Monthly Current Affairs June 2020 e 32

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Art and Culture

Aguada Fenix
Why in the news?
• Recently Scientists using an aerial remote-sensing (LiDAR)
method have discovered the largest and oldest known structure
built by the ancient Maya civilization.
About the Aguada Fenix

• It is a colossal rectangular elevated platform built between 1,000
and 800 BC in Mexico’s Tabasco state. The structure, unlike the
soaring Maya pyramids at cities like Tikal in Guatemala and
Palenque in Mexico erected some 1,500 years later, was not built of
stone but rather of clay and earth, and likely was used for mass rituals.
About LiDAR
• LiDAR stands for ‘Light Detection and Ranging’ which is a remote-
sensing technique that employs a pulsed laser and other data
obtained flying over a site to generate three-dimensional
information about the shape of surface characteristics.
• A LiDAR instrument principally consists of a laser, a scanner, and a
specialized GPS receiver.
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Uses
• Airplanes and helicopters are the most commonly used platforms for
acquiring LiDAR data over broad areas.
• LiDAR is used for agriculture, hydrology and water management
systems, geology-related applications.
• LiDAR is commonly used by geologists and surveyors to make high-
resolution maps.
Topic- GS Paper 1–Art and Culture
Source- News18
Lonar lake
Why in the news?
• Recently a 56,000-year-old Lonar crater sanctuary lake in Buldhana
district of Maharashtra has turned red/pink and become a hot topic
of discussion among forest department, scientists, and nature
lovers.
About Lonar lake

• Lonar Lake has saline water and is a notified national geo-heritage
monument which is famous as the world's most massive basaltic
impact crater.
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• It is notified as a National Geological Monuments are geographical

areas of national importance by the Government of India's Geological
Survey of India (GSI). This status will help in their maintenance,
protection, promotion and enhancement of geotourism.
• Two other similar ones are in Dhala and Ramgarh in Madhya
Pradesh and Rajasthan respectively, but both are relatively unknown.
How was it formed?
• It was formed after a meteorite hit the Earth some 50,000 years ago.
• An asteroid collision with earth impact created it during the Pleistocene
Epoch.
Source- Indian Express
Raja Parba festival

Why in the news?
• Recently Prime Minister has greeted the people of Odisha for Raja
Parba festival hoping that the festival strengthens the spirit of
brotherhood in society.
About Raja Parba festival

• The Raja Parba of Odisha is one of the most popular festivals of the
state, which is a three-day unique festival celebrating the onset of
monsoon and the earth’s womanhood.
• The festival is essentially the celebration of the earth’s womanhood. It is
believed that during this time the Mother Earth or Bhudevi undergoes
menstruation.
• The fourth day is the day of the ‘purification bath’.
• This festival is a mark of respect towards the earth during her
menstruation days, all agricultural works, like ploughing, sowing is
suspended for the three days.
As it is a celebration of womanhood, a lot of the focus is on young women,
who wear new clothes, apply ‘Alata’ on their feet and enjoy folk songs while
swinging on decorated rope swings.
Source- AIR
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Juneteenth Day
Why in the news?
• US President Donald Trump announced to postponement his
upcoming election rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma on June 19 because
it clashed with the Juneteenth, the day that celebrates the end of
slavery in the US.
What is Juneteenth?
• Juneteenth is the portmanteau of June and nineteenth, and while it
is not a federal holiday, it is recognised as a state holiday in over 45
US states.
• The day is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the
ending of slavery in the US and is observed on June 19.
• It is also known as Emancipation Day or Juneteenth Independence
Day.
Significance of Juneteenth
• On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived
in Galveston, Texas and announced the end of both the Civil War and
slavery.
• Since then, Juneteenth has become a largely symbolic
date representing freedom for African Americans.
What is the Tulsa race massacre of 1921?
• According to the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum, after World
War I, Tulsa was recognised for its affluent African American
community, which was known as the Greenwood District or the “Black
Wall Street”.
• In June 1921 a series of events that took place there, “nearly
destroyed” the entire Greenwood area.
• On June 1, 1921, the Greenwood area was looted and burned down by
white rioters.
• The incident referred to as the Tulsa race massacre or the Tulsa race
riot resulted in the deaths of over 300 people and is noted as one of the
worst episodes of racial violence in US history.
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Talamaddale Art
Why in news?
• Recently ‘Talamaddale’, a variant of Yakshagana theatre, too has gone virtual
in times of COVID-19.
About Tala-Maddale
• It is an ancient form of performance dialogue or debate performance in
Southern India in the Karavali and Malnad regions of Karnataka and Kerala.
• It is a derived form of Yakshagana—a classical dance or musical form of art
from the same region
About Yakshagana
• It is a temple theatre art form of Karnataka that depicts mythological stories
from Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavata and other Hindu epics.
• It combines dance, music, dialogue, costumes, make-up and stage techniques
with a unique style and form.
Source- PIB
Excavation at Kodumanal reveals a megalithic belief in the afterlife

Why in the news?
• Recently a team from the State Department of
Archaeology, Chennai has identified 250 cairn-circles at the village in
Erode district during the Kodumanal excavation.
• Earlier excavations revealed that the site served as a trade-cum-
industrial centre from 5th century BCE to 1st century BCE.
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About the Kodumanal excavation

• The Kodumanal excavation of 10 pots and bowls, instead of the usual
three or four pots, placed outside three-chambered burial cists and
inside the cairn-circle, threw light on burial rituals and the concept of
an afterlife in megalithic culture.
• This show that they belief in afterlife.
About the Grave found during excavation.
• The Grave could be possibly of a village head or the head of the
community as the size of two boulders, each facing east and
west, are more significant than the rest of the boulders. Believing
that the deceased person will get a new life after death, pots and bowls
filled with grains were placed outside the chambers.
Source- The Hindu
Chaolung Sukapha
Why in the news?
• Assam Chief Minister has recently ordered the arrest of a Kolkata-
based political commentator, Garga Chatterjee, who had described
Chaolung Sukapha as a “Chinese invader”.
About Chaolung Sukapha
• He was a 13th-century ruler who founded the Ahom kingdom that
ruled Assam for six centuries. Contemporary scholars trace his roots
to Burma.
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Significance of Sukapha’s
• He helps the assimilation of different communities and tribes.
• He is widely referred to as the architect of “Bor Asom” or “greater
Assam”.
Background
• Sukapha was a leader of the Ahoms.
• He reached Brahmaputra valley in Assam from upper Burma in
the 13th century with around 9,000 followers.
• It was in Charaideo that Sukapha established his first small
principality, sowing the seeds of further expansion of the Ahom
kingdom.
Who are the Ahoms today?
• The founders of the Ahom kingdom had their language and
followed their own religion.
• Over the centuries, the Ahoms accepted the Hindu religion and
the Assamese language.
Topic- GS Paper 1–History
Victory Day: Why Russia celebrates WWII triumph on a different date

Why in the news?
• The Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is currently on a three-day trip to
Russia to attend the 75th Victory Day. India has sent a tri-services
contingent to participate in the Victory Day Parade.
What is Victory Day?

• Victory Day marks the end of World War II and the victory of the
Allied Forces in 1945.
• Adolf Hitler had shot himself on April 30 after which on May 7,
German troops surrendered, which was formally accepted the next
day and came into effect on May 9.
Why does Russia celebrate Victory Day May 9, whereas in most
European countries included the USA, it is celebrated on May 8?
• The Act of Military Surrender was signed by Germany on May 7 in
France at Rheims, which was the headquarters of the Supreme
Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF).
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• Joseph Stalin, premier of the Soviet Union, wanted that such

a significant event should reflect the contribution of the Red
Army and wanted Germany also to sign surrender in Berlin.
• Though the document was signed, British Prime Minister Winston
Churchill explained to Stalin that Victory in Europe
Day celebration in Britain would take place on May 8, as they did in the
United States".
• The USSR's Army was still fighting which did not convince Stalin, who
argued that "Soviet troops were still fighting" the German forces in
many areas in East Prussia, Courland Peninsula, Czechoslovakia till
later.
• Since then May 9 has been celebrated at Victory Day in Russia.
Note:
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is not the only one who attended this
victory parade.
• At the 70th anniversary Victory Day celebrations in 2015,
then President Pranab Mukherjee went to represent India.
• Manmohan Singh had attended the 60th anniversary in 2005 as the
then Prime Minister of India.
Topic- GS Paper 1–History
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Polity and Governance

"PM CARES" is not a public authority under RTI Act: PMO
Why in the news?
• The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has recently refused to disclose
details on the creation and operation of the PM CARES Fund, telling
a Right to Information applicant that the fund is "not a public
authority" under the ambit of the RTI Act, 2005.
• PM CARES Fund is not a Public Authority under the purview of
Second 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005.
• However, relevant information in respect of PM CARES Fund may be
seen on the Website "pmcares.gov.in".
What constitutes Public Authority under the RTI act, 2005?

• The relevant section of the Act defines a "public authority" as "any
authority or body or institution of self-government established or constituted
—
(a) by or under the Constitution
(b) by any other law made by Parliament
(c) by any other law made by State Legislature
(d) by a notification issued or order made by the appropriate Government —
and includes any
• body owned, controlled or substantially financed.
• Non-Government Organisation mainly financed, directly or indirectly
by funds provided by the appropriate Government.
Is PMNRF subject to the RTI act?

• There is also ambiguity regarding whether the Prime Minister's
National Relief Fund (PMNRF) is subject to the RTI Act of 2005.
• The Central Information Commission directed PMNRF to disclose
information in 2008.
• However, a division bench of the Delhi High Court gave a split opinion
on the question of whether PMNRF is a public authority under the Act.
Topic- GS Paper 2–Governance
Source- The Hindu
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AP High Court orders reinstatement of “Andhara Pradesh State Election

Commissioner”
Why in the news?
• Recently the Andhra Pradesh government, the High Court struck
down AP Panchayat Raj (Second Amendment) Ordinance (No.5 of
2020) through which it cut short the term of the State Election
Commissioner (SEC) from five to three years.
• It will result in the expulsion of Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar from that
post as a State Election Commissioner.
About State Election Commissioner

a. Constitutional provision
• The Article 243K provides for constituting a State Election
Commission that will consist of a State Election Commissioner.
• It was formed under the Articles 243-K and 243-ZA of Constitution of
India.
• It conducts the Rural and Urban Local Body Elections in the Indian
state of Andhra Pradesh.
• Under the Constitution, the establishment of local self-government
institutions is the responsibility of the states (entry 5, List II, Seventh
Schedule).
b. Appointment
• As per article 243(C3) the Governor, when so requested by the State
Election Commission, makes available to the State Election
Commission such staff as may be necessary for the discharge of the
functions conferred.
c. Tenure
• Conditions of service and tenure of office of the State Election
Commissioner shall be such as the Governor may by rule determine.
d. Safeguards
• State Election Commissioner shall not be removed from his office
except in the like manner and on the like ground as a Judge of a High
Court.
Note:
• A judge may be removed from office by the President through a
motion adopted by Parliament on the grounds of ‘proven
misbehaviour or incapacity’.
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Topic- GS Paper 2–Polity

Source- The Hindu
National AI Portal of India

Why in the news?
• Recently the Union Minister for Electronics and IT has
launched India’s national Artificial Intelligence
Portal called www.ai.gov.in.
About the Portal

• It has been jointly developed by the Ministry of Electronics and IT and
IT Industry.
• National e-Governance Division of Ministry of Electronics and
IT and NASSCOM from the IT industry will jointly run this portal.
Functions
• This portal shall work as a one-stop digital platform for AI-related
developments in India, sharing of resources such as articles, startups,
investment funds in AI, resources, companies and educational
institutions related to AI in India.
• The portal will also share documents, case studies, research
reports etc. It has a section about learning and new job roles related to
AI.
Responsible AI for Youth program
• The Minister for Electronics & Information
Technology, Communications and Law & Justice, Ravi Shankar
Prasad has launched a National Program for the youth, “Responsible
AI for Youth”.
About the Responsible AI for Youth
• The Program has been created and launched by the National e-
Governance Division, Ministry of Electronics & IT in collaboration
with Intel India, with support from Department of School Education
and Literacy (DoSE&L), and Ministry of Human Resource
Development.
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• The National Programme is open to students of classes 8 - 12 from

Central and State government-run schools (including KVS, NVS, JNV)
from across the country - all 28 States and 8 Union Territories.
Aim of the Program
• This program aims to give the young students of our country a
platform and empower them with appropriate new age tech mindset,
relevant AI skill-sets and access to required AI tool-sets to make
them digitally ready for the future.
• It will empower the youth to become AI-ready and help reduce the skill
gap while enabling youth to create meaningful social
impact solutions.
• The Program is designed to reach out to students from Government
schools pan India and provide them with an opportunity to become
part of the skilled workforce inclusively.
Implemented in Phase wise
• The Program will be implemented in a phase-wise manner, and in its first
phase, each of the State Education Department will nominate ten
teachers as per the eligibility criteria. Teachers may also self-nominate
themselves by fulfilling the eligibility criteria.
• These teachers will be provided orientation sessions aimed to help them
understand the premise and identify 25-50 potential students for the
Program.
• The identified students will attend online training sessions on AI
and understand how to identify social impact ideas/projects that
may be created using AI and submit their ideas through a 60
seconds video explaining a proposed AI-enabled solution
Source- Hindustan Times
A Rapid Response Regulatory enabling mechanism for COVID 19

Why is in the news?
• The Department of Biotechnology has taken several proactive
measures to streamline the biosafety regulation and to facilitate
researchers and industries which are undertaking research and
development in Recombinant DNA Technology and Hazardous
Microorganisms.
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Initiatives taken by DBT:

a. Operationalization of Indian Biosafety Knowledge Portal.
• The Indian Knowledge Biosafety Portal launched in May 2019 was
made fully operationalized, and now the Department is receiving all
new applications through online portal only.
• This has made the whole process transparent and time-bound.
b. Revised Simplified Guidelines on Import, Export and Exchange of GE
Organisms and Product
• The Department issued the Revised Guidelines in January 2020 in
which Institutional Biosafety Committee has been delegated authority to
take decisions on applications of import-export and exchange of GE
organisms and product thereof for R&D purpose for RG1 and RG2 items.
c. Facilitation of Research and Development on COVID-19
DBT has issued following guidelines, orders and checklist on COVID
• Rapid Response Regulatory Framework for COVID-19 to deal with an
application for development of vaccines, diagnostics, prophylactics and
therapeutics has been notified on 20.03.2020
• DBT notified “Interim Guidance Document on Laboratory Biosafety
to Handle COVID-19 Specimens” on 08.04.2020.
• IBSCs are allowed to conduct their meeting through video conferencing
up to 30th June 2020.
• Rapid response regulatory framework for the development of
recombinant DNA COVID 19 vaccine was issued on 26.05.2020.
Source- PIB
PM SVANidhi
Why in the news?
• The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has recently
launched a Special Micro-Credit Facility Scheme - PM SVANidhi - PM
Street Vendor's Atma Nirbhar Nidhi, for providing affordable loans
to street vendors.
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About PM SVANidhi
• In this scheme, a vendor can avail a working capital loan of up to Rs.
10,000, which is repayable in monthly instalments in the tenure of
one year.
• The scheme provides for escalation of the credit limit on timely/
early repayment of the loan to help the vendor achieve his ambition
of going up on the economic ladder.
This scheme is unique due to several reasons:
a. A historic first:
• This is for the first time in India's history that street vendor's from
peri-urban/ rural areas have become beneficiaries of an urban
livelihood programme.
• The vendors can avail a working capital loan of up to Rs. 10,000, which
is repayable in monthly instalments in the tenure of one year.
• On timely/ early repayment of the loan, an interest subsidy @ 7% per
annum will be credited to the bank accounts of
beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer on a six-monthly
basis. There will be no penalty on early repayment of the loan.
• It is for the first time that MFIs/ NBFCs/ SHG Banks have been allowed in
a scheme for the urban poor due to their ground-level presence and
proximity to the urban poor, including the street vendors.
b. Encouraging digital transactions:
• The scheme incentivizes digital transactions by the street vendors
through monthly cashback.
c. Focus on capacity building:
• MoHUA in collaboration with State Governments, State Missions of
DAY-NULM, ULBs, SIDBI, CGTMSE, NPCI and Digital Payment
Aggregators will also launch a capacity building and financial literacy
programme of all the stakeholders and IEC activities throughout the
country.
• It will be started during June and loaning will commence in July.
Source- PIB
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Finance Commission holds a meeting on issues Related to Air Quality in

Urban Areas
Why in the news?
• The 15th Finance Commission has recently held a meeting with the
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on the issues
relating to Air Quality (AQ) especially that in Urban Areas.
What is unique in this meeting?

• It may be recalled that the XVFC Report 2020-2021 was the first time
that any Commission has given attention to air quality (AQ) as
a major focus.
• The Finance Commission had not only recommended grants for
2020-21 and provided a road map for its award period.
• The Commission is currently deliberating the recommendations to be
made for the next five years from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
• It needs to formulate suitable provisions for continuing the
grants for these cities/UAs for sustainably improving ambient air
quality.
The objective of the meeting
• The objective of the meeting focused was to discuss the status of
the implementation of the FC’s recommendations for 2020-
21 for administering the grants to improve AQ in million-plus cities.
• It also to seek inputs from the Ministry on what should be considered
for the next five years from 2021 to 2026.
Highlights
a. Regarding reliable data on AQ measurement
It was explained that there is a network of stations covering a wide range of
cities and towns which were set up under the National Control of Air.
b. Pollution (NACP) to meet its objectives.
• Through a network of AQI, monitoring stations are in place; there is
a need for strengthening and expanding these along with the
geographical area to cover the air-shed areas to make it more robust and
accurate.
• The Ministry has begun this work earlier as part of the roll-out of
NACP and various think-tanks like IITs, IIMs and NITs have been
made local partners for different cities/towns.
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• As the problem of AQ is mostly not a localized phenomenon and

is influenced by many factors beyond the control of a particular
region, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is now focusing
on air-shed management approach.
• Construction & Demolition Waste Management was a priority of the
Government and that the Government would seek the support of the
Commission for the same.
c. About the 15th Finance Commission
• It was constituted by the President of India in November 2017, under
the chairmanship of NK Singh.
• Its recommendations will cover a period of five years from April
2020 to March 2025.
Source- PIB
CHAMPIONS: Technology Platform to empower MSMEs

Why is in the news?
• Prime Minister has recently launched the technology platform
CHAMPIONS which stands for Creation and Harmonious
Application of Modern Processes for Increasing the Output and
National Strength.
About CHAMPIONS
• The portal is basically for making the smaller units big by solving
their grievances, encouraging, supporting,
helping and handholding.
• It is a real one-stop-shop solution of MSME Ministry.
• This ICT based system is set up to help the MSMEs in present difficult
situations and also to handhold them to become national and
international champions.
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Objectives of CHAMPIONS:
• Grievance Redressal: It helps to resolve the problems of
MSMEs including those of finance, raw materials, labour, regulatory
permissions etc. particularly in the Covid created a difficult situation.
• It is a real one-stop-shop solution of MSME Ministry to help them
capture new opportunities.
a) Including manufacturing of medical equipments and accessories like
PPEs, masks, etc. and supply them in National and International markets.
b) To identify and encourage the sparks: That is the potential
MSMEs who can withstand the current situation and can become
national and international champions.
• As the name suggests, the portal is basically for making the smaller
units big by solving their grievances, encouraging, supporting,
helping and handholding.
Source- PIB, AIR
Eggshell rule
Why is in the news?
• Recently the former chairman of the Railway Claims Tribunal
(RCT) has said that families of several migrants who died on board
the Shramik Specials can be given compensation under the “eggshell
principle”.
• Under the Railway Act, any passenger dying or getting injured in what
is called an “untoward incident” may seek compensation.
• There is a principle called the eggshell rule, in which a person who
is already fragile comes by and an untoward incident (happens).
Background of Eggshell Principle

• In 2018 judgment of the RCT that awarded Rs 8 lakh to the kin of a
passenger who died after falling off the upper berth of a train,
Justice Kannan (Former RCT chairman) said –
While the death of a passenger due to illness alone is not a ground for
compensation, the “eggshell” principle in the law allows for such
compensation.
• In the 2018 case, the Railways had contended that the victim had died because
he had a pre-existing illness — similar to the position it has taken in the case
of the deaths on board the Shramik Special trains, however, later
compensation was paid.
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About Railway Claims Tribunal

• The Railway Claims Tribunal Act, 1987 was enacted to provide speedy
disposal of claims against the Railway Administration.
• The Railway Claims Tribunal principal bench situated at Delhi.
• It also includes the establishment of a Railway Claims Tribunal for
inquiring into and determining -
• claims against a Railway Administration for loss, destruction, damage,
deterioration or non-delivery of animals or goods entrusted to it, to be carried
by railway or
• the refund of fares or freight or for compensation for death or
injury to passengers occurring as a result of railway accidents or untoward
incidents and
• matters connected in addition to that or incidental to that.
Source- PIB
Electronics incentive schemes

Why is in the news?
• Telecom and IT Minister has recently launched three incentive
schemes with a total outlay of about ₹48,000 crores to boost large-
scale manufacturing of electronics in the country.
• These three schemes are -
a. Production Linked Incentive Component Manufacturing Scheme
b. Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters
About Production Linked Incentive

• Under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI), which is targeted at
mobile phone manufacturing and specified electronic components,
the government initially plans to incentivize 10 firms - five global and
five locals.
About Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic
Components and Semiconductors (SPECS)
• It shall provide a financial incentive of 25% on capital expenditure
for the identified list of electronic goods.
• These electronic goods are electronic components, semiconductor/
display fabrication units, Assembly, Test, Marking and Packaging
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(ATMP) units, specialized sub-assemblies and capital goods for

manufacture of aforesaid goods.
About Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC 2.0) Scheme

• This scheme will provide support for the creation of world-class
infrastructure along with common facilities and amenities,
including Ready Built Factory (RBF) sheds / Plug and Play facilities
for attracting major global electronics manufacturers, along with
their supply chains.
Source- PIB
Cabinet Initiatives to transform the agriculture sector

