmatha and other nearby beaches.
Vulture Restaurant In Jharkhand

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.
45
● 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.
About Vultures:
● Vultures are often seen as a collective unit. Out of 23 species of vultures in the world, nine are found in India.
5 years of National Clean Air Programme (NACP)

Context:
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) recently completed five years.
More on the news:
● An analysis of the “Five Years of the National Clean Air Programme” report published by Respirer Living Sciences, a climate-
tech startup, and Climate Trends, an environmental consulting group.
● Reduction in PM10 Levels: Among the 46 cities monitored over the years, the PM10 levels have worsened in 22 cities over
the last five years.
○ Only 8 cities have successfully achieved the initial target of reducing pollution levels by 20 to 30 percent.
● Worst Performer in PM10 Levels: Durgapur in West Bengal has been the poorest performing city.
○ Its PM10 level surged above 53 percent during 2019-24 from 77.2 µg/m3 in 2019 to 118.2 µg/m3 in 2023.
○ It was followed by four Maharashtra cities: Thane, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Aurangabad.
● Maximum Improvement in PM2.5 Levels: Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh has shown significant improvement, witnessing a 63
percent reduction in PM10 concentration in 2023 compared to 2019.
○ Talcher follows it in Odisha.
● Worst PM2.5 Levels: Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra exhibited the most deteriorated air quality for PM2.5, experiencing an
increase of about 47 percent, closely followed by Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh.
150th Year of India Meteorological Department

Context:
● India Meteorological Department (IMD) celebrated the 150th Year of its establishment in 2024.
● To commemorate the 150th year, the following initiatives were launched:
Various Initiatives at Glance:
● Weather Analysis and Forecast Enabling System (WAFES):
○ It is an in-house Web-GIS-based integrated Decision Support System (DSS) inspired by Pancha Mahabhuta i.e. Water,
Air, Fire, Earth and Sky.
○ Objective: To analyze meteorological observations and prediction models, aiding decision-making for severe weather
phenomena and their socio-economic impact.
○ Function: It provides real-time information for various sectors such as Urban, Power, Hydrology, Health, Energy,
Agriculture, Transport, and Tourism under the "UPHHEATT" initiative (for the cause of welfare).
● Panchayat Mausam Seva for farmers:
○ Developed by: India Meteorological Department, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, and Green Alert
Mausam Sewa
○ Objective: To provide weather forecasts in English, Hindi and twelve regional languages to every panchayat head and
panchayat secretary in every village of the country.
● IMD’s Mobile App MAUSAM:
○ It is an integrated GIS-based interactive mobile app for all weather-related services like current weather forecasts of every
hour to 7 days. The app supports 12 Indian languages for varied users in India.
46
● Mausam Gram available through the Mobile App “Mausam:

○ Vision and Theme: Har Har Mausam, Har Ghar Mausam
○ Objective: It allows detailed weather observations, forecasts, and warnings to the public for their location through a map
or search function using place names, pincodes, or coordinates disseminated in text and graphics format.
● National Framework of Climate Services (NFCS)
○ Aim: To maximize utilization of climate information, as a part and parcel of all our activities, with special emphasis on
disaster risk reduction, water, health, energy and agriculture management.
Prepare Coastal Zone Management Plans: NGT

● Context: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to ensure
that coastal States and Union Territories prepare the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP).
What is Coastal Zone Management Plan:
● Coastal Zone Management: It involves managing coastal areas to balance environmental, economic, human health, and human
activities.
● The Coastal Zone Management Plan: It encourages coastal states and UTs to work in partnership with the Union government
to design and enforce local programs and Projects consistent with the Coastal Regulation Zone and accompanying regulations.
What is a Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ):
● The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, issued the Coastal Regulation
Zone notification for regulation of activities in the coastal area.
Mosquitofish
● Context: In Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Punjab, various government and non-governmental organizations have released
mosquitofish into water bodies to handle mosquito menace.
More on the news:
● Mosquitoes are spreading diseases faster
than ever due to climate change.
○ The climate is getting warmer and
wetter, creating perfect conditions for
mosquitoes to thrive.
● Over 500 million people worldwide get
sick from mosquito bites each year.
○ In India alone, 40 million people fall
ill every year.
What is Mosquitofish?
● Mosquitofish is a freshwater fish. It is
named mosquitofish as it eats mosquito
larvae.
● The Mosquito fish species originally from
the U.S., have become global inhabitants.
● It is small in comparison to many other
freshwater fish.
● There are two species of mosquitofish,
Gambusia affinis and Gambusia
holbrooki.
47
Lake Retba
Context:
● Lake Retba is disappearing in Senegal.
More on the news:
● In this lake, only a few microscopic algae and bacteria are found.
● The Pink Lake attracts a significant number of tourists in the Dakar region
mainly due to the distinctive pink color of its waters.
About Lake Retba
● Lake Retba is better known as Lac Rose.
○ It is also known as” the pink lake”.
● It is situated approximately 35 km from Dakar, Senegal.
● It is in a depression with a shoreline 6.5 meters below sea level and
isolated from the sea by about 1 km of sand dunes.
● The fresh water in this lake comes from seasonal water tables.
○ The sea is the main source from where the lake gets water and all salt.
Odisha to Set up a Melanistic Tiger Safari

Context:
● The Odisha Government is establishing a melanistic tiger safari.
More on the news:
● The safari will be established near Baripada, the district headquarters town of Mayurbhanj.
● This location involves Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) too.
About Melanistic tiger
● Melanistic tigers are a rare variant of the Bengal tiger.
● These tigers are also called “black tigers”.
○ They have thick stripes on their body.
● These black stripes are due to pseudo-melanism.
○ In pseudo-melism, there is a single mutation in Transmembrane Aminopeptidase Q (Taqpep).
○ It is responsible for producing similar features in other cat species.
World’s Biggest Iceberg: A23a

Context:
● Recently, Expedition leader Ian Strachan guided his
ship through the snow and fog in the Antarctic seas to
witness the majestic A23a iceberg.
More on the news:
● This iceberg is drifting between Elephant Island and
the South Orkney islands.
● The iceberg is on a path known as “iceberg alley”.
A23: The largest iceberg in the world.
● In 1986, A23a first broke off Antarctica’s Filchner Ice
Shelf coast.
● It is the world's oldest iceberg and largest. A23a is
heading out of the Weddell Sea.
48
Arsenic & Fluoride In Groundwater

Context:
● Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to 24 states and 4 Union Territories regarding the presence of
arsenic and fluoride in groundwater.
About Arsenic:
● Presence: It is a highly toxic element naturally present in the environment and in the earth crust and groundwater of a number
of countries.
● Concerns: Arsenic’s long-term exposure from drinking-water and food can cause cancer, skin disease, cardiovascular disease
and diabetes.
● Permissible Limit: 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:
● Presence: Soil, water, plants, and foods contain trace amounts of fluoride. Most of the fluoride that people consume comes
from fluoridated water, foods and beverages prepared with fluoridated water, and toothpaste and other dental products
containing fluoride.
● Toxicity: It is highly toxic. Death may result from ingesting as little as 2 g of fluoride in an adult and 16 mg/kg in children.
● Concerns: Prolonged fluoride consumption in higher concentrations in drinking water can cause dental fluorosis, skeletal
fluorosis, kidney diseases and arthritis.
● Permissible Limit: 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.
Artificial Reefs in Vizhinjam to Boost Fish Populations

Context:
● The Union Minister launched the project of depositing artificial reefs in the seabed in Vizhinjam, Thiruvananthapuram to boost
the fish population.
About the Project:
● Aim: To create an artificial habitat on the seafloor, creating favorable conditions for fish breeding and their sustainable survival.
● Nodal Agency: Union Department of Fisheries
● Implementing Partners: A joint initiative of the Central and State governments the project is being implemented under Pradhan
Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana with technical assistance being provided by The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
(CMFRI).
● Budget: It is a Centrally Sponsored Project with total cost of 13.02 crore, with 60% being provided by the Central Government
and 40% by the State government.
Artificial Reef Technology:
● About: Artificial reefs are sheltered human-built structures placed on the seabed as a substitute for natural habitats. With a
fixed scientific design, it functions as a self-sustaining production system on the seabed.
● Deployment: CMFRI has deployed the Technology in 132 locations with a total area of 3.7 lakh square meters across the
country, in the coastal waters of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Kerala on an experimental basis.
Development Initiative in Lakshadweep

Context:
● The Prime Minister inaugurated the Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fiber Connection (KLI - SOFC) project
to resolve the slow internet speed problem in Lakshadweep.
About Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fiber Connection
● Aim: The project aims to increase the internet speed by over 100 times, from 1.7Gbps to 200Gbps.
49
● Funding: Total financial implication is about Rs 1072 crore funded by Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund.
○ USO Fund was established with fundamental objective of providing access to "Basic" telecommunication services to
people in remote and rural areas at affordable and reasonable prices.
● Project Execution Agency: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) was nominated as the Project Execution Agency
Punganur Breed
Context:
● The Prime Minister fed cows of the Punganur breed of Andhra
Pradesh on the occasion of Pongal/ Makar Sankranti.
Punganur Cattle Breed:
● Indigenous Breed: The Punganur is an indigenous breed native to the
Punganoor, Vayalapadu, Madanapalli, and Palamaneer talukas of
Chittoor district in the Rayalaseema region of southern Andhra
Pradesh.
● Smallest Breed: It is considered to be the world's smallest humped
cattle.
● Population Data: According to the 20th Livestock Census conducted
in 2019, the total number of Punganur was recorded at 13, 275, which
included 9, 876 pure and 3, 399 graded heads of cattle.
● Highest Population States in Pure Breed Category: Andhra Pradesh (8, 806), followed by 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).
Sulphur coated Urea

● The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the new fortified Urea combination - Sulphur Coated Urea
(SCU) also called Urea Gold.
About Urea Gold:
● It is a non-organic slow-release fertilizer.
● It is generally prepared by coating preheated urea granules with molten sulfur.
● A coating forms a membrane that regulates nitrogen availability for plant growth.
Feature of Urea Gold/Significance
● Urea coated with sulphur helps slow the release of nitrogen, increasing its availability and uptake.
● Urea Gold has added humic acid to enhance the longevity of the fertiliser.
● It will substitute urea consumption and also reduce fertilizer use.
○ It is said that 15 kg of Urea Gold is comparable to 20 kg of conventional urea.
How is it different from other urea?
● Normal urea contains 46% of a single plant nutrient: Nitrogen or N.
● Urea Gold has 37% N plus 17% sulphur or S.
50
6. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

6.1. Assisted Reproductive Technology
Context:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has asked all States and UT’s for data on the
total count of single women (divorcees/widows) and unmarried women who have
effectively utilized Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).
● The aim is to evaluate the implementation of the ART Act, 2021.
More on the news:
● The Ministry has also notified the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulations)
Amendment Rules, 2023, under the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation)
Act, 2021 to provide donors and patients with better care.
● The Health Ministry had also sought category-wise data of the total number of couples
and single women who used surrogacy successfully following the implementation of
the Surrogacy Act, 2021.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF):

● IVF is a method of assisted reproduction in which the woman’s eggs and man’s
sperms are fertilised outside the body in a lab.
● This fertilised egg (embryo) is then transferred in the woman’s womb where they
stick in the uterine lining and grow.
What are Assisted Reproductive Technology(ART) services?

● ART includes techniques for obtaining a pregnancy by handling the sperm or the oocyte
(immature egg cell) outside the human body and transferring the gamete or the embryo
into the reproductive system of a woman.
● These include gamete donation (of sperm or egg), in vitro fertilization, and gestational
surrogacy.
Aspect ART Act 2021 Surrogacy Act 2021
Definition of Inability to conceive after one year of unprotected Inability to conceive after five years of unprotected
Infertility sex sex
Surrogacy Not always involves a third person; treatments for Involves a third person (woman) as the surrogate
Involvement the commissioning couple themselves mother
Eligibility for Open to married couples, live-in partners, single Allowed for only Indian married couples
Surrogacy women, and foreigners
Commissioning Prohibited for foreigners, OCI, PIO cardholders;

by Foreigners NRIs with Indian citizenship can avail surrogacy
6.2. End-to-End Encryption

Context:
● Indian Army develops end-to-end encrypted mobile ecosystem SAMBHAV (Secure Army Mobile Bharat Version).
51
About SAMBHAV
● SAMBHAV is an indigenous, secure, end-to-end mobile ecosystem.
● It is the Indian Army's secure 5G-based mobile platform.
● Developed in collaboration with national centers of excellence from academia and industry.
● Aligns with India's efforts towards dual-use infrastructure and civil-military fusion
● SAMBHAV utilizes commercial cellular networks rather than depending on private networks.
More on the news:
● The SAMBHAV mobile ecosystem aimed at offering secure communication with instant connectivity, even on the move,
marking a "significant leap forward" in India's defense capabilities.
○ This initiative is also consistent with the larger vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
● The plan involves configuring 35, 000 SAMBHAV sets in two phases
○ First Phase:
✓ Objective: Configure 2, 500 SAMBHAV sets.
✓ Target: Completion by January 15 2024.
○ Second Phase:
✓ Task: Complete configuration of remaining SAMBHAV sets.
✓ Deadline: May 31, 2024
6.3. Counterfeit Drugs

Context:
● The Directorate of Vigilance of the Delhi government has
written to the health department to withdraw the drugs that
failed quality standard tests.
More on the news:
● Supply of Sub- Standard Quality Drugs: Lieutenant
Governor of Delhi recommended a CBI inquiry into the
matter of the alleged supply of drugs that failed quality
standard tests and have the potential to endanger lives in
Delhi government hospitals.
● Counterfeit Medicine Sieze: Recently, counterfeit
medicines of about ₹2 crores from leading manufacturers
were seized from unlicensed premises situated in Kolkata.
About Counterfeit Drugs:
● Counterfeit Drugs: Drugs manufactured or packaged
fraudulently are referred to as
counterfeit/fake/spurious/falsified drugs because they either
lack active ingredients or have incorrect dosages.
● Global Issue: The World Health Organization states the
frightening figure in which almost 10.5% of the medications
worldwide are either subpar or fake.
○ Although developing and low-income countries are the
targets of large-scale drug counterfeiting activities, these
drugs are also making their way into developed nations,
including the USA, Canada, and European countries.
52
6.4. News In Brief

PSLV-C58 XPoSat Mission:
● ISRO successfully launched the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra
Pradesh.
● XPoSat is India’s third space-based observatory and aims to measure X-ray polarization from various cosmic sources using its
payloads POLIX and XSPECT.
● The mission also includes the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3 (POEM-3) experiment and aims to study black holes and
neutron stars in space.
Ionospheric Observations at Indian Antarctica Station:

● Scientists from the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) studied ionospheric density variations at the Bharati station in
Antarctica between 2010 and 2022.
● The study revealed substantial seasonal variations in ionospheric density, with peak densities observed during equinoctial
months and unexpected diurnal patterns during polar nights and days.
● The findings provide insights into ionospheric behavior and its interaction with solar activity, contributing to understanding
Earth's upper atmosphere dynamics.
Scientists looking at Fruit Flies for Huntington’s Disease Clues:

