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reVISI N

PRELIMS SPECIAL
#QUICK REVISION

A brief coverage of Important Current Affairs of the Last 1 year in 30 DAYS


reVision : An Info-graphic series of Major Current Affairs Topics of General Studies
PART II

Part - I Part - II
Government Schemes (1) Science and Technology (3)
Government Schemes (2) History & Culture (1)
Government Schemes (3) History & Culture (2)
Government Schemes (4) History & Culture (3)
Government Schemes (5) History & Culture (4)
Indian Polity and Governance (1) Economy (1)
Indian Polity and Governance (2) Economy (2)
Indian Polity and Governance (3) Economy (3)
Indian Polity and Governance (4) Environment (1)
Indian Polity and Governance (5) Environment (2)
Science and Technology (1) International Relation (1)
Science and Technology (2) International Relation (2)
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PRELIMS SPECIAL
#QUICK REVISION
A brief coverage of Important Current Affairs of the Last 1 year in 30 DAYS

Science and Technology (3)


ISRO’s GISAT-1 MISSION, Agni-P,
Planet Venus, The International Space Station
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ISRO’S GISAT-1 MISSION
ISRO’s attempt to place GISAT-1, a geo imaging satellite, did not succeed due to
technical issues.
GISAT-1 is India’s first state-of-the-art agile earth observation satellite to be
placed in geostationary orbit.

The geostationary orbit is about 36,000 km above earth’s equator.

A satellite in geostationary orbit has an orbital period equal to earth’s


rotational period.

It is capable of placing 2.3 ton of INSAT class of communication satellites into


Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

ISRO has launched many earth observation satellites since IRS-1A, first launched
in 1988.

Currently, India has one of the largest constellations of remote sensing


satellites in operation.

RESOURCESAT, CARTOSAT, RISAT etc are some of the operational satellites.

They provide data for mapping and monitoring of land, forest and resources like
water, minerals, and for weather and climate observations.

GISAT-1 has a 4 metre diameter Ogive shaped payload fairing (OPLF) being
flown for the first time in GSLV flight to accommodate a larger spacecraft.
A payload fairing is a nose cone used by a spacecraft for protection against
dynamic pressure and aerodynamic heating during launch.
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It weighs around 2268 kg and has a lifespan of 7 years.

AGNI-P (PRIME )
Agni-P is an advanced variant of the Agni class of missiles indigenously
developed by the DRDO.

DRDO - Defence Research and Development Organisation is India’s premier


research organization functioning under the Ministry of Defence for the
military's research and development.

The Agni series of missiles is one of the five strategic missiles planned under
the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).

IGMDP aims to attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology.

It includes - Agni, Nag, Prithvi, Akash and Trishul.

Agni is a series of medium to intercontinental range ballistic missiles.

Agni - P is - the New Generation Nuclear capable Ballistic Missile with range
capability between 1,000 and 2,000 km.

It is the lightest and smallest of the Agni series, can be launched from rail or
road or easily transported.

It is a canisterised missile with inertial navigation systems based on advanced


ring-laser gyroscopes.

Gyroscope is a device used for the location and trajectory of the missile.
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PLANET VENUS
NASA is expected to launch two missions between 2028-2030, to rediscover the
planet Venus -

DAVINCI+ (Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry,


and Imaging), the first US-led ‘atmospheric probe’ to Venus since 1978.

VERITAS (Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography, and


Spectroscopy) to map the planet’s surface and topography in 3D.

NASA’s Magellan Mission (1990-1994) was the last US probe to visit the planet.
The first spacecraft that visited Venus was the Soviet Union’s Venera series.
Shukrayaan-1 is the proposed Indian mission to Venus.
No humans have visited Venus because of its high temperature and dense
atmosphere.
About Planet ‘Venus’

Venus is the second closest planet to the Sun in our solar system.
There are eight planets in the solar system moving around the Sun.
Venus is the second planet from the sun and the hottest in the solar system.
Surface temperature on Venus is higher than 470°C - hot enough to melt lead.

Venus is one of two planets that rotate from ‘East to West’, another is Uranus.
Venus moves forward on its orbit around the Sun but spins backwards around
its axis.
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It completes one rotation in 243 Earth days - the longest day of any planet in
the solar system.

Earth & Venus


Similar in structure and size to Earth, Venus is called Earth’s twin.
Venus is the second-brightest object (after the moon) from Earth because
of its thick cloud cover that scatters light.
Like Earth, Venus has a central iron core, a rocky mantle and a solid crust,
mountains and volcanoes.
Unlike Earth, the Sun rises in the west and sets in the East on Venus.
Venus has no moon.
Venus' toxic atmosphere consists mainly of carbon dioxide.
Speculation about life existing on Venus in the distant past.

THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION: A LABORATORY IN SPACE


The International Space Station (ISS) is a state-of-the-art microgravity
laboratory, jointly launched by Russia and the US in 1998.

Russia plans to withdraw from the ISS to launch its own space station by 2030.
Salient Features
An unprecedented scientific and engineering international collaboration in
human history.
Involving five space agencies representing more than 15 countries -
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European countries (ESA)
Timeline
the United States (NASA)
Jan 25, 1984 - President Ronald Reagan
Japan (JAXA) directs NASA to build the ISS.
Canada (CSA) Nov 20, 1998 - First ISS Segment launches a
Russia (Roscosmos) Russian proton rocket ‘Zarya’ (sunrise).

The largest single structure Dec 4, 1998 - First U.S.- built component
humans ever put into space. Unity, launches the first Space Shuttle
mission.
Continues to be assembled in
orbit, gradually built by more 2000 - First Crew to reside on Station.
than 40 missions. At Present - 240 individuals from 19
Weighs almost 400 tonnes. countries have visited the ISS.
Orbits 420km above the Spacewalks - More than 227 since 1998, the
Earth's surface. first all-woman spacewalk in 2019.

Travels at a speed of 5 miles/second.


It can take as few as 6 hours for a spacecraft to arrive at the station from Earth.
Up to eight spacecraft can connect to the space station at any time.
Astronauts working and living on the Station experience 16 sunrises and
sunsets each day.
Significance - Testing technologies and unlocking discoveries not possible on Earth.
Finding new ways to develop technologies.
Contributing to medical and social benefits for our home planet.
1/9 reVISI N

PRELIMS SPECIAL
#QUICK REVISION
A brief coverage of Important Current Affairs of the Last 1 year in 30 DAYS

Indian History & Culture (1)


Dandi March, Chauri Chaura Incident,
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre,
Malabar/Moplah Rebellion, Lingaraj Temple,
Cave Paintings, NMHC at Lothal, Gujrat
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DANDI MARCH
(March 12- April 6, 1930)
A mass movement popularly known as Salt Satyagraha.
Led by Mahatma Gandhi - Gandhiji presented 11 demands to the British
government in 1930. One of these demands was to abolish the salt tax. The
1882 Salt Act gave the British a monopoly for collection and manufacture of
salt.
Started on 12th March 1930 - As no response from the government, Gandhi ji
along with ashramites and thousands of people marched from his Sabarmati
Ashram in Ahmedabad through the villages of Gujarat for 240 miles.
On April 6, 1930 - Gandhiji reached the coast at Dandi and broke the salt law by
producing salt by seawater.

The movement spread all over the country -

In Tamil Nadu, C Rajagopalachari led a march from Tiruchirapalli to


Vedarnniyam.
In Malabar, K. Kelappan led a march from Calicut to Poyannur.
In Assam, Satyagrahis walked from Sylhet to Noakhali (Bengal) to make salt.

It launched the civil disobedience movement (CDM) all over the country -
boycott of Foreign clothes, liquor, courts, government posts etc; refusal to pay
taxes etc.
Resulted in The Gandhi-Irwin Pact i.e. to put an end to CDM and Indians would
be allowed to make salt for domestic use.
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CHAURI CHAURA INCIDENT
(Feb 5, 1922)
Chauri Chaura is a small village in Gorakhpur district, Uttar Pradesh (then
United Provinces).

Historically, the place is known for an incident of mob violence occured on feb
5, 1922 that changed the course of the Indian Independence Movement.

A peaceful demonstration of volunteers campaigning against the British


Government turned into a violent clash with the police, few people were killed.

The Non-cooperation movement (NCM) launched by Mahatma Gandhi was at its


heights.

The aim of NCM was self-governance or Purna Swaraj to India.

Boycott of civil services, council elections, army, police, courts and legislative
councils, schools, and foreign goods took place.

The movement involving students, urban, poor, women, traders, peasants and
tribals from every corner, almost shook the British authorities.

Due to the Chauri Chaura incident which broke the non-violent character of the
movement, Gandhi ji unilaterally announced the withdrawal of the movement.