Why in the news?
• The Union Cabinet has recently taken several landmarks and historic
decisions which will go a long way in helping India’s farmers while
also transforming the agriculture sector.
Historic Amendment to Essential Commodities Act

• The Cabinet approved a historic amendment to the Essential
Commodities Act, which is a visionary step towards the transformation
of agriculture and raising farmers’ income.
Problems faced by the Farmers
• While India has become surplus in most agri-commodities,
farmers have been unable to get better prices due to lack of investment
in cold storage, warehouses, processing and export as the
entrepreneurial spirit get dampened due to hanging sword of
Essential Commodities Act.
• Farmers suffer huge losses when there are bumper harvests,
especially of perishable commodities.
• With adequate processing facilities, much of this wastage can be reduced.
Benefits
• With the Amendment to Essential Commodities Act, commodities
like cereals, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, onion and potatoes will be removed
from the list of essential commodities.
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• This will eliminate fears of private investors of excessive regulatory

interference in their business operations.
• The freedom to produce, hold, move, distribute and supply will lead
to harnessing of economies of scale and attract private
sector/foreign direct investment into the agriculture sector.
• It will help drive up investment in cold storages and modernization of
the food supply chain.
Safeguarding interest of consumers
• The Government, while liberalizing the regulatory environment, has
also ensured that the interests of consumers are safeguarded.
• It has been provided in the Amendment, that in situations such as
war, famine, extraordinary price rise and natural
calamity, such agricultural foodstuff can be regulated.
• However, the installed capacity of a value chain participant and
the export demand of an exporter will remain exempted from such
stock limit imposition to ensure that investments in agriculture are
not discouraged.
• The Amendment announced will help both farmers and
consumers while bringing in price stability.
• It will create a competitive market environment and also
prevent wastage of agri-produce that happens due to lack of storage
facilities.
Source- PIB
Farming Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation)

Ordinance, 2020'
Why is in the news?
• Recently cabinet approved 'The Farming Produce Trade and
Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance,
2020' for Barrier-free trade in agriculture produce.
Background
• Farmers in India presently suffer from various
restrictions in marketing their produce.
• There are restrictions for farmers in selling agri-produce
outside the notified APMC market yards.
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• The farmers are also restricted to sell the produce only to registered
licensees of the State Governments.
Benefits
• The Ordinance will create an ecosystem where the farmers and
traders will enjoy the freedom of choice of sale and purchase of
agri-produce.
• It will also promote barrier-free inter-state and intra-state trade and
commerce outside the physical premises of markets notified under
State Agricultural Produce Marketing legislations.
• This is a historic-step in unlocking the vastly regulated agriculture
markets in the country.
• It will open more choices for the farmer, reduce marketing costs for
the farmers and help them in getting better prices.
• It will also help farmers of regions with surplus produce to get better
prices and consumers of regions with shortages, lower costs.
• The Ordinance also proposes electronic trading in transaction platform
for ensuring a seamless trade electronically.
• The farmers will not be charged any cess or levy for sale of their
products under this Act.
• Further, there will be a separate dispute resolution mechanism for the
farmers.
One India, One Agriculture Market
• The Ordinance aims at creating additional trading
opportunities outside the APMC market yards to help farmers get
remunerative prices due to additional competition.
• This will supplement the existing MSP procurement system, which
is providing stable income to farmers.
• It will undoubtedly pave the way for creating 'One India, One Agriculture
Market' and will lay the foundation for ensuring golden harvests for
our hard-working farmers.
Source- PIB
SWADES- Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support

Why is in the news?
• Union Government has recently launched a new initiative SWADES-
Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support to
conduct a skill mapping exercise of the returning citizens under
the Vande Bharat Mission.
About SWADES
• This is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship, Civil Aviation Ministry and External Affairs
Ministry.
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Aims
• It aims to create a database of qualified citizens based on their skillsets
and experience to tap into and fulfil the demand of Indian and
foreign companies.
• The collected information will be shared with the companies for
suitable placement opportunities in the country.
• The returning citizens are required to fill up an online SWADES Skills
Card.
• The data collected through SWADES Skill Card will help the citizens
with job prospects and bridge the demand-supply gap.
Source- PIB
Essential Commodities Act

Why is in the news?
• The Union Cabinet has recently approved an ordinance to amend
the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, to deregulate food items
such as cereals, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, onion and potatoes.
New amendments in the Essential Commodities Act 1955

• The ordinance has introduced a new subsection (1A) in Section 3 of The
Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
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• This amended law provides a mechanism for the “regulation” of

agricultural foodstuffs, namely cereals, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, potato
and supplies under extraordinary circumstances, which include extraordinary
price rise, war, famine, and natural calamity of a severe nature.
Definition of an ‘essential commodity’
• There is no specific definition of essential commodities in
the Essential Commodity Act.
• Section 2(A) of the Act states that an “essential commodity” means a
commodity specified in the “Schedule” of this Act.
• The Act gives powers to the central government to add or remove
a commodity in the “Schedule.”
• The Centre, if it is satisfied that it is necessary to do so in the public
interest, can notify an item as essential, in consultation with state
governments.
• At present, the “Schedule” contains nine commodities — drugs;
fertilisers, whether inorganic, organic or mixed; foodstuffs, including edible
oils; hank yarn made wholly from cotton; petroleum and petroleum products;
raw jute and jute textiles; seeds of food-crops and seeds of fruits and
vegetables, seeds of cattle fodder, jute seed, cottonseed; face masks; and hand
sanitisers.
Recently added items in the schedule
• The latest items added to this schedule are face masks and hand
sanitisers, which were declared essential commodities with effect
from March 13, 2020, in the wake of Covid-19 outbreak.
Impact
• By declaring a commodity as essential, the government can control the
production, supply, and distribution of that commodity, and impose a
stock limit.
The Urban Learning Internship Program (TULIP)

Why is in the news?
• Ministery of Human Resource Development and All India Council
for Technical Education (AICTE) has jointly launched an online portal
for `The Urban Learning Internship Program (TULIP)’.
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About the TULIP

• TULIP has been conceived under the Budget 2020-21 announcements by
the Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman under the
theme ‘Aspirational India’.
• It is a program for providing internship opportunities to fresh
graduates in all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Smart Cities across
the country.
• The digital platform powering TULIP enables discovery, engagement,
aggregation, amplification, and transparency.
• The platform is customizable and provides immense flexibility to
ULBs/ Smart Cities and interns to allow convenient access.
• Security features have been thoroughly tested, and the platform has
been made scalable, federated, and transparent by design.
Eligibility
• Any graduate who have completed B. Tech, B. Arch, B. Plan, BSc etc. can
apply within 18 months from date of its graduation.
Benefits
• This will not only help the interns get hands-on experience in the vast
activities of urban local bodies but will also help to create a resource
upon which the industry can draw quickly for hiring.
Bodies involved
• AICTE shall anchor technical support for the platform and the
programmatic non-technical support shall be anchored by Minister of
Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) over five years.
Note:
• A Steering Committee under the Chairmanship of
Secretary, MoHUA will review the progress of the program on a
periodical basis.
Source- PIB
PM-KUSUM Scheme
Why is in the news?
• Recently, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has issued an
alert warning for people against fraudulent websites claiming to be
registration portals for Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja
Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme.
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About PM-KUSUM Scheme

• It is for farmers for installation of solar pumps and grid-connected
solar and other renewable power plants in the country.
• The aim of the scheme to add solar and other renewable capacities of
25,750 MW by 2022.
The scheme has three components:
a. Component-A: Installation of 10 GW of renewable energy power plants of
individual plant capacity up to 2 MW on barren and fallow land.
b. Component-B: Installation of 17.5 lakh standalone solar pumps of capacity
up to 7.5 HP.
c. Component-C: Solarization of 10 lakh existing grid-connected agricultural
pumps of pump capacity up to 7.5 HP.
Benefit
• It will open a stable and continuous source of income to the rural
landowners for 25 years by utilization of their dry/uncultivable land.
Source- Economics Times
Taskforce constituted to lowering Maternal Mortality Rate

Why in the news?
• Ministry of Women and Child Development has recently constituted a
task force which is headed by Jaya Jaitly.
More about the Taskforce

• Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget Speech
for 2020-21 has announced to set up a task force for women.
• The task force will examine the issues related to Infant
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a. Mortality Rate
b. Maternal Mortality Rate
c. Total Fertility Rate
d. Sex Ratio at Birth
e. Child Sex Ratio (CSR)
f. any other matters pertaining to health and nutrition.
• It will also suggest measures for promoting higher education among
women.
Related terms
Maternal Mortality Rate
• It is the annual number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.
• Maternal mortality is the death of a woman while pregnant or within
42 days of termination of pregnancy.
• It is a key performance indicator for efforts to improve the health
and safety of mothers before, during, and after childbirth.
• MMR of India is 122 according to the data of 2015-2017.
Infant Mortality Rate
• It is defined as the ‘number of deaths of children under the age of 1
year per 1000 live births for a given year.’
• India’s IMR is 33 deaths per 1,000 live births, according to the data of
2017.
Total Fertility Rate
• The number of children who would be born per woman (or per 1,000
women) if she/they were to pass through the childbearing years taking
children according to a current schedule of age-specific fertility rates.
• India’s TFR is 2.24 births per woman.
Sex Ratio at Birth
• It is defined as the number of male births per female births.
• India’s Sex Ratio at birth is 919.
Child Sex Ratio
• In India, the child sex ratio is defined as the number of females per
thousand males in the age group 0–6 years in a human population.
Source- The Hindu
Nagar Van scheme

• On World Environment Day, the government has announced the
implementation of the Nagar van scheme.
• The aim of the scheme to increase forest cover in urban areas
by developing 200 Urban Forests across the country in the next five
years.
• It will be implemented with people’s
participation and collaboration between the Forest Department,
Municipal bodies, NGOs and corporates.
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Funding
It will be funded in part by the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act
(CAMPA), 2016 funds.
About Warje Urban Forest or Smriti Van

• It is a Public-Private Partnership project of Pune that has been
successful in converting 16.8 hectares of barren Warje hill into green
forests.
• Warje Hill was a barren land under the Maharashtra Forest
Department.
Source- The Hindu
Airborne Rescue Pod for Isolated Transportation (ARPIT)

Why in the news?
• Recently the Indian Air Force has designed, developed and
manufactured an Airborne Rescue Pod for Isolated Transportation
(ARPIT).
About the Airborne Rescue Pod for Isolated Transportation

• This pod will be utilized for the evacuation of critical patients with
infectious diseases, including COVID-19 from high altitude area,
isolated and remote places.
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• The system has been developed as a lightweight isolation

system made from aviation certified material.
• The ARPIT Design requirements have been evolved and are based on
the guidelines issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
(MoHFW), National Accreditation Board for Hospitals &
Healthcare Providers (NABH) and Centre for Disease Control
(CDC), USA.
Annual Refresher Programme In Teaching (ARPIT).
• Annual Refresher Programme In Teaching (ARPIT) is launched
by Human Resource Development (HRD) in 2018.
• It is an initiative for online professional development of 15 lakh
higher education faculty using the Massive Open Online Courses
(MOOCs) platform SWAYAM.
About Massive Open Online Course
• MOOC is a free Web-based distance learning program that
is designed for the participation of large numbers of geographically
dispersed students.
About SWAYAM Portal
• SWAYAM platform is indigenously developed by the Ministry of
Human Resource Development (MHRD) and All India Council for
Technical Education (AICTE) with the help of Microsoft for open
online courses.
Source- The Hindu
Central Administrative Tribunal

Why in the news?
• Union Minister of State has recently inaugurated the 18th Bench of
Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) for the Union Territories of
Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
• Central Government has specified Jammu and Srinagar as the places
at which the benches of the Central Administrative Tribunal shall
ordinarily sit for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and
Union Territory of Ladakh.
About Central Administrative Tribunal

• The Central Administrative Tribunal had been established under
Article 323 - A of the Constitution.
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• It provides adjudication of disputes and

complaints concerning recruitment and conditions of service of
persons appointed to public services and posts in connection with the
affairs of the Union or other authorities under the control of the
Government.
• In pursuance of Article 323-A, the Parliament passed
the Administrative Tribunals Act in 1985.
• The act authorises the Central Government to establish one Central
Administrative Tribunal and the state administrative tribunals.
Source- The Hindu
ONLINE NAIMISHA 2020 Programme

Why in the news?
• Recently, the Ministry of Culture announced a programme called
‘ONLINE NAIMISHA 2020’.
About ONLINE NAIMISHA 2020

• It is a summer art programme to be organized by National Modern
Art Gallery.
• In the online NAIMISH 2020 program, four workshops will be organized
entitled Painting workshop, Sculpture workshop, Printmaking and
Indrajaal, i.e. The Magic of Art (Interdisciplinary creative workshop
to understand Freedom).
• The title of the program NAIMISHA-represents a sacred place where
people offer their shraddha or devotion.
Solar Risk Mitigation Initiative

Why in the news?
• The World Bank has recently operationalized a Solar Risk Mitigation
Initiative (SRMI) with $333 million for 22 African countries.
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About Solar Risk Mitigation Initiative

• It has been developed by the World Bank in partnership with Agence
Française de Développement (AFD), International Renewable
Energy Agency (IRENA) and International Solar Alliance
(ISA). The aim of the initiative is to support countries in developing
sustainable solar programs that will attract private investments and
so reduce reliance on public finances.
About International Solar Alliance

• It is an alliance of more than 120 countries, most of them being
sunshine countries, which come either completely or partly between
the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
• The primary objective is to collectively work for the efficient
exploitation of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil-based
fuels.
• The Headquarters is in India with its Interim Secretariat being set
up in Gurgaon.
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Background
• This initiative was proposed by Prime Minister of India first during
his speech at Wembley Stadium, London.
• This initiative was launched at the India Africa Summit, and a
meeting was held among them before the conclave of the 2015 United
Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris on November 2015.

Source- The Hindu
Arogyapath: A web-based solution for the healthcare supply chain

Why in the news?
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has recently
launched Arogyapath portal, which is a web-based solution for the
healthcare supply chain that provides real-time availability of critical
supplies.
About ArogyaPath
• AarogyaPath would serve
manufacturers, suppliers and customers during the present national
health emergency arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vision
• It helps in providing a path which leads one on a journey towards
Aarogya (healthy life).
Significance
• It will help manufacturers and suppliers to reach a wide network of
customers efficiently, overcoming gaps in connectivity between them
and potential demand centres like nearby pathological laboratories,
medical stores, hospitals, etc.
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• It will also create opportunities for business expansion due to

an expanded slate of buyers and visibility of new requirements for
products.
• Over time, analytics from this platform is expected to generate early
signals to manufacturers on overcapacity as well as on looming
shortages.
• This would help to reduce wastage of resources due to inefficient
forecasting and excess manufacturing, generate awareness about
the demand for new technologies.
Source- PIB
Adjusted Gross Revenue issue

Why in the news?
• The Supreme Court’s order has recently asked telecom operators to
provide details on staggered payment of Adjusted Gross Revenue
dues, as proposed by the Department of Telecommunication.
What are AGR and the issue?

• The AGR is divided into spectrum usage charges and licensing fees,
pegged between 3-5 percent and 8 percent, respectively.
• As per DoT, the charges are calculated based on all revenues earned
by a telco – including non-telecom related sources such as deposit
interests and asset sales.
• Telcos, on their part, insist that AGR should comprise only the
revenues generated from telecom services.
• The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has in
its recommendation paper agreed on many of the sector’s demands
such as the exclusion of income from dividend and capital
gains on account of profit on the sale of assets and securities.
About Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

• It is a statutory body set up by the Government of India under section
3 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.
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• It is the regulator of the telecommunications sector in India.
Composition
• It consists of a Chairperson and not more than two full-time
members and not more than two part-time members.
About Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal

• The TRAI Act was amended by an ordinance, effective from 24 January
2000, establishing a Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate
Tribunal (TDSAT) to take over the adjudicatory and disputes
functions from TRAI.
Source- The Hindu
Sahakar Mitra Scheme

Why in news?
• Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has recently
launched Sahakar Mitra scheme on Internship Programme for young
professionals.
About the Sahakar Mitra Scheme

• It is an initiative of National Cooperative Development Corporation
(NCDC).
• The aim of the scheme to help cooperative institutions access new and
innovative ideas of young professionals. At the same time, the interns
will gain experience of working in the field to be self-reliant.
Eligibility
• The professional graduates in disciplines such as Agriculture and
allied areas, IT etc. and also who are pursuing or have completed their
MBA degrees in Agri-business, Cooperation, Finance, International
Trade etc. will also be eligible.
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About National Cooperative Development Corporation

• It is an apex statutory institution which has been established by an Act
of Parliament in 1963 under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers
Welfare.
Note:
Yuva Sahakar scheme
• It is also implemented by the National Cooperative Development Corporation
(NCDC) to encourage young entrepreneurs into start-ups in the
cooperative sector by providing them with cheaper loans.
Source- PIB
Assistance to Disabled Persons (ADIP) Scheme

Why in the news?
• Recently a Virtual ADIP Camp for free distribution of assistive
aids and devices at Block level for Divyangjans under the ADIP scheme
of Government of India was organized at Firozpur District in
Punjab. This is the first camp being organized by the
ALIMCO under DEPwD, M/o Social Justice and Empowerment under
the ADIP Scheme of the Government of India.
About Assistance to Disabled Persons Scheme

• The Scheme aims at helping the disabled persons by bringing
suitable, durable, scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids
and appliances within their reach.
Objectives
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• The main objective of the Scheme is to assist the needy disabled

persons in procuring durable, sophisticated, and scientifically
manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances.
• These appliances can promote their physical, social, and
psychological rehabilitation by reducing the effects of
disabilities and enhance their economic potential.
Eligibility of Implementing Agency under the Scheme
The following agencies would be eligible to implement the Scheme on behalf
of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, subject to fulfilment of
laid down terms and conditions:
I. Societies registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and
their branches, if any, separately.
II. Registered charitable trusts
III. District Rural Development Agencies, Indian Red Cross
Societies and other Autonomous Bodies headed by District
Collector/Chief Executive Officer/District Development Officer of
Zilla Parishad.
IV. National/Apex Institutes including ALIMCO functioning under the
administrative control of the Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment/Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
V. State Handicapped Development Corporations.
VI. Local Bodies- Zilla Parishad, Municipalities, District Autonomous
Development Councils and Panchayats.
VII. Nehru Yuvak Kendras.
Source- PIB
Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan

Why in the news?
• Government of India has recently decided to launch a massive rural
public works scheme ‘Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan.
About Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan

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• It will be launched from Village – Telihar, Block- Beldaur of

Khagaria District of Bihar.
Objective
• The main objective of the scheme is to empower and provide
livelihood opportunities to the returnee migrant workers and rural
citizens.
• It is a campaign of 125 days, which will work in mission mode,
will involve intensified and focused implementation of 25 different
types of works on employing the migrant workers. Coordinate
agency
• The Abhiyaan will be a coordinated effort between 12 different
Ministries/Departments, namely, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj,
Road Transport & Highways, Mines, Drinking Water & Sanitation,
Environment, Railways, Petroleum & Natural Gas, New & Renewable Energy,
Border Roads, Telecom and Agriculture.
• A total of 116 Districts across six States, namely Bihar, Uttar Pradesh,
Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Odisha, have been chosen for the
campaign.
• It will also include 27 Aspirational Districts.
Source-PIB
Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Oxo-Biodegradable Sanitary Napkin

Why in the news?
• On the eve of World Environment Day, 4th June 2018, Government
of India has announced the launch of “Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Oxo-
Biodegradable Sanitary Napkin” for women of India.About Jan
Aushadhi Suvidha Oxo-Biodegradable Sanitary Napkin
• This Sanitary Napkin is being made available in more than 6300 Pradhan
Mantri Bhartiya Janaushdhi Pariyojna -PMBJP Kendras across the
country at a minimum price of Rs.1/-per pad.
Advantages of the Sanitary Napkin

• These sanitary napkins are environmentally friendly, as these pads are
made with Oxo-biodegradable material complying with ASTM D-
6954 (biodegradability test) standards.
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• This step ensured ‘Swachhta, Swasthya and Suvidha’ for

the underprivileged Women of India.
About Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana
• It is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals to
provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses.
• PMBJP stores have been set up to provide generic drugs, which
are available at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and
efficacy as expensive branded drugs.
• The Department of Pharmaceuticals launched it in November 2008 under
the name Jan Aushadi Campaign.
• Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) is the implementation agency
for PMBJP.
Source- PIB
SATYABHAMA Portal
Why in the news?
• Union Minister for Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs has
recently launched SATYABHAMA (Science and Technology Yojana for
Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Mining Advancement) Portal for Science
and Technology Programme Scheme of Ministry of Mines.
About the SATYABHAMA Portal

• The Portal has been designed, developed and
implemented by National Informatics Centre (NIC), Mines
Informatics Division.
• SATYABHAMA Portal allows online submission of project proposals along
with monitoring of the projects and utilization of funds/grants.
• The researchers can also submit progress reports and Final Technical
Reports of the projects in the electronic format in the Portal.
• The Portal is integrated with NGO Darpan Portal of NITI Aayog.
About NGO Darpan
• It is a platform that provides space for the interface between
VOs/NGOs and key Government Ministries / Departments /
Government Bodies which is managed at present by NITI Aayog.
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Source- PIB
Rajya Sabha Poll

Why in the news?
• Recently another round of Rajya Sabha elections has been completed.
Peculiar to the Rajya Sabha polls

