Current Affairs

February 2024

Chief Editor
B. Singh (Ex. IES)
CMD, NEXT IAS & MADE EASY Group

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Compilation of UPSC relevant news from 1st Jan. to 31st Jan. 2024
Contents
Consecration Ceremony of Ram Mandir...............................................................6
75th Republic Day...................................................................................................... 12
India-France Relation............................................................................................... 16
Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023.................................................. 18
Understanding the Tenth Schedule.................................................................... 20
China-Taiwan Relations........................................................................................... 21
7th Nepal-India Joint Commission Meeting....................................................... 22
India-South Korea (RoK) Relations....................................................................... 24
India and Saudi Arabia Relations......................................................................... 26
Multidimensional Poverty in India since 2005-06.......................................... 28
FIU-IND act against Virtual Asset Providers...................................................... 29
Increase in Coal Production in India................................................................... 30
National Coal Gasification Mission...................................................................... 32
Submarine Optical Fibre Cable............................................................................. 33
IEA Report on e-Fuels............................................................................................... 34
Dark Phase of Tea Industry..................................................................................... 36
States’ Startup Ranking for 2022.......................................................................... 37
Processed Food Exports up 150% in 9 Years..................................................... 39
India’s First AI Unicorn............................................................................................. 40
National Clean Air Programme............................................................................. 41
Coastal Zone Management Plans........................................................................ 42
Landslide Risk Map of India................................................................................... 43
Voice Cloning............................................................................................................. 45
Assisted Reproductive Technology..................................................................... 46
Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur..................................................................................... 47
Sports Sector in India............................................................................................... 48
1 Polity & Governance
E-SCR Portal................................................................................................................. 49
Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS)............................................................ 49
VVPATs........................................................................................................................... 49
Free Legal Aid in India............................................................................................. 50
PRERANA Program.................................................................................................... 50
SVAMITVA Scheme wins Best Innovation Award............................................ 51
Concept of Remission.............................................................................................. 51
Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023....................................................................... 51
‘One Vehicle One FASTag’ Initiative..................................................................... 52
MPLADS e-SAKSHI Mobile Application.............................................................. 52
Beyond Basics: Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023............... 53
AISHE Report 2021-22............................................................................................. 53
Guidelines for Regulation of Coaching Centres.............................................. 54
Cancellation of FCRA Registration for NGOs.................................................... 54
Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana........................................................................ 55
Minority status and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).................................. 56
ii
Appointment of Chief Minister (CM)................................................................... 56
Default Bail.................................................................................................................. 57
2 International Relation
UN Statistical Commission..................................................................................... 58
India and Czech Republic Ties............................................................................... 58
Iran-Pakistan Conflict............................................................................................... 59
AI Governance Alliance Report on Generative AI Governance.................. 60
World Economic Forum Annual Meet in Davos............................................... 61
19th NAM Summit...................................................................................................... 61
Group of 77................................................................................................................. 62
Turkey finally backs Sweden’s NATO Bid............................................................ 63
Expansion of BRICS................................................................................................... 64
3 Economy
Sovereign Gold Bonds............................................................................................. 65
PLI Scheme for Automobile Sector...................................................................... 65
Reverse Flipping........................................................................................................ 66
India's Palm Oil Imports.......................................................................................... 66
Inland Waterways Development Council.......................................................... 67
Hedge Funds............................................................................................................... 67
Momentum Investing.............................................................................................. 67
World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2024 Report..................... 67
Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit............................................................................. 68
Atal Setu....................................................................................................................... 68
Growth in Lentil Production in India................................................................... 69
India acquires Lithium Blocks in Argentina...................................................... 69
Investment Models................................................................................................... 70
Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR)................................................ 71
Public Stockholding for Food Grains.................................................................. 72
India’s Toy Industry................................................................................................... 72
Rising Gap in Incomes............................................................................................. 73
Group Insolvency Mechanism............................................................................... 73
4 Environment
Eurasian Otter............................................................................................................. 75
Peninsular Hill Trout................................................................................................. 75
Vulture Restaurant in Jharkhand.......................................................................... 75
Himalayan Wolf.......................................................................................................... 76
Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival.................................................................................. 76
Mapping of Deep Sea Coral Reef......................................................................... 76
Status Report of Snow Leopards in India.......................................................... 77
Humboldt’s Enigma.................................................................................................. 78
Melanistic Tiger (Black Tiger)................................................................................. 79
Kashmir's Dry Winter................................................................................................ 79
Wetland City Accreditation Scheme................................................................... 80
5 Geography
Krishna-Godavari Basin........................................................................................... 82
Union Government Inks MoU with MP and Rajasthan for River Linking
Project........................................................................................................................... 82
Chilika Lake................................................................................................................. 83
Timor-Leste................................................................................................................. 84
Belgorod Region........................................................................................................ 84
Okinawa....................................................................................................................... 85
Aigai............................................................................................................................... 85
Willingdon Island...................................................................................................... 85
Torkham Border......................................................................................................... 85
Baltic Sea...................................................................................................................... 86
6 Internal Security
National Investigation Agency (NIA)................................................................... 87
Exercise 'Desert Cyclone 2024............................................................................... 87
Exercise Khanjar......................................................................................................... 88
Exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’........................................................................................ 88
Cyber Kidnapping..................................................................................................... 88
Project Veer Gatha 3.0.............................................................................................. 89
Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD).................................... 89
Vijay Raghavan Committee.................................................................................... 89
Operation Sarvashakti............................................................................................. 90
P-75I Procurement Program.................................................................................. 90
India-Myanmar Border Free Movement Regime............................................. 91
AKASH-New Generation Missile........................................................................... 92
7 Science & Technology
Radiocarbon Dating................................................................................................. 93
Many-Body Physics................................................................................................... 93
Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO)................................................... 94
“PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI)” Scheme..................................................................... 94
Superconductivity in LK-99.................................................................................... 95
Peregrine Mission One............................................................................................ 95
NISAR Satellite............................................................................................................ 95
North Korea Tested Solid-Fuel Missiles.............................................................. 96
National Quantum Mission.................................................................................... 97
India’s First Graphene Centre................................................................................ 98
Soil-Powered Fuel Cell............................................................................................. 99
Distress Alert Transmitter....................................................................................... 99
Ingenuity: Mars Helicopter..................................................................................... 99
Mosquirix..................................................................................................................... 99
Zombie Virus............................................................................................................. 100
Magnetic Cooling Effect........................................................................................ 100
Aromatic Crops and Floriculture........................................................................ 101
iii
8 Society
Representation of Women in Indian Judiciary............................................... 102
Sapinda Marriage.................................................................................................... 103
Survey to Assess Women Participation in Workforce................................... 104
9 Culture & History
Savitri Bai Phule & Rani Velu Nachiyar.............................................................. 105
Poila Boisakh............................................................................................................. 105
Kadamba Inscription.............................................................................................. 106
Nritya Kalanidhi Award.......................................................................................... 107
Kateel Yakshagana Mela........................................................................................ 107
West Bengal seeks Classical Language Status for Bangla.......................... 107
Kalaram Temple....................................................................................................... 108
Artwork in the Indian Constitution................................................................... 108
Vadnagar (Oldest Living City of India).............................................................. 108
Saint Thiruvalluvar.................................................................................................. 109
Chittorgarh Fort....................................................................................................... 109
Jagannath Temple Corridor................................................................................. 110
Veerbhadra Temple................................................................................................. 110
Somnath: A Brief History of the Temple........................................................... 110
Guruvayur Temple................................................................................................... 111
Madhika Language................................................................................................. 111
Bordowa Satra (Batadrava Than)........................................................................ 111
Parakram Divas........................................................................................................ 112
'Maratha Military Landscapes' to be India's Nomination for
UNESCO Tag...................................................................................................... 112
GI Tag to Products from Odisha.......................................................................... 113
Gyanvapi Mosque Dispute................................................................................... 114
10 Miscellaneous
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.......................................................................................... 115
National Sports Awards 2023.............................................................................. 115
Henley Passport Index (HPI) 2024...................................................................... 115
Best FIFA Football Awards 2023.......................................................................... 116
Rashtriya Samar Smarak........................................................................................ 116
Kottai Ameer Communal Harmony Award, 2024.......................................... 116
Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards-2023................................................. 116
Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023........................................................ 117
No Tsunami Threat to India.................................................................................. 117
11 Data Recap
..............................................................................................................................119
Mains Questions..............................................................................................120
 Current Affairs Feature Articles
Edition: February 2024

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Cover Story Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024

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 Current Affairs
COVER STORY
Edition: February 2024 CONSECRATION
Cover Story
CEREMONY OF RAM MANDIR
The opening of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024,
marks a significant moment in cultural history, bringing joy to millions of devotees globally.
Historical Overview:
• The Ayodhya Ram Mandir has a centuries-old history, being
situated on the birthplace of Lord Ram, a highly revered
Hindu deity.
• Originally constructed in ancient times, the temple faced
destruction by Mughal emperor Babur in the 16th century,
leading to the construction of the Babri Masjid by Mir Baqi on
the same site.
• The Babri Masjid stood for centuries until its controversial
demolition in 1992, sparking widespread violence and
communal tensions in India.
HISTORY OF COURT CASE ON RAM TEMPLE
• 1949 Faizabad court order:
 Originated from a 1949 Faizabad court order concerning
the placement of Hindu idols under the Babri Masjid
dome, leading to a law and order situation.
 On December 29th, 1949, the Faizabad court placed
the site under state custodial responsibility to manage
escalating communal tensions.
• Title Suits Following the 1949 Order:
 In 1959, the Nirmohi Akhara filed a title suit claiming
rightful management of the Ram Janmabhoomi.
 In 1961, the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Board of Waqfs
(Sunni Waqf Board) filed a suit, asserting possession of
the mosque.
 In 1989, senior advocate Deoki N Agarwal filed a suit
on behalf of Lord Ram in the Allahabad High Court,
consolidating prior suits.
• Allahabad High Court Judgment (2010):
 The Allahabad High Court delivered a judgment in
September 2010, dividing the Ayodhya title into three
equal parts.
 It awarded the title to the Nirmohi Akhara, Lord Ram
represented by Triloki Nath Pandey, and the Sunni
Waqf Board.
• Supreme Court Intervention and Judgment (2011):
 The Supreme Court stayed the Allahabad High Court
judgment in 2011.
 On November 9th, 2019, the Supreme Court delivered
its judgment, awarding the title to the deity Shri Ram
Virajman.
 The court directed the State to grant the Sunni Waqf
Board an alternate site at Ayodhya for the construction
of a mosque.
6
• The Ayodhya dispute, focusing on the ownership of the
contested site and its connection to Lord Ram's birthplace,
remained a contentious issue in Indian politics for decades.
• In 2019, Supreme Court settled the Ayodhya dispute by ruling
in favor of constructing a Ram Janmabhoomi temple on the
disputed site.
• The responsibility for building the temple was entrusted to the
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra.
SHRI RAM JANMABHOOMI TEERTH KSHETRA
• It is a trust established by the Government of India to
oversee the construction and management of the Ram
Mandir in Ayodhya.
• Established on February 5, 2020, the trust comprises 15 trustees,
with Mahant Nritya Gopal Das serving as its chairman.
• The members of the trust has been appointed by the
Government of India.
• It is registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act
(FCRA) of 2010, allowing foreign contributions to the trust.
About Ram Temple:
• Design: Constructed in the Nagara style of temple architecture
it features impressive towering shikharas.
• Outlay: Comprising pink sandstone, the temple spans 2.77
acres, with a courtyard and smaller shrines dedicated to
various Hindu deities.
• Statue Stone: A colossal Shaligram stone, symbolizing Lord
Ram which has been sourced from the Gandaki river in Nepal.
• With a height of 161 feet, the temple has three floors, each
serving a distinct purpose.
 The first floor honors Lord Ram
 The second floor dedicates space to Lord Hanuman
 Third floor functions as a museum showcasing Ayodhya's
history and culture.
• There will be five mandaps (halls) — Nritya Mandap, Rang
Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Prarthana Mandap and Kirtan
Mandap.
• Additional facilities include a yajnashala for Hindu fire rituals,
a community kitchen, and a medical facility.
 Pillars and walls of the complex will feature statues of
various deities.
 Four corner mandirs within the compound will be dedicated
to Surya, Bhagwati, Ganesh, and Shiv.
 Temples honoring Annapurna and Hanuman will be
constructed on the northern and southern arms, respectively.

 Additional proposed temples in the complex include those
dedicated to Maharshi Valmiki, Vashishtha, Vishwamitra,
Agastya, Nishad Raj, Shabri, and more.
• Nritya Mandap:
 It refers to the dance hall or chamber within a temple
dedicated to religious performances and traditional
dance rituals.
 It serves as a sacred space for devotional dance
performances and cultural expressions.
• Rang Mandap:
 It is the central hall or platform where religious
ceremonies, rituals, and cultural events take place.
 It is the focal area for various ceremonies, including
prayers, recitations, and congregational gatherings.
• Sabha Mandap:
 It is an congregation hall within a temple complex where
devotees gather for spiritual discourses, meetings, and
discussions.
 It facilitates community engagement, religious
discussions, and dissemination of spiritual knowledge.
• Prarthana Mandap: It is a prayer hall or chamber designated
for devotees to offer prayers, conduct religious rituals, and
engage in worship.
• Kirtan Mandap: It is a dedicated area within a temple where
Kirtan, a form of devotional singing or chanting, takes place.
• Foundation Design of the Temple:
 The temple's foundation incorporates a 14-meter-thick
layer of roller-compacted concrete, providing it with the
look of an artificial rock.
 56 layers of Compacted Concrete, made of Fly Ash/Dust
and chemicals, have been used.
 21-foot thick plinth, made up of Granite, has been used to
protect the Ram Temple from moisture.
 Construction materials for the project include Makrana
marble and pink sandstone sourced from Rajasthan.
 Granite stone utilized in the construction is procured from
Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
 Colored marble from Mandla in Madhya Pradesh is also
incorporated in the building materials.
 Teak Wood sourced from the Balarshah and Allapalli forest
ranges in Maharashtra is utilized in 44 doors of the temple.
 Among these doors, 14 are designated for gold-plating
work.
 The construction avoids the use of iron throughout the
structure, since iron gets oxidized and reduces the
lifespan of the structure.
 Dedicated ramps and lifts have been constructed to
facilitate the access of elderly and differently-abled
devotees, located in a distinct block within the complex.
Cover Story Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
 A pilgrims' facility center designed for 25,000 individuals
incorporates medical services and locker facilities.
 The project places significant importance on environmental
and water conservation, allocating 70% of the 70-acre area
for green spaces.
 In the southwest part, the ancient temple of Lord Shiva on
the Navratna Kubera Hill will be renovated, and a statue of
Jatayu will be installed.
• Capacity & Other features:
 The temple grounds have a capacity for 1,500 individuals
simultaneously.
 To prevent lightning damage, 200KA lightning arresters
have been installed across the temple structure.
 This technology, tested for the first time in India, was
adopted after observing damage to old temples in
Mathura and Kashi caused by lightning strikes.
 The walkways and columns, engraved with 100 events
from Valmiki’s Ramayana, provide a narrative experience
for pilgrims during the parikrama of the temple.
SIGNIFICANCE OF DIFFERENT MATERIALS USED IN
CONSTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE
• Granite (Tamil Nadu & Telangana): Due to concerns about
potential damage to the structure from seepage originating
from the Saryu river, a decision was made to build a granite
retaining wall (due to its durability and resistance to wear)
to safeguard the construction.
• Makrana Marbles (Rajasthan): Renowned for its high-
quality white marble, they are known for intricate patterns,
lustre, longevity in terms of resistance to wear and fine
craftsmanship.
• Pink Sandstone (Rajasthan): Characterized by its pink
hue and grainy texture, it is commonly employed in the
construction of temples for its aesthetic appeal.
• Colored Marble (Madhya Pradesh): It offers a varied color
range with unique patterns. It is often used for decorative
purposes in buildings, adding aesthetic diversity to
architectural designs.
• Teakwood (Maharashtra): It is a high-quality wood known for
its durability and strength, is valued for its attractive grain
patterns and natural luster.
• Key features of the Bell:
 The Bell is made of Ashtadhatu (Gold, Silver, Copper, Zinc,
Lead, Tin, Iron and Mercury)
 The eight metals represent specific cosmic influences
and have cultural and spiritual significance.
 Composition of Ashtadhatu:
 Gold (Au): Symbolizes purity and prosperity.
 Silver (Ag): Represents clarity of thought and intuition.
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 Current Affairs Cover Story
Edition: February 2024

 Copper (Cu): Associated with energy and electrical
conductivity.
 Zinc (Zn): Adds strength and durability.
 Lead (Pb): Represents stability and grounding.
 Iron (Fe): Symbolizes strength and resilience.
 Tin (Sn): Adds malleability and flexibility.
 Mercury (Hg): Enhances spiritual properties.
 It weighs around 2100 Kg.
 The sound of the bell can be heard up to a distance of
15 Km.
• The solution involved a meticulous process, including the
removal of 14 meters of sand from six acres of temple land.
• Additionally, 56 layers of Rolled Compact Concrete, a unique
composite that solidifies into rock, were strategically placed
to establish a stable foundation, ensuring the temple's
structural integrity.

Science behind Earthquake Resilient temple Structure:

• The temple stands as a testament to innovative construction,
eliminating the use of iron or cement to rely solely on stone
for enhanced earthquake resistance and longevity.
 Prof. Ramanchrala Pradeep Kumar, Director of the CSIR-
Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee,
emphasized the longevity of stone compared to other
construction materials, contributes to the earthquake
resistance of the Ram temple.
• Important facts:
• During soil testing for the foundation, a significant challenge  Chief Architect: Chandrakant B. Sompura
emerged when loose sand was discovered beneath the  Construction Company: Larsen and Toubro (L&T)
temple structure.  Project Management Company: Tata Consulting Engineers
• To address this challenge, a collaborative effort was Limited ( TCEL)
initiated, involving specialists from institutions such as CBRI,  Sculptors: Arun Yogiraaj (Mysore), Ganesh Bhatt and
National Geophysical Survey, IIT Delhi, Guwahati, Chennai, Satyanarayan Pandey
Roorkee, Bombay, and the construction company Larsen &  Total Area: 70 Acre (70% green Area)
Toubro (L&T).  Temple Area: 2.77 Acre

TYPE OF TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE

Aspect Nagara Style Dravida Style Vesara Style
Location Northern India Southern India Central and Western India
Shikhara/ Curvilinear spire with a convex Pyramidal or conical structure with Hybrid features, combining elements of
Vimana conical shape tiered towers Nagara and Dravida
Crowning Varied, may include Amalaka, Kalasha, or
Amalaka, Kalasha Kalasha
Elements other decorative elements
Mandapa Incorporates both Nagara and Dravida
Pillared hall Pillared halls with pyramidal roofs
Design elements in pillared halls
Commonly associated with temple
Water Tank May have step wells or kund May or may not include a water tank or kund
complexes
Kandariya Mahadeva Temple Brihadeshwara Temple (Thanjavur), Kailasa Temple (Ellora), Chennakesava temple,
Examples
(Khajuraho), Sun Temple (Konark) Meenakshi Amman Temple (Madurai) Virupaksha temple, and Ladkhan temple.

Significance of Ayodhya with reference to Shri Ram:
• Birthplace of Lord Ram: Ayodhya is traditionally considered
the birthplace of Lord Ram, who is regarded as the seventh
avatar of Lord Vishnu.
• Ramayana Epic: The city of Ayodhya is prominently featured in
the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana.
 The Ramayana narrates the life, struggles, and triumphs
of Lord Ram, including his birth in Ayodhya, his exile, the
kidnapping of his wife Sita by the demon king Ravana, and
the eventual victory of good over evil.
• Religious Pilgrimage: Devotees of Lord Ram visit the place
to offer prayers at various temples associated with Ram,
including the Ram Janmabhoomi, Hanuman Garhi, Kanak
Bhawan, and others.

8

• Cultural Heritage: The city's ghats along the Sarayu River,
historical sites, and temples contribute to its rich cultural
tapestry.
• Symbol of Dharma and Virtue: Ayodhya, being the kingdom
ruled by Lord Ram, is seen as a symbol of an ideal and just
society, emphasizing moral and ethical values.
Brief about Ram Rajya:
"Ramrajya" signifies an idealized governance system based on
the virtues and principles associated with Lord Rama.
• Characteristics of Ramrajya:
 Justice and Equality: Emphasis on upholding principles of
justice and ensuring equality for all citizens, with a fair and
impartial legal system.
 Dharma and Morality: Ruling in accordance with dharma,
encompassing righteousness, duty, and ethical conduct,
while promoting moral values in society.
 Good Governance: Transparent, accountable, and
accessible governance, with a focus on responsive
administration.
 Welfare of Citizens: Ensuring citizen welfare through
socially and economically inclusive policies that prioritize
the well-being of the masses.
 Environmental Stewardship: Advocacy for harmonious
coexistence with nature, sustainable resource
management, and respect for the environment.
 Cultural Harmony: Fostering cultural diversity, promoting
harmony among different communities, and encouraging
mutual respect for all faiths.
 Humane Treatment: Compassionate and humane
treatment of all citizens, regardless of social status, with a
commitment to protecting the vulnerable.
• Mahatma Gandhi's vision of Ram Rajya was deeply rooted in
his philosophy of truth (Satya) and non-violence (Ahimsa).
 Gandhiji envisioned a society where there is no
discrimination based on caste, creed, or religion. He
advocated for social justice and equality, with every
individual enjoying basic human rights and dignity.
 He emphasized economic self-sufficiency through the
promotion of Swadeshi (local) products and cottage
industries. He believed in the decentralization of economic
power to empower local communities.
 Sarvodaya (Welfare of All): Ram Rajya, in Gandhian
thought, meant the welfare of all, where the well-being of
the weakest and the poorest was a priority.
Potential Benefits:
• Regional Development
 The developmental and infrastructural initiatives in
Ayodhya are organized into eight overarching themes.
 These themes are Aesthetic Ayodhya, Clean Ayodhya,
Efficient Ayodhya, Accessible Ayodhya, Experiential
Cover Story Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
Ayodhya, Modern Ayodhya, Cultural Ayodhya, and
Healthy Ayodhya.
 Ayodhya has secured funding for numerous developmental
and infrastructure initiatives.
 These projects aim not only to promote tourism within
and around the city but also to transform Ayodhya into a
regional growth center.
 This transformation is expected to stimulate business and
economic activities in the broader region due to improved
connectivity.
 Ayodhya's redevelopment under Master Plan 2031 is set to
span a decade.
 The ambitious project involves an investment exceeding
Rs 85,000 crore.
 Its objective is to elevate the sacred city, ensuring it meets
the needs of a daily footfall of approximately 3 lakh people
following the inauguration of the Ram Temple.
 The transformation of Ayodhya involves the collaborative
efforts of 37 state and national agencies.
 Projects executed by NHAI amount to Rs 10,000 crore, and
the Uttar Pradesh government's public works department
is undertaking 34 projects with an investment close to Rs
7,500 crore.
 The upgrade encompasses key components such as the
airport, railways, and highways.
 For instance, Maharishi Valmiki International Airport
became the fifth international airport in Uttar Pradesh,
following Lucknow, Varanasi, Noida (under construction),
and Kushinagar.
• Hub for Spiritual Tourism
 Post the complete development of the Ram Mandir and
city redevelopment, Ayodhya is expected to achieve a
residents-to-tourists ratio of 1:10.
 This ratio signifies the substantial potential of Ayodhya to
draw in pilgrims and visitors.
 According to data from the UP Tourism Department, Ayodhya
witnessed a remarkable increase in tourist numbers from
325,000 in 2021 to 23.9 million in the subsequent year.
• Boost to Business
 Sixteen applications have been submitted for constructing
hotels in Ayodhya.
 Top-tier 5-star brands like Taj, Radisson, and ITC Hotels,
as well as budget players like OYO, are in the queue to
establish new hotels.
 A plan for a smart city is currently in progress for the region.
 FMCG companies and food services chains are actively
showing interest in Ayodhya.
 The surge in tourism and the city's floating population is
anticipated to increase significantly, with expectations of
an 8-10-fold rise.
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 Current Affairs Cover Story
Edition: February 2024
 The global branding and facelift associated with the
consecration of the Ram temple on January 22 contribute
to this heightened interest and investment.
• Employment generation:
 The construction phase and subsequent developments
generate job opportunities for locals.
 It includes both skilled and unskilled labor, fostering
economic activities and reducing unemployment.
 The state government has developed a vision document
for Ayodhya with the aim of generating 4 lakh direct
employment opportunities and 8 lakh indirect job
opportunities within the city.
• Deepening International relations based upon shared values:
 Mauritius Foreign Minister has described the consecration
ceremony of the Ram temple as an "international global
event" and equated it to a "Diwali."
DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF RAMAYANA
• Maharishi Valmiki’s Ramayana:
 It is the original and classical version of the epic attributed
to the sage Valmiki.
 It narrates the story of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and his
loyal companion Hanuman.
 This version is considered a foundational text in Hindu
literature.
 The Sanskrit document recounting Ram's triumph over the
10-headed Lanka king, Ravan, is a universally cherished
story of righteousness prevailing over malevolence.
 Valmiki's rendition is acknowledged as the original, but
more than 300 versions of the Ramayana have emerged,
particularly in South East Asia.
 This proliferation occurred during the 12th and 13th centuries
when the region absorbed numerous cultural elements, as
well as commodities and services, from Indian origins.
• Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas (India): Composed by the saint-
poet Tulsidas in the Awadhi language, it is another significant
version of the Ramayana. It is widely popular in North India,
especially in the Hindi-speaking regions.
• Dasarata Jataka - Buddhist Ramayana:
 King Dashrath's motivation for sending Ram, Sita, and
Lakshman to the forest in the Dasarata Jataka differs from
the Hindu version. In this rendition, he does so to protect
them from his third wife.
 Notably, the plot of Dasarata Jataka excludes Sita's
abduction, marking a significant departure from the
traditional Ramayana narrative.
 Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar predominantly practice
10
 Mauritius government has granted a two-hour special
break for public officials of Hindu faith to participate
in prayer and observation during the Ram temple
consecration ceremony on January 22.
 In Australia, a significant element of the celebration involves
a procession featuring an urn filled with rice grains and
turmeric sent from Ayodhya, known as Kalash Yatra.
 The sacred urn moved among temples in what is termed
as Kalash Yatra, allowing devotees to offer prayers and
seek blessings during the festivities.
Conclusion:
• In conclusion, along with being a testament to religious faith,
Shri Ram Mandir stands as an architectural marvel.
• As a living testament to the spiritual heritage of India and the
enduring legacy of Lord Rama, this temple will go a long way
in making Ayodhya the spiritual capital of India.
Theravada Buddhism, but before that, Mahayana
Buddhism and Hinduism were prevalent.
 Odia and Tamil sea merchants played a crucial role in
disseminating these Indian religions to Southeast Asia
during annual voyages, exchanging goods and stories.
 Despite variations in character portrayals and plot
elements, Ram remains the central and dominant character
in most Southeast Asian versions of the Ramayana.
• Kamba Ramayana (Tamil Nadu, India): Written by the Tamil
poet Kamban, the Kamba Ramayana is a classical Tamil
version of the epic. It is highly esteemed in Tamil literature
and is known for its poetic beauty.
• Ramakien (Thailand):
 The Ramakien is Thailand's national epic, and it is based
on the Ramayana.
 In the 12th-century Angkor Wat ruins, a corridor adorned
with carved episodes from the Ramayana highlights the
cultural significance of the epic in Khmer literature.
 Historical Thai monarchs, during the era when Thailand
was known as Siam, claimed descent from Ram. Their
names often featured Ram as either a prefix or a suffix, and
the capital city at that time was Ayutthaya, phonetically
similar to Ayodhya.
 In the 18th century, during the invasion of Ayutthaya by
Burmese soldiers, the king, despite being a practicing
Buddhist, adopted the name Rama I.
 Rama I authored the Thai version of the Ramayana,
named Ramakien, which has since become Thailand's
national epic, showcasing the enduring cultural impact of
the Ramayana in the region.
Ayodhya
RAM MANDIR
TIMELINE
2024: The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ or the consecration ceremony of the idol of
Lord Ram in Ayodhya is held on January 22, 2024 at 12:20 pm.
 Current Affairs
COVER STORY Feature Articles
Edition: February 2024

75TH REPUBLIC DAY

On the 26th of January 2024, India marked the 75th anniversary of its Republic Day with celebrations.

About: Selection Process of Tableaux:

• States and Union Territories Represented: Tableaus from 16
states and Union Territories showcased the rich cultural
diversity and achievements of different regions.
• Central Ministries and Departments: Nine central ministries
and departments displayed their contributions and initiatives
through captivating tableaus.
• It is done by the Ministry of Defence.
• The tableaux proposals received from States/UTs & Ministries/
Depts & various organisations are evaluated in a series of
meetings of the Expert Committee consisting of prominent
persons in the field of art, culture, painting, sculpture, music,
architecture, choreography, etc.

• Armed Forces' Representation: The three wings of the Armed
Forces proudly participated, showcasing their prowess and
commitment on Kartavya Path.
Awards Recognizing Excellence:
• Best Tableau Award - State Category: Odisha was honored
with the prestigious Best Tableau Award for its outstanding
representation during the Republic Day Parade.
• People's Choice Award - State and UT Category: Gujarat
secured the People's Choice Award, signifying the public's
admiration for the state's tableau as the best among states
and Union Territories.
• Best Tableau Award - Ministries and Departments: The Ministry
of Culture received the Best Tableau Award in the Ministries
and Departments category, recognizing its exceptional
depiction of cultural richness.
• Selection of Tableaux: It passes different stages starting
from initial appreciation of sketch/design and the themes’
brought forward’ by the States, UTs, Ministries, Departments,
Organisations.
• It is followed by a three-dimensional model which culminates
into the selection of the actual model by Expert Committee
through a series of interactions where all aspects of the
tableaux are discussed threadbare.
• The selection depends upon a combination of factors including but
not limited to visual appeal, impact on the masses, idea/theme of
the tableaux, degree of detailing involved in the tableaux, music
accompanying the tableaux, local artists used etc.
• In response to concerns from some States/UTs regarding non-
inclusion of their tableau in the parade, the Ministry of Defence
has introduced a unique three-year roll-over plan. This plan
ensures equitable participation on a rotational basis for all
states and UTs over three years.

HIGHLIGHT OF DIFFERENT TABLEAUX

State/UT/
Theme of the Tableau Key points highlighted
Ministry

Depicted the imposing indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, and
Indian Navy
Nari Shakti and AtmaNirbharta highly capable escort ships INS Delhi, INS Kolkata and INS Shivalik, and
Tableau
the Kalvari-class submarine.

Indian Air Bharatiya Vayu Sena: Saksham, The frontage showed a symbolic representation of a C-295 transport
Force Tableau Sashakt, Atmanirbhar aircraft being flown by two women aircrew in the cockpit.

The front part of the tableau depicted a major phase in the lives of armed
Armed forces Rashtra Nirman – Pehle Bhi, Ab forces personnel, when they “gallantly defended our country at all costs”.
veteran Tableau Bhi, Aage bhi aur Hamesha The central part of the tableau showcased the role of armed forces
personnel after their retirement from active service.

Women Power in protecting the Models of systems developed by the DRDO were displayed on the tableau
DRDO Tableau nation by providing the defence including the key Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM),
technologies in all five dimensions AGNI-5 and Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missiles.

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 Feature Articles Current Affairs
Edition: January 2024

The state’s tableau showcased its Singchung Bugun Village Community

Reserve, a 17 square kilometre biodiversity hotspot created in 2017.
Arunachal
Viksit Bharat In the tractor portion, the new species of bird called Bugun Liocichla and
Pradesh
other birds from the reserve in natural vegetation was depicted.
It also depicted Bugun folk dance.
It showcased the women-run Ima Keithel, also known as the Mother’s
Market.
The 500-year-old Ima Keithel is the only market in the world run entirely by
Thambal Gi langla – Lotus women.
Manipur
Threads The tableau depicted women extracting delicate fibre from lotus stems
and making yarn using traditional spinning wheels.
In the centre, the float depicted a woman weaving clothes using “Eyong”
– a traditional Manipuri loom.
Self-reliant and progressive It illustrated the progressive journey of women in the state through self-help
Madhya Pradesh
women of the state groups, local leadership and representation even in the aviation sector.
The tableau depicted the ancient tribal form of Parliament in Bastar known
as “Muria Darbar”.
It depicted a place called “Limau Raja”, situated in Bade Dongar, the
ancient capital of Bastar.
Bastar ki Aadim Jansansad: Muriya According to folklore, in ancient times, where there were no kings, the
Chhattisgarh
Darbar tribal community used to make decisions amongst themselves by placing
a lemon on a throne made of stones.
This tradition later took the form of the “Muria Darbar”.
The tableau was decorated with “bell-metal and terracotta artefacts” to
depict the traditional arts and crafts.
Dhordo, which the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)
'Dhordo: Global Identity of included on the list of 'best tourism villages of 2023', took centre stage in
Gujarat
Gujarat's Border Tourism' showcasing "the unique blend of tradition, tourism and technology that
defines the essence of a developed India.
Viksit Bharat: Empowering women Ladakh's Republic Day tableaux highlighted the Indian women's ice
Ladakh through Employment in Ladakh’s hockey team, consisting of accomplished Ladakhi women, showcasing
Journey their achievements and contributions to sports.
It highlighted the historical significance of the Kudavolai electoral system,
which emerged during the 10th century Chola era and marked an early
Kudavolai System in ancient Tamil stride towards democracy.
Tamil Nadu
Nadu- Mother of Democracy The tableau also featured a scale model of the Vaikunda Perumal Temple
in Uthiramerur where the Kudavolai system is practised, showcasing its
integration into the local culture.
It highlighted women’s involvement in the handicraft and handloom sector
through live demonstrations and acknowledged women’s adaptation
to technology by showing them engaging in cashless transactions and
e-platform marketing.
Women Empowerment in Viksit
Odisha The “War Horse of Konark Temple” symbolised Odisha’s rapid progress in
Bharat
shaping a developed India.
The divine elephant “Kandarpa Hasti” on the tableau symbolised the
dedication of Odisha’s women to “Viksit Bharat”, paralleling the devotion
of Gopis to Lord Sri Krishna.

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 Current Affairs Feature Articles
Edition: February 2024

The tableau delved into Meghalaya’s timeless caves, illuminated by

Meghalaya Meghalaya’s Flourishing Tourism
Transforming School education in
Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh Making students
Globally Competitive
Viksit Bharat Main – Padharo
Rajasthan
Mahare Desh…Rajasthan
Democracy at the Grassroots:
Telangana The legacy of telangana’s
freedom Fighters
Chandrayaan 3- A saga in the
ISRO
Indian space History
Purple Revolution Through
CSIR
Scientific interventions of CSIR
Uttar Pradesh Viksit Bharat- Samradh Virasat
Ministry of
Electronics and Responsible AI for Social
Information Empowerment
Technology
stalactites and stalagmites.
It also highlighted the state’s rich reserve, displaying its flora, and endemic
species like the clouded leopard.
Finally, the tableau celebrated community-led cleanliness initiatives in
Mawlynnong, Asia’s cleanest village.
It displayed the transformation of Andhra pradesh education system from
ancient times to modern times.
The tableau sought to promote the state’s tourism potential, with the
“ghoomar” dance form representation adorning the front and the rear
featuring a decorated camel icon.
A statue of Meera Bai, a symbol of devotion and power, was displayed in
the rear end of the tableau.
The tableau had models of two camels adorned with ‘Gorband’, depicting
the legacy of the ‘Camel Utsav’ held every year in Rajasthan.
Telangana’s tableau honoured the legacy of tribal freedom fighters like
Komaram Bheem, Ramji Gond and Chityalallamma (Chakalillamma).
Komaram Bheem and Ramji Gond stood tall, advocating for the freedom,
dignity, and rights of indigenous tribal communities.
The tableau showcased the participation of women scientists in its various
missions.
The tableau had a model of the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 that took
Chandrayaan-3 to the Moon from Sriharikota.
The lunar landing site of the spacecraft which was named Shiv Shakti Point
was also featured.
The tableau illustrated the successful Aditya L-1 mission to study the
Sun as well as future missions such as Gaganyaan and Bhartiya Antriksh
Station among others.
The tableau, decked with lavender flowers, narrated the story of
development of an elite variety of lavender at the CSIR-Indian Institute
of Integrative Medicine at Jammu, its cultivation, and its processing to
produce essential oils, perfumes and incense sticks.
The tableau also showcased India’s first women-friendly compact electric
tractor developed by CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research
Institute, Durgapur.
The featured two sadhus with a “kalash” symbol, emblematic of the
upcoming Magh Mela in Prayagraj and the Mahakumbh to be held in 2025.
It also showed the world’s largest mobile phone manufacturing factory
operating from Noida and extensive expressway network of the state.
A group of women artistes accompanying the tableau perform traditional
dances ‘Charkula’ and ‘Wadhwa ', popular in the Braj region.
It showcased a “female robot”.It also portrayed the role of artificial
intelligence in the health sector, in logistics for identification and
segregation of parcels based on colour coding, monitoring cattle health
and helping visually impaired persons navigate.

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 Feature Articles Current Affairs
Edition: January 2024

It portrayed the commitment of the ministry to provide opportunities to

Ministry of women.
Ports, shipping Sagarmala The tableau showcased achievements of port efficiency and capacity
and waterways augmentation through port modernisation initiatives under the Sagarmala
programme.
The successful hosting of the G20 Summit and India’s achievements during
Ministry of
Success of the G20 Summit its presidency of the powerful grouping were showcased in the Ministry of
External Affairs
External Affairs tableau.
Election The tableau depicted the conduct of free, fair, inclusive, accessible and
India–Mother of Democracy
Commission participative elections in the country.
The culture ministry’s tableau carried replicas of Dr B R Ambedkar handing
Ministry of
Bharat: Mother of Democracy’ over the Constitution to the country’s first president Rajendra Prasad, as
Culture
well as ancient symbols that championed the democratic ethos.
The tableau symbolised the state’s striving for modernity with depiction of
a rustic woman holding a digital device.
Haryana Mera Parivar-Meri Pehchan
The tableau also flaunted its agricultural clout, having on display the
message that it is the producer of 12 million metric tons of wheat.
The tableau depicted Rajmata Jijabai giving lessons in governance and
Inspiration for Indian Democracy:
Maharashtra politics to a younger Shivaji. The tableau depicted Shivaji’s Ashtapradhan
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Mandal, with some women seen raising their concerns in a court.
Jharkhand’s tableau showcased the skill of tribal women in the production
of Tasar silk with depictions of Tasar moth rearing, cocoon production,
Jharkhand Jharkhand’s Tasar Silk
weaving and the modern journey of Tasar garments from design to global
distribution.

Conclusion:
• India's tableaux culture is more than just a spectacular visual display. It's a celebration of unity, diversity, and progress. It's a
moving canvas that tells the story of a nation constantly evolving, yet deeply rooted in its rich past. And as we witness these
vibrant platforms roll down Rajpath every year, we are reminded of the strength and beauty that lies at the heart of India.

15
 Current Affairs
COVER STORY Feature Articles
Edition: February 2024
INDIA-FRANCE RELATION
French President Emmanuel Macron was the Chief guest at the 75th Republic Day Celebration.
Major Highlights of Recent Meet:
• India and France have announced a “defense industrial
roadmap” for cooperation on defense production, for future
collaboration on “co-design and co-development” of military
hardware, as well as key agreements on space cooperation.
• The two sides signed MoU documents on agriculture, digital
health and science and technology cooperation.
• A private B2B deal was agreed upon for an assembly-line
manufacture of civilian helicopters (Airbus-Tata).
• Akasa Air has signed a $5 billion agreement for over 300
LEAP-1B engines to power its fleet acquisition of 170 Boeing
MAX aircraft.
• The two sides also issued a joint statement on regional and
international developments.
 India has been unable to find such common ground with
other partners including the U.S. and Russia on these
issues but was able to take shared positions with France
on the condemnation of terror attacks in Israel, the need
for humanitarian assistance in Gaza and Ukraine, and
concerns over the Red Sea attacks.
Significance:
• Geo-Strategic:
 After India’s 1998 nuclear tests, France was the first
country to initiate a Strategic Dialogue with India.
 By displaying a greater understanding of India’s security
compulsions as compared to other countries, France
refused to impose bilateral sanctions on India.
 France was the first western country India signed a
strategic partnership with.
• A strategic partnership refers to a collaborative relationship
between two or more entities, typically countries that
involve a long-term commitment to achieving mutual goals
and objectives.
• Strategic partnerships often entail sharing resources,
knowledge, and capabilities to address common
challenges, pursue opportunities, or enhance
competitiveness in specific areas such as technology,
security, trade, or diplomacy.
 The year 2023 marked 25 years of India-France Strategic
Partnership.
 The comprehensive Roadmap between India and
France, which was adopted last year at Bastille Day,
was classified under three pillars — Partnership for
16
Security and Sovereignty; Partnership for the Planet;
and Partnership for People.
 France has granted India stakes in entities like the Indian
Ocean Commission and is a participant in the India-
France-Australia Trilateral Dialogue. This collaboration
underscores their joint commitment to a free, open, and
inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
• Geo-Political:
 Multilateral Cooperation: France being one of P5 Members
has continued to support India’s claim for permanent
membership of the United Nations Security Council and the
reforms of the United Nations.
 France’s support was vital in India’s accession to the
Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), Wassenaar
Arrangement (WA) and Australia Group (AG). France
continues to support India’s bid for accession to the
Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
 India and France have resolved to work together
for adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on
International Terrorism (CCIT) in the UN.
• Geo-Economic: Trade relations have witnessed steady growth,
with bilateral trade reaching $13.4 Bn in 2022-23.
 France is one of the largest investors in India with FDI
inflow of US$ 659.77 million for FY 2022-23.
 There are nearly 1,000 French companies in India
including 39 of the CAC 40 (‘the most influential
benchmark of performance in the French economy’)
while nearly 150 Indian businesses have established a
presence in France.
 Energy Cooperation: In 2023, both leaders welcomed the
progress made during discussions related to the Jaitapur
Nuclear Power Project (JNPP). However, the progress here
has been slow, though the first pact was agreed in 2008.
 The two sides have also agreed to establish a
partnership on Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and
Advanced Modular Reactors (AMR).
 The International Solar Alliance was launched jointly by
India and France in 2015 to harness solar energy.
• Security and Defence: Bilateral defense cooperation between
the two sides is reviewed under Annual Defence Dialogue
(Defence Minister level) and High Committee on Defence
Cooperation (Secretary level).
 P-75 Scorpene Deal 2005: An agreement for building six
Scorpène submarines under technology transfer at
Mazagaon Docks Ltd. in India with French help.

 The procurement of Rafale jets as part of India’s air power
is a testament to the deep defense ties.
 India has officially informed France of its intention to
acquire 26 naval variants of the Rafale fighter aircraft for
the Indian Navy.
 Joint defense exercises between the Air forces (Garuda
series) and the Armies (Shakti), Navies (Varuna) are
conducted regularly.
• Diaspora: Mainland France has an estimated 1,19,000 Indian
community (including NRIs) members, largely originating
from erstwhile French colonies of Puducherry, Karaikal,
Yanam, Mahe and Chandernagore and the States of Tamil
Nadu, Gujarat and Punjab.
 The core of the India-France long-standing partnership
is underpinned by the shared democratic values,cultural,
academic, and people-to-people ties.
• Other Areas of Cooperation:
 Space: There’s a rich history of cooperation in the field of
space for over 50 years between ISRO and the French
Space Agency, Centre National D’Etudes Spatiales
(CNES). France remains a major supplier of components
and equipment for the Indian space programme.
 Education: It is estimated that there are about 10,000 Indian
students in France. An agreement on mutual recognition
of degrees was signed in 2018. In 2023, it was agreed to
increase the number of Indian students in France to 30,000
by 2030.
Challenges:
• Economic Ties and Trade Agreements: The absence of a
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has limited the expansion of
economic ties between India and France.
 The halted negotiations on the India-EU Broad-based
Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) have also
hindered the further development of the India-France
relationship.
• Defense Procurement and Technology Transfer: There exist
issues related to defense procurement processes, technology
transfer, and co-development projects. Negotiations over
cost, technology sharing, and production timelines have
occasionally delayed defense deals.
• Energy Cooperation and Climate Change: France and India
are committed to addressing climate change and advancing
renewable energy.
 However, differences in approaches to nuclear energy,
financing for green technologies, and commitments
under international climate agreements can be areas of
contention.
• Divergent Geo-political Stances: There are differences in the
geopolitical stances of the two nations, notably France's open
Feature Articles Current Affairs
Edition: January 2024
condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, contrasting
with India's more measured response.
 Furthermore, France's position on China's Belt and Road
Initiative (BRI) diverges from India's stance.
• Strategic Interests in the Indo-Pacific: Both countries support a
free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, but balancing
strategic interests, especially with regard to China's growing
influence in the region, can be challenging.
 Ensuring alignment of their strategic initiatives while
engaging with other regional players requires careful
diplomacy.
• Delayed Projects: The relationship has been affected by
the delay in implementing agreed-upon projects, such
as the Jaitapur nuclear project, which has not yet been
operationalized.
Way Forward:
• Negotiating a Bilateral Trade Agreement: Accelerate discussions
towards a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement that
addresses current trade imbalances and fosters an equitable
trade relationship.
 This can act as a precursor or complement to the broader
India-EU BTIA, focusing on tariff reductions, easing of
trade barriers, and fostering a conducive environment for
businesses on both sides.
• Strengthening Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Framework:
Collaborate to enhance the IPR regime in India, ensuring
it provides robust protection for French innovations and
creative works.
 This could involve technical assistance, sharing best
practices, and capacity building initiatives to align India's
IPR policies closer with international standards.
• Aligning Geopolitical Stances: Engage in regular strategic
dialogues to better understand each other's positions on
key geopolitical issues, including relations with Russia and
China.
 While respecting each other's strategic autonomy, finding
common ground and coordinating positions in multilateral
forums can amplify their voices on the global stage.
• Enhancing Defense and Security Cooperation: Deepen defense
ties beyond arms sales to joint research, development, and
production of defense technologies.
 Initiatives could include co-development of next-generation
military hardware, counter-terrorism collaboration, and
maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean to
ensure a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
• Enhancing Cooperation in Global Governance: Work together
to reform international institutions and address global
challenges such as pandemics, cyber security, and terrorism.
17
 Current
COVER
BROADCASTING
Affairs
STORY
Edition: February 2024
Feature Articles

SERVICES (REGULATION) BILL, 2023

Recently, the Information & Broadcasting Ministry released the draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023.

About:  The Right of Way (RoW) in the telecommunications

• It aims to bring a consolidated legal framework for the sector is referred to as the legal framework for setting
broadcasting sector and extend it to Over The Top (OTT) up telecom towers, laying optical fiber cables (OFC),
content, digital news, and current affairs as well. improving coordination among companies, and settling
disputes.
Need of the Bill:
• To modernize our broadcasting sector’s regulatory
framework, replacing outdated Acts, Rules, and Guidelines
with a unified, future-focused approach.
• It adapts to the dynamic world of OTT, Digital Media, DTH,
IPTV, and more, promoting technological advancement and
service evolution.