Most of the Nationalist leaders including C.R. Das, Motilal Nehru, Subhas Bose,
Jawaharlal Nehru, however, expressed their bewilderment at Gandhi's decision
to withdraw the movement.
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JALLIANWALA BAGH MASSACRE
(April 13, 1919)
The renovated complex of Jallianwala Bagh Smarak at Amritsar was dedicated
to the nation.
The Smarak commemorates the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre that occurred on
April 13, 1919.
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CONSEQUENCES
Widespread demonstrations, government’s brutal repression, Mahatma Gandhi
called off the Satyagraha, Rabindranath Tagore renounced his Knighthood,
appointed Hunter Commission to inquire about the massacre, led to the
non-cooperation movement of 1920-22.

MALABAR/MOPLAH REBELLION
Malabar rebellion, also known as the Moplah riots, was an armed uprising of
Muslim tenants against British rulers and local Hindu landlords in 1921.
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Described as a peasant revolt, it was one of the first nationalist uprisings in
southern India.
Occurred within the broader spectrum of the Khilafat/Non-cooperation
movement (1920-1922) led by Mahatma Gandhi.

Moplahs/Mappilas were the Muslim tenants (kanamdars) and cultivators


(verumpattamdars) inhabiting the Malabar region where most of the landlords
(janmi or jenmies) were upper caste Hindus.

LINGARAJ TEMPLE
The 11th century AD Lingaraj Temple was built by King Jajati Keshari of
Somvanshi dynasty (later additions by the Ganga dynasty rulers).

It is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Lingaraj is referred to as “Swayambhu”, self originated Shivling and the


Shivling is known as Hari Hara.

Temple signifies the syncretisation of Shaivism and Vaishnavism sects in


Odisha.
Its Deul (tower) rises to a height of 180 feet and marks the culmination of the
temple architecture in Bhubaneswar, the cradle of the Kalinga School of Temple
Architecture.

The temple can broadly be divided into 4 main halls –


Garba Griha (Sanctum Sanctorum)

Yajana Mandapa (the hall for prayers)

Natya Mandapa (dance and music hall)


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Bhoga Mandapa (where devotees can have the prasad/offering of the Lord).

The exquisite carvings depicting chores of daily life, the activity centres, apart
from being a place of worship, makes the temple a place for social and cultural
gathering.

CAVE PAINTINGS
Recently, World’s oldest known cave painting (painted at least 45,500 years ago)
was found in the limestone cave of Leang Tedongnge, South Sulawesi,
Indonesia.
This cave painting consists of a life-sized depiction of a warty pig.
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Ajanta Caves is the only surviving example of painting of the 1st century BCE

Bagh Caves located on the


far banks of the Baghini
river, contain Buddhist
paintings and relics
dating back to 5th-7th
century.

Badami Caves dedicated


to Lord Shiva have earliest
Brahmanical paintings
(belonging to the 6th
century A.D.).

Badami was the capital


of the early Chalukyan
dynasty (543 to 598
CE).

Ellora Caves centered mainly on three religions Hindu, Buddhist and Jain
temples, are an uninterrupted sequence of monuments dating from A.D. 600 to
1000.

Elephanta Caves constructed about the mid-5th to 6th centuries AD, are
dedicated to Hindu and Buddhist temples.
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NATIONAL MARITIME HERITAGE COMPLEX (NMHC) AT LOTHAL, GUJRAT
NMHC will be the first-of-its-kind tourist destination in the country showcasing
the legacy of maritime heritage of India from ancient to modern times.

It is proposed to be developed in the vicinity of the ASI site of Lothal.

Artefacts from Lothal and Dholavira to be displayed at the complex.

Lothal is an ancient site of Indus Valley civilization, located about 80km


southwest of Ahmedabad in Gujarat.

A thriving trade centre in ancient times with its trade of beads, gems and
valuable ornaments in West Asia and Africa; the world’s oldest known artificial
massive dockyard, the acropolis, the lower town, the warehouses, and the
drainage system, etc.

Dholavira is a Harappan city sited in Gujarat.

It is one of the well preserved urban settlements in South Asia dating from
the 3rd to mid-2nd millennium BCE.
1/9 reVISI N

PRELIMS SPECIAL
#QUICK REVISION
A brief coverage of Important Current Affairs of the Last 1 year in 30 DAYS

Indian History & Culture (2)


Ancient Buddhist Monastery, Reclining Buddha,
The Indus Valley Civilization, Ahom Kingdom,
Gurjara-Pratiharas Dynasty,
Gurudwara Reform Movement
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ANCIENT BUDDHIST MONASTERY
(Sitagarhi Hills, Jharkhand)
A 900 years old Ancient Buddhist monastery was recently unearthed by
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in Sitagarhi Hills, Hazaribagh district of
Jharkhand.

It is a 10th century structure resembling a small ‘Buddha Vihar’ (Buddhist shrine


cummonastery).

ABOUT BUDDHISM
Buddhism, one of the major religions of the
world, was a reaction against the inequality on
the basis of the Varna System.
Buddhism has its origin in Gautama Buddha's
Spiritual Journey to Enlightenment.

Aim - To free oneself from the cycle of death and


rebirths i.e. to achieve ENLIGHTENMENT or
Nirvana.
Early Life - Gautama Buddha or Siddhartha was
born in 563 B.C. in a Royal Kshatriya Family in
Lumbini (Kapilavastu).

His father King Suddhodhana headed the


Republican clan of Shakyas and mother Queen
Maya was a Koshalan Princess.
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Married to the princess Yashodhara and had a son named Rahul.

Landmark Incidents of his Life

Mahabhinishkramana - He left his family at 29, in the quest to solve miseries of


the world.
Nirvana - At 35, he finally achieved enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, got the title of
“Buddha or the enlightened”.

Dharmachakra Pravartana - He delivered his first sermon at Sarnath in Banaras.

Mahaparinirvana - He passed away at the age of 80 in 483 B.C. at Kusinagar.

The Tri Ratnas of Buddhism


Buddha: Highest spiritual potential in everyone

Dhamma: The teachings of Buddha

Sangha: Community of Buddhism monks & followers

Philosophy of Buddhism
Four Major Noble Truths - dukkha, samudaya, nirodhu, magga/mārga

Eight Nobel Fold Path

Pancha Sila - Code of Conduct for followers

a) Do not covet the property of others. d) Do not speak a lie.


b) Do not commit violence. e) Do not indulge in corrupt practices.
c) Do not use intoxicants.
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Tripitakas - Teachings of Buddhism in Pali language i.e. Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta
Pitaka, Abhidhamma Pitaka

Four Buddhist Councils organised at – Rajgriha, Vaishali, Pataliputra, Kashmir

Schools of Buddhism-Hinayana and Mahayana

Contribution - Brought a Revolution in the history of Indian Religions by


rejecting the existence of atman and Brahma and attacking the Varna system;
Spread India’s culture worldwide e.g. Burma, Ceylon, China, Laos, Thailand etc.

RECLINING BUDDHA

India’s largest statue of the Reclining Buddha is being installed at the Buddha
International Welfare Mission temple in Bodh Gaya.

A reclining Buddha statue shows him -

lying on his right side, his head resting on a cushion or on his right elbow.

about to enter Parinirvana - the stage of great salvation after death that can only
be attained by enlightened souls.

Gives message - all beings have the potential to be awakened and be released
from the cycle of death and rebirth.

The Reclining Buddha was first depicted in Gandhara art - which began in
between 50 BC and 75 AD, and peaked during the Kushana period from the 1st
– 5th centuries AD.
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RECLINING BUDDHA IN INDIA
Cave No. 26 of Ajanta contains a 24-foot-long and nine-foot-tall sculpture of
the Reclining Buddha.

Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh, where Buddha attained parinirvana) has a


6-metre-long red sandstone monolith statue of the Reclining Buddha.

RECLINING BUDDHA OUTSIDE INDIA


In Sri Lanka and India, the Buddha is mostly shown in sitting postures, while the
reclining postures are more prevalent in Thailand and other parts of South East
Asia.
The largest Reclining Buddha in the world is the 600-foot Winsein Tawya
Buddha built in 1992 in Mawlamyine, Myanmar.
The Bhamala Buddha Parinirvana in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is
considered the oldest statue of its kind in the world. It is over 1800 years old.
In the late 15th century, a 70-metre statue of the Reclining Buddha was built at
the Hindu temple site of Baphuon in Cambodia’s Angkor.

THE INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION (IVC)


IVC is one of the four earliest civilizations of the world along with the
Mesopotamia, Egypt and China.

Flourished in the northern region of the Indian subcontinent between c. 7000 -


c. 600 BCE.
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The year 2020 marks 100 years of discovery of IVC.

It derives its name from its location in the valley of the Indus River.

Also known as Harappan Civilization.

Dayaram Sahni first discovered Harappa in 1921.

It remains unclear how the Indus civilization came to an end.

A new study has shown that dairy products were being produced by the
Harappans as far back as 2500 BCE.
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AHOM KINGDOM
(1228–1826)
The Ahom kingdom was founded by the first Ahom king Chao Lung Sui-Kha-Pah
in the 13th-century (1228 CE) in Assam.

They migrated to the Brahmaputra valley from present-day Myanmar.

Sivasagar (formerly known as Rangpur) was the seat of the powerful Ahom
dynasty.

