January - June 2023 05

Topics Page No.

Polity 06
Team
• Mr. Saurabh Kumar Pandey Economy 33
Founder: Aarohan Education
International Relations 56
• Mr. Rahul Swaroop
Founder: PrepON IAS
Environment 68
• Mr. Anjani Kant
Content Organiser Geography 95
• Mr. Dinesh Atal
Content Developer Science and Technology 111
• Mr.Satpal Singh
Government Schemes and
Technical Support
Initiatives 154
• Mr Avinash Singh
Background Support
Art and culture 166
• Mr Rudra Periyar
Office Support Important Committees 174
and Commissions

Persons in News 177

Disclaimer:
This Current Affairs compilation is based on
Awards 181
the news items taken from leading
newspapers. Every effort has been taken to
ascertain the authenticity of the information
yet we do not undertake any responsibility of
Sports 192
the information being authentic.

Miscellaneous 196

Latest Current 205

Affairs Questions 2023
January - June 2023
Polity
National Commission for Scheduled
Tribes (NCST)
• National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
(NCST) said that Forest (Conservation) Rules
(FCR) 2022 will invariably violate the Forest
Rights Act, 2006.
• NCST was set up with effect from 19th February
2004 by amending Article 338 and by
inserting a new article 338A in the
Constitution through the 89th Constitution
Amendment Act, 2003.
• Status- Constitutional body.
• Composition:
o It consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-
Chairperson and 3 other Members who
are appointed by the President by warrant
under his hand and seal.
o At least one member should be a
woman.
o The Chairperson has been given the rank
of Union Cabinet Ministers
o The Vice Chairperson has the rank of a
Minister of State.
o Other members have the rank of a
Secretary to the Government of India.
• Tenure:
o The Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson
and the other Members hold office for a
term of 3 years.
o The members are not eligible for
appointment for more than two terms.
e-SCR Project
• Chief Justice of India (CJI) announced the
launch of the electronic Supreme Court Reports
(e-SCR) project to provide free access to its
about 34,000 judgements to lawyers, law
students and the common public.
• This project would create an invaluable
resource as the entire gamut of judgments from
the inception of the Supreme Court in the year
1950 till date would be available on e-SCR
and digital repository.
• These verdicts will be available on the apex
court website, its mobile app and on the
judgment portal of the National Judicial Data
Grid (NJDG).
06
Village Defence Committees
• Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor assured the
people that they would get a Village Defence
Committee (VDC) on the lines of those in Doda
district.
• The VDCs were first formed in the erstwhile
Doda district (now Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban
districts) in mid 1990s as a force multiplier against
militant attacks.
• The then Jammu and Kashmir administration
decided to provide residents of remote hilly
villages with weapons and give them arms
training to defend themselves.
• The VDCs have now been renamed as Village
Defence Guards (VDG).
• The new scheme to set up VDGs in vulnerable
areas of J&K was approved by the Union Ministry
of Home Affairs in March last year. Like a VDC
member, each VDG will be provided a gun and
100 rounds of ammunition.
• The VDGs, will function under the direction of
the SP/SSP of the district concerned.
Draft UGC (Setting up and Operation of
Campuses of Foreign Higher
Educational Institutions in India)
Regulations 2023
• Higher education regulator University Grants
Commission (UGC) released draft regulations to
allow foreign universities to enter India.
• The National Education Policy, 2020, envisages
a legislative framework to allow top global
universities to operate in India.
• According to draft norms Foreign universities
can set up their campuses in India, decide their
admission process, fee structure, and will also be
able to repatriate funds to their parent campuses.
• It underlines that they shall not offer any such
“programme of study that jeopardises the national
interest of India or the standards of higher
education in India.
• Universities that participate in global rankings will
require a place in the top 500 - either in the
overall or subject-wise category - to apply to set up
campuses in India.
• Those that do not participate in such rankings will
need to be “reputed” in their respective countries.
January - June 2023
• Initially, universities will be granted approval to
operate for 10 years.
o At the end of the ninth year, they will have
to file for renewal of approval.
Obscenity Laws In India
• A political leader appealed to the authorities to
take action against a social media influencer for
“roaming the streets of Mumbai and exhibiting
her body
• Under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Sections
292, 293 and 294 deal with the offence of
obscenity.
• Section 67 of the Information Technology
Act
o It says that anyone who publishes or
transmits obscene material in electronic
form can be punished.
Decennial Census
• The exercise to carry out the decennial census
has been further postponed - at least till
September 30.
• Census is the basis for reviewing the country's
progress in the past decade, monitoring the
ongoing schemes of the government and plan
for the future.
• Census provides detailed and authentic
information on : Demography. Economic activity.
Literacy and education. Housing and household
amenities. Urbanisation. Fertility and Mortality.
Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes,
Language. Religion. Migration, Disability and
many other socio-cultural and demographic
data.
• The first complete census of India was
conducted in 1830 by Henry Walter in Dacca
(now Dhaka). It has been undertaken every 10
years, beginning in 1872 under British Viceroy
Lord Mayo.
• The first synchronous census was taken under
British rule on February 17, 1881, by W.C.
Plowden, Census Commissioner of India.
• The decennial Census of India has been
conducted 15 times.
• It has been conducted by the Registrar General
and Census Commissioner of India under the
Ministry of Home Affairs
• The population census is a Union subject
under Article 246 of India Constitution.
• The last census was held in 2011.
• 2011 marks the first time biometric information
was collected.
07
• 16th Decennial Census will be the first digital
census in the country.
Overseas Indians
• Inaugurating the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
convention, Prime Minister of India said Indians
living overseas are “brand ambassadors” of the
country on foreign soil.
• They are classified into three categories: Non-
Resident Indians (NRI), Persons of Indian Origin
(PIOs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs).
• NRIs : NRI is someone who has been out of India
for more than a specific period.
o An NRI must hold an Indian passport and
have Indian nationality.
• PIO refers to a foreign citizen (except a national of
Pakistan, Afghanistan Bangladesh, China, Iran,
Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Nepal) .
o Who at any time held an Indian passport, or
o Who or either of their parents/
grandparents/great grandparents was born
and permanently resided in India as defined
in GoI Act, 1935, or
o Who is a spouse of a citizen of India or a PIO.
• The PIO category was abolished in 2015 and
merged with the OCI category.
• OCI : A separate category of OCI was carved out
in 2006.
o An OCI card was given to a foreign national,
 Who was eligible to be a citizen of India
on January 26, 1950,
 Was a citizen of India on or at any time
after January 26, 1950, or
 Belonged to a territory that became part
of India after August 15, 1947.
o Minor children of such individuals, except
those who were a citizen of Pakistan or
Bangladesh, were also eligible for OCI cards.
Delegated Legislation
• Parliament routinely delegates certain
functions to authorities established by law
since every aspect cannot be dealt with directly
by the law makers themselves.
• This delegation of powers is noted in statutes,
which are commonly referred to as delegated
legislations.
• The delegated legislation would specify
operational details, giving power to those
executing the details.
January - June 2023
• Regulations and by-laws under legislations are
classic examples of delegated legislation.
• The concept of delegated legislation was not
mentioned specifically in the Indian Constitution.
NCPCR Draft Guidelines On
Assessing If Minors Can Be Tried As
Adults
• The National Commission for Protection of Child
Rights (NCPCR) has come up with draft
guidelines on the preliminary assessment of
whether certain minors are to be tried under law
as adults in particular cases, under the Juvenile
Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.
• Earlier, all children under the age of 18 were
considered minors by the law.
• Through an amendment in 2015, a provision was
added to the JJ Act for trying a child in conflict
with the law as an adult.
• Under this, a child in the age group of 16-18
years could be tried as an adult in case of
heinous offences.
o Heinous Offence- A crime for which the
minimum punishment is seven years
imprisonment.
• Section 15 (1) of the Act states that the Juvenile
Justice Board shall conduct a preliminary
assessment to determine whether to try such a
child as an adult or a minor.
• The Act directs that the Board shall consider-
o The mental and physical capacity of the child
for committing the alleged offence.
o The ability to understand the consequences
of the offence.
o The circumstances in which the offence was
committed.
• After the assessment, the Board can pass an
order saying there is a need to try the said child
as an adult and transfer the case to a children’s
court with the relevant jurisdiction.
• If tried as a minor, the child could be sent to a
special home for a maximum of three years.
08
Section 6A of the Citizenship Act,
1955
• A Supreme Court Constitution Bench was
hearing petitions challenging Section 6A of
the Citizenship Act.
• Section 6A was a special provision inserted into
the 1955 Act in furtherance of a Memorandum of
Settlement called the ‘Assam Accord’.
• It was signed on August 15, 1985 by the then
Rajiv Gandhi government with the leaders of the
Assam Movement.
• Its objective was to preserve and protect the
Assamese culture, heritage, linguistic and
social identity.
• Under Section 6A, foreigners who had entered
Assam before January 1, 1966, and been
“ordinarily resident” in the State, would have all
the rights and obligations of Indian citizens.
• Those who had entered the State between
January 1, 1966 and March 25, 1971 would
have the same rights and obligations except that
they would not be able to vote for 10 years
Basic Structure of the Indian
Constitution
• Vice President of India criticised the Supreme
Court for using the doctrine of basic structure to
strike down the constitutional amendment that
introduced the National Judicial Appointments
Commission Act.
• The Doctrine of Basic Structure is a form of
judicial review that is used to test the legality of
any legislation by the courts.
• The doctrine was evolved by the Supreme
Court in the 1973 landmark ruling in
Kesavananda Bharati v State of Kerala.
• A 13-judge Constitution Bench ruled that the
‘basic structure’ of the Constitution is
inviolable, and could not be amended by
Parliament.
• If a law is found to “damage or destroy” the
“basic features of the Constitution”, the Court
declares it unconstitutional.
January - June 2023
• The doctrine has not been specifically defined.
• Some of the components of basic feature are
o Supremacy of the Constitution, Republican
and democratic form of government, Secular
character of the Constitution, Separation of
powers between the legislature, executive
and the judiciary, Federal character of the
Constitution etc
Central Consumer Protection
Authority (CCPA)
• The Central Consumer Protection Authority
(CCPA) issued notices to e-commerce entities,
Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal for sale of toys in
violation to standards directed for compulsory
use by the Central Government.
• It is a regulatory authority set up under Section
10(1) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
• CCPA works under the administrative control of
the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
• It was established to promote, protect and
enforce the rights of consumers.
The Online Gaming Industry in India
• Online gaming is “a game that is offered on the
internet and is accessible by a user through a
computer resource if he makes a deposit with the
expectation of earning winnings”. Winning’
constitutes any prize, in cash or kind.
• This addresses the discourse in the sector about
the definitions of a ‘game of skill’ and ‘game of
chance’.
• The term ‘game of skill’ had been used in the
Public Gambling Act (1867) but had not been
defined.
National Green Tribunal (NGT)
• The NGT has set a four-month deadline for
remedial actions & recovering damages from the
Kulda coal mine and Tamnar thermal plant for
transporting coal through villages in violation of
environmental clearance conditions. NGT was
established in 2010 under the National Green
Tribunal Act 2010.
• Status- Statutory Body
09
• Objectives-
o Established for effective and expeditious
disposal of cases relating to Environmental
protection, Conservation of forests and Other
natural resources including enforcement of any
legal right relating to environment and
o It gives relief and compensation for
damages to persons and property and for
matters connected therewith or incidental
thereto.
• NGT is mandated to make disposal of
applications or appeals finally within 6 months
of the filing of the same.
• New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of
the Tribunal and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and
Chennai shall be the other four places of sitting
of the Tribunal.
• It is not bound by the procedure laid down
under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but
shall be guided by principles of natural justice.
• Composition- 40 members (20 expert members
and 20 judicial members).
Kulda-Tamnar Coal Link
• Open cast mine in Kulda is barely 40 km away
from Tamnar in Chhattisgarh.
• Caught between the two are 14 villages on a
cratered road on which coal-laden trucks run
round the clock. It is choking lives and livelihoods
under a layer of black dust.
Disclosure of Journalistic Sources
• A Delhi court said there is “no statutory
exemption in India to journalists from
disclosing their sources to investigating
agencies”.
• In India, there is no specific legislation that
protects journalists from being asked to disclose
their sources.
• Article 19 of the Constitution guarantees the right
to freedom of speech and expression to all
citizens.
• Investigative agencies can issue notice to anyone,
including journalists, to provide information.
• Like any citizen, a journalist can be compelled
to give evidence in Court.
• If she does not comply, the journalist can face
charges of Contempt of Court.
January - June 2023
Protection of Children from Sexual
Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012
• Ten years have passed since the Protection of
Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act,
2012, enacted in consequence to India’s
ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of
the Child in 1992, came into effect on November
14, 2012.
• The Act has been enacted to protect children
from offences of sexual assault, sexual
harassment and pornography.
• It provide for establishment of Special Courts
for trial of such offences and related matters and
incidents.
• The Act was amended in 2019.
• It defines a child as ‘any person’ below the age
of 18 years.
• It penalises those who have failed to report the
offence with either imprisonment or a fine or both.
• Victim can report an offence at any time, even a
number of years after the abuse has been
committed.
• It defines different forms of sexual abuse,
including penetrative and non-penetrative
assault, as well as sexual harassment and
pornography.
• People who traffic children for sexual purposes
are also punishable.
• The storage of child pornography material has
been made a new offence.
• It provides for special courts that conduct the
trial in-camera and without revealing the identity
of the child, in a manner that is as child-friendly
as possible.
National Commission for Protection of
Child Rights (NCPCR)
• It monitors the implementation of POCSO Act.
• It’s a statutory body
• Established by an Act of Parliament, the
Commission for Protection of Child Rights
(CPCR) Act, 2005.
• The Commission works under the aegis of
Ministry of Women & Child Development, GoI.
• Composition
o A chairperson and six members of which
at least two should be women.
o All of them are appointed by the Central
Government for three years.
o The maximum age to serve in commission is
65 years for Chairman and 60 years for
members.
10
Collegium System
• It is the system of appointment and transfer of
judges.
• It has evolved through judgments of the SC,
and not by an Act of Parliament or by a provision
of the Constitution.
• SC collegium is headed by the CJI and
comprises four other senior most judges of
the court. Judges of the SC and HC are
appointed only through the collegium system and
the government has a role only after names have
been decided by the collegium. The collegium
sends its final recommendation to the President
of India for approval through the Law minister.
• The President can either accept it or reject it.
• In the case it is rejected, the recommendation
comes back to the collegium.
• If the collegium reiterates its
recommendation to the President, then he/she
is bound by that recommendation.
• Articles 124(2) and 217 of the Indian
Constitution deal with the appointment of judges
to the Supreme Court and High Courts.
Chargesheet
• The Supreme Court held that chargesheets are
not ‘public documents’.
• A chargesheet is defined under Section 173
CrPC. It is the final report prepared by a police
officer or investigative agencies after completing
their investigation of a case.
• After preparing the chargesheet, the officer-in-
charge of the police station forwards it to a
Magistrate, who is empowered to take notice of
the offences mentioned in it.
• The chargesheet should contain details of
names, the nature of the information, & offences.
• A chargesheet must be filed against the accused
within a prescribed period of 60-90 days,
otherwise the arrest is illegal and the accused is
entitled to bail.
First Information Report (FIR)
• FIR has not been defined in either the Indian
Penal Code (IPC) or the CrPC.
• It finds a place under the police regulations/ rules
under Section 154 of CrPC, which deals with
‘Information in Cognizable Cases’.
• An FIR is filed at the ‘first’ instance’ that the
police is informed of a cognizable offense or
offence for which one can be arrested without a
warrant; such as rape, murder, kidnapping
January - June 2023
Republic Day : Tableaux
• 17 states and union territories, such as West
Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, and
Jammu & Kashmir displayed their tableaux at
Kartavya Path for the Republic Day parade.
• The Defence Ministry is responsible for the
Republic Day parade and the celebrations.
• Every year, around September, the ministry
initiates the process to decide the tableaux.
• The themes given to participants this year were
around 75 years of India’s Independence, the
International Year of Millets and ‘Nari Shakti’.
Euthanasia
• A five-judge Bench of the Supreme Court
agreed to significantly ease the procedure for
passive euthanasia in the country by altering the
existing guidelines for ‘living wills’.
• It was laid down in its 2018 judgment in Common
Cause vs. Union of India & Anr, which allowed
passive euthanasia.
• Euthanasia refers to the practice of an
individual deliberately ending their life,
oftentimes to get relief from an incurable
condition, or intolerable pain and suffering.
• Euthanasia, which can be administered only by a
physician, can be either ‘active’ or ‘passive’.
• Active Euthanasia : It involves an active
intervention to end a person’s life with
substances or external force, such as
administering a lethal injection.
• Passive Euthanasia : It refers to withdrawing life
support or treatment that is essential to keep a
terminally ill person alive.
• SC Rule : The Supreme Court allowed passive
euthanasia while recognising the living wills of
terminally-ill patients who could go into a
permanent vegetative state, and issued
guidelines regulating this procedure.
Mandatory Minimum Sentencing
• A CJI Chandrachud-led bench of the Supreme
Court decided to examine a petition challenging
the constitutional validity of Section 376 DB
of the Indian Penal Code.
11
• The concept of mandatory minimum sentencing
refers to “a sentence which must be imposed
without leaving any discretion to the court.
• It means a quantum of punishment which cannot
be reduced below the period fixed,” the Apex
court held in its 2016 ruling in ‘Mohd Hashim vs
State Of UP And Others’.
• Essentially, this predetermines the minimum
punishment or sentence for certain offenses
which are considered to be more serious than
others. It aims to ensure justice and not let the
perpetrator of such an offense go unpunished.
The Medical Termination of Pregnancy
(Amendment) Act, 2021
• In separate orders, the Delhi and Bombay HCs
have allowed exemptions beyond what is laid
down in Medical Termination of Pregnancy
(Amendment) Act, 2021.
• The MTP (Amendment) Act, 2021, had
introduced a key change in Section 3 by
extending the upper limit for termination of
pregnancy from 20 to 24 weeks
• For pregnancies up to 20 weeks, termination is
allowed under the opinion of one registered
medical practitioner.
• For pregnancies between 20-24 weeks,
requires the opinion of two registered medical
practitioners in this case.
• For pregnancies within 20 weeks, termination
can be allowed if-
o The continuance of the pregnancy would
involve a risk to the life of the pregnant woman
or of grave injury to her physical or mental
health;
o There is a substantial risk that if the child was
born, it would suffer from any serious physical
or mental abnormality.
Joint Parliamentary Committee
• The Opposition joined hands to demand a probe
by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) into
the allegations of fraud and stock manipulation
against the Adani Group.
• About JPC : The JPC is an ad-hoc body.
January - June 2023
o JPC is set up by the Parliament for a special
purpose, like for the detailed scrutiny of a
subject or Bill.
o It has members from both the Houses and
from both the ruling parties and the opposition.
o It is dissolved after its term ends or its task has
been completed.
o There have been six JPCs set up so far.
• Setting Up of JPC
o A JPC is set up after one House of Parliament
has passed a motion and the other has agreed
to it.
o Members of the JPC are decided by the
Parliament.
o The number of members can vary – there is no
fixed number.
• Powers & Functions
o The mandate of a JPC depends on the
motion constituting it.
o To fulfil its mandate, a JPC can scrutinise
documents and summon people for
questioning.
o It then submits a report and makes
recommendations to the government.
eCourt Project
• Finance Minister said that the phase three of the
eCourts Project with an outlay of Rs 7,000
crore will be launched for efficient administration
of justice.
• The pan-India project is monitored and funded
by the Ministry of Law and Justice.
• It envisions an infrastructure for the judicial
system that is natively digital.
• It does not merely digitise paper-based
processes, it transforms processes for a digital
environment.
• Phase III will enable any litigant or lawyer to
file a case from anywhere, at any time, without
having to go to multiple windows in the premises
of any specific court.
• The phase three of the eCourts Project envisions
a judicial system that is more accessible, efficient
and equitable for every individual who seeks
justice, or is part of the delivery of justice, in India.
12
• 4,400 fully functional eSewa Kendras will
provide assistance to all lawyers and litigants.
• Live streaming of court hearings would allow for
further transparency in judicial proceedings.
• Similar Initiative of SC in this Direction
o SUPACE (Supreme Court Portal for
Assistance in Court Efficiency).
o SUVAS (Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad
Software).
Contesting Two Seats in One Poll
• Recently, The Supreme Court refused to set
aside a provision in the election law which
allows candidates to contest polls from two
constituencies simultaneously.
• Section 33(7) of the Representation of
People Act (RPA) :
o It permits a candidate to contest any
election (parliamentary, state assembly,
biennial council, or by-elections) from up to
two constituencies.
o The provision was introduced in 1996.
o Prior to this provision there was no bar
on the number of constituencies from
which a candidate could contest.
o Section 70 of RPA states that if a person is
elected to more than one seat in either House
of Parliament or in the House or either House
of the Legislature of a State, then, unless
within the prescribed time he resigns all but
one of the seats all the seats shall become
vacant.
Article 356
• Recently, Prime Minister of India recalled in
Rajya Sabha that Article 356 of the Indian
Constitution was misused by the previous
governments.
• Article 356 empowers the President to
withdraw to the Union the executive and
legislative powers of any state “if he is satisfied
that a situation has arisen in which the
government of the state cannot be carried on in
accordance with the provisions of the
Constitution”.
January - June 2023
• Consequences
o Upon the imposition of this rule, there would
be no Council of Ministers. The Vidhan
Sabha is either dissolved or prorogued.
o The state will fall under the direct control of
the Union government, and the Governor
will continue to head the proceedings,
representing the President of India – who is
the Head of the State.
o The imposition of the President’s rule
requires the sanction of both the houses
of Parliament.
o If approved, it can go on for a period of six
months.
o However, the imposition cannot be
extended for more than three years and
needs to be brought before the two houses
every six months for approval.
• Revocation
o A proclamation of President’s Rule may be
revoked by the President at any time by a
subsequent proclamation.
o Such a proclamation does not require
parliamentary approval.
• Side Note : The President’s Rule can be
proclaimed under Article 356 on two grounds–
one mentioned in Article 356 itself and another in
Article 365.
o Article 365- Whenever a state refuses to
follow or implement a directive from the
centre, it is legal for the president to declare
that a situation has developed in which the
state's administration can no longer be
carried out in accordance with the terms of
the constitution.
Parliamentry Privileges
• Recently, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha
cited Article 105 of the Constitution that deals
with the privileges and powers of
parliamentarians.
• Members of parliament are granted privileges or
advantages under Articles 105 so that they can
carry out their responsibilities and functions
without impediment.
• Article 194 deals with the powers, privileges and
immunities of the State Legislatures, their
Members and their committees.
• Members of Parliament are exempted from any
legal action for any statement made or act done
in the course of their duties.
13
o For example, a defamation suit cannot be
filed for a statement made in the House.
• This immunity extends to certain non-members
as well, such as the Attorney General for India
or a Minister who may not be a member but
speaks in the House.
• In cases where a Member oversteps or exceeds
the contours of admissible free speech, the
Speaker or the House itself will deal with it, as
opposed to the court.
• Parliament has not made any special law to
exhaustively codify all the privileges.
• Section 69 (A) of the IT Act, 2000
• The Ministry of Electronics and Information
Technology (MeitY) recently issued orders to
block 138 online betting platforms and 94 money
lending apps on an “urgent” and “emergency”
basis under Section 69(A) of the Information
Technology Act, 2000.
• Section 69A of the IT Act was introduced by an
amendment to the Act in 2008.
o It allows the Center to issue blocking
orders to social media intermediaries in
the interest of-
 Sovereignty and integrity of India
 Defense of India
 Security of the state
 Friendly relations with foreign states or
 Public order or for preventing incitement
to the commission of any cognisable
offense relating to above.
o As per rules for blocking orders are sent to
a review committee, which then issues
these directions.
o Blocking orders issued under the aforesaid
section are usually confidential in nature.
• Since 2009, the MeitY has possessed blocking
powers similar to those of the Ministry of
Information & Broadcasting.
• MeitY derives these powers from the IT Rules,
2009, which explain the process to issue such
orders.
Governor of State
• Recently, The Centre announced that twelve
states and the Union Territory of Ladakh will
have new Governors.
About Governor
o Alike the centre in India, the state also has a
bit of governance system.
o The head of the state is the governor and
the executive power of the state is vested in
him.
January - June 2023 14