● Researchers used genetically engineered fruit flies to study Huntington’s disease and identified a potential solution through
overexpression of a specific gene called Yod1.
● Huntington’s disease is a neurological disorder caused by a mutated HTT gene, leading to nerve cell damage in the brain.
● Fruit fly models offer versatile tools for investigating molecular mechanisms underlying human diseases, providing valuable
insights for potential treatments.
53
Non-Invasive Formaldehyde Sensor Can Detect Adulterated Fish:

● A low-cost sensor made of metal oxide nanoparticles-reduced graphene oxide composite can detect formalin adulteration in
fish at room temperature.
● Developed by Guwahati University, Assam, the sensor offers a non-invasive and affordable solution for detecting formalin
adulteration, which poses health risks.
● The sensor's long-term stability, low detection limit, and non-invasive nature make it a promising tool for ensuring food safety
and preventing formalin-related health issues.
Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO):

● The SKAO, an international mega-science project, will become the largest radio telescope globally and now includes scientists
from India.
● Established as an intergovernmental organization in 2021, the SKAO involves countries like India and aims to place thousands
of antennas in Australia and South Africa.
● India's contribution to the SKA includes the development and management of the Telescope Manager component, handled by
institutions like the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA).
Health Ministry Steps Up Fight Against Zoonotic Diseases:

● The Union Health Ministry is intensifying efforts against zoonotic diseases, which constitute 75% of new infectious diseases
emerging over the last three decades.
● Zoonotic diseases are infections transmitted between animals and humans, caused by various pathogens such as viruses,
bacteria, parasites, and fungi.
● Examples of zoonotic diseases include rabies, anthrax, brucellosis, plague, tuberculosis, and salmonellosis, among others.
ERNET India’s Web Portal for Educational Institutes:

● ERNET India, an autonomous scientific society under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has launched
an integrated web portal for educational institutes in India.
● The portal offers services like domain registration, DNS, and value-added services such as Website as a Service (WaaS) and
Learning Management as a Service (LMaaS).
● ERNET India plays a crucial role in providing smart classrooms, campus Wi-Fi, and web accessibility to research and
educational institutions in India.
Voice Cloning:
● Voice cloning through artificial intelligence is increasingly being used for fraudulent activities in India, with instances of
cyberattacks impersonating individuals' voices to scam victims.
● Scammers use AI-generated voice clones created from audio recordings to deceive individuals into transferring money or
divulging sensitive information.
● Various online applications like Murf, Resemble, and Speechify offer voice cloning services, enabling scammers to replicate
voices with high accuracy.
Superconductivity in LK-99 Material:

● Researchers from China and Japan have observed indications of superconductivity in the contentious material LK-99.
● LK-99, consisting of lead, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus compounds, has shown potential as a superconductor under room
temperature and standard atmospheric pressure conditions.
● Superconductivity is the property of certain materials to conduct electricity without resistance when cooled below a critical
temperature, with LK-99 exhibiting this behavior near room temperature.
54
ISRO’s Aditya-L1 in Halo Orbit at Lagrangian Point (L1):

● ISRO has positioned the Aditya-L1 spacecraft in a halo orbit around the Lagrangian point (L1), where it will continuously
observe the sun without obstruction.
● Lagrange points are positions in space where gravitational forces balance out, providing stable locations for satellites.
● Aditya-L1's mission involves studying the sun's activities and phenomena, benefiting from uninterrupted solar observation.
Super-Energetic Particles from Outer Space (Amaterasu Particles):

● Scientists have detected extremely high-energy cosmic ray particles, known as Amaterasu particles, falling to Earth, originating
from an unknown source in space.
● These particles have energies exceeding 240 exa-electron volts and have puzzled astronomers due to their origin from
seemingly empty regions of the universe.
● Cosmic rays are high-energy particles that travel through space, offering insights into extraterrestrial matter.
WHO Certifies Cabo Verde Malaria-Free:

● The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Cabo Verde as a malaria-free country, making it the third African nation
to achieve this status.
● Malaria remains a significant health burden in Africa, with Cabo Verde's achievement marking progress in disease control
efforts on the continent.
HPV Vaccine Against Cervical Cancer:

● The Indian government plans to launch an HPV immunization campaign targeting girls aged 9-14 to prevent cervical cancer
cases.
● The vaccine, called Cervavac, is India's first indigenously developed quadrivalent HPV vaccine, targeting four common HPV
types associated with cervical cancer.
● Cervical cancer is a major health concern in India, with the vaccine campaign aiming to reduce its incidence through preventive
measures.
Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) Project:

● An Indian delegation visited Mauna Kea, Hawaii, to address challenges faced by the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) Project,
which aims to build a groundbreaking optical/infrared telescope.
● India is a partner in the TMT Project, contributing significant hardware, software, and instruments, and supporting its
development.
● The TMT will enable advanced research in areas such as exoplanet detection, dark matter, early galaxy formation, and black
hole imaging.
New Initiatives of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY):

● MeitY has launched two initiatives, the Centre of Excellence in Intelligent Internet of Things Sensors and the India Innovation
Centre for Graphene, in Kerala.
● These initiatives aim to promote research and development in intelligent sensor systems and graphene technology, fostering
innovation and capacity building in India.
● Graphene, a one-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms, possesses unique properties with diverse applications in areas like food
packaging, batteries, electronics, and construction.
55
Trials of Human Vaccine for Nipah Virus:

● Scientists at the University of Oxford have initiated the first-in-human vaccine trials for the Nipah virus, using the ChAdOx1
platform similar to the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
● The Nipah virus is a zoonotic pathogen causing severe respiratory infections and encephalitis, with fruit bats serving as natural
hosts.
● The vaccine trials aim to develop a preventive measure against Nipah virus infection, addressing a significant public health
concern in regions where outbreaks occur.
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.
Gut Microbiome and Health

● Context: Scientists are finding that ‘Gut Microbiota may be linked to heart health, some cancers, and even the colour of urine.
More on the news:
● In 2012, an international consortium of scientists launched the Human Microbiome Project that provided the first glimpses into
the human body’s complex microbial makeup using genome sequencing.
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.
Jet Fuel from Alcohol

Context:
The first pilot technology project to make jet fuel from alcohol was inaugurated by the Union Petroleum and Natural Gas
Minister in Pune.
More on the news:
● Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is collaborating with Praj Industries Pune to set up an Sustainable Aviation Fuel production unit
based on the alcohol-to-jet fuel (ATJ) pathway.
● 2023 saw the completion of a flight from Pune to Delhi using bio aviation fuel made from alcohol.
What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?
● Sustainable Aviation Fuel, also known as bio-jet fuel, is a type of fuel that is produced through domestically developed methods
using cooking oil and oil-rich seeds from plants.
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 the 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.
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About Havisure® Vaccine:

● Prescription: 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.
● It is recommended for children in routine immunization as well as for individuals at risk of exposure or travel to the regions
with high hepatitis A prevalence.
ISRO’s Distress Alert Transmitter for Fishermen

Context:
Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed an
improvised Distress Alert Transmitter (DAT) for fishermen at sea to send emergency
messages from fishing boats.
More on the news:
● ISRO has improvised DAT with advanced capabilities and features evolving to Second
Generation DAT (DAT-SG).
○ The first version of DAT has been operational since 2010.
● The services of Second Generation DAT have been declared operational on a 24/7
basis, with more than 20, 000 DATs being used till now.
Working of Distress Alert Transmitter (DAT):
● Using DAT, messages are sent through a communication satellite and received at a central control station (INMCC: Indian
Mission Control Centre), where the alert signals are decoded for the 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).
Pulsar Glitch: A Cosmic Mystery

Context:
● The first pulsar (PSR B1919+21) was discovered by scientists Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Antony Hewish in 1967.
What are Pulsars?
● About: 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. These accelerated
particles produce very powerful beams of light.
● Radio signals emitted from near the poles of such a star would form a narrow cone that sweeps past the earth with every
rotation, like the light from a lighthouse shining over a ship on the sea.
Health Ministry to Introduce 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 the news:

● Aim: To stop its transmission at the sub-national level by 2027, three years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goals.
● 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.
○ WHO has been providing MDT free of cost.
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WHO guidelines for Multi-Modal Generative AI in Healthcare

Context:
● The World Health Organization (WHO) has released comprehensive guidelines on the ethical use and governance of large
multi-modal models (LMM) in healthcare.
Large Language Models:
● About: LLMs are a type of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm that uses deep learning techniques and massively large data
sets to perform a variety of natural language processing (NLP) tasks to understand, summarize, generate and predict new
content.
○ They are also referred to as neural networks (NNs), as they are in effect computing systems inspired by the human brain.
Soil Based Microbial Fuel Cell
Context:
● A team led by Northwestern University in Illinois has developed a new
fuel cell they claim can harvest energy from microbes living in the soil to
power sensors, and communications.
Soil-Based Microbial Fuel Cell:
● About: The soil microbial fuel cell (SMFC) is a potential technology for
bioelectricity generation.
○ An SMFC can convert chemical energy from organic compounds to
electrical energy by utilizing exo-electrogenic bacteria existing in the
soil.
Miniature Nuclear Battery

Context:
● Betavolt, a Chinese startup, has announced that it has developed a revolutionary battery capable of powering smartphones for
50 years without requiring recharging.
More on the news:
● Mechanism: The battery 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.
● Utility: These atomic energy batteries can provide enduring power in aerospace, AI equipment, medical devices,
microprocessors, advanced sensors, small drones, and micro-robots.
○ It has the potential to revolutionize electronics by eliminating the need for chargers or portable power banks.
● Capacity: The initial nuclear battery developed by Betavolt delivers 100 microwatts of power and has a voltage of 3V, while
measuring a tiny 15x15x5 cubic millimeters.
'Vaibhav' Fellows
• Scheme Overview:
○ Launch: Initiated by the Ministry of Science and Technology in June 2023.
○ Objective: Connect Indian-origin scientists in STEMM fields with Indian institutions for collaborative research.
• Recipients: 22 scientists awarded the Vaibhav fellowship.
India International Science Festival 2023

• Event: Young Scientist Conference inaugurated by the Minister of Earth Sciences.
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• Organizers: Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Department of Space, and Department of Atomic
Energy.
• Theme: "Science and Technology Public Outreach in Amrit Kaal".
Kairali AI Chip
• Innovation: Kerala's first silicon-proven AI Chip developed by Digital University Kerala.
• Features:
○ Edge Intelligence: Utilizes edge computing for high performance and low power consumption.
○ Applications: Precision farming, aerospace, automobile, facial recognition, real-time language translation, etc.
Prithvi Vigyan Initiative

• Initiative Overview:
○ Proposal: Ministry of Earth Sciences' comprehensive scheme integrating five sub-schemes.
○ Sub-Schemes: ACROSS, O-SMART, PACER, SAGE, REACH OUT.
• Objectives:
○ Enhance monitoring of Earth's atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere, and solid earth.
○ Develop modeling systems for weather and climate prediction.
○ Explore polar and high seas regions for new phenomena and resources.
○ Develop technology for sustainable oceanic resource utilization.
Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM)

• Achievement: Japanese spacecraft successfully lands on the moon.
• Significance: Japan becomes the fifth country to achieve a lunar landing.
• SLIM Overview:
○ Purpose: Exploration lander for pinpoint landings on the Moon.
○ Objectives: Demonstrate accurate lunar landing techniques and study low-gravity environments.
• Launched by: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
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7. DEFENCE & SECURITY

7.1. Peace Pact with ULFA
Context:
● Recently, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Assam government and the pro-talks faction of the United
Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) signed a memorandum of settlement.
More on the news:
● Surrender by ULFA: ULFA cadres have agreed to surrender arms and ammunition, vacate their camps, join the
mainstream society and engage in the peaceful democratic process established by law.
● Monitoring Fulfillment of Demands: A time-bound programme would be made by the MHA to fulfill the demands of the
ULFA and a committee would also be formed for its monitoring.
About ULFA:
● Genesis: It emerged from the All Assam Students Union anti-immigrant agitation that began in 1979 demanding a sovereign
State for the Assamese people.
● Objectives of ULFA: The founders of ULFA wanted to establish a sovereign Assamese nation through an armed struggle
against the Indian state.
● Government Response: In 1990, the Centre launched Operation Bajrang to tackle growing violence leading to the arrest of
over 1, 200 ULFA insurgents.
Significance of Agreement:
● Ensuring Peace Assam: The Home Ministry has taken a
significant initiative to engage in negotiations with the ULFA,
aiming to achieve resolution and closure. This agreement
holds the promise of fulfilling the long-standing aspirations
of the people.
● Violent Groups Surrendered: As more than 9000 cadres
have surrendered on record, the Armed Forces Special
Powers Act (AFSPA) has been lifted from 85% of Assam.
● Triumph of Democratic Process: ULFA has also agreed to
engage in the peaceful democratic process established by law
and maintain the integrity of the country.
● Progress and Development: Government of India has agreed to provide a huge package and several big projects for all round
development of Assam.
Challenges Still Remain:
● An Incomplete Peace: The other faction known as ULFA-I led by Paresh Baruah, has not joined the peace process. ULFA-
I has the support of 100 cadres.
● Cross-Border Existence: ULFA has survived in some part due to help from outside India. It still has camps in Myanmar,
and previously had camps in both Bangladesh and Bhutan.
● Supporting Links: ULFA has links to other insurgent outfits in the Northeast and Myanmar, as well as Islamic terror outfits
like Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami, and Al-Qaeda.
Way Forward:
● Fulfill Promise: Government needs to actively work towards fulfilling the promises made during the peace agreement,
addressing the concerns and aspirations of the ULFA and the affected communities.
● Complete Peace Process: Ensure a comprehensive and thorough peace process that goes beyond a mere agreement, fostering
an environment of trust and reconciliation.
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● Complete Integration and Assimilation: Facilitate the integration and assimilation of former ULFA members into
mainstream society, involving rehabilitation programs, vocational training, and support for their social and economic
integration.
● Ensure Continued Monitoring: Establish a robust mechanism for continued monitoring of the peace agreement's
implementation ensuring that all parties adhere to their commitments.
7.2. Defence Technology Roadmap of India