Before his arrival the region was thickly inhabited by local kings Sootias,
Boharis, Kacharis etc.

Sui-Kha-Pah is widely referred to as the architect of “Bor Asom” or “greater


Assam”.

During the 16th century, they annexed the kingdoms of the Chhutiyas (1523)
and of Koch-Hajo (1581) and subjugated many other tribes.
Ahom style of architecture presents a unique blend of distinct architectural
styles ranging from domes and arches inspired by Mughal architecture to great
shikhara and mandapas of Hindu architecture.

Kingdom laid the foundation for present day Assamese culture, tradition, art
and architecture.
Ahom Dynasty governed the region for six centuries from 1228 CE till it was
annexed by the British in 1826 CE, and coexisted with Delhi Sultanate
(1206-1526 CE) and Mughals (1526-1857 CE).
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GURJARA-PRATIHARAS DYNASTY
Natesa, a rare sandstone idol from the Pratihara Style of architecture, smuggled
out of country in 1998 returned to India.

It is a 9th century’s rare sandstone idol from the Ghateswar Temple at Baroli,
Rajasthan.

It is tall at almost 4 ft in a rare and brilliant depiction of Shiva.

A depiction of Nandi (sacred bull calf) is shown behind the right leg of the
Natesa icon.
Pratihara Style of architecture is associated with Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty
around 800-900 AD.

Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty ruled much of Northern India from the mid-8th to the
11th century.
They were one of the first four patrilineal clans of the caste group referred to as
the Rajputs.

The Pratiharas, derived their name from the Sanskrit meaning doorkeeper, are
seen as a tribal group or a clan of the Gurjaras.

Popular Rulers:

Nagabhata I contained Arab armies moving east of the Indus River and rose to
fame in the late 8th century CE.

Nagabhata Il, Mhir Bhoj (Bhoja) and Mahendrapala I were the other important
rulers of dynasty.
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GURUDWARA REFORM MOVEMENT
Gurudwara Reform movement/Akali Movement was Sikhs’ long-drawn
campaign between 1920 to 1925 for the liberation of their gurudwaras or holy
shrines from the priests (Mahants) who had asserted property rights over
Gurudwaras.

It was an offshoot of the Singh Sabha Movement (1873).

The properties of places of worship of Sikhs were transferred and given over to
the Udasi Mahants by Britishers.

Mahants considered the Gurudwara as their fiefdom and encouraged practices


such as idol worship, discrimination with Dalits, drinking etc. in violation of the
tenets of Sikhism.
Sikhs claimed that Gurudwaras were public property; hence, the public could
remove mahanats in case of their inability to conform to the wishes of people.

People, who agitated against such persons, were suppressed by the Government
and the result was the Gurudwara Reform movement in which Sikhs had to face
imprisonment, atrocity and death.
1/6 reVISI N

PRELIMS SPECIAL
#QUICK REVISION
A brief coverage of Important Current Affairs of the Last 1 year in 30 DAYS

Indian History & Culture (4)


All India Trade Union Congress,
Qissa Khwani Bazaar massacre,
Kartarpur Corridor, Geographical Indication Tag,
Second World War
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ALL INDIA TRADE UNION CONGRESS (AITUC)
Recently, All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) completed 100 years of
formation.
AITUC was formed in 1920 to provide labour representation for India at the
International Labor Organization (ILO).
Lala Lajpat Rai was elected as the first president of AITUC and Dewan Chaman
Lal as the first general secretary.

C.R. Das, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose also served as AITUC
presidents.
Gaya session of the Congress (1922) welcomed formation of the AITUC and a
committee was formed to assist it.
Later, AITUC was split to form National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) in 1929
and Red Trade Union Congress (RTUC) in 1931.
In the aftermath of Second World War, AITUC played significant role in the
foundation of World Federation of Trade Unions (international federation of
trade unions).

Labour unions or trade unions are organizations formed by workers from


related fields that work for common interest of its members like fairness of pay,
hours of work, etc and hence providing a link between the management and
workers.
QISSA KHWANI BAZAAR MASSACRE
Qissa Khwani Bazaar massacre in Peshawar completed 90 years in April 2020.
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Also, it is the 100th Anniversary of Anjuman-e Islah ul-Afghan in 1921, which is
seen as the precursor of the Khudai Khidmatgar Movement

Khudai Khidmatgar was a Pashtun non-violent resistance movement against


the British Raj in the North-West Frontier Province.

The movement was led by Abdul Ghaffar Khan, known locally as Bacha Khan or
Badshah Khan or also Frontier Gandhi for his devotion to non-violent resistance

In June 1947, the Khudai Khidmatgars declared the Bannu Resolution,


demanding that -
the Pashtuns be given a choice to have an independent state of Pashtunistan

composing all Pashtun territories of British India, instead of being made to join
Pakistan.
Later, a plebiscite resulted in the Frontier Province becoming part of the newly
independent Pakistan.
He strongly opposed the proposal for the partition of India, siding with the
Indian National Congress and All India Azad Muslim Conference.
He founded the Pashto language monthly political journal ‘Pashtun’ in 1928.
His autobiography My Life and Struggle, was made public in 1969.
In 1987 he was awarded the Bharat Ratna Prize, and was the first non-Indian to
receive this honour.
KARTARPUR CORRIDOR
(First Anniversary)
Kartarpur corridor was opened in November 2019 on the eve of the 550th birth
anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
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It is about 4 km long, 2 km on either side of the international border and runs
cross over Ravi River.
It connects the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur (Punjab) with the
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartapur (in Narowal, Pakistan's Punjab province).
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib was ordered by Maharaja of Patiala between 1921-1929
and is believed to be place where Nanak ji spent about last 18 years of his life.
Guru Nanak Dev ji was the founder of Sikhism (the first of the ten Sikh Gurus).

He formalised the 3 pillars of Sikhism - Naam Japna, Kirat karni and Vand
Chakna.
He was born in 1469 in Nanakana Sahib, Punjab, Pakistan and died in Kartarpur,
Pakistan.
He was influenced by the nirguni (formless God) tradition of Bhakti movement
in medieval India.

GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION (GI) TAG


Recently, GI tags were awarded to multiple products.

GI Tag is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and
possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
These are regulated under Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and
Protection) Act,1999 and given by Controller General of Patents, Designs and
Trade Marks who is Registrar of Geographical Indications.
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GI is covered under Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
Agreement.
A GI Tag is valid for a decade, after which it can be renewed for another 10 years.
GI Tags, recently, granted to the following products -

SECOND WORLD WAR (WW II)


US, Europe and Russia celebrated May 8, 2020 (May 9 in Russia) as Victory Day to
mark 75th anniversary of end of Second World War in Europe.
Second World War was total war and most destructive war that world has
observed till date.
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Primary combatants - Germany, Italy, Japan, Great Britain (and its
Commonwealth nations), France, Soviet Union and United States.

CAUSES OF WORLD WAR II


Versailles Treaty which was considered humiliating and caused resentment in
Germany.
Failure of the League of Nations to uphold concept of ‘Collective Security’.
Global economic crisis - spurred by Great Depression in America.
Rise of Hitler and other Fascist powers.

EVENTS RELATED TO WW II
Holocaust and Nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
United Nations was established in 1945 for maintenance of world peace, etc.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), was drafted.


European domination of world ended and balance of power shifted in favor of
USSR and US.
Start of Cold war
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Third World Concept emerged which meant
to be non-Aligned to any of two super powers.
Decolonization & rise of nationalism in colonies in Asia & Africa and
emergence of many new nation states from 1950s.
01/13 reVISI N

PRELIMS SPECIAL
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A brief coverage of Important Current Affairs of the Last 1 year in 30 DAYS

Economy (1)
Economic Survey 2020-21
HIGHLIGHTS Union Budget 2021-22 R
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Relevant Facts (for Prelims) AP

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ECONOMIC SURVEY 2020-21
Major Highlights

1. An unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic affected both demand and supply, and


ensued a global economic downturn.

2. Global Economic Output estimated to fall by 3.5% in 2020 (IMF Jan 2021).

3. India adopted a unique Four-pillar Strategy of containment, fiscal, financial, and


long-term structural reforms.

4. India emerged as a leading supplier of the vaccine to neighbouring countries and


Brazil.
5. India acquired self-reliance in essential medicines, protective equipment like
masks, PPE Kits, etc, COVID-19 testing facilities.

6. India's lockdown strategy prevented 37 lakh COVID-19 cases, 1 lakh deaths.

7. National Health Mission mitigating inequity; Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
(PM-JAY) providing healthcare access to the most vulnerable during pandemic.

8. COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the importance of the healthcare sector and its
inter-linkages with other sectors as a health crisis transformed into an economic
and social crisis.

9. The healthcare policy to be focused on long-term priorities like Telemedicine,


health infrastructure etc to effectively respond to future pandemics.
03/13
10. India was the only country to announce structural reforms to expand supply in the
medium-long term and avoid long-term damage to productive capacities.

