Garba of Gujarat

Gujarat’s traditional dance form, “Garba,” has

been added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural
Heritage list, becoming the 15th cultural ele-
ment from India to receive this recognition.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 30
DECEMBER 2023
.IW NSIGHTSONINDIA.CM
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 Current Affairs 30
17. Foreign Minister Visit to Russia: India-Russia Rela-

INSIDE
tions 30
Topics: Effect of policies and politics of developed and devel-
oping countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.; Topics:
Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their
structure, mandate.
GENERAL STUDIES – 2
GENERAL STUDIES – 3
Topics: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the
States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal struc-
Topics: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mo-
ture, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels
bilization of resources, growth, development, and employ-
and challenges therein.
ment.
1. SC upheld abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in Jam-
1. India’s jobs crisis 32
mu and Kashmir 6
2. Indian Labour Demand in Foreign Country 34
Topics: Separation of powers between various organs dis-
pute redressal mechanisms and institutions. Topics: Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
2. The proposition of creating an All-India Judicial Ser- 3. A new economics for inclusive growth 35
vice (AIJS) 7 Topics: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the
Topics: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, pow- country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems
ers, functions, and responsibilities of various Constitutional storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce
Bodies. and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid
3. Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Sixteenth Finance of farmers.
Commission 9 4. Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in India
 36
4. Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and its challenges11
5. Global Agrifood Systems 38
5. Dilution of Right to Vote: “One person, one vote, one
value” 13 Topics: Land reforms in India.
6. DILRMP: Digitization of Land Records 39
Topics: Government policies and interventions for develop-
ment in various sectors and issues arising out of their design Topics: Conservation related issues, environmental pollution
and implementation. and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
6. New Post Office Bill, 2023 15 7. World Soil Day: Soil Degradation 41
7. Telecom Bill 2023 16 8. Glacier Melting and its impacts 43
8. Parliamentary Committee on Child labour 18 9. Important outcomes of COP28 45
9. Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023 19 10. Arctic Report Card for 2023 47
Topics: Issues relating to development and management of Topics: Role of external state and non-state actors in creating
Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human challenges to internal security.
Resources. 11. Recent Drone attack and Maritime Security in India
10. NCRB Report 2022 21 48
Topics: Important aspects of governance, transparency and Topics: Challenges to internal security through communica-
accountability, e-governance applications, models, success- tion networks, role of media and social networking sites in
es, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; mon-
& accountability and institutional and other measures. ey-laundering and its prevention
11. Regulating Artificial Intelligence 22 12. Issues with UAPA 50
12. Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)24
Topics: Role of civil services in a democracy. GENERAL STUDIES – 4
13. Bureaucracy and State 25
14. Extention of Mission Karmyogi 26
1. Voluntary Code of Ethics by the Online Gaming In-
Topics: India and its neighbourhood- relations. dustry 52
15. India’s Troubled Neighbourhood 28
2. Ethical Risks of Climate Engineering 53
Topics: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agree- 3. Medical Ethics: ‘Cash-for-Kidney’ scam 54
ments involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
4. Role of Power in Bureaucracy 55
16. Sultan of Oman Visit to India: India-Oman Relations
 29 5. Examples of Ethics 55

2 www.insightsonindia.com
 Current Affairs 30
6. Example 2: Environment VS Economy 56 18. North African metal art 69
19. Veer Bal Diwas 69
20. Ionosphere 70
CONTENT FOR MAINS ENRICHMENT 21. Iridescent clouds 70

1. Inclusive Schools and Shadow teachers 56

2. Creator Economy 56 GS-2
3. Football Heading 57
4. Lobbying 57 1. India re-elected to International Maritime Organisa-
5. Kajoli Early Childhood Education Model 57 tion 70
6. Sam Manekshaw 58 2. J&K Reorganisation and Reservation Bill 71
7. Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and his sister Vaishali 3. Arbitration Agreement 71
 58 4. Article 99 of the UN Charter 71
8. Delhi’s Initiatives for Climate Change 58 5. Fast track courts 71
9. Odisha’s Transformation in Food Security 58 6. Drones to the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) 72
10. 40 Years of India’s Presence in Antarctica 59 7. Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan
11. Anarcho-capitalism 59 (PM JANMAN) 72
12. Mohiniyattam 60 8. Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 75 72
13. Budhini Manjhiyain 60 9. Delta Ranking of Aspirational Blocks Programme
14. Greenwashing 60 (ABP) 73
15. Raimati Ghiuria 60 10. Rajamannar Committee for Centre-State Relations
 73
16. Passports and ‘Donkey Journey’ 61
11. Acceptance of awards from private organizations74
17. Harmanpreet Kaur 61
12. Asymmetric federalism 74
18. Conscientious Objector 61
13. DARE TO DREAM SCHEME 74
19. Jayanti Buruda 61
14. Subordinate Legislation 74
20. Women’s Suffrage 62
15. Borrowings by the States 75
21. Reliance Retail’s JioMart partnership with SHGs 62
16. Electoral literacy in classrooms 75
17. National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) Portal
FACTS FOR PRELIMS;  75
18. IOM launches Project PRAYAS 76
GS-1 19. Colombo Security Conclave 76
20. Angola leaves OPEC 76
1. Navy of Ancient India 62
21. Dual citizenship 77
2. Cyclone Michaung 63
22. Migration and Mobility Agreement 77
3. Garba of Gujarat 63
23. Qatar Commutes Death Sentence for Indian Navy
4. GI tags for Meghalaya products 63 Officers 77
5. Indian Art, Architecture & Design Biennale 2023 64 24. Palna scheme 78
6. Koya Tribes 64
7. Cauvery basin 65
8. Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 65 GS-3
9. Bhagat Singh 66
10. Kashi Tamil Sangamam 66 1. Loss and Damage (L&D) fund 78
11. Goa Liberation Day 66 2. ALTÉRRA Fund 78
12. Katabatic winds 67 3. Global Green Credit Initiative (GGCI) 79
13. Sahitya Akademi Awards 68 4. Green Industrialisation Initiative 79
14. Mithila 68 5. World Malaria Report 79
15. Prizes in News 68 6. Population-level genome sequencing 79
16. Peninsular River Vs Himalayan Rivers 68 7. Anthrobots 80
17. Konsachem 69 8. Cotton production in India 80
9. “Bio-vision” for Bharat 80

3 www.insightsonindia.com
 Current Affairs 30
10. The Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge 56. E-Cigarettes 95
81 57. Moving Off Information Systems (MOIS) 96
11. India set to become 3rd largest economy by 203081 58. Barracuda 96
12. Action plan to reduce emissions from the cooling 59. Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) 96
sector81 60. Scheme to Accelerate Exploration of Critical Miner-
13. How does GPS work 81 als 96
14. WHO Global Clinical Trials Forum 82 61. Logistics Costs in India Decreases 96
15. ASPEX: ISRO’s Aditya L1 spacecraft 82 62. Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) program 97
16. SURVEY VESSEL – SANDHAYAK 82 63. Krutrim 97
17. India Infrastructure Report 2023 83 64. Blue Dragon 97
18. Gemini 83 65. Kakrapar-4 nuclear reactor 98
19. Genome sequencing of jamun 83 66. Hydrogen cyanide 98
20. JT-60SA (Nuclear Fusion reactor) 83 67. JN.1 variant of COVID 98
21. IBM’s Condor 84 68. Noma 98
22. Global Cooling Pledge 84 69. Khelo India Para Games 99
23. Santiago Network 84 70. People with blood Disorder not eligible for reserva-
24. Early Warnings for All 85 tion 99
25. Ban on using sugarcane juice and sugar syrup for 71. Measures for the Protection of Marine Species 99
ethanol production 85 72. Lathyrism 100
26. DRESS Syndrome 85 73. Gene drive technology 100
27. Fourth-generation nuclear plant 86 74. 2024 is the International Year Of Camelids 100
28. Global Cooling Watch 2023 86 75. Zero Trust Authentication (ZTA) 101
29. Urban Flood Mitigation Project 86 76. Evergreening of Loan by AIF 101
30. Tropicalisation 86 77. Touchscreens 102
31. Pressmud 87 78. Anti-cold fixed drug combination 102
32. Environmental Cost of the Isreal-Palestine War 87 79. TEMPO satellite 102
33. Paris Club group of creditors 87 80. Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) 102
34. Global Bond Index (GBI) 88 81. Operation Prosperity Guardian 102
35. MAHASAGAR 88 82. Faster Adoption & Manufacturing of Electric Vehi-
36. ASW Shallow Water Craft (CSL) project 88 cles (FAME) - II Scheme 102
37. Biofortified Seeds 89 83. RAMP (Rejuvenation, Acceleration, and Mitigation
38. Sickle cell disease 89 of Pandemic) program 103
39. Budgett’s frog 89 84. Namdapha flying squirrel 103
40. De-extinction of Dodo 90 85. WB: International Debt Report (IDR) 104
41. Operation Storm Makers II 90 86. Melanistic tigers 104
42. Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA) at COP28 90 87. RoDTEP 105
43. Cloud Facility for the Financial Sector in India 90 88. Rare earth processing technologies 105
44. Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS) 89. Self-Pollination 105
 91 90. INS Imphal 106
45. Climate change and migratory species 91 91. Tokenisation 106
46. ‘AMRIT’ technology 92 92. MedTech Mitra 107
47. Patent exclusions 92 93. Pong Dam eco-sensitive zone 107
48. Working on Web browsers 93 94. ‘UPI Tap and Pay’ 107
49. Diel Vertical Migration (DVM) 93 95. T+0, instant settlement cycle 107
50. IUCN Red List Updation 2023 93 96. Formaldehyde 108
51. Nature-based Solutions 94 97. Electronic soil’ (eSoil) 108
52. Myanmar world’s biggest opium producer 94 98. Minimum Support Price for Copra 108
53. AKTOCYTE 94 99. Huntington’s disease 108
54. Domestication of Yak 94 100.Ammonia 109
55. Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary 95 101. SLIM Spacecraft 109

4 www.insightsonindia.com
 Current Affairs 30
102. New design of Admirals’ Epaulettes 109
103. Argentina rejects BRICS membership 110
104. Domestic systemically important banks 110
105. International Space Station (ISS) 110
106. Neora Valley National Park 110
107. Litchi 111
108. Sovereign Credit Rating 111
109. “FLip” mutations 111

MAPPING

1. Kra Isthmus 112

2. Accra (Ghana) 112
3. Mount Merapi (Indonesia) 112
4. Italy leaves BRI 113
5. Guyana and Venezuela 113
6. Armenia and Azerbaijan 114
7. Pampore (Saffron Production in India) 114
8. Golan Heights 114
9. Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary (Andhra Pradesh)
 115
10. Banni Grassland 115
11. Almora Fault 116
12. Valparai plateau 116
13. Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB) 116
14. Buckingham Canal and Ennore Creek 117
15. Sierra Leone 117
16. Yemen (Houthi Rebels) 117
17. Gelephu Smartcity Project (Bhutan) 118
18. Maldives 118
19. Papua New Guinea 119
20. World’s Oldest Fort (Amnya Fort) in Siberia 119
21. Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) (Odisha) 120
22. Nicaragua 120
23. Japan’s Kuril Islands 120
24. India and Bangladesh Trade 121

5 www.insightsonindia.com

GENERAL STUDIES – 2
Topics: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the
States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal struc-
ture, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels
and challenges therein.
1. SC UPHELD ABROGATION OF ARTICLES
370 AND 35A IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR
Context:
The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud,
unanimously (5-0) upheld the abrogation of Articles 370
and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir.
Background of the issue:
Jammu and Kashmir was governed by Article 370, which ex-
empted the state from certain provisions of the Indian Con-
stitution. Introduced in 1949, it allowed Jammu and Kash-
mir to draft its own constitution and limited the legislative
powers of the Indian Parliament in the state. Article 35A,
stemming from Article 370, granted the Jammu & Kashmir
legislature the power to define the state’s permanent resi-
dents and their special rights. This unique provision differed
from the constitutional guarantees in place for other states
in India.
The President had the authority to amend Article 370
through executive action. The special status was altered on
August 5, 2019, through a Presidential Order, modifying Arti-
cle 370 and reshaping the relationship between Jammu and
Kashmir and the Indian Union.
Key Changes Brought Out by the Order of 2019 (Constitu-
tion (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019):
• Reorganization into Union Territories: The Jammu
and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019 divided the
state into two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir
and Ladakh. Jammu & Kashmir will have an Assem-
bly, while Ladakh will be a UT without a legislature.
• Political Representation: The UT of Jammu and
Kashmir will have legislative powers except on sub-
jects related to “public order” and “police.”
• Changes in Governance: Jammu and Kashmir will
have a Lieutenant Governor instead of a Governor.
• Citizenship: Citizens of Jammu and Kashmir will no
longer have dual citizenship. Article 35A, originating
from Article 370, stands null and void
• Fundamental Rights: The Fundamental Rights of the
Indian Constitution will apply to the citizens of the
new Union Territory.
• All Indian laws apply: All laws passed by Parliament,
including the Right to Information Act and the Right
6 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
to Education Act, financial emergency (Article 360),
IPC will be applicable.
• Abolishment of Special Status: Jammu & Kashmir no
longer has a separate constitution, flag, or anthem.
What did the recent SC judgment say?
Judgement Summary
Points
J&K Sovereignty J&K did not retain any element of sov-
ereignty after its accession to India in
1947 and has always been an integral
part of India
J&K Constitution’s Section 3 states it’s
an integral part of India
Article 370 Tem- The SC emphasized that Article 370
porary is temporary, and was applied due to
war conditions at the time of partition.
Article 370 was a transitional provi-
sion until the constituent assembly of
state was formed.
The Instrument of Accession clarified
that Article 1 applied entirely to J&K.
Proclamations The SC confirmed the President’s pow-
Under Presi- er for irreversible changes (in Article
dent’s Rule 370) during the President’s Rule, sub-
ject to judicial and constitutional scru-
tiny.
SC upheld Presidential proclamations
of 2019 that abrogated Article 370
and equated “constituent assembly of
J&K”, as “Legislative Assembly of J&K.”
Constitution of The SC deemed the J&K Constitution
J&K Inoperative unnecessary as the Indian Constitution
applied entirely, rendering the state
constitution inoperative.
State Election SC directed the Election Commission
of India to conduct Assembly elections
by September 30, 2024 and the Centre
to restore the statehood of J&K soon.
Truth and Rec- The SC recommended establishing a
onciliation Com- truth and reconciliation commission,
mission similar to post-apartheid South Africa,
to investigate human rights violations
by both state and non-state actors.
TRC will investigate and report on vio-
lations of human rights at least since
1980s and recommend measures for
reconciliation
Impact of the SC judgment:
• Greater integration: The SC clarified that the region
did not possess sovereignty. This will reduce the im-
petus to secessionism in J&K
• Political empowerment: Voting rights given to West

Pakistan Refugees
• Inclusion: Reservation of seats for Kashmiri pandits
and displaced people from Pakistan-occupied Kash-
mir.
• Economic impetus: People as well as investors out-
side J&K can now purchase land in Union Territory
etc
• Reconciliation: SC’s recommendation of the estab-
lishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission
to address human rights violations, will help the resi-
dents find out about their missing/killed loved ones.
Signs of Peace in J&K Post Article 370 Abrogation:
Signs Observations/Statistics
Reduction in Militancy Cases of stone pelting and Inju-
ries to security forces were re-
duced drastically
Reduction Injuries Civilian injuries from pellet guns
and baton charges dropped dras-
tically. Also, law and order has
greatly improved
Arrests of Militants Arrests of Over-Ground Work-
and OGWs ers (OGWs) increased from 82 in
2019 to 178 in 2021.
Overall Security Situa- 32% decline in terrorist acts
tion from August 2019 to June 2022
compared to the preceding 10
months.
To know more about the Impact of Article 370 abrogation
(with data): Click Here
Negative changes in the security situation in Jammu and
Kashmir: Click here
Conclusion:
As a guiding principle for reconciliation, Atal Bihari Vajpay-
ee’s vision of Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat, and Jamhooriyat,
reflecting the inclusive culture, humanitarian values, and
democratic principles, should serve as a cornerstone for fos-
tering unity and stability in the region. Simultaneously, the
ongoing plan to achieve ‘zero-terror incidents’ by 2026, ini-
tiated in 2020, needs sustained effort for success.
Insta Links
• Constitutional Challenge to the 2019 Abrogation of
Article 370
• Impact of Article 370 abrogation
Mains Links
Q. The banning of ‘Jamaat-e-islaami’ in Jammu and Kashmir
brought into focus the role of over-ground workers (OGWs)
in assisting terrorist organizations. Examine the role played
by OGWs in assisting terrorist organizations in insurgency af-
fected areas. Discuss measures to neutralize the influence of
7 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
OGWs. (UPSC 2019)
Q. To what extent is Article 370 of the Indian Constitution,
bearing marginal note “Temporary provision with respect to
the State of Jammu and Kashmir”, temporary? Discuss The
future prospects of this provision in the context of Indian
polity. (UPSC 2016)
Prelims Links:
Q. Siachen Glacier is situated to the (UPSC 2020)
(a) East of Aksai Chin
(b) East of Leh
(c) North of Gilgit
(d) North of Nubra Valley
Ans: D
Topics: Separation of powers between various organs dis-
pute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
2. THE PROPOSITION OF CREATING AN
ALL-INDIA JUDICIAL SERVICE (AIJS)
Context:
The article discusses the proposition of creating an All-India
Judicial Service (AIJS), a centralized recruitment system for
judges at the additional district and district levels across In-
dian states.
• President Droupadi Murmu recently suggested that
AIJS could help diversify the judiciary.
About All India Judicial Service (AIJS):
All India Judicial Service (AIJS)
Definition AIJS is a proposed centralized recruit-
ment system for judges at the level of
additional district judges and district
judges across all states.
Objective AIJS aims to centralize the recruitment
of judges, similar to the Union Public
Service Commission (UPSC) model, as-
signing successful candidates to states.
Origin Originating from Law Commission re-
ports in 1958 and 1978, AIJS seeks to ad-
dress structural issues like varying pay,
faster vacancy filling, and standardized
nationwide training.
The idea was revisited in 2006 by the
Parliamentary Standing Committee,
supporting a pan-Indian judicial service.
The ‘Strategy for New India @ 75’ by
NITI Aayog proposes judicial reforms,
including the creation of an All India Ju-
dicial Service (AIJS) akin to IAS and IPS.

Constitutional Article 312 of the Constitution provides
Basis for the establishment of AIJS, similar to
central civil services, upon a resolution
by the Rajya Sabha supported by at least
two-thirds of its members.
However, Article 312 (2) states that the
AIJS cannot include any post inferior to
that of a district judge, as defined in Ar-
ticle 236.
According to Article 236, a district judge
can include various positions such as
city civil court judge, additional district
judge, etc.
What is the The current system involves Articles 233
current sys- and 234 granting states the authority
tem of District over the appointment of district judges,
Judges’ Re- managed through State Public Service
cruitment? Commissions and High Courts, since HCs
exercise jurisdiction over the subordi-
nate judiciary in the state.
Panels of HC judges interview candi-
dates after the exam and select them for
appointment.
All judges of the lower judiciary up to
the level of district judges are selected
through the Provincial Civil Services (Ju-
dicial) exam, commonly referred to as
the judicial services exam.
Article 233 deals with the appointment
of district judges, while Article 234 deals
with the recruitment of persons other
than district judges to the judicial ser-
vice.
Feasibility of implementing the All-India Judicial Service
(AIJS):
1. Uniform Standards: One of the primary advantag-
es of AIJS is the establishment of uniform standards
for the recruitment of judicial officers across states.
This could ensure a consistent and merit-based se-
lection process, enhancing the overall quality of the
judiciary.
2. Addressing Judges to Population Ratio and Filling
Vacancies: In 1987, a Law Commission report rec-
ommended a target of 50 judges per million popu-
lations for India, compared to the then 10.50 judges.
a. While the current sanctioned strength has
surpassed 20 judges, it remains significantly
lower than the US (107) and the UK (51) per
million people.
b. AIJS would fill the vacancies of judges in the
lower courts, addressing the present issue
of around 5,400 vacant positions and a
pendency of 2.78 crore cases in lower judi-
ciary primarily due to delays in holding reg-
ular exams by states
3. Enhanced Accountability: With a centralized ser-
8 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
vice, there could be greater accountability in terms
of performance evaluation, training, and disci-
plinary actions. This can contribute to a more trans-
parent and accountable judicial system.
4. Attracting talent pool: A centralised selection pro-
cess under AIJS would facilitate attracting the best
legal talent from across the country, through a rigor-
ous examination-based system.
a. Currently, many states lag on legal acumen
and merit in appointments.
5. Increase Diversity: AIJS would increase the repre-
sentation and diversity of judges from different re-
gions, genders, castes, and communities, reflecting
the social composition of the country
6. Prevents parochialism and political interference:
By giving All India character, it prevents parochialism
and political interference in appointments that cur-
rently take place under state-level control.
7. Bottoms-Up Approach: By adopting a bottom-up
approach in recruitment, AIJS aims to tackle issues
like corruption and nepotism in the lower judiciary.
This approach is anticipated to enhance the quality
of justice dispensation at the grassroots level.
Challenges of implementing the All-India Judicial Service
(AIJS):
1. Diversity of Laws: India is a diverse country with dif-
ferent states having distinct languages, cultures, and
legal traditions.
a. Implementing AIJS may face resistance due
to concerns about homogenizing the judi-
ciary, potentially neglecting the nuanced
understanding of local laws and customs.
2. Violates Basic Structure Doctrine: this expansive
mandate would require significant constitutional
amendments, potentially violating the basic struc-
ture doctrine and upsetting the current judicial fed-
eralism under Articles 233 and 234.
3. Language Barrier: Since cases in lower courts are ar-
gued in local languages, there have been apprehen-
sions as to how a person from north India can hold
hearings in a southern state.
a. Thus, another fundamental concern regard-
ing AIJS is the language barrier.
4. Administrative Challenges: Establishing a central-
ized recruitment system for the entire country in-
volves significant administrative challenges.
a. Coordination, infrastructure, and adapting
to regional variations in caseloads and legal
issues present formidable hurdles.
5. Political Opposition: As per Article 233, recruitment
to subordinate judiciary is the prerogative of the
State. The proposal for AIJS may face political oppo-
sition, especially if it is perceived as a centralizing
move that encroaches upon the powers of state
governments.
6. Reservations: Additionally, ensuring reservation for
locally domiciled citizens poses legal and utility chal-
lenges, casting doubt on the effectiveness of AIJS as
judicial reform.

Way forward:
1. Ensuring High Standards: Conducted by the UPSC,
the All India Judicial Services examination aims to
uphold “high standards” in the judiciary, aligning
with the recruitment processes of other prestigious
civil services.
2. Addressing Vacancy Causes: While AIJS is proposed
as a solution for judicial vacancies, a more prudent
approach involves investigating and understanding
the underlying reasons for the high number of va-
cancies, especially in underperforming states.
3. Overcoming Administrative and Judicial Hurdles:
AIJS faces resistance from administrative blocks and
High Courts, despite the Supreme Court’s endorse-
ment. To be effective, AIJS must be meticulously de-
signed to address shortcomings and garner support
from all stakeholders.
4. Urgency in Recruitment: To address the judiciary’s
vacancy crisis, prompt recruitment through AIJS is
essential. A substantial and timely influx of judges,
akin to the recruitment model in IAS, IPS, and IFS, is
crucial for an efficient judicial system.
5. Ensuring Meritocracy: Following selection, compre-
hensive training for Judicial Service officers is vital. A
meritocratic judiciary is imperative, and achievable
through a competitive recruitment process. The ur-
gency for implementation cannot be overstated.
Conclusion
As of 2023, there is no consensus on AIJS due to diverging
opinions among major stakeholders. A balanced approach
considering pros and cons with a judicious structure can
potentially make AIJS viable. But key, Centre-State consensus
is the prerequisite before it transforms from idea to reality
after almost fifty years of debate.
Insta Links:
SANSAD TV: PERSPECTIVE- ALL INDIA JUDICIAL SERVICE
Mains Links
Q. Critically examine the Supreme Court’s judgement on the
‘National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014’ with
reference to the appointment of judges of higher judiciary in
India. (150 words)
Q. With reference to the Indian judiciary, consider the fol-
lowing statements:(USPC 2021)
1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be
called back to sit and act as a Supreme Court judge by
the Chief Justice of India with the prior permission of
the President of India.
2. A High Court in India has the power to review its own
judgement as the Supreme Court does.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither I nor 2
Ans: A
9 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
Topics: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, pow-
ers, functions, and responsibilities of various Constitutional
Bodies.
3. TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) FOR THE
SIXTEENTH FINANCE COMMISSION
Context:
Recently, the Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister
approved the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Sixteenth Fi-
nance Commission.
• The commission will make recommendations on the
distribution of net proceeds of taxes between the
Union and the States, allocation among the States,
grants-in-aid, and measures to supplement Pancha-
yats’ resources for a five-year period starting April
1, 2026
What is a Finance Commission?
The Finance Commission has been established by Article 280
of the Indian Constitution The Finance Commission is a cor-
nerstone of India’s fiscal federalism, playing a pivotal role
in ensuring the equitable distribution of resources between
the central government, states and Local bodies.
Major Terms of Reference for the 16th Finance Commission:
Terms of Details
Reference
(ToR)
D i v i s i o n Recommending the distribution of taxes
of Tax Pro- between the Union Government and the
ceeds: States under Chapter I, Part XII of the Consti-
tution. This includes the allocation of shares
among the States from these tax proceeds.
Principles Establishing the principles governing grants-
for Grants- in-aid to the States from the Consolidated
in-Aid: Fund of India.
This encompasses determining the amounts
to be provided to the States as grants-in-
aid, specifically under Article 275 of the Con-
stitution.
Enhancing Identifying measures to enhance the Con-
State Funds solidated Fund of a State. This is aimed at
for Local supplementing the resources available to
Bodies Panchayats and Municipalities within the
State, based on recommendations made by
the State’s own Finance Commission.
Evaluation The Commission may review the current fi-
of Disaster nancing structures related to Disaster Man-
M a n a g e - agement initiatives. This involves examining
ment Fi- the funds created under the Disaster Man-
nancing: agement Act, 2005, and presenting suitable
recommendations for improvements or al-
terations.

Key Recommendations of 15th Finance Commission (2020-
2026):
1. Share of States in Central Taxes: Maintain states’
share at 41%, a 1% adjustment to accommodate
Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
2. Fiscal Deficit and Debt Levels: Advise the Centre to
limit fiscal deficit to 4% of GDP by 2025-26. States
have specific fiscal deficit limits as a percentage of
Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for different
years in 2021-26.
3. Other Recommendations:
o Defence and Internal Security Funding: Pro-
pose establishing a Modernisation Fund for
Defence and Internal Security (MFDIS).
o Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS): Recom-
mend a threshold for annual CSS allocations,
third-party evaluations, transparent funding
patterns, and stable financial allocations to
phase out redundant schemes.
*Note: The 14th Finance Commission considered ‘Popula-
tion (1971)’, while the 15th introduced ‘Population (2011)’
and ‘Tax and fiscal efforts
Finance Commission’s Role as a Balancing Wheel of Fiscal
Federalism:
Role Description
1. Vertical and Horizontal Distribution
a. Vertical The Finance Commission determines the ver-
Share tical share, ensuring a fair allocation of the
Centre’s tax revenue to the States. This ver-
tical distribution safeguards the financial in-
terests of the States and prevents fiscal cen-
tralization.
Increase in the devolution of taxes: 32% to
42% by the 14th Finance Commission and
41% by the 15th FC
10 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
b. Horizon- Formulates the horizontal sharing formula,
tal Sharing guiding how revenue is distributed among
Formula the States and with the local bodies
2. Addressing Fiscal Disparities
a. Finan- Through mechanisms like revenue deficit
cial Trans- grants, it bridges the fiscal gap and supports
fers to states with limited revenue-raising capacity.
Less Eco- E.g., The 15th FC gave revenue deficit grants
nomically of about Rs 3 lakh crore, including special
Developed grants for Hill States like Himachal Pradesh.
States
3. Promoting Cooperative Federalism
a. Facil- Foster’s cooperative federalism by facilitating
i t a t i n g intergovernmental fiscal transfers
I nte rgo v- The Finance Commission conducts extensive
e r n m e n - consultations with States to understand their
tal Fiscal unique needs and challenges.
Transfers
4. Five-Year Review Cycle
a. Period- The 14th, 15th, and upcoming 16th Finance
ic Review Commissions allow for a periodic review of
of Fiscal fiscal arrangements.
A r r a n g e - This ensures that fiscal transfers remain rel-
ments evant and effective in light of evolving eco-
nomic and social realities.
5. Expertise and Recommendations
a. Compo- Comprising experts in economics, finance,
sition of and public administration, the Finance Com-
Experts mission’s recommendations are based on
rigorous analysis, consultations, and assess-
ments of various factors.
6. Resolving Fiscal Conflicts
a. Platform - The Finance Commission serves as a plat-
for Conflict form for resolving conflicts and disputes be-
Resolution tween the Centre and the States concerning
b e t w e e n fiscal matters
Centre and
States
7. Strengthening Fiscal Discipline
a. Assess- By assessing the fiscal performance and
ing Fiscal needs of the States, the Finance Commission
P e r f o r - encourages responsible fiscal behaviour and
mance and discourages imprudent spending practices,
Needs thus contributing to fiscal discipline.
The 14th FC introduced fiscal deficit targets
and debt-GSDP ratios to encourage fiscal
prudence by States.
Measures to Strengthen the Finance Commission
1. Regularization of Appointments
a. Implement the recommendations of the
Punchhi Commission, which suggested that
the Finance Commission’s appointment

should be regularized to ensure its autono-
my and periodic review.
2. Enhanced Consultations:
a. Encourage the Finance Commission to con-
duct extensive consultations with state gov-
ernments, local bodies, and other stakehold-
ers, as recommended by the NITI Aayog.
3. Fiscal Responsibility Legislation:
a. Promote the implementation of Fiscal
Responsibility and Budget Management
(FRBM) Acts at the state level, as suggested
by the Fourteenth Finance Commission.
4. Greater Transparency:
a. Implement the recommendations of the
Raghuram Rajan Committee by enhancing
transparency in the Finance Commission’s
decision-making process. Publish detailed
reports and rationale behind resource allo-
cation to promote accountability.
5. Horizontal Devolution Formula:
a. Review and update the horizontal devolu-
tion formula periodically, as suggested by
the K.C. Pant Committee. This will ensure
that the formula remains relevant and re-
sponsive to changing economic realities.
6. Timely Implementation
a. Ensure timely implementation of the Fi-
nance Commission’s recommendations, as
emphasized by various committees. Delays
can disrupt state budget planning and hin-
der development projects.
7. Periodic Review
a. Continuously review the Finance Commis-
sion’s functioning and effectiveness through
parliamentary committees, as suggested by
the Sivaraman Committee. Regular evalua-
tions can lead to improvements.
Conclusion
By adopting these measures, India can strengthen the Fi-
nance Commission’s role as a ‘balancing wheel of fiscal fed-
eralism,’ ensuring fair and equitable resource distribution,
fiscal discipline, and cooperative governance across states
and local bodies.
Mains Links:
Q. Discuss the recommendations of the 13th Finance Com-
mission which have been a departure from the previous
commissions for strengthening the local government fi-
nances. (UPSC 2013)
11 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
Q. Consider the following: (UPSC 2023)
1. Demographic performance
2. Forest and ecology
3. Governance reforms
4. Stable government
5. Tax and fiscal efforts
For the horizontal tax devolution, the Fifteenth Finance
Commission used how many of the above as criteria other
than population area and income distance?
(a) Only two
(b) Only three
(c) Only four
(d) All five
Ans: B
4. MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT (MCC) AND
ITS CHALLENGES
Context:
The article discusses the challenges in enforcing the Model
Code of Conduct (MCC) during election campaigning in In-
dia, and if there is a need for legalising it.
Recent use of MCC by ECI:
The ECI has recently taken action against various political
leaders, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sar-
ma, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi,
AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, and Telangana Chief Minister K.
Chandrashekar Rao and his son. Notably, the ECI withdrew
permission for the Telangana government’s cash credit to
farmers due to MCC violations.
What is MCC?
Model code of conduct is the guidelines (not legally binding)
issued by the Election Commission of India for the conduct
of political parties and candidates during elections mainly
with respect to speeches, polling day, polling booths, elec-
tion manifestos, processions and general conduct. It aims to
ensure free and fair elections.
The function of MCC:
It helps the EC in keeping with the mandate it has been
given under Article 324 of the Constitution, which gives
it the power to supervise and conduct free and fair elec-
tions to the Parliament and State Legislatures.
Origin:
As per the Election Commission of India, the model code
of conduct was first observed during the 1960 polls (Kera-
la State Election) and since 1991 it has become an integral
part of Indian election. The MCC comes into force from the
date the election schedule is announced until the date that
results are out.

Some of the major provisions of MCC are:
Provisions Description
Prohibitions Criticism of political parties is limited to
policies, programmes, past records, and
work.
Prohibited activities include using caste
and communal feelings for votes, criticiz-
ing candidates based on unverified reports,
bribing or intimidating voters, etc.
Meetings Parties must inform local police of the ven-
ue and time for meetings to enable ade-
quate security arrangements.
Processions Coordination between parties planning
processions to avoid clashes.
Carrying and burning effigies representing
members of other political parties is not al-
lowed.
Polling Day Only voters and those with a valid pass
from the EC are allowed in polling booths.
Authorized party workers at polling booths
should have suitable badges or identity
cards.
Identity slips provided to voters should be
on plain (white) paper without symbols,
candidate names, or party names.
Prohibition of print media advertisements
on polling day and one day prior unless
pre-certified by screening committees
Observers EC appoints observers to whom candidates
can report problems with election conduct.
Party in Ministers must not combine official visits
Power with election work or use official machin-
ery for election purposes.
Avoid advertising at public expense or us-
ing official media for publicity that may im-
prove election chances.
Restriction on government advertisements
featuring political functionaries during the
election period
Other parties must have access to public
spaces and rest houses without monopoly
by the party in power.
E l e c t i o n Manifestos shall not contain anything
Manifestos against constitutional ideals and princi-
ples.
O p i n i o n Regulation of opinion polls and exit polls
Polls during the period notified by the ECI
Limitations with the MCC:
Limitations Description
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Current Affairs 30
I n ef fe c t i ve - MCC fails to prevent electoral malprac-
ness in Curb- tices like hate speech, fake news, money
ing Malprac- power, booth capturing, voter intimida-
tices tion, and violence.
New Age Tools like live webcasting, and campaign
Technological campaign-related promotions going ‘Vi-
Challenges ral’, have made implementation of MCC a
complex task.   
Digital companies like Facebook are run
by companies located overseas. Holding
them accountable has been difficult for
ECI
Tracing money trails and poll expendi-
tures is difficult if done through crypto-
currencies
Lack of Legal MCC is not legally binding; it relies on
Enforceability moral persuasion and public opinion for
compliance.
Interference MCC imposes limitations on policy deci-
with Gover- sions, public spending, welfare schemes,
nance transfers, and appointments.
ECI is criticized for applying the MCC too
early or too late, impacting development
activities and public interest.
Lack of Provisions of MCC are not widely known
Awareness or understood by voters, candidates, par-
ties, and government officials.
No Power to Currently, under MCC, the ECI does not
Disqualify have the power to disqualify candidates
who commit electoral malpractices. At
best, it may direct the registration of a
case
Deregister The EC also does not have the power to
party deregister any political party
Complaints It is alleged that complaints against the
of Unfairness government’s party and officials, as well
and lack of as allegations of the Enforcement Direc-
objectivity torate interfering in elections, have been
against ECI ignored.
Is MCC legally enforceable?
No, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) lacks statutory back-
ing but has gained strength due to strict enforcement by the
ECI in recent years. Also, some of the provisions of MCC can
be enforced through other statutes like IPC 1860, CrPC 1973,
and RPA 1951.
In 2013, the Standing Committee on Personnel, Public
Grievances, Law and Justice, recommended making the
model code of conduct legally binding to address some of
the limitations of MCC

Issues with Statutory Backing for MCC:
Issues Description
Dent ECI power This may diminish the Election Com-
to act fast mission of India’s (ECI) ability to swiftly
handle election code violations during
the poll period. ECI has been opposing
legally binding MCC on this ground.
Increased litiga- Every alleged offence may require court
tion intervention, leading to increased liti-
gation and potential delays, especially
given the slow pace of legal proceed-
ings in the current system.
EC’s existing au- The ECI already has the authority to
thority take necessary actions for free and
fair elections, invoking corresponding
provisions in other statutes like the IPC,
CrPC and RPA
The EC can bar candidates or leaders
from campaigning for specified peri-
ods, showcasing its ability to enforce
certain MCC provisions without legal
binding.
Not feasible The ECI argues that the short time-
frame of elections (around 45 days)
makes legal enforcement impractical,
as judicial proceedings typically take
longer.
Way forward
• Experts say that MCC should be provided with stat-
utory backing. It should be made a part of the Rep-
resentation of the People Act, 1951 to make the
MCC more powerful.
• Establishment of special fast-track courts to solve
the MCC violation cases at a faster rate.
• Public awareness about MCC needs to be devel-
oped. The use of apps like cVIGIL should be encour-
aged to reduce violations during polls.
• Stakeholders including Internet companies should
come up with a code for Social Media and the In-
ternet
• For dealing with digital media: In March 2019
Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Google, ShareChat
and TikTok presented a ‘voluntary code of ethics’.
Among other things, that involves insisting on trans-
parency in political ads.
Conclusion
Despite MCC not having statutory backing, but of late the
Code has come to acquire teeth because of its strict en-
forcement by the EC. MCC has an indisputable legitimacy
and parties across the political spectrum have generally ad-
hered to its letter and spirit.
13 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
Mains Links
Q. Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India
in the light of the evolution of the Model Code of Con-
duct. (UPSC 2022)
Prelims lInks:
Q. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2017)
1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body.
2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election
schedule for the conduct of both general elections and
bye-elections.
3. The Election Commission resolves the disputes relating
to splits/mergers of recognised political parties.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 3 only
Ans: D
5. DILUTION OF RIGHT TO VOTE: “ONE
PERSON, ONE VOTE, ONE VALUE”
Context:
The SC has directed the GoI to establish a Delimitation Com-
mission to address the need for increased reserved seats for
SCs and STs in Lok Sabha and State assemblies
What is “One Person, One Vote, One Value”?
It is a democratic principle ensuring equal voting rights for
every individual, with each vote holding equal value. This
concept underscores the democratic ideal of providing all
citizens an equal say in decision-making processes.
Significance of One Person, One Vote, One Value:
Significance Description
Fairness in Ensures everyone an equal chance to
Electoral Pro- have their voice heard during elections,
cess promoting a fair and just democratic sys-
tem.
Prevents Dis- Acts as a safeguard against discrimination
crimination: based on race, gender, religion, or any
other factor that could be used to exclude
individuals from the electoral process.
E n c o u r a g e s Knowing that every vote holds the same
Participation: value motivates citizens to actively par-
ticipate in the electoral process, fostering
a more engaged and informed electorate.
Political Establishes political equality by providing
Equality an equal opportunity for every citizen to
participate in the political decision-mak-
ing process, regardless of background or
identity.

The dilution of the principle of “One person, One vote, One
value” can occur through quantitative and qualitative dilu-
tion.
• Quantitative Dilution:
o Unequal weight of votes due to deviations
in population among constituencies.
o Example: In U.P., an MP represents around
2.53 million people, while in Tamil Nadu, an
MP represents around 1.84 million people.
• Qualitative Dilution:
o Reducing a voter’s chance to elect a pre-
ferred representative through gerryman-
dering.
o Techniques include cracking (dividing mi-
nority areas), stacking (submerging minori-
ties), and packing (concentrating minori-
ties).
o Highlighted in reports like the National
Commission to Review the Working of the
Constitution and the Sachar Committee Re-
port.
 Example: Many of the Reserved
seats for SCs had Muslim popu-
lations exceeding 50%, impacting
Muslim representation in Parlia-
ment (currently Muslim MPs % are
at 4.42% despite a 14.2% popula-
tion).
 If the seats were not reserved, Mus-
lim candidates could have won
Constitutional Safeguards to Avoid Dilution:
Constitutional Description
Safeguards
Articles 81 and Specify that the population ratio for Lok
170 of IC Sabha and State Legislative Assembly
constituencies should be the same, as
practicable.
Article 327 of IC Empowers Parliament to make laws
related to delimitation, and such laws
are immune from being questioned in
court.
D e l i m i t a t i o n Declare that the orders of the Delimita-
C o m m i s s i o n tion Commission are final, possessing
Act 1952 and the full force of law and are immune
Art 329A of IC from legal challenge.
Articles 330 Guarantee the reservation of seats for
and 332 of the SCs (Scheduled Castes) and STs (Sched-
IC uled Tribes) in Parliament and State Leg-
islative Assemblies.
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Current Affairs 30
The government has formed delimita-
tion commissions, with the fourth one
addressing reserved constituencies and
extending the moratorium until after
the 2026 Census.
What is delimitation?
It is the act of redrawing the boundaries of an Assembly or
Lok Sabha seat to reflect changes in population over time,
based on the most current Census data. The process may
alter the number of seats in a state so that the population
of all seats is as uniform as possible across the state.
Delimitation Commissions have been established four
times in India’s history: 1952, 1963, 1973, and 2002 under
the Acts of 1952, 1962, 1972, and 2002. The 42nd Amend-
ment Act in 1976 froze the population figure of the 1971
Census for delimitation until the 2001 Census. In 2002,
delimitation was further delayed for 25 years (until 2026)
through the 84th Amendment.
Legal/constitutional provisions:
o Article 82: Following each census, the allocation of
Lok Sabha seats to the states, as well as the division
of each state into territorial constituencies, shall be re-
adjusted by such authority as Parliament may by law
determine.
o Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act,
1950: It allows for delimitation of Parliamentary and
Assembly constituencies in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,
Manipur or Nagaland.
o Article 170 (Composition of the Legislative Assem-
blies): Census figures (2001) shall be used for the pur-
pose of readjustment of constituencies in the State.
o Reservation of seats for the SCs/STs will be provided
as per Articles 330 (Lok Sabha) and 332 (State Assem-
blies) of the Constitution.
Conclusion:
The next Delimitation Commission should address both
quantitative and qualitative dilutions for fair and adequate
minority representation.
Insta Links:
o Delimitation in Assam: Changes Proposed and Con-
cerns
Mains Links:
Q. What is delimitation? Examine its objectives and how de-
limitation affects the representation of the people act. (250
words)

Topics: Government policies and interventions for develop-
ment in various sectors and issues arising out of their design
and implementation.
6. NEW POST OFFICE BILL, 2023
Context:
The Rajya Sabha passed the Post Office Bill, replacing the
125-year-old Indian Post Office Act of 1898.
Need for the Bill:
• Replace the outdated Indian Post Office Act of 1898
• To modernize and enhance the efficiency of the
Postal Department.
• Addresses the evolving role of post offices, trans-
forming them into service-delivery institutions and
expanding their functions to include banking facili-
ties.
• To adapt to the changing demands of the digital era,
ensuring that postal services remain relevant and ef-
fective.
• To broaden the authority of the Director General of
Postal Services beyond mail services.
Major provisions of the Bill:
Provision Details
Flexibility
Grants the postal department flexibility in
determining service prices to respond quick-
ly to market demands.
Legal Establishes a strong legal framework for cit-
Framework izen-centric services in the post office, facili-
tating various initiatives.
Digital Introduces the option to replace physical
Code addresses with digital codes using geospa-
tial coordinates to identify specific premises.
Privilege Eliminates the provision of “exclusive privi-
lege” previously granted by the central gov-
ernment.
Authority It broadens the authority of the Director
of DG General of Postal Services beyond mail ser-
vices. It empowers them to regulate activi-
ties for additional services prescribed by the
central government and set charges without
requiring parliamentary approval.
Authority Empowers the central government, through
of Centre notification, to authorize any officer to inter-
cept, open, or detain items during transmis-
sion by the Post Office for reasons related to
state security, foreign relations, public order,
emergency, or public safety.
Issues with the new bill
15 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
1. High Government Control: The provision allowing
the interception and opening of parcels by the gov-
ernment may enhance control but also raise poten-
tial issues of privacy and misuse.
2. Loss of Exclusive Privileges: The elimination of ex-
clusive privileges for the central government in con-
veying letters and issuing postage stamps may im-
pact traditional postal services.
3. Liability Concerns: Shifting liability from the central
government to the Post Office for its services may
raise questions about accountability and responsi-
bility.
4. Data Privacy and Security: The expanded intercep-
tion powers necessitate the establishment of robust
data privacy and security measures to safeguard the
personal information of postal service users.
5. Differing Legislation for Couriers: The absence of
similar legislation for courier firms raises concerns
about regulatory disparities.
Conclusion:
The introduction of the new Post Office Bill (2023) marks
a significant step in clarifying vague definitions, particularly
regarding what constitutes a ‘letter.’ The bill’s emphasis on
digital addressing not only streamlines sorting processes
but also opens avenues for efficient mail and parcel deliv-
ery, including the possibility of drone deliveries. Overall, the
changes reflect an adaptation to evolving needs, prioritizing
legality, and enhancing security in the postal service land-
scape.
About Indian Post:
India Post (formed 1854; HQ: New Delhi) operates under
the Department of Post within the Ministry of Communi-
cations. Initially, the post was established in 1766 under
the East India Company as “Company Mail,” it was later
transformed into a Crown service in 1854 by Lord Dalhou-
sie. Under Dalhousie’s reforms, uniform postage rates and
the India Post Office Act of 1854 were introduced, marking
significant advancements in the postal system, including
the creation of the Director General of Post for the entire
country. With 1, 55,531 Post Offices, the DoP has the most
widely distributed postal network in the world.
Some of the Schemes by the Postal Department:
Post Office Description
Schemes
National Saving Re- Government-supervised savings sys-
curring Deposit Ac- tem, requiring a minimum deposit
count of Rs. 10.
National Savings Offers accounts with varying matu-
Time Deposit Ac- rity dates (1, 2, 3, and 5 years) for
count individuals or groups of up to three
persons.