Context:
● Recently, the Vijay Raghavan panel has reportedly suggested that a
Defence Technology Council (DTC) chaired by the Prime Minister should
determine the country’s defence technology roadmap.
About DRDO:
● Establishment: DRDO, formed in 1958, is the R&D wing of the Ministry
of Defence, aiming to empower India with advanced defence technologies.
● Vision: To achieve self-reliance in critical defence technologies and equip
armed forces with state-of-the-art systems.
Significant Achievements:
● Historic projects like Project Devil and the Integrated Guided Missile
Development Programme.
● Recent advancements include the development of Weapon Locating
Radar, NBC reconnaissance Vehicle, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.
● Recent Progress: DRDO has made strides with private sector involvement,
setting up test facilities, signing MoUs, and enhancing funding under the
Defence Technology Development Fund.
Major Challenges Faced by DRDO:
● Delayed Projects: Many projects have faced significant delays, raising concerns about adherence to timelines.
● Declining Research Budget: Despite increased R&D expenditure, DRDO's share of the defence budget has decreased.
● High Dependence on Imports: India remains reliant on foreign military platforms, hindering the Make in India initiative.
● Substandard Production: A significant percentage of DRDO products
fail to meet quality standards, leading to rejections by the armed forces.
Way Forward:
● Implement Recommendations: Actively consider implementing the
Vijay Raghavan Panel's recommendations, focusing on R&D and
establishing the Defence Technology Council.
● Address Project Delays: Streamline bureaucratic processes, improve
project management, and set realistic timelines to address delays.
● Enhance Indigenization Efforts: Prioritize indigenous production and
innovation to achieve greater self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
● Performance Monitoring: Implement a robust monitoring and
evaluation system to ensure accountability and track progress.
● Public-Private Collaboration: Foster collaboration with private
companies to leverage expertise and resources for future-ready
systems.
● Educational Initiatives: Collaborate with universities and institutions
for skill development and training of DRDO officers.
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7.3. News In Brief

Territorial Jurisdiction of the Border Security Force
Context:
● The Supreme Court decided to examine the questions that arise from the expansion of the Border Security Force’s (BSF)
jurisdiction by the Central Government.
More on the news:
● Background of Jurisdiction Expansion: The Central government passed a notification in October 2021 amending BSF Act,
1968 extending the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF) from 15 to 50 km from the International Border.
● Legal Challenge by Punjab Government: Punjab has filed a suit against the Union government under Article 131 of the
Constitution, challenging the decision to increase the operational jurisdiction of the BSF.Examination of Issues: A three-judge
bench will hear the matter in the third week of April. The court will examine the following issues:
○ Arbitrary Exercise of Power: Whether the notification issued by the union government resulting in the increase in the
jurisdiction of the BSF in the State of Punjab constitutes an arbitrary exercise of power of the BSF Act 1968.
○ Beyond the Local Limit: Whether the increase of the jurisdiction of the BSF is beyond the 'local limits of areas adjoining
the borders of India.
○ Factors to be Considered: What factors ought to be taken into account while determining the “local limits of areas adjoining
the borders of India”.
○ Similar Treatment of States: Whether all states have to be treated alike for the purpose of determining the local limits of
areas adjoining the borders of India under Section 139 (1) of the BSF Act, 1968.
○ Challenge under Original Suit: Whether the constitutionality of the notification of October 11, 2021 can be challenged in
an original suit under Article 131 of the Constitution.
MHA Declares Tehreek-e-Hurriyat as an ‘Unlawful Association’

Context:
● The Ministry of Home Affairs declared Tehreek-e-Hurriyatn as an ‘Unlawful Association’ under the Unlawful Activities
(Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967.
More on the news:
● MHA Declares Jammu and Kashmir-based Tehreek-e-Hurriyatn is declared an unlawful association under provisions of
Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967 for 5 years.
● Charges: The group is engaged in activities aimed at separating Jammu & Kashmir from India and establishing Islamic rule.
○ It has been accused of spreading anti-India messages and continuing terrorist actions to promote secessionism in J&K.
About Tehreek-e-Hurriyat:
● It is a separatist political party in Jammu and Kashmir, India founded by Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
DRDO’s Anti-Drone Technology
Context:
● The counter-drone system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is now ready to go
into production.
Counter Drone System:

● Counter-drone systems are defense systems built to prevent attacks using a Drone by detection, identification and
neutralization of an intruding drone. It is categorized as kinetic or non-kinetic.
○ Kinetic systems: They fire projectiles, such as bullets or missiles, at a drone to destroy it and incorporate a sensor,
such as radar, to detect the drone and a motorized platform to aim and fire the weapon.
○ Non-kinetic systems block the flight capability or corrupt the signals crucial for control and navigation. They do it by
emitting noise signals at set frequencies, rendering the drone incapable of detecting its command signals or may also
transmit false GPS signals.
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More on the news:

● The Defence Ministry, in a Parliamentary Panel report “A review of the working of DRDO”, informed the House of the
functioning of DRDO and future endeavors.
Rejupave Technology
Context:
● Recently, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has utilized the 'Rejupave' technology to build bituminous road sections at
the world's highest Sela road tunnel and LGG-Damteng-Yangste (LDY Road) road section near the China border in Arunachal
Pradesh.
About Rejupave Technology:
● Developed by: CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI).
● Use of a bio-oil-based product: Rejupave asphalt modifier is a bio-oil-based product that lowers the heating requirement of
bituminous mixes besides preserving the bituminous mix's temperature during transit.
Operation The Indian Army is launching Operation Sarvashakti to counter terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sarvashakti About Operation Shakti:
● Genesis: Pakistani proxy terrorist groups have tried to revive terrorism in the area South of Pir Panjal
ranges, especially the Rajouri-Poonch Sector.
● Strategic Coordination: The Indian Army has started in close coordination with the Jammu and
Kashmir Police, CRPF, Special Operations Group, and the intelligence agencies.
● Geographics Focus Both sides of the Pir Panjal ranges and Rajouri-Poonch Sector.
● Other Examples: The operations are expected to be on the lines of Operation Sarpvinash, which was
launched in 2003 to eliminate terrorists from the same areas in the South of Pir Panjal range.
Maiden Indian Recently, the maiden bilateral maritime exercise named “Ayutthaya” was conducted between the Indian
Navy – Royal Navy (IN) and Royal Thai Navy (RTN).
Thai Navy More on the news:
Bilateral ● Indo-Thai CORPAT: The 36th edition of India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai
Exercise CORPAT) was also conducted along with the maiden bilateral exercise.
● Other military exercise between India - Thailand: Joint Military Exercise Maitree
About Exercise Ayutthaya:
● Name: Exercise Ayutthaya translates to ‘The Invincible One’ or ‘Undefeatable’ and symbolizes the
significance of ‘Ayodhya’ in India and Ayutthaya in Thailand, which holds historical legacies and
has rich cultural ties.
● Ships Participated: The Indian Navy was represented by Indigenously built Indian Naval ships
Kulish and IN LCU 56. The RTN side was represented by His Thai Majesty's Ship (HTMS)
Prachuap Khiri Khan.
● Exercise Conducted: Participating units from both navies conducted surface and anti-air exercises
including weapon firing, seamanship evolutions and tactical maneuvers.
Desert Cyclone The inaugural edition of joint military exercise 'Desert Cyclone 2024' involving India and the UAE is set
2024 to occur in Rajasthan from January 2 to January 15.
More about the news:
● Counter Terrorism Operations: The joint exercise would focus on counter terrorism operations
wherein the participants will engage in missions ranging from joint planning, operations, joint tactical
drills.
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● Significance: It will enhance interoperability by learning and sharing best practices in urban operations.
○ It will enhance the skills of armed forces in diverse areas of war-fighting by operating with armed
forces of various nations.
MARCOS- The marine commandos (MARCOS) of the Indian Navy safely evacuated the Indian crew from the bulk
Navy Marines carrier, after a UK organization indicated pirate hijacking.
About MARCOS:
● The MARCOs or Marine Commando Force of the Indian Navy comprise the toughest soldiers who
undergo rigorous training to conduct swift and stealthy responses.
○ MARCOs are modeled on the US Navy SEALS.
● Formation: The MARCOs were formed in 1987, with collaboration of the National Security Guard,
Garud, Para commandos, Force One.
● Past Operations: MARCOS has earned recognition for its remarkable performance in Cactus, Leech,
Pawan, and in the 26/11 Mumbai attack operation.
○ ‘Operation Pawan’ was an operation against LTTE in the 1980s amidst the Sri Lankan Civil War,
which helped restore peace in the region.
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8. SOCIETY
8.1. Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) Report 2023
● Context: 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:
● Target Age Group: 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.
● Focused Domains in Survey: The survey was focused on the following domains:
● Activities: Activities in which India's youth are currently engaged.
● Awareness and Digital skills: Awareness of digital technologies and platforms among the youth.
● Educational and career pathways: Aspirations of Indian youth
● Ability to apply foundational skills to daily life situations: Basic and applied reading and math abilities among the youths.
● Status of Youth Activities: Across all enrolment categories, a higher proportion of females than males were doing household
work daily. Overall, this difference is about 20 percentage points.
○ Among males and females, most youth working in activities other than household work tend to be working on family
farms.
○ It was found that a higher percentage of males (40.3%) than females (28%) had done work other than household work for
more than 15 days.
○ Around 30% of youth are working for their parents.
● Aspirations: The survey shows that the two most popular choices
among the boys and young men in the sample were army (13.8%) and
police (13.6%).
○ Among the girls and young women surveyed, teacher (16%) and
doctor (14.8%) were the most preferred choices.
● Age Gap in Enrollment: Overall, 86.8% of 14-18-year-olds are
enrolled in an educational institution. The percentage of youth not
enrolled is 3.9% for 14-year-old youth and is 32.6% for 18-year-olds.
● Choice of Streams: Most people in this age group were enrolled in the
Arts/Humanities streams.
○ In Class XI or higher, more than half are enrolled in the
Arts/Humanities stream (55.7%) and females are less likely to be
enrolled in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics stream (28.1%) than males (36.3%).
● Status of Vocational Training: Only 5.6% of surveyed youth are
taking vocational training or other related courses.
● Assessment of Basic Skills and Literacy levels: About 25% of this
age group cannot read a standard II-level text fluently in their
regional language.
● Division Problems: More than half among 14-18-year-old youth
struggle with division (3-digit by 1-digit) problems wherein only
43.3% are able to do such problems correctly.
● Digital Divide in Smartphone Proficiency: About 90% of
surveyed households had smartphones. Of the surveyed children,
almost 95% boys and 90% girls could use a smartphone.
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8.2. Road Accidents in India

Context:
● Transporters are protesting against the Bharatiya Nyaya
Sanhita (BNS), as per which, a driver may face up to 10
years’ imprisonment related to road accidents.
What Is The New Hit-And-Run Law?
● IPC: Currently, under Section 304A of the Indian Penal
Code (IPC), the punishment for causing death by
negligence is 2 years imprisonment and fine, or both.
● BNS: Section 106(1) of the BNS provides for a punishment
of 0-5 years, while Section 106 (2) provides for a
punishment of 0-10 years in hit and run cases.
○ If a person immediately reports to a police officer or
magistrate about the accident caused by reckless
driving, the individual will not be charged under
subsection 106(2).
Concerns of Transporters:
● Penalties under BNS: Drivers causing serious road
accidents and fleeing face up to 10 years in prison and a
fine of Rs 7 lakh.
● Lack of Clarity: Experts emphasize the need for clearer
guidelines on how accused drivers should inform
authorities to avoid potential public anger at accident
scenes.
● Preventing Misuse: Safeguards are required to prevent
potential misuse of this provision.
● Defining Evidence Standards: Road safety experts say that
there is a need to define the type of evidence that will be
accepted to authenticate claims by victims or accused
individuals.
8.3. NITI Aayog’s Discussion Paper

Context:
● According to a discussion paper ‘Multidimensional Poverty in India since 2005-06’ released by NITI Aayog, the share of
India’s population living in multidimensional poverty is estimated to have fallen to 11.28% in 2022-23 from 29.17% in 2013-
14.
Key Findings:
● Poverty Reduction: NITI Aayog estimates a total of 24.82 crore
people escaped multidimensional poverty in the last nine years.
● State-wise Estimates: States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya
Pradesh, and Rajasthan recorded the sharpest decline in people
classified as poor based on the Multidimensional Poverty Index
(MPI).
○ For instance, Bihar recorded a drop from 56.3 percent share
of MPI poor in 2013-14 to 26.59 percent in 2022-23.
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● Poverty Headcount Ratio: The pace of decline in poverty

headcount ratio was much faster between 2015-16 to 2019-
21 (10.66% annual rate of decline) compared to the period
2005-06 to 2015-16 (7.69% annual rate of decline).
● Severity of Deprivation: It measures the average
multidimensionally poor person who suffers from
deprivation. Deprivation declined slightly between 2015-16
and 2019-21 compared to 2005-06 and 2013-14.
○ Within the standard of living dimension, the highest
levels of deprivation in 2005-06 were found in
indicators such as Cooking Fuel (74.40%), Sanitation
(70.92%), and Bank Accounts (58.11%).
○ The latest estimates show that Cooking Fuel (43.90%)
and Housing (41.37%) continue to have the highest
deprivation, while indicators like Bank Accounts
(3.69%) maintain the lowest deprivation levels based on
NFHS-5 (2019-21).
8.4. Social Security in India

Context:
● India needs to aspire to provide social security to all of its
workforce, in a manner that is fiscally and
administratively feasible
What is Social Security?
● According to the ILO, social security is the protection
provided to individuals and households to ensure access
to health care and to guarantee income security,
particularly in cases of old age, unemployment, sickness,
invalidity, work injury, maternity or loss of a
breadwinner.
Need for Universal Social Security:
● Rising Ageing Population: The number of people aged 60
and above will increase from 149 million (14.9 crore) in
2022 to 347 million (34.7 crore) in 2050.
● Fragmented Nature of Schemes: The education assistance
under the Private Commercial Transport Workers’
Accident Benefit Scheme is given to a maximum of two
children of the driver, only if he suffers accidental death
or permanent disability.
○ There is no scholarship for his children if he is still
alive and able-bodied.
● Exclusion of Gig Workers: Gig-workers' children lack
scholarships, either when the worker is alive or after his
death, while construction workers' children get
scholarships from pre-school to post-graduation.
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● Deficiencies Associated with Sector-Specific Schemes: The Unorganised Workers’ Social Security (UWSS) Act of 2008 aimed
to provide universal social security to every unorganised worker and provide all nine benefits prescribed by the ILO.
○ However, due to its several inherent deficiencies, only 4, 30, 198 registered workers availed themselves of sector-specific
schemes, receiving only one or two benefits.
○ Nine principal benefits of social security prescribed by the ILO include medical care, sickness, unemployment, old age,
employment injury, family, maternity, invalidity and survivors' benefits.
8.4. News In Brief
Plane Grounded in France Over Human Trafficking
Context:
● Recently, a Nicaragua-bound plane from Dubai carrying 303 Indian
passengers was grounded in France over suspected human trafficking.
More on the news:
● The flight that had taken off from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates
with 303 passengers was grounded at Vatry airport, 150 kilometres
east of Paris.
● French police intervened based on an anonymous tip about possible
human trafficking.
● Most passengers were from Banaskantha, Patan, Mehsana and Anand
districts in Gujarat.
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.
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.
● Follow a Rigid Caste System: The Bhat and Khash are upper castes, and the Badhois are below them, and they discouraged
inter-caste marriages.
● Khumbli for Decision: The Hattis are governed by a traditional council called Khumbli, which like the Khaps of Haryana,
decide community matters.
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.
What is 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.
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9. MISCELLANEOUS
9.1. Sports News
Herman Cruz
• Netherlands' Herman Cruijn was appointed as the new High Performance
Director by Hockey India on Tuesday.
• He will remain in this post till September 2024.
Vaishali Rameshbabu
• Indian female chess player Vaishali Rameshbabu has become the third female
Grandmaster of India.
• She is the sister of Pragyananand (FIDE World Cup winner).
• With this, they have become the first Indian brother-sister pair to achieve the
status of Grandmaster in chess.
6th Khelo India Youth Games