11. V-shaped recovery in India - visible in 7.5% decline in GDP in Q2 and recovery across
all key economic indicators viz rail freight traffic, e-way bills, GST collection, etc.

12. India’s Real GDP (current fiscal year) expected to contract 7.7%, given the impact of
the covid-19 pandemic on the economy.

13. The Estimated Real GDP (2021-22) to grow at 11 % and the nominal GDP to climb
by 15.4 %, the highest since independence.

14. Estimated trend Growth Rate of 6.5% in 2022-23 and 7% in 2023-24 aided by
structural reforms.

15. Agriculture to clock 3.4 % Growth, Industry contract by 9.6 %, Services to 8.8 %
during FY21.

16. Exports expected to decline by 5.8% and Imports by 11.3% in the second half of
FY21
17. Estimated Current Account Surplus of 2% of GDP in FY21, a historic high after 17 years.

18. Trade balance with China and the US improved as Imports slowed down.

19. India to become the Fastest Growing Economy in next two years : IMF

20. India was the only country among emerging markets to receive equity FII inflows in
2020.

21. Net FPI Inflows recorded an all-time monthly high of 9.8 Billion Dollars in Nov 2020
04/13
22. Negative IRGD in India, ‘Interest Rate Growth Rate Differential’ is the difference
between the interest rate and the growth rate.

23. India entered the top 50 innovating countries for the first time in 2020, however
India’s gross domestic expenditure on R&D (GERD) is lowest amongst other largest
economies.
24. The combined social sector expenditure by Centre and States as percent of GDP
increased in 2020-21.

25. Low level of female LFPR (Labor Force Participation Rate) in India because of
females spending disproportionately more time on unpaid domestic services and
prevelance of non discriminatory practices at the workplace.

26. Access to the bare necessities is improved, highest in Kerala, Punjab, Haryana and
Gujarat while lowest in Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Tripura.

27. A Bare Necessities Index (BNI) needs to be prepared at district level to assess the
progress.
28. The increase in public healthcare spending from 1 % to 2.5-3 % of GDP can
decrease out of pocket expenditure (OOPE) on health as envisaged in the National
Health Policy 2017.
29. Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan with a stimulus package worth 15 % of India’s GDP.

30. To mainstream the SDGs into the policies and programmes, India’s proactive steps -
localisation of SDGs, Voluntary National Review (VNR) to the UN, World Solar Bank,
One Sun One World One Grid Initiative etc.
31. Rationalization and simplification of existing labour codes into 4 codes.
05/13
32. India’s rank improved to 63 in 2020 from 77 in 2018 in the Ease of Doing Business
Index.

33. India has attained a literacy level of almost 96% at the elementary school level.

34. Enrollment increased from 36.5 % in 2018 to 61.8 % in 2020 in government and
private rural schools owning a smartphone, reducing inequalities in the digital
divide. (ASER 2020 Wave-1 (Rural))

35. eVIDYA, PRAGYATA, MANODARPAN initiative to make education accessible to


children during COVID-19 pandemic.

36. Global Rating agencies to be more transparent in Sovereign Rating, systemic


under-assessment since two decades to reflect the economy's fundamentals.
37. National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) for FY 2020-25 to facilitate the world class
infrastructure projects.

38. Continuation of the revamped Infrastructure Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme
till 2024-25 to attract more PPP projects.
39. Health outcomes of States that adopted Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
(PM-JAY) improved, compared to those who didn't.

UNION BUDGET 2021-22


Major Highlights
SIX PILLARS OF BUDGET 2021-22
The first ever digital Union Budget in the backdrop of the unprecedented
COVID-19 crisis.
06/13
6 pillars of the First budget of the new decade -
Health and Well-being
Physical and Financial Capital, and Infrastructure
Inclusive Development for Aspirational India
Reinvigorating Human Capital
Innovation and R&D
Minimum Government, Maximum Governance

TAX PROPOSALS
Exemption from filing income tax returns for senior citizens (75 years and above)
who only have pension and interest income.
No change in Personal income tax slabs.
New rules for removal of double taxation for NRIs.
Reducing time limit for reopening of income tax assessment from 6 to 3 years.
Serious tax evasion cases (Rs. 50 lakh or more) can be reopened after 10 years.

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal to be made faceless.


Dispute Resolution Committee to be set up for small taxpayers.
Tax holiday for startups extended for 1 more year.
Advance Tax liability on dividend income only after declaration/payment of
dividend.
07/13
Deduction of interest on housing loans (Section 80EEA) extended to loans taken up
to March 2022.
Agriculture Infrastructure And Development Cess (AIDC) on some items.
Hike in Customs duty to benefit Make in India Programme.

HEALTH
₹35000 cr for Covid-19 vaccine in 2021-22.
Pneumococcal vaccine presently limited to only 5 states, to be rolled across the
country.
Aimed at averting 50,000 child deaths annually.
PM Atma Nirbhar Swasthya Bharat Yojana, a new scheme to develop primary,
secondary and tertiary healthcare.
Introduction of National Commission for Allied Healthcare Professionals Bill.
To ensure transparent regulation of the 56 allied healthcare professions.
Mission POSHAN 2.0 - Supplementary Nutrition Programme and Poshan Abhiyan to
be merged.

INDUSTRY
Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme to create manufacturing global
champions across 13 sectors in the next 5 years.
MITRA (Mega Investment Textiles Parks) Scheme for world class infrastructure in
the textile sector.
08/13
Seven Textile Parks will be established over 3 year.

INFRASTRUCTURE
NIP Project Pipeline expanded to 7400 projects.
NIP - National Infrastructure Pipeline has launched 6835 projects.

National Rail Plan 2030 for developing adequate rail infrastructure by 2030.

Indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection system for eliminating train


collision due to human error.
National Hydrogen Mission 2021-22 to be launched to generate hydrogen from
green power sources.
Revamped reforms-based result-linked power distribution sector scheme to be
launched.
To provide assistance to DISCOMS for Infrastructure creation.
Development Financial Institution (DFI) for Infrastructure financing to be set up.

A “National Monetization Pipeline” of potential brownfield infrastructure assets to


monitor asset monetisation processes.
Economic Corridors - National Highway projects in four poll-bound States in Kerala,
Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Assam.

Flagship Corridors/Expressways -
Delhi-Mumbai Expressway
Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway
09/13
Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway
Delhi-Dehradun economic corridor
Raipur-Vishakhapatnam
Chennai-Salem corridor

Amritsar-Jamnagar
Delhi-Katra

Independent Gas Transport System operator to be set up.


A Gas pipeline project to be set up in Jammu and Kashmir.
Ujjwala (LPG) scheme to cover 1 crore more beneficiaries over and above 8 crore.
City Gas Distribution Network for 100 more districts.

URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban) across all urban local bodies for better water supply
nationwide.
Urban Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 over 5 years from 2021.
A New Voluntary Vehicle Scrapping policy to phase out old and unfit vehicles
Vehicles to undergo fitness tests -
After 15 years for commercial vehicles.
After 20 years for passenger vehicles.
10/13
‘Metro Lite’ and ‘Metro Neo’, two new technologies to provide metro rail systems at
reduced cost.

AGRICULTURE & ALLIED SECTOR


Agriculture Infrastructure Funds to APMCs for augmenting infrastructure.
1,000 more mandis to be integrated into the e-NAM market to enhance
transparency.
Five major fishing hubs – Kochi, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Paradip, and Petuaghat.
A Multipurpose Seaweed Park to be established in Tamil Nadu to promote seaweed
cultivation.
Seaweed farming is an emerging sector with potential to transform the lives of
coastal communities.

INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT
SWAMITVA Scheme to be extended to all States/UTs.
Operation Green scheme to be expanded to 22 perishable products.
Presently applicable to tomatoes, onions, and potatoes only.
One Nation One Ration Card Scheme across 32 states and UTs, to cover the
remaining 4 States.
First time social security benefits to be extended to gig, building and construction
workers, a portal to be launched.
11/13
HUMAN CAPITAL
Education
Set up the Higher Education Commission of India, as an umbrella body.
A Central University in Ladakh for Higher Education.
100 new Sainik Schools.
Revamped Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for welfare of SCs.
750 Eklavya Residential Schools in tribal areas.

Skills
Realigning National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) towards
post-education apprenticeship for graduates and diploma holders in
Engineering.
Partnership with UAE and Japan in the area of skill development and recognition.

Innovation & R&D


National Research Foundation to strengthen the overall research ecosystem.
National Language Translation Mission to boost our regional languages.
Deep Ocean Mission for ocean exploration and biodiversity conservation.

ECONOMY & FINANCIAL REFORMS


A single Securities Markets Code
12/13
By consolidating the provisions of SEBI Act 1992, Depositories Act 1996,
Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act 1956 and Government Securities Act 2007.
Development of a world class Fin-Tech hub at the GIFT-IFSC.
Increasing FDI in insurance sector from 49% to 74%.
An Asset Reconstruction Company to be set up to take over stressed loans.
Two Public Sector Banks and one General Insurance company to be privatized
Initial Public Offer (IPO) of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) in 2021-22.
Promoting start-ups and innovators by incentivizing the incorporation of One
Person Companies (OPCs).
Proposal to decriminalise Limited Liability Partnership Act of 2008.
Fiscal deficit revised to 9.5 % for FY21 of GDP and 6.8 % for FY22, to bring down
below 4.5 % of GDP by 2025-26.