o There are two types of governor in India. o Article 161: Power of the Governor to
 The Governors that exist in states. grant pardons and others.
 Lieutenant-Governors/Administrators that o Article 162: Extent of executive power of
exist in Union Territories and in the state
National Capital Territory of Delhi. o Article 163: There is a CoM with the CM at
• Appointment of Governor the head to aid and advise the Governor in
o Article 155 says that the “Governor of a State the exercise of his functions, except some
shall be appointed by the President by conditions for discretion.
warrant under his hand and seal”. o Article 159: Oath or affirmation by the
o Under Article 156, “the Governor shall hold Governor
office during the pleasure of the President”. o Article 200: Governor assents, withholds
• Conventions that have developed while assent, or reserves the bill for the
appointing a governor. consideration of the President passed by
o He should not be from a state where he is the Legislative Assembly.
appointed o Article 213: Governor may promulgate the
o While appointing the governor, the president Ordinances under certain circumstances.
is required to consult the CM of the state
concerned.
• Term : His normal term of office will be 5 years.
Delimitation Commission
• The Supreme Court dismissed a challenge to
o If the President withdraws her pleasure before
the constitution of the Jammu and Kashmir
the completion of five years, the Governor has
Delimitation Commission to readjust
to step down.
constituencies in the new Union Territory.
o The constitution has not laid down any
• Delimitation: Delimitation is redrawing of
grounds for the removal of the governor by
boundaries of an assembly or Lok Sabha
president.
constituency.
• Oath : The Governor has to make and subscribe
o It is done to reflect the demographic
to an oath or affirmation.
changes in a state, Union Territory or at
o Oath is administered by the Chief Justice
the national level.
of the concerned State’s High Court and in
o Delimitation is also responsible for
his/her absence, the senior-most judge of that
reserving a designated number of seats
court available.
in a state assembly or the Lok Sabha for
• Qualifications : Articles 157 and 158 lay down
Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe
the qualifications of the Governor and the
communities.
conditions of his office.
• About Delimitation Commission
o The Governor must be a citizen of India and
o Constitutional Provisions :
should have completed the age of 35 years.
 Article 82- the Parliament enacts a
o The Governor should not be a member of
Delimitation Act after every Census.
Parliament or a state legislature.
 Article 170- States also get divided
o He must not hold any other office of profit.
into territorial constituencies as per
• Powers of Governor
Delimitation Act after every Census.
o The Governor of the state shall possess
o Appointment- Appointed by the President
executive, legislative, financial and judicial
of India and works in collaboration with the
powers.
Election Commission of India.
o But he does not possess diplomatic,
o Members- Serving or retired SC judge,
military or emergency powers which
Chief Election Commissioner or an Election
President of India has.
commissioner nominated by CEC and
• Other Related Articles to Governor
Election commissioner of the respective
o Article 153: There shall be a Governor for
states.
each State. One person can be appointed as
o At the national level, four Delimitation
Governor for two or more States.
Commissions have been constituted till
o Article 160: Discharge of the functions of the
date (1952, 1963, 1972 and 2002).
Governor in certain contingencies
January - June 2023
Delimitation Commission for J&K
• The Delimitation Commission was constituted to
the Union Territory in March 2021.
• It was headed by Justice (retired) Ranjana
Desai.
• It has five MPs from J&K as associate members.
• Till 2019, Delimitation exercises in J&K have
been different from those in the rest of the
country.
• While Delimitation of Lok Sabha seats in J&K
was governed by Constitution of India,
delimitation of state's Assembly seats was
governed by the Jammu and Kashmir
Constitution.
• Assembly seats in the newly-created Union
Territory would be as per the provisions of the
Indian Constitution.
The Special Marriage Act of 1954
(SMA)
• Recently, a famous actor got married under
Special Marriage Act 1954.
• SMA was passed by the Parliament on October
9, 1954.
• It is the legislation made to validate and register
interreligious and inter-caste marriages in
India.
• It allows two individuals to solemnise their
marriage through a civil contract.
• No religious formalities are needed to be
carried out under the Act.
• This Act includes Hindus, Muslims, Christians,
Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists marriages.
• The consenting couple (Men above 21 years
and women above 18 years) who were going to
get married have to provide a 30-day Notice at
the Marriage Registrar’s office.
• After 30 days they can get married. If there are
any objections raised then the Marriage Registrar
will investigate the objection
• This Act applies not only to Indian citizens who
belong to different castes and religions but also to
Indian nationals who live abroad.
• Interfaith Marriage:
o It simply means the matrimonial relation
between individuals who follow different
religious faiths.
o Marriage between the same faiths has been
governed by the Hindu Marriage Act 1955,
Muslim personal Law.
15
o But to rectify and include interfaith
marriages, the Center passed the Special
Marriage Act 1954.
o Special Marriage Act considers Interfaith
Marriages as secular.
NITI (National Institution for
Transforming India) Aayog
• Recently, Former IAS officer BVR
Subrahmanyam was appointed the Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog by the
government.
• NITI Aoyog was formed on January 1, 2015.
• NITI (National Institution for Transforming India)
Aayog replaced the Planning Commission.
• The first meeting of NITI Aayog was chaired by
Prime Minister Modi on February 8, 2015.
• Composition:
o Prime Minister of India serving as the
Chairperson.
o Vice-Chairperson- To be appointed by
Prime-Minister.
o A Governing Council comprised Chief
Ministers of all states and Lt. Governors of
Union Territories in India.
o Regional Council- To address specific
regional issues, Comprising Chief Ministers
and Lt. Governors Chaired by Prime Minister
or his nominee
o Adhoc Membership- 2 member in ex-officio
capacity from leading Research institutions
on rotational basis.
o Ex-Officio membership- Maximum four
from Union council of ministers to be
nominated by Prime minister.
o Chief Executive Officer- Appointed by
Prime-minister for a fixed tenure, in rank of
Secretary to Government of India.
o Special Invitees- Experts, Specialists with
domain knowledge nominated by Prime-
minister.
• Initiatives taken by NITI Aayog
• Atal Innovation Mission.
• School Education Quality Index.
• SDG India Index.
• Composite Water Management Index.
• India Innovation Index.
• Good Governance Index.
• 'Methanol Economy' programme
January - June 2023
Corrupt Practices’ Under the RPA,
1951
• On February 20, the Supreme Court observed
that providing false information about an electoral
candidate’s qualifications cannot be considered a
“corrupt practice” under Sections 123 (2) and
Section 123 (4) of the Representation of
People’s Act, 1951.
• SC said no one in India votes for a candidate
based on their educational qualifications.
• Section 123 of the Act defines ‘corrupt practices’.
• It include bribery, undue influence, false
information, and promotion or attempted
promotion of “feelings of enmity or hatred
between different classes of the citizens of India
on grounds of religion, race, caste, community, or
language” by a candidate for the furtherance of
his prospects in the election.
• Section 123 (2) deals with ‘undue influence’.
• It is “any direct or indirect interference or attempt
to interfere on the part of the candidate or his
agent, or of any other person, with the consent of
the candidate or his election agent, with the free
exercise of any electoral right.”
• This could also include threats of injury, social
ostracism and expulsion from any caste or
community.
• Moreover, convincing a candidate or an elector
that they will become “an object of divine
displeasure or spiritual censure” will also be
considered an interference “with the free exercise
of the electoral right of such candidate or elector.”
• Section 123 (4) extends the ambit of “corrupt
practices” to the intentional publication of false
statements which can prejudice the outcome of
the candidate’s election.
Neutral Citation
• Chief Justice of India announced that the
Supreme Court will adopt a “neutral citation
system” for its judgments.
Citation
• A case citation is essentially an identification
tag for a judgment.
• Typically, it would contain a reference number,
the year of the judgment, the name of the court
that delivered that judgment, and a shorthand for
the journal publishing the judgment.
Neutral Citation
• A neutral citation would mean that the court
would assign its own citation — distinct from
those given by traditional Law Reporters.
16
• Law Reporters are periodicals or annual digests
that publish judgments, often with an editorial
note to make it accessible for lawyers to refer to
precedents.
• The Delhi HC neutral citation is, for example, in
this format: No-YEAR/DHC/XXXXXX.
• Significance : With artificial intelligence enabled
translation of judgments and transcribing of court
proceedings, a uniform citation is necessary.
Hate Speech
• Recently, The Supreme Court granted interim bail
to a political party member who had been
arrested for alleged hate speech by Assam
Police earlier in the day.
• There is no specific legal definition of ‘hate
speech’.
• In the 267th Report of the Law Commission of
India, hate speech is stated as an incitement to
hatred primarily against a group of persons
defined in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual
orientation, religious belief and the like.
• Sections 153A and 153B of the IPC: Punishes
acts that cause enmity and hatred between two
groups.
• Section 295A of the IPC: Deals with punishing
acts which deliberately or with malicious intention
outrage the religious feelings of a class of
persons.
• Sections 505(1) and 505(2): Make the
publication and circulation of content which may
cause ill-will or hatred between different groups
an offence.
• Section 8 of RPA Act 1951: Prevents a person
convicted of the illegal use of the freedom of
speech from contesting an election.
• Sections 123(3A) and 125 of the RPA: Bars the
promotion of animosity on the grounds of race,
religion, community, caste, or language in
reference to elections and include it under corrupt
electoral practices.
Governor’s Refusal to Summon the
Session
• The Supreme Court is set to hear a challenge by
the Punjab government against the state
Governor, over his refusal to summon the Budget
session of Vidhan Sabha.
• Governor has cited Article 167 of the
Constitution, which relates to the duties of the
Chief Minister in furnishing information to the
Governor. Governor questions to CM on
appointments are under this provision.
January - June 2023
• Constitutional Validity
o The Governor has to act according to the aid
and advice of the council of ministers.
o Constitutionally, the office of the Governor
has little discretion to not act on the
cabinet’s advice.
o Under Article 174, a Governor shall
summon the House at a time and place, as
she or he thinks fit.
o Article 174 (2) (a) says a Governor may
from “time to time” prorogue the House.
o Article 174 (2) (b) allows her or him to
dissolve the Legislative Assembly.
o Article 163(1) of the Constitution says that
“there shall be a council of Ministers with the
Chief Minister at the head to aid and advise
the Governor in the exercise of his functions,
except in so far as he is by or under this
constitution required to exercise his
functions or any of them in his discretion.
o A joint reading of the two provisions
leaves the Governor with minimal discretion
in summoning the house.
The Foreign Contribution Regulation
Act (FCRA) Licence
• The Centre suspended the Foreign
Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licence of
the Centre for Policy Research (CPR).
• The FCRA was enacted during the Emergency
in 1976.
• There was apprehension that foreign powers
were interfering in India’s affairs by pumping
money into the country through independent
organisations.
• The law sought to regulate foreign donations to
individuals and associations so that they
functioned “in a manner consistent with the
values of a sovereign democratic republic”.
• Broadly, the FCRA requires every person or
NGO seeking to receive foreign donations to be-
i. Registered under the Act.
ii. To open a bank account for the receipt of
the foreign funds in State Bank of India,
Delhi.
iii. To utilise those funds only for the purpose
for which they have been received and as
stipulated in the Act.
iv. To file annual returns, and must not
transfer the funds to another NGO.
• The Act prohibits the receipt of foreign funds
by
17
o Candidates for Elections.
o Journalists or newspaper and media
broadcast companies.
o Judges and government servants.
o Members of legislature and political parties
or their office-bearers, and organisations of a
political nature.
• Granting FCRA Registration
o FCRA registrations are granted to
individuals or associations that have definite
cultural, economic, educational,
religious, and social programmes.
o The MHA makes inquiries through the
Intelligence Bureau into the antecedents of
the applicant.
o The MHA is required to approve or reject
the application within 90 days.
o Once granted, FCRA registration is valid for
five years.
o NGOs are expected to apply for renewal
within six months of the date of expiry of
registration.
o The ministry also has powers to suspend an
NGO’s registration for 180 days pending
inquiry, and can freeze its funds.
o All orders of the government can be
challenged in the High Court.
• Amendments
o An amended FCRA was enacted in 2010.
 It was aimed to “consolidate the law” on
utilisation of foreign funds, and “to
prohibit” their use for “any activities
detrimental to national interest”.
o The law was amended again in 2020.
 It gave the government tighter control
and scrutiny over the receipt and
utilisation of foreign funds by NGOs.
• Whip
o The Supreme Court observed that members
of a House are bound by the ‘whip’, and if
any section of MLAs within a political party
that is part of a ruling coalition says it does
not want to go with the alliance, the MLAs
will attract disqualification.
o In parliamentary parlance, a whip may refer
to both a written order to members of a
party in the House to abide by a certain
direction, and to a designated official of the
party who is authorised to issue such a
direction.
o The term is derived from the old British
practice of “whipping in” lawmakers to
follow the party line.
January - June 2023
• A whip may require that party members be
present in the House for an important vote, or that
they vote only in a particular way.
• In India, all parties can issue whips to their
members.
• Parties appoint a senior member from among
their House contingents to issue whips — this
member is called a chief whip, and he/ she is
assisted by additional whips.
• Constitutional Status : The office of ‘whip’, is
mentioned neither in the Constitution of India
nor in the Rules of the House nor in a
Parliamentary Statute. It is based on the
conventions of the parliamentary government.
• Types of Whips
o Whips can be of varying degrees of
seriousness.
o The importance of a whip can be inferred
from the number of times an order is
underlined.
 A one-line whip, underlined once, is
usually issued to inform party members
of a vote, and allows them to abstain in
case they decide not to follow the party
line.
 A two-line whip directs them to be
present during the vote.
 A three-line whip is the strongest,
employed on important occasions such
as the second reading of a Bill or a no-
confidence motion, and places an
obligation on members to toe the party
line.
• Violation of Whip
o In India, rebelling against a three-line whip
can put a lawmaker’s membership of the
House at risk.
o The anti-defection law allows the Speaker/
Chairperson to disqualify such a member.
 The only exception is when more than a
third of legislators vote against a
directive, effectively splitting the party.
• Side Note : In the United Kingdom, an MP can
lose membership of the party for defying the
whip, but can keep her/ his House seat as an
Independent.
Right Against Self Incrimination
• The Supreme Court refused to hear a plea by
Delhi Deputy Chief seeking bail in the excise
policy case after a Delhi court remanded him in
CBI custody.
18
• The right against self-incrimination has its origins
in Roman law, and evolved as a distinct right in
the English jurisprudence.
• Article 20(3) in Part III (Fundamental Rights) of
the Indian Constitution says, “No person
accused of any offence shall be compelled to be
a witness against himself.”
• The right to be presumed innocent until proven
guilty, and the right to remain silent in an
interrogation essentially flow from this
constitutionally guaranteed right against self-
incrimination.
• This right also ensures that police cannot
coerce anyone to confess to a crime, and
obtain a conviction based on that confession.
• Obtaining photographs, fingerprints, signatures,
thumb impressions, handwriting samples to
include voice samples and DNA samples would
not violate the right against self-incrimination of
an accused.
Unique Identification Authority of
India (UIDAI)
• The Unique Identification Authority of India
(UIDAI) is using in-house artificial intelligence
technology to improve the “robustness” of
fingerprint authentication.
• The UIDAI is a statutory authority established
under the provisions of the Aadhaar Act, 2016.
• Nodal Ministry- Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology (MeitY).
• Prior to its establishment as a statutory authority,
UIDAI was functioning as an attached office of
the then Planning Commission (now NITI
Aayog).
• Under the Aadhaar Act 2016, UIDAI is
responsible for
o Aadhaar enrolment and authentication,
including operation and management of all
stages of Aadhaar life cycle.
o Developing the policy, procedure and
system for issuing Aadhaar numbers to
individuals and perform authentication.
• It also required to ensure the security of identity
information and authentication records of
individuals.
January - June 2023
• Aadhar
o Aadhaar is a 12 digit individual identification
number which serves as proof of identity
and proof of address for residents of India.
The Grievance Appellate Committee
(GAC) Portal
• The Ministry of Electronics and Information
Technology launched the Grievance Appellate
Committee (GAC) portal under the IT Rules,
2021.
• It allows people who are dissatisfied with
complaints to social media companies on content
takedown requests, to be heard by one of three
Committees constituted by the government.
• The Information Technology (Intermediary
Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code)
Rules, 2021 were amended last year.
o It requires social media companies to “respect
all the rights accorded to the citizens under the
Constitution, including in the articles 14, 19 and
21,”.
o It is signaling that social media platforms may
now have to allow speech that is not allowed on
their platforms, but are otherwise legal to
express in public.
• The appellate committees will deal with the
pleas by users against the decision of the
Grievance Officer appointed by the social
media intermediary.
• The committee will have a chairperson & other
members selected by the central government.
• Timeline : The Grievance Appellate
Committee will answer the appeal quickly and
try to decide on it within 30 days of the
appeal's acceptance.
Appointments to the Election
Commission
• Recently, a five-judge Constitution Bench of the
Supreme Court unanimously ruled that a high-
power committee must pick the Chief Election
Commissioner (CEC) and Election
Commissioners (ECs).
19
• SC stated that high-power committee must
be consisting of the Prime Minister, Leader
of Opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chief
Justice of India.
• About Election Commission
○ The Election Commission of India (ECI) is
an autonomous and permanent
constitutional body
○ It is responsible for organizing free & fair
elections in the Union and States of India.
○ The Constitution grants the ECI with the
power of direction, superintendence, and
control of elections to Parliament, state
legislatures, the office of president of
India and the office of vice-president of
India.
• Powers and Responsibilities
○ Determining the Electoral Constituencies’
territorial areas throughout the country.
○ Preparing and periodically revising
electoral rolls and registering all eligible
voters.
○ Notifying the schedules and dates of
elections and scrutinizing nomination
papers.
○ Granting recognition to the various
political parties and allocating them
election symbols.
○ The Commission also has advisory
jurisdiction in the matter of post-election
disqualification of sitting members of
Parliament and State Legislatures.
○ It issues the Model Code of Conduct in
elections for political parties and
candidates.
• Composition : A chief election commissioner
(CEC) and Other election commissioners
(EC) (the number is to be decided by the
President from time to time Art 324).
• Tenure- Six years or up to the age of 65
years whichever is earlier.
• Appointment of Election Commissioners :
Article 324 (2) specifies that the Chief
Election Commissioner and Election
Commissioners will be appointed by the
President.
January - June 2023
○ This is subject to Parliamentary law (if
such law exists).
○ In the absence of such a law, the President
has been making appointments as per the
recommendations of the Prime Minister.
• CEC and EC : Though the Chief Election
Commissioner is the chairman of the election
commission, his powers are equal to the other
election commissioners.
o All the matters in the commission are
decided by the majority amongst its
members.
o The Chief Election Commissioner and the
two other election commissioners receive
equal salary, allowances & other benefits.
o They enjoy the same status and receive
salary and perks as available to Judges of
the Supreme Court of India.
• Removal
○ The CEC can be removed from office only
through a process of removal similar to that
of a Supreme Court Judge by Parliament.
○ The President of India can remove the other
officers on the Chief Commissioner's
recommendation
Press Council of India (PCI)
• The Press Council of India (PCI) advised the
print media to follow the norms of Journalistic
Conduct-2022 on ‘paid news’ during the elections
in various States.
• The Press Council Act of 1978 created the
Press Council of India (PCI).
• It’s a statutory organization.
• It is the highest body to maintain the standards
of the Print Media in India.
• Structure
o PCI comprises a Chairman and other 28
members who are:
 3 Lok Sabha members.
 2 Rajya Sabha Members.
 6 Editors of Newspapers, 7 Working
Journalists (other than editors of
newspapers), 3 people with specialised
knowledge of public life, 1 person who
handles the news agencies and 6
persons in the business of handling
newspapers.
20
o The Speaker of Lok Sabha, Chairman of
Rajya Sabha and a member selected by the
PCI choose the chairman of PCI through its
procedure.
• Functions
o It helps the newspaper to maintain its
independence.
o It builds a code of conduct for the
newspapers in accordance with the high
professional standards.
o It works to promote technical and other
research areas related to the news.
o It helps provide proper training to new
journalists.
Judicial Custody
• Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court sent former Delhi
Deputy Chief Minister to judicial custody till
March 20 in connection with a corruption case
related to alleged irregularities in the now-
scrapped excise policy.
• Custody : Custody” is undefined in Indian law.
o It is refers to the state of being kept by the
police while awaiting trial.
o Section 57 of the Code of Criminal
Procedure (CrPC)
 It says that any person arrested without
a warrant cannot be detained for more
than 24 hours unless there is a special
order of a Magistrate under section 167
to that effect.
o Section 167 of CrPC
 It says that if an investigation cannot be
completed within 24 hours, the detainee
can still be kept in custody when there
are “well-founded grounds” for
believing the accusations against him.
 The process for this requires a police
officer, not below the rank of sub-
inspector, to transfer a copy of the diary
entry in a detainee’s case to the
Judicial Magistrate.
 Judicial Magistrate will decide whether
he can authorize the accused’s
detention for a period of 15 days or
forward it another magistrate who has
jurisdiction to try the case.
 The general rule is that judicial custody
can extend up to 90 days in cases
punishable by death, life
imprisonment, or imprisonment for 10
years or more.
January - June 2023
 Section 167 of the Code talks about
custody during the stage of the
investigation.
o Custody can either be judicial custody or
police custody.
• Judicial Custody
o Judicial custody means that the person
detained by a judicial magistrate is lodged
in central or state prison.
o In some cases, investigation agencies may
not seek police custody immediately and
one of the reasons can be the judicious use
of the maximum of 15 days at their disposal.
o In some cases, courts may directly remand
a person to judicial custody, if the court
concludes that there is no need for police
custody or extension of police custody.
o The judicial custody can extend up to 60 or
90 days as a whole, depending upon the
maximum punishment prescribed for the
offense.
o Section 436A of CrPC
 a person in judicial custody, who has
served half the maximum punishment
that can be given for an offense, can
apply for default bail, if their trial is
pending.
• Police Custody
o Police custody refers to when a person is
detained in a police station or lock-up when
he is believed to have committed a crime.
o Police custody requires the accused to be
furnished before the magistrate in 24
hours.
The National Assessment and
Accreditation Council (NAAC)
• The National Assessment and Accreditation
Council (NAAC), is facing allegations of
irregularities in the way it operates.
• NAAC is an autonomous body under the
University Grants Commission (UGC).
• It was set up in 1994.
• Function
o It is entrusted with assessing the quality of
India’s higher educational institutions.
o Following a multi-layered assessment
process, it awards grades to colleges and
universities.
o Its parameters include curriculum, faculty,
infrastructure, research and financial well-
being.
21
o The grades issued by NAAC range from
A++ to C. If an institution is graded D, it
means it is not accredited.
• Side Note
o While the UGC has over the years issued
many circulars directing institutes to
mandatorily undergo NAAC’s assessment,
the process still remains largely voluntary.
o The National Education Policy (2020) has
set an ambitious target of getting all higher
educational institutes to obtain the highest
level of accreditation over the next 15 years.
Compassionate Appointments
• Recently, the Supreme Court rejected some
applications for ‘compassionate appointment’ that
were filed by the dependents of deceased
government employees in West Bengal.
• SC underlined that compassionate appointment
is not a vested right of such dependents of a
deceased employee.
• The concept of compassionate appointments can
be traced to the Indian Constitution’s Article 39
o Art 39 is under the Directive Principles of
State Policy and talks about the right to
livelihood.
• It aims to provide employment on compassionate
grounds to the dependent family members of a
government servant who dies in harness or
retires on medical grounds, leaving the family
without any source of sustenance.
• Multiple factors are looked at while assessing a
request for compassionate appointments-
o Financial condition of the family, the
presence of earning members, family size,
children’s ages, and the essential needs of
the family.
• These appointments can only be made for
“Group ‘C’ posts against the direct recruitment
quota.”
• Eligibility : Compassionate appointments can
extend to dependent family members of a
government servant who
 Dies while in service (including death
by suicide).
 Retired on medical grounds
o The measure can also extend to the family
members of an Armed Forces employee
who
 Dies during service
 Is killed in action; or
 Is medically boarded out and is unfit for
civil employment.
January - June 2023
o The government servant must have been
appointed on a “regular basis” and not on
a daily wage, casual, apprentice, ad-hoc,
contract, or reemployment basis.
o The deceased’s dependents can only be
first-degree relations such as their spouse,
son or daughter (including adopted ones)
etc.
o The applicant should also be eligible and
suitable for the post.
• Appointment Authority
o Compassionate appointments are made by
either the Joint Secretary in charge of
administration in the Ministry or
Department concerned or the “Head of the
Department.
o They can also be made by the Secretary of
a Ministry or Department in special
cases.
Safe Harbour
• The government is reviewing the "safe harbour"
clause in the Information and Technology Act
2000.
• In a few months from now, the draft of the
Digital India Act, meant to be the most
significant piece of IT legislation in India, will be
out for discussion.
• The Act will have a huge impact on how citizens
use IT tech or online services, and social media
companies like Twitter and Facebook may be
held accountable for whatever is posted on their
site.
• Last year, the government had mandated,
through the IT Rules of 2021, that social media
platforms must appoint a Chief Compliance
Officer (CCO), Resident Grievance Officer
(RGO), and Nodal Contact Person.
• Safe Harbour
o According to the safe harbour principle, an
online platform such as Facebook or Twitter
cannot be held accountable for the
content posted on them by users.
o The government is debating whether such
platforms should continue to have zero
liability for what users post on their platform.
o The safe harbour provision has been given
under Section 79 of the IT Act 2000.
o It states that "an intermediary shall not be
liable for any third-party information,
data, or communication link made
available or hosted by him.
22
o Section 79 states that safe harbour wouldn't
be given if the intermediary "fails to
expeditiously" take down a post or remove a
particular content even after the government
flags that the information is being used to
commit something unlawful.
Double Jeopardy
• A Delhi court sentenced two former Delhi Jal
Board (DJB) officials to three years of rigorous
imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 5,000 each, in a
money laundering case registered by the
Enforcement Directorate (ED) in 2009.
• Though the accused(s) completed around 4-5
years of their sentences in the CBI case.
• In doing so, the court rejected the accused’s
argument alleging double jeopardy and said that
“to operate as a bar of double jeopardy, the
second prosecution and consequential
punishment must be for the same offense”.
• If the two offences are distinct then the ban under
Section 300 CrPC cannot be invoked.
• Double Jeopardy : Double jeopardy” comes from
the Latin maxim “Nemo bis punitur pro eodem
delicto”, which means that no one can be tried for
the same offence twice.
• Legal Provision
o Section 300 of the Criminal Procedure
Code of 1973- It says that a person once
convicted or acquitted cannot be tried for the
same offence.
o The doctrine of double jeopardy is enshrined
in the Indian Constitution under Article 20
(2), which says, “No person shall be
prosecuted and punished for the same
offence more than once.”
o Article 20(2) does not bar subsequent trials
if the ingredients of the offences in the
previous and subsequent trials are distinct.
National Security Act
• Punjab Advocate said that the National Security
Act has been invoked in the case of self-styled
Sikh preacher and on-the-run Waris Punjab De
chief Amritpal Singh.
• National Security Act, 1980
o The National Security Act was passed by
the Parliament in 1980 and has been
amended several times since then.
o NSA “empowers the state to detain a
person without a formal charge and
without trial”.
January - June 2023
o Under the Act, a person is taken into custody
to prevent them from acting in any
manner prejudicial to “the security of the
state” or for “maintenance of the public
order”.
o It is an administrative order passed either by
the Divisional Commissioner or the District
Magistrate (DM).
o It is not detention ordered by police based
on specific allegations or for a specific
violation of the law.
o Even if a person is in police custody, the
District Magistrate can slap NSA against
them.
o Or, if a person has been granted bail by a
trial court, they can be immediately detained
under the NSA.
o If the person has been acquitted by the
court, the same person can be detained
under the NSA.
o The law takes away an individual’s
constitutional right to be produced
before the magistrate within 24 hours, as
is the case when the accused is in police
custody.
o The detained person also does not have
the right to move a bail application before
a criminal court.
• Grounds for Detention
o NSA can be invoked to prevent a person
from acting in any manner prejudicial to the
defence of India, relations of India with
foreign powers or the security of India.
o Among others, it can also be applied to
prevent a person from acting in any manner
prejudicial to the maintenance of supply
and services essential to the community.
o An individual can be detained without a
charge for a maximum period of 12 months.
o The detained person can be held for 10 to
12 days in special circumstances without
being told the charges against them.
• Protection Available Under the Act
o One crucial procedural safeguard under the
NSA is granted under Article 22(5)
 All the detained persons have the right
to make an effective representation
before an independent advisory
board.
 The board consists of three members;
and the board is chaired by a member
who is, or has been, a judge of a high
court.
23
o The DM who passes the detention order
is protected under the Act.
 no prosecution or any legal proceeding
can be initiated against the official who
carries out the orders.
Rule 357 of the Rules and Procedures
and Conduct of Business in Loksabha
• A political party leader wrote to Lok Sabha
Speaker seeking permission to speak in the
Lower House on allegations levelled at him by
the Government and the ruling party.
• He said that Rule 357 of the Rules & Procedure
and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha allows
him to respond to the allegations in Parliament.
• Rule 357 : In the Rules of Procedure and
Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, under the
section ‘Rules to be observed by the members’,
there is rule 357 for ‘personal explanation’.
o It states, “A member may, with the
permission of the Speaker, make a personal
explanation although there is no question
before the House, but in this case no
debatable matter may be brought forward,
and no debate shall arise.”
Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005
• The Supreme Court directed all high courts to set
up RTI websites within three months, observing
the online facilities will considerably facilitate the
fulfillment of the objects of the Right to
Information Act, 2005.
• RTI was enacted on 15 June 2005 & amended
in 2019. It is the law that gives an ordinary citizen
the right to ask questions to the government.
• It dictates the government to provide a timely
response to the citizen who seeks it.
• Objectives of RTI
o To empower the citizens.
o To promote transparency and accountability.
o To curb corruption.
o To enhance people’s participation in the
democratic process..
• Important Sections of RTI Act
o Section 2(f)- Meaning of Information.
 Any material in any form is considered
information.
o Section 2(h)- Meaning of Public Authority.
 Any authority, body, or institution of
self-government established or
constituted is referred to as a "public
authority."
January - June 2023
o Section 4 : Requires suo motu disclosure of
information by each public authority.
o Section 8 (1) : It mentions exemptions
against furnishing information under RTI Act.
o Section 8 (2) : It provides for disclosure of
information exempted under the Official
Secrets Act, 1923 if a larger public interest is
served.
Defamation and Disqualification of an
MP Convicted for an Offence
• A political party leader and MP was held guilty
and sentenced to two years in jail in a 2019
defamation case over his remarks about PM of
India by a court in Gujarat’s Surat.
• Disqualification of an MP Convicted for an
Offence
o The disqualification of an MP convicted for
an offence can happen in two instances.
o First, if the offence for which he is convicted
is listed in Section 8(1) of the
Representation of the People Act of 1951.
o This includes offences such as
 Section 153A- Offence of promoting
enmity between different groups on
ground of religion, race, place of birth,
residence, language, etc., and doing
acts prejudicial to maintenance of
harmony or
 Section 171E- Offence of bribery or
 Section 171F- Offence of undue
influence or personation at an election
and a few others.
o Second, if the lawmaker is convicted for any
other offence but is sentenced for a period
of two years or more.
o Section 8(3) of the RPA mandates that an
MP can be disqualified if convicted and
sentenced to not less than 2 years of
imprisonment.
o However, the section also states that the
disqualification takes effect only “after
three months have elapsed” from the date
of conviction.
o Within that period, convicted MP can file an
appeal against the sentence before the High
Court.
Guillotine
• Some MPs said the government may guillotine
the demands for grants and pass the Finance
Bill without any discussion in the Lok Sabha.
24
• In legislative parlance, to “guillotine” means to
bunch together and fast-track the passage of
financial business.
• It is a fairly common procedural exercise in
Lok Sabha during the Budget Session.
• This usually happens on the last day
earmarked for the discussion on the Budget.
• The intention is to ensure timely passage of the
Finance Bill, marking the completion of the
legislative exercise with regard to the Budget.
Article 102 of the Indian Constitution
• In a recent famous political leader and MP’s
disqualification case, the last point (if he is so
disqualified by or under any law made by
Parliament) of Article 102 of the Indian
Constitution applies.
• The law under which he has been disqualified is
the Representation of People Act, 1951.
• Article 102 deals with the disqualification of MPs
from either house of the Parliament.
• Part (1) of the article lists the reasons why an MP
can be disqualified.
• These include
a) if he holds any office of profit under the
Government of India or the Government of
any State, other than an office declared by
Parliament by law not to disqualify its holder;
b) if he is of unsound mind and stands so
declared by a competent court;
c) if he is an undischarged insolvent;
d) if he is not a citizen of India, or has voluntarily
acquired the citizenship of a foreign State, or
is under any acknowledgment of allegiance
or adherence to a foreign State;
e) if he is so disqualified by or under any law
made by Parliament.”
Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act
(AFSPA)
• Citing improved security in the Northeast, Home
Minister said that the Centre has decided to
further reduce the jurisdiction of ‘disturbed
areas’ under the Armed Forces (Special
Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in Assam,
Nagaland and Manipur.
January - June 2023
• The Centre from April, 2022, had reduced
disturbed areas under Armed Forces Special
Powers Act (AFSPA) in Nagaland, Assam and
Manipur as follows-
o Of all the 33 districts of Assam, AFSPA has
been completely removed from 23
districts and partially from one district of
the state.
o After the recent changes in the state, 9
districts and one district partially will
continue to be under the ambit of AFSPA.
o AFSPA has been reduced partially from
seven districts in Nagaland, six districts
in Manipur.
• It was completely repealed in Meghalaya in
2018, Tripura in 2015, & Mizoram in the 1980s.
• AFSPA remains in force in parts of these three
states as well as in parts of Arunachal Pradesh
and Jammu & Kashmir.
• With the latest decision, starting April 1, the
Disturbed Areas notification will be lifted from one
more district in Assam, four more police
stations in Manipur and three more police
stations in Nagaland.
• Background of AFSPA
o The Act in its original form was
promulgated by the British in response to
the Quit India movement in 1942.
o After Independence, Prime Minister
Jawaharlal Nehru decided to retain the Act,
which was first brought in as an ordinance
and then notified as an Act in 1958.
o AFSPA has been imposed on the
Northeast states, Jammu & Kashmir, and
Punjab during the militancy years.
• About the Act
o AFSPA provides for special powers for
the armed forces that can be imposed by
the Center or the Governor of a state, on the
state or parts of it, after it is declared
“disturbed’’ under Section 3.
o The Act defines these as areas that are
“disturbed or dangerous conditions where
the use of armed forces in aid of the civil
power is necessary’’.
o AFSPA has been used in areas where
militancy has been prevalent.
• Powers Given to Armed Forces
o It gives sweeping powers to the armed
forces.
o It allows them to open fire, even causing
death, against any person in contravention
to the law or carrying arms and ammunition.
25
o It gives them powers to arrest individuals
without warrants, on the basis of
“reasonable suspicion”, and also search
premises without warrants.
o The Act further provides blanket impunity
to security personnel involved in such
operations
 There can be no prosecution or legal
proceedings against them without the
prior approval of the Centre.
MP Local Area Development Scheme
(MPLADS)
• Parliamentarians will now be given the entire
corpus of Rs 5 crore in a single tranche at the
beginning of the fiscal year, unlike two tranches
of Rs 2.5 crore released every six months.
• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation is soon going to launch the
Sakshi portal for digitizing the fund flow
architecture in Members of Parliament Local Area
Development Scheme (MPLADS).
• It is developed by State Bank of India.
• The portal is part of the revised guidelines that
aim at facilitating real-time monitoring,
increasing transparency, accountability, and
scope of permissible works under the central
sector scheme.
• The new guidelines empower representatives for
the first time to use up to 10% of the funds
allocated each year on repair and
maintenance of any asset built under any
government scheme, to bring greater
convergence.
• About MPLADS
o It is a programme first launched during the
Narasimha Rao Government in 1993.
o It was aimed towards providing funds for
developmental works recommended by
individual MPs.
o The MPs were entitled to recommend works
to the tune of Rs 1 crore annually between
1994-95 and 1997-98,.
o Later on the annual entitlement was
enhanced to Rs 2 crore.
o In 2011-12, the annual entitlement was
raised to Rs 5 crore per MP.
o The MPLADS is a Central Sector Scheme
fully funded by the Government of India.
o The funds released under the scheme are
non-lapsable.
January - June 2023
• Features
o 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
per cent for areas inhabited by S.T.
population.
o Lok Sabha Members can recommend
works within their Constituencies.
o Elected Members of Rajya Sabha can
recommend works within the State of
Election (with select exceptions).
• Nominated Members of both the Rajya
Sabha and Lok Sabha can recommend
works anywhere in the country.
• Nodal Ministry : The Ministry of Statistics and
Programme Implementation has been
responsible for the policy formulation, release of
funds and prescribing monitoring mechanism for
implementation of the Scheme.
• Implementation : The District Authority is
responsible for overall coordination & supervision
of works under scheme at district level.
o At least 10% of the projects under
implementation in the district are to be
inspected every year by the district
authority.
Electoral Bonds
• Electoral bonds for funding political parties
were opened for sale Monday (April 3) for a 10-
day window till April 12 at 29 authorised branches
of State Bank of India (SBI).
• The electoral bonds were introduced with the
Finance Bill (2017).
• An electoral bond is like a promissory note that
can be bought by any Indian citizen or
company incorporated in India from select
branches of State Bank of India.
• The citizen or corporate can then donate the
same to any eligible political party of his/her
choice.
• The bonds are similar to bank notes that are
payable to the bearer on demand and are free of
interest.
• An individual or party will be allowed to purchase
these bonds digitally or through cheque.
• The bonds will be issued in multiples of Rs
1,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 100,000 and Rs 1 crore
(the range of a bond is between Rs 1,000 to
Rs 1 crore).
• These will be available at some branches of SBI
only (29 Branches).
26
• A donor with a KYC-compliant account can
purchase the bonds and can then donate them to
the party or individual of their choice.
• Now, the receiver can encash the bonds through
the party's verified account. The electoral bond
will be valid only for fifteen days.
• The electoral bonds will not bear the name of
the donor. Thus, the political party might not be
aware of the donor's identity.
• The donations would be tax deductible.
• Any party that is registered under section 29A of
the Representation of the Peoples Act, 1951
(43 of 1951) and has secured at least one per
cent of the votes polled in the most recent
General elections or Assembly elections is
eligible to receive electoral bonds.
Lokpal
• Around 68% corruption complaints against
public functionaries that landed with the Lokpal
of India were “disposed off” without any action
in the past four years.
• Only three complaints were fully investigated.
• Lokpal : The central Lokpal and Lokayuktas
Act, 2013 was notified on January 1, 2014.
o This act aims to establish an anti-corruption
ombudsman called Lokpal at the Central
level and Lokayukta at the state level.
• Composition and Tenure : Lokpal is a multi-
member body that consists of one chairperson
and a maximum of 8 members (1+8).
o Members are appointed by the President on
the recommendation of a selection
committee headed by the Prime Minister.
o Chairperson of the Lokpal should be either
the former Chief Justice of India or the
former Judge of Supreme Court or an
eminent person with impeccable integrity
and outstanding ability, having special
knowledge and expertise of minimum 25
years in the matters relating to anti-
corruption policy, public administration,
vigilance, finance including insurance and
banking, law and management.
o 50% will be judicial members and minimum
50% of the Members will be from SC/ ST/
OBC/ Minorities and women.
o The judicial member of the Lokpal is either a
former Judge of the Supreme Court or a
former Chief Justice of a HIGH COURT.
o The term of office for Lokpal Chairman and
Members is 5 years or till the age of 70
years.
January - June 2023
• Applicability
o The Lokpal will cover all categories of
public servants, including the Prime
Minister. But the armed forces do not come
under the ambit of Lokpal.
o The Act does not allow a Lokpal inquiry if
the allegation against the PM relates to
international relations, external and
internal security, public order, atomic
energy and space.
o The Act also incorporates provisions for
attachment and confiscation of property
acquired by corrupt means, even while the
prosecution is pending.
o The States will have to institute Lokayukta
within one year of the commencement of the
Act.
o The Act also includes the Lokpal’s own
members under the definition of “public
servant
o Lokayuktas are the state equivalents of the
central Lokpal and are provided for under
Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
• Regarding lokayuktas, the act creates a mere
framework, leaving it to the states to decide the
specifics.
• Following the Act and the intervention of the
Supreme Court, most states now have St
lokayukta.
National Green Tribunal (NGT)
• It was established in 2010 under the National
Green Tribunal Act 2010
• Status- Statutory Body
• Objectives-
o Established for effective and expeditious
disposal of cases relating to
 Environmental protection.
 Conservation of forests and
 Other natural resources including
enforcement of any legal right relating
to environment and
o It gives relief and compensation for
damages to persons and property and for
matters connected therewith or incidental
thereto.
• NGT is mandated to make disposal of
applications or appeals finally within 6
months of the filing of the same.
• New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of
the Tribunal and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and
Chennai shall be the other four places of
sitting of the Tribunal.
27
• It is not bound by the procedure laid down
under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but
shall be guided by principles of natural justice.
• Composition- 40 members (20 expert members
and 20 judicial members).
National Curriculum Framework (NCF)
• The Ministry of Education has released the pre-
draft of the National Curriculum Framework
(NCF) for school education for public feedback on
the recommendations which will be finalised after
further rounds of discussions. The NCF, which
was last revised in 2005, is a key document
based on which textbooks are prepared.
• So the current set of NCERT textbooks, barring
the deletions, are all based on the NCF 2005.
Before 2005, the NCF was revised thrice.
• Under the latest round of revision, which is
underway since September 2021, draft
frameworks on early childhood care and
education and school education have already
been prepared, while work on teacher and adult
education is underway.
• Apart from textbooks, the NCF, after its adoption
by the CBSE and other state boards, will also
restructure various other aspects of the
classroom, including choice of subjects,
pattern of teaching, and assessment.
• The government recently announced that
textbooks based on the revised NCF will be
taught in schools starting from the 2024-25
academic session.
Uttaramerur
• PM Narendra of India referred to the Uttaramerur
inscription in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, while
discussing India’s democratic history.
• Uttaramerur lies in present-day Kanchipuram
district, approximately 90 km southeast of
Chennai.
• Today, it is a small town and had a population of
roughly 25,000 in the census of 2011.
• It is known for its historic temples built during
Pallava and Chola rule.
• While Uttaramerur has multiple inscriptions
spanning centuries, the most famous one – being
referred to by the PM – is from the reign of
Parantaka I (907-953 AD).
• These provide a detailed description about the
village’s self-governance and have been cited by
historians and political leaders alike as evidence
of India’s history of democratic functioning.
January - June 2023
• The famous inscription from Parantaka I’s reign is
found on the walls of the Vaikuntha Perumal
Temple.
• The inscription gives details of the functioning of
the local sabha, i.e. the village assembly.
• A sabha was an assembly exclusively of
brahmans and had specialised committees
tasked with different things.
• The Uttaramerur inscription details how members
were selected, the required qualifications, their
roles and responsibilities, and even the
circumstances in which they could be removed.
Ad Hoc Judges
• In a rare instance, the Supreme Court collegium
has recommended the appointment of a retired
district judge as a judge of the Madhya Pradesh
HC, citing legitimate expectation and delay in the
selection process.
• This move would allow him to serve two years as
a constitutional court judge.
• In the past, only two persons were appointed as
Supreme Court judges months after their
retirement as HC judges.
• Ad Hoc Judges
o Article 224A of the Constitution allows the
Chief Justice of a High Court to appoint a
person who has been a judge earlier to sit
as a judge of the court with the previous
consent of the President.
o This has only been invoked thrice in the past
and has more or less stayed dormant for
years.
o Such a judge is entitled to allowances as
determined by the President.
o He will also enjoy all the jurisdiction, powers
and privileges of a judge of that high court.
• Previously, the government had said that high
courts must not invoke this till they filled up all
regular vacancies.
• The top court said that the Article would be
invoked by a High Court Chief Justice only under
certain conditions. These would include -
o Vacancies of a court exceeding 20% of the
sanctioned strength.
o 10% of pending cases must be over five
years old.
o The disposal rate must be lower than the
filing rate of new cases.
National Commission for the
Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)
28
• India’s national child rights body (NCPCR)
flagged concerns around adoption by same-sex
couples.
• NCPCR : It’s a statutory body
o Established by an Act of Parliament, the
Commission for Protection of Child Rights
(CPCR) Act, 2005.
o The Commission works under the aegis of
Ministry of Women and Child
Development, GoI.
o Mandate
 It ensures that all Laws, Policies,
Programmes, and Administrative
Mechanisms are in consonance with
the Child Rights perspective as
enshrined in the Constitution of India
and the UN Convention on the Rights of
the Child.
 As defined by the commission, a child
includes a person up to the age of 18
years.
 It monitors the implementation of
POCSO Act
o Composition : A chairperson and six
members of which at least two should be
women.
 All of them are appointed by the
Central Government for three years.
 The maximum age to serve in
commission is 65 years for Chairman
and 60 years for members.
o Powers
 The Commission, while inquiring into
any matter that falls under of CPCR
Act, 2005 has all the powers of a civil
court under the Code of Civil
Procedure, 1908.
 The commission can exercise the
following power-
 Summoning and enforcing the
attendance of any person
 Discovery and production of any
document
 Receiving evidence on affidavits.
 Requisitioning any public record or
copy thereof from any court or
office; and
 Issuing commissions for the
examination of witnesses or
documents.
 The Commission is authorized to
forward any case to a Magistrate having
jurisdiction to try the same.
January - June 2023
Civil Union
• Recently, A five-judge bench of the Supreme
Court, headed by Chief Justice of India began
hearing a batch of petitions seeking legal
recognition of same sex marriage.
• The CJI clarified that the hearing’s scope would
be limited to developing a notion of a “civil
union” that finds legal recognition under the
Special Marriage Act.
• A “civil union” refers to the legal status that
allows same-sex couples specific rights and
responsibilities normally conferred upon
married couples.
• Although a civil union resembles a marriage and
brings with it employment, inheritance, property,
and parental rights, there are some differences
between the two.
• A big difference between civil unions and
marriages was that the former was recognised
solely by issuing states and not by federal
law.
• This created a situation where such couples
could not enjoy the benefits of being in a civil
union, uniformly, across all states.
• Since the US had a system where states had to
determine their own marriage laws, this disparity
of recognition existed.
• In the wake of the legalisation of same sex
marriages, several civil unions were converted
into marriages.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
• Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor has been
called by the Central Bureau of Investigation
(CBI) to answer queries pertaining to an alleged
Reliance insurance scam case.
• CBI :
o The CBI is a premier investigating police
agency in India.
o Recommended by the Santhanam
Committee on Prevention of Corruption.
o It serves as the main agency of the Central
Government and is responsible for a wide
variety of criminal and national security
matters.
o Provides assistance to the Central
Vigilance Commission and Lokpal
o Exempted from the provisions of the Right
to Information Act
o Established on April 1, 1963, and draws its
power from the Special Police Force (SPE),
1946.
29
o Operating under the jurisdiction of the
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances
and Pensions (India)
o It is also the Interpol agency in India.
o Headquarter- New Delhi
o Functions
 Investigation of cases related to
corruption, scams, and misbehavior
of central government officials
 Investigation of serious crimes having
national and international ramifications.
 Maintaining crime statistics and
disseminating criminal information, etc.
Enforcement Directorate (ED)
• The Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached
properties to the tune of Rs 11.04 crore belonging
to a political party member in the INX money
laundering case.
• ED is a law enforcement agency and
economic intelligence agency responsible for
enforcing economic laws and fighting economic
crime in India.
• On 1st May 1956, an ‘Enforcement Unit’ was
formed, in the Department of Economic Affairs,
for handling Exchange Control Laws violations
under Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947.
 In the year 1957, this Unit was renamed as
‘Enforcement Directorate’
• Functions
• It enforces the following two laws
• Foreign Exchange Management
Act,1999 (FEMA)
• Prevention of Money Laundering Act,
2002 (PMLA).
• Parent Ministry
• It is part of the Department of Revenue,
Ministry of Finance, Government Of India.
• Composition
• It is headed by the Director of
Enforcement, who is an IRS officer (Indian
Revenue Service).
• Headquarter
• New Delhi
• It has many regional offices all over the
country.
Digital Services Act (DSA)
• The European Union (EU) has confirmed the
names of 19 platforms that will be subject to its
landmark online content rules.
January - June 2023
• Five subsidiaries of Google’s parent Alphabet,
two Meta units, two Microsoft businesses, Apple’s
AppStore, Twitter, and Alibaba’s AliExpress are
among the entities that the EU has identified.
• DSA
o he rules notified under the Digital Services
Act (DSA), aim at
 Overhauling the EU’s social media and
e-commerce rules.
o Tightly regulating the way big technology
platforms moderate user content.
• Intermediaries - Large platforms such as
Google, Meta, Twitter, and YouTube.
• Features
o New procedures for faster removal of
content deemed illegal or harmful.
o Users can challenge takedown decisions
taken by platforms and seek out-of-court
settlements.
o Very Large Online Platforms’ (VLOPs) and
‘Very Large Online Search Engines’
(VLOSEs), that is platforms, having more
than 45 million users in the EU, will have
more stringent requirements.
o Direct supervision by European
Commission.
o More transparency on how algorithms work.
o Clearer identifiers for ads and who’s paying
for them.
• Significance
o It will give better protection to users and to
fundamental rights online.
o It will establish a powerful transparency and
accountability framework for online platform.
o It will provide a single, uniform framework
across the EU.
o India’s Online Laws
o In February 2021, India had notified
extensive changes to its social media
regulations in the form of the Information
Technology Rules, 2021 (IT Rules).
• Features
o Appointing key personnel to handle law
enforcement requests and user grievances.
o Enabling identification of the first originator
of the information on its platform under
certain conditions.
o Deploying technology-based measures on a
best-effort basis to identify certain types of
content.
o The IT Ministry notified a contentious
measure by creating government-backed
grievance appellate committees.
30
o It would have the authority to review and
revoke content moderation decisions taken
by large tech platforms.
Protection of Women from Sexual
Harassment (POSH) Act, 2013
• An investigation published revealed that more
than half — 16 — of India’s 30 national sports
federations do not have an Internal Complaints
Committee (ICC), a legal requirement under the
Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act,
2013.
• The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace
(Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act,
commonly known as the PoSH Act, was passed
in 2013.
• It defined sexual harassment, lay down the
procedures for complaint and inquiry, and the
action to be taken in cases of sexual harassment.
• The Act defines sexual harassment at the
workplace and creates a mechanism for
redressal of complaints.
• Every employer is required to constitute an
Internal Complaints Committee at each office or
branch with 10 or more employees.
• The Complaints Committees have the powers of
civil courts for gathering evidence.
• It is not compulsory for the aggrieved victim to file
a complaint for the ICC to take action.
o The Act says that she “may” do so — and if
she cannot, any member of the ICC “shall”
render “all reasonable assistance” to her to
complain in writing.
• Under the Act, the complaint must be made
“within three months from the date of the
incident”.
o The ICC can “extend the time limit” under
some circumstances.
• The ICC “may”, before inquiry, and “at the
request of the aggrieved woman, take steps to
settle the matter between her and the respondent
through conciliation”.
• The ICC may either forward the victim’s
complaint to the police, or it can start an inquiry
that has to be completed within 90 days.
• If the allegations of sexual harassment are
proved, the ICC will recommend to the employer
to take action “in accordance with the provisions
of the service rules” of the company.
• If either the aggrieved woman or the respondent
is not satisfied, they may appeal in court within 90
days.
January - June 2023 31