Provisions of the Bill:

• Scope and Replacement:
 The Bill consolidates regulations for various broadcasting
services under a single framework.
 Aims to replace the Cable Television Networks (Regulation)
Act of 1995 and current policy guidelines.
• Extended Regulatory Purview:
 Includes oversight of broadcasting OTT content, digital
news, and current affairs (currently regulated by the IT
Act, 2000).
 Addresses emerging broadcasting technologies.
• Regulatory Bodies:
 Introduces 'Content Evaluation Committees' for self-
regulation.
 Establishes a 'Broadcast Advisory Council' to advise the
central government on program and advertisement code
violations.
• Penalties and Enforcement:
 Statutory penalties such as advisory, warning, censure,
and monetary fines for operators and broadcasters.
 Provision for imprisonment and/or fines for serious offenses
like providing false information during registration.
• Inclusivity and Accessibility:
 Aims to make broadcasting more inclusive by promoting
the use of subtitles, audio descriptors, and sign language.
 Includes provision for appointing a "Disability Grievance
Officer."
• Infrastructure Sharing:
 It also has provisions for infrastructure sharing among
broadcasting network operators and carriage of platform
services. The Bill “streamlines the ‘Right of Way’ to
address relocation and alterations more efficiently, and
establishes a structured dispute resolution mechanism”.
Arguments in Favour:
• Transition from Obsolete Act: The bill signifies a shift from the
Cable Television Networks Regulation Act of 1995. Thus , it
is rightly described as a "pivotal legislation" for modernizing
regulations in response to evolving technologies.
• Empowering Broadcasters: Introduces provisions for
broadcasters to implement self-regulation mechanisms.It
aims for a balanced approach between regulatory oversight
and industry autonomy.
• Flexible Code Application: The legislation permits a varied
application of Programme and Advertising Codes across
different services. It mandates broadcasters to undertake
self-classification and implement robust access control
measures for restricted content.
• Comprehensive Accessibility Guidelines: Provides inclusive
accessibility guidelines, specifically for the Divyangjan
community. Thus, it aims to enhance accessibility in
broadcasting for a diverse audience.
• Fairness in Monetary Penalties:
 Links monetary penalties to the investment and turnover of
the entity for fairness.
 Penalties are proportionally determined based on the
financial standing of the entity.
• Adapting to Dynamic Technologies:
 Acknowledges the dynamic nature of OTT, digital media,
DTH, IPTV, and emerging technologies.

18

 Aims to adapt the regulatory framework to keep pace with
technological advancements.
REGULATORY
LANDSCAPE OF BROADCASTING IN INDIA
• Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: Central authority
handling private broadcasting, public broadcasting
service (Prasar Bharati), multimedia advertising, and print
media regulation.
• Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI):
 Statutory autonomous body created by Parliament under
the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.
 Regulates tariffs for television channels and service
providers in the broadcasting sector.
• Electronic Media and Monitoring Centre: Established
to supervise, monitor, and record television channel
content, ensuring compliance with government norms and
regulations.
• Prasar Bharati:
 Statutory autonomous body created by Parliament
under the Prasar Bharati Act 1990.
 Comprises Doordarshan Television broadcasting and
Akashvani.
• Cable Television Networks Act of 1995:
 Governs broadcaster and distribution registration.
 State governments establish monitoring agencies to
ensure proper implementation of the Act.
Arguments Against:
• Allegations of Government Control:
 It would result in an "overbearing system of self-regulation"
mandating the creation of content evaluation committees
in a manner that allows the government to have a greater
degree of control on those committees.
 The government will prescribe the criteria for the
constitution of CEC, which raises questions of its
independence.
 The bill allows the government to regulate, or even
prohibit, the transmission of channels or programmes on
vague grounds.
• Threat to Freedom of speech and expression:
 The bill would prove "adverse to the spirit of freedom
of speech and freedom of the press guaranteed by
the Constitution" and lay the ground for the creation
of an "overarching censorship framework" through the
establishment of a broadcast advisory council.
 The entire composition of the proposed Broadcast
Advisory Council (BAC) will be appointed by the central
Feature Articles Current Affairs
Edition: January 2024
government. As the BAC holds authoritative power in
determining content censorship across all broadcasting
platforms, there is apprehension that the government might
exert influence on content censorship through the BAC.
• Issues from Previous Legislation: The new bill fails to address
existing loopholes and challenges in implementing the Cable
Television Networks Act of 1995, including conflicts of interest
and opaque practices within the Indian media industry.
• Selective targeting: It has also been alleged that the rules will
be more misused than for real regulation. There are instances
when the government tried to curb certain anti-government
agendas while ignoring populist fake news.
• Diminished Independence for OTT Platforms:
 Subjecting "OTT" broadcasting services to the rigorous
rules and regulations imposed on cable or radio platforms
could elevate the financial and compliance responsibilities
for OTT broadcasters.
 Consequently, this may have an adverse effect on user
experience, choice, and the financial burden placed on
users.
Way Forward:
• Clarity in Regulatory Enforcement:
 Develop clear and transparent mechanisms for enforcing
regulatory standards to ensure adherence.
 Implement a fair and efficient process for addressing
complaints, conducting investigations, and imposing
sanctions to uphold the integrity of the regulatory framework.
• Investment in Public Education:
 Allocate resources to media literacy programs aimed at
educating the public on responsible media consumption.
 Empower viewers with information to foster a healthier
media environment, reducing the reliance on excessive
regulatory measures.
• Adapting to Technological Advancements:
 Develop regulations that can adapt to the constant
evolution of technology. Consider the dynamic nature
of the media landscape to ensure regulations remain
relevant and effective.
• Robust System for Content Classification: Implement a strong
content classification and rating system. Provide clear
guidelines for audiences to make informed choices and
regulate content based on appropriateness.
• Establishment of an Independent Regulatory Authority:
Establish an independent regulatory body with the authority
to enforce and monitor compliance with transparency,
impartiality, and accountability in all regulatory decisions.
19
 Current
PolityAffairs
& Gov. Feature Articles
Edition: February 2024
UNDERSTANDING THE TENTH SCHEDULE
The Maharashtra Assembly Speaker has refused to disqualify MLAs of
the Eknath Shinde faction and Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray group.
About Defection:
• It means the transfer of allegiance by a legislator from one
political party to another. It indicates revolt, dissent, and
rebellion by a person or a party.
Defections in India:
• Defections are an integral part of parliamentary democracy,
including India.
• According to the Chavan Committee Report (1969),
following the Fourth General Elections, Indian politics were
characterised by numerous instances of change of party
allegiance by legislators in several States.
• Therefore, to ensure the stability of elected governments, the
52nd Constitutional Amendment (1985) introduced the ‘Anti-
defection’ law through the Tenth Schedule.
Anti-Defection Law (ADL):
• It was formulated to bring stability to the Indian political
system by curbing the tendency among legislators to switch
loyalties from one party to another.
• Disqualification on ground of defection: A legislator belonging
to a political party will be disqualified if he:
 Voluntarily gives up his party membership
 Votes/abstains to vote in the House contrary to the direction
issued by his political party.
 A member is not disqualified if he has taken prior
permission of his party, or if the voting or abstention is
condoned by the party within 15 days.
 Independent members: They will be disqualified if they join
a political party after getting elected to the House.
 Nominated member: They will be disqualified if they join
any political party six months after getting nominated.
 Exemptions in cases of merger: Members are exempted
from such disqualification when at least two thirds of the
original political party merges with another political party.
 Further the members must have become members of
the party they have merged with/into, or they should
have not accepted the merger and choose to function
as a separate group.
• Decision making authority: The decision to disqualify a
member from the House rests with the Chairman/Speaker of
the House.
 However, the Supreme Court in Keisham Meghachandra
Singh Case has held legislators can challenge their
decisions before the higher judiciary.
20
 The law does not provide a time frame within which
the presiding officer has to decide a defection case.
However, the Supreme Court has held that, ideally,
Speakers should take a decision on a defection petition
within three months.
Suggestions by different Committees on ADL:
• Dinesh Goswami Committee on Electoral Reforms (1990):
Disqualification should be limited to cases where:
 A member voluntarily gives up the membership of his
political party;
 A member abstains from voting, or votes contrary to the
party whip in a motion of vote of confidence or motion of
no-confidence.
 The issue of disqualification should be decided by
the President/Governor on the advice of the Election
Commission.
• Law Commission (170th Report, 1999): Provisions which
exempt splits and mergers from disqualification to be deleted.
 Pre-poll electoral fronts should be treated as political
parties under anti-defection law.
 Political parties should limit issuance of whips to instances
only when the government is in danger.
SC JUDGEMENT
• Kihoto Hollohan vs Zachillhu And Others (1992): The
Supreme Court upheld the validity of the ADL and made the
Speaker’s order subject to judicial review on limited grounds.
 It held that Freedom to speech and expression is not an
absolute right but is subjected to reasonable restrictions.
International Practices:
• In the United Kingdom, there are no legal restrictions
against politicians changing their party affiliation or
becoming independent. However, such defectors might
be expelled by their political parties and could encounter
negative reactions from voters in subsequent elections.
• In the United States, similarly, there are no legal prohibitions
on politicians switching parties or declaring independence.
Nonetheless, those who do so may confront backlash from
the electorate in future elections and face internal party
challenges during primary elections.
• Similarly, in nations like Canada, France, Australia, Germany,
and Italy, there are no legal constraints against political
defection.
 Int. Relation
CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS
The recent election of Taiwan's new President is seen as a significant setback for China.
Background:
• The current Taiwanese island became a Japanese colony in
1895, after the Qing empire lost the first Sino-Japanese war
(1894-95). Then in 1945, after Japan lost World War II, China
took the island.
• After Mao Zedong’s Communist Party won in 1949, Chinese
republicans of the Kuomintang government fled to Taiwan,
where they ruled for several decades, and it has since
continued as the Republic of China (ROC).
Current Scenario:
• China sees self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway province that
will eventually be under Beijing’s control.
• However, Taiwan sees itself as distinct from the Chinese
mainland, with its own constitution and democratically-
elected leaders.
Issues between China and Taiwan:
• Sovereignty: China considers Taiwan as a renegade province
that must eventually be reunified with the mainland. However,
Taiwan has its own government, military, and economy and
considers itself a sovereign state.
• Political Differences: Taiwan is a democratic country, while
China is a one-party communist state. The differences in
political ideology have contributed to tensions between the
two countries.
• Military Threats: China has not ruled out the use of force to
reunify with Taiwan and has conducted military exercises
near the Taiwan Strait in the past, which have increased
tensions between the two sides.
• Diplomatic Recognition: China has been using its diplomatic
clout to isolate Taiwan by convincing other countries to cut
ties with Taiwan and recognize China instead.
• Taiwan’s International Status: Taiwan is not recognized as a
sovereign state by the United Nations and is unable to join
international organisations.
• Cross-Strait Relations: There are also a number of other
issues that affect cross-strait relations, including Taiwan’s
relationship with the United States, Taiwan’s national identity,
and the possibility of a peaceful reunification.
Taiwan Location:
• Taiwan is an island separated from China by the Taiwan Strait
in the East China Sea, to the northeast of Hong Kong, north of
Feature Articles Current Affairs
Edition: January 2024
the Philippines and south of South Korea, and southwest of
Japan.and has been home to various indigenous tribes for
centuries.
• It has been governed independently of mainland China since
1949.
Recognition:
• Taiwan sees itself as a de jure sovereign state but it is
largely unrecognised by other countries.Currently, 21 states
recognize Taiwan as a sovereign country.
 De jure sovereign states are countries that possess formal
legal recognition as independent and self-governing
entities, both domestically and internationally.
 These states have established governments, legal
systems, and institutions that exercise control and
authority over their territories in accordance with
recognized international norms and principles.
• The United Nations (UN): It officially recognizes the People’s
Republic of China as the only legitimate representative of
Taiwan. This is based on the ‘One China’ policy. As a result,
Taiwan is not a member of the UN and has no representation
in most UN specialised agencies.
India’s Position:
• India does not formally acknowledge Taiwan as an
independent sovereign state, aligning itself with the "One-
China" policy.
• This policy recognizes the People's Republic of China (PRC)
as the sole legitimate government representing all of China,
including Taiwan. Nevertheless, India and Taiwan maintain
robust economic and interpersonal connections despite the
absence of official diplomatic ties.
 However, this stance restricts the potential for establishing
official diplomatic relations between India and Taiwan.
Instead, both maintain representative offices:
• India has the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in
Taiwan, while Taiwan has a similar center in India.
‘ONE CHINA’ POLICY
• It affirms Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan. It acknowledges
that there is ‘One China’ (1992 Consensus).
• Under this policy, any country that wants to establish
political and diplomatic relations with China must agree to
adhere to this principle and not recognise Taiwan as an
independent country.
21
 Current Affairs
Int. Relation
7 NEPAL-INDIA
Edition: February 2024
FeatureTH
Articles
JOINT COMMISSION MEETING
External Affairs Minister and the Nepal counterpart
co-chaired the seventh meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission.
About:
• Established in 1987, the India-Nepal Joint Commission provides
a platform to review all aspects of the bilateral partnership.
• India and Nepal have signed five key agreements. They are:
 An agreement to export 10,000 megawatts of electricity to
India in the next decade.
 Launch of Nepali space satellite.
 Cooperation in renewable energy development,
 Implementation of high-impact community development
projects,
• They Inaugurated three 132-kV cross-border transmission
lines, including the second circuits of the Raxaul-Parwanipur
line and the Kataiya-Kusaha line, and the New Nautanwa-
Mahiya line.
Significance of India-Nepal Relations:
• Historical and Cultural:
 As close neighbors, India and Nepal share unique ties
of friendship and cooperation characterized by an open
border and deep-rooted people-to-people contacts of
kinship and culture.
 Hinduism and Buddhism, two major religions that originated
in the Indian subcontinent, form a significant cultural link.
 The Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal and the Lumbini, the
birthplace of Buddha, are symbolic of these ties.
 The age-old ‘roti beti’ relationship, which refers to cross-
border marriages between people of the two countries
shows the historical depth of the relationship.
 Around 6,00,000 Indians are living/domiciled in Nepal.
 The Swami Vivekananda Centre for Indian Culture was set
up in Kathmandu in August 2007 to showcase the best of
Indian culture.
• Geo-strategic:
 Nepal's strategic location between India and China makes
it significant in the regional geostrategic landscape. India
sees Nepal as a buffer state against potential Chinese
influence.
 Increasing Chinese presence in Nepal, through
investments and diplomatic engagement, is viewed
with concern by India. Nepal's tilt towards China could
potentially alter the strategic balance in the region.
 Both nations have committed to enhancing the execution
of initiatives within the Belt and Road Initiative, which
will now be advanced through the Trans-Himalayan
Multidimensional Connectivity Network.
22
 India's strategic engagement with Nepal is also seen
as part of a broader effort to balance China's growing
influence in South Asia.
• Geo-Political:
 The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship: Signed in
1950, it forms the bedrock of the special relations that exist
between India and Nepal.
 The country shares an Open border of over 1,850 km with
five Indian states - Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh
and Uttarakhand.
 Nepalese citizens avail facilities and opportunities
on par with Indian citizens in accordance with the
provisions of the Treaty. Nearly 8 million Nepalese
citizens live and work in India.
 There are regular exchanges of high-level visits and
interactions between India and Nepal at the Prime
Ministerial level.
 Multilateral cooperation: Nepal is a key member of regional
organizations like the South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative
for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
(BIMSTEC). India's engagement with Nepal is important for
regional cooperation initiatives.
• Geo-Economic:
 The economic interdependence can be seen as India is
Nepal’s largest trade partner, with bilateral trade crossing
US$ 11 billion in FY 2021-22. India provides transit for
almost the entire third-country trade of Nepal. Land-
locked Nepal relies heavily on India for the transportation
of goods and services and access to the sea is through
India.
 Nepal is India’s 11th largest export destination. In FY 2021-
22, it constituted 2.34% of India’s exports. In fact exports
from India constitute almost 22% of Nepal’s GDP.
 Post-earthquake reconstruction assistance: India extended
US$ 1 billion to Nepal under operation Maitri as part of its
long-term assistance for post-earthquake reconstruction
in housing, education, health and culture heritage sectors.
• Security:
 Shared Border: The country shares an Open border of over
1,850 km with five Indian states - Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar,
Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
 India has been assisting the Nepal Army (NA) in its
modernisation by supplying equipment and providing
training.

 The ‘Indo-Nepal Battalion-level Joint Military Exercise SURYA
KIRAN’ is conducted alternately in India and in Nepal.
 The Gorkha regiments of the Indian Army are raised partly
by recruitment from hill districts of Nepal.
• Energy Cooperation:
 The Power Trade Agreement (PTA) which was signed in 2014
provides a framework for trade in electricity between the
two countries, allowing Nepal to sell its surplus electricity
to India.
 India and Nepal have collaborated on several hydropower
projects. The most notable ones include the Pancheshwar
Multipurpose Project, a bi-national hydropower project
on the Mahakali River, envisaged to provide significant
energy and irrigation benefits to both countries.
 Indian public and private sector companies are involved
in developing hydropower projects in Nepal. For example,
the Upper Karnali Hydropower Project, being developed
by India's GMR Group, and the Arun-III Hydroelectric
Power Plant, being developed by SJVN Limited, an Indian
government enterprise.
Issues between India & Nepal:
• 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship: This treaty is often cited
as an example of India's overbearing influence in Nepal.
Critics in Nepal view it as incompatible with national self-
respect”, providing India undue influence over Nepal's foreign
policy and military affairs.
 The concept of revising and updating it has been
intermittently and casually mentioned in Joint Statements
since the mid-1990s.
• Allegation of “Big Brother Attitude” of India:
 Alleged Interference in Domestic Politics: India has been
accused of interfering in Nepal's internal political processes.
 For instance, India's role in the peace process and
subsequent political transformation in Nepal, including
the abolition of the monarchy, has been viewed with
suspicion in some Nepalese circles.
 Blockade of 2015: The unofficial blockade of 2015, when
Nepal faced a severe shortage of essential goods
including fuel and medicines, is often cited as evidence
of India's 'big brother' approach.
 Many in Nepal believed the blockade was India's way of
expressing dissatisfaction with Nepal's new constitution.
• Territorial Disputes:
 Kalapani dispute: The area is in India’s control but Nepal
claims the region because of historical and cartographic
reasons. The area is the largest territorial dispute between
Nepal and India consisting of at least 37,000 hectares of
land in the High Himalayas.
Feature Articles Current Affairs
Edition: January 2024
 Susta Border dispute: Susta is a disputed territory between
Nepal and India. It is administered by India as part of West
Champaran district of Bihar.
 Nepal claims the area a part of West Nawalparasi District
under Susta rural municipality, alleging that over 14,860
hectares of Nepali land in Susta has been encroached
upon by India.
• Growing Dragon’s Footprint: In recent times, Nepal has been
moving away from India's sphere of influence, and China has
increasingly taken up this space through investments, aid,
and loans. Meanwhile, China aims to prevent any anti-China
sentiment among the Tibetan community residing in Nepal.
 Rising Nepal and China cooperation can undermine Nepal’s
distinction of a buffer state between India and China.
• Security issues: The open India-Nepal border facilitates various
security challenges, including human trafficking, particularly
from Nepal's Terai region, drug smuggling, movement of
criminals, arms smuggling, and the transit of insurgents like
Maoist. Thus, this porous border enables illegal activities,
posing significant threats to the security and stability of both
nations.
Way Ahead:
• Enhanced Market Access: India could provide greater market
access to Nepalese products, particularly in sectors where
Nepal has a comparative advantage, such as agriculture,
textiles, and handicrafts.
 Trade Facilitation Measures: Streamlining customs and
border procedures to ease the flow of Nepalese goods
into India. This includes upgrading border infrastructure
and simplifying documentation processes.
• Diplomatic Engagement: Increase diplomatic dialogue
specifically focused on border issues. Joint technical committees
comprising experts from both countries to survey and delineate
the border based on historical treaties and evidence can be
established to resolve the border issues peacefully.
• Infrastructure and Connectivity Projects: Prioritize and fast-
track connectivity projects under the 'Neighbourhood First'
policy, like cross-border rail links, roads, and energy grids,
which are mutually beneficial.
 Boosting economic ties through investments, trade
facilitation, and aid in key sectors can help counterbalance
China's economic influence.
• Cultural and People-to-People Ties: Enhance cultural
exchanges, educational ties, and tourism between India and
Nepal. Initiatives like scholarship programs for Nepalese
students in India and joint cultural festivals can reinforce
positive perceptions.
• Regional Cooperation Platforms: Use regional platforms like
SAARC and BIMSTEC to engage with Nepal on broader issues,
promoting a sense of regional solidarity and cooperation.
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 Current Affairs
Int. Relation Feature Articles
Edition: February 2024
INDIA-SOUTH KOREA (ROK) RELATIONS
General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff of India, recently visited
the Republic of Korea to improve and strengthen the defense ties.
Significance of Bilateral Relations:
• Historical: The deep-rooted connections between India
and South Korea (RoK) can be traced back to 48 AD, as
documented in the 13th-century Korean text "SamgukYusa."
 It tells the story of Princess Suriratna of Ayodhya (later
Queen Heo Hwang-ok), who married King Kim-Suro of the
ancient Gaya Confederacy in Korea.
• Geo-Strategic:
 South Korea launched its first Indo-Pacific vision
document, namely the “Strategy for a Free, Peaceful and
Prosperous Indo-Pacific”.It lists India as the main actor in
Seoul’s South Asian outreach.
 India plays a significant part in South Korea's Southern
Policy, where South Korea seeks to enhance its
relationships beyond its immediate geographical area.
 Similarly, South Korea holds a key position in India's Act
East Policy. This policy of India is focused on fostering
economic collaboration, cultural connections, and
establishing strategic ties with nations in the Indo-
Pacific region.
 One of the common causes behind the growing
partnership is rising assertiveness of China in Indo-Pacific
reasons which pose a territorial security threat to both the
nations.
• Geo-Political:
 India played an important role in the Korean peninsula after
Korea's independence in 1945. Former Indian diplomat
Shri K P S Menon was the Chairman of the 9-member UN
Commission set up in 1947 to hold elections in Korea.
 Diplomatic relations established in 1973, further
strengthened to a "Special Strategic Partnership" in 2015.
 Year 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of the
establishment of formal diplomatic relations between
India and RoK.
• Geo-Economic:
 Bilateral Trade: The growing economic interdependence
can be seen in an increase in trade from $17 billion in
2013 to more than $23 billion in 2022.
 Both nations also signed the Comprehensive Economic
Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2010, further boosting
trade and investment.
24
 FDI: South Korea is the 13th largest foreign direct investment
(FDI) source in India, investing US$ 5.4 billion between April
2000 to December 2022, as per Invest India.
 Companies like Samsung, LG, and Hyundai have
established manufacturing and service facilities.
 A Korea India SME and Start-up Centre was launched
in September 2019 in Gurugram.
 India and ROK launched an initiative ‘Korea Plus’ to
promote and facilitate Korean investments in India.
 In view of difficulties faced due to the supply chain
overdependence on China during the COVID-19
pandemic, India and South Korea have also agreed to
work together on creating resilient and robust global supply
chains.
• Technological Collaboration:
 Both countries are actively involved in knowledge sharing
and joint research initiatives in areas like information
technology, biotechnology, and renewable energy.
 Collaboration in space exploration and satellite technology
is also gaining momentum.
• Security and Defense:
 Regular military exchanges and joint exercises to enhance
cooperation and understanding on regional security
issues.
 Partnerships in defense technology development and
procurement.
• Culture and Diaspora:
 Some scholars believe that Buddhism reached Korea via
the maritime route with the arrival of Princess Suriratna
and her brother Monk Jangyu.
 An Indian Cultural Centre (renamed later as Swami
Vivekananda Culture Centre (SVCC)) was established in
2011 as a cultural wing of the Embassy of India, Seoul.
 SARANG, the festival of India in Korea has been organized
every year by the Embassy since 2015, to showcase
India’s diverse art and music in various regions of ROK.
 Growing popularity of Korean pop culture (K-pop) and
dramas in India, fostering cultural understanding and
people-to-people exchanges.
 Korean Buddhist Monk Hyecho or Hong Jiao visited India
from 723 to 729 AD and wrote the travelog “Pilgrimage to
the five kingdoms of India” which gives a vivid account of
Indian culture, politics & society.

 Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore had composed a
short but evocative poem – ‘Lamp of the East’ – in 1929
about Korea’s glorious past and its promising bright
future.
• Diaspora:
 Increasing student mobility and academic partnerships
between universities in both countries. The total number
of Indian nationals living in ROK is estimated to be around
15,000.
 A large number of Indian scholars are pursuing post-
graduate and Ph.D programmes, mostly in pure sciences.
During the past few years, many professionals mainly in
the areas of IT, shipping and automobile have come to
ROK.
Challenges:
• Geopolitical Dynamics: The complex geopolitical landscape
in East Asia, particularly the tensions involving North Korea
and China's growing influence, can create challenges.
 India has to balance its relationship with South Korea
while managing its own strategic and diplomatic ties with
China and other regional players.
• Limited Political and Security Cooperation: Despite strong
economic ties, India and South Korea have yet to fully develop
their political and security relationship.
 Deeper strategic cooperation is often hindered by differing
regional priorities and alliances.
• Economic Competition: Both India and South Korea are major
players in certain industries, such as steel and electronics,
leading to competition in global markets. This competition
can sometimes strain bilateral trade relations.
• Investment Hurdles: South Korean investors often face
challenges related to bureaucratic hurdles, regulatory issues,
and land acquisition problems in India, which can impede the
flow of Korean investment into the Indian market.
• Cultural and Language Barriers: There is a significant cultural
and language gap between India and South Korea.
 This can pose challenges in terms of people-to-people
connections, an essential aspect of deepening bilateral
relations.
 The general awareness and understanding between the
peoples of the two countries are relatively limited, which
can affect the depth of cultural, educational, and tourism
exchanges.
• Regional Connectivity Projects: Collaboration on regional
connectivity and infrastructure projects is still at a nascent
Feature Articles Current Affairs
Edition: January 2024
stage, and both countries need to work on aligning their
initiatives, like India's Act East Policy and South Korea's New
Southern Policy.
Way Forward:
• Deepening Security Cooperation: Both countries can work
towards deepening their security ties by engaging in joint
military exercises, sharing intelligence, and collaborating in
cybersecurity and maritime security, areas of mutual concern
and interest.
• Expanding Economic and Trade Relations: To address
trade imbalances, both nations can negotiate further trade
agreements, focus on diversifying trade, and encourage
investments in each other’s countries.
 Simplifying trade procedures and removing non-tariff
barriers can boost bilateral trade.
• Explore technological collaborations: Leveraging their
technological capabilities, India and South Korea should aim
to collaborate in developing advanced defense systems and
equipment.
 In an era where defense against space warfare,
information warfare, and cybersecurity is paramount,
both nations can further explore opportunities for
cooperation.
• Maritime security: There is potential for collaboration in
maritime security, including joint patrolling and information
sharing, given the significant maritime interests both countries
have in the Indian Ocean.
• Leveraging Technological and R&D Collaboration: Both
countries can focus on establishing joint research centers,
encouraging collaboration between universities and tech
companies, and facilitating technology transfer, particularly
in advanced technologies where both countries have
complementary strengths.
• Strategic Alignment on Regional and Global Issues:
Collaborating on global and regional issues such as climate
change, sustainable development, and regional stability can
strengthen the bilateral relationship and contribute to global
peace and prosperity.
Conclusion:
• A strategic, balanced approach, coupled with adaptability to
the evolving geopolitical landscape is key to unlocking a
robust and enduring defense collaboration, in turn creating a
partnership that fosters peace, stability, and prosperity in the
Indo-Pacific region.
25
 Current Affairs
Int. Relation Feature Articles
Edition: February 2024
INDIA AND SAUDI ARABIA RELATIONS
India and Saudi Arabia have decided to set up a Joint
Committee on Defence Cooperation to give a boost to the defence ties.
Significance:
• Geo-Strategic:
 Regional Balance of Power: In the context of the complex
geopolitics of the Middle East, India’s relationship with
Saudi Arabia helps in balancing its ties with other regional
powers like Iran and Israel. Saudi Arabia's influence in
the Islamic world also aids India in managing its own
domestic and regional challenges.
 Strategic Location: Saudi Arabia's strategic location at
the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe makes it an
important player in regional politics and trade routes. Its
role in the security and politics of the West Asian region
impacts global oil markets and international diplomacy,
areas where India has growing interests.
 Multilateral Engagements: Both countries are members
of the G20 and other international forums, where they
collaborate on global issues like climate change, trade,
and sustainable development.
• Diaspora and Remittances: The Indian community in Saudi
• Geo-Political: Establishment of diplomatic relations in 1947,
and it was strengthened by the signing of Delhi Declaration
in 2006 and elevated to a strategic partnership by signing of
Riyadh Declaration in 2010.
 The Prime Minister of India’s visit to Riyadh in 2016
captured the spirit of enhanced cooperation in the political,
economic, security, and defence realms.
 King Salman conferred the King Abdulaziz Sash (the
Kingdom’s highest civilian honour) to India’s Prime
Minister, indicating the importance of Saudi Arabia-India
relations.
• Geo-Economic:
 Bilateral Trade: India is the second largest trade partner
for Saudi Arabia whereas Saudi Arabia is India’s fourth
largest trading partner.
26
 During FY23 bilateral trade was valued at US$ 52.76
billion. Total trade with Saudi Arabia accounted for
4.53% of India’s total trade in FY 2022-23.
 India sources crude petroleum, petroleum products,
fertilisers, raw plastic, organic and inorganic chemicals
from Saudi Arabia.
 Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims at diversifying
its economy away from oil, opens up opportunities
for Indian companies in various sectors such as
technology, construction, and pharmaceuticals.
 Energy Security: It forms a central pillar of the Indo-Saudi
bilateral ties. Saudi Arabia is a key partner for India for
ensuring energy security.
 It remained India’s third largest Crude and Petroleum
products sourcing destination for FY 2022-23.
 India Imported 39.5 MMT of crude oil from Saudi
Arabia, in FY23, accounting for 16.7 % of its total crude
imports.
 Additionally, India’s LPG imports from Saudi Arabia
stood at 7.85 MMT and accounted for 11.2% of its total
petroleum product imports in FY 23.
 Strategic Partnership Council (SPC): India is the fourth
country after the UK, France, and China to partner with
Saudi Arabia to establish the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic
Partnership Council (SPC) in 2019.
 This aims to take forward mutual collaborations on the
economy, investments, as well as social, political, and
security matters.
Arabia numbers at more than 2.4 million and is a living bridge
between the two countries.
 The Indian diaspora is widely respected in the Kingdom
for their contributions in the development of Saudi Arabia.
 The contributions made by the Indian community to the
development of Saudi Arabia are well acknowledged.
 In February 2022, an Agreement on Skill Verification
Program was signed between NSDC, Indian Ministry of
Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Takamol
holding, Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social
Development.
 Since then, the Skill Verification Program has also been
initiated between India and Saudi Arabia.
 India and Saudi Arabia have also signed Agreement for
Domestic Sector Workers in the year 2014 and Agreement
for General Category Workers in 2016.

• Security Cooperation: Indian Navy cooperates with Royal
Saudi Naval Force through various initiatives, which include
operational interactions such as bilateral naval exercise Ali
Mohamed Al Hindi, training and other maritime avenues.
 Various Exercise: The Indian Navy has also been interacting
with the Royal Saudi Naval Force in various multilateral
fora – Exercise Milan, Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, Combined
Maritime Forces and Djibouti Code of Conduct - Jeddah
Amendment (DCoC-JA).
 Both countries face threats from extremism and terrorism.
Cooperation in counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing,
and maritime security is crucial for regional stability.
 The stability of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz,
through which a significant portion of global oil trade
passes, is of paramount importance to India.
JOINT COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE COOPERATION
• It aims to evolve plans for cooperation in numerous areas
including:
 High level visits, including political, official, ship visits
and conducting Passage Exercises during such visits.
 Exploring the possibility of signing an MoU on
cooperation in hydrography;
 Increasing participation in defence training programmes,
by signing of an MoU on Defence Cooperation.
• Both countries discussed ways to enhance navy-to-navy
cooperation, joint training and opportunities for joint ventures
in defence production on issues of mutual strategic interests and
bilateral defence cooperation.
• The two sides agreed that all issues need to be settled
through peaceful dialogue, after reviewing the security
situation in the Gulf Region.
Challenges:
• Balancing Act with Pakistan: One of the primary challenges
for India in its relationship with Saudi Arabia is the latter's
historically close ties with Pakistan.
 Saudi Arabia has often been a major economic and
strategic ally for Pakistan, which complicates India's
diplomatic and strategic calculations, especially given the
India-Pakistan rivalry.
• Energy Dependency: India's economy is heavily dependent
on oil imports, with a significant portion coming from Saudi
Arabia.
 This dependency makes India vulnerable to fluctuations in
oil prices and decisions by OPEC, of which Saudi Arabia
is a leading member.
 While this interdependence has strengthened economic
ties, it also leaves India exposed to external economic
shocks and policy shifts in Saudi Arabia.
Feature Articles Current Affairs
Edition: January 2024
• Regional Security and Stability: The geopolitical dynamics
of the Middle East, including the Saudi-Iran rivalry, pose
challenges for India.
 India maintains strategic relationships with both Saudi
Arabia and Iran (another major oil supplier and a key
partner in India's connectivity projects to Central Asia).
 Navigating these relationships amidst regional tensions
requires careful diplomatic balancing.
• Counter-Terrorism and Security: India is concerned about
terrorism, particularly emanating from groups based in
Pakistan.
 Although Saudi Arabia has cooperated with India on
counter-terrorism, the perception that Saudi-funded
institutions may have played a role in spreading radical
ideologies in the past adds a layer of complexity to the
relationship.
• Human Rights and Labor Issues: The treatment of Indian workers
in Saudi Arabia occasionally emerges as a contentious issue.
 A large number of Indian expatriates work in Saudi Arabia,
often in conditions that raise human rights concerns.
 Ensuring the welfare of these workers is a priority for India,
which can sometimes lead to diplomatic challenges.
• Economic Diversification and Competition: As both countries
seek to diversify their economies, there could be areas of
competition, especially in attracting investments, technology,
and markets.
 Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and India's push for Make in
India and digital economy initiatives may create areas of
both cooperation and competition.
• Impact of Global Politics: The broader international political
climate, including the United States' policies in the Middle
East, China's growing influence in the region, and global
economic trends, also impacts India-Saudi relations.
 Navigating these global dynamics while protecting
national interests is a constant challenge.
Way Forward:
• Despite the challenges, both nations have recognized the
importance of adapting their partnership to address modern
challenges.
 They have established the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic
Partnership Council (SPC) in 2019 to take forward mutual
collaborations on the economy, investments, as well as
social, political, and security matters.
• India needs to patiently assess if China’s growing involvement
in the Gulf is detrimental to its long-term security interests and
the regional balance of power.
 The I2U2 partnership between India, Israel, the UAE,
and the US has already put India on the region’s alliance
canvas.
27
 Current Affairs
Economy
MULTIDIMENSIONAL
Edition: February 2024
Feature Articles
POVERTY IN INDIA SINCE 2005-06
NITI Aayog has released its discussion paper ‘Multidimensional Poverty in India since 2005-06’.
About:
• The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is a globally
recognized comprehensive measure that captures poverty in
multiple dimensions beyond monetary aspects.
• It has three equally weighted dimensions – Health, Education,
and Standard of living – which are represented by 12 indicators.
• It also adds two indicators, viz., Maternal Health and Bank
Accounts in line with national priorities.
Findings:
• Reduction in Poverty: India has registered a significant
decline in multidimensional poverty from 29.17% in 2013-
14 to 11.28% in 2022-23 i.e. a reduction of 17.89 percentage
points.
• State Wise Decline: Uttar Pradesh registered the largest decline
in the number of poor with 5.94 crore people escaping
multidimensional poverty during the last nine years followed
by Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
• Headcount Ratio: The pace of decline in poverty headcount
ratio using the exponential method was much faster
between 2015-16 to 2019-21 (10.66% annual rate of decline)
compared to period 2005-06 to 2015-16 (7.69% annual rate
of decline).
• Improvement in Indicators: All 12 indicators of MPI have
recorded significant improvement during the entire study
period.
• Initiatives covering all dimensions of poverty have led to 24.82
crore individuals escaping multidimensional poverty in the last
9 years.
 As a result, India is likely to achieve its SDG target of halving
multidimensional poverty well before 2030.
28
Government Interventions to Reduce MPI:
• Poshan Abhiyan and Anaemia Mukt Bharat have played a
crucial role in addressing reach to health facilities, resulting
in a substantial reduction in deprivation.
• National Food Security Act (NFSA): Under it foodgrains
are provided to 81.35 crore beneficiaries covering 75%
population in rural areas and 50% population in urban areas.
 Recently, the Government has decided to continue
providing free food grains to NFSA beneficiaries under
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana for a period of
five years w.e.f. 1st January, 2024.
• Mission Poshan 2.0 and Saksham Anganwadi have significantly
contributed to fostering a healthier India, impacting millions
of lives through key schemes like POSHAN Abhiyaan,
Anganwadi Services, and the Scheme for Adolescent Girls.
• Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN): It is a
flagship programme of Government of India, is the largest
School feeding Scheme in the world to address the twin
problems of improving the nutritional status and school
enrolment of children.
• Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan: It is aimed
at improving maternal health by offering assured,
comprehensive, and quality antenatal care to all pregnant
women universally on the 9th of each month.
• PM Ujjwala Yojana: It has provided clean cooking fuel to an
impressive 31 crore individuals, distributing 10 crore LPG
connections.
 Beyond creating smoke-free kitchens, this initiative has
protected numerous women from chronic respiratory
disorders.
• Saubhagya: It has improved electricity coverage for almost
100% of the population, benefiting an additional 2.86 crore
households and rendering kerosene lamps obsolete, thus
improving respiratory health and eyesight.
• Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): They
have led to a nationwide wave of improved sanitation facilities
providing 14 crore tap water connections and construction of
11.33 crore IHHL in rural areas.
• The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY): It has been a
driving force for change, witnessing the opening of over 50
crore bank accounts in recent years.
 It has played a central role in bringing a significant section
of the population into the formal financial system.
• The PM Awas Yojana: It has revolutionized living conditions
in both urban and rural areas, facilitating the construction of
over 4 crore homes for the underprivileged.
 Current Affairs
FIU-IND ACT
Economy Feature Articles
AGAINST VIRTUAL ASSET PROVIDERS
The Financial Intelligence Unit India (FIU-IND) issued compliance
show cause notices to nine offshore Virtual Digital Asset Service Providers (VDA SPs).
About:
• Regulatory Action:
 FIU-IND, as part of compliance measures against offshore
entities, has initiated regulatory actions.
 Show-cause notices have been issued to offshore Virtual
Digital Asset Service Providers (VDA SPs).
VIRTUAL DIGITAL ASSET
• According to the Income Tax Act, a virtual digital asset is
any information or code or number or token (not being
Indian currency or any foreign currency), generated
through cryptographic means.
• These assets can be electronically transferred, stored, or
traded. Additionally, the definition of 'virtual digital asset'
explicitly covers Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and tokens
with similar characteristics, regardless of the names they
may be referred to.
• Allegations:
 Show-cause notices are issued on grounds of these
entities allegedly "operating illegally."
 Non-compliance with the provisions of the Prevention of
Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) is cited as the basis
for these allegations.
• Communication to Ministry:
 FIU-IND has communicated with the Secretary of the
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
 The communication urges the blocking of URLs associated
with these offshore entities.
• Objective:
 The primary objective of this regulatory move is to address
concerns related to the illegal operation of offshore entities.
 Aims to ensure compliance with the regulatory obligations
outlined in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002
(PMLA).
• Preventive Measures: The request to block URLs is a
preventive measure to impede the continued operation of
these offshore entities in India. The intention is to enforce
adherence to the regulatory framework established by the
PMLA.
Regulation of VDA SPs in India:
• Incorporation of Regulations: In March 2023, VDA SPs
operating in India were brought within the ambit of anti-money
laundering/counter-financing of terrorism regulations.
Edition: January 2024
• Mandatory Compliance with PMLA 2002:
 Following this inclusion, VDA SPs are mandated to comply
with the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering
Act, 2002 (PMLA).
 This includes stringent measures aimed at curbing money
laundering and financing of terrorism.
• Applicability to All VDA SPs:
 The regulatory obligations apply uniformly to all Virtual
Digital Asset Service Providers operating in India.
 The regulations are not contingent on the physical
presence of these entities but extend to cover various
activities within the virtual asset domain.
• Registration Requirement:
 To ensure compliance, VDA SPs are obligated to register
with FIU IND as Reporting Entities.
 FIU IND serves as the central authority for monitoring and
enforcing these anti-money laundering regulations.
FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT – INDIA (FIU-IND)
• Establishment: In 2004, FIU-IND serves as the central
national agency.
• Mandate: The responsibility for receiving, processing,
analyzing, and disseminating information related to
suspect financial transactions.
• Independence and Reporting Structure: Operates as an
independent body directly reporting to the Economic
Intelligence Council (EIC). The EIC is headed by the
Finance Minister of India.
• Multidisciplinary Structure:
 FIU-IND operates as a multi-disciplinary body.
 Sanctioned with a strength of 75 personnel, drawn from
various organizations, including Central Board of Direct
Taxes (CBDT), Central Board of Excise and Customs
(CBEC), Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities
Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Department of Legal
Affairs, and intelligence agencies.
Present Status and Challenges:
• Till date 31 VDA SPs have registered with FIU IND.
• However, several offshore entities, though catering to a
substantial part of Indian users, were not getting registered
and coming under the Anti Money Laundering (AML) and
Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT) framework.
29
 Current Affairs
Economy Feature Articles
Edition: February 2024
INCREASE IN COAL PRODUCTION IN INDIA
The coal production in the country has shot up to over 664 million tonnes during the financial year 2023-24.
About:
• Production Increase: India has experienced a robust 12.29
percent increase in coal production, surpassing 591 million
tonnes for the same period of the previous year.
• Government Target:
 The government aims to further elevate coal production,
setting a goal to reach 1 billion tonnes by 2030.
 This strategic objective is crucial for meeting the energy
demands of the power sector.
• Coal Reserve Status: India boasts rich coal deposits, with total
estimated reserves amounting to 361.41 billion tonnes.
• Top Three States: The states with the highest coal reserves are
Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh, collectively accounting
for approximately 69% of the country's total coal reserves.
• Global Position: India holds the position of the second-largest
producer and consumer of coal globally, surpassing the USA
in 2022.
• Reasons for High Production:
 Reliance on Coal for Electricity Generation:
 Coal-fired thermal power plants contributed
significantly, generating 74.3% of India's electricity
during FY 2022-2023.
 Industrial Demand:
 Industries, particularly steel and cement, heavily rely on
coal as a primary fuel source.
 Limited Domestic Alternatives:
 The limited development of renewable energy sources
like solar and wind has resulted in continued reliance
on coal.
• Energy Consumption Composition:
 Only 10.4% of India's primary energy consumption in 2022 is
sourced from renewables (hydroelectric, solar, and wind).
 Coal and oil gas constitute 55.1% and 33.3%, respectively,
emphasizing the predominant role of coal in the energy mix.
Arguments in Favour of India's Continued Reliance of
Coal:
• Cumulative Emissions Overview: India's cumulative emissions
from fossil fuels, such as coal, from the industrial revolution in
1750 to the end of 2021, account for only 3.3% of the global total.
• Global Comparison: India's cumulative emissions are
significantly lower than those of other regions: Europe: 31%,
U.S.: 24.3% and China: 14.4%.
• Development Responsibility:
 Fulfilling the development needs of 17% of the world's
population residing in India is considered a fundamental duty.
30
 Addressing these needs is crucial for avoiding the mere
use of 'sustainable development' as an empty catchphrase.
• Affordable Electricity and Coal Usage:
 96% of the coal used by Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) in
India is sourced domestically.
 The reliance on domestic coal contributes significantly to
the affordability of electricity in India.
Challenges and Concerns:
• Environmental Impact:
 Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
 Coal mining and burning are significant contributors to
air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
 Coal deposits in India typically have high ash content
(35-50%), leading to increased pollution when burned.
 Water Contamination:
 Coal mining processes contribute to water
contamination, posing risks to local water sources.
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Coal-fired Thermal Power Plants
(TPPs) are major contributors, accounting for nearly 70% of
India's greenhouse gas emissions.
• Health Impacts:
 Respiratory Illnesses:
 Air pollution resulting from coal combustion has severe
health consequences, particularly respiratory illnesses.
 The release of pollutants during coal burning poses
direct risks to public health.
• Climate Change:
 Continued reliance on coal hampers India's progress towards
carbon neutrality goals and international commitments.
 The carbon-intensive nature of coal usage contributes to
climate change.
• Environmental Degradation: Coal mining contributes to
environmental degradation in local areas, impacting
ecosystems and biodiversity.
Way Ahead:
• For India’s long-term goal of reaching net-zero by 2070, the
country must continue to implement clean coal technologies
to reduce the power sector’s emissions.
• India must focus on increasing the efficiency of its TPPs(Thermal
Power Plants) to reduce emissions while ramping up nuclear,
solar and wind energy into the grid.
• Diversifying energy sources, adopting cleaner technologies,
and addressing social and environmental concerns are crucial
for India's sustainable energy future.
 Feature Articles Current Affairs
Edition: January 2024

TYPES OF COAL
Types Characteristics Uses
• First stage of transformation.
• Burns like wood with less heat
Peat • Contains less than 40 to 55% carbon (more impurities).
• Emits more smoke and ash
• Contains volatile matter and high moisture (more pollution).
• Brown coal.
• Prone to spontaneous combustion
Lignite • 40 to 55% carbon.
• Commonly found in mines
• Dark to black brown.
• Soft coal; most widely used. • Used for coke and gas production
Bituminous Coal • 40 to 80% carbon. • High calorific value
• Moisture and volatile content (15 to 40%). • Dense and compact
• Best quality; hard coal. • Ignites slowly with high efficiency
• 80 to 95% carbon. • Produces a clean, blue flame
Anthracite Coal
• Very little volatile matter. • Minimal pollutants
• Negligibly small moisture content. • Limited availability in India

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 Current Affairs
Economy Feature Articles
Edition: February 2024
NATIONAL COAL GASIFICATION MISSION
The Union Cabinet approves ` 8,500 crore incentive scheme,
the National Coal Gasification Mission, for coal gasification projects.
About:
• Initiative: The project is initiated by the Union Ministry of Coal
as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan.
• Mission Objective: The primary objective is to harness coal
through coal gasification, aiming to achieve 100 million metric
tons (MT) of coal gasification by 2030.
• Investment Scope: The mission involves substantial
investments, exceeding Rs 4 trillion, to support the coal
gasification efforts.
• Import Reduction Target: An overarching goal is to significantly
reduce imports by the year 2030, thereby enhancing self-
reliance.
• Technology Adoption: The mission envisions the widespread
adoption of indigenous technologies for the production of
chemical products and their derivatives.
• Diversification Impact: One of the anticipated outcomes is the
reduction of the country's dependence on imports of natural
gas, methanol, ammonia, and other essential products.
• Timeframe: The mission sets a target to achieve its objectives
and substantial coal gasification by the year 2030.
COAL GASIFICATION
• It is a thermo-chemical process that converts coal primarily
into carbon monoxide and hydrogen.
• Coal is partially oxidised by air, oxygen, steam, or carbon
dioxide under controlled conditions to produce a liquid fuel,
known as syngas or synthesis gas, dimethyl ether, ammonium
nitrate and methanol, among others.
 Synthetic natural gas can be used as a substitute for
LPG and for electricity generation, while dimethyl ether
is an alternative to be used in diesel engines.
 Ammonium Nitrate can be used for explosives.
Significances:
• Efficiency and Environmental Impact: Coal gasification is a
cleaner option compared to burning coal.
 The SOx and NOx emissions are lower compared to
regular combustion of coal in coal-fired boilers in thermal
power plants.
• Reduced Dependence on Imports: The adoption of gasification
technology in India will revolutionise the coal sector, reducing
reliance on imports of natural gas, methanol, ammonia, and
other essential products.
32
• Economic Impact: It holds the potential to alleviate the
environmental burden by reducing carbon emissions and
fostering sustainable practices, contributing to the country’s
global commitments towards a greener future.
• Job Opportunities: The adoption of coal gasification will
contribute to job creation.
Concerns related to Coal Gasification:
• Environmental Impact: Coal gasification actually produces
more carbon dioxide than a conventional coal-powered
thermal power plant.
 According to the Centre for Science
and Environment (CSE), one unit of
electricity generated by burning
gasified coal generates 2.5 times
more carbon dioxide than what
would result when burning the
coal directly.
• Efficiency and Cost: The efficiency of
conversion in coal gasification is low
because the process converts a relatively high-quality energy
source (coal) into a lower quality state (gas), consuming a lot of
energy.
 Moreover, coal gasification plants are costlier than
conventional power plants.
• Implementation Challenges: There have been delays in
the implementation of the latest carbon capture storage
technology and the implementation of emission norms at
coal-based thermal power stations.
• Financial Viability: The most advanced technology plants in
India, such as Mundra and Sassan in Gujarat, are struggling
financially, causing stakeholders to lose confidence in
investing in cleaner and advanced technology.
Way Forward:
• India needs to adopt new technologies and build digital
infrastructure to support the current and future requirements.
There is a need to ensure optimal use of technology in the
sector.
• India’s hydrogen demand is likely to increase to 11.7 million
tonnes by 2030 from 6.7 million tonnes per year as of now.
 Refineries and fertiliser plants are the largest consumers of
hydrogen now, which is being produced from natural gas.
 It can be produced through coal in the processes during
coal gasification.
 Economy
SUBMARINE OPTICAL FIBRE CABLE
The Prime Minister of India inaugurated Kochi – Lakshadweep Submarine
Optical Fibre Cable to provide 100 Gbps internet connectivity to the Lakshadweep.
About:
• Lakshadweep is set to be connected through Submarine Optic
Fibre Cable for the first time since independence, marking a
historic milestone in communication infrastructure.
• Previous Communication Challenges:
 Satellite Medium Limitations: Until now, communication
with the islands relied solely on satellite medium,
characterized by limited bandwidth capacity.
 Growing Bandwidth Demand: The satellite communication
medium struggled to meet the growing demand for
bandwidth, impacting connectivity and communication
efficiency.
OTHER PROJECTS INAUGURATED IN LAKSHADWEEP
• Low Temperature Thermal Desalination Plant at Kadmat
Island with the capacity to produce 1.5 lakh litres of
drinking water per day;
• Functional Tap Connections in all the households of Agatti
and Minicoy Islands under the Jan Jeevan Mission;
• Solar Power Plant (1.4 MW) in Kavaratti with battery energy
storage system.
• Headquarters of Indian Reserve Battalion at Kavaratti.
• A primary health care facility on Kalpeni Island.
• Five Nand Ghar model Anganwadi on the islands of Agatti,
Minicoy, Androth, Chetlat and Kalpeni.
• Project Funding and Renaming:
 Funding Source: The project received funding from
the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), a critical
financial mechanism supporting the expansion of
telecommunication services in underserved areas.
 Name Change: The USOF is slated to be renamed as
Digital Bharat Nidhi following the notification of the
Telecommunications Act, 2023.
• Project Executing Agency: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).
• Island Connectivity Scope:
 Covered Islands: The project aims to connect various
islands, including Kavaratti (capital), Agatti, Amini,
Kadmat, Chetlet, Kalpeni, Minicoy, Androth, Kiltan,
Bangaram, and Bitra.
 Comprehensive Coverage: The connectivity plan
encompasses multiple islands to ensure comprehensive
communication access across the Lakshadweep
archipelago.
Feature Articles Current Affairs
Edition: January 2024
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLE
• The optical fibre works on the principle of Total Internal
Reflection (TIR).
• It is a type of cable that uses light signals to transmit data.
• It consists of one or more optical fibers, typically made of
glass or plastic, which carry data through the transmission
of light.
• It works on the principle of Total Internal Reflection (TIR).
• Basic Structure of Optical Fiber Cable:
 Core: The core is the central part of the optical fiber
where light signals travel. It is made of glass or plastic.
 Cladding: Surrounding the core, the cladding is a layer
with a different refractive index to keep the light within
the core by total internal reflection.
 Buffer Coating: This is an outer layer that protects the
core and cladding.
• Advantages of Optical Fiber Cable:
 High Bandwidth: It offers high bandwidth, allowing for
the transmission of large amounts of data.
 Low Signal Loss: Optical fibers have low signal loss,
ensuring efficient data transmission over long distances.
 Immunity to Electromagnetic Interference (EMI):
Unlike copper cables, OFC is not susceptible to
electromagnetic interference, providing reliable data
transmission.
• Types of Optical Fiber Cables:
 Single-Mode Fiber (SMF): Designed for long-distance
transmission with a single mode of light propagation.
 Multi-Mode Fiber (MMF): Suited for shorter distances
with multiple modes of light propagation.
• Key Applications:
 Telecommunications: Primary use for long-distance
communication, including internet backbone networks.
 Data Transmission: Used in high-speed data transmission
for networks, data centers, and various applications.
 Broadcasting: Used in TV and radio broadcasting for
high-quality signal transmission.
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 Current Affairs
Economy Feature Articles
Edition: February 2024

IEA REPORT ON E-FUELS

The International Energy Agency (IEA) released a report titled "The Role of E-fuels in Decarbonising Transport".