• The sixth edition of Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) was held from January
19 to January 31, 2024 in four cities of Tamil Nadu: Chennai, Trichy, Madurai
and Coimbatore.
• Khelo India Winter Games 2024 will be held in Ladakh and Jammu and
Kashmir.
○ The recently unveiled mascot for the event is a snow leopard named 'Sheen-
e She' or Shaan.
wake up mario
• Brazil on January 5, 2024Mario Jagallo passed away.
• Jagallo won two World Cups as a player, in 1958 and 1962.
Asian Baseball Championship

• Japan won the BFA Asian Baseball Championship by defeating Taiwan 1-0 in
the tournament title match at the Taipei Dome on Sunday night.
Khelo India Para Games‚ 2023

• The Khelo India Para Games 2023 concluded on December 17 in New Delhi,
with Haryana winning the inaugural title by securing a total of 105 medals
including 40 gold, 39 silver and 26 bronze.
• In this competition, seven para sports will be organized – Athletics, Shooting,
Archery, Football, Badminton, Table Tennis and Weightlifting.
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Admiral Cup‚ 2023

• Admiral Cup Sailing Regatta‚ 2023 was held at the Ettikulam beach of the
Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala from 5-8 December‚ 2023.
• The Admiral's Cup‚ 2023 was the 12th edition of this competition.
• Italy has been the winner of the Admiral Cup‚ 2023 held at the Indian Naval
Academy.
World Tennis League‚ 2023

• PBG Eagles has won the title of the World Tennis League 2023 held in Abu
Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on 24 December 2023.
Ice Hockey World Junior Championships‚ 2024

• America has won the title of the Ice Hockey World Junior Championship, 2024,
which concluded on January 5, 2024.
• The runner-up was Sweden.
9.2. Places In News
Somaliland Ethiopia has signed a deal granting it naval and commercial access to ports along
Somaliland’s coast.
About Somaliland:
Background:
● 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:
● Region: Situated in the Horn of Africa.
○ The Horn of Africa is a region that is recognized internationally as
comprising Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti.
● Borders: 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.
● Coastline: Has a long coastline along the Gulf of Aden.
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State of Emergency Declared in The Ecuadorian President declared a state of emergency for 60 days after a
Ecuador jailbreak incident.
Republic of Ecuador:
● Location: 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.
● Neighbours: 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.
● Importance: It is one of 17 megadiverse countries in the world.
Mount Marapi Mount Marapi on the Indonesian island of Sumatra erupted recently.
Mount Marapi:
● Mount Marapi means "Mountain of Fire '' .
● Location: 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: Prone to volcanic Eruptions.
● 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 (25, 000 miles)
from South America to North America through the Bearing Strait, Japan up to
New Zealand).
Nauru The South Pacific nation of Nauru recently announced its decision to switch its
diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China.
About Nauru:
● About: Nauru is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It
consists of a raised coral island located in southeastern Micronesia, 25 miles
(40 km) 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.
● Capital: Nauru has no official capital.
● Ethnic Composition: Most of the island’s residents are indigenous Nauruans.
There are small numbers of I-Kiribati (Gilbertese), Australians, New Zealanders,
Chinese, and Tuvaluans.
○ Nauru is considered one of the most Westernized countries in the South
Pacific.
Baltic Port of Ust-Luga Russia has recently blamed Ukraine for an attack that at the Baltic port of Ust-Luga,
close to Russia's border with Estonia.
About the Baltic Port of Ust-Luga:
● Location: UST-LUGA is located in the Baltic Sea, Finland Gulf in Russia.
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● Project type: Integrated gas processing and liquefaction facility.

About Baltic Sea:
● 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.
Restoration of Lake Victoria Lake Victoria is facing numerous environmental challenges which demand
collective efforts for restoration and conservation.
About Lake Victoria:
● About: It is the world's largest tropical lake and the second largest
freshwater lake. (after Lake Superior in North America).
● Bordering Countries: Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya.
○ It is also called Victoria Nyanza in Kenya, Nalubaale in Uganda, and
Ukerewe in Tanzania.
● Source: 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 most
important source of water for the lake is rainfall.
● Geology: The lake lies within an elevated plateau in the western part of
Africa's Great Rift Valley.
● Islands: Important islands are the Rusinga and Mfangano islands in Kenya;
the Rubondo and Ukerewe islands in Tanzania; and the Ssese and Ngamba
islands in Uganda.
● Need for Intervention: Lake Victoria and its flora and fauna support the
livelihoods of about 45 million people.
Greenland In the new study, researchers found that over 1, 000 gigatons or 20% of ice around
the edges of Greenland had been lost over the past four decades.
About Greenland:
● Greenland: It is the world’s largest island, lying in the North Atlantic Ocean.
○ The Greenlandic people call their homeland Kalaallit Nunaat (“Country of
the Greenlanders”)
● Capital: Nuuk
● Location: It is located in the North Atlantic Ocean 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 is the world’s largest (non-continent) island.
○ It shares its maritime borders with Canada, Iceland and Norway.
○ It is positioned both in the Northern and Western hemispheres of the Earth.
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• Physical Feature: 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.
● National Park: Northeast Greenland National Park is the world’s largest
national park.
9.3. Person In News
Muhammad Yunus Muhammad Yunus was convicted of violating Bangladesh's labour laws and sentenced to
6 months in jail.
Who Is Muhammad Yunus?
● Muhammad Yunus, also known as ‘Banker to the Poor’ is a prominent figure known for
his contributions to ‘Social Entrepreneurship and Microfinancing.’
● Nobel Laureate and Social Entrepreneur: He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006
for founding Grameen Bank and pioneering microcredit and microfinance.
● Founder of Grameen Bank: In 1983, Yunus established Grameen Bank in Bangladesh,
focusing on providing small loans to the impoverished without requiring collateral.
● Microfinance Revolution: His concept of microcredit has been influential globally,
inspiring similar microfinance efforts in around 100 countries, including developed
nations.
○ The Grameen Bank model primarily focuses on lending to women, recognizing their
crucial role in family and community welfare.
● Global Initiatives and Recognition: In 2011, he co-founded Yunus Social Business –
Global Initiatives (YSB), which supports and creates social businesses worldwide.
Savitribai Phule Every year on 3rd January, India celebrates Savitribai Phule Jayanti.
About Savitribai Phule:
● Savitribai Phule: She was a social reformer, poet, and powerful voice who played a
crucial role in India's social reform movement during the 19th century.
● Birth: She was born on January 3, 1831, in Naigaon village of Maharashtra. At the age
of 9 years, she was married to Jyotirao Phule, who was 13 years old at the time.
● Death: She passed away on 10th March 1897 while fighting the plague.
Contributions of Savitribai Phule:
● Pioneering Educator:
○ Recognized as India's first woman teacher.
○ Founded the first school for girls in Pune in 1848.
● Promoter of Widow Remarriage:
○ Organized a barbers' strike in Mumbai and Pune against the practice of shaving the
heads of widows.
● Social Reformer:
○ Co-founded the Satyashodhak Samaj with her husband to challenge the oppressive
caste system.
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○ Established a shelter for destitute women in 1864.

○ Founded Mahila Seva Mandal to educate women about their rights and combat
oppressive social customs like dowry.
● Literary Contributions: Go, Get Education, Kavya Phule(1854) and Bavan Kashi
Subodh Ratnakar (1892).
Rani Velu Nachiyar Jayanti Every year on 3rd January, India celebrates Rani Velu Nachiyar Jayanti.
About Rani Velu Nachiyar (3 January 1730 – 25 December 1796).
● Rani Velu Nachiyar was the first queen to fight against the British colonial power in
India.
○ She was the princess of Ramanathapuram from Sethupathi dynasty and is known by
Tamils as Veeramangai.
● Martial Skills: She was trained in war match weapons usage, martial arts like Valari,
Silambam (fighting using stick), horse riding and archery.
● Linguist: She had proficiency with languages like French, English and Urdu.
● Battle: When her husband Muthuvaduganathaperiya Udaiyathevar, the king of
Sivagangai, was killed by British soldiers and the son of the Nawab of Arcot, she was
drawn into battle.
○ She escaped with her daughter and lived under the protection of Palayakaarar
Kopaala Naayakkar at Virupachi near Dindigul for eight years.
● Death: Velu Nachiyar died on 25 December 1796.
Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur will posthumously be honored with Bharat
Thakur Ratna. It was announced on his 100th birth anniversary.
About Karpoori Thakur:
● Karpoori Thakur was born in 1924 in one of the most backward sections of society – the
Nai (Barber) community, known for his unwavering commitment to the marginalized
sections of society.
● He was known as 'Jan Nayak' (People's Leader) and participated in the Quit India
movement, enduring several months in jail.
● He was the Chief minister of Bihar twice (December 1970 to June 1971 and December
1977 to April 1979.
Karpoori Thakur Contribution:
● Implementing the Mungerilal Commission report: This report recommended job
reservations for the backward classes in Bihar.
● Empowered millions of farmers, boosting agricultural productivity and rural
development by implementing land reforms through The Bihar Tenancy Act.
● Reform Initiatives: He removed English as compulsory subject for the matriculation
examinations; prohibition of alcohol; preferential treatment for unemployed engineers
in government contracts.
● Sampoorna Kranti: 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.
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9.4. Schemes In News
Jal Jeevan Mission Approximately 72% of rural families now have access to tap water connections, representing a
significant advancement towards the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM):
● Aim: To provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap
connections by 2024 to all households in rural India.
● Ministry:
Objectives:
● To provide Functional Tap Connection (FHTC) to every rural household.
● To prioritize the provision of FHTCs in quality-affected areas, villages in drought-prone and
desert areas, Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) villages, etc.
● To provide functional tap connection to Schools, Anganwadi centres, GP buildings, Health
centres, wellness centres and community buildings
● To monitor the functionality of tap connections.
Prerana -An Recently, the Ministry of Education has launched ‘Prerana: An Experiential Learning program’
Experiential for students in Classes 9 to 12 in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Learning About Prerana Program:
Programme ● The program will run from a Vernacular School, established in 1888, in Mehsana, Gujarat
where the Prime Minister studied.
● Aim: To offer a meaningful, unique, and inspiring experience to all participants, thereby
empowering them with leadership qualities.
● Selection of Cohort for Participation: Each week, a diverse group of 20 students, comprising
10 boys and 10 girls from different regions of the country, will be selected to attend the
programme.
○ Curriculum: Prepared by IIT Gandhi Nagar.
e-Samridhi Portal Recently, the Union Home and Co-opreation Minister launched the e-Samridhi or Tur Dal
Procurement Portal.
About e-Samridhi Portal:
● Aim: To empower tur dal producers with better prices through procurement, streamlined
processes and direct bank transfers by National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing
Federation of India (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India
(NCCF).
● Portal registration of farmers can be done directly or through PACS and FPO.
SMART 2.0 (Scope The 'SMART 2.0' program has been launched by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic
for Mainstreaming Sciences (CCRAS) along with National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM).
Ayurveda Research 'SMART 2.0' Program:
among Teaching ● Aim: To promote robust clinical studies in priority areas of Ayurveda with Ayurveda
Professionals) academic institutions/hospitals across the country through mutual collaboration.
Program ● Priority Research Areas: 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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Ration Card Ration card portability has recorded an upward trajectory with over 28 crore transactions recorded.
Portability What Is One Nation One Ration Card Scheme?
● About: It facilitates nationwide portability of ration cards under National Food Security Act
(NFSA).
● Objective: To empower poor beneficiaries especially migrants, to avail subsidised ration across
country.
● Nodal agency: Department of Food And Public Distribution, Ministry Of Consumer Affairs
● Features:
○ 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.
PM SVANidhi The Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs inaugurated India's first 'Zero Waste Street
Food Festival, ' highlighting the pivotal role of PM SVANidhi Scheme in empowering street
vendors.
PM SVANidhi (Pradhan Mantri Street Vendors Atma Nirbhar Nidhi) Scheme:
● Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
● Objective: To facilitate a collateral-free working capital loan to street vendors to restart their
businesses, which were adversely impacted during the Covid-19 pandemic.
● Implementing Agency: Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).
● Duration: The duration of the scheme has been extended till December 2024.
● Scheme Benefits:
○ Vendors can avail of a working capital loan of up to Rs. 10, 000, which is repayable in
monthly installments over the tenure of one year.
○ On timely/ early repayment of the loan, an interest subsidy @ 7% per annum will be credited
to beneficiaries' bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer on a quarterly basis.
9.5. Books and Authors
"The Many Ramayanas, Many Lessons"

• By Anand Neelkanthan
• A reinterpretation of the Ramayana epic, exploring its diverse interpretations
and their relevance to contemporary India.
"Ravan's Lanka"
• By Sunela Jayawardene
• A fictionalized account of the life of Ravana, the demon king from the
Ramayana, exploring his motivations and perspectives.
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"Babur: The Chessboard King"

• By Aabhas Maldahiyar
• A biography of Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, examining his
military strategies and political acumen.
"The Idea of Democracy"

• By Sam Pitroda
• An exploration of the concept of democracy in the context of India, its
challenges, and its future.
"The Indian Reality"

• By Ram Madhav
• An analysis of contemporary India, its social, political, and economic
landscape.
"Shaping of the Bharatiya Renaissance"

• By Bhupender Yadav
• A look at the cultural and intellectual movements that are shaping modern
India.
"Biju Patnaik"
• By Bhaskar Parichha
• A biography of Biju Patnaik, an Indian politician and aviator.
"Shivaji"
• By Uday Mahurkar
• A biography of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire.
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"Not Just A Nightwatchman: My Innings with BCCI"

• By Vinod Rai
• A memoir by Vinod Rai, the former Comptroller and Auditor General of India,
about his experiences with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Naye Bharat ka Samveda

• Former President Ram Nath Kovind launches book “ Naye Bharat ka
Samveda” in New Delhi
• The book is a compilation of speeches of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on
the Indian Constitution.
9.6. Awards
Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2023

● Odisha Mining Corporate and Jain Deemed University win Rashtriya Khel
Protsahan Puruskar 2023 for contributions to sports.
● RKPP awards acknowledge organizations that support sports development
since 2009.
● These join India's other prestigious National Sports Awards recognizing
athletes and coaches.
Golden Globes 2024

● Best film – drama - Oppenheimer
● Best female actor in a film – drama - Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon
● Best film – musical or comedy - Barbie Poor Things
● Best director in a film - Bradley Cooper
Padmapani Lifetime Achievement Award

● Javed Akhtar to be felicitated with Padmapani Lifetime Achievement Award at
the Ajanta-Ellora Film Festival
● The award ceremony will take place at Rukmini Auditorium in MGM
University campus of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on January 3, 2024
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Parrikar scientist award