Senior Citizen Sav- Fixed-income investment for indi-
ings Scheme Ac- viduals over 60, ensuring a steady
count flow of income after retirement,
with a 5-year lock-in term.
Public Provident Long-term investment plan with a
Fund Account 15-year lock-in period, offering a
mix of security, earnings, and tax
savings.
National Savings Government savings bonds for
Certificates (NSC) smaller savings and tax-saving in-
vestments, with a 5-year maturity
period.
Kisan Vikas Patra Modest savings instrument en-
Account couraging long-term savings, dou-
bling the principal in 9 years and 4
months.
Sukanya Samriddhi Government-sponsored savings
Account program aimed at securing a pros-
perous future for girls in India, par-
ticularly for education and marriage.
Insta Iinks:
• India’s 1st 3D printed post office
7. TELECOM BILL 2023
Context:
Lok Sabha passed the Telecom Bill 2023, aiming to replace
existing laws, including the 138-year-old Indian Telegraph
Act.
Need of the Bill:
The Telecommunication Bill 2023 is essential for:
• Sector Transformation: The telecommunication sec-
tor has undergone substantial changes, including
shifts in nature, usage, and underlying technologies
like 5G.
• Modernization of Laws: Existing telecom laws in In-
dia date back to colonial times (two of them) and
1950.
• Safety and Security: The Telecommunication Bill
2023 aims to overhaul outdated laws, providing a le-
gal and regulatory framework prioritizing the safety
and security of telecommunication networks while
fostering inclusive digital growth.
Key provisions of the Bill:
Key Provisions Details
Repealed Acts The bill seeks to replace the Indian Tele-
graph Act, 1885; Indian Wireless Telegra-
phy Act, 1933; Telegraph Wires (Unlawful
Possession) Act, 1950; Amends the Tele-
com Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
Act, 1997
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Current Affairs 30
Authorisa- Prior authorization is needed from the
tion for Tele- central government for providing tele-
co m - re l ate d com services, establishing, operating,
Activities maintaining, or expanding telecom net-
works, and possessing radio equipment
Existing licenses remain valid for the grant
period or five years if unspecified
Assignment of Spectrum will only be assigned through
Spectrum auction, except for specified uses such as
national security, defence, disaster man-
agement, weather forecasting, transport,
satellite services (DTH and satellite tele-
phony), BSNL, MTNL, and public broad-
casting
Supreme Court in 2012 ruled that there
should be competitive auctioning for the
distribution of natural public-owned re-
sources such as spectrum.
Central government may re-purpose or
re-assign frequency ranges or allow shar-
ing, trading, leasing, and surrender of
spectrum
Trusted Sourc- The Bill allows the government to curb
es Regime the import of telecom equipment from
potentially adversarial nations ( this pro-
vision was 1st introduced post-India-China
border conflict for Chinese equipment)
Cyber Security The Telecommunication Bill 2023 empow-
ers the central government to establish
cyber security rules, encompassing the
collection, analysis, and dissemination of
traffic data in communication networks.
Satellite In- Provisions for allocating spectrum to sat-
ternet Allot- ellite Internet providers like OneWeb,
ments SpaceX’s Starlink
Powers of In- Messages interception, monitoring, or
terception and blocking on specified grounds, including
Search public safety, emergencies, and security
of the state
Telecom services suspension on similar
grounds is allowed in the act.
The government may take temporary
possession of telecom infrastructure,
network, or services during public emer-
gencies or safety concerns
Authorized officers may search premises
or vehicles for unauthorized networks or
equipment
Powers to Central government may set standards
Specify Stan- and assessments for telecom equipment,
dards infrastructure, networks, and services

Right of Way Facility providers may seek right of way
over public or private property to estab-
lish telecom infrastructure - Non-discrim-
inatory and non-exclusive right of way, to
the extent possible
Protection of Measures for user protection, including
Users prior consent for specified messages,
creation of Do Not Disturb registers, and
reporting mechanisms for malware or
specified messages
Mandatory biometric authentication for
telecom customers to combat spam calls
and messages
Online mechanism for registration and
redressal of grievances by entities pro-
viding telecom services
Appointments Amendments to the TRAI Act allow in-
to TRAI dividuals with at least 30 years of pro-
fessional experience to serve as the
chairperson and at least 25 years of pro-
fessional experience to serve as mem-
bers
Digital Bharat Universal Service Obligation Fund has
Nidhi been renamed as Digital Bharat Nidhi.
It allows for the fund utilization for re-
search and development
Regulation of The bill excludes over-the-top (OTT) ser-
OTT Apps vices and apps (e.g. Twitter, WhatsApp)
from the definition of telecommunication
services
OTT services will be regulated by the Min-
istry of Electronics and IT through the po-
tential Digital India Act
Offences and The bill prescribes punishment for unau-
Penalties thorized provision of telecom services or
access to networks/data punishable with
imprisonment, fines, or both
The central government will appoint an
adjudicating officer (rank of joint secre-
tary and above) for civil offences
Appeal Pro- Appeals to Designated Appeals Commit-
cess tee and Telecom Disputes Settlement and
Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT)
Disasters In times of public emergencies, the gov-
ernment may temporarily take control of
telecommunication services to prioritize
the transmission of crucial messages
Concerns related to the bill:
Concerns Details
Privacy Con- Entities mandated for biometric user au-
cerns thentication to curb fraud, raising user pri-
vacy concerns
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Current Affairs 30
Ambiguity in The generic definition of ‘telecommunica-
Definition tion services,’ open to wide interpretations
Po s s e s s i o n Telecommunication Bill 2023 grants gov-
of Network ernment authority to “take temporary
possession” of the network
There is a need for clarity on the defini-
tion of “possession” and the duration of a
“temporary” term
Potential The bill empowers central and state gov-
Misuse of ernments to suspend communication
Power during public emergencies or for public
safety. Critics have raised concerns about
potential misuse to suppress dissenting
voices
Re st r i c t i ve The draft allows the appointment of pri-
Powers of vate sector corporate executives as TRAI
TRAI chairpersons. A person from a private field
may dilute the neutral adjudication of cas-
es by TRAI.
Spectrum Al- Starlink (Elon Musk), Project Kuiper (Am-
location azon), and Tata Group (India) oppose auc-
tion-based allocation of satellite spectrum.
Government Schemes:
1. PM-WANI: Initiative for Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access
Network Interface.
2. Bharatnet Project: Focuses on nationwide broad-
band connectivity.
3. PLI Scheme: Supports manufacturing of telecom
and networking products.
4. Bharat 6G Alliance: Collaboration for advancing 6G
technology in India.
The way forward and Conclusion:
To safeguard against misuse, executive action triggered by a
declared national emergency under Article 352 of the Con-
stitution should necessitate Parliamentary approval. Ensur-
ing alignment with fundamental rights, particularly the right
to privacy, is crucial in aspects of message interception and
service suspension. The government, armed with extensive
powers granted by the Bill, must address privacy concerns
with openness and undertake rule-making processes trans-
parently, engaging in consultations with various stakehold-
ers. Broader consultations, involving private entities, the
public, and other stakeholders, should be conducted to gath-
er diverse perspectives on the current version of the bill.
About TRAI:
TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) is a statuto-
ry body formed under the Telecom Regulatory Author-
ity of India Act, 1997. Its mandate includes regulating
telecom services and determining/revising tariffs. The
TRAI Act was amended to create the Telecommunications
Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to
handle adjudicatory and dispute functions formerly man-
aged by TRAI.

About the Telecom sector in India:
The Indian telecom industry ranks second globally with
1.179 billion subscribers (wireless + wireline) as of August
2023. It stands as the fourth-largest sector for Foreign Di-
rect Investment (FDI), constituting 6% of total FDI inflow.
India’s teledensity, indicating telecom penetration, is at
over 84%.
Insta Links:
• The draft Telecommunication Bill, 2022
• Letting go of a chance to democratize telecom ser-
vices
Mains Link:
Q. Discuss the challenges facing the Indian telecom sector
today. What should the Government of India do to save the
telecom sector?
8. PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON CHILD
LABOUR
Context:
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour, Textiles,
and Skill Development has highlighted the need for a uni-
form definition of ‘child’ under various laws in the effort to
eliminate child labour by 2025.
Recommendations of the Committee:
Recommen- Details
dation
Definition of The panel recommends a uniform defini-
Child tion of ‘child’ under various laws to elimi-
nate ambiguity.
Policy Imple- Policy to eliminate child labour has to go
mentation a long way to achieve the target stipulated
in Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 (to
end all forms of child labour by 2025)
Age Criteria Notes discrepancies in age criteria across
Discrepancies acts (CALPRA Act, JJ Act, etc.) and suggests
examining and resolving them.
Right of Children to Free and Compulsory
Education Act, 2009 defines a child as a
person aged 6 to 14 years.
Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of
Children) Act, 2015 defines a child as a
person who has not completed 18 years
of age.
ILO sets the minimum age for work at 15
years, with exceptions for light work from
the age of 13.
Positive List Urges the ministry not to include hazard-
of Occupa- ous occupations in the positive list where
tions adolescents can work.
18 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
G u i d e l i n e s Recommends formulating guidelines
for Fund Utili- for utilizing funds collected as fines for
zation child labour violations and increasing fine
amounts.
District-level Suggests creating a district-level fund for
Fund child labourers’ immediate relief and re-
habilitation.
Stricter Pun- Proposes incorporating stricter punish-
ishments ments, including license cancellation and
property attachment, alongside fine in-
creases.
Accountabili- Calls for fixing accountability of principal
ty of Employ- employers and traffickers in addition to
ers the employing entity.
DPS Func- Notes that functions of district project so-
tions Assign- cieties (DPS) are not assigned and recom-
ment mends a standard operating procedure
(SOP) to avoid discontinuity.
Police Ac- Recommends provisions in the CALPRA
countability Act similar to those in the Protection of
Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012
for action against the police.
Child Tracking Advocates establishing a National Level
Mechanism Child Tracking Mechanism for coordinat-
ed efforts in prevention, tracing, tracking,
rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
Child-friend- Urges the ministry to pursue with other
ly Police Sta- ministries for child-friendly police sta-
tions and tions and courts.
Courts
What is Child labour?
A form of modern slavery, child labour includes any work
that deprives children of their childhood, potential and dig-
nity, and physical or mental development. (ILO). The practice
includes trafficking, sexual exploitation, debt bondage, and
exploitation in armed conflicts.
Article 24 of the Indian constitution prohibits the employ-
ment of children below the age of 14 years in any factory
or mine or employed in any hazardous employment. India
ratified both fundamental ILO Conventions on Child Labour
(138 and 182) in 2017.
Impact of Child Labour:
• Perpetuates the vicious cycle of poverty (child
labour → poor education, health → less economic
opportunities → poverty), denying children their
fundamental rights and a better future.
• Child labour exposes children to physical (injuries,
health complications and long-term developmental
issues) and mental harm (anxiety, emotional trauma
and a sense of hopelessness).

Prevalence in India:
1. According to the latest National Sample Survey
data, UP leads with an estimated 2.1 million child
labourers.
2. UP together with Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra
and MP constitute nearly 55% of the total working
children in India.
3. Rural-urban distribution: The prevalence of child
labour in rural areas (14%) is close to three times
higher than in urban areas (5%).
4. Gender distribution: Child labour is more prevalent
among boys than girls at every age.
5. Sectoral distribution: The agriculture sector ac-
counts for 70% of child labour (112 million), fol-
lowed by 20% in services and 10% in industry).
6. Their educational status: Nearly 28% of children
aged 5-11 years and 35% of children aged 12-14
years involved in child labour are out of school.
7. Two major hotspots of child labour and child traf-
ficking are the immigrant area which had come from
Bengal and Bangladesh, and tribal areas of Assam.
Government Schemes related to Child Labour are:
1. The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act,
1986: Amendment in 2016 banned the employment
of children below 14 years.
2. The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976:
Prohibits systems of labour where individuals, in-
cluding children, work in servitude to pay off debt.
3. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Chil-
dren) Act, 2015: Governs laws related to children in
conflict with the law.
4. Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POC-
SO) Act, 2012: Aims to prevent commercial sexual
exploitation of children.
5. The Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Care and Re-
habilitation) Bill: Draft published in 2021 detailing
measures for prevention, protection, and rehabilita-
tion. Specifies penalties for “trafficking” and “aggra-
vated trafficking.”
6. Broadens the scope of “victims” to include trans-
gender persons.
7. National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme: Im-
plemented by the Union Ministry of Labour & Em-
ployment. Rehabilitation of child labourers through
District Project Societies under the District Magis-
trate.
Way ahead:
The theme for World Day Against Child Labour 2023 (June
12) was “Social Justice for All. End Child Labour!” – highlight-
ing the connection between social justice and the issue of
child labour. Therefore, there is a need to prioritise –
• Access to quality education empowers them with
the knowledge and skills they need to break free
from the clutches of labour.
19 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
• Enforcement of labour laws and providing social
protection.
Conclusion:
The battle against child labour necessitates a united front
– a resolute stance against this grave injustice that brings
together governments, non-profits and individuals from all
walks of life.
Insta Links:
• Child trafficking in India
• The issue of child labour in India
9. PRESS AND REGISTRATION OF PERIODI-
CALS BILL, 2023
Context:
The Parliament has passed the Press and Registration of Pe-
riodicals Bill, 2023, simplifying the title allotment and regis-
tration process for periodicals.
Highlights of the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill
(PRPB), 2023:
Highlights Details
Grant of Title Introduces a simple online mecha-
Allotment and nism for title verification and registra-
Certificate of tion simultaneously.
Registration for Eliminates the need for furnishing
Periodicals declarations or authentication by lo-
cal authorities.
Prohibits individuals convicted of of-
fences involving terrorism or activ-
ities against state security from pub-
lishing periodicals.
Allows printing facsimile editions of
foreign periodicals in India with pri-
or Central Government approval and
registration with the Press Registrar
General.
Facsimile editions refer to exact re-
productions or copies of an original
publication, typically a book, docu-
ment, or periodical.
Printing Presses Requires printers to provide online
intimation to the Press Registrar Gen-
eral and local authorities.
Removes the obligation for printers to
file declarations or obtain authentica-
tion from authorities.

Role of District District Magistrate/local authority
Magistrate/Local plays a minimal role in the grant of
Authority Certificate of Registration and title al-
lotment.
District Magistrate provides com-
ments/No Objection Certificate to
the Press Registrar General within 60
days of receiving an application.
Press Registrar General can proceed
with the registration decision even if
comments/No Objection Certificate
are not received within 60 days.
Eliminates the requirement for pub-
lishers to file declarations before the
District Magistrate.
The current PRPB Act 1867 was aimed at curbing what the
British Government thought was the role of the press in the
“revolt of 1857”. It was introduced during the Viceroyship of
Lord John Lawrence (1864-1869)
Difference between the two:
Difference Press and PRP Bill, 2023
Registration of
Books (PRB)
Act, 1867
Registration Provides for the The bill includes any pub-
of Periodi- registration of lication containing public
cals newspapers, news or comments on
periodicals, and public news. But Peri-
books, including odicals do not include
its cataloguing books or scientific and
academic journals.
Registration Required a Information can be sub-
of Printing printing press to mitted through the on-
Press be declared be- line portal
fore the DM.
Punishment Minor violations The bill decriminalizes
have the provi- violations under the Act.
sion of impris- For certain violations, fi-
onment for up nancial penalties have
to six months. been proposed
Appeal No appeal au- Provides for the Press
thority and Registration Appel-
late Board. Aggrieved
persons can appeal to the
board within 60 days.
Cancellation As per the act, The bill empowers the
only the DM Press Registrar General
could cancel the to suspend/cancel the
declaration of a Certificate of Registra-
periodical tion.
20 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
Benefits:
The new law aims to expedite the title registration process,
reducing the time from 2-3 years to just 60 days, benefiting
small and medium publishers. The Press Registrar General
will play a key role in fast-tracking the process, eliminating
the need for publishers to file declarations with local author-
ities.
Press rules during British Times:
The British introduced the printing press in India and mul-
tiple publications were brought out by both Indians and
non-Indians. Both Indians and the British realized the po-
tential of the press and while Indians sought to use it for
generating awareness, the British sought to curb it.
One of the earliest publications was the Bengal Gazette,
which was seized in 1872 for its outspoken criticism. This is
just the beginning of multiple setbacks to be faced by the
Indian Press.
Setbacks Faced by Press
• Censorship of Press Act, 1799 was passed to impose
wartime press restrictions as Wellesley anticipated
French invasion.
• Licensing Regulations 1823 was passed, which stat-
ed that starting a press without a license was a pe-
nal offence. This was mostly directed against Indian
publications.
• Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code introduced
in 1870 provided for the offence of sedition. Any
words signs or visible representations that could cre-
ate any disaffection towards the British government
were made a criminal offence.
• The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 was passed to con-
trol the publication in vernacular language. Under
this law, the Magistrate was given extensive powers.
• The Newspaper (Incitement to Offences) Act, 1908
empowered Magistrates to confiscate press proper-
ty if they believed it could incite violence.
• The Indian Press Act of 1910 imposed high-security
deposits.
• Indian Press (Emergency Powers) Act 1931 was en-
acted to suppress political propaganda during the
Civil Disobedience Movement. In addition to this,
the Criminal Law Amendment of 1932 and the Offi-
cial Secrets Act imposed further restrictions.
• The Press Regulating Act of 1942 made the registra-
tion of journalists mandatory.
As a result of these restrictive laws, the Indian Press suffered.
Multiple publications were seized and many journalists/na-
tionalists were arrested. For instance, Surendranath Baner-
jee was the first Indian journalist to be imprisoned. Similarly,
Tilak was arrested after the murder of Rand stating that his
publication ‘Shivaji Utterances’ incited the act.

Contribution of the Indian Press
It was realized by nationalists that the Press is a good me-
dium through which they can reach the masses, generate
opinion and mobilize them. The Hindu, The Bengalee, Voice
of India, and Amrita Bazaar Patrika among others are some
examples of Indian publications. Their role or contribution
can be summarized as follows:
• Raised the political consciousness of the masses.
• The impact was so widespread that it reached even
the remotest of villages.
• Newspaper articles and editorials were read and dis-
cussed in local libraries.
• The press acted as an institution of opposition to
the government.
• They helped the masses understand the true nature
of British Rule.
• Indian Press adopted innovative methods to cir-
cumvent the restrictions such as becoming English
newspapers overnight to not attract Vernacular
Press Laws or publishing artists printed by Irish na-
tionalists etc.
Insta Links:
• Role of Press and Publications
Topics: Issues relating to development and management of
Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human
Resources.
10. NCRB REPORT 2022
Context:
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)’s annual report
reveals a harrowing surge in crimes against women in India.
Key Highlights of NCRB’s Crime in India 2022 Report:
Highlights Description
Overall Crime A total of over 58,00,000 cognizable
Statistics crimes were registered, comprising both
the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Special &
Local Laws(SLL) crimes. The registration
of cases witnessed around 4.5% decline
compared to 2021.
Crime Rate The crime rate per lakh population
Decline dropped from about 446 in 2021 to 422 in
2022.
Safest City Kolkata emerged as the safest city in India
for the third consecutive year, recording
the least number of cognisable offences
per lakh population among metropolises.
Pune (Maharashtra) and Hyderabad (Tel-
angana) secured the second and third po-
sitions, respectively.
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Current Affairs 30
Rise in Cyber Cybercrime reporting surged by about
Crimes 24%, totalling 65,893 cases, a significant
surge from 52,974 cases in 2021. Cyber
fraud constituted the majority of cases
(64%), followed by extortion, and sexual
exploitation.
Suicides and In 2022, India witnessed a significant surge
Causes in suicides, totalling over 1.7 Lakh cases,
reflecting a concerning increase of about
4% compared to 2021
Major causes included ‘Family Problems,’
‘Marriage Related Problems,’ Bankruptcy
and indebtedness, ‘Unemployment and
professional issues’ and Illness’.
Maharashtra reported the highest num-
ber of suicides, followed closely by Tamil
Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Kera-
la, and Telangana.
Daily wage earners constituted a signifi-
cant portion, accounting for over 26% of
the total suicides. Agricultural workers
and farmers were also disproportionate-
ly affected, forming a substantial part of
the suicide statistics. This was followed by
unemployed persons. Among all suicides
reported in the year, over 12,000 were of
students.
E s c a l a t - The Crime in India report highlighted an
ing Crimes overall increase in crimes and atrocities
Against SCs against Scheduled Castes (SC) and Sched-
and STs uled Tribes (ST) persons.
States like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh,
Chhattisgarh, and Telangana experienced
a surge in such cases in 2022.
Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan persist
as key contributors, consistently ranking
among the top five states with the high-
est occurrences of crimes and atrocities
against SC and ST communities.
C r i m e s A total of about 4,45,000 cases of crime
A g a i n s t against women were reported in 2022,
Women marking a 4% increase from 2021.
Dominant Reasons included ‘Cruelty by
Husband or His Relatives,’ ‘Kidnapping
& Abduction of Women,’ and ‘Assault on
Women with Intent to Outrage Her Mod-
esty.’
C r i m e s Cases of crimes against children showed
Against Chil- an increase of 8.7% compared to 2021. A
dren majority of these cases are related to kid-
napping and abduction
 Current Affairs 30

Crime Against Cases of crimes against senior citizens

Senior Citi- rose by about 9%. Major reasons included
zens Physical hurt followed by theft and forgery,
cheating, and fraud
Animal At- The NCRB report reveals a concerning
tacks on the trend in the number of people dying or
Rise getting injured due to animal attacks. A
significant 19% increase in such incidents
was recorded in 2022 compared to 2021.
Maharashtra reported the highest num-
ber of cases, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil
Nadu, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh
followed with varying numbers of report-
ed cases.
O f f e n c e s Offences against the State exhibited a
Against the slight increase in 2022 compared to the
State previous year. There was approximately
a 25% rise in cases registered under the
Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)
during this period. Insta Links
Cases under the sedition Section of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)
IPC experienced a significant decline. The
decrease in sedition cases may be attribut- Topics: Important aspects of governance, transparency and
ed to the Supreme Court’s decision in accountability, e-governance applications, models, success-
May 2022 to keep sedition cases in abey- es, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency
ance (hold). & accountability and institutional and other measures.
Rise in Eco- Economic offences are categorized into
nomic Of- criminal breach of trust, forgery, cheat- 11. REGULATING ARTIFICIAL INTELLI-
fences ing, fraud (FCF), and counterfeiting. GENCE
FCF accounted for the majority of cases
(1,70,901 cases), followed by criminal Context:
breach of trust (21,814 cases) and coun- The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-
terfeiting (670 cases). PM) has released a paper “A Complex Adaptive System
C r i m e s 192 cases registered against foreigners, a Framework to Regulate AI”. Also, the European Union (EU)
Against For- 28% increase from 150 cases in 2021. 57% has reached a historic provisional deal on the world’s first
eigners of victims were from the Asian continent, comprehensive laws to regulate artificial intelligence (AI).
while 18% were from African countries.
H i g h States with the highest charge sheet- EAC-PM paper proposes a novel AI regulation framework
Chargesheet- ing rates under IPC crimes are Kera- based on a Complex Adaptive System, with five key prin-
ing Rates la, Puducherry, and West Bengal. The ciples:
chargesheet rate reflects cases where po- 1. Specialist Regulator: Establishing an expert regula-
lice reached the stage of framing charges tory body with a broad mandate and swift respon-
against the accused. siveness.
2. Transparency: Open licensing of core algorithms for
external audits and continuous monitoring of AI sys-
tems to ensure transparency.
3. AI Accountability: Mandating standardized incident
reporting protocols to document system aberrations
or failures and define clear lines of accountability.
4. Manual ‘Overrides’ and ‘Authorization Choke-
points’: Empowering humans to intervene when AI
systems behave erratically through mandated man-
ual controls.
5. Guardrails and Partitions: Implementing clear
boundary conditions to limit undesirable AI be-

22 www.insightsonindia.com

haviours.
Key Components of the EU Framework for AI Regulation:
Components Details
Safeguards in Empowerment of Consumers: Individu-
Legislation als have the ability to launch complaints
against perceived AI violations.
Clear boundaries are set on AI usage by
law enforcement agencies.
Strong restrictions on facial recognition
technology and AI manipulation of human
behaviour are specified.
Tough penalties for companies found
breaking the rules.
Limitations on governments for use of
real-time biometric surveillance in pub-
lic areas (allowed only in cases of serious
threats like terrorist attacks)
C a t e g o r i z a - AI applications are classified into four risk
tion of AI Ap- categories based on their level of risk and
plications invasiveness.
1. Banned Applications: Mass-
scale facial recognition and be-
havioural control AI applications
are largely banned, with exemp-
tions for law enforcement.
2. High-Risk Applications: Allowed
with certification and provision
for backend technique transpar-
ency, such as AI tools for self-driv-
ing cars.
3. Medium-Risk Applications: De-
ployable without restrictions,
like generative AI chatbots, with
explicit disclosure to users about
AI interaction, transparency obli-
gations, and detailed tech docu-
mentation.
4. Low-risk applications with trans-
parency obligations.
Other EU’s General Data Protection Regulation
R e g u l a t o r y (GDPR) Implementation: Enforced since
Achievements May 2018, focusing on privacy and explicit
consent for data processing.
Digital Services Act (DSA): Focus on regu-
lating hate speech, counterfeit goods, etc.
Digital Markets Act (DMA): Identifying
“dominant gatekeeper” platforms and ad-
dressing non-competitive practices and
dominance abuse.
Concerns related to AI use:
Concerns Explanation
23 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
Privacy Risk of personal and sensitive informa-
tion being used unethically, such as for
targeted advertising or political manip-
ulation.
Responsibility AI models generating new content may
lead to challenges in identifying re-
sponsibility, causing ethical dilemmas
over the content’s origin.
Automation AI’s potential to automate processes
and Job Dis- raises concerns about job displace-
placement ment, impacting those skilled in the
automated areas.
Bias and Dis- AI training on biased data may result
crimination in decisions that unfairly disadvantage
certain groups, perpetuating societal in-
equalities and discrimination.
Lack of Trans- Concerns about accountability for AI
parency actions, questioning whether responsi-
bility lies with creators, deploying com-
panies, or regulating governments.
India’s Stance on AI Regulation:
India aims to develop sovereign AI and AI computing infra-
structure, focusing on real-life applications in healthcare, ag-
riculture, governance, language translation, etc., to catalyse
economic development.
Currently, India is transitioning from a no-regulation stance
on AI to actively formulating regulations based on a risk-
based, user-harm approach. India’s AI penetration factor is
3.09, the highest among G20 and OECD countries. Some of
the initiatives are:
• Awareness Initiatives like #AIFORALL
• NITI Aayog’s National Strategy for AI (2018) focused
on inclusive and responsible AI
• NITI Aayog’s ‘Principle of Responsible AI,’ outlines
seven key principles for AI use
• Meity launched IndiaAI in 2023, covering all AI-re-
lated research.
• TRAI proposed a domestic statutory authority for
AI regulation in July 2023, emphasizing a risk-based
framework.
• Ethical guidelines for AI in healthcare by the Indian
Council of Medical Research
• SEBI’s circular guiding AI policies in the capital mar-
ket
• National Education Policy 2020 recommends inte-
grating AI awareness into school courses.
Initiatives by other countries:
Country Initiative

G7 The Group of Seven (G7) has proposed a “risk-
based” regulation for artificial intelligence (AI)
tools, which could be a first step towards creat-
ing a template to regulate AI such as OpenAI’s
ChatGPT and Google’s Bard
Italy Became the first major Western country to ban
OpenAI’s ChatGPT due to privacy concerns.
UK Adopts a ‘light-touch’ approach to encourage
innovation in the AI industry.
Japan Takes an accommodative approach to AI devel-
opers.
China Drafted a 20-point plan to regulate generative
AI services, expected to be enforced later this
year.
US Proposed a nonbinding roadmap, the AI Bill of
Rights Blueprint, outlining five core principles
for the responsible use of AI.
Conclusion:
Although the risks of AI are widely known, it remains unclear
how the AI regulations would address these risks and how
grievances would be remedied. Previously, Elon Musk, Steve
Wozniak, and over 15,000 others had called for a six-month
pause in AI development, and for shared safety protocols to
be implemented by labs and independent experts.
Insta Links:
• What are hallucinating chatbots?
Prelims Links:
Q1. With the present state of development, Artificial In-
telligence can effectively do which of the following? (UPSC
2020)
1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units
2. Create meaningful short stories and songs
3. Disease diagnosis
4. Text-to-Speech Conversion
5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Ans: B
12. GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP ON ARTIFI-
CIAL INTELLIGENCE (GPAI)
Context:
The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Sum-
mit in New Delhi concluded with representatives from 28
countries and the European Union adopting the ‘New Delhi
Declaration.’
24 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
This is in continuation of previous article: Regulating Artifi-
cial Intelligence
Major points of the New Delhi Declaration:
Key Points Details
Focus The declaration focuses on mitigating
risks associated with AI development
and deployment and advocates for eq-
uitable access to critical AI resources.
Importance Acknowledgement of the rapid prog-
ress in advanced AI systems and their
potential for economic growth
Concerns flagged Concerns related to misinformation,
about advanced unemployment, lack of transparen-
AI systems cy, fairness, protection of intellectual
property, and threats to human rights
and democratic values.
Support for In- Endorsement of India’s collaborative
dia’s collabora- approach in building AI systems, sup-
tive AI approach porting projects for equitable access
to critical AI resources, including com-
puting, diverse datasets, algorithms,
software, and testbeds, in compliance
with intellectual property and data pro-
tection laws.
Inclusive AI ben- Ensuring that AI benefits are inclusive
efits and accessible to all countries world-
wide, including the Global South.
Principles for a Advocacy for a global AI framework
global AI frame- grounded in democratic values and
work human rights, safeguarding dignity,
personal data protection, intellectual
property rights, privacy, security, fos-
tering innovation, and promoting trust-
worthy, responsible, sustainable, and
human-centred use of AI.
AI innovation in Agreement to prioritize AI innovation
the agriculture in the agriculture sector as a new the-
sector matic priority. Recognition of the im-
portance of AI in sustainable food pro-
duction, resilient agricultural practices,
climate change adaptation, ecosystem
regeneration, and improvement of land
and soil quality.
Pursuit of a di- Commitment to pursue a diverse mem-
verse member- bership for GPAI, with a particular focus
ship for GPAI on including low and middle-income
countries. The declaration aims to en-
sure a broad range of expertise, nation-
al and regional views and shared
 Current Affairs 30
About GPAI: Rigid and outmod- Hindered adaptability and innova-
ed rules tion, bureaucratic red tape.
Lack of accountabil- No protection for whistleblowers,
ity and transparen- Increased corruption, and reluc-
cy tance to report wrongdoing.
Political interfer- Disrupted stability, and compro-
ence mised decision-making.
An erosion in ethics Erosion of public trust, compro-
and values mised integrity, nepotism.
Patrimonialism (a Concentration of power, reduced
form of governance checks and balances.
in which all power
flows directly from
the leader).
Resistance to Hindered modernization, and reluc-
change tance to adopt efficient practices.
The Technocrat- Ineffective policies, poor execution,
ic Gap: Skill Gap and implementation.
among Officials
Concentration of Slow decision-making, lack of flexi-
power within de- bility.
Topics: Role of civil services in a democracy.
partments

Suggested Solutions:
13. BUREAUCRACY AND STATE
Context:
The article addresses the challenges faced by the Indian bu-
reaucratic state, emphasizing its paradoxical nature of being
too large bureaucratically but too small in terms of person-
nel.
Status of Indian bureaucracy:
• India has a vast and intricate bureaucracy, employ-
ing over 4 million people.
• In the G-20 group, India has the smallest number
of civil servants per capita (approx. half that of In-
donesia and China, and about a third of that in the
UK). In comparison to the US, the number of central
government personnel is less than one-fourth.
• Also, India has a number of vacancies, including
1,365 in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) 703
in the Indian Police Service (IPS), 1,042 vacancies
exist in the Indian Forest Service (IFS) and 301 in In-
dian Revenue Service (IRS)
Suggestions Description
Separating pol- Experiences of countries such as Austra-
icymaking and lia, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom
i m p l e m e n t a - show that separating policymaking
tion: and implementation responsibilities
expedites execution and encourages in-
novations, making the programs better
suited to local contexts.
India: The National Highways Author-
ity of India, is tasked with executing
national highway projects, while policy
decisions are made at the ministry lev-
el. This arrangement has drastically re-
duced delays and cost overruns.
Delegating pow- Restrictions on frontline personnel to
er to frontline decide on implementation-related is-
functionaries: sues foster a culture of mistrust and
lack of accountability for poor imple-
mentation.

Major Bureaucratic Challenges:

Bureaucratic Chal- Impact on the Indian State
lenges
Lack of profession- Reduced efficiency, and lack of ex-
alism and poor ca- pertise in handling complex issues.
pacity building.
An ineffective in- Diminished motivation and perfor-
centive system mance among civil servants.

25 www.insightsonindia.com

Filling the tech- An institutionalized and regular lateral
nocratic gap: entry at the mid and senior levels can
help fill the civil services’ size and tech-
nocratic gap.
Qualified officers in non-IAS services
(such as the Indian Revenue, Econom-
ic and Statistical Services) should get a
fair shot at high-level positions
Subject-specific training under Mission
Karmayogi (National Programme for
Civil Services Capacity Building).
P r o v i d i n g SEBI has just about 800 professionals,
p r o f e s s i o n a l whereas its counterpart in the U.S.,
strength to SEBI the U.S. Securities and Exchange Com-
& RBI mission, has more than 4,500 experts
to govern the corporates. Similarly, the
professional staff strength of the RBI,
less than 7,000, is tiny when compared
to the US Federal Reserve which is as-
sisted by 22,000 odd professionals.
Need for moti- Reevaluate the incentive system, con-
vated personnel sidering alternative approaches to mo-
tivate public sector employees, such as
recognition and career development
opportunities.
The public sector must attract intrinsi-
cally motivated individuals to contrib-
ute to the social good.
Cutting the Implement moderate pay raises, ensur-
breeding ground ing a balance between attracting talent
of corruption and preventing corruption. Consider
reducing the upper age limit for gov-
ernment jobs to promote a dynamic
workforce.
Government Initiatives:
1. Towards Capacity Building and Specialisation:
 Mission Karmayogi: A National Pro-
gramme for Civil Services Capacity
Building (NPCSCB).
 Lateral entry: Personnel from the
private sector are selected for ad-
ministrative posts in the govern-
ment.
2. Towards transparency and accountability:
 SVAMITVA scheme: A reformative
step towards the establishment of
clear ownership of property in rural
inhabited areas, by mapping land
parcels using drone technology.
 Centralised Public Grievance Re-
dress and Monitoring System (CP-
GRAMS): An online web-enabled
system that provides the facility to
lodge a grievance online from any
26 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
geographical location.
 RTI, Citizen Charter, etc
A new ethic of civil servants:
1. Selfless service and empathy.
2. Duty-bound to drive India’s transition from Amrit
Mahotsav to Amrit Kaal.
3. The removal of a colonial mindset, sharing a sense
of pride in the Indian roots, with a nation-first ap-
proach.
4. A future-ready civil service, which is
i. Proactive and polite
ii. Professional and progressive
iii. Energetic and enabling
iv. Transparent and tech-enabled
v. Creative and constructive
vi. Imaginative and innovative
Insta Links:
• Reforms in Indian Civil Services
• Parliamentary Committee: Reduce the civil services
examination’s selection cycle
Mains Links:
Q. Has the Cadre-based Civil Services Organization been
the cause of slow development in India? Critically examine.
(UPSC 2014)
Q. “Institutional quality is a crucial driver of economic per-
formance”. In this context suggest reforms in the Civil Service
to strengthen democracy. (UPSC 2020)
14. EXTENTION OF MISSION KARMYOGI
Context:
On Good Governance Day, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh
launched the Extended Version of Mission Karmayogi in
New Delhi.
Feature Description
My iGOT Delivers targeted training courses on the
home page of individual officers, address-
ing their unique capacity-building needs as
identified in the Capacity-Building Plan for
their Ministries/Departments.
This ensures a highly personalized, focused,
and targeted capacity-building experience,
aligning individual and organizational learn-
ing needs.

B l e n d e d Facilitates equitable access to training meth-
Programs odologies across all levels, meeting dynamic
training needs.
Integrates traditional offline (in-person)
classroom courses with online learning com-
ponents, allowing officers and faculty to
benefit from the flexibility and convenience
of online courses while retaining the invalu-
able benefits of face-to-face classroom inter-
actions.
C u r a t e d Designed to cater to diverse learning needs
Programs of Ministries/Departments and Training In-
stitutions.
Course Providers can curate relevant con-
tent, resources, and assessments from the
iGOT repository with a Programmatic ap-
proach, providing a tailored learning journey.
12 Do- Developed in two months as part of the An-
main-Spe- nual Capacity Building Plan (ACBP) of the
cific Capac- DOPT by Karmayogi Digital Learning Lab
ity Building (KDLL) of DoPT. These 12 courses directly ad-
E-learning dress the domain competency requirements
Courses of Civil Servants working in DoPT and assist
other Government organizations in handling
functional matters effectively on a day-to-day
basis.
V I K A S A new blended learning program for ca-
(Variable & pacity-building of middle management civil
Immersive servants in the Central Secretariat. VIKAS is a
Karmayogi blended program with iGOT, consisting of 33
Advanced hours complemented by 30 hours of offline
Support) training at ISTM. It focuses on the develop-
ment of functional, behavioral, and techno-
logical competencies required in the Central
Government.
What is “Mission Karmayogi”- National Programme for Civil
Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB)?
It is a mission moded programme aimed to transition civ-
il services from ‘Rules based’ to ‘Roles based’ Human Re-
source (HR) Management by aligning work allocation of
civil servants by matching their competencies to the re-
quirements of the post, thereby leading to “an effective citi-
zen-centric civil service”
Purpose of the mission
• Revival of bureaucracy:
o The bureaucracy is instrumental in the
growth and progress of the country.
o However, it is often said that the recruit-
ment and post-recruitment ecosystem
of civil servants in India is outdated.
o So, the mission aims at a revival of the
Indian bureaucratic nature through the
27 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
civil servants.
o In this line, the mission addresses the
changing needs and aspirations of the
citizens in their interaction with the bu-
reaucracy.
• Competent civil servants:
o Central to the programme is the recog-
nition that a suitable government work-
force requires a competency driven ca-
pacity building approach.
o The workforce will focus on imparting
competencies critical to discharge its
roles.
o This will be achieved through a Compe-
tency Framework for Civil Services that
will be totally indigenous to India.
Key Features of Missions Karmayogi
• Capacity building:
o The mission aims at comprehensive re-
form of the capacity building apparatus.
o It will hence pay attention at individual,
institutional and process levels for effi-
cient public service delivery
 E.g., Under the Mission, nearly
95,000 Railway staff, including
all ticket conductors, reservation
and freight clerks and station
masters are being trained in bet-
ter service delivery.
o Capacity Building Commission: will as-
sist the PM Public Human Resources
Council in approving the Annual Capac-
ity Building Plans
 E.g. Cross immersive learning for
the ministry staff in the Civil Avi-
ation Ministry’s Annual Capaci-
ty Building Plan. Public officials
were sent to private airlines/air-
ports to observe their manageri-
al practices.
• Shift from Rules to Roles:
o The programme will support a transi-
tion from “rules-based to roles-based”
Human Resource Management (HRM)
practices among the officers.
o It will focus more on role-based man-
agement, and so, will aim to allocate
roles and jobs bases on competencies of
the officers.
• Training:
o For training purposes, the mission has

created an online platform called as iG-
OT-Karmayogi. iGOT stands for Integrat-
ed Government Online Training.
 It will provide ‘anytime-any-
where-any device’ learning to
train around 2.0 crores users
which was so far unachievable
through traditional measures.
 Using the “70-20-10” formu-
la: Seventy per cent of adult
learning comes from job expe-
rience, 20 per cent is a result of
peer-to-peer sharing, and only
10 per cent comes from class-
room teaching.
 It will provide content to learn
from global best practices root-
ed in “Indian ethos.”
 Apart from domain knowledge
training, the scheme will focus
on “functional and behavioural
competencies” as well.
o Civil servants will have to undertake
courses on this platform on which the
officers’ performance will also be eval-
uated.
• Efficient, effective and empathetic civil ser-
vices: For instance, Inspector Inian, an SHO
from Puducherry, after undergoing soft skills
training under mission karmyogi, said that after
receiving a mother’s complaint, he used his pro-
fessional skills to find her lost child.
o This, he remarked. gave him far more joy
compared to promotions or salary hikes.
• “Whole Government” approach: Training re-
sources are being shared across departments
and silos are being broken.
Conclusion:
Mahatma Gandhi likened public service to being a trustee
of public resources. Civil servants are uniquely positioned to
play a role in lifting more than 170 million out of poverty into
prosperity. What is needed is professional bureaucracy i.e.
bureaucratic in form and structure and non-bureaucratic
in attitude and spirit.
Insta links:
• Mission Karmayogi
Mains Link:
Q. Mission Karmayogi aims at making Indian Civil Servants
innovative, proactive and technology-enabled while making
them empowered with specific role competencies and high
28 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
efficiency. Discuss.
Topics: India and its neighbourhood- relations.
15. INDIA’S TROUBLED NEIGHBOUR-
HOOD
Context:
India faces various types of dilemmas in its neighbourhood
including politically anti-India regimes, structural challenges
due to China’s growing influence, and regional geopolitical
changes
Various types of challenges:
Type of Challenge Examples
Politically Anti-In- Rise of anti-India regimes, e.g., Mal-
dia Regimes dives
Structural Chal- Beijing’s growing influence, Belt and
lenges Road Initiative (BRI) impact
G e o p o l i t i c a l Diminishing U.S. presence, China’s ris-
Changes ing dominance
Limited Material Inability to meet the material needs
Support of its neighbours vis-à-vis China’s
deeper pockets
Policy Stance One-track policy focusing on those
in power, alienating other centres of
power
Mistaken As- The belief that South Asia minus Paki-
sumptions stan would align with Indian geopolit-
ical reasoning
The assumption that India’s cultural
connections would secure better rela-
tions than China
Diplomatic Per- Shortage of diplomats to implement
sonnel Shortage foreign policy, limiting engagement
capacity
Security Threats Due to Economic Crisis in Neighbours:
Security Threats Potential Consequences for India
Terrorism Unemployment in the neighbour can
lead to the radicalization of youth, pos-
ing a terrorism threat. (e.g., Mumbai
Attack 2008)
Maritime Threat Lack of maritime governance may re-
sult in maritime crimes and a potential
refugee crisis due to porous maritime
borders.
Chinese Threat Instability provides opportunities for
China’s strategic influence in India’s
neighbours, impacting India’s security.

Easy Migration An open border with Nepal could facil-
of Radicals itate the movement of radical groups,
increasing security risks in India.
Influx of Migra- Economic crisis-induced migration may
tion lead to an influx of migrants into India,
similar to historical instances (e.g., the
Rohingya crisis).
Drug Smuggling Proximity to drug-producing regions
(Pakistan, Myanmar) may exacerbate
the issue of drug smuggling, affecting
Indian society.
Change in De- Large-scale migration in border states
mographics may alter demographics and potentially
lead to social tensions (e.g., the Assam
situation).
Possible solutions:
1. Engaging with hostile neighbours: India has reached
out to other South Asian countries to bail them out
of their economic crises. Pakistan needs such help,
too, apart from calm on its border with India
2. Regional Partnerships: Strengthen regional partner-
ships and alliances to counterbalance Chinese influ-
ence.
3. Adapting to Geopolitical Changes: Acknowledge
and adapt to the changing geopolitical landscape,
recognizing China’s presence and impact.
4. Enhanced Economic Cooperation: Increase eco-
nomic cooperation, trade, and development assis-
tance to meet the material needs of neighbouring
countries.
5. Inclusive Diplomacy: Adopt a more inclusive policy
by engaging with multiple actors, including opposi-
tion leaders and diverse power centres.
6. Revise Mistaken Assumptions: Revise assumptions
regarding South Asia’s geopolitical dynamics, recog-
nizing the importance of engaging with all countries,
including Pakistan.
7. Cultural Leverage with Caution: Balance cultural
diplomacy with strategic considerations to prevent
cultural ties from becoming a liability.
8. Diplomatic Capacity Building: Recruit and train
more diplomats to meet the growing demands of
India’s expanding role in world affairs.
Conclusion
The evolving crisis in the neighbourhood is something that
India cannot afford to ignore. The crisis is an opportunity for
India to create mutually beneficial, people-oriented, region-
al frameworks for stability and prosperity.
Insta Links
India and its neighborhood
29 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
Topics: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agree-
ments involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
16. SULTAN OF OMAN VISIT TO INDIA:
INDIA-OMAN RELATIONS
Context:
On December 16, the Indian Prime Minister held bilateral
talks with the Sultan of Oman at Hyderabad House in New
Delhi, aiming to strengthen the strategic partnership be-
tween the two nations.
Facets of India-Oman Relations
Key Points Description
Background India and Oman share ancient historical
ties that span over 5,000 years. These
relations were shaped by maritime trade
links, cultural exchanges, and geograph-
ical proximity
In ancient times, the Sumerians, Akka-
dians, and later the Assyrians had trade
links with the people of the Indus Valley
(now India). Oman’s strategic location
made it a crucial hub for maritime trade,
connecting the civilizations of the East
and West.
Modern Rela- India and Oman established diplomatic
tions relations in 1955, elevated to a strategic
partnership in 2008, with Oman holding
a pivotal position as India’s primary de-
fence partner in the Gulf region
Oman is a strategic partner in the Gulf
Cooperation Council, Arab League, and
IORA.
Gandhi Peace Prize 2019 was conferred
on the Late HM Sultan Qaboos for
strengthening ties.
Defence Rela- The Joint Military Cooperation Commit-
tions tee (JMCC) is a key forum for defence
engagement.
Military exercises include Al Najah, East-
ern Bridge, and Naseem Al Bahr.