• In Rajya Sabha polls only elected members of the State Legislative
Assemblies can vote in a Rajya Sabha election.
• The legislators send a batch of new members to the Upper
House every two years for a six-year term. A third of Members of
Parliament in the Rajya Sabha (which is a permanent House and is not
subject to dissolution), from each State, retire once in two years, and
polls are held to fill up the vacancies.
• Also, vacancies that arise due to resignation, death or
disqualification are filled up through by-polls after which those elected
serve out the remainder of their predecessors’ term.
How does Voting Take Place?
• Voting is by single transferable vote, as the election is held on the
principle of proportional representation.
• The Rajya Sabha polls have a system of the open ballot and a secret
ballot.
Why does not none of the above, or NOTA, apply to the Rajya Sabha
polls?
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued two circulars,
on January 24, 2014, and November 12, 2015, giving Rajya Sabha
members the option to press the NOTA button in the Upper House
polls.
• However, in 2018, the Supreme Court of India struck down
the provision, holding that the ‘none of the above’ option is only for
general elections held based on universal adult suffrage, and cannot be
applied to indirect elections based on proportional representation.
Does cross-voting attract disqualification?
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• The Supreme Court, while declining to interfere with the open ballot
system, ruled that not voting for the party candidate will not attract
disqualification under the anti-defection law.
• As voters, MLAs retain their freedom to vote for a candidate of their
choice.
• However, the Court observed that since the party would know who voted
against its candidate, it is free to take disciplinary action against
the legislator concerned.
Can a legislator vote without taking oath as a member of the Assembly?
• While taking oath as a member is for anyone to function as a legislator,
the Supreme Court has ruled that a member can vote in a Rajya Sabha
election even before taking oath as a legislator.
• It ruled that voting at the Rajya Sabha polls, being a non-legislative
activity, can be performed without taking the oath.
• A person becomes a member as soon as the list of elected members is
notified by the ECI.
• Further, a member can also propose a candidate before taking the
oath.
Source- The Hindu
Rule of Law Index

Why in the news?
• The Supreme Court has recently asked the government to treat a writ petition
filed by apex court lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay, for setting up expert panels to
boost India’s prospects in the Rule of Law Index.
What are the issues?
• As on March 11 every year, the World Justice Project announced the Rule of
Law Index 2020 in which India is ranked 69th position.
• The petition sought a direction to the government to constitute expert
committees to examine the best practices of the countries ranked among top
20 in Rule of Law Index-2020 and accordingly take steps to improve the
“pathetic ranking” of India.
• India has never been ranked even among the top 50 in the Index, but
successive governments did nothing to improve the international ranking of
India.
About Rule of Index
• It is a quantitative assessment tool designed to offer a detailed and
comprehensive picture of the extent to which countries adhere to the rule of
law in practice.
• It is published by the World Justice Project which is an independent
organisation.
• The index covers 128 countries.
• In the Rule of Index 2020, Denmark is on the top followed by Norway
and Finland.
• India has been ranked at 69 out of 128 countries.
Source- The Hindu
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Model village scheme/ Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana

Why in the news?
• Recently a study commissioned by the Ministry of Rural
Development has observed that the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana has
not made "any significant impact" and based on current speed, will fail
to achieve the desired purpose.
• The study was part of the Fifth Common Review Mission (CRM)
for "independent assessment" of the progress of various
programs and schemes of the Ministry of Rural Development.
About Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana

• It is a village development project launched by the Government of
India in October 2014.
• Under the Yojana, Members of Parliament (MPs) will be responsible
for developing the socio-economic and physical infrastructure of
three villages each by 2019, and a total of eight villages each by 2024.
Objectives
a. The development of model villages, called Adarsh Grams, through
the implementation of existing schemes, and certain new
initiatives to be designed for the local context, which may vary from
village to village.
b. Creating models of local development which can be replicated in
other villages.
Identification of villages
• MPs can select any gram panchayat, other than their village or that of
their spouse, to be developed as an Adarsh Gram.
• The village must have a population of 3000-5000 people if it is in
the plains, or 1000-3000 people if located in hilly areas.
Selection of Village
• Lok Sabha MPs can choose a village from their constituency.
• Rajya Sabha MPs from the state from which they are elected.
• Nominated members can choose a village from any district of the
country.
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• MPs which represent urban constituencies can identify a village from

a neighbouring rural constituency.
Funding:
No new funds have been allocated for the Yojana, but the fund should be
raised through:
a. Funds from existing schemes, such as the Indira Awas
Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Mahatma Gandhi
National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, and Backward
Regions Grant Fund, etc.,
b. The Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS),
c. The gram panchayat's revenue,
d. Central and State Finance Commission Grants, and
e. Corporate Social Responsibility funds.
Strategy to create Adarsh Gram from Identified Village:

• Energize and mobilize the community towards common positive action.
• Participatory planning exercise for identifying peoples'
needs and priorities in an integrated manner.
• Converging resources from Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored
Schemes and also other State schemes to the maximum extent.
• Repairing and renovating existing infrastructure to the extent
possible.
• Strengthening the Gram Panchayats and peoples' institutions within
them.
• Promoting transparency and accountability.
Note:
• Recently, the Government of India in the event of struggle against
Covid-19 has suspended Member of Parliament Local Area
Development Scheme or MPLADS funds for two years (2020 and
2021) and directed these funds to be transferred to the Consolidated
Fund of India.
Source- TOI
YUKTI 2.0 platform launched for Higher Education Institutes

Why in the news?
• Recently, the Union Minister of Human Resource
Development launched an initiative ‘YUKTI 2.0’ web portal.
Background
• Earlier, the Ministry of HRD had launched the YUKTI (Young India
combating COVID with Knowledge, Technology and Innovation)
web portal on 11 April 2020 due to Coronavirus.
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About the YUKTI portal

• The portal intends to cover the different dimensions of COVID-19
challenges in a very holistic and comprehensive way.
• Through this portal, the Ministry will endeavour to ensure that students,
teachers, and researchers in higher educational institutions are
getting appropriate support to meet the requirements needed to advance
their technologies and innovations.
About YUKTI 2.0

• It is the logical extension of an earlier version of ‘YUKTI’.
• YUKTI 2.0 initiative is a very important step in the direction of making
Bharat Atmanirbhar. Youngsters are very capable of thinking
innovatively, and there is a need to make every possible effort to help
them convert their ideas into enterprises.
• It will also help systematically assimilate
technologies having commercial potential and information related
to incubated startups in our higher education institutions.
Topic- GS Paper 3–Education
Source- PIB
Global Education Monitoring Report 2020

Why in the news?
• The 2020 Global Education Monitoring Report was released
by UNESCO recently.
Key highlights of the report

• The coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated inequalities in education
systems across the world. According to the report, about 40% of low-
and lower-middle-income countries have not supported learners at
risk of exclusion during this crisis, such as the poor, linguistic minorities, and
learners with disabilities.
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• The report also noted that efforts to maintain learning

continuity during the pandemic might have worsened exclusion
trends.
• During the height of school closures in April 2020, almost 91% of
students around the world were out of school.
Imperfect substitutes
• According to report the education systems during the pandemic
responded with distance learning solutions, all of which offered less
or more imperfect substitutes for classroom instruction.
• While many poorer countries opted for radio and television
lessons, 55% of low-income, 73% of lower-middle-income and 93%
of upper-middle-income countries adopted for online learning
platforms for primary and secondary education.
• India has used a mix of all three systems for educational continuity.
• However, even as governments increasingly rely on technology, the
digital divide lays bare the limitations of this approach.
• Not all students and teachers have access to an adequate internet
connection, equipment, skills and working conditions to take
advantage of available platforms.
Unavailability of the resources outside
• School closures due to lockdowns have also interrupted support
mechanisms from which many disadvantaged learners’ benefit.
• Resources for blind and deaf students may not be available outside
schools.
• Also, children with learning disabilities or those who are on the autism
spectrum may struggle with independent work in front of a computer
or the disruption of daily school routines.
• For poor students who depend on school for free meals or even free
sanitary napkins, these closures have been a significant blow.
Other problems
• The cancellation of examinations in many countries, including India,
may result in scoring dependent on teachers’ judgments which could
be affected by stereotypes of certain types of students.
Higher drop-out rates are also a cause for concern.
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• For example, during an earlier Ebola epidemic in Africa, many older

girls never returned to school once the crisis was over.
Source- The Hindu
Landmark decisions to boost infrastructure across sectors

Why in the news?
• The Union Cabinet has taken several landmark decisions, which will go
a long way providing a much-needed boost to infrastructure across
sectors, which are crucial in the time of the pandemic.
This landmark decision includes:

A. Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund set-up
• Cabinet has approved setting up of Animal Husbandry Infrastructure
Development Fund (AHIDF) amounting to Rs. 15000 core in pursuance
of recently announced Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan stimulus
package.
Benefits
• There is huge potential waiting to be unlocked through private sector
investment in the animal husbandry sector.
• The AHIDF with the interest subvention scheme for private
investors will ensure the availability of capital to meet upfront
investment required for these projects and also help enhance overall
returns/ payback for investors.
• Such investments in processing and value addition infrastructure by
eligible beneficiaries would also promote exports.
B. Declaration of Kushinagar Airport in UP as International Airport
• Union Cabinet has approved the proposal to declare Kushinagar
Airport in Uttar Pradesh as an International Airport.
Background
• Kushinagar is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site,
where Gautama Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana.
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• It is regarded as a very sacred Buddhist pilgrimage

centre where Buddhists pilgrims from all over -the world come for a
pilgrimage.
• Kushinagar already serves as the presenting site for Buddhist circuit
pilgrimage spanning across India and Nepal.
Benefits:
• The Buddhist Circuit is an essential pilgrimage destination for 530
million practising Buddhists across the globe.
• Hence the declaration of Kushinagar Airport as an 'International
Airport' will offer improved connectivity, a more extensive choice
of services at competitive costs to the air-travellers resulting
in boosting of domestic/international tourism and economic
development of the region.
C. Additional investment by OVL towards further development of Shwe
oil & gas project in Myanmar approved
• ONGC Videsh (OVL) has been associated with exploration and
development of Shwe gas project in Myanmar since 2002, as part of a
consortium of companies from South Korea, India and Myanmar.
Benefits:
• The participation of Indian PSUs in oil & gas exploration and
development projects in neighbouring countries is aligned with
India's Act East Policy.
• It is also a part of India's strategy to develop Energy Bridges with
its neighbours in addition to further strengthening India's energy
security needs.
Source- PIB
Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe)

Why in the news?
• The Union Cabinet has recently approved the creation of the Indian
National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe).
Benefits
• It will help to provide a level playing field for private companies to
use Indian space infrastructure. These reforms would allow the
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ISRO to focus more on research and development activities (R&D),

new technologies, exploration missions and human spaceflight programme.
• Some of the planetary exploration missions will also be opened to the
private sector through an ‘announcement of opportunity’ mechanism.
Current status of participation of private industries in the Space
Programme
• NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) was incorporated to carry forward
the industry production of space systems and the ISRO’s
efforts in realising Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV) from the
industry.
• Currently, more than 500 Indian industries are contributing to ISRO
programmes, and more than half of the project budget outlay
flowed to these industries.
Source- PIB
G. Rohini Commission on Sub-Categorization of OBCs

Why in the news?
• The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the term of
the Commission constituted under Article 340 of the
Constitution to examine the issue of Sub-categorization within Other
Backward Classes in the Central List, by six months, i.e. upto 31.1.2021.
Background
• The Commission was constituted under article 340 of the Constitution with
the approval of President in 2017 under Justice (Retd.) Smt. G. Rohini.
Benefits:
• The Communities in the existing list of OBCs which have not been
able to get any major advantage of the scheme of reservation for
OBCs for appointment in Central Government posts and admission
in Central Government Educational Institutions are expected to be
benefitted upon implementation of the recommendations of the
Commission.
• The Commission is likely to make recommendations for the benefit
of such marginalized communities in the Central List of OBCs.
Expenditure:
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• The expenditure involved are related to the establishment and

administration costs of the Commission, which would continue to
be borne by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Source- AIR
Distressed Assets Fund–Sub-ordinate Debt for MSMEs

Why in the news?
• Union Minister of Minister of Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises (MSME) has launched the Credit Guarantee Scheme for
Sub-ordinate Debt (CGSSD) which is also called “Distressed Assets
Fund–Sub-ordinate Debt for MSMEs”.
About Distressed Assets Fund–Sub-ordinate Debt for MSMEs”.

Aim
• The aim of the Scheme seeks to extend support to the promoter(s) of
the operational MSMEs which are stressed and have become NPA as
on 30th April 2020.
• It provides a guarantee cover worth Rs. 20,000 crores to
the promoters who can take debt from the banks to further invest in
their stressed MSMEs as equity.
Implementation agency
• The Scheme will be operationalised through Credit Guarantee Fund
Trust for MSEs (CGTMSE).
Key features of the Scheme
• The promoter(s) of the MSMEs will be given credit equal to 15% of
their stake (equity plus debt) or Rs. 75 lakh whichever is lower.
• The Promoter(s) in turn will infuse this amount in the MSME unit as
equity and thereby enhance the liquidity and maintain a debt-equity ratio
• 90% guarantee coverage for this sub-debt will be given under the
Scheme, and 10% would come from the concerned promoters
Duration
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• There will be a moratorium of 7 years on payment of principal whereas

maximum tenor for repayment will be 10 years.
Source- PIB
Skills Build Reignite

Why in the news?
• Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) in
partnership with IBM has unveiled Free Digital Learning Platform ‘Skills
Build Reignite’ to reach more job seekers and provide new
resources to business owners in India.
About Skills Build Reignite

• The Skills Build Reignite tends to provide job seekers and
entrepreneurs, with access to free online coursework and mentoring
support designed to help them reinvent their careers and
businesses. Its special feature is the personalized coaching for
entrepreneurs, seeking advice to help establish or restart their small
businesses as they begin to focus on recovery to emerge out of the COVID 19
pandemic.
Role of IBM Skills Build Reignite
• IBM’s expertise in providing multifaceted digital skill training in the
area of Cloud Computing and Artificial Intelligence will strengthen
the efforts in the recovery of local workforces, communities and
economies by supporting job seekers, entrepreneurs and small businesses.
• IBM has also committed to providing multifaceted digital skill
training in the area of Cloud Computing and Artificial Intelligence to
students and trainers in National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) and
ITIs.
Background
• In November 2019, IBM India, in partnership with Directorate
General of Training (DGT), Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship and its implementation partners, made the Skills Build
online learning platform available to Indian students
through Bharatskills of DGT.
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• Digital classrooms on this platform are available to students and

instructors from the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and technical
education ecosystem in India.
Source- PIB
NITI Aayog launches behaviour change campaign 'navigating the new

normal'
Why in the news?
• NITI Aayog has recently launched behaviour
change campaign 'Navigating the New Normal' and its website to help
people follow norms to contain the spread of Covid-19.
About the Campaign

• The campaign focusses on COVID-safe behaviours,
especially wearing masks, during the 'Unlock' phase of the ongoing
pandemic.
• It is developed under the guidance of Empowered Group 6, constituted
by the Government of India, and chaired by CEO, NITI Aayog.
• The campaign has two parts.
• The first is a web portal containing resources informed by behavioural
science and the use of nudge and social norms theory, related
to Covid-safe behavioural norms during the ongoing Unlock phase.
The second is a media campaign focused on the wearing of masks.
Source- Business Standard
Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC)

Why in the news?
• Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras
(IITM) are collaborating with their counterparts in
Germany to develop new materials for green energy solutions under
the scheme SPARC.
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• The project aims to develop alternative technologies to produce

green hydrogen in anticipation of the transition to a hydrogen-
based economy.
• The conventional methods of generating hydrogen result in a large
quantity of carbon dioxide. Whereas electrochemical splitting of
water, called ‘Water Electrolysis’ (WE), is a clean, facile, and highly
efficient technology for large-scale production of high-purity H2.
About SPARC
• It is an initiative of the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
• It aims at improving the research ecosystem of India’s Higher
Educational Institutions by facilitating academic and research
collaborations between Indian Institutions and the best institutions
in the world.
• There are 28 selected nations to jointly solve problems of national and
international relevance in this initiative.
Source- PIB
World Bank approves $500 mn education project for six states

Why in the news?
• The World Bank has recently approved a project worth $500
million to improve the learning outcome and governance of
government schools in six Indian states through the project STARS.
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About STARS Project

• The project, Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States
Program (STARS), will be implemented through the Samagra Shiksha
Abhiyan (a flagship central scheme).
Coverage
• The six states included in the project are Himachal Pradesh, Kerala,
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Rajasthan.
• More than 52% of children in government-run schools in the six
project states belong to vulnerable sections, such as Scheduled
Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and minority communities.
Benefits:
• It will help improve the learning assessment systems, strengthen
classroom instruction and remediation, facilitate school-to-work
transition, and strengthen governance and decentralized
management.
• STARS will aid India’s response by strengthening implementation at
the local level, investing in teacher capacity and ensuring that no
child of any background is left behind from the right to education
Background
• STARS build on the partnership between India and the World
Bank since 1994 for strengthening the school education system and
to support the goal of providing education to all.
• Before STARS, the World Bank had aided of over $3 billion towards
this.
Related Information
About Samagra Shiksha
• Samagra Shiksha is an integrated scheme for school education,
extending from pre-school to class XII to ensure inclusive and
equitable quality education at all levels of school education.
It subsumes the three Schemes:
i. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)
ii. Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA)
iii. Teacher Education (TE)
• The Scheme treats school education holistically as a continuum from
Pre-school to Class 12.
• The main emphasis of the Scheme is on improving the quality of
school education by focussing on the two T’s – Teacher and
Technology.
Source- The Hindu
Banking Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020

Why in the news?
• In pursuance of the commitment to ensure the safety of depositors
across banks, the President has promulgated the Banking
Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020. About the Banking
Regulation Ordinance 2020
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• The Ordinance amends the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 as

applicable to Cooperative Banks.
• The Ordinance seeks to protect the interests of

depositors and strengthen cooperative banks by improving
governance and oversight by extending powers already available
with RBI in respect of other banks to Cooperative Banks.
• The amendments do not affect existing powers of the State
Registrars of Cooperative Societies under state cooperative laws.
• The amendments do not apply to Primary Agricultural Credit
Societies (PACS) or cooperative societies whose primary object and
principal business is long-term finance for agricultural
development.
• The Ordinance also amends Section 45 of the Banking Regulation
Act, to enable the making of a scheme of reconstruction or
amalgamation of a banking company for protecting the interest of
the public, depositors and the banking system and for securing
its proper management, even without making an order of moratorium,
so as to avoid disruption of the financial system.
Source- PIB
SC dismisses review petitions challenging verdict on adultery

Why in the news?
• The Supreme Court has recently refused to review its 2018
judgment which decriminalised adultery. A five-judge Review
Bench, led by Chief Justice of India Sharad A. Bobde, upheld
a September 2018 Constitution Bench which had struck adultery out of
the penal statute book.
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Background
• The original judgment was by a Constitution Bench, led by then chief
justice Dipak Misra, which found that Section 497 (adultery) of
the Indian Penal Code cannot “command” married couples to
remain loyal to each other for fear of penal punishment.
• The original judgment in 2018 was based on a writ petition filed by a
Kerala resident, Joseph Shine.
About IPC section 497

• Adultery law in India is defined by the Indian Penal Code Section 497.
• Section 497 defines adultery as ‘Whoever has sexual intercourse with a
person who is and whom he knows or has reason to believe to be the wife of
another man, without the consent or connivance of that man, such sexual
intercourse not amounting to the offence of rape, is guilty of the offence of
adultery, and shall be punished’.
• In such cases, the wife shall not be punishable as an abettor.
• It treats a married woman as the commodity of her husband.
• Adultery is not a crime if the cuckolded husband connives or
consents to his wife’s extra-marital affair.
• The provision is a reflection of the social dominance of men
prevalent 150 years ago.
Source- The Hindu
Tribes India Products on GeM

Why in the news?
• Recently, the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs has launched Tribes
India products on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
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About the Tribal Products

• The Government Departments, Ministries and PSUs can
access TRIBES India products via Government e-Marketplace
(GeM) and shop as per GFR regulations.
• The products range from Artefacts like Dhokra Metal Crafts, beautiful
Pottery, Paintings of all kinds (Gond, Bhil, Warli, Pithora, among others)
to uniquely fabricated Apparel wear, and distinctive Jewellery
designs. The Van Dhan Naturals range offers Honey, Spices, Rice, Tea,
Coffee, among other organic essential food items.
• To support the Tribals, PSUs and Ministries may give First
Preference to various Tribal products on GeM, and 70% of the
amount will go directly to the hands of Tribals.
Source- PIB
DCGI nod for human trials of ‘Covaxin’

Why in the news?
• The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has permitted human
clinical trials of ‘Covaxin’, the country’s first vaccine candidate for
COVID-19.
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About Drugs Controller General of India

• It is a department of the Central Drugs Standard Control
Organization of the Government of India which comes under
the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
• It is responsible for approval of licences of specified categories of drugs
such as blood and blood products, IV fluids, vaccines, and sera in
India. It also sets standards for manufacturing, sales, import, and
distribution of drugs in India.
Source- The Hindu
Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative

Why in the news?
• Recently the alleged torture and killing of a father and
son in custody in Tamil Nadu last week points to a broken criminal
justice system, and highlights the need for police reforms and
the ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Torture
(UNCAT), the Executive Committee (India) of the Commonwealth
Human Rights Initiative (CHRI).
About the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative

• It is an independent, non-partisan, international non-governmental
organization.
• The headquarter is in New Delhi.
• The organization works for the practical realization of human
rights across the Commonwealth.
• In 1987, several Commonwealth associations founded CHRI as a
response to South Africa's policy of racism.
• Its objectives are to promote awareness of and adherence to the
Harare Commonwealth Declaration, the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, and other internationally recognized human rights
instruments, as well as domestic instruments supporting human rights in
member states.
Harare Commonwealth Declaration
• The Harare Commonwealth Declaration was a declaration of
the Commonwealth of Nations, issued in Harare, Zimbabwe, in
1991.
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• It sets out the Commonwealth's core principles and values, detailing the
Commonwealth's membership criteria, and redefining and reinforcing its
purpose.
About United Nations Convention against Torture

• It is an international human rights treaty, under the review of the
United Nations that aims to prevent torture and other acts of cruel,
inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment around the world.
• It came into force in June 1987.
• It requires states to take effective measures to prevent torture in any
territory under their jurisdiction. It forbids states to transport people to
any country where there is reason to believe they will be tortured.
• India is a signatory to the convention (since 1997) and is bound by the
principle of jus cogens that ensures human rights to those who are tortured
and persecuted.
• In the past, India has pledged several times to ratify the UNCAT, but it
could not be done so.
• As per recent reports by National Campaign against Torture, custodial
deaths in the country are increasing.
Source- The Hindu
Portal for street vendors’ loan scheme

Why in the news?
• The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry have recently launched
the portal, pmsvanidhi.mohua.gov.in, for a loan scheme for street
vendors.
About the portal