About:  Particularly in aviation, e-fuels benefit from their ability to

• The report extensively explores the potential and challenges of use existing transport, storage, distribution infrastructure
e-fuels as a solution for decarbonizing the transport sector. and end-use equipment.

Key Findings: How are eFuels Produced?

• Rapid deployment of low-emission fuels: Significant reductions • eFuel production is based on the extraction of hydrogen.
in fossil fuel demand are possible in road transport through This happens by means of an electrolysis process that breaks
fuel efficiency improvements and surging sales of electric down water (e.g. seawater from desalination plants) into its
vehicles (EVs).
components of hydrogen and oxygen.
• E-fuels crucial for deep decarbonization: Fuels obtained from
• In a second process step, with the aid of e.g. Fischer-Tropsch
electrolytic hydrogen, or e-fuels, could be a viable pathway
synthesis, the hydrogen is combined with CO2 extracted from
and scale up rapidly by 2030, underpinned by a massive
expansion of cheaper renewable electricity and anticipated the air and converted into a liquid energy carrier-eFuel.
cost reductions of electrolysers. • After processing in refineries, this eFuel can be used as
• The report highlights the limitations of electrification for eGasoline, eDiesel, eHeating oil, eKerosene and eGas and can
achieving net-zero emissions in sectors like aviation and shipping. completely replace conventional fuels.
 E-fuels, with their near-zero carbon footprint, are deemed • Moreover, due to their drop-in capability, eFuels can be
essential for deep decarbonization in these areas.
blended with conventional fuels in any ratio.
• Technological and economic viability: The report acknowledges
the current high cost of e-fuels but forecasts substantial cost
reductions with technological advancements and economies
of scale.
• Infrastructure compatibility: E-fuels can be readily used in
existing infrastructure and engines, eliminating the need
for extensive infrastructure upgrades that electrification
necessitates in certain sectors.
• Resource considerations: Producing e-fuels at scale will require
significant renewable energy, water, and potentially captured
CO2. Sustainable management of these resources is crucial
to ensure e-fuels don't create new environmental concerns.
• Policy recommendations: The report calls for governments
to implement supportive policies including carbon pricing,
research and development funding to create a conducive Benefits of e-fuels
environment for their production and adoption. • Deep decarbonization: E-fuels offer the potential for near-
zero greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels,
E-fuels:
especially when combined with renewable energy sources
• E-fuels (Electrofuels), also known as synthetic fuels, are low-
and carbon capture technologies.
emission liquid or gaseous fuels produced from renewable
• Versatility: They can be used in existing transportation
energy sources like solar or wind power, water, and captured
carbon dioxide. infrastructure and engines, requiring minimal adaptation
 Example: eGasoline, eDiesel, eHeating oil, eKerosene, compared to full electrification.
e-methane, e-kerosene and e-methanol.  This makes them particularly attractive for sectors like
aviation and shipping, where battery technology has
• They can be tailored to replace conventional fuels like gasoline,
diesel, and jet fuel, offering a drop-in solution for existing limitations.
engines and infrastructure. • Energy security: E-fuels can reduce dependence on fossil fuel
• In transport, low-emission e-fuels provide a complementary imports and provide a domestic source of clean energy for
solution to sustainable biofuels. transportation.

34

Challenges:
• Cost: Currently, e-fuels are significantly more expensive
to produce than fossil fuels. However, costs are expected
to decrease as production scales up and technological
advancements occur.
• Scalability: Large-scale production of e-fuels currently faces
limitations in terms of renewable energy availability and
infrastructure for water and carbon dioxide capture.
• Geopolitical implications: Increased reliance on e-fuels may
shift dependence from oil-producing countries to countries
with abundant renewable resources, potentially creating new
geopolitical dynamics.
• Costly: Low-emission e-fuels are currently expensive to produce,
but their cost gap with fossil fuels could be significantly
reduced by 2030.
• Huge investment: Accelerated deployment of low-emission
e-fuels for shipping would require significant investments in
refueling infrastructure and in vessels.
 Achieving a 10% share in shipping would require around
70 Mt/yr of e-ammonia or methanol. This is 3.5 times the
current global traded volume of ammonia or two times the
trade in methanol.
• Access to CO2: It is an important constraint to carbon containing
low-emission e-fuels.
 The best wind and solar resources are not necessarily co-
located with significant bioenergy resources, which puts
additional constraints on siting e-fuel projects that require
carbon input.
Scaling Up E-fuels: Measures to Unleash Potential:
Cost Reduction:
• Policy support: Governments need to take bolder actions in
carbon pricing mechanisms, tax breaks, and subsidies that
can incentivize e-fuel production and make it competitive with
fossil fuels.
• Technological advancements: Research and development
efforts targeting more efficient electrolysis, carbon capture,
and conversion technologies can significantly reduce
production costs.
• Economies of scale: Investing in large-scale production
facilities can leverage economies of scale and bring down
e-fuel prices closer to fossil fuels.
Infrastructure Development:
• Renewable energy: Expanding renewable energy capacity
is crucial to provide the clean electricity needed for e-fuel
production.
• Water and CO2 management: Sustainable water management
and infrastructure for capturing and utilizing CO2 are essential
to ensure environmental responsibility.
Feature Articles Current Affairs
Edition: January 2024
• Distribution and storage: Building infrastructure for e-fuel
distribution and storage across transportation hubs is vital for
widespread adoption.
Market Creation and Demand Stimulation:
• Public procurement: Governments can create demand by
mandating e-fuel blends in public transportation fleets and
aviation fuel.
• Corporate commitments: Airlines, shipping companies, and
fuel suppliers can set ambitious targets for e-fuel adoption,
driving market demand.
Regulatory and Policy Framework:
• Carbon-neutral fuel standards: To enable widespread adoption,
e-fuels will need to meet internationally agreed technical and
safety standards for measuring life-cycle GHG emissions.
• International cooperation: Global collaboration on research,
development, and policy frameworks can accelerate e-fuel
innovation and deployment.
INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY (IEA)
• About: In response to the 1973 oil crisis, it was created
as an autonomous agency within the framework of the
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD)
• Establishment Year: 1974.
• Mandate:
 To ensure reliable, affordable, and clean energy supplies
for member countries and enhance energy efficiency.
 It also focuses on promoting energy technology
cooperation, providing analysis and data on global
energy markets, and addressing environmental and
climate challenges related to energy use.
• Headquarters: Paris, France.
• Members: 31 member countries. India is an associate
member.
• Report Published: World Energy Outlook
Way Ahead:
• Overall, e-fuels have the potential to play a crucial role in
decarbonising the transport sector alongside other solutions
like electrification.
• Addressing the challenges through continued research,
technological development, and investment in production
infrastructure is key to unlocking their full potential in the fight
against climate change.
• Bringing the GHG emissions of the road transport sector
down to zero by 2050 cannot be achieved by one measure
alone. Countries that deploy a set of different measures such
as reducing transport demand, improving vehicle efficiency,
and adding renewable energy carriers such as biofuels.
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 Current Affairs
Economy Feature Articles
Edition: February 2024
DARK PHASE OF TEA INDUSTRY
India’s tea industry is experiencing challenges reminiscent of
the “dark phase” of 2002-07, calling for introspection and resilience.
Challenges faced by Indian Tea Industry:
• Increased Input Costs:
 Tea prices have shown a compound annual growth rate
(CAGR) of approximately 4% over the last decade.
 Cost Pressures: However, the costs of critical inputs like
gas and coal have surged at a CAGR ranging from 9% to
15%, putting pressure on profit margins.
• Demand-Supply Gap:
 Production Discrepancy: The increase in small tea growers
and overall production does not align with domestic
consumption and exports.
 Surplus Production: This mismatch has resulted in surplus
tea production, creating challenges in managing the
excess supply.
• Weak Exports and Iran Market Decline:
 Iran Market Impact: The Iran market, constituting almost
20% of total tea exports from India, has witnessed a
decline.
 Exporters face financial stress due to payment issues in the
Iran market, contributing to weakened export performance.
• Global Market Dynamics:
 Surplus Impact: The oversupply of tea in the global markets
has led to an international price crash.
 Overall Export Decline: Weakness in global demand for tea
has resulted in a decline in overall export demand.
• Influx of Substandard Tea from Nepal: Unregulated and
effortless entry of substandard tea, particularly from
neighboring countries like Nepal, poses a significant threat to
the Indian tea industry.
• Additional Factors Affecting the Industry:
 Stagnant Prices: Prices in the tea industry have remained
stagnant, impacting profitability.
 Concentration of Market Power: A few key players holding
a significant share of the market power can affect
competition.
 Quality Decline: There is an observed decline in the quality
of teas, possibly driven by the need to make the beverage
more affordable.
Steps taken by Indian Government:
• The Tea Board of India had devised a scheme of “Assistance
of education stipend to the wards of Small Tea Growers” to
improve their livelihood and education needs.
• The Government of India through the Tea Board had helped
in the formation of 352 Self Help Group (SHG), 440 Farmer
36
Producer Organisation (FPO) and 17 Farmer Producer
Companies (FPCs).
• A mobile app “Chai Sahyog”, is being developed to help
Small Tea Growers in terms of better price realization and
information.
TEA BOARD OF INDIA
• About: It is a statutory body established under Tea Act,
1953.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Function: To promote the cultivation, processing, and
domestic trade as well as export of tea from India.
• Headquarter: Kolkata, West Bengal
Indian Tea Industry:
• India is the 2nd largest tea producer and largest black tea
producer.
• Indian teas are exported to various destinations like Iran,
Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Russia etc. and is the 4th largest tea
exporter in the World.
• The Indian tea Industry is employing 1.16 million workers
directly and an equal number of people are associated with it
indirectly.
• Assam grows about 55% of the teas produced in India. India’s
tea production has increased by 39% in 2022 from 2008.
GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITION FOR TEA PRODUCTION
• The tea plant grows well in tropical and subtropical climates.
Tea bushes require a warm and moist frost-free climate all
through the year.
• Soil: It requires deep and fertile well-drained soil, rich in
humus and organic matter.
• Temperature: The average annual temperature for tea
plants to grow well is in the range of 15-23°C.
• Precipitation: The rainfall needed is between 150-200 cm.
Frequent showers evenly distributed over the year ensure
continuous growth of tender leaves.
• Major tea producing states are Assam, hills of Darjeeling
and Jalpaiguri districts in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and
Kerala.
 Apart from these, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand,
Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh and Tripura are also tea-
producing states in the country.
 Economy
STATES’ STARTUP RANKING FOR 2022
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal
Trade (DPIIT) released the States’ Startup Ranking for 2022 recently.
About:
• States’ Start-up Ranking was launched in February 2018 to
achieve the vision of building a robust startup ecosystem in
the country.
• A total of 33 states and Union territories took part in the
assessment, categorised into five groups: best performers,
top performers, leaders, aspiring leaders, and emerging
start-up ecosystems.
Startup Ecosystem in India:
• It consists of ‘a network of interconnected entities,
organisations, and resources that support the growth,
development, and success of Startups within a specific
geographic location’.
• Over the past seven years (2015-2022), there has been an:
DPIIT CRITERIA FOR RECOGNITION OF STARTUP
• Company Age: Period of existence and operations should
not exceed 10 years from the Date of Incorporation.
• Company Type: Incorporated as a Private Limited Company,
a Registered Partnership Firm, or a Limited Liability
Partnership.
• Annual Turnover: Annual turnover should not exceed Rs. 100
crore for any of the financial years since its Incorporation.
• Original Entity: The entity should not have been formed by
splitting up or reconstructing an already existing business.
• Innovative & Scalable: Should work towards the development
or improvement of a product, process, or service.Have a
scalable business model with high potential for the creation
of wealth and employment.
Significances of Startups:
• Creating Wealth and Employment: Startups are contributing
economically, creating wealth, and generating employment.
 Majority of the Startups have been growing at a rate of
more than 35% for the last two years.
Feature Articles Current Affairs
Edition: January 2024
 About 50% of DPIIT recognised Startups are from Tier II &
Tier III cities.
• Impacts on Society: Startups are creating a manifold impact
in society by introducing innovative solutions, creating
large-scale employment, contributing to economic growth,
and garnering huge demand from the private as well as
government sector.
• Impact on Women: Over the past five years, the number of
Startups in India that are driven by women has increased by 4%.
 There is at least one-woman director in about 49% of all
DPIIT recognized firms.
Challenges associated with Startups in India:
• High Competition: There are thousands of startups, from
e-commerce and fintech to healthcare and education,
competing for funding, talent, and customers in India’s
startup ecosystem.
• Regulatory Hurdles: High taxes, stringent labour laws, and
bureaucratic delays in obtaining licences and permits are just a
few of the regulatory obstacles startups in India must overcome.
 Startups have a difficult time expanding and scaling their
businesses because of these obstacles, which can take
time and money.
• Poor Infrastructure: A society’s or economy’s inadequate or
insufficient physical and organisational structures, systems,
and facilities are referred to as poor infrastructure.
 Poor infrastructure includes inadequate healthcare
and educational facilities, insufficient power supply,
inadequate water and sanitation, and inadequate
transportation networks.
• Management and Leadership Issues: Despite getting the
recognition of Best and or Top Performers, the Indian states
still face challenges in incubation and mentorship support,
fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and planning for a
sustainable future.
Related Initiatives:
• The DPIIT has implemented various flagship schemes under
the Startup India initiative to support Startups at various stages
of their business cycle to enable them to graduate to a level
where they are able to raise investments or seek loans for a
steady and healthy sustenance, like:
 Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS);
 Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS); and,
 Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS).
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 Current Affairs Feature Articles
Edition: February 2024

• Other Initiatives: • Promote entrepreneurship education and skill development

 Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)
 Innovation and Agri-Entrepreneurship Development
Program
 Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)
 Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and
MSMEs (PRISM)
 Make in India
Conclusion and Way Forward:
• The government is increasingly showing greater enthusiasm
to increase the GDP rate of growth from grass root levels with
introduction of liberal policies and initiatives for entrepreneurs
like ‘Make in India’, ‘Startup India’, MUDRA etc.
• Continually refine and streamline regulatory processes to
make it easier for startups to register and operate. Introduce
policies that provide tax incentives, subsidies, and other
financial support for startups.
programs to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the necessary
knowledge and skills.
DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF
INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE (DPIIT)
• Established year: 1995. The department was earlier called
Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion and was
renamed as DPIIT in January, 2019.
• Mandate:
 Matters related to e-Commerce
 Promotion of Internal Trade, Including Retail Trade.
 Matter relating to Facilitating “Ease of Doing Business'
 Matters related to Start-Ups
 Integrated development of the logistics sector.
 Implementation of PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
 Handles matters related to Protection of Intellectual
Property Rights (IPR).

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 Current Affairs
Economy
PROCESSED FOOD
Feature Articles
EXPORTS UP 150% IN 9 YEARS
The Minister of Commerce & Industry highlighted
the 150% growth in processed food exports over the last nine years.
About:
• There is an immense potential of the Indian food market,
catering to a domestic market of 1.4 billion and a global
Indian diaspora of nearly three million people who relish
Indian delicacies.
• India’s agricultural exports stood at an aggregate of about
US$ 53 Billion.
• The government of India has set a vision for the sector to
achieve a target of doubling its contribution to the GDP by
2030.
About Food Processing:
• Food processing refers to the conversion of raw
agricultural products into value-added products for human
consumption.
• The processing is done through several processes, such as
harvesting, cleaning, packaging, grading, preserving and
transportation.
• The sector’s size is estimated to be around US$322 billion, and
it is expected to reach US$543 billion by 2025, growing at a
CAGR of 14.6%.
• The food processing industry in India is primarily concentrated
in the northern and western regions of the country.
• The states of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh,
Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat are the leading contributors to the
sector. However, there is a huge untapped potential for the
sector in the eastern and north-eastern regions of the country.
Significance of Food Processing Sector:
• Economic Contribution: The Food Processing sector provides
jobs not only in food production but also in packaging,
distribution, marketing, and research and development.
• Food Safety: The industry plays a key role in maintaining and
improving food safety standards. Processing methods often
include steps to eliminate or reduce pathogens, contaminants,
and spoilage microorganisms.
• Export Opportunities: Processed food products often have
a longer shelf life and are more suitable for transportation,
making them key players in international trade.
• Fortification: Food processing allows for the fortification
of certain products with essential nutrients, addressing
nutritional deficiencies in populations.
• Energy Efficiency: Advances in food processing technologies
contribute to more energy-efficient methods, reducing the
environmental impact of food production.
Edition: January 2024
Challenges related to Food Processing Sector:
• Lack of cutting-edge infrastructure: Many food processing
businesses operate in the small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
sector, which often lacks the resources needed to upgrade
their facilities and machinery to thinitiae latest technology.
• Lack of Cold Chain and Storage: The industry is also plagued by
inefficient supply chains, inadequate storage and transport
facilities, and a lack of access to credit and financing.
• Food Safety Issues: Contamination risks, whether biological,
chemical, or physical, can lead to foodborne illnesses,
damaging both consumer trust and industry reputation.
• Raw Material Sourcing: Variability in crop yields, weather
conditions, and geopolitical factors can affect the availability
and cost of key ingredients.
• Complex Regulations: The industry is subject to a complex
web of regulations, licenses, and permits, which can be
challenging for businesses to navigate.
Important Government Initiatives:
• National Mission on food processing: Launched in 2012 as
Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS). This mission aimed
to encourage the establishment of food processing units,
enhance the processing levels, and increase value addition
in the food chain.
• Mega Food Park Scheme: A mega food park is an integrated
facility that provides for storage, processing. Additionally,
value additions to a large number of players in the food
processing industry.
 Under the Mega Food Park Scheme, the Government of
India provides financial assistance up to Rs. 50.00 Crore
per Mega Food Park project.
 The Mega Food Park Scheme is based on the “Cluster”
approach and envisages a well-defined Agri/ horticultural-
processing zone containing state-of-the-art processing
facilities with support infrastructure and well-established
supply chain.
• Other initiatives:
 The Ministry is actively implementing three major schemes
to promote the food processing sector:
 Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY)
 Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing
Enterprises (PMFME) scheme
 Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme.
 Allowing 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) approval
under automatic route for the food processing sector.
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 Current Affairs
Economy Feature Articles
Edition: February 2024
INDIA’S FIRST AI UNICORN
Ola group’s AI firm Krutrim is India’s first artificial intelligence unicorn.
Krutrim has raised $50 million at a valuation of $1 billion in a funding round.
About:
• Unicorn is a term used in the venture capital industry to
describe a privately held startup company with a value of over
$1 billion.
• The term was coined to represent the rarity and uniqueness of
such companies, much like the mythical creature.
• Unicorns are often characterized by their rapid growth,
disruptive business models, and the ability to attract substantial
investment.
• Growth of Unicorns: Work from home during the pandemic
fueled the growth of digital businesses in India, the incident
also resulted in a long unicorn list.
 Mainly three factors, a thriving digital payments
ecosystem, large smartphone user base and digital-
first business models, have come together to attract
investors.
• Companies that achieve unicorn status are considered to be
high-value and have the potential to impact their respective
industries significantly.
DO YOU KNOW?
• The global startup ecosystem is witnessing a shift of
gradually transitioning from the age of unicorns to the age
of decacorns.
 A decacorn is company that has attained a valuation of
more than $ 10 Bn.
• India has five decacorn namely, Flipkart, BYJU’s, Nykaa and
Swiggy.
Status of Unicorns in India:
• Current Unicorn Landscape (2023): India boasts a remarkable
presence of 111 unicorns, collectively valued at an impressive
$349.67 billion as of 2023.
• Prolific Years of Unicorn: The years 2021, 2020, and 2019
witnessed the emergence of the highest number of unicorns,
signifying a robust growth trend in the Indian startup
ecosystem.
• Unicorn Hubs: Bengaluru emerges as the unicorn capital of
India, housing the highest number of unicorn headquarters,
followed by Delhi (NCR) and Mumbai.
• Dominant Sectors:
 While traditional sectors like E-commerce, Fin-tech,
Supply Chain & Logistics, and Internet Software &
Services continue to dominate.
40
 A notable surge is observed in unconventional sectors
like Content, Gaming, Hospitality, and Data Management
& Analytics.
• Unconventional Success: Mensa Brands achieved unicorn
status within an astonishing six-month timeframe in 2021,
establishing itself as one of the fastest-growing unicorns in
Asia.
Measures Taken by Government of India to support
Unicorn/Startups:
• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): The scheme was launched by
the government in 2016, and aims to foster innovation as the
government creates new programs and policies to assist
start-up development in several economic areas.
 It grants approximately Rs 10 crores to finance firms over
five years.
• Multiplier Grant Scheme (MGS): The Department of Electronics
and Information Technology initiated the Multiplier Grant
Scheme (MGS) to empower collaborative research and
development among industries for the growth of goods and
services.
 The government gives a maximum amount of Rs 2 crore
per project for a duration of less than two years.
• Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS): The
Department of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, and Dairying
has launched the DEDS scheme, which aims to create self-
employment in the dairy sector.
 The activities include milk production, procurement,
preservation, marketing, etc.
• Startup India Initiative: This is one of the most popular
government schemes for startups in India. The Startup India
Initiative aims to provide tax benefits to entrepreneurs for over
five years.
• Startup India Seed Fund Scheme: The government of India
introduced this scheme in 2021 to assist early-stage startups.
 The selected entrepreneurs under this scheme will get the
funding of Rs 5 crore.
• Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS): The government has
established the Fund in 2016 with a corpus of Rs 10,000 crore
to provide financial support to startups.
 This fund is managed by SIDBI (Small Industries
Development Bank of India) and aims to promote innovation
and entrepreneurship.
 Environment
NATIONAL CLEAN AIR PROGRAMME
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) recently completed five years.
About:
• Initiation by Ministry: Launched in 2019 by the Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
 It is a long-term, time-bound, national-level strategy
crafted to combat the escalating issue of air pollution.
• Air Pollutant Reduction Targets
 Initial Targets: The NCAP's primary goal was to achieve a
20-30% reduction in two pivotal air pollutants, PM10 and
PM2.5, by 2024. The baseline for these targets was set at
2017 levels.
 Revised Targets: In September 2022, the Centre revised
the reduction targets, now aiming for a more ambitious
40% reduction by 2026.
• Inclusion of Non-Attainment Cities:
 Scope of the Plan: Encompassing a total of 131 non-
attainment cities, the NCAP extends its reach across 23
states and Union territories.
 Identification Process: The Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB) identified these cities based on their ambient air
quality data recorded between 2011 and 2015.
 Definition of Non-Attainment Cities: Non-attainment cities
are those that have consistently fallen short of meeting
the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for a
period exceeding five years.
• Monitoring through PRANA Portal: The "PRANA" portal,
standing for "Portal for Regulation of Air-pollution in Non-
Attainment Cities" serves as a dedicated platform for
monitoring and overseeing the implementation of the National
Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
Five-Year Status Check of the NCAP's Progress:
• For 49 cities, PM2.5 data was available for all five years. Out of
these, 27 cities recorded improvements in PM2.5 levels from
2019 to 2023.
• Similarly, for PM10, data across five years was available for
46 cities. Of these, 24 cities saw an improvement in their PM10
levels.
Challenges in Implementation:
• Funding:
 Underutilisation of funds: Allocated funds are not utilised
fully by most of the cities. Cities are lacking necessary will
to implement action plans effectively.
 Unequal distribution: Some cities receive more funding than
others, leading to disparity in progress and resentment.
Feature Articles Current Affairs
Edition: January 2024
• Implementation Hurdles:
 Inter-departmental coordination: Seamless collaboration
between various government agencies (environment,
transport, industry) is crucial, but bureaucratic silos often
hinder progress.
 Infrastructure gaps: Lack of adequate monitoring stations,
waste management facilities, and cleaner alternatives for
industries slows down progress.
• Public Awareness and Behavior Change:
 Limited awareness: Many citizens don't understand the
gravity of air pollution, hindering adoption of cleaner
practices like carpooling or using public transport.
 Ineffective outreach: Public awareness campaigns might
not reach all communities, particularly vulnerable and
marginalized groups.
• Industrial Compliance and Regulation:
 Stringent standards vs. economic interests: Strict emission
norms met with resistance from industries fearing financial
implications.
 Weak enforcement: Existing environmental regulations
lack strong enforcement mechanisms, leading to non-
compliance by polluting industries.
 Outdated technologies: Industries using older, polluting
technologies lack incentives to invest in cleaner alternatives.
Measures Needed:
• Push for utilization of funds: There is a need to ensure that the
funds are equitably distributed among cities with their proper
utilisation.
• Streamlined implementation: Addressing bureaucratic
bottlenecks and expediting project execution.
• Effective public awareness campaigns: Targeting diverse
communities with tailored messages and promoting behavior
change.
• Strengthening regulations and enforcement: Implementing
stricter standards, improving monitoring, and holding
polluters accountable.
• Investing in technology and innovation: Supporting research
and development of cleaner technologies for industries and
cleaner fuels for vehicles.
Way Ahead:
• NCAP represents a significant step towards cleaner air in India.
• Continued efforts from all stakeholders, including government
agencies, industries, and citizens, are essential for achieving
its ambitious targets and ensuring a healthier future for all.
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 Current Affairs
Environment Feature Articles
Edition: February 2024

COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PLANS

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the union government to prepare the Coastal Zone Management Plan
(CZMP) or Island Coastal Regulation Zone Plan (ICRZP) as per Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019.

About:
• It is a strategic and integrated approach to managing the
coastal areas, taking into account ecological, social, cultural,
and economic factors.
• Objectives: The primary objectives of CZMP include
 Conservation and protection of coastal ecosystems.
 Sustainable use of coastal resources.
 Minimization of conflicts between various coastal
activities.
 Promotion of responsible development in coastal areas.
 Adaptation to climate change impacts.
• Components:
 Zoning Regulations: Delineation of different zones with
specific regulations for each, considering factors such as
conservation, development, and recreation.
 Resource Inventory: Comprehensive assessment of
coastal resources, including ecosystems, habitats, and
cultural sites.
 Stakeholder Engagement: Involvement of local communities,
government agencies, and other stakeholders in the
planning and decision-making processes.
 Risk Assessment: Evaluation of natural hazards and climate
change impacts to inform adaptive measures.
 Infrastructure Planning: Identification and planning for
critical infrastructure, including ports, roads, and utilities.
• Till now the CZMP has been approved for Odisha, Karnataka and
Maharashtra and ICRZP has been approved for Great Nicobar
Island and Little Andaman Island as per CRZ Notification, 2019.
Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification, 2019:
• The notification implemented by the Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) classifies the coastal
area into different zones to manage infrastructure activities
and regulate them.
• It incorporates recommendations of the Shailesh Nayak
committee which looked into the concerns relating to the
CRZ, 2011 notification.
Provisions:
• CRZ limits: The CRZ limits on land along “tidal influenced
water bodies” has been reduced from 100 meters to 50
meters or the width of the creek, whichever is less.
• Mapping of high tide and hazard lines: National Centre for
Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) is the final
authority to lay down standards for High Tide Line (HTL).
HIGH TIDE LINE (HTL)
• The HTL means the line on the land up to which the highest
water line reaches during the spring tide.
• It is demarcated by the National Centre for Sustainable
Coastal Management (NCSCM) in accordance with the laid
down procedures and made available to various coastal
States and Union territories
• Bifurcation of CRZ-III areas: CRZ-III areas have been divided
into two categories:
 CRZ-III A: It refers to rural areas with a population density
of 2,161 people per square kilometer or more as per the
2011 Census.
 Such areas shall have a “No Development Zone” (NDZ)
of 50m from the HTL.
 CRZ-III B: It refers to rural areas with a population density
lesser than 2,161 people per square kilometer.
 Such areas shall continue to have an NDZ of 200m from
the HTL.
• Projects that require MoEFcc’s approval: Only those projects
located in CRZ-I (environmentally most critical) and CRZ-
IV (water and seabed areas) shall require MoEF clearance.
All other projects shall be considered by Coastal Zone
Management Authorities (CZMAs) in the states and union
territories.
COASTAL REGULATION ZONE
CRZ along the country has been placed in four categories:
• CRZ-1: These are ecologically sensitive areas, these are
essential in maintaining the ecosystem of the coast. They
lie between low and high tide lines. Exploration of natural
gas and extraction of salt are permitted.
• CRZ-2: These areas are urban areas located in the coastal
areas.
• CRZ-3: Rural and urban localities which fall outside the CRZ-
1 and CRZ-2. Only certain activities related to agriculture
and even some public facilities are allowed in this zone.

• No Development Zones (NDZ): The notification provides for • CRZ-4: This lies in the aquatic area up to territorial limits.
NDZ along various categories of coastal areas to protect Fishing and allied activities are permitted in this zone. No
India’s coastline from encroachment and erosion. Solid waste should be let off in this zone.

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 Geography
LANDSLIDE RISK MAP OF INDIA
IIT-Delhi made the first high resolution landslide risk map of India.
About:
• The ‘Indian Landslide Susceptibility Map’ is the first of its kind
by virtue of being on a national scale, leaving out no locations
in the country.
• It was developed with the help of the Geological Survey of
India (GSI)’s extensive collection of landslide data with ‘latest
techniques’.
• It is available and accessible publicly through the internet, and
one doesn’t need technical knowledge to interact with the data.
Significance:
• Mitigation: A national landslide susceptibility map can help
the policymakers to assess vulnerability and take appropriate
measures for mitigation.
 It can help identify the most dangerous areas and helps in
allocating resources for mitigation strategies better, given
the high fatalities due to landslides in India.
• Early Warning System: The map acknowledged some well-
known regions of high landslide susceptibility, like parts of the
foothills of the Himalaya, the Assam-Meghalaya region, and
the Western Ghats.
 It revealed some previously unknown places with high
risk, such as some areas of the Eastern Ghats, just north
of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
• Supporting other organisations: It is expected to be useful
for organisations involved in investigating and mitigating
landslides, like the GSI, the Ministry of Mines, and the National
Disaster Management Authority.
About Landslides:
• Landslides involve the movement of material down a slope
due to gravitational forces.
• Causes: Factors contributing to landslides include heavy
rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic activity, human activities like
excavation, and changes in slope stability.
• Types of Landslides:
 Rockfalls: Individual rocks detach and fall from a steep
slope.
 Slides: Blocks of soil or rock move as a single unit along a
well-defined surface.
 Flows: Material moves as a fluid-like mass, including
debris flows, mudflows, and rock avalanches.
• Triggering Factors:
 Rainfall: Intense or prolonged rainfall can saturate soil,
reducing its stability and triggering landslides.
Feature Articles Current Affairs
Edition: January 2024
 Earthquakes: Seismic activity can disturb the equilibrium
of slopes, leading to mass movements.
 Volcanic Eruptions: Volcanic eruptions can create unstable
conditions on volcanic slopes.
 Human Activities: Construction, deforestation, and mining
can alter natural slopes, increasing the risk of landslides.
• Some of the recent landslides in India are Varnavat in
Uttarkashi, Malpha in Pithoragarh, Okhimath in Chamoli, UK
and Paglajhora in Darjeeling as well as Sikkim, Aizawl Sports
Complex in Mizoram.
Consequences of Landslides:
• Loss of Life and Property: Landslides can bury houses, roads,
and other infrastructure, causing fatalities and injuries.
 In some cases, landslides can completely destroy entire
communities.
• Environmental Damage: Landslides can alter natural
watercourses, leading to flooding and erosion and can also
damage ecosystems by destroying vegetation and wildlife
habitats.
• Economic Impacts: Landslides can disrupt transportation
systems, causing delays and increased transportation costs
and can damage buildings and infrastructure, leading to
costly repairs.
• Social Impacts: Landslides can displace communities, leading
to social disruption and psychological stress and can disrupt
access to healthcare and education, leading to long-term
social consequences.
Government Initiatives to deal with Landslides:
• National Landslide Risk Management Strategy: It covers all
aspects of landslide disaster risk reduction and management,
such as hazard mapping, monitoring, and early warning
systems.
 It includes awareness campaigns, capacity building,
training, regulations, and policies, as well as landslide
stabilisation and mitigation.
• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Guidelines
on Landslide Hazard Management: It outlines the steps that
should be taken to reduce the risk of landslides.
 It also identifies regions that are prone to landslides
 Encourages the use of effective landslide rehabilitation
and mitigation techniques.
• National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM): It was set up
to provide capacity building and support to various national
and state-level authorities in the area of disaster management
and disaster risk reduction.
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44
 Science & Tech.
VOICE CLONING
Voice cloning through Artificial Intelligence (AI) has created
fears around the AI software as AI voice cloning-related scams burgeoned.
About:
• A report by Market US has revealed that the global market
for these voice cloning applications stands at $1.2 billion in
2022 and is estimated to touch almost $5 billion in 2032 with
a CAGR above 15-40%.
How are voice clones done?
• Once a scammer finds an audio clip of an individual, all it
takes is to upload their voice clip to the online program that is
able to replicate the voice accurately barring some intonations.
• There’s a host of these applications online with popular ones
like Murf, Resemble and Speechify.
 Recently, former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s
political party used an AI-generated speech from the now
imprisoned leader in an attempt to rally for votes.
Applications:
• Preserving legacy: Can keep the voices of loved ones alive for
future generations. Apple introduced a voice cloning feature
in iOS 17 intended to help people who may be in danger of
losing their voice to a degenerative disease.
• Personalized experiences: Custom virtual assistants, interactive
storytelling, and more immersive digital interactions.
• Gaming: Prominent tech companies also have a hand in the
AI voice game. Recently, Meta launched SeamlessM4T, which
can understand nearly 100 languages from speech or text
and generate translations in real-time.
• Accessibility: Can offer voice to those who have lost it or will
lose it due to illness or disability.
Issues:
• Scams: In April 2023, a family living in Arizona, U.S. was
threatened to pay ransom for a fake kidnapping pulled off by
an AI cloned voice.
• Reporting issues: Several cases went unreported and only
some came to light.
• Fake news: Easy access to AI voice clones also spawned
disinformation. Harry Potter actress Emma Watson allegedly
read out a portion of the Mein Kampf.
• Privacy and consent: Concerns about unauthorized recording
and use of voices without consent need to be addressed.
• Hate speech: Recently, users started flocking to free AI voice
cloning tools to generate celebrity hate speech.
 Conservative political pundit Ben Shapiro allegedly made
racist comments against Democrat politician Alexandra
Ocasio-Cortez.
Feature Articles Current Affairs
Edition: January 2024
INDIA: A MAJOR TARGET FOR AI VOICE CLONE SCAMS
• A report titled ‘The Artificial Imposter’ published in May
last year revealed that 47% of surveyed Indians have either
been a victim or knew someone who had fallen prey to an AI
generated voice scam.
• The numbers are almost twice the global average of 25%.
In fact, India topped the list with the maximum number of
victims to AI voice scams.
 In December, a Lucknow resident fell prey to a
cyberattack that used AI to impersonate the voice of
the victim’s relative, requesting the person to transfer a
substantial amount through UPI.
• Indians have been found to be particularly vulnerable to
scams of this nature.
 According to McAfee, 66% of Indian participants
admitted that they would respond to a voice call or a
phone call that appeared to be from a friend or family
member in urgent need of money.
 The report also shared that 86% Indians were prone to
sharing their voice data online or via voice notes at least
once a week which has made these tools potent.
Measures:
• Regulatory frameworks: Robust legal and ethical guidelines
are crucial to prevent misuse and protect privacy.
 The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is considering the
adoption of a recently-proposed Impersonation Rule that
will help deter deceptive voice cloning.
• Technological safeguards: Watermarking and other
authentication mechanisms can help identify and verify
cloned voices.
• Public awareness and education: Educating the public about
voice cloning technology and its potential risks is vital.
 The US Federal Trade Commission has also launched a
Voice Cloning Challenge which asked the public to send in
their ideas to detect, evaluate and monitor cloned devices.
• Responsible development and application: Promoting ethical
and transparent use of voice cloning for positive societal
impact.
Way Ahead:
• The future of voice cloning hinges on responsible development
and utilization, balancing its potential benefits with ethical
considerations and safeguards to avoid its misuse.
45
 Current Affairs
Science & Tech. Feature Articles
Edition: February 2024

ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY

The Union Health Ministry has sought data from States and UTs regarding
the number of single women who have used Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).

About:  ART banks are prohibited from supplying gametes from

• Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) refer to a range of
fertility treatments aimed at aiding reproduction for couples
suffering from infertility or to persons who may wish to have a
child through artificial methods.
• Some of these artificial methods are as follows:
 In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a process where eggs are
retrieved from a woman's ovaries and fertilized with sperm in
a laboratory. The resulting embryos undergo cultivation for a
few days before being reintroduced into the woman's uterus.
 Gamete donation involves the use of donated sperm,
eggs, or both to achieve fertilization.
 Gestational surrogacy entails the transfer of an embryo,
created through IVF using either the biological parents'
or donated gametes, into the uterus of a surrogate, also
known as a gestational carrier. The surrogate carries the
pregnancy to term and delivers the baby, but the child is
genetically unrelated to the surrogate.
• Approximately 10-14 percent of couples in India are
currently grappling with infertility, as reported by the Indian
Society of Assisted Reproduction (ISAR).
Provisions of the ART (Regulation) Act, 2021:
• Definition of ART: According to the act, Assisted Reproductive
Technology (ART) encompasses all methods attempting
to achieve pregnancy by manipulating sperm or oocytes
(immature egg cells) outside the human body, followed by the
transfer of gametes or embryos into a woman's reproductive
system.
• Establishment of ART Banks: The act characterizes an ART bank
as an organization established to provide sperm or semen,
oocytes, or oocyte donors to ART clinics or their patients.
• Regulation of ART Clinics: The act outlines the creation of
the National Registry of Clinics and Banks, serving as a
centralized database containing information on all clinics and
banks nationwide.
 ART clinics can obtain registration, valid for five years and
renewable for an additional five years, from the Registry.
Registration may be revoked or suspended in cases
where the entity violates the provisions of the act.
• Eligibility Criteria for Donors:
 According to the Act, semen may be obtained from males
aged between 21 and 55 years, and eggs from females
aged between 23 and 35 years.
 Female donors may contribute eggs only once in their
lifetime, with a limit of seven eggs per retrieval.
a single donor to more than one commissioning party,
whether it be couples or single women seeking services.
• Conditions for Offering Services:
 ART procedures must be conducted with the explicit written
consent of both the commissioning parties and the donors.
 The commissioning party is required to provide insurance
coverage in favor of the egg donor for any potential loss,
damage, or death.
• Rights of a Child Born through ART: A child born through ART is
legally considered the biological child of the commissioning
couple, entitled to the same rights and privileges as a natural
child of the commissioning couple. Importantly, the donor
retains no parental rights over the child.
• Violations: The act outlines offenses such as clinics engaging
in sex selection, abandoning or exploiting children born
through ART, as well as the illicit selling, buying, or importing
of human embryos.
 Any form of exploitation of the involved couple or donors
is also considered an offense. Proposed penalties for
breaches include imprisonment ranging from five to 12
years, along with fines ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh.
Concerns Related to Act:
• Exclusion of Unmarried and Heterosexual Couples:
 The Act does not allow unmarried men, divorced men,
widowed men, unmarried cohabiting heterosexual
couples, trans persons, and homosexual couples (whether
married or cohabiting) to access ART services.
 This exclusion is noteworthy as it aligns with the Surrogacy
Act, which similarly prohibits the aforementioned individuals
from opting for surrogacy as a reproductive method.
• Limitation on Reproductive Choices: The Act specifically caters
to infertile commissioning couples, defined as those unable
to conceive after a year of unprotected coitus. Consequently,
its application is constrained, significantly curtailing the
reproductive choices of those falling outside its scope.
• Parental Rights: Legal issues can arise regarding the
determination of parental rights, especially in cases involving
surrogacy, egg donation, or sperm donation.
• Long-term Health Effects: The long-term health effects of some
fertility treatments and medications used in ART are not yet
fully understood.
• Access and Affordability: Access to ART may be limited due to
financial constraints, leading to concerns about socioeconomic
disparities in the ability to access these technologies.

46
 Society Feature Articles Current Affairs
Edition: January 2024

JAN NAYAK KARPOORI THAKUR

Recently, the Government of India conferred ‘Bharat Ratna’ (India’s highest civilian award)
to Karpoori Thakur (posthumously) on his 100th birth anniversary.

About: distributed fairly and everyone, regardless of their social

Before Independence of India:
• Karpoori Thakur was greatly influenced by
Mahatma Gandhi and Satyanarayan Sinha.
• He joined the All India Students Federation
(AISF), the oldest student organisation in
India, during his schooling days.
• He was inspired by Indian nationalistic
thought, and left his graduation studies to join the Quit India
Movement, a massive mobilisation started by Mahatma
Gandhi in 1942 to force the colonial British rulers to leave
India.
After Independence:
• He initially started working as a teacher in his village.
• He returned to active politics with a victory in the Bihar
Legislative Assembly election in 1952 from Tajpur constituency,
and soon represented the Socialist Party.
• He became a legend because of his successful fights for the
rights of the workers and thus pushed for reservations for
backward classes.
• He started his fast-unto-death agitation for the cause of
the labourers in Telco in the year 1970, and was arrested for
leading worker strikes.
• His life revolved around the twin pillars of simplicity and social
justice.
Contributions made by Karpoori Thakur:
• Social Justice: Thakur’s political journey was marked by
monumental efforts to create a society where resources were
standing, had access to opportunities.
 He wanted to address the systemic inequalities that
plagued Indian society.
• Rights of Backward communities: He is known as the pioneer of
OBC politics in Bihar. He implemented quotas for backward
classes in the state, a move that was pivotal in setting the
stage for the implementation of the Mandal Commission
recommendations.
 He appointed the Mungeri Lal Commission in 1970, that
identified the 128 ‘backward’ and 94 ‘most backward’
communities.
 It paved the way for 26% reservation of which OBCs got
a 12% share, the economically backward classes among
the OBCs got 8%, women got 3%, and the poor from the
‘upper castes’ got 3%.
• Affirmative Action: One of Thakur’s most significant
contributions to India was his role in strengthening the
affirmative action apparatus for the backward classes.
 He hoped that they would be given the representation and
opportunities they deserved.
• Selflessness: During his tenure as the Chief Minister of Bihar, a
decision was taken to build a colony for political leaders, but
he himself did not take any land or money from the scheme.
• Alcohol Ban: Thakur is notably recognized in Bihar for
implementing a complete ban on alcohol in 1970.
• Education: He was instrumental in establishing numerous
schools and colleges, particularly in the underdeveloped
regions of Bihar, ensuring that education became accessible
to those who had been historically marginalised.