RELEVANT FACTS
(for Prelims)
ENHANCED BUDGET ALLOCATION (2020-21) - Rs. 1,34,399.77 crore i.e. more than 6
times to 2013-14 (Rs. 21933.50).
AGRI INFRASTRUCTURE FUND to provide medium to long term debt financing for
investment in viable projects for post-harvest management Infrastructure and
community farming assets through interest subvention and financial support.
NATIONAL BEE AND HONEY MISSION (NBHM) launched as part of the Atma Nirbhar
Bharat Abhiyan for overall promotion and development of scientific beekeeping in
mission mode to achieve the goal of “Sweet
Revolution” in the country.
13/13
10,000 FARMER PRODUCER ORGANIZATIONS (FPOS) all over the country for
mobilization of farmers for the sustainable business model and augmented incomes.

FIRST KISAN RAIL of our Country started between Deolali (Maharashtra) and
Danapur (Bihar) station. Total 84 trips have been made carrying 23,219 tonnes
earning a revenue of Rs. 901.3 lakhs for the Government.

A FARMER FRIENDLY 'KISAN RATH' APP to facilitate the farmers and traders in
search of transportation vehicles for the movement of agricultural and horticultural
products.

E-NAM EXTENSION - 1000 markets and FPOs were integrated with e-NAM Platform
in 18 states and 03 UTs. 1.68 crore farmers as well as 1.52 lakh traders are
registered. National Agriculture Market (eNAM) is a pan-India level online
Agriculture Trading Portal that interconnects the existing APMC mandis across the
country to bring uniformity.

INCREASE IN MSPS for all mandated Kharif, Rabi and other commercial crops with
a return of at least 50 per cent over all India. MSP for Wheat increased from Rs. 1400
per quintal in 2013-14 to Rs. 1975 per quintal in 2020-21.

PM KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) - Rs. 6,000 per year income
support to farmers, 10.59 crore farmer families have been benefited.

PRADHAN MANTRI FASAL BIMA YOJANA (PMFBY) has completed 4 years


benefitting over 7.2 Crore applicants.
1/7 reVISI N

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Economy (2)
Four Years of GST, National “Faceless” Income
Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) Centre, R
IL

Global Minimum Corporate Tax, AP

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Retrospective Taxation, Green Tax X
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FOUR YEARS OF GST
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a destination based single indirect tax for the
entire country.
In the last four years, the tax base has almost doubled from 66.25 lakh to 1.28 crore.
It is the biggest tax reform in India introduced on the 1st July 2017 by 101st
Amendment 2016.
It has replaced double taxation (indirect taxes - excise, VAT, etc) in India that
increases the cost of goods.
GST is a “value added tax” levied on goods & services from the manufacturing
stage until its delivery to the final consumer.
Ex - goods manufactured in Rajasthan, sold to the final consumer in Punjab, the
entire tax revenue will go to Punjab.

It is a dual GST with the Centre and the States simultaneously levying tax on a
common base.
CGST
CGST (Central GST) collected by the Central
Government on an intra-state sale.
GST is levied at four
rates viz. 5%, 12%, 18% SGST (State GST) collected by the State
and 28%. SGST Government on an intra-state sale within a state.

Items like petroleum


IGST
IGST (Integrated GST) collected by the Central
products, etc are Government for an inter-state sale.
outside of GST.
3/7
GST Council - a constitutional body under article 279(A) for making
recommendations to the Union and State Government on issues related to GST.
GSTN is the Goods and Services Tax Network which is responsible for managing the
IT system concerning the GST Portal.

Need for GST Tribunals to reduce litigation arising due to lack of clarity on rules.

NATIONAL “FACELESS” INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL (ITAT) CENTRE


ITAT, the oldest tribunal in the country, is the first DIRECT TAX LITIGATION
independent appellate forum in tax litigations. STRUCTURE
The District Collector was the only appellate authority Assessing Officer (Income
when Tax was introduced in India by the Act of 1860. Tax Officer/Commissioner
of Income Tax Officer (CIT))
ITAT was constituted by virtue of section 5A of the
Income Tax Act, 1922 in the field of Direct Taxes. CIT (Appeal)

Set up in 1941 with three benches - Delhi, Kolkata ITAT


(Calcutta), Mumbai (Bombay).
High Court
Currently it has 63 benches at 27 different places.
Supreme Court
An appeal against its order lies with the High Court.

Faceless ‘ITAT’ : How It will work


It is proposed to set up a national faceless ITAT.
All communication between the Tribunal and the appellant shall be electronic.
4/7
Video-conferencing, where personal hearing is needed.
Amendment will be made to section 255 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 i.e. power to
regulate its own procedure.

Greater efficiency, speedy disposal of cases, less number of pending cases.

Facts decided by ITAT can not be reversed even during appeal to the High Court.

Oral hearing will take place only at the stage of third-tier appeal before the High
Court.
Contrary to the safeguards guaranteed by the Constitution of India in Article 14 to
21 i.e. Right of being heard.
PN Eswara Iyer vs The Registrar, Supreme Court (1980) - “Normal rule of the judicial
process is oral hearing and its elimination of an unusual exception”.
MP Industries vs. Union of India, Supreme Court (1966) - “a quasi-judicial tribunal
cannot make any decision adverse to a party without giving him an effective opportunity
of meeting any relevant allegations against him”.

GLOBAL MINIMUM CORPORATE TAX


Global Minimum Corporate Tax is an additional tax imposed on large multinational
companies (MNCs), potentially forcing them to pay taxes to countries based on
where their goods or services are sold, regardless of whether they have a physical
presence in that nation.

It will undercut any advantage of shifting to lower-tax places and pressures


countries to conform to the global norm.
5/7
Globally, Governments have long grappled with the challenge of taxing global
companies (such as Google, and Amazon, Facebook) operating across many
countries.
Also, income from intangible sources such as drug patents, software and royalties
on intellectual property has migrated to these jurisdictions, allowing companies to
avoid paying higher taxes in their traditional home countries.

Such companies generate huge revenues but pay very little tax because they set up
offices for tax purposes in low-tax jurisdictions (tax havens).

From 2000-2018, US companies booked half of all foreign profits in just seven
low-tax jurisdictions:
Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Singapore
and Switzerland
Recently, Finance Ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations reached a
landmark accord on backing a global minimum corporate tax rate of at least 15%.

RETROSPECTIVE TAXATION
Retrospective taxation is a ‘backward looking’ tax, allowing a country to pass a rule
on taxing certain products or services and charge companies from a time behind
the date on which the law is passed.

It helps in overcoming misuse of tax laws loopholes by companies.

Used by a number of nations to remove taxation anomalies through new or


additional charges on past transactions.
6/7
In India, it was introduced in 2012, empowering the Income tax Department to
raise tax demands on capital gains arising from indirect transfer of assets located
in India.
It was used in 17 tax matters with demand of Rs. 1,08,730 crores of tax from
companies like Vodafone,Cairn Energy, Westglobe, Richet Holdings etc.

Recently, parliament enacted the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021 to amend
the Income-tax (IT) Act, 1961 and the Finance Act, 2012, scrapping the 2012
retrospective tax law.

Changes Made by Amendment Act 2021

Amends Section-9 of IT Act, 1961 to nullify the demands raised for indirect transfer
of Indian assets made before 28th May 2012 on fulfillment of specified conditions
like withdrawal of appeal, petition, arbitration etc. in this regard.

Refund of any amount paid in these cases without any interest under Section-244A.

However, offshore transactions involving Indian assets executed after 28th May
2012 are still taxable as there is no retrospective application of the law.

GREEN TAX
“Green Tax” is proposed for old vehicles which are polluting the environment.