• It provides an “integrated end-to-end IT interface to users for availing
benefits under the scheme Pradhan Mantri Street
Vendors’ AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi). The portal will help
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in managing loan applications, collection of documents, and integration

with Aadhaar etc.
About PM SVANidhi
• The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has launched PM
Svanidhi, or Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi
scheme in June this year.
• The scheme was announced by the finance minister on 14 May to
enable street vendors to resume their livelihoods, which have been hit
hard due to the national lockdown.
• It is a special micro-credit facility plan to provide an affordable loan
of up to ₹10,000 to more than 50 lakh street vendors, who had
their businesses operational on or before 24 March.
• The scheme is valid until March 2022.
• Small Industries Development Bank of India is the technical partner
for the implementation of this scheme.
• It will manage the credit guarantee to the lending institutions
through Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small
Enterprises.
Eligibility:
• The scheme applies to vendors, hawkers, thelewalas, rehriwalas,
theliphadwalas in different areas/contexts who supply goods and
services.
• The Street vendors belonging to the surrounding peri-urban/rural
areas are also included in this scheme.
Loans under the scheme:

• Under the scheme, vendors can avail working capital loan of up
to ₹10,000, which is repayable in monthly instalments within one year.
• On timely/early repayment of the loan, an interest subsidy of 7% per
annum will be credited to the bank accounts of beneficiaries through Direct
Benefit Transfer (DBT) on a six-month basis.
• There will be no penalty on early repayment of the loan.
Source- The Hindu
National Productivity Council
Why in the news?
• The 49th Governing Council Meeting of National Productivity
Council (NPC) was held recently under the Chairmanship of Commerce
and Industry Minister.
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About the National Productivity Council (NPC)

• It is a national level organization to promote productivity culture in
India.
• It is an autonomous body under Department for Promotion of
Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce &
Industry, Government of India.
• It has been registered as a Society under the Societies Registration
Act XXI of 1860.
• NPC is a constituent of the Tokyo-based Asian Productivity
Organisation (APO), an Intergovernmental Body of which
the Government of India is a founder member.
Source- AIR
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International Affairs
US showed interest to include India in the G-7 Group
Why is in the news?
• Recently US President has called the existing Group of Seven (G-7)
club a “very outdated group of countries”, and wanted to include
India, Russia, South Korea, and Australia in the Group.
Background
• The Group is initially formed as an effort by the US and its allies to
discuss economic issues.
• The G-7 forum has deliberated about several challenges over
the decades, such as the oil crashes of the 1970s, the economic
changeover of ex-Soviet bloc nations, and many pressing issues such
as financial crises, terrorism, arms control, and drug trafficking.
• The G-7 was known as the ‘G-8’ for several years after Russia joined the
original seven in 1997.
• The Group returned to being called G-7 after Russia was expelled as a
member in 2014 following the latter’s annexation of the Crimea
region of Ukraine.
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About G-7 Group

• It is an intergovernmental organization that was formed in 1975 by
the top economies of the time as an informal forum to discuss
pressing world issues.
• The G-7 does not have a formal constitution or a fixed headquarters.
• The decisions taken by leaders during annual summits are non-
binding.
Members of G7
• The G-7 or ‘Group of Seven’ is Canada, France, Germany, Italy,
Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
• Canada joined the Group in 1976, and the European
Union began attending in 1977.
How does the G-7 Summit work?
• The G-7 nations meet at annual summits that are presided over by
leaders of member countries on a rotational basis.
• The Summit is an informal gathering that lasts two days, in
which leaders of member countries discuss a wide range of global
issues.
• The host country typically gets to invite dignitaries from outside the G-7
to attend the Summit.
G-7 and G-20
• The G-20 is a larger group of countries, which also includes G7
members.
• The G-20 was formed in 1999, in response to a felt need to bring more
countries on board to address global economic concerns.
About G-20 members
• It is a larger group of countries, which also includes G7 members.
• Apart from the G-7 countries, the G-20 comprises Argentina,
Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia,
South Africa, South Korea, and Turkey.
• India is slated to host a G-20 summit in 2022.
Note:
• Last year, the G-7 Summit was held on August 24-26 at Biarritz in
southwestern France, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was
invited to attend as a special guest of French President Emmanuel
Macron.
Topic- GS Paper 2–International Institution
Antifa: the group that Trump wants to declare a terrorist organisation

Why is in the news?
• Recently the United States, President Donald Trump has announced
that the far-left group Antifa would be designated as a terrorist
organisation by his government.
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About Antifa
• The ANTIFA has been around for several decades, with some dating it
as far back as Nazi Germany.
• The etymology of ‘Antifa’ as “borrowed from German Antifa, short
for antifaschistische ‘anti-fascist’, in Antifaschistische
Aktion (multiparty front initiated by the German Communist
Party in 1932 to counter Nazism) and in other collocations.
Global presence
• While the movement has had a presence in several European
countries and has now come into focus in the United States following
the election of President Trump in 2016, with violence marking
some of its protests and demonstrations.
Membership
• Antifa does not have a formal organisational structure.
• It draws its members from other movements such as Black Lives
Matter and the Occupy movement.
Functioning
• These members are typically dressed in black and often wear a mask
at their demonstrations and follow far-left ideologies such as anti-
capitalism.
• They take up causes such as LGBTQ and indigenous rights.
Topic- GS Paper 2–International Relation
Global Economic Prospects Report: World Bank

Why is in the news?
• The World Bank has recently released the Global Economic Prospects
report 2020, which highlighted the adverse impact of COVID 19 upon
the countries.
Key highlights of the report:
• The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to have “severe” short and long-
term effects on economic growth. The Emerging Market and
Developing Economies (EMDEs) are especially vulnerable, which
faces health crises, restrictions and external shocks like falling trade,
tourism and commodity prices, as well as capital outflows.
• These countries are expected to have a 3-8% output loss in the short
term, based on studies of previous pandemics
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• Sixty million people could be pushed into extreme poverty this year.
About the World Bank

• The World Bank Group is one of the world’s largest sources of
funding and knowledge for developing countries.
• Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing
poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable
development.
The organizations in the group are:
a. International Development Association (IDA).
b. International Finance Corporation (IFC).
c. Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).
d. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).
e. International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)
Note:
• IBRD, IFC and IDA are Specialized Agencies of the United
Nations whereas the International Centre for Settlement of
Investment Disputes (ICSID) and Multilateral Investment
Guarantee Agency (MIGA) are not Specialized Agencies.
Other Reports and Indices of World Bank
a. Ease of Doing Business
b. World Development Report
c. Global Economic Prospect (GEP) report
d. Remittance Report
e. Ease of Living Index
f. India Development Update
g. Universal Health Coverage Index
h. The Service Trade Restriction Index
Topic- GS Paper 3–Important Reports
Source- The Hindu
51st WEF Davos Summit 2021

Why is in the news?
• The World Economic Forum (WEF) will adopt a new twin-summit
format for its next annual Davos meeting in January 2021.
• 'The Great Reset' will be the theme of this unique twin summit in January
2021.
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About WEF Davos Summit 2021

• WEF will draw on thousands of young people in more than 400
cities around the world who will be interconnected with a powerful
virtual hub network to interact with the leaders in Davos.
• Each of those hubs will have an open-house policy to integrate all
interested citizens into this dialogue, making the WEF Annual Meeting
open to everyone.
About the World Economic Forum
• The World Economic Forum (WEF), based in Cologny-Geneva,
Switzerland, is an NGO, founded in 1971.
The WEF hosts an annual meeting at the end of January in Davos, a mountain
resort in Graubünden, in the eastern Alps region of Switzerland.
Reports and Indices released by World Economic Forum:
a. Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report
b. Global Competitiveness
c. Enabling Trade Report
d. Global Energy Architecture Performance Index
e. Global Environment Performance Index
f. World Power Language Index
g. Inclusive Development Index
h. Human Capital Index
i. Global Gender Gap Index
Topic- GS Paper 2–International Organization
Source- TOI
Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China

Why in the news?
• Recently a group of senior lawmakers from eight
democracies including the US have launched the Inter-Parliamentary
Alliance on China to counter China.
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About Inter- Parliamentary Alliance

• It is a new cross-parliamentary alliance to help counter what the threat
posed by China’s growing influence on global trade, security and
human rights.
• It aims to construct appropriate and coordinated responses and
to help craft a proactive and strategic approach to issues related to
the People’s Republic of China.
• The list of participating nations includes the US, Germany, UK,
Japan, Australia, Canada, Sweden, Norway, as well as members of
the European parliament.
• These are mostly those nations who faced intense economic or
political consequences for crossing China’s strategic ambitions.
Topic- GS Paper 2–International Organization
Source- TOI
Section 69A of the Information Technology Act

Why in the news?
• Government has recently banned 59 mobile apps under Section 69A of
the Information Technology Act read with the relevant provisions of the
Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of
Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009.
Related Information
• According to ministry, these Apps are engaged in activities which
are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of
India, the security of the state and public order.
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• Title of Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 is

“Power to issue directions for blocking for public access of any information
through any computer resource”.
• The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home
Affairs has also sent an exhaustive recommendation for blocking
these malicious apps.
Topic- GS Paper 3–Internal Security
Source- The Hindu
QS World University rankings

Why in the news?
• Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) has recently published its annual QS
World University Rankings.
About QS World University rankings

• It is previously known as Times Higher Education–QS World
University Rankings.
• The publisher had collaborated with Times Higher Education (THE)
magazine to publish its international league tables from 2004 to
2009 before both started to announce their versions.
• QS then chose to continue using the pre-existing methodology,
while Times Higher Education adopted a new methodology to create
their rankings.
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Methodology of QS World University rankings:
Six indicators of QS World University Rankings
Indicator Weighting Elaboration
Academic peer review 40% Based on an internal global academic survey
Faculty/Student ratio 20% A measurement of teaching commitment

Citations per faculty 20% A measurement of research impact
Employer reputation 10% Based on a survey on graduate employers
International student A measurement of the diversity of the student
5%
ratio community
A measurement of the diversity of the
International staff ratio 5%
academic staff
Ranking and India

• The top five Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institute
of Science have all dropped in this year's QS World University
rankings.
• The total number of Indian institutions in the top 1,000 global
list has also fallen from 24 to 21, despite the Centre's
flagship Institutes of Eminence scheme.
Rankings:
• IIT-Bombay still maintains its position as the top institution in
India in the QS rankings but has slipped 20 places from 152 to 172 in
the global list.
• IISc overtook IIT Delhi to make it to the second place but still
dropped a rank to 185.
• IIT Delhi fell more than 10 places in the rankings to 193 ranks,
while IIT Madras is at 275. Both IIT Kharagpur and IIT Kanpur
crashed out of the top 300.
• IIT Hyderabad entered the top 1,000 for the first time.
Reasons for a poor score in Internationalization:

• Out of the six parameters, Indian institutions get zero scores on the
ratio of international faculty and students.
• Poor score on the faculty-student ratio
• It is because IITs only count full-time faculty, whereas
American universities include PhD students who are teaching or
research assistants. IITs do quite well on the research impact
parameter.
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Government initiatives
• The Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan or the National Higher
Education Mission to strategically fund higher education institutes in
the country.
• The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) was launched
to rank universities and institutes in various parameters, including research.
• The 'Institutes of Eminence (IoE)'
scheme, where GoI initially pledged to support 20 institutes to
become world-class universities – of which six have already been
announced, and more than a dozen are awaiting the status upgrade.
• IITs receive funds under the Institutes of Eminence scheme.
Prime Ministers Research Fellowship

• In this undergraduate and postgraduate student with a Cumulative
Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 8.0 from elite Indian institutes
will be eligible for direct admission in PhD programmes of IITs and
IISc.
• They will also be fairly compensated under the scheme.
Tenure track system

• The IIT Council recently introduced the tenure track system for hiring
and confirming assistant professors.
• The MHRD is planning to extend this system to Central
universities and the draft National Education Policy has recommended
its introduction in all institutions by 2030.
About tenure track system

• Under this system, an assistant professor may be hired without
the mandatory post-PhD experience requirement, and
her performance reviewed internally after three years.
• Based on an evaluation by an external committee at the end of 5.5
years, he or she may either be granted tenure (made
permanent) and promoted to the next higher level of associate
professor or asked to leave.
Note:
• Anil Kakodkar Committee appointed by MHRD to Recommend
Autonomy Measures to Facilitate IITs Scaling Greater Heights.
Topic- GS Paper 3–Education, Global Affairs

Source- The Hindu
SIPRI Yearbook 2020

• The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has launches
the findings of SIPRI Yearbook 2020, which assesses the current state of
armaments, disarmament, and international security.
• The figures have been updated till January 2020.
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Key finding of the Report

✓ Nuclear warhead reductions continue despite growing tension
• The nine nuclear-armed states—the United States, Russia, the United
Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea—together
possessed 13,400 nuclear weapons at the start of 2020, a decrease from the 13
865 nuclear weapons at the beginning of 2019.
• The decrease in the overall number of nuclear weapons in the world in 2019
was largely due to the dismantlement of retired nuclear weapons by Russia
and the USA—which together still possess over 90 per cent of global nuclear
weapons.
• The reductions in US and Russian strategic nuclear forces required by the
2010 Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation
of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START) were completed in 2018, and
in 2019 the forces of both countries remained below the limits specified by the
treaty.
• New START will lapse in February 2021 unless both parties agree
to prolong it.
• Despite an overall decrease in the number of nuclear warheads in 2019, all
nuclear weapon-possessing states continue to modernize their nuclear
arsenals.
✓ India and its neighbouring state
• China and Pakistan possess more nuclear weapons than India.
• In 2019, India had 130-140 warheads which make India at a place of 6th
rank in the world.
• China is developing a nuclear triad for the first time, made up of new land-
and sea-based missiles and nuclear-capable aircraft.
About Stockholm International Peace Research Institute

• It is an international institute based in Sweden, dedicated to research into
conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament which has been
established in 1966.
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• It provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to

policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public. SIPRI is based in
Stockholm.
Topic- GS Paper 3–Important Report
Source- SIPRI.org and HT
International Criminal Court

Why in the news?
• Recently US President has authorized sanctions against International
Criminal Court (ICC) officials involved in investigations into possible
war crimes by US troops or those of its allies.
About International Criminal Court

• It is a permanent judicial body created by the 1998 Rome Statute which
entered into force on July 1, 2002.
• It has 123 nations are States Parties to the Rome
Statute and recognize the ICC’s authority. The notable
exceptions being the US, China, Russia and India.
Jurisdiction
• It has jurisdiction over four crimes:
a. Genocide
b. Crimes against humanity
c. War crimes
d. The crime of aggression.
• The headquarter of International Criminal Court is in The Hague,
Netherlands.
Note:
International Court of Justice V/s International Criminal Court
• The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the ICC is not part of the
United Nations system, with the UN-ICC relationship being governed by a
separate agreement.
• The International Court of Justice, which is among the UN’s six
principal organs, mainly hears disputes between nations.
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• The ICC, on the other hand, prosecutes individuals– its authority

extending to offences committed in a member state or by a national of
such a state.
Topic- GS Paper 2–International Institution
COVID-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support Programme

Why in the news?
• The Government of India and the Asian Infrastructure Investment
Bank (AIIB) has recently signed a $750 million “COVID-19 Active
Response and Expenditure Support Programme.”
About the COVID-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support
Programme
• This is the first-ever budgetary support programme from the AIIB to
India. It helps to assist India to strengthen its response to the adverse
impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on poor and vulnerable
households.
• Earlier, AIIB also approved $500 million in loans for the COVID-19
Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project.
Beneficiaries
• The primary programme beneficiaries would be families below the
poverty line, farmers, healthcare workers, women, women’s self-help
groups, widows, people with disabilities, senior citizens, low wage earners,
construction workers and other vulnerable groups.
About the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
• It is a multilateral development bank with a mission to improve
social and economic outcomes in Asia, began operations in January
2016.
• It has now grown to 102 approved members worldwide.
• Its headquarters in Beijing, China.
• China, India and Russia are the three largest shareholders of
AIIB with voting shares are 26.06%, 7.5% and 5.92% respectively.
• It offers sovereign and non-sovereign finance for projects in various
sectors with an interest rate of London Interbank Offered Rate
(LIBOR) plus 1.15 % and a repayment period of 25 years with five
years in the grace period.
Various other Projects sponsored by AIIB
a. Major irrigation and flood management project in West Bengal
b. 250MW solar project in Rajasthan
c. Mumbai urban transport project
d. Power transmission and distribution projects in Assam
e. Rural water supply system in Karnataka etc.
Topic- GS Paper 2–International Organisation
Source- The Hindu
32nd EAG plenary meet

Why in the news?
• Indian officials have recently attended the virtual 32nd plenary
meeting of Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and
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Financing of Terrorism (EAG) under the aegis of the Financial

Action Task Force.
About EAG
It is a regional body established in 2004, which is currently an associate
member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).Members
• It comprises nine countries namely India, Russia, China,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and
Belarus.
Purpose
• It helps to ensure cooperation and integration of EAG member-
states into the international system of anti-money
laundering and combating the financing of terrorism in accordance
with the recommendations of FATF.
About FATF
• It was set up in 1989 by the G7 countries, with headquarters in Paris.
Objectives
• The objectives are to set standards and promote effective
implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures
for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related
threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
Members
• It has 39 members that include all five permanent members of
UNSC and two regional organisations – Gulf Cooperation
Council and the European Commission.
• Saudi Arabia and Israel are “observer countries” (partial membership).
• India became a full member in 2010
About G7
• It is a group consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the
UK, and the US.
• EU is also represented within the G7.
• It was formerly called G8 with Russia in it, but due to the Crimean
crisis, Russia was ejected from the group.
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United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the
Near East (UNRWA)
Why in the news?
• Recently India has announced contributing 10 million US dollar to
the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
in the Near East (UNRWA) over the coming two years.
About UNRWA
• The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine
Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is a UN agency created
in December 1949 to support the relief and human development of
Palestinian refugees.
• The UNRWA definition of “refugee” covers Palestinian who fled or
were expelled from their homes during the 1948 Palestine War.
• UNRWA also assists, but not refugee status, to those who fled or were
expelled during and following the 1967 Six-Day War.
Funding
• It is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from the UN
Member States.
• It also receives some funding from the Regular Budget of the United
Nations, which is used mostly for international staffing costs.
Difference between UNRWA and UNHCR
• UNRWA is the only UN agency dedicated to helping refugees from
a specific region or conflict. In contrast, the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees is the main UN refugee agency, which
is responsible for aiding other refugees all over the world.
• Unlike UNRWA, UNHCR has a specific mandate to aid its refugees to
eliminate their refugee status by local integration in the current
country, resettlement in a third country or repatriation when possible.
• UNRWA allows refugee status to be inherited by descendants of male
refugee, including legally adopted children.
Note:
• India has signed neither the 1951 United Nations Refugee
Convention nor its 1967 Protocol, which has 140
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signatories, an overwhelming majority of the world’s 190-odd

nations.
China to join UN arms trade treaty, ‘enhance’ world peace

Why in the news?
• Recently, China has decided to join the United Nations (UN) Arms
Trade Treaty that has been rejected by the United States.
About UN arms trade treaty

• The UN Arms Trade Treaty entered into force in 2014 with the objective
to regulate the international trade in conventional arms (from small
arms to battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships).
• The ATT is an attempt to regulate the international trade of
conventional weapons for
a. contributing to international and regional peace
b. reducing human suffering
c. promoting co-operation, transparency, and responsible action by and among
states
• It also establishes common international standards for
the regulation of international trade in ammunition, weapons
parts, and arms components.
• The treaty does not regulate the domestic sale or use of weapons in
any country.
• It also recognizes the legitimacy of the arms trade to enable states to
provide for their security.
Present status
• One hundred five states have ratified the treaty and a further 32
states have signed but not ratified it.
Note:
• India has not signed the treaty as it has said that it has strong and
effective national export controls on military hardware to ensure
they don’t fall into the wrong hands.
Topic- GS Paper 2–Bilateral Treaty, Source- Economics Times
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Explained: How US pause on H1-B visas will hit Indian companies

Why in the news?
• Recently the US administration has said it was extending the 60-day
ban on immigration and non-immigrant worker visas till the end of
2020.
• Popular work visas including the much-coveted H-1B and H-2B, and
certain categories of H-4, J, and L visas shall also remain suspended
until December 31.
What are H-1B, H-2B, L and other work visas?

• To fill a vacuum of highly-skilled low-cost employees in IT and other
related domains, the US administration issues a certain number of
visas each year which allows companies from outside the US to
send employees to work on client sites.
• Of these work visas, the H-1B remains the most popular among Indian
IT companies.
About H-1B for

• This type of Visas will be given the person is speciality occupation which
requires a higher education degree or its equivalent.
• It also includes fashion models of distinguished merit and ability and
government-to-government research and development, or co-
production projects administered by the Department of Defence.
About L1 visas
• This visa allows companies to transfer highly skilled workers to the
US for a period of up to seven years.
About H-2B visas

• This type of visas will allow food and agricultural workers to seek
employment in the US.
Reasons for suspension

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• The technology boom coupled with the arrival of the internet and low-
cost computers in developing nations such as India and China saw
a large number of graduates willing to work at relatively low costs in
the US.
• The low-cost outsider worker hurts the domestic worker.
How does it impact Indian IT companies?