• Penal Provisions • Recently, the Bombay High Court said that the
o Penalties have been prescribed for Protection of Children from Sexual Offences
employers. Non- compliance with the (POCSO) Act was enacted not to punish minors
provisions of the Act shall be punishable in a consensual relationship and to brand them
with a fine. as criminals.
o Repeated violations may lead to higher • About
penalties and cancellation of license or o It was enacted in consequence to India’s
registration to conduct business. ratification of the UN Convention on the
Rights of the Child in 1992, came into
effect on November 14, 2012.
SHE BOX o The Act has been enacted to protect
• Developed By- Ministry of Women and Child
children from offences of sexual assault,
Development, Government of India
sexual harassment and pornography.
• It’s online complaint management system
o It provide for establishment of Special
titled Sexual Harassment electronic–Box (SHe-
Courts for trial of such offences and related
Box) for registering complaints related to
matters and incidents.
sexual harassment at workplace by women,
o The Act was amended in 2019.
including government and private employees.
• Salient Features of the Act
• Interal Complaints Committee
o It is a gender-neutral law.
• Prominent Indian wrestlers have continued
 By defining a child as ‘any person’
protesting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for 11
below the age of 18 years, the
days.
POCSO Act sets a gender-neutral tone
• They knocked on the door of the Supreme Court
for the legal framework available to
to get FIRs filed and appealed to fellow
child sexual abuse victim
sportspersons to lend their weight to their
o Not reporting abuse is an offence.
complaints of sexual harassment.
 It penalises those who have failed to
• The Government’s MC Mary Kom-headed
report the offence with either
panel, red-flagged this as a “major finding”: there
imprisonment or a fine or both.
was no Internal Complaints Committee (ICC),
o No time limit for reporting abuse.
as mandated by law under the 2013 Prevention
 Victim can report an offence at any
of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act.
time, even a number of years after the
• Internal Complaints Committee (ICC)
abuse has been committed.
o The ICC was designed to be the first port
o Maintaining confidentiality of the victim’s
of call for any grievance under the PoSH
identity.
Act, a key element needed to create a safe
• It defines different forms of sexual abuse,
workplace environment for women.
including penetrative & non-penetrative assault,
o It needs to have a minimum of four
as well as sexual harassment and pornography.
members.
• People who traffic children for sexual purposes
 At least half of them women – of whom
are also punishable.
one shall be an external member,
• The storage of child pornography material has
preferably from an NGO or an
been made a new offence.
association that works for women’s
• It provides for special courts that conduct the
empowerment or a person familiar with
trial in-camera and without revealing the identity
issues related to sexual harassment,
of the child, in a manner that is as child-friendly
like a lawyer.
as possible.
o A functional ICC is one of the key
• It also casts the police in the role of child
conditions set up by the Ministry of
protectors during the investigative process.
Sports to grant annual recognition to the
• Terms of the POCSO Act
federations.
o The age of consent for sex in India is 18
under the POCSO Act.
Protection of Children from Sexual o Consent given by a girl aged below 18 is
Offences (POCSO) Act 2012 not regarded as valid and sexual
intercourse with her amounts to rape.
January - June 2023
Food Safety and Standards Authority
of India (FSSAI)
• Recently, the Advertisement Monitoring
Committee at the Food Safety and Standards
Authority of India (FSSAI) flagged 32 fresh cases
of food business operators (FBOs) making
misleading claims and advertisements.
• About FSSAI
o Statutory body established under the
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare,
Government of India.
o Established under the Food Safety and
Standards Act, 2006 (Set up in 2008)
o Headquarter- New Delhi
o Functions
 Regulations are being drafted by
FSSAI to establish food safety
standards and guidance.
 Food enterprises are granted FSSAI
food safety licenses and
certifications.
 Laying down procedures and
guidelines for laboratories in food
businesses.
o Major Initiatives of FSSAI
 Eat Right India
 Clean Street Food
 Diet4Lifev
Sovereignty
• PM of India alleged that leaders of a political
party has been “openly advocating” Karnataka’s
secession from the Indian Union and they want to
protect the “sovereignty” of Karnataka.
• Sovereignty is simply the idea of having supreme
authority over a defined territory.
• From the 17th century onwards, Western
philosophers used the concept to describe the
supremacy of the state — along with its
institutions such as the government, the judiciary,
and parliament — over the people being
governed.
• ‘Sovereignty’ in Indian Constitution
o The word sovereignty appears in the
beginning of the Preamble to the
Constitution of India, as the first attribute of
the independent republic of India.
o Its placement as the first among the core
principles of the republic underlines its
importance in the Constitution.
o Fundamental Duties- Article 51A(c) states
that it is the duty of all citizens “to uphold
and protect the sovereignty, unity and
integrity of India.”
32
o It is also mentioned in the oaths for
positions like the Chief Justices, Union
Ministers and Members of Parliament under
the Third schedule.
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)
• Recently, the Election Commission of India
(ECI) denied claims of a political party
spokesperson, who had said that Electronic
Voting Machines (EVMs) from South Africa were
being used for voting.
• The EC said it had “never sent EVMs to South
Africa for use in their elections” and that it had
never imported EVMs from any country.
• EVMs are produced indigenously by 2 PSUs viz.
Bharat Electronics Ltd., Bengaluru and
Electronics Corporation of India Ltd.,
Hyderabad.
• After the introduction of EVM machines in
elections of India, many countries used EVM
machines made in India in their elections, like
Bhutan, Nepal and Namibia.
About EVMs
o EVM has two parts – a ‘control unit’ and a
‘balloting unit’ – connected by a 5-metre
cable.
o The balloting unit is in the voting
compartment into which the voter enters to
cast the vote by pressing the button against
the name and symbol of the candidate of her
choice.
o The control unit is with the EC-appointed
polling officer.
o The control unit has been termed the
EVM’s ‘brain’, as the balloting unit is turned
on only after the polling officer presses the
‘Ballot’ button on it and the vote is then cast.
o The Software Programme Code is written
in-house, by these two companies, not
outsourced, and subjected to security
procedures at factory level to maintain the
highest levels of integrity.
o Each ECI-EVM has a serial number and
the Election Commission by use of EVM-
tracking software can find out from its
database which machine is located where.
Ordinance in Constitution
• Recently, the central government promulgated
an Ordinance.
• It undid the unanimous verdict of a five-judge
Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court.
January - June 2023
• On May 11 SC gave the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
government of Delhi control over the transfer and
posting of officials in the National Capital Territory
(NCT), except with regard to public order, police,
and land.
• The Ordinance gave the Lieutenant Governor
of Delhi, power over services.
o It also established a “National Capital Civil
Service Authority” comprising the Chief
Minister and two senior IAS officials, which
would decide matters “by majority of votes of
the members present and voting” —
essentially creating a situation in which the
view of the elected CM could potentially be
overruled.
• Article 123 of the Constitution
o Power of President to promulgate
Ordinances during recess of Parliament.
o if at any time, except when both Houses of
Parliament are in session, the President is
satisfied that circumstances exist which
render it necessary for him to take
immediate action, he may promulgate such
Ordinances as the circumstances appear to
him to require.
• An Ordinance “shall have the same force and
effect as an Act of Parliament”.
• But the government is required to bring an
Ordinance before Parliament for ratification.
o Failure to do so will lead to its lapsing “at the
expiration of six weeks from the reassembly
of Parliament.
• The Ordinance may lapse earlier if the President
withdraws it — or if both Houses pass resolutions
disapproving it.
o Rejection of an Ordinance would, however,
imply the government has lost majority.
• If an Ordinance makes a law that Parliament is
not competent to enact under the Constitution, it
shall be considered void.
• Since the President acts on the advice of the
Council of Ministers, it is in effect the government
that decides to bring the Ordinance.
o The President may return the
recommendation of the Cabinet once if she
feels it warrants reconsideration.
o If it is sent back (with or without
reconsideration), she has to promulgate it.
• Article 213 deals with the broadly analogous
powers of the Governor to promulgate/ withdraw
an Ordinance when the state legislature is not in
session.
33
• An Ordinance is valid for six weeks, or 42 days,
from the date on which the next session starts.
o If the two Houses start their sessions on
different dates, the later date will be
considered, say the explanations in Articles
123 and 213.
• Repromulgation of Ordinance
o If, for whatever reason, an Ordinance
lapses, the only option for the government is
to reissue or repromulgate it.
o The court clarified that there might be
circumstances permitting the re-
promulgation of an Ordinance.
o However, it said, repeated re-promulgations
without bringing the Ordinance to the
legislature would usurp the legislature’s
function, and will be unconstitutional.
• Indigent Person
o The case in Delhi HC against BBC has been
filed by Justice For All under Order 33 of
the Code of Civil Procedure, “seeking
permission to file as an indigent person”.
o Under Indian law, Order 33 of the Civil
Procedure Code, 1908, deals with suits filed
by indigent persons.
o Under Rule 1, Order 33, CPC, a person is
an indigent person if he does not have
sufficient means other than property
excused from attachment in execution of the
degree, to enable him to pay prescribed
fees.
o The word ‘person’ includes not only a natural
person but other juridical persons.
o Earlier, the suits filed by indigent persons
were also referred to as “pauper suits”, and
they can be filed only by those who are
unable to pay on account of poverty.
Economy
Writing off a Loan
• In December 2022, Finance Minister told
Parliament that banks had written off bad loans
worth ₹10,09,511 crore during the last five
financial years.
• With the government’s “strategy of recognition,
resolution, recapitalisation and reforms,” NPAs
had since declined to 5.9% by March 2022.
January - June 2023
• Writing off a Loan
o The bank writes off a loan after the borrower
has defaulted on the loan repayment and there
is a very low chance of recovery.
o Once a loan is written off by a bank, it goes out
from the asset book of the bank.
o Significance- It reduce not only bank’s NPAs
but also taxes.
• Non Performing Assets (NPAs) : A loan
becomes an NPA when the principal or interest
payment remains overdue for 90 days.
• Gross NPA: Gross NPA (GNPA) denotes the
total of all the loan assets that haven’t been
repaid by the borrowers within the ninety-day
period.
• Net NPA: Net NPA (NNPA) is the amount
remaining after deducting doubtful and unpaid
debts from the GNPA. It is the actual loss
suffered by the bank.
Financial Stability Report (FSR)
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the
26th issue of the Financial Stability Report (FSR).
• FSR is a bi-annual report.
• It reflects the collective assessment of the
Sub-Committee of the Financial Stability and
Development Council (FSDC) on risks to
financial stability and the resilience of the
financial system.
Financial Stability and Development
Council (FSDC)
• It is the apex level forum set up by the
Government in December 2010.
o Finance Minister is the Chairman of FSDC.
o RBI Governor is the Chairperson of FSDC
subcommittee.
o Its members includes heads of financial
regulators - RBI, SEBI, PFRDA, IRDA &
FMC, Finance secretary and/or Secretary
(DEA), Secretary (Department of Financial
services) and Chief Economic Adviser.
34
Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP)
• The sugarcane farmers in Haryana sat on
dharnas outside the sugar mills across the State
recently kicking off the agitation to seek hike in
the crop’s support price.
• FRP is the price declared by the government,
which mills are legally bound to pay to farmers for
the cane procured from them.
• It was introduced in 2009 and replaced the
concept of Statutory Minimum Price (SMP).
• Since sugar pricing comes under the concurrent
list, the Supreme Court has held that both the
center and the state have the power to fix
sugarcane prices — while the center’s price is the
minimum price, states can set an SAP that will
always be higher than the center’s FRP.
• The Central Government announces Fair and
Remunerative Prices in consultation with state
governments and sugar industries.
• These prices are determined on the
recommendation of the Commission for
Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and are
announced by the Cabinet Committee on
Economic Affairs, which is chaired by the Prime
Minister.
Foreign Exchange Reserves (Forex)
• After three consecutive years of rise, India’s
foreign exchange reserves declined by around $
70 billion in 2022 amid rising inflation and interest
rates.
• From $632.74 billion as of January 7, 2022, the
reserves declined to $562.851 billion as of
December 30, 2022.
• Foreign Exchange reserves or Forex reserves are
assets such as foreign currencies, gold reserves,
treasury bills, etc retained by a central bank or
other monetary authority.
• The majority of foreign exchange reserves are
held in US dollars.
• India's foreign exchange reserves include
o Foreign Currency Assets.
o Gold Reserves.
o Special Drawing Rights (SDR).
o Reserve position with the International
Monetary Fund (IMF).
January - June 2023
Green Bonds
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that it
will, for the first-time, issue Sovereign Green
Bonds (SgrBs) worth Rs 16,000 crore, in two
tranches of Rs 8,000 crore each in the current
financial year.
• The RBI said it will issue 5-year and 10-year
green bonds of Rs 4,000 crore each on January
25 and February 9.
• Green bonds are bonds issued by any sovereign
entity, inter-governmental groups or alliances and
corporates with the aim that the proceeds of the
bonds are utilised for projects classified as
environmentally sustainable.
• India’s First Green Bond was issued by Yes Bank
Ltd in 2015.
• Green bonds command a relatively lower cost of
capital compared to regular bonds.
New Umbrella Entity (NUE) Network
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is said to have
put on hold licensing of the NUE network.
• The NUE, like the NPCI is supposed to be
responsible for setting up, managing and
operating new retail digital payment systems.
• It will also manage clearing and settlement
systems and undertake initatives to strengthen
the digital payments ecosystem in the country.
• These could offer a host of retail payment
services, including setting up of ATMs, offering
white-label, point of sale terminals, Aadhaar-
based payments, remittance services, and
develop newer payment methods.
• The NUE shall have a minimum paid-up capital of
Rs 500 crore and no single promoter or promoter
group shall have more than 40 percent
investment in the capital of the NUE.
• A minimum net worth of Rs 300 crore shall be
maintained by the entity at all times.
Merchant Discount Rate (MDR)
• The Union Cabinet approved an outlay of ₹2,600
crore to promote payments using RuPay cards
and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
35
• The fund will be paid to banks in view of the lack
of a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) for UPI and
RuPay transactions.
• MDR is a fee charged to merchants for
processing of payments made through UPI, digital
wallets, debit, and credit card.
• The merchant discount rate is also referred to as
the transaction discount rate (TDR).
• MDR is given as a percentage of each sales
transaction processed.
• Though payments through UPI and RuPay debit
cards do not attract any MDR, it is capped at 0.9
per cent for all other debit cards.
• The amount that the merchant pays for every
transaction gets distributed among three
stakeholders-
o The bank that enables the transaction.
o Vendor that installs the point of sale (PoS)
machine.
o The card network provider such as Visa,
MasterCard, RuPay.
Loan-loss Provision
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) published a
discussion paper on “loan loss provision”,
proposing a framework for adopting an expected
loss (EL)-based approach for provisioning by
banks in case of loan defaults.
• The RBI defines a loan loss provision as an
expense that banks set aside for defaulted loans.
• Banks set aside a portion of the expected loan
repayments from all loans in their portfolio to
cover the losses either completely or partially.
• In the event of a loss, instead of taking a loss in
its cash flows, the bank can use its loan loss
reserves to cover the loss.
• Since the bank does not expect all loans to
become impaired, there is usually enough in the
loan loss reserves to cover the full loss for any
one or a small number of loans when needed.
• An increase in the balance of reserves is called
loan loss provision.
• The level of loan loss provision is determined
based on the level expected to protect the safety
and soundness of the bank.
January - June 2023
• Benefit of This Approach
o It will enhance the resilience of the banking
system in line with globally accepted norms.
RBI’s Report on State Govt Budgets
• The Reserve Bank of India released its report on
state government budgets for 2022-23.
• The RBI report shows that states are recovering
from the severe economic stress in 2020-21
caused by Covid19 pandemic.
• However, there are several areas of concern.
• Debt-to-GDP
o As per the report, the debt-to-GDP ratio has
fallen from 31.1 per cent in 2020-21 – a year
when states had struggled to manage the
economic fallout of the pandemic — to 29.5
per cent in 2022-23.
o The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget
Management review committee, had
recommended a debt-to-GDP ratio of 20 per
cent for states.
• Contingent Liabilities
o Contingent liabilities here refer to the
obligations of a state government to repay
the principal and interest payments in case a
state-owned entity defaults on a loan.
o The guarantees issued by state
governments have risen from Rs 3.12 lakh
crore or 2 per cent of GDP in 2017 to Rs 7.4
lakh crore or 3.7 per cent of GDP.
• Old Pension Scheme
o New risks have emerged with some states
now opting to return to the old pension
scheme.
Greenback
• The rupee weakened sharply against the US
dollar amid sparse trading volumes as some
foreign banks purchased the greenback.
• Greenback is a slang term for U.S. dollars.
• Greenbacks were emergency paper currency
issued by the United States during the American
Civil War that were printed in green on the back.
• They were in two forms:
o Demand Notes, issued in 1861–1862.
o United States Notes, issued in 1862–1865.
36
• A form of fiat money, the notes were legal tender
for most purposes and carried varying promises
of eventual payment in coin, but were not backed
by existing gold or silver reserves.
• Because they were not fully backed by gold,
greenbacks lost value and caused inflation in the
northern economy.
• These were later replaced in the Legal Tender
Act of 1862, which authorized the paper notes
that would eventually become the official
currency.
Debt Ceiling
• The United States hit its debt ceiling of $31.4
trillion.
• The debt ceiling was introduced in 1917 during
World War I.
• It is the maximum amount that the US federal
government can borrow to fulfill its financial
obligations.
• As the government spends more than it earns
through taxes and other revenues, it needs to
borrow money in order to pay for expenses, such
as social security and Medicare benefits, military
etc.
• In 2021, this borrowing limit was raised to $31.4
trillion.
AT1 Bonds
• The Bombay High Court quashed the write-off of
Additional Tier-1 (AT1) bonds worth Rs 8,400
crore issued by Yes Bank Ltd, bringing relief to
investors.
• AT1 bonds are unsecured bonds that have
perpetual tenor.
• In other words, these bonds, issued by banks,
have no maturity date.
• They have a call option, which can be used by
the banks to buy these bonds back from
investors.
• These bonds are typically used by banks to
bolster their core or tier-1 capital.
• AT1 bonds are subordinate to all other debt and
only senior to common equity.
• Mutual funds (MFs) were among the largest
investors in perpetual debt instruments.
January - June 2023
Short Selling
• Short seller Hindenburg Research on January 25
disclosed short positions in Adani Group, alleging
stock manipulation and accounting fraud in its
latest investigative report.
• Short selling or shorting, is a trading strategy
based on the expectation that the price of the
security will fall.
• While fundamentally it is based on the “buy low,
sell high” approach, the sequence of transactions
is reversed in short selling — to sell high first and
buy low later.
• Also, in short selling, the trader usually does not
own the securities he sells, but merely borrows
them.
T+1 Settlement Cycle
• After China, India became the second country in
the world to start the ‘trade-plus-one’ (T+1)
settlement cycle in top listed securities from
January 27, 2023.
• As many as 256 large cap and top mid-cap
stocks, including Nifty and Sensex stocks, came
under the T+1 settlement from 27 Jan.
• The United States, United Kingdom & Eurozone
markets are yet to move to the T+1 system.
• T+1 means that trade-related settlements must
be done within one day of the transaction's
completion.
• Trades on Indian stock exchanges are currently
settled in two working days after the transaction
is completed (T+2).
• For example, if you buy shares on Wednesday,
they will be credited to your Demat account by
the next day, which is Thursday.
o Till now they were getting settled on Friday.
• T+1 settlement system will shorten the settlement
cycle which will reduce the risk of default and will
increase the liquidity in the market with
availability of funds.
Unity Mall
• Finance Minister announced in the Budget that
states would be encouraged to set up a “Unity
Mall” in their capitals, their most prominent
tourism centres, or their financial capitals.
37
• The FM did not specify what the “unity mall”
would be, its physical or non-physical structure, or
how it would work.
• However, FM said that the unity malls would
focus on the promotion and sale of the state’s
own “ODOPs (one district, one product), GI
products and other handicraft products, and for
providing space for such products of all other
States.
• ODOP (one district, one product)
o It aims to make regional products more
accessible, while providing capital to those
who produce them.
o Under the scheme, the State identifies the
chief product for a district, and then offers
support for its processing, storage and
marketing.
• GI Tag
o A geographical Indication (GI) tag is given
to agricultural, natural or manufactured
products that originate from a specific
geographical area due to which they
possess unique characteristics and qualities.
Union Budget
• Union Finance Minister on February 1 presented
the Union Budget 2023.
• About Budget : According to Article 112 of the
Indian Constitution, the Union Budget of a year is
referred to as the Annual Financial Statement
(AFS).
o It is a statement of the estimated receipts
and expenditure of the Government in a
financial year.
• In addition to it, the Budget contains:
o Estimates of revenue and capital receipts,
o Ways and means to raise the revenue,
o Estimates of expenditure,
o Details of the actual receipts and
expenditure of the closing financial year and
the reasons for any deficit or surplus in that
year, and the economic and financial policy
of the coming year, i.e., taxation proposals,
prospects of revenue, spending programme
and introduction of new schemes/projects.
• The Budget Division of the Department of
Economic Affairs in the Finance Ministry is the
nodal body responsible for preparing the Budget.
January - June 2023
Budget Components
1. Based on their impact on assets and liabilities,
total expenditure can be divided into capital and
revenue expenditure.
o Capital expenditure is incurred with the
purpose of increasing assets of a durable
nature or of reducing recurring liabilities. Ex:
constructing new schools or new hospitals.
o Revenue expenditure involves
expenditure that does not add to assets or
reduce liabilities. Ex: payment of wages and
salaries, subsidies or interest payments.
2. The receipts of the Government have three
components —
o Revenue receipts involve receipts that are
not associated with increase in liabilities
and comprise revenue from taxes and non-
tax sources.
38
o Non-debt receipts are part of capital receipts
that do not generate additional liabilities. Ex:
Recovery of loans and proceeds from
disinvestments.
o Debt-creating capital receipts are ones that
involve higher liabilities and future payment
commitments of the Government.
Deficit Indicators
• Fiscal deficit - The difference between total
expenditure and the sum of revenue receipts and
non-debt receipts. Therefore, the fiscal deficit
indicates total borrowings of the government.
• Primary deficit - The difference between fiscal
deficit and interest payments.
• Revenue deficit - It is derived by deducting capital
expenditure from fiscal deficits.
• Assets Under Management (AUM)
• The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) said
its exposure to the Adani Group was less than
1% of the total assets under management (AUM)
at book value.
• Assets under management (AUM) is the total
market value of the investments that a person or
entity handles on behalf of investors.
• AUM fluctuates daily, reflecting the flow of money
any
in and out of a particular fund and the price
performance of the assets.
• Funds with larger AUM tend to be more easily
traded.
• Significance
o AUM helps to build the market value of the
firm.
o It can be used as a market tool to attract
potential new customers.
o The higher a firm's AUM is, the more likely
people are to trust them and invest with
them.
o A fund's management fees and expenses
are often calculated as a percentage of
AUM.
Lab Grown Diamonds
• During Budget speech, Finance Minister
announced the government’s move to focus on
lab grown diamonds.
• FM also announced a grant to IITs to facilitate the
growth of LDGs in India.
• Lab grown diamonds are diamonds that are
produced using specific technology which mimics
the geological processes that grow natural
diamonds.
January - June 2023
• They are not the same as “diamond simulants” –
LDGs are chemically, physically and optically
diamond and thus are difficult to identify as “lab
grown.”
• While materials such as Moissanite, Cubic
Zirconia (CZ), White Sapphire, YAG, etc. are
“diamond simulants” that simply attempt to “look”
like a diamond, they lack the sparkle and
durability of a diamond and are thus easily
identifiable.
• There are two types of lab-grown diamonds -
Chemical Vapour Decomposition (CVD) and High
pressure, high temperature (HPHT).
• India particularly specializes and leads in the
chemical vapour decomposition (CVD)
technology that is certified as the purest type of
diamonds.
• Significance : This tech-based manufacturing
directly cuts down the capital and labour-
intensive factors of the mined diamond chain.
• Govt Efforts
• 100% foreign direct investment (FDI)
allowed in the sector under the automatic
route. Further, according to Budget 2019-20,
the GST rate has been reduced from 18% to
5%.
PM PRANAM (Prime Minister
Programme for Restoration,
Awareness, Nourishment and
Amelioration of Mother Earth)
• PM PRANAM initiative was launched while
presenting the union budget 2023.
• This programme will seek to incentivise states &
union territories promoting alternative fertilisers
and the balanced use of chemical fertilisers.
• The programme aims to ultimately bring down the
government’s subsidy burden, which is estimated
to reach Rs 2.25 lakh crore in 2022-23: 39%
higher than last year’s figure of Rs 1.62 lakh
crore.
• Risks Posed by Chemical Fertilisers : They are
known to be a major source of water pollution –
impacting both groundwater and rivers, ponds
and lakes.
o Eutrophication caused by excessive use of
chemical fertilisers.
 It is a death knell for fishes and other
aquatic life, often covering lakes and
ponds with a thick layer of algae and
reducing the oxygen content in the
water.
39
o Over a long period of time, they can also
harm the soil, causing acidification, and
hence have an impact on the land’s
productivity.
o Studies have found a link between the
excessive use of chemical fertilisers and
incidence of cancer among farmers.
Mahila Samman Savings Certificate
• The government will launch a small savings
scheme, Mahila Samman Savings Certificate,
especially for women to commemorate the Azadi
ka Amrit Mahotsav.
• The small savings scheme has a tenure of two
years (up to March 2025) and will offer an interest
rate of 7.5%. This will offer a deposit facility up to
Rs 2 lakh in the name of women or girls.
• The lower limit has not been specified by the
government yet.
• The scheme doesn’t have any specific tax relief,
but partial withdrawal is allowed.
• Mahila Samman Savings Certificate is the
newest small savings scheme floated by the
government.
• Small savings schemes are investment tools for
individuals that have major tax benefits under
Section 80C.
• The other popular schemes under this category
are
o Public Provident Fund (PPF).
o Senior Citizens Small Savings Scheme
(SCSS).
o National Savings Certificate (NSC).
o Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY).
Angel Tax
• New age firms, that offer their shares to foreign
investors, may have to pay ‘angel tax’, which was
earlier only supposed to be paid for investments
raised by resident Indian investors, as per a
motion made in the Finance Bill, 2023.
• The Finance Bill, 2023 has proposed to amend
Section 56(2) VII B of the Income Tax Act.
o The provision states that when an unlisted
company, such as a start-up, receives equity
investment from a resident for issue of
shares that exceeds the face value of such
shares, it will be counted as income for the
start-up.
o Also It will be subject to income tax under
the head ‘Income from other Sources’ for the
relevant financial year.
January - June 2023
• With the latest amendment, when a start-up
raises funding from a foreign investor, that too will
now be counted as income and be taxable.
• Angel Tax
o Section 56(2) VII B of the Income Tax Act is
known as the ‘angel tax’.
o It was first introduced in 2012.
o Its objective was to deter the generation and
use of unaccounted money through the
subscription of shares of a closely held
company at a value that is higher than the
fair market value of the firm’s shares.
Legal Guarantee on Minimum Support
Prices (MSP)
• Recently, members of a farmer organisation
squatted on railway tracks in Punjab to demand a
legal guarantee on MSP.
• There is currently no statutory backing for MSP
prices, nor any law mandating their enforcement.
• The MSP is a minimum price guarantee that acts
as a safety net or insurance for farmers when
they sell particular crops.
• These crops are procured by government
agencies at a promised price to farmers and the
MSP cannot be altered in any given situation.
• A total of 23 crops are procured under MSP.
• The MSP is set by the central government for
select crops, based on recommendations it
receives from the Commission for Agricultural
Costs and Prices (CACP).
• MSP based on a calculation of at least one-and-
a-half (1.5) times the cost of production incurred
by the farmers.
• The present MSP has been calculated based on
the A2+FL method.
o A2+FL= It covers actual paid-out costs plus
an imputed value of unpaid family labor.
o 1.5 times MSP Formula = 1.5 times the
A2+FL costs
• C2 Formula
o Farm unions are demanding that a
comprehensive cost calculation (C2) must
also include capital assets and the rentals
and interest forgone on owned land as
recommended by the National Commission
for Farmers.
• As of now, CACP recommends MSPs of 23
commodities, which comprise
o 7 cereals (paddy, wheat, maize, sorghum,
pearl millet, barley and ragi).
40
o 5 pulses (gram, tur, moong, urad, lentil)
o 7 oilseeds (groundnut, rapeseed-mustard,
soyabean, seasmum, sunflower, safflower,
niger seed).
o 4 commercial crops (copra, sugarcane,
cotton and raw jute).
Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)
• Recently, The three-day deliberations of the
Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) rate-setting
panel - Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)
meeting took place.
• About MPC
o Under Section 45ZB of the amended RBI
Act, 1934, the central government is
empowered to constitute a six-member
Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).
o The first such MPC was constituted on
September 29, 2016.
• Functions
o It determines the policy interest rate required
to achieve the inflation target.
o Decisions are taken by majority with the
Governor having the casting vote in case of
a tie.
o The decision of the Monetary Policy
Committee shall be binding on the Bank.
• Composition
o Six members (including the Chairman)-
• RBI Governor as its ex officio
chairperson
• The Deputy Governor in charge of
monetary policy
• An officer of the Bank to be nominated
by the Central Board
• Three persons to be appointed by the
central government.
Green Deal Industrial Plan
• In a bid to support and expand its green industry,
the European Union recently revealed the “Green
Deal Industrial Plan”.
• Green Deal Industrial Plan aims to cut red tape
and provide massive subsidies.
• The move has come just a few months after the
United States announced its Inflation Reduction
Act (IRA).
o IRA contains billions of dollars of tax cuts for
clean energy and climate change programs
with incentives for US-based manufacturing.
January - June 2023
Circuit Breaker
• On the back of the Hindenburg revelations, many
of Adani Group companies’ stocks have hit the
lower circuits in subsequent trading sessions.
• In 2001, the Securities and Exchange Board of
India (SEBI) implemented index-based market-
wide circuit breakers.
• Circuit breakers are triggered to prevent markets
from crashing due to a panic induced sale of
stocks.
• This can happen due to many reasons which lead
to stockholders in the market feeling that their
stocks are overvalued. Thus they enter into a
sell-off.
• Circuit breakers temporarily halt trading and thus
stop the sell-off.
• Effectively, circuit-breakers cap how much the
value of a stock can fall in a single day/trading
session and in doing so, create a more stable
market overall.
Repo Rate
• Recently, RBI’s monetary policy committee
(MPC) raised the repo rate by 25 basis points
(bps) to 6.5%, the highest since 2018, as it
attempts to cool inflation closer to its target.
• Repo rate is the rate of interest at which
commercial banks borrow money from the central
bank i.e. Reserve bank of India (RBI).
• In the case of inflation, RBI increases the repo
rate, and in the case of deflation decreases it.
• RBI increases the repo rate to remove the excess
supply of the money out of the market.
• Reverse repo rate
o Reverse repo rate is the rate of interest at
which commercial banks keep their deposit
with the central bank.
• Impacts
o Both borrowers and depositors are expected
to see a hike in lending rates and offering on
deposit rates, respectively.
 Borrowers are likely to be impacted
earlier.
o Equated monthly installments (EMIs) on
home, vehicle and other personal and
corporate loans are likely to go up.
o Repo rate hikes are expected to impact
consumption and demand in the economy.
Disinvestment
• In the Union Budget for 2023-24, the government
has set a disinvestment target of ₹51,000 crore.
41
• Disinvestment or divestment, in this context, is
when the government sells its assets or a
subsidiary, such as a Central or State public
sector enterprise.
• There are three main approaches to
disinvestment
o Minority Disinvestment : The government
retains a majority in the company, typically
greater than 51%, thus ensuring
management control.
o Majority Disinvestment : The government
hands over control to the acquiring entity but
retains some stake.
o Complete Privatisation : 100% control of
the company is passed on to the buyer.
• Concerned Department :
o The Union Finance Ministry has a separate
department for undertaking disinvestment-
related procedures called the Department of
Investment and Public Asset Management
(DIPAM).
• Purpose of Disinvestment
o The government may disinvest in order to
reduce the fiscal burden or bridge the
revenue shortfall for that year.
o It also uses disinvestment proceeds to
finance the fiscal deficit, to invest in the
economy and development or social sector
programmes, and to retire government debt.
o Disinvestment also encourages private
ownership of assets and trading in the open
market.
o If successful, it also means that the
government does not have to fund the
losses of a loss-making unit anymore.
Morgan Stanley Capital International
(MSCI)
• Recently, Global index provider MSCI changed
its weightage for four Adani Group stocks .
• MSCI, or Morgan Stanley Capital International, is
owned by the multinational investment
management and financial services company
Morgan Stanley.
• It is a leading provider of critical decision support
tools, including stock indexes, and services for
the global investment community.
• It has over 160,000 indexes in its portfolio.
• MSCI indices are tracked by investors globally,
who allocate funds based on weightage given to
countries and stocks.
January - June 2023
OPEC and OPEC+
• OPEC’s top official urged countries to invest
much more in oil to meet the world’s future
energy needs and said climate policies need to
be more “balanced and fair.”
• OPEC established in 1960.
• OPEC is a permanent, intergovernmental
organization.
• Founding members : Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi
Arabia and Venezuela.
• OPEC has since expanded and now has 13
member states.
• Other OPEC Members are : The UAE, Algeria,
Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Libya,
Nigeria, and the Republic of the Congo.
• Headquarter - Vienna (Austria)
• The 13 member countries accounted for an
estimated 44 percent of global oil production and
81.5 percent of the world's proven oil reserves.
• OPEC membership is open to any country that is
a substantial exporter of oil and which shares the
ideals of the organization.
• Objectives
o Coordinate and unify the petroleum policies
of its Member Countries.
o Ensure the stabilisation of oil markets in
order to secure an efficient, economic and
regular supply of petroleum to consumers.
o A steady income to producers and a fair
return on capital for those investing in the
petroleum industry.
• OPEC+
o OPEC Plus was created in 2016 when
OPEC countries decided to ally with other
oil-producing countries outside the group to
cut down the global output of oil.
o The non-OPEC countries which export crude
oil along with the 13 OPECs are termed as
OPEC plus countries.
o OPEC plus countries include : Azerbaijan,
Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Malaysia,
Mexico, Oman, Russia, South Sudan and
Sudan.
Transfer Pricing
• The Income-Tax Department surveys at the
premises of the British Broadcasting Corporation
(BBC) in Delhi and Mumbai were conducted.
• Transfer pricing generally refers to prices of
transactions between associated enterprises
which may take place under conditions differing
from those taking place between independent
enterprises.
42
• Mechanism
o Suppose a company A purchases goods for
100 rupees and sells it to its associated
company B in another country for 200
rupees, who in turn sells in the open market
for 400 rupees.
o Had A sold it (the good) direct, it would have
made a profit of 300 rupees.
o But by routing it through B, it (A) restricted it
(profit) to 100 rupees, permitting B to
appropriate the balance.
o The transaction between A & B is arranged
and not governed by market forces.
• Effect of Transfer Pricing : The effect of transfer
pricing is that the parent company or a specific
subsidiary tends to produce insufficient taxable
income or excessive loss on a transaction.
• Arm’s Length Arrangement : Section 92F(ii) of
the Income Tax Act, 1961 defines It.
o Arm’s length price is “a price which is
applied or proposed to be applied in a
transaction between persons other than
associated enterprises, in uncontrolled
conditions.
Payment Aggregators
• The payments arm of big technology companies
Amazon and Google are among 32 firms that
have been given in-principle approval by the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as
online payment aggregators.
• Online payment aggregators can onboard digital
merchants and accept payments on their behalf
after getting a licence from the RBI.
• Under the payment aggregator framework, only
firms approved by the RBI can acquire and offer
payment services to merchants.
• It brings them under the direct purview of the
regulator.
• Eligibility For Aggregator Authorisation
o A company must have a minimum net worth
of Rs 15 crore in the first year of application,
and at least Rs 25 crore by the second year.
o It also must fulfil the “fit and proper” criteria,
and be compliant with global payment
security standards.
Windfall Profit Tax
• Recently, the Union government hiked the
windfall profit tax levied on domestically-
produced crude oil as well as on the export of
diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF).
January - June 2023
• A windfall tax is a higher tax rate levied by
governments against certain industries when
economic conditions allow those industries to
experience above-average profits.
• For instance, the energy price-rise as a result of
the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• These are profits that cannot be attributed to
something the firm actively did, like an investment
strategy or an expansion of business.
• Windfall taxes are reviewed on a fortnightly basis
and are subject to factors such as international oil
prices, exchange rate and quantity of exports.
• The B.K. Chaturvedi committee’s report on the
Financial Position of Oil Companies (2008)-
o It had stated that taxing of these windfall
gains has been seen as a prerogative of
governments, in part to meet fiscal needs
and in part to pursue redistributive justice.
Regulatory Framework for Share
Market
• The Supreme Court asked the Securities and
Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the
government to produce the existing regulatory
framework in place to protect investors from
share market volatility.
• The securities market in India is regulated by four
key laws —
1. The Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act,
1956 (SCRA).
o The SCRA empowers SEBI
 To recognise (and derecognise)
stock exchanges.
 To prescribe rules and bye laws
for their functioning.
 To regulate trading, clearing and
settlement on stock exchanges.
2. The Depositories Act, 1996.
o As part of the development of the
securities market, Parliament passed
the Depositories Act and SEBI made
regulations to enforce the provisions.
o This Act introduced and legitimised the
concept of dematerialised securities
being held in an electronic form.
o The depository regulations empower
SEBI to regulate functioning of
depositories and depository
participants.
3. The Companies Act, 2013.
o It regulates companies
incorporated/registered in India.
43
o It has delegated the authority to
enforce some of its provisions to SEBI,
including the regulation of raising
capital etc.
4. The Securities and Exchange Board of India
Act, 1992 (SEBI Act).
Securities and Exchange Board of
India (SEBI)
• It is the regulator of the securities and
commodity market in India owned by the
Government of India.
• It was established in 1988 and given statutory
status through the SEBI Act, 1992. SEBI is
responsible for the needs of three groups:
o Issuers of securities.
o Investors.
o Market intermediaries.
• Functions:
o Quasi-legislative – Drafts regulations.
o Quasi-judicial – Passes rulings and orders.
o Quasi-executive – Conducts investigation
and enforcement action.
• Powers
o To approve by−laws of Securities
exchanges.
o To require the Securities Exchange to
amend its by−laws.
o Inspect the books of accounts and call for
periodical returns from recognised Securities
exchanges.
o Inspect the books of accounts of financial
intermediaries.
o Compel certain companies to list their
shares in one or more Securities exchanges.
o Registration of Brokers and sub-brokers.
• Appeals
o Appeals against orders of SEBI and the
stock exchanges can be made to the
Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT)
comprising three members.
o Appeals from the SAT can be made to the
Supreme Court.
Current Account Deficit (CAD)
• Data released by the government shows that
India’s exports and imports declined by 6.59%
and 3.63% respectively in January.
• About : When the value of the goods and
services that a country imports exceeds the value
of the products it exports, it is called the current
account deficit.
January - June 2023
o CAD and the fiscal deficit together make up
the twin deficits – the enemies of the stock
market and investors.
• Significance of CAD : If the current account –
the country’s trade and transactions with other
countries – shows surplus, that indicates -
 Money is flowing into the country.
 Boosting the foreign exchange reserves
& the value of rupee against the dollar.
o These are factors that will have ramifications
on the economy and the stock markets as
well as on returns on investments by people.
Vostro Accounts
• Government officials informed that 20 Russian
banks, including Rosbank, Tinkoff Bank, Centro
Credit Bank and Credit Bank of Moscow have
opened Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVA)
with partner banks in India.
• A vostro account is an account that domestic
banks hold for foreign banks in the former’s
domestic currency, in this case, the rupee.
• SRVA : The SRVA is an additional arrangement
to the existing system that uses freely convertible
currencies and works as a complimentary
system.
o Freely convertible currencies refer to
currencies permitted by rules and
regulations of the concerned country to be
converted to major reserve currencies (like
U.S. dollar or pound sterling). The existing
systems thus require maintaining balances
and position in such currencies.
• Components of the Framework
o The framework entails three important
components - invoicing, exchange rate and
settlement.
 Invoicing entails that all exports and
imports must be denominated and
invoiced in INR.
 The exchange rate between the
currencies of the trading partner
countries would be market-determined.
 The final settlement also takes place in
Indian National Rupee (INR).
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
• Recently, IMF’s Managing Director Kristalina
Georgieva said that the Indian economy will
alone contribute 15 per cent of the global growth
this year, as the country continues to remain a
relative "bright spot" in the world economy.
44
• About
o The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an
international financial institution.
o It was set up along with the World Bank at
the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944
o Headquarter - Washington, D.C.
o It consists of 190 countries.
o It works to foster global monetary
cooperation, secure financial stability and
facilitate international trade.
• Areas Of Involvement
o Exchange rate, currency, liquid asset,
Special Drawing Right
o Plays a central role in the management of
balance of payments difficulties and
international financial crises.
• Publications : Global Financial Stability Report
,World Economic Outlook, Regional Economic
Outlook , Managing Director’s Global Policy
Agenda.
Indian Renewable Energy
Development Agency Limited (IREDA)
• IREDA is planning to establish an office in
Gujarat's GIFT City to finance Renewable Energy
projects in foreign currency.
• IREDA, a mini ratna (Category-1) company under
the administrative control of MNRE.
• It was set up in 1987 to work as a specialized
non-banking finance agency for the Renewable
Energy (RE) sector.
• IREDA with more than 34 years of techno-
commercial expertise, plays a catalytic role in the
RE project financing which gives confidence to
the FIs/banks to lend in the sector.
• IREDA headquarters are located in New Delhi.
Chip 4 Alliance
• Recently, The “Chip 4” semiconductor alliance
held its first meeting of senior officials.
• The US proposed the Chip 4 alliance in March
2022.
• It was part of wider plans aimed at enhancing the
"security" and "resilience" of semiconductor
supply chains, including by reducing the world's
reliance on chips made in China.
• The Chip 4 Alliance includes four of the world’s
top producers of semiconductors: the U.S.,
Japan, Taiwan, and Korea.
• Goals:
o Geographically diversify manufacturing
capacity away from China.
January - June 2023
o Protect intellectual property of companies
from member nations.
o Coordinate uniform export controls with
regard to China.
o Encourage favorable distribution terms
among friendly nations.
Government Securities (G-Secs)
• Recently, RBI released a draft proposing the
introduction of securities lending and borrowing in
Government Securities to facilitate wider
participation in the securities lending market.
• The move aims to increase the depth and liquidity
of the Government Securities market in India.
• The Draft Norms refer to Government Securities
Lending (GSL) transaction guidelines.
• These guidelines stipulate that such transactions
should have a minimum duration of one day and
a maximum of 90 days.
• Government Securities (G-Secs) are tradable
debt instruments issued by the Central or State
governments in order to borrow money from the
public to finance their fiscal deficit.
• These securities represent a contractual
obligation to pay the holder a fixed amount of
money, called principal or face value, on a
specified date.
• They can be short-term, with original maturities of
less than one year, or long-term with original
maturities of one year or more.
• In India, the Central Govt. issues both treasury
bills and bonds while State Governments issue
only bonds, known as State Development Loans.
• There are four types of Government Securities
(G-Secs) : Treasury Bills (T-bills), Cash
Management Bills (CMBs), Dated G-Secs, and
State Development Loans (SDLs).
• Open Market Operations (OMOs) of RBI involve
the sale or purchase of Government Securities.
QR-Code Based Coin Vending
Machine (QCVM)
• Recently, RBI Governor had stated that the apex
banking regulator, in collaboration with banks,
would be launching a pilot project to assess the
functioning of a QR-code based coin vending
machine.
• The vending machines would dispense coins with
the requisite amount being debited from the
customer’s account using United Payments
Interface (UPI) instead of physical tendering of
banknotes.
45
• Customers would be endowed the option of
withdrawing coins in required quantities and
denominations.
• The central idea here is to ease the accessibility
to coins.
• The machines are intended to be installed at
public places such as railway stations, shopping
mall and marketplaces.
Social Stock Exchange (SSE)
• The National Stock Exchange of India received
the final approval from the markets regulator
Securities and Exchange Board of India
(SEBI) to set up a Social Stock Exchange
(SSE).
• SSE is a novel idea in India.
• A stock exchange of this kind is intended to
benefit the private and non-profit sectors by
directing more capital to them.
• During her Budget speech for the fiscal year
2019–20, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
first proposed the concept of SSE.
• The SSE would function as a separate segment
within the existing stock exchange and help
social enterprises raise funds from the public
through its mechanism.
• It would serve as a medium for enterprises to
seek finance for their social initiatives , acquire
visibility and provide increased transparency
about fund mobilisation and utilisation.
• Retail investors can only invest in securities
offered by for-profit social enterprises (SEs)
under the Main Board.
• In all other cases, only institutional investors and
non-institutional investors can invest in securities
issued by SEs.
• Countries like the UK, Canada and Brazil have
SSEs.
• Eligibility for Listing on SSE
o Not-for-profit organisations (NPOs) and
for-profit social enterprises with social intent
and impact as their primary goal will be
eligible to participate in the SSE.
• The social enterprises will have to engage in a
social activity out of 16 broad activities listed by
the regulator. The eligible activities include-
o Eradicating hunger poverty, malnutrition
and inequality.
o Promoting healthcare, supporting
education, employability and livelihoods.
o Gender equality empowerment of women
and LGBTQIA communities.
January - June 2023
o Supporting incubators of social enterprise.
• According to Sebi's framework, minimum issue
size of ₹1 crore and a minimum application size
for subscription of ₹2 lakh are currently required
for SSE.
• Minimum Requirement
o NPO needs to be registered as a charitable
trust and should be registered for at least
three years.
o Must have spent at least ₹50 lakh annually
in the past financial year.
o Should have received a funding of at least
₹10 lakh in the past financial year.
Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2022-23
(Series IV)
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced
the Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2022-23 –
Series IV will be open for subscription during
March 06–10, 2023.
• It was launched in November 2015.
• The scheme was implemented as an alternative
to purchasing metal gold and mobilise the idle
gold held by households and institutions into
productive use in the long run.
• A sovereign gold bond scheme (SGB) is
issued to resident Indian entities by the Reserve
Bank of India (RBI) on behalf of the central
government.
• The Gold Bonds are issued as Government of
India Stock under the Government Securities
(GS) Act, 2006.
• This is a long-term form of market instrument.
• Gold bonds are government securities
denominated in grams of gold.
• They are substitutes for holding physical gold.
• Investors have to pay the issue price in cash and
the bonds will be redeemed in cash on maturity.
• The bonds are held in the books of the RBI or in
demat form eliminating risk of loss.
• Minimum investment in sovereign gold bonds is
one gram with a maximum limit of subscription of
500 grams per person per financial year (April-
March).
• The tenor of bonds is eight years, it can be
redeemed after five years.
• These bonds are sold through banks, designated
post offices, Stock Holding Corporation of India
(SHCIL) and recognised stock exchanges -
National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the
Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
46
Crypto Assets under the Prevention of
Money Laundering Act (PMLA)
• The government issued a notification bringing
transactions involving crypto assets under the
Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
• It laid out the nature of transactions to be covered
under PMLA. These are as follows:
o Exchange between virtual digital assets and
fiat currencies;
o Exchange between one or more forms of
virtual digital assets;
o Transfer of virtual digital assets;
o Safekeeping or administration of virtual
digital assets or instruments enabling control
over virtual digital assets;
o Participation in and provision of financial
services related to an issuer’s offer and sale
of a virtual digital asset.
• Legal Status of Crypto in India
o In the Union Budget last year, even though
the government brought in a tax for
cryptocurrencies, it did not proceed with
framing regulations.
o Earlier, the Reserve Bank of India had
proposed a ban that was set aside by a court
order.
o In July last year, flagging the RBI’s
concerns, Finance Minister told Parliament
that “international collaboration” would be
needed for any effective regulation or ban on
cryptocurrency.
o From April 2022,India introduced a 30%
income tax on gains made from
cryptocurrencies.
o In July 2022, rules regarding 1% tax
deducted at source on cryptocurrency came
into effect.
About Prevention of Money Laundering Act
(PMLA)
• Enacted in 2002 and it came into force in 2005.
• It was a response to India’s global commitment
(including the Vienna Convention) to combat the
menace of money laundering.
• It is at the core of India's legal framework to
combat money laundering.
• This act's provisions apply to all financial
institutions, including banks (including the RBI),
mutual funds, insurance companies, and their
financial intermediaries.
• The act was amended in 2005, 2009 and 2012.
• Agencies administering the PMLA
January - June 2023
o The Directorate of Enforcement in the
Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance
is responsible for investigating the cases of
the offense of money laundering under
PMLA
o Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND)
under the Department of Revenue, Ministry
of Finance is the central national agency
responsible for receiving, processing,
analyzing and disseminating information
relating to suspect financial transactions to
enforcement agencies and foreign FIUs.
• Money laundering
o Money laundering is the illegal process of
making large amounts of money generated
by a criminal activity, such as drug trafficking
or terrorist funding, appear to have come
from a legitimate source.
o The money from the criminal activity is
considered dirty, and the process “launders”
it to make it look clean.
Pension Fund Regulatory and
Development Authority (PFRDA)
• The Central government appointed Deepak
Mohanty, a former whole-time member of the
Pension Fund Regulatory & Development
Authority (PFRDA), as the new Chairperson of
the PFRDA.
• Pension Fund Regulatory and Development
Authority (PFRDA) is the regulatory body for
overall supervision and regulation of pensions in
India.
• It operates under the jurisdiction of Ministry of
Finance in the Government of India.
• It was established in 2003 based on the
recommendations of the Indian government
OASIS (Old age social and income security),
report and was part of the establishment of the
Indian National Pension Scheme.
• Headquarters- New Delhi, India
• Functions
o It is a Central autonomous body and is a
quasi-government organisation.
o It has executive, legislative and judicial
powers similar to other financial sector
regulators in India such as RBI, SEBI, IRDA,
IBBI.
o PFRDA administers and regulates the
National Pension System (NPS) and also
administers Atal Pension Yojana.
47
Additional-Tier 1 (AT1) Bonds
• The global banking system is under renewed
pressure after the Swiss government-brokered
takeover of Credit Suisse by its larger rival UBS,
after the deal wiped out the investment of
bondholders who owned about $17bn (£14bn) of
risky Credit Suisse debt.
• In the takeover of Credit Suisse, the deal would
trigger a “complete writedown” of the value of all
of the bank’s AT1 bonds.
• AT1 Bonds
o AT1 bonds are unsecured bonds that have
perpetual tenor.
o In other words, these bonds, issued by
banks, have no maturity date.
o They have a call option, which can be used
by the banks to buy these bonds back from
investors.
o These bonds are typically used by banks to
bolster their core or tier-1 capital.
o AT1 bonds are subordinate to all other debt
and only senior to common equity.
o Mutual funds (MFs) were among the largest
investors in perpetual debt instruments.
o These bonds are also listed and traded on
the exchanges.
o Banks issuing AT-1 bonds can skip interest
payouts for a particular year or even reduce
the bonds’ face value.
o In India AT-1 bonds are regulated by the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
 If the RBI feels that a bank needs a
rescue, it can simply ask the bank to
write off its outstanding AT-1 bonds
without consulting its investors.
Prepaid Payment Instrument and NPCI
• National Payments Corporation of India
(NPCI), the retail payments and settlement body,
clarified that there are no charges for bank
account-to-bank account-based UPI payments,
which are the “normal” UPI payments for most
people.
• NPCI said that an interchange charge has been
introduced for PPI (prepaid payment instrument)
merchant transactions — but customers will not
be charged.
• NPCI said that as per recent regulatory
guidelines, PPI wallets have been permitted to be
part of the interoperable UPI ecosystem.
January - June 2023
• Prepaid Payment Instrument
o Prepaid payment instruments (PPI)
include online wallets (like Paytm Wallet,
Amazon Pay Wallet, PhonePe Wallet, etc.)
and preloaded gift cards.
o A PPI payment done via UPI refers to a
transaction done via such a wallet through a
UPI QR code.
• NPCI: The NPCI was formed in 2009 as an
initiative of the RBI and the Indian Banks’
Association (IBA).
o NPCI's goal is to create a robust payment
and settlement infrastructure.
o Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
• About: The UPI was launched in 2016.
o It is operated by the National Payments
Corporation of India (NPCI). .
• Functioning: UPI operates on top of the
Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) which was
created by the NPCI for immediate fund transfers.
o UPI based payments function broadly
through three steps.
 First, one’s bank account is mapped to
a Virtual Payment Address (VPA).
• A VPA eliminates the risk of mentioning account
details in every transaction.
• It can be created in a couple of minutes using a
UPI app.
• The only prerequisite is that your bank account
be linked to a mobile number.
o Secondly, a Payment Service Provider
(typically a bank) takes care of the to-and-fro
transactions to this VPA.
o Finally, the UPI software organizes the fund
movement from a customer’s VPA to a
target VPA and completes the transaction.
Insurance Regulatory and
Development Authority of India
(IRDAI)
• The Insurance Regulatory and Development
Authority of India (IRDAI) has lifted limits on the
payment of commissions to insurance
intermediaries.
• About IRDAI
• The Insurance Regulatory and Development
Authority of India (IRDAI) is a statutory body
under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Finance.
• It was constituted by the Insurance
Regulatory and Development Authority Act,
1999, an Act of Parliament passed by the
Government of India.
48
o It is tasked with regulating and licensing the
insurance and re-insurance industries in
India.
o Functions
 Issuing & regulating the registration
certificates to insurance companies
 Protecting the interest of policyholders
 Providing licences to insurance
intermediaries and setting the
necessary code/norms of conduct for
them.
o The agency's headquarters are in
Hyderabad, Telangana, where it moved from
Delhi in 2001.
o IRDAI is a 10-member body including the
chairman, five full-time and four part-time
members appointed by the government of
India.
Competition Commission of India
(CCI) & National Company Law
Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT)
• The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal
(NCLAT) upheld the ₹1,337 crore fine imposed
on Google by the Competition Commission of
India (CCI).
• Google was slapped with a fine of Rs 1,338 crore
by CCI.
• It was found guilty of anti-competitive behaviour
in the Android mobile app ecosystem.
• Google had approached the National Company
Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) against the
action.
• NCLAT
o It was formed on 1 June 2016 under Section
410 of the Companies Act, 2013.
o Objectives
o It hears appeals against the orders of-
• NCLT under Section 61 of the Insolvency and
Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC).
• Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India under
Section 202 and Section 211 of IBC.
• The Competition Commission of India (CCI).
• The National Financial Reporting Authority.
o The decisions of the NCLAT can be
appealed to the Supreme Court on a point of
law.
o Composition : The NCLAT includes a
Chairperson, 3 judicial members, and 2
technical members.
 It consists of a total of not more than
eleven members.
January - June 2023
• CCI
o About
 It was established in 2003 as a
statutory authority.
 It became fully functional by 2009.
 The CCI acts as the competition
regulator in India.
o Aim : To establish a competitive
environment in the Indian economy through
proactive engagement with all the
stakeholders, the government, and
international jurisdiction.
o Objectives
 To prevent practices that harm the
competition.
 To promote and sustain competition in
markets.
 To protect the interests of consumers
and ensure freedom of trade.
o Composition : A Chairperson & 6 Members
appointed by the Central Government.
o Competition Appellate Tribunal : The
Competition Act, 2007, was enacted after
amending Competition Act, 2002, which led
to the establishment of the Competition
Appellate Tribunal (which was replaced with
the National Company Law Appellate
Tribunal (NCLAT) in 2017).
Custom Duty
• All drugs and food for special medical purposes,
imported for personal use for the treatment of all
rare diseases listed under the National Policy for
Rare Diseases 2021, have been exempted from
basic customs duty by the central government.
• Customs duty refers to the tax imposed on goods
when they are transported across international
borders.
• In simple terms, it is the tax that is levied on
import and export of goods.
• The government uses this duty to raise its
revenues, safeguard domestic industries, and
regulate movement of goods.
• Custom duty in India is defined under the
Customs Act, 1962, and all matters related to it
fall under the Central Board of Excise &
Customs (CBEC).
• Types of custom duty
o Basic Customs Duty (BCD)
o Countervailing Duty (CVD)
o Additional Customs Duty or Special CVD
o Protective Duty
o Anti-dumping Duty
49
Corporate Debt Market Development
Fund (CDMDF)
• SEBI decided to set up a corporate debt market
development fund in the form of an AIF with an
initial corpus of Rs 3,000 crore.
• It will act as a backstop facility for purchase of
investment grade corporate debt securities during
times of stress.
• The move is aimed at instilling confidence
amongst the participants in the corporate bond
market and to generally enhance secondary
market liquidity.
• The government has allowed a 10x usage of this
corpus to be availed taking the available fund to
Rs 33,000 crore and this additional corpus is also
guaranteed by the central credit guarantee
corporation.
• CDMDF, based on a guarantee to be provided by
National Credit Guarantee Trust Company
(NCGTC) may raise funds, for purchase of
corporate debt securities during market
dislocation.
• Specified mutual fund schemes will have
access to the fund for selling securities during
market dislocation.
• This access is proportional to the contribution
made to the fund at a mutual fund level.
• Backstop Facility
o Essentially, the definition of a “backstop”
indicates supporting or reinforcing
something.
o A backstop in the stock market is a financial
arrangement that requires setting up a
secondary source of finance if the primary
source of funds is insufficient to meet current
needs. It is the last resort of support for fund
seekers.
o The backstop provider takes the risk and
thus mitigates the uncertainties of fund
requirements.
o To some extent, it is similar to an insurance
policy as it covers the need of scarcity of
source of funds.
Comprehensive and Progressive
Agreement for Trans-Pacific
Partnership (CPTPP)
• Britain agreed to join the CPTPP.
• CPTPP is a trade pact based around the Pacific
rim, as it seeks to build ties around the world after
leaving the European Union.
January - June 2023
• CPTPP is a free trade agreement (FTA) that was
agreed in 2018 between 11 countries – Australia,
Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico,
New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
• Britain will become the 12th member, and the first
to join since the partnership since its inception.
• CPTPP countries will have a combined GDP of
11 trillion pounds ($13.6 trillion) once Britain
joins, or 15% of global GDP.
• It does not have a single market for goods or
services, and so regulatory harmonisation is not
required, unlike the European Union, whose
trading orbit Britain left at the end of 2020.
• Side Note :
o CPTPP succeeded the Trans-Pacific
Partnership (TPP) after the United States
withdrew from the TPP in 2017.
o All 11 countries of CPTPP are members of
the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC).
National Financial Reporting Authority
(NFRA)
• The National Financial Reporting Authority
(NFRA) has pulled up a section of India Inc,
including “a large listed firm”, for not complying
with Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS)
regarding measurement of “revenue from
contracts” with customers and trade receivables.
• About NFRA: National Financial Reporting
Authority (NFRA) is an independent regulator set
up to oversee the auditing profession and the
Indian Accounting Standards under the
Companies Act 2013.
o It came into existence in October 2018.
• Function and Duties:
o Recommend accounting and auditing
policies and standards to be adopted by
companies for approval by the Central
Government;
o Monitor and enforce compliance with
accounting standards & auditing standards;
o Oversee the quality of service of the
professions associated with ensuring
compliance with such standards and
suggest measures for improvement in the
quality of service;
• Powers
o It can probe listed companies and those
unlisted public companies having paid-up
capital of no less than Rs 500 crore or
annual turnover of no less than Rs 1,000
crore.
50
o It can investigate professional misconduct
committed by members of the Institute of
Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) for
prescribed class of body corporate or
persons
o Composition of the NFRA : The
Companies Act requires the NFRA to have a
chairperson who will be appointed by the
Central Government and a maximum of 15
members.
Cost Inflation Index (CII)
• The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)
notified the CII number for the current financial
year, 2023-24. According to the notification, the
CII number for the current fiscal year is 348.
• This CII number will be used to calculate the
capital gains accrued in the current financial year
from the sale of long-term assets.
• The CII number is used to calculate the indexed
or inflation adjusted cost on a long-term asset in
order to calculate the capital gains.
• Once the capital gains are calculated, then
income tax payable on such gains is calculated.
• About CII:
o CII or Cost Inflation Index is notified under
the Income Tax Act, 1961’s Section 48.
o CII is a way to calculate inflation, that is, an
estimated increase in the price of a good or
service over the years.
o In other words, It is an index that is used to
calculate the inflation-adjusted rise in the
value of an asset.
o The Central Government takes care of and
publishes the index in the official gazette.
o Usually, for the calculation of CII, gains on
long term capital are taken into account.
o Capital gains are capital assets like property,
plot, agricultural land, bonds, stocks, etc.
sold at a profit.
o Cost Inflation Index = 75% aver
Real Estate Investment Trusts (Reits)
and Infrastructure Investment Trusts
(InvITs) Index
• NSE Indices Ltd, a subsidiary of National Stock
Exchange (NSE), has launched India’s first ever
Real Estate Investment Trusts (Reits) and
Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) Index.
• The new index— Nifty Reits and InvITs index—
aims to track the performance of Reits and InvITs
that are publicly listed and traded on the NSE.
January - June 2023 51