BHARAT RATNA
• Year of Establishment: The 'Bharat Ratna,' established in 1954, stands as the highest civilian award in the country.
• Eligibility Criteria: Individuals of any race, occupation, position, or gender are eligible for the Bharat Ratna.
• Recognition Criteria: The award is bestowed in acknowledgment of exceptional service or performance of the highest order in
any field of human endeavor.
• Recommendation Process: Recommendations for the Bharat Ratna are directly made by the Prime Minister to the President, and
no formal recommendations are required.
• Annual Award Limit: The number of annual awards is capped at a maximum of three in a particular year.
• Award Presentation: Upon receiving the award, the recipient is presented with a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and
a medallion.
• Monetary Grant: It does not carry any monetary grant with the honor.
• Usage Restrictions: As per Article 18 (1) of the Constitution, the award cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the recipient's name.

47
 Current Affairs
Miscellaneous Feature Articles
Edition: February 2024
SPORTS SECTOR IN INDIA
The Prime Minister has inaugurated the sixth edition of the Khelo India Youth Games in Chennai.
About:
• The Prime Minister of India recently credited the various
reforms undertaken by the Union government for India’s
success in sports.
• Highlighting that sports was not just limited to the field, but
also presents a huge economic opportunity, he said the
country’s sports-related industry will be worth at least `1 lakh
crore in a few years.
Reforms taken by the Government:
Talent Development and Athlete Support:
• Khelo India Program: Launched in 2017, this ambitious
program identifies and nurtures young talent at the grassroots
level through scholarships, training camps, and competitions
across various sports.
• Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS): Provides dedicated
financial and logistical support to elite athletes with potential
to win medals at the Olympic Games.
• National Sports Awards: Recognizes and rewards outstanding
achievements of athletes, coaches, and administrators.
Infrastructure Development:
• Khelo India Youth Games: Organizes annual national
sports competitions for young athletes, utilizing upgraded
infrastructure and facilities since 2018.
• Development of Sports Infrastructure Scheme: Provides
financial assistance to states and sports bodies for upgrading
existing and building new sports infrastructure.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Encourages private sector
participation in development and management of sports
facilities.
Governance and Policy Reforms:
• National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA): Strengthens anti-doping
measures and implements stringent regulations to promote
clean and fair competition.
• National Sports Development Code of India: Provides a framework
for governance, funding, and development of sports in India.
• Empowering National Sports Federations (NSFs): Reforms
NSFs to ensure transparency, accountability, and autonomy
in their operations.
Promoting Sports as a Career:
• National Sports University: Established First National Sports
University of the country in Manipur at a total sanctioned
cost of `.643.34 crore to provide world-class academic and
athletic training.
48
• Career guidance and skill development programs: Equips
athletes with skills and resources to transition successfully
into post-retirement careers.
Sports Sector in India:
• The market size of the sports industry across India was about
142 billion Indian rupees in 2022 and is expected to reach 300
billion Indian rupees by 2027.
• Cricket remains the dominant sport, but other sports like
kabaddi, football, badminton, and hockey are gaining
popularity and attracting significant viewership and
investment.
Opportunities and Measures:
• Diversification: Expanding focus on other sports, especially
Olympic disciplines, has immense potential for growth and
medal glory.
• Technology and innovation: Sports tech startups and data
analytics can revolutionize training, fan engagement, and
revenue generation.
• Rural outreach: Government and private efforts to develop
rural sports infrastructure and talent identification programs
are crucial for inclusivity.
• Women's sports: Increased participation and investment in
women's sports hold tremendous potential for growth and
empowerment.
SIXTH EDITION OF THE KHELO INDIA YOUTH GAMES
• Venue: Four cities of Tamil Nadu: Chennai, Madurai, Trichy
and Coimbatore in January 2024.
• Logo: Statue of Thiruvalluvar
• Mascot: ‘Veera Mangai’ (brave woman) Velu Nachiyar.
Rani Velu Nachiyar, the princess of Ramanathapuram was
the first queen to fight against the British colonial power for
freedom in India. She is known by Tamils as Veeramangai.
• New developments:
 Archery, athletics, badminton, and squash have been
introduced in this edition.
 Silambam, a traditional sport of Tamil Nadu, is being
introduced as a demo sport.
• Background: The first edition was organised in 2018 in Delhi
by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports to revive the sports
culture in India at the grass-root level.
 In-Shorts | Polity & Governance
POLITY &
GOVERNANCE
E-SCR PORTAL
The E-SCR portal has achieved an unprecedented speed in
translating judgements, starting with just 2,238 judgments
in January 2023 and ending the year with over 31,000
judgments.
About:
• The Electronic Supreme Court Reports (e-SCR) project is an
initiative to provide the digital version of the apex court's
judgments in the manner as they are reported in the official
law report – ‘Supreme Court Reports’.
• Adapting to the new digital times, now about 34,000 Supreme
Court ‘landmark’ judgements will be available for free via
e-SCR project to lawyers, law students and the common
public.
• This is a project which, in essence, endeavors to take a
step forward towards fulfilling the objective of digitization
of Indian Judiciary and underlines the vision to bring in a
positive change for the benefit of all the stakeholders of
justice.
AADHAAR-BASED PAYMENT SYSTEM (ABPS)
Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) payments are made mandatory
through an Aadhaar-based payment system (ABPS).
About:
• Under ABPS, workers’ 12-digit Aadhaar numbers are linked
with their job cards as well as their bank accounts.
• ABPS uses the worker’s Aadhaar number as their financial
address.
• Aadhaar must be mapped with the National Payments
Corporation of India (NCPI) database; and finally, the bank’s
institutional identification number must itself be mapped with
the NPCI database.
• The ABPS became mandatory from January 1, 2024.
Benefits of Payments through ABPS:
• Easy and Secure Authentication: Aadhaar provides a unique
identification method through biometric authentication
(fingerprint or iris scans), making transactions secure and
reducing the risk of fraud.
Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
• Convenient: Aadhaar-based payment systems eliminate
the need for physical cards or documents for financial
transactions.
 Users can authenticate themselves using their Aadhaar
number and biometrics, making the process more
convenient.
 It ensures the payment of beneficiaries into their bank
accounts, even in case of frequent change of bank
account by the beneficiary.
• Reduced Leakages in Subsidy Programs: Aadhaar is often
linked to various government subsidy and welfare programs,
ensuring that the benefits reach the intended beneficiaries
directly.
• Promotion of Digital Payments: Integration of Aadhaar into
payment systems contributes to the government's push for a
less-cash economy by promoting digital transactions.
 This aligns with broader initiatives to enhance the digital
infrastructure of the country.
VVPATS
Opposition wants a meeting with the Election Commission
(EC) to discuss and provide suggestions on the use of Voter
Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPATs).
About:
• VVPAT is an independent system attached with the Electronic
Voting Machines(EVM) that allows the voters to verify that their
votes are cast as intended.
BACKGROUND
• The idea of the VPAT machine first emerged in 2010, when
the EC held a meeting with political parties to discuss
the EVM and ways to make the polling process more
transparent.
• The idea an additional layer of transparency for the
satisfaction of voters in the form of a ‘Voter Verifiable Paper
Trail’ was suggested by the political parties in a meeting
taken by the ECI in 2010.
• In 2013, the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, were amended
to use VVPATs along with EVMs.
 When a voter presses a button in the Electronic Voting
Machines (EVM), a paper slip is printed through the VVPAT
containing the poll symbol and name of the candidate.
49
 Current Affairs In-Shorts | Polity & Governance
Edition: February 2024
Significance of VVPATs:
• It is intended as an independent verification system for voting
machines designed to allow voters to verify that their vote was
cast correctly, to detect possible election fraud or malfunction,
and to provide a means to audit the stored electronic results.
• After being visible to the voter from a glass case in the VVPAT
for seven seconds, the ballot slip will be cut and dropped into
the drop box in the VVPAT machine and a beep will be heard.
 It allows the voter to verify his/her choice.
• VVPATs are a second line of verification and are particularly
useful in the time when allegations around tampering of EVM.
FREE LEGAL AID IN INDIA
Supreme Court judge Justice BR Gavai has been nominated
as the Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services
Committee (SCLSC).
Supreme Court Legal Services Committee:
• The Supreme Court Legal Services Committee was
constituted under Section 3A of the Legal Services Authorities
Act, 1987, to provide free and competent legal services to
the weaker sections of society, in cases falling under the top
court’s jurisdiction.
• Section 3A of the Act states that the Central Authority (the
National Legal Services Authority or NALSA) shall constitute
the committee.
 It consists of a sitting SC judge, who is the chairman,
along with other members possessing the experience and
qualifications prescribed by the Centre.
 Both the chairman and other members will be nominated
by the CJI.
CONSTITUTIONAL BACKING
• Article 39A states that, “The State shall secure that the
operation of the legal system promotes justice, on a basis
of equal opportunity, and shall, in particular, provide free
legal aid, by suitable legislation or schemes or in any other
way, to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are
not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other
disabilities.”
• Articles 14 (right to equality) and 22(1) (rights to be informed
of grounds for arrest) also make it obligatory for the State
to ensure equality before the law and a legal system that
promotes justice based on equal opportunity.
Legal Services Authorities Act:
• Establishment: In 1987, the Legal Services Authorities Act
was enacted to give a statutory base to legal aid programmes.
50
• Eligible Groups: It aims to provide free and competent legal
services to eligible groups, including women, children, SC/ST
and EWS categories, industrial workers, disabled persons, and
others.
• Monitoring Body: Under the Act, NALSA was constituted in
1995 to monitor and evaluate the implementation of legal
aid programmes and to lay down policies for making legal
services available.
• Implementation: A nationwide network has been envisaged
under the Act for providing legal aid and assistance.
 It also disburses funds and grants to State Legal Services
Authorities and NGOs for implementing legal aid schemes
and programmes.
• State Legal Services: In every state, State Legal Services
Authorities (SLSA) were established to implement NALSA’s
policies and directions, give free legal services to people,
and conduct Lok Adalats.
 An SLSA is headed by the Chief Justice of the respective
High Court and includes the senior HC judge as its
Executive Chairman.
 While the HC Chief Justice is the patron-in-chief of the
SLSA, the CJI is the patron-in-chief of NALSA.
• District Legal Services: Similarly, District Legal Services
Authorities (DLSAs) and Taluk Legal Services Committees
were established in districts and most taluks.
 Each DLSA is chaired by the District Judge of the
respective district.
 The Taluka or Sub-Divisional Legal Services Committees are
headed by a senior civil judge.
PRERANA PROGRAM
The Ministry of Education has launched the ‘Prerana ‘program.
About:
• It is a week-long residential program for selected students of
class IX to XII.
• It is an experiential and inspirational learning program for
students with the best-in-class technology where heritage
meets innovation.
• Features:
 A batch of 20 selected students (10 boys and 10 girls) will
attend the program every week from various parts of the
country.
 It would be run from a Vernacular School, established in
1888, in one of the oldest living cities of India, Vadnagar,
district Mehsana, Gujarat.
 It consists of feature yoga, mindfulness, and meditation
sessions, followed by experiential learning, thematic
sessions, and hands-on interesting learning activities.
 In-Shorts | Polity & Governance
• Purpose and objectives: It is aiming to offer a meaningful,
unique, and inspiring experience to all participants, thereby
empowering them with leadership qualities.
 It will inspire the youth and foster respect for Bharat's
unity in diversity, embodying the spirit of "Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam".
 It will contribute by making the youth of today, a flame
holder for Viksit Bharat.
SVAMITVA SCHEME WINS BEST INNOVATION
AWARD
SVAMITVA Scheme wins Best Innovation Award for
Innovation Sandbox presentation during Public
Policy Dialogues–2024 at Indian School of Business,
Hyderabad.
About:
• SVAMITVA Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme (fully funded
by the central government) of the Ministry of Panchayati
Raj,that has significantly contributed to the empowerment of
rural communities in India.
• The scheme ensures accurate demarcation of land parcels,
thereby mitigating disputes and providing individuals with
property records of rights i.e. SVAMITVA Property Cards.
• It facilitates monetization of properties, enabling bank loans
and comprehensive village-level planning.
• This integration of technology not only streamlines the
documentation process but also marks a significant
step towards a more transparent and efficient land
administration system, fostering socio-economic progress
in rural areas.
CONCEPT OF REMISSION
In Bilkis Bano Case, recently Supreme Court quashed
Gujarat government’s decision to grant remission to 11
convicts in the case of Bano’s gangrape and murder of
seven of her family members during 2002 Gujarat riots.
About:
• The remission is reducing the period of a sentence without
changing its character.
 For example, a five-year rigorous imprisonment sentence
may be remitted to one year of rigorous imprisonment.
 The Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) provides for
remission of prison sentences, which means the whole or
a part of the sentence may be cancelled.
Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
DEFINITIONS OF OTHER RELATED LEGAL TERMS
• Pardon: Pardon entails the complete removal of both the
sentence and the conviction, absolving the convict from all
penalties, punishments, and disqualifications.
• Commutation: It signifies the substitution of a harsher form
of punishment with a milder one. For instance, a death
sentence might be commuted to rigorous imprisonment.
• Respite: It refers to the imposition of a lesser sentence in
lieu of the originally awarded sentence, often due to special
circumstances like the physical disability of a convict or
the pregnancy of a female offender.
• Reprieve: It Indicates a temporary stay of the execution of
a sentence, especially in cases of death sentences. The
purpose is to grant the convict time to seek pardon or
commutation from the President.
CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS
• Under Article 72, the President can grant pardons, reprieves,
respites or remissions of punishment or suspend, remit or
commute the sentence of any person convicted of any
offence;
 In all cases where the punishment or sentence is by a
court-martial,
 In all cases where the punishment or sentence is
for an offence under any law relating to the Union
government’s executive power, and
 In all cases of death sentences.
• Under Article 161 of the Constitution, the governor can
grant pardons, reprieves, respites and remissions of
punishment or suspend, remit and commute the sentence
of any person convicted of any offense against a state law.
• However,The President can pardon sentences inflicted by
court martial (military courts) while the governor cannot.
SWACHH SURVEKSHAN AWARDS 2023
Recently, the President of India presented the ‘Swachh
Survekshan Awards 2023’ at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
About:
• Indore (in Madhya Pradesh) and Surat (in Gujarat) together
were declared as the cleanest cities of the country, and Navi
Mumbai (in Maharashtra) ranked third spot.
 Indore has been ranked the cleanest city for the seventh
time in a row.
• Clean Cities (population of less than 1 lakh): Sasvad, Patan and
Lonavala secured the top three spots respectively.
 Madhyamgram, Kalyani and Haora, in West Bengal, are
placed at the bottom.
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• Best Performing State: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and
Chhattisgarh secured the rank 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
 Odisha is ranked fourth, followed by Telangana, Andhra
Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu,
Sikkim, Karnataka, Goa, Haryana and Bihar.
 Rajasthan, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh were placed at
the bottom in the rank.
vehicles or multiple FASTags being issued for a particular
vehicle, causing confusion and delays at toll plazas.
 Enhance transparency and accountability: Linking one
FASTag to one vehicle helps track transactions and
ensures proper revenue collection for toll operators.
 Streamline toll operations: Eliminating confusion and
discrepancies smoothens traffic flow and minimizes
congestion at toll plazas.

FASTAG
• FASTag (Faster Automated System Tag) is a prepaid tag
that uses Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology
to enable automatic toll collection at toll plazas on national
highways in India.
 It is a cashless, contactless, and secure method of paying
tolls.
• FASTag is issued by various banks and financial institutions
in India. The FASTag is then needed to link with a bank
account, after which one can start using it to pay tolls.
• FASTag offers several advantages over traditional cash or
card payments like it is more convenient, faster, safer and
helps to reduce traffic congestion at toll plazas.
• With a penetration rate of around 98 percent and over 8
crore users, FASTag has revolutionized the Electronic Toll
Collection system in the country.

SWACHH SURVEKSHAN
NFC VS RFID
• It is the world’s largest urban sanitation and cleanliness
NFC RFID
survey conducted under the ambit of the Swachh Bharat
Mission (Urban) since 2016. It is hosted by the Ministry of Short range (up to 10 cm Long range (up to several
Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). or 4 inches) meters)
• It has been instrumental in fostering a spirit of healthy High frequency (13.56 Various frequencies, including
competition among towns and cities to improve their service MHz) low and high
delivery to citizens and towards creating cleaner cities. One-way communication (tag to
Two-way communication
• Theme (2023): ‘Waste to Wealth’ reader)
 For 2024: ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’
Slower data transfer rate Faster data transfer rate
Mobile payments, access Inventory tracking, asset
‘ONE VEHICLE ONE FASTAG’ INITIATIVE control, transportation management, supply chain
tickets management, security
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has
More secure due to short Vulnerable to interception due
recently launched the ‘One Vehicle One FASTag’ Initiative to
range and encryption to longer range and lack of
enhance national highway experience.
capabilities encryption

About:
• Launched by: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
• Aim: To improve the efficiency of the Electronic Toll Collection
(ETC) system and provide seamless movement at the Toll Plazas.
• Significance:
 Discourage misuse of FASTags: This initiative tackles
situations where a single FASTag is used on multiple
MPLADS E-SAKSHI MOBILE APPLICATION
The government has launched the Members of Parliament
Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) e-SAKSHI
Mobile Application for revised fund flow procedure under
MPLAD Scheme.

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 In-Shorts | Polity & Governance
About:
• The mobile app would offer convenience and accessibility,
allowing MPs to propose, track, and oversee the projects at
their fingertips.
• This real-time access enhances decision-making processes,
enabling swift responses to emerging needs or issues.
• The application will streamline the communication between
MPs and relevant authorities, facilitating a more efficient
exchange of information.
About MPLAD Scheme:
• The MPLADS is a Plan Scheme fully funded by the Government
of India.
• The annual MPLADS fund entitlement per MP constituency is
Rs. 5 crore.
• MPs are to recommend every year, works costing at least
15 percent of the MPLADS entitlement for the year for areas
inhabited by Scheduled Caste population and 7.5 percent for
areas inhabited by Scheduled Tribes population.
• Lok Sabha Members can recommend works within their
Constituencies and Elected Members of Rajya Sabha can
recommend works within the State of Election.
• Nominated Members of both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha
can recommend works anywhere in the country.
• All works to meet locally felt infrastructure and development
needs, with an emphasis on creation of durable assets in the
constituency are permissible under MPLADS as prescribed
in the scheme guidelines.
BEYOND BASICS: ANNUAL STATUS OF
EDUCATION REPORT (ASER) 2023
The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023, titled
‘Beyond Basics’, was released recently by Pratham NGO.
About:
• ASER is a nationwide citizen-led household survey that
provides a snapshot of the status of children’s schooling and
learning in rural India.
• The 2023 survey was conducted in 28 districts across 26
states, reaching a total of 34,745 youth in the age group 14-
18 years.
Major Findings:
• The report states that about 25% of this age group still cannot
read a standard II-level text fluently in their regional language.
• It stated that female students are less likely to be enrolled
in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics) stream (28.1%) than males (36.3%).
Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
• Close to 90% of all youth have a smartphone in the household
and a majority of them use it for entertainment purposes with
little knowledge about online safety.
AISHE REPORT 2021-22
Recently, the Ministry of Education has released the All-
India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE), 2021-22.
About:
• It has been conducted since 2011, covering all Higher
Educational Institutions (HEIs) in the country registered with
AISHE.
• It collects detailed information on different parameters
such as student enrollment, teachers’ data, infrastructural
information, financial information, etc.
Key Findings:
• The total enrolment in higher education has increased to
nearly 4.33 crore in 2021-22 from 4.14 crore in 2020-21.
 Out of 4.33 crore, 15.3% belong to Scheduled Caste,
6.3% belong to Scheduled Tribe, 37.8% are from Other
Backward Class and remaining 40.6% students are from
other communities.
 The Female enrolment has seen 32% increase in 2021-22
from 2014-15.
 The Minority enrolment has increased to 38% in 2021-22
from 2014-15.
• The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education for the
age group 18-23 years has increased to 28.4 in 2021-22,,
from 27.3 in 2020-21 and 23.7 in 2014-15
• The top States in terms of Student Enrolment are Uttar
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, West
Bengal and Rajasthan.
• The highest share of foreign students is from Nepal (28%),
followed by Afghanistan (6.7%), United States (6.2%),
Bangladesh (5.6%), UAE (4.9%), and Bhutan (3.3%).
• The enrollment is highest in Arts (34.2%), followed by Science
(14.8%), Commerce (13.3%) and Engineering & Technology
(11.8%).
Number of Institutions:
• The total number of Universities / University level institutions
registered is 1,168, Colleges 45,473 and Standalone
Institutions 12,002.
• 341 Universities/University level institutions have been
established since 2014-15.
• 17 Universities (of which 14 are State Public Universities) and
4,470 Colleges are exclusively for women.
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Faculty:
• The total number of faculty/teachers in 2021-22 are 15.98
lakh, of which about 56.6% are male and 43.4% are female.
• Female faculty/teachers have increased to 6.94 lakh in 2021-
22 from 5.69 lakh in 2014-15 (an increase of 22% since 2014-15)
GUIDELINES FOR REGULATION OF COACHING
CENTRES
Recently, the Department of Higher Education of the
Union Ministry of Education has published 'Regulation of
Coaching Centers 2024' Guidelines.
About:
• It comes following complaints received by the government
about rising cases of student suicides, fire incidents, lack of
facilities in coaching incidents as well as methodologies of
teaching adopted by them.
• The guidelines will provide assistance to the students in any
study programme, competitive examinations, or academic
support.
Key Provisions of the Guidelines:
• Qualification of tutors: Only those with a minimum qualification
of graduation are eligible to teach.
• Misleading claims: Coaching centres are prohibited from
making false claims about ranks or marks to entice students.
 Any form of misleading advertisement related to the
quality of coaching or results is banned.
• Prioritising well-being of students: It prioritises mental well-
being, fair practices, and inclusivity.
 It bars coaching centres from enrolling students below 16
years of age, and stresses that student enrolment should
be done only after secondary school examination.
• Focus on co-curricular activities: It advises coaching centres’
focus on co-curricular activities as well for holistic development
of students, and provides career guidance and psychological
counselling for mental well-being of the students.
• Exit Policy: In the case of mid-course withdrawals, a pro-rata
refund is mandated within 10 days.
CANCELLATION OF FCRA REGISTRATION FOR
NGOS
Recently, the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010
(FCRA) registration of two prominent Non-Governmental
Organizations (NGOs) — Centre for Policy Research (CPR)
and World Vision India (WVI) have been canceled.
54
About:
• The MHA alleged that CPR diverted foreign donations to fund
“protests and legal battles against developmental projects”
and misused funds to “affect India’s economic interests.”
• Since 2015, the FCRA registration of more than 16,000 NGOs
have been canceled on account of violation. Currently there
are 16,989 FCRA-registered NGOs active in the country.
What is Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010:
• FCRA aims to regulate the acceptance and utilization of
foreign contributions to prohibit activities detrimental to the
national interest.
• Origin: It was first enacted in 1976 but repealed and later
replaced with new legislation in 2010. It was further amended
in 2020.
• Provisions of the Act are as;
 Every person or NGO wishing to receive foreign donations
to be registered under the Act,
 Registered groups can receive foreign contributions
for social, educational, religious, economic and cultural
programmes.
 To utilize the funds only for the purpose for which they
have been received, and as stipulated in the Act.
 They are also required to file annual returns, and they
must not transfer the funds to another NGO.
 The Act prohibits receipt of foreign funds by candidates for
elections, journalists or newspaper and media broadcast
companies, judges and government servants, members
of legislature and political parties or their office-bearers,
and organizations of a political nature.
• 2020 Amendment: Prohibiting the transfer of foreign
contribution to any other person or organization.
 Reducing the limit of usage of foreign contribution for
administrative expenses from 50% to 20%.
• FCRA 2022 Rules: In July 2022, the MHA introduced changes
to FCRA rules. These changes included increasing the
number of compoundable offences from 7 to 12.
 The regulations also increased the threshold for
contributions from overseas relatives, which can be made
without the need for government notification, from Rs 1
lakh to Rs 10 lakh. Additionally, the timeframe for informing
the government about the opening of bank accounts was
extended.
• Validity: The registration is valid for five years, after which the
NGO has to apply for a renewal.
• The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) monitors the
implementation of the FCRA to ensure that such funds do not
adversely affect the country’s internal security.
 In-Shorts | Polity & Governance
Importance of Regulating Foreign Contributions in
India:
• Preventing interference in Indian affairs: The FCRA was
enacted to prevent foreign powers from interfering in India’s
affairs by regulating foreign donations to individuals and
associations.
• Transparency and accountability: The FCRA ensures
transparency and accountability which is important to prevent
misuse of funds.
 The MHA has also raised concerns that the NGOsin
India are vulnerable to the risks of money laundering and
terrorist financing.
• National security: The FCRA also helps in safeguarding
national security interests by preventing foreign entities from
funding activities that could be detrimental to India’s security.
Challenges of Regulating Foreign Contributions:
• Administrative Delays: The registration and renewal process
under the FCRA can take a long time which delays their work
and impacts their ability to receive funding.
• Political Interference: The government’s discretionary powers
to cancel registrations or freeze accounts of NGOs have
been misused in some cases to target NGOs critical of the
government, leading to accusations of political interference.
• Hinders social and economic development: Stringent
Compliance Requirements of foreign contributions affects the
social and economic development in India.
• Lack of Transparency: Some NGOs have been criticized
for lacking transparency in their utilization of foreign funds
received under the FCRA.
 Concerns often arise when the specific purposes and
beneficiaries of these funds are not clearly disclosed.
Way Ahead:
• While the FCRA has undergone amendments, the challenges
in its implementation remain, such as the difficulty in balancing
the need for transparency and accountability with the need to
protect the autonomy of civil society organizations.
• Nonetheless, it is essential to continue working towards
effective implementation of the FCRA to prevent misuse of
foreign funds and ensure the transparency and accountability
of NGOs in India.
PRADHANMANTRI SURYODAYA YOJANA
PM announces a solar rooftop scheme to electrify one crore
households with solar electricity.
About:
• The government will launch ‘Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana’
with the target of installing rooftop solar on one crore houses.
Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
• It will not only reduce the electricity bill of the poor and
middle class, but will also make India self-reliant in the field
of energy.
Current Status:
• It is estimated that there are less than 10 lakh households with
rooftop solar installations in the country.
• There was a target to install 100 GW by 2022 — 60 GW from
utility projects (mega concentrated solar parks) and 40 GW
from rooftop solar.
 But, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable
Energy’s website, solar power installed capacity in
India has reached around 73.31 GW as of December
2023, while rooftop solar installed capacity is around
11.08 GW.
 Notably, solar power has a major share in the country’s
current renewable energy capacity, which stands at
around 180 GW.
• In terms of total solar capacity, Rajasthan is at the top with
18.7 GW. Gujarat is at the second position with 10.5 GW.
 When it comes to rooftop solar capacity, Gujarat tops the
list with 2.8 GW, followed by Maharashtra by 1.7 GW.
Need for Expansion of Solar Energy in India:
• Growing demand: India is expected to witness the largest
energy demand growth of any country or region in the world
over the next 30 years, according to the latest World Energy
Outlook by the International Energy Agency (IEA).
 To meet this demand, the country would need a reliable
source of energy and it can’t be just coal plants.
• Fulfill commitments: It aims to reach 500 GW of renewable
energy capacity by 2030.
 The country has increased it from less than 10 MW in 2010
to 70.10 GW in 2023, as mentioned before.
EARLIER SCHEME: ROOFTOP SOLAR PROGRAMME
• Launched in: 2014
• Aim: To expand India’s rooftop solar installed capacity
in the residential sector by providing Central Financial
Assistance and incentives to DISCOMs (distribution
companies).
• Goal: To increase rooftop solar installed capacity to 40 GM
by March 2026 and it is currently in its second phase.
 The government has extended the deadline from 2022
to 2026 as it could not meet the target by 2022.
 However, owing to the scheme, the country’s rooftop
solar has increased from 1.8 GW as of March 2019 to 10.4
GW as of November 2023.
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Edition: February 2024
MINORITY STATUS AND ALIGARH MUSLIM
UNIVERSITY (AMU)
A seven-judge Bench of the Supreme Court (SC) is hearing
the dispute over the minority character of the Aligarh
Muslim University (AMU).
About:
• Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, a Muslim reformer, in 1877 founded
the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College (MAO College) at
Aligarh to address Muslim educational backwardness while
protecting Islamic values.
• MOA not only imparted Western education but also
emphasized Islamic theology.
• The Aligarh Muslim University Act, 1920 (AMU Act) was passed
to incorporate the MAO college and the Muslim University
Association into AMU.
Dispute over the Minority Character:
• In 1951, the AMU Act was amended, removing compulsory
religious education for Muslims and the exclusive Muslim
representation mandate in the University Court.
• The legal dispute began in 1967 when the SC in S. Azeez
Basha versus Union of India (UOI), reviewed the 1951 and
1965 amendments.
 The petitioners argued that since Muslims established
AMU, they had the right to manage it.
 However, a five-judge SC bench upheld the amendments,
reasoning that AMU was neither established nor
administered by the Muslim minority, highlighting the Act’s
enactment through Central legislation.
 This ruling triggered nationwide protests, leading to
the amendment of the AMU Act in 1981, affirming the
university’s minority status.
 In 2005, AMU reserved 50% of postgraduate medical
seats for Muslim candidates.
• The Allahabad High Court struck down the reservation
policy in Dr Naresh Agarwal vs UOI (2005) holding the 1981
amendment unconstitutional.
Case in Supreme Court:
• The apex court is addressing two issues — the criteria for
determining the minority status of an educational institution
and whether an institution established under a statute can
enjoy such status.
• While the petitioners argue that AMU is entitled to the minority
status, the UOI is now endorsing the S. Azeez Basha verdict.
 The judgment in this case will set a precedent impacting
the rights and legal recognition of all minority institutions.
What constitutes a ‘Minority Character’?
• Article 30 in Part III, of the Indian Constitution states the right of
minorities to establish and administer educational institutions.
56
• Features of Article 30 of the Indian Constitution:
 Article 30(1) says that all minorities, whether based on
religion or language, shall have the right to establish and
administer educational institutions of their choice.
 Article 30(1A) deals with the fixation of the amount for
acquisition of property of any educational institution
established by minority groups.
 Article 30(2) states that the government should not
discriminate against any educational institution on the
ground that it is under the management of a minority,
whether based on religion or language, while giving aid.
• These institutions enjoy exemptions from the implementation
of SC, ST, and OBC reservations in both admissions and
employment. They can reserve up to 50% of seats for students
from their community.
• In the T.M.A Pai Foundation (2002) case, the SC clarified that
a ‘minority’ is to be determined by the concerned State’s
demography, not the national population.
RELIGIOUS MINORITY IN INDIA
• The basic ground for a community to be nominated
as a religious minority is the numerical strength of the
community.
 For example, in India, Hindus are the majority community.
As India is a multi-religious country, it becomes
important for the government to conserve and protect
the religious minorities of the country.
• Section 2, clause (c) of the National Commission of Minorities
Act, declares six communities as minority communities.
They are: Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains and
Zoroastrians (Parsis).
• Linguistic Minorities: Class or group of people whose
mother language or mother tongue is different from that of
the majority groups is known as the linguistic minorities.
APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF MINISTER (CM)
JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar took oath as Bihar Chief Minister
for the 9th time.
Constitutional Provisions:
• The Constitution does not contain any specific procedure for
the selection and appointment of the Chief Minister.
• Article 163(1) of the Constitution says “there shall be a Council
of Ministers with the Chief Minister (CM) at the head to aid
and advise the Governor in the exercise of his functions”.
• Article 164(1) says “the Chief Minister (CM) shall be appointed
by the Governor and the other Ministers shall be appointed
by the Governor on the advice of the CM”.
 In-Shorts | Polity & Governance Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024

Appointment of the CM: • CM acts as a vice-chairman of the concerned zonal council

• In accordance with the conventions of the Parliamentary by rotation, holding office for a period of one year at a time.
system of government, the Governor has to appoint the leader
of the majority party in the state legislative assembly as the DEFAULT BAIL
Chief Minister.
The Supreme Court set aside the default bail granted to
• When no party has a clear majority in the assembly, then the
Dewan Housing Finance Limited (DHFL) promoters in the
Governor may exercise his personal discretion in the selection
case related to multi-crore loan scam.
and appointment of the Chief Minister.
• According to the Constitution, the Chief Minister may be a
About:
member of any of the two Houses of a state legislature.
• Under Section 167(2) of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973,
• A person who is not a member of the state legislature can be
a Magistrate can order an accused person to be detained in
appointed as Chief Minister for six months, within which time,
the custody of the police for 15 days.
he/she should be elected to the state legislature, failing which
• Beyond the police custody period of 15 days, the Magistrate
he ceases to be the Chief Minister.
can authorize the detention of the accused person in judicial
Oath Ceremony of CM: custody i.e., jail if necessary.

• The third Schedule of the Indian Constitution prescribes the
“Forms of Oaths or Affirmations”.
• The Oath, usually administered by the Governor, is a formal
pledge to uphold the constitution and discharge the duties of
the office faithfully.
Powers and functions of the Chief Minister:
• The Chief Minister advises the governor with regard to the
summoning and proroguing of the sessions of the state
legislature.
• However, the accused cannot be detained for more than:
 Ninety days, when an authority is investigating an offense
punishable with death, life imprisonment or imprisonment
for at least ten years; or
 Sixty days, when the authority is investigating any other
offense.
• In this case, bail is granted because of the default of the
investigating agency in not completing the investigation
within the specified time, and it is referred to as ‘default bail’
or ‘compulsive bail’.

• CM is the main link between the Governor and the Ministers
and is the head of the State Legislative Assembly.
• CM can recommend the dissolution of the legislative assembly
to the governor at any time.
• After the period of ninety/sixty days, if the investigation has
not been completed and charge-sheet not filed, the accused
person has the right to be released on bail as long as he/she
applies for bail and agrees to fulfill other bail conditions (such
as providing the required bail amount).

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BAIL, FURLOUGH AND PAROLE

Feature Bail Furlough Parole
Definition Temporary release of Short-term release of a convicted prisoner Conditional release of a convicted prisoner
an accused person for a specific reason, typically to attend a before the completion of their sentence,
before or during trial, family event or religious function.Although based on good conduct and potential for
pending further legal furlough can be claimed without a reason, rehabilitation.CrPc does not cover Parole. It is
proceedings. the prisoner does not have an absolute provided by state laws hence it differs from
legal right to claim furlough. state to state.
Granted By Court order It is granted by the Deputy inspector It is granted by the Divisional commissioner.
General of Prison. But it differs in different states. E.g. In Delhi it
is granted by LG.
Purpose Ensure the accused Allow prisoners to maintain family ties, Reintegrate prisoners into society, assess
person's appearance fulfil social obligations, or attend to urgent their behaviour outside prison, and
in court and prevent personal matters. encourage positive change.
interference with trial.
Impact on Bail does not affect the Furlough counts towards the total sentence Parole does not amount to suspension of
Sentence ultimate sentence if served as per Model Prisons act,2023. sentence as stated by the supreme court.
found guilty. But In case of Emergency Parole it is counted
towards the sentence served.

