1st Week 30 Oct 4 Nov 2023

LORRAINOSAURUS (PLIOSAUR):Re-
searchers have identified fossils of a

170-million-year-old ancient marine reptile
as the oldest-known mega-predatory plio-
saur (a group of ocean-dwelling reptiles).
This pliosaur genus, named Lorrainosau-
rus, was found in northeastern France.
30 OCT - 4 NOV 2023
WEEKLY CURRENT AFFAIRS

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GIS SONINAI.C
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Weekly Current Affairs Magazine
inside CONTENT FOR MAINS ENRICHMENT

1. Varsha Raikwa (Radio Bundelkhand) 23
2. 2023 Champions of the Earth 23
GENERAL STUDIES – 2 3. Matthew Perry (F.R.I.E.N.D.S star) 24
Topics: Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, function- 4. Children as Political citizens 24
ing, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising
5. 2023 British Academy Book Prize: Nandini Das 24
out of these.
6. Apollo 13 spacecraft recovery 25
1. Speaker: need for impartiality and integrity 4
FACTS FOR PRELIMS
GS-1
1. Banni Festival 25
Topics: India and its neighbourhood- relations.

2. Election of Maldives New president: India-Maldives
Relations 6
.
GENERAL STUDIES – 3
Topics: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobiliza-
tion of resources, growth, development, and employment.
1. Worker’s Productivity: Long working hours 7
Topics: Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in indus-
trial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
2. India’s Most Favoured Nation (MFN) approach 9
Topics: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways
etc.
3. Enhancing the transport of cargo by Indian Railways 2. Baba Farid: Jerusalem-India Connection 25
11 3. Pichwai Painting 26
Topics: Science and Technology- developments and their applica- 4. Kozhikode as ‘City of Literature’ and Gwalior as the
tions and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in sci- ‘City of Music’ 26
ence & technology; indigenization of technology and developing 5. White Hydrogen 26
new technology. 6. Human Rights and agencies involved 27
4. GI Tags: How does it help? 13
5. Innovation Ecosystem in India: Challenges and Solu-
tions Biosphere reserves: Pockets of hope 14 GS-2
Topics: Conservation related issues, environmental pollution and 1. International Competition Network 27
degradation, environmental impact assessment.
2. Japan-India Semiconductor Supply Chain Partner-
6. Coal: Necessary for India’s Green Transition 16
ship 27
7. UN report on groundwater extraction: Every drop
3. Indigenous charging standards 28
counts 18
4. Venus had Earth-like plate tectonics billions of years
ago 28
GENERAL STUDIES – 4 5. Carbon nanoflorets 29
1. MP Mahua Moitra case and Lok Sabha Ethics Com- 6. Premature mortality from major non-communicable
mittee proceedings 20 diseases 29
2. Prisoner’s dilemma 21 7. Hunger Hotspots 29
3. Examples of Ethics 2
2 www.insightsonindia.com
5. Rafah border crossing 39

6. Pakistan-Afghanistan Border 39
GS-3
1. The Lewis Model in Economic Development 30
2. Nanophotonic Electron Accelerator (NEA) 30
3. 30
4. Global Declaration for River Dolphins 31

5. Dark pattern sales deemed ‘cybercrime’ 31
6. Gir cow breed 32
7. JioSpaceFiber 32
8. Haemoglobin 33
9. Amangarh Tiger Reserve 33
10. ‘Reference’ fuel 33
11. Age of Moon 34
12. Subsurface Water Ice Mapping (SWIM) project 34
13. United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) 34
14. Light Combat Helicopter Prachand 35
15. Hydroclimate extremes 35
16. Bletchley Declaration 36
17. Mercury contamination 36
18. NECP and EEFP launched by EESL 36
19. 2023 Adaptation Gap Report 37
MAPPING
1. Gudavi Bird Sanctuary (Karnataka) 37

2. Venezuela 38
3. Kerala’s Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary 38
4. Agartala-Akhaura railway 38
www.insightsonindia.com 3
Importance Supreme Authority in the Lok Sabha/State

GENERAL STUDIES – 2 of Speaker’s Assembly, with vast powers to ensure the
Indepen- orderly conduct of business
Topics: Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, function- dence Symbol of the nation’s freedom and liberty
ing, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising Conscience and guardian of the House
out of these.
Represents the collective voice of the par-
liament/ State assembly
1. SPEAKER: NEED FOR IMPAR-
TIALITY AND INTEGRITY
Context:
The article discusses the need for impartiality and integrity in
the functioning of Speakers in Indian parliamentary bodies.
About Speaker:
Role of a Definition
Speaker
Who is a A presiding officer in a legislative body
Speaker? responsible for maintaining order during
debates, ensuring rules are followed, and
representing the institution. Typically
elected by members, they play a crucial
role in the legislative assembly’s function- Issues with the functioning of speakers in India:
ing. Issues Examples
Constitution- Article 93 and Article 178 of the Indian Favour Ruling Party Several judgments on the anti-de-
al Articles Constitution govern the election of the fection law highlight partisan con-
Speaker and Deputy Speaker in the Lok duct of speakers in state assemblies.
Sabha and State Assemblies. Recently, the leader of the Con-
Origin Originated in medieval Britain as a House gress party in the Lok Sabha, Adhir
of Commons spokesman. Initially seen as Ranjan Chowdhury, was suspended
an agent of the Crown until the 17th cen- for his remarks against the Prime
tury. Evolved to be an impartial Chairman Minister (which was later revoked)
since the 19th century. Party Interest Over Speakers who are active members
Powers and The final interpreter of the provisions of National Interest of the ruling party may refuse es-
Functions of the Constitution, Rules of Procedure, and sential debates in the national inter-
the Speaker parliamentary precedents est to avoid embarrassing the ruling
Presides over joint sittings of both Houses party.
of Parliament Increased Disrup- Partisan conduct and apathy of the
Makes final decisions regarding disqualifi- tion in Parliament speaker towards opposition de-
cations of members under the Anti-defec- mands lead to frequent disruptions
tion Act in Parliament by the Opposition.
Appoints chairmen of parliamentary com- Disruption of Parliament damages
mittees and supervises their functioning its prestige and hinders its prima-
Maintains quorum and decorum in the ry function of making laws through
house for conducting its business careful debate.
Decides whether a bill is a money bill, and Bills are Not Re- Stalling parliamentary proceedings
this decision is final ferred to Commit- has resulted in the passing of signif-
tees icant bills without discussion.
Can allow a secret sitting of the House at
the Leader of the House’s request E.g., In the 2021 monsoon session
of Lok Sabha, not a single bill was
Has a casting vote in case of a tie
referred to any select committee for
review.
Wide Discretion Speakers exercise wide discretion British Model Adopt the British model, where Speakers
in matters of Money Bills, decorum (‘Once a Speak- usually remain unopposed by major po-
maintenance, and the suspension er, Always a litical parties, enhancing objectivity.
of members. Speaker’)
Bills are sometimes labeled as Adopt practices from the UK, where
‘Money Bills’ to bypass the Upper Speakers resign from associated politi-
Houses. E.g., The Aadhar bill, intro- cal parties to reflect impartiality
duced as a Money bill C o n t i n u i t y A committee, like the one headed by V.S.
Misuse of Pow- The role of the Speaker in recent Based on Im- Page, suggested allowing Speakers to
ers under the 10th political crises, such as in Maha- partiality continue if they have been impartial and
Schedule rashtra (2022), has raised concerns efficient in their previous tenure.
about the misuse of powers under Election on an It is suggested that, anyone seeking the
the 10th Schedule. I n d e p e n d e nt position of Speaker may be required to
Other Examples include the dismiss- Ticket run for election on an independent tick-
al of governments in Uttarakhand et.
and Arunachal Pradesh, where D i s q u a l i f i ca - Shift the power of disqualification under
Speakers helped ruling parties by tion Power the anti-defection law to the President
disqualifying MLAs under the 10th Shift or Governor, who decide based on the
Schedule suggestions of the Election Commission
Appointment Sys- - Speakers are typically elected by of India (2nd ARC recommendation).
tem the ruling party, leading to ques- Imposition of Grant the Speaker the power to impose
tions about their independence Disciplinary Ac- various disciplinary actions, such as a
from party influence. tions salary cut for members disrupting the
Lack of Tenure Se- The Constitution of India doesn’t house.
curity provide a fixed tenure for speakers, Formation of a Allow the Speaker to create a parliamen-
making their position dependent on Parliamentary tary committee to recommend the re-
their selection, which can influence Committee moval of MPs who regularly disrupt the
their actions in the House. house. The committee’s decisions should
be subject to judicial review.
Associated Cases:
I n d e p e n d e nt Establish an independent tribunal to re-
• Kihoto Hollohan vs Zachillhu (1992): Minority judg-
Tribunal for solve questions related to the disqualifi-
es argued that the Speaker’s power to decide on de-
D i s q u a l i f i ca - cation of members based on defection.
fections undermines democratic principles.
tion
• Nabam Rebia v Bemang Felix case (2016), the
Supreme Court held that it is “constitutionally
Conclusion
impermissible” for a speaker to proceed with
Jawaharlal Nehru rightly mentioned on Speaker’s role, “The
disqualification proceedings, if a no-confidence
speaker represents House. He represents the dignity of the
motion against him is pending.
house, the freedom of the house and because the House
• Keisham Meghachandra Singh vs The Hon›ble
represents a nation, in particular, way speaker becomes a
Speaker Manipur (2020): The Supreme Court rec-
symbol of national freedom and dignity. Therefore a free po-
ommended amending the Constitution to create an
sition should always be occupied by the persons of outstand-
independent tribunal led by judges to handle such
ing ability and impartiality
matters.
Suggestions to improve the impartiality of the Speaker in

Mains Links:
India:
Q. What are the roles and responsibilities of the speaker of
Suggestions Explanation Lok Sabha? How is the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha elect-
Resignation Upon selection as Speaker, the individual ed? The office of the Deputy Speaker is not a ceremonious
from Political should resign from their political party to post but a constitutionally mandated one. Comment on its
Party avoid conflicts of interest. importance. (15M)
Ireland Model Follow the Ireland model, where the
Speaker is someone who has given up
political ambitions and built credibility.
Topics: India and its neighbourhood- relations. India’s current presence in Maldives:
Currently, 75 Indian military personnel are in the Maldives
to maintain and operate Dornier aircraft and helicopters gift-
2. ELECTION OF MALDIVES NEW ed by India. These assets have been in the Maldives for over
PRESIDENT: INDIA-MALDIVES RE- a decade, serving various functions.
LATIONS
Context:
President-elect Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives has made
it clear that he wishes to remove Indian troops from the
country while safeguarding the Maldives’ independence and
sovereignty.
Political System in Maldives:

Historically, Maldives had an Executive Presidency system,
transitioning to a multi-party democracy in 2008. No incum-
bent president has been re-elected since then. Maldives uses
a two-round electoral system similar to France, requiring a
candidate to secure more than 50% of votes in the second
round if no one achieves it in the first.
Background of the Issue?

