Current Affairs October 2024: Top News and Updates

Kashish Chauhan 2 November 2024 0

Biological Diversity Rules, 2024: Key Points

  • Notification: Issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
  • Purpose: Replaces 2004 rules, ensuring the implementation of the 2023 amendment, which streamlines research processes and promotes traditional medicine.
  • National Biodiversity Authority (NBA):
    • Chairperson appointed by Central Government, with a three-year term and reappointment option.
    • Manages the National Biodiversity Fund (NBF), oversees biodiversity-related agreements, supports state bodies, and maintains biological data.
  • Intellectual Property Rights: NBA approval required before granting IPR.
  • Penalties: ₹1 lakh to ₹50 lakh, with additional fines for repeated violations, contributing to the NBF or state funds.
  • Biological Diversity Act, 2002:
    • Established for CBD compliance with a three-tiered regulatory mechanism: NBA (national), SSB (state), BMC (local).

2024 Lancet Countdown Report on Health and Climate Change: Key Insights

  • Temperature Rise: 2023 saw a 1.45°C increase in mean surface temperature, nearing the 1.5°C Paris Agreement threshold.
  • Health Impacts:
    • Heat-related mortality for those over 65 has surged by 167% since the 1990s.
    • Heat stress affected Indians for 100 days annually (2,400 hours in 2023).
  • Economic Losses: Annual weather-related damages rose by 23%, totaling $227 billion (2019–23).
    • 181 billion labor hours lost in India due to heat exposure in 2023.
  • Adaptation Gaps:
    • Only 68% of countries have robust health emergency systems.
    • Just 35% have heat-related illness early warning systems.

Key Recommendations

  • Conduct Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments.
  • Prioritize health in climate policies.
  • Promote rapid transition to clean, renewable energy.

Diamond Dust Geoengineering for Planet Cooling

  • Proposal: Spraying 5 million tonnes of diamond dust annually could cool Earth by 1.6°C over 45 years.
  • Advantages: Reflects heat effectively, lasts longer in air, and is safer than sulfur dioxide.

Geoengineering Methods

  • Carbon Removal:
    • Direct CO₂ capture, ocean fertilization.
  • Solar Management:
    • Stratospheric aerosols, cloud brightening.

Concerns

  • Could divert funds from emission reduction.
  • Expensive and may harm ecosystems.

CERT-In Advisory on Online Scams

  • Scam Tactics: Includes “digital arrest” scams where fraudsters impersonate officials like CBI agents.
  • Key Advice:
    • Don’t transfer money under pressure; real agencies won’t demand immediate payment.
    • Avoid sharing personal or financial details with unknown callers.

About Digital Arrest Scams

  • Scammers pose as law enforcement and defraud victims via phone calls.
  • India lost around ₹120 crore to these scams in early 2024.
  • Many perpetrators operate from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia.

Cybercrime Challenges

  • Limited skilled manpower and low cyber-awareness.

Government Initiatives

  • I4C: Coordinates cybercrime combat.
  • CERT-In: National agency for cybersecurity response.
  • Reporting Portal & Helpline (1930): For public to report and seek help on cybercrimes.

ISRO and DBT Collaboration on Space Biotechnology

  • Challenges in Space: Nutrient supply, waste management, food preservation, microgravity, radiation, health risks (cancers, cataracts, bone loss).
  • Goal of Space Biotechnology: Study organism adaptation in microgravity to support space exploration and human survival.

Key Applications

  • Microgravity Research: Enables protein crystal growth, aiding precise drug development.
  • Radiation Research: Programs like NASA’s BioSentinel study cell repair under space radiation.
  • Environmental Monitoring: Microbes may convert Mars and Moon soil for plant growth.
  • Disease Modeling: Models diseases for better astronaut health management.
  • Bioregenerative Life Support: Waste recycling for sustainable, self-sustaining missions.

Initiatives

  • India: Axiom-4 and Gaganyaan missions.
  • Global: NASA’s Space Biology Program, ESA’s Biolab, CNSA’s Space Breeding Programs.

95% of Rural Land Records Digitized in India

  • Achievement: Over 6.26 lakh villages’ land records digitized since 2016, enhancing security, transparency, and accessibility.

Significance of Digitization

  • Resolving Issues: Reduces land disputes, benami properties, and inefficient manual processes.
  • Accurate Surveys: Geospatial mapping for transparency, aiding vulnerable communities.
  • Agriculture Credit: Clear titles enable access to loans and capital.
  • Other Benefits: Improved subsidy targeting, timely compensation, GDP boost.

Challenges in Digitization

  • Resource Intensive: Land records are incomplete and scattered.
  • Slow Progress: Delays infrastructure projects and leaves data outdated.
  • Legal Reform Needed: Updating tenancy laws and land use regulations.

Government Initiatives

  • DILRMP: Modernizes land records management.
  • ULPIN (Bhu-Aadhar): Unique ID for each land parcel.
  • NGDRS: Standardized document registration.
  • SVAMITVA Scheme: Provides property rights in rural areas.

U.S., Japan, and South Korea Sign DiGi Framework for India

  • Purpose: To enhance cooperation on digital infrastructure development in India.

DiGi Framework Overview

  • Partner Agencies: U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Export-Import Bank of Korea.
  • Goal: Collaborate with Indian private sector to boost digital infrastructure.
  • Focus Areas: Projects in ICT, including 5G, Open RAN, submarine cables, data centers, smart cities, AI, and quantum technology.

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in India

  • Foundational DPIs: India Stack includes Aadhaar, UPI, and Data Empowerment Architecture.

Significance of DPI

  • Inclusive Development: Achieved 80% financial inclusion (2018-2023) and supported 87% of poor households during COVID-19.
  • Economic Growth: Potential to increase growth by 33% through DPI in finance.
  • Emission Reduction: Accelerates climate controls by 5-10 years via carbon trading and monitoring.

Globalizing DPIs

  • Global Partnership: US-India initiative to promote responsible digital tech in Asia and Africa.
  • G20 Framework: Established principles for DPI design and deployment.
  • Virtual Global DPI Repository: A platform for sharing tools and resources focused on DPI globally.

Government Seeks Comments on Draft Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2024

  • Objective: Amend the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 to enhance institutional arbitration, minimize court intervention, and ensure timely arbitration conclusions.

Arbitration Mechanism in India

  • Governed by the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, based on UNCITRAL Model Law and Conciliation Rules.
  • Previous amendments occurred in 2015, 2019, and 2021.

Key Features of the Draft Bill

  • Conciliation Omission: Act renamed to Arbitration Act, 1996; conciliation provisions moved to Mediation Act 2023.
  • Emergency Arbitrator: Provision for interim measures before tribunal formation.
  • Institutional Focus: Encourages institutional arbitration over ad-hoc methods for improved efficiency.
  • Arbitration Council of India (ACI): Empowered to create model procedural rules and recognize institutions.
  • Video Conferencing: Permits arbitration via video.
  • Appellate Arbitral Tribunal: Establishment for reviewing arbitral awards.

Issues in the Arbitration System

  • Lack of Diversity: Predominance of retired judges as arbitrators.
  • Trust Issues: Skepticism regarding the independence and impartiality of arbitrators.
  • Judicial Delays: Excessive intervention causing delays in award delivery.

South Africa First to Allow Heritable Human Genome Editing (HHGE)

  • New Guidelines: South Africa’s ethical guidelines permit genome editing for creating genetically modified children, less stringent than WHO proposals.

About HHGE

  • Definition: Alters germline cells (sperm, eggs, embryos) for inheritable changes, unlike somatic cell editing.
  • Techniques: Utilizes tools like ZFNs, TALENs, CRISPR/Cas9, and Mega-nucleases.

Potential Applications

  • Disease Prevention: Targets heritable diseases like cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia.
  • Genetic Research Advancement: Enhances understanding of human biology and genetics.
  • Assisted Reproductive Technology: Improves techniques such as IVF.

Concerns

  • Unforeseen Consequences: Multigenerational effects of germline edits.
  • Ethical Issues: Challenges human dignity and moral beliefs.
  • Social Impact: Risks creating “designer babies,” potentially increasing social inequality.

Regulatory Steps

  • Oviedo Convention: Prohibits embryo creation by European nations.
  • International Commission: Evaluates clinical applications of germline editing.
  • India: Bans human germline editing and reproductive cloning per national guidelines.

UK Becomes First Country to End Coal Electricity Production

  • Closure of Last Plant: The UK closed its last coal-based power plant, marking the end of 142 years of coal electricity, which made up 40% of its energy needs in 2012.

Key Points

  • Environmental Impact: The energy sector is responsible for about 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions, necessitating a shift away from coal.
  • Challenges in Transition: Low and middle-income countries, like India and China, still heavily rely on coal, posing financial and energy security challenges.
  • India’s Status: Coal accounts for roughly 70% of India’s energy capacity as of September 2024, with a goal to achieve net zero by 2070, supported by various renewable energy initiatives.

Meta Launches Centre for Generative AI, Shrijan at IIT Jodhpur

  • Partnership: Meta, along with MeitY and AICTE, introduced the Centre for Generative AI, Shrijan, and the “YuvaAI initiative for Skilling and Capacity Building.”

Centre for Generative AI, Shrijan

  • Objective: To empower the next generation of AI innovators by nurturing 100,000 youth developers and entrepreneurs over the next three years, focusing on open-source AI and Large Language Models (LLMs).

YuvaAI Initiative

  • Goal: To bridge the AI talent gap in India by equipping 100,000 students and young developers (ages 18-Pandemic Fund Project Launched by Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
  • Objective: Strengthen animal health security in India for better pandemic preparedness.
  • Project Details
  • Funding: $25 million initiative from the G20 Pandemic Fund, established under Indonesia’s G20 Presidency (2022).
  • Implementing Entities: Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank, and FAO.
  • Importance
  • Zoonotic Prevention: 5 of 6 WHO-declared public health emergencies stem from animal origins.
  • Economic Impact: Past outbreaks have caused significant global losses (e.g., $50 billion from SARS).
  • Key Interventions
  • Facility Upgrades: Enhance animal health labs and vaccine production.
  • Surveillance Systems: Improve early warning mechanisms.
  • Data Management: Strengthen risk assessment capabilities.
  • Capacity Building: Boost institutional disaster management frameworks.
  • Related Initiatives
  • National Animal Disease Control Program (NADCP): Focus on eradicating Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis.
  • Rashtriya Gokul Mission: Aims to enhance indigenous bovine productivity.30) to use open-source LLMs for real-world challenges.