● The first Manohar Parrikar Yuva Scientist Award was conferred on Mathavaraj
S of the UR Rao Satellite Centre, ISRO, on Wednesday, which is Parrikar’s
birth anniversary.
9.7. Important Dates

National Youth Day 2023
● Context: National Youth Day (12th January) is held every year to observe the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
● 2024 marks 161st anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
About Swami Vivekananda:
● Born: Swami Vivekananda was born as Narendra Nath Datta, to father Vishwanath Datta and
mother Bhuvaneshwari Devi.
● Guru / Teacher: Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa.
● New name: In 1893, he took the name ‘Vivekananda ’ at the request of Maharaja Ajit Singh of the
Khetri State.
● Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had called Vivekananda the “maker of modern India.”
Swami Vivekananda's Contribution:
● New Understanding of Religion:
○ Swami Vivekanand’s Religion was an amalgamation of Sri Ramakrishna’s spiritual teachings
of Divine manifestation and his personal internalization of the Advaita Vedanta philosophy.
○ Religion as ‘science of consciousness’: He interprets religion as a universal experience of transcendent Reality, common
to all humanity.
○ Universal conception of Religion: It frees religion from the hold of superstitions, dogmatism, priestcraft and intolerance,
and making it the highest and noblest pursuit ie. of supreme Freedom, supreme Knowledge, supreme Happiness.
○ Path: He embarked on a path to achieve divinity of soul by undertaking selfless work, worship and mental discipline.
Associated Organizations:
● Ramakrishna Mission:
○ Founded: Swami Vivekanand founded the Ramakrishna Mission on May 1, 1897 at Belur Math near Calcutta.
● World’s Parliament of Religions Chicago 1893:
○ He describes the principles of Vedanta and their spiritual significance, putting Hinduism and Sanatan Dharma on the map
of World Religions.
○ Themes of the speech: Vishwabandhutva (universal brotherhood), tolerance, cooperativeness, participation, religion,
culture, nation, nationalism and the collective India-Indianness.
● He founded the Vedanta Society of New York in 1894.
● Literary works: Raja Yoga’, ‘Jnana Yoga’, ‘Karma Yoga’
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

● Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), also known as Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Day, is celebrated on January 9th to honor the
significant contributions of the Indian diaspora worldwide to India's development.
● The PBD Convention, organized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of the Government of India, stands as its flagship
event. It serves as a crucial platform for the global Indian community to engage with the Indian government, sharing their
experiences and expertise.
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● Commencing in 2003, the 1st PBD Convention took place in Delhi on January 9th. While traditionally an annual event, the
format shifted to biennial celebrations starting in 2015. The 18th PBD is scheduled for January 9, 2025, continuing the tradition
of fostering connections between overseas Indians and India.
● Each convention has had a theme, with the 17th PBD held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, from January 8th to 10th, 2023, under
the theme "Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India’s Progress in AmritKaal."
● The choice of January 9th for PBD holds historical significance as it marks Mahatma Gandhi's return to India from South
Africa in 1915.
75th Republic Day

● The landmark 75th Republic Day Parade held on January 26, 2024, at Kartavya Path in New Delhi.
● The parade's central themes, "Viksit Bharat" and "Bharat – Loktantra ki Matruka, " underscore India's role as a guardian of
democracy.
● Commencing at 10:30 AM, the parade is anticipated to last around 90 minutes.
● Participants include the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and various paramilitary organizations.
● The parade route spans from Vijay Chowk to Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath), symbolizing the nation's progress.
● France's President Emmanuel Macron will be the esteemed chief guest at the event.
Martyrs Day 2024

● Martyrs' Day, or Shaheed Diwas, is observed every year on January 30, marking the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
● January 30 marks the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi—the father of the nation—who was assassinated on this day by
Nathuram Vinayak Godse in 1948, just five months and 15 days after the country gained independence from British Rule.
● Mahatma Gandhi is known across the globe for practicing peace and non-violence. His birth anniversary—October 2—is
observed as International Day of Non-Violence.
● In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly designated the day to honour Gandhi's principles.
● On this day, awareness is raised about the significance of non-violence and its role in promoting peace, harmony, and unity
worldwide.
Other Important Dates of January 2024

● 1st January: New Year's Day / Global Family Day (Theme: Embracing Diversity, Strengthening Families)
● 4th January: World Braille Day (Theme: Empowering Through Inclusion and Diversity)
● 6th January: World Day of War Orphans (Theme: Orphan Lives Matter)
● 9th January: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (National - Theme: Diaspora: Reliable partners for India's progress in Amrit Kaal)
● 10th January: World Hindi Day (Theme: Hindi–Bridging Traditional Knowledge and Artificial Intelligence)
● 11th January: Death anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri (National)
● 11th - 17th January: National Road Safety Week (National - Theme: Be a road safety hero)
● 23rd January: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti (National)
● 24th January: National Girl Child Day (National)
● 25th January: National Tourism Day (National - Theme: Sustainable Journeys, Timeless Memories)
● 26th January: Republic Day (National) / International Customs Day (International - Theme: Customs Engaging Traditional
and New Partners with Purpose)
● 27th January: International Holocaust Remembrance Day
● 28th January: Birth Anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai (National) / Data Privacy Day (International - Theme: Take Control of
Your Data)
● 29th January: World Leprosy Day (Theme: Beat Leprosy)
● 30th January: Shaheed Diwas (National)
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9.8. Art & Culture

The Ayodhya Ram Temple and Prime Minister’s Temple Visit
● Context: The Prime Minister (PM) recently visited some significant temples in India ahead of the Ram temple 'Pran Pratishtha'
ceremony in Ayodhya.
● Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir was inaugurated on January 22 by Prime Minister of India.
About Shri Ram Mandir:
● Layout:
○ The Temple is built over three 20-foot high
floors each with a total of 392 pillars and 44
doors in the complex.
○ Iron has not been used anywhere in the
construction
○ Stone used: Makrana Marble and Pink
sandstone, granite stone, and colored
Marble.Ram Katha Darshan: The walkways
and columns during Parikrama have been
engraved with 100 events from Valmiki’s
Ramayana.
● Architecture style: Nagara style
○ Sanctum Sanctorum (garbhagriha): Placed
with the idol of Ram Lalla
○ Mandaps (halls): Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap,
Sabha Mandap, Prarthana Mandap and Kirtan
Mandap.
○ Mandirs: At each corner of the compound will be
dedicated to Surya, Bhagwati, Ganesh, Shiv. On the northern and southern arms, temples to Annapurna and Hanuman
will be built respectively.
○ Temples of Maharshi Valmiki, Vashishtha, Vishwamitra, Agastya, Nishad Raj, Shabri etc have also been proposed.
● Other features:
○ Installed 200KA light arresters over the temple structure for protection against lightning strikes.
Temples Visited by The PM:
Ranganathaswamy Temple in ● Architecture: Dravidian style

Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu ● Deity: Sri Ranganatha Swamy (Vishnu)
● Location: Srirangam, Tamil Nadu
● Significance/Mythology: First among 108 Divya Desams dedicated to
Vishnu.
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Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy ● Architecture: Dravidian style

Temple, Rameshwaram ● Deity: Sri Ramanathaswamy (Shiva)
● Location: Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu
● Significance/Mythology: Char Dham, one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples.
Installed by Sri Rama and Mata Sita.
Shree Ramaswami Temple in ● Architecture: Dravidian style

Thriprayar, Kerala ● Deity: Thriprayar Ramaswamy (Rama)
● Location: Thrissur, Kerala
● Significance/Mythology: Nalambala Dharshan, Idol worshipped by Lord
Krishna in Dwaraka.
Guruvayur Temple in Kerala ● Architecture: Kerala-Chola blend

● Deity: Lord Vishnu, Young Krishna
● Location: Guruvayur, Kerala
● Significance/Mythology: Dwarka of the South, Elephant Festival, Home to
captive elephants.
Kothandaramaswamy Temple in ● Deity: Sri Kothandarama Swamy (Rama)

Dhanushkodi (Tamil Nadu) ● Location: Dhanushkodi, Tamil Nadu
● Significance/Mythology: Vibhishana first met Lord Ram and sought refuge
here.
Veerabhadra Temple, Lepakshi, ● Deity: Virabhadra (Shiva)

Andhra Pradesh ● Location: Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh
● Significance/Mythology: Famous for frescoes, Nandi Bull sculpture.
● Associated with Ramayana: It is believed that the bird Jatayu, fell at the
place after being fatally wounded by Ravan.
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Kalaram Temple ● Deity: The Kalaram temple derives its name from a black statue of the Lord
— Kala Ram translates literally to “Black Ram”.
● Built: The Temple was built in 1792 by Sardar Rangarao Odheka.
● Location: It is situated on the banks of Godavari in the Panchavati area of
the city.
11th-Century Jain Sculptures Discovered

Context:
● Three Jain sculptures dated around 11th century CE were discovered in Varuna village in Mysuru district in Kerala.
More on the news:
● Of the three sculptures, one of the sculptures was dilapidated beyond recognition, while the two others were in reasonably
good condition.
● One of them is a sculpture of a Jain Tirthankara, but the other could not be clearly identified in the absence of symbols.
Warli Painting
Context:
● The Mashe Family has organized an exhibition of the Warli paintings in Delhi.
More on the news:
● Jivya Soma Mashe is known as the father of Warli art since he popularized the
art form beyond the Sahyadri Mountains in Maharashtra.
About Warli Paintings:
● Origin: Till the Seventies, the art form remained confined to the representation
of joy and happiness of the Warli Tribes’ lives. It was traditionally practiced by
women.
10th Century Kadamba Inscription found in Goa

Context:
● An inscription written in kannada and Sanskrit has been discovered in
the Mahadeva temple at Cacoda in southern Goa.
More on the news:
● The inscription is being attributed to the 10th century Kadamba period.
About Kadamba Inscription:
● The inscription is composed as a vocal statement by Talara Nevayya on
the death of his son Gundayya.
● It is in the literary style of the Talangre inscription of Jayasimha I of the
same period.
● The inscription opens with an auspicious word ‘Be it well’ (Swasthi
Shri).
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UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee

Context:
● India to host the 46th session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee.
More on the news:
● This will be the First instance of India hosting the meeting of the World Heritage Committee.
About The World Heritage Committee:
● Established: It was 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 on 16 November 1972.
● Members: 21 States Parties including India
● Member's Term: six years.
Kateel Yakshagana Mela

Context:
● Recently, the Karnataka High Court has allowed the over-a-century-
old Yakshagana mela, the Kateel Durgaparameshwari Prasadita
Yakshagana Mandali, in Dakshina Kannada adhering to Noise
Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.
About Yakshagana (Song of Yaksha):
● A Recreational Activity: It is the most popular dance of Karnataka.
● The dance-drama is a night-long event in open-air theaters, typically
in village paddy fields after the winter crop has been harvested.
● Origin: Often traced back to the 11th to 16th centuries CE, it includes
stories from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
Anant Sutra
● Context: The Ministry of Culture will be
showcasing the ‘Anant Sutra - The Endless
Thread’ textile installation at Kartavya Path on
the upcoming Republic Day.
About Anant Sutra:
● Anant Sutra is a visually stunning tribute to the
saree, India’s timeless gift to the fashion world.
● It will showcase nearly 1, 900 sarees and drapes
from every corner of the country.
● It will have QR codes that can be scanned to know
the details about weaving and embroidery arts
used in it.
India Signs Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024