Aspect Details
Historical Tensions Prior to President Solih’s term, po-
litical and diplomatic tensions exist-
ed between the Maldives and India,
especially during Abdulla Yameen’s India’s interests in Maldives:
presidency (2013-2018). Yameen’s In the past four years, India has emerged as the Maldives’
pro-China orientation strained remain security and economic partner, committing over $1
lations with India. billion towards the socio-economic development needs of
India’s Military During Yameen’s presidency, the Maldivians.
Presence Maldives requested the return of
Indian-gifted helicopters, indicat- India’s interests in the Maldives are tied to its security con-
ing a desire to reduce Indian mili- cerns regarding China’s growing presence in the Indian
tary presence in the country. Ocean region, and the Maldives is part of the ‘Colombo Se-
Political Opposition The ‘India Out’ campaign was curity Conclave’ for regional maritime cooperation. India’s
launched by the political opposi- national security is closely linked to its collective security
tion, particularly those who op- efforts in the region, as emphasized by National Security Ad-
posed President Solih’s alignment viser Ajit K. Doval.
(India First Policy) with India. It
aimed to rally against what they Challenges in India-Maldives relations:
saw as a pro-India foreign policy • Political Instability: For instance, the arrest of Mal-
and gain support from segments dives’ opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed in 2015
critical of Indian involvement. and the subsequent political crisis strained India’s
relationship with Maldives.
Geopolitical Rivalry The broader context of the cam-
• Radicalisation: The increasing number of Maldivians
paign was the geopolitical rivalry
being drawn towards terrorist groups like the Islamic
between India and China in the
State (IS) and Pakistan-based jihadist groups is a con-
Indian Ocean region. International
cern for India.
media framed the Maldives’ elec-
• China’s Strategic Presence: China’s increasing stra-
tions as a referendum on India and
tegic presence in Maldives is a challenge for India.
China, with a focus on how the in-
The Maldives has emerged as an important ‘pearl’
coming president would position
in China’s “String of Pearls” construct in South Asia,
the country in this rivalry.
which is a concern for India’s security.
• China’s dominance: In 2018, Maldives cancelled an
agreement with India to develop a key naval base last two years. Should they be of any cause for concern to
on the island of Marao.The move was seen as a re- India? ( UPSC 2013)
sult of China’s growing influence in the Maldives.
• Political actions: Maldives cancelled a $511 mil- Prelims Links:
lion contract awarded to Indian company GMR to
develop Male International Airport in 2012, which Q. Which one of the following pairs of islands is separat-
strained the relationship between the two countries. ed from each other by the ‘Ten Degree Channel’? (UPSC
• Domestic Politics: The India Out campaign in Mal- 2014)
dives, which seeks to create anti-India sentiments (a) Andaman and Nicobar
among the people of Maldives (b) Nicobar and Sumatra
(c) Maldives and Lakshadweep
Conclusion: (d) Sumatra and Java
India needs to play a crucial role in ensuring regional se-
curity in South Asia and surrounding maritime boundaries Ans: A
by actively participating in the Indo-Pacific security space.
India should adhere to its tradition of promoting a multi-po- .
lar and rule-based global order with its neighbours, adopt-
ing an accommodative stance
About Maldives:
It is strategically located at vital sea lanes, facilitating mari-
time trade between the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Hormuz, GENERAL STUDIES – 3
and the Strait of Malacca. The physical geography includes
coral reefs, atolls, and a large Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Topics: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobiliza-
Rising sea levels pose a threat to this low-lying archipelago, tion of resources, growth, development, and employment.
and it’s separated from India’s Minicoy by the Eight Degree
Channel. 1. WORKER’S PRODUCTIVITY:
LONG WORKING HOURS
Context:
Recently, NR Narayana Murthy (Founder of Infosys) suggest-
ed that Indian youth should work long hours to improve pro-
ductivity.
What is Productivity?
It is the efficiency of using resources like labour and capital
to produce goods and services. It impacts a nation’s living
standards and economic growth.
Type of Productivity:
Type Description
Labour Productivity Measures output per hour of work,
directly influencing wages, living
standards, and purchasing power.
Capital Productivity Evaluates output from physical as-
sets like machinery and buildings,
impacting profitability and compet-
itiveness.
Total Factor Produc- Accounts for output growth beyond
tivity labour and capital, are often asso-
Insta Links ciated with innovation, efficiency,
India-Maldives and technological progress.
Mains Links
Discuss the political developments in the Maldives in the
Benefits of long working hours: Individu- Poor work-life balance: Stress-related health
Aspect Benefits als problems
Economy 1. Increased economic output and GDP Limited time for personal and family life lead-
growth. ing to Strained relationships
2. Enhanced competitiveness on a global Reduced personal development and skill
scale. acquisition e.g., Limited time for education,
3. Expansion of employment opportunities. hobbies, and self-improvement
4. Potential for higher tax revenues for the Society Potential for decreased family stability e.g.,
government. Increased divorce rates and family conflicts
Businesses 1. Higher production and potential for in- Reduced community engagement and social
creased profits. cohesion e.g., Less time for participation in
2. Greater flexibility to meet market de- community activities and volunteering
mands.
Indian workers’ productivity status:
3. Improved innovation and product devel- Despite Indians working an average of nearly 48 hours per
opment. week (ILO data), one of the highest figures worldwide, their
4. Enhanced market share and sustainability. hourly output stands at $8.47. In contrast, countries like
Individuals 1. Opportunities for higher income and ca- France, where the average workweek is around 30 hours,
reer growth. manage to achieve significantly higher productivity of over
2. Improved job security and advancement $58 per hour.
prospects.
Indian workers’ productivity remains relatively low despite
3. Ability to meet financial goals and aspi-
their long working hours due to various factors:
rations.
• Impact of Agriculture: A significant portion of the
4. Gaining valuable work experience and workforce in agriculture can lower a country’s over-
skills. all productivity
Society 1. Reduced unemployment and poverty • Outdated technology use and technology diffusion
rates. in workers
2. Improved overall living standards. • Insufficient skills
• Suboptimal work conditions
3. Enhanced infrastructure and public ser-
• Lack of innovation
vices.
4. Potential for social and community devel- The number of hours worked is not the sole determinant
opment. of productivity, and other factors, such as technological ad-
vancement and human capital, play a crucial role in enhanc-
Demerits of long working hours: ing overall productivity.
Aspect Demerits
Economy Decreased worker productivity and burnout. How the productivity of Indian workers can be improved
without increasing the number of working hours?
Increased healthcare costs due to stress-re-
lated issues e.g., Higher medical expenses Approach Description
Limited opportunities for new entrants in the Technological Invest in modern technologies and auto-
job market. Adoption mation to streamline processes and re-
Business- Reduced employee morale: Frequent resig- duce manual labour.
es nations and recruitment expenses Skills En- Provide training and education to work-
Diminished creativity and innovation in the hancement ers to improve their skill sets and adapt to
long run. changing job requirements e.g., Skill India
Mission
Greater absenteeism due to health and per-
sonal issues e.g., More sick leave requests Better Work- Promote flexible work arrangements,
Life Balance telecommuting, and support for employ-
ees’ well-being to reduce stress and burn-
out. Encourage concepts like 15 Minutes
work neighbourhoods. Put health before
wealth
Topics: Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in indus-
Infrastructure Develop better infrastructure, including
trial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
Upgrade transportation and communication, to
reduce time wasted in commuting and
improve access to resources e.g., Delhi 2. INDIA’S MOST FAVOURED NA-
Metro, RRTS between Delhi and Meerut,
etc., TION (MFN) APPROACH
I n n o v a t i o n Encourage research and development to
Context:
and R&D foster innovation, leading to improved
The Supreme Court’s recent decision on tax treaties sheds
products and services.
light on India’s Most Favoured Nation (MFN) approach.
Incentive Pro- Offer performance-based incentives to
grams motivate employees and reward excep- What is the Most Favoured Nation (MFN)?
tional productivity It is a principle in international trade and diplomacy that
Collaborative Promote a collaborative work culture to promotes equal treatment among trading partners. When a
Culture enhance teamwork and problem-solving. country grants MFN status to another, it agrees to extend
Meaning of Success has different meanings for differ- the same trade privileges and favourable terms to that part-
Success ent people: Economic success is not the ner as it does to its most favoured trading partner.
only yardstick to measure the success of
human life. Explanation:
For example, if Country A gives Country B MFN status, it
Understand Entrepreneur and employee mindsets must offer the same trade benefits to Country B as it does to
employees are different: If an employee has to work its best trading partner, Country C. This ensures fairness and
and employ- 70+ hours for a basic salary, then it is not a non-discrimination in international trade.
ers have dif- great idea. The employee may as well take
ferent mind- the entrepreneurship path where there is Legal Status of MFN:
sets an opportunity to create a company and Article 1 of GATT 1994 mandates WTO member countries to
keep the profits grant Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to each other, en-
suring equal trade treatment. There can be exceptions, like
What is “8 hours work’ debate and hustle culture”? bilateral trade agreements and special access for develop-
ing nations.
Hustle culture is defined as one that encourages employees
to work more than normal working hours. For instance, India initially granted MFN status to all WTO
• Work is on their minds even when they have free time members, including Pakistan. However, India suspended Pa-
or on holidays. kistan’s MFN status in 2019 due to security concerns, and
• The major requirement of this culture is to complete a Pakistan never reciprocated MFN status for India.
job on target at a faster pace than usual.
Background of the MFN Controversy?
Last year, A LinkedIn post by the CEO of a company advising In 2020, India changed its dividend tax policies, creating rel-
youngsters to work 18 hours a day, at least for four to five ative advantages for investors from certain countries. The
years initially in their career, faced a backlash and was rid- treaties India separately negotiated with new members of
iculed the OECD gave investors from these countries a relative ad-
vantage due to lower tax rates.
Conclusion:
Improving productivity without increasing working hours is Now, investors from France, the Netherlands, and Switzer-
not only beneficial for workers but also contributes to eco- land (Old OECD members) also started to look for lower tax
nomic growth and overall well-being. rates benefits from India. However, controversy arose over
the question of whether the lower tax rates should auto-
Insta Links: matically apply to the three countries without any formal
New trends in work culture notification.
What did the court say?

Mains Link: Delhi High Court ruled that no formal notification was need-
Q. Do you think rejecting hustle culture youngsters or going ed, and benefits could be given immediately to investors
for moonlighting is rejecting the idea of work is worship em- from the 3 countries as well.
bedded in Indian Culture? Discuss. 10M
SC judgement: Impact on Changes in MFN Investors from the Neth-
SC reversed this HC judgment saying that a formal notifica- Investors provisions direct- erlands sought lower tax
tion is required for changes under the MFN clause, meaning ly affect inves- rates on dividends from
benefits don’t apply automatically. As a result, companies in tors, influencing India based on MFN
the old OECD countries (such as the Netherlands) receiving their tax liabilities clauses, impacting their
dividends from India can’t claim lower tax rates based on and investment investment strategies.
treaties with new OECD members like Slovenia and must fol- decisions.
low the original treaty rate.
Tax Treaty Investors may Prime examples are the
Shopping exploit MFN pro- Vodafone Case and Ti-
Implications of the judgement:
visions to seek ger Industries (Mauri-
• The decision may lead to additional tax revenue for
more favourable tius resident company
the Indian government but could potentially strain
tax treatment, although controlled
relations with tax treaty partners.
potentially result- by USA) where shares
ing in unequal of Flipkart (Singapore
Benefits of Most Favored Nation (MFN) Status:
treatment and based however primary
Benefit Explanation revenue distor- assets were Indian bas-
Equal Trade MFN status ensures all trading partners tions. es) were sold to Luxem-
Treatment receive the same trade privileges. bourg-based company
Non-Discrimi- Prevents preferential treatment for spe- SARL, in the whole Flip-
nation cific countries, promoting fair trade rela- kart- Walmart deal.
tions. Inconsisten- Varying MFN provisions and interpretations
Promotes Fair Encourages competition on a level play- cies Among in different treaties create complexity and
Competition ing field, fostering innovation and eco- Treaties ambiguity in the tax landscape
nomic growth. Inconsisten- The US and other members of the Group
Expanding MFN status allows access to a broader cies in its ap- of Seven (G7) will revoke Russia’s “Perma-
Market Access market with potentially more favourable plication nent Normal Trade Relations (Pntr)” status
trade terms. (same as MFN) to punish Russia for war
Reduced Tariffs Lower trade barriers and tariffs can re- over Ukraine
and Barriers sult from MFN status, reducing costs for
businesses. Key Actions to Address MFN Issues:
• Clarity and Notification: Establish clear and stan-
Enhances Eco- Encourages countries to work together dardized notification requirements for invoking MFN
nomic Cooper- for mutual economic benefits. to reduce ambiguity and disputes.
ation • Regular Treaty Reviews: Periodically review tax trea-
Fosters Diplo- Trade ties built on MFN status can pro- ties to assess their economic benefits and adapt to
matic Relations mote diplomatic and political relation- changing economic conditions.
ships. • Global Cooperation: Promote international cooper-
ation and coordination on tax treaty matters to en-
Major Issues with Most Favored Nation (MFN) Provision: sure consistency and fairness across jurisdictions.
Issue Explanation Example • Independent Judicial Oversight: Ensure the inclu-
U n i l a t e r a l Countries may France, the Nether- sion of independent judicial members in tax treaty
Interpreta- unilaterally inter- lands, and Switzerland decision-making bodies, enhancing transparency
tions pret MFN claus- unilaterally applied low- and fairness.
es, causing po- er tax rates retroactively
tential conflicts when new OECD mem- About Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement or DTAA:
and uncertainties bers joined, leading to It is a tax treaty signed between India and another coun-
in tax treaties. disputes and legal chal- try (or any two/multiple countries) so that taxpayers can
lenges. avoid paying double taxes on their income earned from the
source country as well as the residence country
What is Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR)?

The status of Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) is
a legal designation in the United States for free trade with a
foreign nation. It is the same as MFN, only that in the US it
is called PNTR.
Insta Links: Government initiative for increasing bulk cargo in Railways:

MFN Status Dedicated Freight Corridor:
The North-South Dedicated Freight Corridor (North-South
DFC) is a proposed freight railway connecting New Delhi to
Prelims Links: Chennai, spanning approximately 2,343 km with 43 planned
stations. The Ministry of Railways has tasked the Dedicated
Q. India enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFCCIL) with conduct-
(Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 in order to coming Preliminary Engineering & Traffic Surveys (PETS) for four
ply with the obligations to (UPSC 2018) additional corridors, including the
(a) ILO • East-West Corridor (Kolkata-Mumbai, 2,330 km)
(b) IMF • East Coast Corridor (Kharagpur-Vijayawada, 1,100
(c) UNCTAD km)
(d) WTO • Southern Corridor (Chennai-Goa, 899 km)
Ans: D
Relaxation of Rake Movement Rules:
Q. In the context of which of the following do you some- This allows for loading from/to multiple locations, permits
times find the terms ‘amber box, blue box and green mini rakes, and introduces private freight terminals (PFTs).
box’ in the news? (UPSC 2016)
(a) WTO affairs Gati Shakti Terminal (GCT) Policy:
(b) SAARC affairs This policy aims to convert all PFTs and private sidings into
(c) UNFCCC affairs GCTs. A private siding is a railway line owned by a company
(d) India-EU negotiations on FTA and connected to a railway.
Ans: A
Partnership with Private Freight Operators:
Indian Railways has encouraged private freight operators
to invest in wagons, facilitating the induction of privately
Topics: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways owned wagons for specialized cargo such as automobiles
etc. and fly ash.
Other initiatives for Indian Railways:

3. ENHANCING THE TRANSPORT
OF CARGO BY INDIAN RAILWAYS
Context:
The article addresses the pressing need for enhancing the
transport of cargo by railways in India.
What is the modal share of freight (cargo) in India?
Role of National Rail Plan (NRP) for 2030: Indian Railways

have recently prepared a National Rail Plan (NRP) for India –
2030 to create a ‘future ready’ Railway system by 2030. The
The railway is one of the cheaper modes of transportation objective of the Plan is to create capacity ahead of demand,
for moving bulk cargo. However, it only has about 32% share which in turn would also cater to future growth in demand
right up to 2050.
Features of the plan: Wagon-design re- Encourage and liberalize the design
Feature Description forms of new wagons that allow for more
Focus on freight Increase the modal share of Rail- efficient and higher-capacity load-
ways in freight to 45% by 2030. ing.
Substantially reduce transit time: Parity in environ- Ensure equal and consistent envi-
Achieve this by increasing the av- mental regulation ronmental regulations for all modes
erage speed of freight trains to 50 of transportation to prevent cargo
kmph. shifting to road transport due to
National Rail Plan, Vi- Accelerate the implementation of regulatory disparities.
sion 2024 critical projects by 2024.
The fiscal health of Indian Railways:
100% electrification and The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reported that
multi-tracking: Focus on congest- in the fiscal year 2021-22, the financial health of Indian
ed routes for electrification and Railways entered a “concern zone.”
multi-tracking.
Aim to upgrade speed to 160 kmph
Key Findings Details
on Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Mum-
bai routes. Operating Ratio (OR) The railway operator spent ₹107
to earn ₹100 due to increased
Target speed upgrades to 130
pension funding
kmph on all other Golden Quadri-
lateral-Golden Diagonal (GQ/GD) Net Surplus Indian Railways couldn’t gener-
routes. ate a net surplus in 2021-22
The goal is to eliminate all Level Total Expenditure Ministry of Railways’ total ex-
Crossings on GQ/GD routes. penditure increased over 35%
more than the previous year.
Identify new Dedicat- To arrest the trend of falling mar-
ed Freight Corridors ket share of railways in the country High revenue Expenses Over 75% of total working ex-
and also shift the advantage in fa- penses are spent on staff costs,
vour of rail transport pension payments, and rolling
Identify new High-Speed Rail Corridors stock lease charges
Assess rolling stock requirements for passenger traffic as Dependence on Bud- Inadequate internal resource
well as wagon requirements for freight. getary Support and Re- generation led to greater depen-
sources dence on Gross Budgetary Sup-
Sustained involvement of the Private Sector in areas like
port (GBS) and Extra Budgetary
operations and ownership of rolling stock, development of
Resources (EBR)
freight and passenger terminals, development/operations
of track infrastructure etc. Cross-Subsidization of Passenger fares subsidized by
Passenger Fares profits from freight operations
Suggestions for Indian Railways:
For Challenges hindering the development of Railways in
What should IR do? Details
India: Click Here
Reducing barriers IR should minimize non-price barri-
ers for private players to enter the Key recommendations from Vivek Debroy’s committee for
rail transport sector. Indian Railways: Click Here
Developing com- Create such facilities at cargo aggre-
mon-user facilities gation and dispersal points, with a
focus on mining clusters, industrial Insta Links:
areas, and major cities. • Growth in Indian railways
Collaboration with Collaborate with State governments
State governments as they possess crucial knowledge
about these clusters and their Mains Links:
transportation needs. Q. Why is Public Private Partnership (PPP) required in infra-
Transport new com- Explore the transportation of new structure projects? Examine the role of the PPP model in the
modities commodities, such as fly ash, to di- redevelopment of Railway Stations in India. (UPSC 2022)
versify cargo options.
Topics: Science and Technology- developments and their applica-
Women Em- Increasing female la- Warli Paintings,
tions and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in sci-
powerment bour force participation Madhubani Art
ence & technology; indigenization of technology and developing
new technology. Preserving Conserving traditional Kalamkari Fabric,
Traditions crafts, culture, and food Alphonso Mango
4. GI TAGS: HOW DOES IT HELP? Community