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 Current Affairs In-Shorts | International Relations
Edition: February 2024
INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS
UN STATISTICAL COMMISSION
India started its four-year term as a member of the United
Nations Statistical Commission.
About:
• During this tenure, India, along with 24 other members, will play
an essential role in deciding the "role in setting of statistical
standards and the development of concepts and methods."
About the UN Statistical Commission:
• Established in: 1946.
 It is the highest body of the global statistical system
bringing together the Chief Statisticians from member
states from around the world.
• Mandate: It is the highest decision making body for
international statistical activities, responsible for setting of
statistical standards and the development of concepts and
methods, including their implementation at the national and
international level.
• Role: The Statistical Commission oversees the work of the
United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), and is a Functional
Commission of the UN Economic and Social Council.
• Membership: The Commission consists of 24 member
countries of the United Nations elected by the United Nations
Economic and Social Council on the basis of an equitable
geographical distribution.
 The term of office of members is four years.
• Past Indian Leadership at UNSC: Indian representative Prasanta
Chandra Mahalanobis chaired the commission during its
eighth and ninth sessions in 1954 and 1956, while V.R. Rao
took up the chairmanship in 1976.
Significance:
• India's membership is seen as important as a global youth
leader.
• It comes at a time when international bodies are trying to
create a regular database of parameters under the Sustainable
Development Goals.
• According to experts, the most crucial business India will
participate in is the finalization and implementation of the
2025 System of National Accounts (SNA).
 The current estimates of national income are based on the
2008 SNA, with 2011-12 as the base year.
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INDIA AND CZECH REPUBLIC TIES
India signed bilateral cooperation agreements with the
Czech Republic at the Vibrant Gujarat summit.
Key Points:
• India and Czech Republic have agreed to strengthen mutual
ties and tap into untapped potential for innovation cooperation.
 Their collaboration is set to extend across various areas,
including new and emerging technologies, automobiles,
climate change, and defence.
India-Czech Republic Bilateral Relations:
• Historic Linkages: India’s relations with former Czechoslovakia
and with present Czech Republic, have always been warm,
friendly and have a long history.
 In the medieval ages, the Kingdom of Bohemia (now a part
of Czech Republic) traded with India in precious goods
and Indian spices.
 During the Czech National Revival- a cultural movement
which took place during the 18th and 19th centuries with
the purpose of reviving the Czech language, culture and
national identity, prominent Czech scholars got inspired
by ancient Indian culture.
• Diplomatic relations: They were established with
Czechoslovakia on 18 November, 1947.
 After the dissolution of Czechoslovakia on 1 January 1993,
India immediately recognized the Czech Republic.
• Economic and Commercial Relations: The bilateral economic
relations gained momentum after the Czech Republic gained
entry into the European Union in 2004.
 New mechanisms and diversified interaction thereafter
resulted in revival of bilateral trade to more than US $ 3.16
billion in 2022, from just US $ 86 million in 1993 as per
Czech statistics.
• Defence Cooperation: The bilateral Defence Cooperation
gained momentum with the signing of MoU on Bilateral
Defence Cooperation in October 2003.
 Accordingly, a Joint Defence Committee has been set up.
 The Czech defence companies have been regularly
supplying military equipment to Indian armed forces.
• Science and Technology Cooperation: India and Czech
Republic are working in niche technologies given the latter’s
strength as the incubator of Technologies in strategic sectors
such as defence, nuclear energy, cyber security, AI, Big
Data, nanotechnology, laser etc.
 In-Shorts | International Relations
 In June 2017, ISRO launched Czech nanosatellite
-VZLUSAT-1 (size 20 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm and weight 2
kg), the first Czech technological satellite. Its mission is to
verify new products and technologies on Earth's orbit.
• Multilateral Cooperation: The Czech Republic strongly
supported India’s full membership of the Nuclear Suppliers
Group(NSG) through its constructive role in NSG and in EU
deliberations.
• Educational and Tourism Cooperation: Indology has a very old
tradition in Prague, starting with the establishment of a Chair
in Sanskrit in the prestigious Charles University in the 1850s.
 Indian languages like Hindi, Bengali, Tamil are currently
taught in this University.
 In January 2020 Czech Foreign Minister announced an
expansion in quota for fast track visas for highly skilled/
professionals from India.
 The Czech Republic is a popular destination for Indian
tourists.
• Indian Community: Approximately 9000 Indian nationals-
mostly IT professionals, business personnel and students
residing in the Czech Republic.
DO YOU KNOW?
• The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central
Europe.
• It is bordered by Poland to the north, Germany to the west,
Austria to the south and Slovakia to the east.
• Its capital and largest city is Prague.
• It consists of five main geographic regions: the Bohemian
Mountains, the Sudeten Mountains, the Bohemian Basin,
the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands and the Moravian
Lowlands.
• It has several major rivers, including the Elbe, Ohre, and
Vltava.
IRAN-PAKISTAN CONFLICT
Pakistan has launched missile strikes into Iran under
Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar (Death to Insurgents),
following Iran’s missile strikes in Pakistan.
Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
Where is Balochistan?
• Balochistan is a region with a distinct cultural and historical
identity, divided between three countries: Pakistan, Iran and
Afghanistan.
 The 909-km Iran-Pakistan border, known as the Goldsmith
Line, stretches from a tripoint with Afghanistan to the
northern Arabian Sea.
• The region takes its name from the Baloch tribe. Roughly
9 million ethnic Baloch live on either side of the line, in the
Pakistani province of Balochistan, and the Iranian province of
Sistan and Baluchestan.
• The largest portion of the region is in south-western Pakistan.
It is Pakistan’s largest province, comprising 44% of the total
landmass. It is arid, and the country's least inhabited and
least economically developed region.
Issues of Balochistan:
• Economic issues: The people of Balochistan had long felt their
region was neglected in terms of development and political
representation, fuelling resentment towards the ruling
establishment.
• Political issues: In Pakistan, the Baloch are an ethnic minority
physically and politically distant from the Punjabi-dominated
regime and also in Iran, the majority-Sunni Baloch are a
religious minority who have been persecuted by the state.
• Demand for separate state: Their marginalization in both
countries in subsequent years fuelled several separatist
movements for a “Greater Balochistan” nation state.
Militant Groups Involved:
• Jaish Al-Adl (JAA): The Sunni separatist militant group operates
freely from Balochistan and is fighting for independence in
Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province.
• Baloch Liberation Front and Baloch Liberation Army: Both are
Iran-based hideouts of two Baloch militant groups deemed
as “terrorist organizations” by Pakistan.
Relations Between Iran and Pakistan:
• Before the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, both countries were
firmly allied to the United States.
• In 1955, both of them joined the Baghdad Pact, later known
as the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO), a military alliance
modeled on NATO.
• However, an ultra-conservative Shiite regime took power in
Iran and Sunni -majority Pakistan was undergoing its own
Islamisation under military dictator Gen Zia-ul-Haq. In this
way the two countries found themselves at opposite ends of
the sectarian divide.
• The Baloch militant insurgency has been a long-running source
of tensions between Pakistan and Iran. Both the nations often
accused each other of harboring separatist terrorists.
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India’s Stakes in the Region:
• Traditionally India has stayed neutral in the conflicts within
the Middle East.
• However, the fragility of the Baloch frontier, China’s strategic
presence in Balochistan along with its growing role in the Gulf
are of deep concern to India.
 Beijing's strategic involvement in Gwadar (port city in
Balochistan Region) serves as a crucial hub for the China-
Pakistan Economic Corridor and represents a significant
location for Chinese naval operations in the Arabian Sea.
It is also one of the pearls in the ‘String of Pearls Strategy’
of China.
• Also, India has invested in Chabahar port lying the Makran
coast of Sistan and Baluchistan Province is of concern for India.
AI GOVERNANCE ALLIANCE REPORT ON
GENERATIVE AI GOVERNANCE
The AI Governance Alliance (AIGA) released a series of three
new reports on advanced artificial intelligence (AI).
About:
• The papers focus on generative AI governance, unlocking its
value and a framework for responsible AI development and
deployment.
 In the report “Generative AI Governance: Shaping Our
Collective Global Future,” the highlight is on international
cooperation.
 It also urges a more inclusive access to AI — both in
terms of development and deployment.
 Unlocking Value from Generative AI: Guidance for
Responsible Transformation guides stakeholders on how
to adopt generative AI more responsibly.
 Particularly, it highlights use case evaluation,
multistakeholder governance and transparent
communication.
 The Presidio AI Framework: Towards Safe Generative
AI Model underscores the need for a framework that
standardizes model lifecycle management.
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 It also focuses on shared responsibility and proactive
risk management.
AI Governance Alliance (AIGA):
• The World Economic Forum launched the AI Governance
Alliance in 2023.
• It is a dedicated initiative focused on responsible generative
Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• It is a union of industry leaders, governments, academic
institutions, and civil society organizations to champion
responsible global design and release of transparent and
inclusive AI systems.
About Artificial Intelligence:
• Artificial intelligence (AI) is a wide-ranging branch of computer
science concerned with building smart machines capable of
performing tasks that typically require human intelligence.
• Artificial intelligence allows machines to model, or even
improve upon, the capabilities of the human mind.
• From the development of self-driving cars to the proliferation
of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Google’s Bard, AI is
increasingly becoming part of everyday life — and an area
every industry is investing in.
Generative AI:
• Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence technology that
can produce various types of content, including text, imagery,
audio and synthetic data.
• Generative AI models learn the patterns and structure of
their input training data and then generate new data that has
similar characteristics.
• ChatGPT, DALL-E, and Bard are examples of generative AI
applications that produce text or images based on user-given
prompts or dialogue.
Need for the Regulation:
• Lack of transparency of AI tools: AI and deep learning models
can be difficult to understand, even for those that work
directly with the technology.
• AI is not neutral: AI-based decisions are susceptible to
inaccuracies, discriminatory outcomes, embedded or
inserted bias.
• Manipulation through Algorithm: Online media and news have
become even murkier in light of AI-generated images and
videos, AI voice changers as well as deep fakes infiltrating
political and social spheres.
• Lack of Data Privacy: AI systems often collect personal data to
customize user experiences or to help train the AI models.
• Uncontrollable Self AI: There also comes a worry that AI will
progress in intelligence so rapidly that it will act beyond
humans’ control — possibly in a malicious manner.
 In-Shorts | International Relations
• Safety and Security: AI systems, especially those in critical
domains like healthcare, transportation, and finance, must
meet certain safety standards.
• International Cooperation: AI development is a global
phenomenon, and regulatory frameworks can help establish
common standards and principles.
• Avoiding Misuse: Without regulations, there is a risk of AI being
used for malicious purposes, such as deepfake creation,
cyber-attacks, or autonomous weapons.
• Public Trust: Establishing clear regulations can enhance
public trust in AI technologies.
Way Ahead:
• AI systems can raise ethical issues, such as bias,
discrimination, and invasion of privacy.
• Regulations are necessary to ensure that AI technologies
adhere to ethical standards and do not contribute to social
inequalities.
• These dangers may be mitigated by implementing legal
regulations and by guiding AI development with human-
centered thinking.
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM ANNUAL MEET IN
DAVOS
The 54 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in
th
Davos, Switzerland was concluded recently.
About:
• Every year, leaders from various fields, such as business,
politics, economics, etc., gather in the Swiss town to discuss
challenges facing the world and explore the ways forward.
• The five-day session was held offline for the first time in three
years.
Five Takeaways of the 2024 Summit:
• Artificial Intelligence: Many transformational abilities for
human welfare were discussed, so were the need for
regulation, fear of job losses, the risks of impersonation and
misinformation, and the inequalities it can potentially worsen.
 The overall discussion seemed to be that the positives
outweigh the negatives, and human intelligence did not
face a major threat from AI.
• War and Uncertainty: Business leaders spoke of the risk
posed by a fragile geopolitical situation, wars in the Middle
East and Europe, the threats to global supply chains, and the
uncertainty around food security.
 Yet, no plans or roadmaps for peace were offered about
the Israel-Gaza violence.
Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
• Climate: The need for businesses to adapt to climate change
and for countries to unite for action against it despite
differences was another topic.
 The need for the Developed countries to assist in the
financing of climate action in the developing countries
was discussed.
• China’s Economy: Facing a slowing economy, China tried to
attract more investment from the West, which has witnessed
some cooling.
 At 5.2%, China’s GDP growth in 2023 is still below pre-
pandemic levels, and it is battling American attempts to
isolate it.
• India: India seemed to be the most visible among its regional
Asian peers, with major tech companies staging booths in
Davos.
 Indian business leaders were seen at the forefront of
debates over technology and supply chain issues.
 One of the key takeaways from the Forum meeting was the
announcement of the launch of a Global Good Alliance for
Gender Equity and Equality with the support by WEF and
Government of India.
 The objective of this Alliance is to bring together global
best practices, knowledge sharing and investments in
the identified areas of women’s health, education, and
enterprise.
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
• About: It is an international organization that was founded
in 1971 by Klaus Schwab, a German economist.
• Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland.
• Some major reports published by WEF are:
 Fostering Effective Energy Transition report
 Global Competitiveness Report.
 Global Gender Gap Report.
 Global Risk Report.
 Future of Jobs Report.
19TH NAM SUMMIT
The 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit was held
in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.
Key Discussions at the Summit:
• Israel-Hamas war: The leaders of NAM countries have
denounced Israel’s offensive in Gaza and demanded an
immediate ceasefire during the summit.
 India urged establishing a free Palestinian state and asked
for a two-state solution where the Palestinian people can
live within a secure border.
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• India’s “Vishwa Mitra” initiative: India emphasized its role as a
friend to the world, or “Vishwa Mitra” to global solidarity and
cooperation in his address.
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM):
• NAM is an alliance of developing nations that refuses to
identify with any major superpower during the Cold War.
• History: It has its origins in the 1955 Bandung conference in
Indonesia during which representatives from 29 Asian and
African countries, including many newly independent states that
had been colonized for years, discussed common concerns.
• NAM was established and held its first conference in 1961 in
Belgrade, the capital of Yugoslavia.
• Founders: The movement’s founders are President Sukarno of
Indonesia, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Gamal
Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, and
President Josip Tito of Yugoslavia.
• Secretariat: NAM does not have a permanent secretariat or
a formal founding charter, act, or treaty. After the United
Nations, NAM is the second-largest grouping of nations.
• Members: Currently, NAM membership consists of 120
countries: 53 from Africa, 39 from Asia, 26 from Latin America
and the Caribbean, and two from Europe. It also includes the
non-UN member state of Palestine, and 17 other observer
countries.
NAM VS STRATEGIC AUTONOMY
• NAM did not mean isolation or neutrality. NAM stands for:
 An active role in world affairs (like india’s mediation in
drafting an armistice in the korean war)
 Friendship and cooperation with all countries
 Taking independent positions based on merit of each
issue and requirements of national interest.
• Strategic Autonomy: Strategic autonomy refers to India's
pursuit of an independent foreign policy based on its
national interests, without being overly dependent on any
single country or bloc.
 While NAM focused on avoiding alliances altogether,
strategic autonomy allows India to engage with multiple
countries on an issue basis.
 India is following “multiple engagements” in a multipolar
world.
Challenges faced by NAM in Today's World:
• Changing Geopolitical Dynamics: The geopolitical landscape
continues to evolve, with emerging powers and shifting
alliances. NAM is facing it challenging to navigate these
changes.
• Human Rights: Issues related to human rights and governance
like Crisis in Gaza have gained prominence on the international
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stage. It is difficult to balance the diverse political systems
while addressing concerns related to democracy, human
rights abuses, and good governance.
• Internal Differences: The NAM consisted of countries with
diverse political systems, economic structures, and cultural
backgrounds. Solving internal differences and maintaining
cohesion within the movement is an ongoing challenge.
Relevance of NAM Today:
• Address economic Challenges: After the Cold War, there is
still an economic divide between developed and developing
countries. NAM has significant relevance in today’s world
as the movement now shifts from a political concept to an
economic one.
• To ensure World Peace: The movement plays a key role in
maintaining world peace and preserving the independence
of every nation is equally relevant. It acts as a catalyst to
foster cooperation between South nations.
• Development of nations: It also raises key issues of economic,
political, and social development to achieve the desired
results of moving from developing to developed nations.
Way Ahead:
• Despite these challenges, the Non-Aligned Movement has
remained a forum for cooperation and dialogue among its
member nations, contributing to diplomatic efforts, conflict
resolution, and the promotion of peace and development.
GROUP OF 77
Third summit of the Group of 77 (G-77) and China was held
in Kampala, Uganda. China is not a member of the group,
but often aligned politically with the group that is why it is
often labelled ‘G-77 plus China’.
About:
• The Group of 77 refers to the largest intergovernmental group
of emerging countries in the United Nations.
• It was established in 1964 by seventy-seven developing
countries at the end of the first session of the United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva.
• Charter: The Group of 77 is guided by the Charter of Algiers,
which acts as its institutional structure.
• The Annual Meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of
the Group of 77 is convened at the beginning of the regular
session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New
York.
• Members: The members of the G-77 have increased to 134
countries, the original name was retained due to its historic
significance.
 In-Shorts | International Relations
• Highest Political Body: The Chairmanship, which is the highest
political body within the organizational structure of the Group
of 77, rotates on a regional basis (between Africa, Asia-
Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean).
Major Highlights of the Meeting:
• Crisis in Middle East: Highlighting the conflict in Gaza, the
Secretary-General of UN called for action to prevent a
spillover across the region.
 He stressed the need for an immediate humanitarian
ceasefire, access for humanitarian aid and the immediate
and unconditional release of all hostages.
• Reforms in UNSC: Meeting called for reform of the UN Security
Council, mentioning it does not reflect the reality of today’s
world.
 The Council has 15 members, and five – China, France,
Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States – have
the right to veto any resolution.
• Climate Change: Decided to unite against the climate
catastrophe and urged members to hold developed countries
accountable for climate justice and for leading an equitable
and just transition based on the phaseout of fossil fuel and
massive investment in renewable energy.
TURKEY FINALLY BACKS SWEDEN’S NATO BID
Sweden’s attempt to join NATO cleared a major hurdle
recently after Turkey’s parliament supported its membership.
About:
• This move came after Sweden tightened its anti-terror
legislation and pledged closer cooperation with Turkey on
security concerns.
• For a new country to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO), all the existing members have to approve it. Turkey
and Hungary had been opposing Sweden’s entry for almost the
past two years.
NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANISATION (NATO)
• It is an intergovernmental military alliance (also called the
Washington Treaty) created by 12 countries from Europe
and North America on 4 April 1949.
 India is not a member country of NATO.
• Established in: 1949
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
• Mandate: To provide collective security against the Soviet
Union.
• Members: 31. These countries, called NATO Allies, are
sovereign states that come together through NATO to
discuss political and security issues and make collective
decisions by consensus.
Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
 Finland is the latest entrant in 2023.
 Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty sets out how
countries can join the Alliance.
 It states that membership is open to any "European
State in a position to further the principles of this
Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North
Atlantic area".
 Any decision to invite a country to join the Alliance is
taken by the North Atlantic Council, NATO's principal
political decision-making body, on the basis of
consensus among all Allies.
Background:
• Sweden has not fought a war in two centuries, staying neutral
through the two World Wars and the Cold War.
 However, this neutrality had to be abandoned after Russia
invaded Ukraine.
• With public opinion increasingly in favour of joining NATO, both
Sweden and Finland applied for membership in 2022.
• While Finland’s bid was cleared, Sweden ran into stiff
opposition from Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Reasons behind the opposition to Sweden's bid to join
NATO:
• Erdogan objected to Sweden’s accession, accusing Swedish
officials of being too lenient on militant groups, including the
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and being a mute spectator
when Quran-burning protests were held in Sweden.
• Hungary’s grievances with Sweden include Stockholm’s
negative remarks about the rule of law and state of democracy
under Hungary’s Prime Minister Orban. Orban is also more
friendly with Russia than other NATO nations.
• After Turkey’s move, Orban said recently that he had invited
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to Budapest to discuss
future cooperation in the field of security and defence as
allies and partners.
What will Sweden bring to NATO?
• Once a country is a NATO member, an attack on its territory
is considered an attack on the US-led alliance, and all 31
members are obliged to defend each other (Article 5 of the
North Atlantic Treaty).
 It effectively put Sweden under the “nuclear umbrella” of
the US.
• Once Sweden becomes a member, almost all of the Baltic
Sea coastline, except that in Russia’s control, will become NATO
territory.
 This will provide the alliance strategic bases close to Russia,
make supply lines more streamlined, and make it easier to
defend assets in the sea.
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• Sweden’s military, though numerically small, is modern
and experienced in past NATO missions. Importantly, it has
advanced aircraft and submarine capabilities.
EXPANSION OF BRICS
Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab
Emirates have joined BRICS as new full members.
About:
• It was done as per the decision adopted by the 15th BRICS
Summit in 2022.
• A proposal to admit six countries, including Argentina, into
the bloc with effect from January 1,2024.
• Argentina's new President announced withdrawing his country
from becoming a member of the BRICS.
About BRICS:
• BRICS is an acronym that refers to a group of five major
emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and
South Africa. The term was originally coined by economist Jim
O'Neill in 2001.
• BRICS brings together five of the largest developing
countries of the world, representing around 41% of the global
population, around 24% of the global GDP and around 16% of
global trade.
• Origin: As a formal grouping, BRIC started after the meeting
of the Leaders of Russia, India and China in St. Petersburg on
the margins of the G8 Outreach Summit in 2006.
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 The grouping was formalized during the 1st meeting of
BRIC Foreign Ministers on the margins of UNGA in New
York in 2006.
 The success of the meet led to the crystallisation of an
annual summit under the aegis of BRIC.
 Initially, the grouping was termed BRIC as South Africa was
inducted in 2010 and from there on it has been referred to
as BRICS.
• Summits: The governments of the BRICS states have met
annually at formal summits since 2009.
• Over a period of time, BRICS countries have come together to
deliberate on important issues under the three pillars of:
 political and security,
 economic and financial and
 cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
• New Development Bank: Formerly referred to as the BRICS
Development Bank, is a multilateral development bank
established by the BRICS states.
 The Bank shall support public or private projects through
loans, guarantees, equity participation and other financial
instruments.
Significance of Expansion:
• Strengthening the Group: BRICS currently represents around
40% of the world’s population and more than a quarter of the
world’s GDP.
 With the additions, it will represent almost half the world’s
population, and will include three of the world’s biggest oil
producers, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iran.
• Focus on Middle East: With the inclusion of Saudi Arabia,
Iran, the UAE, and Egypt, there is a discernible Middle East
focus, bearing geo-economic, geostrategic, and geopolitical
implications.
• Representative of Developing Countries: The addition of
new members bolsters the BRICS group's influence as a
representative body of the developing world.
• Voice for Global Governance: The grouping now represents a
larger share of the world’s population and economy.
 However, this only means that the group is potentially a
powerful voice for reform of the arrangements for global
governance and a powerful actor in these arrangements.
Way Ahead:
• As the BRICS operates based on consensus-driven
decision-making, attaining consensus among 10 countries
characterized by diverse economies, geographical locations,
and interests proves to be substantially more challenging
than doing so among the original five members.
• To ensure the continued effectiveness and consistency of
the institution, in the long run, BRICS might opt to focus on
easier-to-achieve objectives.

SOVEREIGN GOLD BONDS
Investors under government-backed Sovereign Gold Bonds
(SGBs) Scheme got an exceptional return with a rise in
market prices of gold.
About:
• Nature and Purpose:
 Government securities denominated in grams of gold,
serving as alternatives to holding physical gold.
 Launched in November 2015.
• Objective:
 Aimed at reducing the demand for physical gold.
 Intends to shift a portion of domestic savings from gold
purchases to financial savings.
• Issuance:
 Issued as Government of India Stock under the
Government Securities (GS) Act, 2006.
 Issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on behalf of the
Government of India.
• Channels for Sale: Sold through Scheduled Commercial
Banks (excluding Small Finance Banks and Payment Banks),
Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), Clearing
Corporation of India Limited (CCIL), designated post
offices, and recognized stock exchanges like National Stock
Exchange of India Limited and Bombay Stock Exchange
Limited.
• Eligibility: Restricted for sale to resident individuals, Hindu
Undivided Families (HUFs), trusts, universities, and charitable
institutions.
• Term and Maturity:
 Maturity period is 8 years.
 Investors have the option to exit the investment after the
initial five years.
• Tax Implications:
 The interest earned on Gold Bonds is taxable in
accordance with the provisions of the Income Tax Act,
1961.
PLI SCHEME FOR AUTOMOBILE SECTOR
The government has extended the tenure of the Production
Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automobile and Auto
Components by one year with partial amendments.
In-Shorts | Economy Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
ECONOMY
About:
• Cabinet Approval: The PLI-Auto Scheme received approval
from the Union Cabinet in 2021, with a substantial budgetary
outlay of Rs. 25,938 crore.
• Duration and Budget:
 The scheme is set to span five years, covering the period
from FY2022-23 to FY2026-27.
 The allocated budget signifies a significant financial
commitment to foster the automotive sector's growth.
• Objective:
 The primary objective of the PLI-AUTO Scheme is to boost
the manufacturing of Advanced Automotive Technology
(AAT) Products in India.
 The scheme specifically targets Advanced Automotive
Technology (AAT) Products, indicating a strategic
emphasis on innovation and technological advancement
in the automotive sector.
• Localization Promotion:
 It aims to facilitate and promote deep localization for AAT
products.
 The scheme seeks to enhance the indigenous production
capacity, fostering self-reliance in the automotive industry.
• Creation of Supply Chain: This not only caters to the domestic
market but also aims at establishing a global supply chain
presence.
• Focus on Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs):
 The scheme is notably focused on Zero Emission Vehicles
(ZEVs).
 This includes Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Hydrogen
Fuel Cell Vehicles, aligning with the global shift toward
environmentally sustainable transportation.
 By concentrating on ZEVs, the PLI-AUTO Scheme
contributes to India's commitment to green mobility
solutions, reducing the carbon footprint of the automotive
sector.
Recent Amendment:
• Duration: Under the amended scheme, the incentive will
be applicable for a total of five consecutive financial years,
starting from the financial year 2023-24.
• Disbursement: The disbursement of the incentive will take
place in the following financial year 2024-25.
• The scheme also specifies that an approved applicant will be
eligible for benefits for five consecutive financial years, but
not beyond the financial year ending on 31st of March, 2028.
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• As per amendments, if an approved company fails to meet
the threshold for an increase in Determined Sales Value over
the first year's threshold, it will not receive any incentive for
that year.
REVERSE FLIPPING
Startups have been planning for Reverse Flipping.
About:
• Definition and Context:
 It is a term prevalent in business circles, referring to the
trend where overseas start-ups shift their domicile to India
and subsequently list on Indian stock exchanges.
 This strategic move involves start-ups that had previously
relocated their holding companies outside India but are
now considering a shift back to India.
 The Economic Survey of 2022-23 recognizes the concept
of reverse flipping as a notable trend in the business
landscape.
• Listed Measures in Economic Survey: It include simplifying
processes related to tax holidays, taxation of Employee
Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), managing capital flows,
and reducing layers of taxation.
• Taxation of ESOPs: Addressing the taxation of ESOPs is
identified as a key measure, aiming to provide clarity and
favorable conditions for start-ups contemplating the reverse
flipping strategy.
• Capital Flows Management: Efficient management of capital
flows is emphasized, ensuring a seamless transition for start-
ups during the reverse flipping process.
• Reduction of Tax Layers: A notable measure proposed involves
reducing layers of taxation, streamlining the tax structure to
promote a more attractive business environment for reverse
flipping start-ups.
INDIA'S PALM OIL IMPORTS
India's palm oil imports rose in December to their highest
in four months.
About:
• Origin:
 Scientific Name: Elaeis guineensis.
 Commonly Known As: Palm oil, extracted from the fruit of
oil palm trees.
• Geographical Distribution:
 The oil palm tree is native to West and Central Africa.
 Extensively cultivated in Malaysia and Indonesia.
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• Palm Kernel Oil:
 It is extracted from the seeds of the oil palm tree.
 Edible Product Manufacturing:
 Used in the production of edible products, including
margarine, ice cream, chocolate confections, cookies,
and bread.
• Culinary and Commercial Applications:
 Palm kernel oil is a common ingredient in a variety of
edible products, enhancing flavor and texture.
 Its versatility makes it a valuable component in both sweet
and savory items.
• Global Economic Impact: Palm oil contributes significantly to
the economies of countries where it is cultivated, playing a
crucial role in the agricultural and industrial sectors.
Indian import of Palm Oil:
• India is the largest importer of palm oil in Asia, accounting for
15% of global imports, followed by China (9%), Pakistan (4%)
and Bangladesh (2%).
• India buys palm oil mainly from Indonesia, Malaysia and
Thailand.
National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP):
• Scheme Overview: It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, with
a particular emphasis on the North East region and the
Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Financial Allocation:
 Total Outlay: Rs.11,040 crore has been designated for the
scheme.
 Union Government Share: Rs.8,844 crore
 State Share: Rs.2,196 crore is allocated as the State share.
• Area Expansion Target:
 Proposed Expansion: The scheme aims to cover an
additional area of 6.5 lakh hectares for oil palm until the
year 2025-26.
 Ultimate Target: The long-term goal is to reach the target
of 10 lakh hectares, contributing to the expansion of oil
palm cultivation.
• Objective:
 The primary objective is to enhance the availability of
edible oil in the country.
 Reducing Import Burden: Achieved through area
expansion and increased crude palm oil production
• Salient Features:
 Assistance for planting material.
 Inputs for intercropping up to the gestation period of 4
years and for maintenance.
 Establishment of seed gardens, micro-irrigation,
vermicompost units, solar pumps, harvesting tools,
custom hiring center cum harvester groups.
 Farmers and officers training.
 Support for replanting old oil palm gardens.

INLAND WATERWAYS DEVELOPMENT
COUNCIL
The Inland Waterways Authority of India, is set to host
the inaugural 'Inland Waterways Development Council'
meeting in Kolkata.
Objective of the Council:
• Comprehensive Development: The primary goal is the
comprehensive development of inland waterways and the
associated Inland Water Transport (IWT) ecosystem.
• Improving Cargo Efficiency: Focus on enhancing cargo
efficiency in inland water transport.
• Facilitating Passenger Movement: Aims to improve facilities for
passenger movement through inland waterways.
• River Cruise Tourism: Promotion of river cruise tourism is a
specific objective.
• Active Participation from States and Union Territories: The
council encourages and involves active participation from
various States and Union Territories.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI):
• Establishment and Legal Basis:
 Year of Establishment: 1986
 Constituted under the Inland Waterways Authority of India
Act, 1985.
• Primary Responsibilities of IWAI:
 Development: IWAI is primarily responsible for the
development of specific waterways.
 Maintenance: The authority is tasked with the maintenance
of the designated waterways.
 Regulation: It regulates the activities on waterways under
its jurisdiction.
• Scope of Authority:
 National Waterways: IWAI's jurisdiction extends to
waterways declared as National Waterways under the
National Waterways Act, 2016.
 Legal Framework: Operates within the legal framework
provided by the National Waterways Act.
• Location of Head Office: Noida
HEDGE FUNDS
Global hedge funds sold more than bought equities for a
third consecutive week.
About:
• Hedge funds pool money from investors and invest in securities
or other types of investments with the goal of getting positive
returns.
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• They are not regulated as heavily as mutual funds and
generally have more leeway than mutual funds to pursue
investments and strategies that may increase the risk of
investment losses.
• They are limited to wealthier investors who can afford the
higher fees and risks of hedge fund investing, and institutional
investors, including pension funds.
MOMENTUM INVESTING
Momentum investing is ruling the performance charts.
About:
• It refers to a style of investing wherein investors purchase
assets such as stocks or bonds that are consistently rising in
price while selling assets whose prices are falling.
• The “buy high, sell higher” philosophy of momentum investing
is in stark contrast to the traditional “buy low, sell high” advice
given to investors.
• Features : Momentum investors buy assets with rising prices
in the hope that the upward price momentum of these assets
would continue, thus allowing them to sell these assets at
higher prices in the future to make profits.
 Similarly, they sell assets that are falling in price expecting
the fall in prices to continue for some time.
• Benefits : Momentum investing can generate high returns that
comfortably beat the benchmark indices.
• Issues :Momentum investing can cause an unsustainable rise
or fall in prices and It can eventually lead to heavy losses for
investors.
WORLD EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL
OUTLOOK: TRENDS 2024 REPORT
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has released
the World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2024
report.
Major Findings:
• Joblessness and the jobs gap have both fallen below pre-
pandemic levels but global unemployment will rise in 2024.
• The Economic Recovery: The macroeconomic environment
deteriorated significantly over 2023.
 Ongoing geopolitical tensions as well as persistent and
broadening inflation triggered frequent and aggressive
moves by central banks.
 Monetary authorities in advanced and emerging
economies implemented the fastest increase in interest
rates since the 1980s, with significant global repercussions.
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• Economic Slowdown: China, Türkiye and Brazil slowed down
considerably, causing adverse impact on global industrial
activity, investment and trade.
 Despite the economic slowdown, global growth in 2023
was modestly higher than anticipated, and labour markets
showed surprising resilience.
• Unemployment Rate: The global unemployment rate in 2023
was 5.1%, a modest improvement from 2022.
 The labour market participation rates had largely also
recovered from their pandemic lows.
 Although the imbalances eased somewhat in 2023,
concerns are rising that these labour market imbalances
are structural, rather than cyclical, in nature.
• Real wages declined in the majority of G20 countries as wage
increases failed to keep pace with inflation.
 In 2023, the numbers of workers living in extreme poverty
– earning less than US$2.15 per day per person in
purchasing power parity (PPP) terms – grew by about one
million globally.
 Only China, the Russian Federation and Mexico enjoyed
positive real wage growth in 2023.
 Real wage growth in India and Türkiye was also positive.
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION
• Establishment: It is an United Nations Agency established
in 1919.
• Members: 187 Member states, including India.
• Mendate: It sets labour standards, develops policies and
devises programmes promoting decent work for all women
and men.
• It is the only tripartite U.N. agency that brings together
governments, employers and workers.
• Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland.
• Major Reports:
 World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO)
 Global Wage Report
 World Social Protection Report
 World Employment and Social Outlook for Youth
 World of Work Report.
Suggestions as per the Report:
• In fast-ageing countries, policymakers need to support the
participation of groups with weak labour market attachment,
notably youth, women and older workers.
• Investment and skills policies need to raise productivity
and potential growth and facilitate more productive use of
technological progress.
• Improvements in sectors and occupations with low pay and
difficult working conditions may motivate workers who left to
come back.
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• Ensuring that internationally mobile workers get matched to
adequate jobs could alleviate some of the shortages.
• None of the structural headwinds facing labour market
adjustment is likely to disappear over the short term,
which makes it important that governments and social
partners engage in supplemental efforts to address these
challenges.
VIBRANT GUJARAT GLOBAL SUMMIT
The 10 th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit was
inuaugrated in Gandhinagar.
About:
• It is a three-day event witnessing the participation of 34
partner countries and delegates from over 130 countries.
• It will also celebrate ‘20 years of Vibrant Gujarat as the Summit
of Success’.
• This year's Summit's theme is ‘Gateway to the Future’.
• The concept of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit was started in 2003.
• The Summit will host various events including seminars and
conferences on globally relevant topics such as Industry
4.0, Technology and Innovation, Sustainable Manufacturing,
Green Hydrogen, Electric Mobility and Renewable Energy
and Transition towards Sustainability.
ATAL SETU
Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Mumbai Trans
Harbour Link (MTHL) or Atal Setu in Maharashtra.
About:
• It is a 21.8-km long six-lane bridge having 16.5 km length over
the sea and about 5.5 km on the land, built at a cost of about
₹17,840 crore.
• The bridge has been constructed with corrosion-resistant
material that promises to stand firm against earthquakes,
cyclones, high wind pressures and tides.
• It is fitted with technology to oversee a smooth commute,
including an Intelligent Traffic Management system, Video
Incident Detection system, Speed Enforcement system,
emergency call boxes etc.
Significance:
• Atal Setu is the longest bridge and also the longest sea bridge
in the country.
• The bridge has shortened the distance between Mumbai
and Navi Mumbai to just 20 minutes which earlier took 2
hours.

GROWTH IN LENTIL PRODUCTION IN INDIA
India’s masur (lentil) production is estimated to touch an
all-time high of 1.6 million tonnes in 2023-24.
About:
• The total masur acreage has increased to 1.94 million hectare
in the ongoing rabi season, when compared to 1.83 million
hectare in the year-ago period.
• Despite being the world's largest producer and consumer of
pulses, India imports certain pulses, including masur and tur,
to meet domestic shortages.
Production of Pulses in India:
• India is the largest producer (25% of global production),
consumer (27% of world consumption) and importer (14%) of
pulses in the world.
• Pulses account for around 20 percent of the area under
food grains and contribute around 7-10 percent of the total
foodgrains production in the country.
• Though pulses are grown in both Kharif and Rabi seasons,
Rabi pulses contribute more than 60 percent of the total
production.
• Gram is the most dominant pulse having a share of around 40
percent in the total production followed by Tur/Arhar at 15 to
20 percent and Urad/Black Matpe and Moong at around 8-10
percent each.
• The main regions with high productivity are Punjab, Haryana,
Western Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal delta region, coastal
Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, coastal and eastern
Karnataka and some parts of Maharashtra.
Reasons for Low Production in India:
• Low Productivity: Pulses have traditionally been a neglected
crop because of the instability of its yields.
 Productivity is the efficiency of resource use, measured
by output relative to input, while production is the creation
or manufacturing of goods or services.
• Residual Crop: Pulses in India are considered a residual crop
and grown under rain-fed conditions in marginal/less fertile
lands, with very little focus on pest and nutrient management.
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• With the advent of the Green Revolution, which promoted
rice and wheat using external inputs and modern varieties
of seeds, pulses were pushed to the marginal lands. This
resulted in decline in productivity and land degradation.
• Lack of Technological Advances: There has been no technology
breakthrough in any of the pulses crops.
• Less Beneficial: Farmers perceive pulses as having a lower
cost benefit ratio vis-à-vis other crops like wheat and rice.
• Penetration and adoption of high yielding varieties (HYV)
seeds are also low.
• Post Harvest Losses: There are post-harvest losses during
storage, due to excessive moisture and attack by stored
grain pests especially the pulse beetle.
Measures taken By the Government to Increase
Production:
• National Food Security Mission: The Department of Agriculture
& Farmers Welfare is implementing the National Food Security
Mission (NFSM)-Pulses with the objectives of increasing
production through area expansion and productivity
enhancement in all the districts.
• Research and Development: In order to increase the
productivity potential of pulses crops in the country, the
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is undertaking
basic and strategic research on these crops and applied
research in collaboration with State Agricultural Universities
for developing location-specific high yielding varieties.
• PM-AASHA: To ensure remunerative prices to farmers,
Government implements an umbrella scheme PM-AASHA
comprising Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency
Payment Scheme (PDPS) and Private Procurement Stockist
Scheme (PPSS) in order to ensure Minimum Support Price
(MSP) to farmers for their produce of notified oilseeds, pulses
and copra.
• Integrated scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize
(ISOPOM) was launched in 14 major pulses growing states.
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna was launched under which states
can undertake Pulses Development Programmes.
INDIA ACQUIRES LITHIUM BLOCKS IN
ARGENTINA
India has acquired the five Lithium blocks in Argentina.
About:
• The Ministry of Mines through Khanij Bidesh India Limited
(KABIL), signed an agreement with Argentina’s State-owned
CAMYEN (Catamarca Minera Y Energética Sociedad Del
Estado).
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ABOUT KABIL
• It was formed in 2019 as a joint venture of state-run miners
NALCO, HCL and MECL to source strategic minerals such as
lithium and cobalt etc. from abroad.
• KABIL carries out identification, acquisition, exploration,
development, mining and processing of strategic minerals
overseas for commercial use and meeting the country's
requirement of these minerals.
Significance:
• The deal will help India strengthen lithium supplies, while
developing lithium mining and downstream sectors of both
the countries.
• It will facilitate diversification of the supply chain for critical
materials towards achieving Global Net Zero goals.
 Nearly 54% of India's lithium imports are from China,
which is around 80% of global supply.
• The agreement supports the Mineral Security Partnership
(MSP) in which India is a member.
Lithium:
• Lithium is a chemical element with the symbol Li and atomic
number 3.
• It is a soft, silvery-white alkali metal.
• Properties: Like all alkali metals, lithium is highly reactive and
flammable, and must be stored in vacuum, inert atmosphere,
or inert liquid such as purified kerosene or mineral oil.
• Lithium is a crucial element in rechargeable batteries for
electronics and electric vehicles, aiding in energy storage,
enhancing battery performance, and promoting sustainable
energy solutions.
MINERAL SECURITY PARTNERSHIP (MSP)
• It is a US-led collaboration of 14 countries that would focus
on the supply chains of minerals such as Cobalt, Nickel,
Lithium, and also the 17 ‘rare earth’ minerals.
• Members: Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany,
India, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Norway, Sweden,
the UK, U.S., and the EU.
• Mandate: To catalyze public and private investment in
critical mineral supply chains globally. It directly addresses
four major critical minerals challenges:
 Diversifying and stabilizing global supply chains;
 Investment in those supply chains;
 Promoting high environmental, social, and governance
standards in the mining, processing, and recycling
sectors; and increasing recycling of critical minerals.
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Global Reserves:
• Chile, Australia, Argentina, Bolivia and China contain most of
the reserves discovered so far globally.
• Argentina, Bolivia and Chile, also known as the ‘Lithium
Triangle’ contain 54% of the world’s Lithium reserves.
 In Argentina the lithium is present in salt pans in the
Atacama desert and neighboring arid zones in the region.
• Lithium Reserves in India:
 In India, there is some potential to recover lithium from
brines of Sambhar and Pachpadra areas in Rajasthan, and
Rann of Kutch, Gujarat.
 Also the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has found lithium
resources in Jammu and Kashmir.
INVESTMENT MODELS
To encourage Public Private Partnership for Build-Operate-
Transfer (BOT) projects, the Ministry of Road Transport and
Highways (MoRTH) organized a conference with industry
stakeholders in New Delhi.
About:
• At present, projects are being awarded on Engineering
Procurement Construction (EPC) or Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM)
due to various challenges in implementation of BOT Projects.
• Many initiatives have been taken for revival of BOT projects
and various schemes like Harmonious Substitution, One Time
Fund Infusion, Rationalized Compensation, Premium Deferment
and allowing refinancing have been adopted in the past.
• Around 53 BOT (Toll) Projects for a length of 5200 km worth Rs.
2.1 lakh crore have been identified and bids for 7 projects with
a Length of 387 km worth Rs. 27,000 crore have been invited.
Investment Models in India:
• Infrastructure development has been a key priority in recent
years in India. Towards this Budget 2023-24 has allocated
around Rs 10 lakh crore towards capital expenditure.
• India will still require $1.4 Trillion investment to reach the goal
of $ 5 Trillion economy, for which various investment options
have to be undertaken.
• There are different investment models available for infrastructure
creation in India. The choice of model depends on various factors;
 project's nature,
 financial viability,
 risk allocation preferences, and
 government priorities.
Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT):
• Private entity designs, builds, operates, and maintains the
infrastructure asset for a specified concession period (usually
20-30 years).

• Revenue generated from the asset (tolls, user fees, etc.) belongs
to the private entity during the concession period.
• After the concession period, the asset is transferred back to
the government.
Advantages:
• Distributes risks and responsibilities between the government
and private sector.
• Leverages private sector efficiency and expertise.
• Reduces upfront government financial burden.
Challenges:
• Ensuring affordability of services to the public.
• Potential for disputes over contract terms and performance.
• Managing risks like traffic or revenue shortfalls.
Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT):
• Similar to BOT, but the private entity also owns the asset
during the concession period.
• Provides more control and flexibility for the private entity in
project execution.
Advantages:
• Greater ownership incentive for private sector investment.
• Faster project development and innovation potential.
Challenges:
• Ensuring asset quality and maintenance standards upon
transfer.
• Balancing private interests with public needs.
Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM):
• Government shares initial project costs with the private entity.
• Regular annuity payments are made to the private entity during
construction and operation phases.
• Revenue risk is shared between the government and private
entities.
• Advantages:
 Reduces financial burden on the private entity upfront.
 Ensures greater government control and oversight.
 More suitable for projects with longer gestation periods or
lower revenue potential.
• Challenges:
 Requires careful risk assessment and allocation in contracts.
 Government needs to ensure timely annuity payments.
Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT):
• Government transfers existing infrastructure assets to a
private entity for operation and maintenance for a specified
concession period.
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• Assets are transferred back to the government after the
concession period.
• Advantages:
 Monetizes existing assets and generates revenue for the
government.
 Brings in private sector efficiency in operations and
maintenance.
 Funds can be used for new infrastructure development.
• Challenges:
 Ensuring asset quality and maintenance standards at the
time of transfer.
 Managing potential toll hikes or service quality issues.
Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC):
• Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) is a
contractual arrangement commonly used in large-scale and
complex infrastructure projects.
• It involves a single contractor taking on the responsibility for
three key stages of a project: Engineering, Procurement and
Construction.
• Advantages:
 Single point of contact simplifies project management and
communication, as the owner deals with only one contractor.
 Fixed price and fixed schedule provides cost certainty
and avoids potential cost overruns for the owner.
 Faster project execution: Streamlines the process by
eliminating handovers between different entities for
design, procurement, and construction.
• Challenges:
 High upfront costs: Contractor requires advance payment
to cover all project stages.
 Dependence on contractor performance: Owner's
success hinges on the contractor's capabilities and risk
management.
Way Ahead:
• As per the Government of India’s ‘Vision 2047’ Plan, a
large number of high-speed corridors are envisaged to be
developed.
• Robust Public Private Partnership in development of the road
sector will play a pivotal role in realizing this vision and will
greatly contribute towards Operation & Maintenance of a
world class National Highway Network in the country.
CENTRE FOR FOURTH INDUSTRIAL
REVOLUTION (C4IR)
Telangana has signed an agreement with the World
Economic Forum (WEF) to establish the Centre for Fourth
Industrial Revolution (C4IR) in the state capital, Hyderabad.
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About:
• It is a global initiative of the World Economic Forum (WEF)
to collaborate with governments, businesses, academia, and
civil society to address the challenges and opportunities
posed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
• The collaboration is geared towards harnessing technology
to drive progress in the life sciences and healthcare sector,
specifically aiming to achieve healthcare targets for the
state's population.
• Telangana aspires to emerge as a hub for health technology
and a global center for healthcare services.
About Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR):
• The term 4IR was coined by Klaus Schwab, executive
chairperson of the World Economic Forum (WEF), in 2016
• The term “fourth industrial revolution” refers to technical
advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, 5G
technology, the internet of things, robotics, biotechnology,
quantum computing, and so on.
• These technologies have opened up new possibilities for
organisations, allowing them to dream large and expand into
previously unthinkable regions.
PUBLIC STOCKHOLDING FOR FOOD GRAINS
India, in the 13th ministerial conference (MC13) of the World
Trade Organisation (WTO) will push for a solution of the
issue on public stockholding for food grains.
Issue of Public Stock Holding:
• Public stockholding programme is a policy tool used by the
government to meet food security and safeguard millions of
its hunger-stricken population.
• As per WTO norms, agricultural subsidies should not
exceed 10 percent of the value of agricultural production for
developing countries.
• However India and many other developing countries have
been pushing for a permanent solution to the issue of
providing subsidies for PSH, as it would allow them to expand
schemes like MSP for foodgrains without worrying about
breaching limits.
Peace Clause:
• WTO members at the Bali ministerial meeting in 2013 put
in place a mechanism called the Peace Clause to tackle the
differences between nations on food subsidy.
• Under this clause, developing nations could not be dragged
to arbitration if they did breach the prescribed limit of 10 per
cent on support to farmers.
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• However, there was confusion over whether the temporary
reprieve would continue after four years.
Concerns of Western Nations:
• Large agriculture commodity exporters such as the US and
Canada are critical of such a move as they believe that higher
subsidies are distorting agriculture prices in the global market.
• It is also argued that public stockholding at administered
prices gives countries such as India an unfair competitive
advantage in trade, contradicting the WTO’s principles of
open and fair trade.
• The US stated that the decision in the Bali agreement had
caused detrimental consequences and enabled India to
become the biggest rice exporter.
India's Stand:
• India, proposed that domestic support provided by a
developing country for PSH programmes should be
considered compliant with the WTO’s AoA (Agreement on
Agriculture) rules and not subject to reduction commitments.
• The external reference price for calculating the subsidy
element is pegged to 1986-88 prices, which leads to inflated
subsidy calculations because existing international prices
are much higher.
• It also argued that it has enacted the National Food Security
Act, 2013, to provide subsidized foodgrains to protect the
interest of the farmers and poor population. Hence public
procurement at subsidized rates and storage is required.
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)
• Establishment: Founded in 1995, it is the successor to the
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
• Members: 164 members, including India.
• Mandate: Its aim is to promote free trade, which is done
through trade agreements that are discussed and signed
by the member states.
• Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland.
WTO’s Ministerial Conference:
• The Ministerial Conference is the WTO’s top decision-
making body. It usually meets every two years.
• All members of the WTO are involved in the Ministerial
Conference and they can take decisions on all matters
covered under any multilateral trade agreements.
INDIA’S TOY INDUSTRY
As per the recent official press release, the toy industry
became a net exporter between FY 2014-15 and FY 2022-23.

Indian Toy Industry:
• Its exports increased by 239% and imports declined by 52%,
turning India into a net exporter.
• The Indian toy industry is among the fastest-growing globally,
projected to reach $3Bn by 2028.
• Domestic market size currently stands at an estimated value
of $1.5Bn. The sector is dominated by small & medium sized
manufacturers. Labor-intensive toy categories like dolls, soft toys
and board games offer significant manufacturing potential in
India due to inherent cost competitiveness and growing demand.
• It is expanding its global presence, with increased high-value
exports to Middle East and African countries.
• The toy manufacturers in India are mostly located in NCR,
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and clusters across central
Indian states.
RISING GAP IN INCOMES
According to a recent report by the State Bank of India (SBI),
India has witnessed a significant fall in inequality over the
last decade.
Key Findings:
• The report claims that the Gini coefficient has fallen from
0.472 in 2014-15 to 0.402 in 2022-23.
• The Gini coefficient falls for regular wage and casual wage
workers, but rises for the self-employed. However, the
changes are largely minimal.
Polarization of incomes:
• The fall in the Gini coefficient is accompanied by a polarization
in incomes. Incomes of the top 10% have grown faster than
the bottom 30%, with polarization largely seen amongst self-
employed workers.
• The category of the self-employed includes own-account
workers, such as individual farmers, roadside hawkers, etc. and
those who are self-employed but also employ other workers.
Gini Coefficient for Different Segments:
• The Gini for the self-employed workers rises from 0.37 to
0.3765, an increase of 1.5%.
• For regular and casual wage workers, the coefficient register
falls of 1.7% and 4.8%, respectively.
GINI COEFFICIENT
Gini coefficient is a gauge of economic inequality, measuring
income distribution or wealth distribution among a population.
The coefficient ranges from 0 to 1, with 0 representing perfect
equality and 1 representing perfect inequality.
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Concern:
• The analysis is conducted on taxpayer data, and a majority of
income-earners fall outside the tax net.
 According to data from the 2022-23 Periodic Labour Force
Survey (PLFS), nearly 80% of income-earners earn less
than ` 2.5 lakh per annum — the minimum taxable amount.
• Only those individuals who earn income from work are
considered in the report. It excludes those who work as
unpaid family helpers, a large proportion of whom are women.
GROUP INSOLVENCY MECHANISM
Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das recently
pushed for a specified framework for the group insolvency
mechanism.
About:
• It is a legal framework designed to handle insolvency scenarios
where multiple companies within a corporate group are
financially distressed.
• This framework addresses the complex interdependencies
between these companies, preventing cascading failures
and ensuring a more comprehensive and efficient resolution
process.
• Many developed countries, including the UK, US, and Japan,
have implemented or are developing group insolvency
frameworks.
• The UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency
provides recommendations for countries to consider
Group insolvency mechanisms when designing their own
frameworks.
Need:
• In the absence of a specified framework, the group insolvency
mechanism has been evolving under the guidance of the courts
in India.
• Also, current insolvency frameworks often treat each company
within a group as a separate entity. This can be problematic
when companies within a group are financially interconnected,
with debts and assets shared across subsidiaries.
Benefits:
• Increased creditor recoveries: A coordinated approach can
maximize asset realization and improve creditor returns
compared to separate proceedings for each company.
• Preservation of viable businesses: The framework can
help identify and rescue healthy companies within the
group, preventing unnecessary job losses and economic
disruption.
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• Enhanced overall economic stability: By preventing domino

 To maximize the value of assets of the corporate debtor
effects and resolving group insolvencies efficiently, the
 To promote entrepreneurship, availability of credit, and
framework can contribute to a more stable business environment.
balancing of interests.

Challenges:
• Complexity: The possible challenges in adopting the group
framework are: intermingling of assets, devising a definition of
a ‘group’ and addressing cross-border aspects.
• Absence of market for stressed assets: On stressed assets, one
major impediment for implementing a successful resolution
plan has been the absence of a vibrant market for stressed
assets in the country. This effectively limits the pool of
• Approach: The IBC has changed the regime from ‘Debtor-
in-Possession’ to ‘Creditor-in-Control’.
 Debtor-in-Possession (DIP): The debtor remains
in control of its assets and operations during the
insolvency process and the existing management
team, with oversight from a court-appointed insolvency
professional, continues running the business.
 Creditor-in-Control (CIC): The creditors, typically through

prospective resolution applicants for stressed assets under
IBC.
• Potential abuse: Safeguards are needed to prevent companies
from misusing the framework to their advantage or to shield
assets from creditors.
• Enforcement: Effective enforcement mechanisms are crucial
for ensuring compliance with the framework and achieving
desired outcomes.
INSOLVENCY AND BANKRUPTCY CODE (IBC)
a committee, take control of the debtor's assets and
decision-making and the existing management may be
replaced by experienced professionals appointed by
the creditors.
• Outcomes: As per the IBC, there are two outcomes:
resolution or liquidation.
 Resolution aims to revive the financially stressed
company as a going concern, preserving jobs, and
maximizing value for creditors.
 On the other hand, liquidation aims to maximize the

• Introduced in: 2016 realization of assets and distribute the proceeds to

 It was introduced in the background of India’s Non
Performing Assets (NPA) and debt defaults piling up and
older loan recovery mechanisms were not performing.
• Objectives:
 To find a way to save a business through restructuring,
change in ownership, mergers etc.
creditors to satisfy their outstanding debts.
• Under the IBC, three classes of persons can trigger the
corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP) which are,
 financial creditors,
 operational creditors and
 corporate debtors.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INSOLVENCY AND BANKRUPTCY

Basis Insolvency Bankruptcy
Financial state where an individual
Legal process granting relief to insolvent entities unable to
Meaning or business can't pay debts as they
meet financial obligations
become due
Legal declaration by court stating an individual or business is
Legal Status Not a legal status, but a financial state
unable to repay debts
Resolved through negotiation, debt Requires a legal process, involving the court system, providing
Resolution
restructuring, or financial management a structured framework for resolution
Management remains under debtor's Involves a court-appointed trustee managing assets and
Asset Management
control in insolvency liabilities, ensuring fair distribution to creditors

Negotiation with creditors for repayment Court-supervised debt repayment plan allowing debtor to
Debt Repayment
plans or debt restructuring repay debts over a specified period or discharge debts

Temporary or permanent financial Typically considered a permanent solution, offering a fresh

Duration
difficulty start after completion of the bankruptcy process

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ENVIRONMENT
EURASIAN OTTER
A team of researchers have discovered Eurasian otter in the
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala.
About:
• Scientific name: Lutra lutra
• Otters are mammals of the family Mustelidae consisting of 13
species.
• Habitat: They are found in every continent except Australia
and Antarctica.
• The Eurasian otter covers the largest range of any Palearctic
mammal.
 Palearctic is a zoogeographical region comprising Eurasia
north of the Himalayas, together with North Africa and the
temperate part of the Arabian peninsula.
• IUCN Status: Near threatened
• It is regarded as a flagship species and indicator of high-
quality aquatic habitats.
PENINSULAR HILL TROUT
Scientists have decoded for the first time the mitochondrial
genome of Peninsular Hill Trout.
About: Peninsular Hill Trout (Lepidopygopsis Typus)
• It is known locally as ‘Brahmanakenda’.
• It is a unique freshwater fish species of the Western Ghats.
• It is known to occur only inside Kerala’s Periyar Tiger
Reserve.
• Threats: Exotic species, pollution and presence of a dam are
the major threats.
• Importance: It is an example of an EDGE species — a species
that is evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered. It is
an example of a monotypic species (a genus having only a
single species), signifying its evolutionary importance.
• IUCN Red List status: Endangered
VULTURE RESTAURANT IN JHARKHAND
A ‘Vulture Restaurant’ has been established in Koderma of
Jharkhand to conserve the declining vulture population.
In-Shorts | Environment Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
About:
• It is an undisturbed area where non-toxic, poison-free
meat and carcasses are provided for vultures and other
scavengers.
• The initiative aims to address the adverse impact of livestock
drugs, particularly diclofenac, on vultures.
• The first 'vulture restaurant' came up in 2015 at Phansad
Wildlife Sanctuary in Raigad, Maharashtra.
 There are four other such restaurants, all in the same state.
Types of Vultures:
• Vultures are one of the 22 species of large carrion-eating
birds that live mostly in the tropics and subtropics.
 They act as nature’s garbage collectors
• Vultures play a valuable role in keeping wildlife diseases in
check.
• India is home to nine species of Vulture namely the Oriental
white-backed, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Himalayan, Red-headed,
Egyptian, Bearded, Cinereous and the Eurasian Griffon.
Conservation Status:
• Schedule-1 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Bearded, Long-
billed, Slender-billed, Oriental white-backed.
 Rest are protected under ‘Schedule IV’.
• IUCN Red List:
 Critically Endangered: Oriental White-backed Vulture,
Long-billed Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture and Red-
headed Vulture.
 Endangered: Egyptian Vulture
 Least Concerned: Eurasian Griffon
Threats:
• Use of Diclofenac: A veterinary nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drug (NSAID) found in the carcass of cattle the vultures feed
on. The veterinary use of diclofenac was banned in 2008.
• Pesticides: The presence of organochlorine pesticide,
polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
and heavy metals were also the major cause of mortality.
• Other threats include lack of nesting trees, electrocution by
power lines, and food dearth and contaminated food.
Conservation Efforts:
• The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has approved an
Action Plan for Vulture Conservation 2020-2025. It includes:
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 Vulture Conservation Centre: Uttar Pradesh, Tripura,
Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu will get a vulture
conservation and breeding centre.
 Vulture Safe Zone: Establishment of at least one vulture-
safe zone in each state for the conservation of the remnant
populations in that state.
 Rescue Centres: Establishment of four rescue centres,
in Pinjore (Haryana), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh),
Guwahati (Assam) and Hyderabad (Telangana). There
are currently no dedicated rescue centres for treating
vultures.
 Establishment of Vulture Conservation and Breeding
Centres: there are nine VCB Centres in India, of which
three are directly administered by the Bombay Natural
History Society (BNHS).
• Involvement of local villagers as ‘gidhaad mitra’ for rejuvenation
and conservation efforts.
HIMALAYAN WOLF
Himalayan Wolf has been assessed for the first time in the
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red
List.
About: Himalayan Wolf (Canis Lupus Chanco)
• Himalayan wolves, also called Tibetan
wolves, which live at more than 4,000
metres altitudes are genetically distinct
from grey wolves.
• It is a unique ancient lineage of wolves
found in Asia
• Habitat and Distribution: It is specifically adapted to life in the
high-altitude ecosystems of the Himalaya and the Tibetan
Plateau,
 The distribution range of the Himalayan Wolf extends
across the Tibetan Plateau of western China and the
Himalayan region of Nepal and India.
• IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable
PAKKE PAGA HORNBILL FESTIVAL
The 9 th edition of the Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival (PPHF)
commenced to protect and conserve hornbills.
About:
• The Festival was organised at Seijosa, Pakke Kessang District
of Arunachal Pradesh.
 It is home to four species of hornbills, namely Wreathed,
Great Indian, Oriental Pied and the endangered Rufous-
necked.
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 The area is the traditional homeland of the Nyishi people,
the largest tribal group in the state.
• It was organised by the Pakke Tiger Reserve and the Pakke
Paga Hornbill Festival Committee, in collaboration with
Wildlife Trust of India.
HORNBILLS BIRDS
• The hornbills are a family of birds found in tropical and
subtropical Africa and Asia.
• They are typically large-headed, with thin necks, broad
wings, and long tails. The plumage is brown or black,
usually with bold white markings.
• India is home to nine species of hornbills. The northeastern
region of India has the highest diversity of hornbill species.
• IUCN Status:
 Great Hornbill (Vulnerable)
 Malabar Grey Hornbill (Vulnerable)
 Narcondam Hornbill (Vulnerable) - Exclusive to
Narcondam Island in the Andaman Sea.
 White-throated Hornbill (Near Threatened)
Threats:
• Hornbills are hunted for their casques i.e. upper beak and
feathers for adorning headgear.
• Tribal people hunt them for their parts for rituals and making
headgears and other decorations and even as a delicacy.
• Habitat loss and hunting are major threats.
• Forest clearance for agriculture.
MAPPING OF DEEP SEA CORAL REEF
Scientists have mapped the largest deep-sea coral reef off
the US Atlantic coast. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is
the biggest tropical coral reef system in the world.
About:
• The reef was found at depths ranging from 200 metres to
1,000 metres where sunlight doesn’t penetrate.
• It uses new underwater mapping technology that makes it
possible to construct 3D images of the ocean floor.
Species for Deep Sea Corals:
• There are only six species that create reefs.
• The most common of these is Lophelia pertusa, which forms
massive reefs throughout the Atlantic Ocean, including the
Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic Bight.
In Comparison to Shallow-water Corals:
• Deep reefs cover more of the ocean floor than tropical and
shallow-water reefs.