Significance of Generative AI

  • Employment: The AI sector in India currently employs around 416,000 professionals.
  • Growth: The sector is projected to grow at 20-25%.
  • Economic Impact: Expected to contribute an additional $957 billion to India’s economy by 2035.

Challenges

  • Concerns: Issues include data privacy, lack of regulation, and insufficient availability of AI experts.

Study Reveals 77% of Indian Children Aged 6-23 Months Lack Minimum Dietary Diversity

  • Definition: WHO defines Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD) as a diet containing five or more of eight food groups: breast milk, grains, legumes, dairy, flesh foods, eggs, fruits, and vegetables. Less than five groups indicates Minimum Dietary Diversity Failure (MDDF).

Key Findings (2019-21)

  • Regional Disparities: Over 80% of children in Central India (Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh) exhibit MDDF.
  • Age Factor: Children aged 6-11 months show the highest prevalence (87%) of MDDF.
  • Vulnerable Populations: Children from Other Backward Classes (79%), Scheduled Castes (77.2%), and Scheduled Tribes (76%) are most affected.
  • Maternal Influence: Illiterate mothers are associated with higher MDDF rates (81% vs. 75% for educated mothers).

Challenges to Dietary Diversity

  • Nutritional Gaps: Minimal consumption of fruits, vegetables, and animal products.
  • Lack of Education: Correlation between maternal literacy and children’s dietary diversity.

Recommendations

  • Targeted Outreach: Focus on pregnant women, especially those with high-risk pregnancies.
  • Community Engagement: Utilize local governance for nutrition initiatives.

Government Initiatives Addressing Malnutrition

  • POSHAN Abhiyan: Aims to raise nutrition awareness among pregnant women, lactating mothers, and young children.
  • Rashtriya Poshan Mah: Promotes inter-ministerial collaboration for community engagement.
  • Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme: Supports children aged 0-6 years, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.

Union Cabinet Approves Establishment of ₹1,000 Crore Venture Capital Fund for Space Sector under IN-SPACe

  • Definition: A Venture Capital (VC) Fund is a specialized form of private equity financing that invests in early-stage startups with high growth potential.

Key Features of the VC Fund for the Space Sector

  • Coverage: Supports startups across the entire space supply chain—upstream, midstream, and downstream.
  • Financial Structure: Operates over five years, deploying ₹150-250 crore annually.
  • Investment Range: Each startup will receive between ₹10-60 crore.
  • Target: Aims to support approximately 40 startups.

Objectives

  • Capital Infusion: Attracts additional funding for the later-stage development of startups, creating a multiplier effect.
  • Accelerate Growth: Aims for a five-fold expansion of the Indian space economy in the next 10 years.
  • Technological Advancements: Strengthens India’s leadership in space technology through private sector participation.

Benefits

  • Retention of Companies: Encourages space companies to remain domiciled in India.
  • Job Creation: Generates employment in engineering, software development, data analysis, and manufacturing.
  • Innovation Ecosystem: Fosters a vibrant innovation ecosystem and boosts global competitiveness.

India’s Space Sector Overview

  • Current Status: India ranks 5th globally, constituting 2-3% of the global space economy, valued at $8.4 billion, with a target to reach $44 billion by 2033.

About IN-SPACe

  • Establishment: Created in 2020, IN-SPACe is an autonomous agency under the Department of Space (DOS).
  • Function: Acts as a single-window interface between ISRO and Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) to facilitate private sector participation.
  • Role: Authorizes and supervises space activities, including the development of launch vehicles and satellites.

Private Sector Initiatives

  • Example: India’s first private launch vehicle, Vikram-1, developed by Skyroot Aerospace.

UN Environment Programme Releases Emissions Gap Report 2024

The Emissions Gap Report 2024 outlines global emission trends and necessary actions to meet the Paris Agreement goals.

Key Observations:

  • GHG Emissions: Reached a record high of 57 Gt CO2e in 2023, a 1.3% increase from 2022.
  • India’s Ranking: Ranks 3rd globally with 4,140 Mt CO2e emissions, following China and the US.
  • Emission Disparities: The six largest emitters contribute 63% of global emissions, while least developed countries account for only 3%. India’s historical emissions (1850–2022) total 83 Gt CO2 compared to China’s 300 Gt CO2 and the US’s 527 Gt CO2.
  • NDC Targets: Stricter policies are essential to achieve 2030 NDC targets.

Recommendations:

  • Emission Reduction: Cut 42% by 2030 and 57% by 2035 in next NDCs.
  • Inclusion of Gases: NDCs should cover all gases in the Kyoto Protocol.
  • Renewable Energy: Expanding solar and wind could account for 38% of the total emission reduction by 2035.

About NDCs:

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are climate action plans updated every five years, with the next round, NDCs 3.0, due in early 2025.

UN COP16 Nature Summit to Debate Rules on Digital Sequence Information (DSI)

The UN COP16 Nature Summit will focus on establishing a multilateral system for managing Digital Sequence Information (DSI), aiming to generate revenue for conservation efforts.

About Digital Sequence Information (DSI)

  • Definition: Refers to genomic sequence data, including DNA, RNA, and protein sequences.
  • Lack of Consensus: There is no clear agreement on its exact interpretation or scope.

Significance of DSI

  • Research: Aids biological studies, such as understanding evolution and bioprospecting (e.g., using SARS-CoV-2 DSI for COVID-19 diagnostics).
  • Agriculture: Contributes to developing pest-resistant and climate-resilient crops.
  • Conservation: Assists in tracking illegal trade and mitigating risks to threatened species.

Challenges

  • Accountability: Public DSI databases lack accountability to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
  • Benefit Sharing: The primary sectors using DSI generate $1.6 trillion annually, with inadequate compensation to countries of origin and local communities.
  • Other Issues: Include privacy concerns, data security, ownership disputes, and technological constraints.

Initiatives for DSI

  • Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: Promotes equitable sharing of benefits from DSI.
  • India’s Efforts: Initiatives like the Genome India Project aim to map the genetic diversity of the Indian population.

Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Amendment) Rules, 2024

  • Notified by: Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
  • Disability Certificate Requirements: Proof of identity, recent photograph, and Aadhaar card.
  • Issuance Authority: Only medical authorities at the district level can issue certificates.
  • Processing Time: Extended from 1 month to 3 months.
  • Application Lapse: Applications become inactive after 2 years if undecided; re-application needed.
  • UDID Cards:
    • White: Below 40% disability
    • Yellow: 40% to 80% disability
    • Blue: 80% or above disability
  • Concerns:
    • Excludes those without Aadhaar, particularly in rural or marginalized areas.
    • Longer processing time may hinder access for genuine applicants.
  • Act Overview: Defines disability as any physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairment; recognizes 21 disability categories; prohibits discrimination in all life aspects.

States’ Power to Regulate Industrial Alcohol: Supreme Court Ruling

  • Case: State of U.P. vs. M/S. Lalta Prasad Vaish.
  • Ruling: “Intoxicating liquor” includes industrial alcohol, allowing states to regulate it.
  • Overruled Precedent: Reversed a 1990 ruling stating only potable alcohol could be taxed by states.
  • Current Regulation: Union government regulates industrial alcohol under the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951.
  • Union’s Defense: Based on powers from Entry 52 (Union List) and Entry 33 (Concurrent List).
  • State’s Argument: Need for legislation to prevent misuse of industrial alcohol for illegal consumable alcohol production.
  • Types of Alcohol:
    • Usable Alcohol: Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) for consumption.
    • Industrial Alcohol: Denatured alcohol, made unfit for drinking by adding poisonous substances.

Closing Window of Opportunity: Conservation Threats in Pantropics

  • Report Released: At Convention on Biological Diversity COP16 in Cali, Colombia.
  • Focus: Overlap of oil, gas, and mining concessions with Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in Amazon Basin, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia.
  • Importance: These regions are crucial for carbon storage, climate regulation, and sustaining life.

Key Findings

  • 518 KBAs: 18% of KBAs in pantropics are affected by active or potential oil and gas concessions.
  • Amazon Overlap: Oil and gas blocks intersect with 14% of KBAs and 12% of Indigenous Territories.
  • Forest Impact: Over 180 million hectares of high-integrity forests face fossil fuel extraction projects.

About KBAs

  • Definition: Sites vital for global biodiversity health.
  • Criteria: Must meet one or more of 11 criteria across five categories, including threatened biodiversity and ecological integrity.

Challenges

  • Competing Interests: Conservation vs. resource extraction, driven by the demand for minerals (e.g., nickel for renewable energy).
  • Degradation Risk: Unprotected KBAs are at risk from infrastructure related to extraction projects.

Recommendations

  • Empower Indigenous Peoples: Provide resources and authority for self-governance over traditional territories.
  • Legal Frameworks: Enforce laws to halt new extraction in protected areas and phase out existing operations.
  • Limit Green Energy Extraction: Focus on non-critical habitats with strict environmental standards.

Initiatives

  • Global Standard for KBAs: Established by IUCN in 2016.

RISE Mission: A Step Towards Circular Economy in Space

  • Mission Overview: RISE is the European Space Agency’s first in-orbit servicing mission, focusing on refueling, refurbishment, and assembly in space.
  • Launch Year: Scheduled for 2028, it will control the orbits of geostationary satellites and operate in the geostationary graveyard (100 km higher than operational orbits).

Circular Space Economy

  • Concept: Inspired by circular economy principles to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency.
  • Key Aspects: Satellite refurbishment, space debris removal, and resource utilization from asteroids or the Moon.