Benefits
Supporting biodiversity,
local knowledge, and
Coorg Coffee, My-
sore Sandalwood
resources
Context:
This article explores the significance of Geographic Indica- Soft Power Enhancing regional soft Scotch Whisky
tion (GI) tags and the challenges faced by India in their effec- power (Scotland), Swiss
tive utilization. Watches (for Swit-
zerland)
What is a GI Tag? C o n s u m e r Assuring consumers of Parmigiano-Reg-
A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on Confidence product authenticity giano Cheese,
products which correspond to a specific geographical lo- Swiss Watches
cation or origin. A GI is primarily an agricultural, natural or Intellectual Protecting regional- R o q u e f o r t
manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods). Property ly owned intellectual Cheese, Darjeel-
property rights ing Tea
Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality
and distinctiveness (e.g., Basmati Rice), which is essential- Challenges facing India regarding GI-Tags include:
ly attributable to the place of its origin. A GI right prevents • Lack of Commercial Strategy: Insufficient strategies
non-compliant product standards but allows similar produc- for leveraging GIs in global markets.
tion techniques within the standards by anyone. The regis- • Limited Organized Efforts: Absence of coordinated
tration of a geographical indication is valid for a period of efforts beyond establishing distinctiveness.
10 years. It can be renewed from time to time for a further • Quality Control Neglect: Focus on source indication
period of 10 years each. rather than quality control, as seen with Alphonso
Mango.
Laws governing the GI tag: • Marketing and Branding Gaps: Inadequate promo-
• GIs are covered under the Paris Convention for the tion, branding, and advertising, exemplified by Bas-
Protection of Industrial Property. mati rice.
• Governed by the WTO’s Agreement on Trade-Relat- • State Conflicts: Ongoing state-level disputes over GI
ed Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). ownership, as seen in the Rasogolla case.
• In India, the GI tag is regulated by the Geographical • Unauthorized Use: Misuse of GIs by unauthorized
Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) parties, misleading consumers and hurting genuine
Act, 1999. producers.
o Administered by the Controller General of • Revenue Loss: Unfair practices lead to revenue loss
Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks, who is for legitimate GI right-holders.
also the Registrar of Geographical Indica- • Ongoing IP Controversy: GI protection remains a
tions. contentious issue in intellectual property rights.
Benefits of GI tags: The way forward:

Benefit Description Examples • Digital Literacy: Prioritize digital literacy for GI pro-
R e v e n u e Higher economic gains, Darjeeling Tea, ducers through NGOs and stakeholders.
Generation quality production, Basmati Rice • Ethical Capitalism: Promote ethical capitalism, so-
profit distribution cial entrepreneurship, de-urbanization, and female
workforce inclusion.
Global Mar- Facilitating global reach Kanchipuram Silk
• Mandatory Audits: Implement regular audits and
ket Access for products Sarees, Jaipur
consultations with GI producers.
Blue Pottery
• Organized Marketing: Develop organized marketing
E n t r e p r e - Encouraging talent-driv- Pashmina Shawls and enhance product exclusivity and premium sta-
neurship en entrepreneurship (Kashmir) tus
E m p l o y - Boosting employment Banarasi Bro- • Legal protection to GIs: It also extends to the pro-
ment Cre- opportunities cades, Bhagalpuri tection of traditional knowledge and traditional cul-
ation Silk tural expression contained in the products.
Conclusion: Aim: Biosphere Reserves try to balance economic and social
GIs have the potential to be our growth engine. Policy-mak- development and maintenance of associated cultural val-
ers must pay heed to this and give Indian GI products their ues along with the preservation of nature.
true reward
Status of Biosphere Reserves in India:
Insta Links: There are 748 reserves in 134 countries, including 22 trans-
Geographical Indication tags boundary sites. India has 18 internationally recognized Bio-
sphere reserves, with the Nilgiri reserve being the first. The
Prelims Links: latest addition is Panna in Madhya Pradesh.
Q. Kalamkari painting refers to (UPSC 2015) Twelve of the eighteen biosphere reserves are a part of
(a) a hand-painted cotton textile in South India the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, based on the UN-
(b) a handmade drawing on bamboo handicrafts in North- ESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list.
East India
(c) a block-painted woollen cloth in the Western Himalayan
region of India
(d) a hand-painted decorative silk cloth in North-Western
India
Answer: A
5. INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM IN
INDIA: CHALLENGES AND SOLU-
TIONS BIOSPHERE RESERVES:
POCKETS OF HOPE
Context:
The article discusses how Biosphere reserves play a crucial
role in conserving biodiversity, reducing pollution, and en-
hancing climate resilience.
• November 3 is celebrated as World Biosphere Re-
serve Day (to raise awareness of the importance of
biosphere reserves)
What are Biosphere reserves?

Biosphere reserves are areas designated by UNESCO to pro-
mote the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable develop-
ment, and scientific research. They consist of three zones:
• a core zone for the strict protection of ecosystems Difference between National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary and
• a buffer zone where people live and work in harmo- Biosphere Reserve
ny with nature
• a transition zone for sustainable activities.
Functions of Biosphere Reserves: UNESCO’s Man and UNESCO’s MAB, initiated in 1971,
Function Description the Biosphere Pro- focuses on establishing a scientific
Conservation Managing genetic resources, endemic gramme (MAB) basis for improving the relation-
species, ecosystems, and landscapes. ship between people and their en-
Preventing conflicts like man-animal inci- vironments by combining natural
dents. and social sciences, economics, and
education to promote innovative
Protecting the wildlife, culture, and cus- approaches to economic develop-
toms of tribal communities. ment that are socially and cultural-
Support a wide variety of ecosystems, ly appropriate and environmentally
from tropical rainforests to alpine deserts sustainable.
Development Promoting sustainable economic and hu- It grants protection not only to the
man growth on sociocultural and ecolog- flora and fauna but also to the hu-
ical levels. man communities and their ways of
Strengthening the pillars of sustainable life within biosphere reserves.
development: social, economic, and envi- Local community In biosphere reserves like the
ronmental protection. engagement in con- Sundarbans and the Gulf of Man-
Play a crucial role in combating climate servation nar in India, local communities are
change by acting as carbon sinks actively engaged in managing and
Logistic Sup- Promoting research, environmental ed- conserving their ecosystems. This
port ucation, training, and monitoring in the includes collaborative efforts to
context of conservation and sustainable protect mangrove forests, forming
development. self-help groups, and promoting
eco-tourism.
Plastic checkpoints in the Gulf of
Mannar Biosphere Reserve: The
Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve
Trust has introduced the concept of
plastic checkpoints where commu-
nity members inspect vehicles and
tourists for plastic waste. This waste
is collected, recycled, and used in
road construction, promoting sus-
tainable waste management.
Global initiatives:
The threats to Biosphere Reserves (BRs) include: Deforesta- • World Network of Biosphere Reserves: UNESCO’s
tion, Invasive species, World Network of Biosphere Reserves connects and
Land use changes like mining, Urbanization and population supports designated sites globally, fostering collab-
growth causing exploitation. oration in biodiversity conservation and sustain-
able development.
Initiatives aimed at conserving Biosphere Reserves (at the • International Cooperation: Biosphere Reserves of-
India level): ten involve collaboration between neighbouring
Initiative Description countries, enhancing international cooperation for
South and Central UNESCO organized the SACAM in conservation efforts. E.g., Khangchendzonga Bio-
Asian Biosphere collaboration with the Indian Min- sphere Reserve
Reserve Network istry of Environment, Forests, and • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The Unit-
Meeting (SACAM) in Climate Change, providing a plat- ed Nations’ SDGs, particularly Goal 15 (Life on Land)
Chennai form for sharing expertise and fos- and Goal 14 (Life Below Water), emphasize the im-
tering partnerships in sustainable portance of conserving biodiversity and sustainable
environmental practices within management of ecosystems, aligning with biosphere
South and Central Asia. reserve objectives.
Insta Links: Other Challenges in phasing out coal for India due to ener-
• Panna Tiger Reserve gets UNESCO’s ‘Biosphere Re- gy transition:
serve’ Status Challenge Description
Energy Security Coal is a vital source of energy for India’s
economy. It powers 55% of the coun-
Prelims Links: try’s energy needs and generates 72%
of India’s electricity. Coal is also a vital
Q. The most important strategy for the conservation of source of jobs and economic growth.
biodiversity together with traditional human life is the
G o v e r n m e n t Coal mining and related activities gen-
establishment of (UPSC 2014)
Revenue erate significant revenue for the gov-
(a) biosphere reserves
ernment through royalties, cesses, lev-
(b) botanical gardens
ies, and dividend payouts. Reducing coal
(c) national parks
usage impacts this revenue.
(d) wildlife sanctuaries
Direct Employ- Coal production employs hundreds of
Ans: A ment thousands of people directly, providing
social security benefits. The decline in
coal usage may result in job losses.
Indirect Em- Numerous auxiliary services and busi-
Topics: Conservation related issues, environmental pollution and ployment nesses, such as coal washery workers,
degradation, environmental impact assessment. traders, and transporters, depend on
coal-related activities. A coal phase-out
affects their employment.
6. COAL: NECESSARY FOR INDIA’S Induced Depen- Communities and businesses in areas
GREEN TRANSITION dence near coal mining have developed an in-
duced dependence on coal. A transition
Context: impacts their economic well-being.
The transition to green energy in India is encountering chal- Informal Coal Small-scale coal operations and illegal
lenges, especially in coal-rich states. While there’s a global Economy trades support a significant informal
focus on decarbonization and renewable energy (RE), coal coal economy with millions of depen-
continues to play a significant role in India’s energy land- dents. Their livelihoods are at stake.
scape.
Social Welfare Coal India Limited (CIL) has assumed
Provider the role of a welfare provider in coal
What is Energy transition?
regions, offering essential services like
Energy transition involves shifting from fossil-based energy
housing, roads, schools, and healthcare.
production to renewable sources, aiming to reduce or elim-
Transitioning from coal may disrupt this
inate carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. In India, by
support.
2030, solar and wind energy could make up 51% of genera-
tion capacity, a significant increase from about 8% in 2019
Strategies for ensuring a Balanced Energy Transition:
to 31% in 2030
Strategy Description
Status of Energy Transition in India Support for RE- Provide support and involvement in
Renewable electricity is growing at a faster rate in India Poor States the transition for states with fewer re-
than any other major economy, with new capacity additions newable energy resources to address
on track to double by 2026. In 2022, wind and solar made up their unique challenges.
92% of India’s capacity additions to power generation. Financial Assis- Offer preferential lending for renew-
tance able energy (RE) projects in states with
What is the issues with this energy transition? limited RE resources to encourage in-
The growth of RE assets primarily benefits western and vestment and development.
southern states, leading to potential fiscal consequences
Increased Feder- Empower RE-poor states by giving them
for RE-poor, coal-rich states such as Jharkhand, Odisha, and
al Negotiations a more significant role in federal pow-
West Bengal (mainly Eastern states). They face a decline in
er discussions, potentially by reviving
coal royalties as RE expands, and they’ll have to import more
institutions like the Inter-State Council
power from other states, which will strain their budgets.
to ensure their voices are heard.
Financial Trans- The Finance Commission can play a cru-

fers cial role by providing explicit financial
aid to RE-poor states, helping them
navigate the transition.
C o l l a b o ra t i v e Implement just transition mechanisms
Policies and collaborative industrial policies
that consider the economic well-being
of communities affected by the energy
transition.
Equitable Green Ensure that all states, not just historical-
Policy ly privileged ones, benefit from green
industrial policies, creating a more eq-
uitable transition for all regions.
About Coal in India:

Keyword Explanation
Coal A type of fossil fuel found in sedimentary
rocks, often referred to as ‘Black Gold.’ It
is a conventional energy source used for
various purposes, including domestic heat-
ing, industrial processes, and electricity India, the largest coal producer, relies on coal imports for
generation. several reasons:
Leading Coal China is the world’s largest coal produc- • Domestic Demand and Buffer Stock: To meet the
Producers er. In 2022, China produced over 52% of high domestic demand and maintain buffer stocks,
the world’s coal. India is the second largest India imports coal. Domestic supplies often fall
producer, with a global share of nearly 9%, short, leading to the import route.
however, despite high production, around • Shortage of Good Coking Coal: India lacks reserves
30% of India’s coal is imported. of high-quality coking coal crucial for steel and relat-
Distribution Different regions in India where coal is ed industries, necessitating imports.
of Coal in In- found, such as Gondwana Coal Fields • Lower Cost of Imported Coal: Imported coal is
dia (predominantly found in regions like cost-effective compared to similar coal from Coal In-
Jharkhand-West Bengal, Chhattisgarh-Odi- dia for many coal-fired power plants.
sha, and Maharashtra) and Tertiary Coal • Coal Transport Challenges: Despite a vast railway
Fields (mainly in extra-peninsular regions network, transporting coal from mines to coastal
like Assam, Meghalaya, and others). power plants faces major connectivity bottlenecks.
Reserve The top 5 States in terms of total coal re-
serves in India are Jharkhand > Odisha > Government Initiatives for the Coal sector
Chhattisgarh > West Bengal > Madhya • Exploration of Coal and Lignite scheme: This initia-
Pradesh tive focuses on assessing coal resources, preparing
project reports for mining, and facilitating the auc-
Classification Various types of coal based on their carbon tion of new coal blocks to recover costs from suc-
content and properties, including Anthra- cessful bidders
cite, Bituminous, Lignite, and Peat. • UTTAM (Unlocking Transparency by Third Party As-
sessment of Mined Coal) Application for coal quality
monitoring
• New coal linkage policy to ensure adequate supply
of fuel to power plants through reverse auction
• Online Coal Clearances System
• Coal Allocation Monitoring System (CAMS)
• Opening up of commercial coal mining
For Major points of the Coal Ministry Action Plan 2023-24:

Click Here
Conclusion Q. Which of the following is/are the characteristic/charac-
Coal accounts for 55% of the country’s energy needs. Coal teristics of Indian coal? (UPSC 2013)
is and will continue to be the backbone of India’s economic 1. High ash content
and development growth. Thus India has to go for ‘Just tran- 2. Low sulphur content
sition’ to balance the need for Renewable, without severely 3. Low ash fusion temperature
affecting Coal depedent economy.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Related News: (a) 1 and 2 only
The Ministry of Coal has made a request to the Department (b) 2 only
of Financial Services (DFS) to classify coal as part of the in- (c) 1 and 3 only
frastructure sector. (d) 1, 2 and 3
The inclusion of coal in the master list of Infrastructure Ans: A

sub-sectors has several benefits, including securing financial
assistance for commercial coal mines, making the coal sec-
tor more investor-friendly, and enabling banks and financial
institutions to formulate effective policies. 7. UN REPORT ON GROUNDWA-
TER EXTRACTION: EVERY DROP
The Ministry of Finance introduced the Harmonized Master
List of Infrastructure sub-sectors (HMLIS) in 2012 to guide COUNTS
financial institutions and agencies supporting infrastructure
development. Inclusion in the HMLIS is based on criteria Context:
such as economic importance and contributions to human A recent United Nations University report warns that 27 out
capital. This inclusion facilitates easier access to long-term of 31 aquifers in India are depleting faster than they can be
funding at lower interest rates replenished due to excessive groundwater extraction.
Insta Links What are Aquifers?

Coal production in India They are underground layers of rock or sediment that can
store and transmit groundwater. They are like natural reser-
Mains Links voirs that hold water, and they play a crucial role in providing
Q. Despite India being one of the countries of Gondwana- freshwater for wells, springs, and other water sources.
land, its mining industry contributes much less to its Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) in percentage. Discuss. (UPSC 2021) Key Status about Groundwater (GW):
• India is the largest user of Groundwater (GW) ( ac-
Q. “In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is counting for 1/4th of total withdrawal)
still inevitable for development”. Discuss. (UPSC 2017) • 87% of GW is used for Irrigation
• Currently, 67% of GW units are safe (extraction< 70%
of recharge), 14% Overexploited and 4% at the Crit-
Prelims Links: ical
• Extraction is very high in Haryana, Punjab (78% of
Q. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2019) wells are overexploited), Rajasthan etc.
1. Coal sector was nationalized by the Government of • Climate Concerns: In southwest India, increasing
India under Indira Gandhi. temperatures might hinder groundwater
2. Now, coal blocks are allocated on lottery basis. replenishment.
3. Till recently, India imported coal to meet the shortages
of domestic supply, but now India is self-sufficient in Legal and regulatory frameworks for groundwater:
coal production. Framework Description
Article 21 Recognizes the fundamental right
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? to clean water under the right to
(a) 1 only life.
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only Central Ground Wa- Established by the Environment
(d) 1, 2 and 3 ter Authority (Protection) Act, 1986, responsi-
ble for framing groundwater poli-
Ans: A cies and programs.
Supreme Court Upholds the ‘public trust doc-

trine,’ (2004) treating groundwa-
ter as a public resource, not pri-
vate ownership.
G ove r n m e nt Initiatives like Atal Bhujal Yojana,
Schemes Jal Shakti Abhiyan, and Aquifer
Mapping and Management Pro-
gramme for groundwater manage-
ment.
Indian Easement Act, Historically determined ground-
1882 water rights are often linked to
land ownership.
Central Ground Wa- Established in 1970, it develops
ter Board groundwater policies and pro-
grams.
Model Groundwater Revised multiple times, empowers
Bills state boards to create laws and
manage water resources.
National Green Tri- Directs the Central Ground Water
bunal Authority to regulate extraction
and mandates permission for ex- Way forward:
traction.
Strategy Description
Polluter Pays Princi- Addresses groundwater contami-
Water-Efficient Promotion of less water-intensive crops
ple nation case-by-case, with polluters
Crops like millet to reduce water consumption
bearing remediation costs.
in agriculture.
For Reasons for the use of ground waters in irrigation: Click Efficient Water- Emphasis on water-saving irrigation
Here ing techniques to minimize water wastage
and over-extraction.
For Problems associated with such rampant use: Click Here T e c h n o l o g y Introduction of monitoring technologies
Adoption for borewells to increase awareness and
Initiatives: encourage responsible usage.
International: Awareness and Educational efforts to inform the public
• The United Nations-Water Summit on Groundwa- Education about the real-time status of borewells
ter 2022: Organised to raise awareness on ground- and the need for water conservation.
water conservation. Institutional In- Innovative approaches within the water
• “Groundwater: Making the invisible visible” cam- novations sector to ensure sustainable water man-
paign run by UN-Water throughout 2022. agement.
D e m a n d - S i d e Addressing the connection between
National:
Management power subsidies and excessive ground-
• Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme
water extraction, especially in states like
• Jal Shakti Abhiyan (2019): Launched in 256 water-
Punjab, to conserve resources.
stressed districts to improve groundwater conditions
in these areas.
Conclusion
• Atal Bhujal Yojana is a groundwater management
The effective answer to the groundwater crisis is to inte-
scheme launched in 2019.
grate conservation and development activities, from water
extraction to water management, at the local level; making
About Atal Bhujal Yojana:
communities aware and involving them fully is therefore crit-
ical for success.
Insta Links
Growing water crisis and One water Approach (OWA)
Mains Links History The Ethics Committee of the Rajya Sabha
Q. Bring out the problems associated with groundwater ir- was established on March 4, 1997, by
rigation in India. Critically analyse the role of Participatory then Vice President K R Narayanan.
Irrigation Management (PIM) in improving agricultural pro-
An ad hoc Ethics Committee was consti-
duction on a sustainable basis. (15M)
tuted in 2000 (late Speaker G M C Balayo-
gi) and became a permanent part of the
House in 2015.
GENERAL STUDIES – 4 Procedure for Complaints can be made by any person
Complaints through another Lok Sabha MP, with evi-
1. MP MAHUA MOITRA CASE AND dence and an affidavit.
Members can complain without provid-
LOK SABHA ETHICS COMMIT- ing an affidavit.
TEE PROCEEDINGS The Speaker can refer complaints against
MPs to the Committee.
The Committee conducts a Prima Facie
Context: inquiry before deciding to examine a
The article discusses the proceedings of the Lok Sabha Eth- complaint.
ics Committee against Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra It presents its report to the Speaker for
and emphasizes the distinction between parliamentary and House consideration, with provision for
judicial probes. discussion on the report.
Overlap with The Ethics Committee and the Privileges
What is the case about?
P r i v i l e g e s Committee often deal with similar issues.
MP Mahua Moitra is facing proceedings from the Lok Sabha
Committee The Ethics Committee can take up only
Ethics Committee over allegations of receiving money for
cases of misconduct involving MPs
posing questions in Parliament. She is said to have, also,
shared a password for online submission of questions. If im- More serious accusations, especially
plicated, the act could be considered a breach of privilege those related to corruption, typically go
and contempt of the House. to the Privileges Committee.
MPs and non-MPs both can be examined
Previous instances of MPs being expelled for accepting for Breach of Privilege if their actions
money for parliamentary work: attack the authority and dignity of the
Year MP(s) Ex- Reason for Expulsion House.
pelled Privileges extend to individual Members
1951 H.G. Mud- Guilty of promoting a business and the House as a whole.
gal association’s interests
Limitations of the Ethics Committee
2005 (Cash- 11 MPs Found guilty of accepting mon-
• Lack of clear definitions for “unethical conduct,”
f o r- Q u e r y ey for posing questions
leaving decisions to committee discretion.
Scandal)
• The committee may not address more serious cases
2008 (Cash Few of the During a trust vote in 2008, of misconduct or violations of law, as these often go
for Votes involved MPs were allegedly offered to the Privileges Committee.
Scandal) bribes to vote in favour of the • It focuses on maintaining parliamentary discipline
government but lacks authority in criminal investigations.
• Decisions rely on a common-sense approach and
About Lok Sabha’s Ethics Committee: may not strictly adhere to legal standards or rules
Aspect Details of evidence.
About The Ethics Committee is a parliamentary
body responsible for examining cases of The key difference between judicial and parliamentary
ethical misconduct among Members of probes:
Parliament (MPs). • Nature:
o Judicial Probe: Judicial probes are conduct-
The members of the Ethics Committee
ed by legally trained professionals within
are appointed by the Speaker for a one-
the judiciary. They follow legal procedures
year term.
and adhere to the rules of evidence.
o Parliamentary Probe: Parliamentary probes
are conducted by members of the parlia- in their duties.