Economic & Bilateral trade during FY2022-23 reached
C o m m e r c i a l over $12 billion; Over 6,000 India-Oman
Relations joint ventures are present in Oman; India
was the 2nd largest market for Oman’s
crude oil exports for the year 2022.
Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) and
Joint Business Council (JBC) oversee
economic cooperation.
Indian companies have investments in
sectors like iron, steel, cement, and tex-
tile.
The proposed India-Middle-East-Europe
Connectivity Corridor (IMEEC) project
will see Oman playing an important role
in India’s connectivity ambitions.
Cultural Coop- Close cultural ties with the Indian Social
eration Club promoting cultural diversity. Cele-
bration of National Days, Festivals, and
events promoting Indian culture. Yoga is
popular, and cultural events were cele-
brated in 2019 for significant anniversa-
ries.
Maritime Co- Oman’s strategic location is at the gate-
operation way of the Strait of Hormuz.
India signed a pact in 2018 to access
Duqm port, enhancing maritime coop-
eration.
Duqm Port provides base facilities, Op-
erational Turn Round and other logistics
facilities to Indian naval ships in the re-
gion
Indian Diaspo- Around 7 lakh Indians in Oman, with a
ra significant presence in various profes-
sions. Several Indian families have been
residing for over 150-200 years. They
have contributed in diverse fields such
as doctors, engineers, teachers, etc
Oman’s strategic importance for India:
Oman holds strategic importance for India due to its position
at the gateway of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage
for one-fifth of India’s oil imports. All three branches of the
Indian armed forces engage in regular bilateral exercises
with Oman, fostering trust and cooperation. India secured
the Port of Duqm in Oman for military use and logistical
support. This move aims to enhance India’s presence in the
Indian Ocean region, countering Chinese influence.
Challenges in India-Oman relationship:
• Geopolitical Dynamics: The evolving geopolitical
landscape in the Middle East (esp. with the ongo-
ing Israel-Palestine war) and India’s good relations
with Israel can pose challenges to the stability of In-
dia-Oman relations.
• Strategic Moves by Other Nations: Actions by other
30 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
major players in the region, such as China’s BRI may
impact the dynamics between India and Oman.
• Economic Vulnerability: Oman’s economic challeng-
es, particularly in the context of fluctuations in oil
prices, can have repercussions on India’s energy se-
curity and economic interests.
• Security Concerns: The region’s security landscape,
including issues related to terrorism, Piracy and mar-
itime security.
• Port Access Sensitivities: India’s military access to
the Port of Duqm could be perceived as a challenge
by other nations, potentially affecting diplomatic re-
lations in the region.
Conclusion:
India faces a shortage of energy resources to meet its cur-
rent and future demands, necessitating long-term energy
collaborations with nations like Oman. Strengthening ties
with Oman not only addresses India’s energy needs but
also contributes to enhancing strategic depth in the region.
This collaboration aligns with India’s Indo-Pacific vision, par-
ticularly in the Western and Southern parts of the Indian
Ocean, reinforcing its geopolitical presence.
Insta Links:
Oman’s Duqm port
Mains Links:
Q. The question of India’s Energy Security constitutes the
most important part of India’s economic progress. Analyse
India’s energy policy cooperation with West Asian coun-
tries. (UPSC 2017)
Prelims Links:
Q. Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooper-
ation Council’? (UPSC 2016)
(a) Iran
(b) Saudi Arabia
(c) Oman
(d) Kuwait
Ans: A
17. FOREIGN MINISTER VISIT TO RUSSIA:
INDIA-RUSSIA RELATIONS
Context:
The recent External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s recent
visit to Russia holds significance amid efforts to renew ties
between India and Russia.
Key Highlights of the visit:
Highlights Details
E c o n o m i c Emphasis on strategic collaboration in de-
Collabora- fence, space exploration, nuclear energy,
tion and technology sharing.
Agreement on the expansion of Russian hy-
drocarbon exports to India

Program of Finalization of the program of cooperation
C o o p e r a - in the Far East. The decision to hold an early
tion in the meeting of EaEU-India FTA negotiations.
Far East
India and Russia signed a Protocol on Con-
sultations for 2024-2028, aiming to advance
military and economic cooperation, energy
trade, connectivity, and people-to-people
exchanges.
Agreement India and Russia signed agreements for fu-
on Nucle- ture units of the Kudankulam nuclear pow-
ar Power er project in Tamil Nadu.
Plants India operates two Russian-built nuclear
plants, with four more under construction in
Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu. The Kudankulam
nuclear power plant, India’s largest, began
construction in March 2002 with Russian
technical assistance. The first unit has oper-
ated at its 1,000 MW design capacity since
February 2016, with full capacity expected
by 2027.
Diplomatic Discussion on multilateral forums and inter-
Initiatives national organizations: BRICS, SCO (Shang-
hai Cooperation Organization), and UN af-
fairs.
Timeline of the Relationship:
Important Dimensions of India-Russia Relations:
Dimensions Details
Political Re- The Annual Summit meeting between the
lations PM of India and the Russian President is the
highest institutionalized dialogue mecha-
nism in the strategic partnership.
The Strategic Partnership between the two
countries was elevated to the level of “Spe-
cial and Privileged Strategic Partnership” in
2010.
31 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
Interna- BRICS, SCO, G20, International North-South
tional/Mul- Transport Corridor (INSTC)
tilateral Or-
ganisations
and Con-
nectivity
Projects
Defence Evolution of India-Russia military-technical
and Securi- cooperation from a buyer-seller framework
ty Coopera- to joint research, development, and produc-
tion tion of advanced defence technologies
Russia is India’s top military supplier ac-
counting for 45% of total defense imports.
Examples include the BrahMos Missile Sys-
tem, licensed production of SU-30 aircraft,
and T-90 tanks. Deal for five S-400 batteries
in 2018, and supply of MiG-29-K aircraft and
Kamov-31
Cooperation is guided by the Agreement on
the Programme for Military-Technical Co-
operation for 2021-2031
Trade and Revised targets of increasing bilateral invest-
Economic ment to US $50 billion and bilateral trade to
Relations US $30 billion by 2025.
Bilateral investments surpassed the previ-
ous target of $30 billion in 2018, leading to a
revised target of $50 billion by 2025.
Nuclear En- 2014 Strategic Vision for strengthening co-
ergy operation in peaceful uses of atomic energy.
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP)
is being built in India with Russian coopera-
tion.
Space Co- Cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer
operation space. MoU between ISRO and ROSCOS-
MOS on Joint Activities in the field of Hu-
man Spaceflight Programme (Gaganyaan).
Science & Working Group on S&T under IRIGC-TEC.
Technology Institutional mechanisms: Integrated Long
Term Programme (ILTP) and Basic Science
Cooperation Programme.
Initiatives: Traditional Knowledge Digital
Library (TKDL), GIAN, and Russia-India Net-
work (RIN) of Universities.
Cultural Co- A strong tradition of Indian studies in Russia.
operation Strong Russian interest in Indian dance, mu-
sic, yoga, and Ayurveda.
Challenges faced by India India-Russia relationship.
• Issues related to Defence – There has been a gradu-
al decline in the orders of India from Russia because
of India’s desire to diversify its defence imports from
other countries like Saudi Arabia, the USA, and Isra-
el.

• Russia’s apprehensions over India’s foreign policy –
Russian officials have repeatedly criticized the idea
of the Indo-Pacific and the Quad, arguing that it is
meant to contain China. Russia believes that India is
currently an object of the Western countries.
• The USA factor – The source of divergence between
Indian and Russian interests lies in the continuing
problems that Russia faces in its relations with the
US. The consequence of this confrontation is that
Moscow has increasingly leaned on China both for
support as well as a way to undermine American
power.
o Further, India also signed all the Foundation-
al agreements with the US. Such as LEMOA,
COMCASA, and BECA.
o Due to these developments, Russia changed
their decades-old policy and started sup-
plying China with weapon systems like the
Sukhoi 35 and the S-400 missile defence
system.
• The China Factor – Russia’s increasing bond with
China also to some extent brings strain to Indo-Rus-
sia relations.
• Failure of RIC -- Russia already proposed a Russia-In-
dia-China (RIC) forum of foreign ministers. However,
there has been no major diplomatic success for RIC
due to India’s unresolved issues with China.
• China-Russian ties are growing due to their shared
interest in opposing the US. The intense geostrategic
rivalry between China and the US in the region. Rus-
sia which opposes the US joined hands with China.
This is evident as Russia joined the Chinese One Belt
One Road initiative.
Way forward
• India has to rebuild on its strengths and common
concerns with the Russians.
• Both India and Russia have to identify their strengths
and common concerns like developing joint projects
in third countries. Such as the involvement of India
and Russia in the Rooppur nuclear plant project in
Bangladesh.
• India needs to deepen its scientific and technologi-
cal relations with Russia since a base for this already
exists.
• India can use some creative means to build a Rus-
sia-India-China (RIC) alliance.
• India needs to balance its relationship between
Russia, China and the US. This is essential after the
US conducted a Freedom of Navigation operation(-
FONOP) in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
Conclusion
On the whole, Both India and Russia will have to learn to
navigate their relationship amidst challenges emerging not
just from bilateral factors but also regional and global ones,
32 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
as both countries seek to strengthen their position at a time
of flux in the international order.
Insta Links:
• 30 years of Indo-Russian Friendship Treaty 1993
• India-Russia relations
Mains Links:
Q. What is the significance of Indo-US defence
deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with
reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (UPSC 2020)
Prelims Links:
Q. Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for
Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in
the Nuclear Field’ with which of the following countries?
(UPSC 2019)
(a) Japan
(b) Russia
(c) The United Kingdom
(d) The United States of America
Ans: B
Topics: Effect of policies and politics of developed and devel-
oping countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Topics: Important International institutions, agencies and
fora, their structure, mandate.
GENERAL STUDIES – 3
Topics: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mo-
bilization of resources, growth, development, and employ-
ment.
1. INDIA’S JOBS CRISIS
Context:
India is facing a jobs crisis, marked by low labour demand
for regular wage work.
Status of High unemployment rate in India:
• The unemployment rate in the country has consis-
tently increased over the last two decades - from
2% in 2010 to 5% in 2015 and 6.1% in 2018.
• According to the Center for Monitoring Indian Econ-
omy, it was over 7% for most of 2021 and 2022
• Over 42% of India’s graduates under 25 were un-
employed in 2021-22 as per the State of Working
India 2023.
• Despite a rise in GDP growth during the 2000s, the
employment growth rate remained unresponsive,
indicating a phenomenon of jobless growth

Types of Employment in India:
Types Description
Wage Em- Regular Wage Jobs: Formal, structured po-
ployment sitions with fixed salaries, found in govern-
ment organizations, private companies, and
multinational corporations.
Casual or Daily Wage Labor: Involves daily
wage labour, prevalent in sectors like con-
struction, agriculture, and unorganized la-
bour markets.
S e l f - E m - Entrepreneurship: Individuals engaged in
ployment entrepreneurial activities, running small
businesses or enterprises such as shops, lo-
cal services, or manufacturing units.
Farmers: Agriculture serves as a significant
source of self-employment, with individuals
owning and operating farms independently
or as part of a family-run enterprise.
Freelancing and Informal Work: Reflects the
gig economy trend, with individuals working
as freelancers, consultants, or in part-time
roles.
Causes for high unemployment rate:
• Structural shortfalls:
o In the past 40 years, economic growth in India
has aided a structural shift away from agricul-
tural jobs.
o However, this has mainly moved to construc-
tion and not to high-value sectors such as man-
ufacturing or services.
o In the non-farm sector, the link between GDP
growth and the pace of job creation has weak-
ened over time, leading to rising unemploy-
ment.
• Shortfalls with social infrastructure:
o While India has made huge progress in improv-
ing its physical infrastructure, it has fallen be-
hind on human infrastructure like education
and skills.
• Urban-rural disparity:
o Physical infrastructure investments are focused
more on urban areas, which benefited in the
1990s.
o However, from 2000 onwards, with the pace of
de-urbanisation of manufacturing gathering
momentum, the manufacturing sector is mi-
grating away from urban to rural areas to re-
main cost-competitive.
o However, poor physical and human infrastruc-
ture in rural areas has constrained the growth
drivers and limited the size of the manufactur-
ing sector in India.
• Education-skills mismatch:
o Jobs catering to the qualifications of graduates
who have studied subjects like agriculture, his-
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Current Affairs 30
tory, English, philosophy and communication
are difficult, and increasingly impossible, to
come by.
o On the one hand, the young find themselves
overqualified for manual labour jobs. On the
other, they lack the technical skills required for
high-paying jobs in IT and professional services.
 In the absence of suitable employment
in the private sector for this section,
many turn to government jobs.
 However, a rapid increase in the supply
of educated youth, coupled with a grad-
ual reduction of public-sector vacancies
has resulted in stiff competition for even
the most junior positions in government
offices.
Jobless Growth in India:
• Two types of jobless growth in India:
o Weak Responsiveness: Automation and
tech introduction lead to jobless growth, but
increasing GDP can still boost employment.
o High Responsiveness: In India, labour pro-
ductivity growth is strongly linked to output
growth. So even though GDP increases, out-
put will increase only if labour productivity
increases.
Social Impact of Unemployment in India:
Social Impact Details
M a r g i n a l i s a - Prolonged unemployment leads to the
tion of People erosion of skills, reducing employability
even when jobs become available. Per-
petuates a cycle of joblessness as skills
diminish over time.
Social Unrest High unemployment can result in dis-
satisfaction, social unrest, and various
forms of manifestation such as protests,
crime rates, and civil unrest.
Migration High unemployment often drives ru-
ral-to-urban migration in search of bet-
ter opportunities. This migration can
strain urban infrastructure, leading to
the development of slums and inade-
quate living conditions.
Impact on Edu- Financial struggles due to high unem-
cation ployment may deter families from in-
vesting in education. Immediate earning
potential may take precedence over ed-
ucation, perpetuating a cycle of limited
opportunities for future generations.

Disproportion- Disadvantaged groups like youth, wom-
ate Impact on en, rural labourers, minorities, and
Social Groups scheduled castes are disproportionate-
ly affected by unemployment. - Exacer-
bates existing inequalities in society.
I n c r e a s e d Lack of lawful income sources due to
Crime unemployment can drive individuals to-
ward illegal activities. Unemployment is
linked to higher crime rates in affected
areas.
Various Approaches to growth and employment:
Aspect Details
K e y n e s i a n Emphasizes aggregate demand as the key
Theory factor influencing employment. Fiscal poli-
cy is seen as a tool to boost labour demand
by stimulating output.
M a h a l a n o - Identifies availability of capital goods as
bis Strategy the primary constraint on output and em-
ployment. Advocates for policies promot-
ing heavy industrialization.
Structuralist Based on experiences of developing coun-
Theories tries, highlights agrarian and balance of
payment constraints on output. This led
to significant policy debates in India during
the 1970s and early 1990s.
C o m m o n Across these frameworks, increasing the
Presumption output growth rate in the non-agricultur-
al sector was believed to be sufficient for
boosting employment growth in the formal
sector.
Contempo- Recognition that addressing the employ-
rary Chal- ment challenge requires a separate policy
lenge focus on employment, not just relying on
more rapid GDP growth.
Measures to address unemployment:
• India needs good infrastructure, both physical and hu-
man, to create more jobs.
• There has to be a convergence in the paths of urbani-
sation and industrialisation to streamline job creation.
• Tier II cities should be focused as these new cities have
the potential to generate 70% of the country’s new jobs
and GDP over the next 20 years.
• National Employment Policy (NEP): Implement a fo-
cused policy considering both the demand and supply
sides. Enhance workforce quality, bridge skills gaps, and
create public jobs.
• Urban MGNREGA: Introduce an urban version to pro-
vide income security for informal jobs and create public
assets in urban areas.
• Industrialization and Agricultural Investment: Rapid in-
dustrialization and increased investment in agriculture
create more jobs and boost productivity.
• Diversify Agriculture and Promote Agro-Processing:
34 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
Shift to labour-intensive crops, promote agro-processing
for export, reduce wastage, and increase value addition.
• Expand Education and Healthcare: Enhance human cap-
ital through education and healthcare expansion, pro-
viding employment in the social sector.
• Reform Education, Provide Vocational Training: Im-
prove skills and employability through education system
reforms and vocational/technical training.
Conclusion
More than 50% of India’s population is below the
age of 25 and more than 65% Is below the age of 35. India’s
young demographic is an asset in an ageing world. This clear-
ly presents the case for India to address the jobless growth
scenario.
Mains Links:
Q. Most of the unemployment in India is structural in nature.
Examine the methodology adopted to compute unemploy-
ment in the country and suggest improvements. (UPSC 2023)
Prelims Links:
Q. Disguised unemployment generally means (UPSC
2013)
(a) a large number of people remain unemployed
(b) alternative employment is not available
(c) the marginal productivity of labour is zero
(d) productivity of workers is low
Ans: C
2. INDIAN LABOUR DEMAND IN FOREIGN
COUNTRY
Context:
The article is in continuation to the previous article pub-
lished two days ago on India’s jobs crisis.
Recent Developments Regarding Rising Demand for Indian
Labour:
Rising De- Developed countries face labour shortages
mand for In- due to rising costs and inflation.
dian Labour
Countries Greece (for seasonal agricultural workers),
Seeking In- Italy (for municipal bodies), Israel (42,000
dian Work- workers, potential expansion), France
ers (agreement in 2018), and a recent partner-
ship with Italy.
Reasons for Greece facing a shortage of 70,000 work-
Demand ers for agricultural production. Italy needs
workers for municipal roles in depopulated
towns. Israel seeking foreign workers to fill
90,000 jobs previously held by Palestinians.
Status:
As per recent government data, there are around 13 mil-
 Current Affairs 30
lion Indian nationals abroad including labourers, profession- high-end services, challenging conventional economic ap-
als, and experts. The highest being in UAE (around 35 lakhs) proaches.

Government Steps: What is Inclusive growth?

Steps Inclusive growth, as defined by OECD and UNDP, refers to
fair economic growth that involves and benefits all seg-
Pravasi Skill development initiative by the Ministry
ments of society, ensuring equal opportunities and out-
Kaushal Vi- of External Affairs in partnership with the
comes irrespective of socio-economic factors.
kas Yojana Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepre-
(PKVY) neurship. Focuses on training and certifying
the Indian workforce for overseas employ-
ment.
Skill India The government announced 30 SIICS in
Internation- the 2023-24 Budget. Provides destina-
al Centres tion-based skilling, re-skilling, immigration
(SIICS) assistance, and post-placement support.
Offers domain skills training on internation-
al standards and pre-departure orientation
training (PDOT).
L a b o u r India has signed 17 agreements with vari-
Agreements ous countries between 2015 and 2023 to
facilitate the movement of labour

Benefits of Sending Indian Labor Overseas:

Benefits for
India
Experience Overseas labour migration provides inter-
national experience to labourers
Incomes Workers in developed countries earn
higher wages, returning with savings that
can be utilized to build assets in India (Re-
mittances). The vast labour surplus mini-
mizes the impact of shortages.
Goodwill Skilled Migrant labourers act as informal
ambassadors of India
However, sending Indian labour overseas is not a compre-
hensive solution to India’s unemployment problem. The
current composition of the workforce, with over 57% being
self-employed, highlights the necessity for creating more
gainful employment opportunities. What is needed is for
India to take action by concurrently concentrating on job
creation domestically and bolstering diplomatic efforts to
promptly address challenges encountered by Indian workers
abroad.
Topics: Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
3. A NEW ECONOMICS FOR INCLUSIVE
GROWTH
Context:
The article is based on the book “Breaking the Mould: Re-
imagining India’s Economic Future” and recommends de-
parting from manufacturing and prioritizing the export of
India’s post-reform era, characterized by economic liber-
alization and globalization, has seen significant economic
growth. However, this growth has not always translated into
robust employment generation.
Factors that hindered India’s employment growth during
the post-reform era:
• Structural issues: India’s economy continues to be
characterized by a large informal sector with limited
job security and social benefits. This has hindered
inclusive employment growth as a significant por-
tion of the workforce remains vulnerable.
o E.g. 80 % workforce is employed in the in-
formal sector.
• Skill mismatch: The skill gap between the education
system and industry requirements has led to unem-
ployment among the youth. India’s education sys-
tem often fails to equip students with the practical
skills demanded by the job market.
• E.g. Only 2.5% of engineers in India possess
artificial intelligence skills while only 5.5% are
qualified with basic programming abilities.
• Labour market regulations: Labour market regula-
tions and inflexibilities have impeded employment
growth. Stringent labour laws, although intended to
protect workers, can discourage formal job creation,
making employers hesitant to hire.
o Example: The Industrial Disputes Act and

35 www.insightsonindia.com

other labour laws.
• Technological disruption: The job market in India is
outgrowing traditional job roles with the advent of
new-age tech and in the next five years, 40% of Indi-
an employees will need reskilling and 60% will need
to upskill to be market-ready.
• Gender Disparities: Gender disparities in employ-
ment persisted, with women often facing limited
access to job opportunities, wage gaps, and social
barriers to workforce participation.
o E.g. decline in female labour force partici-
pation rate from 34.8% in 1990 to 20.3% in
2020.
• Public Sector Employment: The expansion of pub-
lic sector employment, a traditional source of stable
jobs, slowed down due to fiscal constraints, reducing
opportunities for government jobs. E.g. Increased
disinvestment and Privatisations of PSUs.
• Slow Industrialization: The pace of industrialization
and the growth of labour-intensive manufacturing
industries, crucial for absorbing a sizable workforce,
lagged behind the demand.
o Although the service sector expanded, it
mainly generated employment in special-
ized fields like IT and business process out-
sourcing (BPO), excluding a significant por-
tion of the workforce.
Measures to be taken:
Measures Description
Rethinking of Consider reevaluating the traditional in-
Developmen- dustry-led growth model and exploring
tal Models an agri-centric model to create more em-
ployment in agriculture.
Shift Focus Move away from policies solely focused
on building the manufacturing sector and
instead prioritize exporting high-end ser-
vices.
Localized Eco- Promote economic activity in rural ar-
nomic Activity eas and around farms through small, la-
bour-intensive enterprises for processing
agricultural produce.
Decentraliza- Promote the decentralization of indus-
tion of Indus- tries to ensure rural areas benefit from
tries development and reduce migration pres-
sure on urban jobs.
Equipping Ed- Provide education that aligns with mar-
ucation Re- ket demand, emphasizing vocational and
quired by In- technical education to improve employ-
dustry ability.
Investment in Invest in infrastructure development,
Infrastructure which can serve as an engine for job cre-
ation.
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Current Affairs 30
S u p p o r t Avoid neglecting the small-scale and in-
Small-Scale formal manufacturing sector, recognizing
Manufactur- its importance in providing employment
ing opportunities.
Cluster De- Encourage cluster development to sup-
velopment of port job creation in micro, small, and me-
MSMEs dium enterprises (MSMEs) concentrated
in specific geographic areas.
The World Economic Forum suggests boosting social inclu-
sion and economic growth through three practical ways:
1. Increase investment in citizens’ capabilities to
lift productivity growth.
2. Upgrade national rules and institutions relat-
ed to work, in collaboration with governments,
employers’ organizations, and workers’ organi-
zations.
3. Increase investment in labour-intensive eco-
nomic sectors with broader societal benefits, in-
cluding sustainable infrastructure, care sectors,
rural economy, and education.
Conclusion
The government has taken various steps to tackle the issue
of unemployment. Schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kaushal
Vikas Yojana, Apprentice Protsahan Yojana, The National
Career Service etc. are welcome steps in this regard
Insta links:
• Inclusive growth and issues arising from it
Topics: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the
country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems
storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce
and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid
of farmers.
4. PRIMARY AGRICULTURAL CREDIT SOCI-
ETIES (PACS) IN INDIA
Context:
The Ministry of Cooperation has introduced Model Bye-Laws
to revitalize Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS).
What are Model Bye-Laws?
The Model Bye-Laws empower PACS to diversify by engag-
ing in over 25 business activities, including dairy, fishery,
godowns, credit services, and more. Provisions ensure inclu-
sive membership with adequate representation for women
and Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes. These guidelines
aim to govern the grassroots functioning of PACS, outlining
their structure and operations. The purpose is to enhance
economic viability and expand their role in rural areas.

Status of PACS in India:
• With approximately 13 crore farmers as members,
PACS are integral to the country’s three-tier Short-
term cooperative credit system.
About PACS:
• Established in 1904, PACS contribute significantly to
financial inclusion with minimal paperwork, facili-
tating timely access to capital for farmers.
Role of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) for Ru-
ral and Agricultural Development in India:
Role Description
F i n a n c i a l It is a village-level institution that works di-
Inclusion rectly with rural residents. It encourages
agriculturists to save, accepts deposits from
them, makes loans to deserving borrowers,
and collects repayments.
Extending PACS have the capacity to extend credit with
Credit minimal paperwork within a short time.
K i s a n The KCC scheme, launched by the govern-
C r e d i t ment, is facilitated through PACS. It provides
Card (KCC) farmers with a simplified credit card to ac-
Scheme cess short-term credit for crop cultivation
and allied activities. (e.g., they account for
41% of all KCC loans.)
P ro v i d i n g It supplies agricultural inputs like fertilizers,
Agricultur- seeds, insecticides, and implements to farm-
al Inputs ers.
Supporting Among these KCC loans provided by PACS,
Small and a remarkable 95% (approximately 3 crore
M a r g i n a l farmers) are availed by Small and Marginal
Farmers farmers through PACS.
Marketing PACS assist farmers in the marketing of their
of Agricul- agricultural produce and provides support
tural Pro- in finding better markets, thereby improving
duce farmers’ income and reducing dependency
on middlemen. (e.g., in Kerala, PACS play an
active role in marketing cash crops like rub-
ber and spices.)
37 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
T r a i n i n g PACS conduct various training programs and
and Capac- workshops to enhance the financial litera-
ity Building cy and awareness of farmers, empowering
them to make informed financial decisions.
(e.g., in Maharashtra, training programs on
modern agricultural practices, organic farm-
ing, etc.)
Issues with PACS:
• Inadequate Coverage: Coverage is low in some ar-
eas, especially in the north-east. Only 50% of rural
households are covered as members.
• Inadequate Resources: PACS resources are insuffi-
cient for the short- and medium-term credit needs
of the rural economy.
• Overdue and NPAs: RBI reports lending of Rs
1,43,044 crore and NPAs of Rs 72,550 crore.
o Overdue hamper the circulation of loanable
funds, diminish borrowing and lending pow-
er and tarnish the image of societies.
Initiatives taken to strengthen the functioning and effec-
tiveness of PACS in India:
• Computerisation: The budget 2023 has announced
Rs 2,516 crore for Computerisation of 63,000 Prima-
ry Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) over the next
five years, with the aim of bringing greater transpar-
ency and accountability in their operations and en-
abling them to diversify their business and under-
taking more activities.
• Credit Linkage with NABARD: PACS are linked to the
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Develop-
ment (NABARD), enabling them to access financial
resources and expertise for better functioning.
• Making PACS multidimensional: The model bylaws,
prepared by the Ministry of Cooperation after con-
sultation with all stakeholders, will enable PACS to
diversify its business by undertaking more than 25
different economic activities, including, dairy, fish-
eries, godowns, custom hiring centres, fair price
shops, LPG/diesel/petrol distributorship, etc.
• Multistate Cooperative Societies have been formed
for seeds, marketing of organic farming and export
of farmers’ produce.
• Common Service Centres (CSCs): Delivery of CSC
services through PACS is a big step towards strength-
ening them, which will allow PACS to provide facili-
ties like Common Service Centres in the country and
its benefits will reach crores of people living in rural
areas in the country.
Conclusion
PACS form the bedrock of India’s cooperative movement,
and continuous efforts are essential to enhance their viabili-
ty and contribute to sustainable rural and agricultural devel-
opment.

Mains Links
Q.“In the villages itself no form of credit organization will
be suitable except the cooperative society.” – All India Ru-
ral Credit Survey. Discuss this statement in the background
of agricultural fi nance in India. What constraints and chal-
lenges do financial institutions supplying agricultural fi
nance face? How can technology be used to better reach
and serve rural clients? (UPSC 2014)
Q1. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2020)
1. In terms of short-term credit delivery to the agricul-
ture sector, District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs)
deliver more credit in comparison to Scheduled Com-
mercial Banks and Regional Rural Banks.
2. One of the most important functions of DCCBs is to
provide funds to the Primary Agricultural Credit Soci-
eties.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: B
Q2. With reference to ‘Urban Cooperative Banks’ in India,
consider the following statements: (UPSC 2021)
They are supervised and regulated by local boards set up
by the State Governments.
They can issue equity shares and preference shares.
They were brought under the purview of the Banking Reg-
ulation Act, 1949 through an Amendment in 1966.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: B
5. GLOBAL AGRIFOOD SYSTEMS
Context:
A recent FAO report (The State of Food and Agriculture 2023)
exposes the hidden costs of unsustainable global agrifood
systems, exceeding $10 trillion and constituting 11% of GDP
in middle-income countries like India.
Major points of the report:
Key Points Description
Economic Im- In middle-income countries like India,
pact these costs of unsustainable agrifood
systems manifest as higher poverty, en-
vironmental harm, and health-related
impacts such as undernourishment and
unhealthy dietary patterns, which ac-
count for nearly 11% of GDP
38 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
Unsustainable The report attributes escalating costs to
Practices “unsustainable business-as-usual activi-
ties and practices,” urging a transforma-
tion in agrifood systems.
Monocropping Mainstreaming monocropping and
and Chemi- chemical-intensive farming practices,
cal-Intensive as seen in India’s Green Revolution,
Farming contributed to environmental harm and
compromised nutritional needs.
Privatization The privatization and deregulation of ag-
and Deregula- ricultural inputs, along with a focus on
tion rice and wheat procurement, increased
indebtedness among farmers in India.
Global Trade Global trade relations historically influ-
Impact enced food production systems in the
Global South, impacting farmers’ income
and local food security.
Recommendations
Systemic Shift The report emphasizes a systemic shift
from Local to from local to global value chains, sug-
Global gesting that local efforts, such as crop di-
versification, are essential.
Crop Diversi- Diversified multi-cropping systems root-
fication Solu- ed in agroecology principles as a solution
tions to revitalize degraded land, improve soil
health, and enhance biodiversity.
E.g., ‘akkadi saalu’: It involves intercrop-
ping with a combination of legumes, puls-
es, oilseeds, trees, shrubs, and livestock
E c o n o m i c Transitioning to diversified farming prac-
Modeling tices can improve farm incomes in the
short and long run.
S y s t e m a t i c The transition from high-input monocul-
Transition ture to diversified cropping should be
systematic, allowing farmers to adjust
gradually and addressing challenges re-
lated to seeds, market access, and farm
labour.
Collaboration Scaling up these practices requires col-
and Scaling Up laboration among institutions, policy-
makers, and social groups to provide
economic incentives for farmers and fa-
cilitate the transition.
Previously, in the Status of Women In Agri-food Systems,
FAO had suggested:
• Women need more access to and control over live-
stock, water, seeds, land, technology, and finance.
• Eliminating discrimination by engaging with men
and boys.
Some best practices from India:
• In Tamil Nadu, women involved in fishing-related
work had wider social networks and a greater adap-

tive capacity to seasonal stresses.
• The MGNREG Scheme stipulates the provision of
crèche facilities for young children for women in-
volved in the schemes.
• In northern India, participatory village commit-
tees addressing water access, health and nutrition
issues have facilitated shifts in discriminatory norms,
enabling women to speak in front of men and take
on public roles.
What is an agrifood system?
An agrifood system encompasses the entire process of pro-
ducing, processing, distributing, and consuming food. It in-
cludes agricultural activities, food production, supply chains,
and the socio-economic factors influencing food choices,
aiming to ensure sustainable and equitable access to nutri-
tious food for the population.
Need for adopting a sustainable agrifood system:
Need Description
1. Rising De- The increasing global demand necessi-
mand for tates sustainable systems for consistent
Food food production to meet the needs of a
growing population.
2. Environ- Widespread environmental harm from
mental Deg- unsustainable practices underscores
radation the urgency to transition to sustainable
methods to mitigate further harm to the
environment.
3. Climate Sustainable practices are crucial to adapt-
Change Chal- ing to these challenges and reducing the
lenges sector’s contribution to climate change.
4. Recog- GIAHS-recognized practices in India, like
nition of Pokkali rice and Kuttanad Farming, high-
Sustainable light climate-resilient and sustainable ag-
Practices in ricultural methods, showcasing the impor-
India tance of adopting such practices globally.
Government Initiatives for sustainable Agrifood system:
1. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund: Created to build
farm gates and agriculture marketing infrastruc-
ture in rural areas. It provides interest subsidies
and credit guarantees to entrepreneurs, reducing
post-harvest losses.
2. Water Use Efficiency Scheme: Launched to increase
water use efficiency at the farm level. Establishes
a dedicated micro-irrigation fund for implementing
micro-irrigation technologies.
3. Crop Varieties Development: Developed 262 abiotic
stress-tolerant varieties of different crops.
4. Food-Based Safety Net Programs: Operates the
world’s largest food-based safety net programs --
Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS)
5. International Year of Millets:
6. Promotion of Millets: The UN recognized India’s
39 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
proposal to celebrate the year 2023 as the ‘Interna-
tional Year of Millets.’
Insta Links:
Scheme for Women Farmers
Mains Links:
Q. How far is the Integrated Farming System (IFS) helpful in
sustaining agricultural production? ( UPSC 2019)
Q. What are the reformative steps taken by the Govern-
ment to make the food grain distribution system more effec-
tive? (UPSC 2019)
Prelims Links
Q. What are the significances of a practical approach to
sugarcane production known as the ‘Sustainable Sugar-
cane Initiative’? (UPSC 2014)
1. Seed cost is very low in this compared to the conven-
tional method of cultivation.
2. Drip irrigation can be practised very effectively in this.
3. There is no application of chemical/inorganic fertilizers
at all in this.
4. The scope for intercropping is more in this compared
to the conventional method of cultivation.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: B
Topics: Land reforms in India.
6. DILRMP: DIGITIZATION OF LAND RE-
CORDS
Context:
The article discusses India’s initiative to digitize land records,
emphasizing the benefits and challenges associated with this
process.
What is Digitization of Land Records?
Digitization of land records involves the conversion of phys-
ical land ownership documents and records into digital for-
mats. This process aims to create a more efficient, transpar-
ent, and accessible system for managing and maintaining
information about land ownership, transactions, and related
details.
Benefits/Challenges of Digitization of Land Records: Same
as benefits of DILRMP (given below)
About DILRMP:
Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DIL-
RMP) was launched by the Government of India in August

2008, initially named NLRMP.
About NLRMP
It was initiated by the Government of India in 2008, and
aimed to modernize the land records system and implement
conclusive land-titling with a title guarantee. In 2016, it was
revamped and renamed as DILRMP under Digital India, now
a central sector scheme with 100% funding by the Centre.
Objective: The objective of the programme was to stream-
line and reduce the scope of land and property disputes,
thereby improving transparency in the maintenance of land
records.
Benefits of DILRMP:
Benefits Details
1. Promote Eliminates discrepancies, errors, and
Transparency fraud associated with manual re-
cord-keeping.
Provides accurate and up-to-date in-
formation on ownership, transactions,
boundaries, and encumbrances.
Enhances transparency and accountabili-
ty in land administration.
2. Reduce Cor- Automates processes, reducing human
ruption intervention.
Creates an audit trail and tamper-proof
records, discouraging document forgery
or manipulation.
3. Promote Facilitates access to credit for rural land-
Rural Devel- owners.
opment Allows financial institutions to assess
land ownership and value efficiently for
transparent loan processes.
Enables better land-use planning by pro-
viding accurate data for informed deci-
sion-making.
Supports government initiatives in rural
development, ensuring efficient execu-
tion of programs.
4. Other Ben- Expedites dispute resolution by providing
efits swift access to pertinent information.
Helps relieve court burdens and conserve
time and resources in resolving land dis-
putes. A NITI Aayog paper suggests that
land disputes on average take about 20
years to be resolved
Preserves land records in digital formats,
reducing susceptibility to physical damage
or loss.
Mitigates the risk of losing critical land
information in natural disasters or acci-
dents.
40 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
Components of DILRMP:
• Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN):
An Aadhar-like identification for a land parcel or
plot. Each land parcel or plot is assigned a unique
identification number.
• National Generic Document Registry System (NG-
DRS) — One Nation One Registration Software Sys-
tem: It is a software application platform that facil-
itates online registration of immovable properties
and documents as compared to the manual registra-
tion process used earlier.
• Transliterating the land records in any language un-
der Schedule VIII of the Constitution to break the
linguistic barriers in land records.
Other Schemes for land modernization:
• SVAMITVA scheme: The scheme seeks to confer
land titles in unmapped and inhabited parts of rural
India and to distribute property cards in villages.
• PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan: Coordinate in-
frastructure development using digital land records.
• Bhoomi Project (Karnataka): Digitize land records
for efficient management and accessibility.
• Bhulekh (Uttar Pradesh): Digitization and computer-
ization of land records.
• Dharani (Telangana): Online management of agri-
cultural and non-agricultural land records.
• e-Dharti (Haryana): Online access to land records,
reduction of manual processes.
• Bhu-Adhikar (Maharashtra): Digitize land records
and streamline land administration.
Challenges Ahead:
Challenges Details
1. Lack of It is a major barrier to ensuring regular up-
Manpower dating of land records.
2. Structural India has a system of registered sale
Issue deeds rather than land titles.
Land ownership is established through
multiple documents maintained by dif-
ferent departments, making access cum-
bersome.
The high cost of property registration
leads to people avoiding transactions.
Under the Registration Act, 1908, registra-
tion is not mandatory for certain trans-
actions, adding complexity to the system.
3. Slow Prog- No state/UT has the facility for online
ress modification of records on the same day
as registration, indicating slow progress.
 Current Affairs 30

4. Weak Link- Disjointed communication between rev- Prelims Links:

age enue and survey departments results in Q. With reference to land reforms in independent India,
disparities between textual and spatial which one of the following statements is correct? (UPSC
land records. 2019)
Raises the risk of legal conflicts regarding (a) The ceiling laws were aimed at family holdings and not
boundary definitions and land area. individual holdings.
(b) The major aim of land reforms was providing agricultur-
Hinders the goal of maintaining precise
al land to all the landless.
and up-to-date land records.
(c) It resulted in cultivation of cash crops as a predominant
form of cultivation.
Way Forward:
(d) Land reforms permitted no exemptions to the ceiling
• Legislative reforms: an important legislative reform
limits.
missing in the land record modernization efforts of
Ans: B
the government is a revamp of the process of docu-
ment registration, which continues to be governed
Topics: Conservation related issues, environmental pollution
by a colonial-era law enacted in 1908.
and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
• Promoting uniform approach: The government
needs to make necessary steps to promote a uniform
approach across the centre/State and between dif- 7. WORLD SOIL DAY: SOIL DEGRADATION
ferent departments
• Transition plan: Considering the digital divide in Context:
India, the government should chalk out a transition The article emphasizes the importance of preserving and re-
plan to implement such reforms aimed at shifting storing soil health for a sustainable future, especially given
from physical to online registration. the threats posed by human activities and decreasing soil
productivity.
Conclusion
Effective land records are imperative for a harmonious so- How Soil is formed?
ciety. Such systems offer clear ownership, reduce disputes, Soil formation involves the gradual breakdown of rocks and
promote transparency in real estate, increase tax revenue, the incorporation of organic material, leading to a medium
aid infrastructure development, and support the poor in pro- that sustains plant and animal life.
viding land ownership
Primary Factors of Soil Formation:
More About ULPIN: Factors Description Example
The Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (“ULPIN”) 1. Parent Ma- Refers to the original Limestone par-
is a 14-digit identification number for every parcel of land terial rock or organic mate- ent material
in India. Being described as “Aadhar for Land”, it is a num- rial undergoing weath- leads to alkaline
ber that would uniquely identify every surveyed parcel of ering to form soil. It soils, while gran-
land. It is part of DILRMP. influences soil fertility, ite leads to acidic
texture, and structure. soils.
ULPIN is regarded as a digital revolution in land ownership 2. Climate Temperature and pre- Tropical climates
for the following reasons: cipitation play a crucial with high tem-
• The identification is based on the longitude and lati- role. Temperature af- peratures and
tude coordinates of the land parcel. fects weathering rates, rainfall lead to
• The identification is based on detailed surveys. and precipitation in- rapid weather-
• This is to help develop land banks and lead towards fluences soil moisture ing and nutrient
an Integrated Land Information Management System and erosion. leaching, re-
(ILIMS). sulting in nutri-
ent-poor soils.
Insta Links: 3. Living Or- Flora, fauna, and mi- Earthworms aer-
• SVAMITVA Scheme ganisms croorganisms contrib- ate the soil and
ute by decomposing contribute to
Mains Links: organic matter, enrich- nutrient cycling,
Q. Discuss the role of land reforms in agricultural develop- ing soil with nutrients, enhancing soil
ment Identify the factors that were responsible for the suc- and influencing soil fertility.
cess of land reforms in India. (UPSC 2016) structure.

41 www.insightsonindia.com
 Current Affairs 30

4. Topography Landscape shape and Steep slopes of- d. Price Fluctua- Reduced agricultural productivity can
slope impact water ten have thinner tions lead to higher food prices, dispropor-
drainage, sunlight ex- soils due to in- tionately affecting low-income popu-
posure, and erosion, creased erosion, lations.
affecting soil develop- while flat areas e. Increased Risk Extreme cases, like in the Horn of
ment. may have thicker, of Famine Africa, may witness soil degradation
more developed contributing to famine when com-
soils. bined with other factors.
5. Time Soil formation is a slow Older soils typ- 3. For Biodiversity
process, and time de- ically have
a. Loss of Habitat Soil degradation contributes to hab-
termines the maturity well-defined lay-
itat loss, notably in regions like the
of the soil. Soils under- ers or horizons,
Amazon rainforest.
go changes and reach each with dis-
different stages of de- tinct characteris- b. Reduced Plant Poor soil health negatively impacts
velopment. tics. Diversity plant diversity, influencing the entire
ecosystem.
Implications of Soil Degradation: c. Altered Ecosys- Degraded soils affect water regula-
Implications Description tem Services tion and purification, disrupting local
ecosystems.
1. For Agriculture
d. Increased Inva- Weakened ecosystems become more
a. Reduced Crop Soil degradation lowers fertility, lead-
siveness of Spe- susceptible to invasive species, im-
Yields ing to decreased crop yields, as seen
cies pacting local biodiversity.
in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.
e. Pollinator De- Soil degradation affects flowering
b. Increased Irriga- Degraded soils often have reduced
cline plants, contributing to the decline of
tion Needs water retention, necessitating more
pollinator species such as bees.
irrigation, contributing to over-reli-
ance on water resources in areas like
Remedial Measures:
California.
Scientists recommend soil-centric agriculture:
c. Pest and Dis- Poor soil health creates susceptibility • Adopt conservation practices: no-till, residue mulch,
ease Increase to pests and diseases, particularly in crop rotations, and integrated crops with trees and
monoculture practices. livestock.
d. Soil Erosion Intensive farming practices contrib- • Discourage broadcasting fertilizers; promote
ute to soil erosion, exemplified by seed-cum-fertilizer drill machines for water efficien-
the Dust Bowl in the U.S. during the cy.
1930s. • Use cover crops, mulching, and agroforestry; adopt
e. Increased Costs Farmers incur higher costs for fertil- smart soil solutions like Bhoomitra and Krishi-RAS-
izers and soil amendments to com- TAA.
pensate for poor soil quality, affecting • Promote practices enhancing sequestration and
economic sustainability. crop diversification.
• Eliminate farm residue burning; adopt direct-seed-
2. For Food Security
ed and aerobic rice.
a. Vulnerability to Degraded soils are less resilient to cli- • Reduce chemical use; employ precision agriculture,
Climate Change mate shocks, posing a risk to food pro- digital innovations, robotics, and AI.
duction in regions prone to droughts • Practice carbon farming for emissions offset and soil
or floods. restoration.
b. Nutritional Soils lacking nutrients result in crops • Reclaim saline, alkaline, and acidic soils; use micro-
Quality Decline with lower nutritional value, impact- nutrients and biofertilizers.
ing human health. • Mechanize deep placement of fertilizers for efficien-
c. Dependency on Countries facing severe soil degra- cy.
Imports dation may become more reliant on • Integrate nutrient management using organic and
food imports, observed in some Mid- mineral fertilizers for improved soil health.
dle Eastern nations. • Use happy turbo seeder for in situ straw conserva-
tion and increased SOC.
• Water Conservation Techniques: Using drip irriga-
tion and rainwater harvesting can reduce water
waste and improve soil quality.