• Indian IT companies are amongst the biggest beneficiaries of the US
H-1B visa regime and have since the 1990s cornered the lion’s share of
the total number of visas issued each year.
• Indian IT companies also offer subcontracts to Indian
nationals already present in the US with valid H-1B visas.
• Bangalore-based Wipro spends as much as 20 per cent of its
revenue to subcontract Indian workers with valid H-1B visas.
Topic- GS Paper 2–International Relation
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Economy and Social Development

Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy
(PCIM&H)
Why is in the news?
• The Union Cabinet has recently given its approval to re-establish
Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy
(PCIM&H) as Subordinate Office under Ministry of
AYUSH. Presently, the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian
Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) is an autonomous body under
the aegis of Ministry of AYUSH established since 2010.
Benefits of the Merger
• It helps in optimizing the use of infrastructural facilities, technical
manpower and financial resources of the three organizations
for enhancing the standardization outcomes of Ayurveda, Siddha,
Unani and Homoeopathy drugs towards their effective regulation
and quality control.
• It will also facilitate focused and cohesive development of standards

of AYUSH drugs and publication of pharmacopoeias and
formularies.
• It is also intended to accord legal status to the merged structure of
PCIM&H and its laboratory by virtue of making the necessary
amendment and enabling provisions in the Drugs & Cosmetics
Rules, 1945.
Topic- GS Paper 3–Health Sector
Source- PIB
Cabinet approves EGoS, Project Development Cells for attracting

investments in India
Why is in the news?
• The Cabinet has recently given its approval for setting up of an
Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) and Project Development
Cells (PDCs) in Ministries/Departments of the Central
Government for attracting investments in India.
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About Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS)

• It will reinforce India’s vision of becoming a $5 trillion
economy by 2024-2025.
• It aims to take advantage of these opportunities from the global
economic situation, considering the Covid-19 crisis, to make India
among the most significant players in the global value chain, an
official statement said.
Composition
• The Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) has the Cabinet
Secretary as the Chairperson
• Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry, and Internal
Trade as the Member Convenor.
• Secretaries of the Department of Commerce, Department of
Revenue, and Department of Economic Affairs, and the CEO, Niti
Aayog, are the Members of this committee.
• The Secretary of Department concerned where investment is coming in to
be co-opted in the committee.
Project Development Cell
• A Project Development Cell (PDC) is also approved for the development
of investible projects in coordination between the Central Government
and State Governments.
• It helps to grow the pipeline of investible projects in India and turn
increase Foreign Direct Investment inflows.
In-charge of Project Development Cell
• Under the guidance of the Secretary, an officer not below the rank
of Joint Secretary of each relevant central line Ministry, who will
be in charge of the PDC.
• He will be tasked to conceptualise, strategise, implement, and
disseminate details concerning investable projects.
Topic- GS Paper 3–Economics
Source- PIB
Payments Infrastructure Development Fund

Why in the news?
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• In an effort, to give a push to digital payments across the country,

the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set up a Payment Infrastructure
Development Fund (PIDF) of Rs 500 crore.
• The fund will be governed through an advisory council, but it will
be managed and administered by the RBI.
Funding pattern
• The RBI has made an initial contribution of Rs 250 crore covering half
the fund.
• The remaining will come from the card-issuing banks and card
networks operating in the country.
• This fund has been created to encourage acquirers to deploy point of
sale (PoS) infrastructure, both physical and digital, in tier-3 to tier-6
centres and northeastern states.
• This is in line with the measures proposed by the vision document on
payment and settlement systems in India 2019-2021. The dedicated
fund for deepening digital payments infrastructure will receive
recurring contributions to cover operational expenses from the card-
issuing banks and card networks, and the central bank will also
contribute to yearly shortfalls, if necessary.
Note:
• The vision document had envisaged that the usage of debit cards at
PoS transactions would be around 44 per cent of total debit card
transactions by 2021.
• Last year, the RBI had also proposed to set up an Acceptance
Development Fund which will be used to develop card acceptance
infrastructure across small towns and cities
Topic- GS Paper 3–Infrastructure
Source- The Hindu
Govt promulgates ordinance to amend Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code

Why in the news?
• Union Government has recently promulgated an ordinance to amend
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. Under it, fresh insolvency
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proceedings will not be initiated for defaults due to the COVID-19

pandemic.
• Default on repayments from March 25, the day when the nationwide
lockdown began to curb Coronavirus infections, will not be considered
for initiating insolvency proceedings for a certain period of time.
Amendments
• It suspends sections 7, 9 and 10 of the IBC for six months with an
enabling provision allowing for it to be extended upto one year.
• Section 7 of the IBC pertains to the initiation of the insolvency
process by a financial creditor, while Section 9 covers insolvency plea by
an operational creditor – supplier, employee and workman.
• Section 10 of the IBC comes into play when the corporate debtor files
for insolvency.
• A new section 10 A has been inserted in the Code which states that no
insolvency application will be filed for defaults arising on or after March
25 for six months (can be further extended upto one year).
About Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016
• It is considered as one of the most significant insolvency reforms in
the economic history of India.
• It provides a mechanism for the insolvency resolution of debtors in
a time-bound manner to enable maximisation of the value of their
assets, to promote entrepreneurship, availability of
credit and balance the interests of all the stakeholders.
• Under the IBC, an entity can seek insolvency proceedings against
a company even if the default is only one day.
• This is subject to the minimum threshold of Rs 1 crore, which was
earlier; the threshold was Rs 1 lakh.
Source- Economics Times
Shapes of economic recovery

Why in the news?
• Given the weakness of India's economy going into the Covid crisis as
well as the less than adequate fiscal stimulus, India is likely to end up
with an elongated U-shape recovery.
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Why is it important for India?

• The Indian economy was slowing down even before Covid hit, and
the trouble has now been amplified manifold because of the lockdowns.
• Experts predict a fall of up to 5 per cent in the GDP in FY-21.
• This is clearly a crisis situation, and our getting out of the hole
will depend a great deal on the shape of the economic recovery that
will hopefully follow.
• A 'Z'- or at least 'V'-shaped recovery would be the most preferable.
• If not, we should at least have a U-shaped recovery or a Swoosh to get
back on our feet in a couple of years.
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The different type of shape of the economic recovery is U, V, W, Z, L, J,

Swoosh and Inverted square.
Z-shaped recovery
• It is the most optimistic scenario in which the economy quickly
rises like a phoenix after a crash.
• It more than makes up for lost ground (think revenge-buying after the
lockdowns are lifted) before settling back to the normal trend-line, thus
forming a Z-shaped chart.
V-shaped recovery
In V-Shaped recovery, the economy quickly recoups lost ground and gets back
to the normal growth trend-line.U-shaped recovery
• It resembles a bathtub, in which the economy, after falling, struggles
and muddles around a low growth rate for some time, before rising
gradually to usual levels.
W-shaped recovery
• It is a dangerous creature — growth falls and rises, but falls again
before recovering yet again, thus forming a W-like chart.
• The double-dip depicted by a W-shaped recovery is what
some economists are predicting if the second wave of Covid
comes along and the initial rebound flatters to deceive.
L-shaped recovery
• It is the worst-case scenario, in which growth after falling, stagnates at
low levels and does not recover for a long, long time.
Swoosh shaped recovery
• It is similar to the Nike logo — in between the V-shape and the U-shape.
Here, after falling, growth starts recovering quickly but then, slowed
down by obstacles, moves gradually back to the trend-line.
J-shaped recovery
• In this, the growth rises sharply from the lows much higher than the
trend-line and stays there.
Inverted square root shaped recovery.
• In this scenario, while there could be a rebound from the bottom,
the growth slows and settles a step-down.

Source- Business line
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Food Safety Index of India

Why in the news?
• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently
released the results of the second 'State Food Safety Index' to mark the
occasion of the World Food Safety Day. About India's food safety
index
• This is the second index on food safety, which FSSAI released on the
occasion of World Food Safety Day with the theme "Food Safety is
everyone's business".
FSSAI has developed this State Food Safety Index (SFSI) to measure
the performance of States on five parameters of food safety.
The categories include:
a. Human Resources and Institutional Arrangements
b. Compliance
c. Food Testing- Infrastructure and Surveillance
d. Training and Capacity Building
e. Consumer Empowerment.
Highlights
• In the large state category - Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and
Maharashtra have topped in the list of larger states on the index.
• In the smaller state category: Goa came first followed by Manipur and
Meghalaya.
• In the Union territories category: Chandigarh was ranked first
followed by Delhi and Andaman Islands.
Other Related Information
• FSSAI also released an e-handbook on 'Eat Right during COVID-19' for
the citizens.
• It highlights safe food practices to be followed diligently and tips on
health and nutrition.
Raman 1.0
• It is a hand-held battery-operated device, which performs rapid
detection (in less than 1 minute) of economically driven adulteration in
edible oils, fats and ghee.
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• The equipment tests more than 250 samples per battery charge,
collects and stores data on the cloud using a smart device.
Food Safety Magic Box
• It is an innovative solution to take food safety to schools.
• This do-it-yourself food testing kit comprises a manual and
equipment to check for food adulterants, which schoolchildren can use in
their classroom laboratories.
Eat Right Awards
• FSSAI has instituted the 'Eat Right Awards' to recognize
the contribution of food companies and individuals to empower
citizens to choose safe and healthy food options, which would help
improve their health and well-being.
About the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
• It is an autonomous statutory body established under the Food Safety
and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act).
• Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, is
the administrative Ministry of FSSAI.
• Its headquarters is in Delhi.
Source- The Hindu + fssai.gov.in
Turant Customs
Why in the news?
• Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has recently launched
its flagship programme “Turant Customs”, at Bengaluru and
Chennai.
Objective
• It is a giant leap forward to leverage technology for faster Customs
clearance of imported goods.
• The importers will now get their goods cleared from Customs after
a faceless assessment is done remotely by the Customs officers located
outside the port of import.
• It is also a mega reform for the ease of doing business.
• The start of Turant Customs at Bengaluru and Chennai will be the first
phase of the All India roll out which would get completed by 31st
December this year.
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Benefits
• Turant Customs will benefit the importers by eliminating routine
interface with the Customs officers and providing uniformity in
assessment across the country.
About Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs

• The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs is the national
nodal agency responsible for administering Customs, GST, Central
Excise, Service Tax & Narcotics in India.
• The Customs & Central Excise department was established in the
year 1855 by the then British Governor-General of India (Earl of
Dalhousie) to administer customs laws in India and collection of
import duties/land revenue.
• It is one of the oldest government departments of India.
• Currently, the Customs and Central Excise / GST department comes
under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, and
Government of India.
Source- PIB
Forex reserves
Why in the news?
• Recently the level of foreign exchange reserves of India has steadily
increased by 8,400 per cent from $5.8 billion as of March 1991 to
the current level.
• India’s foreign exchange reserves are rising and are slated to hit the
$500 billion mark soon.
What are forex reserves?

• Foreign exchange reserves (also called forex reserves or FX reserves)
are cash and other reserve assets held by a central bank or other
monetary authority that are primarily available to balance payments
of the country.
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• It influences the foreign exchange rate of its currency, and to

maintain confidence in -financial markets.
• Reserves are held in one or more reserve currencies, nowadays mostly
the United States dollar and to a lesser extent the euro.
India’s foreign exchange reserves comprise

a. Foreign currency assets (FCAs).
• These are maintained in currencies like the US dollar, euro, pound
sterling, Australian dollar and Japanese yen.
b. Gold
c. SDR (special drawing rights) in the International Monetary Fund.
d. RTP (reserve tranche position) in IMF
Reasons for forex reserves rising despite the slowdown in the economy:
• The major reason for the rise in forex reserves is the rise in
investment in foreign portfolio investors in Indian stocks and
foreign direct investments (FDIs).
• Foreign investors had acquired stakes in several Indian
companies in the last two months.
• The fall in crude oil prices has brought down the oil import bill, saving
the precious foreign exchange.
What is the significance of rising forex reserves?

• The rising forex reserves give a lot of comfort to the government and
the Reserve Bank of India in managing India’s external and
internal financial issues at a time when the economic growth is set to
contract by 1.5 per cent in 2020-21.
• It’s a big cushion in the event of any crisis on the economic front and
enough to cover the import bill of the country for a year.
• The rising reserves have also helped the rupee to strengthen against
the dollar.
• The foreign exchange reserves to GDP ratio is around 15 per
cent. Reserves will provide a level of confidence to markets that a
country can meet its -
a. external obligations
b. demonstrates the backing of domestic currency by external assets
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c. assist the government in meeting its foreign exchange needs

d. external debt obligations and maintain a reserve for national
disasters or emergencies.
Where are India’s forex reserves kept?

• The RBI Act, 1934 provides the overarching legal framework for the
deployment of reserves in different foreign currency assets and gold
within the broad parameters of currencies, instruments, issuers
and counterparties.

Source- The Hindu
Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS)

Why in the news?
• Union Finance Minister has recently said that the COVID Emergency
Credit Facility covers all companies and not just Micro, Small and
medium enterprises (MSMEs).
About Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS)

• It is the biggest fiscal component of the Rs 20-lakh crore Self-Reliant
India Mission package announced by Finance Minister last month.
• Under the scheme, 100 per cent guarantee coverage will be provided
by National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) for
additional funding of up to Rs 3 lakh crore to eligible companies and
borrowers, in the form of a guaranteed emergency credit line (GECL)
facility.
• For this purpose, a corpus of Rs 41,600 crore was provided by
the government, spread over the current and next three financial
years.
Objective of the scheme

• The main objective of the scheme is to provide an incentive to
member lending institutions to increase access and enable the
availability of additional funding facility to borrowers, in view of
the economic distress caused by the COVID-19 crisis.
Source- AIR
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Nature Index 2020

Why in the news?
• In the recently released Nature Index table 2020, India is
placed twelfth globally in science research output by Nature Index in
2019, ranked by country or territory.
• The top five positions have gone to the United States of America,
China, Germany, United Kingdom and Japan.
What is the Nature Index?

• The Nature Index Annual Tables 2020 is based on the research
published in the 82 scientific journals covered by the Nature
Index and selected by a panel of 58 researchers in the natural
sciences.
• Nature Research's flagship publication in Nature, a weekly
multidisciplinary journal first published in 1869.
• The Nature Index provides a close to real-time proxy of high-quality
research output and collaboration at the institutional, national, and
regional level.
Nature Index, 2020 and India

• India is twelfth in the country-wise ranking in Nature
Index publications and, from 2018 to 2019; it has improved its share
score by 4.7%.
• However, only three Indian institutions feature in the list of top 100
rising academic institutions globally.
These include
a. IISER Kolkata at 57
b. IIT Madras at 77
c. IIT Guwahati at 100
• In the top position is the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Topic- GS Paper 3–Education
Source- PIB
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Border Adjustment Tax

Why in the news?
• Recently, a NITI Aayog member has favoured imposing a Border
Adjustment Tax on imports to provide a level-playing field to
domestic industries.
• This suggestion comes in the backdrop of the USA-China trade
tensions (trade war) which are expected to raise even further post-Covid-19.
About Border Adjustment Tax

• It is a duty that is proposed to be imposed on imported goods in
addition to the customs levy that gets charged at the port of entry. It is
a fiscal measure that imposes a charge on goods or services in
accordance with the destination principle of taxation.
• Under this principle, government taxes products based on the location of
their sale to the final consumer rather than on the location of their
production or origin.
• Generally, BAT seeks to promote “equal conditions of the
competition” for foreign and domestic companies supplying
products or services within a taxing jurisdiction.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) rules allow for the adjustment of
certain types of internal taxes at the border under certain conditions.
The main conditions are as follows.
• The tax must be applied equally to imports and "like" domestic
products.
• A permitted border tax adjustment must not subsidize exports.
• The tax must be "borne" by a product and not be "direct".
Source- The Hindu
P K Mohanty Committee
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently constituted a five-
member Internal Working Group under RBI executive director P.K.
Mohanty to review extant ownership guidelines and corporate
structure for ‘Indian Private Sector Banks’.
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About the Committee

• The committee will submit its report by 30th September 2020.
Terms of Reference of the Committee are:

• The group will examine the existing licensing guidelines and
regulations on ownership and control of private sector banks.
• It will also suggest appropriate norms, keeping in mind the issue of
excessive concentration of ownership and control.
• It will also examine and review the eligibility criteria for individuals or
entities to apply for a banking license and review the promoter
shareholding norms at the initial licensing stage.
• It will also study the current regulations on holding of financial
subsidiaries through a non-operative financial holding company
(NOFHC) and suggest steps to migrate all banks to a uniform
regulation.
Need for examination

• The need to examine the current guidelines on ownership comes
after large shareholders of private sector banks sought RBI’s
permission to raise their stakes beyond the permitted 15%.
• Top on the list was the Hindujas, promoters of IndusInd Bank, who
wanted to increase their stakes in the bank.
Note:
• The bank licensing rules mandated that a private bank’s promoter will
need to pare holding to 40% within three years, 20% in 10 years and
to 15% in 15 years.
• The rules on promoter holding have changed over the years.
Source- Live mint
India’s first gas exchange launched

Why in the news?
• India’s first gas exchange the Indian Gas Exchange
(IGX) was launched recently.
• The exchange is expected to facilitate transparent price
discovery in natural gas and facilitate the growth of the share of
natural gas in India’s energy basket.
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How will this exchange work?

• It is a digital trading platform that will allow buyers and sellers of
natural gas to trade both in the spot market and in the forward
market for imported natural gas.
• This will be applicable for trade across three hubs Dahej and Hazira
in Gujarat, and Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh.
• Imported Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) will be regasified and sold to
buyers through the exchange, thus removing the requirement for buyers
and sellers to find each other.
Significance of the Indian Gas Exchange (IGX)
• Buyers do not have to contact multiple dealers to ensure they find a fair price.
• The Indian Gas Exchange (IGX) also allows much shorter contracts –
• For delivery on the next day, and up to a month.
• On the other hand, ordinarily contracts for natural gas supply are as long as
six months to a year.
• This, experts say, will allow buyers and sellers greater flexibility.
• The exchange is expected to facilitate overall transparent price discovery in
natural gas, and facilitate the growth of the share of natural gas in India’s
energy basket.
Current situation
• Currently, the pipeline infrastructure necessary for the transportation
of natural gas is controlled by the companies that own the network.
• State-owned GAIL owns and operates India’s largest gas pipeline
network, spanning over 12,000 km.
• It is necessary to have an independent system operator for natural gas
pipelines
• It would help ensure the transparent allocation of pipeline
usage and build confidence in the minds of buyers and sellers about
neutrality in the allocation of pipeline capacity.
Source-PIB
International Day of Family Remittances 2020

Why in the news?
• The International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) is a universally
recognized observance adopted by the United Nations General
Assembly and celebrated every year on June 16.
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Meaning and significance of International Day of Family Remittances

2020
• A remittance is a money sent back home by a worker who works in a
foreign land.
• This money (that is sent back home by migrant workers) is considered to be
one of the largest financial inflows in developing countries.
• International Day of Family Remittances 2020 aims to recognize the
efforts of such workers who help for the betterment of the lives of their
loved ones back home.
• The International Day of Family Remittances 2020 also aims to focus on
strengthening current partnerships among all sectors to promote the
development impact of remittances across the world.
• International Day of Family Remittances 2020 also works to maximize the
impact of remittances in the world.
• The Day also furthers the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The first International Day of Family
Remittances was celebrated way back on June 16, 2015.
Note:
• India is the world’s biggest recipient of remittances in 2018 followed
by China (USD 67 billion), Mexico (USD 36 billion), the Philippines
(USD 34 billion), and Egypt (USD 29 billion).
Source- The Hindu
India stares at 5th recession

Why in the news?
• Recently Indian will be facing the 5th recession which is different
from previous recessions as it comes with a fresh set of challenges.
What is a recession?
• Recession is generally defined as a fall in the overall economic
activity for two consecutive quarters (six months) accompanied by
a decline in income, sales and employment independent India's
history, four such years of negative GDP growth were registered.
• They saw contraction of -1.2% (FY58), -3.66% (FY66), -0.32%
(FY73) and -5.2% (FY80).
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India's past recessions

• Since independence, India has witnessed four recessions which
were occurred in 1958, 1966, 1973 and 1980 as per Reserve Bank of
India (RBI).
How 5th recession different from other recession?
• Previous contractions in India's GDP had common culprits - weak
monsoon and energy crisis, but if India's FY21 GDP contracts, as
projected by analysts, its cause would be entirely different.
Other four recessions are
• Recession of Financial year 1958 - Balance of Payment (BoP) crisis
• Recession of Financial year 1966 - Severe Drought
• Recession of Financial year 1979 - Energy Crisis
• Recession of Financial year 1980 - Oil Shock leading to BoP crisis
• Recession of Financial year 1921 - Lockdown killing economic activity
Source- Business today
World Investment Report

Why in the news?
• According to the latest ‘World Investment Report’ by UNCTAD, the Foreign
direct investment (FDI) into India may shrink sharply in 2020 because of
coronavirus and the consequent lockdown, supply chain disruptions and
economic slowdown after jumping over 20% to $51 billion in 2019.
Highlights of the report

a. Worldwide scenario
• According to the report, global FDI flows are forecast to decrease by up to
40% in 2020 from their 2019 value of $1.54 trillion.
• This would bring FDI below $1 trillion for the first time since 2005.
• In addition, FDI is projected to decrease by a further 5% to 10% in 2021 before
initiating a recovery in 2022.
• Global FDI flows rose modestly in 2019, following sizable declines in 2017 and
2018.
b. India and report
• India has jumped from 12th position in 2018 to 9th in 2019 on the list of the
world’s top FDI recipients.
• According to the report, foreign direct investment (FDI) into India may shrink
sharply in 2020 because of COVID-19 and the consequent lockdown, supply
chain disruptions, and economic slowdown after jumping over 20% to $51
billion in 2019.
• The number of Greenfield investment announcements in India declined by 4%
in the first quarter, and M&As (mergers and acquisitions) contracted by 58%.
• The report noted that India’s most sought-after industries, including
professional services and the digital sector, could see a faster rebound as
global venture capital firms and technology companies continue to show
interest in India’s market through acquisitions.
c. Other Reports published by UNCTAD are:
• Trade and Development Report
• World Investment Report
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• Technology and Innovation Report

• Digital Economy Report
Source- Living
China’s growing threat via debt-trap diplomacy

Why in the news?
• China has been using the financial tool of debt to gain influence across the
world and grab considerable power in India’s neighbouring countries.
How does China’s debt-trap diplomacy work?