ment or its committees, who are not neces- o Dedicated Units: Offices of the Prime Min-
sarily legally trained. They follow parliamen- ister and Chief Ministers should establish
tary rules and procedures. units to monitor adherence to the Code of
• Purpose: Ethics and Conduct, including handling pub-
o Judicial Probe: Judicial probes aim to estab- lic complaints.
lish legal guilt or innocence, often in crim- o Responsibility of PM/CM: The Prime Min-
inal or civil matters. They can lead to legal ister or Chief Minister should ensure that
consequences, including criminal charges or Ministers follow the Code of Ethics and Con-
civil liability. duct.
o Parliamentary Probe: Parliamentary probes o Annual Report: An annual report on adher-
primarily focus on issues related to parlia- ence to these codes, including any violations
mentary discipline, ethics, or breaches of and actions taken, should be submitted to
privilege. Their purpose is to maintain the the legislature.
integrity of parliamentary proceedings and o Minister-Civil Servant Relationship: The
may result in actions like suspension or ex- Code of Ethics should cover the principles of
pulsion of MPs. the Minister-civil servant relationship.
o Public Disclosure: The Code of Ethics, Code
Ethical issues related to Ms Mahua Moitra’s case: of Conduct, and the annual report should be
The ethical issues with the conduct of Ms Mahua Moitra made public.
include allegations of accepting bribes for parliamentary
questions, the unauthorized use of her parliamentary ID in Conclusion:
Dubai while she was in India, and the potential involvement The need for these reforms is to address conflicts of interest
of her parliamentary login in targeting the Adani Group and and enhance ethical standards among MPs, contributing to
the Prime Minister. These allegations raise questions about good governance and transparency in the legislative process.
the integrity and transparency of parliamentary proceedings The reforms are essential for fostering ethical conduct and
and the ethical behaviour of a Member of Parliament. transparency within the Lok Sabha.
Outcome:
If the Ethics Committee deems a complaint to have merit, it Mains Links:
can make recommendations. Typically, this involves recom- Q. To what extent, in your view, the Parliament is able to
mending the suspension of the MP for a specified period. ensure accountability of the executive in India? (UPSC 2021).
However, the final decision rests with the House, which in-
cludes all MPs. They will determine whether to accept the
committee’s recommendations and decide the nature and
extent of any punishment if deemed necessary. In the event 2. PRISONER’S DILEMMA
of expulsion or a potentially adverse decision, the accused
MP has the option to challenge it in a court of law. The Context:
grounds for challenging such a decision in court are limit- Recently, the Defence Minister mentioned the concept of
ed and generally encompass claims of unconstitutionality, “Prisoner’s Dilemma” to highlight the importance of coun-
gross illegality, or a denial of natural justice. tries collaborating instead of working against each other in
international relations.
Way forward:
Reforms in the parliament to enhance ethics and transpar- What is the Prisoner’s Dilemma?
ency: It is a classic concept in game theory that illustrates a situ-
• Declaration of Members’ Business Interests: This ation where individuals can make rational choices that lead
practice is in place for Rajya Sabha members and to a suboptimal outcome for both. It involves two suspects
involves disclosing personal, pecuniary, or direct in- (prisoners) who can either cooperate by remaining silent or
terests that could create conflicts of interest. It pro- betray each other by confessing to a crime. The possible out-
motes transparency and accountability. comes are:
• The Second Administrative Reforms Commission • If both remain silent (cooperate), they both get a
(ARC) recommended: minimal sentence for a lesser offence.
o Code of Ethics for Ministers: In addition to • If both confess (betray), they both receive a moder-
the existing Code of Conduct, there should ate sentence.
be a Code of Ethics to guide Ministers in up- • If one remains silent while the other confesses, the
holding constitutional and ethical standards one who confesses goes free, and the silent one re-
ceives a heavy sentence.
Its application in International Relations: Example 2: Reconciliation over retribution
The Prisoner’s Dilemma concept is often applied to inter- Conflict:
national relations to understand situations where countries The article emphasizes the need for reconciliation over ret-
face choices with conflicting interests. It helps explain why ribution in conflicts.
nations may not always cooperate for the best collective
outcome. For example, in arms races, two countries may What is Reconciliation?
each choose to arm themselves (confess) to gain a compet- Reconciliation refers to the act of restoring or building har-
itive advantage, even though disarmament (remaining si- monious relationships, often after a conflict or dispute. It in-
lent) would be collectively better by reducing the risk of war volves resolving differences, promoting understanding, and
and saving resources. fostering peace and cooperation among parties.
What is Retribution?
Retribution is the act of seeking revenge or retribution for
3. EXAMPLES OF ETHICS a perceived wrong or harm. It typically involves punishing
those responsible for an offence, often with the aim of seek-
Example 1: Impact of Conflict on Children ing vengeance or inflicting pain as a form of payback. How-
Context: ever, often Revenge Begets More Violence.
Kailash Satyarthi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner known for his
work in safeguarding children’s rights, condemns the harm Difference between Reconciliation and Retribution:
inflicted on children in the conflict ( the present Isreal-Pal- Reconciliation focuses on resolving conflicts and fostering
estine conflict has profoundly affected both Israeli and Pal- peace, while retribution is about seeking revenge and pun-
estinian children) ishment.
Ethical issues related to the impact of war on children: Why Reconciliation over retribution is better way to resolve
Issue Description conflict?
Targeting of The deliberate targeting of children in Reconciliation focuses on healing, understanding, and
Children armed conflicts is a clear violation of in- building relationships, rather than perpetuating a cycle of
ternational humanitarian law. revenge and harm. It promotes long-term peace, cooper-
Child Soldiers The recruitment and use of child soldiers ation, and the potential for both parties to move forward
by armed groups, exploit their vulnerabil- positively. E.g., Gandhi’s practice of non-violence defused
ity and violate their rights. animosity, contrasting with retaliatory tactics.
Mental and The long-lasting psychological and emo- Why sometimes Retribution over Reconciliation is better?
Emotional tional trauma experienced by children Sometimes retribution over reconciliation may be consid-
Trauma due to exposure to violence, death, and ered a better way to resolve conflict when there’s a need to
destruction. hold individuals or groups accountable for heinous crimes,
Displacement Forced displacement of children and the and reconciliation could lead to impunity.
and Separa- separation from their families, lead to a
tion breakdown in family structures and safe- Historical Example: The Nuremberg Trials after World War
ty. II, where Nazi war criminals were held accountable and faced
Lack of Access War disrupts education systems, deny- retribution for their actions, were considered necessary to
to Education ing children their right to education and ensure justice and prevent future atrocities.
hindering their future prospects.
Child Casual- The high number of child casualties, Other methods of Conflict resolution:
ties injuries, and deaths in armed conflicts, Method Description
reflects a failure to protect the most vul- Communica- Open and honest communication to un-
nerable. tion and Dia- derstand each other’s perspectives and
Re c r u i t m e nt The use of children in propaganda by logue find common ground.
for Propagan- armed groups to promote their cause, Mediation A neutral third party helps disputing par-
da exploiting their innocence for political ties reach an agreement through facilitat-
purposes. ed discussions.
Denial of Hu- Obstacles to delivering humanitarian Negotiation Parties directly engage in discussions and
manitarian Aid aid to children in conflict zones, cause make concessions to reach a mutually ac-
unnecessary suffering and deprive them ceptable solution.
of basic necessities.
Legal Resolu-
Involves using the legal system, such as
tion arbitration or litigation, to settle disputes. Awardees and their contributions include:
Conflict Pre-
Proactively addressing issues to prevent Awardee Category Work Description
vention conflicts from arising in the first place. Mayor Josefi- Policy Leader- Implementing policies
Re sto rat i ve
Focuses on repairing harm and restoring na Belmonte, ship to combat climate cri-
Justice relationships, often used in criminal jus- Quezon City, sis, end plastic pol-
tice. Philippines lution, and promote
green urban initiatives.
Empathy and Practising empathy and actively listening
Understand- to build understanding and empathy. Ellen MacAr- Inspiration and Mainstreaming a life-
ing thur Founda- Action cycle approach for
tion, United plastics, fostering col-
Kingdom laborations among
Mains Links: decision-makers, ac-
Q. Discuss the significance of reconciliation as a key virtue ademia, and more to
pivotal in the development of individuals in a country, and address climate, biodi-
give suitable examples to substantiate. (15M) versity, and plastic pol-
lution.
Blue Circle, Entrepreneur- Utilizing blockchain
China ial Vision and IoT to track and
CONTENT FOR MAINS ENRICHMENT manage plastic pollu-
tion lifecycle, including
1. VARSHA RAIKWA (RADIO BUN- collection, regenera-
tion, re-manufactur-
DELKHAND) ing, and resale.
José Manuel Entrepreneur- Leading Algramo, a so-
Varsha Raikwar, a radio jockey at Radio Bundelkhand, uses Moller, Chile ial Vision cial enterprise offering
her radio show “Shubh Kal” to address climate change and refill services to reduce
agriculture-related issues. plastic pollution and
lower costs of every-
The radio show encourages farmers to share tradition- day essentials.
al farming solutions and connects them with experts. The
Council for Science and In- Employing cut-
program promotes sustainable practices, such as vermicom-
Scientific and novation ting-edge technology
posting and organic farming, to mitigate the impact of cli-
Industrial Re- and multidisciplinary
mate change on agriculture.
search, South research to develop
Africa innovative solutions
Impact of her work:
for plastic pollution,
Varsha Raikwar’s work has inspired positive changes, in-
including sustainable
cluding the development of water tanks and the adoption
alternatives and local
of eco-friendly practices among farmers. The radio station
manufacturing.
also reaches a wider audience through its mobile applica-
tion, and it conducts “narrow casting” sessions in villages to
Previous, Indian awardees include: Indian wildlife biolo-
engage with farmers on environmental solutions.
gist Dr. Purnima Devi Barman (2022); PM Narendra Modi
(2018); Tulsi Tanti (Chairman of the Suzlon Group), and Afroz
Alam, a lawyer who led the clean-up at Mumbai’s Versova
2. 2023 CHAMPIONS OF THE beach.
EARTH About the award:

The UNEP’s Champions of the Earth award, the UN’s top
Context: environmental annual honor, celebrates individuals, groups,
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has an- and organizations for their transformative contributions to
nounced the 2023 Champions of the Earth, recognizing indi- the environment. It has recognized leaders in government,
viduals and organizations for innovative solutions to combat civil society, and the private sector since its establishment in
plastic pollution. 2005, honoring those leading efforts to protect our natural
The award, the UN’s highest environmental honor, acknowl- world.
edges efforts to address the global plastic crisis. To fight the pervasive impact of pollution on society, UNEP
had launched #BeatPollution, a strategy for rapid, large- Examples:
scale and coordinated action against air, land and water pol- Activist Background & Initiatives
lution.
G r e t a Swedish teenager known for climate activism.
Thunberg Started the “Fridays for Future” movement to
demand climate action. A prominent voice for
environmental issues and youth engagement
3. MATTHEW PERRY (F.R.I.E.N.D.S in climate politics.
STAR) M a l a l a Pakistani activist advocating for girls’ educa-

Yousafzai tion. Spoke out against the Taliban’s ban on
girls’ education and survived an attack. Sym-
Context:
bol of girls’ right to education worldwide.
Matthew Perry, known for his role as Chandler Bing in
“Friends,” died recently. Thandiwe Co-founder of the Black Lives Matter Youth
Abdullah Vanguard. Advocates for racial justice and
Life lessons drawn from Matthew Perry’s experiences: equality. Raises awareness about systemic rac-
ism and police brutality.
Life Lesson Description
E m m a Survivor of the Parkland school shooting in
Overcoming His journey from adversity, including a
Gonzalez the U.S. Co-founded the “Never Again MSD”
Adversity life-threatening health crisis, demon-
movement advocating for stricter gun control
strates the importance of resilience and
laws to prevent further school shootings.
facing personal challenges.
Battling Sub- Perry’s battle with substance addiction Usage: The examples can be used in Governance/ Ethics/ Es-
stance Addic- and his openness about it highlights the say Questions
tion courage needed to combat addiction and
seek help.
He was an advocate for addiction recov-
ery, running the Perry House sober living
facility and lobbying for drug courts. 5. 2023 BRITISH ACADEMY BOOK
Legacy Be- His comedic legacy and relatable charac- PRIZE: NANDINI DAS
yond Laugh- ters show the power of humour and au-
ter thenticity in forming lasting connections. Context:
India-born author Nandini Das has won the 2023 British
Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding, re-
ceiving a prize of GBP 25,000 for her book ‘Courting India:
England, Mughal India and the Origins of Empire.’
4. CHILDREN AS POLITICAL CITI-
ZENS About the book:
The book provides a fresh perspective on the origins of the
Context: British Empire through the story of the first English ambas-
The article discusses the importance of child participation in sador to India in the 17th century, Sir Thomas Roe. The prize
governance and the need to recognize children as political recognizes works of non-fiction that contribute to under-
citizens. standing different world cultures and their interactions.
“Children as political citizens” refers to the concept of rec- About the Prize:
ognizing and involving children in the political and deci- The British Academy Book Prize, established in 2013 (for-
sion-making processes of a society or nation. merly the Nayef Al-Rodhan Prize), recognizes outstanding
non-fiction works in fields like humanities and social scienc-
It emphasizes the United Nations Convention on the Rights es. It honours books that display rigour, and originality, and
of the Child (UNCRC) and its focus on the right to participa- enhance understanding of global cultures and interactions.
tion among children. Child participation should go beyond
school-based initiatives and be recognized as a robust and
sustained institutional process.
Prestigious literary awards and their distinguished Indi-

an-origin recipients: FACTS FOR PRELIMS
Literary Description Notable Indian-Ori-
Award gin Recipients
P u l i t z e r Awarded for ex- Vijay Seshadri, Sid-
GS-1
Prize cellence in various dhartha Mukherjee,
fields Geeta Anand, Jhumpa
Lahiri, Danish Sid-
1. BANNI FESTIVAL
diqui, Sanghamitra Context:
Kalita, Gobin Behari During the traditional Banni festival in Devaragattu, Andhra
Lal, and others Pradesh’s Kurnool district, three individuals lost their lives,
Booker Prize Recognizes the Salman Rushdie, and over a hundred were injured on the night of October 24.
best novel in En- Arundhati Roy, Kiran
glish Desai, Aravind Adiga, About the Banni Festival:
and others Feature Description
Internation- Honours translated Geetanjali Shree Nature Traditional stick-fight
al Booker literature works for “Tomb of Sand”
Prize (2022) Occurrence Celebrated on the night of Dussehra (Vijaya
Dasami) annually
Nobel Prize Prestigious award Rabindranath Tagore
in Literature for remarkable lit- (1913) Origin Associated with the Vijayanagara Empire
erary contributions Purpose To symbolically snatch idols from the dei-
ties’ team, leading to the Banni Fight
Usage: The examples can be quoted as India’s achievement Historical Celebrates the victory of Lord Mala
in literature in Essay/Science Questions. S i g n i f i - Malleswara Swamy and Goddess Parva-
cance ti over the demonish Mani and Mallasura,
who troubled the people in the Devaragattu
region
6. APOLLO 13 SPACECRAFT RE- Rituals Takes place at midnight - Procession of idols
of deities Malamma and Malleshwara Swamy
COVERY from the hill temple at Neraneki - Devotees
carry long sticks or lathis to hit each other on
Context: the head with these sticks
Ken Mattingly, an astronaut known for his crucial role in
Location It is held on the premises of Mala Malleswara
helping the damaged Apollo 13 spacecraft return safely to
Swamy Temple (situated at the border of
Earth, has passed away at the age of 87.
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka).
What happened to the Apollo 13 spacecraft?
The Apollo 13 spacecraft (on a mission to the moon landing
in 1970) suffered an oxygen tank explosion, which disrupted
the mission and threatened the lives of the crew. They had 2. BABA FARID: JERUSALEM-IN-
to abort their lunar landing.
DIA CONNECTION
How was the spacecraft brought back to Earth?
The recovery of Apollo 13 is a story of teamwork, innova- Context:
tion, and determination. When an oxygen tank exploded, India’s connection with Jerusalem traces back 800 years to
Astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise, along the establishment of Baba Farid’s lodge.
with ground control and fellow astronaut Ken Mattingly,
worked tirelessly to solve the crisis. They converted the lu- What is the story?
nar module into a lifeboat, conserved power and resources, Legend has it that Baba Farid, a Sufi saint from Punjab, med-
and navigated by the stars. With their collective efforts, they itated at this spot in Jerusalem, and Indian Muslims on their
managed to swing around the moon and safely return to way to Mecca began visiting the place to pray. Over time, this
Earth, proving the resilience of human ingenuity and the humble spot evolved into a shrine and hospice for Indian
spirit of exploration. travelers. The property is now under the ownership of Waqf
Board of India, accessible solely to individuals of Indian citi-
zenship or heritage.
Who was Baba Farid?
Baba Farid, born in 1173 near Shakarganj, Pakistan, was from
4. KOZHIKODE AS ‘CITY OF LIT-
a family that migrated from Kabul to Punjab. He followed the ERATURE’ AND GWALIOR AS THE
Chishti Order and was a pioneering Sufi who wrote verses
in Punjabi. His significant impact is seen in Sikhism, where ‘CITY OF MUSIC’
many of his verses are included in the Guru Granth Sahib,
the holy scripture of Sikhs. Baba Farid’s most famous disci- Context:
ple Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya (1238-1325) was responsible Kozhikode, a city in Kerala, and Gwalior, a city in Madhya
for making Delhi an important centre of the Chishti silsilah. Pradesh, have been included in UNESCO’s Creative Cities
Network (UCCN).
• These cities were chosen to represent specific cre-
ative fields, with Kozhikode falling under the cate-
3. PICHWAI PAINTING gory of literature and Gwalior under music.
• Indian cities that are part of this network include
Varanasi (music), Srinagar (crafts and folk arts), Hy-
Context:
derabad (Gastronomy), Jaipur (Crafts and Folk Arts)
Chennai’s Collage is hosting an art exhibition showcasing and Chennai (music).
Pichwai paintings, some of which date back 350 years.
• Pichwai art originated in Nathdwara, near Udaipur,
About Kozhikode
and is traditionally created on cloth, typically khadi.
It has a rich literary tradition and is known for producing
prominent writers and cultural figures. The city has a histo-
Features:
• The paintings use stone pigments for gold and sil- ry of significant literary contributions, with the first Malay-
ver tones and vegetable dyes for vibrant colours alam novel, Kundalatha, being authored there in 1887
like orange, red, chrome yellow, and kesari.
• The detailed work is meticulous and time-con- UNESCO Creative Cities Network:
suming, taking several months to complete a single
piece. 1. The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (established in
• The art form has evolved over time, with modern 2004 by UNSECO), consists of 350 cities in over a hun-
themes and influences incorporated by artists. dred countries. Its purpose is to encourage cooperation
among cities that recognize creativity as a key element
In recent years, there has been a resurgence in Pichwai art, for sustainable urban development
attracting younger buyers and encouraging artists to return 2. Categories include: 1. Crafts and folk arts 2. Media arts
to their hometowns in Rajasthan to learn and continue the 3. Film 4. Design 5. Gastronomy 6. Literature and 7. Mu-
traditional techniques. sic.
3. The network aims to leverage the creative, social, and
economic potential of cultural industries, aligning with
UNESCO’s objectives of promoting cultural diversi-
ty and enhancing resilience to challenges like climate
change, inequality, and rapid urbanization.
4. It promotes a culture of creativity in urban planning and
solutions to urban issues.
5. WHITE HYDROGEN
Context:
Two scientists in northeastern France discovered a substan-
tial deposit of “white hydrogen,” considered one of the larg-
est concentrations of this clean energy source ever found.
What is White Hydrogen?