42 www.insightsonindia.com

• Integrated Pest Management: Reducing chemical
use and encouraging biological pest control can
help maintain soil health.
• Education and Policy Support: Educating farmers
about sustainable practices and providing policy
support for sustainable agriculture can help in long-
term soil conservation.
Case Study: The Loess Plateau Restoration, China
The Loess Plateau, located in northern China, is one of the
world’s most eroded regions. It was historically known
for its extremely fertile soil, but centuries of agricultural
overuse and deforestation led to severe soil erosion, re-
duced agricultural productivity, and widespread poverty.
The Restoration Project: In 1994, the Chinese government,
with support from the World Bank, initiated the Loess Pla-
teau Watershed Rehabilitation Project. The project’s goals
were: To reduce soil erosion, increase agricultural produc-
tivity and improve local incomes and living conditions.
Key strategies included:
• Terracing: Large areas were terraced to reduce
soil erosion and increase land for agriculture.
• Reforestation and Afforestation: Millions of trees
were planted to stabilize the soil and restore eco-
logical balance.
• Changing Agricultural Practices: Farmers were
taught sustainable agricultural practices, such as
crop rotation and the use of organic fertilizers.
• Restricting Grazing: Grazing was restricted in cer-
tain areas to allow vegetation to recover.
Results: The project was remarkably successful.
• By the mid-2000s: Soil erosion significantly de-
creased.
• Agricultural productivity improved, with marked
increases in crop yields.
• Biodiversity returned to previously degraded ar-
eas.
• The economic condition of local populations im-
proved, with significant reductions in poverty.
Conclusion:
India’s development trajectory must prioritize soil health as
a fundamental component of sustainable growth. By doing
so, the nation can ensure that future generations inherit fer-
tile and productive land, safeguarding both the environment
and its people’s well-being.
43 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
About World Soil Day (WSD):
It is observed annually on December 5, emphasising the
significance of healthy soil and advocating for sustainable
soil management. Proposed by the International Union of
Soil Sciences in 2002, it was formally established under
the Global Soil Partnership, with FAO’s support. The UN
General Assembly designated December 5, 2014, as the
first official World Soil Day, commemorating the late King
of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej’s commitment to sustain-
able soil management. The theme for this year is “Soil and
Water: A Source of Life.”
Insta Links:
Problems of Soil
8. GLACIER MELTING AND ITS IMPACTS
Context:
The World Meteorological Organization’s recent report, The
Global Climate 2011-2020, reveals a concerning trend of gla-
cier thinning, with an average reduction of about one meter
per year from 2011 to 2020.
Key findings of the report:
Key Implications
Findings
Te m p e r a - Atmospheric concentrations of major green-
ture Trends house gases (GHG) continued to rise, espe-
cially CO2, reaching over 413 ppm in 2020,
primarily due to fossil fuel combustion and
land-use changes.
Record high temperatures contribute to
extreme weather events, posing risks to
ecosystems, agriculture, and human popu-
lations.
O c e a n i c Accelerated ocean warming and acidifica-
Changes tion (with 90% of total accumulated heat
stored in the ocean) highlight the vulnerabil-
ity of marine ecosystems, necessitating con-
servation efforts.
M a r i n e Increased frequency of marine heatwaves
Heatwaves poses threats to marine life and ecosystems,
and Sea impacting fisheries and coastal communities.
Level Rise Accelerated sea level rise calls for adaptive
measures to protect coastal areas and vul-
nerable populations from potential flooding.
Global mean sea level rise accelerated to
4.5mm/yr from 2011-2020, mainly due to
ocean warming and ice mass loss

Glacier and Global glacier thinning impacts water supply,
Ice Sheet necessitating water resource management
Loss strategies in regions dependent on glacial
melt.
The significant loss of ice from Greenland
and Antarctica (lost 38% more ice compared
to 2001-2010) contributes to rising sea lev-
els, with implications for coastal regions.
The report warns of the rapid growth of
pro-glacial lakes, contributing to glacier
lake outburst floods (GLOF), with past inci-
dents, like the Uttarakhand floods
With current greenhouse gas emission rates,
glaciers may decline by 55% to 75%, impact-
ing freshwater supply significantly by 2050
Arctic Sea Ongoing Arctic Sea ice decline (30% below
Ice Decline the 1981-2010 average) underscores the vul-
nerability of polar regions to climate change
and its cascading effects globally.
Impact of Arctic and Antarctic Ice Melting:
Impact Implications
1. Impacts Rise in Sea Levels: Threatens coastal commu-
on Climate nities; IPCC projects significant sea level rise.
Albedo Effect Reduction: Loss of ice increas-
es solar radiation absorption, contributing to
planetary warming.
Disruption of Ocean Currents: Melting ice
disrupts thermohaline circulation, influencing
global climate patterns.
Release of Greenhouse Gases: Melting per-
mafrost releases methane, exacerbating glob-
al warming.
Increased Weather Extremes: Influences
jet streams, contributing to global extreme
weather events.
2. Impacts Habitat Loss for Species: Polar bears and pen-
on Marine guins face habitat loss, affecting populations
Life and distribution.
Changes in Marine Ecosystems: Altered tem-
perature and salinity levels impact marine
biodiversity, including plankton.
Ocean Acidification: Increased CO2 absorp-
tion leads to acidification, harming marine
life, especially shell-forming species.
Disruption of Food Chains: Changing ice con-
ditions affect algae and krill availability, essen-
tial for many marine species.
Increased Predation and Competition: Al-
ters marine ecosystem balance, leading to in-
creased competition and predation.
44 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
3. Impacts Coastal Infrastructure and Housing: Rising
on Global sea levels necessitate significant investments
Economy in coastal infrastructure adaptation.
Impact on Fisheries: Changes in marine eco-
systems affect global fisheries and dependent
economies.
Increased Insurance Costs: Extreme weather
events lead to higher insurance costs for busi-
nesses and governments.
New Shipping Routes: Melting ice opens new
Arctic shipping routes, altering global trade
patterns.
Agricultural Changes: Altered weather pat-
terns influence agricultural productivity, im-
pacting food prices and security.
Suggestions
1. Mitigating Climate Change:
a. International Agreements: Strengthening
commitments under the Paris Agreement.
For example, countries increasing their Na-
tionally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
to reduce emissions.
b. Renewable Energy Initiatives: Germany’s
Energiewende program, which aims to tran-
sition to renewable energy, serves as a mod-
el for reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
2. Protecting Marine Ecosystems
a. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): The estab-
lishment of the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park in Australia demonstrates effective
conservation of marine biodiversity.
b. Sustainable Fishing Practices: Norway’s im-
plementation of sustainable fishing quotas
and strict regulations to protect fish stocks.
3. Adapting Coastal Infrastructure
a. Flood Defense Systems: The Netherlands’
Delta Works, a series of dams and storm
surge barriers, exemplify advanced coastal
protection infrastructure.
b. Managed Retreat Strategies: The planned
relocation of the Alaskan village of Newtok
due to rising sea levels is an example of a
managed retreat.
4. Promoting Sustainable Economic Practices
a. Circular Economy Models: Japan’s focus on
recycling and waste reduction under the
concept of a “Sound Material-Cycle Soci-
ety.”
b. Green Bonds and Sustainable Investments:
The issuance of green bonds, such as those
by the World Bank, to fund environmental
projects.
5. Scientific Research and Monitoring
a. Polar Research Programs: The European
Space Agency’s CryoSat mission, monitor-
ing polar ice and snow, contributes valuable

data on ice melt and sea level rise.
b. Climate Research Institutes: The Scripps
Institution of Oceanography in the USA
conducts cutting-edge research on climate
change and its impacts.
c. There has been an increased focus on mon-
itoring Greenland’s ice loss through satellite
missions like NASA’s ICESat-2.
Conclusion
The melting of Arctic and Antarctic ice poses serious chal-
lenges to our global climate system, marine ecosystems,
and economies. However, these challenges also present op-
portunities to foster global cooperation, advance scientific
understanding, and implement innovative solutions.
About WMO (World Meteorological Organization) (found-
ed 1950; HQ: Geneva, Switzerland)
It is an Intergovernmental organization with 192 Member
States and Territories, including India. It is the specialized
agency of the United Nations for meteorology, operational
hydrology, and related geophysical sciences.
Mains Links:
Q. How do the melting of the Arctic ice and glaciers of the
Antarctic differently affect the weather patterns and human
activities on the Earth? Explain (UPSC 2021)
Prelims Links:
Q. Which of the following statements is/are correct about
the deposits of ‘methane hydrate’? (UPSC 2019)
1. Global warming might trigger the release of methane
gas from these deposits.
2. Large deposits of ‘methane hydrate’ are found in the
Arctic Tundra and under the sea floor.
3. Methane in the atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide
after a decade or two.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: D
9. IMPORTANT OUTCOMES OF COP28
Context:
Recently concluded COP28 to UNFCCC in Dubai, delivered
significant outcomes
What is COP28?
COP28 is the 28th annual United Nations (UN) climate
meeting, which took place from November 30 to December
12, 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). COP stands
for the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations
45 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
Framework Convention on Climate Change. The conference
is where governments discuss how to prepare for and limit
future climate change.
Important outcomes of COP28:
Highlights Description
Loss and Dam- COP28 countries agreed to launch the
age (L&D) Fund Loss and Damage (L&D) fund, hosted by
the World Bank for four years, aligning
with UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.
All developing countries are eligible,
and contributions are voluntary, with a
specific percentage earmarked for Least
Developed Countries and Small Island
Developing States.
Global Stock- COP28 released the fifth iteration of the
take Global Stocktake (GST), adopting eight
steps to limit global temperature rise to
1.5 degrees C. These steps include:
1. Tripling renewable energy capacity
by 2030 (to at least 11,000 GW
by 2030) and collectively double
the global energy efficiency im-
provements from around 2% to over
4% every year until 2030.
2. Phase-down of unabated coal pow-
er
3. Accelerating efforts globally to-
wards net zero by around mid-cen-
tury
4. Accelerating zero and low emis-
sions technologies e.g., Nuclear,
CCUS, Hydrogen
5. Transitioning away from fossil fu-
els in energy systems, in a just, or-
derly and equitable manner, so as to
achieve net zero by 2050
6. Reducing non-CO2 emissions e.g.,
methane emissions globally by 2030
7. Emissions reductions from road
transport
8. Phasing out of inefficient fossil
fuel subsidies
The text maintains continuity with
COP26, balancing global aspirations
while recognizing diverse energy needs

What is Global Stocktake?
Global stocktake is a process for coun-
tries to see where they’re collectively
making progress towards meeting the
goals of the Paris Agreement. As per the
Paris Agreement (2015), it was decided
that countries would assess their prog-
ress for the first time in 2023 and, then,
every five years.
It noted that there is a need to cut 43%
of GHG emissions by 2030, compared to
2019 levels and countries are off-track in
meeting their climate goals.
Global Cooling 66 national signatories committed to a
Pledge 68% reduction in cooling-related emis-
sions by 2050
Climate Finance UNCTAD estimates that developed na-
tions owe developing countries $500
billion in 2025 under the New Collec-
tive Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate
finance, confirmed in the Paris Agree-
ment.
The goal, starting at $100 billion annu-
ally, allocates $250 billion for mitigation,
$100 billion for adaptation, and $150 bil-
lion for loss and damage.
With the current $100 billion goal un-
met, developing countries face debt dis-
tress.
Global Goal Draft text introduced to enhance climate
on Adaptation change adaptation like Climate-Induced
(GGA) frame- Water Scarcity Reduction, Climate-re-
work silient food and Agriculture Production
and Strengthening Resilience Against
Climate-Related Health Impacts
Triple Nuclear The text calls to triple global nuclear en-
Energy ergy capacity by 2050
Powering Past PPCA, a coalition involving govern-
Coal Alliance ments, businesses, and organizations,
(PPCA) focuses on transitioning from unabated
coal power to clean energy. At COP28,
PPCA welcomed new national and sub-
national governments, advocating for
cleaner energy alternatives. India is not
part of PPCA as it has not committed to
phasing out of coal.
Coal Transition Introduced for knowledge-sharing and
Accelerator financial support in transitioning from
coal.
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Current Affairs 30
Coalition for 65 national governments signed com-
High Ambi- mitments for enhanced cooperation
tion Multilev- with subnational governments in cli-
el Partnership mate strategies.
(CHAMP)
Buildings The goal of the Buildings Breakthrough
Breakthrough Initiative is to make near-zero emis-
Initiative sions and resilient buildings the new
normal by 2030. The initiative is co-led
by France and the Kingdom of Moroc-
co, coordinated under the umbrella of
UNEP, and hosted by the Global Alliance
for Buildings and Construction (Global
ABC)
COP28 Shortcomings:
• Lacked clear timelines for fossil fuel phase-out
• Ambiguity in the tripling of renewable energy ca-
pacity, raising uncertainty
• Absence of specific measurement criteria for the
phase-down of coal
• Opposition from countries hindering progress on
methane emission cuts including India. India is not
a part of the Global Methane Pledge
• Challenges in meeting urgent climate action expec-
tations
• The global adaptation framework adopted lacks
financial provisions and requires further develop-
ment
• With the current $100 billion goal of Climate Finance
unmet, developing countries face debt distress
• Loopholes Criticized: Some stakeholders, includ-
ing the Alliance of Small Island States, criticize the
agreement for containing “a litany of loopholes,”
challenging its transformative potential.
• Compromise on Absolute Phase-Out: The absence
of language mandating an absolute phase-out of
hydrocarbons underscores the challenging negotia-
tions and compromises made to secure the agree-
ment.
• Call for Greater Ambition: Climate leaders like Man-
uel Pulgar-Vidal stress the need for enhanced am-
bition and implementation to limit global warming
effectively.
Azerbaijan and Brazil will host COP29 (2024) and COP30
(2025), respectively
India’s Stance:
India expressed dissatisfaction, particularly opposing meth-
ane emission mandates. India highlights the necessity of
using coal for developmental needs and emphasizes adher-
ence to nationally determined contributions (NDCs).
Initiatives India opposes for climate action:
1. Coal phase-out: Despite commitments to expand
non-fossil fuel and renewable energy, India stands
firm on not phasing out coal-generated electricity
in the near term.

2. Global Methane Pledge: Because of worries about
the potential effects on agriculture and the supply of
electricity, the nation has continuously opposed in-
ternational initiatives of the Global Methane Pledge.
3. Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge:
India did not join the “Global Renewables and Ener-
gy Efficiency Pledge” at COP28, emphasizing its own
climate equity concept that addresses unequal bur-
dens on nations.
4. Loss and Damage Fund: Citing historical responsi-
bility and objecting to the World Bank’s temporary
management of the fund, China and India both re-
fuse to contribute to the Loss and Damage Fund.
India’s climate action initiatives during the COP28 summit:
1. Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA): led by the Na-
tional Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the
Ministry of Jal Shakti, was launched at COP28.
a. It is a unique alliance covering 275+ glob-
al river cities in 11 countries, international
funding agencies and knowledge manage-
ment partners and is the first of its kind in
the world.
b. The launch of GRCA signifies a momentous
step in global efforts toward river conserva-
tion and sustainable water management.
2. Green Credit Initiative: The Initiative aims to cre-
ate a global trade forum facilitating the exchange of
innovative environmental programmes and instru-
ments.
a. The Green Credit Initiative, launched at
COP28, aligns with Mission LiFE which aims
to minimise per capita carbon footprint
by promoting mindful utilisation instead of
wasteful consumption.
3. LeadIT 2.0: launched at COP 28, focuses on co-de-
velopment and transfer of low-carbon technology
and financial assistance to emerging economies.
4. Green Development Pact: it provides pathways for
nations in their journey towards achieving energy,
climate, environment and disaster resilience-relat-
ed objectives.
a. Green Development Pact includes key am-
bitions such as tripling of global renewable
capacity by 2030.
Conclusion:
Developing nations urge wealthy countries to attain nega-
tive carbon emissions, not just reach net zero by 2050. They
assert that affluent nations, having used over 80% of the
global carbon budget, should grant developing nations their
equitable portion of future emissions. Emphasis is placed on
the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities
and respective capabilities (CBDR–RC) in the fight against
climate change.
Also, experts advocate for global financial architecture re-
form to address structural issues and support sustainable
development.
47 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
Insta Links:
• Climate Finance: ‘Loss and damage’ fund
• The Bonn Climate Change conference
Mains Links:
Q. Discuss global warming and mention its effects on the
global climate. Explain the control measures to bring down
the level of greenhouse gasses which cause global warming,
in the light of the Kyoto Protocol, 1997. (UPSC 2022)
Q. Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the
Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Frame-
work Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are
the commitments made by India in this conference? (2021)
10. ARCTIC REPORT CARD FOR 2023
Context:
The Arctic Report Card for 2023, published by NOAA, reveals
the Arctic experiencing its warmest summer on record, with
temperatures rising four times faster than elsewhere.
Key Highlights of the Report:
Key High- Details
lights
Record High The 2023 summer in the Arctic was the
Te m p e r a - warmest on record. The Arctic has warmed
tures nearly four times faster than the global av-
erage since 1979 due to climate change
Impact of Unprecedented wildfires occurred, leading
Rising Tem- to community evacuations. Decline in sea
peratures ice extent, severe floods, food insecurity,
and rising sea levels.
Direct impacts on ecosystems, human
health, and cultural practices.
Thawing of Warmer ocean temperatures accelerate the
Subsea Per- thawing of subsea permafrost.
mafrost The release of methane and carbon dioxide
contributes to global warming and exacer-
bates ocean acidification.
Food Inse- Western Alaska experienced significantly
curity Due reduced populations of Chinook and chum
to Salmon salmon. Populations were 81% and 92% be-
Decline low the 30-year mean, respectively.
Impact on Indigenous communities relying
on salmon for sustenance. Cultural, food se-
curity, and economic implications.
Wildfires in Canada witnessed its worst wildfire season
Arctic Re- on record, affecting 40% of its Arctic and
gions Northern land mass. High temperatures
and dry conditions led to over 10 million
acres burned in the Northwest Territories.
 Current Affairs 30

Glacier Rising temperatures caused dramatic thin- About NOAA:

Thinning ning of the Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska
and Flood- over the past 20 years. In August 2023, a
ing glacial lake burst through its ice dam, caus-
ing unprecedented flooding and severe
property damage in Alaska’s Juneau.
Greenland Despite above-average winter snow accu-
Ice Sheet mulation, the ice sheet lost roughly 350 tril-
Melting lion pounds of mass between August 2022
and September 2023. Greenland’s ice sheet
melting is the second-largest contributor to
sea-level rise.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(HQ: Washington, D.C.; Founded: 1970) is based scientific
and regulatory agency within the United States Depart-
ment of Commerce, a United States federal government
department.
About Arctic Report Card:
It is issued annually since 2006, and provides timely,
peer-reviewed information on the current state of various
components of the Arctic environmental system in com-
parison to historical records.

India’s engagement in the Arctic: Insta Link:

• India’s engagement with the Arctic began when it Arctic Report Card: The Arctic Is Becoming Wetter and
signed the Svalbard Treaty in February 1920 in Par- Stormier
is between Norway, the US, Denmark, France, Italy,
Japan, the Netherlands, Great Britain, and Ireland, Prelims Links:
and the British overseas Dominions and Sweden Q. The term ‘IndARC’, sometimes seen in the news, is the
concerning Spitsbergen. Ever since then, India has name of (USPC 2015)
been closely monitoring all the developments in the (a) an indigenously developed radar system inducted into
Arctic region. the Indian Defence
• India initiated its Arctic research program in (b) India’s satellite to provide services to the countries of
2007 with a focus on climate change in the region. the Indian Ocean Rim
The objectives included studying teleconnections (c) a scientific establishment set up by India in the Antarc-
between the Arctic climate and the Indian mon- tic region
soon, to characterize sea ice in the Arctic using (d) India’s underwater observatory to scientifically study
satellite data, and to estimate the effect on global the Arctic region
warming. Ans: D
• India already has a research station in the Arctic, Hi-
madri, for the research work. Q. Which of the following statements is/are correct about
the deposits of ‘methane hydrate’? (UPSC 2019)
Also in the News: 1. Global warming might trigger the release of methane
India’s Year-round Presence in Arctic gas from these deposits.
Source: IE 2. Large deposits of ‘methane hydrate’ are found in the
India has launched its first winter expedition to Himadri, Arctic Tundra and under the sea floor.
its Arctic Research Station at Ny-Ålesund in the Norwegian 3. Methane in the atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide
archipelago of Svalbard. The station, which was previously after a decade or two.
operational for about 180 days annually, will now remain Select the correct answer using the code given below.
operational throughout the year. This move makes India (a) 1 and 2 only
one of the few countries to operate its Arctic research (b) 2 and 3 only
bases during winter. (c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
India’s first Arctic Winter Expedition, led by the Nation- Ans: (d)
al Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), will
begin year-round observations in Svalbard, the world’s Topics: Role of external state and non-state actors in creating
northernmost inhabited place. Challenges include limited challenges to internal security.
space, harsh climate, and geopolitical complications. The
expedition aims to better understand climate change, po- 11. RECENT DRONE ATTACK AND MARI-
lar-tropical climate teleconnections, and impacts on In-
dia’s weather patterns. TIME SECURITY IN INDIA

For: India unveils its Arctic policy: Click Here Context:

India has issued a stern warning against recent drone attacks
on India-bound merchant ships (near Porabander Port)

48 www.insightsonindia.com

What was the issue?
Two merchant vessels, MV Chem Pluto and a Gabon-flagged
crude oil tanker, were targeted in drone attacks in the Ara-
bian Sea, raising concerns amid reports of Houthi militants
targeting commercial vessels. The US attributed the drone
attack on MV Chem Pluto to Iran. The incidents highlight
heightened tensions in the region and the need for enhanced
maritime security measures.
What is maritime security?
Maritime security refers to measures and strategies imple-
mented to safeguard the seas, oceans, and maritime activ-
ities from various threats, including piracy, terrorism, envi-
ronmental damage, and other illicit activities.
Importance of Maritime Security in India
Importance Description
Geographical India’s long coastline of 7,516 km and Ex-
importance clusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of approxi-
mately 2 million square km make mari-
time security a critical concern.
Economic sig- 90% of India’s international trade by vol-
nificance ume and 70% by value occurs through
sea routes; any disruption due to mari-
time security threats can severely impact
the economy.
National secu- India’s vulnerability to security threats
rity like piracy, terrorism, smuggling, and ille-
gal fishing, was exemplified by the 26/11
terrorist attack in Mumbai using the sea
route.
Strategic loca- India’s strategic position in the Indo-Pa-
tion cific, intersecting major global shipping
lanes, plays a crucial role in regional and
global maritime security.
P r o t e c t i o n Major ports, nuclear power facilities
of vital infra- (Tarapur, Kalpakkam), and the satellite
structure launch facility (Satish Dhawan Space Cen-
tre) require maritime security for protec-
tion.
Disaster re- Maritime security is vital in responding
sponse to natural disasters like tsunamis and cy-
clones, as seen in the 2004 Indian Ocean
tsunami.
Environmental Ensuring maritime security is essential
protection to prevent activities like illegal fishing,
smuggling, and hazardous waste dump-
ing that can cause severe environmental
damage.
Tourism India’s long coastline attracts tourism;
maritime security is crucial for the safety
and functioning of the tourism industry.
49 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
Scientific re- Seas and oceans are critical for scientif-
search ic research; maritime security facilitates
oceanography, marine biology, and cli-
mate studies.
International India’s efforts to enhance maritime secu-
cooperation rity, as seen in the SAGAR vision, contrib-
ute to global initiatives for the safety and
security of seas and oceans.
Challenges to the maritime security of India
• Systemic weakness: Inadequate surveillance and
monitoring, lack of coordination among various
agencies, insufficient training for personnel and
manpower shortage restrict our ability to protect
our coasts.
• Piracy and maritime terrorism: Piracy and maritime
terrorism pose a significant risk to India’s economic
and strategic interests.
o E.g., Recent incidents of Houthi rebels at-
tacking ships bound for Israeli or from Isra-
el with ballistic missiles raise concern
• Illegal fishing: Illegal fishing remains a major issue in
India’s maritime security, with foreign vessels oper-
ating in Indian waters.
• Maritime boundary disputes: India has several
maritime boundary disputes with its neighbouring
countries, which have the potential to escalate into
conflicts.
o Ex- Sir creek dispute with Pakistan.
• Environmental threats: India’s maritime security is
also threatened by environmental issues such as oil
spills and pollution, which can have a significant im-
pact on marine life and the livelihoods of coastal
communities.
Government measures undertaken
• SAGAR Doctrine: India’s SAGAR Doctrine (Security
and Growth for All in the Region) underscores In-
dia’s commitment to fostering a secure and prosper-
ous maritime neighbourhood.
• Strengthening infrastructure: The Sagarmala pro-
gram aims to develop ports, harbours, and coastal
security installations.
• Improving coastal security: The Indian Coast Guard
has launched a coastal security scheme called “Sagar
Kavach” which involves the deployment of patrol
vessels, UAVs, and maritime surveillance systems
to monitor the coastline.
o In the present case of drone attack, the In-
dian Navy has deployed INS Mormugao, INS
Kochi, and INS Kolkata to maintain a deter-
rent presence.
• Countering piracy and maritime terrorism: The Indi-
an Navy has deployed warships to the Gulf of Aden
and the Arabian Sea to counter piracy and maritime
terrorism. The Navy has also conducted joint exer-

cises with the navies of other countries, including
the United States, Japan, and Australia, to enhance
coordination and cooperation.
• Combating illegal fishing: The Indian Coast Guard
has launched Operation Olivia to combat illegal
fishing in Indian waters. The operation involves the
deployment of specialized patrol vessels to moni-
tor and intercept foreign vessels engaged in illegal
fishing.
• Enhancing cybersecurity: The Indian government
has launched a national cybersecurity strategy,
which aims to enhance the cybersecurity of critical
infrastructure, including ports and maritime trans-
portation systems.
• Technology: A vessel traffic management system
(VTMS) and national command control communi-
cation and intelligence network (NC3I) have been
established to improve maritime security.
• Regional cooperation: India has prioritized regional
cooperation in the Indian Ocean through initiatives
like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and
the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS).
• HADR capabilities: Prompt Humanitarian Assistance
and Disaster Relief (HADR) responses like Operation
Sahayata in Mozambique to natural disasters, such
as cyclones and tsunamis, have earned India the rep-
utation of a reliable partner in times of crisis. ‘Vac-
cine Maitri’ has further elevated the status of India.
• Capacity building: It provides training (ITEC), con-
ducts joint and passage exercises, and shares exper-
tise to enhance the prosperity and maritime security
capacities of its neighbours.
Global Response:
• Operation Prosperity Guardian: Initiated by the
US with allies like the UK, Bahrain, and Canada to
protect maritime traffic from drone threats.
Way forward
• Enhancing surveillance and monitoring: This can be
achieved by deploying advanced technology such
as drones, radars, and other maritime surveillance
systems to monitor the coastline and detect suspi-
cious activity.
• Improving coordination and cooperation: The gov-
ernment should establish a mechanism to facilitate
information sharing and coordination among vari-
ous agencies involved in maritime security, such as
the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and law enforcement
agencies.
• Strengthening coastal security infrastructure: By
deploying more patrol vessels, installing CCTV cam-
eras and other security systems, and improving the
physical security of ports and other maritime instal-
lations.
• Enhancing the capabilities of law enforcement
agencies: By providing them with the necessary
training, equipment, and resources.
50 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
• Promoting international cooperation: This can be
achieved by establishing partnerships with neigh-
bouring countries, UNCLOS, sharing intelligence
and information and conducting joint exercises
with foreign navies and coast guards.
Conclusion:
Improving maritime security in India will require a sustained
effort from all stakeholders, including the government,
navy, coast guard, and law enforcement agencies. By imple-
menting these steps, India can enhance its maritime secu-
rity, protect its economic, political, and strategic interests,
and become an important player in the Indian Ocean re-
gion.
Mains Links:
Q. Project ‘Mausam’ is considered a unique foreign policy
initiative of the Indian government to improve its relation-
ship with its neighbours. Does the project have a strategic
dimension? Discuss. (UPSC 2015)
Q. With respect to the South China Sea, maritime territorial
disputes and rising tension affirm the need for safeguarding
maritime security to ensure freedom of navigation and over-
flight throughout the region. In this context, discuss the bi-
lateral issues between India and China. (UPSC 2014)
Q. Consider the following in respect of Indian Ocean Naval
Symposium (IONS). (USPC 2017)
1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chair-
manship of the Indian Navy.
2. IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase mar-
itime co-operation among navies of the littoral states of
the Indian Ocean Region.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: B
Topics: Challenges to internal security through communica-
tion networks, role of media and social networking sites in
internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; mon-
ey-laundering and its prevention
12. ISSUES WITH UAPA
Context:
The article discusses a recent judgment by the Division
Bench of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court in the case of
journalist Fahad Shah, highlighting issues related to person-
al liberty and the application of the Unlawful Activities (Pre-
vention) Act (UAPA), India’s primary anti-terror statute.

What did the court say?
The court granted bail to Fahad Shah and partially set aside
the charge against him. It emphasized the need for circum-
spection in enforcing anti-terror laws that allow vast inter-
ference with personal liberty. The High Court raised concerns
about the UAPA’s procedural aspects, specifically, Section
43-D(5), which restricts bail if accusations are deemed ‘pri-
ma facie true.’
The judgment rejected the government’s argument that
publishing an article could be considered an act of terror,
emphasizing the need for common sense in criminal law. It
underscored that the UAPA should not extend to punishing
alleged defamation of the country.
What is UAPA?
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) is an an-
ti-terrorism law enacted in India (in 1967) with the aim of
preventing unlawful activities and combating terrorism.
The Act assigns absolute power to the central government,
by way of which if the Centre deems an activity as unlawful
then it may, by way of an Official Gazette, declare it so.
Key features of UAPA:
• Under UAPA, both Indian and foreign nationals can
be charged.
• It will be applicable to the offenders in the same
manner, even if the crime is committed in a foreign
land, outside India.
• It has the death penalty and life imprisonment as
the highest punishments.
• Under the UAPA, the investigating agency can file a
charge sheet in maximum of 180 days after the ar-
rests and the duration can be extended further after
intimating the court.
• As per amendments of 2019: The Act empowers the
Director General of National Investigation Agency
(NIA) to grant approval of seizure or attachment of
property when the case is investigated by the said
agency.
• The Act empowers the officers of the NIA, of the
rank of Inspector or above, to investigate cases of
terrorism in addition to those conducted by the DSP
or ACP or above rank officer in the state.
• It also included the provision of designating an indi-
vidual as a terrorist.
Arguments in Favour:
Arguments Description
National Security UAPA empowers the government to
preventively act against individuals
and organizations involved in or sup-
porting terrorism, safeguarding the na-
tion’s security.
51 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
Counterterror- Designation of individuals and orga-
ism Measures nizations like Masood Azhar, Hafiz
Saeed, and Lashkar-e-Taiba as terror-
ists under UAPA, enabling asset freez-
es, travel bans, and sanctions.
Preventive De- UAPA enables the preventive detention
tention of individuals suspected of unlawful
activities, crucial for averting potential
threats in cases lacking sufficient evi-
dence for formal trials.
Global Commit- UAPA amendments align with the Unit-
ments ed Nations Convention for the Sup-
pression of the Financing of Terrorism,
showcasing India’s commitment to in-
ternational efforts against transnation-
al terrorism.
Effective Prose- Use of UAPA in prosecuting and con-
cution victing Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving
terrorist of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks,
based on intercepted communications,
electronic evidence, and modern in-
vestigative techniques.
Deterrence Severe penalties under UAPA in the
case of the 2001 Parliament attack,
discouraging individuals from engaging
in or supporting activities detrimental
to the nation’s security, as seen in the
hanging of Afzal Guru.
Issues with UAPA:
Issues with UAPA Description
The broad and The UAPA’s definition of ‘unlawful
vague definition of activities’ is broad and vague, po-
‘Terrorism’ tentially encompassing legitimate
political activities or dissent under
the label of ‘terrorism.’
Pre-emptive Ar- UAPA allows pre-emptive arrests
rests and Deten- and prolonged detentions without
tions bail, permitting arrests based on
suspicion or the anticipation of po-
tential offences.
Poor conviction A 2022 PUCL report revealed that
less than 3 per cent of UAPA arrests
resulted in convictions between
2015 and 2020, raising concerns
about the legitimacy and effective-
ness of the charges.
State Overreach The Act includes acts “likely to
threaten” or “likely to strike terror,”
granting broad powers to label indi-
viduals, including ordinary citizens
or activists, as terrorists without the
actual commission of such acts.

Denial of Rights Section 43(D)(5) of UAPA prevents
the release of bail if the police
charge sheet indicates reasonable
grounds for believing the accusation
is prima facie true. Only a small per-
centage of detainees secured bail
according to the PUCL report.
Court’s Perspective on UAPA:
• Justice Rohinton Nariman urged the SC to strike
down “the offensive portions of the UAPA”.
• SC: Arup Bhuyan vs State Of Assam (2011): Mere
membership in a banned organization is not incrimi-
nating; involvement in violence or incitement is nec-
essary.
• SC: The People’s Union for Civil Liberties v. Union
of India (2004): Combating terrorism with human
rights violations is self-defeating.
• SC: Union of India v. K A Najeeb (2021): Constitu-
tional courts can grant bail, overriding UAPA restric-
tions, if the fundamental rights of the accused are
violated.
• SC: Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan v. Union of In-
dia (2018): Legitimate uprisings against governmen-
tal actions are recognized, emphasizing peaceful and
non-violent protests.
Way forward:
Reform Brief Description
Measures
Amend the Narrow down vague definitions like “un-
Law lawful activity” and “terrorist act” to ex-
clude constitutionally protected activities
such as peaceful protests and dissenting
opinions.
Shift the Bur- Ensure the burden of proof lies with the
den of Proof prosecution, not the accused. The cur-
rent UAPA reverses the normal principle of
criminal law, making it challenging for the
accused to get bail or a fair trial.
E s t a b l i s h Create an independent review mechanism
a Review to monitor and challenge government deci-
Mechanism sions on designations. The existing process
lacks transparency and can be biased.
Use the Law Reserve UAPA for extreme cases and avoid
as the Last using it as the primary response to secu-
Resort rity threats or social unrest. It should not
suppress dissent, criticism, or opposition,
respecting citizens’ rights and freedoms.
Promote Di- Emphasize the use of dialogue, negotia-
alogue and tion, and reconciliation as preferred meth-
Reconcilia- ods to address conflicts and grievances,
tion avoiding unnecessary use of the UAPA.
52 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
Conclusion
Drawing the line between individual freedom and state obli-
gation to provide security is a case of classical dilemma. It is
up to the state, judiciary, and civil society, to strike a balance
between constitutional freedom and the imperative of an-
ti-terror activities.
Mains Link:
Q. Do you agree that the Unlawful Activities (Prevention)
Amendment Act could prove catastrophic for fundamental
rights? Is sacrificing liberty for national security justified?
Discuss and provide your opinion. (15M)
GENERAL STUDIES – 4
1. VOLUNTARY CODE OF ETHICS BY THE
ONLINE GAMING INDUSTRY
Context:
Major lobby groups, including the Internet and Mobile As-
sociation of India (IAMAI), E-Gaming Federation (EGF), and
All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), representing top online
gaming companies like Dream11 and Games24x7, have vol-
untarily signed a code of ethics.
What is a Code of Ethics?
A Code of Ethics is a set of principles or guidelines that out-
line acceptable and expected behaviour within a particular
organization, profession, or industry. It typically addresses is-
sues such as integrity, honesty, fairness, transparency, and
accountability, guiding individuals or entities to uphold eth-
ical standards in their actions and interactions.
What is Online gaming?
It refers to video games/mobile games that are played over
the internet through various devices. E.g., multiplayer online
battle arena (MOBA) games, first-person shooter (FPS)
games, massively multiplayer online role-playing games
(MMORPGs), and many others.
Need for Code of Ethics in India’s Gaming Market:
The gaming market is projected to reach $5 billion by 2025.
The code aims to prevent negative impacts such as addiction
and suicides due to financial losses. Additionally, promoting
transparency and accountability is crucial as online gaming
contributes significantly to India’s vision of a $1 trillion Dig-
ital Economy.
Aim of the Online Gaming Industry Code of Ethics: The code
aims to protect consumer interests, promote informed
choices, and establish a “healthy environment” for online
games in India. While the code is not legally binding, it out-
lines commitments such as undertaking know-your-custom-
er (KYC) as per applicable laws and providing transparency
on winner determination and platform fees.

Proposed Code of Ethics:
Objective Key Commitments
Protect Con- Companies will enable consumers to make
sumer Inter- informed choices about online games by
ests disclosing every minute details
Create a “healthy environment” for on-
line games in India by spreading consum-
er awareness about the risks involved in
gaming
Compliance Undertake Know-Your-Customer (KYC) as
per relevant laws
Transparen- Specify on websites the manner of de-
cy termining winners, and platform fees
charged, and ensure deposits are used for
gaming
Establish transparency on the platform fee
charged
D i st i n c t i o n Clearly differentiate whether the firm is in-
from Gam- volved in gambling in any way
bling Firms
Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has released the Draft
Rules for Online Gaming (as an amendment to the Informa-
tion Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media
Ethics Code) Rules, 2021): To know about it Click Here
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
is the nodal ministry to regulate gaming.
To know about State Regulations: Click Here
Conclusion:
The online gaming industry in India can continue to grow and
provide entertainment and employment opportunities while
also protecting players and promoting responsible gaming
practices
Insta Links
Online gaming
Mains Links:
Q.“Internet gaming has turned worse than drugs”. Do you
agree? Critically examine the statement in light of the an-
nouncement made by the World Health Organization (WHO)
to include “gaming disorder” as a mental health condition.
(250 words)
Q. How does gaming addiction, impact children? Do you
think China’s recent imposition of a three-hour limit on gam-
ing, is a good way to tackle it? (150 words)
53 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
2. ETHICAL RISKS OF CLIMATE ENGI-
NEERING
Context:
Ahead of COP28, UNESCO’s first-ever report on the Ethics of
Climate Engineering emphasizes the risks and opportunities
of climate manipulation technologies.
About the report:
The report has been published by UNESCO’s World Commis-
sion on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology
(COMEST). COMEST is an advisory body and forum of reflec-
tion set up by UNESCO in 1998.
What is Climate Engineering?
Climate engineering, also known as geoengineering, involves
deliberate modifications to the Earth’s natural systems to
mitigate climate change effects. It includes techniques like
Carbon Dioxide Removal (Building large-scale infrastructure
to capture and store carbon emissions from industrial pro-
cesses) and Solar Radiation Modification (Injecting aerosols
into the stratosphere to reflect sunlight, thereby cooling the
Earth’s surface temperature) to alter carbon levels and sun-
light reflection.
Ethical Concerns in Climate Engineering:
Concerns Description
Undermining Potential risk of climate engineering di-
Climate Poli- verting resources from crucial emission
cies reduction and adaptation efforts.
Economic In- The high costs of developing and deploy-
equalities ing these technologies may exacerbate
global economic inequalities.
Slippery Slope It could facilitate the acceleration toward
deployment without any ethical frame-
work e.g., it impacts biodiversity, and
the ecosystem.
Moral Hazard It could provide polluters with an excuse
to not reduce the use of fossil fuels.
Military or Geoengineering tools may be exploited
Geo-political for military or geopolitical purposes,
Use necessitating strengthened global gover-
nance efforts.

K n o w l e d g e Lack of comprehensive understanding
Gaps and Un- and potential chain reactions pose risks
certainties to humans, the ocean, temperature, and
biodiversity.
D e p e n d e n c y Creating a dependency on these technol-
and Phase-out ogies raises questions about when and
Challenges how to phase them out, impacting cli-
mate actions.
Transbound- Countries must consider the potential
ary Impact transboundary impacts of their climate
engineering decisions.
Suggestions:
1. Legal Regulation: States should introduce legislation
regulating climate engineering to prevent harm.
2. Ethical Research Standards: Scientific research must
adhere to ethical standards consistent with interna-
tional law.
3. Transboundary Impact Consideration: Countries
must assess and consider the transboundary impact
of their climate engineering decisions.
4. Global Governance Collaboration: Open and re-
sponsible collaboration between countries is crucial
for effective global governance of climate engineer-
ing.
5. Inclusive Decision-Making: Marginalized communi-
ties impacted by climate disruption should be fully
considered and involved in climate engineering
policies.
Conclusion:
The current intergovernmental discussions during COP28
must cover the ethical aspects of climate engineering so
that they align with ethical frameworks and Paris Agreement
commitments.
Insta Links:
• Solar Geo-Engineering
Mains Links:
Q. Do you think that climate engineering is a good strategy
to overcome the challenges posed by global warming? State
ethical concerns related to it.
3. MEDICAL ETHICS: ‘CASH-FOR-KID-
NEY’ SCAM
Context:
The Health Ministry is investigating Indraprastha Apollo Hos-
pital over allegations of a ‘cash-for-kidney’ scam, following
reports that the hospital is involved in a racket enticing im-
poverished individuals from Myanmar to sell their organs.
54 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
What is Organ transplantation?
It is a medical procedure in which an organ or tissue is re-
moved from one person (the donor) and transplanted into
another person (the recipient) to replace a damaged or
failing organ. Common organ transplants include kidneys,
heart, liver, lungs, and pancreas.
Status:
Huge Gap: Only 6000 renal transplants annually against
over 2 lakh persons suffering from renal failure.
Government Regulations:
• Organ donation and transplantation in India are reg-
ulations through the Transplantation of Human Or-
gans Act (THOA), 1994.
• National Organ Transplant Programme (NOTP) to
promote organ donation and transplantation.
• Modified National Organ Transplantation Guide-
lines: It allows those above 65 years of age to re-
ceive an organ for transplantation from deceased
donors. It also removed the domicile requirement
to register as an organ recipient
Ethical Issues concerned in the case are:
Ethical Implications
Issues
Organ Traf- If the allegations are true, it is against human
ficking ethics as it involves exploiting impoverished
individuals for organ sales.
I n f o r m e d Questions arise about the adequacy of in-
Consent formed consent, particularly given the finan-
cial vulnerability of donors from Myanmar.
Equity and Concerns emerge over the exacerbation of
Justice global healthcare disparities, as wealthy pa-
tients potentially exploit the impoverished
for organs.
I n t e r n a - The involvement of international patients
tional Med- raises ethical dilemmas about prioritizing af-
ical Tourism fluent patients over local healthcare needs.
P a t i e n t Ensuring the safety of both donors and re-
Safety cipients is critical; any compromise in safety
would be ethically problematic.
Several ethical thinkers have contributed to the field of
medical ethics:
• Hippocrates: Often regarded as the father of West-
ern medicine, his principles, such as the Hippocratic
Oath, emphasize the ethical duties of physicians.
• Immanuel Kant: Known for his deontological ethics,
Kant’s ideas on treating individuals with respect and
dignity
• Beauchamp and Childress: Joseph Beauchamp and
James Childress proposed the widely used princi-
ples of biomedical ethics - autonomy, beneficence,
non-maleficence, and justice.

• Tom L. Beauchamp and James F. Childress: They
developed the influential framework known as the
“Four Principles of Biomedical Ethics,” which has
had a significant impact on contemporary medical
ethics.
4. ROLE OF POWER IN BUREAUCRACY
Context:
The discussion centres on the role of power in bureaucracy,
emphasizing the impact it has on an individual’s character.
Abraham Lincoln: “Nearly all men can withstand adversity,
but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”
The provided quote by Abraham Lincoln suggests that a per-
son’s true character is revealed when they are in a position
of power. Facing adversity may bring out positive traits, but
wielding power tests one’s ethical character.
What is Power?
Power refers to the ability or capacity to control, influence,
or direct the behaviour of others or the course of events. It
encompasses the authority to make decisions, allocate re-
sources, and shape outcomes.
Role of Power in Bureaucracy:
Aspect Description Examples
Attraction of Power is a significant Civil servants as-
Power attraction in bureau- piring for positions
cracy, drawing indi- with politicians
viduals to influential (Politico-Bureau-
roles. crat Nexus)
E n a b l e r Power serves as a High-ranking bu-
in Deci- great enabler in reaucrats influence
sion-Making bureaucratic deci- policy decisions
sion-making, allow- and resource allo-
ing individuals to im- cations.
plement policies and
make crucial choices.
Influence on Power can influence Instances of bu-
Character an individual’s char- reaucrats display-
acter, potentially lead- ing arrogance,
ing to changes in be- exploitation, or
haviour, demeanour, misuse of author-
and ethical standards. ity.
Abuse of The misuse of power Cases of corrup-
Power is a concern, with in- tion, bribery, and
stances of individuals favouritism in bu-
exploiting their au- reaucratic practic-
thority for personal es.
gain or to further nar-
row self-interests.
“Power corrupts, and absolute power cor-
rupts absolutely”
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Current Affairs 30
Test of Char- Position of power tests a bureaucrat’s abil-
acter ity to exhibit ethical traits such as integrity,
humility, compassion, and empathy.
What Should be done:
• Empowerment: Power should be exercised to em-
power others rather than exploit them. This involves
using authority to enhance the capabilities and
well-being of the people served.
• Maintaining Moral Strength: Individuals in positions
of power need to constantly guard against the po-
tential misuse of authority. Maintaining high moral
character becomes essential for those in influential
roles.
• Public Service Ethics: In public service, power should
be wielded responsibly, considering the welfare of
the public. A bureaucratic attitude should align with
rules and compliance, but interactions should re-
flect humility and a service-oriented approach
Thinkers on Power:
Thinker Quote
Bertrand Rus- “Power is given only to him who dares to
sell stoop and take it ... one must have the
courage to dare.”
Woodrow Wil- “Power consists in one’s capacity to link
son his will with the purpose of others, to
lead by reason and a gift of cooperation.”
George Orwell “Power is in tearing human minds to
pieces and putting them together again
in new shapes of your own choosing.”
Mao Zedong “Political power grows out of the barrel
of a gun.”
Voltaire “With great power comes great respon-
sibility.”
Lord Acton “Despotic power is always accompanied
by corruption of morality.”
Henry Adams “Power when wielded by abnormal en-
ergy is the most serious of facts.”
Conclusion:
In a democracy, those in power should exhibit humility and
ensure positive interactions with the public.
5. EXAMPLES OF ETHICS
Example 1: Morality of the Unethical
Context: The article suggests that the concept of morali-
ty among the unethical may be surprising to conventional
thinking, which tends to categorize everything rigidly.