• REITs: • With the momentum behind green banking

o In India, the Real Estate Investment Trusts products, many lenders like HSBC and HDFC
were introduced by the Securities and have launched green deposits in India for
Exchange Board of India (Sebi) in 2007. corporates as well as individuals.
o The first REIT was listed on the New York
Stock Exchange in 1965.
Stablecoins
o REIT or Real Estate Investment Trust refers
• The United States Congress has made an
to an entity created with the sole purpose of
attempt to create a legislative framework for the
channelling investible funds into operating,
increasingly popular stablecoins.
owning or financing income-producing real
• Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies that attempt to
estate.
peg their market value to some external
o REITs are modelled on the lines of mutual
reference.
funds & provide investors with an extremely
• Stablecoins are more useful than more-volatile
liquid way to get a stake in real estate.
cryptocurrencies as a medium of exchange.
o Like any other security, REITs can enlist
• Stablecoins may be pegged to a currency like the
themselves on a stock exchange.
U.S. dollar or to the price of a commodity such as
o There are primarily two types of REITs –
gold. Stablecoins pursue price stability by
equity and mortgage.
maintaining reserve assets as collateral or
• InvITs: An Infrastructure Investment Trust
through algorithmic formulas that are supposed to
(InvITs) enables direct investment of small
control supply.
amounts of money from possible
• Stablecoins continue to come under scrutiny by
individual/institutional investors in infrastructure to
regulators, given the rapid growth of the $153
earn a small portion of the income as return.
billion market and its potential to affect the
o InvITs work like mutual funds or real estate
broader financial system.
investment trusts (REITs) in features.
o InvITs can be treated as the modified
version of REITs designed to suit the Crypto Currency
specific circumstances of the infrastructure • A cryptocurrency is an encrypted data string that
sector. denotes a unit of currency. It is monitored and
o Sebi notified the Sebi (Infrastructure organized by a peer-to-peer network called a
Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014 on blockchain, which also serves as a secure ledger
September 26, 2014, providing for of transactions, e.g. buying, selling & transferring.
registration and regulation of InvITs in India. • Unlike physical money, cryptocurrencies are
o InvITs can be established as a trust and decentralized, which means they are not issued
registered with Sebi. by governments or other financial institutions.
o An InvIT consists of four elements: 1) • Cryptocurrencies are created (and secured)
Trustee, 2) Sponsor(s), 3) Investment through cryptographic algorithms that are
Manager and 4) Project Manager. maintained and confirmed in a process called
mining, where a network of computers or
specialized hardware such as application-specific
Green Deposits
integrated circuits (ASICs) process and validate
• Reserve Bank of India issued detailed guidelines
the transactions.
for acceptance of ‘green deposits’ by banks and
• The process incentivizes the miners who run the
NBFCs wherein the funds could be used for
network with the cryptocurrency.
financing activities like renewable energy, green
• Cryptocurrencies can be mined or purchased
transport and green buildings
from cryptocurrency exchanges.
• A green deposit is a fixed-term deposit for
• The advantages of cryptocurrencies include
investors looking to invest their surplus cash
cheaper and faster money transfers and
reserves in environmentally friendly projects.
decentralized systems that do not collapse at a
• This new offering in the market indicates the
single point of failure.
increased awareness of the importance of ESG
• The disadvantages of cryptocurrencies include
(Environmental, social and governance) and
their price volatility, high energy consumption for
sustainable investing.
mining activities, and use in criminal activities.
January - June 2023
Mission 50K-EV4ECO
• Small Industries Development Bank of India
(SIDBI) announced a new scheme to boost the
electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem in the country.
• Background
o Financial institutions, in general, are wary of
investing in SMEs in the EV sector.
o This is because the nascent sector is
perceived to have high asset and
operations risks.
• Mission 50K-EV4ECO intends to ‘promote the
entire EV value chain’.
• The pilot phase of the scheme focuses on
increasing the uptake of electric two-wheelers,
three-wheelers and four-wheelers through direct
and indirect lending support to vehicle
aggregators, fleet operators and leasing
companies.
• Under Mission 50K-EV4ECO, SIDBI will directly
provide loans to eligible small and medium
enterprises (SME) for the purchase of EVs and
developing charging infrastructure, including
battery swapping.
• SIDBI’s scheme is a positive step to support the
demand-side of EV adoption in India, especially
in light of the Government of India’s FAME 2
scheme coming to an end by March 2024.
• About SIDBI
o Small Industries Development Bank of India
(SIDBI) was established under an Act of the
Parliament in 1990.
o SIDBI is the Principal Financial Institution
engaged in promotion, financing &
development of the Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector and
coordination of the functions of the various
institutions engaged in similar activities.
o It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of IDBI
(Industrial Development Bank of India).
Company Limited by Guarantee
• The Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal
Husbandry & Dairying approved a Rs 2 crore
subsidy to Youth Rural Entrepreneur Foundation,
a company limited by guarantee, allegedly run by
‘conman’ Sanjay Prakash Rai Sherpuria.
• Sherpuria was arrested this week for cheating
people and collecting money by flaunting dubious
“connections” in the government.
• A company limited by guarantee is one in which,
if the company goes bankrupt, those running it
only have to pay a sum they had guaranteed to
pay when it was set up.
52
• Put very simply, such a company has no
shareholders, but is owned by a group of people
called members or guarantors.
• When coming together to form the company,
these members pledge to pay a certain amount -
usually not a large amount - in case it is wound
up.
• Their liability, if the company fails, is limited to
this amount.
• Usually, this structure is put in place for charitable
organisations and non-profits, where any profit
earned by the company is re-invested into the
business.
• The members or guarantors can seek donations
and funds in the name of the company, but if it
fails, they are shielded from the debts it may have
accrued.
Windfall Tax
• Recently, India slashed windfall tax on
domestically produced crude oil to ₹4,100 per
tonne from ₹6,400 per tonne.
• A windfall tax is a higher tax rate levied by
governments against certain industries when
economic conditions allow those industries to
experience above-average profits.
• For instance, the energy price-rise as a result of
the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• These are profits that cannot be attributed to
something the firm actively did, like an investment
strategy or an expansion of business.
• Windfall taxes are reviewed on a fortnightly basis
and are subject to factors such as international oil
prices, exchange rate and quantity of exports.
• The B.K. Chaturvedi committee’s report on the
Financial Position of Oil Companies (2008)-
o ○ It had stated that taxing of these windfall
gains has been seen as a prerogative of
governments, in part to meet fiscal needs
and in part to pursue redistributive justice.
Central Counterparties (CCPs)
• The European Securities and Markets Authority
(ESMA), the European Union (EU’s) financial
markets regulator and supervisor, has
derecognised six Indian central counterparties
(CCPs) from April 30, 2023.
• Reason for Derecognition
o The ESMA wants to supervise these CCPs.
o However, Indian regulators are not in favour
of as they feel that these entities have robust
risk management and there is no need for a
foreign regulator to inspect them.
January - June 2023
• CCPs:
o A CCP is a third country can provide
clearing services to European banks only if it
is recognized by the ESMA.
o CCPs perform two main functions as the
intermediary in a market transaction-
 Clearing and settlement.
 Guarantee the terms of a trade.
o CCP is a system provider, who by way of
novation interposes between system
participants in the transactions admitted for
settlement, thereby becoming the buyer to
every seller and the seller to every buyer, for
the purpose of effecting settlement of their
transactions.
o A CCP is authorised by the RBI to operate in
India under the Payment and Settlement
Systems Act, 2007.
Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)
• RBI Deputy Governor observes that CBDC
platforms could bring about a substantive change
in the sphere of cross-border payments.
• CBDC is the legal tender issued by a central
bank in a digital form.
• It will be issued in the same denominations as
paper currency and coins, and will be distributed
through intermediaries, i.e., banks.
• Users will be able to transact with e₹-R through a
digital wallet offered by the participating banks
and stored on mobile phones and devices,
according to the RBI.
• Transactions can be both person to person (P2P)
and person to merchant (P2M).
• Payments to merchants can be made using QR
codes displayed at merchant locations.
• Types of Digital Rupee
o The RBI has launched pilots of CBDC in
both Wholesale and Retail segments.
o The pilot in wholesale segment is known as
the Digital Rupee -Wholesale (e₹-W).
 It was launched on November 1, 2022,
with use case being limited to the
settlement of secondary market
transactions in government securities.
 Use of (e₹-W), is expected to make the
inter-bank market more efficient.
o The pilot in retail segment is known as digital
Rupee-Retail (e₹-R).
 It was launched on December 01, 2022,
within a closed user group (CUG)
comprising participating customers and
merchants.
53
 The RBI has identified eight banks for
phase-wise participation in the retail
pilot project.
 It will initially cover the four cities of
Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, and
Bhubaneswar.
 Four banks will be involved in the
controlled launch of the digital currency
in these four cities:
• State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Yes Bank, and
IDFC First Bank.
• Subsequently, another four banks, viz., the Bank
of Baroda, the Union Bank of India, the HDFC
Bank and the Kotak Mahindra Bank.
• Features
o High-security instrument: CBDC is a high-
security digital instrument; like paper
banknotes, it is a means of payment, a unit
of account, and a store of value.
o Uniquely identifiable: And like paper
currency, each unit is uniquely identifiable to
prevent counterfeiting.
o Liability of central bank: It is a liability of the
central bank just as physical currency is.
o Transferability: It’s a digital bearer
instrument that can be stored, transferred,
and transmitted by all kinds of digital
payment systems and services.
o Digital Rupee will be powered by blockchain
technology which makes currency
management cheaper, allowing the
Government to print fewer notes in the
future.
o CBDC wallet will not accrue interest like
money in your bank account does.
Gold Rush by Central Banks
• The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) gold reserves
touched 794.64 metric tonnes in fiscal 2023, an
increase of nearly 5 per cent over fiscal 2022,
when it held 760.42 metric tonnes of gold.
• As on March 31, 2023, the country’s total foreign
exchange reserves stood at $578.449 billion, and
gold reserves were pegged at $45.2 billion.
• Central banks in Singapore, China, and Turkey
too have been buying gold.
• In calendar year 2022, central banks around the
world purchased a record 1,136 tonnes of gold.
• The Central Bank of Turkey reported the largest
buying in 2022. (From 148 tonnes to 542 tonnes)
• Reasons Behind Increasing these Reserves
o As part of the diversification process, the
RBI has been adding gold to its reserves.
January - June 2023
 Gold is considered a more safe, secure,
and liquid asset, to safeguard its returns
amid global uncertainty and a rising
inflation scenario.
o This change in strategy has been driven by
negative interest rates in the past, the
weakening of the dollar and growing
geopolitical uncertainty.
• Gold Purchased by RBI
o The RBI bought 34.22 tonnes of gold in
fiscal 2023.
o In fiscal 2022, it had accumulated 65.11
tonnes of gold.
o Between the fiscal year ended June 30,
2019 and fiscal 2023, the RBI’s gold
reserves swelled by 228.41 tonnes.
o 437.22 tonnes of gold is held overseas in
safe custody with the Bank of England and
the Bank of International Settlements (BIS),
and 301.10 tonnes of gold is held
domestically.
o The share of gold in the total foreign
exchange reserves increased from about 7
per cent at the end of March 2022 to about
7.81 per cent at the end of March 2023.
Foreign Exchange Reserve
• Foreign Exchange reserves or Forex reserves
are assets such as foreign currencies, gold
reserves, treasury bills, etc retained by a central
bank or other monetary authority. The majority of
foreign exchange reserves are held in US dollars.
• India's foreign exchange reserves include
o Foreign Currency Assets.
o Gold Reserves.
o Special Drawing Rights (SDR).
o Reserve position with the International
o Monetary Fund (IMF).
• Significance
o Forex reduces the likelihood of balance-of-
payments crises.
o It helps preserve economic and financial
stability against pressures on exchange
rates and disorderly market conditions, and
create space for policy autonomy.
o To ensure that RBI has backup funds if their
national currency rapidly devalues or
becomes altogether insolvent.
o If the value of the Rupee decreases due to
an increase in demand of the foreign
currency then RBI sells the dollar in the
Indian money market so that depreciation of
the Indian currency can be checked.
54
o A good forex reserve helps in attracting
foreign trade and earns a good reputation in
trading partners.
U.S. Debt Ceiling
• Recently, United States Treasury Secretary
notified Congress that the country could default
on its debt as early as June 1, if the House of
Representatives and President Joe Biden’s White
House did not reach a consensus to raise or
suspend the debt ceiling.
• The debt ceiling was introduced in 1917 during
World War I.
• It is the maximum amount that the US federal
government can borrow to fulfill its financial
obligations.
• As the government spends more than it earns
through taxes and other revenues, it needs to
borrow money in order to pay for expenses, such
as social security and Medicare benefits, military
etc. In 2021, this borrowing limit was raised to
$31.4 trillion.
• Consequences of Breaching Debt Ceiling
o The Treasury Secretary warned that if they
failed to raise the debt limit by June, the
government would default on its debt, which
might trigger an economic catastrophe.
o ○ Once the debt default happens, analysts
say that the dollar would weaken, the stock
markets would collapse.
Financial Stability and Development
Council (FSDC)
• Recently, Financial Stability and Development
Council meeting was held in Delhi.
• The meeting was held under the chairpersonship
of Finance Minister.
• This is the 27th meeting of the Financial Stability
and Development Council.
• This would be the first meeting of the FSDC after
the passage of the Budget 2023-24.
• FSDC
o It is the apex level forum set up by the
Government in December 2010.
o Its objective was to strengthen and
institutionalize the mechanism for
maintaining financial stability, inter-
regulatory coordination and promoting
financial sector development.
o Finance Minister is the Chairman of FSDC.
o RBI Governor is the Chairperson of FSDC
subcommittee.
January - June 2023
o Its members includes heads of financial
regulators - RBI, SEBI, PFRDA, IRDA &
FMC, Finance secretary and/or Secretary
(DEA), Secretary (Department of Financial
services) and Chief Economic Adviser.
• Side Note
 Global Financial Stability Report is
released by the IMF.
New GST Compliance Measures
• Recently, government introduced new GST
compliance measures.
• The government has decided to lower the
threshold for businesses to generate e-invoice for
business-to-business (B2B) transactions, from Rs
10 crore to Rs 5 crore.
o The changes will come into effect from
August 1.
o At present, businesses with turnover of Rs
10 crore and above are required to generate
e-invoice for all B2B transactions.
o E-invoicing was initially implemented for
large companies with turnover of over Rs
500 crore, and within three years the
threshold has now been lowered to Rs 5
crore.
• It has rolled out the automated return scrutiny
module for GST returns in a backend application
for central tax officers.
o This will enable the officers to scrutinise
GST returns of centre-administered
taxpayers selected on the basis of data
analytics and risks identified by the system.
• Significance
o Amid rising instances of GST frauds and
cases of fake invoices, these changes are
expected to broaden the compliance
mandate for more businesses, especially
small and medium enterprises and also help
boost the GST revenue collections.
The Power of Government to Design
and Mint Coins
• To mark the inauguration of the new Parliament
building, Prime Minister of India released a
commemorative coin of Rs 75 denomination on
May 28.
• India has been issuing commemorative coins
since the 1960s for several reasons such as
paying homage to notable personalities,
spreading awareness about government
schemes, or remembering key historic events.
55
• The latest Rs 75 coin is circular in shape with a
diameter of 44mm.
• The composition of the coin is of a quaternary
alloy - 50 per cent silver, 40 per cent copper, 5
per cent nickel and 5 per cent zinc.
• The Coinage Act, 2011 gives the central
government the power to design and mint coins
in various denominations.
• In the case of coins, the role of the RBI is limited
to the distribution of coins that are supplied by the
central government.
• All coins are minted in the four mints owned by
the Government of India in Mumbai, Hyderabad,
Kolkata and Noida.
• Speaking about commemorative coins, the
central government regularly releases them
according to its choice, but it also mints such
coins at the request of third parties.
• India released its first commemorative coin in
1964 in honour of Jawaharlal Nehru, who had
passed away that year.
Evergreening of Loans
• Recently, the RBI Governor raised red flags over
banks adopting innovative methods for
evergreening of loans – covering up the real
status of stressed loans of corporates – to project
an artificial clean image in cahoots with
corporates.
• The process of evergreening of loans, a form of
zombie lending, is typically a temporary fix for a
bank.
• If an account turns into a non-performing asset
(NPA), banks are required to make higher
provisions which will impact their profitability.
• A loan turns into a non performing asset, or NPA,
if the interest or installment remains unpaid even
after the due date — and remains unpaid for a
period of more than 90 days.
• So, to avoid classifying a loan as an NPA, banks
adopt the evergreening of loans.
• In the past, many banks had indulged in dressing
up bad loans and given additional funds to
companies who didn’t have the capacity to repay.
• This is purely misgovernance, so that bad loans
are made to look good many a time by additional
lending to troubled borrowers.
January - June 2023
International Relations
Wassenaar Arrangement
• Recently, India assumed the chairmanship of
the plenary of the Wassenaar Arrangement on
1 January 2023 for one year.
• At the 26th annual plenary of the Wassenaar
Arrangement held in Vienna last month, Ireland
handed over the chairmanship to India.
• Established in 1996.
• The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export
Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use
Goods and Technologies is a multilateral export
control regime (MECR).
• The plenary of the Wassenaar Arrangement is
the main decision-making body that operates on
consensus.
• Participating States- 42
• India joined the Wassenaar Arrangement in
December 2017 as its 42nd participating state.
Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral
Technical and Economic Cooperation
(BIMSTEC)
• A meeting of the BIMSTEC Joint Working Group
on Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime
started.
• This meeting is being hosted by the
Government of India in New Delhi.
• Participants- Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar,
Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
• BIMSTEC is an economic bloc that came into
being on 6 June 1997 through the Bangkok
Declaration.
• BIMSTEC is an international organization of
seven South Asian and Southeast Asian
nations.
• It is housing 1.73 billion people and having a
combined gross domestic product of $3.8
trillion (2021).
• Members : Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri
Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand
o Its members lie in the littoral and
adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal
constituting a contiguous regional unity.
• Headquarter : Dhaka
56
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
• India sent financing assurances to the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and become
the first of Sri Lanka’s creditors to officially back
the crisis hit island nation’s debt restructuring
programme.
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an
international financial institution.
• It was set up along with the World Bank at the
Bretton Woods Conference in 1944
• Headquarter - Washington, D.C.
• It consists of 190 countries.
• It works to foster global monetary cooperation,
secure financial stability and facilitate
international trade.
• Publications
o Global Financial Stability Report ,World
Economic Outlook, Regional Economic
Outlook , Managing Director’s Global Policy
Agenda.
Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) Status
• A US Congressman has recently moved a Bill in
the House of Representatives to revoke
Pakistan’s designation as a Major Non-NATO
Ally. The Bill (HR80) says that Pakistan should
be demoted from the major non-NATO ally status
till the US President can submit a certification that
it has met certain conditions.
• The MNNA status was first created in 1987.
• The United States has designated 30 countries
as major non-Nato allies.
• These non-Nato countries share a strategic
working relationship with the US Armed Forces.
• The MNNA status is granted to countries from
Korea to Argentina, depending upon US strategic
interests.
• Brazil was the latest country to be granted this
status in 2020.
World Economic Forum (WEF)
• The World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting
2023, held in the Swiss town of Davos, ended on
20 January 2023.
January - June 2023
• The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a Swiss
nonprofit foundation established in 1971, based
in Geneva, Switzerland. It is recognized by the
Swiss authorities as the international institution
for public-private cooperation.
• Founder and Executive Chairman: Klaus Schwab
• Significance of WEF-
o The WEF summit brings together the who’s-
who of the political and corporate world,
including heads of state, policymakers, top
executives, industrialists, media
personalities, and technocrats.
o Deliberations at the WEF influence public
sector and corporate decision-making,
especially on the issues of global importance
such as poverty, social challenges, climate
change, and global economic recovery.
• Publication : Energy Transition Index, Global
Competitiveness Report
o Global IT Report- WEF along with INSEAD,
and Cornell University publishes this report,
• Global Gender Gap Report, Global Risk Report,
Global Travel and Tourism Report.
Northern Ireland Protocol
• Recently, The United Kingdom Supreme Court
ruled that the Northern Ireland Protocol is
lawful.
• About : Northern Ireland Protocol is a post-
Brexit agreement that created a trade border
between Northern Ireland & the rest of the UK.
• Background
o After Brexit, Northern Ireland remained the
UK’s only constituent that shared a land
border with an EU member, the Republic of
Ireland.
o EU and UK having different product
standards, checks would be necessary
before goods could move from Northern
Ireland to Ireland. However, the two sides
have had a long history of conflict, with a
hard-fought peace secured only in 1998
under the Belfast Agreement, also called the
Good Friday agreement.
o This was called the Northern Ireland
Protocol.
57
• Significance
o Under the protocol, Northern Ireland remains
in the EU single market, and trade-and-
customs inspections of goods coming from
Great Britain take place at its ports along the
Irish Sea.
Programme for International Student
Assessment (PISA)
• The Gujarat government signed an agreement
with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development (OECD) to conduct the
Programme for International Student Assessment
(PISA) test for students of government schools.
• The PISA measures 15-year-olds’ ability to use
reading, mathematics and science knowledge
and skills to meet real-life challenges.
• It also tests students of this age group in “critical
thinking, problem solving and effective
communication. Gujarat is the first state in the
country to sign such an agreement.
Organisation for Economic Co-
operation and Development (OECD)
• OECD was established on Dec. 14, 1960, by 18
European nations, plus the United States and
Canada.
• Headquarter- Paris, France.
• It is a group of 38 member countries that discuss
and develop economic and social policy.
• Members of the OECD are typically democratic
countries that support free-market economies.
• Most OECD members are high-income
economies with a very high Human Development
Index (HDI) and are regarded as developed
countries. The stated goal of OECD is to shape
policies that foster prosperity, equality,
opportunity and well-being for all.
• OECD is an official Permanent observer to the
United Nations and is referred to as a think-tank
or as a monitoring group.
• India is one of the many non-member economies
with which the OECD has working relationships
in addition to its member countries.
January - June 2023
Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
• Government agencies have expedited efforts to
further strengthen the anti-money laundering and
counter-terror financing frameworks in view of the
coming Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
assessment of India in the fourth round of mutual
evaluations expected later this year.
• The FATF is an inter-governmental body
established in 1989 during the G7 Summit to
develop policies to combat money laundering.
• In 2001, its mandate was expanded to include
terrorism financing.
• Aims
o Combat money laundering, terrorist
financing and other related threats to the
integrity of the international financial system.
• Members
o The FATF currently has 39 members
including two regional organizations -the
European Commission and Gulf
Cooperation Council.
o India is a member of the FATF consultations
and its Asia Pacific Group.
• Secretariat- Paris.
• Considered in the grey list may face
o Economic sanctions from IMF, World Bank,
ADB
o Problem in getting loans from IMF, World
Bank, ADB and other countries
o Reduction in international trade
o International boycott.
UN Security Council
• India and Bangladesh supported each other’s
non-permanent membership at the UN Security
Council.
• The UNSC is one of the six principal organs of
the United Nations (UN).
• It is charged with ensuring international peace
and security established by UN charter in 1945.
• Recommend the admission of new UN members
to the General Assembly,and approve any
changes to the UN Charter.
• Headquarter- New York
• Members-
o 15 members: The five permanent members
and ten non-permanent members elected for
two-year terms.
o The United States, the Russian Federation,
France, China and the United Kingdom are
its members with veto power.
58
o India, for the 8th time, entered the UNSC as
a non-permanent member in year (2021).
o Each year, the General Assembly elects five
non-permanent members (out of ten in total)
for a two-year term.
o The ten non-permanent seats are distributed
on a regional basis.
o The council's presidency is a capacity that
rotates every month among its 15 members.
New START
• President Vladimir Putin announced in an
address to his nation that Russia is suspending
its participation in the New START, the last
remaining major military agreement with the
United States.
• The name START comes from the original
“Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty”, known as
START-I.
• START-I was signed between the US and the
erstwhile USSR in 1991, and came into force in
1994.
• START-I capped the numbers of nuclear
warheads and intercontinental ballistic missiles
(ICBMs) that each side could deploy at 6,000 and
1,600 respectively.
• It was lapsed in 2009, and replaced first by the
Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT,
also known as the Treaty of Moscow), and then
by the New START treaty.
• The New START, officially, the “Treaty between
the United States of America and the Russian
Federation on Measures for the Further
Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive
Arms”.
• It entered into force on February 5, 2011, and
placed new verifiable limits on intercontinental-
range nuclear weapons.
• The two countries had to meet the treaty’s central
limits on strategic offensive arms by February 5,
2018, and to then stay within those limits for the
period the treaty remained in force.
• The US and Russia Federation subsequently
agreed to extend the treaty through February 4,
2026.
Section 230 of the US’s
Communications Decency Act 1996
• A case in the US Supreme Court in February
2023 challenges the Section 230 of the 1996
Communications Decency Act.
January - June 2023 59

Framework Mechanism for Mutual

• ○ Gonzalez v. Google is the case in which
the family of a man who was killed in a terror
Recognition of Qualifications
• India and Australia signed a Framework
attack in Paris is suing Google.
Mechanism for Mutual Recognition of
• The court will decide whether the man can sue
Qualifications.
Google for promoting extremist content through
• It will help ease the mobility of students and
its algorithm.
professionals between the two countries.
• Section 230 of the US’s Communications
• This agreement is part of the commitment by
Decency Act 1996
Prime Ministers of both countries at the 2nd
o This law changed the fate of the
India-Australia Virtual Summit held on 21 March
telecommunication industry and allowed
2022,
tech giants like Facebook, Google, Microsoft
o They had agreed to establish a Joint
and Twitter to stand where they are today.
Taskforce for mutual recognition of
o The Act was passed in 1996.
qualifications.
o It provides legal immunity to internet
o A task force was accordingly set up
companies for content that is shared on their
consisting of senior officials of education and
websites.
skill ministries and regulators on both sides.
• The act was first introduced to regulate
o It has come up with a comprehensive
pornography online.
mechanism that covers both education and
o Section 230 is an amendment to the act,
skill qualifications of the two countries.
which holds users responsible for their
o It will help facilitate two way mobility of
comments and posts online.
young people for education and employment
o Also, according to the Act, online
purposes by mutually recognizing various
companies, including social media platforms,
levels of education and skill qualifications.
are not liable for the content shared on their
website by its users.
o So if a user posts something illegal on the BIMSTEC
website, the company is protected from • India hosted the first meeting of the Governing
lawsuits. Board of BIMSTEC Energy Centre (BEC).
• BIMSTEC is an economic bloc that came into
Windsor Framework being on 6 June 1997 through the Bangkok
Declaration.
• The UK government reached a landmark deal
• BIMSTEC is an international organization of
with the European Union (EU) on post-Brexit
seven South Asian and Southeast Asian nations.
trade rules related to governing the Northern
• It is housing 1.73 billion people and having a
Ireland.
combined gross domestic product of $3.8 trillion
• The ‘Windsor Framework’ will replace the
(2021).
Northern Ireland Protocol, which had proved to
• Members : Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri
be among the thorniest of Brexit fall-outs,
Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand
creating problems both economic and political.
o Its members lie in the littoral and adjacent
• The Windsor Framework Deal proposes two
areas of the Bay of Bengal constituting a
crucial aspects.
contiguous regional unity.
• The first aspect is the introduction of a green lane
• Headquarter : Dhaka
and red lane system for goods.
• Aims : To accelerate economic growth and social
o The green lane system will be for goods that
progress among members across multiple
will stay in Northern Ireland.
sectors — trade, technology, energy, transport,
o The red lane system will be for goods that
tourism and fisheries, agriculture, public health,
will go to the EU.
poverty alleviation, counter-terrorism,
• The second aspect is the ‘Stormont Brake’.
environment, culture, people to people contact
o It allows Northern Ireland lawmakers and
and climate change.
London to veto any EU regulation.
• Meetings : The grouping holds annual meetings
o The veto is applicable if they believe that the
hosted by member states based on alphabetical
regulation affects the region adversely.
rotation.
January - June 2023
International Criminal Court
• The International Criminal Court issued an arrest
warrant for war crimes for President Vladimir
Putin and a second Russian official.
• It is an intergovernmental organization and
international tribunal.
• Its founding treaty, the Rome Statute, entered
into force on July 1, 2002.
• Headquarter- Hague, Netherland
• It has 2 working languages: English and French
• Role
o It is the first and only permanent
international court with jurisdiction to
prosecute individuals for the international
crimes of genocide, crimes against
humanity, war crimes and the crime of
aggression.
• Limitations
o It lacks universal territorial jurisdiction and
may only investigate and prosecute crimes
committed within member states, crimes
committed by nationals of member states, or
crimes in situations referred to the Court by
the United Nations Security Council.
• Members
o A total of 123 countries are parties to Rome
Statute
 33 are from African Nations
 19 are the Asia-Pacific States
 18 are from Eastern Europe
 28 are from Latin American and the
Caribbean States
 25 from Western Europe and other
states.
o The notable exceptions being the US, China,
Russia, and India.
• Judges : 18; Elected for 9-year term.
• Funding
o The Court’s expenses are funded primarily
by States Parties.
o It also receives voluntary contributions from
governments, international organizations,
individuals, corporations and other entities.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
(SCO)
• India mooted an action plan to mark 2023 as the
year of tourism development in the Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation (SCO) region at the
tourism ministers’ conference in Varanasi.
• SCO is a Eurasian political, economic and
military organization.
60
• It was preceded by the Shanghai Five
mechanism (1996) formed by the leaders of
China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and
Tajikistan.
• It was rechristened as the SCO in 2001.
• The SCO entered into force on 19 September
2003.
• SCO covers 40 percent of the global population.
• The SCO’s official languages are Russian and
Chinese.
• Aims
o Security-related concerns.
o Resolving border issues.
o Military cooperation.
o Intelligence sharing.
o Countering terrorism.
• Countering American influence in Central Asia .
• Members
o China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and
Uzbekistan.
o Both India and Pakistan became full
members of the SCO in 2017.
o Four Observer States- Afghanistan, Belarus,
Iran, and Mongolia.
o Dialogue Partners- Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey.
• The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS)
o In 2004, at the SCO Summit held in
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the Regional Anti-
Terrorist Structure (RATS) was established.
o Through RATS, SCO members share crucial
intelligence, know-how, legal expertise as
well as allow for extradition of terrorists.
Vienna Convention
• Hours after a group of people chanting pro-
Khalistan slogans took down the Indian flag at the
High Commission in London, the Indian
government summoned the “senior-most” UK
diplomat, and lodged a strong protest.
• She (Dy High Commissioner Scott) was reminded
in this regard of the basic obligations of the UK
Government under the Vienna Convention.
• The term “Vienna Convention” can refer to any of
a number of treaties signed in Vienna, most of
which are related to the harmonisation or
formalisation of the procedures of international
diplomacy.
• The treaty being referred to by the MEA in this
instance is the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic
Relations (1961).
January - June 2023
• The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
entered into force on April 24, 1964 and is nearly
universally ratified, with Palau and South Sudan
being the exceptions.
• It “provides a complete framework for the
establishment, maintenance and termination of
diplomatic relations on a basis of consent
between independent sovereign States”.
• Most notably, the Convention codifies the
longstanding custom of diplomatic immunity, in
which diplomatic missions are granted privileges
that enable diplomats to perform their functions
without fear of coercion or harassment by the
host country.
• It affirms the concept of “inviolability” of a
diplomatic mission, which has been one of the
enduring cornerstones of international diplomacy.
Interpol
• After the Red Corner Notice (RCN) against
fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi was
withdrawn, the Central Bureau of Investigation
(CBI) has appealed to the Commission for
Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF) to restore it.
• About Interpol : The Interpol, or International
Criminal Police Organization, is an inter-
governmental organization.
o It was established in 1923.
o Headquarter- in Lyon, France.
• Members : It comprises 195 member countries,
which helps police forces in all these countries to
better coordinate their actions.
o India has been a member since 1956.
• Objectives : The organization enables member
countries to share and access data on crimes
and criminals and offers a range of technical
and operational support.
• Functioning : The Interpol general secretariat
coordinates the organisation’s day-to-day
activities.
o Interpol has a National Central Bureau
(NCB) in each member country.
o NCB is the central point of contact for both
the general secretariat and the other NCBs
around the world.
o The Interpol colour-coded ‘notices’ in four
languages – English, Spanish, French, and
Arabic.
61
o The Interpol doesn’t have law enforcement
powers such as arrest.
• Red Corner Notice
o Criminals or suspects often flee to other
countries to evade facing justice.
o A Red Corner Notice, or Red Notice (RN)
alerts police forces across the world about
fugitives who are wanted internationally.
○ RNs contain information that helps identify
wanted persons, such as their names, dates
of birth, nationality, and physical
attributes such as the colour of their hair
and eyes, as well as pictures and biometric
data such as fingerprints, if they are
available.
○ RNs also mention the crime(s) they are
wanted for.
○ An RN is only an international wanted
persons’ notice; it is not an international
arrest warrant.
Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
• On December 13th, this year, Bhutan will
graduate from the United Nations (UN) list of
Least Developed Countries (LDC), making it the
seventh nation to do so.
• Significance of LDC Status
o Being a Least Developed Country (LDC)
comes with economic benefits such as duty-
free and quota-free (DFQF) access to
developed countries' markets, allowing for
increased exports and access to new markets,
which can lead to economic development
o LDCs are also eligible for loans with special
terms for development, including lower interest
rates and longer repayment times.
o Additionally, Official Development
Assistance (ODA) or "aid" is available to
support LDCs in meeting their fundamental
needs, promoting sustainable economic
growth, and fighting poverty.
• Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
o The Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are
developing countries that have the lowest
indicators of socioeconomic development.
January - June 2023
o The United Nations (UN) has identified three
criteria for a country to be classified as an
LDC.
 It must have a gross national income
(GNI) per capita below the threshold of
USD 1,230 over a three-year average.
 It must perform poorly on a composite
human assets index based on indicators
including nutrition, health, and education.
 The country must demonstrate economic
vulnerability such as being prone to
natural disasters and possessing structural
economic constraints.
o The concept of LDCs was first developed in
the late 1960s and was officially codified
under UN resolution 2768 passed in
November 1971.
o Currently, there are 46 countries that
qualify as LDCs, and they are reviewed on
a three-year basis by the UN.
 Of those, 33 are from Africa, nine are from
Asia, three are from the Pacific, and one is
from the Caribbean.
Comprehensive Economic
Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
• India’s exports to the UAE are expected to touch
an ‘all-time high’ of USD 32 billion by the end of
this fiscal due to the benefits of free trade
agreement (CEPA) between the countries.
• About CEPA
o CEPA is a type of trade agreement that
covers services and investment, and other
areas of economic partnership.
o It may even cover areas such as trade
facilitation and customs cooperation,
competition, & Intellectual Property Rights.
o CEPA also looks into the regulatory aspect of
trade and encompasses an agreement
covering the regulatory issues.
o CEPA and FTA : CEPA is a more
comprehensive agreement than a Free Trade
Agreement (FTA) - an agreement to form a
free-trade area between the cooperating
states, as CEPA is a partnership.
62
○ CEPA and CECA
 India also signs Comprehensive Economic
Cooperation Agreements (CECA) with
various countries.
 While CECA is synonymous with CEPA,
the big difference is that CECA involves
only tariff reduction or elimination in a
phased manner on listed or all items.
• Side Note : Apart from negotiations with UAE,
India has long-standing negotiations underway
with Canada while CEPAs with South Korea and
Japan are in place.
o Additionally, in late November 2021,
Commerce & Industry Minister said India was
looking to advance a CEPA with Bangladesh.
PM Modi’s Indo-Pacific Tour
• In May 2023 Prime Minister Narendra Modi
attended the G-7 in Japan’s Hiroshima, then
went to Papua New Guinea’s capital Port
Moresby and then to Sydney, Australia.
• Significance:
• India is a special invitee to the G7 summit in
Japan, one of 8 countries that are part of the
outreach.
• The G7 is made up of US, Canada, UK,
France, Germany, Italy and Japan as well as the
European Union, and the special invitees are
India, South Korea, Australia, Brazil, Vietnam,
Indonesia, Comoros, representing the African
Union and the Cook Islands representing Pacific
Islands
• In Japan- the mini Quad discussed Indo-Pacific
issues, progress on Quad initiatives on Maritime
Domain Awareness, Vaccines, Climate change,
Digital governance etc. PM Kishida, who
launched his Indo-pacific policy in Delhi this year,
also discussed it further, particularly plans for
Japan India cooperation in the region including
North East and Bangladesh.
• In Port Moresby, PM met with 14 FIPIC leaders
including Fijis new PM Rabuka, and the new New
Zealand PM Chris Hipkins – and discussed Indo-
Pacific concerns.
• His visit to Papua New Guinea was a first, with
India announcing a package for the Pacific
Island. His visit to Australia was meant to be a
multilateral one for the Quad in Sydney, but with
Biden’s cancellation and then PM Kishida’s, PM
Modi was the only leader travelling there.
January - June 2023
Comstock Act
• A 19th century “anti-vice” law, Comstock Act is
at the center of a new court ruling that threatens
access to the leading abortion drug in the US.
• Recently, a federal judge in Texas sided with
Christian conservatives in ruling that the
Comstock Act prohibits sending the long-
used drug through the mail.
• The Act was originally passed in 1873 and
named for an anti-vice crusader.
• The Comstock Act was intended to prohibit the
mailing of contraceptives, “lewd” writings and
any “instrument, substance, drug, medicine, or
thing” that could be used in an abortion.
• The law’s scope has been repeatedly narrowed
by federal courts and Congress, which eliminated
the reference to contraceptives in the 1970s. And
the federal government hasn’t enforced the law
since the 1930s, according to legal experts.
The Belfast/Good Friday Agreement
• The US President visited Belfast, the capital of
Northern Ireland, on April 11 to mark the 25th
anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
• Background
o Northern Ireland was created in 1921 and
remained part of the UK when the rest of
Ireland became an independent state.
o This created a split in the population
between unionists, who wish to see Northern
Ireland stay within the UK, and nationalists,
who want it to become part of the Republic of
Ireland.
o The Good Friday Agreement was signed on
April 10, 1998, between factions of Northern
Ireland, & the governments of Britain & Ireland.
o It was aimed to end decades of violence in
Northern Ireland among those who wished to
remain with the United Kingdom (UK) and
those who wanted to join Ireland.
o The Good Friday Agreement is based on the
idea of co-operation between communities.
o It set up a new government for Northern
Ireland, representing both nationalists and
unionists.
63
o The Westminster government gave this
government control over key areas such as
health and education - a process known as
devolution.
International Court of Justice (ICJ)
• The International Court of Justice at The
Hague rejected the Myanmar junta’s appeal for
a 10-month reprieve to file a counter-memorial —
or reply — to The Gambia’s case that Myanmar
was in breach of the international Genocide
Convention.
• ICJ:
o It is a principal judicial organ of the United
Nations (UN).
o Established in June 1945
o Successor to the Permanent Court of
International Justice (PCIJ)
o Headquarter- Hague
 The only one of the six principal organs
of the UN that is not located in New
York City.
o The judges of the court are assisted by a
Registry, the administrative organ of the
ICJ.
o English and French are the ICJ’s official
languages.
o All members of the UN are automatically
parties to the ICJ statute.
 But this does not automatically give
the ICJ jurisdiction over disputes
involving them.
o The ICJ gets jurisdiction only if both parties
consent to it.
o The judgment of the ICJ is final and
technically binding on the parties to a
case.
 No provision of appeal
o Judges of the court
 The ICJ has 15 judges who are elected
to nine-year terms by the UN General
Assembly and Security Council, which
vote simultaneously but separately.
 To be elected, a candidate must
receive a majority of the votes in both
bodies.
 A third of the court is elected every
three years.
 The president and vice-president of
the court are elected for three-year
terms by secret ballot.
January - June 2023
 Judges are eligible for re-election.
 Four Indians have been members of
the ICJ so far.
 Justice Dalveer Bhandari, former judge
of the Supreme Court, has been
serving at the ICJ since 2012
o Functions
 To settle legal disputes submitted by
States in accordance with established
international laws.
 To act as an advisory board on issues
submitted to it by authorized
international organizations.
G7
• Climate and Energy Ministers and envoys from
Group of Seven (G7) countries on April 16
committed to work towards ensuring carbon-
free electricity production by 2035 and
“accelerating” the phase-out of coal.
• The G7 is an organization of the world's seven
largest so-called "advanced" economies.
• They dominate global trade and the international
financial system.
• Together the member countries represent 40% of
global GDP & 10% of the world’s population.
• They are Canada, France, Germany, Italy,
Japan, the UK and the United States.
• Russia joined in 1998, creating the G8, but was
excluded in 2014 for its takeover of Crimea.
• The EU is not a member of the G7 but attends
the annual summit.
• The G7 has no legal existence, permanent
secretariat or official members.
• It also has no binding impact on policy and all
decisions and commitments made at G7
meetings need to be ratified independently by
governing bodies of member states.
Wagner Group
• After fighting erupted in Sudan’s capital
Khartoum on April 15, questions have been
raised over the involvement of the Wagner
group, which has been active in African
countries for years.
• The Wagner group is a Russian paramilitary
organisation headed by Yevgeny Prigozhin.
• Though it has been reportedly engaged in
counter-militancy operations in Africa, its
involvement is believed to have a more extensive
scope covering political, economic and military
fields.
64
• There have also been reports of the group
supplying arms and weapons, and training
regional forces in fighting jihadist threats.
• Despite its involvement in the Russia-Ukraine
war, the Wagner group’s presence in Africa has
continued.
• By siding with the domestic actors in a civil war
situation, the group’s actions have impacted the
democratic process in Africa.
• Additionally, the West has been raising concerns
over human rights violations and abuse of
civilians related to the Wagner group’s presence
in Africa.
Innovative Finance Facility for Climate
in Asia and the Pacific (IF-CAP)
• Recently, the Asian Development Bank (ADB)
announced a new financing program for the Asia
Pacific (APAC), which will significantly help the
region accelerate actions required to combat
climate change.
• The program – Innovative Finance Facility for
Climate in Asia and the Pacific (IF-CAP) will
initially include Denmark, Japan, South Korea,
Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United
States as partner nations.
• IF-CAP financing will contribute to ADB’s
ambition for $100 billion from its resources for
combating climate change for 2019–2030.
ADB
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a
multilateral development finance institution.
• It is official United Nations Observer.
• It was founded in 1966 by 31 member
governments to promote the social and economic
progress of the Asian and Pacific region.
• It assists its members and partners by providing
loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity
investments to promote social and economic
development.
• Membership
o From 31 members at its establishment in
1966, ADB has grown to encompass 68
members—of which 49 are from within Asia
and the Pacific and 19 outside.
o In 1986, India began receiving assistance from
the Asian Development Bank.
January - June 2023
o The ADB is controlled by member countries,
with the U.S. & Japan having the largest stake.
• Headquarter : Manila, Philippines.
• Top Share Holder as of 31 December 2020
o Japan and the United States (each 15.571%),
China (6.429%0), India (6.317%) , Australia
(5.773%)
• ADB offers its investors highest quality
investment products based on its triple-A credit
ratings.
o Aaa: Moody's Investors Service.
o AAA: Standard & Poor's Sovereign Ratings.
o AAA: Fitch.
Washington Declaration
• The President of South Korea and the US
President recently signed the Washington
Declaration on the anniversary of 70 years of
their bilateral relationship.
• The agreement outlines cooperation towards
deterrence.
• According to the declaration
o An American nuclear ballistic submarine would
be deployed in the Korean peninsula;
o A nuclear consultative group would be formed
to formulate principles of joint response tactics;
o South Korea would receive Intel from the U.S.
regarding nuclear advancements;
o The U.S. will strengthen South Korea’s nuclear
deterrence capabilities through joint military
training programs and an annual
intergovernmental simulation.
o The declaration reaffirmed the non-
proliferation Treaty implying that South Korea
would not venture into the creation of its own
independent nuclear capabilities and would
instead focus on deterrence measures through
an alliance-based approach.
o It also mandates the U.S. President as the
only ‘sole authority’ to use the nuclear
arsenal of the U.S. in the event of a nuclear
confrontation. While the existence of the
agreement is based on the security needs of
South Korea, the policy reflects big power
politics where the interests of the larger power
(U.S.) takes precedence.
65
Windhoek Declaration
• Every year, May 3 is observed as World Press
Freedom Day to raise awareness about the state
of press freedom globally as well the
responsibilities and perils of the job.
• It was proclaimed by the United Nations
General Assembly in December 1993, and
since then, the anniversary of the Windhoek
Declaration is celebrated as World Press
Freedom Day.
• About Windhoek Declaration
o A seminar was held between April 29 and May
3, 1991, in the Namibian capital Windhoek,
shortly after the country gained independence.
o The seminar was focussed on “promoting an
independent & pluralistic African press”
and was held in partnership with U.N.
agencies. It was attended by 63 participants
from 38 countries.
o The Windhoek Declaration was adopted on
May 3, the last day of the seminar.
o It consisted of 19 principles related to
“independent, pluralistic, and free press”.
o Later, in 1993, May 3 was proclaimed as World
Press Freedom Day by the U.N.
○ The Declaration builds on Article 19 of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
which relates to the right to freedom of
opinion and expression.
○ According to the Windhoek Declaration, a
free press is essential for democracy as well
as economic development.
○ It also talks about the persecution of
journalists, editors, and publishers in African
countries, urging the U.N. to identify press
censorship as a violation of human rights.
○ It also encourages the international
community to contribute to initiatives and
projects specified under the Declaration.
Arab League
• Recently, the Arab League voted to reinstate
Syria’s membership after its suspension more
than 10 years ago, underlining the thawing
relations between Damascus and other Arab
countries.
January - June 2023
• Syria was ousted from the Arab League in 2011
following President Bashar al-Assad’s brutal
crackdown on pro-democracy protests, which led
to the ongoing civil war in the country.
• The Arab League, formally known as the League
of Arab States, was established with initially
just six nations: Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon,
Saudi Arabia, and Syria.
• It was formed in Cairo on March 22, 1945,
following adoption of the Alexandria Protocol in
1944.
• Administration Center : Cairo, Egypt.
• Currently, it has 22 member states, who have
pledged to cooperate on economic and military
affairs, among other issues.
• The League makes decisions on a majority basis,
but there is no mechanism to compel members to
comply with resolutions.
• Each member has one vote on the League
Council, decisions being binding only on those
states that have voted for them.
• It has been criticised for its internal conflicts and
collective inaction on important international
issues.
Northern Ireland Protocol
• Recently, The United Kingdom Supreme Court
ruled that the Northern Ireland Protocol is
lawful.
• About : Northern Ireland Protocol is a post-
Brexit agreement that created a trade border
between Northern Ireland & the rest of the UK.
• Background
o After Brexit, Northern Ireland remained the
UK’s only constituent that shared a land
border with an EU member, the Republic of
Ireland.
o EU and UK having different product
standards, checks would be necessary
before goods could move from Northern
Ireland to Ireland.
o However, the two sides have had a long
history of conflict, with a hard-fought peace
secured only in 1998 under the Belfast
Agreement, also called the Good Friday
agreement.
66
o Fiddling with this border was thus
considered too dangerous, and it was
decided the checks would be conducted
between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
o This was called the Northern Ireland
Protocol.
• Significance : Under the protocol, Northern
Ireland remains in the EU single market, & trade-
and-customs inspections of goods coming from
Great Britain take place at its ports along the Irish
Sea.
Title 42
• The United States is getting ready to lift COVID-
19 restrictions that have blocked migrants caught
at the U.S.-Mexico border from seeking asylum
since 2020, a major policy shift with
humanitarian and political implications.
• The COVID restrictions, known as Title 42, were
first implemented under Republican then-
President Donald Trump in March 2020 at the
beginning of the pandemic.
• At the time, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) said the order was needed
to stem the spread of the coronavirus in
crowded detention settings.
• Title 42 allowed border agents to rapidly expel
many migrants to Mexico.
• Some public health experts, Democrats and
advocates criticized its health justification, saying
it was part of Trump’s goal of curbing legal and
illegal immigration.
• Since its inception, migrants have been expelled
more than 2.7 million times under Title 42.
Persona Non Grata
• A day after Canada announced it would expel a
Chinese diplomat over allegations of involvement
in a campaign to intimidate a Canadian politician,
China declared a Canadian diplomat in
Shanghai as persona non grata.
• Persona non grata is a Latin phrase which means
“unwelcome person.”
• In diplomacy, it refers to a diplomat or foreign
person whose entering or remaining in a certain
country has been prohibited by that country.
January - June 2023
• The designation received diplomatic meaning at
the 1961 Vienna Convention for Diplomatic
Relations.
• Article 9 of the treaty mentions that a country can
declare any member of a diplomatic staff persona
non grata “at any time and without having to
explain its decision.
• Soon after the declaration, the person concerned
usually returns to their home nation.
• In case they fail to do so within a reasonable
period, the country “may refuse to recognise the
person concerned as a member of the mission.”
• The article also says that a person can be
declared persona non grata even before arriving
in a country.
State Visits
• Prime Minister of India travelled to the US for
an official state visit from June 21 to 24, where he
will be hosted by US President Joe Biden at the
White House. The last state visit to the US by
an Indian was by then Prime Minister from
November 23 to 25, 2009.
• State visits are visits to foreign countries led by a
head of state/government, acting in their
sovereign capacity. They are, therefore,
officially described as a “visit of [name of
state]” rather than “visit of [name of leader]”.
• State visits to the US only occur on the invitation
of the president of the United States, acting in
their capacity as the head of state.
• State visits are typically a few days long and
comprise a number of elaborate ceremonies,
subject to the schedule of the visiting head of
state.
• State visits are the highest-ranked category of
foreign visits and are considered to be the
highest expression of friendly bilateral relations.
• Less important visits are classified (in descending
order of magnitude, according to US diplomatic
policy) as
o Official visits, official working visits, working
visits, guest-of-government visits, and private
visits.
• Each of these visits have different protocols to be
followed.
67
United Nations Human Rights Council
(UNHRC)
• Recently, the United Nation's top human rights
body adopted a resolution.
• It drew attention to mounting civilian deaths and
rights abuses in Sudan since a bloody conflict
erupted between the African country's two top
generals last month.
• About UNHRC
o The Human Rights Council is an inter-
governmental body within the United Nations
system.
o It is responsible for strengthening the
promotion and protection of human rights
around the world.
o The Human Rights Council replaced the
former United Nations Commission on
Human Rights (UNCHR).
o Formation
 It was created by the UNGA on March 15,
2006.
 The body met in its first session from June
19-30, 2006.
o Meetings
 UNHRC holds no fewer than three regular
sessions a year, for a total of at least 10
weeks.
o Membership
 The Council is made up of 47 UN Member
States
 They are elected by the UNGA through a
direct and secret ballot.
 Members serve for a period of three years.
 Not eligible for immediate re-election
after serving two consecutive terms.
o Seats on the Council are distributed as
follows:
 African States: 13 seats
 Asia-Pacific States: 13 seats
 Latin Americanand Caribbean States:
8seats
 Western European and other States: 7 seats
 Eastern European States: 6 seats
 Headquarter :
 Geneva, Switzerland.
January - June 2023 68

De-risking
• Recently, in a statement issued at the end of the
leaders’ summit in Hiroshima, Japan, G7
countries said they would build economic
resilience for themselves, based on a strategy of
“diversifying and deepening partnerships and
de-risking, not decoupling”.
• The US State Department describes de-risking as
“the phenomenon of financial institutions
terminating or restricting business
relationships with clients or categories of
clients to avoid, rather than manage, risk”.
• Simply put, de-risking is to move business
away from areas that are considered risky in
terms of the returns they could generate.
• In the context of China, de-risking can be
interpreted as a reduction of the reliance on
China in the economic sphere — for the
supply of materials or as a market for finished
goods — so that potential risks to trade and
disruption of supply chains are reduced.