White hydrogen is a clean-burning energy source found
naturally in the Earth’s crust. It is Natural hydrogen and is
found as naturally occurring molecular hydrogen on or on
Earth. The name white hydrogen distinguishes it from green
hydrogen (produced from renewable energy sources from
the electrolysis of water), and from grey, brown or black hy-
drogen, (which is obtained from fossil sources)
Significance: UN Human An inter-governmental body within the

• White hydrogen is seen as a potentially abundant Rights Council UN system focused on strengthening
and untapped source of clean-burning energy. the promotion and protection of human
• White hydrogen’s estimated cost is around $1 per rights worldwide. Established in 2006
kilogram, significantly lower than green hydrogen, (HQ: Geneva), replacing the former
which costs about $6 per kilogram, making it a more United Nations Commission on Human
affordable clean energy source. Rights - OHCHR serves as the Secretari-
• White hydrogen deposits have been identified at. Composed of 47 UN Member States,
worldwide including in the US, eastern Europe, Rus- elected by the UNGA based on equita-
sia, Australia, Oman, France, and Mali. ble geographical distribution. Members
serve for three years, with no immediate
re-election after two consecutive terms
6. HUMAN RIGHTS AND AGEN-
CIES INVOLVED
Context:
The UN has said that there has been a rise in intimidation
GS-2
and violence in the West Bank, particularly in the Nablus
area. This violence has led to the displacement of over 820
Palestinians.
1. INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
NETWORK
Various UN agencies involved in the protection of Human
Rights: Context:
Organization Description The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has achieved
membership in the 18-member steering committee of the
OCHA (United Part of the United Nations Secretariat.
International Competition Network (ICN), a global body
Nations Office Responsible for coordinating human-
dedicated to competition law enforcement.
for the Coor- itarian actors in emergency response. • The ICN includes 140 competition agencies and
dination of Established in 1998 (HQ: Geneva), for- serves as an informal platform for antitrust author-
Humanitarian merly the United Nations Department ities to foster regular communication and address
Affairs) of Humanitarian Affairs. The mandate in- practical competition concerns.
cludes mobilizing aid, sharing informa- • The ICN’s members comprise both national and
tion, supporting humanitarian efforts, multinational competition authorities, and they
and advocating for crisis-affected com- collaborate in project-oriented working groups to
munities. produce results in the realm of competition en-
forcement.
UNRWA (Unit- Established by the UN General Assembly
ed Nations Re- in 1949 (HQ: Amman and in Gaza). Sup- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory
lief and Works ports Palestinian refugees in five fields body that enforces the Competition Act, 2002. The CCI was
Agency) of operation. The mission focuses on established in 2009 by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs
helping Palestinian refugees in Jordan,
Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank (includ-
ing East Jerusalem), and the Gaza Strip.
Funded primarily by voluntary contribu- 2. JAPAN-INDIA SEMICONDUC-
tions and financial support (including
about USD 5 million every year from In-
TOR SUPPLY CHAIN PARTNERSHIP
dia). Defines Palestine refugees based on Context:
their place of residence during the 1948 A Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) has been signed
conflict between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Tech-
UNHCR (United A global organization under the UN ded- nology of India and the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and
Nations High icated to saving lives, protecting the Industry of Japan.
Commissioner rights, and improving the future of refu- • It is focused on the Japan-India Semiconductor Sup-
for Refugees) gees and forcibly displaced communities. ply Chain Partnership and aims to strengthen co-
Founded in 1950 (HQ: Geneva), primari- operation between the two countries in enhancing
ly to assist European refugees. the semiconductor supply chain.
• It encourages both government-to-government
(G2G) and business-to-business (B2B) cooperation
to advance a resilient semiconductor supply chain contributing to the growth of electric mobility
and leverage each country’s strengths.
The MoC is part of India’s broader initiatives for interna- The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India’s national
tional cooperation in information technology and aims to standards body. It’s part of the Department of Consumer
strengthen collaboration with Japan in the semiconductor Affairs, which is under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs,
industry. It aligns with the “India-Japan Digital Partnership” Food & Public Distribution. The BIS was established by the
and is seen as a step toward enhancing semiconductor sup- Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, which came into ef-
ply chain resilience for mutual benefit. fect on October 12, 2017.
A semiconductor is a material that has electrical conduc- The BIS is responsible for:
tivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. Semi- Standardization, Marking, Quality certification of goods,
conductors can be compounds, such as gallium arsenide, or Hallmarking, Laboratory services, and Training services.
pure elements, such as germanium or silicon.
Properties
• Electrical conductivity: Semiconductors have elec-
trical conductivity between that of a conductor, such 4. VENUS HAD EARTH-LIKE
as copper, and an insulator, such as glass.
• Resistivity: Semiconductors’ resistivity falls as their PLATE TECTONICS BILLIONS OF
temperature rises.
• Conducting ability: Semiconductors› conducting YEARS AGO
ability can be increased by chemical treatment.
Context:
Uses A new study suggests that Venus, despite being a scorch-
Semiconductors are used as a foundation for computers and ing wasteland, may have once had plate tectonics similar to
other electronic devices. those on early Earth.
Developments in semiconductor technology have made • The research uses atmospheric data from Venus and
computer modelling to propose that Venus’ current
electronic devices smaller, faster, and more reliable
atmosphere and surface pressure could only have
resulted from early plate tectonics.
• Plate tectonics is essential for life as it stabilizes sur-
3. INDIGENOUS CHARGING STAN- face temperatures and leads to the development of
habitable environments.
DARDS • The study suggests that Venus had plate tectonics
between 4.5 billion and 3.5 billion years ago, simi-
lar to Earth, but with limited plate movement and
Context: fewer plates involved.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has approved an in-
digenous AC and DC combined charging connector standard, Significance:
known as IS17017 (Part 2/Sec 7): 2023, for light electric ve- • This finding raises the possibility of early microbial
hicles (LEVs). life on Venus and highlights that both planets were
• This standard is the world’s first of its kind and has once more alike than previously thought.
been developed in India. • The study also suggests that planets may transition
in and out of different tectonic states, impacting
Significance: their habitability.
• This initiative allows original equipment manufac- • The research provides a proof of concept that at-
turers (OEMs) in India to move away from relying mospheres can offer insights into a planet’s ancient
solely on international standards and protocols. history and development.
• The new standard addresses the need for a standard- • The study’s findings may have implications for un-
ized connector for combined AC and DC charging derstanding other planets and moons, including Ju-
systems for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and piter’s Europa, which shows evidence of Earth-like
microcars, offering a hybrid and cost-efficient infra- plate tectonics.
structure for all forms of charging.
• It enables interoperable networks for both fast and The study opens the door for further investigation into the
slow charging, making it convenient for customers fate of Venus and its potential implications for Earth’s hab-
to charge their EVs without carrying bulky chargers. itability.
This development is seen as a significant step towards driv-

ing faster EV adoption in India and potentially worldwide,
5. CARBON NANOFLORETS • An analysis by the Indian Council of Medical Re-

search (ICMR) indicates that India’s progress to-
ward reducing premature mortality from four ma-
Context: jor NCDs, including cancer, cardiovascular disease,
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bom- chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes, will like-
bay have created carbon nanoflorets that can efficiently ly miss the WHO’s target of 25% reduction by 2025
convert sunlight into heat. compared to 2010.
What are Carbon nanoflorets? Key Findings:

Carbon nanoflorets are a unique nanostructure composed • The study reveals that NCDs account for a substan-
of carbon atoms arranged in a distinctive floret-like mor- tial portion of all deaths in India, with 22% being
phology. They have a high surface area and various potential premature deaths in 2019.
• The reduction in premature mortality depends on
applications in fields such as materials science, electronics, various risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol
and nanotechnology due to their exceptional properties and consumption, physical inactivity, obesity, dietary
structure. choices, and high blood pressure.
• Compared to lower and middle-income countries
• These nanoflorets can absorb light at multiple fre- and other nations like Moldova, Peru, China, and
quencies, including infrared, visible light, and ultra- Sweden, India’s progress in reducing NCDs is com-
violet, making them highly efficient at converting paratively slower.
sunlight into thermal energy.
• Additionally, their unique shape ensures minimal
light reflection and efficient heat retention.
• A 1-square-meter coating of these nanoflorets can 7. HUNGER HOTSPOTS
vaporize 5 litres of water in an hour, surpassing
commercial solar stills. Context:
The FAO and WFP have issued a warning that acute food in-
It can provide ecologically sustainable heating and has po- security is expected to worsen in 18 hunger hotspots, cov-
tential uses in various sectors, including construction and ering 22 countries (e.g., Countries like Afghanistan, Nigeria,
healthcare. Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen are at the highest concern
level)
What are hunger hotspots?

Hunger hotspots are regions or countries identified by orga-
nizations like FAO and WFP where acute food insecurity is a
pressing concern. These areas have a high number of people
facing critical food shortages and worsening factors that are
expected to intensify life-threatening conditions in the near
future.
Other Hotspots:
1. Haiti, the Sahel (Burkina Faso and Mali), Malawi,
Guatemala, Honduras and Sudan
2. Pakistan, the Central African Republic, Ethiopia,
Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the
Syrian Arab Republic, and Myanmar. Lebanon, El Sal-
vador, and Nicaragua are newly added to the list
6. PREMATURE MORTALITY
The warning is based on the high number of people facing
FROM MAJOR NON-COMMUNI- critical acute food insecurity and worsening factors that are
CABLE DISEASES expected to exacerbate the situation in the coming months.
Context:
India is expected to fall short of meeting the targets set by
the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Na-
tions Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in reducing
premature deaths from major Non-Communicable Diseas-
es (NCDs).
As a result, Niti Aayog is exploring new models for job cre-
GS-3 ation in and around agriculture, focusing on value addi-
tion and agribusiness as potential sources of employment.
Bio-fuels, bio-based products, and sustainable agriculture
1. THE LEWIS MODEL IN ECO- practices are seen as potential areas for employment gen-
eration, offering alternatives to traditional farm-based jobs.
NOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Context:
The Lewis Model, which envisioned the shift of surplus la- 2. NANOPHOTONIC ELECTRON
bour from agriculture to manufacturing, hasn’t played out in
India as expected.
ACCELERATOR (NEA)
Context:
What is the Lewis Model? Researchers have activated the world’s smallest particle ac-
The Lewis Model, developed by economist William Arthur celerator, known as a “nanophotonic electron accelerator”
Lewis, proposed that in underdeveloped countries with a (NEA), which is approximately the size of a small coin.
surplus of low-wage labour in agriculture, industrialization
could lead to economic growth. What are particle accelerators?
It is a device that accelerates charged particles, such as elec-
This model suggests that as long as the wages in the indus- trons or protons, to very high speeds and energies. These
trial sector are marginally higher than subsistence wages in accelerated particles are then used for various scientific and
agriculture, surplus labour can transition to the industrial practical purposes, including fundamental research in parti-
sector, boosting economic development. cle physics, medical treatments, and industrial applications.
• E.g., the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)
How this miniature accelerator is different from LHC?

NEA consists of a small microchip containing an even small-
er vacuum tube which is made up of thousands of individual
pillars. Unlike traditional particle accelerators (like LHC), this
tiny accelerator relies on directing miniature laser beams at
thousands of individual “pillars” on a microchip to accelerate
electrons. While the NEA’s energy field is weaker than large
particle accelerators like the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), its
smaller size and potential for further enhancements make it
promising for applications in medical treatments, particular-
ly for precise radiotherapy. The NEA’s compact design offers
advantages for medical purposes and could replace more in-
Why does this model work in China but not in India? vasive cancer treatment methods.
The Lewis Model worked in China but has faced challenges
in India due to differences in industrialization, technological
advancement, and labour transitions. 3. LORRAINOSAURUS (PLIO-
In China, the model was successful because of its ability to SAUR)
absorb a massive surplus rural labour force, turning China
into the “world’s factory.” Context:
Researchers have identified fossils of a 170-million-year-old
In contrast, India faces hurdles in implementing the Lewis ancient marine reptile as the oldest-known mega-predatory
Model because manufacturing is becoming more capital-in- pliosaur (a group of ocean-dwelling reptiles). This pliosaur
tensive and reliant on labor-displacing technologies like ro- genus, named Lorrainosaurus, was found in northeastern
botics and artificial intelligence. This shift limits the ability France.
of labour-intensive industries to absorb surplus agricultural
labour. What are pliosaurs?
Pliosaurs were a type of marine reptile that lived over 200
Additionally, India is experiencing disguised unemployment million years ago (during the early Middle Jurassic period).
in the agricultural sector, which complicates labour transi- They were known for their short necks, large conical teeth
tions. and massive skulls. These creatures evolved into enormous
apex predators, some exceeding 10 meters in length. They Surviving species of river dolphins:
were major marine predators of their time, akin to today’s Species Habitat IUCN
Killer whales. They are one of the largest aquatic carnivo-
Amazon Riv- Freshwater rivers in South Endangered
rous reptiles that have ever lived and are often referred to
er Dolphin America
as sea monsters
Ganges River Ganges and Brahmaputra Endangered
Dolphin River systems in India and
Bangladesh
Indus River Pakistan and River Beas (a Endangered
Dolphin tributary of the Indus Riv-
er in Punjab)
Irrawaddy Coastal areas in South Endangered
Dolphin and Southeast Asia, riv-
ers including Ayeyarwady
(Myanmar), Mahakam
(Indonesian Borneo), Me-
kong, and Chilka Lake (In-
dia)
Tucuxi Dol- Amazon River system in Endangered
phin Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador,
About Lorrainosaurus: and Peru
It was one of the first large pliosaurs and played a significant Yangtze Fin- Yangtze River (the longest Critically En-
role in the evolution of these apex predators that ruled the less Porpoise river in Asia) dangered
oceans for millions of years.
About Gangetic River dolphin:
The fossils of Lorrainosaurus were discovered in 1983 and
were recently analyzed, shedding light on this ancient ma-
rine reptile’s significance.
4. GLOBAL DECLARATION FOR