In the recent humanitarian crisis in Uttarkashi, where a tun-
nel collapse trapped 41 workers. Despite advanced technol-
ogy failing to rescue them, a last-resort decision was made
to call in rathole miners (environmentally harmful and offi-
cially banned mining activity).
These miners, often associated with low social status and
mining mafias, manually burrowed to rescue the workers,
showcasing courage and skill derived from informal men-
toring.
The story emphasizes the importance of acknowledging
morality regardless of its unconventional origins (even in
activities considered unethical)
What is Morality?
It refers to a set of principles or rules that guide human be-
haviour based on concepts of right and wrong. It involves
distinguishing between actions that are considered ethical
or virtuous and those that are deemed unethical or mor-
ally wrong.
6. EXAMPLE 2: ENVIRONMENT VS
ECONOMY
Coffee importers to the European Union (EU) are reducing
purchases from small farmers in Africa in anticipation of the
EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), set to take effect in
late 2024. The law aims to ban the sale of goods linked to
deforestation.
Critics argue that these sourcing strategies could increase
poverty among small-scale farmers and raise prices for EU
consumers. The EUDR requires importers to prove that their
commodities did not originate from deforested land.
Positive Impact:
• Environmental Conservation
• Global Sustainability: Encourages global sustainabil-
ity efforts by holding importers accountable for the
ethical sourcing of commodities, and promoting re-
sponsible practices in supply chains.
Negative Impacts
• Impact on Small-Scale Farmers: Scaling back pur-
chases may increase poverty among small farmers
in countries like Ethiopia, negatively affecting their
livelihoods and social well-being.
• Higher Prices for EU Consumers: Reduced imports
may lead to higher prices for EU consumers, poten-
tially impacting their access to affordable goods and
raising ethical concerns about economic equality.
The decision may have unintended consequences, empha-
sizing the need for a comprehensive and socially responsi-
ble approach to sustainability regulations.
56 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
CONTENT FOR MAINS ENRICHMENT
1. INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS AND SHADOW
TEACHERS
Inclusive schools, in adherence to the Right to Education
(RTE) Act and National Education Policy (NEP), are empha-
sizing the need for a supportive environment for children
with learning disabilities.
What are Inclusive Schools?
Inclusive schools are educational institutions that aim to
provide equal opportunities and support for students of
all abilities and backgrounds. These schools accommodate
diverse learning needs, including those with disabilities or
special needs, fostering an environment of acceptance and
participation.
What are Shadow teachers?
A shadow teacher is a professional who assists and sup-
ports students with special needs or learning disabilities in
a mainstream classroom setting.
For example, if a student on the autism spectrum is enrolled
in a regular classroom, a shadow teacher might accompa-
ny them, offering personalized assistance to enhance their
learning experience and social integration.
Usage: The example can be used in Ethics/Essay/Indian So-
ciety papers
2. CREATOR ECONOMY
Context:
The article explores the advantages of establishing a creator
economy based on Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and Block-
chain technology.
What is the Creator Economy?
The Creator Economy refers to an internet-facilitated eco-
nomic model that allows content creators and influencers to
earn revenue directly from their creations. It leverages dig-
ital platforms, such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, en-
abling creators to produce and distribute content, products,
or services independently.
How NFTs and Blockchain are helping the creator economy?
Key technologies like Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and
Blockchain underpin the creator economy, providing tools
for creators to verify ownership, eliminate intermediaries,
and establish direct relationships with their audience. This
model promotes the democratization of creativity, and cre-
ative independence, and has the potential to attract diverse
audiences across various fields.
 Current Affairs 30

3. FOOTBALL HEADING that 2,456 fossil fuel lobbyists were on the provisional par-
ticipant list in COP28, surpassing the number of official in-
digenous representatives by over seven times.
Context:
New research suggests a link between soccer heading, the
Despite 2023 being the hottest year on record, the lobbyists
act of players hitting the ball with their head, and a measur-
received more passes than the ten countries most affected
able decline in the microstructure and function of the brain
by climate change combined. The number of lobbyists ex-
over a two-year period.
ceeded those of official indigenous representatives by more
Additionally, high heading levels were linked to a decline in
than seven times.
verbal learning performance.
Ethical Issues with Lobbying at COP28:
Impact of other sports training:
• Conflict of Interest: The presence of a large number
Type of Sports Impact on Body of fossil fuel lobbyists at a climate summit poses a
Training potential conflict of interest, as their priorities may
High-impact sports Increased risk of joint injuries, con- not align with climate action.
(e.g., Football, Rug- cussions, and musculoskeletal trau- • Influence through Trade Associations: Lobbyists
by) ma. gain access through trade associations, potentially
Endurance Training Potential for overuse injuries, stress leveraging collective influence, as seen with the In-
(e.g., Long-distance fractures, and cardiovascular strain. ternational Emissions Trading Association.
Running) • Questionable Delegations: Some countries include
fossil fuel giants in their delegation, adding to the
Heavy Weightlifting Risk of musculoskeletal injuries,
perception of industry influence on climate discus-
strains, and joint stress.
sions.
Contact Sports (e.g., Increased likelihood of head inju- • Lack of Accountability: Calls for a UNFCCC Account-
Boxing, MMA) ries, concussions, and long-term ability Framework highlight the need to address un-
neurological effects. due influence from polluting interests and ensure
Overtraining Fatigue, increased susceptibility to transparency.
illness, and risk of burnout. • Inadequate Climate Pledges: Evaluation of Big Oil
Inadequate Warm- Higher risk of strains, sprains, and companies’ climate plans reveals shortcomings, with
up or Stretching muscle injuries. profits directed toward fossil fuel investment in-
Improper Technique Increased chance of acute injuries stead of renewable energy, raising ethical concerns.
or Form and long-term damage.
Usage: The example can be used in Questions to Pressure
Inadequate Recov- Risk of overtraining, decreased per-
groups (Governance) and Environment Conservation.
ery formance, and increased vulnerabil-
ity to injuries.
Usage: The example can be used to show the importance 5. KAJOLI EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
of having a balance in our lives. E.g., in sports, training is as MODEL
important as realising our body limit and taking adequate
recovery. Context:
In her book “Unequal: Why India Lags Behind Its Neigh-
bors,” Swati Narayan explores the educational landscape in
4. LOBBYING four countries—India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
Context:
The ongoing 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) to the UN Under Kajoli Early Childhood Education Model, Bangladesh’s
Framework Convention on Climate Change in Dubai has government does not run pre-primary schools, but numer-
drawn attention due to a record attendance of fossil fuel lob- ous learning centres, often operated by NGOs like BRAC,
byists. employ innovative and joyful teaching methods.
What is Lobbying? The Kajoli model, based on play and peer learning, was ex-
It is the act of individuals or groups attempting to influence emplified by a dynamic teacher named Shaheen. Despite
decisions made by government officials or legislators. This challenging conditions, such as an asbestos-roofed class-
influence can involve promoting specific policies, support- room, limited ventilation, and little sunlight, Shaheen’s stu-
ing or opposing legislation, or advocating for particular in- dents outperformed their counterparts in nearby schools.
terests. The school operated for three hours a day, and mothers col-
lectively financed it, taking turns providing meals.
An analysis by the coalition Kick Big Polluters Out revealed

57 www.insightsonindia.com

The success factors in Bangladesh include competent and
dedicated teachers trained in joyful learning techniques,
timely availability of textbooks, scholarships for the poor and
female students, and a cultural emphasis on education.
Usage: The example can be used to reform the primary ed-
ucation system in India esp. in Bihar where high prevalence
of private tuition in Bihar, with 82% of students in private
schools and 44% in government schools seeking additional
coaching. In contrast, Bangladesh is considering legislation
to ban all private coaching centres, private tuition, and
guidebook publications
6. SAM MANEKSHAW
Context:
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, also known as Sam Bahadur,
was the Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army during
the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, and the first Indian Army
officer to be promoted to the rank of field marshal.
Sam Manekshaw’s life exemplified ethical values, includ-
ing:
1. Integrity: He faced inquiry but maintained his integ-
rity, eventually being cleared of all charges.
2. Compassion: After the 1971 war, he personally en-
sured the well-being of Pakistani Prisoners of War,
providing a Quran upon request.
3. Loyalty: Despite facing challenges, he displayed loy-
alty to the Army, rising above personal vendettas
when he attained higher ranks.
4. Courage: Throughout his military career, Sam dis-
played courage on the battlefield and in facing polit-
ical pressures during his service.
5. Respect: Fluent in Punjabi, he showed respect to
soldiers by conversing in their native language, fos-
tering a connection with troops from different back-
grounds.
7. RAMESHBABU PRAGGNANANDHAA
AND HIS SISTER VAISHALI
The remarkable success of Indian chess siblings, Rameshba-
bu Praggnanandhaa and his sister Vaishali, who have been
making waves in the chess world.
Praggnanandhaa, a chess prodigy, achieved the title of In-
ternational Master at the age of 10 and became the sec-
ond-youngest Grandmaster in 2018. He has also defeated
the five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen three times
in online games.
Vaishali, Praggnanandhaa’s older sister by four years, re-
cently became the third-ever female Grandmaster from In-
dia, joining the ranks of Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronaval-
58 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
li. This achievement also makes them the first Grandmaster
brother-sister pair in history.
Vaishali faced the emotional toll and pressure of being suc-
cessful as her brother Praggnanandhaa gained international
attention. But she overcame feelings of envy and pressure
to carve her own path in chess. The siblings, who initially
trained under Grandmaster RB Ramesh, have taken different
paths in their chess journeys.
The siblings have contrasting playing styles – Praggnanand-
haa is known for his defensive skills, while Vaishali is a te-
nacious attacker. Praggnanandhaa is extrovert and Vaishali
is more introvert
Usage: The example can be used to show excellence, dynam-
ics of sibling rivalry, excellence in Chess, etc.
8. DELHI’S INITIATIVES FOR CLIMATE
CHANGE
Context:
The Delhi Government presented its initiatives for climate
action at COP28 (at the C40 meeting)
Initiatives:
• ‘City of Lakes’ project for water body rejuvenation.
It creates eco-tourism opportunities and enhances
heat resilience, particularly during extreme weath-
er events. It led to an increase of up to 2 meters in
groundwater levels.
• The ‘3i model’ for Electric Vehicles focus on inclu-
sion, incentivization, and innovation.
C40 is a global network of nearly a hundred mayors of the
world’s leading cities that are united in action to confront
the climate crisis.
9. ODISHA’S TRANSFORMATION IN FOOD
SECURITY
Context:
The article discusses Odisha’s successful transformation in
addressing food security and climate resilience, offering a
potential model for other regions facing the challenges of
the global climate crisis.
Odisha’s journey:
1. Agricultural Transformation: Over the past two de-
cades, Odisha has shifted from importing rice to
becoming a significant producer, achieving its high-
est food grain production in 2022. Productivity has
tripled. Schemes like Krushak Assistance for Liveli-
hood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) and the
Odisha Millet Mission have focused on increasing
income for small farmers and promoting crop diver-

sification for climate resilience.
2. Resilience and Sustainability: Odisha, being vulner-
able to climate change, has proactively developed a
comprehensive Climate Change Action Plan cover-
ing various sectors E.g., Crop Weather Watch Group
monitoring and responding to adverse weather con-
ditions.
3. Social Protection: In the State Ranking Index for the
National Food Security Act, Odisha emerged as the
top-ranked state in 2022, showcasing its commit-
ment to food security, livelihood, and climate resil-
ience initiatives.
Usage: The example can be used in Governance/ Social Jus-
tice Qn to showcase a state’s transformation from food scar-
city to surplus.
10. 40 YEARS OF INDIA’S PRESENCE IN
ANTARCTICA
Context:
In December 1983, India established its first permanent
base in Antarctica, Dakshin Gangotri, during the Project
Gangotri mission.
Led by Harsh Gupta, the expedition faced challenges, includ-
ing a helicopter accident. Despite setbacks, the team, com-
prising defence personnel and scientists, achieved the goal
of setting up the permanent base within 60 days. The base,
equipped with laboratories, living quarters, and recreational
facilities, marked India’s year-round presence in Antarctica.
The mission showcased India’s commitment to scientific ex-
ploration and the challenges overcome to establish a perma-
nent foothold in the icy continent.
Usage: The story reflects values of determination, resil-
ience, and commitment to scientific exploration.
Other initiatives
• Dakshin Gangotri (abandoned in 1990)
• Maitri (operational since 1988)
• Bharati (operational since 2012)
• National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Goa-
an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth
Sciences (it manages India’s Antarctic program)
• India is a party to the Antarctic Treaty, which seeks it
shall be used for peaceful purposes only.
• Indian Antarctic Act, 2022, provides measures for
protecting the Antarctic environment and associat-
ed ecosystems etc.
59 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
11. ANARCHO-CAPITALISM
Context:
Anarcho-capitalism is a political philosophy advocating for
the abolition of the state and the privatization of law and
order through free-market competition among private com-
panies.
Recently gaining attention with Javier Milei winning the
presidency in Argentina, anarcho-capitalists believe that
private firms, driven by market forces, can offer policing
and legal services more efficiently and at better quality than
state-run systems.
However, critics argue that this ideology is impractical, lead-
ing to conflicts and favouring the rich.
Ethical Issues with Anarcho-Capitalism:
Issues Description
1. Justice Critics argue that a privatized legal system
Inequality: could favour the wealthy, allowing them to
manipulate the legal process with financial
influence, leaving the poor at a disadvantage.
2. Lack of In a system driven by profit, concerns arise
A c c o u n t - about the accountability of private firms in
ability: upholding justice, as their primary allegiance
may be to those who can afford their ser-
vices.
3. Access There are worries that the less affluent may
to Ser- face challenges in accessing services, creat-
vices: ing a system where justice is available only to
those who can afford it.
4. Monop- Instead of promoting competition, critics ar-
oly Con- gue that privatization could lead to monopo-
cerns: lies where a few powerful entities control the
legal and security services, limiting choices
for consumers.
5. Public Privatizing basic services may infringe on
Goods: the principles of equal access and societal
well-being.

12. MOHINIYATTAM
13. BUDHINI MANJHIYAIN
Context:
The article narrates the life of Budhini Manjhiyain, a tribal
woman from the Indian state of Jharkhand, who faced exile
from her community for garlanding India’s first Prime Minis-
ter, Jawaharlal Nehru.
In 1959, when Budhini was just 15 years old, she garlanded
India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru at the inaugu-
ration of a Dam. However, the act of exchanging garlands
is considered equivalent to marriage in Santhal Tribe cus-
toms, leading to her ostracization.
After the garlanding incident, she was declared the bride of
Nehru (often referred to as “Nehru’s first tribal wife”) by her
village headman.
Budhini Manjhiyain spent her entire life in exile, facing hard-
ships and social isolation, and remained largely unknown un-
til her recent death last month.
Usage: The story highlights ethical values such as empathy,
justice, and the recognition of individual dignity. It sheds
light on the consequences of societal norms and patriarchal
traditions, emphasizing the need for compassion and sup-
port for those facing hardship.
60 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
14. GREENWASHING
Context:
The UK banned advertisements from Air France, Lufthansa,
and Etihad in December, accusing them of greenwashing—
misleading consumers about the environmental impact of
air travel.
Greenwashing involves creating a false impression of cli-
mate-friendly practices, and it often overshadows environ-
mentally damaging activities. The aviation industry, respon-
sible for around 2.5% of human-produced CO2 emissions,
faces scrutiny. Without measures, its contribution could rise
to 5% by 2050, per the UN IPCC.
15. RAIMATI GHIURIA
Context:
Raimati Ghiuria, known as the “Queen of Millets,” has gar-
nered attention for preserving 30 rare millet varieties in In-
dia.
Raimati, with minimal formal education, credits her knowl-
edge to practical experience. She is celebrated for her con-
tributions to promoting millet farming, training other farm-
ers, and establishing a farm school. Raimati’s contributions
extend to processing millets into value-added products,
leading a self-help group, and receiving state-level recogni-
tion and awards.
Usage: You can use the example to show the value of Cul-
tural Preservation, Environmental Stewardship, Communi-
ty Empowerment, Promotion of Healthy Living, Inclusivity
and Collaboration

16. PASSPORTS AND ‘DONKEY JOURNEY’
Context:
The newly released Shahrukh Khan-Rajkumar Hirani film
“Dunki” addresses immigration and the challenges faced
during “donkey journeys.”
What is Donkey Journey?
“Donkey journey” refers to the perilous and lengthy routes
that individuals around the world undertake to immigrate to
new places. These journeys are often challenging due to a
lack of legal permits or financial resources.
Example: People from Haryana try to reach the USA illegally
by first going to Ecuador and then travelling by land through
Mexico to reach the USA. Similarly, people from Punjab try
to reach Canada illegally by traversing through several coun-
tries. The journey is dangerous and very risky.
About Passports:
Passports have historical roots, with mentions in the Hebrew
Bible and established systems in countries like France and
the UK. Modern passports emerged due to the British Na-
tionality and Status of Aliens Act in 1914, featuring photo-
graphs and distinguishing features. The League of Nations’
1920 conference aimed to standardize passport regulations,
influencing the common British system. In the 1920s, the US
enacted immigration laws tied to passports, limiting inflows.
Despite initial discomfort, passports have endured as a vital
aspect of modern citizenship.
Passports in India:
The issuance of Indian passports began during the First World
War (1914-1918) under the Defence of India Act, when the
British government mandated passports for travel.
Usage: For the “Donkey Journey,” you can relate it to con-
temporary issues such as illegal immigration, human traf-
ficking, and the challenges faced by individuals seeking to
migrate for better opportunities. This example can be em-
ployed in answers addressing socio-economic issues, global
migration trends, and the complexities of international bor-
ders.
17. HARMANPREET KAUR
She is a prominent figure in Indian women’s cricket, known
for her impactful batting and leadership. She gained fame
with her 171 not-out in the 2017 ODI World Cup semi-fi-
nal. In 2023, she achieved several milestones, becoming the
first cricketer to play 150 T20s and leading India to their first
Asian Games gold medal.
Widely recognized, she was named one of Wisden’s cricket-
ers of the year and featured in BBC’s influential women list
and TIME magazine’s 100 Next list.
61 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
Hailing from Moga, Punjab, Kaur overcame eco-
nomic challenges to become a cricket star. Her
contributions have elevated women’s crick-
et in India, and she continues to break new ground.
18. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR
Context:
Israeli youth 18-year-old Tal Mitnik have been imprisoned in
Israel for conscientious objection to military service, particu-
larly the assault on Gaza.
• Mitnik’s refusal is based on a commitment to work-
ing directly for a solution rather than participating
in oppression and bloodshed.
What is conscience?
Conscience refers to an individual’s internal moral and ethi-
cal awareness, guiding their sense of right and wrong.
What is a conscientious objector?
It is an individual who refuses to perform military service
based on their conscience, often for ideological or religious
reasons.
The concept gained international recognition through decla-
rations such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
which emphasizes the right to freedom of thought, con-
science, and religion.
Other examples of conscientious objection: Maximilianus in
295 CE, figures like Desmond Doss and Muhammad Ali
Usage: The example can be used in Essay/Ethics to show val-
ues of commitment to nonviolence, pacifism, and a strong
moral or ethical stance against participation in armed con-
flicts.
19. JAYANTI BURUDA
Context:
Jayanti Buruda, a tribal woman from Malkangiri district in
Odisha, became the first tribal woman reporter at Kalinga
TV in 2015.
However, unhappy with mainstream news coverage, she
founded Bada Didi Union in 2018 to address issues like girls’
education and reproductive health in tribal communities.
In 2022, she launched Jungle Rani, a social media news plat-
form managed by 50 tribal women, empowering them to
share stories through mobile journalism. The platform focus-
es on topics such as tribal life, culture, and awareness of the
Forest Rights Act, showcasing the perspectives of the tribal
community. Buruda aims to expand Jungle Rani to other trib-
al-dominated districts in Odisha.
 Current Affairs 30
Usage: The example can be used in Indian Society/ Ethics Usage: The example can be used in the Economy, Indian
to show the values of empowerment, social responsibility, society, and Social Justice Qn, to show how private-public
inclusivity, and giving a voice to marginalized communities partnership can help raise income opportunities for SHGs in
India.
20. WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE
Context:
FACTS FOR PRELIMS
In October 2023, Pope Francis granted women the right to
vote at the Synod of Bishops, marking a significant change in GS-1
the male-dominated Roman Catholic Church.

Vatican City, becoming the last country to allow women’s
suffrage, concluded a century-long democratic quest for jus-
tice.
The women’s suffrage movement originated in the 19th
and early 20th centuries, led by voices in the Anglosphere
(a group of English-speaking countries). Between 1893 and
1960, 129 countries granted women the right to vote, over-
coming attempts to impose disqualifiers based on race, age,
education, or marital status. Social activism played a crucial
role, as seen in New Zealand’s fight against alcohol in 1893
and the US suffrage activism linked to protests against slav-
ery in 1920. Additionally, World Wars I and II accelerated
women’s enfranchisement, particularly in the West.
Usage: The example can be used in women-related Ques-
tions/Indian Society/Women-themed essays etc.
21. RELIANCE RETAIL’S JIOMART PART-
NERSHIP WITH SHGS
Context:
The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Reliance Re-
tail’s JioMart to enhance the outreach of products from
Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the Deendayal Antyodaya
Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
1. NAVY OF ANCIENT INDIA
Context:
On Navy Day (4th December 2004), the PM paid tribute to
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, unveiling his statue at Sind-
hugarh, Maharashtra.
Why Navy Day is celebrated on 4th December?
The Indian Navy celebrates 4th December as Navy Day ev-
ery year to acknowledge the role of the Indian Navy and
commemorate its achievements in ‘Operation Trident
during the 1971 Indo-Pak War.
Announcements made:
• Highlighting Shivaji’s naval insight, the PM an-
nounced naval epaulettes (an ornamental shoulder
piece on an item of clothing) featuring Shivaji’s em-
blem.
• The new Naval Ensign features the octagonal design
of Shivaji’s seal
• The Indian Navy named its training (at Lonaval) es-
tablishment INS Shivaji and logistics hub (at Mum-
bai) INS Angre after Maratha naval commander
Kanhoji Angre.

The collaboration allows SHGs to be sellers on JioMart, wid-

ening their market and visibility. This initiative aligns with
MoRD’s SARAS collection, providing benefits and guidance
to SHG sellers for online business growth.

JioMart will assist SHGs in setting up and operating their

accounts, offer training, and support post-launch to ensure
business growth.

What is the SARAS Collection brand?

It is dedicated to promoting and showcasing products made
by Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across India. These products
typically include handlooms, handicrafts, textiles, pantry
items, home décor, beauty products, and various other
items crafted by rural artisans and entrepreneurs.

62 www.insightsonindia.com
 Current Affairs 30

2. CYCLONE MICHAUNG alistic and devotional dance performed during the

nine-day Navaratri festival, dedicated to the wor-
Context: ship of feminine energy or Shakti.
• The dance is celebrated in various settings, includ-
Cyclone Michaung, heading towards the Andhra coast, is ing homes, temple courtyards, public spaces, villag-
considered unusual due to its high intensity and timing in es, urban squares, streets, and large open grounds,
December, a month when storms in the North Indian Ocean making it a participatory community event.
typically don’t reach destructive levels. • The inscription aims to ensure the viability of this
• The cyclone, initially predicted to be a ‘tropical cy- tradition and inspire the community to preserve
clone,’ was upgraded to a ‘severe’ storm, with wind and promote the knowledge, skills, and oral tradi-
speeds ranging from 88 kph to 166 kph. tions associated with Garba.
• This intensification in December is unique, attribut-
List of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list from India
ed to above-normal heat index values off the south-
ern Andhra Pradesh coast. Element Description
Cyclone intensification is influenced by factors such as Koodiyattam Sanskrit theatre of Kerala
warm ocean temperatures, Tropical Cyclone Heat Potential Vedic chanting Recitation of sacred Hindu texts
(TCHP), atmospheric conditions, wind shear, convection,
Rossby waves, and air-sea interaction. Ramlila Traditional performance of the
Ramayana
Ramman Religious festival and ritual the-
About Cyclones:
atre of Garhwal, Uttarakhand
Cyclones are large-scale weather systems characterized
by low-pressure centers, rotating winds, and atmospheric Chhau dance Classical dance form of Odisha
instability. They are known by different names in various and West Bengal
regions, such as hurricanes (Atlantic and eastern Pacific), Kalbelia Folk songs and dances of Rajas-
typhoons (northwestern Pacific), and tropical cyclones than
(southwestern Pacific and Indian Ocean). Mudiyett Ritual theatre and dance drama
of Kerala
Ladakh Buddhist Recitation of sacred Buddhist
chantings texts in Ladakh
Manipuri Sankirtana Ritual singing, drumming, and
dancing of Manipur
Traditional brass and Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Pun-
copper craft of utensil jab
making
Yoga Ancient Indian physical, mental,
and spiritual practices
Kumbh Mela Mass Hindu pilgrimage held at
various locations in India
Durga Puja in Kolkata Religious festival of Hindu God-
3. GARBA OF GUJARAT dess Durga in Kolkata, West Ben-
gal
Context:
Gujarat’s traditional dance form, “Garba,” has been added The UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list is a compi-
to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, becoming lation maintained by the United Nations Educational, Sci-
the 15th cultural element from India to receive this recog- entific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that recognizes
nition. and safeguards cultural practices, traditions, knowledge,
• The UNESCO statement describes Garba as a ritu- and skills that are considered intangible cultural heritage.

4. GI TAGS FOR MEGHALAYA PRODUCTS

Context:
Meghalaya’s Lakadong turmeric, along with Garo dakmanda (traditional dress), Larnai pottery, and Garo chubitchi (alcoholic
beverage), has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

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 Current Affairs 30

Product Origin Unique Feature

Lakadong area, Jaintia Hills, High curcumin content (6.8 to 7.5%)

Meghalaya

Lakadong Turmeric
Meghalaya The traditional dress worn by Garo tribes

Garo Dakmanda
Larnai Pottery Meghalaya Artisanal black pottery from Jaintai Hills

Garo Chubitchi Meghalaya Rice-based alcoholic beverage of the Garo tribe

• Koyas have replaced traditional Indian Bison horns

5. INDIAN ART, ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN
BIENNALE 2023
Context:
The first Indian Art, Architecture & Design Biennale (IAADB)
2023 was inaugurated at the Red Fort in Delhi.
• The event includes the inauguration of the Aatman-
irbhar Bharat Centre for Design (ABCD) and the stu-
dent Biennale, Samunnati.
• The IAADB aims to celebrate India’s diverse heritage
and vibrant culture, providing a platform for artists,
architects, designers, and the public to engage in a
cultural dialogue.
• The Aatmanirbhar Bharat Centre for Design is ex-
pected to promote unique and rare crafts of India,
fostering innovation and collaboration between ar-
tisans and designers.
6. KOYA TRIBES
Context:
The indigenous Koya tribe in Andhra Pradesh, residing in the
Papikonda hill range, has embraced eco-friendly practices to
conserve the Indian Bison (Bos gaurus).
with palm leaves to craft their traditional flute, Per-
makore.
What is Permakore?
Permakore is a traditional flute, originally made from Indi-
an Bison horns, and is now created using palm leaves as an
eco-friendly alternative. The flute serves as a communica-
tion tool during hunting, celebrations, and festivals.
About
Papikonda National Park is situated near Rajamahendra-
varam in the Papi Hills of Andhra Pradesh. Since 2014, no
part of Papikonda has extended beyond East and West Goda-
vari districts due to the construction of the Polavaram Dam.
The Papikondalu Hill Range, also known as the Bison Hill
Range, was declared a sanctuary in 1978 and upgraded to a
national park in 2008, with the Indian Bison as its megafauna
species.
About Koya Tribes:
Aspect Details

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Koya Tribe The Koya tribe is the largest Adivasi tribe in Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary and national parks
Overview Telangana, listed as a Scheduled Tribe in the like Bandipur and Nagarhole.
region. The community is widespread across • Recommendations: Integrated catchment manage-
the Telugu-speaking states of Telangana and ment, sustainable agricultural practices
Andhra Pradesh.
About Cauvery River
Self-Identi- Koyas commonly refer to themselves as
It is the third largest river – after Godavari and Krishna –
fication Dorala Sattam (Lords group) and Putta Dora
in southern India, and the largest in the state of Tamil Nadu,
(original lords). In their dialect, they are
known as ‘Ponni’ in Tamil. Originates in Karnataka (Tal-
known as “Koitur,” akin to Gonds.
akaveri in the Brahmagiri range in the Western Ghats, Ko-
H a b i t a t The Godavari and Sabari rivers significantly dagu district) and eventually drains into the Bay of Ben-
and Liveli- influence the economic, social, and cultural gal. Its left bank tributaries include Arkavathi, Hemavathi,
hood life of the Koyas. Primarily settled cultiva- Shimsa, and Harangi, while right bank tributaries consist
tors, they grow crops like Jowar, Ragi, Bajra, of Lakshmantirtha, Suvarnavati, Noyil, Bhavani, Kabini, and
and other millets. Amaravathi.
Language Telgu
R e l i g i o n Key deities for the Koyas include Lord Bhima,
and Festi- Korra Rajulu, Mamili, and Potaraju. Major
vals festivals include Vijji Pandum (seeds charm-
ing festival) and Kondala Kolupu (festival to
appease Hill deities).
Traditional Koyas engage in a vibrant dance called Per-
Dance makok ata (Bison horn dance) during festi-
vals and marriage ceremonies.

8. INDIRA GANDHI PEACE PRIZE

Context:
The Indira Gandhi Peace Prize for 2023 has been jointly
awarded to classical pianist Daniel Barenboim and peace
activist Ali Abu Awwad.
• The award acknowledges their efforts in promoting
mutual social and cultural understanding through
7. CAUVERY BASIN music, dialogue, and people’s participation
Person Achievements and Contributions
Context:
The Cauvery basin has witnessed the loss of approximately D a n i e l Known for distinguished musical achieve-
12,850 sq. km of natural vegetation between 1965 and 2016, Barenboim ments
with Karnataka accounting for three-fourths of the decline, Recognized for using music to foster harmo-
according to a study by scientists at the Indian Institute of ny in the Middle East, especially in the Isra-
Science (IISc), Bengaluru. el-Palestine conflict
• Karnataka has just around 20% of the area under Established the West-Eastern Divan Orches-
forest cover tra and the Barenboim-Said Akademie
Aimed to bring together youth from Israel,
More about the Research:
Palestine, and other Arab countries through
• 46% reduction in natural vegetation cover, with
unity and understanding
dense vegetation decreasing by 35% and degraded
vegetation by 63%.
• Adverse changes in forest cover in areas such as the

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 Current Affairs 30

Ali Abu Eminent Palestinian peace activist

Awwad Worked tirelessly for a peaceful resolution
to the Middle East conflict
Co-founded initiatives like Roots and Taghy-
eer
Committed to non-violent action in line with
Gandhian principles
Emphasizes that non-violence is the art of
practising humanity

9. BHAGAT SINGH
Context:
The recent serious breach of security in Parliament brought
to light the revolutionary activities of Bhagat Singh.

Background:
• Over 94 years ago, on April 8, 1929, Bhagat Singh
and Batukeshwar Dutt threw feeble bombs and
pamphlets in Delhi’s Central Assembly (now re-
ferred to as the Indian Parliament) to protest against
the oppressive British rule.
• The revolutionary act aimed to expose the ineffec-
tiveness of the Indian Parliament, which lacked au-
tonomy and failed to address nationalist demands.
• The Hindustan Socialist Republican Association, led
by Chandrashekhar Azad, orchestrated the action
to “make the deaf hear” and draw attention to the
repressive measures imposed by the British govern-
ment.
• The well-planned event resulted in Bhagat Singh and
Dutt’s arrest, and they were later sentenced to life
in prison. Bhagat Singh, ultimately facing charges re-
lated to the murder of a British police officer, was
hanged in 1931.
10. KASHI TAMIL SANGAMAM
Context:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Kashi Tamil
Sangamam in Varanasi, celebrating the historical and cultur-
al connections between North and South India.
• It aims to deepen people-to-people bonds and
showcase art, music, handloom, handicrafts, and
cuisines from Tamil Nadu and Varanasi.
11. GOA LIBERATION DAY
Context:
On 19th December 1961, India annexed Goa from Portu-
guese rule through Operation Vijay, following years of failed
diplomatic efforts. It was initially a UT and was Declared
the 25th Independent State of India on May 30, 1987
History:
Goa, a Portuguese colony since 1510, continued as such af-
ter India gained independence in 1947.
Timeline:
Year Event
1510 Goa became a Portuguese colony after
Admiral Afonso de Albuquerque defeat-
ed the Sultan of Bijapur.
1928 Tristão de Bragança Cunha established
the Goa National Congress, a pivotal mo-
ment in Goan nationalism.
1946 Ram Manohar Lohia leads a historic rally
in Goa, calling for civil liberties, freedom,
and integration with India.
1949 Formal diplomatic relations were estab-
lished between India and Portugal.
1950 Bilateral relations declined due to Por-
tugal’s refusal to surrender enclaves
of Goa, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and
Nagar Haveli.
1951 Portugal changed its constitution, claim-
ing Goa as an overseas province, poten-
tially linked to NATO membership.

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1961 Daman & Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli

integrated into India.
1961 Operation Vijay was launched by the Indi-
an Government to annex Daman Diu and
Goa on December 19, ending Portuguese
rule.
1961 Liberation of Goa brings an end to 451
years of Portuguese overseas provincial
governance.
Reason for Prime Minister Nehru, hesitant to engage
the delay in in military conflict, focused on diplomacy.
securing Goa Tensions escalated in 1955 when Portu-
guese forces fired on satyagrahis, leading
to 25 deaths
Overall, the differences between groups
advocating satyagraha (nonviolent resis-
tance) and military action contributed to
delays in the liberation of Goa.
About Goa Goa is situated on the southwest coast
of India in the Konkan region, separated
from the Deccan highlands by the West-
ern Ghats.
Sonsogor is the highest point. Seven ma-
jor rivers include Zuari, Mandovi, Terek-
hol, Chapora, Galgibag, Kumbarjua Canal,
Talpona, and Sal
Protected Sites: Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctu-
ary, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Netravali
Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanc-
tuary, Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary,
Mollem National Park.

12. KATABATIC WINDS

Context:
A surprising phenomenon has been observed in the Himala-
yas, where ‘katabatic’ winds are triggered when high tem-
peratures affect high-altitude ice masses.
• This leads to cold air blowing to lower-altitude ar-
eas, potentially slowing down the effects of the
global climate crisis in some regions.
• The study reveals that a temperature gap between
air above the mountains and cooler air in contact
with ice masses causes increased turbulent heat ex-
change, leading to stronger cooling of the surface
air mass.
Anabatic Winds – These Winds are upslope winds driven
by warmer surface temperatures on a mountain slope than
the surrounding air column.
Katabatic Winds – Katabatic winds are downslope winds
created when the mountain surface is colder than the sur-
rounding air and create a downslope wind.

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13. SAHITYA AKADEMI AWARDS
Context:
The Sahitya Akademi has announced the winners of its An-
nual Sahitya Akademi Awards for the year 2023 in 24 lan-
guages.
• The awards include 9 for poetry, 6 for novels, 5 for
short stories, 3 for essays, and 1 for literary study.
• The awards, which include a casket containing an
engraved copper plaque, a shawl, and a cash prize
of Rs. 1,00,000/- each.
The Sahitya Akademi Award is a literary honour given annu-
ally by India’s National Academy of Letters. The award rec-
ognizes and promotes excellence in writing and acknowl-
edges new trends.
14. MITHILA
Context:
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has initiated a Rs 72-crore
development plan for Goddess Sita’s birthplace at Punaura
Dham in Sitamarhi at Mithila.
• The epic mentions Sita using names like Vaidehi,
Janaki, Sita, and Mithilapuri, the last being an obvi-
ous reference to Mithila in Bihar.
About Mithila:
• Mithila, described in the Vishnu Puran as north of
the Ganga and south of the Himalayas, includes
present-day Darbhanga, Madhubani, Sitamarhi,
Supaul, Saharsa, Madhepura, and some areas in Bi-
har and Nepal.
• Janakpuri in Nepal is a modern name for Mithilapuri
mentioned in the Valmiki Ramayan. The Bihar gov-
ernment, in coordination with Nepal, has included
Janakpuri in the Ramayana Circuit.
15. PRIZES IN NEWS
Prize Details
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Current Affairs 30
Leif Erikson ISRO has been awarded the Leif Erikson
Lunar Prize Lunar Prize by the Husavik Museum for its
achievements in advancing lunar explo-
ration and contributing to understanding
celestial mysteries through the successful
Chandrayaan-3 mission. About
The accolade recognizes ISRO’s indomi-
table spirit and technological prowess in
achieving the first-ever soft landing near the
Moon’s South Pole on August 23, 2023.
The Leif Erikson Lunar Prize is an annual
award presented by the Exploration Mu-
seum in Husavik, Iceland. It is dedicated to
the history of human exploration, from the
early explorers to the exploration of space.
It is named after the Icelandic explorer Leif
Erikson who is considered the first Europe-
an to land in North America.
Indian Space Research Organisation (found-
ed 1969; HQ: Bengaluru): ISRO, previously
the Indian National Committee for Space
Research (INCOSPAR) (1962-1969). Later,
on August 15, 1969, ISRO superseded INCO-
SPAR and was subsequently brought under
the Dept of Space in 1972.
U N E S C O ’s Terminal 2 (T2) of Kempegowda Interna-
2023 Prix tional Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru has been
Versailles: honoured as one of the world’s most beau-
B e n ga l u r u tiful airports and received a special prize for
Airport interiors at UNESCO’s 2023 Prix Versailles.
The award recognizes T2’s blend of func-
tionality and aesthetic appeal, offering pas-
sengers a memorable experience through
curated art and decor.
T2 has also received the prestigious IGBC
platinum certification for its sustainable de-
sign, making it the world’s largest terminal
pre-certified with a platinum LEED rating by
the US Green Building Council. LEED certi-
fication symbolizes sustainability achieve-
ment globally.
UNESCO’s 2023 Prix Versailles has been
granted annually by UNESCO since 2015. It
consists of architecture awards that show-
case the finest contemporary achievements
worldwide and take into consideration proj-
ects’ ecological, social, and cultural im-
pacts.
16. PENINSULAR RIVER VS HIMALAYAN
RIVERS
Context:
A recent study published in the American Meteorological So-

ciety’s Journal of Hydrometeorology reveals that peninsular
river basins in India, including Narmada, Mahanadi, and Go-
davari, face a higher likelihood of widespread flooding com-
pared to transboundary rivers like Ganga and Brahmaputra.
• The Narmada basin has the highest probability
(59%) of widespread flooding.
• Other basins with notable probabilities of wide-
spread flooding include Mahanadi (50%), Godavari
(42%), Krishna (38%), and Cauvery (19%).
• Ganga and Brahmaputra, as transboundary river ba-
sins, have lower probabilities of widespread flood-
ing, at 21% and 18%, respectively.
Reasons:
Drivers of widespread flooding are associated with atmo-
spheric rivers, large atmospheric circulations carrying mois-
ture from the tropics to extratropic. Events like the 2018
Kerala floods, the 2022 Pakistan floods, and the lower Mis-
sissippi River floods in 2008, 2011, and 2015–19 were linked
to atmospheric rivers.
What are Atmospheric rivers?
They are long, narrow regions of the atmosphere that trans-
port water vapour from the tropics to the poles. They can be
250–375 miles wide and over 1,000 miles long. When atmo-
spheric rivers make landfall, they can contribute significantly
to precipitation.
Difference between the Himalayan and Peninsular River
System:
17. KONSACHEM
Context:
The article discusses the association of Apostle Bartholomew
with agriculture in Goa, particularly during the harvest festi-
val called Konsachem.
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Current Affairs 30
What is Konsachem?
It is an important harvest festival celebrated in Goa, primar-
ily in August. Both Hindus and Catholics participate in their
unique ways. The festival involves blessing the first sheaves
of rice when harvested.
For Goan Catholics, the peak of the celebration occurs on
August 24, the Feast Day of Saint Bartholomew (his name
meaning ‘son of the furrows’), one of the 12 Apostles of Je-
sus Christ, who visited India in 55 AD.
Before him, Saint Thomas arrived in India in 52 AD
18. NORTH AFRICAN METAL ART
Context:
Metal engraving, a traditional craft practised across North
Africa and West Asia for centuries, has gained international
recognition by being added to UNESCO’s intangible heri-
tage list.
North African metal art refers to the traditional craft of
manually cutting words or symbols into metal, particularly
jewellery and household objects.
This longstanding artistic tradition has been practised across
North Africa and West Asia for centuries. The art form in-
volves intricate engraving techniques applied to various
metals, such as copper, silver, and gold.
19. VEER BAL DIWAS
Context:
Veer Bal Diwas, which is observed on December 26 com-
memorate the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh’s younger
sons, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh ,
along with their grandmother Mata Gujari.
• This day was officially designated as Veer Bal Di-
was by the Indian government in January 2022.

Background:
• In December 1704, during the battle of Cham-
kaur, the Mughals and hill kings attacked Anand-
pur Sahib.
• Guru Gobind Singh’s family was separated
during the chaos, with the elder sons sacrificing
their lives in Chamkaur.
• The younger sons and their grandmother were
imprisoned, and despite offers to convert to Is-
lam, they refused and were bricked alive.
About Guru Gobind Singh (1666 - 1708)
It was the tenth and final human Sikh Guru. He was a
warrior, poet, and philosopher who contributed to Sikh
scripture and philosophy. He is best known for creating the
Khalsa, the military brotherhood of the Sikhs
20. IONOSPHERE
Context:
Scientists from the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG)
have conducted decade-long ionospheric observations at
Bharati station in Antarctica, revealing significant seasonal
variations in ionospheric density.
• Despite the region experiencing 24 hours of
sunlight in summer and complete darkness in
winter, day-night ionospheric density varia-
tions were observed.
• The researchers found the peak ionospher-
ic density near local noon during the winter
months, attributing it to particle precipitation
and the transportation of convectional plasma
from high latitudes.
• These long-term studies aim to enhance un-
derstanding of ionospheric effects on satel-
lite-based navigation and communication sys-
tems.
The ionosphere is a layer of the Earth’s atmosphere that
is made up of charged atoms, molecules, and electrons. It
stretches from 50 kilometers (30 miles) to over 1,000 kilo-
meters (600 miles) above the Earth.
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Current Affairs 30
21. IRIDESCENT CLOUDS
Context:
Rare iridescent clouds, known as nacreous clouds, were
spotted over parts of Scotland, northern England, and the
West Midlands recently.
• The clouds, resembling mother of pearl, are known
for their pastel light reflections during sunset and
sunrise.
• This phenomenon occurs as sunlight diffracts
around tiny ice crystals within the clouds, creating
an effect similar to a thin layer of oil on water.
Nacreous clouds are rare in the UK and are usually seen
when cold air from the polar vortex temporarily hovers
over the region.
The mechanism behind iridescent clouds is diffraction,
which occurs when small water droplets or small ice crys-
tals scatter the sun’s light. Larger ice crystals do not produce
iridescence but can cause halos.
GS-2
1. INDIA RE-ELECTED TO INTERNATIONAL
MARITIME ORGANISATION
Context:
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) assembly
for the 2024–25 biennium, India was re-elected to the IMO
Council with the highest vote tally.
• India falls under the Category of 10 states with the
largest interest in international seaborne trade,
alongside countries like Australia, Brazil, Canada,
France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden,
and the United Arab Emirates.
• The IMO Council, which India has been re-elected
to, serves as the executive organ of the organiza-
tion and is responsible for supervising its work.
Under the Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030), India
aims to enhance its representation at the IMO by appoint-
ing permanent representatives and nominating candidates
for the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Program.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a United
Nations specialized agency that works to improve the safety
and security of international shipping. The IMO’s mission is
to promote sustainable, efficient, environmentally sound,
and safe shipping through cooperation.
2. J&K REORGANISATION AND RESERVA-
TION BILL
Context:
The Lok Sabha has passed two bills, the Jammu and Kash-
mir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Jam-
mu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Background:
• The legislative assembly in Jammu and Kashmir
initially had 100 members, including 24 for Paki-
stan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), until 1988 when the
seats were increased to 111.
• The 24 PoK seats were not considered in quorum
calculation, making the total contestable seats 87,
including four for Ladakh.
• After delimitation in 2020, the total seats rose to
114, including those for PoK.
New Provisions added:
• The former seeks to reserve seats in the upcoming
114-seat Jammu and Kashmir Assembly for “Kash-
miri migrants, people displaced from Pakistan-oc-
cupied Kashmir (PoK), and Scheduled Tribes.”
• The latter replaces the term “weak and underpriv-
ileged classes” in the J&K Reservation Act, 2004,
with “other backward classes.” Top of Form
3. ARBITRATION AGREEMENT
Context:
The Supreme Court of India has ruled that an arbitration
agreement can be binding on non-signatory firms under
the ‘group of companies’ doctrine.
• This doctrine holds that an arbitration agreement
can apply to a company that, while not a signatory,
is a member of a group of companies that is party
to the agreement.
• The ruling maintains the corporate separateness of
group companies while establishing the common in-
tention of parties to bind a non-signatory party to
the arbitration agreement.
The court clarified that the definition of “parties” under the
Arbitration Act includes both signatory and non-signatory
parties, and the requirement for a written arbitration agree-
ment does not exclude the possibility of binding non-signa-
tory parties.
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Current Affairs 30
The judgment stemmed from a plea filed by Cox and Kings
Ltd in a dispute related to an arbitration agreement.
4. ARTICLE 99 OF THE UN CHARTER
Context:
Amid ongoing military attacks in Gaza, UN Secretary-General
Antonio Guterres has invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter
to establish a ceasefire.
• Article 99 allows the Secretary-General to bring
matters threatening international peace to the Se-
curity Council’s attention.
• The provision has been rarely invoked. Past examples
include the upheaval in the Republic of the Congo
in 1960 following the end of Belgium’s colonial rule
and a complaint by Tunisia in 1961 against France’s
naval and air forces launching an attack.
5. FAST TRACK COURTS
Context:
The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the
Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) dedicated to expediting jus-
tice in cases of sexual offences for an additional three years,
extending up to March 31, 2026.
• Launched in 2019 as a centrally sponsored scheme,
the FTSC aims to swiftly dispose of cases related to
rape and those falling under the Protection of Chil-
dren from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
• The Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Jus-
tice, oversees the implementation of the scheme,
which has seen the establishment of 761 fast-track
courts across 30 states and union territories.
• These courts have resolved over 1,95,000 cases,
with a focus on ensuring prompt justice for victims
of sexual offences.