● India Signs Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024 with
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
● 1, 75, 025 pilgrims from India have been finalized
for Haj Pilgrimage 2024.
● Hajj (pilgrimage made to Kaaba) is an annual
Islamic pilgrimage to the sacred city of Mecca,
Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims.
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9.9. Miscellaneous
Amrit Bharat Express
Context:
Recently, the Prime Minister launched the first Amrit Bharat train on December 30 in Ayodhya.
About Amrit Bharat Express:
● Amrit Bharat Express: Originally known as Vande Sadharan during the design stage, 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.
● Production: 20 to 30 trains of the Amrit Bharat model will be produced monthly.
● Features of Amrit Bharat Express:
○ It has a high speed potential of 130 kmph with aerodynamically designed locomotives.
○ Special attention has been given to designing water-saving toilets.
○ Modified engines for the comfort of loco pilots.
○ It is a non-air-conditioned train, thus the space between the two coaches is fully covered to minimize air pressure.
Later, the trains will offer general class configurations extending up to AC-II.
○ A specially-designed ramp allows easy wheelchair access.
○ Other amenities include charging points and spaces for water bottles.
○ Comprising 22 coaches, including 8 general second-class coaches for unreserved passengers, 12 second-class 3-tier
sleeper coaches, and two guard compartments.
Doomsday Clock
Context:
For the second consecutive year the hands of the ‘Doomsday Clock’ remained at ‘100 seconds to midnight’.
More on the news:
● The hands of the clock in 2023 moved from two minutes to 100 seconds for the first time in history, indicating an
unprecedented existential threat to humanity.
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’
● A Metaphor: 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.
● Timeline: 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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10. MCQS
10.1. Questions
1. Consider the following statement
1. Patna Smart City is being honored with India's prestigious Skoch Award-2023.
2. Patna Smart City Limited had nominated two projects.
Choose the correct answer
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) None of the above
2. In which state is the Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary, recently in the news, located?
(a) Odisha (b) Chattisgarh (c) Jharkhand (d) Madhya Pradesh
3. Which country is associated with "Green Rooms, " recently featured in the news?
(a) Russia (b) Israel (c) Ukraine (d) Iran
4. With which IIT did Altair collaborate to establish the eMobility Simulation Lab?
(a) IIT Bombay (b) IIT Madras (c) IIT Kanpur (d) IIT Roorkee
5. Which organization releases the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER)?
(a) NGO Pratham Foundation (b) UNICEF
(c) World Economic Forum (d) World Bank
6. Which part of the body is most commonly affected by Crohn’s disease, a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?
(a) Kidney (b) Heart (c) Lungs (d) Small intestines
7. In Global Military Strength (2024) India got which rank?
(a) 1st (b) 2nd (c) 3rd (d) 4th
8. MeitY Secretary Launches Graphene Centre, IIoT CoE in
(a) Delhi (b) Mumbai (c) Kerala (d) None of the above
9. India has recently signed an agreement for a Lithium Exploration and Mining Project with
(a) Chili (b) China (c) Argentina (d) None of the above
10. Who among the following has signed an MoU with NPCI International to globally expand UPI.
(a) Phonepe (b) Paytm (c) Google Pay India (d) None of the above
11. Which financial hub signed an MoU with IGX and GSPC for a Global Hydrogen Trading Mechanism?
(a) Wall Street, New York (b) City of London, United Kingdom
(c) IFSC GIFT City, India (d) Zurich Financial District, Switzerland
12. Who won the Best Men’s Player Award at the Best FIFA Football Awards 2023?
(a) Cristiano Ronaldo (b) Lionel Messi (c) Kylian Mbappé (d) Neymar Jr.
13. Whose appointment as MD & CEO of DCB Bank was recently approved by the RBI?
(a) Raghuram Rajan (b) Praveen Achuthan Kutty
(c) Chanda Kochhar (d) Aditya Puri
14. Who was proclaimed as the new King of Denmark, succeeding Queen Margrethe II?
(a) Frederik IX (b) Frederik X (c) Christian X (d) Frederick VIII
15. In which state was the Mahtari Vandana Yojana recently launched?
(a) Chattisgarh (b) Madhya Pradesh (c) Uttar Pradesh (d) Bihar
16. What is the Qanat system, recently featured in the news?
(a) Modern irrigation technique (b) Ancient water-supply system
(c) Ancient taxation system (d) Ancient harvesting method
17. Which organization developed the second-generation distress alert transmitter for fishermen?
(a) India Meteorological Department (b) Ministry of Earth Sciences
(c) DRDO (d) ISRO
18. Who has been appointed as the first female neutral umpire by the ICC for a bilateral series?
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(a) Sue Redfern (b) Nida Dar (c) Shivani Mishra (d) Mary Waldron
19. The Chang’e 6 mission, recently in the news, is associated with which country?
(a) China (b) India (c) Russia (d) UK
20. Who inaugurated a Mobile App for the MPLADS Scheme?
(a) Narendra Modi (b) Amit Shah (c) Smriti Irani (d) Rao Inderjit Singh
21. What was the name of the first bilateral exercise between the Indian and Thai Navy?
(a) Exercise Varuna (b) Exercise Malabar (c) Exercise Ex-Ayutthaya (d) Exercise Indra
22. What initiative did NHAI introduce to enhance the National Highway experience?
(a) Green Highway Initiative (b) Toll Plaza Modernization
(c) 'One Vehicle One FASTag' initiative (d) Highway Beautification Project
23. What did India unveil on NH66, marking a significant development?
(a) Smart Toll Collection System (b) Solar-Powered Streetlights
(c) National Highway Steel Slag Road Section (d) Eco-Friendly Rest Areas
24. Which two oceans does the Panama Canal connect to?
(a) Atlantic Ocean & Pacific Ocean (b) Atlantic Ocean & Indian Ocean
(c) Indian Ocean & Arctic Ocean (d) Pacific Ocean & Arctic Ocean
25. What is ‘Paramyrothecium indicum’, recently mentioned in the news?
(a) Flowering plant (b) Phytopathogenic fungus
(c) Herbicide-resistant crop (d) Marine species
26. Recently, Telangana collaborated with which organization to establish the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
(C4IR)?
(a) World Bank (b) World Trade Organization
(c) World Economic Forum (d) International Monetary Fund
27. Which organization recently issued Japanese Yen Denominated Green Bonds?
(a) REC Limited (b) International Monetary Fund
(c) World Bank (d) Japan Green Finance Organization
28. Recently, which state was ranked as the Best Performer in the Indian startup ecosystem ranking for 2022?
(a) Tamil Nadu (b) Bihar (c) Manipur (d) Rajasthan
29. Who unveiled the new book "Fertilising the Future" by Mansukh Mandaviya?
(a) Narendra Modi (b) Amit Shah (c) Jagdeep Dhankhar (d) Mansukh Mandaviya
30. What significant development is anticipated for Bankipur Club, situated on the banks of the Ganga?
(a) Introduction of a New Membership Scheme (b) Establishment of a Sports Complex
(c) Reconstruction of the Club (d) Launch of a Cultural Festival
31. Who was appointed as the Managing Director of Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited by the Ministry of Housing and
Urban Affairs?
(a) N. Sivasailam (b) Maheshwar Rao (c) Ajay Seth (d) Sudhir Krishna
32. What did the Chinese Academy of Sciences launch recently for observing violent cosmic phenomena?
(a) Cosmic Observer Satellite (b) Stellar Explorer Probe
(c) Quantum Space Telescope (d) Einstein Probe
33. What is SAMBHAV, recently introduced by the Indian Army?
(a) Secure Communication Network (b) Advanced Combat Training Program
(c) Indigenous Mobile Ecosystem (d) Satellite-Based Navigation System
34. What did researchers from Mizoram University discover recently?
(a) New Species of Orchids (b) Rare Butterfly Species
(c) Endangered Frog Species (d) New Coral Snake Species: 'Sinomicrurus Gorei'
35. What pilgrimage scheme was launched by the Chhattisgarh Government?
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(a) Teerth Darshan Yojana (b) Shri Ramlala Darshan Scheme

(c) Holy Pilgrimage Initiative (d) Divine Sojourn Program
36. What recently commenced in Rajasthan's Bikaner district with a Heritage Walk and showcased adorned camels, traditional
attire, and local folk artists?
(a) Desert Safari Festival (b) Rajasthan Heritage Fair
(c) International Camel Festival (d) Bikaner Folk Carnival
37. Where does the annual Gangasagar fair take place, attracting millions of devotees for a ritualistic dip in the river?
(a) Haridwar (b) Prayagraj
(c) Gangotri (d) Sagardweep, West Bengal
38. What is the purpose of the SBI Green Rupee Term Deposit (SGRTD) introduced by the State Bank of India (SBI)?
(a) Home Loan Scheme (b) Education Loan Scheme
(c) Environmentally-Friendly Initiatives and Projects (d) Agricultural Loan Scheme
39. What is the objective of the PM-eBus Sewa scheme announced by the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister?
(a) Affordable Housing Initiative (b) Green Urban Mobility Initiatives
(c) Solar Energy Deployment (d) Digital Payment System
40. When did the inaugural Bilateral Maritime Exercise between the Indian Navy and Royal Thai Navy take place?
(a) January 20 to 23, 2023 (b) December 20 to 23, 2023
(c) November 15 to 18, 2023 (d) February 5 to 8, 2024
41. Who received the accolade for Best Director-Motion Picture at the 2024 Golden Globes?
(a) Cillian Murphy (b) Christopher Nolan (c) Matthew Macfadyen (d) Ludwig Goransson
42. Which entity is overseeing the Krishna Godavari Basin Deep Sea Project in the Bay of Bengal?
(a) Indian Petroleum (b) Indian Oil (c) ONGC (d) Reliance Refinery
43. In the Asian Olympic Qualifiers, which team secured the gold medal in the men's 10-meter air pistol team event?
(a) India (b) Iran (c) USA (d) South Korea
44. Who inaugurated the 'Indus Food 2024' exhibition?
(a) Rajnath Singh (b) Piyush Goyal (c) Nitin Gadkari (d) Anurag Thakur
45. Who has taken on the role of CEO at 'Adani Ports'?
(a) Ravichandran Reddy (b) Ajay Kumar (c) Ashwini Gupta (d) Bharat Saxena
46. Under the 'Amrit Heritage Capacity Building' scheme, on which lake was the training program organized?
(a) Mansarovar Lake (b) Pulicat Lake (c) Chilka Lake (d) Sardar Sarovar Lake
47. Tata Power recently announced a substantial investment of ₹70, 000 crore in which state?
(a) Uttar Pradesh (b) Madhya Pradesh (c) Tamil Nadu (d) Bihar
1. Henley Passport Index 2024: Indian Passport Secures 80th Rank,
2. MSCI EM Index: India Claims 2nd Position, With China Leading the Rankings.
1. Dubai Tops 2024 Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards
2. Permafrost structures called 'rock glaciers' in Kashmir Himalayas.
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1. Scientists from Mauritius and Bangladesh join India's Antarctic expedition at Bharati research station.
2. Collaboration comes under the Colombo Security Conclave initiative.
51. Who served as the chief guest at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit?
(a) Joe Biden (b) Philippe Nyusi
(c) Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (d) Draupadi Murmu
52. In which city was the 27th National Youth Festival held?
(a) Patna (b) Varanasi (c) Nashik (d) Kolkata
53. Who has recently been appointed as the new Prime Minister of France?
(a) Elizabeth Bourne (b) Gabriel Atal (c) Sebastien Lecornu (d) Emmanuel Macron
54. In which country will the new campus of IIT Madras be established?
(a) Sri Lanka (b) Nepal (c) Bhutan (d) Bangladesh
55. The legendary footballer Franz Beckenbauer, who recently passed away, hailed from which country?
(a) France (b) Portugal (c) Italy (d) Germany
56. Who has been appointed as the CEO of the international payments business of Indian fintech 'PhonePe'?
(a) Ajay Bangga (b) Vikram Sethi (c) Ritesh Pai (d) Nikhil Kamat
57. On which date is World Hindi Day celebrated globally?
(a) 09 January (b) 10 January (c) 11 January (d) 12 January
58. What was the student-teacher ratio in Bihar in the year 2005, and how has it improved over time?
(a) 75:1, now improved to 45:1. (b) 65:1, now improved to 35:1.
(c) 55:1, now improved to 25:1. (d) 70:1, now improved to 40:1.
59. Which scheme aims to provide financial assistance to girls in Bihar from birth until their graduation, offering a total amount
of Rs 94, 100?
(a) Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana (b) Chief Minister Girls Cycle Scheme
(c) Mukhyamantri Scholarship Scheme (d) Mukhyamantri Kishori Health Scheme
1. India-U.K. Defence Collaboration: Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding Signed for R&D and Cadet
Exchange Program.
2. IIT Madras Expansion: New Campus to be Established in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
61. India's initial 'Dark Sky Park' title was bestowed upon which Tiger Reserve?
(a) Kaziranga Tiger Reserve (b) Pench Tiger Reserve
(c) Namdapha Tiger Reserve (d) Kamlang Tiger Reserve
62. Who led the inauguration of India's lengthiest sea bridge?
(a) Narendra Modi (b) Amit Shah
(c) Rajnath Singh (d) Anurag Thakur
63. Which banking institution recently rolled out the 'Samman' RuPay Credit Card?
(a) State Bank of India (b) IndusInd Bank
(c) Punjab National Bank (d) Axis Bank
64. Which two cities were honored with the 'Cleanest Ganga City' award in the 'Clean Survey-2023'?
(a) Varanasi and Kanpur (b) Varanasi and Prayagraj
(c) Kanpur and Prayagraj (d) Prayagraj and Ghazipur
65. What type of missile is the recently tested new generation 'Akash' missile?
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(a) Air-to-surface (b) Air-to-air (c) Surface-to-surface (d) Air from the surface
66. On which date is National Youth Day celebrated annually?
(a) 10 January (b) 11 January (c) 12 January (d) 13 January
67. In which city did PM Modi inaugurate the 27th National Youth Festival?
(a) Agartala (b) Nashik (c) Bhopal (d) Ahmedabad
68. Consider the statements regarding India's longest sea bridge, Atal Setu:
1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Atal Setu, also known as the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link.
2. Atal Setu has six lanes and significantly reduces travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.
3. The bridge, built with Japanese assistance, spans 21.8 km over the Arabian Sea.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
(a) I and II only (b) II and III only (c) I, II, and III (d) I only
69. What is the objective of the PM JANMAN Scheme, recently approved by the Union Cabinet?
(a) Promoting cultural diversity (b) Enhancing defense capabilities
(c) Providing basic facilities to PVTG households (d) Supporting scientific research
70. Who has recently been appointed as the Secretary of the Sixteenth Finance Commission in India?
(a) Jagdish Bhagwati (b) Viral Acharya
(c) Shri Ritvik Ranjanam Pandey (d) Arvind Panagariya
71. Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury, who recently passed away, was a trailblazing figure in public health. From which country did he
hail?
(a) India (b) Nepal (c) Bangladesh (d) Sri Lanka
72. Virginia Norwood, who recently left us, made significant contributions in which field?
(a) Politics (b) Aerospace (c) Business (d) Sports
73. Who clinched the title of 'Miss India 2023' in the recent competition?
(a) Nandini Gupta (b) Megan Edward (c) Shreya Poonja (d) Strela Luwang
74. Indian-origin actor-writer Meera Syal recently received recognition with which prestigious award?
(a) BAFTA (b) Golden Globe (c) Grammy (d) Academy Awards
75. Which airport has been acknowledged as the world's most punctual, according to a recent report by Cirium?
(a) Chennai Airport (b) Hyderabad Airport (c) Mumbai Airport (d) New Delhi Airport
76. Pasang Dawa Sherpa, recently making headlines, is associated with which field?
(a) Sports (b) Mountaineering (c) Politics (d) Business
77. 'Robert E Lucas, ' who recently passed away, was notable for contributions in which field?
(a) Physics (b) Economics (c) Medicine (d) Literature
78. Which state road transport corporation was honored with the UITP Award?
(a) Tamil Nadu (b) Karnataka (c) Kerala (d) Andhra Pradesh
79. Who received the 'BET Lifetime Achievement Award for 2023'?
(a) A R Rahman (b) Busta Rhymes (c) Bob Dylan (d) Jennifer Lopez
80. Who was presented with the 'Points of Light honor' by the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak?
(a) Narendra Modi (b) Rajnath Singh (c) Rajindar Singh Dhatt (d) Bipin Singh Rawat
81. Where is the Eri silk spinning plant being established by the National Fisheries Development Board?
(a) Shillong, Meghalaya (b) Imphal, Manipur (c) Guwahati, Assam (d) Mushalpur, Assam
82. Which city topped the global list in the total number of initial public offerings (IPOs) in 2023, according to Nikkei?
(a) Tokyo (b) New York (c) Mumbai (d) Hong Kong
83. In which field did Ved Prakash Nanda, who recently passed away, primarily contribute?
(a) Agriculture (b) Environment Protection
(c) Human Rights (d) International Law
84. Which organization issues electoral bonds in India?
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(a) SIDBI (b) RBI (c) NABARD (d) State Bank of India
85. Who has recently assumed the charge of 'Chief of Material' in the Navy?
(a) B Shivakumar (b) Kiran Deshmukh (c) Abhinav Sen Gupta (d) None of these
86. With whom did the ULFA Faction sign a Memorandum of Settlement recently?
(a) China (b) Pakistan
(c) Indian Government and Assam (d) Bangladesh
87. Who has been appointed as its new Managing Director by skincare brand 'Nivea India'?
(a) Ayushi Kapoor (b) Geeta Rajan (c) Geetika Mehta (d) Nidhi Saxena
88. Which player won the Scottish Junior Open Squash Under-19 title?
(a) Anahat Singh (b) Joshna Chinappa (c) Saurav Ghoshal (d) Aditya Jagtap
89. In which city of UP did Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurate the first Sainik School for girls?
(a) Varanasi (b) Mathura (c) Lucknow (d) Moradabad
90. On what date is 'Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas' celebrated in India?
(a) January 14 (b) January 1 (c) January 9 (d) January 21
91. Consider the following pairs
1. Gabriel Attal: France’s New PM
2. Kanchan Devi: DG of ICFRE
Choose the correctly matched pairs using the code given below
92. India's first submarine tourism will be started in which state?
(a) Odisha (b) Maharashtra (c) Gujarat (d) Kerala
93. Who has been appointed as the Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defense and Home Guards?
(a) Vinay Sagar (b) Vivek Srivastava (c) Abhishek Singh (d) Ashok Khemka
94. Who has been made the special envoy for peace in Afghanistan by the United Nations Security Council?
(a) Narendra Modi (b) Hamid Karzai (c) Joe Biden (d) S Jaishankar
95. Who wrote the song "Banglar Mati Banglar Jal, " recently designated as the State Song of West Bengal?
(a) Nazrul Islam (b) Rabindranath Tagore (c) Sarojini Naidu (d) Nabagopal Mitra
96. Consider the following pairs
1. Ricky Kej is a well known Indian musician and environmental activist.
2. The first women chief of CISF is Nina Singh
Choose the correct code given below
97. In which state is the recently renamed Maa Manikeswari University located?
(a) Bihar (b) Chhattisgarh (c) Jharkhand (d) Odisha
98. What is the name of Bangladesh's first deep-sea port, recently making headlines?
(a) Cox’s Bazaar Port (b) Sonadia Port (c) Chittagong Port (d) Matarbari Port
99. Which region/country does China claim as its "sacred territory"?
(a) Hong Kong (b) Tibet (c) Taiwan (d) Macau
100. Who has recently been appointed as the Chairman of the Sixteenth Finance Commission in India?
(a) Jagdish Bhagwati (b) Viral Acharya (c) Arvind Panagariya (d) Amit Mitra
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10.2. Explanations
1. Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation: This time Patna Smart City is being honored in India's prestigious India's Honest Independent Honor Skoch
Award-2023. Patna Smart City Limited had nominated two projects. In this, apart from the redevelopment of Adalatganj pond,
the projects of Integrated Command and Control Center were sent.
2. Answer: (a) Odisha