Significance

  • Debris Reduction: Lowers collision risks and further debris generation.
  • Resource Conservation: Promotes recycling and reuse of materials in space.
  • Cost Efficiency: Extends satellite lifespan, reducing costs.
  • Faster Development: Enables on-orbit assembly and manufacturing of space systems.

Challenges

  • Technological Hurdles: Need for advancements in in-orbit servicing, recycling, and asteroid mining technologies.
  • Funding Issues: Significant investment required for equipment development and R&D.
  • Regulatory Framework: Need for global standards and regulations for space sustainability.

Initiatives

  • Global:
    • ESA aims for a circular economy in space by 2050 and debris neutrality by 2030.
    • NASA’s COSMIC program focuses on in-space servicing and manufacturing.
    • Reusable launch vehicles, such as SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
  • India:
    • ISRO’s Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Demonstrator program.
    • Goal of debris-free space missions by all Indian space actors by 2030.

SOPs on ‘White Revolution 2.0’ Released by Ministry of Cooperatives

  • Launch Event: Unveiled during the diamond jubilee celebration of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).

About NDDB

  • Founded: Established in 1965 by Dr. Verghese Kurien, known as the father of the White Revolution.
  • Background: Initially a society under the Societies Act 1860, merged with the Indian Dairy Corporation under the NDDB Act of 1987; recognized as an institution of national importance.
  • Key Achievement: Developed and implemented the Operation Flood program (1970-1996), leading to the original White Revolution.

White Revolution 2.0

  • Objective: Increase milk procurement by dairy cooperatives by 50% over the next five years (1,007 lakh kg/day by 2028-29).
  • Goals: Empower women, generate employment, and expand cooperative coverage.
  • Integration: Targets incorporated into the newly proposed Central Sector Scheme, National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) 2.0.
  • Financial Support: Assistance for establishing village-level milk procurement systems and milk chilling facilities to enhance dairy infrastructure.
  • Dairy Cooperative Societies: Aim to establish or strengthen 1 lakh DCS to meet objectives.

India’s Milk Production Status

  • Leading Producer: India is the world’s top milk producer, with 230.58 million tonnes in 2022-23.
  • Per Capita Availability: National availability is 459 grams/day, exceeding the global average of 323 grams/day.

Other Initiatives

  • Key Programs: Rashtriya Gokul Mission, National Programme for Dairy Development, Livestock Health & Disease Control Programme (LHDCP), and Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund.

Delhi High Court Closes Contempt Proceedings Against Wikipedia

  • Context: Proceedings closed after Wikipedia removed the article ‘Asian News International v. Wikimedia Foundation’.
  • Reason for Lawsuit: ANI filed a defamation lawsuit against Wikimedia Foundation, claiming the article described it as a propaganda tool for the central government and accused it of misreporting.

High Court Judgment

  • Ruling: The article violated the sub-judice principle, which prevents publications that might influence ongoing legal cases.
  • Court’s Concern: The criticism of the lawsuit was deemed to interfere with court proceedings.

Contempt of Court

  • Definition: Under the Contempt of Court Act, 1971, it includes civil contempt (willful disobedience to court orders) and criminal contempt (actions that scandalize or interfere with court authority).

Constitutional Provisions

  • Article 129: Empowers the Supreme Court to punish for contempt.
  • Article 215: Grants similar powers to High Courts.
  • Article 142: Allows the Supreme Court to make orders for contempt punishment.

India and China Reach Agreement on Patrolling Arrangements Along the LAC

  • Purpose: The agreement aims to resolve the military standoff that began in April 2020, specifically addressing tensions in eastern Ladakh, including areas like Demchok and Depsang.
  • Background: Tensions escalated in 2020 due to China’s objections to India’s infrastructure projects, notably a road in the Galwan Valley connected to a key airbase.

India-China Border Dispute

  • Border Length: India’s border with China spans 3,488 km, with unclear demarcation and no mutually agreed LAC in certain areas.
  • Border Sectors:
    • Western Border (Ladakh): Dispute over the Johnson Line (India) vs. the McCartney-MacDonald Line (China).
    • Middle Sector: Minor boundary disputes in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
    • Eastern Sector: Dispute centers around the McMahon Line (1914 Simla Convention), which China rejects.

Border Dispute Settlement Mechanism

  • Agreements Signed: Five key agreements to manage disputes along the LAC:
    • 1993 Agreement: Maintained peace and tranquility along the LAC.
    • 1996 Agreement: Established confidence-building measures for military operations.
    • 2005 Protocol: Detailed implementation of military confidence-building measures.
    • 2012 Agreement: Created a Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC).
    • 2013 Agreement: Enhanced border defense cooperation.

Government Notifies Offshore Areas Operating Right Rules, 2024

  • Purpose: To regulate the exploration and production of minerals in specified offshore regions under the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002.
  • Context: Coincides with India’s first-ever offshore mineral auction of 10 blocks, including sand, lime mud, and polymetallic nodules.

Key Highlights of the Rules

  • Applicability: Covers all minerals in offshore areas, excluding mineral oils, hydrocarbons, and specified atomic minerals.
  • Lease Surrender: Allows lease surrender after 10 years if production operations are uneconomic.
  • Priority Access: Grants priority access for government and government-owned companies in reserved offshore zones.

Offshore Mining Significance

  • Definition: Also known as deep sea mining, it involves retrieving mineral deposits from the ocean seabed below 200m.
  • Demand: Addresses the increasing demand for metals due to depleting terrestrial deposits and reduces dependence on mineral imports.

Challenges in Offshore Mining

  • Environmental Concerns: Potential harm to biodiversity through habitat destruction, underwater noise, and pollution.
  • Impact on Fisheries: Possible adverse effects on fish populations, affecting the livelihoods of fishing communities.
  • Technology Gap: Insufficient research and development for deep-sea mining technologies.

Initiatives for Offshore Mining

  • Offshore Areas Mineral Act, 2002: Framework for the development and regulation of mineral resources.
  • Deep Ocean Mission: Launched by the Ministry of Earth Sciences for deep-sea mineral exploration, including the Samudrayaan Mission and MATSYA 6000.
  • International Seabed Authority: Allotted 10,000 sq. km. to India in 2016 for exclusive exploration of polymetallic nodules in the Indian Ocean.

GUESS India 2023 Survey Report Highlights Entrepreneurial Spirit in Students

  • Overview: The report from IIT Mandi, part of a global research project, surveys student entrepreneurs across 57 countries.

Major Trends

  • Nascent Entrepreneurs: 33% of college students in India are nascent entrepreneurs, exceeding the global average of 26%.
  • Career Choice: 14% of Indian students aim to become entrepreneurs post-graduation.
  • Entrepreneurial Intent: Indian students demonstrate the highest entrepreneurial intent worldwide.

Factors Supporting Entrepreneurship

  • Macroeconomic Environment: India ranks 39th out of 133 in the Global Innovation Index.
  • Startup Ecosystem: Over 110 unicorns, making India the third-largest startup hub after the USA and China.
  • Educational Support: Diverse courses and supportive government initiatives bolster entrepreneurial education.

Existing Challenges

  • Low Active Entrepreneurs: Difficulty in transitioning from nascent ventures to active businesses.
  • Accessibility Issues: Limited reach of entrepreneurship education and incubation programs.
  • Support Gaps: Mismatches between support programs and student venture needs.

Recommendations

  • Compulsory Entrepreneurship Courses: Integrate entrepreneurship education in universities.
  • Expand Incubation Networks: Provide mentorship and funding to support startups.

Supportive Government Initiatives

  • NIDHI Umbrella Programs (2016): Establishes incubation centers and startup support.
  • Atal Innovation Mission (2016): Promotes innovation through tinkering labs in schools.
  • National Innovation and Startup Policy (2019): Strengthens the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem on campuses.

GUESS India 2023 Survey Report Highlights Entrepreneurial Spirit in Students

  • Overview: The report from IIT Mandi, part of a global research project, surveys student entrepreneurs across 57 countries.

Major Trends

  • Nascent Entrepreneurs: 33% of college students in India are nascent entrepreneurs, exceeding the global average of 26%.
  • Career Choice: 14% of Indian students aim to become entrepreneurs post-graduation.
  • Entrepreneurial Intent: Indian students demonstrate the highest entrepreneurial intent worldwide.

Factors Supporting Entrepreneurship

  • Macroeconomic Environment: India ranks 39th out of 133 in the Global Innovation Index.
  • Startup Ecosystem: Over 110 unicorns, making India the third-largest startup hub after the USA and China.
  • Educational Support: Diverse courses and supportive government initiatives bolster entrepreneurial education.

Existing Challenges

  • Low Active Entrepreneurs: Difficulty in transitioning from nascent ventures to active businesses.
  • Accessibility Issues: Limited reach of entrepreneurship education and incubation programs.
  • Support Gaps: Mismatches between support programs and student venture needs.

Recommendations

  • Compulsory Entrepreneurship Courses: Integrate entrepreneurship education in universities.
  • Expand Incubation Networks: Provide mentorship and funding to support startups.

Supportive Government Initiatives

  • NIDHI Umbrella Programs (2016): Establishes incubation centers and startup support.
  • Atal Innovation Mission (2016): Promotes innovation through tinkering labs in schools.
  • National Innovation and Startup Policy (2019): Strengthens the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem on campuses.

8 Years of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik)

Overview

  • Inauguration: PM inaugurated new airports in Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Rewa (Madhya Pradesh), and Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh) as part of the RCS-UDAN celebrations.

Key Features of the Scheme

  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Civil Aviation.
  • Genesis: Launched in 2016 as part of the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016. The first RCS-UDAN flight connected Shimla to Delhi in 2017.
  • Type: Central Sector Scheme.
  • Purpose: Enhance infrastructure and connectivity in India, particularly in remote and underserved areas, making air travel affordable for the masses.