Popularly known as “environmental tax”, Green Taxes are a kind of legislative


charges on businesses and private individuals, aimed at discouraging people from
anti-ecological behaviour.
Green Tax is levied on older vehicles as an old engine fails to match the upgraded
pollution standards.
7/7
Commercial Transport Vehicles older than 8 years to be charged 10%-25%
additional green tax on the road tax at the time of fitness certification renewal.
Personal vehicles to be charged the same at the time of mandatory renewal of
registration certification after 15 years.
Public transport vehicles, buses etc to be charged lower.
Vehicles being registered in highly polluted cities like Delhi-NCR could be charged
higher green tax (50% of Road Tax).
Differential tax rates, depending on fuel (petrol/diesel) and type of vehicle.
Exempted vehicles - Strong hybrids; electric vehicles; alternate fuels like CNG,
ethanol, LPG vehicles; vehicles used in farming like tractor, harvester, tiller; etc
Green Tax in India
First introduced in polluted cities like Mumbai, it varies from state to state.
An ECC (Environmental compensation charge) was introduced in October 2015, in Delhi.
ECC is imposed on pollutants depending upon the vehicle’s size.
National Green Tribunal in 2015, banned petrol vehicles older than 15 years and
diesel vehicles older than 10 years in Delhi -NCR.
Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) was notified in India in 2016 for passenger
vehicles to boost efficiency.
The average fuel consumption standard is given by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency
(BEE) as less than 5.49 litres per 100 km.
A policy of Deregistration and Scrapping of vehicles owned by government
departments and PSUs, which are above 15 years in age will come into effect on Ist
April, 2022.
1/8 reVISI N

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A brief coverage of Important Current Affairs of the Last 1 year in 30 DAYS

Economy (3)
SEZ in India, Startup India Seed Fund
Scheme (SISFS), Shaphari Scheme, IL
Seaweed Farming/Multipurpose
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SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES (SEZ) IN INDIA
SEZs have largely met their objectives and performed well in terms of Exports,
Investment and Employment this year.
A SEZ is a geographically demarcated region that has more liberal economic laws
comparatively from the rest of the country.
It enjoys specific privileges like tax incentives, lower tariffs, duty free import, single
window clearances for all state and federal government approvals, etc.
Objective - To enhance foreign and domestic investment, increase exports, promote
regional development, etc.
Key Facts
In India, the first such zone was set up in Kandla, Gujarat as Export Processing
Zone (EPZ) in 1965.
Kandla was also Asia’s first EPZ.
In 2000, SEZs were developed under the Foreign Trade Policy with similar
structures as that of EPZs.
In 2005, the Special Economic Zones Act was passed along with the SEZ Rules.
Currently, 265 are operational out of total 379 notified SEZs.
Notable zones are in Noida (UP), Falta (West Bengal), Visakhapatnam (Andhra
Pradesh), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Cochin (Kerala), Santa Cruz (Maharashtra), Indore
(Madhya Pradesh), as well as Kandla and Surat (Gujarat).
A three tier administrative set up for functioning of SEZs with the Board of
Approval as the apex body.
In 2018, the Government constituted a “Committee under the Chairmanship of
Baba Kalyani” to evaluate the existing SEZ policy to make it globally competitive.
3/8
STARTUP INDIA SEED FUND SCHEME
(SISFS)
The Ministry of Commerce & Industry formally launched the Startup India Seed
Fund Scheme (SISFS).
What is Startup India - an initiative of the GoI, launched on 16th January 2016, to
build a robust Start-up ecosystem in the country.

SISFS is one such scheme that provides financial assistance to early-stage startups.
The scheme was notified on 21st January, 2021.

The Indian startup ecosystem suffers from capital inadequacy in the seed and ‘Proof
of Concept’ development stage.
SISFS provides seed funding to startups to conduct ‘Proof of Concept’ trials,
prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialization,

That will help startups to raise investments from angel investors or venture
capitalists, or seek loans from banks or financial institutions.

Key Features
PAN-India startup programme.
Startups can apply to 3 incubators simultaneously.
The incubator must be a legal entity:
- A society registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860 or
- A Trust registered u/ the Indian Trusts Act 1882 or
- A Pvt ltd company registered u/ the Companies Act 1956 or 2013 or
- A statutory body created through an Act
of the legislature
4/8
Preference to Startups creating innovative solutions in sectors - social impact,
waste/water management, education, agriculture,healthcare, etc.

Incubators will apply for funds through an online portal created by DPIIT.

It will support an estimated 3,600 entrepreneurs through 300 incubators.

EAC created by DPIIT will execute and monitor the Scheme.

WHAT IS SEED CAPITAL (SEED FUND)


“Seed capital is raised by a business in its infancy or early stages to develop an idea for
a business. It is one of the four phases of investment along with venture capital,
mezzanine funding, and an initial public offering that a startup normally has to move
through”.

SHAPHARI: CERTIFICATION SCHEME FOR AQUACULTURE PRODUCTS


The Marine Products Exports Development Authority (MPEDA) has developed a
certification scheme for aquaculture products called ‘Shaphari’.

MPEDA functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI), GOI.

MPEDA is the nodal agency for the holistic development of the seafood industry in
India and for promotion of exports of “all varieties of fishery products”.

These products are commercially known as shrimp, prawn, lobster, crab, fish,
shell-fish, other aquatic animals or plants.
5/8
Shaphari is a certification scheme
for export oriented aquaculture India is the second largest fish producer in
production systems that include the world.
both hatcheries and farms. Frozen shrimp is the largest exported
‘Shaphari’ or "शफ़री“ means superior seafood item (50.58%).
quality of fishery products India exported 6.52 lakh MT of frozen shrimp
suitable for human consumption. worth almost $5 billion in 2019-20.
Objective - To encourage the
India’s major shrimp producing States -
production of quality
Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha,
antibiotic-free shrimp products. Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
Two components — 1. Certifying
hatcheries for the quality of their Largest market for Indian frozen shrimp -
seeds 2. Approving shrimp farms USA followed by South East Asia, European
that adopt the requisite good Union, China, Japan and Middle East
practices. countries.

Certificate for a period of two years shall be granted once they clear multiple audits
of their operations.
The scheme is based on the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization’s
technical guidelines on aquaculture certification.
Significance - To free Indian aquaculture from the use of antibiotics.

SEAWEED FARMING/MULTIPURPOSE SEAWEED PARK


Seaweed farming, an eco-friendly activity, is the least environmentally damaging
form of aquaculture.
A Multipurpose Seaweed Park is proposed to be established in Tamil Nadu as
announced in Union Budget 2021-22.
6/8
Seaweed farming is an emerging sector in India with potential to transform the
lives of coastal communities.
Seaweeds are a group of photosynthetic non-flowering plants like organisms -
macrophytic algae that live in the sea.
It has three major groups - the Chlorophyta (green), the Phaeophyta (brown) and
the Rhodophyta (red).
Red seaweeds are found mostly in subtropical and tropical waters, while brown
seaweeds are more common in cooler, temperate waters.
Asia stands as the world leader in seaweed cultivation.
China ranks first in seaweed production, followed by North Korea, South Korea,
Japan, Philippines, Chile, Norway, Indonesia, USA and India.
These top ten countries contribute about 95% of the world’s commercial seaweed
volume.
Benefits

Highly useful plants - new renewable sources of food, energy and medicines.
Rich in minerals, vitamins, trace elements and bioactive substances, and are
called medical food of the 21st century.
A valuable source of raw material for industries
Reduce coastal pollution in the sea and CO2 in global warming.

Seaweed Farming in India


India is bestowed with a coastline of more than 17,000 km, embracing 821 species
of seaweeds.
7/8
Seaweeds grow abundantly in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, Lakshadweep and Andaman
and Nicobar islands.
Also rich seaweed beds around Mumbai, Ratnagiri, Goa, Karwar, Varkala, Vizhinjam
and Pulicat in Tamil Nadu and Chilka in Orissa.
Out of approximately 700 species of marine algae, nearly 60 species are
commercially important.
The seaweed industry in India is mainly a cottage industry and is based only on the
natural stock of agar-yielding red seaweeds,
such as Gelidiella acerosa and Gracilaria edulis, and algin yielding brown
seaweeds species such as Sargassum and Tubineria.

Proposed Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu will boost agar industries in southern Tamil
Nadu.
Agar, also known as agar agar, is a jelly-like edible substance used in dairy products,
biotechnology and dentistry.

ETHEREUM
Ethereum is an open-source, blockchain-based operating system, providing access
to digital money and also data-friendly services for everyone.

Launched in 2015, it is World's second largest virtual currency platform after Bitcoin
that was the first cryptocurrency.
A cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual
It's a community-built technology currency, based on decentralised
behind the cryptocurrency Ether (ETH). networks on blockchain technology.
8/8
It's a community-built technology behind the cryptocurrency Ether (ETH).

ETH is a cryptocurrency, a digital & global money that one can use on the internet.

Ethereum being a decentralized system, is fully autonomous.

Ethereum 2.0 - An upgrade on Ethereum is set for launch, it is faster, cheaper and
more environmentally friendly, than bitcoin.

Ethereum and Bitcoin


Bitcoin launched in 2009, is the first ever cryptocurrency and a money-transfer
system, supported by a distributed public ledger technology called the Blockchain.

Both come under the category of cryptocurrency, yet have big differences.
Ethereum took the technology behind Bitcoin and substantially expanded its
capabilities. It is a whole network, with its own Internet browser, coding language
and payment system.
Ethereum is much faster to acquire ether currency than bitcoin (about 14 or 15
seconds to bitcoin's near-uniform 10 minutes).
Currently it has a market cap of 70 billion USD compared to Bitcoin's 360 billion
USD.
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A brief coverage of Important Current Affairs of the Last 1 year in 30 DAYS

Environment (1)
Tigers in India - India’s first inter-state Tiger Translocation Project
Indian Rhinos - IRV 2020
Marine Turtles in India - National Marine Turtle Action Plan 2021-26
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TIGERS IN INDIA
(INDIA’S FIRST INTER-STATE TIGER TRANSLOCATION PROJECT)
Tigers are the top predators in an ecosystem, vital in regulating ecological
processes.
India is home to 51 tiger reserves spread across 18 states.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) conducts -
A national assessment for the "Status of Tigers, Co-predators, Prey and their
Habitat" every four years since 2006.
It is the largest biodiversity survey being carried out anywhere in the world.