6. DRONES TO THE WOMEN SELF HELP
GROUPS (SHGS)
Context:
The Union Cabinet, has approved a Central Sector Scheme
for providing drones to Women Self Help Groups (SHGs)
from 2024-25 to 2025-26.
• The scheme aims to empower 15,000 selected
Women SHGs by offering drone rental services to
farmers for agricultural purposes.
The key features of the scheme include:
Key Points Details
Holistic Inter- The scheme integrates efforts from the
ventions Department of Agriculture & Farmers
Welfare, Department of Rural Devel-
opment, and Department of Fertilizers.
Collaboration with Women Self Help
Groups (SHGs) and Lead Fertilizer Com-
panies is an integral part of the holistic
approach.
Cluster-Based Identification of economically feasible
Approach clusters for drone usage. Selection of
15,000 women SHGs within these clus-
ters for the provision of drones.
Financial Assis- Women SHGs receive 80% of the drone
tance cost as Central Financial Assistance.
The remaining amount can be raised by
SHGs as a loan under the National Ag-
riculture Infra Financing Facility, with a
3% interest subvention.
Training Elected members of SHGs undergo a 15-
day training program. Training includes
mandatory drone pilot training and ad-
ditional sessions for agricultural appli-
cations. Another member is trained as
a drone technician/assistant for repairs
and maintenance.
Role of Lead LFCs act as intermediaries between
Fertilizer Com- drone suppliers and SHGs, facilitating
panies (LFCs) procurement and maintenance. Promo-
tion of Nano Fertilizers is emphasized.
Income Genera- SHGs rent out drone services to farm-
tion ers for Nano fertilizer and pesticide ap-
plications. Aim to provide sustainable
business and livelihood support.
Technological The scheme aims to infuse advanced
Advancement in technology into agriculture, leading to
Agriculture improved efficiency, enhanced crop
yield, and reduced operational costs.
The technological advancements ben-
efit farmers and contribute to overall
agricultural development.
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Current Affairs 30
7. PRADHAN MANTRI JANJATI ADIVASI
NYAYA MAHA ABHIYAN (PM JANMAN)
Context:
The Union Cabinet, has approved the Pradhan Mantri Janja-
ti Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN)
Key Points Details
Initiative Name Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya
Maha Abhiyan
Objectives Address socio-economic challenges
faced by Particularly Vulnerable Tribal
Groups (PVTGs) in India.
Ministries In- 9 Ministries, including the Ministry of
volved Tribal Affairs.
Focus Areas 11 critical interventions, encompassing
various sectors such as housing, infra-
structure, healthcare, education, and
connectivity.
Key Compo- - Provision of pucca houses - Connect-
nents ing roads - Water supply projects - Mo-
bile medical units - Hostels - Vocational
education - Anganwadi Centers - Multi-
purpose centres - Electrification - Solar
off-grid systems - Solar lighting - Setting
up Village Development Knowledge
Centers (VDVKs) - Installation of mobile
towers
Target Duration The mission will operate over the next
three years.
Beneficiary 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups
Scope (PVTG) communities in 18 states and
the Union Territory of Andaman and
Nicobar Islands.
Overall Goal Improve the overall well-being of PVTG
households by targeting basic facilities,
including housing, water, sanitation, ed-
ucation, health, connectivity, and liveli-
hood opportunities.
Contribution Ayush and Skill Development ministries
of Other Minis- will establish wellness centres. Ayush
tries facilities will be provided through mo-
bile medical units. - Skill and vocational
training will be offered in PVTG habita-
tions.
8. UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN
RIGHTS AT 75
Context:
The UDHR, marking its 75th anniversary, remains a founda-
tional document in the quest for global human rights and
dignity.

About the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR):
Aspect Description
A p p r o v a l December 10, 1948
Date
Purpose To establish a global framework guarantee-
ing the rights and freedoms of individuals
worldwide.
Key Features Recognizes inherent dignity as the founda-
tion of freedom, justice, and peace.
Declares human rights as universal, appli-
cable to all people regardless of location or
identity.
Components Preamble and 30 articles outlining funda-
mental rights and freedoms.
Covers civil, political, economic, social, and
cultural rights.
D r a f t i n g Chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt; included
Committee members from eight countries, reflecting
global diversity.
Participating Over 50 U.N. member countries contribut-
Countries ed to the drafting including India
A c h i e v e - Inspirational foundation for over 70 global
ments and regional human rights treaties.
Influenced movements like decolonization,
anti-apartheid, and freedom struggles
worldwide.
Challenges Not legally binding, leading to misuse and
abuse.
Faces challenges in conflicts like Isra-
el-Hamas, Russia-Ukraine, and internal
conflicts in Myanmar and Sudan.
India’s Con- At various stages of drafting, India was rep-
tribution resented by Hansa Mehta, M.R. Masani
and Lakshmi Menon, who made a series of
substantive contributions to the numerous
articles that made up the UDHR
Hansa Mehta, also a member of India’s
Constituent Assembly, is credited with al-
tering “All men are born free and equal”
to “All human beings are born free and
equal” in Article 1 of the UDHR
9. DELTA RANKING OF ASPIRATIONAL
BLOCKS PROGRAMME (ABP)
Context: NITI Aayog released the first Delta Ranking of the
Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP), with Tiriyani Block in
Telangana securing the top position and Kaushambi Block
in Uttar Pradesh ranked second.
What is the Aspirational Block Programme (ABP)?
73 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
Aspect Details
Program The Aspirational Blocks Programme
(ABP) (built on the Aspirational Dis-
trict Programme (ADP)) is an initiative
launched by NITI Aayog in January
2023.
Objective Enhance governance and improve the
quality of life in challenging and rela-
tively underdeveloped blocks across
India.
Geographic Cov- 500 blocks from 329 districts in 27
erage states and 4 Union Territories
Key Themes Health and Nutrition - Education - Agri-
culture and Allied Services - Basic Infra-
structure - Social Development
Program Strate- Convergence (of Central and state
gy Schemes)
Collaboration (between NITI Aayog,
Central Ministries, State Departments,
District and block Administration)
Competition among blocks driven by a
spirit of mass Movement
Nodal Officers Block Officials are identified as Leaders
of Change, working under the guidance
of their respective state and district ad-
ministrations.
R e l a t i o n s h i p Built on the foundation of the Aspi-
with ADP rational District Programme (ADP),
which was launched in 2018.
ADP Overview Launched in 2018, ADP focuses on the
strength of each undeveloped district,
identifying low-hanging fruits for im-
mediate improvements and measuring
progress by ranking districts.
10. RAJAMANNAR COMMITTEE FOR
CENTRE-STATE RELATIONS
Context:
The article discusses the enduring relevance of the Raja-
mannar Committee’s work in the current political context.
About the Committee:
Formed in 1969 by the Tamil Nadu government, the com-
mittee, headed by P.V. Rajamannar, made critical recom-
mendations for greater devolution of powers to states.
Recom- Description
mendation
Inter-State Proposed the creation of a council to facil-
Council itate coordination and cooperation among
different States. ISC was established in 1990
 Current Affairs 30

Devolution Suggested a broader distribution of finan-

of revenues cial resources to empower States econom-
ically.
Excise du- Recommended the compulsory division of
ties and certain taxes between the Union and the
c e s s e s States.
shareable
Transfer of Advocated the shift of specific subjects, like
subjects to mineral oil resources, from the Union List to
State List the State List.
Legislative Emphasized the need for States to have the
C o m p e - authority to amend Central laws enacted by
tence for Parliament.
States
C o n s u l t a - Urged obligatory discussions with States
tions with before making decisions that impact their
States interests.
Significance: It played a significant role in articulating the
States’ viewpoint on Centre-State relations.

11. ACCEPTANCE OF AWARDS FROM PRI-

VATE ORGANIZATIONS
Context:
The Indian government issues new guidelines mandating
prior approval from competent authorities, such as minis-
try secretaries or the cabinet secretary for higher officials,
for government employees accepting awards from private
organizations.
• The move, prompted by non-compliance with ex-
isting norms, emphasizes that awards should lack
monetary benefits and must come from reputable
institutions.
• The guidelines aim to ensure strict adherence to
regulations outlined in the Central Civil Services
(Conduct) rules of 1964 and subsequent orders,
prioritizing government recognition over private
awards.
12. ASYMMETRIC FEDERALISM
13. DARE TO DREAM SCHEME
Context:
The Dare to Dream (D2D) scheme is a contest organized by
the Ministry of Defence in India, specifically by the Defence
Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).
• The contest aims to encourage innovation and cre-
ativity among individual innovators and start-ups.
About Dare to Dream Contest:
• The Dare to Dream Contest, initiated in memory of
former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, is an annu-
al initiative by the Defence Research and Develop-
ment Organisation (DRDO).
• Launched in 2019, the contest provides a unique
opportunity for start-ups, innovators, entrepre-
neurs, and individuals above 18 years old to ad-
dress key challenges in emerging technologies, ul-
timately contributing to enhancing India’s defence
and aerospace capabilities.
• The evaluation criteria for entries include com-
pleteness of proposal, scientific soundness, design
completeness, merit, technological readiness level
achieved, and innovation.
• The contest aims to bring together a diverse group
of participants to foster innovation and creativity
in addressing technological challenges relevant to
defence and aerospace.

14. SUBORDINATE LEGISLATION

Context:
The Rajya Sabha’s Subordinate Legislation Committee has
criticized the Union government for prolonged delays in
framing rules for Acts passed by Parliament.

74 www.insightsonindia.com

What are Subordinate Legislations?
Subordinate legislations are laws or regulations created
by authorities to implement and administer the broader
statutes passed by the legislature. These regulations, also
known as delegated or secondary legislation, provide de-
tailed guidelines and procedures necessary for the effective
enforcement of primary laws.
• Subordinate legislation is necessary due to legis-
lative time constraints, allowing experts to provide
details, especially in emerging areas like data protec-
tion.
• Although the concept of delegated legislation
was not mentioned specifically in the Indian Consti-
tution it can be understood by interpreting Article
312.
What are the concerns?
1. There have been recurrent delays by Union Minis-
tries in completing the framing of rules within the
stipulated six months after passing an Act.
2. There has been a lack of serious efforts by minis-
tries
a. National Food Security Act, 2013: Delhi,
Rajasthan and Uttarakhand are yet to com-
plete the process of rule-making
b. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory
Board Act, 2006 has been granted ten ex-
tensions so far, yet the process of framing
subordinate legislation is nonconclusive.
c. Wakf Act, 2013: State governments were
delaying the process of framing subordinate
legislation
d. Rules of Arbitration and Conciliation
(Amendment) Act has not been framed
even if four years had lapsed without any
progress
About the Committee on Subordinate Legislation in Rajya
Sabha
It is formed under Rule 204 of the Rules of Procedure and
Conduct of Business in the Council of States. Its mandate in-
volves scrutinizing and reporting to the House on the prop-
er exercise of powers to make rules, regulations, bylaws,
schemes, etc., as conferred by the Constitution or delegated
by Parliament.
15. BORROWINGS BY THE STATES
Context:
States in India may have the option to access around ₹2.04
lakh crore in additional borrowings beyond their net bor-
rowing limits for the year, according to the Finance Ministry.
The Centre has granted 22 states permission to raise nearly
₹61,000 crore this year, exceeding their net borrowing ceil-
ings set at 3% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
75 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
Reason:
This additional borrowing capacity is extended to states that
fulfilled pension liabilities by contributing to the National
Pension System (NPS). Additionally, states can potentially
raise over ₹1.43 lakh crore based on the Ministry of Power’s
recommendations tied to power sector reforms.
Rules regarding borrowing by States:
States in India have a normal net borrowing ceiling set at
3% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for the fiscal
year 2024, as per the Fifteenth Finance Commission’s rec-
ommendation. Additionally, states receive an extra 0.5%
of GSDP in borrowing capacity as a performance-based in-
centive for power sector reforms, enabling them to borrow
₹1.43 lakh crore for FY24 based on the Ministry of Power’s
recommendation.
Constitutionally, Article 293(3) stipulates that a state can-
not raise a loan without the consent of the Government of
India if any part of a previous loan from the central govern-
ment remains outstanding.
16. ELECTORAL LITERACY IN CLASS-
ROOMS
Context:
The Ministry of Education and the Election Commission of
India have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) to integrate voter education and electoral literacy
into the formal education system in India.
• The objective is to prepare students as future voters
and encourage greater electoral participation.
• The MoU includes the introduction or updating of
NCERT textbooks to incorporate electoral literacy
in the National Curriculum Framework for Classes
6th to 12th.
• Additionally, voter education and electoral literacy
will be integrated into the curricular framework of
colleges, universities, and adult education.
• Teachers will receive training to incorporate this
subject matter into their courses.
17. NATIONAL GEOSCIENCE DATA REPOS-
ITORY (NGDR) PORTAL
Context:
The Ministry of Mines has launched the National Geosci-
ence Data Repository (NGDR) Portal.
Spearheaded by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and
Bhaskarachaya Institute of Space Applications and Geoinfor-
matics (BISAG-N), this online platform aims to provide com-
prehensive access to geospatial information nationwide.
The initiative represents a significant step toward democra-

tizing critical geoscience data, fostering innovation in explo-
ration, and empowering stakeholders in various industries
and academia.
The portal has been created as a part of the National Miner-
al Exploration Policy (NMEP), 2016.
About National Mineral Exploration Policy (NMEP) 2016:
It seeks to boost exploration in India by encouraging pri-
vate-sector involvement. Key features include auctioning
exploration blocks for private sector involvement with reve-
nue sharing, creating public geoscientific data, and mapping
the entire country using low-altitude and close space flights
for precise location of minerals like gold, silver, copper, etc.
About GSI:
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) (HQ: Kolkata) is a scien-
tific agency founded in 1851 under the Ministry of Mines. It
conducts geological surveys and studies, providing essential
earth science information to government, industry, and the
public. As one of the world’s oldest organizations of its kind,
GSI actively participates in various industries and interna-
tional geoscientific forums.
About BISAG-N
The Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications
and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) is an autonomous scientific
society supporting technology development, research, and
cooperation in the geospatial technology domain. It is an
agency of the Department of Science and Technology Gov-
ernment of Gujarat, located at Gandhinagar, Gujarat
18. IOM LAUNCHES PROJECT PRAYAS
Context:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has
launched Project PRAYAS (Promoting Regular & Assisted
Migration for Youth and Skilled Professionals) in collabora-
tion with the Ministry of External Affairs.
About Project Prayas:
• The project aims to facilitate safe, orderly, and reg-
ular migration for Indian workers and students.
• It consolidates state-level initiatives and focuses on
improving coordination between state and central
governments.
• The project involves studying migration trends, un-
derstanding migrants’ needs, and launching initia-
tives to raise awareness about safe migration pro-
cesses, with the goal of strengthening international
migration governance.
India has a vast diaspora exceeding 32 million globally as
of December 2021. It is the world’s top recipient of remit-
tances. India ensures the welfare of its diaspora through ini-
76 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
tiatives like pre-departure orientation training, the Indian
Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) for assistance in distress,
the MADAD Portal for grievance redressal, and the Know
India Programme, exposing the young diaspora to contem-
porary India.
About IMO:
International Organization for Migration (founded 1951; HQ:
Grand-Saconnex, Switzerland) is the principal United Na-
tions agency working in the field of migration. The organi-
zation implements operational assistance programmes for
migrants, including internally displaced persons, refugees,
and migrant workers.
19. COLOMBO SECURITY CONCLAVE
20. ANGOLA LEAVES OPEC
Context:
Angola has decided to leave OPEC, a setback for the Sau-
di-led oil producer group.
Reason:
Angola argues that OPEC no longer serves its interests, fol-
lowing a dispute over its output quota. Angola’s exit, joining
Ecuador and Qatar as former members, further challenges
OPEC’s market share, which has been decreasing due to pro-
duction cuts and rising output from non-OPEC countries.
About OPEC:
It was established in 1960 at the Baghdad Conference by
Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, is an inter-
governmental organization with key members including Al-
geria, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Libya, Nigeria, the Republic
of the Congo, and the United Arab Emirates.
The organization’s primary objective is to coordinate and
unify petroleum policies among member countries, en-
suring fair and stable prices for petroleum producers and

maintaining an efficient, economic, and regular supply of
petroleum to consuming nations. With its headquarters in
Vienna, Austria, OPEC holds significant global influence,
possessing over 80% of the world’s total crude oil reserves.
OPEC+ represents approximately 40% of world oil produc-
tion, comprising OPEC and 10 other major oil-exporting na-
tions, including Russia. The organization regulates crude oil
prices through mechanisms like spot or future sales, using
Brent Crude as a benchmark for quality, with WTI (West Tex-
as Intermediate) being another major Benchmark.
About Angola
It is a country on the west-central coast of Southern Africa.
Bordered by Namibia to the south, the Democratic Republic
of the Congo to the north, Zambia to the east, and the Atlan-
tic Ocean to the west. The capital and largest city of Angola
is Luanda.
21. DUAL CITIZENSHIP
Context:
External Affairs Minister acknowledged the challenges of
providing dual citizenship to Indians residing abroad, citing
economic and security concerns.
• While countries like the United States, Finland, and
Israel allow dual citizenship, India prohibits it for its
nationals.
Dual or multiple citizenship allows individuals to hold legal
status as citizens of two or more countries simultaneously,
with benefits such as passport issuance, political participa-
tion, visa exemptions, and employment opportunities.
Alternative of Dual Citizenship: Overseas Citizen of India
OCI program
• The OCI program offers benefits like a lifelong visa,
exemption from reporting to police authorities,
77 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
and parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in vari-
ous fields, excluding property acquisition.
• Eligibility for OCI includes being a former Indian citi-
zen or a descendant, and the application process is
available online through the official website.
22. MIGRATION AND MOBILITY AGREE-
MENT
Context:
The Union Cabinet, has granted ex-post facto approval to
the Migration and Mobility Agreement between India and
Italy.
• The agreement aims to enhance people-to-people
contacts, promote the mobility of students, skilled
workers, business people, and young professionals,
and strengthen cooperation on issues related to ir-
regular migration.
Key provisions :
• Granting temporary residence in Italy for up to 12
months to Indian students seeking initial profes-
sional experience after completing academic or vo-
cational training.
• Reserves quotas for non-seasonal and seasonal
Indian workers under the existing labour mobility
pathways.
• Cooperation in combating irregular migration.
India – Italy Relations:
The two countries established political relations in 1947
and have celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations.
In 2022, bilateral trade between India and Italy reached a
record 15 billion euros, double the amount in 2020.
23. QATAR COMMUTES DEATH SENTENCE
FOR INDIAN NAVY OFFICERS
Context:
An appellate court in Qatar has commuted the death sen-
tence of eight former Indian Navy officers accused of espi-
onage.
The individuals worked at Dahra Global Technologies and
Consultancy Services in Qatar. The charges included spying
for Israel, and the death sentence was handed out in Octo-
ber. The court’s decision to reduce the sentences is seen as a
significant development for India. The men had been work-
ing on overseeing the induction of the Italian small stealth
submarine U2I2.
What is the Commutation of Death Sentence?
Commutation of a death sentence refers to the reduction or
alteration of the original capital punishment imposed on a
 Current Affairs 30
convicted individual. Instead of execution, the punishment is
changed to a less severe form, often a lengthy prison term or
life imprisonment.
Provisions in India
Constitution- The President (Article 72) has the pow-
al Provision in er to grant pardon for Offences against
India Union Law; Punishment or sentence by a
court-martial (military court) and Death
sentence
Meaning of Pardon: Removes sentence and convic-
Terms tion, absolves from all sentences, punish-
ments, and disqualifications.
Commutation: Substitution of a harsh-
er punishment with a lighter one (e.g.,
death sentence to rigorous imprison-
ment).
Remission: Reducing the sentence peri-
od without changing its character.
Respite: Awarding a lesser sentence due
to special circumstances
Reprieve: Temporary stay of sentence ex-
ecution to seek pardon or commutation GS-3
Judicial Stand Maru Ram v Union of India (1980): Pow-
on Pardoning er under Article 72 exercised on the ad-
Powers vice of the Central Government, advice 1. LOSS AND DAMAGE (L&D) FUND
binding on the President.
Context:
Epuru Sudhakar v Ors. (2006): Granting
On the first day of COP 28, member countries unanimous-
clemency can be challenged in court on
ly agreed to operationalize a Loss and Damage (L&D) fund,
grounds of arbitrariness, mala fide, lack
aimed at compensating nations already facing the impacts of
of application of mind, or omission of
climate change.
relevant material.
Difference The president’s power extends to cas- The fund, based at the World Bank but managed inde-
with Gover- es of punishment or sentence by a pendently, has received commitments worth at least $450
nor’s Power Court Martial, but the Governor lacks million. L&D fund was first announced during COP27 in
such power under Article 161. Also, the Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt) in 2022.
President can grant pardon in all death
sentence cases, while the Governor’s What is L&D?
pardoning power does not cover death It refers to the negative consequences arising from the un-
sentences. avoidable risks of climate change, like rising sea levels, pro-
longed heatwaves, species extinction, crop failures, etc
The L&D fund addresses the financial toll of climate change,
24. PALNA SCHEME estimated at over $1.5 trillion in 2022.

To know more about L&D Fund: Click Here

2. ALTÉRRA FUND
Context:
UAE President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan,
at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, announced the cre-
ation of a $30 billion climate fund named ALTÉRRA.
• The fund aims to attract $250 billion in investment
by the end of the decade, with $25 billion allocated
to climate strategies and $5 billion to incentivize in-

78 www.insightsonindia.com

vestment in the Global South.
• The fund seeks to steer private markets towards cli-
mate investments, especially in emerging markets
and developing economies.
The term “Alterra” typically refers to a Latin word that is
often used in various contexts to signify alteration, transfor-
mation, or variation.
The fund’s investments will be guided by four key pillars:
1) Energy Transition
2) Industrial Decarbonization
3) Sustainable Living
4) Climate Technologies Top of Form
3. GLOBAL GREEN CREDIT INITIATIVE
(GGCI)
Context:
The Global Green Credit Initiative, launched by India’s Prime
Minister at COP28, focuses on incentivizing voluntary envi-
ronmental actions with a primary focus on water conserva-
tion and afforestation.
• GGCI sis also referred as Global Platform for Na-
ture’s Ecological Transformation.
What is GGCI?
It is a proposed platform for dialogue, Policy making (e.g.,
Green Credit policy tools) collaboration (sharing of global
know-how), and the exchange of innovative environmental
programs and instruments.
About Green Credits:
• Green credits, assigned to specific actions, will be
tradable commodities, allowing them to be sold on
domestic market platforms.
• The aim is to stimulate activities like tree plantation,
water conservation, sustainable agriculture, and
waste management by providing incentives to cor-
porations and private entities.
• Introduced by the Ministry of Environment, Forest
and Climate Change, the initiative operates as a
market-based mechanism, encouraging individuals,
communities, private sector industries, and compa-
nies to participate in environmental activities.
• It has been notified through Green Credit Rules,
2023 by the Ministry of Environment and Climate
Change under the Environment Protection Act,
1986.
4. GREEN INDUSTRIALISATION INITIATIVE
Context:
African leaders launched the Green Industrialisation Ini-
tiative during the third day of COP28, aiming to accelerate
green growth in African industries and attract finance and
investments.
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Current Affairs 30
• The initiative builds on the existing $4.5 billion Afri-
ca green investment from the UAE.
• It highlights the continent’s priorities for industrial
transition and the need for just and equitable part-
nerships.
• The leaders emphasized the importance of de-risk-
ing and developing long-term plans for green in-
dustrialization.
• Djibouti aspires for 100% green energy, and Zambia
stressed the importance of a shared resource pool
for the continent’s benefit.
The initiative aims to position Africa as a global supplier of
green energy and resources.
5. WORLD MALARIA REPORT
Context:
The World Malaria Report highlights India’s success in re-
ducing malaria cases and deaths, with a 30% decline in cas-
es and a 34% decline in mortality in 2022 compared to the
previous year.
• Key factors contributing to this success include a fo-
cus on primary healthcare in remote areas, digital
data-backed surveillance, and effective manage-
ment of extreme weather events.
• Investments in insecticide mosquito nets, anti-
malarial drugs, and point-of-care tests, along with
urbanization reducing mosquito breeding grounds,
have played crucial roles.
Challenges include resistance issues, especially drug and
insecticide resistance, and addressing vivax malaria, which
requires a 14-day treatment course often not completed
About Malaria:
It is a life-threatening disease caused by a parasite. The par-
asite is spread to humans through the bites of infected fe-
male Anopheles mosquitoes
Malaria vaccines have been in development for almost 60
years. The first approved vaccine is RTS,S, also known as
Mosquirix. The WHO recommends two malaria vaccines:
• RTS,S/AS01
• R21/Matrix-M
6. POPULATION-LEVEL GENOME SEQUENC-
ING
Context:
The UK recently completed sequencing half a million
whole genomes, marking a significant milestone in popula-
tion-scale genomics.
• This approach offers unprecedented insights into
human diversity and has transformative implica-
tions for various scientific fields.
Various large-scale genome programs are ongoing world-
wide, including the U.S.’s AllofUS program, the European
Union’s ‘1+ Million Genomes’ initiative, and the planned
‘Three Million African Genomes.’
 Current Affairs 30
Benefits: 8. COTTON PRODUCTION IN INDIA
• Population-scale genome efforts serve diverse ob-
jectives, from understanding disease prevalence Context:
and biomarkers to informing therapeutic target
discovery and supporting public health initiatives. India aims to become the largest global cotton producer.
• India is currently the second-largest cotton pro-
In Asia and India, initiatives like the GenomeAsia project ducer with the largest cultivation area, and need to
and India’s GenomeIndia aim to conduct population-level enhance productivity, following the model of coun-
sequencing, contributing to the broader understanding of tries like Australia.
human evolution, migration patterns, and adaptation to di- • The Indian textile industry is striving to achieve a
verse environments target of $250 billion by 2030, with $100 billion in
exports.
About Population-level sequencing (also known as popula-
tion-scale sequencing)
It is the process of sequencing the DNA or mRNA of mul-
tiple individuals of one or more species. This process uses
probabilistic matching tools and large amounts of sequence
information to identify genomes

7. ANTHROBOTS
Context:
Scientists have created tiny robots, called anthrobots, made
from human tracheal cells capable of repairing damaged
neural tissue.
• Unlike previous xenobots made from frog cells, an-
throbots are self-assembling and formed from hu-
man tissue, potentially paving the way for personal-
ized medicine.

How it works?
• The researchers grew clusters of human tracheal
skin cells, developing anthrobots with cilia acting
as oars.
• When placed on scratched neural tissue, anthrobots
fused into a ‘superbot,’ leading to complete healing
within three days without genetic modification.
• The researchers envision using person-specific an-
throbots for tasks like clearing arteries, breaking up
mucus, or drug delivery, with potential applications
in regenerative medicine.
9. “BIO-VISION” FOR BHARAT
Context:
The inaugural meeting of the Biotechnology Research and
Innovation Council (BRIC) Society, emphasized the need to
define a “Bio-vision” for India.
• BRIC brings together 14 top science autonomous in-
stitutions under a unified platform to maximize the
impact of biotech research.
• The BRIC Society aims to engage in public-private
research partnerships, receive endowments from
non-governmental resources, and maintain distinct
research mandates for each of the 14 subsumed in-
stitutions under a common governing body.
The “Zero Waste Life on Campus” program was also
launched, promoting sustainability through waste manage-
ment on BRIC campuses. This initiative aligns with Mission
LiFE movement and is expected to strengthen collabora-
tions among institutions while serving as a model for inte-
grated waste management in the community.

The Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC)

is an apex autonomous society operating under the Depart-
ment of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Tech-
nology, in India.

80 www.insightsonindia.com

It was established with the aim of centralizing and unify-
ing biotech governance across the country. The formation
of BRIC involved the subsuming of 14 Autonomous Institu-
tions (AIs) under its umbrella.
10. THE GLOBAL RENEWABLES AND EN-
ERGY EFFICIENCY PLEDGE
Context:
During the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, 118 countries
pledged to triple installed renewable energy capacity by
2030, committing to at least 11,000 gigawatts (GW) and to
double the global average annual rate of energy efficiency
improvements to more than 4%.
• India, along with China and Russia, did not sign the
pledge.
• The pledge lacks legal sanctity and has not been in-
cluded in the main negotiating texts for the COP-28
agreement.
• The reasons for India’s non-participation were not
officially provided, but some pointed out potential
issues with the language in the text.
• The pledge involves the collaboration of G20 coun-
tries on resilient value chains and technology devel-
opment, expanding financial support for scaling re-
newable energy, enhancing technical support and
capacity building for developing economies, and
accelerating cross-border grid interconnections.
India’s decision not to sign is attributed to its commitment,
as part of its nationally determined contributions (NDCs), to
installing 500 GW of electricity from non-fossil fuel sources
by 2030. India recognizes coal as a crucial element in its en-
ergy mix due to the anticipated significant growth in energy
demand over the next 30 years, which may not be met by
renewables alone.
11. INDIA SET TO BECOME 3RD LARGEST
ECONOMY BY 2030
Context:
S&P Global predicts that India will become the third-largest
economy globally by 2030, with a forecasted nominal GDP
rise from $3.5 trillion in 2022 to $7.3 trillion in 2030.
• Currently, India holds the fifth position, with the
United States, China, Germany, and Japan ahead.
• S&P Global emphasizes the importance of India be-
coming a global manufacturing hub and highlights
the need for a robust logistics framework, upskilling
of workers, and increased female workforce partic-
ipation.
• The agency also expects growth in India’s high-
growth startup ecosystem, especially in financial
and consumer technology, and foresees expansion
in the automotive sector.
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12. ACTION PLAN TO REDUCE EMISSIONS
FROM THE COOLING SECTOR
Context:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has
proposed an action plan to make the global cooling sector
more sustainable, aiming to reduce predicted greenhouse
gas emissions by 60% by 2050.
• The cooling sector, vital for combatting rising tem-
peratures, maintaining food quality, and supporting
economies, currently accounts for 20% of electrici-
ty use.
• Without intervention, the installed capacity of cool-
ing equipment is projected to triple by 2050, result-
ing in a doubling of electricity consumption and
emissions of 4.4 to 6.1 billion tonnes of carbon di-
oxide equivalent.
• The proposed measures include passive cooling,
higher energy efficiency standards, and an acceler-
ated phasedown of climate-warming refrigerants.
• The action plan also calls for a faster phasedown of
hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), exceeding the require-
ments of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal
Protocol.
13. HOW DOES GPS WORK
Context:
The article discusses the functionality and significance of
the Global Positioning System (GPS).
• Established by the U.S. Department of Défense in
1973, GPS is a constellation of 24 satellites orbiting
the Earth, providing location information through a
network of ground control stations and user devic-
es.
Functioning:
• The GPS system consists of three main segments:
the space segment with 24 satellites in six orbits,
the control segment managing satellite perfor-
mance and commands, and the user segment incor-
porating GPS across various sectors like agriculture,
construction, military operations, and more.
• The satellites emit radio signals at specific frequen-
cies (L1 and L2) with encoded information about
their location and time.
• GPS receivers on devices, like smartphones, pick up
these signals to calculate the distance from satel-
lites and, by triangulation, determine the user’s pre-
cise location in three dimensions of space and one
of time.
Other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) worldwide,
such as GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou, operate alongside
GPS.
India’s has developed NavIC system, comprising seven sat-
ellites with rubidium atomic clocks, and the GPS-Aided Geo
Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) system, developed for civil
aviation applications.
 Current Affairs 30

15. ASPEX: ISRO’S ADITYA L1 SPACE-

CRAFT
Context:
ISRO’s Aditya L1 spacecraft, launched in September to ex-
plore the Sun, has activated its second instrument, ASPEX
(Aditya Solar Wind Particle Experiment).

What is ASPEX?
ASPEX, or the Aditya Solar Wind Particle Experiment, is a
scientific instrument on ISRO’s Aditya L1 spacecraft de-
signed to study solar wind particles. It comprises tools such
as the ‘Solar Wind Ion Spectrometer’ (SWIS) and the ‘Supra-
thermal and Energetic Particle Spectrometer’ (STEPS).

SWIS measures charged particles (ions) from the Sun, offer-

14. WHO GLOBAL CLINICAL TRIALS FO- ing a broad view, while STEPS focuses on studying high-en-
ergy particles emitted by the Sun. ASPEX plays a crucial role
RUM in understanding space weather and its potential impact on
communication systems and power grids on Earth.
Context:
The first WHO Global Clinical Trials Forum, held on Novem-
ber 20-21, 2023, brought together around 130 experts from
43 countries to discuss and develop a global vision for sus-
tainable clinical research infrastructure.

Aim: The forum aimed to strengthen clinical research capa-

bilities aligned with the World Health Assembly resolution,
focusing on improving the quality and coordination of clin-
ical trials.

What are Clinical trials?

They are research studies conducted to evaluate the safety
and efficacy of medical treatments, interventions, or drugs
in humans. These trials aim to gather data on the effective-
ness and potential side effects of new or existing treatments
and contribute to the development of evidence-based med-
ical practices.

What is CTRI?
The Clinical Trials Registry – India (CTRI) (est. 2007; main-
tained by ICMR (under the Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare) a national clinical trial registry in India.
• It is mandatory to register for every trial at CTRI before 16. SURVEY VESSEL – SANDHAYAK
commencing
• CTRI is a free online public record system for the Context:
registration of clinical trials (both public and private The first of four Survey Vessel (Large) ships, Sandhayak, con-
research) conducted in India. structed at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in
Kolkata, was delivered to the Indian Navy.
The government recently (in June) passed an amendment to
the New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules (2023) that permits Feature Details
researchers to utilize non-animal and human-relevant
Purpose Intended for full-scale coastal and
methods for testing the safety and effectiveness of new
deep-water hydrographic surveys of port
drugs.
and harbour approaches, determining
navigational channels and routes.

82 www.insightsonindia.com

Zone of Oper- The zone of operation includes maritime
ation limits up to the Exclusive Economic Zone
(EEZ) and the extended continental shelf.
Data Collec- The ships have the capability to collect
tion oceanographic and geophysical data for
defence and civil applications.
Hydrographic Equipped with advanced hydrographic
Equipment equipment, including: - Data Acquisition
and Processing System - Autonomous
Underwater Vehicle - Remotely Operat-
ed Vehicle - DGPS Long-range positioning
systems - Digital side-scan sonar
Propulsion Propelled by two diesel engines.
Speed Capable of achieving speeds exceeding
18 knots.
I n d i g e n o u s The ship boasts over 80% indigenous
Content content by cost.
Aatma Nir- The delivery of Sandhayak highlights the
bhar Bharat commitment of the Indian government
Commitment and navy to ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’
(Self-reliant India).
17. INDIA INFRASTRUCTURE REPORT
2023
Context:
The India Infrastructure Report 2023 on Urban Planning
and Development was recently released virtually.
• The report is a collaborative effort by the IDFC Foun-
dation, Infrastructure Development Corporation
(Karnataka) Ltd. (iDeCK), and the National Institute
of Urban Affairs (NIUA).
• The report, part of the India Infrastructure Report
series, covers various complex issues related to ur-
ban planning and development.
Key aspects of the report include Planning and Governance,
Smart Initiatives, PPPs and Financing, Housing and Migra-
tion, Public Service Delivery, Integrating Infrastructure, and
Urban Redevelopment.
18. GEMINI
Context:
Google has unveiled its latest AI project, “Gemini,” designed
to exhibit human-like behaviour.
• The rollout will occur in phases, introducing less so-
phisticated versions named “Nano” and “Pro” into
Google’s AI-powered chatbot Bard and the Pixel 8
Pro smartphone.
• Notable advancements are expected early next year
with the introduction of the “Ultra” model, power-
ing an advanced version of Bard.
Google emphasizes Gemini’s potential in problem-solving,
particularly in math and physics, while expressing commit-
ment to addressing AI risks responsibly.
83 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
19. GENOME SEQUENCING OF JAMUN
Context:
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and
Research (IISER) Bhopal have conducted the first-ever ge-
nome sequencing of the jamun tree (Syzygium cumini).
• The study aimed to gain insights into the genomic
and evolutionary basis of jamun’s medicinal prop-
erties.
• The research team used Oxford Nanopore and 10x
Genomics sequencing technologies to sequence
the S. cumini genome.
• The analysis revealed a higher number of coding
genes in the jamun genome, suggesting a neopoly-
ploidy event.
The study identified key genes involved in the adaptive evo-
lution of jamun, contributing to its anti-diabetic, antioxi-
dant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
A neopolyploidy event refers to the occurrence of poly-
ploidy, a condition in which an organism has multiple sets
of chromosomes, leading to an increase in the number of
chromosomes in its cells.
Polyploidy can arise through different mechanisms, includ-
ing errors during cell division or hybridization between dif-
ferent species
20. JT-60SA (NUCLEAR FUSION REACTOR)
Context:
The world’s largest nuclear fusion reactor, the JT-60SA in Ja-
pan’s Ibaraki Prefecture, has commenced operations, mark-
ing a significant step toward achieving clean energy.
More about the News:
• Aim: The joint project between the European Union
and Japan aims to explore the viability of nuclear
fusion as a sustainable and virtually limitless power
source.
• The achievement follows recent breakthroughs in
nuclear fusion, including a net energy gain by scien-
tists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laborato-
ry in California.
• Another, even larger fusion reactor is currently un-
der construction in France and is set to begin oper-
ations in 2025.

21. IBM’S CONDOR
Context:
IBM has introduced Condor, its latest quantum computing
chip featuring 1,121 superconducting qubits, surpassing the
1,000 qubit milestone.
What are Qubits?
A qubit, short for a quantum bit, is the basic unit of quan-
tum information in quantum computing. Unlike classical
bits, which can exist in a state of 0 or 1, qubits can exist in a
superposition of both 0 and 1 simultaneously. This property,
along with entanglement and other Superposition, enables
quantum computers to perform complex calculations much
more efficiently than classical computers for certain tasks.
However, qubits exhibit high sensitivity and may cause cal-
culation errors, and the problem worsens as quantum com-
puter size increases
IBM plans to leverage the quantum low-density parity
check (qLDPC) error-correction scheme, aiming to reduce
the number of physical qubits needed for each logical qubit.
84 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
Prelims Links:
Q. Which one of the following is the context in which the
term “qubit” is mentioned? (USPC 2022)
(a) Cloud Services
(b) Quantum Computing
(c) Visible Light Communication Technologies
(d) Wireless Communication Technologies
22. GLOBAL COOLING PLEDGE
Context:
The Global Cooling Pledge, signed by 63 countries, including
the US, Canada, and Kenya at COP28, commits to reducing
cooling emissions by at least 68% by 2050.
• Cooling emissions, arising from refrigerants and en-
ergy used in appliances like ACs and refrigerators,
currently account for 7% of global greenhouse gas
emissions and are expected to triple by 2050.
• Refrigerants, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), contribute
significantly to global warming, with HFC-134a hav-
ing a global warming potential 3,400 times that of
CO2.
The solutions include the phasing-out of HFCs, promoting
climate-friendly chemicals, proper disposal of refrigerants,
and exploring ways to cool buildings without relying on air
conditioners.
23. SANTIAGO NETWORK
Context: At COP28, the draft text for the Santiago Network,
a collaborative framework to assist vulnerable developing
countries in managing climate-induced loss and damage,
has been adopted.

The Santiago Network was established at COP 25 in Madrid
as part of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss
and Damage (WIM)
The network’s objective is to connect vulnerable develop-
ing countries with technical assistance, knowledge, and re-
sources. The resources are needed to address climate risks,
such as rising sea levels, melting glaciers, storms, and floods
24. EARLY WARNINGS FOR ALL
Context:
“Early Warnings for All” is an initiative aimed at providing
life-saving early warning systems to protect everyone on
Earth from hazardous weather, water, or climate events by
the end of 2027.
The initiative, led by the World Meteorological Organization
(WMO) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Re-
duction (UNDRR), calls for over $3 billion investment over
five years to strengthen
1. Disaster risk knowledge
2. Observation and forecasting
3. Warning dissemination
4. Response capabilities
The initiative aligns with the UN Secretary-General’s Ac-
celeration Agenda, the Paris Agreement, and the Sendai
Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Other Initiatives for Disaster Risk Reduction:
1. Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning Sys-
tem for Africa and Asia (RIMES)
2. The first Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster
Risk Reduction was hosted by India in 2016. Coali-
tion for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (2019)
3. Indian Tsunami Early Warning System (2007)
4. iFLOWS Mumbai
5. CFLOWS-Chennai etc.
As per the ‘Global Status of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Sys-
tems 2023’ Report released by the United Nations and the
World Meteorological Organisation, only half of the world is
covered by an early warning system
25. BAN ON USING SUGARCANE JUICE
AND SUGAR SYRUP FOR ETHANOL PRO-
DUCTION
Context:
The government has temporarily banned the use of sugar-
cane juice and sugar syrup for ethanol production due to
uncertainties in cane output for the current season as per
the Sugar (Control) Order 1966.
85 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
Why the temporary ban?
Government intends to maintain adequate domestic sugar
availability and price stability, due to an estimated fall in
sugar production in the current season. Sugar mills find it
more profitable to sell sugarcane and syrup to Oil marketing
companies for ethanol blending. However, this may create a
shortage of sugar in the Indian market.
Will it impact the Government’s goal of Ethanol blending?
The government says the ban would not impact India’s goal
of achieving its 20% ethanol blending target by 2025-26.
The government plans to promote ethanol production us-
ing alternative feedstocks such as B and C-heavy molasses,
damaged rice, and maize. The government is also exploring
the use of maize as a feedstock for ethanol production, with
plans to procure maize directly from farmers at a minimum
support price.
In the 2022-23 ethanol supply year, the government achieved
a 12% blending of ethanol with petrol, and the target for the
current year is 15%.
The government programme for ethanol blending:
1. National Policy on Biofuels (2018);
2. Ethanol blending Program (target of 20 per cent
ethanol blending in petrol by 2025);
3. PM JI-VAN YOJANA for providing financial support
for setting up second-generation (2G) ethanol proj-
ects;
4. E100 Pilot project;
5. Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO)
26. DRESS SYNDROME
Context:
The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has issued a
drug safety alert regarding the painkiller Meftal, cautioning
about potential adverse reactions associated with mefenam-
ic acid, including the risk of Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and
Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) syndrome.
What is DRESS syndrome?
It is a severe and potentially life-threatening idiosyncratic
reaction to certain medications. It is characterized by a de-
layed onset of symptoms, including fever, skin rash, lymph-
adenopathy, eosinophilia (an increase in a type of white
blood cells), and various systemic manifestations.
What is Meftal?
Meftal is commonly prescribed for conditions such as rheu-
matoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, dysmenorrhoea, mild to
moderate pain, inflammation, fever, dental pain, muscle and
joint pain, period pain, sore throats, nerve pain, and muscle
aches.

Prolonged use of Meftal and similar drugs may increase the
risk of stomach ulcers, bleeding, and adverse effects on the
cardiovascular system.
About
Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (HQ: Ghaziabad (UP);
founded: 1956) is an autonomous institution of the Minis-
try of Health and Family Welfare which sets standards for
all drugs that are manufactured, sold and consumed in India.
27. FOURTH-GENERATION NUCLEAR
PLANT
Context:
China has launched the world’s first commercial operations
of a fourth-generation gas-cooled nuclear reactor power
plant, the Shidao Bay plant in eastern Shandong province.
Unlike conventional reactors, this plant utilizes small mod-
ular reactors (SMRs), which are high-temperature reactors
cooled by gas instead of pressurized water. SMRs are con-
sidered more efficient and cost-effective and can be em-
ployed for various applications such as heating, desalination,
or steam for industrial purposes.
What are SMRs?
They are advanced nuclear reactors with a capacity of up
to 300 MW per unit, offering advantages such as simplicity,
safety, and cost-effectiveness.
• SMRs can be factory-made and transported to a site
for installation.
• SMRs are economical and time-efficient, and unlike
traditional reactors that require refuelling every 1-2
years, SMRs only need refuelling every 3-7 years.
The Indian Government is considering offering incentives,
similar to a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, to
encourage the manufacturing of small modular reactors
(SMRs) with the goal of increasing nuclear power’s share in
India’s energy production.
India has 22 operating reactors, with an installed capacity
of 7480 MWe. India is currently in the second stage of its
three-stage nuclear programme
28. GLOBAL COOLING WATCH 2023
Context:
The Global Cooling Watch 2023 report by UNEP highlights
pathways to achieve near-zero emissions from cooling.
About the Report
It focuses on three key measures: passive cooling, high-
er-energy efficiency standards, and a faster phase-down
of climate-warming refrigerants. Aligned with the Global
86 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
Cooling Pledge, the report aims to reduce cooling-related
emissions and promote sustainable cooling. It recommends
incorporating these measures into building codes and uti-
lizing financial instruments to drive demand for higher-effi-
ciency products.
A report from the Cool Coalition, released during COP28
climate talks, suggests that implementing the above-given
measures could reduce predicted 2050 emissions from cool-
ing by at least 60%. If combined with rapid power grid de-
carbonization, these measures could result in up to a 96%
reduction in emissions from the cooling sector. Previously,
the United Nations Environment Programme’s Cool Coali-
tion and COP28 host the United Arab Emirates introduced a
Global cooling pledge (India had declined to sign the pledge)
In 2016, over 150 countries signed the Kigali Amendment
(including India) to the Montreal Protocol, agreeing to re-
duce HFC consumption by 80% by 2047.
India Cooling Action Plan (launched in 2019)
It seeks to Reduce cooling demand across sectors by 20% to
25% by 2037-38, and refrigerant demand by 25% to 30% by
2037-38.
29. URBAN FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECT
Context:
PM approves the first urban flood mitigation project for the
‘Integrated Urban Flood Management Activities for Chennai
Basin Project (IUFM)’ This initiative, under the National Di-
saster Mitigation Fund (NDMF), includes Central assistance
of Rs. 500 crore and aims to make Chennai flood-resilient.
What is IUFM?
It is a holistic approach that stresses the interrelationship
between socioeconomic development, environmental sus-
tainability, and flood-risk management.
Other Initiatives for Flood Mitigation in Indian Cities:
• Integrated flood warning system - known as IF-
LOWS-Mumbai
• CFLOWS (in Chennai) is a complete webGIS-based
decision support system that can be used both for
mitigation planning operations before and after
flooding
30. TROPICALISATION
Context:
Climate change is causing a significant global phenomenon
known as tropicalisation, where tropical species in the
ocean are moving towards the poles, while temperate spe-
cies are retreating.