• In a push to gain rapid political and economic ascendency across the
globe, China is dispensing billions of dollars in the form of
concessional loans to developing countries, mostly for its large-scale
infrastructure projects.
• Often, developing nations are lured by China’s offer of cheap
loans for transformative infra projects, which involve a substantial
investment.
• These developing nations, which are primarily low- or middle-income
countries, are unable to keep up with the repayments,
and Beijing then gets a chance to demand concessions or advantages
in exchange for debt relief.
What are these concessional loans granted by China?
• These are loans extended to low- and middle-income countries on
terms that are significantly more generous than market loans.
• The ‘concessionality’ factor is achieved either by offering interest rates
that are below the market rates or leniency in the grace period, and
often with a combination of both. These loans generally have long grace
periods.
Advantages of concessional loan for China
• There are several advantages or concessions that China asks for
in exchange for debt relief.
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For example-
• Sri Lanka, for instance, was forced to hand over control of
the Hambantota port project to China for 99 years, after it found
itself under massive debt owed to Beijing.
• This allowed China to control over a key port positioned at the
doorstep of its regional rival India and a strategic foothold along a key
commercial and military waterway.
• Similarly, in exchange for relief, China constructed its first military
base in Djibouti. In contrast, Angola is replaying multibillion-dollar
debt to China with crude oil, creating major problems for its economy.
How is the debt trap affecting India?
• Most of India’s neighbours have fallen prey to China’s debt trap and
ceded to China’s $8 trillion project – One Belt One Road Initiative
(OBOR) which seeks to improve connectivity among countries in Asia,
Africa and Europe.
• The initiative requires India to accept that the Kashmir-controlled
Pakistan region is Pakistan because that’s where some of the projects are.
• China, through OBOR, can hence increase India’s political cost of dealing
with its neighbours.
LIC IPO 2020: The biggest IPO that Govt is set to launch
Why in the news?
• The government has recently started the process to launch the initial public offer
(IPO) of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) within this year which is expected to be the
biggest in the Indian capital markets given the size and scale of LIC.
Background of disinvestment roadmap

• In the Budget 2020-21, the government had announced plans for IPO of LIC and a
proposal to sell the government’s equity in the stressed IDBI Bank to private, retail
and institutional investors through the stock exchange.
• The government expects to raise Rs 90,000 crore through stake sale in LIC and IDBI
Bank, and another Rs 1.2 lakh crore through other disinvestments.
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• The government had also earlier listed the shares of General Insurance Corporation
and New India Assurance through IPOs three years ago.
What benefits can be expected through the IPO?

• An IPO will certainly bring in transparency into affairs of LIC since it will be required
to inform financial numbers and other market-related developments on time to the
stock exchanges.
• Investors can benefit from picking up equity in the insurer, which has been making
underwriting profit as well as profits on its investments.
• LIC’s investment in various equity and bond instruments will come under greater
scrutiny after its lists on the exchanges.
About Initial Public Offering (IPO)

• An initial public offering (IPO) refers to the process of offering shares of a private
corporation to the public in a new stock issuance.
• Public share issuance allows a company to raise capital from public investors.
• The transition from a private to a public company can be an important time for
private investors to fully realize gains from their investment as it typically includes
share premiums for current private investors.
• Meanwhile, it also allows public investors to participate in the offering.
Note:
• Last year, the government has taken decisions on many big-ticket disinvestments.
• These include disinvestment of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), Shipping
Corporation of India Container Corporation of India, Tehri Hydro Power
Development Corporation (THDCIL), and North Eastern Electric Power Corporation
Ltd (NEEPCO).
Government eMarketplace (GeM)

Why in the news?
• Recently, the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) under the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry has made it mandatory for sellers to enter
the 'Country of Origin' while registering all new products on GeM.
Benefits
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• The changes to the GeM, a Special Purpose Vehicle under the Ministry
of Commerce and Industry, are in line with the Centre's
Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India policies.
• Buyers on the platform can now see the percentage of local
content in various products.
• They can also switch on a new Make in India filter to see products that
match their preferences on local content.
About Government eMarketplace

• It a particular Purpose Vehicle under the Ministry of Commerce and
Industry.
• It is registered under the Companies Act, 2013.
• It provides an end-to-end online Marketplace for Central and State
Government Ministries / Departments, Central & State Public
Undertakings (CPSUs & SPSUs), Autonomous institutions and Local
bodies, for procurement of common use goods and services in
transparent and efficient man.
Topic- GS Paper 3–Economy
Annual TB Report 2020

Why in the news?
• Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare has recently released
the annual TB Report 2020. They also released a Joint Monitoring
Mission (JMM) report, a manual on Direct Benefit Transfer
(DBT) to TB patients under NIKSHAY system, a Training Module, and
the quarterly newsletter, NIKSHAY Patrika.
The key achievements listed in the Report include:

• Around 24.04 Lakh TB patients have been notified in 2019, which
shows a 14% increase in TB notification as compared to the year 2018.
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• Achieving near-complete on-line information of TB patients through

the NIKSHAY system.
• Reduction in the number of missing cases to 2.9 lakh cases as
against more than 10 lakhs in 2017.
• Private sector notifications increased by 35%, with 6.78 lakh TB
patients notified.
• Due to easy availability of molecular diagnostics, the proportion of
children diagnosed with TB increased to 8% in 2019 compared to
6% in 2018.
• Provision of HIV testing for all notified TB patients
increased from 67% in 2018 to 81% in 2019.
• Expansion of treatment services has resulted in a 12% improvement in
the treatment success rate of notified patients.
• For 2019 it is 81% compared to 69% in 2018.
NIKSHAY also expanded the provision of four Direct Benefit Transfers
(DBT) schemes of the programme –
a. Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) to TB patients
b. The incentive to Treatment Supporters
c. The incentive to Private Providers and
d. Transport incentive to TB patients in the notified tribal areas
Note :
• The Government of India has committed to achieving the SDG goal of
eliminating TB in the country by 2025, five years ahead of the Global
Target which is 2030 under the National Tuberculosis Elimination
Program (NTEP).
Topic- GS Paper 2–Health issue
Source- The Hindu
Urban, multi-State cooperative banks to come under RBI supervision

Why in the news?
• The Centre has recently decided to bring all urban and multi-State
cooperative banks under the direct supervision of the Reserve Bank
of India (RBI) to ensure that depositors are protected.
Present Status
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• Currently, these banks come under dual regulation of the RBI and
the Registrar of Cooperative Societies.
Benefit
• It will help to ensure that depositors are protected.
• Currently, the urban cooperatives and multi-State cooperative banks,
which are 1,540 in number and have a depositor base of 8.6 crores,
who have saved nearly ₹4.84 lakh crore.
• As these banks have been brought under RBI supervision process,
the depositors would get more security.
Background
• The move to bring these urban and multi-State coop banks under the
supervision of the RBI comes after several instances of
fraud and severe financial irregularities, including the major scam at
the Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative (PMC) Bank last year.
• In September, the RBI was forced to supersede the PMC Bank’s
board and impose strict restrictions.
Source- The Hindu
Interest Subvention approved on repayment of Shishu Loans under

MUDRA Yojana
Why in the news?
• Union Cabinet recently approved a scheme for interest subvention of
2% for 12 months, to all Shishu loan accounts under Pradhan Mantri
Mudra Yojana to eligible borrowers.
• The Scheme will be extended to loans which meet the following criteria
outstanding as on 31st March 2020not in Non-Performing Asset (NPA)
category, as per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, on 31st March
2020 and during the period of operation of the Scheme.
Background
• This Scheme is for implementation of one of the measures relating to
MSMEs, announced under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
• Under PMMY, loans for income-generating activities up to Rs.
50,000 are termed as Shishu loans.
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• PMMY loans are extended by Member Lending

Institutions viz. Scheduled Commercial Banks, Non-Banking
Finance Companies and Micro Financial Institutions, registered
with Mudra Ltd.
Implementation strategy
• The Scheme will be implemented through the Small Industries
Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and will be in operation for 12
months.
About Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana
• It is a flagship scheme of Government of India, launched in 2015.
• It enables a small borrower to borrow from all Public Sector
Banks such as PSU Banks, Regional Rural Banks and Cooperative
Banks, Private Sector Banks, Foreign Banks, Micro Finance
Institutions (MFI) and Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFC) for
loans upto Rs 10 lakhs for non-farm income-generating activities.
• The mission of the MUDRA Yojana is to create an
inclusive, sustainable and value-based entrepreneurial culture, in
collaboration with our partner institutions in achieving economic
success and financial security.
Eligibility
• Any Indian Citizen who has a business plan for a non-farm sector
income generating activity such as manufacturing, processing,
trading or service sector and whose credit need is less than Rs 10
lakh can approach either a Bank, MFI, or NBFC for availing of Micro
Units Development & Refinance Agency Ltd. (MUDRA)
loans under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY).
Types of loans provided

• Under the aegis of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, MUDRA has
already created the following products/schemes.
• Shishu: covering loans upto 50,000/-
• Kishor: covering loans above 50,000/- and upto 5 lakh
• Tarun: covering loans above 5 lakh and upto 10 lakh
Source- PIB
Statistics Day
Why in the news?
• The Union Government has been celebrating the Statistics Day on 29th
June every year to popularise the use of Statistics in everyday life and
sensitize the public as to how Statistics helps in shaping and framing
policies.
• This year the theme of Statistics Day is SDG- 3 (Ensure healthy lives and
promote well-being for all at all ages) & SDG- 5 (Achieve gender equality and
empower all women and girls).
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About the Statistics Day

• This day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Prof. P C
Mahalanobis, on 29th June, in recognition of his invaluable
contribution in establishing the National Statistical System.
About Prof. P C Mahalanobis

• Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis is also known as the father of
Indian Statistics.
• He was a physicist by training, a statistician by instinct and a planner
by conviction.
• The second five-year plan (1956 to 1961) was based on the P.C.
Mahalanobis Model.
Note:
• In 2019, the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
(MoSPI) instituted a new award, namely, Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis
National Award in Official statistics.
• This award used for recognizing outstanding achievement of official
statisticians in Central Government, State Governments, and
Institutions.
Source- PIB
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Science and Technology

India pledges $15 million to international vaccine alliance
Why is in the news?
• Recently India pledged $15 million to GAVI, the international vaccine
alliance while addressing the virtual Global Vaccine Summit hosted
by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
About the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI)

• The GAVI Alliance (formerly the Global Alliance for Vaccines and
Immunization) is a global health partnership of public and private
sector organizations dedicated to “immunization for all”.
• It provides a unique opportunity for a wide range of partners to build
consensus around policies, strategies, and priorities and to
recommend responsibility of the implementation to the partner with
the most experience and insight in the area.
Objective
• GAVI’s strategy supports its mission to save children’s lives and protect
people’s health by increasing access to immunization in developing
countries.
• It contributes to achieving the United Nations’ Millennium
Development Goals by focusing on performance, outcomes and
results.
Funding
• Their partners provide funding for vaccines and intellectual
resources for care advancement.
• They contribute, also, to strengthening the capacity of the health
system to deliver immunization and other health services sustainably.
Note:
• Immunization is one of the best buys in global health and has a
crucial role in achieving 14 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
• As one of the most far-reaching health interventions, it closely reflects
the ethos of the SDGs: “leaving no one behind”.
Topic- GS Paper 3–Health Issue
Source- The Hindu
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Proxima Centauri b
Why in the news?
• Recently Scientists have confirmed the existence of Proxima
Centauri b as an Earth-sized planet.
About Proxima Centauri b

• It is an exoplanet (means a planet outside the Solar System) orbiting in
the habitable zone of the star Proxima Centauri.
• It is located approximately 4.2 light-years from Earth making it the
closest known exoplanet to the Solar System.
About Proxima Centauri

• It is the red dwarf star closest to the Sun lying just four light-years
away in the southern constellation of Centaurus.
Topic- GS Paper 3–Science and Technology
Source- The Print
Ultra Swachh
Why is in the news?
• Defence Research and Development Organisation has recently
developed a disinfection unit named Ultra Swachh to disinfect a wide
range of materials, including Personal Protective Equipment
(PPEs), electronics items, fabrics, etc.
About Ultra Swachh

• It is developed by Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences
(INMAS); the Delhi based laboratory of DRDO has developed this
product with industry partner M/s Gel Craft Healthcare Private Ltd,
Ghaziabad.
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Features
• The system uses an advanced oxidative process comprising of multiple
barrier disruption approaches using Ozonated Space Technology for
disinfection.
• The system is double layered with specialised Ozone sealant
technology assuring trapping of ozone for the necessary disinfection
cycle. It also has a catalytic converter to ensure environment-
friendly exhaust, i.e. only oxygen and water.
Source- The Hindu
A3i: The second most common coronavirus type in India

Why is in the news?
• Recently Scientists at multiple CSIR laboratories have identified A3i
coronavirus type that may be the second most prevalent in
India and may comprise 3.5% of the genomes globally.
• The most dominant coronavirus clade in India is the A2a, and of 213
genomes analysed by the group, 62% of them were A2a.
• The newly identified, that the scientists have christened A3i, comprised
41% of those analysed.
• With the new clade, there are 11 SARS-CoV-2 types recognised
globally with at least six of them identified in India.
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Evolutionary similarities
• The coronavirus type, or clade, is a cluster of SARS-CoV-2 viruses that
share evolutionary similarities and are grouped based on characteristic
mutations or similarities in parts of their genomes.
• Such classifications are useful in establishing whether certain
strains are particularly virulent; spread more easily, how they are likely
to evolve over time and whether some could be less vulnerable to
certain kinds of vaccines.
Source- The Hindu, TOI
KOI-456.04
Why in the news?
• Recently the scientists find new exoplanet-star pair called KOI-
456.04 which having a resemblance to the Sun-Earth system.
• The star Kepler-160 and its companion KOI-456.04 are
more reminiscent of the Sun-Earth system than any previously
known exoplanet-star pair. According to a team of scientists led by
the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research
(MPS) in Gottingen, Germany, the star Kepler-160 and its companion
KOI-456.04 are more reminiscent of the Sun-Earth system than any
previously known exoplanet-star pai.
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• The star Kepler-160 is probably orbited by a planet less than twice the
size of the Earth with a star-planet distance that could permit
planetary surface temperatures conducive to life.
• The newly discovered exoplanet is more than just another potentially
habitable world.
Similarity with Sun-Earth System
• The KOI-456.04 has resembled the Sun-Earth system more than any
other previously known world is its Sun-like host star.
• The light shed on KOI-456.04 by its Sun-like host star, however, is
very much like the daylight seen on our home planet.
• Moreover, the orbital period of KOI-456.04 around its Sun-like
star is almost identical to an Earth year.
• KOI-456.01 is relatively large compared to many other planets that
are considered potentially habitable.
About the star Kepler-160
• It was located in the field of view of the Kepler primary mission and
was continuously observed from 2009 to 2013.
• Its radius of 1.1 solar radii, the surface temperature of 5,200
degrees Celsius (300 degrees less than the Sun).
• It has Sun-like stellar luminosity makes it an astrophysical portrayal
of our own parent star.
163348 (2002 NN4) Asteroid

Why in the news?
• NASA has recently announced that a giant asteroid called 163348
(2002 NN4) is expected to pass Earth. The Asteroid is a Near-Earth
Object (NEO) and is classified as Potentially Hazardous Asteroid
(PHA).
About 163348 (2002 NN4)

• This Asteroid is classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid, which
means the Asteroid has the potential to make threatening close
approaches to the Earth.
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Which Asteroid is called Potentially Hazardous Asteroid?

• Asteroids with a minimum orbit intersection distance (MOID) of
about 0.05 astronomical unit which is approximately 7,480,000 km
or less and an absolute magnitude (H) of 22 (smaller than about 150 m
or 500 feet in diameter) or less are considered PHAs.
• The astronomical unit is the distance between the Earth and the
Sun and is roughly 150 million km.
What are the Near-Earth Objects (NEOs)?

• NEOs occasionally approach close to the Earth as they orbit the Sun,
NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Study (CNEOS) determines
the times and distances of these objects as and when their approach to
the Earth is close.
• NASA defines NEOs as comets and asteroids nudged by the
gravitational attraction of nearby planets into orbits which allows them
to enter the Earth’s neighbourhood.
• These objects are composed mostly of water ice with embedded dust
particles.
Note:
• NASA’s Near-Earth Object Observations Program finds, tracks and
characterises over 90 per cent of the predicted number of NEOs that
are 140 metres or larger in size (larger than a small football stadium).
Source- HT
India joins Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)

Why in the news?
• India has recently joined the league of leading economies to launch
the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI or Gee-Pay).
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About Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence

• It is an international and multi-stakeholder initiative including USA,
UK, EU, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico,
New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore. It guides
the responsible development and use of AI, grounded in human rights,
inclusion, diversity, innovation, and economic growth.
• This is also the first initiative of its type for evolving better
understanding of the challenges and opportunities around AI using
the experience and diversity of participating countries.
Significance for Indian
• By joining GPAI as a founding member, India will actively
participate in the global development of Artificial Intelligence,
leveraging its experience around the use of digital technologies for
inclusive growth.
• GPAI will be supported by a Secretariat, to be hosted by Organization
for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, as
well as by two Centers of Expertise- one each in Montreal and Paris.
Source- PIB
Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs)

Why in the news?
• Recently NASA scientists unveiled the first results from BEC
experiments aboard the International Space Station, where particles
can be manipulated free from Earthly constraints.
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About Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs)

• Bose-Einstein condensates -- the existence of which was predicted
by Albert Einstein and Indian mathematician Satyendra Nath
Bose almost a century ago -- are formed when atoms of certain
elements are cooled to near absolute zero (0 Kelvin, minus 273.15
Celsius).
• At this point, the atoms become a single entity with quantum
properties, wherein each particle also functions as a wave of matter.
• BECs straddle the line between the macroscopic world governed by
forces such as gravity and the microscopic plane, ruled by quantum
mechanics.
Scientists believe BECs contain vital clues to mysterious phenomena such
as dark energy -- the unknown energy thought to be behind the Universe's
accelerating expansion.
Source- The Hindu
NASA’s Gateway lunar orbiting outpost

Why in the news?
• NASA has recently finalised the contract for the initial crew
module called habitation and logistics (HALO) support for Gateway
lunar orbiting outpost.
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About Gateway Lunar Orbit outpost

• It is a small spaceship that will orbit around the Moon meant
for astronaut missions to the Moon and later for expeditions to
Mars. NASA developed it in collaboration with commercial and
international partners like Canada (CSA), Europe (ESA), and Japan
(JAXA).
• It is a part of NASA’s Artemis program that aims to send the first
woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024.
• One of the unique features of the Gateway is that it can be moved to
other orbits around the Moon to conduct more research.
• It will act as a temporary office and living quarters for astronauts
distanced at about 250,000 miles from Earth.
Purpose
• It will act as a temporary office for astronauts by providing living
quarters for astronauts, a lab for science and research, ports for
visiting spacecraft among others.
Related term
Habitation and logistics (HALO
• The HALO refers to the pressurised living quarters where astronauts
will spend their time while visiting the Gateway.
Dexamethasone emerges as first Covid-19 life-saving drug

Why in the news?
• In a major breakthrough in Covid-19 treatment, scientists in the
UK have claimed that the generic steroid drug dexamethasone reduced
deaths by up to one third in severely ill hospitalised patients.
• The results are a part of the UK-based RECOVERY trial, one of
the world’s most extensive randomised trials of drugs to treat COVID-
19 patients.
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What is dexamethasone?
• Dexamethasone is a generic steroid widely used in other diseases to
reduce inflammation.
• The drug helps stop some of the damage that can happen when the
body’s immune system goes into overdrive as it tries to fight off
coronavirus.
• It is used to treat a range of diseases, including rheumatism, asthma,
allergies, and even to help cancer patients better handle nausea
triggered by chemotherapy.
Topic- GS Paper 2– Health issues
Source- The Hindu
DBT – AMTZ Mobile Diagnostic Unit for Covid Testing- I-Lab

Why in the news?
• Recently India’s first I-Lab (Infectious disease diagnostic lab) for
Covid testing was inaugurated by Union Minister in rural and inaccessible
areas of India.
About the DBT-AMTZ COMManD

• The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of
Science and Technology along with the Andhra Pradesh Med-tech
Zone (AMTZ) has initiated DBT-AMTZ COMManD (COVID-19 Medtech
Manufacturing Development).
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Objective
• It helps to address the shortage of critical healthcare technologies in
India and move progressively towards a stage of self-sufficiency.
• AMTZ is Asia's first medical equipment manufacturing ecosystem
uniquely dedicated to medical technology and supported by
various ministries.
About Infectious Disease Diagnostic laboratory (I-lab)
• It has been launched by Minister for Science & Technology, Earth
Sciences and Health & Family Welfare.
• The labs will be provided to the regional/City hubs, and they will deploy it
further in the interior, inaccessible parts of the region.
• It helps to promote last mile access of testing to rural India, DBT
under the Covid-Command strategy has supported the building
of mobile testing labs through AMTZ.
Unique Feature
• The unique feature of these mobile testing labs is their utility
in diagnosing other infectious diseases beyond the Covid period.
• A close up of a truck Description automatically generated.
Topic- GS Paper 2–Health Issue
Source- PIB
Leishmaniasis (Kala-azar)
Why in the news?
• Recently a team of researchers at the Department of Biotechnology’s
National Centre for Cell Science (DBT-NCCS) in Pune has been
exploring ways to tackle miltefosine (a drug used to
treat Leishmaniasis/Kala-azar) resistance.
Mechanism of Resistance for Kala-azar
• Specific types of protein molecules, called transporter proteins, play
a major role in carrying miltefosine into and out of the parasite’s
body, which comprises a single cell.
• A protein called ‘P4ATPase-CDC50’ is responsible for the intake of the
drug by the parasite, and another protein, called ‘P-glycoprotein’, is
responsible for throwing this drug out from within the parasite’s body.
• A decrease in the activity of the former protein, and an increase in

the activity of the latter results in fewer amounts of miltefosine being
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accumulated inside the parasite’s body, thus causing it to become

resistant to the drug. The researchers worked with one of the species of
Leishmania that causes infection, called Leishmania major.
• They tried to manipulate these transporter proteins in the species in a
manner that would result in increased uptake of the drug and decrease in its
being thrown out of the parasite’s body.
• The only drug available against leishmaniasis, miltefosine, is rapidly
losing its effectiveness because of emerging resistance to this drug due to a
decrease in its accumulation inside the parasite, which is necessary for
the drug to kill the parasite.
About Leishmaniasis
• It is a neglected tropical disease affecting almost 100 countries,
including India.
• It is caused by a parasite called Leishmania, which is transmitted
through the bite of sandflies.
• There are three primary forms of leishmaniasis
a. Visceral which affects multiple organs and is the most severe form of
the disease
b. Cutaneous, which causes skin sores and is the most common form.
c. Mucocutaneous, which causes skin and mucosal lesion.
Note:
• Visceral leishmaniasis, which is commonly known as Kala-azar in
India, is fatal in over 95% of the cases if left untreated.
Source- PIB
Govt. approves use of dexamethasone

Why in the news?
• The Union Health Ministry recently released an updated clinical
management protocol for COVID-19 cases. This includes the advice to
use dexamethasone as an alternative to
methylprednisolone for managing moderate to severe cases.
About Dexamethasone
• It is a corticosteroid drug used in a wide range of conditions for
its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant effects. The drug
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was tested in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 in the ‘RECOVERY’

clinical trial in the United Kingdom and was found to have benefits for
critically ill patients and reduce mortality by one-third for
patients on ventilators and one-fifth for patients on oxygen therapy.
• The drug is also a part of the National List of Essential Medicines
(NLEM) and is widely available.
Source- The Hindu
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Ecology and Environment

Sixth mass extinction
Why is in the news?
• According to new research published in the journal Proceedings of
the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
(PNAS), the ongoing sixth mass extinction may be one of the most
pressing environmental threats to the persistence of civilization.
Key Finding of the Study

• The research claims that this extinction is human-caused and
is more immediate than climate destruction.
• Even though only an estimated 2% of all the species that ever lived are
alive today, the absolute number of species is greater now than ever
before.
• It was into such a biologically diverse world that we humans evolved, and
such a world that we are destroying.
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What is the mass extinction of species?