 The world’s largest tropical coral reef system, the Great
Barrier Reef in Australia, stretches for about 2,301 kilometres.
• The deep-sea corals need to rely on alternative sources of food
to obtain their nutrition, either by feeding on organic material
falling from the surface or by feeding on small plankton. They
lack algae, because algae cannot survive where there is no
light. These are bright white in colour.
 Shallow-water corals rely on photosynthetic algae that live
within the corals and provide their hosts with nutrition.
These are brown and green in colour.
Coral Reefs:
• A coral reef is an underwater ecosystem characterized by
reef-building corals. Reefs are formed of colonies of coral
polyps held together by calcium carbonate.
• Corals share a symbiotic relationship with single-celled algae
called zooxanthellae.
 The zooxanthellae also give corals their bright colour. The
algae provides the coral with food and nutrients, which
they make through photosynthesis, using the sun’s light.
 Algae provides up to 90 per cent of the coral's energy. In
turn, the corals give the algae a home and key nutrients.
• They provide habitat for sharks, swordfish, sea stars, octopus,
shrimp and many other kinds of fish.
Conditions Favourable to Corals:
• Temperature: The temperature of the water should not be
below 20°C. The most favourable temperature for the growth
of the coral reefs is between 23°C to 25°C.
 The temperature should not exceed 35°C.
• Salinity: Corals can survive only under saline conditions with
an average salinity between 27% to 40%.
• Shallow Water: Coral reefs grow better in shallow water having
a depth less than 50 m. The depth of the water should not
exceed 200m.
Significance:
• Ecosystem value: Coral Reefs provide an important ecosystem
for life underwater, protect coastal areas by reducing the
power of waves hitting the coast, and provide a crucial
source of income for millions of people.
 The pristine and oldest ecosystem of corals share less
than 1% of the earth’s surface but they provide a home to
nearly 25% of marine life.
 Thousands of species can be found living on one reef.
• Economy: Coral reefs have an estimated global value of
£6 trillion each year, due in part to their contribution to the
fishing and tourism industries and the coastal protection they
provide.
In-Shorts | Environment Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
 More than 500 million people worldwide depend on reefs
for food, jobs and coastal defence.
• Protection from Storm: Coral reefs also provide protection
from storm waves.
• Medicinal value: Extracts from animals and plants living on
reefs have been used to develop treatments for asthma,
arthritis, cancer and heart disease.
Threats:
These habitats are susceptible to similar risks, including climate change
and disturbance from oil and gas drilling. These include:
• Damage from drilling muds and oil spills: Deep-sea corals are
often found in areas of oil and gas operations, so there is
potential for damage from drilling muds and oil spills. It may
permanently remove large areas of deep-sea coral habitat.
• Impacts of Climate Change: The increasing temperatures may
shift species’ distributions and increasing acidity may weaken
coral skeletons, particularly in deeper waters.
• Human-caused, or anthropogenic activities: Pollution,
overfishing, destructive fishing practices using dynamite
or cyanide, collecting live corals for the aquarium market,
mining coral for building materials, and a warming climate are
some of the many ways that people damage reefs all around
the world every day.
• Deep Sea Mining: It may destroy deep sea habitats, eradicate
rare and unique species, and introduce sediment clouds,
noise, toxic chemicals, vibration and other forms of pollution
into deep sea.
• It is still an experimental field to harness the polymetallic
nodules (PMNs) such as copper, nickel and cobalt, used for
the production of technologies like wind turbines and hybrid
cars.
Way Forward:
• It is a crucial task due to their importance in maintaining marine
biodiversity and providing economic, social, recreational,
and cultural benefits.
• These include use of advanced science to manage
ecosystem services in marine and coastal areas, identifying
and protecting marine ecosystems, mapping and monitoring
with advanced scientific tools like 3D mapping to help protect
deep-sea coral reefs.
STATUS REPORT OF SNOW LEOPARDS IN
INDIA
India’s first nationwide report, ‘Status Report of Snow
Leopards in India’, was released by the Government of India
recently.
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About:
• The assessment estimates 718 snow leopards in India based
on systematic surveys covering over 70% of their potential
habitat from 2019-2023.
• For this, the Wildlife Institute of India coordinated the Snow
Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) program across
snow leopard range states.
• The SPAI used a two-step approach aligned with Ministry
guidelines. The first step mapped snow leopard spatial
distribution and habitat analysis. The second step estimated
abundance through camera traps in identified areas.
• Until recently, snow leopard ranges in India were poorly
defined and studied only across 5% of their habitat. The SPAI
has significantly expanded habitat surveys to 80% versus just
56% in 2016.
Key Findings of the Report:
• Only 34 percent of the 120,000 square kilometre (sq km) snow
leopard habitat in India is legally protected. Almost 70 percent
of it, crucial for the predator, remains unprotected.
• According to the report, the highest number of snow leopards
are in Ladakh (477).
 It is followed by Uttarakhand (124 animals) and Himachal
Pradesh (51). Sikkim and Jammu and Kashmir recorded 21
and 9 individuals respectively.
Suggestions of the report:
• The report emphasised the need for a dedicated Snow
Leopard Cell at the Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India
(WII) under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
 Its objective should be long-term population monitoring,
organised studies and consistent field surveys.
• For the same, States and Union Territories (UTs) can consider
adopting a periodic population estimation approach (every
fourth year) in the snow leopard range.
 These regular assessments will offer valuable insights
for identifying challenges, addressing threats, and
formulating effective conservation strategies.
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• It also underscored the need to make a revised assessment from
the earlier estimate of 400-700 snow leopards in India, among
the 4,000-7,500 estimated to be present across the globe.
SNOW LEOPARD
• Scientific Name: Panthera uncia.
• Habitat: Cold High Mountains.
 These are found in 12 countries including China, Bhutan,
Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia & Mongolia.
 China has the world’s largest snow leopard population.
• Diet: Carnivore & hunt blue sheep, Argali wild sheep, ibex,
marmots, pikas, hares, etc.
• Features:
 One of the world’s most elusive cats & are perfectly
equipped to thrive in extreme, high-elevation habitats.
 Insulated with thick white-grey coats spotted with large
black rosettes & wide, fur-covered feet act as natural
snowshoes. The tail helps in balancing and also covers
the body while sleeping.
• Threats:
 Increased conflict due to expansion of human
settlement & livestock grazing.
 Poaching for trade in body parts and fur.
 Climate change & shrinkage in habitat.
• Conservation Status:
 IUCN: Vulnerable
 Schedule I: Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
• Significance: The snow leopard plays a crucial role in
maintaining the delicate balance of high-mountain ecosystems.
HUMBOLDT’S ENIGMA
Humboldt’s enigma is one of many puzzles of mountain
biodiversity.
About:
• The world’s tropical areas receive more energy from the Sun
and have greater primary productivity, which facilitates
greater biological diversity.
• Alexander von Humboldt, has observed that mountains
contribute disproportionately to the terrestrial biodiversity of
Earth, especially in the tropics, where they host hotspots of
extraordinary and puzzling richness.
What is Humboldt’s Enigma?
• Humboldt’s enigma held that the earth’s tropical areas don’t
contain all the biodiverse regions. There are many areas
outside the tropics that are highly biodiverse. These places
are mountains.

 There is a relationship between temperature, altitude,
and humidity on one hand and the occurrence patterns of
species (or their biodiversity) on the other.
Indian Scenario:
• In the case of India the biodiversity in tropical areas, south of
the Tropic of Cancer are supposed to be the most diverse in
the country.
 The Western Ghats and Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot lies in
this zone.
• However, the Eastern Himalayas are much more diverse. The
area is often considered the second-most diverse area of
perching birds in the world.
Reasons of High Biodiversity in Mountain Range:
• Geological processes, like uplifts, result in new habitats where
new species arise, so the habitats are ‘cradles’.
• Species on some climatologically stable mountains persist
there for a long time, so these spots are ‘museums’ that
accumulate many such species over time.
• The more heterogeneous the geological composition of
mountains is, the more biodiverse they are.
Examples of Humboldt’s Enigma:
• Coastal tropical sky islands (mountains surrounded by
lowlands), like the Shola Sky Islands in the Western Ghats.
 Here, old lineages have persisted on the mountain tops as
climates and habitats fluctuated around them in the lower
elevations.
 The oldest bird species in the Western Ghats, such as the
Sholicola and the Montecincla, are housed on the Shola
Sky Islands.
• The northern Andes range in South America is considered the
most biodiverse place in the world.
 Different temperatures and rainfall levels support tropical
evergreen biomes in the lower elevation to the alpine and
tundra biomes near the
MELANISTIC TIGER (BLACK TIGER)
Odisha is going to set up a melanistic tiger safari, a first of
its kind in the world near Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR).
About:
• The Safari will give a chance to the tourists to see “the
rare and majestic” melanistic tiger species “found only in
Odisha” and to create awareness about the need for their
conservation.
• Simlipal has the world's highest rate of black tiger sightings in
the world.
In-Shorts | Environment Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
Black Tigers or Melanistic Tigers:
• They are a rare colour variant of the tiger and are not a distinct
species or geographic subspecies.
• The abnormally dark or black coat in such tigers is termed
pseudo melanistic or false coloured.
• The darker coat color of the mutants offers them a selective
advantage when hunting in the dense closed-canopy and
relatively darker forested areas.
Black in Colour:
• Melanism is a genetic condition (mutation) in which an
increased production of melanin, a substance in the skin that
produces hair, eye, and skin pigmentation, results in black
(or nearly black) skin, feathers, or hair in an animal.
• Many royal Bengal tigers of Similipal belong to a unique
lineage with higher-than-normal levels of melanin, which gives
them black and yellow interspersed stripes on their coats.
Simlipal Tiger Reserve (STR):
• Similipal derives its name from ‘Simul’ (Silk Cotton) tree.
• It is located in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district adjoining
Jharkhand and West Bengal.
• It is Asia’s second largest biosphere reserve, and the country’s
only wild habitat for melanistic royal Bengal tigers.
 More than 60% of Simlipal's tigers are 'black'.
• UNESCO added this National Park to its list of Biosphere
Reserves in May 2009.
• Rivers like Budhabalanga, Salandi and many tributaries of
Baitarani river pass from the Reserve.
KASHMIR'S DRY WINTER
The Kashmir Valley and Ladakh are experiencing an
unusual and severe dry spell (Lack of snowfall) this winter.
About:
• Snowfall is crucial for the local climate, winter crops and
horticulture, availability of water in streams and rivers, and for
the local economy.
• One of Kashmir’s main winter tourism attractions, Gulmarg,
has been bereft of snow this season.
 Gulmarg is one of Asia’s largest and highest ski resort
towns.
Reasons:
• Western Disturbances: Winter precipitation in the Himalayan
region is caused mainly by Western Disturbances, which
have been showing a declining trend in recent times.
 This season there was one feeble western disturbance
event in December that did not bring any rains, and
another similar one in January.
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 Western Disturbances typically originate as low-pressure
systems or cyclones over the Mediterranean Sea. As
they move eastwards, they bring significant changes in
weather conditions over the Indian subcontinent.
• Temperature Rise: The temperature in the region is rising.
 For example, Srinagar’s temperature on many days is
comparable to that of Delhi, sometimes it appears to be
even higher.
• El Nino: It has affected the global atmospheric circulation,
and might be contributing to the deficit precipitation in the
region as well.
Impacts:
• Short-term implications: A dry spell can result in an increase
in forest fires, agricultural drought, and a drop in crop
production.
 It can also lead to an early spring, which can cause a
reduction in yield.
• Long-term implications: It includes the generation of less
hydroelectricity, an increase in the rate of glacier melting,
and an adverse impact on the drinking water supply, since
scanty snowfall means very little recharge of groundwater.
WETLAND CITY ACCREDITATION SCHEME
India has nominated Indore, Bhopal and Udaipur for
the Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) scheme under the
Ramsar Convention.
About:
• These are the first three Indian cities nominated for WCA based
on the proposals received from state wetlands authorities in
collaboration with municipal corporations.
• Sirpur Wetland (Indore), Yashwant Sagar (Indore), Bhoj Wetland
(Bhopal), and several wetlands in and around Udaipur are
lifelines to these cities.
• This will provide an opportunity for cities that value their natural
or human-made wetlands to gain international recognition.
Wetland City Accreditation Scheme:
• The Wetland City Accreditation scheme is an ongoing
program administered by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
• The scheme was implemented in 2015 under Resolution XII.10
adopted by the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the
Ramsar Convention (COP12).
• Purpose: To recognize and honor cities demonstrating
outstanding efforts in protecting and managing their urban
wetlands.
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• Overall, 43 cities in the world are accredited as wetlands
cities under Ramsar Convention. Of these 18 were accredited
in 2018 and 25 in 2022. However, India is yet to make it to the
prestigious list.
NOMINATED SITES
Sirpur Lake (Madhya Pradesh):
• Indore is home to the Sirpur Lake – an Important Bird and
Biodiversity Area (IBA) of the country as declared by the
Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) in 2017.
• Commonly named Pakshi Vihar (bird sanctuary), the Site is a
shallow, alkaline, nutrient-rich lake.
Bhoj Wetland (Madhya Pradesh):
• Bhopal is called the ‘city of lakes’ for its numerous water
bodies, most important among them is the ‘Bhoj Wetland’,
which was declared a ‘Ramsar Site’ in 2002.
• Bhoj Wetland comprises upper and lower lakes. The Upper
Lake is a manmade lake created in the 11th century by
the construction of an earthen dam across the Kolans River,
and the Lower Lake was constructed nearly 200 years ago,
largely from the overflow of water from the Upper Lake.
 The Upper Lake is surrounded by Van Vihar National
Park on the south, human settlements on the east and
north, and agriculture fields on the west.
• Bhoj Wetland is also equipped with the world-class
wetlands interpretation centre, Jal Tarang.
Udaipur (Rajasthan):
• It is surrounded by five major wetlands – Pichola, Fateh
Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai.
• These wetlands are an integral part of the city's culture
and identity, helping maintain the city's microclimate and
providing a buffer from extreme events.
RAMSAR CONVENTION
• Signed on: February 2, 1971, in Ramsar, Iran. It is one of the
oldest inter-governmental accords signed to preserve the
ecological character of wetlands of international importance.
• Contracting Parties: 172
• Aim: To develop and maintain an international network
of wetlands that are important for the conservation of
global biological diversity and for sustaining human life
through the maintenance of their ecosystem components,
processes and benefits.
• Global Ramsar Sites: The United Kingdom (175) and Mexico
(142) — smaller countries than India — have the maximum
Ramsar sites. Bolivia spans the largest area with 148,000 sq
km under the Convention protection.
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KRISHNA-GODAVARI BASIN
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has started crude
oil production from its deep-sea project in the Krishna-
Godavari (KG) basin block KG-DWN-98/2.
About:
• The project is likely to increase ONGC’s total Oil and Gas
production by 11 percent and 15 per cent respectively and is
expected to add 7 percent each to India’s current production
of oil and natural gas.
KG-DWN-98/2 PROJECT
• The offshore KG-DWN-98/2 block is located next to the
prolific KG-D6 block of Reliance Industries in the Bay of
Bengal.
• It is located around 35 km from the coast of Andhra Pradesh
in water depths of around 3,200 metres.
• For the project, ONGC employed a cluster development
approach, bunching up the discoveries in three clusters.
Significance:
• Large projects like KG-DWN-98/2 are critical to the country’s
objective of reducing its reliance on oil and gas imports to meet
its rapidly growing energy needs.
• India is the world’s third-largest consumer of crude oil and
depends on imports to meet over 85 percent of its requirement.
• The country is also a major importer of natural gas, as
domestic gas output is able to meet around 50 per cent of the
demand.
Offshore Drilling:
• Offshore drilling refers to the process of extracting oil and
natural gas from beneath the seabed.
 This activity involves drilling wells in the seabed and is
typically conducted in continental shelves.
• Offshore drilling holds significance for India in several ways,
contributing to the country's energy security, economic
development, and technological advancement.
Krishna-Godavari Basin:
• The Krishna-Godavari basin is a sedimentary passive margin
pericratonic (comprises fluvial, lacustrine and paludal
sediments and is characterized by plant fossils) basin
located on the east coast of India.
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GEOGRAPHY
• The basin came into existence following rifting along the
eastern continental margin of Indian Craton in early Mesozoic.
 The basin is bounded by the Eastern Ghats to the east and
the Deccan Traps to the west.
 The basin is divided into two sub-basins: the Krishna sub-
basin and the Godavari sub-basin.
• Importance:
 The Krishna-Godavari basin is an important economic asset
for India. The basin provides a significant source of energy,
minerals, and other natural resources for the country.
 The basin is also a major source of employment for the
region.
 It is one of the most important hydrocarbon-producing
basins in India, accounting for about 20% of the country's
oil and gas production.
 The oil and gas produced in the basin is found in the
sandstone and shale formations.
 It is also home to a number of other natural resources,
including iron ore, which is mined in the region.
 The basin also has a number of limestone deposits, which
are used in the construction industry.
UNION GOVERNMENT INKS MOU WITH MP
AND RAJASTHAN FOR RIVER LINKING PROJECT
Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti
to implement the Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-
ERCP (Modified PKC-ERCP) Link Project.
About:
• The project envisages integration of the long-pending PKC
river link project with the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project,
under the national perspective plan of interlinking of rivers
(ILR) programme.
• PKC: The Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) link project is one of
the 30 links included in the National Perspectives Plan.
• ECRP: The Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) is aimed
at intra-basin transfer of water within the Chambal basin, by
utilising surplus monsoon water.
• Linking of Both Project: Rajasthan came up with the proposal
of the ERCP in 2019, and to utilise water resources optimally,
the Task Force for Interlinking of Rivers (TFILR) discussed its
merger with the PKC link project.

 This integration was approved by the Special Committee
for Interlinking of Rivers in 2022.
National Perspective Plan of Interlinking of Rivers
(ILR) Programme:
• The Government of India formulated a National Perspective
Plan (NPP) for interlinking of rivers (ILR) in 1980.
• National Water Development Agency (NWDA) has been
entrusted with the work of Interlinking of Rivers under the
National Perspective Plan (NPP).
• The NPP has two components, viz; Himalayan Rivers
Development Component and Peninsular Rivers Development
Component.
• 30 link projects have been identified under the NPP.
• Under the Himalayan Rivers Development Component of the
NPP, 3 link projects, viz; Kosi-Mechi Link project , Kosi-Ghaghra
link project and Chunar-Sone Barrage link project.
 It envisages transfer of water from Kosi, Ghaghra and
Gandak rivers flowing down from Nepal to the other rivers
in the State of Bihar.
• Peninsular Rivers Development Component is divided into four
major parts:
 Interlinking of Mahanadi-Godavari-Krishna-Cauvery Rivers:
This part involves interlinking of the major river systems
where surpluses from the Mahanadi and the Godavari are
intended to be transferred to the needy areas in the south,
through Krishna and Cauvery rivers.
 Interlinking of west flowing rivers, north of Bombay and
south of Tapi: The scheme provides for taking water
supply canal to the metropolitan areas of Mumbai; it also
provides irrigation in the coastal areas in Maharashtra.
 Interlinking of Ken-Chambal: The scheme provides for
a water grid for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar
Pradesh and an interlinking canal.
 Diversion of other west flowing rivers: The high rainfall on
the western side of the Western Ghats runs down into
numerous streams which discharge into the Arabian Sea.
Significance of River Linking Projects:
• Reduction of Water Scarcity: Interlinking rivers can help
transfer surplus water from water-rich regions to water-
deficient areas, addressing water scarcity issues.
• Improved Water Availability for Agriculture: Increased
water availability in dry regions can enhance agricultural
productivity, supporting the cultivation of crops and
promoting food security.
• Mitigation of Floods: Interlinking rivers can help distribute
excess water during periods of heavy rainfall, reducing the
risk of floods in specific regions.
In-Shorts | Geography Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
• Increased Hydropower Potential: The construction of reservoirs
and canals for interlinking projects can create opportunities
for hydropower generation, contributing to a cleaner and
more sustainable energy mix.
• Drought Mitigation: By redistributing water resources,
interlinking projects can help mitigate the impact of droughts
by providing water to affected regions.
• Conflict Resolution: River interlinking projects can potentially
reduce inter-state disputes over water resources by providing
a more equitable distribution of water.
Concerns with the River Linking Projects:
• Ecosystem Disruption: Altering natural river courses and
diverting water can disrupt ecosystems, leading to habitat
loss, changes in biodiversity, and potential extinction of
species.
• Displacement of Communities: The construction of dams,
reservoirs, and canals for river interlinking can result in the
displacement of communities, leading to social and economic
hardships for affected populations.
• Inter-State Disputes: River interlinking projects often involve
multiple states, and disagreements can arise over water
sharing, leading to inter-state disputes.
• Financial Viability: The construction of large-scale infrastructure
for river interlinking projects can be economically challenging,
with costs often exceeding initial estimates.
 The return on investment for such projects may take a
long time, raising questions about their financial viability.
• Seismic Risks: Areas prone to earthquakes may face
increased risks due to the construction of large dams and
other infrastructure associated with river interlinking.
• Maintenance Issues: The proper operation and maintenance
of the interconnected water infrastructure are crucial for the
success of these projects. Neglecting maintenance can lead
to system failures and adverse consequences.
Places in News: India
CHILIKA LAKE
The Ministry of Tourism conducts training in Chilika Lake
under the Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme.
About Chilika Lake:
• The Amrit Dharohar Capacity Initiative helps in enhancing
livelihood opportunities for local communities through
harnessing the nature-tourism potential of the Ramsar Sites
across the country.
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• It is a brackish water lagoon situated along the eastern coast • Vegetation characterized by the abundance of Teak trees,
of Odisha. sandal trees, coconuts and eucalyptus.
• It is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest
in the world after The New Caledonian barrier reef.
 A lagoon is a shallow body of water separated from a
larger body of water by a narrow landform, such as reefs,
barrier islands, barrier peninsulas, or isthmuses.
• It has been listed as Ramsar Site as well as a tentative
UNESCO World Heritage site.
 In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first Indian wetland
of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

BELGOROD REGION
Some 300 residents of the western Russian city of Belgorod
have been evacuated following a recent wave of Ukrainian
strikes.

About:
• It is situated in the centre of the European part of Russia, on
the southern and southeastern slopes of the Central Russian
Upland.
• It is one of Russia’s successfully developing industrial and
agricultural regions.
• It borders on the Kursk and Voronezh regions, the Lugansk
People’s Republic.
• It also shares a state border with Ukraine.
• The region is crisscrossed with rivers.
 The largest rivers are the Psyol, Seversky Donets, Vorskla,
Oskol, Tikhaya Sosna and Valui.

Places in News: World • The region has a moderate continental climate with hot
summers and relatively cold winters.

TIMOR-LESTE
The PM of India held a bilateral meeting with the President
of Timor-Leste with discussions covering cooperation in
various fields.

About:
• It is situated 550 km north of Australia, it is the smallest and
more eastern island of the Malay archipelago.
• Capital: Dili
• It is the only Portuguese speaking country independent nation
in Asia.
• North and South costs are divided by mountain ranges.
 Most elevated point is the Ramelau with 2972 m.

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OKINAWA
Japan Resumed Landfill Work at New US Military Site on
Okinawa.
About:
• Okinawa Prefecture is located in the eastern part of the Asian
continent.
• It is the southwestern most point of the Japanese archipelago.
• It is located between Taiwan and Kyushu, the southwestern-
most of Japan's four main islands.
 Okinawa remains under Japanese administration today.
• Okinawa comprises 160 islands of varied sizes and enjoys
warm and pleasant temperatures throughout the year.
• The warm Kuroshio Current flows through the clear ocean
waters of Okinawa, creating an environment in which coral,
fish, and other sea creatures thrive.
• It is the only region in Japan that is in the subtropical zone,
and is blessed with a warm climate all year round.
AIGAI
The ancient Palace of Aigai reopened after a 16-year.
About:
• The city of Aigai was the ancient first capital of the Kingdom
of Macedonia.
• It was discovered in the 19th century near Vergina, in northern
Greece.
In-Shorts | Geography Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
• The most important remains are the monumental palace,
lavishly decorated with mosaics and painted stuccoes, and
the burial ground.
• Alexander the Great was crowned in the ancient Palace of
Aigai.
• It was built by Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, the
tombs of Philip and other Macedonian kings are nearby.
 After the assassination of his father, Alexander was
crowned at the palace in 336 BC.
• The palace and the nearby tombs are listed as a World
Heritage Site by UNESCO.
WILLINGDON ISLAND
The Cochin Port Joint Trade Union Forum has appealed
to the Prime Minister to revive commercial activities on
Willingdon Island.
About:
• It was created during the construction of the modern port of
Kochi in 1936.
 It is named after the then Viceroy of India, Lord Willingdon.
• Location: The island is located between the backwaters of
Kochi (Kochi Lake) and the Arabian Sea.
• Accessibility: It is connected to the mainland by road and
railway bridges. It serves as an important transportation hub.
• Port Facilities: It houses the Kochi Naval Base and the
headquarters of the Southern Naval Command of the Indian
Navy.
• Commercial Hub: The island is a major commercial and
industrial center in Kochi, hosting offices, hotels, and
warehouses. It is known for its vibrant economic activities.
• Naval Infrastructure: Apart from the naval base, the island has
naval establishments, including the Southern Naval Command
Maritime Museum.
• Cruise Terminal: The island hosts the Cochin Port Trust's main
cruise terminal, facilitating cruise tourism in the region.
TORKHAM BORDER
Trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan resumed recently
after the two sides reopened a key northwestern border
crossing-Torkham border, shut for more than 10 days.
About:
• The Torkham border crossing is an important economic and
strategic lifeline for both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
• The Torkham border crossing links Pakistan's western Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa Province to Nangarhar, an eastern Afghan
province, through the historic Khyber Pass.
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• It is one of the busiest border crossings located along the
Grand Trunk Road on the international border between the two
countries.
• Issues:
 The crossing has been a flashpoint for tension between
Pakistan and Afghanistan for many years, due to its
strategic location and the porous nature of the border.
 In 2021, the crossing was briefly seized by Taliban fighters
during their offensive that ultimately led to the fall of the
Afghan government.
 It has been closed a number of times in recent months,
mainly following clashes between the security forces for
varied reasons including repairs of the border fence by
Pakistan.
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BALTIC SEA
Russia blamed Kyiv for attack on gas terminal at Baltic Sea
port.
About:
• The Baltic Sea is an arm of the North Atlantic Ocean.
 It is bound by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland
of Northern Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Europe,
and the Danish islands.
• Surrounded by countries: Denmark, Germany, Poland,
Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Finland and Sweden.
• It is extending from the Danish straits to the Gulf of Finland.
• It is connected to the North Sea through the Danish straits and
the Kattegat, and it connects to the White Sea through the
Baltic Canal.
• It is connected to St. Petersburg by the Gulf of Finland.
 The Gulf of Riga is located between Estonia and Latvia.
• The Baltic Sea is characterized by low salinity compared to
ocean water. It is a brackish sea, meaning it has a mixture
of saltwater from the North Sea and freshwater from various
rivers.
• Islands: It has numerous islands, both large and small. Some
of the notable ones include Gotland and Öland (Sweden),
Saaremaa and Hiiumaa (Estonia), and Rügen (Germany).
 In-Shorts | Internal Security Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024

INTERNAL SECURITY
NATIONAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY (NIA)  Appeal: An appeal shall lie from any judgement, sentence
or order, not being an interlocutory order, of a Special Court
NIA achieved a 94.70% conviction rate in 2023. to the High Court both on facts and on law.
 Every appeal shall be heard by a bench of two Judges
About: of the High Court and shall, as far as possible, be
• Institutional Establishment: The Union government enacted disposed of within a period of three months from the
the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act after the wake of date of admission of the appeal.
the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack in November 2008 and it is  Power of State Government to constitute Special Courts:
presently functioning as the Central Counter Terrorism Law The State Government may constitute one or more
Enforcement Agency in India. Special Courts for the trial of offences under any or all the
• Objectives: enactments specified in the Schedule.
 To be a thoroughly professional investigative agency
matching the best international standards.
 To set the standards of excellence in counter terrorism
EXERCISE 'DESERT CYCLONE 2024
and other national security related investigations at The Joint Military Exercise 'Desert Cyclone 2024' will be held
the national level by developing into a highly trained, from January 2 to January 15 in Rajasthan.
partnership oriented workforce.
 Ensuring effective and speedy trial.
About:
 Creating deterrence for existing and potential terrorist
• It is the Joint Military Exercise between India and UAE
groups/individuals.
 To develop as a storehouse of all terrorist related information. • It aims to enhance interoperability by learning and sharing
best practices in urban operations
• Jurisdiction:
 The law under which the agency operates extends to the  The first-ever India-UAE Joint Air Forces exercise took
whole of India and also applies to Indian citizens outside place in September 2008 at the Al-Dhafra base in Abu
the country. Dhabi.
 Persons in the service of the government wherever they  India has also been a regular participant at the biennial
are posted. International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi.
 Persons on ships and aircraft registered in India wherever
MILITARY EXERCISES
they may be.
 Persons who commit a scheduled offence beyond India Country Exercise Name(s)
against the Indian citizen or affecting the interest of India. Ex AUSTRA HIND, Ex AUSINDEX, EX PITCH
Australia
• NIA (Amendment) Act 2019: BLACK
 It empowers the NIA to probe terror attacks targeting Bangladesh Ex SAMPRITI
Indians and Indian interests abroad.
China Ex HAND IN HAND
 Investigation can also be conducted in other offenses
such as human trafficking; circulation of fake currency; Egypt Ex CYCLONE
manufacture and sale of prohibited arms; and cyber- France Ex SHAKTI, Ex VARUNA, Ex GARUDA
terrorism. Indonesia Ex GARUDA SHAKTI
 The law included Section 66-F of the Information
Israel Ex BLUE FLAG
Technology Act in the schedule of the NIA Act, which
pertains to cyber terrorism and prescribes punishment Japan Ex DHARMA GUARDIAN
extending to life imprisonment. Kyrgyzstan Ex KHANJAR
• NIA Special Courts: Malaysia Ex HARIMAU SHAKTI
 Various Special Courts have been notified by the Govt.
Mongolia Ex NOMADIC ELEPHANT
of India for trial of the cases arising out of offences
committed in various states of the Union. Nepal Ex SURYA KIRAN

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 The Saudi Arabian contingent is being represented by the

Russia EX INDRA, EX AVIAINDRA
Royal Saudi Land Forces.
Singapore Ex SIMBEX
• Objectives: To train troops of both sides for joint operations in
Sri Lanka Ex MITRA SHAKTI semi-desert terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
Thailand Ex MAITREE • It aims to act as a platform to achieve shared security
UAE DESERT EAGLE objectives, enhance the level of defense cooperation, and
foster bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.
UK Ex AJEY WARRIOR
USA Ex YUDHABHAYAS, Ex VAJRA PRAHAR
CYBER KIDNAPPING
A Chinese student who was a victim of ‘cyber kidnapping’
EXERCISE KHANJAR has been found in rural Utah, unharmed.
The 11 th edition of India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces
Exercise KHANJAR has commenced recently in Bakloh, About:
Himachal Pradesh. • Cyber kidnapping refers to a crime where the ‘kidnappers’
convince their victim to hide, and then contact their loved
About: ones for ransom.
• The Indian Army contingent comprising 20 personnel is • Criminals may threaten the victim or their family with violence,
being represented by troops from The Parachute Regiment or they may create fake evidence of a kidnapping, such as
(Special Forces) and the Kyrgyzstan contingent comprising 20 photos or videos.
personnel is represented by Scorpion Brigade.  The goal is to convince the victim to cooperate with the
• It is an annual event conducted alternatively in India and criminals and do what they say, such as isolating themselves,
Kyrgyzstan. providing personal information, or transferring money.
• The ‘kidnappers’, though not physically present, monitor the
Significance: victim online through video-call platforms.
• The exercise will emphasise on developing Special Forces
• Unlike traditional abductions, virtual kidnappers have not
skills, advanced techniques of insertion and extraction.
actually kidnapped anyone.
• The exercise will also provide an opportunity for both the sides  Instead, through deceptions and threats, they coerce
to fortify defence ties while addressing common concerns of victims to pay a quick ransom before the scheme falls apart.
international terrorism and extremism.
• The exercise will also accord the opportunity to showcase Measures to Prevent Cyber Kidnapping:
capabilities of cutting-edge indigenous defence equipment • Secure Your Devices: Keep your devices secure with strong
besides achieving shared security objectives and foster passwords, two-factor authentication, and updated security
bilateral relations. software to prevent unauthorized access.
• Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Messages: Exercise caution when
EXERCISE ‘SADA TANSEEQ’ receiving unexpected or unsolicited messages, especially
those demanding actions or threatening consequences.
Recently, ‘SADA TANSEEQ’, a First Joint Military Exercise  Don't click suspicious links or attachments.
between India and Saudi Arabia inaugurated at Mahajan • Secure internet connection: Avoid public Wi-Fi networks for
in Bikaner, Rajasthan. sensitive activities.
 Use a VPN when on such networks to encrypt your traffic.
About: • Social media privacy: Limit the information you share publicly
• The exercise involved the Establishment of Mobile Vehicle on social media, especially details like home addresses,
Check Post, Cordon & Search Operation, House Intervention travel plans, or family names.
Drill, Reflex Shooting, Slithering and Sniper Firing. • Create Awareness: Discuss cyber kidnapping threats and
• Al Mohed al Hindi: It is an extensive naval cooperation educate family and friends about the importance of online
between India and Saudi Arabia. safety.
• Participants: The Indian Army contingent is represented • Report suspicious activity: If you suspect you're being
by a Battalion from the Brigade of the Guards (Mechanised targeted, immediately report it to the relevant authorities and
Infantry). security platforms you use.

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PROJECT VEER GATHA 3.0
The third edition of Project ‘Veer Gatha’, as part of Republic
Day celebrations, has witnessed an overwhelming pan
India response.
About:
• Project Veer Gatha 3.0 introduced a range of thought-
provoking topics for essay and paragraph writing.
 Students were encouraged to delve into the life stories
of any freedom fighter that inspired them such as Rani
Laxmibai.
 The suggested topics also included the 1857 First War of
Independence, and the significant role of Tribal Uprising
in the Freedom Struggle.
Project Veer Gatha:
• It is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of
Education.
• Launched on: July 13, 2023, as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
• The initiative is aimed at disseminating the details of acts of
bravery of the Gallantry awardees and the life stories of these
bravehearts among the students so as to raise the spirit of
patriotism and instill values of civic consciousness amongst
them.
BUREAU OF POLICE RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT (BPRD)
The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD)
has warned users of different scams perpetrated through
messaging platform.
About:
• It was formally established in 1970 under the Ministry of Home
Affairs giving a new orientation to the existing Police Research
and Advisory Council (1966).
 Over the years,It has also been entrusted with the
responsibility of monitoring the training needs and quality
of training in the States and Central Police Organisations.
• Objectives:
 To identify the needs and problems of the police in the
country,
 To undertake research projects and studies, and suggest
modalities to overcome problems and challenges and
meet the needs and requirements of the police.
 It was also mandated to keep abreast of the latest
developments in the fields of science and technology, both
in India and abroad, with a view to promoting the use of
appropriate technology in police work.
Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
• Initiatives: During the year 2008, the Government of
India decided to create National Police Mission under the
administrative control of BPR&D to transform the police
forces in the country into effective instrument for maintenance
of internal security
VIJAY RAGHAVAN COMMITTEE
An expert committee spearheaded by the former principal
scientific advisor, Prof K Vijay Raghavan, has recently
recommended a defence upgrade roadmap.
About:
• The nine-member Vijay Raghavan panel was set up by the
government in 2023 to review the functioning of the Defence
Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Reasons for setting up of the Committee:
• The government’s decision to review the functioning of DRDO
comes against the backdrop of several of its projects suffering
from huge delays.
 The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, in its
report had expressed concerns that 23 of its 55 mission
mode projects could not be completed in time.
• A year before, in December 2022, the Comptroller and
Auditor General (CAG), in its report tabled in Parliament, had
flagged that 119 (or 67%) of the 178 projects scrutinized by it
had failed to adhere to their initially proposed timelines.
 The practice of seeking multiple extensions defeats the very
purpose of projects taken under Mission Mode category.
• The CAG report had stated, adding these extensions were
primarily sought due to factors like persistent alterations in
design specifications, delays in completing user trials, and in
placing supply orders.
Major Suggestions made:
• More focus on R&D: The DRDO should focus on its original
goal of research and development for defence and refrain
from involving itself in productization, production cycles, and
product management, tasks that are more suitable for the
private sector.
• Concentrate on few sectors only: There are numerous
technologies that DRDO doesn’t necessarily need to get into.
It asked, why should DRDO engage in drone development?
• Identify expertise: There is a necessity to identify expertise
within India and internationally for various technologies.
• Creation of a separate department: Under the Defence
Ministry, the Department of Defence Science, Technology, and
Innovation can be created.
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 This department is proposed to be headed by a technocrat.
 It will promote defence research and development in the
academic and start-up ecosystem and also serve as the
secretariat for the Defence Tech Council, chaired by the
Prime Minister.
• Defence Tech Council: The committee recommended a top
level body called the Defence Technology Council.
Defence Technology Council:
• Chaired by: Prime Minister of India, with the Defence Minister
and the National Security Advisor as its Vice Presidents.
• Mandate: To determine the country’s defence technology
roadmap and decide on major projects and their execution, a
• Executive committee: Chaired by the Chief of Defence Staff.
 The Principal Scientific Advisor, along with the three service
chiefs and their vice chiefs, will also be its members.
• Furthermore, it will include representation from academia and
industry, with two members from each sector.
OPERATION SARVASHAKTI
The Indian Army has launched Operation Sarvashakti in
Jammu and Kashmir, deploying forces on both sides of the
Pir Panjal range to target terrorists.
About:
• The operation will focus on locating the terrorists' hideouts in
the dense jungles, mountains and the caves.
• The Chinar Corps along with the Nagrota-headquartered White
Knight Corps would be carrying out simultaneous operations.
• The operation is reminiscent of Operation Sarpvinash, which
was launched in 2003 to eliminate terrorists from the same area.
Why is this Area Important Strategically?
• The areas south of Mendhar leading to the Pir Panjal range
through Hilkaka constitute among the shortest routes of access
for infiltrators from across the LoC into the Kashmir valley.
• The dense forests and steep mountain slopes offer both
adequate cover and visual domination of the area.
PIR PANJAL RANGE
• The Pir Panjal Range is a chain of mountains in the Lesser
Himalayan region located in the Indian subcontinent.
• It extends between Beas and Kishanganga rivers, from
Himachal Pradesh to Jammu and Kashmir.
• Passes: Pir Panjal Pass, Banihal pass, Sinthan pass, Saach
Pass, Rohtang La.
• The Pir Panjal Pass connects the Kashmir valley with
Rajouri and Poonch via the Mughal Road.
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P-75I PROCUREMENT PROGRAM
Germany has presented a government to government
proposal for the sale of six advanced conventional submarines
to India for the Navy’s P-75I procurement program.
About:
• India and Germany discussed the deal at the highest level
during the visit of the German Defence Minister in 2023.
• Only Germany and Spain technically meet the criteria to submit
bids under the P-75I deadline.
• The deal is being progressed under the ‘strategic partnership’
of the defense procurement procedure.
• Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), along with Larsen
& Toubro (L&T) Limited, have been shortlisted to partner with
foreign submarine manufacturers to make six advanced
conventional submarines in India under a technology transfer.
What is Project-75I?
• Project-75 (India), also known as P-75(I), is a military
acquisition initiative by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
• The initiative aims to procure diesel-electric attack submarines
with fuel cells and Air-Independent Propulsion System (AIP) for
the Indian Navy to build India's naval strength and develop
indigenous submarine-building capabilities.
Difference between Project 75 and Project 75I:
• Project 75I is a follow-up to Project 75 and improves upon the
design and technology of its predecessor.
• The conventional diesel-electric submarines such as the
Scorpene, under Project 75, come with improved stealth
features however, as electrical batteries power them, they
need to surface every 48 hours to be recharged.
• The AIP technology will improve on this in Project 75I building
six submarines that can stay submerged for up to two weeks.
 These submarines may even be larger in size compared
to the ones under Project 75.
• While Project 75 came to just Rs 23,000 crore, Project 75I is
beginning at almost double the budget at Rs 43,000 crore.
India’s Need to Increase it’s Submarine Fleet:
• National Security and Maritime Dominance: India, with its long
coastline and extensive maritime interests, seeks to enhance
its maritime dominance in the Indian Ocean region.
 An increased submarine fleet can help address emerging
threats and ensure the country's ability to respond
effectively to changing circumstances.
• Aging Fleet: Submarines are a key need for India due to its
aging fleet.
 Aside from six recently built vessels, the rest are over 30
years old and likely to be decommissioned in years to come.
 In-Shorts | Internal Security
• Patrolling IOR: To effectively patrol the Indian Ocean, the
Indian navy needs a minimum of 24 conventional submarines
but currently has only 16.
• Modernization and Technological Advancements: The global
submarine technology landscape is advancing rapidly. To
maintain a competitive edge and ensure the effectiveness of
its naval forces, India may seek to acquire or develop modern
and technologically advanced submarines.
Conclusion:
• India, which is part of the Quad grouping that includes Japan,
US and Australia, has been pushing for these countries and
European allies to share technology to build submarines.
• However there’s been a general reluctance to pass on
technology given India’s proximity to Russia and India’s
“Make in India” policy to boost local manufacturing and
create jobs.
INDIA-MYANMAR BORDER FREE MOVEMENT
REGIME
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is planning to
end the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with Myanmar.
About:
• The FMR is a mutually agreed arrangement between the two
countries that allows tribes living along the border on either
side to travel up to 16 km inside the other country without a
visa.
• It was aimed to minimize the historical divide and facilitate
cultural and economic ties.
 The border between India and Myanmar was demarcated
by the British in 1826, without seeking the opinion of the
people living in the region, which effectively divided
people of the same ethnicity and culture into two nations
without their consent.
 People in the region have strong ethnic and familial ties
across the border.
• It was implemented in 2018 as part of the Act East Policy and
was supposed to provide impetus to local trade and business
and boost regional ties.
 The region has a long history of trans-border commerce
through customs and border haats.
Differed Opinion:
• Manipur had urged the MHA to suspend the FMR and fence
the entire India-Myanmar border in September 2023.
 It had already suspended the FMR in 2022 to prevent large-
scale migration of refugees from Myanmar.
Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
• However, Mizoram and Nagaland have opposed this move of
MHA, arguing that the FMR allows the tribes residing across
the borders to maintain their ethnic, social, and cultural ties,
as well as contribute to the economic well-being of people on
both sides of the border.
 They have also opposed the proposal of fencing the entire
border with Myanmar.
Why ending the FMR Agreement is significant to India?
• Security Concerns: There are illegal immigrants, drug
traffickers, and insurgents from Myanmar have been misusing
the liberty of the FMR.
• Control of Ethnic Violence: There have been several instances
of ethnic violence in the region.
 About 200 people have lost their lives in ethnic violence
between the Kuki tribes and the Meiteis in the second half
of 2023.
• Border Management: The decision to end the FMR is part of a
broader plan to secure the India-Myanmar border.
 The government plans to fence the border, similar to the
India-Bangladesh border.
• Regulation of Movement: The FMR allowed locals from both
countries to enter either side up to a certain distance without
visas and passports. This arrangement will be scrapped,
regulating the movement of people across the border.
INDIA-MYANMAR RELATIONS
• Both countries share a largely
unfenced 1,643 km border,
which goes through the states of
Arunachal Pradesh (520 km),
Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398
km) and Mizoram (510 km).
 They also share an India and Myanmar maritime
boundary in the Bay of Bengal.
• India said the whole border with Myanmar will be secured
by fencing like the Bangladesh border.
• India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway: It involves the
construction of a 1,360 km road from Moreh in India to Mae
Sot in Thailand via Myanmar.
• Energy Infrastructure: India has been investing in
Myanmar’s energy sector, including the construction of a
gas pipeline from Myanmar to India.
• Security: India has been providing training and equipment
to Myanmar’s security forces to enhance their capacity to
deal with security threats.
 Operation Sunrise: It is a coordinated effort between
the security forces of India and Myanmar to target
insurgent groups operating along the border between
the two countries.
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AKASH-NEW GENERATION MISSILE

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful flight-test of the New Generation AKASH
(AKASH-NG) missile.