Explanation: The Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary, making recent headlines, is situated in Odisha. The Odisha
government, having successfully relocated deer from Cuttack, plans to introduce Sambar and Gaur in this sanctuary, located
in the Khurda district. Designated as a sanctuary in 1982, it hosts various endangered wildlife and birds and marks the
northeastern boundary of the Eastern Ghats.
3. Answer: (c) Ukraine

Explanation: The "Green Rooms, " highlighted in recent news, are associated with Ukraine. Launched by the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Denmark, these specially equipped spaces aim to facilitate
interactions between police officers and child survivors and witnesses of crime, with the goal of building trust in law
enforcement among children and youth.
4. Answer: (b) IIT Madras

Explanation: Altair partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) to establish the eMobility
Simulation Lab. Altair, a global tech company specializing in simulation, high-performance computing, and artificial
intelligence, joined hands with IIT Madras for this initiative.
5. Answer: (a) NGO Pratham Foundation

Explanation: The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) titled ‘Beyond Basics’ is released by the NGO Pratham
Foundation. The report surveys rural students across various states, providing insights into foundational reading and arithmetic
skills, youth engagement activities, digital awareness, educational and career aspirations, and the application of foundational
skills in daily life.
6. Answer: (d) Small intestines

Explanation: Crohn’s disease, a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), commonly affects the small intestines. A recent
study in Scientific Reports explored the link between migraines and the development of IBD, which encompasses chronic
inflammation in the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease specifically involves inflammation in the digestive tract, commonly in the
small intestine.
7. Answer: (d) 4th

Explanation: Global Firepower ranks India as the 4th most powerful military. USA tops, followed by Russia and China. Top
4 military powers have maintained positions since 2006.
8. Answer: (c) Kerala

Explanation: MeitY Secretary Launches Graphene Centre, IIoT CoE in Kerala MeitY Secretary launches two flagship
programs in Kerala. "Centre of Excellence in IIoT Sensors" and "India Innovation Centre for Graphene."
9. Answer: (c) Argentina

Explanation: The Ministry of Mines, Government of India has achieved a significant milestone with the signing of an
agreement between Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) and the state-owned enterprise of Catamarca province of Argentina.
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10. Answer: (c) Google Pay India

Explanation: Google Pay India signed an MoU with NPCI International to globally expand UPI.
11. Answer: (c) IFSC GIFT City, India

Explanation: IFSC GIFT City in India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IGX and GSPC to establish a
Global Hydrogen Trading Mechanism, showcasing its commitment to advancing initiatives in the clean energy sector.
12. Answer: (b) Lionel Messi

Explanation: Lionel Messi was honored with the Best Men’s Player Award at the Best FIFA Football Awards 2023,
recognizing his outstanding contributions to the sport during the specified period.
13. Answer: (b) Praveen Achuthan Kutty

Explanation: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the appointment of Praveen Achuthan Kutty as the Managing
Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of DCB Bank, marking a significant development in the banking sector.
14. Answer: (b) Frederik X

Explanation: Frederik X was proclaimed as the new King of Denmark, succeeding Queen Margrethe II, who abdicated. This
marks a historic transition in the Danish monarchy.
15. Answer: (a) Chattisgarh

Explanation: Chhattisgarh launched Mahtari Vandana Yojana 2024, providing monthly economic assistance of 1, 000 rupees
to women for self-reliance and skill development.
16. Answer: (b) Ancient water-supply system

Explanation: The ancient "qanat system" channels mountain water through tunnels, proposed to address water shortages in
dry African regions.
17. Answer: (d) ISRO

Explanation: ISRO's second-gen Distress Alert Transmitter enhances safety for fishermen, allowing them to send emergency
messages via satellite.
18. Answer: (a) Sue Redfern

Explanation: Sue Redfern is the first female neutral umpire appointed by ICC, officiating in the Australia-South Africa series
to promote gender diversity.
19. Answer: (a) China

Explanation: China's Chang’e 6 mission, landing on the Moon in 2024, aims to collect lunar samples from the south pole,
emphasizing global scientific cooperation.
20. Answer: (d) Rao Inderjit Singh

Explanation: Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh inaugurated a Mobile App for the MPLADS (Members of Parliament Local
Area Development Scheme), introducing a technological solution to streamline and enhance the implementation of the scheme.
21. Answer: (c) Exercise Ex-Ayutthaya

Explanation: The first bilateral exercise "Ex-Ayutthaya" between the Indian and Thai Navy took place, fostering collaboration
and strengthening maritime ties between the two nations.
93
22. Answer: (c) 'One Vehicle One FASTag' initiative

Explanation: NHAI introduced the 'One Vehicle One FASTag' initiative to enhance the National Highway experience,
promoting the use of electronic toll collection for a smoother and more efficient travel experience.
23. Answer: (c) National Highway Steel Slag Road Section

Explanation: India unveiled its first National Highway Steel Slag Road Section on NH66, showcasing innovation and
sustainability in road construction using steel slag, a byproduct of the steel manufacturing process.
24. Answer: (a) Atlantic Ocean & Pacific Ocean

Explanation: The Panama Canal, recently in the news, connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, serving as a crucial artificial
waterway.
25. Answer: (b) Phytopathogenic fungus

Explanation: Recently discovered in Kerala, ‘Paramyrothecium indicum’ is a new phytopathogenic fungus species known for
causing plant diseases affecting crop productivity
26. Answer: (c) World Economic Forum

Explanation: Telangana partnered with the World Economic Forum to set up the 19th Center of the Fourth Industrial
Revolution Network (4IR) in Hyderabad, focusing on health tech and life sciences.
27. Answer: (a) REC Limited

Explanation: REC Limited issued Japanese Yen Denominated Green Bonds, marking its eleventh entry into the international
bond market and the first Yen Green Bonds issuance by an Indian PSU.
28. Answer: (a) Tamil Nadu

Explanation: Tamil Nadu earned the title of the 'best performer' state in the 2022 Startup India State Startup Rankings,
recognizing its strategic efforts and initiatives in the startup ecosystem.
29. Answer: (c) Jagdeep Dhankhar

Explanation: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar unveiled the new book "Fertilising the Future" authored by Mansukh
Mandaviya, contributing to the dissemination of knowledge in the field.
30. Answer: (c) Reconstruction of the Club

Explanation: Bankipur Club, the oldest in Bihar and the second oldest in North India, is set to be rebuilt. Founded in 1865 by
JPW Johnston, this reconstruction project aims to revitalize the historical club situated on the banks of the Ganga.
31. Answer: (b) Maheshwar Rao

Explanation: Maheshwar Rao was appointed as the Managing Director of Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited by the
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, contributing to urban infrastructure development.
32. Answer: (d) Einstein Probe

Explanation: The Chinese Academy of Sciences launched the 'Einstein Probe' satellite to observe violent cosmic phenomena,
enhancing scientific capabilities in space exploration.
33. Answer: (c) Indigenously Developed Secure Mobile Ecosystem

Explanation: SAMBHAV is the Indian Army's indigenously developed end-to-end secure mobile ecosystem, contributing to
secure communication and connectivity for military operations.
94
34. Answer: (d) New Coral Snake Species: 'Sinomicrurus Gorei'

Explanation: Researchers from Mizoram University discovered a new coral snake species named 'Sinomicrurus Gorei, '
contributing to biodiversity studies.
35. Answer: (b) Shri Ramlala Darshan Scheme

Explanation: The Chhattisgarh Government announced the launch of the 'Shri Ramlala Darshan Scheme' for pilgrimage to
Ayodhya, providing an opportunity for devotees to visit the holy site.
36. Answer: (c) International Camel Festival

Explanation: The International Camel Festival in Rajasthan’s Bikaner district commenced with a lively Heritage Walk,
featuring adorned camels, traditional attire, and local folk artists.
37. Answer: (d) Sagardweep, West Bengal

Explanation: The annual Gangasagar fair takes place in Sagardweep, West Bengal, where the Ganges meets the Bay of Bengal.
Devotees participate in a ritualistic dip in the river and prayers at the temple of Kapil Muni.
38. Answer: (c) Environmentally-Friendly Initiatives and Projects

Explanation: The SBI introduced the SBI Green Rupee Term Deposit (SGRTD) with the aim of raising funds for
environmentally-friendly initiatives and projects.
39. Answer: (b) Green Urban Mobility Initiatives

Explanation: The PM-eBus Sewa scheme aims to deploy 10, 000 e-buses across Indian cities, focusing on enhancing city bus
services, developing associated infrastructure, and supporting green urban mobility initiatives.
40. Answer: (b) December 20 to 23, 2023

Explanation: The inaugural Bilateral Maritime Exercise between the Indian Navy and Royal Thai Navy took place from
December 20 to 23, 2023.
41. Answer: (b) Christopher Nolan

Explanation: Christopher Nolan, the renowned director behind the movie 'Oppenheimer, ' was honored with the esteemed
Best Director-Motion Picture award at the 81st Golden Globes held in Beverly Hills, California.
42. Answer: (c) ONGC

Explanation: The Krishna Godavari Basin Deep Sea Project in the Bay of Bengal is being conducted by Oil and Natural Gas
Corporation (ONGC). This flagship deepwater project aims to make a significant contribution to the national oil and natural
gas production.
43. Answer: (a) India

Explanation: The Indian shooting team clinched the gold medal in the men's 10-meter air pistol team event at the Asian
Olympic Qualifiers held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
44. Answer: (b) Piyush Goyal

Explanation: Union Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated the 'Indus Food 2024' exhibition at India Exposition Mart, Greater
Noida, showcasing the diverse food ecosystem.
95
45. Answer: (c) Ashwini Gupta

Explanation: Ashwini Gupta has assumed the position of CEO at Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone. His previous
experience includes serving as the global Chief Operating Officer.
46. Answer: (c) Chilka Lake

Explanation: The Ministry of Tourism conducted a training program on Ramsar site Chilka Lake in Odisha under the Amrit
Heritage Capacity Building Scheme. This initiative includes programs such as Alternative Livelihood Program (ALP) and
Tourism Seafarer Certificate (PNC) to promote sustainable tourism.
47. Answer: (c) Tamil Nadu

Explanation: Tata Power has declared a significant investment of ₹70, 000 crore to develop 10 gigawatts (GW) of solar and
wind power capacity in Tamil Nadu over the next five to seven years. This announcement was made during the Tamil Nadu
Global Investors Meet (GIM) in Chennai.

Explanation: Henley Passport Index 2024: Indian Passport Secures 80th Rank, Offering Visa-Free Entry to 62 Nations. MSCI
EM Index: India Claims 2nd Position, With China Leading the Rankings.

Explanation: Permafrost structures called 'rock glaciers' in Kashmir Himalayas. Over 100 active glacial rocks may contribute
to natural disasters as the region warms. Dubai Tops 2024 Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards.

Explanation: Scientists from Mauritius and Bangladesh join India's Antarctic expedition at Bharati research station.
Collaboration under the Colombo Security Conclave initiative. Research in polar science spans three to four months, focusing
on various disciplines.
51. Correct Answer: (c) Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Explanation: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was the esteemed chief
guest at the 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in Gandhinagar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated
the event and expressed optimism about India's future economic standing.
52. Correct Answer: (c) Nashik

Explanation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 27th National Youth Festival in Nashik, Maharashtra, on the
birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The event aimed to motivate and engage the youth. Additionally, PM Modi unveiled
several development projects worth over Rs 30, 500 crore during his visit.
53. Correct Answer: (b) Gabriel Atal

Explanation: Gabriel Attal, currently serving as the Minister of Education, has been designated as the youngest Prime Minister
in modern French history. This appointment was made by President Emmanuel Macron as part of the government reshuffle.
54. Correct Answer: (a) Sri Lanka

Explanation: Sri Lankan Education Minister Dr. Sushil Premajayantha announced the establishment of a new campus of IIT
Madras in Kandy, Sri Lanka. This initiative is part of the budget proposal presented by Sri Lankan President Ranil
Wickremesinghe
96
55. Correct Answer: (d) Germany

Explanation: Franz Beckenbauer, a football icon and one of Germany's greatest players, passed away at the age of 78. Known
for leading Germany to victory in the 1974 World Cup, he left an indelible mark on the sport.
56. Correct Answer: (c) Ritesh Pai

Explanation: PhonePe, a prominent Indian fintech company, appointed Ritesh Pai as the new CEO of its international
payments business. Prior to this role, Ritesh Pai had been associated with the UK fintech company 'Terapay.'
57. Correct Answer: (b) 10 January

Explanation: World Hindi Day is observed worldwide on 10 January annually. The celebration aims to raise awareness and
promote Hindi as an international language. Former Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh announced this day in 2006,
emphasizing the significance of the Hindi language.
58. Answer: (b) 65:1, now improved to 35:1.

Explanation: In 2005, Bihar's student-teacher ratio was 65:1, and it has since improved to 35:1, reflecting a positive shift
towards enhanced educational quality.
59. Answer: (a) Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana

Explanation: Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana is designed to support girls in Bihar, providing financial assistance from
birth to graduation, offering a total amount of Rs 94, 100.