• This mass movement of marine life is driven by ris-
ing sea temperatures and marine heat waves due
to climate change.
• The trend is observed in areas with strong currents
away from the equator, leading to consequences
for ecosystems, biodiversity, and potential impacts
on the global economy.
• The socio-economic impacts vary by region, influ-
encing global fisheries, carbon storage, and tour-
ism.
31. PRESSMUD
Context:
India’s pressmud, a byproduct in the sugar industry, can be a
valuable resource for compressed biogas (CBG) production.
What is Pressmud and how it is produced?
Pressmud, also known as filter cake or press cake, is a resid-
ual byproduct in the sugar industry. It is produced during the
sugar extraction process from sugarcane. The sugarcane is
crushed to extract juice, and pressmud is the solid residue
left behind after squeezing out the juice. Other by-products
are: Bagasse, molasses
Applications:
It has the potential use in generating compressed biogas
(CBG) through anaerobic digestion and subsequent purifica-
tion. With the potential to generate 460,000 tonnes of CBG
valued at Rs 2,484 crore, pressmud offers advantages like a
simplified supply chain, concentrated sourcing, and cost-ef-
fectiveness.
However, challenges include rising pressmud prices, compe-
tition for alternative uses, and storage issues. To fully exploit
this resource, interventions such as streamlined bioenergy
policies, price control mechanisms, and research on storage
technologies are essential.
87 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
32. ENVIRONMENTAL COST OF THE ISRE-
AL-PALESTINE WAR
Context:
The article highlights the environmental impact of Israel’s
military actions in Gaza. The use of heavy bombs, white
phosphorus, and herbicides has led to widespread environ-
mental damage, affecting soil, water, and air quality.
Tool Purpose/Effect
2,000-pound Causing large-scale destruction, creating
bombs craters, and resulting in environmental
contamination
White phos- Illegal use in densely populated areas,
phorus causing severe burns and environmental
pollution
Mk-84 bombs Release of harmful substances (aluminium
filled with Tri- and trinitrotoluene) affecting soil, water,
tonal and air
Tritonal is a mix of one part Aluminium
and three parts trinitrotoluene or TNT. It
is a dangerous explosive, especially when
exposed to heat. Transport of Tritonal by
aircraft or railways is forbidden due to its
explosive characteristics.
Herbicides Destroying crops and arable land in an at-
tempt to create a ‘buffer zone’ between
Gaza and Israel
Destruction Disruption of water supply, targeting Wa-
of infrastruc- ter, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facil-
ture ities
Reforestation Altering the landscape, affecting biodiver-
with non-in- sity, and diminishing cultural ties with ol-
digenous spe- ive trees
cies
33. PARIS CLUB GROUP OF CREDITORS
Context:
Sri Lanka has reached an “agreement in principle” with India
and the Paris Club group of creditors, including Japan, on a
debt treatment plan.
Aim: This agreement is expected to facilitate the release
of the next tranche of the International Monetary Fund’s
nearly $3 billion recovery package for Sri Lanka.
• At the height of last year’s economic crisis, Sri Lan-
ka defaulted on its nearly $51 billion foreign debt,
leading to the need for comprehensive loan restruc-
turing.
About the economic crisis in Sri Lanka:
The current economic crisis in Sri Lanka is a result of a com-
bination of factors, including high levels of government

debt, a large trade deficit, weak foreign exchange reserves,
and declining economic growth.
What is the Paris Club?
The Paris Club (est. 1956, HQ: Paris (France)) is a group of
officials from major creditor countries whose role is to find
coordinated and sustainable solutions to the payment diffi-
culties experienced by debtor countries. It provided finan-
cial assurances to the International Monetary Fund on Sri
Lanka’s debt
Objective: To find sustainable debt-relief solutions for coun-
tries that are unable to repay their bilateral loans.
• Members: 22 permanent members (all are a mem-
ber of the OECD)
• India and China are not members. India acts as
an ad-hoc participant
34. GLOBAL BOND INDEX (GBI)
35. MAHASAGAR
Context:
The Indian Navy’s outreach initiative, MAHASAGAR, con-
ducted its maiden edition as a virtual interaction between
the Indian Chief of the Naval Staff, and heads of navies and
maritime agencies from the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) lit-
torals.
Participating nations included several members of IORA
such as Bangladesh, Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives,
Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania.
They emphasized the importance of harmonizing capacities
88 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
in the IOR, aligning with India’s vision of SAGAR.
What is India’s SAGAR?
India’s SAGAR (announced in 2015), which stands for ‘Secu-
rity and Growth for All in the Region,’ is a vision and pol-
icy framework designed to enhance maritime cooperation
and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The initiative
emphasizes the importance of promoting collective security
and sustainable development for the benefit of all nations in
the region.
36. ASW SHALLOW WATER CRAFT (CSL)
PROJECT
Context:
The first three ships of the ASW Shallow Water Craft (CSL)
project for the Indian Navy, named Mahe, Malvan, and
Mangrol, were simultaneously launched on November 30,
2023, at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi.
About Mahe class ships:
They are part of the 08 x ASW Shallow Water Craft project
and are equipped with indigenously developed underwater
sensors for anti-submarine and maritime operations. The
project aims for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ with over 80% indig-
enous content. The first ship is expected to be delivered in
2024.
Aim: To undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal
waters, Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and Mine
Laying Operations.
Other warships:
 Current Affairs 30

38. SICKLE CELL DISEASE

Context:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted
approval for two gene therapies for sickle cell disease.
• Developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR
Therapeutics, Casgevy, and bluebird bio’s Lyfgenia
have been approved for individuals aged 12 years
and older.
• One of the approved therapies, Casgevy, is based
on the CRISPR gene editing technology, making it
the first treatment in the U.S. to utilize the Nobel
Prize-winning CRISPR gene editing technology.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder caus-

ing flawed, sickle-shaped hemoglobin, affecting the oxy-
gen-carrying ability of red blood cells.Top of Form

37. BIOFORTIFIED SEEDS

Context:
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has de-
veloped 142 biofortified seed varieties, including 124 for
field crops and 18 for horticultural crops, since 2014.
• These varieties cover a range of crops, such as rice,
wheat, maize, pearl millet, sweet potato, amaran-
thus, and more.
• The biofortified varieties developed by ICAR have
demonstrated equal or better yields compared to
conventional varieties, with no added cultivation
costs.
Biofortified seeds are bred varieties that aim to enhance nu-
tritional content without adverse effects on soil and water
ecology.

39. BUDGETT’S FROG

Context:
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science’s molecular
biophysics unit have conducted a study revealing that pep-
tides derived from the skin of Budgett’s frog possess the
ability to combat enzymes produced by disease-causing
pathogens.
• The frog’s skin secretions contain LL-TIL, a specific
peptide studied by the researchers.
• LL-TIL was found to inhibit two key enzymes, subtil-
isin carlsberg and proteinase K, which are produced
by pathogens and play a crucial role in promoting
infections by breaking down specific protective pro-
teins in the host.

89 www.insightsonindia.com

The study provides insights into the inhibitory action of the
frog-derived peptide, offering a potential framework for
developing specific and potent inhibitors against various
pathogenic enzymes.
About Budgett’s frog:
Budgett’s frog (Lepidobatrachus laevis) is a species of frog in
the horned frog family, Ceratophryidae.
Size: They can grow to be 4–5 in (10–13 cm) in size, with
females being larger than males.
Habitat: Their natural habitat is the semiarid Gran Chaco re-
gion of South America.
Current Affairs 30
posed a growing trend where human trafficking victims are
forced to commit cyber fraud.
• The operation, involving Indian enforcement agen-
cies, led to the arrest of 281 individuals across
different countries on charges including human
trafficking, passport forgery, corruption, telecom-
munications fraud, and sexual exploitation.
• The trend of trafficking victims being coerced into
cyber fraud was first highlighted by Interpol in
June, revealing a global issue with billions of dollars
in annual revenue generated by scam syndicates.
42. GLOBAL RIVER CITIES ALLIANCE
(GRCA) AT COP28

40. DE-EXTINCTION OF DODO

43. CLOUD FACILITY FOR THE FINANCIAL

SECTOR IN INDIA

Context:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is in the process of setting
up a cloud facility for the financial sector in India, aiming to
bolster the security, integrity, and privacy of financial sector
data.
• The facility will be similar to an Aadhaar or NPCI-like
setup for domestic financial data and reporting
• Initially operated by the RBI’s subsidiary, Indian Fi-
nancial Technology & Allied Services (IFTAS), the
cloud facility will later transition to a separate entity
owned by financial sector participants.

Other measures taken by RBI:

41. OPERATION STORM MAKERS II Measures Details

Context: Interpol’s “Operation Storm Makers II” has ex-

90 www.insightsonindia.com

Enhancing UPI Proposed increase in UPI limit for pay-
T r a n s a c t i o n ments to hospitals and educational in-
Limit stitutions from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh per
transaction.
The current UPI limit is capped at ₹1
lakh, except for specific categories like
Capital Markets, Collections, Insurance,
etc., where the limit is ₹2 lakh.
Setting up of The repository will be operationalized
Fintech Repos- by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub in
itory April 2024 or earlier.
R e g u l a t o r y WALP aims to increase transparency in
F r a m e w o r k the operations of loan aggregators. It
for Web-Ag- involves aggregating loan offers from
gregation of multiple lenders on an electronic plat-
Loan Products form, allowing borrowers to compare
(WALP) and choose the best available option for
obtaining a loan from one of the lenders.
44. INDIAN FOREST & WOOD CERTIFICA-
TION SCHEME (IFWCS)
Context:
The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change
has introduced the Indian Forest & Wood Certification
Scheme to encourage sustainable forest management and
agroforestry practices in India.
What is sustainable forest management and agroforestry?
Sustainable Forest management involves the responsible
and balanced use of forest resources to meet present needs
without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs.
Agroforestry is a land-use system that integrates trees or
shrubs with crops or livestock on the same piece of land. It
combines agricultural and forestry practices to achieve envi-
ronmental, economic, and social benefits.
What is the Scheme about?
This national certification scheme comprises three types of
certifications:
1. Forest management certification
2. Tree Outside Forest Management Certification
3. Chain of custody certification (to trace forest prod-
ucts)
Aim: It aims to provide market incentives for entities, in-
cluding state forest departments, farmers, and wood-based
industries, adhering to responsible forest and agroforestry
practices.
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Current Affairs 30
The Forest Management certification is based on the Indi-
an Forest Management Standard, and a new Trees Outside
Forests Standard has been introduced.
Applicability: IFWCS is applicable across the country, both
in forest areas and TOF plantations on government, private,
agroforestry and other lands. Certification is applicable for
both timber and non-timber forest produce.
Nodal Agency: The scheme will be overseen by the Indian
Forest and Wood Certification Council (advisory), involving
various stakeholders, and managed by the Indian Institute of
Forest Management (overall management of the scheme)
Working: Independent audits will be conducted by the Na-
tional Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies under
the Quality Council of India to assess compliance with the
scheme’s standards. Complying agencies will be given a
third-party certification of compliance. Complying individu-
als/agencies can then avail of available incentives based on
their certification.
45. CLIMATE CHANGE AND MIGRATORY
SPECIES
Context:
The “Climate Change & Migratory Species: A Review of Im-
pacts, Conservation Actions, indicators and Ecosystem Ser-
vices” report has been released by the Conservation of Mi-
gratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
The key message of the report:
Migratory species play a crucial role in ecosystems, offer-
ing essential services that mitigate climate change impacts
and enhance resilience to climatic hazards. Examples include
whales aiding nutrient transfer and storing carbon, and an-
telopes reducing wildfire risks through grazing. Climate
change poses severe threats to migratory species, impact-
ing their habitats, migration patterns, and reproductive suc-
cess
 Current Affairs 30
Key recommendations: sanitation challenges.
• Global Conservation:
o Reduce Land Change: Minimize land change What is Arsenic?
for biodiversity and CO2. Arsenic is a chemical element (symbol: As) that occurs nat-
o Protective Networks: Create linked protect- urally in the Earth’s crust. Arsenic can be found in various
ed areas for migratory species. forms, including inorganic and organic compounds. Inor-
o Advocate for Benefits: Promote climate ad- ganic arsenic is often considered toxic and can pose serious
vantages of species conservation. health risks to humans when present in drinking water, lead-
• CMS Specific Actions: ing to issues like arsenic poisoning.
o Evaluate Ecosystem Functions: Assess and
share species’ ecosystem roles. What is Jal Jivan Mission?
o Adaptation Proposals: Suggest measures The Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in 2019, aims to provide
for species adaptation. safe and sufficient drinking water through individual house-
o Indicators Development: Create climate im- hold tap connections to all rural households in India by
pact indicators. 2024. It targets supplying 55 litres of water per person per
• Research and Monitoring: day through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC)
o Identify Vulnerable Species: Recognize neg- by 2024. The mission also covers urban areas, ensuring uni-
atively impacted species. versal water supply through functional taps in all statutory
o Prioritize Route Changes: Highlight species towns.
changing migration routes. Progress shows an increase from about 17% to approxi-
o Ecosystem Service Research: Study species’ mately 71% of rural households with tap water connections
services in climate change. by December 2023. Additionally, all 378 arsenic-affected
o Human Adaptation Impact: Investigate hu- habitations awaiting tap water supply have received safe
man adaptation effects on species. drinking water through Community Water Purification Plants
(CWPPs).
About CMS:
The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) (enforced since
1983; HQ: Bonn (Germany), also known as the Bonn Con- 47. PATENT EXCLUSIONS
vention, is an environmental treaty of the United Nations Context:
(UNEP provides support) that provides a global platform for The recent judgments from Justice Senthilkumar Rama-
the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial, aquatic moorthy of the Madras High Court raised concerns re-
and avian migratory animals and their habitats. It has 133 garding exclusions to patentability in pharmaceutical and
members including India. It consists of two appendices: Ap- medical patents under Section 3 of the Patents Act, 1970,
pendix I (migratory species that are in danger of extinction) in India.
and Appendix II (Migratory species that will benefit from
conservation) Case Focus Key Points
Novozymes Section 3(e) Known aggregates can be
46. ‘AMRIT’ TECHNOLOGY vs Assistant - Exclusion of patent-eligible if individual
Controller mere aggre- components meet patent
of Patents gations criteria; evidence is re-
Context: and Designs quired to demonstrate syn-
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) - Madras has developed ergistic properties.
the ‘AMRIT’ technology for removing arsenic and metal ions
Hong Kong Section 3(i) - Exclusion extends beyond
from water
and Shang- Exclusion of in vivo/invasive diagnoses;
hai Uni- medical treat- and includes processes for
What is AMRIT Technology?
versity vs ment pro- disease diagnosis.
It has been developed by IIT-Madras, and focuses on re-
A s s i s t a n t cesses
moving arsenic and metal ions from water to address wa-
Controller
ter quality issues. Using nano-scale iron oxy-hydroxide, it
of Patents
selectively eliminates arsenic when water passes through it.
The court emphasizes the need for clear, bright-line rules in
This technology is suitable for both domestic and commu-
patent law for consistency, certainty, and efficiency in deci-
nity-level water purification, aligning with the objectives of
sion-making by the Indian Patent Office.
the Jal Jeevan Mission.
• The ‘Standing Committee’ of the Department of
Drinking Water and Sanitation has recommended
AMRIT for consideration in addressing water and

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48. WORKING ON WEB BROWSERS
Web browsers work by translating code into the dynamic
web pages that users interact with online
Steps Description
1. User Input Users enter a website’s address (URL)
into the browser’s address bar or click on
a link.
2. Request The browser sends a request to the server
and Response for the contents of the specific web page.
3. Decon- The response consists of files encoded in
structing the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Response
HTML defines the structure, CSS adds
style, and JavaScript provides dynamic
functionality.
4. Rendering Browser deciphers HTML, applies CSS,
and executes JavaScript.
Assembles the final webpage presented
to the user.
5. Managing Browsers use cookies to store data like
Data login status and preferences.
Cache stores frequently accessed files,
speeding up page loading times.
6. Security Browsers use encryption protocols (e.g.,
HTTPS) for secure data exchange.
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Current Affairs 30
49. DIEL VERTICAL MIGRATION (DVM)
Context:
The article discusses Diel Vertical Migration (DVM), a syn-
chronized movement observed in deep-sea marine animals,
particularly zooplankton, where they swim up to the ocean’s
surface at night and return to deeper waters during the day.
Significance of the DVM:
• This migration serves as a survival strategy, allowing
them to feed on phytoplankton in the safer dark-
ness while avoiding daytime predators.
• DVM is a crucial player in the Earth’s carbon cycle.
Animals in the mesopelagic (middle water between
200m to 1000m ) layer actively remove carbon from
the upper ocean as they consume surface-dwelling
plankton. When these organisms return to deeper
waters, they transport the carbon with them.
• DVM is the largest daily migration on the planet by
biomass, occurring in all oceans.
• DVM contributes to carbon sequestration, as migra-
tory animals become part of the food chain in the
twilight zone, passing on carbon to their predators.
• The carbon-rich waste produced by these predators
eventually sinks to the ocean floor
50. IUCN RED LIST UPDATION 2023
Context:
The latest update to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Spe-
cies reveals that climate change poses a threat to numerous
species, including Atlantic salmon and green turtles.
• The report, released at the COP28 UN climate con-
ference, also includes the first global assessment of
freshwater fish.
Key Findings:
• The assessment indicates that 25% of freshwater
fish species are at risk of extinction, with at least
17% affected by climate change.
• The report highlights various threats, including de-

creasing water levels, rising sea levels, shifting
seasons, pollution, dams, overfishing, and invasive
species.
• Additionally, the update features conservation suc-
cesses, such as the scimitar-horned oryx and the
saiga antelope, but notes that changing climatic
conditions could undermine their future.
• The report also reveals the impact of illegal logging
and trade on big-leaf mahogany, which has moved
from Vulnerable to Endangered on the Red List.
IUCN:
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, also known as the
Red Data Book, is a list of the global conservation status
and extinction risk of biological species.
It was founded in 1964 and is the world’s most comprehen-
sive information source on the global extinction risk status
of animal, fungus, and plant species.
51. NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS
Context:
Six new countries and a United Nations agency have joined
the ENACT Partnership, a global initiative aimed at coordinat-
ing efforts to address climate change, land and ecosystem
degradation, and biodiversity loss through Nature-based
Solutions.
• ENACT, launched at COP27 in 2022, involves work-
ing with nature to deliver climate, biodiversity, and
land restoration action.
The partnership, led by the International Union for Conser-
vation of Nature (IUCN), aims to enhance the protection and
resilience of at least 1 billion vulnerable people, secure up
to 2.4 billion hectares of healthy ecosystems, and increase
global mitigation efforts.
Nature-based solutions are based on the notion that when
ecosystems are healthy and well-managed, they provide
essential benefits and services to people, such as reducing
greenhouse gas emissions, securing safe water resources,
making air safer to breathe, or providing increased food se-
curity.
Examples: Protecting and restoring coral reefs, Building
greener cities etc.
52. MYANMAR WORLD’S BIGGEST OPI-
UM PRODUCER
Context: Myanmar has become the world’s largest produc-
er of opium in 2023, surpassing Afghanistan, according to a
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime report.
• Myanmar’s opium production is estimated at 1,080
metric tonnes, while Afghanistan’s production has
plummeted by 95% to around 330 tonnes due to
the Taliban’s ban on poppy cultivation.
• Conflict, instability, poor market access, and infla-
94 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
tion have driven farmers in Myanmar to cultivate
poppy, contributing to the highest opium produc-
tion in over 20 years.
Opium:
It is a highly addictive non-synthetic narcotic that is extract-
ed from the poppy plant, Papaver somniferum. The opium
poppy is the key source of many narcotics, including mor-
phine, codeine, and heroin.
53. AKTOCYTE
Context:
Scientists from the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and
M/s. IDRS Labs Pvt. Ltd. in Bengaluru have collaboratively
developed a breakthrough nutraceutical named AKTOCYTE
tablets.
• These tablets aim to enhance the quality of life for
cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy by min-
imizing the side effects associated with the treat-
ment.
• AKTOCYTE tablets have shown remarkable results,
particularly in pelvic cancer patients undergoing
radiotherapy-induced Cystitis, leading to extraordi-
nary recovery and eliminating the need for surgical
interventions like the removal of the urinary blad-
der.
• The tablets, designed as an adjuvant to cancer ra-
diotherapy, act as a regenerative nutraceutical, im-
munomodulator, and antioxidant, representing a
significant advancement in cancer care.
• AKTOCYTE has received approval from the Food
Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI),
ensuring its safety and compliance with quality stan-
dards.
54. DOMESTICATION OF YAK
Context:
The oldest evidence of yak domestication by humans has
been discovered in Bangga, a settlement in the Shannan

prefecture of the Tibetan Autonomous Region in China, Biogeo-
near the Brahmaputra River and the Indian border. graphic
• The study reveals that around 2,500 years ago, res-
Realm
idents of Bangga not only domesticated yaks but
also taurine cattle, a variety distinct from Indian Ecoregions
Zebu breeds. & Biomes
• The researchers found evidence of hybrid offspring
produced by crossing yaks and cattle.
• Genetic analysis of bones indicated the presence of
male yaks and female taurine cattle.
• The surprising proximity of taurine cattle to the In-
dian subcontinent suggests they may have reached
central and eastern Tibet via the Silk Route.
Current Affairs 30
Falls at the junction of the Palearctic realm
and the Indomalayan realm, supporting di-
verse species.
Encompasses various ecoregions, including
the Terai-Duar savanna, Eastern Himalayan
broadleaf forests, Himalayan subtropical
pine forests, Eastern Himalayan subalpine
conifer forests, and Eastern Himalayan al-
pine shrub and meadows.
56. E-CIGARETTES

55. PANGOLAKHA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY Context:

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that e-ciga-
Context: rettes, as consumer products, have not been proven effec-
A tiger has been spotted at a record-high elevation of 3,640 tive for quitting tobacco use at the population level.
meters in the Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary in Sikkim. This Aspect Description
marks the highest elevation in India where tigers have been What are E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices
observed, surpassing the previous record of 3,630 meters in e - c i g a - that heat a liquid into an inhalable aerosol.
Arunachal Pradesh. rettes? The liquid typically contains nicotine, propyl-
ene glycol, glycerin, flavourings, and other
About Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary chemicals.
Topic Details A l t e r - E-cigarettes are also known as vape pens,
Location The Pangalokha n a t i v e vapes, electronic nicotine delivery systems
Wildlife Sanctuary Names (ENDS), electronic non-nicotine delivery sys-
is situated at the tems (ENNDS), etc.
tri-junction of Sik- Concerns E-cigarettes contain nicotine, causing addic-
kim, Bengal, and tion.
Bhutan. The Pan- E-cigarettes are highly addictive and harm-
golakha range in ful, with potential long-term health effects,
the east separates including the generation of toxic substances
Sikkim from Bhutan linked to cancer and increased risks of heart
Size It is the largest and lung disorders
wildlife sanctuary Aerosols may contain metals (lead, chromi-
in Sikkim. um, nickel) and chemicals (formaldehyde)
Connectivity Linked to Neora Children aged 13–15 are using e-cigarettes
Valley National at rates higher than adults. Rates among
Park of West Ben- 16–19-year-olds have doubled from 2017 to
gal, forests of Sam- 2022.
tse and Haa district
in Bhutan. Nicotine A plant alkaloid found in tobacco and synthe-
sized. It acts as a sedative and stimulant.
Biodiversity Home to various species, including red
pandas, snow leopards, Himalayan musk Used in e-cigarettes with content up to 36
deer, goral, and black bears. mg/mL (compared to 1.2 to 1.4 mg/mL in reg-
ular cigarettes).
Lakes Features high-altitude lakes, including Lake
Tsongmo, a biodiversity hotspot for migra- Recently classified as Class A poison in Kar-
tory birds. nataka.
Rivers Major rivers like Rangpo and Jaldhaka orig- R e g u l a - The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarette Act
inate from nearby lakes within the sanctu- tion in In- (PECA) 2019 in India prohibits the production,
ary. dia manufacture, import, export, transport, sale,
distribution, storage, and advertisement of
e-cigarettes.

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57. MOVING OFF INFORMATION SYS-
TEMS (MOIS)
Context:
The government’s technical committees, including the Cen-
tral Motor Vehicle Rules-Technical Standing Committee
(CMVR-TSC) and the Automotive Industry Standards Com-
mittee (AISC), are working on formulating standards for
Moving Off Information Systems (MOIS) in vehicles.
What is MOIS?
Moving Off Information Systems (MOIS) is an advanced
driver assistance system designed to aid drivers during low-
speed moving-off manoeuvres, particularly in situations in-
volving vehicles carrying passengers or goods.
The system detects and informs the driver of the presence
of pedestrians and cyclists in the close-proximity forward
blind spot of the vehicle, aiming to enhance road safety.
Additionally, the National Highways Authority of India
(NHAI) has developed a Computer Aided Dispatch System
and NHAI ERS Mobile Application to expedite emergency
response calls, aligning with the broader focus on improving
traffic safety as per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
About NHAI:
The National Highways Authority of India is an autonomous
agency (under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways)
set up in 1995 and is responsible for the management of a
road network of over 50,000 km of National Highways out of
1,32,499 km in India.
58. BARRACUDA
Context:
India’s fastest solar-electric boat, named Barracuda, was
launched at the Navalt Solar and Electric Boats yard in Aroor,
Alappuzha (Kerala).
Designed by Navalt, the eco-friendly vessel is capable of
carrying 12 passengers and cargo, with a top speed of 12.5
knots and a range of seven hours on a single charge. The
boat is built to navigate waves up to four meters high and
was commissioned by Mazagon Dock Limited for use in
Mumbai under the same Saur Sakthi. Navalt Solar and Elec-
tric Boats received the world’s best start-up award in the
mobility and transportation category at the Berlin Start-up
Energy Transition Awards 2023.
59. SECURITIES APPELLATE TRIBUNAL
(SAT)
Context:
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Current Affairs 30
The Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) has overturned the
Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (Sebi) fine of Rs 7
crore on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in the dark-fibre
case.
• The investigation focused on potential violations of
regulations and circulars related to fraudulent and
unfair trade practices.
About Dark Fiber:
Dark fibre, also known as unlit fibre, is unused fibre-optic
cable and infrastructure. It’s available for purchase or rent
from network service providers.
Dark fibre is used for private networking, internet access,
and internet infrastructure networking. It’s typically used
for telecom and network communications.
Dark fibre is different from “lit fibre” which refers to cables
that are actively being used. Dark fibre is inactive because
no information is passed through it, so no light pulse is
transmitted.
60. SCHEME TO ACCELERATE EXPLORA-
TION OF CRITICAL MINERALS
Context:
The Ministry of Mines has introduced a new scheme to ex-
pedite the exploration of critical and deep-seated minerals.
• Under this initiative, the ministry will directly sanc-
tion exploration projects to Notified Private Explo-
ration Agencies (NPEAs).
• Additionally, these NPEAs are now permitted to bid
for auctioning mineral blocks they have explored, a
privilege previously unavailable to them.
This decision aims to eliminate delays in project approvals,
accelerate project execution, and encourage larger compa-
nies and international players to engage in exploration proj-
ects with NMET funding.
61. LOGISTICS COSTS IN INDIA DECREAS-
ES
Context:
The logistics costs in India for the fiscal year 2021-22 ranged
between 7.8% and 8.9% of the GDP, showing a decline from
8.7-9.9% in 2011-12, according to a report by the Nation-
al Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) and the
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
(DPIIT) (under Commerce Ministry)
Reason for this reduction?
The report, titled ‘Logistic Cost in India: Assessment and
Long-term Framework,’ attributes this reduction to faster
growth in nominal GDP compared to logistics costs and a de-
cline in fuel prices during the period of 2014-15 to 2016-17.

About Logistics:
About Description
Logistics
in India
What is Logistics refers to the management and coor-
Logistics? dination of the flow of goods, services, and in-
formation from the point of origin to the point
of consumption. It involves various activities
such as transportation, storage, handling, and
distribution to ensure the efficient movement
of products within the supply chain.
Status India has ranked 38 out of 139 countries
in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance In-
dex 2023 (2018 rank of India was 44)
Gujarat has topped the Logistics Ease Across
Different States (LEADS) 2021 index
The unorganized sector amounts to over 90%
of the logistics sector
Only five states (Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnata-
ka, Maharashtra, and Telangana) contribute to
70% of exports, creating disparities in income
and job generation
Benefits Enhances trade competitiveness; Improves
supply chain efficiency; Promotes Foreign Di-
rect Investment (FDI)
Steps tak- The logistics division in the Commerce Minis-
en by the try has been created
g o v e r n - Logistics Efficiency Enhancement Program and
ment Vehicle Fleet Modernization Program to im-
prove logistics efficiency. So far, 22 states have
already implemented logistics policies
Gati Shakti Scheme; Bharatmala Pro-
gram(building about 84,000 Km of new high-
ways); Sagarmala Project (unlock the poten-
tial of the country’s 7,5000 Km coastline and
14,500 Km of navigable waterways); Railways:
Freight corridors; e-Air WayBill (e-AWB), and
e-Cargo
Previously, the government had planned to
replace the Multimodal Transportation of
Goods Act, 1993 (MMTG) with a National Lo-
gistics Efficiency and Advancement Predict-
ability and Safety Act (NLEAPS)
National Logistics Policy 2022: Improves EXIM
logistics and facilitates logistics park develop-
ment
Land Port Management System (LPMS): Dig-
itizes operations at Integrated Check Posts
(ICPs)
National Logistics Portal (Marine): Provides a
single-window platform
FASTag-based electronic toll collection
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Current Affairs 30
62. TAX INSPECTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
(TIWB) PROGRAM
Context:
Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) program, a collabo-
rative effort between the United Nations Development Pro-
gramme (UNDP) and the Organisation for Economic Coop-
eration and Development (OECD), was recently launched in
Saint Lucia.
India has been selected as the Partner Administration and
will contribute Tax Experts to the 12-18-month initiative.
This marks the seventh TIWB program supported by India
through the provision of Tax Experts.
Aim: The program’s focus is on the effective use of automat-
ic exchange of information under the Common Reporting
Standard (CRS) framework. TIWA will facilitate the transfer
of tax audit knowledge and skills to developing country tax
administrations using a practical, “learning by doing” ap-
proach.
Saint Lucia is an Eastern Caribbean island nation with a pair
of dramatically tapered mountains, the Pitons, on its west
coast. Saint Lucia is one of two sovereign states in the world
named after a woman and is the only one named after a hu-
man woman (Ireland is named after a goddess).
63. KRUTRIM
Context:
Ola has announced the development of a “Made for In-
dia” Large Language Model like ChatGPT equivalent called
Krutrim.
• This AI system, designed to support 10 Indian lan-
guages, will operate independently from Ola’s mo-
bility and EV businesses.
• The system, trained on proprietary datasets, aims
to address India’s linguistic diversity and cultural
context.
A large language model (LLM) is a type of artificial in-
telligence (AI) program that can recognize and generate
text. LLMs are built on machine learning, specifically a type
of neural network called a transformer model
64. BLUE DRAGON
Context:
Scientists have discovered a new mosasaur, named Wakaya-
ma Soryu, in Japan that lived 72 million years ago.
• Dubbed the “blue dragon,” this marine predator,
comparable in size to a great white shark, was found
with unique features such as long rear flippers and
a shark-like dorsal fin.
• Researchers believe these traits enhanced its agility
and speed in the water.
• Classified as Megapterygius wakayamaensis, the
mosasaur challenges existing ideas about marine

reptile locomotion and offers insights into the di-
versity and evolution of mosasaurs.
• The naming as “blue dragon” reflects its cultural
significance in Japanese folklore.
• Mosasaurs, apex predators of the late Cretaceous
period, coexisted with dinosaurs and became ex-
tinct due to a mass extinction event caused by an
asteroid impact.
The discovery sheds light on prehistoric marine life and adds
to our understanding of Earth’s ancient oceans.
65. KAKRAPAR-4 NUCLEAR REACTOR
Context:
The fourth unit of the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project
(KAPP-4) in Gujarat, with a capacity of 700 MWe, achieved
criticality recently, marking the initiation of a controlled fis-
sion chain reaction.
• The Kakrapar facility, houses the largest indigenous
nuclear power reactors built by the Nuclear Power
Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
• These pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs)
utilize natural uranium as fuel and heavy water as
coolant and moderator.
• The Kakrapar Atomic Power Station includes two op-
erating PHWRs with a capacity of 220 MWe each,
known as KAPS-1 and -2.
The NPCIL, a public sector undertaking of the Department
of Atomic Energy, already operates indigenous PHWRs at
other facilities.
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Current Affairs 30
66. HYDROGEN CYANIDE
Context:
Scientists using data from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft have
discovered hydrogen cyanide, a crucial molecule for life for-
mation, in the oceans of Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus.
• Published in Nature Astronomy, the study suggests
that Enceladus subsurface oceans may possess
more chemical energy than previously thought, po-
tentially supporting the creation and persistence of
complex organic compounds.
• The research, based on Cassini’s data collected be-
tween 2004 and 2017, identified hydrogen cyanide,
along with methanol, ethane, and oxygen, in the
plumes of water vapor erupting from Enceladus’s
surface.
These findings strengthen the case for the moon’s habitabil-
ity, indicating that it may contain essential molecules for life
and provide insights into the formation of complex biomol-
ecules.
67. JN.1 VARIANT OF COVID
Context:
A new COVID-19 subvariant, JN.1, identified in in Kerala, has
raised concerns, prompting the Union Ministry of Health to
initiate preparedness measures.
• The variant, considered to be Omicron subvariant
BA.2.86 or Pirola, has been spreading in several
countries, including China.
• The JN.1 variant is noted for its ability to spread
faster and evade immunity.
• Symptoms include fever, runny nose, sore throat,
headache, and mild gastrointestinal symptoms.
68. NOMA
Context:
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently added
noma, a severe gangrenous disease of the mouth and face,
to its list of neglected tropical diseases (NTD).
• Also known as cancrum oris, noma has a high mor-
tality rate of around 90% and is linked to extreme
poverty, malnutrition, and poor access to sanita-
tion and oral hygiene.
• The disease primarily affects children aged 2-6 in
poor communities, and due to a lack of awareness,
there are unreliable estimates, with the latest data
dating back to 1998.
Symptoms:
• The disease, which manifests as gum inflammation,
is thought to be caused by bacteria in the mouth.
• It often starts as an ulcer on the mucous membrane,
frequently after measles or other illnesses.
• Survivors may face facial disfigurement, jaw muscle
spasms, oral incontinence, and speech problems.
 Current Affairs 30
The disease, also known as the ‘face of poverty,’ was com- Rules regarding Reservations for disabled people:
mon in the Western world in the past, disappearing with 1. 4% reservation in government jobs is available for
economic progress. people with disabilities
Noma’s inclusion in the WHO’s list of neglected tropical 2. Every government establishment must reserve 1%
diseases is seen as a significant step toward eradication, of the total number of vacancies for people with
prompting calls for increased attention and resources. benchmark disabilities.
The RPwD Act defines benchmark disabilities as:
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of • Autism
tropical infections that are common in low-income popu- • Intellectual disability
lations in developing regions of Africa, Asia, and the Amer- • Specific learning disability
icas. They are caused by a variety of pathogens, such as vi- • Mental illnesses
ruses, bacteria, protozoa, and parasitic worms (helminths). The RPwD Act also defines disabilities as:
• Blindness and low vision
• Deaf and hard of hearing
69. KHELO INDIA PARA GAMES • Locomotor disability, including cerebral palsy, leprosy,
dwarfism, acid attack victims, and muscular dystrophy
Context:
The Union Sports Minister officially closed the inaugural About the Three Diseases:
edition of the Khelo India Para Games in Delhi. Condition Nature Impact
Haryana emerged as the top-performing state with 105 Thalassemia Blood disorder Reduced ability to
medals, including 40 gold, followed by Uttar Pradesh and affecting haemo- produce normal
Tamil Nadu. globin haemoglobin
Haemophilia Bleeding disor- Prolonged bleed-
What is the Khelo India Para Games?
der, deficiency ing, difficulty in
The Khelo India Para Games (KIPG) is aimed at empowering
of clotting factor clotting
para athletes in India. Organized by the Ministry of Youth
Affairs & Sports, Sports Authority of India, and other bod- Sickle Cell Dis- Genetic blood Altered red blood
ies, it is part of the broader Khelo India Initiative. ease disorder, abnor- cell shape, circula-
Khelo India was introduced by the Indian government in mal hemoglobin tion issues
2017 and encompasses the:
1. Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) (commenced 71. MEASURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF
2018): Annual national competition for youngsters
representing states MARINE SPECIES
2. Khelo India University Games (KIUG) (commenced
2020): Showcases university students’ talent in Context:
sports The Government of India has implemented various mea-
3. Khelo India Winter Games (Commenced sures to conserve marine species
2020): Promotes winter sports in India
4. Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCE) Steps Taken by the Government for Conservation of Marine
scheme: It aims to enhance sports infrastructure by Species:
supporting existing training facilities. Steps Taken Details
1) Protected Ar- Designation of 130 Marine Protected
eas Areas and identification of 106 Import-
70. PEOPLE WITH BLOOD DISORDER NOT ant Coastal and Marine Biodiversity
ELIGIBLE FOR RESERVATION Areas (ICMBAs) for safeguarding ma-
rine species.
Context: 2) Scheduled Listing of many threatened marine spe-
People with blood disorders like thalassemia, haemophilia, Animals cies as Scheduled animals in the Wild-
and sickle cell disease are not eligible for job reservations in life Protection Act 1972.
government roles under the Persons with Disabilities cate-
gory, according to India’s Social Justice Ministry. 3) IDWH Scheme Prioritization of threatened species like
marine turtles, humpback whales, and
The three diseases were included in the list of disabilities Dugongs for assessment and monitor-
under the Right to Persons with Disabilities Act of 2016, but ing under the Integrated Development
they are excluded from job reservation benefits. of Wildlife Habitat (IDWH) scheme.

99 www.insightsonindia.com

4) Dugong Con- Establishment of the Dugong Conser-
servation Re- vation Reserve in Palk Bay for the con-
serve servation of Dugongs and seagrass-as-
sociated marine species.
5) National Ma- Release of the National Marine Turtle
rine Turtle Ac- Action Plan with the aim to conserve
tion Plan marine turtles and their habitats in In-
dia.
6) Project Dol- Launch of Project Dolphin in 2021 as a
phin government initiative to conserve both
oceanic and riverine dolphin species.
7) Coastal Reg- Promulgation under the Environment
ulation Zone (Protection) Act 1986, focusing on con-
(CRZ) Notifica- servation and management plans of
tion, 2019 Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) like
Mangroves, Seagrasses, Sand dunes,
Corals, Coral reefs, Turtle nesting
grounds, etc.
8) Biological Di- Implementation of the Biological Di-
versity Act 2002 versity Act 2002 and associated rules
to ensure the protection, conservation,
and sustainable use of marine species.
9) Financial As- Granting funds under centrally spon-
sistance sored schemes to maritime states for
the conservation of Corals and Man-
groves. CAMPA funds provided for Du-
gong conservation.
10) Centre for An attached office under the Ministry
Marine Living of Earth Sciences (MoES) is mandated
Resources and with the development of management
Ecology (CMLRE) strategies for marine living resourc-
es through ecosystem monitoring and
modelling activities.
11) Marine Release of guidelines for actions during
M e g a f a u n a stranding and entanglement events,
Stranding Man- improving coordination between stake-
agement Guide- holders.
lines, 2021
72. LATHYRISM
Context:
Grass pea, also known as khesari dal, has been historically
infamous for causing lathyrism, a neurological disease lead-
ing to lower limb paralysis.
• In the late 19th century, an outbreak of lathyrism
linked to grass pea led to its ban in India in 1961
under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act.
• Despite the ban, grass pea cultivation continued,
and researchers developed low-toxin varieties.
• In 2015, an expert committee recommended lifting
the ban, emphasizing its potential for food security
amid climate change.
Lathyrism is a neurological disorder caused by eating too
much grass pea (Lathyrus sativus). It’s also known as neu-
100 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
rolathyrism
Lathyrism is one of the oldest known neurotoxic disor-
ders. It’s a skeletal disorder caused by the toxin BAPN, which
inhibits the copper-containing enzyme lysyl oxidase
73. GENE DRIVE TECHNOLOGY
Context:
Scientists are developing a “gene drive technology” to po-
tentially eliminate malaria-causing mosquitoes in Africa.
• This technique involves releasing genetically mod-
ified male mosquitoes into the environment to
prevent female mosquitoes from producing new
female offspring, leading to a reduction in malaria
transmission.
• Despite the promising nature of the technology,
there are ecological concerns, and some advocacy
groups oppose it, emphasizing potential unpredict-
able consequences on the ecosystem.
Gene drives work by increasing the chances of a particular
gene being passed on to more than 50% of the next gener-
ation, potentially leading to the extinction of a population
74. 2024 IS THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF
CAMELIDS
Context:
The United Nations has declared 2024 as the International
Year of Camelids to emphasize the significant importance
of camelids, such as alpacas, Bactrian camels, dromedaries,
guanacos, llamas, and vicuñas, in the lives of people world-
wide.
• Camelids contribute to food security, nutrition, and
economic growth in over 90 countries, especially for
Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
• They play a crucial role in meeting Sustainable De-
velopment Goals (SDGs) by providing sources of
milk, meat, fibre, and transportation.
The International Year of Camelids 2024 aims to raise aware-
ness of their untapped potential and encourage increased
investment in the camelid sector, promoting research, ca-
pacity development, and innovative practices and technol-
ogies.

75. ZERO TRUST AUTHENTICATION (ZTA)
Context:
In response to the increasing threat of cyberattacks, the In-
dian government has established a secure e-mail system for
10,000 users in critical ministries and departments.
• The e-mail system operates on Zero Trust Authenti-
cation (ZTA) and has been developed by the Nation-
al Informatics Centre (NIC).
• The security measures include two-factor authen-
tication with options like facial recognition or bio-
metrics, and log-in and log-out times are recorded
and monitored.
• These steps are part of the government’s broader ef-
forts to strengthen cybersecurity following multiple
cyberattack attempts targeting critical installations
and government websites.
Zero Trust Authentication (ZTA) is a security framework that
requires users to be authenticated and authorized before
being granted access to applications and data
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Current Affairs 30
76. EVERGREENING OF LOAN BY AIF
Context:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has strengthened regula-
tions for Regulated Entities (RE), including banks and finan-
cial institutions, to curb the evergreening of loans through
investments in Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs).
What is the evergreening of loans?
It refers to the practice where a lender extends new credit
to borrowers who are struggling to meet their debt obliga-
tions. Instead of addressing the underlying financial issues,
the lender provides additional funds, essentially giving the
appearance that the borrower’s financial situation is stable.
This can create a temporary illusion of creditworthiness but
may lead to a cycle of increasing debt and delayed resolu-
tion of financial difficulties. Regulatory authorities often aim
to prevent evergreening to ensure a transparent and healthy
financial system.
What is AIF:
While REs commonly invest in AIF units as part of their
regular operations, certain transactions involving AIFs have
raised regulatory concerns. To address these concerns, the
RBI prohibits REs from investing in AIF schemes with down-
stream investments in debtor companies of the RE. If an AIF
scheme, in which an RE is an investor, makes a downstream
investment in a debtor company, the RE must liquidate its
investment within 30 days. Failure to do so requires a 100%
provision on the investments.
 Current Affairs 30

77. TOUCHSCREENS 80. VALMIKI TIGER RESERVE (VTR)

Context:
Context:
The article explores the working principles of touchscreens,
The rise in tiger numbers at Bihar’s Valmiki Tiger Reserve
focusing on their historical development and prevalent
(VTR) is attributed to a reduction in human activities, par-
technologies.
ticularly restrictions on illegal mining in the eco-sensitive
• Touchscreens serve the dual purpose of receiving
inputs and displaying outputs, making them inte- zone.
gral to devices like smartphones, ATMs, household • The ban on sand and stone mining inside VTR, along
appliances, and more. with strict limits in its eco-sensitive zone, led to in-
creased grassland cover.
There are two main types of touchscreens, capacitive and
• Tiger numbers in VTR increased from 28 in 2014 to
resistive. 54 in the current year, with 31 recorded in 2018.
• Capacitive touchscreens, used in smartphones, op-
Bihar is also pursuing the establishment of a second tiger
erate by detecting changes in electric fields when a
finger touches the screen. reserve in Kaimur district.
• Resistive touchscreens, with two conductive sheets
separated by a small gap, function based on the
change in resistance when touched.

The rising dominance of capacitive touchscreens in con-

sumer electronics since 2007 due to their superior image
clarity, sensitivity, and durability compared to resistive
touchscreens.

78. ANTI-COLD FIXED DRUG COMBINA-

TION
Context:
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
in India has prohibited the use of an anti-cold fixed drug
combination in children below four years of age.
About fixed drug combination:
• Combination products, also known as fixed dose
drug combinations (FDCs), are combinations of two
or more active drugs in a single dosage form.
• The Food and Drug Administration, USA defines a
combination product as ‘a product composed of
any combination of a drug and a device or a biolog-
ical product and a device or a drug and a biological
product or a drug, device, and a biological product.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO)
is India’s national regulatory body for cosmetics, pharma-
ceuticals, and medical devices. It’s responsible for oversee-
ing the import, manufacture, sale, and distribution of med-
ical devices in the country.
81. OPERATION PROSPERITY GUARDIAN
Context:
The US has introduced Operation Prosperity Guardian, an
enhanced naval protection force in the southern Red Sea
to counter Houthi attacks on merchant shipping under the
Combined Task Force 153 (CTF 153).
• The Houthi attacks, initially focused on supporting
Hamas in Gaza, have escalated to target merchant
tankers in the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
• Operation Prosperity Guardian includes participa-
tion from the UK, with HMS Diamond contributing
alongside three US destroyers.
The Combined Task Force 153 (CTF 153) is a United States
Navy-led initiative that focuses on Red Sea Maritime Secu-
rity. It was established in 2022 and is one of five task forces
operated by the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)

79. TEMPO SATELLITE 82. FASTER ADOPTION & MANUFAC-

Context:
NASA’s TEMPO satellite, the Tropospheric Emissions: Moni-
toring of Pollution sensor, is a ground breaking Earth-obser-
vation satellite in geostationary orbit designed to provide
hourly measurements of pollutants over North America.
• TEMPO covers a vast area from Canada’s oil sands
to the Yucatán Peninsula and spans across the At-
lantic to the Pacific Ocean, enhancing its ability to
monitor air pollution comprehensively.
TURING OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES (FAME) - II
SCHEME
Context:
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry has rec-
ommended extending the Faster Adoption & Manufactur-
ing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) - II Scheme by at least three
more years.