RIVER DOLPHINS
Context:
In a significant move to protect the world’s six surviving spe-
cies of river dolphins, 11 Asian and South American coun-
tries have signed a groundbreaking Global Declaration for
River Dolphins.
Need for such initiative:

River Dolphins are top predators in some of the world’s
greatest river systems and important indicators of the river’s
health. This initiative comes after decades of alarming pop-
ulation declines in river dolphins, with numbers plummet- 5. DARK PATTERN SALES
ing by 73% since the 1980s due to various threats, including
unsustainable fishing practices, pollution, habitat loss, and DEEMED ‘CYBERCRIME’
even the impact of climate change.
Context:
Aim of the declaration: The Ministry of Civil Aviation in India is addressing deceptive
The declaration’s aim is to halt the decline and bolster the online practices by airlines and travel agents (such as IndiGo,
most vulnerable river dolphin populations through collabo- SpiceJet, and MakeMyTrip), which have been termed “cy-
rative efforts. bercrime.” These practices, known as “dark patterns,” trick
consumers into making unintended purchases while booking
flight tickets.
More about Dark Pattern: What is Gir Cow Breed?
Term Definition The Gir cow is an indigenous breed of cattle in India known
for its high milk yield, adaptability to various regions, and
Dark Patterns Digital design techniques used to ma-
calm temperament. It is characterized by its distinctive
nipulate customer behaviour are often
hump over the shoulders and a reddish-brown coat. Gir cows
considered an unfair trading practice and
are prized for their milk production, with purebred Gir cows
potentially a cybercrime.
yielding 18-20 liters of milk per day. Gir is originated in Gir
Usage by Com- Social media and Big Tech firms like Ap- forests in Gujarat and also found in Maharashtra and adja-
panies ple, Amazon, Facebook, Google, Linke- cent Rajasthan
dIn, Microsoft, and Skype employ dark
patterns to their advantage. Other indigenous cattle breeds: Red Sindhi, Sahiwal, Hal-
Example For instance, LinkedIn users may receive likar etc
unsolicited sponsored messages from in-
fluencers, and disabling this option can What is the issue with adopting Gir Cow Breed?
be a complex process with multiple steps. Rashtriya Gokul Mission’s focus on Gir breed risks threaten-
Forms of Dark 1. False Urgency: Creating a false sense ing the purity of other indigenous breeds. While the Gir cow
Patterns of urgency or scarcity to prompt immedi- has its advantages, experts argue that focusing solely on one
ate purchases breed is detrimental. They suggest that genetically superior
cows should be identified and bred from various indigenous
2. Basket Sneaking: Including addition-
breeds to maintain regional traits and diversity.
al items or charges at checkout without
user consent.
About the Rashtriya Gokul Mission:
3. Interface Interference: Manipulating
the design to highlight specific informa- Keywords Explanation
tion and obscure other relevant details. Rashtriya A program for indigenous bovine breed
4. Bait and Switch: Advertising one out- Gokul Mission development and conservation
come but delivering another. Implementa- Started in December 2014
5. Drip Pricing: Withholding elements of tion Since
prices upfront or obscuring them during Continued Un- Part of Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojna
the user experience. der from 2021 to 2026
6. Other Forms: Forced action, Subscrip- Nodal Ministry Managed by the Ministry of Fisheries,
tion trap, Confirm shaming, Disguised ad- Animal Husbandry and Dairying
vertising, Nagging, and more. Objectives Aims to enhance bovine productivity,
R e g u l a t o r y India has taken several regulatory mea- promote high genetic merit bulls, expand
Measures (In- sures to address dark patterns, including: artificial insemination coverage (increase
dia) 1. Summoning cab and two-wheeler ag- artificial insemination to 70%), and con-
gregators to address their charges and serve indigenous cattle and buffalo
algorithms.
2. Forming a consultation group to com-
bat fake online reviews. 7. JIOSPACEFIBER
3. Applying the Advertising Standards
Council of India (ASCI) code, which covers Context:
misleading ads in various media, includ- Reliance Jio has successfully demonstrated JioSpaceFiber,
ing online advertising. India’s first satellite-based gigabit internet service, at the
Draft Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Pat- India Mobile Congress.
terns
This technology, developed in partnership with Luxem-
bourg-based SES, leverages medium Earth orbit (MEO) sat-
ellites, particularly SES’s O3v and o3b mPOWER networks.
6. GIR COW BREED
How is it different from Elong Musk’s Starlink?
Context: Unlike the more common low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite in-
The Rashtriya Gokul Mission, India’s initiative to enhance internet (e.g., StarLink or OneWeb), JioSpaceFiber uses MEO
digenous cattle breeds, has primarily promoted the Gir cow satellites, orbiting at a greater distance from the planet,
breed due to its high milk yield and adaptability. which may result in higher latency (latency is the time that
data takes to transfer across the network). However, MEO provides support and cushioning while allowing for smooth
satellites can cover larger areas with fewer satellites. movement in the joints.
To access JioSpaceFiber, a larger satellite dish may be re-

quired. Reliance Jio has already connected four remote loca-
tions using this technology. 9. AMANGARH TIGER RESERVE
What is Satellite Internet? Context:
Satellite internet is an online connection provided by satel- The Amangarh Tiger Reserve, an extension of the Jim Cor-
lites in space. Internet service providers launch satellites into bett National Park, has seen a marginal increase in its tiger
orbit around Earth, and these satellites communicate with population. However, this growth in the tiger population has
user equipment, including a modem and satellite dish, to had unintended consequences for the leopards in the area.
transmit and receive data. It’s advantageous for connecting
remote or rural areas and enabling multi-device access. What is the Issue?
The territorial nature of tigers, with one big cat ruling over
8 square kilometers, is causing leopards to be pushed out
of the forests. This phenomenon has led to leopards ventur-
ing into human habitats, resulting in over 35 leopards being
captured in such areas and 16 people being killed in leop-
ard attacks. The expansion of the Amangarh Tiger Reserve
is seen as a potential solution to protect big cat habitats and
prevent future conflicts.
About Amangarh Tiger Reserve:

Aspect Information
Location Located in Amangarh, Bijnor district, Ut-
tar Pradesh.
Situated in the Terai region, covering ap-
8. HAEMOGLOBIN proximately 578 sq km.
Context: Shares boundaries with Jim Corbett Na-
In a recent discovery published in Nature, scientists found tional Park in Uttarakhand.
that haemoglobin, typically associated with red blood cells, Originally part of Jim Corbett National
is also produced by chondrocytes, the cells responsible for Park, remained in Uttar Pradesh after the
making cartilage in the body. creation of Uttarakhand.
Establishment Declared a tiger reserve in 2012.
What is haemoglobin? Flora Vegetation includes grasslands, wetlands,
Haemoglobin is a Iron containing protein found in red blood and dense forests.
cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body’s tis-
Fauna Mammals: Tigers, Elephants, Swamp
sues and returns carbon dioxide to the lungs for exhalation.
Deer, Hog Deer, Sloth Bear, Porcupine
It plays a crucial role in oxygen transport and maintaining the
body’s overall oxygen balance. Birds: Hornbill, Red Jungle Fowl, Pea
Fowl, Bengal Florican,
What does the new study says? Reptiles: Monitor Lizard, Turtles, Ganget-
A recent study revealed that chondrocytes, responsible for ic Dolphin, Mugger, Gharia, etc.
forming cartilage, produce haemoglobin, contrary to the
previous belief that only Red Blood Cells (RBCs) contained it.
Chondrocytes play a role in strengthening and flexibilizing 10. ‘REFERENCE’ FUEL

cartilage, and they rely on haemoglobin for oxygen transport
and survival. Haemoglobin within chondrocytes stores and Context:
releases oxygen as needed. India has begun producing “reference” petrol and diesel,
which are specialized fuels used for testing automobiles,
What are Cartilage? making it part of a select group of nations that produce
Cartilage is a flexible and connective tissue found in vari- these high-quality fuels.
ous parts of the body, such as joints, the nose, and ears. It • The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has developed
these fuels with higher specifications to replace im-
ports, ensuring a reliable supply at a lower cost for gram in identifying the location and nature of potential wa-
vehicle manufacturers and testing agencies. ter resources on Mars. Scientists can use the map to decide
where the first astronauts to set foot.
Reference fuels are high-quality fuels used by gasoline and
diesel vehicle manufacturers. They are used for: The SWIM project uses the High-Resolution Imaging Sci-
1. Engine development ence Experiment (HiRISE) to study fresh impact craters. The
2. Performance assessment fourth comprehensive map of potential subsurface water
3. Ensuring operability across global climatic conditions
ice locations on Mars was released.
4. Calibration and testing of vehicles
Reference fuels are premium products. They have higher oc-
tane numbers than normal fuels
13. UNITED NATIONS FORUM
ON FORESTS (UNFF)
11. AGE OF MOON
Context:
Context: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
A recent study using crystals brought back by Apollo astro- is hosting a Country-Led Initiative (CLI) event as part of the
nauts in 1972 has revealed that the Moon is approximately United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) at the Forest Re-
40 million years older than previously believed. search Institute in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
• The research used these lunar crystals to pinpoint
the Moon’s formation age, revising it to a minimum Aim of the initiative:
of 4.46 billion years old.
• These crystals, which are the oldest known solids The event aims to contribute to discussions on Sustainable
to form after a massive impact, serve as a reference Forest Management and the UN Strategic Plan for Forests
point for lunar chronology. (UNSPF), focusing on thematic areas related to forest fires
• The study utilized an analytical method called atom and forest certification.
probe tomography to determine the age of the
crystals and revealed that the Moon is indeed at The meeting is expected to result in frameworks and recom-
least 4.46 billion years old. mendations for forest fire and forest certification manage-
ment, to be discussed at the 19th session of UNFF in May
Significance: 2024.
This information is crucial for understanding the Moon’s
role in stabilizing Earth’s rotational axis and affecting tides, About the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF):
which, in turn, has influenced life on Earth.
About: The UNFF is an intergovernmental policy
forum that promotes the management,
conservation, and sustainable develop-
12. SUBSURFACE WATER ICE ment of all types of forests and aims to
strengthen long-term political commit-
MAPPING (SWIM) PROJECT ment to this end.
E s t a b l i s h - UNFF was established in 2000 by the UN
Context:
ment: Economic and Social Council. It has uni-
The Subsurface Water Ice Mapping Project (SWIM) has cre-
versal membership and is composed of
ated a map of Mars, indicating regions where NASA mis-
all Member States of the United Nations.
sions have detected subsurface water ice.
• This map is a valuable resource for scientists to Major Related 1992: UN Conference on Environment
identify potential landing sites for the first astro- Events related and Development adopts the “Forest
nauts on Mars. to the forest: Principles” and Agenda 21.
• Water ice on Mars is crucial for drinking, rocket
Intergovernmental Panel on Forests
fuel, and other purposes, as the planet’s thin atmo-
sphere cannot sustain liquid water. (1995) and Intergovernmental Forum on
Forests (1997) were established to imple-
The Subsurface Water Ice Mapping (SWIM) project is a NA- ment the Forest Principles from 1995 to
SA-funded project that aims to detect where there’s most 2000
likely water ice beneath Martian ground. The project also 2000: UNFF is established as a functional
aims to locate the best places to access water ice buried commission of the UN Economic and So-
under the Martian. cial Council
The SWIM project supports NASA’s Mars Exploration Pro-
2006: UNFF agrees on four Global Objec- Various types of aircraft used by the Indian Air Force:
tives for Forests Aircraft Type Examples
2007: UNFF adopts the UN Non-Legally Fighter Aircraft Sukhoi Su-30MKI - Dassault Rafale - MiG-
Binding Instrument on All Types of Forests 29 - Tejas (Light Combat Aircraft)
(Forest Instrument) Attack Aircraft SEPECAT Jaguar - HAL Tejas - MiG-27
2009: UNFF adopts a decision on financ- Transport Air- Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules - Anton-
ing for sustainable forest management, craft ov An-32 - Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
calling for the creation of a Facilitative Helicopters HAL Dhruv - Mil Mi-17 - Boeing AH-64E
Process to assist countries in reversing a Apache - HAL Rudra (Weaponized Dh-
20-year decline in forest financing, with ruv); HAL’s Prachand
an initial focus on Small Island Developing
States (SIDS) and Low Forest Cover Coun- R e c o n n a i s - IAI Heron - Embraer EMB 145 AEW&C -
tries (LFCCs). sance Aircraft HAL Cheetah
2011: The International Year of Forests, Trainer Aircraft HAL HJT-16 Kiran - BAE Hawk - Pilatus
“Forests for People” PC-7 Mk II
The Four Reverse the loss of forest cover world- Airborne Ear- Embraer EMB 145 AEW&C - DRDO Netra
Global Objec- wide through sustainable forest manage- ly Warning
tives on For- ment (SFM) and Control
ests: (AEW&C)
Enhance forest-based economic, social,
and environmental benefits Aerial Refuel- Ilyushin Il-78 (MARS)
ing Aircraft
Increase significantly the area of sustain-
ably managed forests Unmanned Ae- DRDO Rustom - IAI Searcher II - General
rial Vehicles Atomics MQ-9 Reaper
Reverse the decline in official develop- (UAVs)
ment assistance for SFM and mobilize in-
creased financial resources for the imple-
mentation of SFM.
15. HYDROCLIMATE EXTREMES
Context:
14. LIGHT COMBAT HELICOPTER A recent study at Banaras Hindu University examined the
PRACHAND impact of global warming on hydroclimate extremes over
the Indian River Basins (IRBs).
Context: • Hydroclimatic extremes are extreme events that can
have substantial impacts on human societies and
The Indian Army’s Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand
ecosystems. These events include Floods, Droughts,
recently conducted its inaugural firing during both day and Heatwaves, and Rainstorms.
night operations. • The study used high-resolution simulated precipita-
• Besides the 20mm nose gun and 70mm rockets, tion data from the Coupled Model Intercomparison
the LCH is equipped with a helicopter-launched an- Project-6 (CMIP6) experiments.
ti-tank guided missile and a new air-to-air missile,
which is distinct from the ‘Mistral-2’ used on the IAF
LCH. Findings:
• The findings indicate that the frequency of extreme
rainfall is expected to increase over the Western
The Prachand is India’s first indigenous multi-role combat Ghats and Northeast River basins, while heavy rain-
helicopter. It was developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Lim- fall intensity is projected to increase over the Upper
ited (HAL). Ganga and Indus basins.
• The research highlights an agricultural drought in
Features the lower Ganga basin due to a decline in mean
• Designed for: The Indian armed forces operating in rainfall.
deserts and mountainous areas
• Range: 700 km Significance:
• Flight ceiling: The highest among all attack helicop- • It emphasizes the need for policymakers to develop
ters in the world strategies to manage water surplus or scarcity. The
• Landing and take-off altitude: 5,000 meters (16,400 study predicts a 4% to 10% increase in heavy rain-
ft) fall over the western part of Indian River basins and
• Weapons: Can carry lethal weapons and destroy significant precipitation changes in specific areas.
targets
• These changes in hydroclimate extremes could have Historical Importance of Bletchley Park:
a substantial impact on agriculture, health, and so- • During the war, Bletchley Park played a pivotal role
cio-economic conditions. in breaking the ‘unbreakable’ Enigma code, which
• The study also identifies major hotspots for future was used by the Nazis.
urban flooding in highly populated cities, suggest- • The site is also known for creating the Turing Bombe,
ing that policymakers should design basin-specific a device that expedited code-breaking efforts.
climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, in- • Bletchley Park contributed to the development of
cluding water and emergency services policies, to the Colossus, often considered the world’s first pro-
minimize the risk associated with extreme events in grammable electronic computer.
these basins.
16. BLETCHLEY DECLARATION 17. MERCURY CONTAMINATION