Benefits

  • Subsidised Seats: Passenger fares are capped (initially at ₹2,500).
  • Support to Airlines: The government compensates airlines for losses through Viability Gap Funding (VGF).
  • Regional Connectivity Fund (RCF): Funds the VGF via a levy on select domestic flights.
  • Market-Driven Model: Airlines assess demand and submit route proposals during bidding rounds.

Recent Changes

  • Current Phase: The 5th phase is ongoing, with a reduced distance gap of 600 km and enhanced VGF.

Implementing Agency

  • Airports Authority of India (AAI).

Key Achievements

  • Aircraft Demand: The scheme has spurred increasing demand for new aircraft.
  • Tourism Promotion: UDAN 3.0 introduced tourism routes, connecting destinations like Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh) and Amritsar (Punjab).
  • Air Connectivity Boost: Connected 34 States/UTs, operationalizing 86 aerodromes, from Mundra (Gujarat) to Tezu (Arunachal Pradesh) and Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) to Salem (Tamil Nadu).

Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals Hosts the 13th Edition of “India Chem 2024” in Mumbai

Overview

  • Event: India Chem 2024, organized jointly by the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals and FICCI.
  • Significance: One of the largest composite industry events in the Asia-Pacific region, featuring an International Conference and Exhibition.

About India’s Chemical and Petrochemical Industry

  • Integration: An essential component of India’s growing manufacturing sector.

Market Segments

  1. Bulk Chemicals:
    • Produced in large quantities but lower value.
    • Includes alkali, organic, and inorganic chemicals.
    • Critical for downstream industries.
  2. Petrochemicals:
    • Derived from petroleum and natural gas through refining.
    • Includes polymers, synthetic fibers, and performance plastics.
    • The production-consumption gap has remained negative.
  3. Specialty Chemicals:
    • High value but low production volume.
    • Examples include surfactants, textile chemicals, paints, coatings, dyes, and agrochemicals.

Economic Significance

  • Contribution: Accounts for over 9% of manufacturing gross value added and 7% of total exports.
  • Growth Potential:
    • Current market value: approximately $178 billion.
    • Projected to exceed $300 billion by 2028 and reach $1 trillion by 2040.

Initiatives to Promote the Industry

  • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI):
    • 100% FDI in manufacturing through the automatic route.
    • Sector attracted US $12.48 billion in investments over the past decade.
  • Petroleum, Chemical, and Petrochemical Investment Regions (PCPIRs):
    • Developed to create high-class infrastructure and a competitive environment for new firms.
  • Plastic Parks:
    • Designed to enhance investment, production, and exports in the plastics sector.

Supreme Court to Review 2022 Judgment on PBPTA

Date: 19 Oct 2024
Duration: 2 min read

  • Context: Review petition filed by the Union Government against the 2022 judgment (Union of India vs. M/S. Ganpati Dealcom Pvt. Ltd.).
  • Objective of PBPTA: Prohibits benami transactions; allows confiscation of benami properties.
  • Definition of Benami Transaction: Property held/paid for by one person but registered under another’s name.

Key Highlights of the 2022 Judgment

  • Section 3(2) Unconstitutional: Jail term for benami transactions declared unconstitutional; violated Article 20(1) (protection against arbitrary conviction).
  • Non-Retrospective Application: Law does not apply retrospectively; criminal prosecution cannot be initiated for pre-enactment transactions.
  • Union’s Stance: Contended that the 2016 Amendment should apply retrospectively.

Concerns Related to Benami Transactions

  • Black Money: Major tool for holding unaccounted wealth.
  • Tax Evasion: Leads to significant revenue loss for the government.
  • Real Estate Distortion: Artificially inflates property prices.
  • Fraudulent Diversion: Hinders ownership tracing; undermines financial integrity.

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence to Study India’s Non-Kinetic Warfare Preparedness

  • Recent blasts in Lebanon exemplify non-kinetic warfare, seen in conflicts like Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine.
  • Non-Kinetic Warfare: Evolving tactics beyond military, including cyber, psychological, and economic strategies; potentially deadlier than traditional warfare.
  • Emerging Threats:
    • Hostile neighbors: Pakistan (west) and China (north/east).
    • China’s three warfares: psychological, political, and legal tactics.
    • Non-state actors: Hezbollah’s deployment of such methods.
    • Internal challenges: Naxal insurgency and rising AI technologies.
  • Initiatives by India:
    • Advanced weapons development: DURGA-II Project (DRDO).
    • Structural reforms: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA), Defence AI Council (DAIC).
    • International partnerships: GSOMIA with the USA.
    • Defence indigenisation efforts.

Mass Coral Bleaching Since February 2023 Hits Record Extent: NOAA

  • NOAA reports the ongoing mass coral bleaching is the most extensive, surpassing previous records by over 11% in half the time.
  • 77% of global coral reef areas are experiencing bleaching-level heat stress due to climate change and record ocean temperatures.
  • Coral Bleaching: Corals expel symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) due to environmental stressors like temperature and nutrient changes.
  • The fourth bleaching event was declared by NOAA in April 2024; the first event in 1998 resulted in an 8% coral loss.
  • Previous bleaching events (2010 and 2014-2017) led to an estimated 14% coral mortality.
  • Impacts of Coral Bleaching:
    • Ecological: Loss of biodiversity and food chain disruptions.
    • Socio-economic: Decline in fisheries and reduced tourism.
  • Initiatives to Prevent Coral Bleaching:
    • India:
      • Corals listed under Schedule-I of Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
      • CRZ Notification, 2019 prohibits harmful activities in coastal ecosystems.
      • Technology use: Bio-rock in Gulf of Kutch.
    • Global:
      • G20 Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform.
      • International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), with India as a member.

SC Upholds Validity of Section 6A of Citizenship Act

  • Section 6A, part of the Citizenship Amendment Act, 1985, was established via the Assam Accord to grant citizenship to migrants from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) to Assam from January 1, 1966, to March 24, 1971, after ten years of being detected as foreigners.
  • SC Judgment Highlights:
    • Legislative Competence: Enacted under Article 246 and Entry 17 of List I (Union List), concerning citizenship and naturalization.
    • Equality (Article 14): Assam’s unique migrant situation justifies special citizenship laws; no violation of equality.
    • Cultural Impact (Article 29): No evidence that migrants harmed Assamese cultural rights.
    • Cutoff Date: March 24, 1971, is reasonable due to the onset of Operation SearchLight on March 26, 1971; later migrants are deemed war migrants, not partition migrants.
  • About Citizenship Act, 1955:
    • Provides five methods of acquiring citizenship: birth, descent, registration, naturalization, and incorporation of territory.
    • Prohibits dual citizenship.
  • Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019: Allows certain religious communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan who entered India before December 31, 2014, to be exempt from being labeled as illegal migrants.

Islamabad Hosts 23rd SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting

  • Eight significant agreements signed, addressing SCO’s budget, secretariat operations, and counterterrorism efforts.
  • Key Takeaways:
    • India raised concerns about terrorism, extremism, and separatism affecting regional peace.
    • India did not endorse China’s Belt and Road Initiative, citing territorial integrity.
    • Criticism of Western unilateral sanctions, particularly against Russia.
    • Advanced India’s digital agenda, integrating Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and digital inclusion into SCO cooperation.
  • Significance of SCO for India:
    • Countering Terrorism: Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) aids in intelligence sharing on terrorism and drug trafficking.
    • Cooperation with Central Asia: Supports India’s Connect Central Asia policy.
    • Indo-Russian Cooperation: Strengthens ties with Russia.
    • Energy Security: Access to significant natural gas and oil reserves.
    • Balancing Chinese Dominance: Initiatives like Chabahar Port and INSTC counterbalance China’s influence.
  • Challenges:
    • Disputes among member countries.
    • Competition between China and Russia.
    • Divergent interests of member nations.
  • About SCO:
    • Established: 2001 in Shanghai by Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
    • Current Members: India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus; Afghanistan and Mongolia hold observer status.
    • Goal: Strengthening trust, friendship, and cooperation in political, economic, and cultural spheres.

Prime Minister Participates in International Abhidhamma Divas (IAD)

  • The Ministry of Culture and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) observed IAD and celebrated Pali’s recognition as a classical language.
  • About IAD:
    • Commemorates Lord Buddha’s descent from Tāvatimsa to Sankassiya, Uttar Pradesh.
    • Marked by the Asokan Elephant Pillar at Sankassiya.
    • Coincides with the end of the first Rainy Retreat (Vassa) and the Pavāraņā festival.
  • About Abhidhamma:
    • A collection of suttas representing early Buddhist philosophy and psychology.
    • Translates to “Higher Dhamma” or “Further Truths,” forming the third part of the Tripitaka (Pali Canon).
    • Comprises seven books exploring consciousness, mental factors, and mindfulness.
    • Develops a specialized Pali vocabulary essential to Buddhist philosophy.
  • Key Terms:
    • “Citta” (consciousness), “Cetasika” (mental factors), “Rūpa” (materiality), “Nibbāna” (final liberation).
  • About Pali Language:
    • Recognized as a Classical Language alongside Marathi, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali.
    • Ancient language for Buddhist and Jain literature, including the Tipitaka.
    • Tripitaka includes Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka.
  • Other Important Pali Works:
    • Jataka Kathas, Aṭṭhasālinī, Sammohavinodanī, Dhammapada, Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta.

Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Report 2024 Released

  • Jointly published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).
  • Themed “Poverty Amid Conflict,” the report overlays violent conflict data with multidimensional poverty data to explore their interlinkages.
  • Key Findings:
    • Countries at war experience higher deprivations across all ten indicators of multidimensional poverty.
    • Approximately 1.1 billion people (~18%) live in acute multidimensional poverty across 112 countries.
    • India has the largest number of people in extreme poverty, with 234 million.
  • About MPI:
    • Measures multidimensional poverty based on health, education, and living standards.
    • Identifies individuals as ‘MPI poor’ if deprived of one-third or more of weighted indicators.
    • Launched in 2010, it advances Sustainable Development Goal 1: ending poverty in all forms.
  • India’s National MPI (NMPI):
    • Introduced in 2021 by NITI Aayog.
    • Retains the ten original indicators from the global MPI model and adds two: Maternal Health and Bank Account.