About:
• It is a new generation state-of-the-art surface-to-air missile (SAM) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to destroy high manoeuvring low
radar cross section agile aerial threats.
• It has been indigenously designed and developed by the DRDO and produced by defence public sector units along with other
industries.
• Multiple advanced versions of the missile are under development by the team.

Name of Missile Category of Missile Operational Range

MICA Air to Air Missile 500 m to 80 km
Astra Missile Air to Air Missile 80-110 km
Novator K-100 Medium Range Air to Air Missile 300-400 km
Trishul Short Range Surface to Air Missile 9 km
Akash Missile (3 Variants: Akash 1-S, Akash Akash 1-S – 18-30 km, Akash Mark-II – 35-
Medium Range Surface to Air Missile
Mark-II 40 km
Barak 8 Long Range Surface to Air Missile 100 km
Prithvi Air Defense Exo-Atmospheric Interceptor Missile 2000 km
Agni I Medium Range Ballistic Missile 700-1250 km
Agni II Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile 2000-3000 km
Agni III Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Around 3000 km
Agni IV Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Around 4000 km
Agni V Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Around 5000 km
Prithvi I Short Range Ballistic Missile 150 km
Prithvi II Short Range Ballistic Missile 350 km
Dhanush Short Range Ballistic Missile 350-600 km
Shaurya Medium Range Ballistic Missile 750-1900 km
Prahaar Short Range Ballistic Missile 150 km
BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile 290 km
BrahMos II Hypersonic Cruise Missile 1000 km
Nirbhay Subsonic Cruise Missile 1000-1500 km
Prithvi Air Defense (PAD) Exo-Atmospheric Anti-Ballistic Missile Altitude – 80 km
Prithvi Defense Vehicle (PDV) Exo-Atmospheric Anti-Ballistic Missile 5000 km
Advanced Air Defense (AAD)/Ashwin
Endoatmospheric Anti-Ballistic Missile Altitude – 30 km
Ballistic Missile Interceptor
Sagarika (K-15) Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile Around 750 km
K–4 Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile Around 3000 km
K–5 Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile Around 5000 km
Amogha Anti Tank Guided Missile 2.8 km
Nag Anti Tank Guided Missile 500 m – 4 km
Helina Anti Tank Guided Missile 7 – 10 km

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SCIENCE &
TECHNOLOGY
RADIOCARBON DATING
Radiocarbon dating helped establish the age and
authenticity of the famous Dead Sea.
About:
• Radiocarbon dating, or carbon-14 dating, is a scientific
method that can accurately determine the age of organic
materials.
• It was developed in the late 1940s by Willard Libby, the
technique is based on the decay of the carbon-14 isotope.
How does Radiocarbon Dating Work?
• It starts with cosmic rays—subatomic particles of matter that
continuously rain upon Earth from all directions.
• When cosmic rays reach Earth’s upper atmosphere, physical
and chemical interactions form the radioactive isotope
carbon-14.
• Living organisms absorb this carbon-14 into their tissue. Once
they die, the absorption stops, and the carbon-14 begins very
slowly to change into other atoms at a predictable rate.
• By measuring how much carbon-14 remains, scientists can
estimate how long a particular organic object has been dead.
Limitations:
• Radiocarbon dating works on organic materials up to about
60,000 years of age.
• Conventional radiocarbon dating requires samples of 10 to
100 grams (0.35 to 3.5 ounces) of an object, depending on
the material in question.
 Newer forms of dating can use much smaller amounts,
down to 20 to 50 milligrams or 0.0007 to 0.0018 ounces.
• Radiocarbon samples are also easily contaminated, so
to provide accurate dates, they must be clean and well-
preserved.
Important discoveries carbon-14 testing revealed:
• The breakthrough introduced a new scientific rigor to
archaeology, allowing archaeologists to put together a history
of humans across the world.
• Carbon dating has helped us reveal how our bodies work,
to understand the climate of the Earth and reconstruct
its history, and to track the sun’s activity and the Earth’s
magnetic fields.
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• Radiocarbon dating was also instrumental in the discovery of
human-caused climate change, as scientists used it to track
the sources of carbon in the atmosphere over time.
MANY-BODY PHYSICS
Many-body physics has emerged as a new area of research
in recent years.
About:
• Many-body physics is a realm of exploration, delves into the
intricacies of interacting particles and seeks to understand
the emergent properties that arise from their collective
behavior.
 For example, a many-body physicist would be interested
in what happens to a group of water molecules when water
changes to ice, rather than studying an individual water
molecule in great detail.
• Many-body physics concerns systems composed of numerous
interacting particles, ranging from simple molecules to complex
materials like superconductors and biological systems.
• Since 2019, methods of physics have been applied to traffic,
crime, epidemic processes, vaccination, cooperation, climate
inaction and moral behavior, to name a few.
• A recent study modeled the dynamics of how online hate
communities form and develop, with mathematical equations
used to describe the behaviour of shock waves in fluids.
Significance:
Understanding many-body systems holds potential for
groundbreaking discoveries across various fields:
• Materials science: Developing advanced materials with
tailored properties, like high-temperature superconductors
and efficient solar cells.
• Nanotechnology: Manipulating matter at the atomic and
molecular level to create novel devices and functionalities.
• Biology: Unveiling the secrets of protein folding, enzyme
function, and cellular processes.
• Astrophysics: Simulating complex stellar behavior and the
formation of galaxies.
Approaches and Tools:
• Quantum mechanics: Provides the fundamental framework for
understanding the behavior of interacting particles.
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• Computational methods: Numerical simulations utilizing
powerful computers to explore the behavior of these systems.
• Approximate methods: Techniques like perturbation theory
and variational approaches provide insights even when exact
solutions are elusive.
Applications:
• Collective behaviours: Physicists explain collective
phenomena like bird flocking, fish schooling and the spread of
infectious diseases.
• Traffic: While different locations in the world have different
drivers, vehicles, and rules that govern their movement on a
highway, a physicist or a mathematician might come up with
some kind of predictability in terms of the science.
• Study cultural evolution and social norms and beliefs: At the
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, social physicists and
mathematicians attempt to “generalise and bring together”
different theories and models of social processes.
• Study online hate groups: Online hate communities are
opposed to something and are distinct from other online
communities as they grow quickly.
 Scholars have called this volatile behaviour “online
turbulence”. In physics, ‘turbulence’ is fluid movement
characterised by chaotic changes in the pressure and
velocity.
SQUARE KILOMETRE ARRAY OBSERVATORY
(SKAO)
India has approved to join the SKAO project, accompanied
by a financial commitment of Rs 1,250 crore.
About:
• Organisations from 14 countries are members of the SKA
Organisation – Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany,
India, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, South Africa, Sweden,
Switzerland, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
• Headquarters: United Kingdom
• Mandate:
 Its aim is to build and operate cutting-edge radio
telescopes to transform the understanding of the Universe.
 It will explore the formation and evolution of galaxies,
fundamental physics in extreme environments and the
origins of life.
Indian Engagement in SKAO:
• India, through the Pune-based National Centre for Radio
Astrophysics (NCRA) has been involved in the development of
SKA since its inception in the 1990s.
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• India’s main contribution is in the development, and operation,
of the Telescope Manager element, the “neural network” or
the software that will make the telescope work.
GIANT METREWAVE RADIO TELESCOPE (GMRT)
• It is operated by the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics
(NCRA), a part of the Tata Institute of Fundamental
Research.
• GMRT is the world’s largest and most sensitive radio
telescope operating within the 110-1,460 MegaHertz
frequency range.
• Significance: GMRT was among the six top radio telescopes
used to enable the detection of the nano-hertz gravitational
waves for the first time.
 Such waves are expected to originate from a large
number of dancing monster black hole pairs, several
million times heavier than the Sun.
“PRITHVI VIGYAN (PRITHVI)” SCHEME
The Union Cabinet cleared a ₹4,797-crore programme
called ‘Prithvi’ (Earth) that is expected to subsume five
existing schemes of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
About:
• It encompasses five ongoing sub-schemes of the Ministry of
Earth Sciences (MoES), like:
 Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing
Systems & Services (ACROSS);
 Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources and
Technology (O-SMART);
 Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER);
 Seismology and Geosciences (SAGE); and,
 Research, Education, Training and Outreach (REACHOUT)
Objectives:
• Augmentation and sustenance of long-term observations of
the atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere and solid
earth to record the vital signs of the Earth System and change;
• Development of modelling systems for understanding
and predicting weather, ocean and climate hazards and
understanding the science of climate change;
• Exploration polar and high seas regions of the Earth towards
discovery of new phenomena and resources;
Significance:
• PRITHVI offers sophisticated early warning services for
natural disasters such as cyclones, floods, heatwaves,
and earthquakes, enabling swift and efficient disaster
management.
 In-Shorts | Science & Technology
• Moreover, the initiative guarantees accurate weather
predictions for both terrestrial and marine environments,
promoting safety measures and reducing property damage
during challenging weather situations.
• PRITHVI's coverage extends to the exploration of Earth's
three poles—the Arctic, Antarctic, and Himalayas—providing
valuable insights and knowledge about these regions.
• The program actively supports the advancement of
technology for the exploration and sustainable utilization of
oceanic resources, aligning with contemporary developments
in Earth Science.
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY IN LK-99
A group of scientists have reported finding a sign of
superconductivity in a material called LK-99 at room-
temperature.
About:
• A superconductor is a material that can conduct electricity
or transport electrons from one atom to another with no
resistance.
• This happens at temperatures between 240 K and 275 K, that
is, approximately between –33 degrees Celsius and 2 degrees
Celsius.
• This means no heat, sound or any other form of energy
would be released from the material when it has reached the
temperature at which the material becomes superconductive.
Properties of Superconductor:
• Electronic effect: The material will transport an electric current
with zero resistance.
• Thermodynamic effect: The electronic specific heat drops
drastically at the superconducting transition temperature.
 The specific heat is the heat required to increase the
temperature of the electrons in the material by 1 degree
Celsius drops.
• Spectroscopic effect: The electrons in the material are
forbidden from attaining certain energy levels, even if they
could when the material wasn’t a superconductor.
• Meissner effect: A material transitioning to its superconducting
state, will expel any magnetic field in its bulk to the surface.
This expulsion is called the Meissner effect.
Types of Superconductors:
• There are two types of superconductors, depending on how
they respond to a magnetic field.
 Type I superconductors: If the magnetic field applied to
a superconductor becomes too strong, the material will
completely lose its superconducting state and allow the
field to penetrate its body.
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 Type II superconductors: When the magnetic field strength
crosses a threshold, the extent of superconductivity inside
the material will gradually drop until, at a higher second
threshold, it vanishes completely.
Applications:
• Magnetic Levitation (Maglev) Trains: Superconducting
magnets enable the development of Maglev trains, which
use magnetic repulsion to lift and propel the train above
the tracks, minimizing friction and allowing for high-speed
travel.
• Electric Power Transmission: Superconductors can transmit
electrical power with minimal loss, making them ideal for
applications where efficiency is crucial.
• SQUIDS (Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices) can
be used to take magnetic cardiograms based on magnetic
fields generated by electric currents in the heart.
• Power Grids and Fault Current Limiters: Superconductors can
be employed to enhance the efficiency of power grids and
act as fault current limiters, preventing damage to electrical
equipment during power surges or faults.
PEREGRINE MISSION ONE
Peregrine Mission One, suffered a technical issue within the
propulsion system that caused a critical loss of propellant.
About:
• The mission is a lunar landing mission from private spaceflight
company Astrobotic and partially funded by NASA.
• The mission carried Peregrine lander, a cargo transport craft,
capable of carrying multiple payloads from different clients to
the surface at the same time.
• The aim of the mission is to pave the way for the Artemis
programme, which hopes to set humans on the lunar surface
by the end of the decade.
• The mission carries payloads:
 Near Infrared Volatile Spectrometer System (NIRVSS)
 Linear Energy Transfer Spectrometer (LETS)
 Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA)
 PROSPECT Ion-Trap Mass Spectrometer for Lunar
Surface Volatiles (PITMS)
 Navigation Doppler Lidar (NDL)
NISAR SATELLITE
Indo-US satellite- NISAR is to study Earth’s cryospheric
changes which will help in natural resource, hazard
management.
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About the NISAR:
• NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) represents a
first-of-its-kind collaboration between NASA and ISRO for an
Earth-observing mission.
• The radar satellite is set to launch in 2024
• The goal of NISAR is to make global measurements of the
causes and consequences of land surface changes using
advanced radar imaging.
• Collaboration: NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory will lead the
US component and provide the mission’s L-band SAR.
 ISRO’s UR Rao Satellite Centre and Space Applications
Centre will contribute the spacecraft bus, launch vehicle
and S-band SAR electronics.
• It will employ two radar systems, an L-band and an S-band, to
penetrate clouds and darkness, offering comprehensive data
even during polar winter nights.
• NISAR will cover nearly all of the planet’s land and ice surfaces
every 12 days.
Applications of NISAR:
• Snow studies: The L-band radar is particularly adept at
penetrating snow, offering insights into the movement of ice
beneath, while the S-band radar focuses on snow moisture,
indicating areas of melting.
• Glaciers: Beyond polar ice, NISAR will track changes in
mountain glaciers, which have significantly contributed to sea
level rise since the 1960s.
• Wetlands: This mission is distinguished by its ability to track
a variety of Earth’s vital signs, ranging from the health of
wetlands to the impacts of deforestation and natural hazards.
• Geophysical dynamics: The measurements will also enable
scientists to closely study what happens where ice and ocean
meet.
 For example, when parts of an ice sheet sit on ground that
is below sea level, saltwater can seep under the ice and
increase melting and instability.
• Southern ocean: The mission’s extensive coverage of the
Southern Ocean is unprecedented and will offer new insights
into these crucial areas.
Significance:
• This initiative comes at a crucial time, as recent satellite
imagery from East Antarctica has shown significant glacial
collapse, highlighting the urgent need for detailed monitoring.
• The mission will also provide a ‘time-lapse movie’ of ice sheets,
offering a consistent view of their motion, thus aiding in
predictions of future changes. This is important to understand
and predict the dynamics of ice sheets.
• The satellite’s all-weather capability is particularly beneficial
for monitoring regions like the Himalayas, where cloud cover
can hinder data collection.
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NORTH KOREA TESTED SOLID-FUEL MISSILES
North Korea has tested a new solid-fuel Intercontinental
Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
What is Solid-Fuel Technology?
• Solid fuel missiles are rockets that use a prepackaged
propellant mixture of fuel and oxidiser, as opposed to liquid-
fueled missiles which require separate tanks for fuel and
oxidizer.
• Metallic powders such as aluminum often serve as the fuel,
and ammonium perchlorate, which is the salt of perchloric
acid and ammonia, is the most common oxidiser.
• The fuel and oxidiser are bound together by a hard rubbery
material and packed into a metal casing.
• When solid propellant burns, oxygen from the ammonium
perchlorate combines with aluminum to generate enormous
amounts of energy and temperatures, creating thrust and
lifting the missile from the launch pad.
Advantages of Solid Fuel:
• Faster deployment: Solid fuel missiles require minimal
preparation time, as fueling is not necessary. This allows for
quicker launches, making them harder to pre-empt or target.
• Increased survivability: Solid fuel is more stable and less
susceptible to damage compared to liquid fuels, making the
missiles more resistant to pre-emptive strikes.
• Easier storage and maintenance: Solid fuel has a longer shelf
life and requires less maintenance compared to liquid fuels,
simplifying storage and reducing logistical burdens.
• The missiles can fly at unpredictable trajectories and change
direction in flight, making them harder to track and intercept.
They can also carry multiple warheads or decoys to confuse
the enemy’s radars and sensors.
SOLID FUEL BASED MISSILES OF INDIA
• Agni Series: Strategic ballistic missiles with solid
propulsion, varying from intermediate to intercontinental
range. Designed for nuclear and conventional warheads,
mobile via road or rail. Later models may include hybrid
propulsion stages.
• Prithvi Series: Tactical short-range ballistic missiles, with
Prithvi III (Dhanush) being solid-fueled. Intended for
various targets.
• Shaurya Missile: Canister-launched, hypersonic, solid-
fueled missile with 700 to 1900 km range. Features high
mobility, stealth, and designed for conventional and
nuclear warheads.
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• Prahaar (Pragati) Missile: Quick-reaction, tactical surface-
to-surface missile with solid fuel. Fills gap between Pinaka
rocket and Prithvi missile, known for precision and quick
deployment.
• Astra Missile: India's first indigenous air-to-air missile with
solid-fuel rocket motor. Designed to engage supersonic
aircraft with mid-course inertial guidance and terminal
active radar homing.
• K-15 (Sagarika) and K-4 Missiles: Submarine-launched
ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with solid fuel propulsion. K-15
has a 750 km range, while K-4 extends to about 3500
km. Both are nuclear-capable, enhancing second-strike
capabilities.
NATIONAL QUANTUM MISSION
The government will set up a coordination cell to implement
the National Quantum Mission (NQM) with a focus on
establishing four technology hubs.
About:
• The NQM is expected to set up four mission hubs in quantum
computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing and
metrology, and quantum materials and devices.
• It will essentially be a consortium of academia, research and
development labs and industry.
Mission Coordination Cell (MCC):
• The MCC will be set up as a coordinating agency for the
Mission and will work in coordination with the Mission
Secretariat, DST.
• It will function under the overall supervision and guidance of
Mission Technology Research Council (MTRC).
National Quantum Mission (NQM):
• The government approved the National Quantum Mission
(NQM) in 2023 from 2023-24 to 2030-31.
• Aim: To seed, nurture and scale up scientific and industrial
R&D and create a vibrant & innovative ecosystem in Quantum
Technology (QT).
 This will accelerate QT led economic growth, nurture
the ecosystem in the country and make India one of
the leading nations in the development of Quantum
Technologies & Applications (QTA).
• Objectives: The Mission objectives include developing
intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical
qubits in 8 years in various platforms like superconducting
and photonic technology.
 Satellite-based secure quantum communications between
ground stations over a range of 2000 kilometers within
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India, long-distance secure quantum communications
with other countries, inter-city quantum key distribution
over 2000 km as well as multi-node Quantum networks
with quantum memories.
 Developing magnetometers with high sensitivity in
atomic systems and Atomic Clocks for precision timing,
communications, and navigation.
 It will also support the design and synthesis of quantum
materials such as superconductors, novel semiconductor
structures, and topological materials for the fabrication of
quantum devices.
 Single photon sources/detectors, and entangled
photon sources will also be developed for quantum
communications, sensing, and metrological applications.
• Implementation: Setting up of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs)
in top academic and National R&D institutes in the domains
- Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum
Sensing & Metrology and Quantum Materials & Devices.
 The hubs will focus on generation of new knowledge
through basic and applied research as well as promote
R&D in areas that are mandated to them.
• Significance: NQM has the potential to elevate the country's
Technology Development ecosystem to a level of global
competitiveness.
 The Mission would greatly benefit various sectors including
communication, health, financial, energy with applications
in drug design, space, banking, security etc.
 The Mission will also provide a huge boost to National
priorities like Digital India, Make in India, Skill India and
Stand-up India, Start-up India, Self-reliant India and
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY
• Quantum technology is a rapidly advancing field that
leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to develop
new technologies with unprecedented capabilities.
 Quantum mechanics is the branch of physics that
studies the behavior of particles at the quantum level,
where classical physics no longer applies.
• Quantum technology harnesses the unique properties of
quantum systems, such as superposition and entanglement,
to perform tasks that were previously thought impossible or
significantly enhance existing capabilities.
• Four domains of quantum technologies:
 Quantum communication: It applies the properties
of quantum physics to provide better security and
improved long-distance communications.
 Quantum simulation: It refers to the use of a quantum
system to simulate the behavior of another quantum
system.
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 Quantum computation: It is a field of computing that
utilizes the principles of quantum mechanics to perform
certain types of calculations more efficiently than
classical computers.
 Quantum sensing and metrology: It leverages the
principles of quantum mechanics to achieve highly
precise measurements.
INDIA’S FIRST GRAPHENE CENTRE
The Union government recently launched India's first
graphene centre (IICG) in Kerala.
About the Graphene:
• The centre was established to foster research and
development, product innovation and capacity building in the
area of graphene and 2D material systems.
• Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a
honeycomb lattice, holds immense potential for revolutionizing
various industries due to its extraordinary properties.
• Properties: It is the world’s thinnest, strongest, and most
conductive material of both electricity and heat.
 It conducts electricity better than copper.
 It is 200 times stronger than steel but six times lighter. It is
almost perfectly transparent as it absorbs only 2% of light.
 It is impermeable to gases, even those as light as
hydrogen and helium.
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Applications:
• Graphene composites are used in automotive, sports
equipment and construction.
• It is used for high-performance batteries and supercapacitors,
touchscreens, and conductive inks.
• Graphene-based sensors are used for environmental
monitoring, healthcare and wearable devices.
• Graphene oxide membranes are used for water purification
and desalination.
• Graphene-based masks were made during COVID.
• Graphene is important for defence and aerospace as well. Its
exceptional strength makes it a promising material for armour
and ballistic protection.
• Graphene has the potential to absorb and dissipate
electromagnetic waves, making it valuable for developing
stealth coatings and materials that reduce radar signatures
and electromagnetic interference.
• Graphene is highly sensitive to environmental changes, which
makes it an excellent candidate for sensing chemical and
biological agents, explosives, radiation, and other hazardous
substances.
• Besides, graphene-based materials can also protect us
against chemical and biological attacks.
About the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in IIoT Sensors:
• Along with the IICG, the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in IIoT
Sensors was also launched.
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• It aims to catalyse the development of sensors within the
realm of Intelligent IoT systems covering a broad spectrum of
applications of intelligent sensors in networks and devices.
 The IoT is a network of interconnected devices that
communicate and share data with each other through the
internet.
SOIL-POWERED FUEL CELL
Recently, scientists have developed a new fuel cell, claiming it
can harvest energy from microbes (bacteria) living in the soil.
About:
• It is a new technology that generates power with the help of
microbes in the soil instead of chemicals.
• The microbes release electrons during the decomposition of
organic matter. These electrons flow from the anode to the
cathode, creating an electric circuit that generates power.
• It can potentially last forever as long as there is organic carbon
in the soil for the microbes to break down.
Significances:
• It potentially be used in green infrastructure and precision
agriculture applications.
• It could offer a sustainable, renewable alternative to
traditional batteries, which hold toxic, flammable chemicals
that leach into the ground and contribute to the ever-growing
problem of electronic waste.
DISTRESS ALERT TRANSMITTER
Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
upgraded its Distress Alert Transmitter (DAT) as Second
Generation DAT (DAT-SG) to aid Search and Rescue
Operations in the Maritime Domain.
Second Generation DAT (DAT-SG):
• It can receive messages from the control centre, allowing for
the transmission of advance alerts about bad weather, cyclones,
tsunamis, or other emergencies.
 It can send back an acknowledgement to the fishermen
who activate the distress alert, assuring them of incoming
rescue.
• Information about Potential Fishing Zones to get a good yield
in their catch and save time and fuel.
• It can be connected to mobile phones using Bluetooth, and
the messages can be read in the native language using an
App on the mobile.
• The Indian Mission Control Centre (INMCC), a central control
centre, has a web based network management system called
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‘SAGARMITRA’ which maintains a database of registered
DAT-SGs
 It helps Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) to
access the information about the boat and coordinate the
boat in distress in real time.
 It helps the Indian Coast Guard to undertake Search &
Rescue operations at the time of distress, without any time
delay.
• The services of DAT-SG are operational on a 24x7 basis.
INGENUITY: MARS HELICOPTER
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
regained contact with its Mars Ingenuity Helicopter after its
72nd flight.
About:
• It is a small robotic chopper and the first aircraft to make a
powered, controlled flight sent to Mars on an experimental
basis.
 It has been called a ‘Wright Brothers moment’.
• It flies in Mars’ thin atmosphere, which isn’t conducive for
flying.
• It uses solar power to charge its batteries and relies on
internal heaters to maintain operational temperatures during
the cold Martian nights.
• It paves the way for future aerial explorers at Mars and,
potentially, other space destinations.
ABOUT MARS
• It is the fourth planet from the Sun and is a cold desert
world. It is nearly half the size of Earth.
• It is sometimes called the Red Planet, because of rusty iron
in the ground.
 It has lower gravity (about one-third that of Earth) but its
atmosphere is just 1% as thick, making it much harder
to generate lift.
• It is also a dynamic planet with seasons, polar ice caps,
canyons, extinct volcanoes, and evidence that it was even
more active in the past.
• It has a very thin atmosphere made of carbon dioxide,
nitrogen, and argon.
• There are signs of ancient floods on Mars, but now water
mostly exists in icy dirt and thin clouds.
MOSQUIRIX
Cameroon will be the first country to routinely give children
a new malaria vaccine-Mosquirix.
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About: • The risk is heightened due to the escalating temperatures

• It is also known as RTS,S/AS01. In 2021, WHO licensed caused by global warming, leading to the thawing of
Mosquirix for children in sub-Saharan Africa with moderate- previously frozen ice.
to-high Plasmodium falciparum malaria transmission.
• Africa accounts for 95% of the world's malaria deaths. GAVI
DO YOU KNOW?
(Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation) is working with The permafrost, covering a fifth of the Northern Hemisphere,
20 other African countries to help them to vaccinate more has acted as a time capsule, preserving extinct creatures'
than six million children through 2025. remains, along the with ancient viruses.
 GAVI was set up as a Global Health public–private
Partnership in 2000 with the goal of creating equal access Concerns:
to new and underused vaccines for children living in the • The isolated viruses posed no threat to humans but pointed
world’s poorest countries. out the presence of genomic traces of poxviruses and
herpesviruses, which are well-known human pathogens.
About Malaria:
• Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects
millions of people around the world, primarily in tropical and
MAGNETIC COOLING EFFECT
subtropical regions. Recently, researchers have found a new alloy (specifically
• Parasite: Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted Ni (Co)-Mn-Ti Heusler alloy) that can act as an effective
through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. magnetic refrigerant for minimising greenhouse gas
• Life Cycle: Once inside a human, the parasite goes through emissions.
several stages in the liver and red blood cells, causing
symptoms like fever, chills, and fatigue. Magnetic Cooling Effect (MCE):
• Transmission Types: Humans can contract malaria through
mosquito bites, infected blood transfusions, or sharing
needles with an infected person.
• Typical Symptoms: Fever, chills, sweating, headache, muscle
aches, nausea, and vomiting.
 In severe cases, malaria can lead to anemia, organ
failure, coma, and death, especially in young children and
pregnant women.
• Prevention and Treatment:
 Mosquito Control: Using mosquito nets, repellents, and
insecticide-treated bed nets are crucial for prevention.
 Vaccine Development: A malaria vaccine is under
development and shows promise in clinical trials, offering
future hope for effective prevention.
 Antimalarial Drugs: Early diagnosis and treatment with
effective antimalarial medications can significantly reduce
the risk of complications.

• It is defined as the reversible temperature change of a magnetic

ZOMBIE VIRUS
Scientists have warned that the melting Arctic 'permafrost'
may start a new disease outbreak due to the release of
ancient viruses.
About:
• These viruses have been preserved in the ground for
thousands of years in permafrost, live viruses demonstrating
their ability to infect single-celled organisms.
 One virus sample was found to be 48,500 years old.
material when it is subjected to an external applied magnetic
field.
• In the magnetic refrigeration cycle, a magnetic field is applied
on the magnetic material under an adiabatic process (no
exchange of heat with the surrounding).
• Initially randomly oriented magnetic moments get aligned
along the external magnetic field, resulting in the heating of
the magnetic material.
• When the magnetic field is removed during adiabatic
demagnetization, the magnetic moments of the material

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become randomised, resulting in a decrease in temperature
below the ambient temperature.
 It causes the material to absorb heat from the surrounding
heat-transfer medium.
MAGNETIC REFRIGERATION
• It offers an energy-efficient and environment-friendly
cooling technology. It needs to fabricate for household,
industrial, and technological applications.
• It acts as an alternative to the vapour-cycle refrigeration
technology.
AROMATIC CROPS AND FLORICULTURE
High value aromatic crops and floriculture have recently
emerged as a means to supplement livelihood of Odisha’s
tribal communities.
About:
• Successful introduction of aromatic plants has been seen in
Nabarangpur and Koraput districts of Odisha, where tribal
farmers showed an interest in diversifying from the traditional
maize crop.
• With the help of the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic
Plants (CIMAP) in Lucknow, these districts has recently
introduced different aromatic plants such as:
 menthol mint (the CIM Unnati variety),
 rosemary (Hariyali variety),
 patchouli (CIM Samarth),
 damask roses (Rani Sahiba),
 chamomile, and
 geraniums (CIM-Bharat).
CENTRAL INSTITUTE OF MEDICINAL AND
AROMATIC PLANTS (CIMAP)
• About: It is a multidisciplinary research institute of Council
of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India with its
major focus on exploiting the potential of Medicinal and
Aromatic Plants (MAPs). CSIR-CIMAP houses a National
Gene Bank on MAPs.
• Established in: 1957
• Mandate: Engage in multi-disciplinary high-quality
research in agricultural, biological and chemical sciences
and extending technologies and services to the growers
and entrepreneurs of MAPs.
• Headquarters: Lucknow
• The favourable climate and availability of vast stretches of land
offer exciting opportunities for farmers to foray into aromatic
plantation, though it is an unfamiliar domain.
Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
About Aromatic Plants:
• Aromatic plants are those that contain aromatic compounds,
which are basically essential oils.
 These essential oils are odorous, volatile at room temperature,
hydrophobic and highly concentrated compounds.
 They can be obtained from flowers, buds, seeds, leaves,
twigs, bark, wood, fruits and roots.
• Aromatic plants do not face regulatory challenges medicinal
plantations face.
Uses:
• Culinary herbs: Basil, rosemary, thyme, and mint are culinary
staples, adding flavor and aroma to dishes.
• Spices: Cumin, cloves, and star anise enrich our palates with
their potent scents and taste.
• Medicinal plants: Lavender, chamomile, and valerian root are
known for their calming and therapeutic properties.
• Cosmetics and perfumes: Rose, jasmine, and sandalwood
essential oils are prized for their captivating fragrances in
perfumes and beauty products.
• Aromatherapy: Essential oils from plants like eucalyptus
and lemongrass can be used for inhalation or massage to
promote relaxation and well-being.
About the Aroma Mission:
• CSIR’s Aroma Mission aims to increase the income of the
farmers through cultivation of high value and high demand
aromatic crops by about Rs. 30,000 to 60,000/ha/year.
• It also aims to bring an additional area of 30,000 hectares under
cultivation of these crops to further catalyze the cultivation of
aromatic crops in about 60,000 hectares.
• This will help in production of an additional 700 tonnes of
essential oil for perfumery, cosmetics and pharmaceutical
industries, and use of these oils in value addition and herbal
products would generate a business of at least 200 crores.
• About 45,000 skilled human resources capable of multiplying
quality planting material, distillation, fractionation and value
addition will also be developed under “Skill India” initiatives.
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REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN INDIAN
JUDICIARY
Supreme Court judge Justice B.V. Nagarathna said that
more women judges are needed in the judiciary.
About:
• Over the 73-year history of the Indian Supreme Court, a total
of 268 judges have served.
• Among these judges, only 11 have been women.
• Notably, the Supreme Court has not yet had a woman Chief
Justice.
• Justice Beevi became the first Muslim woman judge of the
Supreme Court, as well as the first woman Supreme Court
Justice in Asia in 1989.
• Since 1989, only 10 women have made it to the Supreme
Court.
 Currently, there are only three female judges of the 33
Supreme Court judges.
• Only 4.1% of all Supreme Court judges have been women,
while the remaining 96% are men.
• Status at High Courts:
 India currently has 25 high courts with a sanctioned
strength of 1,114 judges.
 However, as per the Department of Justice’s website, only
782 judges are presently serving, leaving 332 judicial
positions vacant.
 Out of the working judges, only 107, accounting for 13% of
all high court judges, are women.
 Notably, none of the 25 high courts in the country currently
has a female chief justice, with the exception of the Gujarat
High Court, where Justice Sunita Agarwal has been
appointed by the collegium.
• There are more women judges at the district court level than at
the High Court level.
 According to a 2018 study conducted by the Vidhi Centre
for Legal Policy, women are relatively better represented
at 27% in the lower judiciary.
 However, the study identified a significant barrier for
women in higher appointments, particularly as district
judges and at the high court level.
 The study suggests that a glass ceiling exists, hindering
the upward progression of women in the judiciary beyond
certain positions.
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SOCIETY
 As per the report, the percentage of women judges
exceeded 60% in only three of the smallest states: Goa,
Meghalaya, and Sikkim, collectively hosting a total of 103
judges.
 Conversely, for all other states, excluding Telangana and
Puducherry, the percentage of women judges remained
below 40%.
 Similarly, the India Justice Report (IJR) 2022 highlighted
that women constitute a limited presence in the judiciary,
with only 13% of High Court judges and 35% of Subordinate
Court judges being women.
 Examining district courts, Goa led with the highest
proportion of women judges at 70%, showcasing a notable
contrast.
 Following closely behind, Meghalaya (62.7%), Telangana
(52.8%), and Sikkim (52.4%) demonstrated relatively
high percentages of women judges at the district court
level.
 The findings underscore the disparities in gender
representation across different levels of the judiciary, as
revealed by the India Justice Report.
• The appointment of Justices Kohli, Nagarathna, and Trivedi
to the top court in 2021 created history, as this marked the
first time that so many females were appointed to the SC in one
go.
 If the tradition of appointing the senior most judge as
the Chief Justice of India (CJI) is maintained, Justice B.V.
Nagarathna is poised to become the country's first woman
Chief Justice.
 However, her term as CJI is anticipated to be relatively
brief, lasting for 36 days.

Reasons for the Lack of Representation of Women:
• Historical Reasons: Historically, legal and judicial systems
worldwide have been male-dominated, and India is no
exception.
 The legal profession has traditionally been perceived as
a male domain, and this mindset has persisted over the
years.
• Societal Expectations and Stereotypes: Societal expectations
often dictate traditional gender roles, and there may be
stereotypes that cast women in roles that are seen as less
compatible with the demands of a judicial career.
• Educational Barriers: Limited educational opportunities for
women can result in fewer female candidates entering law
schools and subsequently pursuing a career in the judiciary.
• Family and Cultural Expectations: Cultural norms and
expectations regarding women's responsibilities within the
family may dissuade them from pursuing demanding and
time-consuming careers, such as a judicial career.
• Gender Bias and Discrimination: Stereotypes about women's
capabilities may lead to their exclusion from consideration for
higher judicial positions.
• Networking and Mentorship Opportunities: Male-dominated
networks and mentorship structures within the legal
profession may make it challenging for women to access the
same opportunities for career advancement.
• Appointment Procedure: The lower judiciary has a better
representation of women than the High Court and Supreme
Court.
 That’s perhaps because entry to the lower judiciary
is through an examination, while the High Court and
Supreme Court are decided by the collegium.
Importance of Representation of Women in Judiciary:
• Gender Equality: A diverse judiciary ensures a more inclusive
and representative legal system.
• Fairness and Impartiality: Having a judiciary that reflects the
diversity of the population helps in dispelling biases and
promoting impartial decision-making.
• Inspiration and Role Modeling: Women judges can act as role
models, encouraging more women to pursue careers in law.
• Access to Justice for Women: Women may feel more
comfortable and understood when their cases are heard by
judges who share similar life experiences and perspectives.
• Legal Interpretation and Legislation: Women judges can
provide unique insights into legal interpretation and the
development of legislation, particularly in areas related to
gender-based issues, family law, and women's rights.
 Their presence can influence legal discourse and
contribute to the evolution of more gender-sensitive laws.
In-Shorts | Society Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
• Global Norms and Commitments: Internationally, there is a
growing recognition of the importance of gender diversity in
all sectors, including the judiciary.
Conclusion:
• The lack of representation of women in the judiciary, combined
with the traditional exclusionary attitude towards women, has
led to a lack of diversity within the judicial system.
• Therefore, it is essential that efforts to increase diversity in
the judiciary are made to ensure a more equitable court
system.
• There is a requirement to enhance transparency in the
judicial system. This will create more opportunities for women
to prove their mettle and create a level playing field.
SAPINDA MARRIAGE
Delhi High Court has rejected a challenge to the
constitutionality of Section 5(v) of the Hindu Marriage Act,
1955 (HMA), which prohibits marriage between two Hindus
if they are “sapindas” of each other.
About:
• A sapinda marriage is one between individuals who are
related to each other within a certain degree of closeness.
• Sapinda relationships for the purposes of the HMA are
defined in Section 3 of the Act.
 Two persons are said to be sapindas of each other if
one is a lineal ascendant of the other within the limits of
sapinda relationship, or if they have a common lineal
ascendant who is within the limits of sapinda relationship
with reference to each of them.
• Under the provisions of the HMA, on the mother’s side, a
Hindu individual cannot marry anyone who is within three
generations of them in the “line of ascent”.
 On the father’s side, this prohibition applies to anyone
within five generations of the individual.
• Violation: If a marriage is found to violate Section 5(v) for
being a sapinda marriage, and there is no established custom
that allows such a practice, it will be declared void.
Exception for Sapinda Marriage under HMA:
• The sole exception can be found within the same provision
is when the customs of each individual permits sapinda
marriages.
• It states that a custom has to be “continuously and uniformly
observed for a long time”, and should have gained enough
legitimacy among Hindus in a local area, tribe, group, or
family, such that it has obtained “the force of law”.
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Are Marriages similar to Sapinda Marriages allowed in
Other Countries?
• In France, the crime of incest was abolished under the
Penal Code of 1810, so long as the marriage was between
consenting adults.
• Portuguese law also does not criminalise incest.
• Under Italian law, incest is a crime only if it causes a “public
scandal”.
• In the United States, incestuous marriages are banned in all 50
states, though incestuous relationships between consenting
adults are allowed in New Jersey and Rhode Island.
SURVEY TO ASSESS WOMEN PARTICIPATION
IN WORKFORCE
The Union Ministries of Labour & Employment and Women &
Child Development have started a joint survey on increasing
women participation in the workforce.
About:
• The survey is being taken to assess the spread of women
employee-friendly practices in the country.
• The government is seeking details such as formation of
Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) for Prevention of Sexual
Harassment at Workplace (POSH), creche facilities for
children, equal pay for equal work, flexible or remote working
hours for women and transportation facilities during late
hours.
• Along with this various ministries of the Central government
have issued a series of advisories to bolster the representation
of women in the workforce.
Advisories issued by Union Government:
• Promoting women in leadership and management roles and
establishing working women hubs complete with dormitories
and hostels:
• Employer rating survey within the Employees’ Provident Fund
Organisation, designed to guide employers in fostering an
environment conducive to women's economic involvement.
• Enforcement of a 26-week paid maternity leave for workers in the
construction and highway sectors, along with the establishment
of creches in all facilities with more than 50 employees.
• The Ministry of Women and Child Development released
national minimum standards and protocols for the operation
and management of creches.
Reason for Poor Women Labor Force Participation:
• Cultural and Social Norms: In traditional societies, gender
roles may discourage women from entering or staying in the
workforce. Expectations around women's responsibilities for
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caregiving and homemaking limit their ability to pursue full-
time employment.
• Educational Attainment: Limited access to quality education
can be a barrier for women to acquire the necessary skills
and qualifications for certain jobs.
• Unequal Pay: Difference between wage gap, discourage
women from entering or staying in the workforce.
• Structural rigidities in India’s manufacturing and service
sectors have restricted employment opportunities in the
informal sector, where a substantial amount of female
workforce is involved.
• Security Issues: Sexual harassment at Worlplace often hinders
women participation in labor force.
Steps taken by Government:
• Code on Wages, 2019: It provides that there shall be no
discrimination in an establishment among employees on the
ground of gender in matters relating to wages by the same
employer, in respect of the same work or work of similar
nature done by any employee.
• Maternity Benefit Act, 2017: It was enacted to provide
improved maternity benefits and promote a healthier work
environment for pregnant and nursing women.
• The Code on Occupational Safety, Health And Working
Conditions (OSH), 2020: It has proposed tweaks in employment
terms and conditions for women workers in the above-ground
mines.
• Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK): It is a national-level organization
that provides microfinance services to poor women for
various livelihood activities. It supports income-generating
projects and promotes women's economic empowerment.
• National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM): NRLM focuses
on creating sustainable self-employment opportunities for
rural women. It provides skill training, capacity building, and
financial support for women to engage in income-generating
activities.
• MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Act): It guarantees 100 days of wage employment
in a financial year to rural households. Women's participation
in this program is encouraged, and efforts are made to ensure
equitable employment opportunities.
Way Ahead:
• The sustained government efforts to enhance women's
labor force participation by providing them with skills and
employment opportunities have increased women labor force
participation.
• The results of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS),
released by the Labour Bureau in 2023, had shown
considerable increase in the women participation. In 2017-18,
the participation rate was 23.3% and in 2022-23, it was 37%.
 In-Shorts | Culture & History
CULTURE & HISTORY
SAVITRI BAI PHULE & RANI VELU NACHIYAR
The Prime Minister of India paid tributes to social reformer
Savitri Bai Phule & Rani Velu Nachiyar on their Jayanti.
Savitribai Phule (3 January 1831 - 10 March 1897):
• She was a prominent social reformer, educator, and poet
• Married Jyotirao Phule at the age of nine, who later became a
pioneering social reformer.
 Her husband played a significant role in her education
and awakening.
• At a time when it was considered unacceptable for women to
even attain education, she with her husband went on to open
a school for girls in Pune, in 1848.
 This became the country’s first girls’ school.
 They opened more such schools for girls, Shudras, and Ati-
Shudras (the backward castes and Dalits, respectively) in
Pune.
 Savitribai Phule passionately advocated for the education
of women, aiming to empower them to challenge societal
constraints.
 She went beyond traditional norms by opening a care
center for pregnant Brahmin widows, challenging caste-
based norms.
• Major Contributions:
 Social Reformer: Along with Jyotirao, Savitribai started the
Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha (Home for the Prevention of
Infanticide) for pregnant widows facing discrimination.
 Savitribai Phule advocated inter-caste marriages, widow
remarriage, and eradication of child marriage, sati, and
dowry systems, among other social issues.
 Satyashodhak Samaj: In 1873, the Phule’s set up the
Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth-seekers’ society), a platform
open to all, irrespective of their caste, religion or class
hierarchies, with the sole aim of bringing social equity.
 Satyashodhak Marriage, as an extension, started with the
aim of rejecting Brahmanical rituals where the marrying
couple takes a pledge to promote education and equality.
 Relief work during famine and Bubonic plague: Savitribai
became involved in relief work during the 1896 famine in
Maharashtra and the 1897 Bubonic plague.
 Literary Works: Savitribai Phule published her first collection
of poems, called Kavya Phule (Poetry’s Blossoms), at the
age of 23 in 1854.
 She published Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar (The
Ocean of Pure Gems) in 1892.
Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
Rani Velu Nachiyar (3 January 1730 – 25 December
1796):
• She was the first queen to fight against the British colonial
power in India.
 She is known by Tamils as Veeramangai.
• Early Life: She was the princess of Ramanathapuram and the
only child of Raja Chellamuthu Vijayaragunatha Sethupathy
and Rani Sakandhimuthal of the Ramnad kingdom.
• Skills Acquired: She was trained in war to match weapons
usage, martial arts like Valari, Silambam (fighting using a
stick), horse riding, and archery.
 She was a scholar in many languages and she had
proficiency with languages like French, English and Urdu.
• Marriage: She married the king of Sivagangai.
• After the death of her husband and daughter, Rani Velu
Nachiyar was determined to avenge their deaths and reclaim
her kingdom.
 She sought the help of the Marathas and formed an army
to fight against the British East India Company and the
Nawab of Arcot.
• Innovative Tactics:
 Known for her strategic brilliance, Rani Velu Nachiyar
employed unconventional methods in warfare.
 She is particularly remembered for using her loyal
commander, Kuyili, who sacrificed her life by setting
herself on fire along with a British ammunition depot,
causing a significant setback to the enemy.
POILA BOISAKH
The West Bengal government has declared Poila Boisakh,
as the State Day and a song Banglar Mati Banglar Jal
written by Rabindranath Tagore as the State Song.
About:
• Poila Boisakh is the 1st day of the month of Boisakh of Bengali
calendar year commencing Bengali New Year.
 It usually falls on April 14th or 15th of the Gregorian
calendar, marking the first day of the Bengali calendar.
• It will be observed as State Day and it will be named ‘Bangla
Divas’.
• Banglar Mati Banglar Jal as the State Song, its approximate
playing time is 1 minute and 59 seconds.
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KADAMBA INSCRIPTION
10 th century Kadamba inscription written in Kannada,
Sanskrit recently discovered in the Mahadeva temple at
Cacoda in southern Goa.
About the Inscription (Discovery and Study):
• It throws light on the Kadamba period in Goa and opens with
an auspicious word ‘Be it well’ (Swasthi Shri).
• It was found lying in between the temples of Mahadev and
Sateri-Betal at Cacoda in Goa.
Epigraphic Details:
• It records that when Talara Nevayya was administering the
mandala, his son Gundayya having taken a vow to fulfil his
father’s desire of capturing a gopura of the port of Goa,
fought and died after fulfilling his father’s wish.
 Its epigraph is engraved in Kannada and Nagari characters.
• It is in the literary style of the Talangre inscription of Jayasimha
I of the same period.
• Deciphering of the Kadamba stone inscription has highlighted
the historical and socio-cultural importance.
Historical Narrative:
• The Kadambas of Goa were the subordinates of Chalukyas of
Kalyana.
 Chalukyan emperor Tailapa II appointed Kadamba
Shasthadeva as Mahamandaleshwara of Goa for his help in
overthrowing the Rashtrakutas.
 Kadamba Shasthadeva conquered the Chandavara city
in 960 A.D, and conquered the port of Gopakapattana
(present Goa).
• It is believed that the Gundayya, son of Talara Nevayya, have
participated in the battle, and won the port of Gopakapattana
at the cost of his life.
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 His father, Talara Nevayya, erected a memorial stone with
the inscription in the temple of Mahadev of Cacoda to
commemorate the heroic fight of his son.
Socio-cultural Importance:
• Cacora village lies in the vicinity of navigable waterways
which connect to the Upper Ghat region through the ancient
route of Diggi ghat leading to Karnataka.
• Cacoda, now a census town under the Municipality of
Curchorem Cacora in Goa and it has the temple of the
presiding deity Mahadev, with the affiliated deities of Betal,
Dana Gaddi, Sidha, Bhumipurush, Paik, Vithal, Vagro and a
shrine dedicated to Pir.
KADAMBAS DYNASTY
• The Kadambas were an ancient Karnataka royal dynasty
that controlled northern Karnataka and the Konkan region,
established by Mayurasharma in about 345 AD.
• They lived alongside the Western Ganga Dynasty and
created one of the first local kingdoms to rule the region
autonomously.
Major sources of Kadamba history:
• Inscriptions like Talagunda, Gundanur, Chandravalli, Halasi,
and Halmidi in Sanskrit and Kannada.
 The Talagunda inscription: It is one of their earliest
inscriptions that establishes Mayurasharma as the
kingdom's founder and provides the explanation for the
creation of the Kadamba monarchy.
Architecture:
• It includes unique features, including some similarities to
the Chalukyan and Pallava styles and was inspired by the
Satavahana architectural tradition.
• The most noticeable aspect of their architecture is the
Kadamba Shikara.
 Several decades later, that type of Shikara was
adopted in the Doddagaddavalli Hoysala temple and
the Mahakuta temples in Hampi.
• Kadambas contributed to the development of the later
Chalukya-Hoysala style in architecture and sculpture.
• They erected the Madhukeshwara (Lord Shiva) temple at
Banavasi.
Religion:
• The Kadambas adhered to Vedic Hinduism.
• Mayurasharma, the founder of the dynasty, was a Brahmin
by birth, but his heirs changed their surname to Varma to
signify their Kshatriya rank.
• The horse sacrifice (Ashwamedha) was carried out by
several Kadamba monarchs, such as Krishna Varman.
 In-Shorts | Culture & History
• Talagunda (inscriptions) begins with a prayer to Lord Shiva,
and Halmidi and Banavasi (inscriptions) begin with a prayer
to Lord Vishnu.
Language:
• The development of Kannada as a language of inscriptions
goes to the Kadambas, the Gangas and the Badami
Chalukyas.
• Inscriptions in Sanskrit and Kannada are the main sources
of Kadamba history.
 The main content was in Sanskrit, and the boundary
specifications were in Kannada in Halmidi stone
inscription and the Tagare copper plates.
Administrations:
• The Kadamba rulers, like the Satavahana kings, referred to
themselves as Dharma Maharajas.
• The Prime Minister (Pradhana), the Council Secretary
(Tantrapala or Sabhakarya Sachiva), the Scholarly Elders
(Vidyavriddhas), the Physician (Deshamatya), the Private
secretary (Rahasyadhikritha), the Chief Secretary (Sarva
Karyakarta), the Chief Justice (Dharmadhyaksha), and other
officials (Bhojaka and Ayukta).
• Officers in the army included Jagadala, Dandanayaka, and
Senapathi.
• Mandalas (Provinces) or Desha were used to partition the
kingdom.
• Vishayas had been living in a Mandala (districts).
Economy:
• There have been nine Vishaya in the kingdom like
Mahagramas (Taluk) and Dashagramas (Hobli) under a
Vishaya.
 Mahagrama had a greater number of villages than
Dashagramas.
• Tax on one-sixth of land output was required.
• Perjunka (load tax), Vaddaravula (royal family social security
tax), Bilkoda (sales tax), Kirukula (land tax), Pannaya (betel
tax), and other professional charges on traders were
among the levies imposed.
NRITYA KALANIDHI AWARD
Classical dancer and choreographer Vasanthalakshmi
Narasimhachari was presented with the ‘Nritya Kalanidhi’
award at the 17th Dance Festival of The Music Academy.
About:
• Vasanthalakshmi Narasimhachari excels both in
Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi.
Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
• Nritya Kalanidhi Award is presented in the field of dance every
year by the Madras Music Academy.
About Madras Music Academy:
• The Music Academy, Madras is a landmark institution in the
history of the fine arts.
• It emerged as an offshoot of the All India Congress Session
held in Madras in December 1927.
• It was conceived to be the institution that would set the
standard for Carnatic music.
• One of the most notable events organized by the Music
Academy is its annual music and dance festival.
• It also confers the various awards such as the Sangita
Kalanidhi, Nritya Kalanidhi, Sangita Kala Acharya, TTK, and
Musicologist awards for the year.
KATEEL YAKSHAGANA MELA
The High Court of Karnataka permitted a century old
Yakshagana Mela in Dakshina Kannada revert to all-night
shows subject to adherence to noise pollution rules.
About:
• It is a famous Yakshagana troupe (Kateel Sri Durgaparameshwari
Yakshagaana Dashavatara Mandali), which was founded in the
middle of the 19th Century.
 It is popularly known as Kateel Mela is an important ‘Harake
Seva’ troupe.
• Yakshagana troupe performs on request by devotees who
have taken a vow (Harake) to arrange a show of Yakshagana
for fulfilment of a desire or as a service.
• Yakshagana activity is centuries old at Kateel, a well known
temple village, pilgrim centre near Mangalore in Karnataka.
• Kateel Sri Durgaparameshwari, also known as Kateel Amma
(Mother of Kateel) and or Bhramarambha is known to be
Yakshaganapriya - a deity with special love for Yakshagana.
 The Adhidevatha of Kateelu Kshethra, Shri Durga
Parameshwari Amma is fond of Music, Dance &
Yakshagana.
WEST BENGAL SEEKS CLASSICAL LANGUAGE
STATUS FOR BANGLA
The West Bengal Chief Minister urged the central
government to include ‘Bangla’ as a classical language.
Classical Languages:
• As per the guidelines of the Central government, a language
must meet some requirements to be declared “classical”.
They are
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 The high antiquity of its early texts; recorded history of
over 1500-2000 years;
 A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a
valuable heritage by generations of speakers;
 A literary tradition that’s original and not borrowed from
another speech community; and
 Being distinct from modern, without discontinuity
between the classical language and its later forms or its
offshoots.
• The Government of India has officially recognised six
languages as having classical status - Tamil (2004), Sanskrit
(2005), Telugu, Kannada (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014).
• All the Classical Languages are listed in the Eighth Schedule
of the Indian Constitution.
Bengali Language:
• Bengali is the official language of West Bengal.
• It is also the official language of Bangladesh.
• It is the 2nd most spoken language in India, it is also the 7th
most spoken language in the world.
• Bengali is an Indo-Aryan language native to the Bengal region
of South Asia.
• The Bengali script is derived from Brahmi, an ancient Indian
script.
 Bengali is written from left to right.
KALARAM TEMPLE
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Kalaram
temple.
About:
• The Kalaram temple is situated within the Panchvati area of
Nashik City (Maharashtra).
 Panchavati translates to five banyan trees where, according
to Ramayana, Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman lived during
exile.
• Built in 1792 AD, the temple was funded by Sardar Rangarao
Odhekar Peshwa.
• The temple derives its name from a black statue of the Lord —
Kala Ram translates literally to “Black Ram”.
• The temple has been constructed with black stones and has
four entrance doors, one each facing East, West, South and
North.
• This temple is also the site of a landmark agitation. In 1930, B
R Ambedkar and Pandurang Sadashiv Sane led an agitation to
demand access for Dalits to Hindu temples.
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ARTWORK IN THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION
Government shared the original pic of the Preamble to the
Indian Constitution on 75 Republic Day.
Paintings in the Indian Constitution:
• A constitution is a body of fundamental principles according
to which a state is constituted or governed.
• The Indian Constitution, which came into effect on 26 January
1950, has the dubious distinction of being the longest in the
world.
• Two copies of the Constitution, one in English and one in
Hindi, are handwritten and bear the paintings.
• The Constitution was handwritten by calligrapher Prem
Behari Narain Raizada, the paintings were conceived and
implemented in Santiniketan by artist-pedagogue Nandalal
Bose and his team.
• Theme: When placed in sequence, the narrative scheme of
the paintings represents different periods in Indian history,
from the Indus Valley civilisation to the freedom struggle, also
including scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
 The illustrations also showcase the diverse geography of
India, from camels marching in the desert to the mighty
Himalayas.
• Specifications: The Bull Seal, excavated from the Indus Valley
region, is the first pictorial representation in the Constitution,
appearing in ‘Part I: The Union and its Territory’.
 The only female figure illustrated prominently in the
Constitution, Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, is sketched in her
armour as she shares the page with Tipu Sultan, the king
of Mysore, in Part XVI of the Constitution.
 Three landscapes in the Constitution are a homage to
Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore and the National
Anthem he composed, which also celebrates the diverse
geographical landscapes of India.
• The text and images in the Constitution have no direct
correlation and are not illustrating the content of the
Constitution.
Artists:
• The Preamble page has intricate patterns sketched by Beohar
Rammanohar Sinha and bears his signature, while Dinanath
Bhargava sketched the National Emblem, the Lion Capital of
Ashoka.
VADNAGAR (OLDEST LIVING CITY OF INDIA)
A joint study by the Indian Institute of Technology
(Kharagpur) has found evidence of India’s oldest living city
in Vadnagar, Gujarat.
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About:
• Vadnagar town is a multi-layered and multi-cultural mercantile
settlement with its history stretching back to nearly 8th
Century BCE.
• Explorations and excavations show evidence of a human
settlement that is contemporary to late-Vedic/pre-Buddhist
Mahajanapadas or oligarchic republics.
 The earliest archaeological record is the rock-inscription
of Emperor Ashoka during the Mauryan period (320-185
BCE) at Sudarsana Lake, Girnar hill, Gujarat.
• A joint study by the IIT Kharagpur has found evidence of
cultural continuity in Vadnagar even after the collapse of Indus
Valley Civilisation (IVC), thus making it likely that the ‘Dark
Age’ was a myth.
 The period between the collapse of IVC and the
emergence of the Iron Age and cities like Gandhar,
Koshal, and Avanti is often depicted as a Dark Age by
archaeologists.
• Excavation revealed the presence of seven cultural stages
(periods) namely, Mauryan, Indo-Greek, Indo-Scythian or Shaka-
Kshatrapas (AKA ‘Satraps’, descendants of provincial governors of
ancient Achaemenid Empires, Hindu-Solankis, Sultanate-Mughal
(Islamic) to Gaekwad-British colonial rule.
VADNAGAR
• It was a multicultural and multireligious (Buddhist, Hindu,
Jain and Islamic) settlement, currently located in the
Mehsana district of North Gujarat, India.
• It is also known by names like Vridhanagar, Anandapur,
Anantapur and Nagar.
• It is an L-shaped town with Sharmishtha Lake on its
northeastern edge.
• The town represents a continuously evolving historic urban
landscape/area which played a major role in the hinterland
trade network of Western India.
• World Heritage Site (UNESCO): Vadnagar was added to the
tentative list in December 2022.
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Edition: February 2024
SAINT THIRUVALLUVAR
The Tamil Nadu Governor paid floral tributes to a portrait
of Tamil poet-saint Thiruvalluvar on Thiruvalluvar Day.
About:
• Thiruvalluvar Day was first celebrated on May 17 and 18 in
1935.
• In the present time, it is usually observed either on January 15
or 16 in Tamil Nadu and is a part of Pongal celebrations.
• He was a great poet, and philosopher, and regarded as a
cultural icon by Tamils.
• Thiruvalluvar’s primary work Thirukkural contains 1330 couplets
(kurals) that are divided into 133 sections of 10 couplets each.
• The text is divided into three parts with teachings on Dharma,
Artha, and Kama (virtue, wealth and love)
Social Influence:
• In the early 16th century, a temple was built within the
Ekambareswarar temple complex in Mylapore and it was
dedicated to Thiruvalluvar.
• Valluvar Kotam, a temple memorial built in Chennai in 1976.
 It has one of the largest auditoriums in Asia.
• Thiruvalluvar Statues in Kanyakumari and Ulsoor, near
Bengaluru were unveiled in 2000 and 2009 respectively.
• A statue of Valluvar was also erected outside the School of
Oriental and African Studies in Russell Square, London.
CHITTORGARH FORT
Recently, the Supreme Court of India has put a hold on the
use of explosives for mining within 5 km of Chittorgarh Fort.
About:
• It emphasised the threat to the fort’s existence due to unscientific
mineral exploitation and directed a multidisciplinary study of
environmental pollution and its impact on structures.
• It is one of the largest living forts in India, and was the capital
of Mewar.
• It is believed that the fort was built by a local Mori Rajput ruler
Chitrangada Mori in the 7th century.
• It was under the control of the Guhila dynasty until 1303 when
Alauddin Khilji laid siege to the fort.
• It is one of the six hill forts of Rajasthan having the status of
UNESCO’s World Heritage Site.
• It sprawls over a hill above the plains of the valley drained by
the Berach River, a tributary of the Banas River.
• Notable structures within the fort include Rana Kumbha Palace,
Fateh Prakash Palace, Tower of Victory (Vijay Stambha), and Tower of
Fame (Kirti Stambha) etc.
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• It stands as a testament to the power and resilience of the