Context: Context:
Bletchley Park, the historic site known for its crucial role in Tropical birds in Central and South America are exhibiting
World War II, is hosting the world’s first global summit on signs of mercury contamination due to artisanal and small-
artificial intelligence (AI) safety in 2023. scale gold mining operations, according to a new study.
• Britain, along with 28 other countries and the Euro- • Birds living within 7 km of gold mining activity were
pean Union, published the “Bletchley Declaration” found to have mercury concentrations over four
at Bletchley Park, England. times higher than those in other areas.
The focus of the Bletchley Declaration: Why mercury is used in Gold mining?
This declaration aims to enhance global collaboration on Mercury is used in gold mining because it forms an amal-
artificial intelligence (AI) safety. It has a two-fold focus: gam with gold, allowing for the extraction of gold from ore.
identifying shared AI-related risks and enhancing scientific This amalgamation process is a simple and effective way to
understanding of these risks, as well as creating cross-coun- capture fine gold particles, but it also leads to significant en-
try policies to address them. vironmental and health concerns due to mercury pollution.
About Bletchley Declaration Key Findings:

Aspect Details • The research suggests that mercury may be playing
a role in the declining biodiversity of tropical birds,
Recognition of Acknowledges AI’s potential to enhance which has been observed in recent decades.
AI Potential human well-being.
Risks Associat- Recognizes the risks posed by AI, includ- Mercury contamination has been linked to neurological ill-
ed with AI ing Frontier AI (highly capable founda- ness, immune diseases, and reproductive failure in both
tion generative AI models) humans and birds. Birds are considered sensitive indicators
Nature of Risks Highlights that substantial risks may of ecosystem health and are often referred to as the “canary
arise from potential intentional misuse in the gold mine” for their ability to signal environmental
or unintended control issues related to issues.
alignment with human intent. The com-
plexity of these capabilities makes pre-
diction difficult.
International Emphasizes the need for international 18. NECP AND EEFP LAUNCHED
Cooperation cooperation to address AI-related risks,
as they are inherently global. BY EESL
Collaborative States that all actors, including compa-
Approach nies, civil society, and academia, must Context:
collaborate to address these risks. The National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) and En-
ergy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP) were launched by
Mitigation Outlines the agenda for risk mitigation, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) to promote ener-
Agenda which will focus on building a shared gy-efficient and eco-friendly solutions in India.
scientific understanding and developing
risk-based policies that span across coun-
tries.
About the National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) Major findings from the 2023 Adaptation Gap Report:
and the Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP): Highlights Recommendations
Programme” Description Adaptation finance Developed countries should
NECP Launched by Energy Efficiency Services needs are 10-18 times double their climate finance
Limited (EESL), it aims to transform cook- higher than current pub- for adaptation from 2019 levels
ing practices in India by introducing induc- lic flows. by 2025.
tion-based cook stoves Adaptation costs are The report emphasizes the
Target: To deploy 20 Lakh Induction cook- expected to significant- need for urgent climate action
stoves across India ly increase by 2050. For in three domains: mitigation,
Benefits: The cookstoves offer a cost ad- example, coastal protec- adaptation, and addressing
vantage of 25-30 per cent over tradition- tion costs will rise due to loss and damage.
al cooking methods. It supports India’s sea-level rise.
Go-electric campaign and contributes to The adaptation finance Increase and improve budget
carbon mitigation goals. gap is expanding. tagging and tracking for inte-
EEFP Launched by Energy Efficiency Services grating adaptation into budget
Limited (EESL), it aims to enhance the planning.
market for efficient fans by deploying one Action plan on loss and Mobilize private investments,
crore 5-star energy-efficient ceiling fans damage has overlooked by methods like resilience
across India non-economic losses like bonds, and insurance.
Benefits: Low Energy Consumption: Con- cultural heritage and in-
ventional fans typically consume 75-80W digenous knowledge.
whereas contemporary 5-star fans con- Only 2% of gen- Leverage remittances which
sume only 28-32W. der-tagged internation- often contribute significant-
About Ener- Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), al adaptation finance is ly to Gross Domestic Product.
gy Efficiency operating under the Ministry of Pow- gender-responsive. Financing Small and Medium
Services Lim- er (founded in 2009), is a leading Energy Enterprises (SMEs), stimulating
ited Service Company. Their portfolio encom- them to offer adaptation-rele-
passes energy-efficient products like LED vant products and services
bulbs, tube lights, fans, air conditioners,
streetlights, and electric vehicles. EESL is a
joint venture of state-run power compa-
nies, responsible for the implementation
of the Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for MAPPING
All scheme. It has reduced the prices of
LED bulbs by 75%.
1. GUDAVI BIRD SANCTUARY
(KARNATAKA)
19. 2023 ADAPTATION GAP RE-
Context:
PORT Several birds, including spoonbills, herons, and black-headed
ibis, have suddenly died at Gudavi Bird Sanctuary in Sorab
Context: taluk (Shimoga District in Karnataka)
Adaptation Gap Report 2023 released by the United Nations
Environment Programme Gudavi Bird Sanctuary is a tourist destination in the Malena-
du region of Karnataka (part of Soraba Taluk of Shivamogga
What is an Adaptation Gap? district). It is located on the Gudavi Lake banks. Shivamogga
The Adaptation Gap is the difference between the funds is also famous for Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary, and Bhadra
needed to adapt to climate change in countries (generally Wildlife Sanctuary, northwest of Shivamogga is Jog Falls.
developing and least developed countries) and the actual fi-
nancial support received. For instance, developing countries
require $215-387 billion annually for climate adaptation, but
they are only receiving about $21 billion.
These Maoists have been increasingly active in and around
the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, even infiltrating local houses
and engaging in activities like distributing propaganda mate-
rials. The Kerala government deployed Kerela Thunderbolts
force and helicopters to locate those responsible.
Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is the northernmost wildlife sanc-

tuary of Kerala (in the Kannur District). It is 55 km² in area
and located on the western slope of the Western Ghats.
It was established in 1984 with its headquarters near Irit-
ty. The sanctuary borders Wayanad-Brahmagiri, Wayanad’s
north slopes, Karnataka’s Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary,
and Coorg’s forests, with Katti Betta as its highest peak.
2. VENEZUELA
Context:
The recent thaw in U.S.-Venezuela relations is due to Maria
Corina Machado’s victory in the opposition primary and the
Biden administration’s decision to ease sanctions on Venezu-
ela’s oil and mining sectors in exchange for fair elections in
2024. Geopolitical shifts related to the Russia-Ukraine con-
flict also played a role. The sanctions relief is expected to
revive Venezuela’s economy.
About Venezuela:
It is a country on the northern coast of South America.To the
northwest are the Andes Mountains and the colonial town
of Mérida, a base for visiting Sierra Nevada National Park.
Caracas, the capital, is to the north.
The country’s economy is strongly depending on hydrocar-
bons, as well as on loans from China and Russia. Tradition-
ally, petroleum represents more than 85% of Venezuela’s
exports.
4. AGARTALA-AKHAURA RAILWAY
Context:
The Tripura-Bangladesh railway link (about 12km) was
recently inaugurated. This project, known as the Agarta-
3. KERALA’S ARALAM WILDLIFE la-Akhaura railway, has the potential to dramatically reduce
SANCTUARY travel time between Agartala and Kolkata from 31 hours
to just 10 hours, opening up new opportunities for tourism,
Context: trade, and people-to-people exchanges between the two
Recently, suspected Maoists launched an attack on forest countries. Funding for the project is entirely provided by In-
watchers in Kerala’s Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, near the Cha- dia, with contributions from the Ministry for Development of
vachi area. North East Region and the Ministry of External Affairs.
Other Rail Link are: 6. PAKISTAN-AFGHANISTAN BOR-

Train Route Description
Name DER
Bandhan Kolkata to Khu- Rebooted an old rail link;
Context:
Express lna Previously Barisal Express;
Pakistan has enforced the expulsion of Afghan migrants, with
Restored in 2017; Cross-
a primary focus on Afghans, who constitute the largest group
es the Petrapole-Benapole
of refugees in the country.
border.
Over 4 million Afghans reside in Pakistan, with an estimated
M a i t re e Kolkata to Dha- Started in April 2008. 1.7 million lacking proper documentation. Despite appeals
Express ka Cantonment from the UN, rights groups, and Western embassies, Paki-
Mitali Ex- Siliguri to Ban- Announced by PM Modi in stan remains firm in its decision to deport Afghan migrants,
press gladesh capital March 2021. citing economic strain and security concerns. The deporta-
tions have been criticized, with some filing petitions to chal-
lenge the mass expulsion in the Supreme Court.
The Durand Line forms the Afghanistan–Pakistan border, a
2,670-kilometre international border between Afghanistan
and Pakistan in South Asia. The western end runs to the bor-
der with Iran and the eastern end to the border with China.
5. RAFAH BORDER CROSSING

Context:
Egypt agreed to receive wounded Palestinians from Gaza,
and Palestinian dual nationals from its Rafah border cross-
ing. This decision comes in response to the recent conflict
between Hamas militants and Israel.
About the Rafah Crossing:

The Rafah Crossing is the southernmost exit point from the
Gaza Strip and shares a border with Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.
It is controlled by Egypt and is the only exit that does not
lead to Israeli territory. Currently, both Erez and Kerem Sha-
lom border crossings, controlled by Israel, are closed, mak-
ing Rafah the primary entry and exit point for Gaza’s people
and humanitarian aid. Other Boundary Lines:
Line Description
M c M a h o n Proposed by Lieutenant Colonel Sir Ar-
Line thur Henry McMahon in 1914 at the Shim-
la Convention. Separates Tibet, China, and
India. LAC alignment in the eastern sector
follows the 1914 McMahon Line.
R a d c l i f f e Drawn by Sir Cyril Radcliffe, it divided Brit-
Line ish India into India and Pakistan. Serves as
the border between India and Pakistan
(west) and India and Bangladesh (east).
Named after the chairman of the Bound-
ary Commissions, Sir Cyril Radcliffe.

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LORRAINOSAURUS (PLIOSAUR):Re-

searchers have identified fossils of a

30 OCT - 4 NOV 2023

WEEKLY CURRENT AFFAIRS

inside CONTENT FOR MAINS ENRICHMENT

FACTS FOR PRELIMS

Topics: India and its neighbourhood- relations.

5. Rafah border crossing 39

4. Global Declaration for River Dolphins 31

1. Gudavi Bird Sanctuary (Karnataka) 37

Importance Supreme Authority in the Lok Sabha/State

Suggestions to improve the impartiality of the Speaker in

Political System in Maldives:

Background of the Issue?

What did the court say?

What is Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR)?

Insta Links: Government initiative for increasing bulk cargo in Railways:

Other initiatives for Indian Railways:

What is the modal share of freight (cargo) in India?

Role of National Rail Plan (NRP) for 2030: Indian Railways

4. GI TAGS: HOW DOES IT HELP? Community

Benefits of GI tags: The way forward:

What are Biosphere reserves?

Financial Trans- The Finance Commission can play a cru-

About Coal in India:

For Major points of the Coal Ministry Action Plan 2023-24:

The inclusion of coal in the master list of Infrastructure Ans: A

Insta Links What are Aquifers?

Supreme Court Upholds the ‘public trust doc-

are conducted by members of the parlia- in their duties.

EARTH About the award:

STAR) M a l a l a Pakistani activist advocating for girls’ educa-

Prestigious literary awards and their distinguished Indi-

What is White Hydrogen?

Significance: UN Human An inter-governmental body within the

This development is seen as a significant step towards driv-

5. CARBON NANOFLORETS • An analysis by the Indian Council of Medical Re-

What are Carbon nanoflorets? Key Findings:

What are hunger hotspots?

How this miniature accelerator is different from LHC?

4. GLOBAL DECLARATION FOR

Need for such initiative:

To access JioSpaceFiber, a larger satellite dish may be re-

About Amangarh Tiger Reserve:

Chondrocytes play a role in strengthening and flexibilizing 10. ‘REFERENCE’ FUEL

The SWIM project supports NASA’s Mars Exploration Pro-

16. BLETCHLEY DECLARATION 17. MERCURY CONTAMINATION

About Bletchley Declaration Key Findings:

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is the northernmost wildlife sanc-

Other Rail Link are: 6. PAKISTAN-AFGHANISTAN BOR-

5. RAFAH BORDER CROSSING

About the Rafah Crossing:

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5. Rafah border crossing 39

4. Global Declaration for River Dolphins 31

1. Gudavi Bird Sanctuary (Karnataka) 37