• Mass extinction refers to a substantial increase in the degree of
extinction or when the Earth loses more than three-quarters of its
species in a geologically short period of time.
• So far, during the entire history of the Earth, there have been five mass
extinctions.
• The five mass extinctions that took place in the last 450 million
years have led to the destruction of 70-95 per cent of the species of
plants, animals and microorganisms that existed earlier.
• The sixth, which is ongoing, is referred to as the Anthropocene
extinction.
Reasons behind this Extinction

• These extinctions were caused by “catastrophic alterations” to the
environment, such as
a. massive volcanic eruptions
b. depletion of oceanic oxygen
c. collision with an asteroid.
What happens when species go extinct?

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• According to the Centre for Biological Diversity, when species go

extinct, the impact can be tangible such as in the form of a loss in crop
pollination and water purification.
• Further, if a species has a specific function in an ecosystem, the loss
can lead to consequences for other species by impacting the food
chain.
Topic- GS Paper 3–Environment
Dibru Saikhowa National Park

• Recently the blowout of an Oil India Limited (OIL) gas well in Assam’s
Tinsukia district last week is causing extensive damage to Dibru
Saikhowa National Park.
• This blowout also harms the biodiversity and wildlife the region --
including the endangered hoolock gibbons and Gangetic dolphins.
About the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

• It is a National Park and Biosphere Reserve situated Tinsukia district
of Assam.
• It is bounded by the Brahmaputra and Lohit River in the north and
Dibru River in the South.
Vegetation
• It comprises of semi-evergreen forests, deciduous forests, littoral and
swamp forests and patches of wet evergreen forests.
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Source- The Hindu
Rare scorpionfish found in Gulf of Mannar

Why is in the news?
• Researchers at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
(CMFRI) have found a rare Scorpionfish (Scorpaenospsis neglecta)
fish from Sethukarai coast in the Gulf of Mannar.
Features
• It can change its colour (Camouflaged) and blend with its
surrounding environment to escape from predators and to hunt its
prey.
• The fish is called ‘scorpionfish’ because its spines contain neurotoxic
venom.
• It is a nocturnal feeder (feed during night time) with an ability to attack
and suck its prey at lightning speed.
Source- The Hindu
MoUs approved by the Cabinet between India and Bhutan

Why in the news?
• The Union Cabinet has recently given its approval for signing the
Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the
Republic of India and the Royal Government of Bhutan on
Cooperation in the areas of Environment.
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The Memorandum of Understanding covering the following areas of

Environment has been considered:
a. Air
b. Waste
c. Chemical Management
d. Climate Change
e. Any other areas jointly decided upon.
• This Memorandum of Understanding shall enter into force on the date
of signature and shall continue to remain in force for ten years.
• It shall facilitate the exchange of experiences, best
practices and technical know-how through both public and private
sectors and shall contribute to sustainable development.
• The Memorandum of Understanding provides the possibility for joint
projects in areas of mutual interest. However, no significant
employment generation is envisaged.
Previous Memorandum of Understanding with Bhutan
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 11th March
2013 between the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Ministry
of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and
the National Environment Commission (NEC) of the Royal
Government of Bhutan. This MoU expired on 10th March 2016.
Source- Business Standard
#iCommit’ initiative
Why in the news?
• Recently Power Minister has initiated the ‘#iCommit’ campaign on the
occasion of World Environment Day (5th June). The initiative is a
clarion call to all stakeholders and individuals to continue moving
towards energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainability to
create a robust and resilient energy system in the future.
• The ‘#iCommit’ initiative, driven by Energy Efficiency Services

Limited is uniting a diverse set of players such as Governments,
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Corporates, Multilateral and Bilateral Organisations, Think Tanks

and Individuals.
• The initiative is centred around the idea of building an energy
resilient future.
• The initiative will also promote key undertakings of Government of
India such as National Electric Mobility Mission 2020, FAME 1 and
2, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana etc.
Source- PIB
Ambarnaya River Oil spill in Russia

Why in the news?
• Recently, Russia has declared a state of emergency in its Krasnoyarsk
Region after a power plant fuel leaked causing 20,000 tonnes of
diesel oil to escape into the Ambarnaya River.
About Ambarnaya River

• It is a shallow river in Siberia, Russia which flows into Lake Pyasino,
the source of Pyasina River.
• The river is also part of a network that flows into the
environmentally sensitive Arctic Ocean.
Note:
• According to a report, Norilsk is one of the most heavily polluted
places on Earth.
Source- The Hindu
Environment performance index 2020

Why in the news?
• The 12th edition of the Environment Performance Index 2020 has
been recently released by Yale and Columbia universities in collaboration
with the World Economic Forum.
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Highlights of the index

• Denmark was ranked first followed by Luxembourg and Switzerland.
• All South Asian countries except Afghanistan are ahead of India in
the ranking.
The 11 countries lagging behind India were — Burundi, Haiti, Chad,
Soloman Islands, Madagascar, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoir, Sierra Leone,
Afghanistan, Myanmar and Liberia.
India's ranks
• India secured 168 ranks in the 12th edition of the biennial
Environment Performance Index (EPI Index 2020).
• India's rank was 177 (with a score of 30.57 out of 100) in 2018.
• The country scored 27.6 out of 100 in the 2020 index.
About the Environment performance index
• The index is released biennially (once every two years).
• It ranks 180 countries on 32 performance indicators across 11
categories covering environmental health and ecosystem vitality.
• It will provide a snapshot of the 10-year trends in environmental
performance at the national and global levels.
• The 2020 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) provides a data-
driven summary of the state of sustainability around the world.
• The EPI offers a powerful policy tool in support of efforts to meet the
targets of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and to move society
toward a sustainable future.
Source-Down to Earth
Brown Rock Chat

Why in the news?
• Recently the Brown Rock Chat has almost disappeared from the heart of
the National Capital, visible only on the outskirts.
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About the Brown Rock Chat

• It is also called as Indian Chat which is a bird species of the family
Muscicapidae.
Distribution
• It is nearly endemic to India, distributed north of the Narmada, west
to Gujarat and east to Bengal bordered on the north by the
Himalayas. It is commonly found in agricultural fields, in buildings,
and sub-urban areas.
Conservation status
• It is protected under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act,
1972.
• It is listed as ‘Least Concern’ as per IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species.
Source- The Hindu
Asiatic Lion
Why in the news?
• The Asiatic lions’ Census was released recently which show an increase
by 29% over five years to an estimated 674 in the Gir forest
region and other revenue areas of coastal Saurashtra.
About Asiatic lion

• They are also known as Indian Lion.
• The scientific name is Panthera leo persica.
Its current range is restricted to the Gir National Park and environs in the
Indian state of Gujarat.
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Conservation status
• It is listed in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
• It is listed in Appendix I of CITES
• It is listed as Endangered as per IUCN Red List.

Distinct colour band for BS-6 four-wheel vehicles

Why in the news?
• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has made it mandatory
for the Bharat Stage (BS) VI Vehicles to carry a one cm green sticker
providing registration details.
What are Bharat Stage norms?

• These are standards instituted by the Government of India in
2000 to regulate the emission of air pollutants from motor vehicles.
• They are based on the European (EURO) emission standards.
• The standards and the timeline for implementation are set by
the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under the Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Benefits of BS-VI Standards:

a. Sulphur content
Sulphur traces in BS-VI fuel is five times lower (10 ppm) as compared to
sulphur traces in BS-IV fuel (50 ppm).
b. Nitrogen Oxide Content
• Nitrogen oxide level for BS-VI diesel engines and petrol engines will be
brought down by 70% and 25% respectively.
c. Particulate matter (PM)
• BS-VI norms will help to bring down the emission of particulate
matter by almost 80% in the case of petrol as well as diesel power plants.
Note:
• Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has decided to leapfrog
from BS-IV to BS-VI emission norms directly by completely skipping
BS-V norms.
Source- PIB
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India continues to lose forest land to non-forestry projects

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has
recently released the Annual Report 2019-20.
Highlights of the reports

a. Diversion of forest land:
• The diversion of forest land for other purposes continued
throughout India as total 11,467 hectares of forest
lands were diverted in 22 states.
• More than a third of the diversion was in Odisha followed
by Telangana and Jharkhand.
• The largest area of forest land was diverted for irrigation and
mining projects.
b. Biosphere Reserves
• Out of 18 Biosphere Reserves designated nationally, so far 11 have been
included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves of UNESCO.
These are:
Sr.No. Name States/ UT Year
Tamil
1 Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve 2000
Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka
2 Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Tamil Nadu 2001
3 Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve West Bengal 2001
4 Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve Uttarakhand 2004
5 Nokrek Biosphere Reserve Meghalaya 2009
6 Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve Madhya Pradesh 2009
7 Simlipal Biosphere Reserve Odisha 2009

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Sr.No. Name States/ UT Year
8 Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve Andaman & Nicobar Islands 2013
Achanakmar-Amarkantak
9 Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh 2012
Biosphere Reserve
10 Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve Kerala and Tamil Nadu 2016
11 Khangchendzonga National Park Sikkim 2018
Forest Villages
• There was no conversion of forest villages to revenue villages in
2019 as stipulated under the provisions of the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
• Forest villages were villages set up by the British Indian
government to settle workers inside forests and procure
resources like timber more efficiently.
• There are around 2,500 forest villages across the country.
Tigers in India
• India has achieved the target set by the St Petersburg
declaration on tiger conservation (to double the number of wild tigers).
As per the 4th cycle results, tiger estimate is 2967 vis-a-vis the estimate of
1411 in 2006.

Source- Down to Earth
Indian gaur
Why in the news?
• Recently the first population estimation exercise of the Indian
gaur carried out in the Nilgiris Forest Division in recent years which
has revealed that more than an estimated 2,000 Indian
gaurs inhabit the entire division.
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About Gaur
• The common name of this mammal is Indian Gaur; Gaur and scientific
Name is Bos gaurus.
Habitat
• Gaurs are found on the forested hills and grassy areas of the south to
south-east Asia.
Distribution
• They are found in India, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh,
Bhutan, and Nepal.
The Western Ghats in southern India constitute one of the most extensive
extant strongholds of gaur, in particular in the Nagarhole –Wayanad –
Mudumalai – Bandipur complex.
Conservation status
• It is listed in the Schedule I of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.
• It is listed in CITES Appendix I.
• It is listed as Vulnerable as per the IUCN Red List.
About Nilgiris district

• The Nilgiris district is in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
• Nilgiri or Blue Mountains is the name given to a range of
mountains spread across the borders among the states of Tamil
Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.
• The Nilgiri Hills are part of a larger mountain chain known as
the Western Ghats.
• Their highest point is the mountain of Doddabetta, height 2,637 m.
• Nilgiris district ranked first in a comprehensive Economic
Environment index ranking districts in Tamil Nadu (not including
Chennai) prepared by the Institute for Financial Management and
Research in August 2009.
Note:
• The Gaur is the State Animal of Goa and Bihar.
Source- The Hindu
Pangolin
Why in the news?
• Recently China has accorded the pangolin the highest level of protection and
removed the scales of the endangered mammal from its list of approved
traditional medicines.
About the Pangolin

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Features
• They are the only known mammals having large, protective keratin scales
covering their skin.
• Pangolins are nocturnal, and their diet consists of mainly ants and termites,
which they capture using their long tongues.
• There are eight species of pangolin found in the world.
In India only two types of Pangolin are found
1. Indian Pangolin
o Location:
▪ It is widely distributed in India, except the arid region, high
Himalayas and the North-East. It is also found in Bangladesh,
Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
o Conservation Status:
▪ Endangered as per IUCN Red List.
▪ listed in the Schedule I Part I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act,
1972.
▪ Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species (CITES).
2. Chinese Pangolin
o Location:
▪ It is found in Himalayan foothills in Eastern Nepal, Bhutan,
Northern India, North-East Bangladesh, through Southern
China and Taiwan.
o Conservation Status:
▪ Critically Endangered as per IUCN Red List.
▪ listed in the Schedule I Part I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act,
1972.
▪ Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species (CITES).
Note:
• Recently ninth ‘World Pangolin Day’ is celebrated in February every year to
raise awareness of pangolins and bring together stakeholders to help protect
these species from extinction
Topic- GS Paper 3– Environment
Source- The Hindu
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

Why in the news?
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• World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is being observed on June

17, 2020.
• This year the theme is “Food. Feed. Fibre. - the links between
consumption and land.”
About World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2020

• The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed every year
to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification.
• This year’s observance is focused on changing public attitudes to the leading
driver of land degradation: humanity’s relentless production and
consumption.
Background
• This day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly resolution
in 1995, after the day when the United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification was drafted.
• According to the United Nation, Desertification is defined as the degradation
of land in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas.
• SDGs 15 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development state our
resolve to halt and reverse land
Desertification and India

• India was holding the 14th meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP14) to
the United Nations Convention to combat desertification in Noida, 2019 with
the theme ‘Let’s Grow the Future Together’ to encourage people
against depleting the land of its inbuilt resources.
Status of Desertification in India

• 96 million hectares or close to 29% of India's area is undergoing degradation.
• According to the Government’s data recently presented to the United Nations
Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), India lost 31%, or 5.65
million hectares (mha), of grassland area in a decade.
• The extent of degraded land in India is over 105 million hectares or about 32%
of India's areas.
Measures taken by India to Curb Desertification

✓ Integrated Watershed Management Programme
• It was launched in 1989-90.
• It aims to restore ecological balance by harnessing, conserving and developing
degraded natural resources with the creation of Rural Employment.
• It was named as “Haryali Guidelines” in 2003.
• Now it is subsumed under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (2015-16 to
2019-20) which is being implemented by NITI Ayog.
✓ Command Area Development
• It was launched in 1974 to improve the irrigation potential utilization and to
optimize agricultural production through efficient water management.
• The Ministry of Water resources coordinates the implementation of the
program with respective state governments.
✓ National Afforestation Programme
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• It is being implemented since 2000 for the afforestation of degraded forest

lands.
• It is being implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change
✓ National Action Programme to Combat Desertification
• It was prepared in 2001 to address issues of increasing desertification and to
take appropriate actions.
• It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change.
✓ National Mission on Green India
• It is a part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
• It was approved in 2014 with the objective of protecting; restoring and
enhancing India’s diminishing forest cover with a deadline of 10 years.
• It is being implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change
✓ Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India
• It was released by Indian Space Research Organisation in 2016.
• Combating desertification and land degradation is one of the thrust areas
covered by it.
Note:
• India became a signatory to the United Nations Convention to
Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in 1994 and ratified in 1996.
“Assessment of Climate Change over the Indian Region” report

Why in the news?
• Recently Union Ministry of Earth Sciences has released its first-
ever “Assessment of Climate Change over the Indian Region” report.
• These projections, based on a climate forecasting model developed at
the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune.
• This assessment will be part of the next report of
the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), expected to
be ready in 2022.
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Highlights of the report

• The average surface air temperatures over India could rise by up to
4.4 degrees Celsius by 2100 as compared to the period between 1976
and 2005.
• Frequencies of future warm days and warm nights are projected to
increase by 55% and 70% respectively relative to the reference period
of 1976-2005.
• Summer heatwaves over India are also projected to be three to
four times higher by the end of the 21st century.
• Temperatures of the warmest day and the coldest night of the year have
risen by around 0.63°C and 0.4°C in the recent 30-year period (1986-
2015). These temperatures are projected to rise by some 4.7°C and
5.5°C respectively by 2100.
• Sea surface temperature over the Indian Ocean has been increased
by 1°C in the 64 years between 1951 and 2015 compared to the global
average sea surface warming of 0.7°C due to which the sea level is
expected to rise by 30cm as compared to its concentration in the last
two to three decades.
• Summer monsoon precipitation (June to September) over India has
also declined by around 6% from 1951 to 2015 with notable
decreases over the Indo-Gangetic Plains and the Western Ghats.
• Rise in the intensity of tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean
(NIO) by the end of the 21st century.
Source- The Hindu
Seabuckthorn Berry
Why in the news?
• Recently, the scientists from Himachal Pradesh are seeking a grant from
Centre to develop an anti-Covid drug from seabuckthorn berry.
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About the Seabuckthorn Plant

• It is locally known as chharma, is a wild shrub which grows naturally
in Lahaul and Spiti and parts of Kinnaur. It is primarily known for
its immunity-boosting and medicinal properties.
• The fruit and leaves of seabuckthorn are quite rich in a variety of
vitamins and antioxidants, i.e. vitamin C, A, E,
K, carotenoids, polyphenols and sterols etc.
• Seabuckthorn naturally grows in cold desert and dry temperate
regions of Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh (Lahaul-Spiti and
Kinnaur), Ladakh, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Source-Indian Express
Arctic Sea
Why in the news?
• The National Centre of Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) found
the largest decline in the Arctic Sea ice in the last 41 years due to global
warming.
Highlights of the observation

• According to recent observations in the last 40 years (1979-
2018), the sea ice has been declining at 4.7% per decade, while
the current declining rate was found to be 13% in July 2019.
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• Thus, it has been noted that the volume of ice formation during winters
is unable to keep pace with the volume of ice loss during summers.
• It has been predicted that if this trend continues, there would be no ice left
in the Arctic Sea by 2050.
About National Centre of Polar and Ocean Research
• It was established as an autonomous Research and Development
Institution of the Ministry of Earth Sciences in 1998 which is located
in Goa.
• It is earlier known as National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean
Research (NCAOR) which is India’s premier R&D
institution responsible for the country’s research activities in the
Polar and Southern Ocean realms.
• It is the nodal agency for
planning, promotion, coordination and execution of the entire
gamut of polar and Southern Ocean scientific research in the country
as well as for the associated logistics activities.
Source- Down to Earth
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

Why in the news?
• Recently, the Maharashtra Forest Department has
successfully captured the tiger of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
(TATR) that had killed five persons in the past five months.
About Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

• It is a Tiger reserve in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra state in
central India.
• It is notable as Maharashtra's oldest and largest National Park.
• It is established as second Tiger Reserve in the Maharashtra State,
in 1994- 95.
• The first Tiger Reserve established in the State is Melghat Tiger
Reserve established in 1973-74.
Important National Park of Maharashtra in news
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• Sanjay Gandhi National Park, which is one of the major national

parks existing within a metropolis limit, is recently in the news due to
death of last captive white tiger Bajirao.
• Thane Creek flamingo sanctuary is in the news due to concerns over
ambitious bullet train project between Ahmedabad-Mumbai.
• Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary it is in the news due to Indian gaur
(Vulnerable) spotted in the sanctuary for the first time in recorded history.
Other national Park in Maharashtra
• Gugamal National Park, Maharashtra
• Navegaon National Park, Maharashtra
• Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh
• Chandoli National Park, Maharashtra
Source- The Hindu
World Crocodile Day

• World Crocodile day or World Croc day is celebrated on the 17th of
June every year.
• It is a global awareness campaign to highlight the plight of
endangered crocodiles and alligators around the world.
About the Crocodile
There are three spices of Crocodile found in India which includes
a. A mugger or Marsh Crocodile
b. Gharial or River water Crocodile
c. Estuarine or Saltwater Crocodile
About Mugger
• The mugger crocodile also called the Indian Crocodile, or marsh
crocodile is found throughout the Indian subcontinent.
• It is listed as vulnerable by IUCN.
• The mugger is mainly a freshwater species and found in lakes, rivers
and marshes.
About Gharial
• The Gharial or fish-eating crocodile is native to the Indian
subcontinent. It is listed as a Critically Endangered by IUCN.
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• Recently there is an increasing population of Gharial found in

the rivers of the National Chambal Sanctuary, Katarniaghat
Wildlife Sanctuary, Son River Sanctuary, Satkosia Gorge
Sanctuary and also in Chambal Lake.
Saltwater Crocodile
• It is the largest of all living reptiles. It listed as least concern by IUCN.
It is found throughout the east coast of India.
Indian Crocodile Conservation Project
• The Crocodile Conservation Project was launched in
1975 in different States.
• The Gharial and Saltwater crocodile conservation programme was first
implemented in Odisha in early 1975, and subsequently, the Mugger
conservation programme was initiated.
• Gharial crocodile project started in Tikarpada (1975) aims to increase
the sighting to five crocodiles per kilometre length of water.
CrocBITE
• It is an online database of crocodile attacks reported on humans.
• The non-profit online research tool helps to analyze crocodile behaviour
via complex models scientifically.
• The database provides key insights into crocodile attack patterns and
draws inferences to save human lives.
• This is the only database of its kind with such a comprehensive collection of
information made available online.
Source- Hindustan Times
Gee's golden langur

Why in the news?
• Recently primatologists have observed that the Gee's golden
langur (Trachypithecus geei), induce stillbirth of babies killed inside
the womb of females, besides practising infanticide.
About Gee's golden langur