Rajput princely states that flourished in the region from the 8th
to the 18th centuries.

JAGANNATH TEMPLE CORRIDOR

The Odisha Chief Minister recently unveiled a sprawling
heritage corridor around the Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Puri Heritage Corridor Project:

• Project Inception: It was conceptualized in 2016.
• Objective: The primary goal is to elevate the holy town of Puri
into an international heritage destination.
• Redevelopment Scope: It involves the comprehensive
redevelopment of significant areas within the holy town and
its surroundings, particularly near the temple.
• Implementation Scheme: The execution of the project falls
under the Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development
of Heritage and Architecture at Puri (ABADHA) scheme.
• Phased Execution: A total of 22 distinct projects are planned,
and their implementation will occur in a phased manner.
• Amenities Enhancement: The focus includes augmenting basic
amenities and enhancing the overall heritage and architectural
aspects to cater to the needs of visitors and tourists.
Jagannath Temple:
• Jagannath Temple is a 12th-century Hindu shrine dedicated
to Jagannath, a form of Vishnu.
• Located in: Puri, Odisha
• Built in: 12th century by Anantavarman Chodaganga, the first
king of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
• It is one of the Char Dhams, four most important pilgrimage sites
in Hinduism and also called White Pagoda for its colour the way
Konark Temple is called 'Black Pagoda' due to its dark colour.
• The temple is a massive structure made of sandstone and
granite.
• It is divided into two parts: Yhe Jagamohan, or audience hall,
and the Garbhagriha, or sanctum sanctorum.
• The temple is famous for its Rath Yatra, a chariot festival that is
held every year in July or August.
VEERBHADRA TEMPLE
The Prime Minister performed darshan and puja at
Veerbhadra Temple in Andhra Pradesh.
About:
• It is also known as the Lepakshi temple. The literal meaning of
the word is Lepa+Akshi, an embalmed eye or a painted eye.
• It is dedicated to Veerabhadra (the fiery incarnation of Lord
Shiva).
 According to Hindu mythology, Daksha insulted his
daughter Sati and her husband Shiva at a grand sacrifice
he had organised.
 Unable to bear the humiliation, Sati immolated herself.To
avenge her form of the wrathful Veerabhadra.
• Notable features: It has shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu,
Papanatheswara, Raghunatha, Rama and other deities.
 It exhibits the interchange of human values and socio-
cultural traditions from 11th century Chalukyan Period to
15th century early Vijayanagara period.
DO YOU KNOW?
The Sri Veerabhadra Swamy temple and the Monolithic
Bull (Nandi) at Lepakshi in Anantapur district known for the
Vijayanagara sculpture and painting art tradition, have found
a place on the tentative list of the World Heritage Committee
and the same was published on the Unesco World Heritage
Convention website.
SOMNATH: A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE
Ayodhya Priest says 'incomplete Ram Mandir' claim is
misleading, cites Somnath Temple Pran Pratishtha.
About:
• It is located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Saurashtra on
the western coast of Gujarat.
• It means “The Protector of the moon god".
• It is believed to be the first among the twelve jyotirlinga
shrines of Shiva.
• The site of Somnath has been a pilgrimage site from ancient
times on account of being a Triveni sangam (the confluence of
three rivers — Kapila, Hiran and Sarasvati.

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• Mahmud Ghazni attack: Mahmud’s last major raid was on • One of the most popular offerings at Guruvayoor temple is
Somnath temple in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat Thulabharam, where devotees are weighed against bananas,
in 1025 CE sugar, jaggery and coconuts equivalent to their weight, on a
giant pair of scales.

MADHIKA LANGUAGE
Madhika, a language spoken by the Chakaliya community,
is fast becoming extinct with the younger generation opting
for Malayalam.

• Reconstructed several times in the past after repeated
destruction by several Muslim invaders and Portuguese
 The present temple was reconstructed in Chaulukya
style of Hindu temple architecture and completed in May
1951.
 The reconstruction was completed by Vallabhbhai Patel.
MAHMUD OF GHAZNI
• Mahmud Ghazni invaded India 17 times during AD 1000–
1026.
• He was Son of Sabuktigin, the founder of Ghazni dynasty &
Turkish slave commander
 Mahmud’s raids into India were only to acquire the
famous wealth of India.
 This wealth would help him to consolidate his vast rule
in Central Asia. He did not wish to establish an empire
in India.
GURUVAYUR TEMPLE
The Prime Minister of India recently visited Sree Krishna
Temple, Guruvayur.
About:
• Guruvayur is home to the historic Sree Krishna Temple, called
the Dwaraka of the South.
• It is among the most revered and popular pilgrimage
destinations in Thrissur, Kerala.
• The temple is built in the traditional Kerala architectural style
and the central shrine is believed to have been rebuilt in
1638 C.E.
• As per tradition, the shrine faces the East with two Gopurams
(tower), one in the East and other in the West.
• In the front and the east side of the Nalambalam (a square
shaped column) lie the pillars of light called Deepastambam.
There are a number of such light pillars in the temple.
About:
• It is spoken by the Chakaliya community in Kookanam, Kerala.
• It sounds similar to Kannada, and it encompasses Telugu, Tulu,
Kannada, and Malayalam.
CHAKALIYA COMMUNITY
• They were once nomadic and worshippers of
Thiruvenkatramana and Mariamma.
• They migrated from the hilly regions of Karnataka to
northern Malabar in Kerala.
• Initially recognized as a Scheduled Tribe, they were later
included in the Scheduled Caste category in Kerala.
Concerns:
• It is struggling for survival, and there are only two speakers
who fear that the language will be lost to the world.
 The younger generation of the community shows little
interest in preserving Madhika and prefers to use
Malayalam, causing its decline.
• There is no script available to preserve the language.
Efforts to Preserve:
• The government of India has initiated a Scheme known as
the ‘Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered
Languages of India’.
• It is hoped that such initiatives will help in the preservation of
languages like Madhika and ensure that they do not fade into
oblivion.
BORDOWA SATRA (BATADRAVA THAN)
Recently a politician was prevented from visiting Batadrava
Than.
About:
• The Batadrava Than, is one of the most sacred sites for
Assamese Vaishnavites and was established by Srimanta
Sankardev in 1494 A.D.

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• Location: It is located at the birthplace of revered Vaishnavite
reformer-saint Srimanta Sankardeva (1449-1568) in Nagaon
district, of Assam.
• Architecture: The campus encompasses diverse structures
such as Natghar (Drama hall), Alohighar (Guest room),
Sabhaghar (Assembly hall), Rabhaghar (Music room),
Hatipukhuri, Aakashi Ganga, Doul mandir (festive temple),
and others.
Philosophy of Srimanta Sankardeva:
• Teaching: His teaching focused on prayer and chanting
(naam) instead of idol worship.
• Dharma: His dharma was based on the four components of
deva (god), naam (prayers), bhakats (devotees), and guru
(teacher).
• Ek Saran Naam Dharma: The saint propagated the Ek
Saran Naam Dharma, focussed on worship in the form
of bhakti (devotion) to Lord Krishna, through singing and
congregational listening of His name and deeds.
• Sankardeva espoused a society based on equality and
fraternity, free from caste differences, orthodox Brahmanical
rituals and sacrifices.
• The saint traveled across Assam, spreading his teachings
and establishing the Sattras/Thans as centers of religious,
social and cultural reforms in the 16th century.
PARAKRAM DIVAS
Parakram Divas is celebrated on January 23 to commemorate
the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Subhas Chandra
Bose.
About:
• Parakram Diwas has been celebrated annually since 2021.
• In 2022, a hologram statue of Netaji was unveiled at India
Gate.
• In 2023, 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman & Nicobar
Islands were named after the 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees
and a model of National Memorial dedicated to Netaji which
was supposed to be built on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
Dweep was unveiled.
• During the Parakram Diwas 2024 programme, the ‘Bharat
Parv’ organized by the Ministry of Tourism will be launched
to showcase the nation’s diversity with Republic Day Tableaux
and cultural exhibits.
Subhas Chandra Bose and his Contribution:
• Subhas Chandra Bose (1897-1945), often referred to as
Netaji, was a prominent figure in India's freedom struggle
from British rule.
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• His life and legacy were marked by revolutionary passion,
strategic leadership, and a fervent desire for an independent India.
Early Life and Activism:
• Born in Cuttack, Odisha, in 1897, Bose received a prestigious
education and initially joined the Indian Civil Service.
• Inspired by Gandhi's non-cooperation movement, he resigned
from the service in 1921 and actively participated in nationalist
activities.
• He quickly rose through the ranks of the Indian National
Congress and became its president in 1938 (Haripura Session).
Differences with Gandhi and Departure from Congress:
• Bose advocated for a more militant approach to achieving
independence, advocating for armed struggle alongside
diplomatic and civil disobedience tactics.
• His differences with Gandhi's focus on non-violent resistance
led to him resigning from Congress in 1939.
 He then formed a political party named, All India Forward
Bloc in 1939, a faction within the Indian National Congress.
Formation of the Indian National Army (INA):
• During World War II, Bose sought international support for
India's freedom by traveling to Germany and seeking
alliances with Axis powers.
• He rejuvenated the Indian National Army (INA)/Azad Hind
Fauz, a military force composed of Indian soldiers captured
by the Japanese and Indian expatriates in Southeast Asia.
• The INA aimed to liberate India from British rule with Japanese
assistance, leading to their famous slogan, "Chalo Delhi"
(March to Delhi).
Legacy and Significance:
• The INA established its own provisional government and
initiated an attack against the British in India.
 After limited success, however, they were defeated during
the battle of Imphal in 1944 and disbanded altogether
after the defeat of Japan in 1945.
• Bose's unwavering commitment to independence and his
willingness to employ unconventional methods inspired
millions of Indians.
'MARATHA MILITARY LANDSCAPES' TO BE
INDIA'S NOMINATION FOR UNESCO TAG
India has nominated the “Maratha Military Landscapes”,
for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage list for 2024-25.
About:
• The 12 components of this nomination are the forts of Salher,
Shivneri, Lohagad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg,
Panhala, Vijaydurg and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra and Gingee
Fort in Tamil Nadu.
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• The “Maratha Military Landscapes” is the sixth cultural Kapdaganda Shawl:

property nominated for inclusion in the World Heritage List • It is woven and embroidered by the women of the Dongria
from Maharashtra and had been earlier included in the
Kondh tribe.
Tentative List of World Heritage sites in 2021.
• It is embroidered on an off-white coarse cloth with red,
• The inception of the Maratha military ideology dates back
yellow and green coloured threads, with each color holding
to the 17th century during the reign of the Maratha king
significance.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj from 1670 CE and continued
through subsequent rules until the Peshwa rule till 1818 CE. • The motifs in the shawls are mostly lines and triangles,
believed to be a reflection of the importance of mountains for
Maratha Military Landscapes: the community.
• The “Maratha Military Landscapes”, which developed between
the 17th and 19th centuries, represent an extraordinary fortification
and military system envisioned by the Maratha rulers.
• This extraordinary network of forts is a result of integrating
the landscape, terrain and physiographic characteristics
distinctive to the Sahyadri mountain ranges, the Konkan Coast,
Deccan Plateau and the Eastern Ghats in the Indian Peninsula.
• Maharashtra has more than 390 forts out of which only 12 forts
are selected under the “Maratha Military Landscapes”. Lanjia Saura Painting:
• Eight of these are protected by the Archaeological Survey • The painting is also known as Idital and belongs to the Lanjia
of India (ASI) while four are protected by the Directorate of Saura community.
Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra. • The paintings feature subjects like tribal humans, trees,
animals, birds, the Sun and the Moon.
World Heritage Sites:
• These are White paintings over a crimson-maroon background.
• World Heritage sites are landmarks or areas designated by
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Koraput Kala Jeera Rice
Organization) for having cultural, historical, scientific, or other
• It is also known as the ‘Prince of Rice’, famous for its aroma,
forms of outstanding value to humanity.
taste, texture and nutritional value.
• It derives its mandate from the World Heritage Convention of
• Cultivated in the Koraput district of Odisha, India.
1972.
• The region's specific agro-climatic conditions contribute to
• Criterias: Sites are nominated by individual countries and
the distinct characteristics of this rice.
evaluated by the World Heritage Committee based on
specific criteria. These criteria consider factors like cultural Similipal Kai Chutney:
significance, architectural uniqueness, historical importance,
• The chutney is made with red weaver ants, found in the forests
and ecological diversity.
of Mayurbhanj, including in the Similipal forests – Asia’s
• Types of World Heritage sites: second-largest biosphere.
 Cultural: Includes historic buildings, important • It is rich in medicinal and nutritional value, the chutney
archaeological sites, monumental sculpture or painting. is believed to be a good source of nutrients like protein,
 Natural: Restricted to those natural areas like having calcium, zinc, vitamin B-12, iron, magnesium, potassium, etc.
natural phenomena
 Mixed: Sites that encompass both cultural and natural Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal:
significance. • It is known for its prickly thorns on the stems and the whole
• At present in India, there are 42 World Heritage sites out of plant.
which 34 are cultural sites, seven are natural sites and one is a • The green and round fruits contain more seeds as compared
mixed site. to other genotypes.
• The plants are resistant to major insects and can be grown
with minimal pesticide.
GI TAG TO PRODUCTS FROM ODISHA
Khajuri Guda:
Seven products from Odisha, have bagged the Geographical
Indication (GI) tag. • It is a dark brown jaggery extracted from date palm trees and
has its origin in the Gajapati district.

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• Traditionally, the jaggery is prepared in a trapezoidal form
called ‘Patali Gur’ and is organic by nature.
• ASI survey: The survey began on August 4, 2023, concerning
Dhenkanal Magji:
• It is a type of sweet made from cheese from buffalo milk, by
draining moisture from the cheese and then frying it, finally
forming balls from the mixture.
• Mandar-Sadangi area of Gondia block is believed to be the
center of origin of the sweet stuff.
About Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:
• A Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign used on products that
have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or
a reputation that are due to that origin.
• In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as
originating in a given place.
• Geographical indications are typically used for agricultural
products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts, and
industrial products.
GI Tags and India:
• The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and
Protection) Act,1999 seeks to provide for the registration
and better protection of geographical indications relating to
goods in India.
• The Act is administered by the Controller General of
Patents, Designs and TradeMarks- who is the Registrar of
Geographical Indications. The registration of a geographical
indication is valid for a period of 10 years.
GYANVAPI MOSQUE DISPUTE
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) handed over its
report on the Gyanvapi mosque complex to the Hindu and
Muslim sides.
About Mosque:
• The Gyanvapi Mosque is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh,
India. It is near the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
• Legal dispute: The dispute first reached the courts in 1991, when
a petition sought the removal of the mosque from the site and
the transfer of possession of the land to the Hindu community.
 The petitioners, which included the Kashi Vishwanath
Mandir Trust, claimed that Maharaja Vikramaditya had
built the temple more than 2,000 years ago.
 Hindu litigants have claimed that the mosque was built by
Mughal ruler Aurangzeb on the site of the original Kashi
Vishwanath temple after its destruction in the 17th century.
 The Vishwa Hindu Parishad contends that the Places of
Worship Act is not applicable to the Gyanvapi issue, as there
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was no change to the religious structure since 1947, and
that Hindus have always been performing puja at the site.
the dispute around the complex.
 The ASI report concluded that it can be said there existed
a Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing
structure, that is the mosque.
WHAT DOES THE PLACES OF WORSHIP ACT SAY?
• The law was enacted to freeze the status of all places of
worship in the country as on August 15, 1947.
• Features: The Act says that no person shall convert any
place of worship of any religious denomination into one of
a different denomination or section.
 It contains a declaration that a place of worship shall
continue to be as it was on August 15, 1947.
 Significantly, it prohibits any legal proceedings from
being instituted regarding the character of a place
of worship, and declares that all suits and appeals
pending before any court or authority on the cut-off
date regarding the conversion of the character of a
place of worship shall abate.
 In other words, all pending cases will come to an end,
and no further proceedings can be filed. However, any
suit or proceedings relating to any conversion of status
that happened after the cut-off date can continue.
• Exclusion: The 1991 Act will not apply in some cases. It
will not apply to ancient and historical monuments and
archaeological sites and remains that are covered by the
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains
Act, 1958.
 It will also not apply to any suit that has been finally
settled or disposed of, any dispute that has been
settled by the parties before the 1991 Act came into
force, or to the conversion of any place that took place
by acquiescence.
 The Act specifically exempted from its purview the
place of worship commonly referred to at the time as
Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. It was
done to allow the pending litigation to continue as well
as to preserve the scope for a negotiated settlement.
 The dispute ended after the court ruled that the land
on which the Masjid stood should be handed over to
the Hindu community for the construction of a Ram
temple.
• Anyone contravening the prohibition on converting the
status of a place of worship is liable to be imprisoned for
up to three years, and a fine.
 In-Shorts | Miscellaneous Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024

MISCELLANEOUS

PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS who have actually contributed to the field of sports
through their performance, and who contribute to sports
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, also known as Non-Resident even post-retirement.
Indian (NRI) Day, is celebrated on January 9.
 Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy: The award is
given to the overall high-performing university in inter-
About: university tournaments.
• It is observed to mark the contribution and achievements of  Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar: It is given to corporate
the overseas Indian community to the development of India. entities, Sports Control Boards, NGOs, including
• The day also commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi sports bodies at the State and National level, who have
from South Africa to India in 1915. played a visible role in the area of sports promotion and
• Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was first celebrated in 2003 and is development.
the flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs.
• Its format was later revised in 2015 to celebrate the event
HENLEY PASSPORT INDEX (HPI) 2024
once every two years and to hold theme-based conferences
during the intervening period with participation from overseas India's Passport secured the 80th rank in the latest Henley
diaspora experts, policy-makers, and stakeholders. Passport Index 2024.

Key Points:
NATIONAL SPORTS AWARDS 2023
• The index includes 199 different passports and 227 different
Recently, President Droupadi Murmu presented the travel destinations.
National Sports Awards 2023 at Rashtrapati Bhavan. • Four EU member states — France, Germany, Italy and Spain
— join Singapore and Japan in the most powerful passports
About: in the world.
• National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and
• Henley Passport Index (HPI) is an annual list put together
reward excellence in sports.
by Henley & Partners, a London-based global citizenship and
• The awards are administered by the Ministry of Youth Affairs residence advisory firm.
& Sports, Government of India.
 It is based on exclusive data from the International Air
• Categories: Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: The award Transport Association (IATA).
is conferred for the most outstanding performance in the area
of sports by a sportsperson over the time period of the last LAST POWERFUL PASSPORTS
four years. Rank Countries
 Arjuna Awards for Outstanding Performance in Sports and 104 Afghanistan
Games: The award is conferred for great performance 103 Syria
over the last four years and for demonstrating qualities of
102 Iraq
sportsmanship, a sense of discipline, and leadership.
101 Pakistan
 Dronacharya Award for Outstanding Coaches in Sports
and Games: The award is conferred to coaches for MOST POWERFUL PASSPORTS IN 2024
demonstrating outstanding work consistently and for Rank Countries
making it possible for sportspersons to ace in International 1 France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain
events.
2 Finland, South Korea, Sweden
 Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sports and
3 Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Netherland
Games: The award is conferred to honor the sportspersons

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 Current Affairs In-Shorts | Miscellaneous
Edition: February 2024
BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS 2023
Recently, The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023 was announced
in London.
About:
• This Award is presented annually by the sport's governing
body, FIFA.
• The award is aimed at reviving the FIFA World Player Gala
that was presented between 1991–2009.
• The FIFA World Player Gala was superseded first by the FIFA
Ballon d'Or during 2010-15, and since 2016 by The Best FIFA
Football Awards.
• Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been crowned The Best
FIFA Men’s Player 2023, retaining the title he won in 2022.
• Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmati has been crowned The
Best FIFA Women's Player 2023.
About FIFA:
• Founded in 1904, FIFA or the Federation Internationale de
Football Association is the highest governing body of football
in the world.
• It is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland.
• FIFA is a member of the International Football Association
Board, which is responsible for setting the rules of football.
RASHTRIYA SAMAR SMARAK
Prime Minister Modi, paid tributes at the Rashtriya Samar
Smarak in the national capital.
Rashtriya Samar Smarak (National War Memorial):
• It is a national monument built to honor and remember
soldiers of the Indian military who fought in armed conflicts of
independent India.
• It was established in January 2019.
• The names of armed forces personnel martyred during the
armed conflicts with Pakistan and China as well as the 1961
War in Goa, Operation Pawan and other operations such as
Operation Rakshak are inscribed on the memorial walls in
golden letters.
• The memorial has distinct scheme of concentric circles, as
follows:
 Amar Chakra (Circle of Immortality): This has an Obelisk
with Eternal Flame. The flame symbolizes the immortality
of the spirit of fallen soldiers with the assurance that the
Nation will never forget their sacrifices.
 Veerta Chakra (Circle of Bravery): This circle depicts the
Bravery of Indian forces in the form of a covered gallery
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that exhibits six bronze murals, depicting valiant battle
actions of Indian Armed Forces.
 Tyag Chakra (Circle of Sacrifice): This includes circular
concentric walls of honor, which symbolize the ancient
war formation 'Chakravyuh'. The walls are clad with
granite tablets where an independent granite tablet is
dedicated to each soldier who has made the supreme
sacrifice.
 Raksha Chakra (Circle of Protection): The outermost
circle made of rows of trees in the Raksha Chakra is a
reassurance to the citizens of the country about their
safety against any threat.
KOTTAI AMEER COMMUNAL HARMONY
AWARD, 2024
Tamil Nadu government handed over the ‘Kottai Ameer
Communal Harmony Award for 2024’ to Mohammed Zubair
(co-founder of Alt News) for peace efforts.
About:
• It was instituted by the Tamil Nadu government in 2000 to
recognize outstanding services in building harmony.
• It is presented by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu during the
Republic Day Celebration every year.
• It is presented to a person belonging to Tamil Nadu for
the outstanding services rendered to promote Communal
Harmony.
• It includes a medal worth of Rs.2000/-, and a cash component
of Rs 25,000, and a certificate honouring the services.
JEEVAN RAKSHA PADAK SERIES OF
AWARDS-2023
The President of India approved conferment of Jeevan
Raksha Padak Series of Awards-2023.
About:
• These awards are given to a person for a meritorious act of
human nature in saving the life of a person.
• The award is given in three categories, namely:
 Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak;
 Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak;
 Jeevan Raksha Padak;
• Persons of all walks of life are eligible for these awards.
• The award can also be conferred posthumously.

• The decoration of the award (medal, certificate and lump sum
monetary allowance) is presented to the awardees in due
course by the respective Union Ministries/Organizations/
State Government.
CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX (CPI) 2023
Recently, the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023 was
released by Transparency International.
About:
• Transparency International is the global civil society
organisation founded in 1993 and is based in Berlin, Germany.
• It ranks 180 countries and territories around the globe by
their perceived levels of public sector corruption.
• The index uses a scale of 0 to 100, where 0 is highly corrupt
and 100 is very clean.
Key Findings:
• Denmark is at the top, followed by Finland, New Zealand and
Norway.
• At rank 93, India has tied up with Maldives, Kazakhstan, and
Lesotho.
• The bottom of the index included Myanmar (162), Afghanistan
(162) and North Korea (172). At rank 180 was Somalia with
the lowest score of 11.
NO TSUNAMI THREAT TO INDIA
Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) stated that
there is no tsunami threat to India following the Tsunami in
Japan.
About:
• Tsunami (a Japanese word that means “harbor wave”) is
a series of giant ocean waves caused by earthquakes or
volcanic eruptions under the ocean.
• The formation of a tsunami can depend on a host of factors,
including the shape of the ocean floor, and the earthquake’s
distance and direction.
• The speed of a tsunami depends on the depth of the water it is
traveling through. The deeper the water; the faster the tsunami.
Causes of Tsunami:
• Underwater Earthquakes:
 Most tsunamis are triggered by underwater earthquakes,
particularly those associated with tectonic plate
movements.
In-Shorts | Miscellaneous Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
 Subduction zones, where one tectonic plate submerges
beneath another, are common locations for powerful
earthquakes that can generate tsunamis.
• Volcanic Eruptions:
 Especially those occurring beneath the ocean, can
displace large volumes of water, leading to the formation
of tsunamis.
 Sudden collapses of volcanic island flanks into the sea
can also generate destructive tsunamis.
• Submarine Landslides:
 Underwater landslides, caused by various factors such
as volcanic activity, sediment instability, or even meteorite
impacts, can displace substantial water masses,
triggering tsunamis.
• Meteorite Impacts:
 Rare but impactful, large meteorite impacts in the ocean
have the potential to generate tsunamis.
 The energy released upon impact displaces water and
initiates waves.
• Tectonic Plate Movements:
 Movements of tectonic plates, whether horizontal or
vertical, can lead to the sudden displacement of large
water volumes, creating tsunami waves.
 Submarine fault lines and plate boundaries are common
regions for such occurrences.
• Human-Induced Causes:
 While less common, human activities such as underwater
explosions, major landslides into the ocean, or large-scale
construction projects on the seabed can, in rare cases,
contribute to tsunami generation.
• Glacial Calving:
 In polar regions, the breaking off of large sections of ice
from glaciers, known as glacial calving, can produce
waves capable of causing localized tsunamis.
Methods to detect Tsunamis:
• Seismic Detection:
 Seismometers: Seismic networks worldwide detect the
initial seismic waves (P-waves) generated by an undersea
earthquake.
 Seismic Wave Analysis: Scientists analyze the
characteristics of seismic waves, such as location, depth,
and magnitude, to determine the earthquake's potential to
generate a tsunami.
• Tide Gauge Stations:
 Oceanographic Sensors: Tide gauge stations positioned in
coastal areas measure sea level changes.
 Unusual rises or falls in sea level can indicate the
presence of a tsunami.
 Buoy Systems: Deep-ocean tsunami detection buoys are
equipped with sensors that can detect changes in water
pressure.
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 Current Affairs In-Shorts | Miscellaneous
Edition: February 2024
 When a tsunami passes over, it generates a series of
long waves that are detected by these buoys.
• Satellite Technology:
 Remote sensing satellites can capture images of the
ocean surface.
 While they may not directly detect tsunami waves, changes
in ocean patterns and disturbances can be observed.
• Early Warning Systems:
 Countries with tsunami-prone coastlines have established
early warning systems.
 Once a potential tsunami is detected through seismic or
oceanographic means, alerts are disseminated through
communication networks to vulnerable coastal areas.
• Modeling and Simulation:
 Computer models simulate tsunami propagation based on
earthquake data and oceanic conditions.
 These models help predict the tsunami's arrival time,
height, and potential impact on specific coastal regions.
Consequences of Tsunami:
• Loss of Life: Tsunamis can cause significant loss of life,
especially in densely populated coastal regions.
 In 2011, Japan was hit by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and
a resulting tsunami which killed around 18,000 people.
• Major Accidents: The 2011 tsunami in Japan led to a nuclear
meltdown at the Fukushima power plant, causing one of the
most severe nuclear accidents.
• Displacement of Communities: People living in coastal areas
are forced to evacuate or relocate which can lead to temporary
or long-term homelessness and strain on resources.
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• Infrastructure Disruption: Tsunamis can damage critical
infrastructure such as roads, bridges, ports, and utilities,
disrupting transportation and communication networks.
Factors Leading to Japan's Vulnerability to Earthquakes
and Tsunamis:
• Japan is situated along the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’, which is the
most active earthquake tectonic belt in the world.
• The ‘ring’ refers to “an imaginary horseshoe-shaped zone
that follows the rim of the Pacific Ocean, where many of the
world’s earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.
• Within the Ring of Fire, there are different tectonic belts,
including the Pacific Plate, Eurasian Plate, and Indo-Australian
Plate, which keep meshing and colliding with each other,
causing earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis.
INDIAN NATIONAL CENTRE FOR OCEAN
INFORMATION SERVICES (INCOIS)
• Nature: An autonomous body under the Ministry of Earth
Sciences (MoES) and is a unit of the Earth System Science
Organisation (ESSO).
• ESSO-INCOIS was established in 1999 under the Ministry of
Earth Sciences (MoES) and is located in Hyderabad.
• Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) is also housed
in the INCOIS.
• Mandate: To provide the ocean information and advisory
services to society, industry, government agencies
and scientific community through sustained ocean
observations and systematic and focussed research.

DATA RECAP
Ram Temple:
• Chief Architect: Chandrakant B. Sompura
• Construction Company: Larsen and Toubro (L&T)
• Sculptors: Arun Yogiraaj (Mysore), Ganesh Bhatt and
Satyanarayan Pandey.
Anti Defection Law
• Dinesh Goswami Committee on Electoral Reforms (1990):
Disqualification should be limited to cases where:
 A member voluntarily gives up the membership of his
political party; A member abstains from voting, or votes
contrary to the party whip in a motion of vote of confidence
or motion of no-confidence.
• The issue of disqualification should be decided by the
President/Governor on the advice of the Election Commission.
Law Commission (170th Report, 1999):
• Provisions which exempt splits and mergers from
disqualification to be deleted.
• Pre-poll electoral fronts should be treated as political
parties under anti-defection law. Political parties should limit
issuance of whips to instances only when the government is
in danger.
• Kihoto Hollohan vs Zachillhu And Others (1992): The Supreme
Court upheld the validity of the ADL and made the Speaker’s
order subject to judicial review on limited grounds. It held that
Freedom to speech and expression is not an absolute right
but is subjected to reasonable restrictions
Sports Sector
• The market size of the sports industry across India was about
142 billion Indian rupees in 2022 and is expected to reach
300 billion Indian rupees by 2027.
Findings of MPI by NITI Aayog
• Reduction in Poverty: India has registered a significant
decline in multidimensional poverty from 29.17% in 2013- 14
to 11.28% in 2022-23 i.e. a reduction of 17.89 percentage
points.
• State Wise Decline: Uttar Pradesh registered the largest
decline in the number of poor with 5.94 crore people escaping
multidimensional poverty during the last nine years followed
by Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
• Headcount Ratio: The pace of decline in poverty headcount
ratio using the exponential method was much faster between
2015-16 to 2019-21 (10.66% annual rate of decline) compared
to period 2005-06 to 2015-16 (7.69% annual rate of decline)
Test Yourself Current Affairs
Edition: February 2024
Coal Reserve Status:
• India boasts rich coal deposits, with total estimated reserves
amounting to 361.41 billion tonnes.
• Top Three States: The states with the highest coal reserves are
Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh, collectively accounting
for approximately 69% of the country's total coal reserves.
• Global Position: India holds the position of the second-largest
producer and consumer of coal globally, surpassing the USA
in 2022
India-France Relation:
• Trade relations have witnessed steady growth, with bilateral
trade reaching $13.4 Bn in 2022-23.
• France is one of the largest investors in India with FDI inflow
of US$ 659.77 million for FY 2022-23.
• There are nearly 1,000 French companies in India including
39 of the CAC 40 (‘the most influential benchmark of
performance in the French economy’) while nearly 150 Indian
businesses have established a presence in France.
• Mainland France has an estimated 1,19,000 Indian communities.
• Akasa Air has signed a $5 billion agreement for over 300
LEAP-1B engines to power its fleet acquisition of 170 Boeing
MAX aircraft.
India-Saudi Arabia Relations:
• During FY23 bilateral trade was valued at US$ 52.76 Billion.
• Total trade with Saudi Arabia accounted for 4.53% of India’s
total trade in FY 2022-23.
• India Imported 39.5 MMT of crude oil from Saudi Arabia,
in FY23, accounting for 16.7 % of its total crude imports.
Additionally, India’s LPG imports from Saudi Arabia stood
at 7.85 MMT and accounted for 11.2% of its total petroleum
product imports in FY 23.
• The Indian community in Saudi Arabia numbers at more than
2.4 million and is a living bridge between the two countries.
Lithium Reserves:
• Global Reserves: Chile, Australia, Argentina, Bolivia and China
contain most of the reserves discovered so far globally.
• Argentina, Bolivia and Chile, also known as the ‘Lithium
Triangle’ contain 54% of the world’s Lithium reserves.
• Lithium Reserves in India: In India, there is some potential to
recover lithium from brines of Sambhar and Pachpadra areas
in Rajasthan, and Rann of Kutch, Gujarat.
• Also the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has found lithium
resources in Jammu and Kashmir.
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 Current Affairs
Test Yourself
Test Yourself
Edition: February 2024

Objective Questions
Visit: www.nextias.com for monthly compilation of Current based MCQs
Mains Questions
GS PAPER - I
1. Examine Savitribai Phule's contributions to social reform,
particularly her advocacy for women's rights and efforts to
eradicate caste-based discrimination. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
2. Examine the geological factors contributing to landslides
in India. Analyze the regions prone to landslides, the
causes, and the impact of these events on communities and
infrastructure. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
3. Evaluate the social and economic consequences of river
interlinking project in India. Analyze how the project may
contribute to regional development and address water-
related challenges. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
4. Discuss the potential impact of increased representation
of women in the judiciary on the delivery of justice.
 (10 Marks, 150 Words)
GS PAPER - II
5. Examine the key provisions and objectives of the
Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023. Discuss
the challenges and opportunities posed by the proposed
regulatory framework. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
6. Discuss the effectiveness of the Anti-Defection Law in India.
Analyze contemporary challenges and proposed reforms to
the existing legal framework. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
7. Analyze the geopolitical considerations that impact India's
stance on its relationship with Taiwan. Evaluate the strategic
implications and diplomatic challenges posed by the
One-China policy in managing this bilateral relationship.
 (15 Marks, 250 Words)
8. Analyze the geopolitical dynamics influencing India-Nepal
relations, considering issues such as border disputes,
strategic concerns, and the broader regional context.
 (15 Marks, 250 Words)
9. Discuss contemporary challenges and opportunities in India-
South Korea relations, considering recent developments,
shared interests, and potential areas for collaboration in
addressing global issues. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
GS PAPER - III
11. Examine the dimensions and indicators of multidimensional
poverty in India. Evaluate government policies aimed at
addressing and alleviating multidimensional poverty in
India. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
12. Examine the regulatory framework and implications
of Virtual Digital Asset Service Providers (VDA SPs).
 (10 Marks, 150 Words)
13. Analyze the current status and challenges of coal production
in India. Discuss potential sustainable alternatives and
policy measures for the future of coal production in the
country. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
14. Examine the strategic significance and potential socio-
economic impacts of the Kochi – Lakshadweep Submarine
Optical Fibre Cable project. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
15. Assess the global position of the Indian tea industry in
terms of production, export, and market share. Examine the
impact of international factors, such as changing consumer
preferences and trade regulations, on the Indian tea market.
 (15 Marks, 250 Words)
16. Discuss the regional disparities within India's startup
ecosystem. What measures can be taken to promote
startup’s in India. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
17. Examine the significance of green hydrogen as a
sustainable energy source. Analyze the production
methods, environmental benefits, and potential applications
in decarbonizing various sectors. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
18. Examine the objectives and key components of India's
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). Analyze the
government's strategies and action plans to address
air pollution and improve air quality across the country.
 (10 Marks, 150 Words)
19. Discuss the advantages and challenges associated with
coal gasification for power generation. (10 Marks, 150 Words)

10. Examine the historical evolution of diplomatic ties between 20. Analyze the security risks associated with voice cloning,
India and France. Analyze how strategic partnerships have especially in terms of fraud, misinformation, and
developed and impacted the bilateral relationship over time. impersonation. Discuss measures and technologies to
 (10 Marks, 150 Words) mitigate these risks. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
120