Explanation: India-U.K. Defence Collaboration: Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding Signed for R&D and Cadet
Exchange Program. IIT Madras Expansion: New Campus to be Established in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
61. Correct Answer: (b) Pench Tiger Reserve

Explanation: Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra made history as India's first and Asia's fifth 'Dark Sky Park.' Recognized
for its efforts in preserving natural nocturnal darkness and curbing light pollution, this accolade aligns with the International
Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) emphasis on protecting the night sky for ecological balance in designated areas.
62. Correct Answer: (a) Narendra Modi

Explanation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled India's longest sea bridge, 'Atal Setu, ' connecting Mumbai to Navi
Mumbai. This 21.8 km infrastructure project, named after the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, involved an
expenditure of ₹18, 000 crore and aims to enhance regional connectivity and development
63. Correct Answer: (b) IndusInd Bank

Explanation: IndusInd Bank introduced the 'IndusInd Bank Samman RuPay Credit Card' in collaboration with the National
Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Specifically designed for government sector employees, this card offers a range of
special benefits and features.
64. Correct Answer: (b) Varanasi and Prayagraj

Explanation: Varanasi and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh secured the prestigious 'Cleanest Ganga City' award in the Swachh
Survekshan Awards 2023. This annual survey conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs recognizes
achievements in urban sanitation and hygiene, with Varanasi and Prayagraj standing out for their cleanliness along the Ganga.
65. Correct Answer: (d) Air from the surface

Explanation: The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully conducted a test of the new
generation 'Akash' missile, officially known as AKASH-NG. This missile belongs to the category of 'Surface-to-Air' missiles,
designed for defense against aerial threats, particularly at low altitudes.
97
66. Correct Answer: (c) 12 January

Explanation: National Youth Day is observed on 12 January every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami
Vivekananda. The Government of India officially declared this day in 1984 to encourage the youth to imbibe and follow the
ideals and teachings of Swami Vivekananda.
67. Correct Answer: (b) Nashik

Explanation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 27th National Youth Festival in Nashik, Maharashtra. This event
is held annually on the occasion of National Youth Day, celebrating the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. PM Modi
also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various development projects exceeding Rs 30, 500 crore during his
Maharashtra visit.
68. Answer: (c) I, II, and III

Explanation: All three statements are correct. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Atal Setu, which is a six-lane bridge
reducing travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai to just 20 minutes. The bridge, built with Japanese assistance, spans
21.8 km over the Arabian Sea.
69. Correct Answer: C [Providing basic facilities to PVTG households]

Explanation: The PM JANMAN Scheme is a Union Cabinet-approved initiative aimed at providing basic facilities to
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) households, with a total outlay of Rs.24, 104 crore.
70. Correct Answer: C [Shri Ritvik Ranjanam Pandey]

Explanation: Dr. Arvind Panagariya, an eminent economist and former Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, has been appointed
as the Chairman of the Sixteenth Finance Commission in India. Shri Ritvik Ranjanam Pandey has been appointed as Secretary
to the Commission.
71. Correct Answer: (c) Bangladesh

Explanation: Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury, a revered veteran of the Liberation War and a champion in public health, recently
passed away in Dhaka at the age of 81. Notably, he founded the Gonoshasthaya Kendra in 1972, dedicated to providing
affordable and quality healthcare to the underprivileged. Dr. Chowdhury was honored with the Ramon Magsaysay Award in
1985 and the Right Livelihood Prize in 1992.
72. Correct Answer: (b) Aerospace

Explanation: Virginia Norwood, an esteemed aerospace pioneer, passed away at the age of 96. She was renowned for
inventing a scanner pivotal for mapping and studying the Earth for over five decades. As a physicist, Ms. Norwood played a
key role in designing the scanner that made the Landsat satellite program possible.
73. Correct Answer: (a) Nandini Gupta

Explanation: Nandini Gupta, a 19-year-old from Rajasthan, was crowned 'Miss India 2023' at the Grand Finale event held in
Imphal, Manipur. This edition marked the 59th Femina Miss India beauty pageant, featuring contestants from 29 states,
including Delhi and all Union Territories.
74. Correct Answer: (a) BAFTA

Explanation: Meera Syal, the accomplished Indian-origin actor-writer, was honored with the BAFTA Fellowship, the most
prestigious accolade presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) for outstanding contributions to
film and television
98
75. Correct Answer: (b) Hyderabad Airport

Explanation: The aviation analytical firm, Cirium, recognized Hyderabad Airport as the world's most punctual, with an
impressive on-time performance of 90.43 percent. It stands out as the only airport globally to surpass the 90 percent On-Time
Performance mark.
76. Correct Answer: (b) Mountaineering

Explanation: Pasang Dawa Sherpa achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the second person globally to conquer Mount
Everest 26 times. His achievement follows his initial successful climb in 1998, marking a significant record in the field of
mountaineering.
77. Correct Answer: (b) Economics
Explanation: Nobel laureate Robert E Lucas, an American economist from the University of Chicago, passed away at the age
of 85. Renowned for his work in developing the theory of rational expectations in macroeconomics, Dr. Lucas received the
Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 1995.
78. Correct Answer: (c) Kerala

Explanation: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) received the UITP (Union Internationale des Transports
Publics) award. UITP is an international association focusing on public transport and sustainable urban mobility. The
recognition underscores KSRTC's contributions in the field
79. Correct Answer: (b) Busta Rhymes

Explanation: American rapper Busta Rhymes was honored with the BET Lifetime Achievement Award for 2023. Recognizing
his significant contributions to hip hop, Busta Rhymes has garnered acclaim with 12 Grammy Awards nominations.
80. Correct Answer: (c) Rajindar Singh Dhatt

Explanation: During a UK-India Week reception, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conferred the Points of Light honor
upon Rajindar Singh Dhatt. Aged 101, Dhatt is one of the few remaining Sikh soldiers who served in World War II, recognized
for his service and leadership in the "Undivided Indian Ex-Servicemen's Association."
81. Correct Answer: D [Mushalpur, Assam]

Explanation: The National Fisheries Development Board is setting up an Eri silk spinning plant at Mushalpur, Baksa district
in Assam, as part of the blue revolution scheme.
82. Correct Answer: C [Mumbai]

Explanation: Mumbai surpassed Hong Kong as the global leader in the total number of IPOs in 2023, reflecting growing
investor confidence and economic reforms in India.
83. Correct Answer: D [International Law]

Explanation: Ved Prakash Nanda, a Padma Bhushan awardee, was a distinguished professor of International Law at the
University of Denver, Colorado.
84. Correct Answer: D [State Bank of India]

Explanation: Electoral Bond is a mode of funding to political parties in India. The scheme of Electoral Bond was introduced
in The Finance Bill, 2017. In the given option SBI issues electoral bonds in India.
85. Correct Answer: (b) Kiran Deshmukh

Explanation: Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh has assumed the role of 'Chief of Material' in the Indian Navy.
99
86. Correct Answer: (c) [Indian Government and Assam]

Explanation: The ULFA Faction signed a Memorandum of Settlement with the Indian Government and Assam, indicating
progress in resolving certain issues
87. Correct Answer: (c) Geetika Mehta

Explanation: Geetika Mehta has been appointed as the new Managing Director of Nivea India. She has over two decades of
experience in the FMCG sector and was previously the Managing Director of Hershey India for 2.5 years.
88. Correct Answer: (a) Anahat Singh

Explanation: Anahat Singh, a talented Indian squash player, won the Girls Under-19 title at the 2023 Scottish Junior Open
Squash in Edinburgh.
89. Correct Answer: (b) Mathura

Explanation: Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the first Sainik School for girls, 'Samvid Gurukulam, ' in Vrindavan,
Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.
90. Correct Answer: C [January 9]

Explanation: Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas is observed on January 9th annually, commemorating Mahatma Gandhi's return from
South Africa to Mumbai on January 9, 1915. The day recognizes the overseas Indian community's contributions to India's
development.
91. Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation: French President Emmanuel Macron appointed Gabriel Attal, as the new Prime Minister of the country. Kanchan
Devi, a 1991-batch Indian Forest Service Officer affiliated with the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has assumed the role of Director
General (DG) at the Indian Council of Forestry Research Education (ICFRE).
92. Correct Answer: (c) Gujarat

Explanation: Gujarat is set to launch India's first submarine tourism project around Bet Dwarka, a small island off the coast
of Dwarka city.
93. Correct Answer: (b) Vivek Srivastava

Explanation: Vivek Srivastava, a Gujarat cadre IPS officer, has been appointed as the Director General of Fire Services, Civil
Defense, and Home Guards.
94. Correct Answer: (b) Hamid Karzai

Explanation: Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has been nominated as the special envoy for peace in Afghanistan by
the United Nations Security Council.
95. Correct Answer: B [Rabindranath Tagore]

Explanation: The West Bengal government declared Rabindranath Tagore’s "Banglar Mati Banglar Jal" as the State Song. It
is mandated to be played at the beginning of state government functions to honor Tagore's cultural significance.
96. Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation: Indian musician and environmental advocate, Ricky Kej, secured his third Grammy Award for the album 'Divine
Tides.' Nina Singh makes history as the first woman to assume the role of Chief of the Central Industrial Security Force.
100
97. Correct Answer: D [Odisha]

Explanation: Formerly known as Kalahandi University, Maa Manikeswari University is situated in Odisha. Renamed after
the presiding deity of Kalahandi, it started functioning in 2020, offering various courses.
98. Correct Answer: D [Matarbari Port]

Explanation: Matarbari Port, developed with Japanese assistance, is Bangladesh's first deep-sea port. It aims to boost exports
and enhance regional infrastructure and trade connectivity.
99. Correct Answer: C [Taiwan]

Explanation: China, led by President Xi Jinping, considers Taiwan its "sacred territory" and emphasizes the inevitability of
reunification, leaving open the possibility of using force.
100. Correct Answer: C [Arvind Panagariya]

Explanation: Dr. Arvind Panagariya, an eminent economist and former Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, has been appointed
as the Chairman of the Sixteenth Finance Commission in India.
101
11. ESSAY
11.1. Harbari ke biyah me kanpati me sindur
Paien me Machh Nau nau kutiya bakhra
The basic meaning of the saying or faikra, 'Paien me Mach Nau nau kutiya bakhra', is that the distribution of the resource which is
not available has started. It is often seen that due to non-availability of resources, some deeply optimistic people start distributing
them. In this entire process, people start planning and prepare strategies but they do not pay attention to the most important thing.
How ridiculous is it that how can we distribute the material or resources that are not available to us? But the world is also full of
strange examples and this incident also has its place in it. In this context, it is important to know what resources are. Those things
available in the environment which fulfill our needs and for which technology is available, which is economically feasible and
culturally acceptable, are called resources. In this era of globalization of the 21st century, when the whole world has turned into a
global village, this has become possible only on the basis of resources. The world went to the moon, today we are continuously
progressing from the space world to medical science, new inventions are being made every day in the field of science and
technology. In the field of pharmaceuticals, new drugs and medicines are being manufactured, in the field of economy, we are
achieving continuous growth in the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors, and in agriculture, we have become self-sufficient in
food grain production. The use of scientific equipment and technology in the agricultural sector is continuously increasing. Today
our start up companies are proving their mettle in the global economic world. Our pace in the defense sector is booming. Defense
research and development and space units like DRDO, ISRO are creating new dimensions every day. From literature to cinema,
music and dance, we are continuously touching the heights of success. When we analyze all these things in depth, we find that
resources play an important and effective role in the success of all these. Just imagine, if there were no resources and if we had just
made a plan and started distributing it due to the unavailability of resources, then it would have been like having nine cottages in a
pine tree.
A vivid example of this in politics was seen in the recent Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A.) when the
leaders of its constituent parties started contesting for the post of Prime Minister even before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, while
neither the elections have been held yet nor Election results have been declared. Similarly, in sports, many times players announce
their share of medals even before the start of the competition. North Bihar is affected by flood disaster every year and experts from
politics to the administrative sector start implementing the schemes without availability of resources, as a result, it has become the
destiny of the people of North Bihar to suffer the brunt of flood every year. If we talk about public servants, many times public
servants talk among the public about the implementation of those schemes and policies which have not even started at the ground
level. Overall, it can be said that the basis of progress of a resource-less society or nation is hollow unless the availability of
resources is ensured, because without the availability of resources, it is not only baseless but also the country's economic-social-
political and There is also a big obstacle in the path of cultural progress. For the spread of human values and public consciousness
and a civilized and educated society, there is a need that we should make a plan as per the availability of resources and implement
it so that an ideal society, state and nation can be built.
Winner of last month's magazine essay writing challenge
Name: Keerti Dixit
Address: Bajrang vihar colony Varanasi, 221003
Email: KeeDixit_9@gmail.com
11.2. Essay Writing Challenge

BPSC Wallah is presenting an essay writing challenge open to all students. We will give you the topic of the essay in our monthly
magazine. You can send your essay to us, and we will select the best essay among the submitted essays that will be published in
our next monthly magazine with your name and address.
Essay topic for this Monthly Magazine
● Net Zero Emission 2070
● Dreams which should not let India sleep

102
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Bihar Current Wallah: January-2024

2.8. Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act ___________________________________________________________________________ 18

1.2. Karpoori Thakur

1.3. Miss Bihar 2023

1.4. Bihar Tourism Road Show

● Bihar Tourism Road Show was organized in Varanasi by Bihar Tourism

1.5. Major Mrinal

1.7. Gangasagar Fair

● Rules apply to display of advertisements in areas under

1.9. Bankipore Club

1.10. Ram Bhog Rice

1.11. Skoch Award 2023

1.12. Bihar’s New Government

1.13. Renovated planetarium

● A plan is proposed to create a sanctuary for the rare cull

1.15. Ropeway in Mundeshwari Dham

1.16. Bihar's first CBG plant

1.17. Revamping Property Tax Collection

1.18. Eternal Consecration of Lord Mahavir Statue in Jamui

1.19. Bihar Cabinet Approves 14 Proposals

Veterinary Service Facilities

1.20. Anand Kumar Joins Elite with UAE's Golden Visa

2. POLITY & GOVERNANCE

Arguments in Favor of Remission Arguments Against Remission

Acknowledge positive change and Concerns About Public Safety

Reflects humanitarian considerations Potential for Public Outcry in

Encourages good behavior of the Inconsistency in Application

Enhances Judicial and correctional Risk of Political Influence, undermines

Challenges in Indian Judiciary:

2.3. Gender-Neutral Judiciary

2.4. Shiv Sena MLA Disqualification Case

2.5. Aligarh Muslim University’s Minority Character

2.6. Police Reform

2.7. Sub-Categorisation among SCs

2.8. Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act

Reasons for CPR License Cancellation:

2.9. News In Shorts

Indian Stamp Act, 1899

Reservation in Promotions for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)

Rules For Allocation of Symbols to Registered Unrecognised Political Parties

No Right to Residence for Foreigners under Constitution: Delhi HC

Observation by the Court:

Centre Issues Guidelines For Coaching Institutes

One Nation-One Pass

3.2. India-Myanmar Border Management

3.3. India-Bangladesh Relations

3.4. India-Iran Relations

3.5. Shift in India-Maldives Relations

Reasons for Increasing Divergence:

3.6. India-France Relations

3.7. News In Brief

○ The treaty came into force on January 27, 1991.

India Planning to Connect Bangladesh's Matarbari Port to Northeastern States.

7th Meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission

Iran - Pakistan Conflict

3.8 India-Nigeria Relations

G-77 Third South Summit in Uganda

Turkiye Ratifies Sweden’s NATO Membership