• Gee's golden langur (Trachypithecus geei), also known as simply
the golden langur, is an Old-World monkey.
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It is found in a small region of western Assam, India and the neighbouring

foothills of the Black Mountains of Bhutan.Conservation Status
• It is listed as Endangered in IUCN Red List.
• It is listed as Appendix I on the CITES website.
Note:
• Chakrashila sanctuary which is under Dhubri and Kokrajhar
districts of Assam is India's first wildlife sanctuary where mostly this
golden langur is found.
• Chakrashila has about 600 golden langurs whose population is scattered
across western Assam and the foothills of Bhutan.
Source- The Hindu
Decarbonising Transport
Why in news?
• NITI Aayog in collaboration with International Transport Forum (ITF) will
launch the “Decarbonising Transport in India” project with the intention to
develop a pathway towards a low-carbon transport system for India.
Abou Decarbonising Transport Project
• The “Decarbonising Transport in India” project will design a tailor-made
transport emissions assessment framework for India which is part of the
Decarbonising Transport in Emerging Economies (DTEE) family of projects.
• It will provide the government with a detailed understanding of current and
future transport activity and the related CO2 emissions as a basis for their
decision-making.
• The India project is carried out in the wider context of the International
Transport Forum’s Decarbonising Transport initiative.
About Decarbonising Transport in Emerging Economies
• It will support transport decarbonisation across different world regions.
• The DTEE is a collaboration between the ITF and the Wuppertal Institute,
supported by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal
Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.
• India, Argentina, Azerbaijan, and Morocco are current
participants.
About International Transport Forum
• It is an inter-governmental organisation within the OECD (Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development) system.
• It is the only global body with a mandate for all modes of transport.
• It acts as a think tank for transport policy issues and organises the annual
global summit of transport ministers.
• The ITF's motto is "Global dialogue for better transport".
Note:
• India has been a member of ITF since 2008.
Centre unveils new rules to regulate exotic animal trade

Why in the news?
• The Environment Ministry’s wildlife division has introduced new rules
to regulate the import and export of exotic wildlife species.
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Key highlights of the new rule

• Under the new rules, owners and possessors of such animals and
birds must also register their stock with the Chief Wildlife Warden of
their States.
Select animals
• Officials of the Wildlife Department will also prepare an inventory
of such species and have the right to inspect the facilities of such
traders to check if these plants and animals are being housed
insalubrious conditions.
• Additionally, stockists will have six months to declare their stock.
Note:
• The ‘exotic live species will mean animals named under Appendices I, II
and III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora. It will not include species
from the Schedules of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
About Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna & Flora (CITES)
• CITES is also known as the Washington Convention.
• The CITES is part of a multilateral treaty that includes plant, animals
and birds under varying categories of the threat of extinction and
which will be jointly protected by members of the International Union
for Conservation of Nature.
• It was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted by members of
IUCN in 1963.
• It entered into force in 1975.
• Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild
animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
India is a signatory to this.
• In India, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is an organization that is
tasked with monitoring illegal trade.
Protection offered to species by CITES
• According to World Wildlife Crime Report 2016 of the UN, criminals are
illegally trading products derived from over 7,000 species of wild animals and
plants across the world.
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• The species covered by CITES are listed in three Appendices, according to the
degree of protection they need.
Appendices I and II
• Appendix I include species threatened with extinction.
• Trade-in specimens of these species is permitted only in exceptional
circumstances.
• Appendix II includes species not necessarily threatened with
extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid
utilization incompatible with their survival.
• At each regular meeting of the CoP, Parties submit proposals to amend
these two Appendices.
• Those amendment proposals are discussed and then submitted to a
vote.
Appendix III
• This Appendix contains species that are protected in at least one
country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in
controlling the trade.
Source- The Hindu
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Geography
Uttarakhand to have a second capital in Gairsain
Why in the news?
• Recently the Uttarakhand Governor Baby Rani Maurya has given her
assent for declaration of Bhararisen (Gairsain) in Chamoli
district as the summer capital of Uttarakhand.
About Gairsain
• It is a tehsil in Chamoli district, is located nearly 270-
km from existing temporary capital of Dehradun.
• Gairsain was best suited to be the capital of the mountainous
state since it was between both Kumaon and Garhwal regions.
Source- TOI
IMD to issue second stage LRF for South-West Monsoon Season rainfall
Why is in the news?
• Recently India Meteorological Department will issue the second stage
Long Range Forecast (LRF) for South-West Monsoon Season
rainfall.
• Each year, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issues LRF in two
stages. The first stage forecast is issued in April, while the second
one in June.
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• According to the Second Stage Long Range Forecast for Southwest

Monsoon Season Rainfall from July to September, the country will
receive a normal monsoon rainfall this year.
Models for Forecasting

a. Dynamical Model
• It is also called the Monsoon Mission Coupled Forecast System.
• The India Meteorological Department deployed it under National Monsoon
Mission (NMM).
• It relies on the supercomputers, mathematically simulating the
physics of the ocean and the atmosphere.
Drawbacks of this model
• Recently this monsoon model, called the Monsoon Mission Coupled
Forecast Model (CFS), has failed to forecast the excess rainfall
received during August-September 2019.
• This model is better at forecasting the state of the weather a week or
two in advance and is not yet considered reliable by meteorologists in
forecasting the monsoon.
b. Statistical Model
• It takes into consideration the global weather models pointing to
negligible chances of El Nino, a warming of the central equatorial
Pacific which is associated with the drying up of monsoon rain.
• The India Meteorological Department relies on this model.
About National Monsoon Mission

• It was has launched by Union Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• The Ministry has bestowed the responsibility of execution and
coordination of this mission to Indian Institute of Tropical
Meteorology (IITM), Pune.
Mission Objective:
To build an ocean-atmospheric model for:
• Improved prediction of monsoon rainfall on the extended range to
the seasonal time scale of up to 16 days to about one season
• Improved prediction of rainfall, temperature, as well as extreme
weather events on short to medium range time, scale up to 15 days.
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About India Meteorological Department (IMD)

• It is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• It is responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting
and seismology.
• It is headquartered in Pune with regional offices at Mumbai,
Kolkata, Nagpur and Delhi.
Topic- GS Paper 1–Geography
Source- AIR
Amery Ice Shelf

Why is in the news?
• The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) predicts
that there would be a 24% increase in the expansion of Ameri Ice Shelf
(AIS) boundaries by 2021 and another 24% expansion by 2026 from
its 2016 positions.
• The prediction made by NCPOR is based on a 16-year-long satellite-
based observation that covered an area of 60,000 sq. Km across the
AIS.
About Amery Ice Shelf (AIS)

• The AIS is one of the largest glacier drainage basins in the world,
located on the east coast of Antarctica, at about 70ºS Latitude, 70ºE
Longitude.
• The AIS dynamics and mass balance help in understanding the
changes in the global climate scenario.
About National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research

• It was formerly known as the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean
Research (NCAOR).
• It is an autonomous Institution of the Department of Ocean
Development under Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• It is situated in Vasco da Gama, Goa.
• It is India’s premier R&D institution responsible for the country’s
research activities in the Polar and Southern Ocean realms.
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Note:
• NCPOR has managed and upkeep of the Indian Antarctic Research
Bases “Maitri” and “Bharati”, and the Indian Arctic base “Himadri.”
• It also operates Ministry’s research vessel ORV Sagar Kanya as well as
the other research vessels chartered by the Ministry.
Source- The Hindu
Coal India Arm Western Coalfields

Why in the news?
• Recently Coal India Subsidiary Western Coalfields Ltd
(WCL) opened 3 new coal mines in Maharashtra and Madhya
Pradesh.
The three mines which WCL has opened are

a. Adasa Mine, an underground to open cast mine, in Nagpur Area of
MaharashtraSharda underground Mine in Kanhan Area and
b. Dhankasa underground mine in Pench Area of Madhya Pradesh.
Other Related Information
(i) WCL EYE
• The Coal India Subsidiary Western Coalfields Ltd had also launched
a surveillance System named WCL EYE for monitoring of its mining
operations.
• It will monitor operations of 15 major mines of the Company round the
clock that account for 70% of the Company's coal production.
• It will also help monitor coal stocks and availability of coal at sidings,
keep a tab on the placement of rakes and loading at railway sidings and ensure
accountability.
(ii) SAMVAAD app
• Coal India Subsidiary Western Coalfields Ltd launches this application.
• It is a Mobile and Desktop App for employees & stakeholders, which
will provide a virtual platform for suggestion/feedback/experience sharing.
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• Quick Response Teams will respond to the queries and feedbacks in 7

days mandated period.
(iii) Mission 100 Days
• WCL has also launched "Mission 100 Days" a roadmap to achieve targets
for the current fiscal.
• This mission will also help the Company accomplish mid and long-
term goals.
• The Company's coal production and offtake target for the current
fiscal is 62 MT.
About Western Coalfield Limited (WCL)
• It is one of the eight Subsidiary Companies of Coal India Limited
(CIL) which is under the administrative control of Ministry of Coal.
• The Company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956.
• WCL has been conferred "Miniratna" status on 15th March'2007.

Source- PIB
Coral Triangle Day

Why in the news?
The Coral Triangle Day 2020 was observed on June 9.
About the Coral Triangle Day

• The Coral Triangle Initiative observes the day on Coral Reefs, Fisheries,
and Food Security (CTI-CFF), also shortly known as the Coral Triangle
Initiative (CTI).
• It is a massive celebration of the Coral Triangle, the world's epicentre of
marine biodiversity, which encompasses the seas of 6 countries in
the Asia-Pacific region: Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea,
the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor Leste.
• This celebration is not exclusive to these six nations, though
and includes other countries that benefit from the Coral Triangle's
rich marine resources.
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Significance
• It is an annual, open-sourced event that brings together individuals,
organizations, and establishments on one special day of the
year to shed light on ocean conservation and the numerous ways to
protect and conserve the Coral Triangle.
About the Coral Triangle

• The Coral Triangle is a roughly triangular area of the tropical marine
waters of six countries in Asia and the Pacific: Indonesia, Malaysia,
Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Timor
Leste (the "CT6" countries).
• This is one of the 3 mega ecological complexes on our planet, together
with the Congo Basin and the Amazon Rainforest.
India's Coral Reef

• The major Coral reef formations in India are restricted to the Gulf of
Mannar, Palk Bay, Gulf of Kutch, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
and the Lakshadweep islands.
• The Lakshadweep reefs are atolls; the others are all fringing reefs.
• Patchy coral is present in the inter-tidal areas of the central west coast
of the country.
Source- WWF
Challenger Deep, the deepest spot in the ocean

Why in the news?
• Recently astronaut and oceanographer Kathy Sullivan became
the fifth person in history to descend to the deepest known spot in the
world’s oceans, called the Challenger Deep in the Mariana
Trench, which is seven miles below the surface of the Pacific
Ocean. She was also the first American woman to walk in space in
1984.
About Challenger Deep

• It is the deepest known point in the Earth’s oceans with a depth of
around 10,984m.
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• It is located in the Western Pacific Ocean at the southern end of the

Mariana Trench near the Mariana Islands group.
Significance of Deep Ocean Areas:

• The deep ocean areas can potentially reveal new sources for medical
drugs, food, energy resources and other products.
• The information from the deep oceans can also help to
predict earthquakes and tsunamis and help us understand how we
are affecting and getting affected by the Earth’s environment.
Note:
• The first dive at Challenger Deep was made in 1960 by Lieutenant Don
Walsh and Swiss scientist Jacques Piccard on a submersible called
‘Trieste’.
• The British Ship HMS Challenger discovered Challenger Deep
between 1872-1876.
Vehicles used for Deep Sea
• Human Occupied Vehicles (HOVs) may be used that carry scientists to
the deep sea.
• Alternatively, there are unmanned Remotely Operated Vehicles
(ROVs) that are linked to ships using cables and can be steered by
scientists remotely, according to an article on Smithsonian.
IFLOWS-Mumbai
Why in the news?
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• Ministry of Earth Sciences has recently launched IFLOWS-Mumbai to

address the flood problem in Mumbai.
About IFLOWS-Mumbai
• It is an Integrated Flood Warning System for Mumbai. It is developed
as state-of-the-art Integrated Flood Warning system for Mumbai to
enhance the resilience of the city of Mumbai by providing early
warning for flooding, especially during high rainfall events and
cyclones.
• It is built on a modular structure and comprises of seven modules,
namely Data Assimilation, Flood, Inundation, Vulnerability, Risk,
Dissemination Module and Decision Support System.
• The system incorporates weather models from the National Centre
for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), India
Meteorological Department (IMD), field data from the rain gauge
network stations.
• It has provisions to capture the urban drainage within the city
and predict the areas of flooding, which will be incorporated in the
final system.
• A web GIS-based decision supports system is also built to calculate
the vulnerability and risk of elements exposed to flood.
Topic- GS Paper 3–Disaster Management
Source- PIB
Ukai Dam
Why in the news?
• Recently, the water level of Ukai Dam has stood at 319.86 feet after 46
years.
About Ukai Dam
• It is the second-largest reservoir in Gujarat after Sardar Sarovar
Dam which is s built on Tapi River.
• It is also known as Vallabh Sagar.
It is an earth-cum-masonry dam which was constructed in 1972. About Tapi
River
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• It is one of the three peninsular Rivers in India that flow in an east to

the west itinerary and the other two rivers are the Mahi
River and Narmada River.
Origin
• It originates in the eastern portion of the Satpura Mountain
Ranges in south Madhya Pradesh.
• It pours into the Gulf of Cambay in the Arabian Sea in the district
of Surat in Gujarat.
• The Tapti River, together with the adjacently running Narmada River
in the north, create the borders between North and South India.
Tributaries
• Girna River, Purna River, Panzara River, Bori River, Waghur
River and Aner River are the major tributaries of the river.
Assam gas leak
Why in the news?
• Recently there was a blowout of Natural Gas at the Oil India Limited’s
(OIL) Baghjan gas well in Assam’s Tinsukia district.
• The machinery failure usually leads to blowout, which is
an uncontrolled release of crude oil or gas from a production well.
• The accidental fire happened 13 days after well started spewing gas and
associated elements.
• It had a drastic impact on human beings as well as the adjacent
Maguri-Motapung wetland and Dibru-Saikhowa National Park.
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About Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

• It is a national park located in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts in
Assam.
• It was designated a Biosphere Reserve in July 1997.
• The Brahmaputra and Lohit River bound it in the North and Dibru River
in the South.
• The Sloth Bear is the vulnerable category as per IUCN Red List found
here along with many flora and fauna.
About Maguri-Motapung wetland

• Magura Motapung Beel is less than 10 km from Dibru-Saikhowa
National Park and part of the Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve.
• The wetland derives its name from “Magur”, the local word for the
catfish ‘Clarius batrachus’.
• It is an Important Bird Area notified by the Bombay Natural History
Society.
Yemeni separatists seize the island of Socotra from Saudi-backed

government
Why in the news?
• Recently Yemeni separatists have seized control of the island of Socotra in the
Arabian Sea, deposing its governor and driving out the forces of the Saudi-
backed government, which condemned the action as a coup.
Background
• The Southern Transitional Council (STC) declared self-rule in the south of the
country in April, complicating UN efforts to forge a permanent ceasefire in a
war that has separatists and the government fighting as nominal allies in a
Saudi-led coalition against Houthi rebels, who control the north.
• The STC announced it had seized government facilities and military bases on
the main island of Socotra, a sparsely populated archipelago which sits at the
mouth of the Gulf of Aden on one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
About Socotra Island
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• It is located between the Guardafui Channel and the Arabian Sea, is the largest
of four islands in the Socotra Archipelago.
• The territory is located near major shipping routes and is officially part of
Yemen, and had long been a subdivision of the Aden Governorate.
• The island of Socotra constitutes around 95% of the landmass of the Socotra
archipelago.
• Transcontinental country: While politically it is a part of Yemen (an Asian
country), Socotra and the rest of its archipelago geographically is part of
Africa, thus making Yemen a transcontinental country.
Note:
• In 2008, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Source- the Guardian
Japan city to rename area of islands disputed with China

Why in news?
• A local council in southern Japan has voted to rename an area including

islands disputed with China and Taiwan.
• The local assembly of Ishigaki city approved a plan to change the name of the
area covering the Tokyo-controlled Senkaku Islands -- known by Taiwan and
China as the Diaoyus -- from "Tonoshiro" to "Tonoshiro Senkaku".
About Senkaku Islands

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• The Senkaku Islands are a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea.
• They are located east of Mainland China, northeast of Taiwan, west of
Okinawa Island, and north of the southwestern end of the Ryukyu Islands.
• They are also known as the Diaoyu Islands or Diaoyu Dao.
• The islands are the focus of a territorial dispute between Japan and China and
between Japan and Taiwan.
• China claims the discovery and ownership of the islands from the 14th
century, while Japan maintained ownership of the islands from 1895 until its
surrender at the end of World War II.
Seabed 2030 Project

Why in the news?
• Recently Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project has
announced that on June 21 it had finished mapping nearly one-fifth of
the world's ocean floor.
About Seabed 2030 Project

• Seabed 2030 project was launched at the United Nations (UN) Ocean
Conference in June 2017.
• It is a collaborative project between the Nippon Foundation of
Japan and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO).
• It aims to bring together all available bathymetric data (depth and shape
of the ocean floor) to create a map of the world ocean floor by
2030 and make it available to all.
• The data is fundamental for understanding ocean circulation, tides,
tsunami forecasting, fishing resources, underwater geohazards, cable and
pipeline routing, mineral extraction, oil and gas exploration.
• It comprises a global centre and four regional centres (the Arctic and
North Pacific centre, Atlantic and the Indian Ocean Centre, South and West
Pacific centre and Southern Ocean centre).
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Note:
• The project is aligned with the UN's SDG 14 to conserve and sustainably
use the oceans, seas and marine resources.
About General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans

• It is an international group of mapping experts developing a range
of bathymetric data sets and data products.
• It operates under the joint auspices of the International Hydrographic
Organization (IHO) and UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Commission (IOC).
• IHO is an intergovernmental organization, established in
1921 to support the safety of navigation and the protection of the
marine environment.
• Its secretariat is in Monaco, which coordinates IHO's programmes.
Kholongchhu (Joint Venture) Hydroelectric Project

Why in the news?
• Recently the concession Agreement for the 600-MegaWatt
Kholongchhu (Joint Venture) Hydroelectric
Projects between Bhutan government and Kholongchhu Hydro
Energy Limited was signed in Thimphu.
About the Kholongchhu (Joint Venture) Hydroelectric Project

• It is the first Joint Venture Hydroelectric Project between India and
Bhutan which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2025.
• It is 600 MW run-of-the-river project is located on the lower course of
the Kholongchhu River in Trashiyangtse District in Eastern Bhutan.
• The Project envisages an underground powerhouse of four 150 MW
turbines with water impounded by a concrete gravity dam of 95
meters height.
Other Project with Bhutan

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• Recently 720 MW Mangdechhu hydroelectric project was

jointly inaugurated earlier in August last year by the Prime Ministers
of India and Bhutan.
Source- The Hindu
Zealandia
Why in the news?
• Recently a research institute from New Zealand called GNS Science has
released two maps with a brand-new website called E Tūhura - Explore
Zealandia or TEZ.
• The two maps to have been released by GNS Science are the tectonic map
and the bathymetric map.
About Zealandia
• It is also known as Tasmantis due to its proximity to Tasman sea. Te
Riu-a-Māui is another name for Zealandia. It is an almost entirely
submerged mass of continental crust located in the southern Pacific
Ocean that subsided after breaking away from Gondwanaland 83–79
million years ago.
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• It is once a part of the same land as that of Antarctica and Australia.

• It has variously been described as a continental fragment, a
microcontinent, a submerged continent, and a continent.
• The landmass may have been completely submerged by about 23
million years ago, and most of it (93%) remains submerged beneath
the Pacific Ocean.
• Bruce Luyendyk proposed the name and concept for Zealandia in 1995.
Source- News 18
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Security
THAAD defence systems
Why in the news?
• Recently China has issued a statement reiterating its long-standing
objections to the presence of the US THAAD missile defence
system in South Korea.
What is THAAD?
• THAAD is an acronym for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, a
transportable, ground-based missile defence system.
• This anti-ballistic missile defence system has been designed and
manufactured by the US Company Lockheed Martin.
• It is coupled with space-based and ground-based surveillance
stations, which transfer data about the incoming missile and informs
the THAAD interceptor missile of the threat type classification.
• THAAD is alarmed about incoming missiles by space-based
satellites with infrared sensors.
Note:
• South Korea is not the only country with the THAAD missile defence
system.
• It has been previously deployed in the UAE, Guam,
Israel and Romania.
Topic- GS Paper 3–Defence
Inner Line Permit

Why in the news?
• The Supreme Court has recently declined to stay the operation of a
Presidential order which petitioners claimed deprived Assam of
the powers to implement the Inner Line system in its districts and
limit the applicability of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
Historical
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Background
• The Inner Line Permit is an extension of the Bengal Eastern
Frontier Regulation Act 1873.
• The Britishers framed regulations restricting entry in certain
designated areas.
• This was done to protect the Crown’s interest in certain states by
preventing “British subjects” (Indians) from trading within these regions.
About Inner Line Permit
• It is an official travel document issued by the Government of India to
allow travel of an Indian citizen into a protected area for a limited
period.
• It is obligatory for Indian citizens from outside certain states, to obtain
such a permit.
• At present, four Northeastern states are covered, namely, Arunachal
Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram are protected by the Inner
Line, and lately, Manipur was added.
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• The Inner Line Permit determines both the duration of stay and the areas
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allowed to be accessed for any non-native.

• The concerned state government issues the ILP.
Section 69A of the Information Technology Act
Why in the news?
• Government has recently banned 59 mobile apps under Section 69A of
the Information Technology Act read with the relevant provisions of the
Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of
Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009.
Related Information
• According to ministry, these Apps are engaged in activities which
are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of
India, the security of the state and public order.
• Title of Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 is

“Power to issue directions for blocking for public access of any information
through any computer resource”.
• The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home
Affairs has also sent an exhaustive recommendation for blocking
these malicious apps.
Source- The Hindu
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