NTCA is a statutory body constituted under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The last tiger census of 2018 showed a rise in the tiger population.

India is now home to over 2,967 tigers, 70% of the entire world's tiger
population.
India’s first Inter-State Tiger Translocation Project
Under the project, two big cats, a male (Mahavir) from Kanha Tiger Reserve and
a tigress (Sundari) from Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh were relocated to
Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Odisha in 2018.
Recently, that tigress, shifted as part of the project, returned home in Madhya
Pradesh from Odisha.
Purpose of the relocation was :
Reducing tiger population in areas with excess tigers.
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To reintroduce tigers in areas where the population has considerably
reduced.

Project Tiger
A flagship conservation initiative started in 1973 by the Government of
India, provides central assistance for tiger conservation in designated
tiger reserves in India.
14 Tiger Reserves have received the accreditation of the Global
Conservation Assured|Tiger Standards (CA|TS).
Manas, Kaziranga, Orang (Assam); Satpura, Kanha, Panna (Madhya
Pradesh);
Sunderbans (WestBengal); Parambikulam (Kerala); Bandipur
(Karnataka);
Pench (Maharashtra); Valmiki (Bihar); Dudhwa (Uttar Pradesh);
Mudumalai, Anamalai (Tamil Nadu) Tiger Reserves.

CA|TS is an accreditation tool to set minimum standards, launched by the


global coalition of TRCs.
India achieved the target of doubling the tiger population 4 years ahead
of the schedule of the St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation.
That was signed in 2010 by 13 Tiger range countries (TRC) -
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia,
Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam.
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INDIAN RHINOS : THE INDIAN RHINO VISION 2020
In total, there are only about 27,000 Rhinos left in the world.
Five remaining species - White Rhino, GOHR, Black Rhino, Sumatran Rhino,
Javan Rhino.
In India, only GOHR - Greater One-Horned rhinos are found.
Scientific name - rhinoceros unicornis

Have a single horn 8 to 24 inches long

IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable

Listed u/ Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

More than 70 % of the world’s GOHRs inhabit Kaziranga NP in Assam, India.


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THE INDIAN RHINO VISION 2020
(IRV 2020)
A Joint Initiative of Assam Forest Department, World Wide Fund (wwf-India) and
International Rhino Foundation.
Designed in 2005 by the ‘Task Force for Translocation of Rhinos within Assam’.

Objectives - To attain a population of 3000 wild rhinos in 7 protected areas (PA)


in Assam by 2020.
These are - Kaziranga, Pobitora, Orang, Manas NPs, and Laokhowa, Burachapori,
Dibru Saikhowa WSs.
Wild-to-wild translocations from densely populated parks like Kaziranga and
Pobitora WS
To the potentially identified rhino habitat areas - Manas NP; Dibru Saikhowa,
Laokhowa and Bura Chapori WS.
The IRV 2020 program came to a close with the recent translocation of two
rhinos.
An adult male and a female have been transported from Pobitora Wildlife
Sanctuary (WS) to Manas National Park (NP) in Assam.
Manas had lost its entire population of around 100 rhinos during the Bodoland
ethnic unrest that ended in 2001.
Now, the population rose up by 48 % from 2005 to 2021.
The translocated rhinos helped Manas National Park get back its World
Heritage Site status in 2011.
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MARINE TURTLES IN INDIA
NATIONAL MARINE TURTLE ACTION PLAN (2021-26)
The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate
Change (MoEF&CC) has released the National
Marine Turtle Action Plan.
The plan aims to conserve marine turtles and
their habitats for maintaining a healthy marine
ecosystem.
India, is a signatory of the Indian Ocean and
South-East Asia (IOSEA) Marine Turtles MOU.
Marine Turtles are considered flagship species
in various marine habitats and play Ecological
roles like controlling prey populations,
supporting coastal vegetation etc.

Marine Turtles in India

Five of the seven species of sea turtles are known


to inhabit Indian coastal waters and islands.
Olive Ridley, Green, Hawksbill, Loggerhead and
the Leatherback turtles.
India is home to the largest known nesting
population of olive ridley turtles (ORT).
ORT, along with Kemps Ridley turtle, are
known for their mass nesting called Arribada,
where thousands of females come together on
the same beach to lay eggs.
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Leatherbacks, the largest of the seven species of sea turtles, are found in all
oceans except the Arctic and Antarctic.

Within the Indian Ocean, they nest only in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and A&N
Islands.
Except Loggerhead turtles, the remaining four species nest along the Indian
coastline and islands of India.

Measures Taken for their Protection

These five species of sea turtles are

VU:Vulnerable; EN:Endangered; CR:Critically Endangered


protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972.

Also, MoEF&CC had included marine turtles


as one of the 22 species for taking up
focused conservation programs under the
centrally sponsored scheme - Development
of Wildlife Habitats.

India has identified all its important sea


turtle nesting habitats as ‘Important
Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Areas’ of
India and included in the Coastal
Regulation Zone (CRZ) - 1.
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A brief coverage of Important Current Affairs of the Last 1 year in 30 DAYS

Environment (2)
Pangolin
Black-Browed Babbler
African Elephants
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PANGOLIN
The most poached mammal globally.
Pangolins are sometimes mistaken as
reptiles, but they are actually mammals.
The only mammals wholly-covered in scales
and use those scales to protect themselves
from predators in the wild.

The word “Pangolin” comes from


‘penggulung,’ which means “roller”.

Also known as scaly anteaters because of


their preferred diet i.e. ants, termites etc.
Eight Species
They range from Vulnerable to Critically Found on two continents
Endangered.
Four in Africa
They are one of the most trafficked 1. Black-bellied pangolin
mammals in Asia and Africa for their meat 2. White-bellied pangolin
and scales. 3. Giant Ground pangolin

High demand in China and Vietnam, where 4. Temminck's Ground pangolin


pangolin scales are used for medicinal Four in Asia
purposes to treat a range of ailments like 1. Indian pangolin
asthma, rheumatism. 2. Philippine pangolin
3. Sunda pangolin
An estimated 195,000 pangolins were
4. Chinese pangolin
trafficked in 2019 for their scales alone.
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Indian Pangolin

In India, two species are found.


Indian pangolin (in South of the Himalayas, excluding the NER)

Chinese pangolin (in Assam and the Eastern Himalayas).


Both are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
The Indian pangolin is listed as “endangered” and the Chinese pangolin as
“critically endangered” in IUCN Red List.
Hunting and poaching in India is punishable up to 7 years imprisonment.

Efforts
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), an international non-governmental
organization in alliance with TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, is
working in Asia and Africa to protect pangolins and other species from wildlife
crime;
Strengthening CITES - (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
of Wild Fauna and Flora) to regulate the international trade in species;
China prohibited the use of pangolin scales in traditional medicine.

BLACK-BROWED BABBLER
The rediscovery of Black-Browed Babbler after more than 170 years in
South-East Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia in October 2020.
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More than 150 species of birds around the world


are considered "lost" with no confirmed sightings
in the past decade.
The bird (only single specimen) was first found
between 1843 to 1848 through the dense
equatorial forests of Borneo.

It is the longest known ‘missing period’ for any


Asian species (Butchart et al. 2005).

About Black-browed Babbler

Black-browed Babbler (Malacocincla perspicillata) is a small brown-grey


songbird with a distinctive broad, black eye-stripe.

It has a stout appearance, with a relatively short tail and a robust bill similar to
the holotype.
The species holotype is now at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden,
Netherlands.
The facial appearance of the bird is very distinct, with
The crown being chestnut brown.

Irides being deep red unlike the holotype, which has artificial yellowish eyes.

Its upper part is rich brown, while the under parts up to the breast is greyish
with fine white streaking.
The legs are dark slate-grey.
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Listed in the “Data Deficient” category in the IUCN red list, nothing substantial
is known of the size of this population.

AFRICAN ELEPHANTS
IUCN has categorised, savanna elephant as “endangered” and the much smaller,
lighter forest elephant as “critically endangered”.

These two are subspecies of African elephants.

Both species are facing threat from poaching for ivory and human
encroachment.
Forest elephants occur in the tropical forests of Central Africa and in a range of
habitats in West Africa.

Savanna elephants are found in variety of habitats in Sub-Saharan Africa


including grasslands and deserts.

Asian elephants (found in India) are smaller than African elephants, and
their ears are smaller compared to the large fan-shaped ears of the
African species.

3 subspecies: Indian, Sri Lankan and Sumatran.