Environment
Indian Rhinoceros • The Nilgiri tahr is an ungulate that lives high in
• Assam Chief Minister announced on January 1
the mountains of southern India.
that no rhinos were poached in the state in 2022.
• It’s endemic to the Nilgiri Hills and the southern
• It is second largest land mammal after the
portion of the Western and Eastern Ghats.
elephant.
• It is also known as Nilgiri Ibex. The Nilgiri tahr
• Also known as the square-lipped rhinoceros
can be found only in India.
due to their square (not pointed) upper lip.
• IUCN Red List- Endangered (EN)
• Two genetically different subspecies exist, the
• WPA 1972- Schedule I.
northern and southern white rhino and are
found in two different regions in Africa.
• IUCN Protection Status Silent Valley National Park (SVNP)
o Northern White Rhino: Critically Endangered • A bird survey conducted at the Silent Valley
o Southern White Rhino: Near Threatened National Park in the last week of December
• Indian rhinoceros IUCN Status- Vulnerable identified 141 species, of which 17 were new.
• There is also a Javan rhino, which too, has one • The survey was held in association with the
horn, and a Sumatran rhino which, like the Kerala Natural History Society.
African rhinos, has two horns. • SVNP is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
• Both Javan and Sumatran Rhino are critically • The river Kunthi descends from the Nilgiri Hills
endangered in the IUCN Red list. above an altitude of 2000 m and traverses the
entire length of the valley finally rushing down to
the plains through a deep gorge.
Nilgiri Tahr • Location: It is within the revenue districts of
• The Tamil Nadu government launched an
Palakkad and Malappuram.
initiative for the conservation of the Nilgiri Tahr,
• Area: Core area of 89.52 KM2 and buffer zone
the State animal, at a cost of ₹25.14 crore.
148 KM2.
• The project is to be implemented from 2022 to
• Climate: The climate is tropical with summer
2027.
rains constituting the bulk of the precipitation.
• October 7 will be celebrated as ‘Niligiri Tahr Day’
in honour of E.R.C. Davidar, who was
responsible for pioneering one of the first studies
of the species in 1975.
January - June 2023
Ozone Layer
• A United Nations-backed panel of experts
announced that the Earth’s protective ozone
layer is on track to recover within four
decades, closing an ozone hole that was first
noticed in the 1980s.
• Ozone is a naturally occurring molecule. An
ozone molecule is made up of three oxygen
atoms. It has the chemical formula O3.
• The ozone layer is the common term for the high
concentration of ozone that is found in the
stratosphere around 15–30km above the earth’s
surface.
• It covers the entire planet and protects life on
earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet-B (UV-B)
radiation from the sun.
• Atmospheric ozone is sometimes labeled as the
"good" ozone, because of its protective role.
• It and shouldn't be confused with tropospheric, or
ground-level, "bad" ozone, a key component of
air pollution that is linked with respiratory disease.
Indian Skimmers
• Around 250 Indian Skimmers were sighted in
Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary in a day during the
Asian Waterbird Census-2023.
• The Indian skimmer or Indian scissors-bill
(Rynchops albicollis) is one of the three
species that belong to the skimmer genus
Rynchops in the family Laridae.
• Characteristics
o They are very brightly marked in black, white
and orange, making them difficult to miss.
• Distribution and Habitat
o It is found on large rivers and lakes, swamps
and coastal wetlands such as estuaries.
o In India, the species can be sighted near the
Chambal river in Central India, in a few parts
of Odisha and in Andhra Pradesh.
• Conservation Status
o IUCN Red List- Endangered
o In 2020, Bombay Natural History Society
(BNHS) has initiated a ‘Guardians of the
Skimmer’ programme, which a community-
based conservation initiative.
69
White Tufted Royal Butterfly
• A team of butterfly observers and researchers
found White Tufted Royal Butterfly, a rare
butterfly species at Kalliyad in Kannur.
• The species had earlier been spotted in
Agasthyakoodam in 2017 and Shendurney
Wildlife Sanctuary in 2018.
• The wingspan of the butterfly is just 32-40 mm.
• Its larvae feed on Scurrula parasitica, a plant
belonging to the Loranthaceae family.
• There were eight species of the butterfly. While
two are common, the others are rare.
• Unregulated laterite and granite quarries
operating in Kalliyad is effecting the survival of
such rare species.
• Conservation Status
o Wildlife Protection Act 1972 - Schedule 2.
Kuno Palpur National Park
• Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh said that more
cheetahs would be arriving at the Kuno Palpur
National Park.
• The five female and three male cheetahs were
reintroduced in September 2022 as part of the
'Action Plan for Reintroduction of Cheetah in
India' prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India.
• Kuno National Park is national park and Wildlife
Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, India.
• One of the main tributaries of the Chambal
River, the Kuno River, cuts across the whole
length of the National Park division.
• It was established in 1981 as a wildlife
sanctuary with an initial area of 344.686 km2
(133.084 sq mi) in the Sheopur and Morena
districts.
• In 2018, it was given the status of a national
park.
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
• The government launched the NCAP that
committed funds as well as set targets for 131
of India’s most polluted cities on January 10,
2019.
January - June 2023
• Non-attainment Cities
o The 131 cities are called non-attainment cities,
as they did not meet the national ambient air
quality standards (NAAQS) for the period of
2011-15 under the National Air Quality
Monitoring Programme (NAMP).
o Barring Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata,
all the cities selected are tier 2 cities.
• It envisaged to provide the States and the Centre
with a framework to combat air pollution.
• Nodal Ministry : Ministry of Environment.
• Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
coordinates the programme.
• Target Levels
o The country’s current, annual average
prescribed limits for the two main classes of
particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) are 40
micrograms/per cubic metre (ug/m3) and 60
micrograms/per cubic metre.
o The NCAP initially set a target of reducing key
air pollutants PM10 and PM2.5 by 20-30% in
2024, taking the pollution levels in 2017 as the
base year to improve upon.
o In September 2022, the Centre moved the
goalposts and set a new target of a 40%
reduction in particulate matter
concentration, but by 2026.
• National Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS)
• National Ambient Air Quality Standards are the
standards for ambient air quality set by the
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
• The CPCB has been conferred this power by the
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,
1981.
• Ambient Air Quality Standards contains 12
pollutants. I.e. SO2, NO2, PM10, PM2.5, Ozone,
Lead, Carbon monoxide (CO), Arsenic Nickel,
Benzene, Ammonia, and Benzopyrene
Neelakurinji
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change (MoEF) has listed Neelakurinji under
Schedule III of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972,
including it on the list of protected plants.
70
• Scientific Name- Strobilanthes kunthiana.
• The plant was endemic to a small stretch in the
Western Ghats from the Mangaladevi hills to the
Nilgiris hills.
• The popular Neelakurinji is Strobilanthes
kunthiana which blooms once in 12 years.
• Distribution- It is a shrub that is found in the
shola forests of the Western Ghats in Kerala,
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
• The Paliyan tribal people living in Tamil Nadu
used it as a reference to calculate their age.
• This plant flowers during September–October.
• Kurinjimala Sanctuary protects the kurinji in
approximately 32 km2 core habitat in Idukki
district of Kerala.
• The Eravikulam National Park, near Munnar, is
known for widespread blooming of the kurinji,
with the next flowering season expected in 2030.
Snow Leopard
• Snow leopard spotted at an undisclosed location
in Himalayas.
• Very rarely seen by humans, it has come to be
known as ‘ghost of the mountains’.
• Indian government has designated it as flagship
species for high-altitude Himalayas.
• It is native to the mountain ranges of Central
and South Asia.
• Scientific Name- Panthera uncia
o Distribution
 The snow leopard’s habitat range
extends across the mountainous
regions of 12 countries across Asia:
Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic,
Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia,
Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
 In India, they are found in J&K,
Ladakh, HP, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and
Arunachal Pradesh.
o Conservation Status
 IUCN Red List - Vulnerable
 CITES- Appendix I
 WPA 1972 - Schedule I
January - June 2023
Eco-Sensitive Zone
• Creation of Ecologically sensitive zones (ESZ)
across the country has led to protests in states
such as Kerala and other regions.
• As per the National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-
2016), land within 10 km of the boundaries of
national parks and wildlife sanctuaries is to be
notified as eco-fragile zones or Eco-Sensitive
Zones (ESZ).
• While the 10-km rule is implemented as a general
principle, the extent of its application can vary.
• Areas beyond 10-km can also be notified by the
Union government as ESZs, if they hold larger
ecologically important “sensitive corridors.
• The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 does
not mention the word “Eco-Sensitive Zones”.
• Prohibited Activities :
o Commercial mining, saw mills, commercial
use of wood, etc.
• Regulated Activities : Felling of trees etc.
• Permitted Activities : Ongoing agricultural or
horticultural practices, rainwater harvesting,
organic farming, among others.
Spot Bellied Eagle Owl :
• The ‘Spot Bellied Eagle Owl’ (Bubo Nipalensis)
sighted for the first time in Seshachalam forest
range.
• Characteristics
o The bold predatory bird, measuring 20-25
inches in length and weighing between 1.5
kg and 2 kg.
o The bird makes a strange scream similar to
humans and it is hence called the ‘Ghost of
the Forest’ in India and ‘Devil Bird’ in Sri
Lanka.
• Habitat and Distribution
o The bird’s habitat, found on large trees in
thick forests, is spread across the Indian
sub-continent.
o It was sighted only twice in the State
earlier, and both the times it was at
Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger
Reserve(NSTR).
71
o It is found in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan,
Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Thailand,
Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
• Conservation Status
o IUCN Red List- Least Concern.
o Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972- Schedule
IV .
o CITES- Appendix II.
Sedge Warbler
• Recently birders and ornithologists in the State of
Kerala spotted a migratory bird the Sedge
Warbler. It is a medium sized warbler with
streaked brown back, wings and pale underparts
• It is known for its daring crossing of the Sahara
to reach its breeding grounds in Europe and
some parts of Asia.
• Diet and Habitat : Sedge Warblers are
insectivores in nature and frequently seen amidst
the shrubs to hunt for insects.
• Threat : The loss of wetland and the expansion
of the Sahara Desert which was spotted in the
South Asian region.
• Conservation Status
o IUCN Red List- Least concern
Mahabali Frog
• Mahabali Frog is waiting to be elevated as the
State Frog of Kerala.
• Scientific Name- Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis
• It is endemic to the Western Ghat.
• It also known as Purple Frog and pignose frog.
• It buries itself all through the year and surfaces
only one day to lay eggs.
• The frog was named after the mythical King
Mahabali, who visits his people once a year from
the underneath world.
• The species, stands out with its evolutionarily
distinct and globally endangered status.
• The conservation of Mahabali Frog will also help
in conserving the aquatic ecosystems in the
Western Ghats.
• Amphibians are considered as nature’s best
insect and pest control agents.
• IUCN Red List -Near Threatened.
January - June 2023
Eravikulam National Park (ENP)
• Eravikulam National Park (ENP) witnessed an
early onset of the breeding season with two
tahr births.
• It is a 97 km2 national park located along the
Western Ghats in the Idukki and Ernakulam
districts of Kerala.
• It is the first national park in Kerala.
• Anamudi, 2,695 meters, the highest peak in
South India is inside this park.
• Eravikulam National Park is also the land of
“Neelakurinji”, A flower that blooms once
every twelve years.
• Legal Status
o Eravikulam was declared a wildlife
Sanctuary in 1975 for the protection of
the indigenous population of Nilgiri Tahr
• In 1978, it was declared a National Park
considering its biodiversity.
Noble’s Helen (Papilio Noblei)
• Butterfly enthusiasts recorded the “extremely
rare” Noble’s Helen from three locations in
the Namdapha National Park of Arunachal
Pradesh.
• Scientific Name- Papilio noblei.
• The species is known to be very rare in
occurrence in its previously known ranges.
• The Noble’s Helen is closest to the Papilio
antonio from the Philippines.
• It is characterised by a much large dorsal
white spot.
• Papilio noblei sports a consistent white spot
and has a complete row of red lunules on the
underside of the hind wing and discal white
areas on the upper side of the hind wing
• Distribution
o It was once common in the montane
forest at moderate elevations in
northern Thailand.
o Apart from Thailand, this species of
swallowtail butterfly has been reported
from Myanmar, Yunnan and Hubai
regions of China, Laos, Cambodia
and Vietnam.
72
Soliga Ecarinata
• The scientific community has named a new
genus of wasp after Soliga in recognition of
their conservation of forests and biodiversity.
• The species is named as ‘ecarinata’ denoting
the absence of ridges in certain body
regions and this new insect is strikingly
colourful and distinct from all it relatives.
• This new wasp belongs to the subfamily
Metopiinae of Darwin wasps family
Ichneumonidae.
o The subfamily Metopiinae has 862
species in 27 genera including two fossil
genera, most of those are seen only in
Palaearctic region, Neotropical and
Nearctic regions.
• This is the second genus of this subfamily
reported from India and the first from South
India.
Kawal Tiger Reserve (KTR)
• During the recent Asian Water Bird Census
(AWC) 2023, more than 340 birds of various
species, were counted in the water bodies
within the core area of the Kawal Tiger
Reserve.
• The Kawal Tiger Reserve (KTR) is located
at Jannaram mandal of Adilabad district
in Telangana.
• The reserve covers a core area of 892.23 sq
km and a buffer zone of 1,123.21 sq km.
• Flora-
o There are more than 600 kinds of trees
with various compositions such as pure
teak, bamboo with teak, pure bamboo
and so on.
• Fauna-
o It is home to many mammal species
such as tiger, leopard, gaur, cheetal,
sambar, nilgai, barking deer,
chowsingha, sloth bear, etc.
o There are around 300 bird species.
January - June 2023
Senna Spectabilis
• The Nodal Centre for Biological Invasions
(NCBI) at the Kerala Forest Research Institute
(KFRI) came out with a management plan to
eradicate Senna spectabilis.
• It is an exotic invasive plant that is posing a
severe threat to the State’s wildlife habitat.
• Senna spectabilis is a plant species of the
legume family (Fabaceae).
• It is native to South and Central America.
• They are often grown as an ornamental in front
yards, parks, gardens, buildings etc. due to their
bright yellow flowers that bloom during the
summer months.
• They are also known as golden wonder tree,
American cassia, popcorn tree etc.
• The plant has become an invasive alien species
in parts of Africa such as Kenya, Malawi,
Tanzania and Uganda, and also in South-India.
• Currently, S. spectabilis is overtaking native tree
species of forestry ecosystems around the world
because of its ability to grow quickly.
MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for
Shoreline Habitats & Tangible
Incomes)
• Finance Minister’s budget speech introduced
MISHTI initiative aimed at ecological
conservation.
• MISHTI is a new programme that will facilitate
mangrove plantation along India’s coastline
and on salt pan lands.
• The programme will operate through
“convergence between MGNREGS, Campa
Fund and other sources.
• This new programme will aim at intensive
afforestation of coastal mangrove forests.
• India has such forests on both its Eastern and
Western coasts with the Sundarbans in Bengal
being one of the largest mangrove forests on the
planet.
• Significance of Mangroves : Mangroves are not
just some of the most bio-diverse locations in
India, they also protect the coastlines from the
vagaries of inclement weather.
73
o They are also excellent carbon sinks.
o Mangrove trees can grow in saline
waters, and can sequester up to four
times more carbon than tropical
rainforests.
Red-headed Vulture
• Recently, for the first time since 2017, birders
spotted a red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps
calvus) in the Bhatti mines area of Delhi.
• The red-headed vulture is also known as the
Asian king vulture, Indian black vulture or
Pondicherry vulture.
• It is an Old World vulture mainly found in the
Indian subcontinent, with small disjunct
populations in some parts of Southeast Asia.
• The bird is existing with less than 10,000 in
number.
• Conservation status
o IUCN Red List- Critically Endangered.
o Wildlife Protection Act, 1972- Schedule 1.
Royal Bengal Tiger
• A Royal Bengal tiger was found dead in Assam's
Orang National Park.
• Royal Bengal Tigers are also known as Indian
Tiger and Bengal Tiger.
• They constitute a large population of tiger families
in the world.
• Scientific Name: Panthera tigris tigris.
• Royal Bengal Tiger lives mostly in the dense
forest of India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
• Together, these countries have more than 80% of
the world’s Tiger Population.
• Protection Status
o IUCN Red List- Endangered
o WPA 1972- Schedule I
o CITES- Appendix I
• Conservation
o India is home to 53 tiger reserves spread
across 18 states and the last tiger census
of 2018 showed a rise in the tiger
population.
January - June 2023 74

o India achieved the target of doubling the o Distribution & Population

tiger population four years ahead of  The Great Indian Bustard found
schedule (2022) of the St. Petersburg mainly in the Indian subcontinent.
Declaration on tiger conservation.  Its population of about 150 in
o The Govt. of India had launched “Project Rajasthan accounts for 95% of its
Tiger” on 1st April 1973 to promote total world population.
conservation of the tiger.  Less than 10 birds each in Gujarat,
o National Tiger Conservation Authority- It Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and
is a statutory body under the MoEFCC and Karnataka.
was established in 2005 following the o Threats
recommendations of the Tiger Task  Intensive agricultural practices,
Force. Laying of power lines and
industrialisation, Poaching.
o Conservation Status
About Orang National Park
 Indian Wildlife (Protection)Act,
• Also known as Rajiv Gandhi Orang National
1972- Schedule I
Park.
 CITES- Appendix I
• It is located on the northern bank of the
 IUCN Red List- Critically
Brahmaputra River
Endangered.
• The Pachnoi river and the Dhansiri rivers flow
along the eastern and western boundaries of
Orang National Park respectively. Both these CITES and Red Sanders
rivers are tributaries of the Brahmaputra. • The Convention on International Trade in
• It was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1985 Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
but was declared as National Park in 1999. Flora (CITES) recorded 28 incidents of
• It is also known as the mini Kaziranga National confiscation and seizure of more than 19,049
Park (IUCN site) since the two parks have a tonnes of Red Sanders logs.
similar landscape made up of marshes, streams, • About CITES
and grasslands. o CITES was drafted as a result of a
resolution adopted in 1963 at a
meeting of members of IUCN (The
Great Indian Bustard
World Conservation Union).
• In view of recent mortalities of Great Indian
o It was approved on 3 March 1973, and
Bustard (GIB), a Supreme Court constituted
entered into force on 1 July 1975.
committee has requested the court to pass
o Switzerland is the depository
directions prioritising underground laying of
government for the CITES.
power transmission lines.
o The CITES Secretariat is administered
• About GIB
by UNEP (The United Nations
o It’s a flagship grassland species,
Environment Programme).
representing the health of the grassland
• Aim
ecology.
o To ensure that international trade in
o It is one of the largest flying birds in the
specimens of wild animals and plants
world, and India’s heaviest flying bird.
does not threaten the survival of the
o The male bird weighs upto 12-15 kg and
species.
female bird up to 5-8 kg.
 January - June 2023
• Members
o States that join CITES, known as
Parties, are legally bound to
implement it.
o Currently there are 184 Parties.
o Not all members of the United Nations
are Parties to the Convention.
o India joined it in 1976.
o India had designed the iconic CITES
logo in the form of an elephant in 1981.
• Provisions
o No trade is allowed in species listed in
CITES Appendix I while trade is strictly
regulated in those under Appendix II.
o Appendix III is a list of species included
at the request of a Party that already
regulates trade in the species and that
needs the cooperation of other countries
to prevent unsustainable or illegal
exploitation.
o It does not take the place of national
laws.
o It only provides a framework to be
adopted by the nation in its own
domestic legislation.
• Red Sanders
• Scientific Name- Pterocarpus santalinus.
• Characteristics
o It is a small tree that grows to 5-8 meters in
height and has a dark grayish bark.
o Red Sanders is a very slow-growing tree
species that attains maturity in natural
forests after 25-40 years.
• Distribution : It is an Indian endemic tree
species, with a restricted geographical range in
the Southern Eastern Ghats - Palakonda and
Seshachalam hills.
• Application
o Due to its rich red color and therapeutic
properties, it is highly demanded across
Asia, particularly in China and Japan, for use
in cosmetics and medicinal products as well
as for making furniture & woodcraft.
• Conservation Status
o The Wildlife Protection Act- Schedule IV.
o IUCN Red List- Endangered.
75
Wetlands
• Union Minister for Environment, Forest and
Climate Change, launched the ‘Save Wetlands
Campaign’.
• This campaign is structured on a “whole of
society” approach for wetlands conservation.
• It will enable affirmative actions for wetlands
conservation at all levels of the society and
involving all strata of the society.
• World Wetlands Day
o It is observed on 2nd February every year
worldwide to commemorate the signing of
the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of
International Importance in 1971. Wetlands
are ecosystems saturated with water,
either seasonally or permanently.
o They include mangroves, marshes, rivers,
lakes, deltas, floodplains and flooded
forests, rice-fields, coral reefs, marine areas
no deeper than 6 meters at low tide, as
well as human-made wetlands such as
waste-water treatment ponds and reservoirs.
• Importance of Wetlands
o 40% of the world’s species live or breed in
wetlands. Wetlands are “nurseries of life”
– 40% of animals breed in wetlands.
o Wetlands are “kidneys of the earth” – they
clean the environment of pollutants.
o Wetlands “matter for climate change” –
they store 30% of land based carbon.
o Wetlands “minimize disaster risks” – they
absorb storm surge.
Ramsar Convention
• The Ramsar Convention is the intergovernmental
treaty that provides the framework for the
conservation and wise use of wetlands and their
resources.
• The Convention was adopted in the Iranian city
of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975.
• Since then, almost 90% of UN member states
have become “Contracting Parties” and
committed to the Convention’s three pillars:
o Work towards the wise use of all their
wetlands.
January - June 2023
o Designate suitable wetlands for the list of
Wetlands International Importance and
ensure their effective management.
o Cooperate internationally on transboundary
wetlands, shared wetland systems and
shared species.
• The convention entered into force in India on 1
February 1982.
Montreux Record
• It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.
• Two wetlands of India are in Montreux Record-
Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and
Loktak Lake (Manipur).
• Chilka lake (Odisha) was placed in the record
but was later removed from it.
• Side Note : India has so far declared 75
wetlands as Ramsar sites covering 23 states
and Union Territories.
Mission Sahbhagita
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change (MoEFCC) launched it in 2022.
• Its objective is to healthy and effectively manage
the network of 75 wetlands of national and
international significance.
Bar-Headed Goose
• A bar-headed goose, which was tagged in
Mongolia in July 2014 has been spotted in
Koonthankulam - Kadankulam Bird Sanctuary in
Tirunelveli district.
• It is one of the winter migratory bird species
regularly coming to this sanctuary.
• It can be identified by its signature white and grey
plumage with distinct black bars on the head and
orange-yellow beak and legs.
• During flight, these birds appear to have all-grey
plumage with black wing tips.
• The Bar-headed Goose can cover distances of
more than 1,600 km in one day.
• It is known for reaching extreme altitudes of
29,500 feet during its twice-yearly migrations
across the Himalayas.
• It breeds in Central Asia in colonies of
thousands near mountain lakes and winters in
South Asia, as far south as peninsular India.
76
• It lays three to eight eggs at a time in a ground
nest.
• Conservation Status
o IUCN Red List- Least Concern.
e-Waste
• Thousands of children who burn toxic metals
including mercury, lead and arsenic in the street
of Seelampur on the outskirts of New Delhi which
is home to India’s largest electronic waste (e-
waste) dismantling market, are exposed to
health risks.
• e-Waste refers to all items of electrical and
electronic equipment (EEE) and its parts that
have been discarded by their owner as waste
without the intent of re-use.
• Only 22.7% of the e-waste out of the total
10,14,961.21 tonnes generated in 2019-20 in
India was collected, dismantled, and recycled or
disposed off.
• 95% of e-waste in India is recycled by the
informal sector
• This e-waste is composed of 21 types of
electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)
notified Under the E-Waste (Management)
Rules, 2016.
• India is the world’s third largest generator of
e-waste after China and the US.
• Adverse Impact of E-Waste on Health
o Toxins’ harmful health impact on humans
includes damage to the brain, heart, liver,
kidneys, and skeletal system.
o They can also have a significant effect on
neurological and reproductive systems,
resulting in sickness and birth abnormalities.
o They suffer from serious skin diseases and
chronic lung infections due to continuous
exposure to chemical-laden toxins found in
the metals.
Forever Chemicals
● Recently, An Oxford University-led study
found alarming levels of toxic PFAS, also
known as “forever chemicals” in the ice
around Svalbard, Norway which pose a risk to
the region’s wildlife.
● The PFAS (Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl
substances) refer to a class of around 12,000
chemicals which are often found in consumer
products which resist water, heat or stains.
January - June 2023 77

• They are called “forever chemicals” since they • Conservation Status : IUCN Red List- Near
do not naturally break down over time. Threatened
• These chemicals are linked to a number of o Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972-
diseases including cancer, liver disease, etc. Schedule 1
• These contaminants, once passed on, can affect
the entire food web from small organisms like
Cheetah
plankton or fish to apex predators in the region
• Union Minister of Environment, Forest and
like polar bears.
Climate change announced the translocation of
• A 2021 study has found that PFAS chemicals are
twelve Cheetahs from South Africa to India on
being used in disposable food packaging from
18th February 2023.
popular fast-food chains, takeaway restaurants,
• As per the Action Plan for Cheetah Introduction
and supermarkets across Europe.
in India, annually 10-12 cheetahs are required to
• Regulation
be imported from African countries for the next 5
○ Currently, three sub-group of PFAS are listed
years at least.
in the The Stockholm Convention on
• With help from the Wildlife Institute of India
Persistent Organic Pollutants.
and the Wildlife Trust of India, the ministry will
○ The Stockholm Convention on Persistent
be translocating cheetahs from South Africa,
Organic Pollutants is an international treaty
Namibia and Botswana.
aiming to eliminate or restrict the production
• Eight cheetahs were transported from Namibia
and use of the most toxic chemicals of global
to India on 17th September, 2022.
concern.
• The Asiatic cheetah is the only large carnivore
to have gone extinct in India in the 1950s due
Blackbuck to hunting and loss of habitat.
• The blackbuck population has increased • The big cats will live at Kuno Palpur National
threefold in Odisha’s Ganjam district, the only Park in Madhya Pradesh as it will be the most
habitat of the most elegant member of the suitable for cheetah translocation in terms of
antelope family in the state, over 12 years. habitat and an adequate prey base. Asiatic
• The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is known Cheetahs around 40-50 found only in Iran.
as the Indian antelope. • Protection Status of Asiatic Cheetah
• This antelope native to India and Nepal. ○ IUCN- Critically Endangered (African
• Habitat Cheetah is in Vulnerable Category)
o It inhabits grassy plains and lightly forested ○ CITES- Appendix 1 (Same as African
areas with perennial water sources. Cheetah)
• Distribution
o The antelope is native to and found mainly in
Pangolins
India, while it is locally extinct in Pakistan,
● On the eve of World Pangolin Day observed
Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
on February 18, TRAFFIC has brought out a
• Diet
fact sheet reporting that 1,203 pangolins have
o The blackbuck is an herbivore and grazes
been found in illegal wildlife trade in India from
on low grasses, occasionally browsing as
2018 to 2022.
well.
● The report was released by TRAFFIC, a
• Threat
global wildlife conservation non-profit, and
o During the 20th century, blackbuck numbers
World Wide Fund for Nature-India.
declined sharply due to excessive hunting,
● Odisha reported the maximum number of
deforestation and habitat degradation.
incidents followed by Maharashtra.
January - June 2023
• About
○ Indian Pangolin is a large anteater covered
by 11-13 rows of scales on the back.
○ A terminal scale is also present on the lower
side of the tail of the Indian Pangolin, which
is absent in the Chinese Pangolin.
○ It has thick scaly skin.
○ It is nocturnal and rests in deep burrows
during the day.
• Habitat & Distribution
○ Out of the eight species of pangolin, the
Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata)
and the Chinese Pangolin Manis
pentadactyla) are found in India.
○ The Indian pangolin has been recorded in
various forest types, including Sri Lankan
rainforest and plains to middle hill levels.
○ Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam see the
presence of both.
○ It inhabits grasslands and secondary
forests, and is well adapted to dry areas and
desert regions, but prefers more barren, hilly
regions.
• Protection Status
○ IUCN Red List
■ Indian Pangolin: Endangered
■ Chinese Pangolin: Critically
Endangered
○ Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
■ Both these species are listed under
Schedule I
○ CITES- Appendix I
TRAFFIC (Trade Records Analysis of
Flora and Fauna in Commerce)
• It is a Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network and
global non-governmental organisation monitoring
the trade in wild animals and plants that focuses
on biodiversity and sustainable development.
• It was originally created in 1976 as a specialist
group of the Species Survival Commission of the
International Union for Conservation of Nature
(IUCN).
• It evolved into a strategic alliance of the World
Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the IUCN.
78
Rhododendrons
• The latest publication of the Botanical Survey of
India (BSI) revealed that Darjeeling and Sikkim
Himalayas are home to more than one-third of
all types of rhododendrons found in India.
• Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas comprise only
0.3% of India’s geographical area but the region
is home to one-third (34%) of all Rhododendron
types.
• Rhododendron is a very large genus of about
1,024 species of woody plants in the heath
family (Ericaceae).
• Rhododendron, meaning rose tree in Greek, is
considered an indicator species for climate
change.
• They can be either evergreen or deciduous.
• The flowering season for rhododendrons starts in
March and continues till May.
• Distribution : Most species are native to
eastern Asia and the Himalayan region.
○ Smaller numbers occur elsewhere in Asia,
and in North America, Europe and Australia.
• Side Note : It is the national flower of Nepal,
the state flower of Nagaland in India, the
provincial flower of Jiangxi in China and the state
tree of Sikkim and Uttarakhand in India.
Tsetse Flies
• Yale researchers found a volatile pheromone
generated by the tsetse fly.
• Tsetse fly is a blood-sucking bug that spreads
diseases in both humans and animals across
much of Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Tsetse flies are known to carry parasites called
African trypanosomes.
• When the insects bite humans or animals, they
transmit these parasites, spreading diseases
such as African sleeping sickness, which can be
fatal to humans, and nagana, a disease that
affects livestock and other animals.
• The study sheds fresh light on how flies
communicate with one another and could lead
to new techniques for regulating their
populations and the dangerous diseases they
carry.
January - June 2023
• Researchers found that a chemical called methyl
palmitoleate (MPO) attracted male tsetse flies,
caused them to stop and remain where they were
for some time, and acted as an aphrodisiac.
Snow Leopard
• Recently, a snow leopard has been sighted for
the first time at a height of about 11,120 feet in
the Darma valley in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh
district.
• It is native to the mountain ranges of Central
and South Asia.
• Scientific Name- Panthera uncia.
• Distribution
o The snow leopard’s habitat range extends
across the mountainous regions of 12
countries across Asia: Afghanistan, Bhutan,
China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic,
Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan,
and Uzbekistan.
o In India, they are found in J&K, Ladakh, HP,
Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Food
o Carnivore
o Snow leopards prey upon the blue sheep
(bharal) of Tibet and the Himalayas, as well as
the mountain ibex found over most of the rest
of their range.
• Threats to survival
o Expansion of human settlement, livestock
grazing, poaching, Vanishing habitat and the
decline of the cats’ large mammal prey.
• Conservation
o IUCN Red List - Vulnerable
o CITES- Appendix I
o WPA 1972 - Schedule I.
Whale Stranding
• 14 pilot whales were stranded near the shore of
Kalpitiya, a town located on Sri Lanka’s west
coast.
• Whale stranding is a phenomenon in which
whales are stuck on land, usually on a beach.
• Other aquatic animals like dolphins and
porpoises are also known to beach.
79
• Most of the stranding events involve single
animals but sometimes, mass strandings,
consisting of hundreds of marine animals at a
time, can happen.
• Causes
o The reasons for mass strandings are several,
including the topography of the region,
illness, human activities and increasing
noise pollution in the oceans.
• Noise pollution impacts whales’ and other marine
animals’ ability to use sound to navigate, find
food and protect themselves.
Kaziranga National Park
• The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change sought a “factual report” on the
rhino population enumeration, conducted in the
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in
March 2022.
• Location of Kaziranga National Park
o It is situated in the Golaghat, Karbi
Anglong and Nagaon districts of the state of
Assam, India.
o The entire area of Kaziranga — formed by
alluvial deposits from the Brahmaputra
and its tributaries — is centered on the river.
o The Diphlu River passes through the
Kaziranga National Park.
• International Status : The sanctuary, which
hosts two-thirds of the world's great one-horned
rhinoceroses, is a World Heritage Site.
• Legal Status : It was declared as a National
Park in 1974 by Govt of India.
o Kaziranga is home to the highest density
of tigers among protected areas in the
world, and was declared a Tiger Reserve
in 2006 (now the highest tiger density is in
Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand).
Indian Rhinoceros
• About
o The Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis)
is the biggest of the three rhinos of Asia,
and, along with the African white rhino, is
the biggest of all rhino species.
 January - June 2023
o Its single black horn identifies it, along with its
gray-brown hide and skin folds, giving it an
armor-plated look.
• Distribution
o The Indian rhinoceros is found only in the
Brahmaputra valley, parts of North Bengal,
and parts of southern Nepal.
o In India, rhinos are mainly found in Kaziranga
NP, Pobitora WLS, Orang NP, Manas NP in
Assam, Jaldapara NP and Gorumara NP in
West Bengal Dudhwa TR in Uttar Pradesh.
• Population
o According to the WWF, there are around 3,700
Indian rhinos in the wild today.
o Assam’s Kaziranga National Park (KNP) alone
has 2,613 animals.
o There are more than 250 other rhinos in the
Orang, Pobitora, and Manas parks.
• Conservation Status
o IUCN Red List- Vulnerable.
o Wildlife Protection Act, 1972- Schedule I
o CITES- Appendix I
Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)
2023
• The Indian edition of the Great Backyard Bird
Count (GBBC) 2023, a four-day bird watching
event concluded.
• India was among 190 countries that participated
in GBBC 2023.
• West Bengal reported the highest number of
species followed by Uttarakhand and Arunachal
Pradesh.
• Kerala recorded the highest number of checklists
of birds.
• Maharashtra with 7,414 lists and Tamil Nadu with
6,098 were placed second and third.
• Pune birders uploaded more than 5,900 lists, the
most among urban centres.
• India upload the second-highest number of
checklists after the United States of America and
the third-highest species of any country.
80
About Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)
• It was launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of
Ornithology and National Audubon Society.
• It was the first online citizen-science project
(also referred to as community science) to collect
data on wild birds and to display results in near
real time.
• In 2013, it became a global project after
entering data into eBird, the world’s largest
biodiversity-related citizen science (community
science) project.
• GBBC India
o It is an annual event that brings bird
enthusiasts, students and nature
enthusiasts together for counting birds they
see around the places where they live, work or
study.
o GBBC India is the Indian implementation of the
global Great Backyard Bird Count, which runs
for 4 days every February.
o GBBC India is coordinated by the Bird Count
India (BCI).
 BCI is an informal partnership of
organisations and groups working together
to increase collective knowledge about bird
distributions and populations.
○ The BCI has been associated with the GBBC
for 10 years.
○ Indian birders have participated in the GBBC
since the event went worldwide in 2013.
Himalayan Griffons
• The Himalayan Griffon sighted in the Patrampur
and Bail Parao ranges of the Terai forest range
after nearly 15 years.
• The Himalayan vulture (Gyps himalayensis) or
Himalayan griffon vulture is an Old World
vulture native to the Himalayas and the
adjoining Tibetan Plateau. Old World vultures
are vultures that are found in the Old World, i.e.
the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa.
• They belong to the family Accipitridae, which
also includes eagles, buzzards, kites, and hawks.
January - June 2023
• It is one of the two largest Old World vultures
and true raptors.
• Habitat
o The Himalayan vulture lives mainly in the
higher regions of the Himalayas and the
Tibetan Plateau.
• Distribution
o Distributed from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan,
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and
Iran to Pakistan to India, Nepal, Bhutan to
western China and Mongolia.
• Threats
o Himalayan vultures are susceptible to
toxicity induced by diclofenac.
• Protection Statu
o IUCN- Near Threatened
Coral Reefs
• Coral reefs are suffering from bleaching,
overfishing and are being cooked by warming
oceans.
• Coral Ecosystem
o Coral polyps are tiny and fleshy sea
anemones that live in tropical and
subtropical oceans and seas.
o Corals have a symbiotic relationship with
microscopic algae called zooxanthellae that
live in their tissues.
o It assists the coral in nutrient production
through its photosynthetic activities.
o The host coral polyp in return provides its
zooxanthellae with a protected
environment to live within, and a steady
supply of carbon dioxide for its
photosynthetic processes.
o The corals can feed by day through
photosynthesis & by night through predation.
o Corals are highly susceptible to quick
changes. They grow in regions where
climate is significantly stable for a long
period of time.
• Coral Bleaching
o When the symbiotic relationship becomes
stressed due to increased ocean
temperature or pollution, the algae leave the
coral's tissue.
81
o Coral is left bleached and vulnerable.
o Without the algae, the coral loses its
major source of food, turns white or very
pale, and is more susceptible to disease.
o The leading cause of coral bleaching is
rising water temperatures.
World Wildlife Day (WWD)
• March 3 is known as World Wildlife Day
(WWD), marked annually to draw attention to
issues of conservation of flora and fauna.
• Theme- Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation.
• In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA) proclaimed March 3 as the UN World
Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of
protecting the world’s wild animals and plants.
• This was as the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora (CITES) was signed in 1973 on this day.
• March 3 marks the 50th anniversary of CITES’
establishment.
• CITES : CITES is an international agreement
between governments.
o Its aim is to ensure that international trade in
specimens of wild animals and plants does
not threaten the survival of the species.
o There are 184 parties to the convention,
including India.
o The CITES Secretariat is administered by
UNEP & is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
Qualified Stock Brokers (QSBs)
• The National Stock Exchange (NSE) issued a list
of 15 designated Qualified Stock Brokers (QSBs).
• Sebi defines QSBs as entities who, because of
their size and scale of operations, can likely
impact investors and the securities market, as
well as governance and service standards.
• These stock brokers cater to the needs of a large
number of investors.
• Significance
o Due to their size, trading volumes, and
amount of clients’ funds handled by them,
QSBs occupy a significant position in the
Indian securities market.
January - June 2023
o The failure of such stock brokers has the
potential to cause disruption in the
services they provide to large numbers of
investors, causing widespread impact in the
securities market.
• Designating QSB
o A stock broker will be designated as QSB
on the basis of four parameters-
 Number of active clients, total available
assets of clients, trading volumes, and
end-of-day margin obligations.
o All stock brokers with a total score greater
than or equal to five on these four
parameters are identified as QSBs.
Olive Ridley Turtles
• A record number of over 6.37 lakh olive ridley
turtles laid eggs on the Rushikulya river mouth in
Odisha's Ganjam district during the eight-day
duration of mass nesting.
• Scientific Name of Olive Ridley Turtles-
Lepidochelys Olivacea.
• They are the smallest and most abundant of all
sea turtles found in the world.
• They are carnivores and get their name from
their olive colored carapace.
• They are best known for their unique mass
nesting called Arribada, where thousands of
females come together on the same beach to lay
eggs.
• They can be found in warm waters of the
Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans and the
Odisha’s Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is
known as the world’s largest rookery (colony of
breeding animals) of sea turtles.
• Conservation Status
o Wildlife Protection Act,1972- Schedule 1
o IUCN Red List- Vulnerable
o CITES- Appendix I
Tree Pruning
• The Delhi High Court stayed the pruning of over
800 trees in the city’s upscale Vasant Vihar
neighbourhood.
82
• About Tree Pruning
o Pruning is when selectively branches are
removed from a tree.
o The goal is to remove unwanted branches,
improve the tree’s structure, and direct new,
healthy growth.
• Benefits of Pruning
o Each cut can potentially change the
growth of the tree.
o Some common reasons for pruning include,
removal of dead branches to improve form
and increase safety, to increase light and
air penetration for plants below the tree’s
crown, or corrective and preventative
measures.
o A clean, polished look that elevates the
whole landscape.
o Set the tree up with a good foundation for
long-term health.
Mimeusemia Ceylonica
• Two researchers from Tamil Nadu have spotted a
rare moth species Mimeusemia ceylonica for
the first time in India in the buffer zone of
Kalakkad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR).
o It was last sighted 127 years ago - at
Trincomalee in Sri Lanka in 1893.
o The researchers are the first in the world to
photograph the moth species Mimeusemia
ceylonica, as only an illustration of the insect
existed previously.
• Mimeusemia ceylonica is a moth species
belonging to the subfamily Agaristinae and
family Noctuidae.
• It was first illustrated and described by English
entomologist George Hampson in 1893.
• The species was rediscovered during a moth
survey conducted on October 11, 2020 at the
Agasthyamalai Community-based Conservation
Centre (ACCC) situated in the buffer zone of
KMTR.
• There is deficient data about the history of this
species.
 January - June 2023
• Moths
o Moths are a paraphyletic group of insects
that includes all members of the order
Lepidoptera that are not butterflies.
o Butterflies VS moths: While the butterflies
form a monophyletic group, the moths,
comprising the rest of the Lepidoptera, do
not.
Black Turtles
• Recently, the Marakkanam police seized 46 live
Indian Black Turtles (Melanochelys trijuga)
from two persons who were allegedly smuggling
them on a two-wheeler, from neighbouring
Puducherry.
• About Black Turtle
o The Indian black turtle (Melanochelys
trijuga) or Indian pond terrapin is a species
of medium-sized freshwater turtle found
in South Asia.
o Despite its name, the color of its upper shell
or carapace can vary from reddish to
dark brown and black with yellow streaks
running along its length.
o The species shows a crepuscular to a
nocturnal lifestyle, with individuals seen
foraging after dark along the edges of water
bodies.
• Distribution and Habitat
o The species occurs in India, Bangladesh,
Myanmar, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Nepal,
and the Chagos Archipelago, where it may
have been introduced.
o The Indian black turtle inhabits a variety of
water bodies including ponds, marshes
streams, rivers and artificial water bodies
like rice-paddies, watering holes etc.
• Diet : The species is an omnivore, consuming
both aquatic macrophytes and invertebrates.
• Conservation : IUCN Red List- Least Concern.
Wild Ass Sanctuary
• Gujarat High Court issued a notice to the state
government and sought a report from it on the
licences and permissions it has granted for
mining activities within Wild Ass Sanctuary in
the Little Rann of Kutch.
83
• It also known as the Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary
and is located in the Little Rann of Kutch in the
Gujarat state of India.
• It is spread over an area of 4954 km².
• The wildlife sanctuary was established in 1972
and came under the Wildlife Protection Act of
1972.
• The sanctuary is one of the last places on earth
where the endangered wild ass sub-species
Indian Wild Ass (Khur) can be spotted.
• The Rann of Kutch is a sealine desert.
• The tribes living in the region are the Kolis,
Rabaris, Bajanias, Kutchis, Gujjars and the
Bharvads.
• Zinjuwada, bang on the edge of the Rann, has
an old, 11th century fort built during the Solanki
era and houses one of the area's largest salt
works.
• Flora
o The Rann of Kutch is full of dry thorny scrub
and there are no large trees.
o The main vegetation in the region includes
many species of grasses that are widely
available as the source of food for the wild
Asses.
• Fauna
o The most famous wildlife of the region
includes the Indian Wild Ass, as well as the
chinkara, desert fox, jackal, desert cat,
caracal, nilgai, wolf, blackbuck, and striped
hyena.
Indian Wild Ass
• The Indian wild ass (Equus hemionus khur),
also called the Indian onager or, in the local
Gujarati language, Ghudkhur and Khur, is a
subspecies of the onager native to South Asia.
• The previous census in 2009 estimated a
population of 4,038 Indian wild asses.
• It is one of the fastest of Indian animals, with
speeds clocked at about 70 – 80 km per hour.
• It is characterized by distinctive white markings
on the anterior part of the rump and on the
posterior part of the shoulder and a stripe down
the back that is bordered by white.
January - June 2023 84