102 www.insightsonindia.com

Other Recommendations:
• Scope Enhancement: The committee suggests
broadening the scope of the FAME-II Scheme to
support more electric vehicles, making it more in-
clusive.
• Subsidies on Electric Two-Wheelers: The commit-
tee recommends restoring subsidies on electric
two-wheelers
• Support for Electric Four-Wheelers: The committee
advises increasing the number of electric vehicles
supported in the four-wheelers category and includ-
ing private electric four-wheelers in the FAME II
Scheme, with a cap based on the cost and battery
capacity of the vehicle.
• Charging Infrastructure Incentives: The committee
suggests incentivizing the installation of charging
stations and extending support to individual inves-
tors, women’s self-help groups, and cooperative
societies.
• More funds: It also recommends allocating more
funds to entities like Bharat Heavy Electricals Limit-
ed (BHEL) to popularize EV mobility.
• Consistent National Policy: There is a need for a
consistent and stable national policy on electric mo-
bility.
About FAME Scheme:
Background FAME India is part of the National Electric
Mobility Mission Plan, aiming to encourage
electric vehicles through subsidies across
all vehicle segments.
Phases of Phase I: Started in 2015 and completed on
the Scheme March 31, 2019.
Phase II: Started in April 2019 and conclud-
ed on March 31, 2022.
Te c h n o l o - Hybrid and electric technologies, including
gies Cov- Mild Hybrid, Strong Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid
ered and Battery Electric Vehicles.
Monitoring Department of Heavy Industries, Ministry
Authority of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.
Focus Ar- Technology development; Demand cre-
eas of the ation; Pilot projects; Charging infrastructure
Scheme
O b j e c - Encourage faster adoption of electric and
tives of the hybrid vehicles through upfront incentives;
Scheme Establish necessary charging infrastructure
for electric vehicles.
Salient Fea- Emphasis on electrification of public trans-
tures of portation, including shared transport; In-
Phase II of centives primarily for vehicles used in public
FAME transport or registered for commercial pur-
poses; Benefits extended to vehicles with
advanced batteries like Lithium-Ion batter-
ies.
103 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
83. RAMP (REJUVENATION, ACCELER-
ATION, AND MITIGATION OF PANDEMIC)
PROGRAM
Context:
Recently three sub-schemes were introduced as part of the
RAMP (Rejuvenation, Acceleration, and Mitigation of Pan-
demic) program.
• These schemes focus on supporting Micro, Small,
and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and addressing
key challenges they face.
About the schemes:
• The first scheme, MSE GIFT, aims to encourage green
investment and provide financing for the transfor-
mation of MSMEs.
• The second scheme, MSE SPICE, is designed to pro-
mote and invest in the circular economy, emphasiz-
ing sustainable practices.
• Lastly, the MSE scheme on Online Dispute Reso-
lution for Delayed Payments focuses on resolving
payment delays through online dispute resolution
mechanisms, facilitating smoother financial trans-
actions for MSMEs.
These sub-schemes collectively contribute to the broader
goal of boosting the MSME sector and fostering sustainable
business practices.
84. NAMDAPHA FLYING SQUIRREL
Context:
The Namdapha flying squirrel, missing for 42 years, has been
rediscovered in Arunachal Pradesh.
Last described in 1981, the species was thought to be extinct
or confused with a similar species.
About Namdapha Flying Squirrel
It is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) by the IUCN and
is listed under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act.
Located in Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh, it
was one of the 25 “most wanted lost” species targeted by
the Global Wildlife Conservation’s “Search for Lost Species”
initiative.

85. WB: INTERNATIONAL DEBT REPORT
(IDR)
Context:
The World Bank released the International Debt Report
(IDR).
What are debts?
Debt refers to an obligation or financial liability that one
party owes to another. It is typically in the form of borrowed
funds that need to be repaid over time, often with interest.
• India’s total debt is around 81%, but most of it is
domestic debt. India’s external debt is around 18.6%
(around USD 624 billion at the end of March 2023),
as per the RBI data.
Important Points:
• Public and publicly guaranteed (PPG) debt service
payments by Low and Middle-Income Countries
(LMICs) reached over US$443 billion in 2022, posing
a risk to their financial sustainability.
• Rising interest rates and unfavourable exchange
rate movements could make servicing external debt
burdensome.
• India’s debt service was 2% of the GNI in 2022.
• Impact: The debt servicing may crowd out spending
on other development priorities.
• Due to a tighter monetary policy in advanced econo-
mies, there was a net outflow of over US$127 billion
from LMICs as investors sought attractive returns in
US and European bond markets.
• The report recommends debt buybacks and ex-
changes, and exploring debt-for-nature swaps to
104 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
combine debt relief with funding green projects.
About IDR:
Formerly known as International Debt Statistics (IDS), is an
annual publication by the World Bank, now in its fiftieth
year. It focuses on external debt statistics and analysis for
122 low- and middle-income countries participating in the
World Bank Debt Reporting System.
Also in the News:
Source: IMF
The IMF’s annual Article IV consultation report warns India,
reclassifying its de facto exchange rate regime from “float-
ing” to a “stabilized arrangement” until October 2023. This
classification occurs when the exchange rate remains within
a 2% band due to official action.
The report suggests India’s General Government Debt
(GGD) might exceed 100% of GDP in the medium term, con-
trasting with last year’s 80.9%. The Fiscal Responsibility and
Budget Management (Amendment) Rules, 2018 aims to limit
GGD at 60% of GDP by 2024-25.
The IMF expressed concerns about India’s sovereign risk,
unsecured retail loans, potential inflation, and financial
sector stress. The Indian government has countered, citing
digitalization’s positive impact on credit growth and assert-
ing the robustness of the banking system.
86. MELANISTIC TIGERS
Context:
Melanistic tigers are found exclusively in the Similipal Tiger
Reserve in Odisha. STR harbours the only population of mel-
anistic tigers in the world (10 out of 16 tigers in the park are
melanistic)
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) issued a
Standard Operating Procedure to safeguard these tigers,
with Similipal identified as a distinct genetic cluster for con-
servation.
Funding under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Integrat-
ed Development of Wildlife Habitats supports various con-
servation efforts in Similipal, including awareness programs,
habitat management, protection, and infrastructure devel-
opment.
About Melanistic tigers (black tigers)
They are a rare colour variant of the Bengal tiger (Panthera
tigris tigris). Unlike the typical orange coat with dark stripes,
melanistic tigers have a dark black or nearly black coat with
faint or almost invisible stripes. This dark colouration is due
to a genetic condition known as melanism, where there is
an excessive development of dark pigmentation (melanin) in
the skin and fur. Melanistic tigers are not a separate sub-

species but rather a colour morph within the Bengal tiger
population. A single mutation in the gene Transmembrane
Aminopeptidase Q (Taqpep) causes the black tigers to de-
velop broadened stripes.
About STR
Simlipal Tiger Reserve, situated in the Eastern Ghats, is a
UNESCO-listed Biosphere Reserve, National Park, and Tiger
Reserve. Positioned within the Mahanadian coastal region
and the Chhotanagpur biotic province, it spans diverse bio-
geographical realms. Comprising the Mayurbhanj Elephant
Reserve, which includes Similipal Tiger Reserve, Hadgarh,
and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Simlipal boasts varied veg-
etation, encompassing moist and dry deciduous forests and
grasslands.
87. RODTEP
Context:
The Indian government is exploring options to reinstate tax
remission benefits for sugar exports, which were excluded
from the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Export Products
(RoDTEP) scheme in June 2022.
• Sugar was moved to the ‘restricted’ category as a
precautionary measure to enhance domestic avail-
ability and prevent a surge in prices.
• The sugar industry has appealed to reclassify sug-
ar into the ‘free’ category with certain conditions,
such as obtaining permissions from the Directorate
of Sugar for exports.
105 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
About RoDTEP:
The Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products
(RoDTEP) scheme has been introduced with the aim of neu-
tralizing the taxes and duties incurred on exported goods
that are not credited, remitted, or refunded in any manner,
and thus, remain embedded in the export goods.
The scheme provides a rebate for all hidden central, state,
and local duties, taxes, and levies on exported goods that
have not been refunded under any other existing scheme.
The scheme is designed to be compliant with World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles.
88. RARE EARTH PROCESSING TECHNOL-
OGIES
Context:
China, the leading global processor of rare earths, has im-
posed a ban on the export of technology essential for ex-
tracting and separating these strategic metals.
• This action is part of a revision to the list of technol-
ogies considered vital for national security.
• The ban covers not only technology related to ex-
traction and separation but also extends to the ex-
port of production technology for rare earth metals,
alloy materials, and specific rare earth magnets.
• This move by China coincides with efforts by Eu-
rope and the United States to reduce dependence
on Chinese rare earths, which currently account for
90% of the world’s refined output.
Rare earths, a group of 17 metals crucial for manufacturing
magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and vari-
ous electronic devices, have become a focal point for geopo-
litical considerations.
89. SELF-POLLINATION
Context:
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have observed rap-
id evolution in a flowering plant, Viola arvensis (field pan-
sy), in Paris, France. The plant is producing less nectar and
smaller flowers to attract fewer pollinators, displaying signs
of self-pollination.
What are the reason for the evolution?
Changes in the environment especially due to anthropo-
genic activities have limited the population of pollinators
(such as Bees). In such a situation, plants evolve to self-pol-
linate itself.
What is Self-pollination?
It is a reproductive process in plants where pollen from a
flower’s male reproductive organs (anther) fertilizes the fe-
male reproductive organs (stigma) of the same flower or an-
other flower on the same plant.
 Current Affairs 30
• The mechanism ensures the plant’s ability to repro- • Strategically, destroyers play a vital role in naval op-
duce without relying on external pollinators like in- erations, protecting fleets and carrier battle groups
sects or wind. from short-range attackers.
• It can operate independently and is well-equipped
Mechanism of the Self-Pollination: for network-centric warfare, utilizing information
technology and computer networking tools.
1. Anther and Stigma Proximity: In self-pollinating
plants, the anther (producing pollen) is close to the
This pays tribute to Manipur’s historical contributions to
stigma (receiving pollen) within the same flower.
India’s freedom struggle, emphasizing the region’s impor-
2. Pollen Transfer: Pollen grains are transferred from
tance in national security, sovereignty, and prosperity.
the anther to the stigma, either by physical contact
or through the plant’s internal mechanisms.
3. Fertilization: The pollen tube grows down the style
to the ovary, where fertilization takes place, result-
ing in the formation of seeds.
4. Genetic Similarity: Since both the pollen and the
ovule come from the same plant, the offspring are
genetically identical to the parent, leading to limit-
ed genetic diversity.
Self-pollination ensures reproductive success, especially in
environments with limited pollinators, but it can also re-
duce genetic variability in plant populations and risk to the
plant-pollinator interaction system.

90. INS IMPHAL
Context:
INS Imphal, the third warship of Project 15B forming the Vi-
sakhapatnam class stealth-guided missile destroyers, is set
to be commissioned into the Indian Navy.
• The commissioning of INS Imphal holds special sig-
nificance, being the largest and most advanced de-
stroyer named after a city from the northeast.
Features:
• The Visakhapatnam class is recognized as one of
the most advanced ship classes in the Indian Navy,
capable of independent offensive operations.
• The arsenal of the Visakhapatnam class includes
BrahMos surface-to-surface cruise missiles, verti-
cally launched Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles, a 127
mm main gun, AK-630 30mm guns for close-point
engagement, indigenously developed 533 mm tor-
pedo launchers, and RBU-6000 anti-submarine rock-
et launchers.
91. TOKENISATION
Context:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has expanded the scope
of card-on-file tokenisation (CoFT) to include card issuing
banks and institutions directly, moving beyond services pro-
vided through merchants.
• CoFT is a security measure for users opting for
digital payments, replacing the practice of mer-
chants storing card details with specially creat-
ed tokens.
• RBI’s recent notification outlines the require-
ments for enabling CoFT through card issuers,
allowing customers to generate tokens through
mobile and internet banking channels with ex-
plicit consent and additional validation.
Tokenization is the process of replacing sensitive data with
a non-sensitive equivalent, called a token. Tokens are ran-
dom strings of characters that have no meaningful value if
breached. They serve as a reference to the original data, but
cannot be used to guess those values.

106 www.insightsonindia.com

92. MEDTECH MITRA
Context:
The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare in India,
has launched the “MedTech Mitra” initiative to empower
innovators and advance healthcare solutions in the coun-
try.
• The initiative aims to support and collaborate
with technology innovators and startups in the
medical technology sector.
• The goal is to harness innovation to enhance
healthcare delivery and address healthcare
challenges.
• MedTech Mitra is a platform that will help young
talents of country in shaping their research and
getting regulatory approval.
• It will facilitate indigenous development of af-
fordable, quality MedTech devices and diag-
nostics leading to reduction in import depen-
dence (presently around 80%) in MedTech.
MedTech Mitra is part of the government’s efforts to pro-
mote innovation in the health sector and improve health-
care services in the country.
93. PONG DAM ECO-SENSITIVE ZONE
Context:
The state government is re-evaluate the extent of the
eco-sensitive zone around the Pong Dam to alleviate the dif-
ficulties faced by local residents and enable farming during
periods of reduced water levels
About the Pong Dam Wildlife Sanctuary
It is located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, In-
dia, is a significant protected area known for its diverse flora
and fauna.
Pong Dam Lake (Maharana Pratap Sagar) is a manmade res-
ervoir created in 1975 with construction of Pong Dam on
Beas River. It is also known as Pong reservoir or Pong Dam.
In 1983, reservoir was declared as Wildlife Sanctuary.
Pong Dam Lake was designated a Ramsar site in 2002. There
is a Vulture café in Pong wherein cattle carcass is dumped
for Vultures.
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Current Affairs 30
94. ‘UPI TAP AND PAY’
Context:
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has initi-
ated the deployment of ‘UPI Tap and Pay’ across digital pay-
ment providers.
• The UPI Tap and Pay feature is currently live on
the BHIM app and Paytm for limited users.
Features of UPI tap and pay:
• It utilizes near-field communication (NFC) tech-
nology to capture a payee’s UPI ID or Virtual
Payment Address (VPA), eliminating the need
for a camera.
• The feature can only be accessed on phones or
devices with NFC capability.
• Users need to locate the ‘Tap & Pay’ button on
their UPI app, and the transaction is complet-
ed by tapping the device on the UPI Smart Tag/
Smart QR.
• Transactions up to ₹500 are processed through
UPI LITE, while those exceeding ₹500 require a
UPI PIN.
About Near-field communication (NFC) is a short-range
wireless technology that allows two devices to communi-
cate when they are within 4 centimetres of each other. NFC
uses magnetic field induction to enable communication.
95. T+0, INSTANT SETTLEMENT CYCLE
Context:
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has pro-
posed a new settlement cycle called T+0, allowing for the
clearing and settlement of funds and securities on the same
day of the trade, in addition to the existing T+1 settlement
cycle.
• The proposal is part of SEBI’s efforts to keep
pace with market changes, enhance investor
protection, and make the securities markets
more efficient.
• Surveillance measures applicable in the T+1 set-
tlement cycle will apply to the T+0 settlement
cycle.
It will be implemented in two phases:
Phase Description
1 An optional T+0 settlement cycle is proposed, al-
lowing settlement of funds and securities on the
same day by 4:30 PM for trades until 1:30 PM.
2 An optional immediate trade-by-trade settle-
ment may be implemented in Phase 2, with trad-
ing continuing until 3:30 PM.

96. FORMALDEHYDE
Context:
Researchers developed a low-cost, non-invasive sensor for
detecting formaldehyde adulteration in fish at room tem-
perature.
• The sensor, made of tin oxide-reduced graphene
oxide composite, overcomes the limitations of
existing formalin sensors, which are either ex-
pensive or invasive.
• The graphene oxide’s low electrical conductiv-
ity was addressed by creating the tin oxide-re-
duced graphene oxide composite.
• The sensor demonstrated effective detection
of formaldehyde vapor in adulterated fish sam-
ples, showing promise for addressing food adul-
teration issues.
About Formaldehyde
It is a colourless, flammable gas with a strong odour. It is
classified as a human carcinogen and is linked to long-term
adverse health effects and cancer.
Formaldehyde is used in many industries, including:
Glues and resins, Dyes, Textiles, Disinfectants, Building mate-
rials, Automobile parts, Embalming, Laboratories.
97. ELECTRONIC SOIL’ (ESOIL)
Context: Researchers introduced a ground-breaking study
on “electronic soil” (eSoil) in hydroponics, offering the po-
tential for sustainable urban agriculture and food security.
• eSoil is an electrically conductive growth sub-
strate derived from cellulose and a conductive
polymer (PEDOT).
• It stimulates plant roots and the growth envi-
ronment with low power, providing a safer and
108 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
environmentally friendly alternative to tradi-
tional methods.
• eSoil works by electrically stimulating plant
roots.
• This promotes effective and sustainable devel-
opment, expanding the range of crops that can
be grown hydroponically—without soil, using
only water, nutrients, and a substrate.
The benefits of eSoil include low energy consumption, safe-
ty, and its compatibility with hydroponics, enabling urban
agriculture to meet the challenges of a growing population
and climate change.
98. MINIMUM SUPPORT PRICE FOR CO-
PRA
Context:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, has approved
the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for copra for the 2024
season.
• The move aims to provide better returns to coconut
growers, encourage copra production, and meet
the growing demand for coconut products.
• Copra is the dried, white flesh of the coconut. It’s
a major cash crop and is valued for the coconut oil
that can be extracted from it.
The MSP is a form of government intervention to protect
farmers from steep declines in the prices of their goods. The
MSP is based on a calculation of at least one-and-a-half
times the cost of production incurred by the farmers.
99. HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE
Context:
Scientists have made progress in understanding Hunting-
ton’s disease by studying fruit flies (Drosophila melanogas-
ter).
About the study:
• Huntington’s disease patients carry a mutated ver-
sion of the HTT gene, which codes for a protein
called huntingtin (Htt).
• The mutated gene encodes an abnormal Htt pro-
tein, leading to the destruction of neurons regulat-
ing movement, thinking, and memory.
• The researchers genetically engineered fruit flies to
express the polyglutamine tract of a mutated hu-
man HTT gene in their nervous system.
• The study identified the Yod1 gene, whose overex-
pression removed disease-like effects in the flies,
suggesting a potential avenue for therapeutic inter-
vention in humans.
Huntington’s disease (HD) is an inherited disorder that caus-
es nerve cells (neurons) in parts of the brain to gradually
break down and die. The disease attacks areas of the brain
that help to control voluntary (intentional) movement, as
 Current Affairs 30
well as other areas. 102. NEW DESIGN OF ADMIRALS’ EPAU-
LETTES
Context:
The Indian Navy has unveiled new epaulettes for Admirals,
inspired by the naval ensign and Chhatrapati Shivaji’s ra-
jmudra, as part of an initiative to reflect India’s rich mari-
time heritage and move away from British nomenclature.
• The design features an octagon, a golden navy but-
ton top, an Indian sword, a crossed telescope, and
stars denoting ranks.
100. AMMONIA
Context:
An ammonia gas leak from an underwater supply pipeline
to an industrial unit in Chennai, caused hundreds of resi-
dents to complain of difficulty in breathing and burning of
eyes and faces.
• The leak originated from the Coromandel Inter-
national Limited fertiliser manufacturing facility,
which receives ammonia shipments from Iran or
Saudi Arabia.
About Ammonia:
Ammonia is a colourless, pungent gas with the chemical
formula NH3. It’s made up of hydrogen and nitrogen. In its
aqueous form, it’s called ammonium hydroxide.
Ammonia is a natural byproduct and respiratory stimu-
lant. It’s produced naturally in the human body and in
nature, including in water, soil, and air. In human health,
ammonia and the ammonium ion are important components
of metabolic processes.
In its concentrated form, ammonia is dangerous and caustic.
Signs and symptoms of ammonia exposure include:
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Burns of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, and stomach

101. SLIM SPACECRAFT

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Rajmudra is a royal seal and

symbol of his dream of a Maratha Swarajya.

The seal includes Sanskrit inscriptions that express Shivaji’s

gratitude to his father and his commitment to ruling his land
independently and the welfare of his subjects.

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The Rajmudra’s text is in Sanskrit, unlike other royal seals
from the time, which were usually carved in Persian. The Ra-
jmudra’s meaning is “The glory of this Mudra of Shahaji’s
son Shivaji (Maharaj) will grow like the first-day moon. It
will be worshipped by the world and it will shine only for
well well-being of people”.
103. ARGENTINA REJECTS BRICS MEM-
BERSHIP
Context:
Argentina has formally rejected the invitation to join the
BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) group of ma-
jor emerging economies.
• The membership of Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, Sau-
di Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates was
due to take effect from January 1, 2024.
Why did Argentina Reject BRICS Membership?
New Argentinian President Milei, during his election cam-
paign, Milei had expressed a geopolitical alignment with
the United States and Israel, emphasizing a reluctance to
ally with communists. The decision aligns with his campaign
promises and reflects a shift in foreign policy from the pre-
vious administration.
104. DOMESTIC SYSTEMICALLY IMPORT-
ANT BANKS
Context:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released its list of do-
mestic systemically important banks (D-SIBs) for 2023, in-
cluding the State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank, and ICICI
Bank.
• While ICICI Bank maintains its previous categori-
110 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
zation, SBI and HDFC Bank have moved to higher
buckets.
• The D-SIB framework aims to enhance the resilience
of the financial system by assigning additional com-
mon equity requirements based on the systemic
importance of banks.
105. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (ISS)
Context:
Russian and U.S. space agencies, Roscosmos and NASA,
have agreed to extend their collaboration on delivering
crews to the International Space Station (ISS) until at least
2025, as announced by Roscosmos.
• This decision is aimed at maintaining the reliability
of the ISS and ensuring the continued presence of
representatives from both agencies on the Russian
and American segments of the space station.
• The ISS, launched in 1998 during a period of in-
creased U.S.-Russia cooperation post-Cold War, has
been a rare area of collaboration between the two
countries.
106. NEORA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
Context: A recent image captured by trap cameras in the
Neora Valley National Park in the hills of West Bengal has
confirmed the presence of Royal Bengal Tigers at an alti-
tude of 10,509 feet above sea level.
• The survey indicates the presence of more than 10
tigers in the area, with recent camera trap images
consistently featuring at least one Royal Bengal Ti-
ger.
Neora Valley National Park in the Kalimpong district of West
Bengal was established in 1986, it’s a rich biological zone
with diverse flora and fauna.

The park is home to the red panda and is known for its rug-
ged, inaccessible terrain.
107. LITCHI
Context:
The National Research Centre on Litchi (NRCL), has success-
fully expanded litchi cultivation to 19 states in India.
• Litchi cultivation for commercial production has
commenced in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Tamil
Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh,
and others.
About Litchi:
• Litchi (Litchi chinensis) is a small, oval roundish fruit
that is native to Southeast Asia. It is a member of
the soapberry family (Sapindaceae) and is also
known as lychee or lichee.
• Litchi is a sensitive fruit, influenced by temperature,
rainfall, humidity, and soil conditions.
• The fruit primarily grows in the foothills of the Hi-
malayas, with Bihar alone contributing nearly 40%
of India’s litchi production.
Litchi fruit contains a toxin, methylene cyclopropyl-glycine
(MCPG), which is known to be fatal by causing encephali-
tis-related deaths. This is especially harmful when con-
sumed by malnourished children
108. SOVEREIGN CREDIT RATING
Context:
India’s Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) in its recent paper has
raised concerns about the sovereign credit rating system.
Topic Details
What is Credit rating is an assessment of the cred-
Credit Rat- itworthiness of a borrower, including indi-
ing? viduals, companies, or countries.
What is Sov- A sovereign credit rating is an independent
ereign Credit assessment of a country’s creditworthi-
Rating? ness. It evaluates the country’s ability to
repay debt without default, impacting the
risk associated with investing in its debt in-
struments.
Key agencies include Standard & Poor’s,
Moody’s, and Fitch Ratings, considering
economic indicators, fiscal policies, politi-
cal stability, and trade position.
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Current Affairs 30
Importance Obtaining a good credit rating is crucial
of Credit Rat- for accessing funding in the international
ing bond market and attracting foreign invest-
ments. It also influences borrowing costs
in global financial markets, allowing coun-
tries with higher ratings to borrow at lower
interest rates.
Key Con- Concerns include the disadvantageous rat-
cerns Raised ing methods for developing countries, lack
by CEA of transparency in expert selection, unclear
weights assigned to parameters, and sub-
jective assessments favouring advanced
economies.
Between 2006 and 2022, India’s GDP has
risen, and foreign exchange reserves have
increased, yet its credit rating remains low-
er than expected.
CRAs heavily rely on the World Bank’s gov-
ernance indicators, explaining only 68% of
India’s rating.
How CRAs S&P Global and Fitch raised India’s rating
Rated India to BBB (lowest investment grade), while
Moody’s initially upgraded but later revert-
ed to Baa3.
Way Ahead India needs fiscal consolidation by reducing
for India the government debt-to-GDP ratio and im-
proving data quality. The absence of post-
2011-12 survey results emphasizes the im-
portance of accurate and transparent data.
Credit Rating SEBI in India regulates credit rating agen-
in India cies, including CRISIL, CARE, ICRA, Acuité
Ratings, Brickwork Rating, India Rating and
Research Pvt. Ltd, and Infomerics Valuation
and Rating Pvt. Ltd.
109. “FLIP” MUTATIONS
Context:
The omicron subvariant JN.1, characterized by the “FLip”
mutation L455S in its spike protein, is expected to become
the dominant lineage of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide.
• This subvariant, a descendant of the BA.2.86 lin-
eage, has shown rapid growth and was designated
a variant of interest (VOI).
• The “FLip” mutations, including L455S and L455F,
are associated with increased transmissibility.
• The mutation affects the receptor binding capaci-
ty of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the
protein that the SARS-CoV-2 virus uses as an entry
point.
• This alteration results in stronger binding to ACE2,
potentially reducing protection from natural anti-
bodies.
Flip mutation
This type of mutation is performed when we use bina-

ry crossover. A randomly selected bit of a chromosome is
flipped, as shown in the following diagram.
Current Affairs 30
Aim: The meeting is aimed at expressing collective com-
mitment to UN peacekeeping, in alignment with ongoing
reforms under Action for Peacekeeping and the Action for
Peacekeeping Plus plan.

Ghana is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guin-

L455S and L455F are called “FLip” mutations because they
switch the positions of amino acids F and L on the spike
protein, increasing their transmissibility.
ea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with
Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and Togo
in the east. Accra is the capital of Ghana, on the Atlantic
coast of West Africa.

MAPPING

1. KRA ISTHMUS
Context:
The Kra Isthmus, located on the Malay Peninsula in Thai-
land, has gained strategic importance due to a proposed
transit artery that could connect the Andaman Sea and the
Gulf of Thailand.

This isthmus, just 44 km wide at its narrowest point, has the

potential to impact international trade and security similar-
ly to the historical significance of the Suez and Panama Ca-
nals. Recently, the Thai Prime Minister officially presented a
multi-billion-dollar land-bridge project.

An isthmus is a narrow strip of land that connects two larger
land masses and is bordered by water on two sides.
The Kra Isthmus in Thailand is the narrowest part of the Ma-
lay Peninsula. The isthmus is bordered to the west by the
Andaman Sea and to the east by the Gulf of Thailand
3. MOUNT MERAPI (INDONESIA)
Context:
Indonesia’s Mount Merapi erupted on Sumatra Island, re-
sulting in the tragic death of at least 11 hikers out of a group
of 26, with three successfully rescued.

The eruption sent a 3,000-meter ash column into the sky,

causing volcanic debris to impact nearby villages.

About Mount Merapi

Mount Merapi, is an active stratovolcano located on the
border between the province of Central Java and the Spe-
cial Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It is the most active
volcano in Indonesia and has erupted regularly since 1548.
Indonesia, situated on the subduction zone (the Indo-Aus-
tralian Plate is subducting under the Eurasian Plate), part
of the Pacific Ring of Fire, experiences frequent volcanic and
seismic events.
2. ACCRA (GHANA)
Context:
The 2023 United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting
is scheduled to take place in Accra, Ghana, with participation
from over 85 countries and international organizations.

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4. ITALY LEAVES BRI
Context:
Italy, the only major Western nation to join China’s Belt and
Road Initiative (BRI) in 2019, has confirmed its withdrawal
from the project ahead of the year-end deadline.
The BRI, a massive trade and infrastructure initiative, has
faced criticism, with the US labelling it “debt-trap diploma-
cy.”
About BRI
The Belt and Road Initiative (One Belt One Road) is a global
infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese
government in 2013 to invest in more than 150 countries
and international organizations.
About Italy:
Italy is a boot-shaped peninsula in southern Europe into the
Adriatic Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea, and Mediterranean Sea. Its
location has played an important role in its history. The sea
surrounds Italy, and mountains crisscross the interior, divid-
ing it into regions.
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Current Affairs 30
5. GUYANA AND VENEZUELA
Context:
Guyana and Venezuela are in conflict over the resource-rich
Essequibo region, historically claimed by both nations.
The dispute intensified after Exxon Mobil’s 2015 oil discov-
ery, leading to a Venezuelan referendum in December 2023,
supporting Essequibo as a new province. Despite ICJ warn-
ings, Venezuela proceeded. Guyana responded by raising its
flag, alerting defence forces, and seeking international sup-
port.
India, with diasporic ties, supports Guyana; the US backs
Guyana’s sovereignty, Brazil reinforces its border, and China
calls for diplomacy.
About Esequiba
Guayana Esequiba is a disputed territory west of the Essequ-
ibo River, claimed by both Guyana and Venezuela. Guyana’s
claim has been internationally accepted since the 1899 Paris
Arbitral Award. The boundary dispute originated from colo-
nial powers (Spain in the case of Venezuela, and the Neth-
erlands and the United Kingdom in the case of Guyana) and
persisted after the independence of Venezuela and Guyana.
 Current Affairs 30

6. ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN fron cultivation

Context: Armenia and Azerbaijan have reached a significant
agreement, agreeing to exchange prisoners of war and work
towards signing a peace treaty, a move praised by the Euro-
pean Union as a major step towards peace in the historically
troubled region.
Iran, India, Spain and Greece are the major saffron-produc-
ing countries with Iran occupying the maximum area and
contributing about 88% of the world’s saffron production.
Though, India occupies the 2nd largest area but produces
approximately 7 per cent of the total world production.

Both countries are fighting over the disputed Nagorno-Kara-

bakh region, resulting in casualties and significant tensions.
The region, recognized as part of Azerbaijan but controlled
by ethnic Armenians, has been a source of conflict for de-
cades, with recent escalations in 2020 and 2023.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is an ethnic and territorial

dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It centres on
the Nagorno-Karabakh region, predominantly Arme-
nian-populated but within Azerbaijan’s borders. A ceasefire
mediated by Russia in 1994 left the region under Armenian
control, though it’s still recognized as part of Azerbaijan.

8. GOLAN HEIGHTS
Context:
Recently, India has voted in favour of a UN General Assembly
draft resolution expressing deep concern over Israel’s fail-
ure to withdraw from the Syrian Golan Heights.
The resolution called for Israel’s withdrawal from the occu-
pied Syrian Golan to the June 4, 1967 line, emphasizing the
hindrance of the occupation to achieving a just, comprehen-
sive, and lasting peace in the region.
The Golan Heights, spanning about 1,800 km2, is a basaltic
7. PAMPORE (SAFFRON PRODUCTION plateau bordered by the Yarmouk River, the Sea of Galilee,
IN INDIA) Hula Valley, Mount Hermon, and Wadi Raqqad. It was cap-
tured by Israel from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War.
Context:
Pampore, known as the centre of the country’s saffron (re-
ferred to as “red gold”) cultivation has seen a decline in pro-
ductivity.

About Saffron:
Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus,
commonly known as the “saffron crocus”. The vivid crimson
stigma and styles, called threads, are collected and dried for
use mainly as a seasoning and colouring agent in food

The main issues impacting saffron production in Pampore

are:
1. Climate change
2. Erratic rainfall patterns
3. Higher temperatures
4. Expansion of urban areas onto saffron fields
5. Insufficient investment in irrigation and farmer
training, contribute to the challenges faced by saf-

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 Current Affairs 30

9. KAMBALAKONDA WILDLIFE SANCTU- 10. BANNI GRASSLAND

ARY (ANDHRA PRADESH)
Context:
Context: The central government has approved a proposal to estab-
The Eastern Ghats Nature Interpretation Centre in Visakhapa- lish a cheetah conservation breeding centre in Gujarat’s
tnam, a first-of-its-kind project by the Andhra Pradesh For- Kutch district’s Banni grassland.
est Department (in the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary),
offers an immersive experience highlighting the diverse eco- Aspect Details
systems of the Eastern Ghats, stretching from Odisha to Tam- Location Banni Grassland is situated near the
il Nadu. Great Rann of Kutch in Gujarat.
The Nature Interpretation Centre aims to inform, educate,
Size It is considered to be the largest
and inspire visitors to care about the rich biodiversity of the
Grassland in Asia, spreading over
Eastern Ghats. The project, scheduled for completion by the
2,618 kilometres and accounting for
end of December, is part of the larger Eastern Ghats Biodi-
almost 45% of the pastures in Guja-
versity Centre.
rat.
The centre is a collaboration between wildlife artists, illus-
trators, sculptors, architects, wildlife biologists, translators, Formation The land in Banni was formed from
and content creators. the sediments deposited by the In-
dus and other rivers over thousands
About Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary: of years.
Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary Ecosystem Two ecosystems, wetlands, and
grasslands, coexist in Banni.
Location Near Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Vegetation The vegetation is sparse and highly
Name Refers to the local hill, Kambalakonda
dependent on rainfall. It is dominat-
Terrain Hilly with steep slopes ed by low-growing forbs and gram-
F o r e s t Dry evergreen forest mixed with scrub and inoids, many of which are halophiles
Type meadows (salt-tolerant). The grasslands were
Flora Notable flowers include the Indian screw tree, traditionally managed by a system of
flowers of the Bush plum tree, Jungle berry rotational grazing.
bunches Flora and Fauna Rich biodiversity with 192 species of
Fauna Rare animals: Indian leopard, Indian pangolin, plants, 262 species of birds, several
Madras treeshrew, Barking Deer, Jackal; Rare species of mammals, reptiles, and
snake: Russel’s viper or Daboia russelii; Un- amphibians. It is also known for the
common birds: Indian Golden oriole, Indian Banni breed of buffaloes
peafowl, Banded Bay Cuckoo Reserve Forest In 1955, the court notified the grass-
Status land as a reserve forest. In 2019, the
National Green Tribunal (NGT) or-
dered to demarcation of the bound-
aries of Banni grassland and restrict-
ed non-forest activities.
Most of the livestock keepers in Ban-
ni belong to the Maldhari commu-
nity. They rear the Banni or Sindhi
buffalo, Kankrej cattle, sheep, goats,
horses, donkeys and camels
Significance The Wildlife Institute of India (WII)
has identified Banni Grassland as one
of the last remaining habitats of the
cheetah in India.

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11. ALMORA FAULT
Context:
Union Earth Sciences Minister reported an increased num-
ber of earthquakes in 2023, attributing it to the activation of
the Almora Fault in Western Nepal.
However, experts dispute this claim, asserting that tectonic
collisions, not the Almora Fault, cause earthquakes in the
Himalayan region.
What is the Almora Fault?
It is a geological fault located in Western Nepal and ex-
tends to the Uttarakhand region in India. It lies on the Main
Boundary Thrust (MBT) in the Himalayan fault zone. There
are two thrusts in Kumaon, Uttarakhand: One is the South
Almora Thrust and the other is the North Almora Thrust.
MBT (Main Boundary Thrust): It is a significant fault in the
Himalayas, marking the boundary between the Lesser Hima-
layas and the Sub-Himalayas.
12. VALPARAI PLATEAU
Context:
In preparation for the annual migration season of elephants
116 www.insightsonindia.com
Current Affairs 30
in the Valparai plateau, the Forest Department, NGOs like
the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), and local resi-
dents are taking measures to facilitate the free movement
of the elephants.
About Annual Migration:
Elephants in the Valparai plateau undertake an annual mi-
gration that typically starts in September and continues un-
til March. The elephants usually migrate from the Kerala side
to the Valparai plateau (Tamil Nadu)
What is Valparai plateau?
It is a region located in the Western Ghats mountain range
of India, specifically in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu.
Valparai is a hill station known for its tea, coffee plantations,
and cardamom plantations. The area serves as a crucial hab-
itat for wildlife, including elephants that undertake an an-
nual migration through the region. The Valparai plateau is
part of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR), contributing to its
biodiversity and ecological significance.
13. SURAT DIAMOND BOURSE (SDB)
Context:
Surat is set to launch the Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB),
claimed to be the “world’s biggest workspace” with 4,200
diamond trading offices, surpassing the capacity of the Pen-
tagon.
Aim: The SDB aims to shift the entire diamond trading busi-
ness from Mumbai to Surat. It also aims to boost business,
attract international clients, and create a significant eco-
nomic impact on the region.
The project is part of the Diamond Research and Mercantile
(DREAM) City, a greenfield project spread over nearly 700
acres.
Surat is the hub of diamond cutting and polishing. It is the
world’s biggest centre for cutting and polishing, accounting
for 90% of the diamonds traded globally.
Surat is located beside the Tapi River in the west Indian state
of Gujarat. Historically it was known for silk weaving and re-
mains a commercial center for textiles.
 Current Affairs 30
tested re-election and economic challenges, including a
high cost of living and poverty.

ECOWAS, of which Sierra Leone is a member, is poised to

intervene to maintain constitutional order, as seen in its ac-
tions in Niger.

ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) is

a regional political and economic union of fifteen countries
located in West Africa.

14. BUCKINGHAM CANAL AND ENNORE

CREEK
Context:
During the recent Cyclone Michaung, an oil spill occurred
from the Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL)
into the Buckingham Canal and Ennore Creek in Tamil Nadu.

The wetland has suffered from pollution caused by indus-

tries and neglect, as evidenced by the continuous presence
of fly ash and hot water. Despite NGT directives, little prog-
ress has been made in restoring and protecting the fragile
ecosystem of the Ennore wetlands.
Sierra Leone, located on West Africa’s southwest coast,
Ennore Creek in Chennai, situated along the Coromandel shares borders with Liberia and Guinea. Freetown serves as
Coast, serves as a crucial buffer for the aquifers of the Arani- the capital and largest city.
yar-Kosasthalaiyar Basin, protecting them from the sea. Po-
sitioned in the floodplains of three rivers on a disaster-prone
coastline, Chennai relies on wetlands like Ennore Creek as
natural shock absorbers during calamities.

16. YEMEN (HOUTHI REBELS)

15. SIERRA LEONE Context: In the last four weeks, Houthi militants from Ye-
men have attacked commercial ships 12 times. Prominent
Context: The November 26 coup attempt in Sierra Leone shipping fleet operators have paused/rerouted their move-
was driven by political instability post-President Bio’s con- ments through the Red Sea route.

117 www.insightsonindia.com
 Current Affairs 30
The Houthi movement originated in the early 1990s in Yemen
as a Zaydi revivalist group (a sect of Shia). Initially focused
on religious and social networks, it evolved into a powerful
force, leading insurgency against perceived corruption and
external interventions. The Houthi-Saleh alliance captured
Sana’a in 2015, triggering a civil war in Yemen.
Yemen is a country in West Asia located at the southern end
of the Arabian Peninsula. It shares borders with Saudi Ara-
bia and Oman and maritime borders with Eritrea, Djibouti,
and Somalia. Yemen is a member of the Arab League, the
United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Organ-
isation of Islamic Cooperation.

18. MALDIVES
Context:
The Maldives has expressed its intention to terminate a bi-
lateral agreement with India that allowed collaboration in
the hydrographic survey of Maldivian territorial waters.

What is a Hydrographic Survey?

A hydrographic survey is a scientific process that involves
mapping and measuring the physical features of underwa-
ter terrain. It includes the study of the depth, topography,
and characteristics of the seabed and water bodies.

The decision, part of the new Maldives government’s initia-

17. GELEPHU SMARTCITY PROJECT (BHU-
TAN)
Context:
Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck has un-
veiled the ‘Gelephu Smartcity Project,’ a mega international
city near the Indian border covering 1,000 square kilome-
tres.
The project aims to create an economic corridor connect-
ing South Asia with Southeast Asia via India’s northeastern
states, particularly Assam. The Gelephu Special Administra-
tive Region (SAR) will have different laws to attract foreign
investment and include plans for an international airport.
The project involves an India-Bhutan railway line to Gele-
phu and aims to connect Bhutan to Myanmar, Thailand,
Cambodia, and Singapore.
tives, comes after calls for the withdrawal of Indian military
personnel. The agreement, established in June 2019, aimed
to enhance the Maldivian government’s capability to map
coastal waters and Exclusive Economic Zone.
The new Maldives government had earlier requested the
withdrawal of Indian troops from the Island Country.
The Maldives is a South Asian archipelagic state in the Indi-
an Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India. Comprising 26
atolls, it is the smallest country in Asia and one of the world’s
most geographically dispersed sovereign states. With a total
area of about 90,000 square kilometres, including the sea,
and a population of 521,021, it is the 2nd least-populous
country in Asia. Malé is the capital, situated on the Chagos–
Laccadive Ridge, making it the world’s lowest-lying country.
Inhabited for over 2,500 years, the Maldives has a rich his-
tory influenced by Islam, and European colonial powers, and
achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1965.

Bhutan is a landlocked country in the Eastern Himalayas,

bordered by China and India. Known as “Druk Yul” or “Land
of the Thunder Dragon,” it has a constitutional monarchy
with a king as the head of state and a prime minister as the
head of government. Vajrayana Buddhism is the state reli-
gion, and Gangkhar Puensum is its highest peak, also the
highest unclimbed mountain globally.

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19. PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Context:
India has dispatched relief material worth $1 million to aid
those affected by a major volcanic eruption in Papua New
Guinea, particularly around Mount Ulawun. The eruption
caused extensive damage, leading to the evacuation of over
26,000 people.
Papua New Guinea, in the southwestern Pacific, encom-
passes the eastern half of New Guinea and its offshore is-
lands. A country of immense cultural and biological diversity,
it’s known for its beaches and coral reefs.
It has several volcanoes primarily due to its location on the
Pacific Ring of Fire. This region is characterized by intense
tectonic activity, including the subduction of several tecton-
ic plates beneath the Pacific Plate
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Current Affairs 30
20. WORLD’S OLDEST FORT (AMNYA
FORT) IN SIBERIA
Context:
Hunter-gatherers built the world’s oldest known fort 8,000
years ago in Siberia, challenging the assumption that for-
tresses were exclusive to agricultural societies.
The Amnya fort along the Amnya River in western Siberia
consists of pit-house depressions with earthen walls and
wooden palisades, suggesting advanced agricultural and de-
fensive capabilities.
Siberia is a vast Russian province encompassing most of
Northern Asia, with terrain spanning tundra, coniferous for-
est and mountain ranges including the Ural, Altai and Verk-
hoyansk. Lake Baikal, in its south, is the world’s deepest
lake, circled by a network of hiking paths called the Great
Baikal Trail. The Trans-Siberian Railway passes Baikal on its
route between Moscow and the Sea of Japan
 Current Affairs 30
nagua is the capital. With a multi-ethnic population of six
21. NANDANKANAN ZOOLOGICAL PARK million, including mestizo, Indigenous, European, and Afri-
can heritage, the main language is Spanish.
(NZP) (ODISHA)
Context:
The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has approved the transfer
of a cheetah, African lion, and Chimpanzee from Dubai Sa-
fari Park to Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) in Odisha.
The NZP, in exchange, will provide various animals including
Hippopotamus, blackbuck, hog deer, gaur, red junglefowl,
and gharial.

About Nandankanan Zoological Park

It is located 15 km from Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and was in-
augurated in 1960. It holds the distinction of being the first
zoo in India to join the World Association of Zoos & Aquar-
iums (WAZA), a global alliance dedicated to animal care and
conservation. Recognized for breeding Indian pangolins
and white tigers, it is also a breeding ground for leopards,
mouse deer, lions, ratel, and vultures. Nandankanan was the
world’s first captive crocodile breeding centre, successfully
breeding gharials in captivity in 1980.

23. JAPAN’S KURIL ISLANDS

Context:
An earthquake of magnitude 6.3 on the Richter Scale jolted
Japan’s Kuril Islands.

The Kuril Islands stretch from Japan’s Hokkaido to Russia’s

Kamchatka Peninsula, separating the Okhotsk Sea from the
North Pacific Ocean. They are part of the Pacific’s Ring of
Fire, with over 100 volcanoes, 35 active, and numerous hot
springs. The Southern Kuril Islands are disputed between
Russia and Japan (Russia calls them Kuril Islands; Japan re-
fers to them as Northern territories)

22. NICARAGUA
Context:
A recent incident involving a Nicaragua-bound flight de-
tained in France fuelled suspicions of human trafficking.

There’s a surge in Indians showing interest in travelling to

Nicaragua, with concerns arising about potential misuse for
illegal entry into the US and Canada. Obtaining a visa for Nic-
aragua is challenging due to unclear rules and the absence
of a Nicaraguan embassy in India.

About Nicaragua
It is the largest Central American country, bordered by Hon-
duras, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, and the Pacific Ocean. Ma-

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 Current Affairs 30

24. INDIA AND BANGLADESH TRADE

India and Bangladesh officials emphasized the need for

coordinated border management to address trans-border
crimes. Also, the Shipping Secretary Level Talks between In-
dia and Bangladesh in Dhaka concluded with decisions such
as easing visa issuance, shore-leave facility, and repatria-
tion for seafarers.

Key outcomes involve:

• The establishment of a land route at LCS Radhika-
pur and Hodibari to enhance trade and connectivity
• Bangladesh plans to extend the Indo-Bangladesh
Protocol (IBP) route, designating Safardighi as a
new port of call
• Common Automatic Identification System (AIS) on
the IBP route for better vessel navigation and track-
ing
• Inclusion of Payra seaport in the Agreement on the
use of Chattogram and Mongla Ports for Movement
of Goods (ACMP)

With a bilateral trade volume worth

$16bn, India is Bangladesh›s second-largest trading part-
ner after China.

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