China’s Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) to Start Gathering Data on Neutrinos

  • JUNO aims to solve mysteries related to neutrinos, including their origin and interactions with other particles.
  • What are Neutrinos?:
    • Subatomic particles with mass significantly smaller than other elementary particles.
    • Three types: Electron, Muon, and Tauon neutrinos; they can change types during travel (neutrino oscillation).
  • Key Characteristics:
    • Spin of 1/2 with a net neutral charge.
    • Travels nearly at the speed of light in straight lines from their source.
    • Rarely interacts with matter, earning the nickname “ghost particle.”
    • Most abundant particles with mass in the universe, interacting only through gravity and weak force.
  • JUNO’s Contributions:
    • Observes neutrinos from the sun for real-time insights into solar processes.
    • Studies neutrinos from the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium to understand mantle convection and tectonic plate movement.
    • May provide information on violent astrophysical sources like exploding stars and gamma-ray bursts.
  • Key Neutrino Observatories:
    • India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO): Jointly funded by DAE and DST, located in Theni District, Tamil Nadu.
    • IceCube Neutrino Observatory: First detector designed to observe cosmic events from the South Pole ice.
    • Other observatories include China’s TRIDENT and the US’s DUNE (Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment).

Delhi High Court Authorises Posthumous Use of Cryopreserved Semen for Reproduction

  • The Delhi High Court allowed a 60-year-old couple to use their deceased son’s frozen sperm for surrogacy.
  • Judgment Highlights:
    • No legal prohibition against posthumous reproduction in the absence of the spouse, given consent is demonstrated.
    • Posthumous reproduction involves conceiving a child using Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) after a parent’s death.
    • Deceased individuals’ cryopreserved gametes can be considered ‘property’ and inherited by legal heirs.
  • Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART):
    • Encompasses techniques for achieving pregnancy by manipulating sperm or oocytes outside the body.
    • Includes methods like In-Vitro Fertilization, Surrogacy, and Gamete Cryopreservation.
  • ART Regulation in India:
    • ART (Regulation) Act, 2021: Governs ART clinics and banks, ensuring ethical practices and preventing misuse.
    • Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021: Prohibits commercial surrogacy, allowing it only for altruistic reasons.

Supreme Court Questions Feasibility of Gram Nyayalayas

  • The Supreme Court expressed concerns about the practicality of establishing Gram Nyayalayas (village courts) as mandated by the Gram Nyayalayas Act of 2008.
  • Purpose of Gram Nyayalayas:
    • Aimed at ensuring justice is accessible to all citizens, regardless of social, economic, or other disabilities.
  • Key Concerns Raised by the Supreme Court:
    • Mandatory Establishment: Clarification needed on whether the establishment of Gram Nyayalayas by States/UTs is mandatory, as Section 3 of the Act states that governments “may” constitute them.
    • Resource Constraints: State governments already face resource limitations for regular courts, complicating the funding of additional gram nyayalayas.
    • Rising Burden on High Courts: The establishment of these courts may lead to increased appeals and writ petitions, burdening high courts.
  • Key Features of Gram Nyayalayas:
    • Location: Should be established at the intermediate level of Panchayats or contiguous Panchayats.
    • Appointment: The State government appoints a ‘Nyayadhikari’ for each Gram Nyayalaya in consultation with the high court.
    • Jurisdiction: Functions as a mobile court with both civil and criminal jurisdiction.
    • Dispute Resolution: Encourages settlement through conciliation, with social workers potentially serving as conciliators.
    • Legal Framework: Not bound by the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, but by principles of natural justice.
  • Implementation Status:
    • Initial target of around 2,500 gram nyayalayas, but fewer than 500 have been established, with only 314 currently operational across India.
    • States like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan have made progress, while major states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar show limited or no implementation.
  • Support Initiatives:
    • The Union Government provides financial assistance to States through the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) to support the establishment of Gram Nyayalayas.

Fifth Global Standards Symposium (GSS-24) Convened in New Delhi

  • Overview:
    • GSS-24 was organized for the first time in the Asia-Pacific region by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and hosted by the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India.
    • Theme: “Charting the Next Digital Wave: Emerging Technologies, Innovation, and International Standards.”
  • About ITU:
    • Established in 1865, ITU is the oldest UN specialized agency focused on Information and Communication Technologies.
  • Key Infographic:
    • The symposium featured an infographic emphasizing the importance of international standards, highlighting:
      • Facilitating Global Trade
      • Ensuring Consumer Protection
      • Enhancing Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness
      • Promoting Environmental Sustainability
      • Enabling Global Collaboration
  • Key Outcomes of GSS-24:
    • International Standards System: Advocated for bridging the standardization gap between developed and developing countries through initiatives like the ITU Bridging the Standardization Gap programme.
    • Sustainable Development of Emerging Technologies: Encouraged collaboration among Standards Development Organizations to help developing countries adopt digital innovations.
    • High-Level Segment: Recognized the Global Digital Compact’s focus on international cooperation and the role of emerging digital technologies, particularly AI, in driving digital transformation.
    • Standards and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Emphasized the role of international standards in promoting sustainable development of emerging technologies, exemplified by the #Standards4SDGs campaign.
    • Celebrating Smart Cities: Acknowledged sustainable initiatives in cities and reaffirmed commitment to the United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) initiative.
  • U4SSC Initiative:
    • Led by ITU, UNECE, and UN-Habitat, it aims to foster partnerships that empower cities and communities in achieving the UN SDGs.

Pathways out of the Polycrisis: Poverty, Prosperity, and Planet Report 2024

  • Report provides a framework for managing trade-offs in Poverty, Prosperity, and Planet.
  • Global poverty reduction stalled over the past 5 years due to ‘polycrisis’ (slow growth, climate risks).
  • Extreme poverty projected at 7.3% by 2030, double the World Bank target of 3%.
  • Global Prosperity Gap reflects stalled income growth since the pandemic.
  • Significant drop in extreme poverty in India: from 431 million in 1990 to 129 million in 2024.
  • Proposed pathways:
    • Faster, inclusive growth by boosting productivity and employment.
    • Enhance climate resilience and risk management.
  • Priorities:
    • Low-income countries: Focus on poverty reduction.
    • Middle-income countries: Aim for income growth and pollution reduction.
    • High-income countries: Accelerate climate mitigation while managing costs.

Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2024 Awarded

  • Awarded to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James A. Robinson for studies on institutions and prosperity.
  • Emphasized the role of societal institutions in a country’s prosperity.
  • Highlighted that democracy emerged in colonies due to the threat of revolution being unmanageable through social reforms.
  • Richest 20% of countries are 30 times richer than the poorest 20%.
  • Differences in prosperity linked to societal institutions created by European colonizers:
    • Extractive Institutions: Exploited indigenous populations for resource extraction, leading to poorer nations post-colonization (e.g., India’s industrial production was higher than the USA’s before colonization).
    • Inclusive Institutions: Developed for long-term benefits of European settlers, influenced by settler numbers, disease prevalence, and geography.

Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Launches PMECRG and MAHA-EV Initiative

  • ANRF launches its first two initiatives to connect academic research with industrial applications.

Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG)

  • Aims to establish India as a leader in science and technology.
  • Provides flexible funding for early career researchers to facilitate innovative research.

Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas – Electric Vehicle (MAHA-EV)

  • Focuses on developing key EV technologies to reduce import dependency and boost domestic innovation.
  • Aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) vision.
  • Targets three technology verticals: Tropical EV Batteries, Power Electronics, and EV Charging Infrastructure.
  • Aims to position India as a hub for EV component development, contributing to global competitiveness and sustainability.

About ANRF

  • Established under the ANRF Act 2023, operates under the Department of Science & Technology.
  • Subsums Science and Engineering Research Board.
  • Aims to promote R&D and foster a culture of innovation in universities and research institutions.
  • Acts as an apex body for strategic direction in scientific research in line with the National Education Policy.

Union Ministry of Power Launches National Electricity Plan (Transmission)

  • The National Electricity Plan (Transmission) is developed by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) under the Electricity Act 2003.
  • It connects generation sources to the distribution system serving consumers.

Key Highlights of NEP (Transmission)

  • Renewable Energy Targets: Aims to transmit 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030 and over 600 GW by 2032.
  • Peak Demand: Plans to meet a peak demand of 458 GW by 2032.
  • Transmission Network Expansion: Increase from 4.85 lakh ckm in 2024 to 6.48 lakh ckm by 2032.
  • Inter-regional Capacity: Planned increase from 119 GW to 168 GW by 2032.
  • Innovative Elements: Integration of 10 GW offshore wind, 47 GW battery storage, and 30 GW pumped storage.
  • Green Hubs: Addresses power needs for Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia manufacturing at coastal locations.
  • Cross-Border Interconnections: Covers interconnections with Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and potential links with Saudi Arabia and UAE.

Challenges in India’s Transmission System

  • Transmission losses, integration issues with renewables, outdated technology, regulator focus, and cybersecurity concerns.

About Central Electricity Authority (CEA)

  • Established under the repealed Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948; now functions under the Electricity Act 2003.
  • Comprises up to 14 members, including a Chairperson, with a majority appointed by the Central Government.
  • Advises on the National Electricity Policy and sets technical standards for electric infrastructure.

India Recalls High Commissioner and Expels Canadian Diplomats Amidst Diplomatic Dispute

  • Canada requested India to waive diplomatic immunity for its officials, alleging their involvement in an investigation; India deemed this request unreasonable.
  • Diplomatic Immunity: A principle protecting foreign officials from local jurisdiction, defined under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which India ratified in 1972.

Recent Fallout in India-Canada Relations

  • Khalistani Extremists: Canada’s support for Sikh separatist groups has strained diplomatic relations, notably after the 2023 unofficial referendum for an independent Sikh state.
  • Indian Sovereignty: India views Canada’s support for Khalistani activities as a direct challenge to its sovereignty.
  • Security Cooperation: India’s extradition requests for terrorists in Canada have been ignored.
  • Defunct Agreements: No progress on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement.
  • Vote Bank Politics: The Sikh community is a significant vote bank in Canadian provinces, especially for the Liberal Party.