• Distribution • Raccoon dogs are originally from East Asia and

o The Indian wild ass's range once extended are commonly found in parts of China, Korea and
from western India, southern Pakistan, Japan, where they are known as tanuki.
Afghanistan, and south-eastern Iran. ]
o Today, its last refuge lies in the Indian Wild
Earth Hour
Ass Sanctuary, Little Rann of Kutch and
• Earth Hour, celebrated every year on March 26,
its surrounding areas of the Great Rann of
is the largest global grassroots movement for the
Kutch in the Gujarat state of India.
environment.
o It is extending into the neighboring Indian
• This year being the 17th edition, with residents
State of Rajasthan in the bordering villages
switched off their electrical appliances and
in Jalore district bordering the Rann of
non-essential lighting fixtures for one hour
Kutch.
starting at 8.30 p.m. (local time) to show their
• Threats
concern for the environment.
o Diseases (Surra, South African Horse
• The Earth Hour has grown rapidly to become the
Sickness), Habitat degradation due to salt
world's most significant grassroots environmental
activities, Uncontrolled grazing by the
movement.
Maldhari.
• It has inspired the world to save electricity.
• Conservation
• Earth Day (April 22) celebrates our natural
o IUCN Red List- Endangered
environment by inspiring people to plant trees,
o Wildlife Protection Act (1972)- Schedule-I
recycle regularly and keep the planet tidy.
• About Earth Hour
Racoon Dogs o Earth Hour is an annual event organized by
• A new analysis of genetic data collected from the the World Wildlife Fund since 2007.
Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, China, has o It was famously started as a lights-off
linked coronavirus to raccoon dogs. event in Sydney, Australia in 2007.
• It added evidence to the belief that the pandemic o Every year, it brings together millions of
might have originated from the infected animals people, businesses, and leaders worldwide
sold at the site. to shine a spotlight on the urgent need to
• Raccoon dogs are neither dogs nor raccoons. address nature loss and climate change.
• They belong to the canid family and are closely o This initiative is more about creating
related to foxes. They are the only canids that awareness among people and stopping the
hibernate during the winter. wastage of energy
• As per Slate, there are two species of raccoon
dogs:
Tigers
o Nyctereutes procyonoides- The
• India is considering sending tigers to Cambodia,
common raccoon dog (the species that
where the big cat was declared extinct in 2016.
was in the Wuhan market)
• India accounts for 70 per cent of the global wild
o Nyctereutes p. viverrinus- The
tiger population. This is increasing at an annual
Japanese raccoon dog.
rate of six per cent.
• These animals, weighing around 16 pounds on
• As per the last tiger census, India is home to
average, are omnivores and relish food sources
3,167 tigers.
such as rodents and berries.
• In 2010, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China,
• “Although they appear svelte in the summer, they
Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
pack on the pounds for winter, when their fur also
Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam had
becomes thicker.
decided to double their tiger population by 2022.
• They are monogamous, often living in pairs.
January - June 2023
• India achieved this goal in 2018, four years
before the deadline.
• About Tiger
o The tiger (Panthera tigris) is the
largest living cat species and a member
of the genus Panthera.
o Traditionally eight subspecies of tigers
have been recognized, out of which
three are extinct (Caspian tiger,
Javan tiger, Bali tiger).
o The tiger is endangered throughout its
range, which stretches from the Russian
Far East through parts of North Korea,
China, India, and Southeast Asia to
the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
o The Siberian, or Amur, tiger (P. tigris
altaica) is the largest.
o The Indian, or Bengal, tiger (P. tigris
tigris) is the most numerous and
accounts for about half of the total tiger
population.
• Indian Tiger or Royal Bengal Tiger
o Habitat and Distribution
 The Royal Bengal Tiger lives
mostly in the dense forest
of India, Bangladesh, and
Nepal.
 Together, these countries
have more than 80% of the
world’s Tiger Population.
o Threat
 Hunting, Poaching,
Urbanization, Habitat loss,
and the Illegal Wildlife Trade.
o Protection Status
 IUCN Red List- Endangered
 WPA 1972- Schedule I
 CITES- Appendix I
Sarus Crane
• Recently, a 35-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh,
was booked under the Wildlife Protection Act,
1972, for “illegally” keeping and nursing an
injured Sarus crane (Grus Antigone) he found in
his village.
• About
o Scientific Name- Antigone antigone
85
o It has a predominantly grey plumage
with a naked red head and upper
neck and pale red legs.
o It is a social creature, found mostly
in pairs or small groups of three or
four.
o Standing at 152-156 centimetres, it is
the world’s tallest flying bird.
o The main breeding season is during
the rainy season.
o The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh
declared the sarus crane as its
official state bird in 2013.
• Distribution and Habitat
o It is a large nonmigratory crane found
in parts of the Indian subcontinent,
Southeast Asia, and Australia.
o Sarus Cranes are known to live in
association with humans and well
watered plains, marshland, ponds,
and wetlands (like Dhanauri wetland
in UP) which are suitable for their
forage and nesting.
• Population
o Estimated to be 15,000-20,000
individuals in India.
• Threats
o Habitat loss and degradation due to
draining the wetland and conversion
of land for agriculture.
• Conservation Status
o Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972-
Schedule IV
o IUCN Red List- Vulnerable
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
• The Union minister of state for science and
technology and earth sciences recently said
that India will continue to support setting up
two Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in
Antarctica to protect marine life and its
ecosystem services.
• MPA is a defined region managed for the
long-term conservation of marine
resources, ecosystem services or cultural
heritage.
January - June 2023
• A marine protected area (MPA) is a section
of the ocean where a government has
placed limits on human activity.
• Many MPAs allow people to use the area in
ways that do not damage the environment.
Some ban fishing. A few do not allow people
to enter the area at all.
• The specific purposes, legal authority, level
of protection, management approaches, and
use allowance of individual marine protected
areas (MPAs) can vary greatly from site to
site.
• MPAs have been established because the
ocean and the things that live in it face
many dangers.
• Threats to the ocean include overfishing,
litter, water pollution, and global climate
change.
• These threats have caused a decline in the
population of many fish, marine mammals,
and other sea creatures.
• MPAs currently cover about 6.35% of the
ocean. However, only just over 1.89% of
that area is covered by exclusively no-take
MPAs that do not allow any fishing, mining,
drilling, or other extractive activities.
Great Indian Bustards
• Ministery of State for Environment, Forest and
Climate Change has taken various measures for
the Conservation and protection of Great Indian
Bustards.
• About
o It’s a flagship grassland species,
representing the health of the grassland
ecology.
o It is one of the largest flying birds in the
world, and India’s heaviest flying bird.
o The male bird weighs upto 12-15 kg and
female bird up to 5-8 kg.
• Distribution & Population
o The Great Indian Bustard found mainly in
the Indian subcontinent.
o Its population of about 150 in Rajasthan
accounts for 95% of its total world
population.
86
o Less than 10 birds each in Gujarat,
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and
Karnataka.
• Threats : Intensive agricultural practices,
Laying of power lines and industrialisation,
Poaching.
• Conservation Status
o Indian Wildlife (Protection)Act,
1972- Schedule I
o CITES- Appendix I
o IUCN Red List- Critically Endangered.
• Side Note
o The captive breeding of GIBs was
taken up in the DNP through a
project executed by the Dehradun-
based Wildlife Institute of India in
2019.
o Last year, the Supreme Court had
asked the ministry of environment
and forest, to explore the possibility
of having a 'project Great Indian
Bustard (GIB)', on the lines of 'Project
Tiger'.
o According to a 2021 report of the
International Union for Conservation
of Nature (IUCN), GIB are on the
verge of extinction with hardly 50 to
249 of them alive.
Project Elephant
• President of India will inaugurate a two-day
"Gaj Utsav" on April 7 in Assam's
Kaziranga National Park to commemorate
the successful completion of 30 years of
Project Elephant and to give more impetus to
conservation efforts.
• President of India will inaugurate a two-day
"Gaj Utsav" on April 7 in Assam's
Kaziranga National Park to commemorate
the successful completion of 30 years of
Project Elephant and to give more impetus to
conservation efforts.
• Project Elephant
o India launched Project Elephant in
1991-92 as a centrally-sponsored
scheme.
January - June 2023
o Its objective is to protect elephants, their
habitat and corridors, prevent human-
elephant conflict and to ensure the welfare
of captive elephants in India.
o States are receiving both financial and
technical assistance to help them achieve
the Project's goals.
o Other states with small elephant populations
are also helped with censuses, field staff
training, and human-elephant conflict
mitigation. Elephant is a national heritage
animal protected under Schedule I of the
Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.
o The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
classifies Asian elephants as "Endangered."
o India accounts for more than 60% of the
global wild elephant population.
o These are distributed majorly in southern
and north-eastern India, east-central and
northern regions.
o Karnataka has the highest number of
elephants (6,049), followed by Assam
(5,719) and Kerala (3,054)
o Elephant Corridor : An elephant corridor is a
stretch of forested (or otherwise) land that
connects larger habitats with elephant
populations and serves as a conduit for
animal movement between the habitats.
o Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants
(MIKE) Programme
 The MIKE programme, mandated by a
CITES COP resolution, began in South
Asia in 2003.
 MIKE is an international collaboration
that tracks elephant mortality rates,
trends, and causes.
Microplastics
• According to a new study, an estimated 170
trillion plastic particles weighing about 2
million metric tons are currently afloat in the
oceans across the world.
• Microplastics
o Microplastics are tiny plastic debris that
are smaller than 5 mm in length, tinier than
even a grain of rice.
87
o There are two types of microplastics-
 Primary microplastics are tiny
particles-
 They are purposely designed as
such for commercial use, like in
cosmetics, nurdles-plastic pellets
used in industrial manufacturing
and in fibers from synthetic textiles
like nylon.
 Secondary microplastics
 They are formed through the
degradation of larger plastic
items like bottles, fishing nets and
plastic bags.
 This occurs through exposure to
the environment, like radiation
from the sun, wind and ocean
waves.
o Microplastics are not biodegradable and
once they are found in the environment, they
begin to accumulate
Caltoris Bromus Sadasiva
• A group of lepidopterists discovered a butterfly
subspecies from the fringes of Akkulam and
Vembanad lakes in Kerala.
• It is the first record of the species Bromus
swift ( Caltoris bromus), a skipper butterfly
belonging to the Hesperiidae family of
Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies), from the
Western Ghats and Peninsular India.
• The butterfly was first spotted at Akkulam lake
in 2005 and later in Vembanad in 2009 by Dr.
Sadasivan.
o He subsequently reared the species from
larvae on the host plant Phragmites karka
(tall reed) to confirm the identity of the
taxon.
• Caltoris, an Indo-Australian genus has over 15
species distributed across south-east Asia.
• Caltoris bromus, one of them, has two other
subspecies Caltoris bromus bromus and Caltoris
bromus yanuca.
January - June 2023
Vembanad Lake
• Vembanad is the longest lake in India, as well
as the largest lake in the state of Kerala.
• The lake has its source in four rivers, Meenachil,
Achankovil, Pampa and Manimala.
• It is separated from the Arabian Sea by a narrow
barrier island and is a popular backwater stretch
in Kerala.
• It is the second-largest Ramsar site in India
only after the Sundarbans in West Bengal.
Black Carbon
• A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water
Resources recommended a detailed study on the
impact of atmospheric pollution, including black
carbon, on the Himalayan glacier system.
• Black carbon, or soot, is part of fine particulate
air pollution (PM2.5) and contributes to
climate change.
• Black carbon is formed by the incomplete
combustion of fossil fuels, wood and other
fuels.
• Complete combustion would turn all carbon in the
fuel into carbon dioxide (CO2), but combustion is
never complete and CO2, carbon monoxide,
volatile organic compounds, and organic carbon
and black carbon particles are all formed in the
process.
• The complex mixture of particulate matter
resulting from incomplete combustion is often
referred to as soot.
• Black carbon is a short-lived climate pollutant
with a lifetime of only days to weeks after release
in the atmosphere.
• During this short period of time, black carbon can
have significant direct and indirect impacts on the
climate, the cryosphere (snow and ice),
agriculture and human health.
Ice Memory
• Scientists camped in the Arctic are set to start
drilling to save samples of ancient ice for
analysis before the frozen layers melt away due
to climate change.
88
• They will extract ice in a series of tubes from as
far as 125 metres (137 yards) below the surface,
containing frozen geochemical traces dating back
three centuries.
• One set of ice tubes will be used for immediate
analysis, while a second set will be sent to
Antarctica for storage in an “ice memory
sanctuary” under the snow.
• Analysis of chemicals in deep "ice cores"
provides scientists with valuable data about past
environmental conditions.
• The Ice Memory Project
o Mountain glaciers keep a record our climate
and our environment, captured in ice.
o They are the only direct natural records we
have of variations in atmospheric
composition, a vital contribution to
environmental and climate science.
o However, this memory of our planet's story
is disapearing as many glaciers retreat
unrelentingly throughout the world, because
of climate change.
o The Ice Memory project aims to constitute
the first world library of archived glacier ice,
to preserve this invaluable scientific heritage
for the generations to come, when future
techniques can obtain even more data from
these samples.
o The project is under the patronage of the
French and Italian National Commissions
for UNESCO.
Prosopis Chilensis
• An alien invasive plant, Prosopis chilensis is
threatening to pulverise native vegetation across
21 islands in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere
Reserve (GoMBR), an avian distribution study
has revealed.
• Prosopis chilensis is a species of tree in the
genus Prosopis, belonging to the family
Fabaceae.
• Prosopis chilensis is a drought-resistant plant.
• It is a small to medium-sized legume tree that
grows up to 12 m in height and 1 m in
diameter.
January - June 2023
• It is native to the arid regions of four South
American countries — Argentina, Bolivia, Chile,
and Peru.
• It is the trouble for islands divided into the
Tuticorin, Vembar, Kilakkarai, and Mandapam
groups.
• The coral reef has been destroyed in several
places near these islands although coral
quarrying for industrial purposes has been
outlawed.
• The native vegetation “has lost ground to”
Prosopis chilensis on some islands closer to
the coast.
• GoMBR
• Located at the south-eastern tip of India, the
Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve is
the first Marine Biosphere Reserve in
South and South-East Asia.
• It is one of the important habitats for coastal
birds migrating as far as the Arctic Circle.
• The area is of particular significance as the
21 islands also serve as resting places for
birds migrating to and from the nearby Sri
Lankan islands.
• In India, the Gulf of Mannar region in Tamil
Nadu is one of the four major coral reef
areas and the others are the Gulf of Kutch in
Gujarat, Lakhsadweep and Andaman and
Nicobar islands.
Project Tiger
• The number of tigers in India has increased by
6.74 per cent from 2,967 in 2018 to 3,167 in
2022, according to the figures of the 5th cycle of
India’s Tiger Census.
• It has been 50 years of Project Tiger.
• The PM also released the government’s vision for
tiger conservation during ‘Amrit Kaal’, and
launched the International Big Cats Alliance
(IBCA).
• IBCA will focus on the protection and
conservation of seven major big cats of the
world.
• It will include tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard,
puma, jaguar and cheetah, with membership of
the range countries harbouring these species.
89
• Nearly 75 per cent of the world’s tiger
population can now be found in India and tiger
reserves in the country.
• There are 54 tiger reserves across India,
spanning 75,000 sq km.
• The Bengal Tiger was declared a National
animal of India in April 1973 under the initiative of
Project Tiger.
• Top 5 Tiger Reserves with Highest Tiger
Population in India
o Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
(Highest density of tigers)> Bandipur Tiger
Reserve, Karnataka> Nagarhole Tiger
Reserve, Karnataka> Mudumalai Tiger
Reserve, Tamil Nadu > Kaziranga National
Park, Assam.
• Tigers in states (2018 Census)
o Madhya Pradesh (526) > Karnataka(524) >
Uttarakhand (442)
• Project Tiger
• Project Tiger was launched by the Central
government on April 1, 1973, in a bid to
promote conservation of the tiger.
• It is an ongoing Centrally Sponsored
Scheme of the Ministry of Environment,
Forests and Climate Change.
• Project Tiger was launched at the Jim
Corbett National Park.
o The programme was initially started in nine
tiger reserves of different States as follows
 Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha,
Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West
Bengal, covering over 14,000 sq km.
o Project Tiger didn’t just focus on the
conservation of the big cats.
 It also ensured the preservation of their
natural habitat as tigers are at the top of
the food chain.
o The tiger reserves are constituted on a
core/buffer strategy.
o The core areas have the legal status of a
national park or a sanctuary, whereas the
buffer or peripheral areas are a mix of
forest and non-forest land, managed as a
multiple-use area.
January - June 2023
National Tiger Conservation Authority
(NTCA)
• National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
is a statutory body under the Ministry of
Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
• It was established in 2005 following the
recommendations of the Tiger Task Force.
• It was constituted under enabling provisions of
the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended
in 2006, for strengthening tiger conservation, as
per powers and functions assigned to it.
• It is the apex body that administers ‘Project
Tiger’.
• The NTCA conducts a country-level
assessment of the status of tigers, co-
predators, prey, and habitat once every four
years, using the Tiger Task Force-approved
methodology
Miyawaki Forest
• To tackle climate change and pollution, the
Mumbai BMC has started creating a Miyawaki
forest at Deonar village in Govandi.
• The Miyawaki forest has been developed using
the technique pioneered by Japanese botanist
Akira Miyawaki, which helps build dense, native
forests in a short span of time.
• This involves planting two to four types of
indigenous trees within every square metre.
• Through the Miyawaki method, a forest can be
developed in just two to three years while it takes
at least 20 to 30 years through the traditional
method.
• The growth of plants is ten times faster using this
method and as a result, the forest developed is
thirty times denser.
• In this method, the trees become self-sustainable
and grow to their full length within three years.
• The goals of a Miyawaki technique include
improving biodiversity, sequestering carbon,
increasing green cover, lowering air pollution,
and preserving the water table.
• Miyawaki forests are viable solutions for cities
looking to rapidly build climate resilience.
90
Project Elephant
• Recently, President of India took part in Gaj
Utsav at Kaziranga National Park and Tiger
Reserve (KNPTR) in Assam to mark 30 years of
Project Elephant.
• About Project Elephant
o India launched Project Elephant in 1991-92
as a centrally-sponsored scheme.
o Its objective is to protect elephants, their
habitat and corridors, prevent human-
elephant conflict and to ensure the welfare
of captive elephants in India.
o States are receiving both financial and
technical assistance to help them achieve
the Project's goals.
o The project has notified 33 elephant
reserves, spanning 80,777 sq km.
• Elephant
o Conservation Status
 Wild Life Protection Act, 1972-
Schedule I
 IUCN Red List- Endangered
o Distribution
 India has the largest and most stable
population of Asian elephants globally,
with over 60% of wild Asian elephants
residing in India..
 Karnataka has the highest number of
elephants (6,049), followed by Assam
(5,719) and Kerala (3,054).
 The Nilgiri landscape has the largest
single population of endangered Asian
elephants worldwide.
 The 2017 elephant census recorded a
population of 29,964 elephants in India.
o Elephant Corridor
 An elephant corridor is a stretch of
forested (or otherwise) land that
connects larger habitats with elephant
populations and serves as a conduit for
animal movement between the habitats.
o Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants
(MIKE) Programme
 The MIKE programme, mandated by a
CITES COP resolution, began in South
Asia in 2003.
 MIKE is an international collaboration
that tracks elephant mortality rates,
trends, and causes.
January - June 2023
Garra Laishrami
• In a significant discovery, researchers from
Central University of Odisha (CUO) and
Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have found a
rare freshwater fish in the Koraput district.
• The cyprinid fish species which can be consumed
have been seen so far in Kolab river, one of the
major tributaries of Godavari.
• After careful examination of the fish and others of
Garra genus, the researchers identified the
species and named it ‘Garra Laishrami’.
• The species was named after Dr Laishram
Kosygin of the ZSI to honour his remarkable
contributions to understanding the taxonomy of
Indian freshwater fishes.
• fishes of genus Garra are characterised by the
presence of a gular disc developed from tissues
of the gular region that exhibit variation in the
size, shape, and arrangement of the snout
tubercles.
• These groups of fishes are generally distributed
from Borneo, southern China and southern Asia
through Middle East Asia, Arabian Peninsula and
East Africa to West Africa.
• The Garra Laishrami has been found so far in
Kolab river only.
• The maximum length of the fish is 76 mm to 95.5
mm.
• The species is edible and local people consume
it.
Toque Macaques
• Sri Lanka is planning to export 1,00,000 toque
macaques to China.
• The monkeys could be used for testing cosmetic
products and medical experiments.
• It is a native Sri Lankan species with a golden-
brown fur.
• The local people call Toque Macaque the
“Rilawa”.
• The most characteristic feature of this primate is
the toque-like swirl of hair on its head top.
• As a matter of fact, their physiological
characteristics vary greatly, depending on
climatic conditions.
• It is classified as endangered on the International
Union for Conservation of Nature red list.
91
• Distribution
 The Toque macaques are native and
endemic exclusively to Sri Lanka.
• Diet : As omnivorous species, the Toque
macaques consume food of both animal and
plant origin.
• Threats
 The biggest threat to the population of this
species is wood-cutting, leading to
considerably damage and loss of their
natural habitat.
 Localized threats include capture of Toque
macaques for pet trade.
Indian Skimmer
• In Satkosia wildlife sanctuary, breeding of
Indian Skimmers has been recorded for the first
time.
• The Indian skimmer or Indian scissors-bill
(Rynchops albicollis) is one of the three species
that belong to the skimmer genus Rynchops in
the family Laridae.
• Characteristics : They are very brightly
marked in black, white and orange, making
them difficult to miss.
• Distribution and Habitat
o It is found on large rivers and lakes,
swamps and coastal wetlands such as
estuaries.
o It is most common in freshwater,
particularly during the breeding season.
o In India, the species can be sighted near
the Chambal river in Central India, in a few
parts of Odisha and in Andhra Pradesh.
• Conservation Status
o IUCN Red List- Endangered
o In 2020, Bombay Natural History Society
(BNHS) has initiated a ‘Guardians of the
Skimmer’ programme, which a community-
based conservation initiative.
Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS)
• Bengal has notified four more Biodiversity
Heritage Sites (BHS), taking the tally in the
state to eight.
January - June 2023
• The government has notified Char Balidanga
(Nadia), Namthing Pokhari (Darjeeling), Amkhoi
Wood Fossil Park (Birbhum) and State
Horticulture Research and Development Station
(Nadia) as the four latest biodiversity heritage
parks
• With this, Bengal now has the highest number of
biodiversity heritage parks in the country.
• Char Balidanga
o It is located in Kaliganj block, comprises two
islands spread across 115 acres.
o It has tropical riverine vegetation with tall
grasses and trees, along with swampy flat
land covered with algal mats, which are
periodically inundated with tidal ebbs.
o It is home to almost 100 species of birds,
apart from golden monitor lizards and golden
jackals.
• Namthing Pokhari
o It is a natural Himalayan wetland in the
Kurseong block, covering an area of 11.9
acres, and home to the Himalayan
Salamander.
• Amkhoi Wood Fossil Park
o It is situated near Illambazar, spread across
10 hectares, has unique geological and
paleo-botanical features.
• The State Horticulture Research and
Development Station at Krishnanagar in Nadia,
covering 97.88 acres, hosts indigenous
horticulture germplasm of orchard trees.
• Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS)
o Biodiversity heritage sites are well-
defined areas that are unique,
ecologically fragile ecosystems with
high diversity of wild and domesticated
species, presence of rare and
threatened species, and keystone
species.
o The purpose of declaring BHS is to
enhance the quality of life of the local
communities through conservation
measures.
World Earth Day
• On 22nd April 2023, the 53rd anniversary of
Earth Day was celebrated.
• It is a reminder to protect the environment,
restore damaged ecosystems and live a more
sustainable life.
92
• Theme- The Earth Day 2023 theme is 'Invest in
our Planet'. The theme emphasizes saving our
planet far and wide through making efforts.
• First celebrated in 1970, this year marks its
53rd anniversary.
• It was first observed in the United States,
when some 20 million people took to the streets
to protest against the 1969 Santa Barbara oil
spill.
• Since then, the occasion has played an
important role in raising awareness on other
environmental issues.
• The landmark Paris Agreement was signed on
Earth Day in 2016.
• In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22
as ‘International Mother Earth Day’
• According to the UN, International Mother
Earth Day is celebrated as a reminder that
the Earth and its ecosystems provide us
with life and sustenance.
• Side Note
• Earth Hour, celebrated every year on
March 26
• It is the largest global grassroots
movement for the environment.
• It has inspired the world to save
electricity.
Red-Eared Slider Turtle
• The Mexican Giant Turtle, also known as the
Red Eared Slider was found in West Bengal’s
Howrah district. Its appearance in the Bengal
region has puzzled the experts.
• The first Red Eared Slider was spotted in Bengal
in 2015 in a Rajarhat reservoir. Another was seen
in Rabindra Sarovar five years later in 2020.
• This is the third time the Red-Eared Slider has
appeared in West Bengal.
• The turtle was first observed in India in Kerala’s
Kolthode canal, where the Kerala Forest
Research Institute rescued and monitored it.
• About Red-Eared Slider Turtle
o Its scientific name is ‘Trachemys scripta
elegans’.
o It is native to Mexico, South America, and
the Mississippi River.
January - June 2023
o With its vibrant colours and captivating
golden hue, the Red Eared Slider makes for
a popular pet in South America.
o It is known for its bright red circular or oblong
spots near its ears.
o It is the most destructive among the
seven turtle species found in the world.
o They inhabit ponds, small water bodies, and
freshwater lakes and can adapt to any
environment quickly.
o Fish and other aquatic animals struggle to
survive in areas inhabited by these turtles.
o A carrier of the Salmonella bacteria, this
species poses a threat to both aquatic
animals and humans.
o Salmonella infection can lead to diarrhoea,
abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever. Long-
term effects can cause metabolic cell
damage in the human body, with potentially
disastrous consequences.
o Protection Status
 IUCN Red List: Least Concern
Gangetic Dolphin
• Recently, thickly knitted fishing gill nets have
caused the death of yet another river dolphin
leaving the West Bengal fishery and the forest
officials in jeopardy.
• Gangatic Dolphin is one of five species of river
dolphin found around the world.
• It is found mainly in the Indian subcontinent,
particularly in Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna
and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems.
• An adult dolphin could weigh between 70 kg and
90 kg.
• The breeding season of the Gangetic dolphin
extends from January to June.
• Ganges River Dolphin as the National Aquatic
Animal of India.
• Conservation Status
o IUCN Red List- Endangered
o WPA Act 1972- Schedule 1
o CITES- Appendix I
o CMS- Appendix 2
93
International Leopard Day 202
• Every year May 3 is celebrated as International
Leopard Day in order to increase awareness of
the importance of this species.
• Leopards are powerful big cats closely related to
lions, tigers, and jaguars.
• Leopards are solitary animals and spend most of
their time being and surviving alone.
• There are nine recognized subspecies of
leopards including African, Indian, Javan,
Arabian, Amur, North Chinese, Caucasian (also
called Persian).
• The species of Leopards can mainly be
distinguished by Rosettes ( Fur Patterns) and
size.
• Leopards are excellent climbers.
• The Leopards that are found in Central India are
mainly sighted on the rocky hills or rocky regions.
• Distribution
o They live in sub-Saharan Africa, northeast
Africa, Central Asia, India, and China.
• Population in India : It numbers nearly 13000
currently with the highest population in Madhya
Pradesh> Karnataka> Maharashtra.
• Protection Status
o IUCN Red List: Vulnerable.
o CITES: Appendix-I.
o Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972:
Schedule-I.
Dugong
• Recently a group of fishermen in Tamil Nadu
rescued and released a young Dugong that had
been caught accidentally in their fishing net.
• About Dugong
o Scientific Name: Dugong dugon
o It is also known as sea cow.
o Dugong is a sea mammal and the only
living species of the order Sirenia.
o It is a herbivorous mammal.
o Dugongs have a distinct dolphin-like tail, a
different skull form, and teeth pattern.
o Its closest relative, Steller's Sea cow, was
hunted to extinction in the eighteenth
century.
January - June 2023
• Habitat
• Distributed in shallow tropical
waters in the Indo-Pacific
region, in India, they are
found in the Gulf of Kutch,
Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay,
and Andaman & Nicobar
Islands.
• Threat
• Habitat loss, sea pollution,
and loss of seagrass.
• Conservation Status
• IUCN Red List - Vulnerable
• WPA 1972- Schedule I
• CITES - Appendix I
94
Alligator Gar
• Discovery of alligator gar, in Srinagar’s Dal Lake
surprised experts in Kashmir andtriggered a flurry
of humorous reactions.
• Scientific Name: Atractosteus spatula
• Alligator gars are indigenous to North America
and feed on other fish, but have been found in
other areas after their accidental introduction in
waterbodies.
• It has an alligator-like head and pointed teeth of
the fearsome fish.
• Usually, they don’t attack humans, but they can
grow up to eight feet and can be dangerous to
indigenous fish species.
• The prehistoric relatives of the species first
appeared 157 million years ago.
• Conservation Status
 IUCN Red List: Least Concerned
• Side Note
 Neither alligators nor crocodiles are found in
Kashmir waters
January - June 2023
Geography
Kalasa-Banduri Nala Project
• Karnataka’s decision to go ahead with a water
diversion project (Kalasa-Banduri Nala) on river
Mahadayi has escalated its long-standing dispute
on the issue with neighbouring Goa.
• The Kalasa Banduri Nala project aims to divert
water from Mahadayi to satisfy the drinking
water needs of Belagavi, Dharwad, Bagalkot and
Gadag districts.
• Though the project was first proposed in the
early 1980s, it has remained on paper owing to a
dispute between Karnataka, Goa and
Maharashtra.
• As per plans, barrages are to be built against
Kalasa and Banduri streams — tributaries of
Mahadayi — and water diverted towards
Karnataka’s parched districts.
• Mahadayi originates inside the Bhimgad Wildlife
Sanctuary in the Belagavi district of Karnataka
and flows into the Arabian Sea in Goa.
Heat Dome
• Several parts of Europe witnessed an
unprecedented winter heat wave over New
Year’s weekend.
• A heat dome occurs when an area of high-
pressure traps warm air over a region, just like
a lid on a pot, for an extended period of time.
• The longer that air remains trapped, the more the
sun works to heat the air, producing warmer
conditions with every passing day.
• Heat domes generally stay for a few days but
sometimes they can extend up to weeks, which
might cause deadly heat waves.
• Scientists suggest that any region of high
pressure, whether a heat dome or not, forces air
to sink and once it reaches the ground, it gets
compressed and becomes even warmer.
• Moreover, when air sinks, it gets drier and
further raises the temperature of the area.
95
Sunni Dam Hydro Electric Project in
Himachal Pradesh
• The government approved Rs 2,614.51 crore
investment for the Sunni Dam Hydro Electric
Project in Himachal Pradesh.
• Capacit- 382 MW
• Set up by- Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited.
• Location- The project will come up over the
river Sutlej covering both Shimla and Mandi
districts. It is expected to be completed in five
years.
• Type- It is a run of river type scheme designed to
harness hydropower potential of Satluj river.
Deepor Beel
• The Assam Cabinet approved the construction of
elephant underpasses in seven jumbo corridors
along the boundary of Deepor Beel.
• Deepor Beel is a perennial freshwater lake
located 10 km south-west of Guwahati city.
• It is the only wetland in Assam designated as a
site of importance for “conservation and
sustainable use” under the Ramsar Convention
on Wetlands.
• In 2021, the Environment Ministry notified it as an
Eco-sensitive zone.
Cold Wave
• A cold wave is declared when there is a
significant drop in minimum or night time
temperature.
• As per IMD criteria, in the plains, the minimum
temperature should be 10 degrees or lower and
the departure from normal minimum
temperature 4.5 degrees or less for two
consecutive days.
• For hilly regions, a cold wave is declared when
the minimum temperature is less than or equal
to 0 degree Celsius and the minimum
temperature is 4.5 degrees to 6.4 degrees
below the normal.
January - June 2023
• Reasons for the Cold Wave conditions in
India
o Absence of cloud cover in the region:
No infrared heat trap resulting in low
temperature of the region.
o Snowfall in Himalayas.
Pineapple Express
• California and other parts of the West Coast have
been hit with a series of what meteorologists call
atmospheric rivers.
• Forecasters said the rain arriving in California is
being caused by a “true Pineapple Express”.
• True Pineapple Express is a specific example of
a common atmospheric phenomenon that
resembles a conveyor belt for moisture.
• It is long, narrow regions in the atmosphere
that transport most of the water vapor outside the
tropics.
• These rivers in the sky occur often on the West
Coast but can happen in other locations,
including the eastern United States, where they
often channel moisture from the Caribbean.
• They carry a lot of moisture — enough water
vapor to equal or sometimes exceed the average
flow of the Mississippi River at the point where it
flows into the Gulf of Mexico.
• When this moisture begins to interact with land, it
can fall as rain or snow. \
Banjara
• The Banjara, also known as Lambadi, Gour
Rajput, Labana, are a historically nomadic
trading caste who may have origins in the
Mewar region of what is now Rajasthan.
• In Karnataka the name is altered to Banijagaru.
• They are multi-lingual. Their mother tongue is
'Banjari'.
• They are also conversant in regional languages
like Odia, Hindi, Telgu, Tamil, Kannad, Marathi
etc depending upon their place of residence as
they move here and there for trading.
96
Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP)
• The Steering Committee of the Ken-Betwa
Link Project (KBLP) held its third meeting in
New Delhi.
• It was chaired by the Secretary of the Department
of Water Resources, in the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• In December 2021, the Union Cabinet approved
KBLP at a total cost of Rs 44,605 crore.
• In this project, the national and the Madhya
Pradesh governments will link the Ken river with
the Betwa river.
• The link will be in the form of a canal that will be
fed by the new Daudhan Dam on the Ken, to be
built within Panna Tiger Reserve.
• The linking canal will flow through Chhatarpur,
Tikamgarh and Jhansi districts.
• Work is likely to be completed in a span of eight
years.
• The dam will generate 103 MW of hydroelectric
power and 27 Megawatt solar power.
• The project expected to irrigate 6.3 lakh
hectares of land every year.
• It will Provide drinking water supply to a
population of about 62L.
Ken Betwa Rivers
• Ken River
o Origin- Kaimur hills of Katni district in Madhya
Pradesh
o It joins the river Yamuna near Chilla village in
Banda district of Uttar Pradesh.
o Ken River passes through Panna tiger reserve.
• Betwa River
o Origin- Vindhya Range just north of
Hoshangabad in Madhya Pradesh.
o It flows northeast through Madhya Pradesh
and Orchha to Uttar Pradesh.
o Nearly half of its course, which is not
navigable, runs over the Malwa Plateau.
o The Indian navy named one of its frigates INS
Betwa in honour of the river.
January - June 2023
Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)
• New Delhi has issued notice to Islamabad
seeking modification of the more than six-
decade-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in view of
Pakistan’s “intransigence” in implementing it.
• The notice, sent on January 25 through the
Commissioner for Indus Waters, will open the
process of making changes to the treaty.
• Dispute
o India is constructing two hydroelectric
power projects (HEPs) — the
Kishenganga HEP on the Kishenganga,
a tributary of the Jhelum — and the Ratle
HEP on the Chenab.
o Pakistan has objected to these projects.
• Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)
o The IWT was signed on September 19,
1960, by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru
and Pakistan’s President Mohammed
Ayub Khan in Karachi after nine years of
World Bank-brokered negotiations
between India and Pakistan.
o The treaty defines the water-sharing
arrangement for six rivers of the Indus
basin that flow through both India and
Pakistan.
o It has 12 Articles and 8 Annexures (from
A to H).
o As per the treaty’s provisions, India can
make “unrestricted use” of all the water of
the “Eastern Rivers” — Sutlej, Beas, and
Ravi — while Pakistan shall get water
from the “Western Rivers”, Indus,
Jhelum, and Chenab.
Leprosy
• In India, Anti Leprosy Day was observed on
30th January every year.
• Globally, 29th January is observed as World
Leprosy Day (WLD).
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has
announced “Act Now. End Leprosy.” as its theme
for this year’s (2023) World Leprosy Day.
97
• In India, the day is marked on 30 January, to
coincide with the death anniversary of Mahatma
Gandhi, who is known for his fight against the
disease.
• Leprosy is also one of the neglected tropical
diseases.
• 30th Jan is also World Neglected Tropical
Diseases Day.
• Leprosy is also known as Hansen’s disease.
• It is an infectious disease which is caused by a
bacillus Mycobacterium leprae.
• The disease has been named after Gerhard
Henrik Armauer Hansen who was a Norwegian
physician.
• Hansen proved that leprosy is not a hereditary
disease but is caused by a bacterium.
• The disease is a curable disease and treatment
at the early stage can prevent any disability.
• It can cause a progressive and permanent
damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes if
it is left untreated.
• The incubation period of the disease is 5
years usually. Symptoms of the disease can be
seen within 1 year but it could also take 20 years
or even more years to occur.
Kelp Forest
• A study showed that Kelp forests are declining
because of climate change.
• Kelp Forests are underwater ecosystems
formed in shallow water by the dense growth of
several different species known as kelps.
• Kelp thrives in cold, nutrient-rich waters.
• Kelp attaches to the seafloor and eventually
grows to the water’s surface and relies on
sunlight to generate food and energy.
• Kelp forests are always coastal and require
shallow, relatively clear water.
• Kelps live further from the tropics than coral reefs,
mangrove forests, and warm-water seagrass
beds, so kelp forests do not overlap with those
systems.
January - June 2023
• Sea urchins can destroy entire kelp forests at
a rate of 30 feet (9 m) per month by moving in
herds. Sea otters play a key role in stabilizing sea
urchin populations so that kelp forests may thrive.
• Kelp forests provide underwater habitats to
hundreds of species of invertebrates, fishes, and
other algae and have great ecological and
economic value.
• Loss of kelp forests will also lead to a decline of
the unique biodiversity that they support.
Yaya Tso Lake
• Recently, Yaya Tso Lake proposed as Ladakh’s
first biodiversity heritage site (BHS).
• The Biodiversity Management Committee, the
panchayat of Chumathang village, along with
SECURE Himalaya Project resolved to declare
Yaya Tso as Ladakh’s first BHS under the
Biological Diversity Act.
• Yaya tso is located at an altitude of 4,820
metres.
• Yaya Tso is a nesting habitat for a large
number of birds and animals, such as the bar-
headed goose, black-necked crane and brahminy
duck.
• It also has the distinction of being one of the
highest breeding sites of the black-necked
crane in India.
Delhi-Mumbai Expressway
• Photos of the soon-to-be inaugurated Delhi-
Mumbai Expressway have gone viral, receiving
widespread appreciation online.
• The project started in 2018 and is set to be
completed by the end of 2023.
• It will passing through Delhi, Haryana (160KM),
Rajasthan (374km), Madhya Pradesh (250km)
and Gujarat.
• It will reduce travel time between the cities from
over a day to just 12 hours.
• Cost- INR 98,000 crore.
• Some Unique Features
o The expressway will boast of a state-of-art
traffic management system.
98
○ There will also be a dedicated three
metre wide corridor for laying utility lines
including fibre optic cables, pipelines as
well as solar power generation.
○ The expressway will also have
provisions for rain water harvesting
at intervals of 500 m, with over 2000+
water recharge points.
○ The expressway is the first in Asia and
only the second in the world to
feature animal overpasses and
underpasses to facilitate unrestricted
movement of wildlife.
• Advantage
○ The reduction in distance and travel
time is set to result in annual fuel
savings of more than 320 million
litres and reduce CO2 emissions by
850 million kg.
○ Over two million trees and shrubs are
also planned to be planted along the
highway.
Teja Chilli
• The Teja Chilli of Telangana is the most popular
chilli in many countries.
• Despite high international demand, the farmers of
Teja Chilli are facing heavy losses.
• The chilli is a sub-variety of Guntur Chillies.
• Of all the Guntur Chilli varieties, the Teja Chilli is
the finest.
• Other Guntur Chilli varieties are Madhubala,
Bedki, Roshni, Ankur, etc.
• Khammam district of Telangana is the largest
producer of Teja variety of red chilli.
• Teja variety of red chilli is being exported to
China, Bangladesh and a few other south
Asian countries from Khammam mainly through
the Chennai port.
• The Teja Chilli is the major ingredient of
Oleoresin.
o Oleoresin is a chilli extract used in food
processing units in Asia.
o Demand for Oleoresin increases the
demand for Teja chilli in Asia.
January - June 2023 99

• Uses • The two main types of waves are body waves

○ Teja Chilli is famous for its culinary, and surface waves.
medicinal and other wide-ranging • Body Waves
o These waves travel into the body of the
uses.
earth.
○ The paste extracted from the pungent o These waves are somewhat like sound
fruit is also in demand for its use as a waves.
protective layer beneath ships in some o These are faster than surface waves.
of the Asian countries. o P-waves
 Move faster and are first to arrive
at the surface.
Earthquakes  Travel through gaseous, liquid,
• About and solid materials.
o An earthquake is the shaking of the  High frequency and are the least
surface of the Earth. destructive.
o It results from the sudden release of energy o S-waves
in the Earth‘s lithosphere that creates  Arrive at the surface with some
seismic waves. lag.
o Earthquake is the form of energy of wave  Travel only through solid
motion transmitted through the surface layer materials.
of the earth. • Surface Waves
• Cause o When the body waves interact with
o According to the theory of plate tectonics, surface rocks, a new set of waves is
the Earth’s crust and upper mantle are made generated called surface waves.
of large rigid plates that can move relative to o These waves move along the earth's
one another. surface.
o Slips on faults near the plate boundaries o Surface waves are also transverse
can result in earthquakes. waves in which particle movement is
• Focus and Epicenter perpendicular to the wave propagation.
o The point inside the Earth where the o They are similar to waves on the water
earthquake rupture starts is called the surface.
focus or hypocentre. o They are last to report on
o The point directly above it on the surface of seismographs.
the Earth is the epicenter. o These waves are more destructive.
o Seismic Waves
o Seismic waves are the waves of energy
caused by the sudden breaking of Shrimp Farming
rock within the earth. • Punjab is set to see its first state-level ‘shrimp
o They are the energy that travels mela’ (shrimp fair), beginning Friday in Enakhera
through the earth and is recorded on village of Muktsar district.
seismographs. • Shrimp farming began in the state in 2016-17.
• • The mela is a state government push to create
more awareness about it.
• Shrimp farming is an aquaculture-based
activity in marine or freshwater environments
to produce shrimps for human consumption.
• Significance
o In Punjab, it is done in five south-western
districts of Muktsar, Fazilka, Ferozepur,
Bathinda and Faridkot.
o South-west Punjab has saline underground
water not fit for agriculture.
January - June 2023 100

o Also, waterlogging is a perennial issue in

this belt.
o Therefore, shrimp farming was proposed as
a solution for farmers whose land was lying
unutilised.
• Side Note : Andhra pradesh, Odisha, Tamilnadu,
Kerala and West Bengal have developed shrimp
farming in a big way.
o Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh is a
prolific producer of shrimp, that it has earned
the distinct name of Shrimp capital of India.