Only some male Asian elephants have tusks, while both male and female
African elephants grow tusks.
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A brief coverage of Important Current Affairs of the Last 1 year in 30 DAYS

International Relation (1)


India elected Non-permanent member of UNSC for 8th term
International Solar Alliance (ISA)
Suez Canal
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INDIA ELECTED NON-PERMANENT MEMBER
OF UNSC FOR 8TH TERM
India has been formally elected to the non-permanent seat of the United
Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a two-year term starting from January 2021.
India secured 184 of the 192 votes, far more than it required to be confirmed
(128) or two-thirds minimum.
India was the sole endorsed candidate for a non-permanent seat from the
Asia-Pacific category for the 2021-22 term.
Along with India, Ireland (128), Mexico (187) and Norway (130) also won the
Security Council elections.
Previously, India has been elected as a non-permanent member of the Council
for the years
1950-1951, 1967-1968, 1972-1973, 1977-1978, 1984-1985, 1991-1992 and
most recently in 2011-2012.
The Security Council is composed of 15
India has set out its key priorities - Members, each Member has one vote.
an effective response to Five permanent members: China, France,
international terrorism, reforming Russian Federation, the United Kingdom,
the multilateral system, and the United States, and
achievement of N.O.R.M.S — a New Ten non-permanent members elected for
Orientation for a Reformed two-year terms by the General Assembly
(with end of term year).
Multilateral System, etc.
The Council has primary responsibility for
“India’s approach will be guided by the maintenance of international peace and
‘FIVE S’s’ — security.
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Samman (Respect), Samvad (Dialogue), Sahyog (Cooperation) and Shanti
(Peace) to create conditions for universal Samriddhi (Prosperity).

INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE (ISA)


ISA is an Indian initiative, jointly launched by India and France during 2015 UN
Climate Change COP 21 in Paris.
It is a coalition of 121 solar resource rich countries to collectively address solar
energy challenges.
89 countries have signed the ISA’s Framework Agreement.
Most of the member countries lie fully or partially between the Tropics of Cancer
and Capricorn.

Recently, ISA’s membership has been extended to all member states of the
United Nations beyond the Tropics.
The ISA is headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) organises assembly


meetings of ISA.
Recently Italy has signed the ISA Framework Agreement with India.

Italy is currently the sixth country in the world for installed solar capacity and
second in the EU.
OBJECTIVES
To collectively respond to the key common obstacles to the massive deployment
of solar energy in terms of technology, finance and capacity.
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To contribute in implementing the Paris Climate
Agreement. *The Paris Agreement is a
legally binding international
A key to achieve 2030 Sustainable Development treaty on climate change.
Goals Adopted in 2015 by 196 Parties
at COP 21 in Paris. Aim to limit
India targets installing 175 GW of renewable global warming below 2°C,
energy capacity by 2022, which includes 100 GW preferably to 1.5 Celsius.
from solar.

SUEZ CANAL
Suez Canal is 193-kilometers long
artificial waterway in Egypt, to connect
the Mediterranean Sea and the Red
Sea.

Enables direct shipping between


Europe and Asia, eliminating the need
to circumnavigate Africa via Cape of
Good Hope.

Provides a crucial link for oil, natural


gas and cargo being shipped from East
to West.

Around 10% of all global trade, amounting nearly $10 billion worth of goods
every day flows through the Suez Canal.
One of the world’s largest container ships, named Ever Given, was wedged across
the Suez Canal, blocking one of the busiest maritime trade corridors in the
world.
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#QUICK REVISION
A brief coverage of Important Current Affairs of the Last 1 year in 30 DAYS

International Relation (2)


Extradition
Build Back Better World (B3W) Partnership
India and Bangladesh : Maitri Setu
Raisina Dialogue
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EXTRADITION
Extradition is the delivery on the part of one State to another of those whom it
is desired to deal with for crimes of which they have been accused or convicted
and are justifiable in the Courts of the other State.

Recently, UK court paved way for Fugitive jeweller Nirav Modi to be extradited
to India.
India-UK Extradition Treaty was signed in 1992.

An Extradition request for an accused can be initiated in the case of


under-investigation, undertrial and convicted criminals.
Extradition Act 1962 (modified in 1993) provides India’s legislative basis for
extradition.
Extradition applies only with respect to offences clearly stipulated as such in
the treaty
Should be an offence under the national laws of the extradition requesting
country as well as of the requested country.
Requested country must be satisfied that there is a prima facie case made out
against the offender/accused.
Extradited person must be proceeded only against the offence (rule of
speciality) for which his extradition was requested.
He must be accorded a fair trial.
Nodal Authority for Extradition
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Consular, Passport & Visa (CPV) Division, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

A request can only be made by MEA.

Extradition is not available at the request of members of the public.

India is able to make an extradition request to any country (1962 provides for
the process of extradition with non-Treaty foreign States also).
Indian nationals who return to India after committing offences in West Asia/Gulf
countries are not extradited to those countries and are prosecuted in India in
accordance with Indian Law.
Extradition of Indian Nationals barred to countries - France, Germany, Spain,
UAE, Bulgaria, Kuwait, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan,Vietnam.
India may not extradite nationals to countries: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Belarus,
Hong Kong, South Korea, Mongolia, Nepal, and Tunisia.
Bars to Extradition - Absence of a treaty, No treaty crime, Military and Political
Offences, Want of Dual Criminality, Procedural considerations.

BUILD BACK BETTER WORLD (B3W) PARTNERSHIP


The US and other G7 partners have launched a new global infrastructure initiative
Build Back Better World (B3W) at the G-7 summit held in England this year.

B3W is a values driven, high standard and transparent infrastructure partnership


led by the world’s seven wealthiest democracies to help the developing world.
Objective - To meet over $40 trillion Infrastructure needs of Low and Middle
Income Countries that has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Focus on helping low and moderate income nations across the world to develop
needed infrastructure.
Targeted areas - Climate, Health and health security, Digital technology and
Gender equity and equality
Global in Scope from Latin America and the Caribbean to Africa to the
Indo-Pacific.
G7 is an informal group of seven countries - the
The US-backed B3W plan is said to United States, Canada, France, Germany,
counter China’s Belt and Road Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom.
Initiative (BRI). Together the member countries represent
China’s BRI, is a multi-trillion 40% of global GDP and 10% of the
-dollar infrastructure scheme world’s population.
launched in 2013. They hold an annual summit with the
Aims at development and European Union and other invitees.
investment initiatives in This year, India, South Korea and
countries along the route of the Australia have been invited to attend the
historic Silk Road from Asia to G7 summit as participating guests.
Europe and beyond. The UK held the G7 presidency for 2021.
More than 100 countries have joined BRI projects like railways, ports, highways
and other infrastructure.
In all SAARC nations, except India and Bhutan, China has funded BRI projects in
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.

INDIA AND BANGLADESH : MAITRI SETU


1.9-km-long India-Bangladesh Maitri Setu (Friendship Bridge) is built over the
Feni river that demarcates the international boundary between India and
Bangladesh.
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The Feni river originates in the South Tripura, passes through Sabroom on the
Indian side, enters Bangladesh and flows in Bay of Bengal.
It is a trans boundary river with an ongoing dispute over water rights.
The bridge joins Sabroom in India with Ramgarh in Bangladesh.
It connects Bangladesh’s Chittagong sea port, that is just 100 km from Agartala,
to the North East.
Conceived in 2010, the construction of the bridge was taken over by the
National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.
Connects south Assam, Mizoram and Manipur along Tripura with Bangladesh and
South-East Asia.
Tripura acts as the ‘Gateway of North East’ with access to Chittagong
International Seaport in Bangladesh.
It would play a strategic role in the proposed economic corridor via India,
Bangladesh, China and Myanmar.

RAISINA DIALOGUE
The Ministry of External Affairs, GoI jointly with ORF organised the 6th edition
of the Raisina Dialogue.
ORF - Observer Research Foundation is an independent think tank.
India’s premier conference on Geopolitics and Geoeconomics.
Started in 2016, it is organized every year in New Delhi.
A multilateral conference of cross-sectoral discussions to address the most
challenging global issues.
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Raisina Dialogue 2021

First time, the dialogue was held virtually from 13-16 April due to Covid 19
outbreak.
Theme of the year -"#ViralWorld: Outbreaks, Outliers and Out of Control”.
Five Core Areas of Discussion
WHOse Multilateralism? Reconstructing the UN and Beyond.
Securing and Diversifying Supply Chains.
Global ‘Public Bads’: Holding Actors and Nations to Account.
Infodemic: Navigating a ‘No-Truth’ World in the Age of Big Brother.
Green Stimulus: Investing in Gender, Growth and Development.

India At Raisina Dialogue 2021


Equitable distribution of Covid vaccines and Global expectations
India's assertion to stand firm in preventing a change of status quo on the
northern borders on Ladakh standoff with China.
Emphasized on the role of neighbours in Afghan Peace.
The security and stability of Indo-Pacific with the support of the Quad or
Quadrilateral coalition against expansionist China.
Quad is a four member group of India, the US, Japan and Australia.
India-EU cooperation in four major areas i.e. Covid-19, climate change,
economic cooperation, and security and peace.

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