India-Canada Relations Overview

  • Bilateral Trade: Declined from USD 10.50 billion in 2022 to USD 7.65 billion in 2023.
  • Treaties: Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (1994) and Extradition Treaty (1987) in place.
  • Nuclear Cooperation: Agreement signed in 2010, established a Joint Committee on Civil Nuclear Cooperation.
  • Space Collaboration: ISRO launched Canada’s first Low Earth Orbit satellite during its 100th satellite launch in 2018.

Cruise Bharat Mission (CBM) Launched

  • Launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
  • Aim: Position India as a global cruise tourism hub.
  • Goals:
    • Double cruise passenger traffic from 4.6 lakh (2024) by 2029.
    • Increase cruise calls from 254 (2024) to 500 by 2030.
  • Implementation Phases:
    • Phase 1 (2024-2025): Form cruise alliances with neighboring countries.
    • Phase 2 (2025-2027): Develop new cruise terminals and destinations.
    • Phase 3 (2027-2029): Integrate cruise circuits across the Indian Subcontinent.
  • Cruise Segments:
    • Ocean & Harbour Cruise: Deep-sea, coastal, and yachting cruises.
    • River & Inland Cruise: Cruises on rivers, canals, and lakes.
    • Island Cruise: Inter-island and lighthouse tours.
  • Significance:
    • Generate 4 lakh jobs in the cruise sector.
    • Promote cultural, historical, and natural tourism.
    • Develop world-class infrastructure for maritime trade.

 

India BioEconomy Report 2024 Unveiled

  • Released at the 4th Global Bio India Summit by the Department of Biotechnology and BIRAC.
  • Definition: Bioeconomy involves the sustainable production and use of biological resources for products, processes, and services.
  • Key Findings:
    • BioEconomy reached $151 billion (2023), contributing 4.25% to GDP and employing over 3.3 million.
    • Projected to reach $300 billion by 2030.
  • Key Sub-Sectors:
    • BioIndustrial (~48%): Includes biofuels, chemicals, and bioplastics.
    • BioAgri (~8%): E.g., genetically modified crops like Bt Cotton.
    • BioPharma (~36%): Pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics.
    • BioIT/Research Services (~8%): Contract research, clinical trials, bioinformatics.
  • Major Achievements:
    • Global Vaccine Leader: Supplied 25% of WHO vaccines, 20% of exports to Africa.
    • Energy Independence: 3rd largest producer and consumer of ethanol.
    • Precision Healthcare: Approval of India’s first gene therapy trial for Hemophilia A.
    • Biotech Startups: Growth to approx. 8,500 startups (59% increase from 2021 to 2023).
  • Government Initiatives:
    • BioE3 Policy: Launched by DBT to enhance bio-manufacturing.
    • IP Guidelines: New guidelines to commercialize public-funded research (2023).
    • Reforms: Restructuring of 14 institutes into the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council.
    • BioRRAP: Simplifies regulatory approval for biological research.

Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) Released for FY 2022-23

  • Released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
  • Purpose: Insights into the dynamics of manufacturing industries, focusing on key economic indicators.
  • GVA Definition: Gross Value Added (GVA) is the value of output minus intermediate consumption, measuring individual contributions to GDP.
  • Key Highlights:
    • Manufacturing GVA grew by 7.3% in current prices (2022-23) compared to 2021-22.
    • Economic parameters exceeded pre-pandemic levels in invested capital, GVA, employment, and wages.
    • Growth driven by basic metals, coke and refined petroleum, and food products.
    • Manufacturing employment increased by 7.4% in 2022-23.
    • Highest employing states: Tamil Nadu, followed by Maharashtra.
  • About ASI:
    • Conducted under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 (except Jammu & Kashmir).
    • Covers:
      • Factories registered under the Factories Act, 1948.
      • Bidi and cigar manufacturing under the Bidi & Cigar Workers Act, 1966.
      • Electricity undertakings not registered with the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).
      • Units with 100 or more employees in the Business Register of Establishments (BRE).

 

India Launches BharatGen, World’s First Government-funded Multimodal Large Language Model (MLLM)

  • Launched by the Ministry of Science & Technology.
  • Objective: Aligns with “Making AI in India” and “Making AI for India.”
  • Aim: Create Generative AI systems for high-quality text (including speech) and multimodal content in various Indian languages.
  • Implementing Agency: IIT Bombay under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).
  • Features:
    • Bhartiya Data Set: Focus on India-centric data to reduce reliance on foreign models.
    • Multilingual & Multimodal: Represents diverse languages, dialects, and cultural contexts.
    • Open-source Platform: Accessible to all, promoting industrial, commercial, cultural, and inclusive tech development.
  • About MLLM & Generative AI:
    • MLLM: Large Language Models trained on large datasets (text and non-textual data).
    • Generative AI: Creates new content (audio, code, images, text) using deep-learning algorithms.
  • National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS):
    • Objective: Foster collaboration among academia, industry, government, and international organizations for entrepreneurship and commercialization of cyber-physical systems (CPS) technologies.
    • CPS: Integrated systems where computational and physical components work closely together (e.g., autonomous vehicles).
    • Implementing Agency: Department of Science and Technology (DST).

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Launches “Jal Hi AMRIT” Program

  • Launched under AMRUT 2.0 to improve treated effluent quality and promote water recycling in urban areas.
  • Key Purpose: Incentivize States & UTs to manage sewage treatment plants (STPs) for recyclable, high-quality treated water.
  • Key Aspects:
    • Clean Water Credit System: Encourages competition among cities and develops capacities for quality treated water.
    • Star Rating: STPs awarded star ratings (3 to 5 stars) for six months based on water quality.
    • Performance-Based Incentives: Incentives provided to STPs according to their star ratings.
    • Promotes water circularity.
  • About AMRUT 2.0:
    • Ministry: MoHUA.
    • Launched: 2021 for a tenure of 5 years.
    • Purpose: Universal coverage of water supply through functional taps in all statutory towns and septage management in 500 cities from the first phase.
  • AMRUT 1.0: Launched in 2015 to provide basic civic amenities (water supply, septage management, stormwater drainage) in selected cities and towns.

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation Releases “EnviStats India 2024: Environment Accounts”

  • Compiled According to: SEEA (System of Environmental-Economic Accounting) Framework.
  • Purpose: Provides insights into environmental changes over time and location, and factors influencing them.
  • Publication Areas:
    • Energy Accounts
    • Ocean Accounts
    • Soil Nutrient Index
    • Biodiversity
  • Key Highlights:
    • India leads in energy transition.
    • 72% increase in the number of Protected Areas and 16% increase in area from 2000 to 2023.
    • 8% increase in mangrove coverage from 2013 to 2021.
  • Significance of EnviStats:
    • Promotes sustainable management of natural resources for long-term development.
    • Balances economic growth with environmental sustainability.
    • Provides alternative measures of prosperity beyond GDP.
    • Supports data-driven policymaking.
  • About SEEA:
    • An international framework for compiling Environmental Economic accounts.
    • Describes the interaction between economy and environment, including stocks and changes in environmental assets.
    • Consists of SEEA-Central Framework (SEEA-CF) and SEEA-Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA-EA).
  • Environment Accounts in India:
    • Developed by the National Statistical Office under MoSPI.
    • Released ‘Strategy for Environmental Economic Accounts in India: 2022-26’.
    • Participated in the Natural Capital Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystem Services (NCAVES) initiative since its launch in 2017.
    • First EnviStats released in 2018 following the Sir Partha Dasgupta Committee’s recommendations.

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Notifies Ecomark Rules, 2024

  • Purpose: Promote eco-friendly products in categories like food, cosmetics, soaps, and electronics.
  • Alignment: Follows the principle of LIFE (Lifestyle for Environment), focusing on sustainability and resource efficiency.
  • Rules Notify:
    • Granting Criteria: Ecomark can be awarded to products with licenses or certificates of conformity under the Bureau of Indian Standards and that meet specified environmental criteria.
    • Application Process: Manufacturers apply for Ecomark through the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
    • Duration: Valid for three years.
    • Oversight: Managed by a Steering Committee headed by the Environment Secretary.
  • Significance:
    • Empowers consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.
    • Encourages manufacturers to produce environmentally friendly products.
    • Promotes a circular economy and reduces misleading claims about product environmental impacts.
    • Aims to enhance energy consumption efficiency and resource conservation.
  • Other Environmental Certifications in India:
    • Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme: Voluntary certification promoting sustainable forest management and agroforestry, including forest management and chain of custody certifications.
    • Provides market incentives for responsible practices in forest management and agroforestry.

Army Chief General Cautions Against Chinese “Grey Zone” Warfare Tactics

  • Context: Observations made during the assessment of the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in eastern Ladakh.
  • About Grey Zone Warfare:
    • Involves unconventional tactics below traditional warfare thresholds.
    • Sits between peace and war, aiming to harm adversaries without them feeling threatened.
    • Key activities include cyber operations, support for non-state actors, economic coercion, and information warfare.
    • Example: China’s “salami slicing” strategy, gradually taking over territory, notably used in the South China Sea.
  • Reasons for Preference:
    • Difficult to counter and garner international support against.
    • Exploits weaknesses in the rules-based order.
    • High costs and risks of conventional conflict in a nuclear era (e.g., Russia’s Crimea takeover).
    • Appeals to nations lacking massive resources or power.
  • India’s Measures to Tackle Grey Zone Warfare:
    • Chief of Defence Staff: Enhancing tri-service coordination and combat integration.
    • Modernization: Infusing technology into war-fighting systems via the iDEX initiative.
    • Self-Reliance in Defence Manufacturing: Through initiatives like Defence Procurement Procedure (DAP) 2020.
    • International Cooperation: Agreements like the General Security of Military Information Agreement with the US.
    • Other Initiatives: Establishing CERT-In for cybersecurity, FCRA regulations for foreign NGO funding.