Venice Canal
• With some of Venice’s secondary canals
almost drying up in the past few days, images
of docked water taxis, gondolas and ambulance
boats have garnered a lot of attention on social
media.
• It is located in northern Italy, the city of Venice
has a unique geography.
• It is a collection of over 118 small islands spread
over a lagoon, which is a kind of water body that
is separated from a larger water body through o National Ganga Council implements the
some kind of land formation. NMCG.
• Covering 70,176.4 ha., the Venetian lagoon is o The mission is structured into five tiers, with a
separated from the Adriatic Sea. National Ganga Council at the top, chaired
• Temporary settlements in the 5th century by the Prime Minister of India.
gradually became permanent here, comprising
land-dwelling peasants and fishermen.
Yellowstone National Park (YNP)
• Yellowstone National Park is celebrating its
Adi Ganga Project
• Recently, the National Mission for Clean 151st anniversary.
Ganga announced plans to revive the Adi Ganga. • YNP is widely considered to be the first national
• The project has been allocated around Rs 650 park in the world.
crore funds. • It is located in the northwest corner of Wyoming
• The project aims to restore the river and provide and extending into Montana and Idaho.
a sustainable solution to the pollution problem. • It was established by the 42nd United States
• The project is being implemented with the
Congress with the Yellowstone National Park
support of the World Bank and aims to improve
the water quality and ecosystems of the Ganges, Protection Act.
Brahmaputra, and Meghna river basins. • It spans an area of over 9,000 sq. km comprising
• Adi Ganga: lakes, canyons, rivers, iconic geothermal
o Adi Ganga, also known as Tolly's Nullah, was features such as the Old Faithful geyser, and
once a thriving river that served as the main mountain ranges.
channel of the Ganga river until the 17th
• The area also represents the one point where
century.
o It is the original channel of the River Ganga the three major river basins (Snake-Columbia
that passes through the city of Kolkata. basin, Green-Colorado basin, and Missouri) of
National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG): the western U.S. converge.
• It is an initiative launched by the Government • It is home to grizzly bears, wolves, and free-
of India in 2011 to reduce pollution and ensure ranging herds of the endangered bison and elk.
the rejuvenation of the Ganga river.
January - June 2023
Gender Gap’ in STEM
• International Women’s Day 2023 (IWD) was
commemorated on March 8 under the theme
“DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender
equality”.
• Women’s lack of access to technology and digital
tools makes them less likely to be a part of the
wider domains of Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics – collectively
termed the STEM fields.
• Gender Gap’ in STEM:
o Globally, 18% of girls in higher-level education
are pursuing STEM studies, compared with
35% of boys.
o Even within the STEM fields, there lies a
gender divide, with similar numbers of boys
and girls pursuing natural sciences while far
more boys looked to engineering,
manufacturing and construction.
o In India, the enrolment of girls in engineering
programmes is significantly lower when
compared to their male counterparts.
o Overall in UG, PG, MPhil and PhD engineering
programmes, the total enrolment is 36,86,291
where 71 per cent of enrolled students were
males and 29 per cent were females.
UN High Seas Treaty Draft Agreement
• A draft international agreement referred to as the
UN High Seas Treaty was finalised to govern the
conduct of governments in ‘open seas’.
• This agreement is still in the draft stage, when it
is ratified by countries (requiring them to also
pass it in their own Parliaments), it will become
legally binding.
• Also referred to as the ‘Paris Agreement for the
Ocean’, the treaty to deal with Biodiversity
Beyond National Jurisdiction has been under
discussion for several years.
• The draft treaty was negotiated under the United
Nations Convention on Laws of the Sea
(UNCLOS) of 1982 which governs the rights of
countries regarding marine resources.
101
• The proposed treaty concerns the ocean existing
beyond the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ)
that lie from the coast of a country to about 200
nautical miles (or 370 km into the sea), till where
it has special rights for exploration.
• High Sea:
o Open Seas or High Sea is a majority of the
world’s oceans that lie beyond the jurisdiction
of any one country.
o Currently, it is estimated high or open seas
constitute two-thirds of the world’s oceans,
and only one per cent of them are legally
protected.
o At present, every country has the right to
access open seas.
 It resulted in large-scale drilling and trawling
operations for catching fish and other
animals for commercial purposes.
Lightning’ Strikes
• The climate crisis is expected to increase the
frequency and intensity of wildfires around the
world, and a new study suggests that it could also
lead to more “hot lightning” strikes that ignite
these fires.
• Lightning is a rapid and massive electrical
discharge that takes place between storm clouds
and the ground, or within the clouds themselves.
• For lightning to occur, positive and negative
charges must separate within a cloud.
• This happens, when the water droplets in the
bottom part of the cloud are moved upwards,
where the much colder atmosphere freezes them
into small ice crystals.
• As these small ice crystals continue to go up,
they gain more mass and eventually become
so heavy that they start to fall down to Earth.
• This causes a system in which ice crystals going
down collides with the water vapours coming up,
leading to the accumulation of positive charges
on the top of the cloud and negative changes
gathering at the base.
January - June 2023
• The atmosphere between them in the cloud acts
as an insulator.
• When the positive and negative charges grow
large enough, their strength overpowers the
insulating properties of the properties.
• As a result, the two kinds of charges meet with
each other and produce lightning.
• Although most of the lightning takes place within
the clouds, sometimes it is directed towards Earth
also.
Glacial Retreat
• Recent studies on Himalayan glaciers have
shown that the retreat rate and mass balance
of glaciers vary across different sectors of the
mountain range.
• Glacial retreat refers to the process of a glacier
shrinking or receding in size over time.
• This occurs when the amount of ice melting or
sublimating from the glacier exceeds the amount
of new snow or ice accumulation.
• Causes
o The causes of glacial retreat can be complex
and are often interrelated.
o One primary cause is rising global
temperatures, which are largely attributed to
human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.
o This increase in temperature leads to more
intense melting of the glacier.
o Changes in precipitation patterns can also
impact glacial retreat, as less snowfall or
rainfall means less ice accumulation.
o Additionally, changes in the geography of the
surrounding landscape, such as the
movement of tectonic plates or the erosion
of mountains, can impact glacial retreat.
o The topography of a region affects the
amount of sunlight that it receives, which in
turn affects the melting of glaciers.
o Glaciers in areas with more steep slopes and
narrow valleys are more prone to melting due
to increased solar radiation absorption.
o On the other hand, glaciers in areas with
wider valleys and gentler slopes tend to be
more stable.
102
Kuki Tribe
• The Manipur government decided to withdraw
from the Suspension of Operations (SoO)
agreement with two hill-based tribal militant
groups, alleging they were “influencing agitation
among forest encroachers”.
• The state government claimed that a protest rally
organised recently, defying Section 144, was
influenced by the two groups, Kuki National
Army (KNA) and Zomi Revolutionary Army
(ZRA).
• Militant outfits such as Kuki National
Organization and United People's Front were
demanding a separate state for the Kuki tribe
in Manipur.
• The SoO pact was signed on August 22, 2008,
with the primary objective of initiating political
dialogue.
• About Kuki Tribe
o The Kuki people are an ethnic group
native to the Mizo Hills (formerly Lushai)
a mountainous region in the southeastern
part of Mizoram.
o The Kuki constitute one of several hill
tribes within India, Bangladesh, and
Myanmar.
o In northeast India, they are present in all
states except Arunachal Pradesh.
o The term 'Kuki' was given by the British
and Bengalis of India, though the group
is descended from the Zo/Zomi.
o Some fifty tribes of Kuki people in India
are recognised as scheduled tribes,
based on the dialect spoken by that
particular Kuki community as well as their
region of origin.
o The ethnic Kuki population in Manipur is
about 30% of the 28.5 lakh population,
according to the 2012 Census.
January - June 2023
Volcanic Activity on the Surface of
Venus
• A new analysis of archival radar images taken
around three decades ago found direct
geological evidence of recent volcanic activity on
the surface of Venus, for the first time.
• Scientists made the new discovery by pouring
over images of Venus taken by NASA’s
Magellan spacecraft between 1990 and 1992.
• During their examination, they looked at the
planet’s Atla Regio area, where two of the
biggest volcanoes of Venus, Ozza Mons and
Maat Mons, are located.
• New Venus Missions
o Three new Venus missions would be
launched, including the European EnVision
orbiter and NASA’s DAVINCI and VERITAS
missions.
• Previous Missions
o NASA’s Mariner 2 (1962) and Magellan.
o ESA’s Venus Express (which orbited from
2006 until 2016)
o Japan’s Akatsuki Venus Climate Orbiter
(orbiting since 2016).
o NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has made
multiple flybys of Venus.
About Venus
• Venus is the second planet from the Sun and is
Earth’s closest planetary neighbor.
• It’s one of the four inner, terrestrial (or rocky)
planets, and it’s often called Earth’s twin because
it’s similar in size and density.
• Venus has a thick, toxic atmosphere filled with
carbon dioxide and it’s perpetually shrouded in
thick, yellowish clouds of sulfuric acid that trap
heat, causing a runaway greenhouse effect.
• It’s the hottest planet in our solar system, even
though Mercury is closer to the Sun.
• The surface is a rusty color and it’s peppered
with intensely crunched mountains and
thousands of large volcanoes.
• Venus has crushing air pressure at its surface –
more than 90 times that of Earth.
• Venus rotates on its axis backward, compared to
most of the other planets in the solar system
(Uranus spins on its side).
• It takes about 243 Earth days to spin around just
once.
• It takes 225 Earth days for Venus to go all the
way around the Sun.
• Venus does not have any moons.
103
Dawoodi Bohras
• The Bombay High Court will again hear the
dispute between the current leader of the
Dawoodi Bohra sect & his challenger to the post.
• The Dawoodi Bohras are Shia Muslims whose
leader is known as the Al-Dai-Al-Mutlaq.
• Traditionally a community of traders and
entrepreneurs, it has over 5 lakh members in
India and over 10 lakh members across the
world.
• For over 400 years, the leader of the community
has been based in India, including the current
and the 53rd leader, His Holiness Dr Syedna
Mufaddal Saifuddin.
• The leader of the community is recognised by the
members as having the right to excommunicate
its members.
• In practical terms, excommunication means not
being allowed to access a mosque belonging to
the community or a burial dedicated to the
community.
• Among the members of the community who have
faced excommunication in the past are those who
contested the headship of the leaders.
Daylight Saving Time (DST)
• Lebanon was thrown into mass confusion after its
government at the last minute delayed the start of
daylight saving time by a month.
• Daylight saving time (DST) is the practice of
setting the clocks forward one hour from the
standard time during the summer and back
again in the autumn.
• This is done to make better use of natural
daylight.
• India does not follow daylight saving time as
countries near the Equator do not experience
high variations in daytime hours between
seasons.
• on July 1, 1908, “the residents of Port Arthur,
Ontario—today’s Thunder Bay—turned their
clocks forward by one hour to start the world’s
first DST period. Other locations in Canada soon
followed suit.
• The idea caught on globally after Germany and
Austria introduced DST on April 30, 1916, to
minimise the use of artificial lighting and save fuel
during World War I.
South Atlantic Anomaly
• An anomalous magnetic region in the South
Atlantic Ocean is growing.
January - June 2023
• The South Atlantic Anomaly is a weak spot in
Earth's magnetic field, which protects the planet
from high doses of solar wind and cosmic
radiation.
• This anomaly exists because the Earth's inner
Van Allen radiation belt comes closest to the
planet’s surface, causing an increased flux of
energetic particles.
• In turn, this anomaly also causes technical
disturbances in satellites and spacecraft
orbiting Earth.
Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)
• India, targeting wind capacity addition of 100
GW by 2030, has an opportunity to emerge as a
major player in supply chain if facilitative policy
measures are put in place, the Global Wind
Energy Council (GWEC) said in its latest report.
About GWEC :
• The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) was
established in 2005. Its objective was to provide a
credible and representative forum for the entire
wind energy sector at an international level.
• GWEC’s mission is to ensure that wind power is
established as one of the world’s leading energy
sources, providing substantial environmental and
economic benefits.
• GWEC is a member-based organisation that
represents the entire wind energy sector.
• The members of GWEC represent over 1,500
companies, organisations and institutions in
more than 80 countries, including
manufacturers, developers, component suppliers
etc.
• It works with UNFCCC, REN21, the IEA,
international financial institutions, the IPCC
and the International Renewable Energy
Agency (IRENA).
• GWEC is being funded by membership fees from
their company and association members.
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.
• Publications: Global Wind Report
Kangra Tea
• Himachal Pradesh's Kangra Tea got a European
Union Geographical Indication Tag (GI tag).
• The tag will help Kangra tea to get an opportunity
to enter the European market.
• Kangra tea received the Indian GI tag in 2005.
• Since 1999, the cultivation and development of
tea have improved constantly in the Kangra
region of Himachal Pradesh.
104
• Kangra tea' is a type of tea derived from the
leaves, buds and tender stems of the Camellia
sinensis species as cultivated in the Kangra
valley (Himachal Pradesh, India).
• 'Kangra tea' leaves' main characteristics are: a
multi-stemmed frame, and narrow leaves.
• It has distinctive nutty, winter-green, woody floral
aromas in its flavour profile.
• 'Kangra tea' is produced in several areas located
on the slopes of the Dhauladhar mountain ranges
of the Western Himalayas.
• Altitude: 900 to 1400 m in the mountain ranges.
• Rainfall: 270-350 cm per year.
Solar Flare
• The Sun sent out a powerful “X-class” solar
flare that peaked at 8.03 AM on Wednesday,
March 29. The flare was classified as an X1.2
flare.
• Solar storms are magnetic plasma ejected at
great speed from the solar surface.
• They occur during the release of magnetic energy
associated with sunspots.
o Sunspots- ‘dark’ regions on the Sun that are
cooler than the surrounding photosphere.
• They can last for a few minutes or hours.
Types of Solar Flare:
o There are four classes of solar storms–B, C,
M and X.
o Just like the Richter scale, solar flares are
classified on a logarithmic scale.
o So this means that a C-class storm is 10 times
more powerful than a B-class storm and so on.
o The X-class denotes the most intense
flares.
o While the X-class denotes the strength of the
flare, the number that comes after it signifies
their strength at a finer scale.
o Each class is therefore divided into nine
subdivisions. For example, X1 to X9.
o X-class flares can trigger planet-wide radio
blackouts and long-lasting radiation storms,
which is exactly what happened in parts of
southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
Impact on Earth
o Not all solar flares reach Earth, but solar
flares/storms, solar energetic particles
(SEPs), high-speed solar winds, and
coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that come
close can impact space weather in near-
Earth space and the upper atmosphere.
January - June 2023
o Solar storms can hit operations of space-
dependent services like global positioning
systems (GPS), radio, and satellite
communications.
o Geomagnetic storms interfere with high-
frequency radio communications and GPS
navigation systems.
o Aircraft flights, power grids, and space
exploration programmes are vulnerable.
o CMEs, with ejectiles loaded with matter
traveling at millions of miles an hour, can
potentially create disturbances in the
magnetosphere, the protective shield
surrounding the Earth.
o Astronauts on spacewalks face health risks
from possible exposure to solar radiation
outside the Earth’s protective atmosphere.
Idu Mishmi
• The National Tiger Conservation Authority
(NTCA) chief said that the Dibang Wildlife
Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh would soon be
notified as a tiger reserve.
• The announcement has caused disquiet among
the area’s Idu Mishmi people, who feel that a
tiger reserve would “hinder their access” to the
forest.
About Idu Mishmi
o The Idu Mishmi is a sub-tribe of the larger
Mishmi group (the other two Mishmi groups
are Digaru and Miju) in Arunachal Pradesh
and neighboring Tibet.
o Known for their weaving and craftsmanship
skills, the Idu Mishmis primarily live in Mishmi
Hills, bordering Tibet.
o The tribe is estimated to comprise around
12,000 people (as per census 2011), and their
language (also called Idu Mishmi) is
considered endangered by UNESCO.
o Animals such as the hoolock gibbons and
tigers have deep cultural relations with the
Idu Mishmi.
 Tigers are especially important to the
Idu Mishmis — according to Idu
mythology, they were born to the same
mother, and thus, tigers are their
“elder brothers”.
o While hunting has traditionally been a way of
life, the Idu Mishmis also follow a strict belief
system of myths and taboos — ‘iyu-ena’ —
that restrict them from hunting many animals,
including a complete prohibition on killing
tigers.
105
Madh Island
• The western zone bench of the National Green
Tribunal (NGT) revoked the stay on demolition of
five studios in the Madh Island while dismissing a
plea filed by the studio operators, disallowing
them from further operations.
• The Arabian Sea bounds Madh Island to the
west and the Malad creek towards the east.
• There are many beaches like Erangel Beach,
Dana Pani Beach, Marve Beach, and Aksa
Beach, which are very close to Madh Island.
• The area is a rural area inhabited primarily by
Kolis, Marathi, East Indians, Roman Catholics
in Madh village as well as by people from other
communities.
About Madh Fort:
o Madh Fort is a small fort in northern Mumbai,
India situated at Madh Island.
o It was built by the Portuguese in Portuguese
occupied India.
o They lost it during the war against Maratha
empire when the Maratha Empire captured it
in February 1739.
o The British occupied Salsette Island, Thana
Fort, Fort Versova, and the island fort of
Karanja in 1774.
• Over the years, Madh has evolved from a group
of fishing villages to a prominent residential and
holiday destination.
• It also houses Airforce and Naval stations.
• ‘Erangal’ is a picturesque village on Madh island
which is a popular filming location.
Rare Earth Elements (REE)
• Scientists at the National Geophysical Research
Institute (NGRI), a Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research facility in Hyderabad, have
reported the presence of lucrative rare-earth
elements (REEs) in Anantapur district in Andhra
Pradesh.
• The rare earth elements (REE) are a set of
seventeen metallic elements.
• These include the fifteen lanthanides on the
periodic table plus scandium and yttrium.
• The REEs are lanthanum, cerium,
praseodymium, neodymium, yttrium, hafnium,
tantalum, niobium, zirconium, and scandium.
• They are called “rare earth” because they
occur in low concentrations of minerals and
were difficult to extract from their oxide forms.
January - June 2023
• Characteristics:
o They have unique magnetic, luminescent, and
electrochemical properties and are used in
many modern technologies.
o They are all metals having many similar
properties, and that often causes them to be
found together in geologic deposits.
• Nodal Agency in India:
o Mining and processing of rare earth in India
are concentrated in the hands of IREL (India)
Limited, a PSU under the Department of
Atomic Energy.
• Applications:
o These elements are key components in many
electronic devices and whose industrial
applications span sectors like imaging,
aerospace, and defence.
• Trade and Production:
o China has one-third of the world’s known
rare earth element reserves. It controls 90%
of the worldwide REE market.
o China produces 60% REE, with the
remainder produced by other countries,
including the Quad (Australia, India, Japan and
the United States).
o India has 6% of the world’s rare earth
reserves, but it only produces 1% of global
output and imports most of its needs from
China.
Zojila Tunnel
• Union Road Transport and Highways Minister
inspected the under-construction Zojila tunnel.
• The Zojila tunnel will be India’s longest road
tunnel, and is expected to be Asia’s longest bi-
directional tunnel, boasting a length of 14.15
km.
• A connecting tunnel from Z-Morh on NH1 to the
Zojila tunnel will be built in the Zojila Ghats
between Sonmarg and Kargil.
• This involves the development and expansion of
the 18.475-km highway between Z-Morh to Zojila.
• A 3-km stretch will be expanded; the rest will be
newly developed.
• The highway will have two twin-tube tunnels, five
bridges, and two snow galleries.
• The work on the entire 33-km span is spread
between two union territories – Jammu and
Kashmir; and Ladakh.
• Zojila tunnel will establish all-weather
connectivity between the Union Territories of
Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.
106
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
• Political pressure is building within the European
Union to tackle the daunting challenge of closing
a loophole in its efforts to stop using Russian
fossil fuels: liquefied natural gas (LNG).
• LNG is natural gas reduced to a liquid state
(liquefaction) through intense cooling to
around -161 degrees Celsius (-259
Fahrenheit).
• This liquid gas is 600 times smaller than the
original volume and is half the weight of water.
• The compressed fossil fuel, which is constituted
almost wholly of methane— a potent greenhouse
gas — can be transported around the world by
ship.
• After arriving at its destination, the cargo is
regasified in a floating terminal and redistributed
through pipelines.
Disadvantage:
o The cooling, liquefying and transport
processes, as well as the post-transport
regasification procedures, require a lot of
energy.
o Methane loss across the supply chain risks
also contributes to LNG’s high emissions.
o LNG creating almost 10 times more
emissions than piped gas by one estimate,
its rapid expansion will likely compromise
climate targets.
• Largest Producer of Natural Gas
o United States > Russia > Iran > China >
Qatar
Kibithoo Village
• Union Home Minister urged people to visit
Kibithoo — "India's first village" — in Arunachal
Pradesh to enjoy its natural beauty and take
inspiration from its history.
• Kibithoo is India's eastern most forward post,
along the border with China.
• It is uniquely located on the trijunction, with
China to the north and Myanmar to the east.
• It is a small village in the Arunachal Pradesh’s
Anjaw district.
• It is located on the last road head of extreme
northeast of north eastern India and the very
place that the Lohit river enters India.
o Lohit river is a tributary to the Brahmaputra
River which rises in Tibet Autonomous
Region, in the Kangri Garpo range, where it
is known as the Zayü River.
• The village is nestled roughly around 4000 ft
above sea level and lies in Mishmi hills.
January - June 2023
• Kibithu lies on the east of Dong Valley, where the
first sun rays in India is received.
• The area also has a military history as Kibithoo
and neighbouring Walong had witnessed a
fierce battle during the Chinese aggression in
1962.
Heat Stroke
• Eleven people died due to heatstroke after they
attended a large public gathering in the open in
Kharghar, Navi Mumbai. A heat stroke or
sunstroke is the result of overheating of the
body as a result of exposure to high
temperatures and humidity, or due to
prolonged physical exertion at high temperatures.
• A heat stroke is considered to be a medical
emergency that requires prompt attention.
• When the body fails to sweat and is therefore
unable to lose heat by evaporation, there is an
increase in the core temperature of the body.
• If the body fails to cool down, its core
temperature can shoot up to 106 degrees
Fahrenheit within a few minutes.
• This can cause severe health implications
including death. Persons suffering from heat
exhaustion experience fatigue, dizziness,
headache, nausea, vomiting, hypotension (low
blood pressure) and tachycardia (increased heart
rate).
UN Population Report
• India is now the most populous country in the
world, having overtaken China in population, the
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said in
its State of World Population (SOWP) report ‘8
Billion Lives, Infinite Possibilities’.
• In November 2022, the UN had announced that
the world’s population had crossed the 8 billion
mark.
o 15-64 years group (65%), 10-24 years group
(24%), Above 65 years of age (10%).
• The world’s two most populous regions are
o Eastern and South-Eastern Asia- 2.3
billion people (29% of the global population).
o Central and Southern Asia- 2.1 billion
people (26 per cent).
• China and India accounted for the largest
populations in these regions, with more than 1.4
billion each in 2022.
• Central and Southern Asia is expected to become
the most populous region in the world by 2037.
• The latest UN projections suggest that the global
population could grow to around 8.5 billion in
2030, 9.7 billion in 2050 and 10.4 billion in 2100.
107
Hakki Pikki
• More than 181 members of the Hakki Pikki tribal
community from Karnataka are stuck in
violence-hit Sudan.
• The Hakki Pikki is a tribe that lives in several
states in west and south India, especially near
forest areas.
• Hakki Pikkis (Hakki in Kannada means ‘bird’ and
Pikki means ‘catchers’) are a semi-nomadic
tribe, traditionally of bird catchers and hunters.
• According to the 2011 census, the Hakki Pikki
population in Karnataka is 11,892, and they live
majorly in Davangere, Mysuru, Kolar, Hassan
and Shivmogga districts.
• In different regions, they are known by different
names, such as Mel-Shikari in northern
Karnataka and Maharashtra.
• The Hakki Pikki move in groups from place to
place in search of livelihood.
• They are divided into four clans, called
Gujaratia, Panwar, Kaliwala and Mewaras.
• These clans can be equated with castes in the
traditional Hindu society.
• In the olden days, there was a hierarchy among
the clans, with the Gujaratia at the top and the
Mewaras at the bottom.
• The forest is the main natural resource of the
Hakki Pikki.
• They have traditional medical knowledge that
is in demand in several African countries.
Relative Humidity
• Relative humidity is a simple concept as weather
phenomena go – but it has significant, far-
reaching consequences for how we must take
care of ourselves on a hot or wet day.
• Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air
around us, and there are three ways to track it.
• The most common of them is absolute humidity
o The mass of water vapour in a given
volume of the air and water vapour
mixture, expressed as kg/m3.
o The absolute humidity in the atmosphere
ranges from near zero to roughly 30 grams
per cubic metre.
o The absolute humidity varies with respect
to air temperature, and pressure changes if
the volume is not fixed.
• The second is specific humidity, equal to the
mass of the moisture divided by the mass of air.
o It is expressed as a dimensionless number
(but sometimes also as grams per kilogram,
among other similar units.)
January - June 2023
Relative Humidity
• Relative humidity is a measure of the amount of
moisture or water vapor present in the air,
expressed as a percentage of the maximum
amount of moisture that the air could hold at a
given temperature.
• A higher percentage indicates that the air-water
mixture is more humid.
• Relative humidity is a crucial metric that is used
in weather forecasts as it is an indicator of the
likelihood of precipitation, dew or fog. In hot
summer weather, a rise in relative humidity
increases the temperature of humans by
hindering the evaporation of perspiration from the
skin.
Nagorno-Karabakh
• Azerbaijan said it had established a checkpoint
at the start of the Lachin corridor, the only land
route linking Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh, a
step that was followed by claims of border
shootings by both Azeri and Armenian forces.
• Nagorno-Karabakh, known as Artsakh by
Armenians, is a landlocked mountainous area in
the South Caucasus.
• It was claimed by both Azerbaijan and Armenia
after the fall of the Russian Empire in 1917 and
has remained a point of tension ever since.
• The territory is internationally recognised as part
of oil-rich Azerbaijan. However its inhabitants
are predominantly ethnic Armenians.
• They have their own government which has
enjoyed close links to the government in
neighbouring Armenia but has not been officially
recognised by it or other U.N. member states.
• Armenians, who are Christians, claim a long
historical dominance in the area, dating back to
several centuries before Christ.
• Azerbaijan, whose inhabitants are mostly Muslim,
links its historical identity to the territory too.
• It accuses the Armenians of driving out Azeris
who lived nearby in the 1990s.
• It wants to gain full control over the enclave,
suggesting ethnic Armenians take Azeri
passports or leave.
Zero Shadow Day
• At 12:17 pm on Tuesday (April 25), Bengaluru
experienced a ‘Zero Shadow Day’, when vertical
objects appear to cast no shadow.
108
• This was because the sun was at its zenith, and
so the shadow was directly under the object.
• For every point on Earth between the Tropic of
Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, there are
two Zero Shadow Days a year.
o For Bengaluru, the next one is on August 18.
o The Zero Shadow Day is restricted to
locations between the tropics, and so places
north of Ranchi in India are out of it.
• One falls during the Uttarayan when the Sun
moves northwards, and the other is during
Dakshinayan when the Sun moves southwards.
• Uttarayan (movement of the Sun from south to
north from winter solstice to summer solstice)
and Dakshinayan (back from north to south)
happen because Earth’s rotation axis is tilted at
an angle of roughly 23.5° to the axis of revolution
around the Sun.
• All places whose latitude equals the angle
between the Sun’s location and the equator on
that day experience zero shadow day, with the
shadow beneath an object at local noon.
Taam Ja
• Scientists have discovered a massive sinkhole
off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in
Mexico.
• The giant blue hole is around 900 feet deep and
scientists have dubbed it the second deepest
blue hole found on the planet.
• The blue holes found on coastal karst platforms
around the world, including the Caribbean Sea
and the Yucatán Peninsula, contain unique
environments within them.
• Spread over an area of 13,660 square meters,
the giant, underwater cavern is located in the
Chetumal Bay and has been named Taam Ja’
which means "deep water" in Mayan.
• The submerged blue hole has a nearly circular
shape at its surface with steep sides that form a
large conic structure covered by biofilms,
sediments, limestone, and gypsum ledges.
• It was found in the central portion of Chetumal
Bay, where submerged coastal karstic
sinkholes locally named ‘pozas’ have been
reported.
• A series of discontinuous terraces were detected
at water depths, near the eastern and north-
western walls of the blue hole before developing
steep and almost vertical slopes.
• There is variation in salinity and temperature
inside the blue hole.
January - June 2023
Gum Arabic
• Sudan’s eruption into conflict has left international
consumer goods makers racing to shore up
supplies of gum arabic.
• Gum arabic is one of the country’s most sought-
after products and a key ingredient in everything
from fizzy drinks to candy and cosmetics.
• About 70% of the world’s supply of gum arabic,
for which there are few substitutes, comes from
the acacia trees in the Sahel region that runs
through Africa’s third-largest country, Sudan.
• It is a natural gum derived from the hardened sap
of two species of the Acacia tree – Senegalia
Senegal and Vachellia seyal.
• For companies like Pepsi and Coke, they can’t
exist without having gum arabic in their
formulations.
• In their manufacturing process, food and drink
companies use a spray-dried version of the gum
that is powder-like.
• While cosmetics and printing manufacturers may
be able to use substitutes, there is no alternative
to gum arabic in fizzy drinks, where it prevents
ingredients from separating.
Auroras
• The Indian Astronomical Observatory above
Mount Saraswati captured a rare phenomenon
as a geomagnetic storm struck Earth's magnetic
field, creating unique auroras.
• The auroras are normally seen at higher altitudes
in parts of Alaska, Norway, and other countries.
• This was the first time that the aurora was
captured on camera in India by the Indian
Astronomical Observatory in Ladakh.
• Auroras are natural light displays in the sky,
particularly in the high-latitude regions (near the
magnetic poles) of the Earth.
• There are two types- the aurora borealis and
aurora australis – often called the northern lights
and southern lights.
• Auroras are caused by charged particles
(mostly electrons and protons) from the solar
wind interacting with the Earth's magnetic field
and upper atmosphere.
• The interaction causes the particles to collide
with atoms and molecules in the atmosphere,
which then release energy in the form of light.
• The colors of auroras depend on the type of
gas that is being ionized and the altitude at
which the aurora is occurring.
109
• The most common colors are green, pink, and
purple.
• Auroras are most commonly observed in the
winter months in the Northern Hemisphere and
the summer months in the Southern
Hemisphere.
• They are most visible in dark, clear skies away
from light pollution, and can last from a few
minutes to several hours.
• Auroras can also be observed on other planets
with magnetic fields, such as Jupiter and Saturn.
• Auroras affect communication lines, radio lines
and power lines.
Heat Index
• India will launch its own heat index next year to
quantify the impact of heat on its population and
generate impact-based heatwave alerts for
specific locations.
• India Meteorological Department (IMD) began
issuing an experimental heat index for different
parts of the country recently.
• It is taking into account air temperature and
relative humidity to determine how hot it really
feels.
• Along with temperature and humidity, it will
integrate other parameters such as wind and
duration of exposure.
• It will be an effective indicator of heat stress for
people.
• The hazard score will be ready in around two
months and it will be operational in the next
summer season.
Cyclone Mocha
• West Bengal and Odisha were bracing for
Cyclone Mocha, the first cyclone to hit the
country in 2023.
• Formation of Tropical Cyclone
o Cyclones are a type of low-pressure
environment with rapid inward air
circulation.
o Tropical cyclones occur near the equator
over warm ocean water.
o Usually, a high temperature anywhere
means the existence of low-pressure air,
and a low temperature means high-pressure
wind.
o As air gets warms over hotter regions it
ascends, leading to low pressure at the
surface it is covering.
January - June 2023
• When air cools in colder areas it descends,
leading to high pressure at the surface.
• In a depression or low-pressure situation, the
air is rising and blows in an anticlockwise
direction around the low in the northern
hemisphere and in a clockwise direction in
the southern hemisphere.
• The is because of the Coriolis effect, a result
of the earth’s rotation on its axis.
• As warm air rises and cools, water vapour
condenses to form clouds and this can lead
to rains.
• A tropical storm occurs when winds exceed 63
miles per hour, and a tropical cyclone or
hurricane occurs when winds reach 119 miles
per hour.
• Weather systems formed over the Bay of
Bengal in the peak of summer in May are
among the strongest in the North Indian Ocean
region.
Naming of Tropical Cyclones
• In 2000, a group of nations called
WMO/ESCAP (World Meteorological
Organization / United Nations Economic and
Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific)
decided to start naming cyclones in the
region.
o This group of nations comprises
Bangladesh, India, the Maldives,
Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and
Thailand.
110
• After each country sent in suggestions, the
WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones
(PTC) finalized the list.
• The WMO/ESCAP expanded to include five more
countries in 2018 — Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
• The list of 169 cyclone names released by IMD in
April 2020 were provided by these countries —
13 suggestions from each of the 13 countries.
• This cyclone will be named Mocha (Mokha), a
name suggested by Yemen after the Red Sea
port city, which is known to have introduced
coffee to the world over 500 years ago.
• Significance
o It becomes easier for people to remember,
as opposed to numbers and technical terms.
o It is easy to identify individual cyclones,
create awareness of its development, and
rapidly disseminate warnings to increase
community preparedness.
• Side Note
o Local Name of Cyclone
 Hurricanes – In the Atlantic and Eastern
Pacific.
 Typhoons – In Southeast Asia
 Cyclone – In the Indian Ocean and
Western Pacific around Australia
Coco Islands
• Amid recent reports of suspicious infrastructure
upgrades at Myanmar’s Coco Islands, a MQ-9
drone leased by the Indian Navy was seen
reconnoitering the nearby areas of Andaman and
Nicobar Islands.
• The Coco Islands are a small group of islands
in the northeastern Bay of Bengal.
• They are part of the Yangon Region of
Myanmar
• The islands are located 414 km (257 mi) south
of the city of Yangon.
• Coco Island group consists of five islands: four on
Great Coco Reef & one on the Little Coco Reef.
• To the north of this island group lies Preparis
Island, belonging to Myanmar.
• To the south lies the Landfall Island, belonging to
India.
• The Coco Islands consist of three main islands-
o Great Coco Island and the smaller Little
Coco Island, separated by the Alexandra
Channel.
o Table Island, a third small island located
near Great Coco Island.
January - June 2023 111

• Geographically, they are a part of the Andaman o Usage of copper in EVs manufacturing is 2-3
and Nicobar Islands archipelago, most of times higher as compared to fuel-based
which belongs to India. vehicles.
• Requirement of Copper in Energy Sector
o India has set a target of 500 GW of renewable
energy capacity by 2030.
o According to estimates, 3,000 kg of copper is
required for generating 1 MW of power via the
solar photovoltaic and onshore wind platforms.
o Power generation via offshore wind is even
more copper-intensive, requiring over 8,000 kg
of copper per MW.
• Leading countries in World Copper
Production
o Chile (27%), Peru, the Democratic Republic of
the Congo, China, the United States, Russia.
o India ranks at the 30th position in copper
production.
• Leading Producer of Copper in India
o Madhya Pradesh (53%), Rajasthan (43%),
Jharkhand (4%)