Union Cabinet Approves Classical Language Status for Five Languages

  • Languages Granted Status: Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, Bengali.
  • Primary States: Maharashtra (Marathi), Bihar, UP, MP (Pali, Prakrit), West Bengal (Bengali), Assam (Assamese).
  • Classical Language Criteria:
    • 1500-2000 years of history.
    • Rich body of ancient literature.
    • Knowledge texts, including prose and inscriptions.
    • Distinct from later forms.
  • Languages Previously Included: Tamil (2004), Sanskrit (2005), Telugu, Kannada (2008), Malayalam (2013), Odia (2014).
  • New Classical Languages:
    • Marathi: Jnaneshwar’s commentary on Bhagavad Gita.
    • Prakrit: Used in Ashoka’s inscriptions, Gāthā Sattasai.
    • Pali: Dhammapada, Jātaka Tales.
    • Assamese: Shankardev’s Vaishnavite poetry.
    • Bengali: Works of Sri Chaitanyadeva, Rabindranath Tagore’s Geetanjali.

Prime Minister Launches ‘Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA)’

  • Location: Hazaribag, Jharkhand.
  • Name Origin: Named after Birsa Munda, tribal leader of the Ulgulan movement.
  • Background: Initially PM Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA); aims for basic scheme saturation in tribal-majority villages.
  • Objective: Fill gaps in social infrastructure, health, education, and livelihood in ~63,000 tribal villages.
  • Beneficiaries: Over 5 crore tribal people across 30 states and UTs.
  • Approach: Integrates 25 interventions from 17 ministries.
  • Funding: Shared between Central and State governments.
  • Duration: 5 years (2024-25 to 2028-29).
  • Monitoring: Using PM GatiShakti Portal.
  • Tribal Population Stats: 8.6% of India’s population (Census 2011); over 730 Scheduled Tribes.
  • Challenges: Low education levels, poor health, and displacement from development projects.
  • Empowerment Initiatives: Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana, Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojna.

RBI Releases Report of the Committee on MIBOR Benchmark

  • Report Focus: Key changes in MIBOR computation methodology; transition to a new secured money market benchmark.
  • What is MIBOR?:
    • Introduced by NSE in 1998.
    • Interest rate benchmark for unsecured interbank borrowing.
    • Computed daily by FBIL, based on trades in the first hour on NDS-Call system.
  • Current Issues:
    • Based on only 1% of daily money market volume.
    • Thin call money market leads to volatility.
  • Committee Recommendations:
    • Change computation to include transactions from the first 3 hours for better representation and reliability.
    • Develop a secured money market benchmark from trades in the first three hours of basket repo and TREP segments.
  • Call Money Market: Market for short-term lending and borrowing among banks and financial institutions.
  • TREP: Repo contract involving a third-party intermediary for collateral management and transaction facilitation.

World Bank Launches First Edition of Business-Ready Index

  • Assessment Coverage: Evaluates 50 economies (excluding India), with a goal of reaching 180 by 2026.
  • Successor to EoDB: Replaces Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) rankings, which were discontinued in 2021 due to ethical concerns.
  • B-Ready Index Purpose: Quantitative assessment of the business environment, focusing on three pillars for private sector development.
  • Pillars of B-Ready Index:
    • Regulatory Framework: Rules for business operations.
    • Public Services: Support for compliance and infrastructure.
    • Operational Efficiency: Ease of compliance and service utilization.
  • Features Compared to EoDB:
    • Comprehensive: Evaluates from both individual firm and overall private sector perspectives.
    • Qualitative: Assesses regulatory burden and quality of regulations, unlike EoDB’s focus on regulation burden alone.
    • Balanced: Collects both statutory (de jure) and practical (de facto) information; EoDB had discrepancies in coverage.
    • Diverse: Covers all major topics, including labor employment, unlike EoDB which excluded key areas.

Nepal, India, Bangladesh Sign Pact for Cross-Border Electricity Trade

  • Arrangement: Nepal to export hydroelectricity to Bangladesh via Indian transmission lines.
  • Broader Context: A move towards enhanced energy cooperation in South Asia.
  • Cross-Border Electricity Initiatives:
    • India-Bangladesh: New electricity corridor from Katihar, Bihar to Bornagar, Assam.
    • India-Nepal: Projects like Arun III and Upper Karnali hydropower.
    • India-Bhutan: Projects such as Kurichu, Tala, Chukha, and Mangdechhu.
  • Energy Pipelines: Includes TAPI Pipeline, India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, and Motihari-Amlekhganj pipeline.
  • Renewable Energy Cooperation: Supported by initiatives like International Solar Alliance’s Green Grids Initiative.
  • Significance of Energy Cooperation:
    • Countering Chinese Influence: China is investing in energy infrastructure with South Asian partners.
    • Economic Integration: Energy trade is vital for regional integration.
    • Other Benefits: Enhances energy security and promotes environmental sustainability.
  • Challenges:
    • Environmental Concerns: Opposition to UKHP in Nepal due to environmental impacts.
    • Hurdle Rates: Structural grid barriers between countries add costs to electricity trade.
    • Regional Frictions: Conflicts (e.g., India-Pakistan) may complicate cooperation; limited utility of hydropower projects.
  • Institutional Mechanisms for Cooperation:
    • SAARC Energy Centre
    • South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC)
    • BIMSTEC Energy Centre
    • South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy Integration (SARI/IE)

United Kingdom Hands Sovereignty of Chagos Islands to Mauritius

  • Agreement: UK and Mauritius reach a historic political agreement to transfer sovereignty of Chagos Islands (pending treaty finalization).
  • Military Presence: US-UK base will remain on Diego Garcia atoll.
  • Location: Chagos Archipelago is 500 km south of Maldives in the Indian Ocean.
  • Historical Context:
    • Uninhabited until the 18th century, then colonized by France, ceded to Britain in 1814.
    • British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) established in 1965, with Chagos central; some islands ceded to Seychelles in 1976.
    • Detachment from Mauritius occurred in 1965, prior to Mauritius’ independence.
  • Significance of Treaty:
    • Colonial Legacy: Resolves a long-standing dispute over the last British colony in Africa.
    • Regional Security: Mauritius may adjust relations with major powers.
    • Security Importance: Diego Garcia allows US to monitor the Malacca Strait, crucial for global trade.
    • International Law Compliance: Aligns with 2019 International Court of Justice judgment and UNGA resolution; India supported Mauritius’ claim at UNGA.
  • India’s Position: Stands for decolonization and supports sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations.

CareEdge Releases Inaugural Sovereign Ratings Report Covering 39 Global Economies

  • Milestone: CareEdge becomes the first Indian credit rating agency to enter the global sovereign ratings space.
  • Key Highlights:
    • Assigned AAA ratings to Germany, Netherlands, Singapore, and Sweden.
    • India’s Rating: Assigned BBB+, highlighting resilient post-pandemic recovery and focus on infrastructure investment.
    • Projected reduction in India’s general government debt-to-GDP ratio from 80% to 78% by FY30.
  • About Sovereign Credit Rating (SCR):
    • SCRs assess a country’s ability and willingness to meet debt obligations.
    • Regulated by SEBI in India (CRISIL, ICRA, CARE, etc.).
    • Facilitates low-cost borrowing from global capital markets and boosts investor confidence.
    • Currently dominated by three US-based agencies: S&P, Moody’s, and Fitch.
  • Issues with US-Based Agencies:
    • Transparency: Lack of clarity in rating methodologies.
    • Fundamentals: Inadequate capturing of economic fundamentals.
    • Bias: Perceived bias against emerging economies.
    • Despite being the 5th largest economy with no default history, India receives a low rating from global CRAs.

‘Benchmarking Infrastructure Development’ Report Released by World Bank Group

  • Analysis: Examines PPP regulatory landscapes across 140 economies; highlights correlation between regulatory reforms and PPP infrastructure investments.
  • Definition: PPP (Public-Private Partnership) involves private sector delivery of public services, with the government responsible for resource provision.
  • Key Highlights:
    • Public Fiscal Management System (PFMS): Only 19 economies have provisions for budgeting, reporting, and accounting; only 18 disclose PPP liabilities.
    • Robust PFMS mitigates financial sustainability risks from distressed or canceled PPPs.
    • Monitoring and Evaluation: Only 37% of economies link payments to performance.
    • Renegotiation of Contracts: Regulated by ~90% of surveyed economies; changes in risk allocation addressed in only 19%.
  • Challenges to PPP in India:
    • Financial Issues: Aggressive bidding, project underpricing, delays, and cost overruns.
    • Capacity and Procedural Challenges: Insufficient public sector management capacity and delays in clearances (e.g., Environmental Impact Assessments).
    • Regulatory Gaps: Lack of a comprehensive National PPP policy; inadequate reliability of information on private sector providers.
  • Existing Regulatory Framework in India:
    • Private Investment Unit (Department of Economic Affairs): Handles policy-level matters concerning PPPs.
    • PPP Vertical (NITI Aayog): Makes recommendations for standardization and promotes asset recycling to foster ‘creative destruction’.
  • Kelkar Committee (2015) Recommendations:
    • Establish Independent Sectoral Regulators for harmonized performance in PPP sectors.
    • Discourage unsolicited proposals (Swiss Challenge) to improve transparency.
    • Create a National Facilitation Committee for timely issue resolution and clearances.

ISRO Targets to Launch Venus Mission in March 2028 for 112-Day Journey

  • Mission: Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) approved as India’s first mission to Venus.
  • Launch Date: Scheduled for March 2028; will take 112 days to reach Venus.
  • Launch Vehicle: Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3).
  • Objectives:
    • Examine dust in the Venusian atmosphere and airglow.
    • Map surface topography and study solar X-ray spectrum.
    • Investigate sub-surface characteristics.
    • Demonstrate technologies like aerobraking and thermal management.
  • Payloads: 19 payloads recommended; 16 are Indian, 2 collaborative (Indian and international), 1 international.
  • Key Scientific Payloads:
    • Venus Thermal Camera: Studies atmospheric dynamics and clouds.
    • Narrow Band Oxygen Airglow Detection (NAVA): Measures airglow emissions.
    • Venus Advanced Radar for Topside Ionosphere and Subsurface Sounding (VARTISS): Analyzes ionosphere structure and volcanic hotspots.
    • Venus Orbit Dust Experiment (VODEX): Investigates interplanetary dust particles at Venus.
    • Other payloads include VISWAS, RAVI, and VIRAL (developed by Russia).
  • Other Important Venusian Missions:
    • Pioneer Venus (1978, NASA) and Vega (1985, USSR): Enhanced understanding of Venus’s atmosphere.
    • Venus Express (2005, ESA) and Akatsuki (2015, Japan): Studied atmospheric dynamics and surface features.
    • Future missions: NASA’s DAVINCI (2029), VERITAS (2031), and ESA’s EnVision (2031).

BARC Participates in IAEA’s ‘Atoms4Food’ Forum

  • Launch: Initiated by IAEA and FAO at 2023 World Food Forum.
  • Goal: Enhance agricultural productivity, reduce food loss, and tackle hunger.
  • Concerns: Projected 600 million chronically undernourished by 2030; population expected to rise by one-third by 2050.
  • Nuclear Technologies:
    • Irradiation: Extends food shelf life.
    • FRN Technique: Analyzes soil erosion.
    • CRNS Technology: Measures soil moisture over large areas.
    • RIA Technology: Detects animal hormone levels.
    • SIT: Controls pests using sterilized insects.
    • Other Methods: Nitrogen-15 for fixation measurement; isotopic tracing for nutrition.
  • India’s Steps:
    • Multiproduct food irradiation units under PMKSY.
    • Development of 42 high-yield seed varieties via gamma irradiation.
    • Establishment of irradiation facilities in Vashi and Nashik.

National Sports Policy (NSP) 2024 Released

  • Foundation: Builds on NSP 2001, Khelo India Scheme, and TOPS.
  • Need: New NSP required as existing policy is over two decades old.
  • Vision: “Sports for Nation Building – Harnessing sports for holistic national development.”
  • Five Pillars:
    • Global Excellence: Improved infrastructure and talent identification.
    • Economic Development: Using sports to enhance tourism and manufacturing.
    • Social Development: Promoting indigenous games and inclusivity through sports.
    • People’s Movement: Community engagement and revamping physical education.
    • Integration with NEP 2020: Aligning sports with education.
  • Youth Potential: India, with a significant youth population, can utilize sports as a catalyst for national progress.

PM of India and Maldives President Hold Bilateral Talks

  • Economic and Maritime Security Partnership: Vision announced for comprehensive cooperation.
  • Development Cooperation: Support for timely completion of the Greater Malé Connectivity Project.
  • Trade and Economic Cooperation:
    • Discussions on Bilateral Free Trade Agreement.
    • Agreement to settle trade in local currencies to reduce foreign currency dependency.
  • Digital and Financial Initiatives: Launch of RuPay card in Maldives for Indian tourists.
  • Health Cooperation:
    • Recognition of Indian pharmacopoeia by Maldives.
    • Establishment of India-Maldives Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
  • Currency Swap Agreement: USD 400 million and INR 30 billion signed under SAARC framework to assist Maldives with foreign exchange reserves.
  • Significance of Maldives:
    • Cornerstone of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.
    • Strategic location as a ‘toll gate’ in the Indian Ocean.
  • India-Maldives Relations:
    • Maldives was the first to receive COVID-19 vaccines from India.
    • India became Maldives’ largest trade partner in 2023.
    • Water aid provided to Male via Operation NEER.

Ministry of Defence Launches ADITI 2.0 and DISC 12 at DefConnect 4.0

  • Organizer: DefConnect 4.0 hosted by iDEX-DIO under the Ministry of Defence.
  • ADITI 2.0:
    • Focus: 19 challenges in AI, Quantum Technology, anti-drone systems, etc.
    • Grants: Up to ₹25 crore for iDEX winners.
    • Objective: Targeting 30 critical and strategic defence technologies.
  • DISC 12:
    • Focus: 41 challenges in UAVs, AI, Networking, and Communication.
    • Grants: Up to ₹1.5 crore for selected innovations.
    • Partnership: Collaborates with Atal Innovation Mission to support start-ups and MSMEs.
    • New Initiative: Medical Innovations and Research Advancement (MIRA) for Armed Forces medical technologies.
  • iDEX Overview:
    • Launched in 2021, implemented by DIO.
    • Grants: Up to ₹1.50 crore (₹10 crore for iDEX Prime) for Start-ups/MSMEs.
    • Achievements: 26 products developed with procurement orders exceeding ₹1,000 crore.

PM Attends 19th East Asia Summit (EAS) in Vientiane

  • EAS Overview: Premier forum for strategic dialogue in the Indo-Pacific, established in 2005.
  • India’s Key Announcements:
    • ASEAN Centrality: Emphasized ASEAN’s role in the Indo-Pacific and Quad cooperation.
    • Education Conclave: Invited EAS countries to a Heads of Higher Education Conclave at Nalanda University.
    • Myanmar Situation: Supported ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus for Myanmar, advocating engagement over isolation, including:
      • Immediate end to violence.
      • Dialogue among parties.
      • Appointment of a special envoy.
      • Humanitarian assistance by ASEAN.
      • Special envoy’s visit to Myanmar.
    • Code of Conduct (CoC): Called for a robust CoC for navigation in line with UNCLOS, ensuring no restrictions on regional foreign policies.
    • Development Approach: Advocated for development-focused regional strategies over expansionism.
  • EAS Participants: Includes 10 ASEAN Member States, India, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the US.

Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2024: India Ranks Under ‘Serious’ Category

  • Ranking: India is 105th out of 127 countries, classified as “serious” alongside 41 other nations, including Pakistan and Afghanistan.
  • GHI Score Trends: India’s score has declined since 2000, but child wasting and stunting rates remain high.
  • Maternal Malnutrition: Contributes to intergenerational child undernutrition.
  • GHI Overview:
    • Measures hunger globally, regionally, and nationally.
    • Based on four indicators:
      • Undernourishment
      • Child stunting
      • Child wasting
      • Child mortality
  • Key Issues:
    • Methodology: Three indicators focus on children’s health, not representative of the entire population.
    • Questionable Indicators: Stunting may not accurately reflect undernutrition, occurring in well-nourished populations.
    • Outdated Data: National Family Health Surveys lack annual updates for key indicators.

NABARD Releases Second All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey (NAFIS) 2021-22

  • Overview: NAFIS, launched in 2016-17, assesses rural livelihoods and financial inclusion (loans, insurance, pensions).
  • Key Highlights:
    • Average monthly household income increased by 57.6%.
    • Share of food in consumption basket decreased from 51% to 47%.
    • Kisan Credit Card proved effective for financial inclusion in agriculture.
    • Average landholding size fell from 1.08 hectares to 0.74 hectares.
    • Financial literacy rose from 33.9% to 51.3%.
    • Institutional loan uptake among agricultural households increased from 60.5% to 75.5%.
  • Reasons for Income Rise:
    • Government Support: E.g., 5.6 crore households benefited from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (January 2023).
    • Female Labour Participation: Increased from 19.7% in 2018-19 to 27.7% in 2020-21 (Economic Survey 2022-23).
  • About NABARD:
    • Established in 1982 based on the B. Sivaraman Committee’s recommendations.
    • India’s apex development bank promoting sustainable agricultural and rural development.
  • NAFINDEX:
    • Financial inclusion measure constructed from NAFIS 2016-17 data.
    • Considers traditional banking, modern banking products, and payment systems.

Cabinet Committee on Security Approves Procurement of 31 MQ-9B Drones and Indigenous Submarines

  • Procurement Details: Approval for 31 MQ-9B drones and construction of two indigenous nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs).
  • MQ-9B Drones:
    • Type: High Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for surveillance and precision strikes.
    • Capabilities: Can fly for up to 40 hours via satellite, targeting land, sea, and air.
    • Variants: Includes 16 SkyGuardian and 15 SeaGuardian drones (eight each for Indian Army and Air Force).
  • Significance of Drone Deal:
    • Enhances surveillance and intelligence capabilities, especially along the Line of Actual Control with China.
    • Part of India’s broader defense modernization strategy for improved military posture in the Indo-Pacific.
    • Strengthens defense ties between India and the U.S.
  • Indigenous Nuclear Attack Submarines (SSNs):
    • Purpose: Anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship operations, and intelligence gathering.
    • Features: Armed with torpedoes and sometimes cruise missiles; fast, quiet, and long-duration underwater capability.
  • Significance of Submarine Deal:
    • Enhances India’s deterrence and operational capabilities in underwater combat.
    • Supports the Make in India initiative by bolstering indigenous defense manufacturing.

Draft National Sports Governance Bill, 2024

  • Purpose:
    • Promote sports development, athlete welfare, and ethical governance practices.
    • Establish institutional capacity and standards for sports federation governance.
    • Create a unified mechanism for resolving sports grievances and disputes.
  • Key Features:
    • Sports Regulatory Board: Central authority for recognizing National Sports Federations (NSFs) and ensuring compliance with governance standards.
    • Ethical Standards: Implementation of mandatory ethical governance through Ethics and Dispute Resolution Commissions for integrity and transparency.
    • Athletes Commissions: Representation of athletes in decision-making processes, supported by government funding.
    • Athlete Representation: 10% of voting members in sports bodies must be top athletes elected by the Athletes Commission, ensuring gender balance (one male and one female on the Executive Committee).
    • Safe Sports Policy: Protection of athletes, particularly minors and women, from harassment in line with the Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment Act.
    • Anti-Doping Compliance: Enforced adherence to strict anti-doping measures and international ethical standards.
    • Public Accountability: Sports organizations subject to the Right to Information Act for enhanced transparency.
    • Gender Representation: Minimum of 30% female members required in governing bodies.

 

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