Copper Import Science and Technology

• India’s copper imports witnessed a 15% year-on-
year jump in the financial year 2022-23. New Technology for Filtering
• As per Commerce Ministry data, India imported Microplastics
2,75,341 tonnes of copper in the previous • Scientists from South Korea have developed a
financial year. new water purification system that can quickly
• These include both refined and finished and efficiently filter out microplastics.
copper. • The Korean team’s breakthrough system
• Refined copper is the end product where requires lower levels of energy, making it ideal
impurities are removed from copper ore. for solar-based use.
• Finished copper, on the other hand, refers to • Material in Use
copper that has been processed and shaped into o The key is a material known as a covalent
its final form such as wires, tubes, pipes, sheets triazene framework (CTF).
etc. o This is a highly porous material with a large
• India used to be a net exporter of copper until surface area, meaning they have plenty of
FY18. room inside to store molecules they capture.
• Copper is the third most used industrial metal o Crucially, the polymer used is relatively
after steel and aluminum. inexpensive with excellent adsorption
• Reasons for the Increased Copper Demand performance and good photothermal
o Post Covid, strong growth was witnessed in properties.
key sectors such as power, automobile, • In the experiment, over 99.9 percent of
infrastructure and construction, which have contaminants were taken out of the water in
spiked the demand for copper. just 10 seconds.
January - June 2023
Microplastics
• Microplastics are tiny plastic debris that are
smaller than 5 mm in length, tinier than even a
grain of rice.
• Microplastics have inundated the world, finding
their way into the human food chain.
GNB1 Encephalopathy
• Researchers from India, Israel, US have been
trying to develop drug to treat rare disease GNB1
Encephalopathy.
• GNB1 Encephalopathy is a kind of brain disease
or neurological disorder which affects
individuals in the foetus stage.
• It has less than 100 documented cases
worldwide.
• A single nucleotide mutation in the GNB1 gene
that makes one of the G-proteins, the "Gβ1
protein," causes this disease.
o This mutation affects the patient since they are
a foetus.
o Children born with GNB1 mutation experience
mental and physical developmental delay,
epilepsy (abnormal brain activity), movement
problems.
Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)
• An unexploded artillery shell was found near the
official residence of Punjab Chief Minister.
• A military ammunition or explosive device that
remains unexploded even after it has been
primed and fired is known as Unexploded
Ordnance (UXO) in military parlance.
• Such UXO can be left-overs from a war, a military
battle inoculation exercise, field firing exercises or
even be part of military scrap that is often
exported from one country to another to extract
metal.
• All unexploded munitions are treated as
potentially dangerous and capable of
detonating till proven otherwise by professional
assessment by military ammunition experts.
112
Intelligent Tray Retrieval System
(ITRS)
• Union Minister for MSME, inaugurated virtually
Intelligent Tray Retrieval System (ITRS).
• It is manufactured by M/s SJK Innovations
Pvt. Ltd, a MSME-Make in India Company at
MOPA (GOA) International airport.
• The ITRS is an Artificial Intelligence based fully
automatic machine that helps in providing
enhanced passenger security with advanced
screening technology.
• This helps the passenger to complete the
screening much faster and easier when
compared to the conventional machines.
African Animal Trypanosomosis (AAT)
• Ethiopia has released the first edition of an atlas
to map a parasitic disease affecting livestock in
the country and the vector behind it.
• The Country aims to establish a reference for the
distribution of tsetse flies and African animal
trypanosomosis (AAT) in western Ethiopia.
• AAT is a major livestock disease constraining
sub-Saharan Africa’s agricultural production.
• It is caused by the parasitic protozoa
trypanosomes, which are transmitted by the bite
of tsetse flies — an African blood-sucking fly.
• The atlas, included data for a 10-year period,
from 2010. AAT occurrence was confirmed in 86
per cent of the districts surveyed, noted the atlas.
Virovore
• Researchers claimed that the first known
“virovore”- an organism that eats viruses- has
been found.
• A virovore is an organism which obtains energy
and nutrients from the consumption of
viruses.
• The term technically refers to organisms which
primarily or solely consume viruses but currently
only includes organisms which derive primary
nutritional benefit from the consumption of
viruses when no other food sources are available,
akin to a form of microbiological omnivory.
January - June 2023
• Virovory is the most recently discovered form
of sustenance that a living organism can rely
upon for its energy needs.
• It has been identified as an actual species of
protist that feasts on viruses.
• These virus-eating species of protists which are
their kingdom on the tree of life and are not an
animal, plants, or fungi are now classified as
Virovores.
• They're made up of nucleic acids, nitrogen,
and phosphorus.
Alzheimer’s Disease
• The Food and Drug Administration (USA)
approved a new Alzheimer’s drug that may
modestly slow the pace of cognitive decline early
in the disease but also carries risks of swelling
and bleeding in the brain.
• Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disorder
that slowly robs people of their memory and
thinking abilities.
• Worldwide, it is the most common form of
dementia or loss of cognitive functioning —
thinking, remembering, and reasoning –
contributing 60%-70% cases.
• It is progressive and irreversible.
• Pathology of the disease is deposition of an
abnormal protein called beta-amyloid in the
brain.
Liquified Natural Gas
• The EU is betting big on liquefied natural gas
(LNG) to replace the millions of tonnes of gas it
currently buys from its main provider Russia.
• LNG is natural gas reduced to a liquid state
(liquefaction) through intense cooling to
around -161 degrees Celsius (-259
Fahrenheit).
• This liquid gas is 600 times smaller than the
original volume and is half the weight of water.
• The compressed fossil fuel, which is constituted
almost wholly of methane— a potent greenhouse
gas — can be transported around the world by
ship.
113
• After arriving at its destination, the cargo is
regasified in a floating terminal and redistributed
through pipelines.
• The cooling, liquefying and transport processes,
as well as the post-transport regasification
procedures, require a lot of energy.
African Swine Fever
• The district administration of Damoh in Madhya
Pradesh has killed 700 pigs in the last two days
amid fear of African Swine Fever in the area.
• African Swine Fever is a viral disease that
attacks pigs and boars and has a high mortality
rate.
• It is caused by a DNA virus of the Asfarviridae
family.
• It is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa but has
spread to many other regions of the world,
including Asia and Europe.
• It is not known to affect human beings.
• There is no cure or precaution available for the
infection yet.
SPRINT Initiative
• The Indian Navy has inked an agreement with
Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd for acquiring
armed autonomous boat swarms under the
‘SPRINT’ initiative.
• The initiative was unveiled by PM of India during
Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation
(NIIO) seminar ‘Swavlamban’ in New Delhi in
July 2022.
• NIIO, in conjunction with the Defence Innovation
Organisation (DIO), aims to induct at least 75
new indigenous technologies/products into the
Indian Navy. This collaborative initiative has been
named SPRINT.
• It aims to promote development and usage of
indigenous defence technologies by domestic
companies.
Very Short Range Air Defence System
or VSHORAD (IR Homing) Missile
System
January - June 2023
• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)
accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to
procure the Very Short Range Air Defence
System or VSHORAD (IR Homing) missile
system.
• VSHORADS is a man portable Air Defence
System (MANPAD).
• It is designed and developed indigenously by
DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI),
Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO
laboratories and Indian Industry Partners.
• It is meant to kill low altitude aerial threats at
short ranges.
• Technical Features
o It is propelled by a dual thrust solid motor.
o The missile incorporates many novel
technologies including miniaturised
Reaction Control System (RCS) and
integrated avionics, which were successfully
proven during the tests conducted last year.
o The DRDO has designed the missile and its
launcher in a way to ensure easy portability.
Prithvi II
• India successfully carried out a test launch of
tactical ballistic missile Prithvi-II from a test range
off the Odisha coast.
• The missile struck its target with high accuracy.
• Prithvi was developed by the DRDO under the
Integrated Guided Missile Development
Programme.
• Prithvi-II is a nuclear-capable surface-to-
surface missile.
• It is powered by light propulsion twin engines.
• It has a range of around 350 kilometres and can
carry 500-1,000 kg of warheads.
• It uses an advanced inertial navigation system to
strike the set target.
• The Prithvi-II was earlier successfully test-fired
during night hours in 2018 and in 2019.
• Prithvi-II missile, which is a well-established
system, has been an integral part of India's
nuclear deterrence.
114
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
• Researchers in India are working on developing
an affordable treatment for a rare and incurable
genetic disorder called Duchenne Muscular
Dystrophy with over 5 lakh cases in the
country.
• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is the
most common and fatal type of muscular
dystrophy.
• DMD is affecting roughly one in 3,500 boys.
• It is marked by progressive muscle
degeneration and weakness due to alterations
of a protein called "dystrophin" that helps keep
muscle cells intact.
• It causes gradual loss of muscle tissue and
function eventually leading to wheelchair
dependency at approximately the age of 12
years, requirement for assisted ventilation at
approximately the age of 20 years and eventually
premature death.
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
• Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is a form of
polyester that is used in the production of
plastic bottles and containers for food,
beverages, and cosmetics.
• It was patented in 1973 by chemist Nathaniel
Wyeth by combining modified ethylene glycol
and purified terephthalic acid.
• It is popular among manufacturers for its ease of
production, transparency, lightweight, and the
fact that is easily recyclable.
LHS 475 b
• The National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) announced that the
James Webb Space Telescope has discovered
its first new exoplanet.
• Researchers have labelled the planet as LHS
475 b, and it’s roughly the same size as Earth.
• It is located just 41 light-years away.
• The planet orbits very close to a red dwarf star
and completes a full orbit in just two days.
January - June 2023
Exoplanets
• Exoplanets are planets that orbit other stars
and are beyond our solar system.
• According to NASA, to date, more than 5,000
exoplanets have been discovered.
• Scientists believe that there are more planets
than stars as each star has at least one planet
orbiting it.
• Exoplanets come in a host of different sizes.
• They can be gas giants bigger than Jupiter or as
small and rocky as Earth.
• They are also known to have different kinds of
temperatures — boiling hot to freezing cold.
Red Dwarf Star
• Red dwarf stars are the most common and
smallest in the universe.
• As they don’t radiate much light, it’s very tough
to detect them with the naked eye from Earth.
• However, as red dwarfs are dimmer than other
stars, it is easier to find exoplanets that surround
them. Therefore, red dwarfs are a popular target
for planet hunting.
James Webb Space Telescope
• The telescope has been developed under an
international partnership between NASA, the
European Space Agency (ESA) and the
Canadian Space Agency (CSA)
• It was launched aboard a rocket on December
25, 2021.
• It headed to an outpost 1.5 million kilometers
(9,30,000 miles) from Earth.
• It is currently at a point in space known as the
Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point.
• L2 is approximately 1.5 million km beyond Earth’s
orbit around the Sun.
• It is a successor of the Hubble Telescope.
• The telescope will study the atmospheres of a
wide diversity of exoplanets
• It will also search for atmospheres similar to
Earth’s, and for the signatures of key substances
such as methane, water, oxygen, carbon
dioxide, and complex organic molecules, in
hopes of finding the building blocks of life.
115
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
• Experts have been warning for decades that the
threat of antibiotic resistance could take us back
in time to when even simple infections were
deadly.
• Antimicrobials – including antibiotics, antivirals,
antifungals and antiparasitics – are medicines
used to prevent and treat infections in humans,
animals and plants.
• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when
bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change
over time and no longer respond to medicines
making infections harder to treat and
increasing the risk of disease spread, severe
illness and death.
o As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics
and other antimicrobial medicines become
ineffective and infections become
increasingly difficult or impossible to treat.
Local Bubble
• Researchers from the Center for Astrophysics
(CfA) | Harvard & Smithsonian have generated a
3D magnetic map of the cavity called Local
Bubble. The Local Bubble is a 1,000-light-year-
wide cavity or a superbubble.
• Other superbubbles also exist in the Milky Way.
• Space is full of these superbubbles that trigger
the formation of new stars and planets and
influence the overall shapes of galaxies.
• Star-forming regions occur along the bubble’s
surface.
• Local Bubble is thought to have originated from
supernovae roughly 14 million years ago.
• Supernova is a cosmic explosion occurring when
stars meet their end.
• Supernovae explosions release tremendous
amounts of radio waves and X-rays and also
cosmic rays.
• Mechanisms powering the formation and
expansion of the Local Bubble are not well-
understood.
January - June 2023
Shukryaan I
• ISRO’s advisor to its space science programme,
said that the organisation is yet to receive
approval from the Indian government for the
Venus mission and that the mission could as a
result be postponed to 2031.
• ISRO’s Venus mission, called Shukrayaan I, was
expected to be launched in December 2024.
• It will be an orbiter mission.
• The idea to take India’s Mission to Venus was
first put into the public domain at Tirupati
Space Meet in 2012.
• Launch Vehicle
• ‘Shukrayaan-I’ will most likely be launched on
GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch
Vehicle) Mk II.
• Launch Window
o The mission is likely to be launched in
December 2024 and the orbital maneuvers
are planned for about a year later in mid-
2026 (Earth and Venus will align).
o The next similar window would be available
in 2031.
• U.S. and the European space agencies have
Venus missions planned for 2031 — VERITAS
and EnVision.
AK203 Kalashnikov Assault Rifles
• The joint venture between India and Russia,
Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), has
started producing AK-203 Kalashnikov
assault rifles at Korwa in Uttar Pradesh.
• The AK-203 is a Russian gas-operated,
magazine-fed, select-fire assault rifle with a
7.62mm ammunition chamber.
• It is one of the most recent models of Mikhail
Kalashnikov’s AK family of assault rifles.
• The Kalashnikov Concern in Russia created the
AK-203 in the 2010s.
• Before being renamed to AK-203 in 2019, the
weapon was known as the AK-103M.
• It is considered to be the latest and most
advanced version of the AK-47 rifle.
116
Caller Name Presentation (CNAP)
• Telecom operators have said that a proposal by
the Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) of India
to display callers’ names could have privacy
implications.
• The proposal, called Caller Name Presentation
(CNAP), will also be difficult to execute from a
technical perspective given that a number of
phones in the Indian market may not be able to
support it.
• The feature would provide an individual with
information about the calling party.
Bhopal Declaration
• In Madhya Pradesh, more than 300 intellectuals
from India and abroad released the Bhopal
Declaration after discussing the G-20 agenda in
the two-day meeting of Think-20 under G20 in
Bhopal.
• The Bhopal Declaration has emphasized
promoting traditional medicine systems like
AYUSH and encouraging value-oriented
development in infrastructure development.
• The importance of localization in achieving G-20
sustainable development goals has been
acknowledged in the Bhopal Declaration.
Measles
• India had set a target to eliminate measles and
rubella (MR) by 2023.
• Measles is a highly contagious viral disease
which affects mostly children.
• Symptoms
o Fever, dry cough, running nose, sore
throat, and rash (appear around 10 to 14
days after exposure to the virus.)
• Means of Transmission : Coughing and
sneezing, close personal contact
• Treatment
o Vaccine is available.
o The WHO recommends immunization for all
children with two doses of the measles
vaccine, either alone, or in a measles-rubella
(MR) or measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)
combination.
January - June 2023
o As per the guidance of the National Health
Mission, in India, measles vaccination is
given under the Universal Immunisation
Programme at 9-12 months of age and the
second dose at 16-24 months of age.
Rubella (German measles or Three-
day Measles)
• It is a contagious viral infection best known by its
distinctive red rash.
• It can cause serious problems for unborn
babies whose mothers become infected during
pregnancy.
• Rubella isn't the same as measles, but the two
illnesses share some signs and symptoms.
• The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is
safe and highly effective in preventing rubella
(lifelong protection).
Leopard 2 Tank
• U.S. Defense Secretary said that Germany has
not decided whether to allow its Leopard 2 tanks
to be sent to Ukraine.
• The Leopard 2 is one of the world’s leading
battle tanks.
• It first came into service in 1979 and has a top
speed of 68km/h (42mph).
• Range- About 500km.
• Users
o It is used by the German Army for decades
and by the militaries of more than a dozen
other European nations.
o It is also used by by the armies of countries
as far apart as Canada and Indonesia.
o It has seen service in conflicts in
Afghanistan, Kosovo and Syria.
• Technical Fetures
o The tank, which is powered by a diesel
engine, features night-vision equipment
and a laser range finder that can measure
distance to an object, enabling it to better
aim at a moving target while traveling
over rough terrain.
117
Hybrid Immunity
• A recent study in the journal The Lancet
Infectious Diseases held that “hybrid immunity”
provides better protection against severe Covid-
19, while all immunity against a re-infection
wanes within a few months.
• Hybrid immunity is gained from a previous
infection plus vaccines – either the primary
doses or both primary and booster doses.
• The study said that a hybrid immunity offers a
“higher magnitude and durability” of protection
as compared to infection alone, emphasising the
need for vaccination.
Norovirus
• The Kerala Health Department confirmed two
cases of the gastrointestinal infection norovirus in
class 1 students in Ernakulam district.
• Norovirus has been circulating among humans
for over 50 years and is thought to be one of the
primary causes of gastroenteritis.
• It is commonly referred to as 'food poisoning' or a
'stomach bug'. Norovirus is highly contagious.
• The virus is estimated to kill 200,000 persons
globally every year.
• Most deaths are occurring among those below
the age of five years and those over the age of
65 years.
• The virus is capable of surviving low
temperatures, and outbreaks tend to be more
common during the winter and in colder countries
- that is why it is sometimes referred to as
“winter vomiting disease”.
• Symptoms
o Norovirus leads to diarrhoea, vomiting,
nausea, and abdominal pain.
o Being a diarrhoeal disease, it can lead to
dehydration, so drinking plenty of fluids is
recommended.
• Transmission
o Most outbreaks of this virus happen when
infected people spread the virus to others
through direct contact.
o Food, water, and surfaces contaminated
with norovirus can also cause outbreaks.
January - June 2023
Green Comet
• Green comet’ is appearing close to Earth after
50,000 years.
• Origin
o The orbit indicates it comes from the edge
of our solar system, a distant reservoir of
comets we call the Oort cloud.
o The Oort cloud is thought to be a big,
spherical region of outer space enveloping
our sun, consisting of innumerable small
objects, such as comets and asteroids.
• Distance From Earth
o The green comet could be at a distance of
2.5 light minutes from Earth, meaning a
“mere” 27 million miles.
• Comet
o Comets are frozen rocky or gas-filled
objects that are remnants of the formation
of the solar system.
o Due to their composition, characteristics and
the path they move in, they tend to leave a
light “behind them”.
o Here, the comet itself is green (called the
head of the comet) and emits a whitish light
behind it (often called the tail of the comet).
Immune Imprinting
• Studies found that ‘immune imprinting’ might be
making bivalent boosters less effective.
• Immune imprinting is a tendency of the body to
repeat its immune response based on the first
variant it encountered — through infection or
vaccination — when it comes across a newer or
slightly different variant of the same pathogen.
• Over the years, scientists have realised that
imprinting acts as a database for the immune
system, helping it put up a better response to
repeat infections.
Lucy Mission
• NASA announced that it is adding a new target
for the Lucy mission as the spacecraft goes on
its more than 6-billion-kilometre-long journey to
study the Jupiter trojan asteroids.
• The new target is a small main-belt asteroid.
• Lucy will get an up-close view of it on November
1, 2023, to conduct an engineering test of the
spacecraft’s asteroid-tracking navigation system.
• The asteroid is closer in size to the asteroids
visited by the DART mission and the OSIRIS-
REx mission than the previously visited main
belt asteroids.
118
• The Lucy Mission refers to a NASA mission to
study several Trojan asteroids near Jupiter.
• The mission was named after the famous fossil,
Australopithecus afarensis (nicknamed "Lucy"),
as the Trojans are ancient fossils of the Solar
System. The mission was launched in 2021.
• Its main objectives are to study the physical and
chemical properties of the Trojans, determine the
origin and evolution of the Jovian system, and
search for signs of life.
Nitrate Radicals
• A new study has found that parts of India and
China are hotspots for the night-time production
of nitrate radicals.
About Nitrate Radical
• Trioxidonitrogenor nitrate radical is an oxide of
nitrogen with formula NO3.
• It is consisting of three oxygen atoms covalently
bound to a nitrogen atom. This highly unstable
blue compound has not been isolated in pure
form, but can be generated and observed as a
short-lived component of gas, liquid, or solid
systems.
• Consequence
o Nitrate radicals will oxidise gas pollutants
such as volatile organic compounds(VOCs),
which will then generate ozone and
secondary organic aerosol.
o So this deteriorates air quality.
o Nitrate radicals can increase the amount of
deadly ozone and PM2.5 particulate matter
in the atmosphere.
Perseverance Rover
• NASA announced that its Perseverance Rover,
has completed the first “sample depot on another
world” by dropping the tenth & final sample tube.
• Perseverance is a car-sized Mars rover
designed to explore the crater Jezero on Mars as
part of NASA’s Mars 2020 mission.
• The rover was launched in July 2020. It landed
at the Jezero Crater of Mars in February 2021.
• Perseverance has a similar design to its
predecessor rover, Curiosity, from which it was
moderately upgraded.
• It carries seven primary payload instruments,
nineteen cameras, and two microphones.
• The rover also carried the mini-helicopter
Ingenuity to Mars, an experimental aircraft and
technology testbed that made the first powered
flight on another planet on 19 April 2021.
January - June 2023
• Objective
• identify past environments that were capable
of supporting microbial life.
• Seek signs of possible past microbial life in
those habitable environments, particularly in
specific rock types known to preserve signs
over time.
• Collect core rock and regolith ("soil")
samples and store them on the Martian
surface
Sickle Cell Anaemia
• The Finance Minister said in her Budget speech
that a mission to eliminate Sickle Cell
Anaemia by 2047 will be launched.
• It will entail awareness creation, universal
screening of 7 crore people in the age group
of 0-40 years in affected tribal areas.
• It will also have counselling through
collaborative efforts of central ministries and
state governments.
• Sickle Cell Anaemia is a genetic condition that
causes Red Blood Cells to deform and break
down.
• This can lead to reduced oxygen delivery to the
body's tissues, causing various health problems,
including anemia, pain, organ damage, and
increased risk of infections.
• Treatment
o Bone marrow or stem cell transplantation.
• Side Note : Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is
widespread among the tribal population in India
where about 1 in 86 births among STs have SCD.
Caesium-137
• Recently, authorities recovered a tiny
radioactive Caesium-137 capsule, smaller than
a coin, lost in Australia’s vast Outback.
• Caesium-137 (Cs-137) is a radioactive isotope
of caesium with a half-life of about 30 years.
• It is produced through nuclear reactions.
• It is commonly used in various applications, such
as medical treatments, industrial irradiation, and
scientific research.
• Radioactive materials like Caesium-137
produce beta and gamma radiation, both of
which are harmful for humans.
• Risks : When exposed to them, short term risks
include that of radiation poisoning (which can be
deadly) whereas in the long term, it can also be a
cause of cancer and damage human DNA.
119
Voice Deepfakes
• Recently, several users of the social media
platform 4chan, used “speech synthesis” and
“voice cloning” service provider, ElevenLabs, to
make voice deepfakes of celebrities.
• A voice deepfake is one that closely mimics a
real person’s voice.
• The voice can accurately replicate tonality,
accents, cadence, and other unique
characteristics of the target person.
• People use AI and robust computing power to
generate such voice clones or synthetic voices.
• Sometimes it can take weeks to produce such
voices.
• Making deepfake voices to impersonate others
without their consent is a serious concern that
could have devastating consequences.
• Threats : Attackers are using such technology to
defraud users, steal their identity, and to
engage in various other illegal activities like
phone scams and posting fake videos on social
media platforms.
North Star
• Recently, Vice President of India said Parliament
is the “North Star” of democracy, “a place of
discussion and deliberation to realise the
aspirations and dreams of the people”.
• Polaris, known as the North Star or Pole Star, is
a very bright star — around 2,500 times more
luminous than the Sun.
• It is part of the constellation Ursa Minor, and is
around 323 light years away from the Earth.
• Since Polaris is less than 1° away from the north
celestial pole, almost in direct line with the Earth’s
rotational axis, it appears to sit motionless in the
northern sky, with all the other stars appearing to
rotate around it.
• Its position and brightness have allowed
humans to use it for navigation since late
antiquity.
• Simply the elevation of the star above the
horizon gives the approximate latitude of the
observer.
• In the northern hemisphere, if you can spot
Polaris, you can tell the north — and by
extension, the other three directions as well.
• Upon crossing the equator to the south, however,
the North Star is lost over the horizon, and hence
stops being a useful navigational aid.
January - June 2023
CAR T - Cell Therapy
• A new development on cancer-treatment front,
currently holding the attention of many
researchers worldwide, is CAR T-cell therapy.
• The three major forms of treatment for any
cancer are
o Surgery (removing the cancer),
Radiotherapy (delivering ionising radiation to
the tumour). & Systemic therapy
(administering medicines that act on the
tumour).
• Systemic therapy’s earliest form was
chemotherapy. : When administered, it
preferentially acts on cancer cells because of the
latter’s rapid, unregulated growth and poor
healing mechanisms. (More side effects)
• The next stage in its evolution was targeted
agents, a.k.a. immunotherapy
o The drugs bind to specific targets on the
cancer or in the immune cells that help the
tumour grow or spread. (Fewer side-effects)
About CAR T- Cell Therapy
• Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell
therapies represent a quantum leap in the
sophistication of cancer treatment.
• Unlike chemotherapy or immunotherapy, which
require mass-produced injectable or oral
medication, CAR T-cell therapies use a
patient’s own cells.
• They are modified in the laboratory to activate T-
cells, a component of immune cells, to attack
tumours. These modified cells are then infused
back into the patient’s bloodstream after
conditioning them to multiply more effectively.
• The cells are even more specific than targeted
agents and directly activate the patient’s immune
system against cancer, making the treatment
more clinically effective.
• This is why they’re called ‘living drugs’.
• Application of CAR T-Cell Therapy:
o CAR T-cell therapy has been approved for
leukaemias and lymphomas.
 Leukaemias - Cancers arising from the
cells that produce white blood cells.
 Lymphomas- Cancers arising from the
lymphatic system.
 These cancers occur through
unregulated reproduction of a single
clone of cells: following the cancerous
transformation of a single type of cell, it
produces millions of identical copies.
120
o It is being used among patients with cancers
that have returned after an initial successful
treatment or which haven’t responded to
previous combinations of chemotherapy or
immunotherapy.
Gaganyaan
• Recently, The Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO), along with the Indian Navy,
conducted an important trial for the Gaganyaan,
human space flight mission.
• Gaganyaan is a crewed orbital spacecraft that
is expected to take three astronauts to space
for a period of seven days.
• The Gaganyaan schedule is as follows
o 3 flights will be launched into orbit.
o 2 unmanned flights and 1 human
spaceflight.
• The first trial (uncrewed flight) for Gaganyaan is
being planned by the end of 2023 or early 2024.
• This will be followed by sending Vyom Mitra, a
humanoid.
• Humans will be sent to space in the third
experiment only when the first two experiments
assure that the programme is completely ready.
• ISRO's Geo-Synchronous Launch Vehicle
(GSLV) will be used for the manned space
mission.
• The spacecraft will be placed in a low earth
orbit of 300-400 km.
• Cost- Rs.10,000 crore
• If India successfully sends four astronauts to
space, it will be only the fourth nation to do so
after the United States, China and Russia.
Vikas Engine
• The Indian Space Research Organisation has
successfully tested the throttling of Vikas, its
workhorse launch-vehicle engine.
• Vikas belongs to a family of liquid fuelled
rocket engines conceptualized and designed by
ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre in the
1970s.
• The Vikas engine powers the second stages of
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle
(GSLV), the liquid strapons of GSLV and the core
liquid stage of LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark III).
January - June 2023
Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile
(QRSAM)
• The indigenous Quick Reaction Surface to Air
Missile (QRSAM) was tested again in April with
some changes suggested by the Army.
• It is being developed by the Defence Research
and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• The QRSAM is designed to operate on the move
with search and track capability and fire on short
halt, a requirement for the Army’s Air Defence to
move along with offensive formations.
• Range- 25-30 KM. It is propelled by Single
Stage Solid Rocket Motor. It can engage 6
targets simultaneously.
Small Satellite Launch Vehicle
(SSLV-D2)
• Recently, the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle
(SSLV-D2) was launched successfully from the
first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space
Centre SHAR, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
• It will place the ISRO earth observation satellite
EOS-07 and two co-passenger satellites in a
450-km circular orbit around the Earth.
• The co-passenger satellites Janus-1 and
AzaadiSat2 are developed by start-ups.
• The vehicle’s first development flight that took
place last August, failed to place the satellites in
precise orbit.
About the Launch Vehicle
• The launch vehicle uses three solid stages
followed by a liquid-fuel-based Velocity Trimming
Module (VTM) to place satellites in orbit.
• This new vehicle is declared operational by the
space agency after it completes two successful
development flights.
• The last vehicle to be declared operational was
the GSLV Mk III, now called LVM 3, when it
carried Chandrayaan-2 in 2019.
Janus-1
• Janus-1 is a technology demonstrator satellite.
• It is built by United States-based Antaris and its
Indian partners XDLinks and Ananth
Technologies.
• A satellite bus is the main structure of a satellite
on which the payloads rest.
o Payloads can be used for multiple
applications such as earth observation,
signal monitoring, or ship tracking.
121
o The company aims to make satellite buses
of different sizes, for satellites weighing
around 100 kg.
• Janus-1 weighs only 10.2 kg.
• It is a six-unit cube satellite with five payloads
on board — two from Singapore, and one each
from Kenya, Australia, and Indonesia.
• The entire satellite was built in 10 months, less
than half the time it usually takes to manufacture
satellites of this size.
AzaadiSat2
• The payloads have been built by 750 girl
students across India.
• The payloads includes — LoRa amateur radio,
a sensor to measure radiation levels in space,
and sensors to measure the health of the
satellite.
• A similar satellite by SpaceKidzIndia was
launched aboard SSLV-D1 in August last year.
• SpaceKidzIndia aims to promote space
awareness among children.
Stem Cells
• Recently, Kanpur’s GSVM medical college
becomes 1st institute to cure blindness through
stem cell transplants.
• Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that are
capable of developing into other types of cells
with specific functions.
• A normal cell in the body can undergo division to
form only cells of its own type.
• These cells are present in both animals and
plants.
• Differentiation : The process by which the stem
cell is converted into a mature cell with a specific
function is called differentiation.
• Types of Stem Cells
o Embryonic Stem Cells
 These stem cells come from embryos
that are three to five days old.
 At this stage, an embryo is called a
blastocyst and has about 150 cells.
 These are pluripotent stem cells,
meaning they can divide into more
stem cells or can become any type of
cell in the body.
 This versatility allows embryonic stem
cells to be used to regenerate or repair
diseased tissue and organs.
January - June 2023
o Adult Stem Cells : These stem cells are
found in small numbers in most adult
tissues, such as bone marrow or fat.
 Compared with embryonic stem cells,
adult stem cells have a more limited
ability to give rise to various cells of the
body.
o Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
 These are stem cells that are derived
from somatic cells.
 It is a pluripotent stem cell generated by
introducing ‘reprogramming factors’
called Yamanaka factors into mature
cells.
Lithium
• Recently, India's Mines Ministry on announced
that 5.9 million tonnes of lithium reserves have
been found for the first time in the country in
Jammu and Kashmir.
• It is a chemical element which is a soft, silvery-
white metal. Under standard conditions, it is the
lightest metal and the lightest solid element.
• It has the lowest density of all metals.
• It is highly reactive and flammable, and must
be stored in mineral oil.
• The most important use of lithium is in
rechargeable batteries for mobile phones,
laptops, digital cameras and electric vehicles.
• Australia, Chile, China and Argentina are the
world’s top four lithium-producing countries.
• As of now, India currently imports all its
lithium needs.
o The Department of Atomic Energy,
Government of India has discovered 1600kg
Lithium in Mandla district of Karnataka.
MicroLED Displays
• Apple’s shift to microLED display technology is
reportedly under process. It is being considered
the next big transition in display technology.
• The basis of microLED technology are
sapphires.
• A sapphire can shine on its own forever.
• A microLED screen is filled with such small but
strong light.
• The picture in a microLED screen is generated by
several individual light-emitting diodes.
• A microLED is as small as cutting a centimetre of
hair into 200 smaller pieces.
• Each of these microLEDs are semiconductors
that receive electric signals.
122
• Once these microLEDs are gathered, they form a
module.
• Several modules are then combined to form
screens.
• MicroLED displays are brighter, have better
colour reproduction and provide better
viewing angles
Cholera Disease
• According to the World Health Organization
(WHO), Climate change may be increasing the
impact of cholera in African countries.
• Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection.
• Vector : It caused by ingestion of food or water
contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio
cholerae.
• Symptoms
o It can cause severe acute watery diarrhoea.
o It takes between 12 hours and 5 days for a
person to show symptoms after ingesting
contaminated food or water.
o Cholera affects both children and adults and
can kill within hours if untreated.
• Prevention and Control
o A combination of surveillance, water,
sanitation and hygiene, social mobilisation,
treatment, and oral cholera vaccines are
used.
o Currently, there are three WHO pre-qualified
oral cholera vaccines (OCV)- Dukoral,
Shanchol, and Euvichol-Plus.
o All three vaccines require two doses for full
protection.
• Side Note
o In October 2017, Global task force on
cholera control (GTFCC) partners
launched a strategy for cholera control
Ending Cholera: A global roadmap to
2030.
o The country led strategy aims to reduce
cholera deaths by 90% and to eliminate
cholera in as many as 20 countries by 2030.
INDIAai Initiative
• Against the backdrop of the revolutionary
transition in AI brought in by ChatGPT, the
government is expanding the INDIAai initiative in
partnership with Indian tech companies, start-
ups, and academic institutions.
• INDIAai is a national AI portal of India which
was was launched on 28th May 2020.
January - June 2023
• It is a one-stop platform or a “unified AI
ecosystem” providing all resources on AI
developments in India and the world for
entrepreneurs, students and academics among
others.
• It is established by the Ministry of Electronics
and IT (MeitY), National e-Governance Division
(NeGD) and National Association of Software and
Service Companies (NASSCOM).
• India is making an aggressive play in artificial
intelligence (AI) with twin objectives of “making AI
in India and making AI work for India”.
• Objectives and Features
• The platform publishes resources like
articles, news, interviews, and investment
funding news and events for AI startups, AI
companies and educational firms on artificial
intelligence in India.
• It also distributes documents, case studies,
research reports and provides education and
employment opportunities related to AI.
• ChatGPT is a chatbot developed by OpenAI and
launched in November 2022.
• ChatGPT is a chatbot developed by OpenAI
and launched in November 2022.
• ChatGPT is a large language model that
uses artificial intelligence to engage in
natural language conversations with
humans.
• It is trained on a massive corpus of text data
and uses deep learning algorithms to
generate responses to user inputs.
INS Vikrant
• The country’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS
Vikrant, which is currently undergoing aviation
trials, will be fully operational by year-end.
• INS Vikrant, displacing 42,800 tonnes, was
commissioned into the Navy last September.
• Installation of the Long Range Surface to Air
Missile (LR-SAM) system and the MF-STAR
radar are pending.
o The LR-SAM is a joint development by
DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI),
and is manufactured by Bharat Dynamics
Limited (BDL).
o MF-STAR is manufactured by IAI and is also
in service on other frontline warships on the
Indian Navy.
• INS Vikrant
o INS Vikrant is also known as Indigenous
Aircraft Carrier 1 (IAC-1).
123
o Designed by- The Indian Navy’s Directorate
of Naval Design (DND).
o It is being built at Cochin Shipyard Limited
(CSL), a public sector shipyard under the
Ministry of Shipping.
o The IAC-1, the biggest warship made
indigenously, has an overall length of 263
m and a breadth of 63 m.
o It is capable of carrying 30 assorted
aircraft including combat jets and
helicopters.
• The ship would operate a mix of MiG-29K
fighter aircraft and various helicopters,
ranging from the Kamov-31 Air Early
Warning helicopters, the soon-to-be
inducted MH-60R multi-role helicopters and
the indigenously developed Advanced Light
Helicopter Mk III.
Polio Vaccine
• The West Bengal government announced that it
was introducing an additional dose of injectable
polio vaccine as part of the Universal
Immunisation Programme (UIP) for children.
• About Polio
o Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a disabling and
life-threatening disease caused by the
poliovirus.
o The virus spreads from person to person
and can infect a person’s spinal cord,
causing paralysis (can’t move parts of the
body).
o Poliovirus can invade the central nervous
system.
o It multiplies and destroy the nerve cells
that activate muscles, causing irreversible
paralysis in hours.
o Of those paralysed, 5-10% die when their
breathing muscles become immobilised.
o It largely affects children under 5 years of
age.
• There are three types of polio virus serotypes-
o Types 1, 2 and 3.
• Cure
o There is no cure for polio, but there are
safe, effective vaccines which, given
multiple times, protect a child for life.
o Polio held the world in a bind of fear until
Jonas Salk developed the first polio
vaccine.
o Later, Albert Sabin made a ‘live’ polio
vaccine that could be administered orally.
January - June 2023
• Vaccines
o Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV)
 It is given orally as a birth dose for
institutional deliveries, then primary
three doses at 6, 10 and 14 weeks and
one booster dose at 16-24 months of
age.
o Injectable Polio Vaccine (IPV)
 It is introduced as an additional dose
along with the 3rd dose of DPT
(Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus)
under the Universal Immunisation
Programme (UIP).
India’s Polio Free Status
• In 2012, the WHO removed India from the list of
endemic countries.
• As per the India Polio Learning Exchange portal,
the last case of
o Poliovirus Type 2 case was recorded in
India in October 1999 at Aligarh, Uttar
Pradesh.
o Poliovirus type 3 case was recorded on
October 22, 2010, at Pakur, Jharkhand.
o Poliovirus type 1 case was recorded on
January 13, 2011, at Howrah, West Bengal.
• India received polio-free certification by the
World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2014, after
three years of zero cases.
• As of October 2022, the WHO said only two
countries worldwide remain with indigenous
transmission of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) —
Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• It also recorded that so far, 33 countries have
outbreaks of variant polioviruses, such as in
the U.K., the U.S., Israel and Malawi.
• In 1995, the Union government announced the
first National Polio Immunisation Day.
• Side Note
o World Polio Day: Observed on 24 October,
to commemorate the birthday of Jonas Salk.
Crimes Against Humanity
• US Vice President Kamala Harris said that The
United States has determined that Russia has
committed crimes against humanity in Ukraine.
• Unlike genocide and war crimes, crimes against
humanity aren’t officially codified in an
international treaty but are still adjudicated in
the International Criminal Court (ICC) and other
global bodies.
124
• Historical Background
o One of the first instances of prosecuting
crimes against humanity was during the
Nuremberg trials of former Nazi officials
after the end of World War II.
o According to the United Nations, it isn’t clear
when was the first time the term was used.
o Some believe its origin goes back to the late
18th and early 19th century, when it was
used in the context of slavery and the slave
trade.
• Defining Crimes Against Humanity
• The 1998 Rome Statute, which established
the ICC, defines the term.
• It says crimes against humanity are acts
such as murder, enslavement, torture and
rape that are “committed as part of a
widespread or systematic attack directed
against any civilian population, with
knowledge of the attack.”
• “Crimes against humanity do not need to be
linked to an armed conflict and can also
occur in peacetime, similar to the crime of
genocide.”
Chandrayaan-3
• Chandrayaan-3's lander has successfully
undergoes the EMI/EMC (Electro-Magnetic
Interference/Electro-Magnetic Compatibility)
test.
• Chandrayaan 3 configuration will be similar to
that of its predecessor (Chandrayaan 2) with a
lander, rover and a propulsion module.
• It won’t require an orbiter.
• ISRO is planning to land the Chandrayaan 3
lander at the same location as the Chandrayaan
2 – the lunar south pole, which is a singularly
promising part of the moon’s surface.
• It will be launched by GSLV MkIII from the Satish
Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
• If successful, it will make India the fourth
country to soft-land a spacecraft on the Moon
after the United States, USSR and China.
Chandrayaan-2
• It was launched by a GSLV Mk III on 22 July
2019, months after China’s successful soft-
landing attempt.
• The mission had three components-
o An orbiter, a lander (Vikram) and a rover
(Pragyan).
January - June 2023
o It was designed to expand lunar scientific
knowledge through the detailed study of the
Moon’s surface and atmosphere.
• The orbiter was successfully injected into the
moon’s orbit.
• However, the lander, which was initially
descending as planned, lost communication
nearly two kilometers from the surface on 6
September 2019.
o It was later revealed that the Vikram lander
had hard-landed on the moon because of
a problem with the lander’s braking
thrusters.
Lunar South Pole
• It is interesting because the lunar surface area
that remains in shadow is much larger than
that at the North Pole.
• There could be a possibility of presence of
water in permanently shadowed areas around
it.
• In addition, the South Pole region has craters
that are cold traps and contain a fossil record
of the early Solar System.
Pluto
• 92 years ago on 18 february Pluto was
discovered by astronomer Clyde W Tombaugh.
• Today, according to the International
Astronomical Union (IAU), our solar system
officially has eight planets: Mercury, Venus,
Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and
Neptune.
• But between 1930 to 2006, it had nine.
• Scientists took away the planetary status from
Pluto.
• Today it has been relegated to the status of a
dwarf planet.
• It is most distant planet from the sun.
• It is located in the Kuiper Belt.
o It is a zone beyond the orbit of Neptune
brimming with hundreds of thousands of
rocky, icy bodies each larger than 62 miles
(100 kilometers) across as well as 1 trillion
or more comets.
• NASA's New Horizons space probe made a close
flyby of Pluto.
• New Horizons showed that Pluto has a diameter
of 1,473 miles (2,370 km), less than one-fifth the
diameter of Earth, and only about two-thirds as
wide as Earth's moon.
125
• Definition of a “planet”
o A planet must meet in order to be so
classified:
 The object must be in orbit around the
sun.
 The object must be big enough to be
rounded by its own gravity.
 The object must have cleared the
neighbourhood around its orbit.
• Pluto failed to meet the third criterion.
• Pluto is not gravitationally dominant – its mass is
substantially less than the combined mass of
the other objects in its orbit.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Differences in gut microbiome composition have
been implicated in several diseases, including
autism, Crohn’s disease, and celiac disease.
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a
developmental disability caused by
differences in the brain.
• ‘Autism spectrum disorder’ (ASD) is the term for a
group of neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Researchers are yet to fully understand the
aetiology of ASD.
• Aetiology is the study of the factors that cause a
condition or disease.
• However, they are beginning to find that a
disorder in the gut-brain axis could have a
prominent part.
• According to the WHO, ASD affects one in 100
children.
• Children with ASD have impaired social
interactions, lack verbal and nonverbal
communication skills, and display restricted and
repetitive behaviours.
AI Powered Transcription
• Recently, The Supreme Court started a first-of-
its-kind project to transcribe its proceedings live
using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• AI Transcription is the use of artificial
intelligence to convert speech into a text
document, or transcript.
• The SC transcription is using Teres, which is a
platform used often for transcribing arbitration
proceedings.
• The platform is run by Nomology Technology
Private Limited, a Bengaluru based company.
• The transcript will also be shared with lawyers
who argued cases for verification, and is likely to
be uploaded on the SC website every evening.
January - June 2023
Aerosols
• Atmospheric aerosols are suspensions of
liquid, solid, or mixed particles with highly
variable chemical composition and size
distribution.
• Their variability is due to the numerous sources
and varying formation mechanisms.
• Source
• Aerosol particles are either emitted directly to the
atmosphere (primary aerosols) i.e. sea spray,
mineral dust, and volcanoes Or
• Produced in the atmosphere from precursor
gases (secondary aerosols).
• Impact
• All atmospheric aerosols scatter incoming solar
radiation. It has a cooling effect, by enhancing
the total reflected solar radiation from the Earth.
• A few aerosol types can also absorb solar
radiation.
• It has a warming effect.
Curing HIV Infections
• A 53-year-old man from Germany, referred to as
the Dusseldorf patient, has become at least
the third person to have been “cured of HIV”
with the virus not being detectable in his body
even four years after stopping the medicine.
• This was achieved with a bone-marrow
transplant from people carrying a specific HIV-
resistant genetic mutation.
• Curing Mechanism
• The CD4 immune cells in the human body are
the primary targets of HIV, which makes it harder
for a person to fend against secondary infections.
• The HIV virus enters the body through the CCR5
receptors on the surface of CD4 immune cells.
• However, the CCR5-delta 32 mutation blocks
the formation of these surface-bound HIV viral
receptors, by effectively closing the passage.
• Just one per cent of the world's population
has the CCR5-delta 32 mutation in two copies,
which means they acquired it from both parents.
• 20 per cent of people, mostly those of European
heritage, have the mutation in one copy.
• Those who carry the mutation are therefore
almost resistant to the virus.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
• HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus
that attacks cells that help the body fight
infection, making a person more vulnerable to
other infections and diseases.
126
• Global Stats
o Around 37 million people worldwide are
living with HIV. Of these, 1.8 million are
children under 15 years of age.
• Transmission
o It spreads by contact with certain bodily
fluids of a person with HIV.
o Most commonly during unprotected sex
o Through sharing injection drug
equipment.
• AIDS
o If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease
AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome).
o AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection that
occurs when the body’s immune system is
badly damaged because of the virus.
• Cure : No effective HIV cure exists.
o However, by taking HIV medicine (called
antiretroviral therapy or ART), people with
HIV can live long and healthy lives and
prevent transmitting HIV to their sexual
partners.
o There are effective methods to prevent
getting HIV through sex or drug use,
including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
• Recently, James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
discovered six extraordinarily massive first-
generation galaxies, formed roughly 500-700
million years after the Big Bang.
• The telescope has been developed under an
international partnership between NASA, the
European Space Agency (ESA) and the
Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
• It was launched aboard a rocket on December
25, 2021.
• It headed to an outpost 1.5 million kilometers
(9,30,000 miles) from Earth.
• It is currently at a point in space known as the
Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point.
o L2 is approximately 1.5 million km beyond
Earth’s orbit around the Sun.
• It is a successor of the Hubble Telescope.
• The telescope will study the atmospheres of a
wide diversity of exoplanets
• It will also search for atmospheres similar to
Earth’s, and for the signatures of key substances
such as methane, water, oxygen, carbon
dioxide, and complex organic molecules, in
hopes of finding the building blocks of life.
January - June 2023
Atacama Large
Millimetre/submillimetre Array (ALMA)
• The Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre
Array (ALMA) is set to get software and hardware
upgrades. ALMA is a state-of-the-art telescope.
• ALMA is an international partnership amongst
Europe, the United States, Canada, Japan,
South Korea, Taiwan, and Chile.
• It studies celestial objects at millimetre and
submillimetre wavelengths — they can
penetrate through dust clouds and help
astronomers examine dim and distant galaxies
and stars out there.
• It also has extraordinary sensitivity, which allows
it to detect even extremely faint radio signals.
• The telescope consists of It is comprising 66
high-precision antennas, spread over a
distance of up to 16 km located in the Atacama
Desert of northern Chile.
• This location was chosen for its high elevation
and low humidity, factors which are crucial to
reduce noise and decrease signal attenuation
due to Earth's atmosphere.
• ALMA began scientific observations in the
second half of 2011 and the first images were
released to the press on 3 October 2011.
• ALMA has helped astronomers make
groundbreaking discoveries, including that of
starburst galaxies and the dust formation inside
supernova 1987A.
Mad Cow Disease
• According to the country's agriculture and
livestock ministry, Brazil has temporarily
suspended its beef exports to China following
a confirmed case of mad cow disease in the
northern state of Para.
• About : Mad Cow Disease, also known as
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), is
a deadly and slowly progressive infection
affecting adult cattle's central nervous
system.
• Route of Transmission
o It is degenerative and can be transmitted to
humans who consume contaminated meat
products.
o It can be contracted by a cow if it eats feed
that has been contaminated with parts of
another cow that was infected with BSE.
• Symptoms
o The disease leads to neurological
symptoms.
127
o The cow has difficulty in walking and
standing up.
o The cow may also show signs of
nervousness or aggression.
o These symptoms typically appear when the
cow is in the final stages of the disease.
• Treatment
o The duration of the disease can range from
two weeks to six months.
o There is no cure for BSE, and infected cows
are typically euthanized to prevent the
spread of the disease to other cows and
humans.
o It has no known treatment and there is no
vaccine available to prevent it.
Bisphenol A (BPA)
• Recently, a study conducted in
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, suggests
Bisphenol A can indirectly aid in the spread of
vector-borne diseases in humans and
animals.
• About Bisphenol A (BPA)
o It is an industrial chemical that has been
used to make certain plastics and resins
since the 1950s.
o BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics
and epoxy resins.
o Polycarbonate plastics are often used in
containers that store food and beverages,
such as water bottles.
o The chemical is widely used to soften
plastics, paints and other products.
• Impacts of BPA
• When ingested, disrupts the endocrine
system by interfering with the hormones and
affects the brain and prostate gland of
foetuses, infants and children.
• The chemical can cause high blood
pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular
disease in adults.
• BPA is known to impair reproduction and
development in aquatic organisms.
• BPA exposure is delays larval development
and pupation time in common fruit fly
(Drosophila melanogaster).
Augmented Reality (AR)
• MIT researchers have built an augmented reality
headset that enables users to see hidden objects
inside a box or under a pile.
January - June 2023 128

• .The headset, called X-AR, combines computer

Erythritol
• A new research by Cleveland Clinic shown that
vision and wireless perception to automatically
Erythritol, a popular artificial sweetener, is
locate a specific item that is hidden from view
associated with an increased risk of heart attack
• Augmented reality (AR) augments your
and stroke.
surroundings by adding digital elements to a live
• A sugar substitute is a food additive that
view, often by using the camera on a
duplicates the effect of sugar in taste but usually
smartphone.
has less food energy, as per a 2011 study by
• Virtual reality (VR) is a completely immersive
National Center for Biotechnology Information
experience that replaces a real-life environment
(NCBI).
with a simulated one.
• Erythritol, just like sorbitol and xylitol, is a sugar
alcohol that is naturally found in many fruits and
Organ on Chips vegetables.
• The recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration • It is calorie-free and provides approximately 70
Modernization Act 2.0 green-lit computer-based per cent sweetness of sugar.
and experimental alternatives to animals to • The drawback is that it is artificially produced in
test new drugs. large quantities.
• Before the new Act, researchers had to
demonstrate the safety and efficacy of a drug in
an animal model of the disease before moving to
Hubble Space Telescope
• The Hubble Space Telescope, known for
human clinical trials.
recording awe-inspiring images of the cosmos
• The move is expected to boost the research
while advancing the field of astronomy, is under
and development of organ chips.
threat.
• Organ Chips
• The Hubble Space Telescope is a large
○ Organ Chips are small devices containing
telescope in space. It was launched into orbit by
human cells.
space shuttle Discovery on April 24, 1990.
○ They are used to mimic the environment
• Hubble orbits about 535 kilometers (332 miles)
in human organs, including blood flow and
above Earth. The successor to Hubble is the
breathing movements, serving as synthetic
James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
environments in which to test new drugs.
• Important Discoveries
○ Advantages
o Hubble takes sharp pictures of objects in the
■ It can boost the research and
sky such as planets, stars and galaxies.
development of Organ chips.
Hubble has made more than one million
■ Reduce the cost of R&D of drugs
observations.
■ Reduce the chances of
o These include detailed pictures of the birth and
contamination and spread of disease
death of stars, galaxies billions of light years
from animals being experimented on.
away, and comet pieces crashing into Jupiter's
■ Organ chips can be used to develop
atmosphere.
personalised therapies for individual
o Images taken by Hubble have helped scientists
patients.
estimate the age and size of the universe
■ Minimize ethical dilemmas
and understand how planets & galaxies form.
associated with the use of animals for
o An image called "Hubble Ultra Deep Field"
testing (treatment of animal and their
shows the farthest galaxies ever seen.
well-being).
o Hubble has detected black holes, dark
energy and gamma-ray bursts.
January - June 2023
Adenovirus
• Recently, Bengal health authorities have been
asked to be vigilant after the state recorded a big
spike in adenovirus cases .
• About Adenovirus
o Adenoviruses are medium-sized and
nonenveloped viruses that can cause a
range of infections mostly, common cold or
flu.
o Researchers have identified around 50 types
of adenoviruses that can infect humans.
o Infections can occur throughout the year but
then tend to peak in winter.
• Symptoms
o Infected people may have relatively mild
symptoms like a cold or flu, a fever, and a
sore throat, or acute bronchitis, pneumonia,
conjunctivitis and acute gastroenteritis,
which is an inflammation of stomach.
• Transmission
o The virus is usually transmitted by physical
contact with an infected person.
o It can also be spread through the air (via
coughs and sneezes) or a patient's stool; for
example, while changing diapers.
• Treatment
o There is currently no specific course of
treatment or approved antiviral medication.
o Since most cases are mild, they are
managed by pain-killlers or medication to
manage symptoms.
Pegasus
• In his recent lecture at Cambridge University,
Congress leader alleged that the Israeli-made
spyware Pegasus had been used to snoop on
him.
• Pegasus is developed by the Israel-based
cybersecurity company NSO Group.
• It first made headlines in October 2019, when
Facebook-owned platform WhatsApp said that
journalists and human rights activists in India had
been targets of surveillance by operators using
the spyware.
• Pegasus had evolved its method by using ‘zero-
click attacks’, which do not require any action
from the phone’s user.
• Once spyware is installed in a phone, it begins
contacting its operator’s control servers to receive
and execute operator commands.
129
• It send back the target’s private data, including
passwords, contact lists, calendar events, text
messages, and live voice calls from popular
mobile messaging apps.
• The operator can even turn on the phone’s
camera and microphone to capture activity in
the phone’s vicinity.
Whiskey Fungus
• A recent lawsuit claims the release of ethanol
vapors from six Jack Daniel's distilleries in
Tennessee is causing the growth of black
whiskey fungus on nearby property, causing a
halt in construction.
• It was first discovered in the 1870s.
• When whiskey or any other spirit is kept inside a
cask for maturing, a small amount of it
evaporates into the atmosphere through the
wood.
• Up to two per cent of the alcohol leaves the cask
this way every year.
• This evaporated whiskey was dubbed the
angel’s share in mediaeval Ireland and Scotland.
• They believed the whiskey that disappeared into
the air was meant as an offering for the angels.
• Whiskey fungus, or Baudoinia
compniacensis, feeds on these alcoholic
vapours and is velvety or crust-like — it can
reach one or two centimetres in thickness.
• The fungus tends to spread to nearby surfaces,
blanketing almost everything that comes in its
way.
• It can destroy trees and damage properties.
Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID)
Number
• Recently, the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs,
Food and Public Distribution said that Ffrom April
1, the sale of gold jewellery will not be allowed
without a Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID)
number.
• HUID number is a six-digit alphanumeric code.
• It is given to every piece of jewellery at the time
of hallmarking, and is a unique identifier for each
gold item.
January - June 2023
• The jewellery is stamped with the unique number
manually at the Assaying & Hallmarking centre.
• It is aimed at ensuring the purity of Hallmarked
jewellery and check any malpractice.
• HUID is a secure system and poses no risk to
data privacy or security.
Bio Computers
• Scientists at Johns Hopkins University (JHU)
recently outlined a plan for a potentially
revolutionary new area of research called
“organoid intelligence”.
• It aims to create “biocomputers” where brain
cultures grown in the lab are coupled to real-
world sensors and input/output devices.
• The JHU researchers’ scheme will combine brain
organoids with modern computing methods to
create “bio-computers”.
• They have announced plans to couple the
organoids with machine learning by growing the
organoids inside flexible structures affixed with
multiple electrodes (similar to the ones used to
take EEG readings from the brain).
• These structures will be able to record the firing
patterns of the neurons and also deliver electrical
stimuli, to mimic sensory stimuli.
• The response pattern of the neurons and their
effect on human behaviour or biology will then be
analysed by machine-learning techniques.
Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KoSO)
• Solar physicists at the Indian Institute of
Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, and Aryabhatta
Research Institute of Observational Sciences
(ARIES), Nainital, both under the Department of
Science and Technology, have now digitised 1.48
lakh solar images captured since 1904.
• For well over a century, the Kodaikanal Solar
Observatory (KoSO) has been observing the
Sun, capturing images of sunspots, and recording
changes in its behaviour.
• KoSO, which is owned and operated by IIA, is
one of the world’s oldest observatories studying
the Sun. The Solar Physics Observatory opened
on April 1, 1899, and was later named KoSO.
130
• Location- Kodaikanal in present-day Tamil Nadu
was chosen for its high altitude and dust-free
environment.
• During the early decades of its operation, the
Bhavnagar Telescope, named after the Maharaja
of Bhavnagar, was one of the more famous
instruments at KoSO.
• This 16-inch Newtonian (later Cassegrain) mobile
telescope remained India’s largest from 1888 to
1968.
Hypersonic Missiles
• At least nine people have died in a new wave of
strikes across Ukraine in which Russia used
powerful weapons, including rare hypersonic
missiles.
• A hypersonic missile, such as Kinzhal, is capable
of flying at least at the speed of Mach 5, i.e.
five times the speed of sound, and is
manoeuvrable.
• The manoeuvrability of the hypersonic missile is
what differentiates it from a ballistic missile, as
the latter follows a set course or a ballistic
trajectory.
• Unlike ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles do
not follow a ballistic trajectory and can be
manoeuvred to the intended target.
• This makes them extremely lethal because by the
time they are detected by ground-based radars,
they are already quite near to their target.
• There are two types of hypersonic weapons
systems:
o Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGV) and
Hypersonic Cruise Missiles.
o The HGVs are fired from a rocket before
gliding to the intended target while the
hypersonic cruise missile is powered by air-
breathing high-speed engines or ‘scramjets’
after acquiring their target.
January - June 2023
H3N2 Virus
• India recorded deaths of two people, one each in
Karnataka and Haryana, due to the Influenza A
subtype H3N2 virus.
• About H3N2 Virus
• Influenza viruses, which cause the infectious
disease known as flu, are of four different
types: A, B, C and D.
• Influenza A is further classified into different
subtypes and one of them is the H3N2.
• H3N2 caused the 1968 flu pandemic that led
to the death of around one million people
globally and about 100,000 in the US.
• Symptoms
• Cough, fever, body ache and headache,
sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose and
extreme fatigue.
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea have been
seen in very few cases.
• An infection caused by H3N2 generally lasts
for five to seven days.
• Vulnerable Group : This virus usually preys on
individuals below the age of 15 years or above 50
years of age.
Sickle Cell Disease
• With barely two weeks left in the fiscal year, the
Health Ministry has completed a miniscule 1% of
its ambitious target to scan one crore people for
sickle cell disease in 2022-23.
• In her 2023 Budget speech, Finance Minister said
that India aims to eliminate sickle cell anaemia by
2047.
• It will entail awareness creation, universal
screening of 7 crore people in the age group of 0-
40 years in affected tribal areas.
• It will also have counselling through collaborative
efforts of central ministries and state
governments.
• Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder in which
the red blood cells of the patient turn into a sickle-
shaped crescent shape, become rigid and sticky,
and get clogged in the blood vessels.
• The capacity of these cells to carry oxygen
reduces, which leads to excruciating pain and
organ damage in the affected patients.
• Treatment
o Bone marrow or stem cell transplantation.
• Side Note
o Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is widespread
among the tribal population in India where
about 1 in 86 births among STs have SCD
131
Propylene Glycol
• India directed drug manufacturers to stop using
propylene glycol sourced from the Delhi-based
firm that supplied the ingredient to Marion
Biotech.
• Its cough syrups were linked to deaths of 19
children in Uzbekistan.
• Propylene glycol (IUPAC name: propane-1,2-diol)
is a viscous, colorless liquid, which is nearly
odorless but possesses a faintly sweet taste.
• Its chemical formula is CH3CH(OH)CH2OH.
• Application
o Propylene glycol is generally recognized as
safe by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) (FDA 2017) for uses in food and
tobacco products, pharmaceuticals, and
cosmetics.
o Propylene glycol is used to make polyester
compounds and as a base for deicing
solutions.
o It is used to absorb extra water and maintain
moisture in certain medicines, cosmetics, or
food products.
o It is a solvent for food colors and flavours
and in the paint and plastics industries.
o Propylene glycol is also used to create
artificial smoke or fog used in fire-fighting
training and theatrical productions.
Guidelines to Bring in a Blood
Transfusion Service
• The Centre recently told the Supreme Court, that
the exclusion of transgenders, gay people, and
female sex workers as blood donors by including
them in the “at risk” category for HIV, Hepatitis B,
or C infections is based on due consideration of
scientific evidence.
• The governing body of National Blood
Transfusion Council (NBTC) on June 1, 2017,
approved the Guidelines to bring in a Blood
Transfusion Service.
• It offers a “safe, sufficient and timely supply of
blood and blood components to those in need.”
• The guidelines were designed to promote best
practices in Blood Transfusion Sercives to ensure
donations from the “lowest risk donors possible”.
• In the present case, clauses 12 and 51 of the
Guidelines are being challenged as “violative of
Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution of India
to the extent they exclude transgender persons,
men having sex with men and female sex
workers from being blood donors”.
January - June 2023
• Clause 12 (Risk Behavior) falls under the “Blood
Donor Selection Criteria’,
o It mandates that the donor be free from any
determinable disease transmissible by blood
transfusion and “not be a person considered
at risk for HIV, Hepatitis B or C infections”,
such as transgender and gay people, female
sex workers, injecting drug users etc.
• Clause 15
o It permanently defers those “at risk for HIV
infection”, including gay and transgender
people, from donating blood.
o Permanent deferral refers to blood donors
who will never be allowed to donate blood.
Behavioural Lab
• The Rajasthan state government announced to
develop behavioural lab at Harishchandra
Mathur Rajasthan State Institute of Public
Administration.
• This will be the first behavioural lab in the country
to be built with state-of-the-art technology.
• The lab to be set up in about 2665.04 square feet
area will be managed and operated by IIM
Udaipur.
• The lab will see PhD level certificates for
students. “International experts will also be
involved in conducting experiments and
workshops.
• Here human behaviour will be studied with the
help of innovative technology including the latest
software and hardware.
• Through this laboratory, training programs will be
organized in various colleges and universities in
the field of conducting experiential studies,
training teachers and practical management.
MQ-9 Reaper Drone
• In the first direct confrontation between the
United States and Russia during the Ukraine war,
the US military said its MQ-9 Reaper drone
crashed into the Black Sea.
• The remotely piloted MQ-9 “Reaper” can reach
up to 50,000 feet for more than 27 hours,
gathering intelligence with cameras, sensors and
radars.
• It can also carry precision strikes.
• It has a 66-feet wingspan and a length of 36 feet.
It can carry 3,900 pounds of fuel and travel at a
speed of 240 knots.
• The MQ-9 has “demonstrated an air-to-air
weapons capability” in Air Force tests.
132
• It can also be equipped with a “Self Protect Pod”
that can detect threats and deploy
countermeasures against surface-to-air weapons.
• MQ-9s have also been purchased by NASA and
the air forces of the UK, Spain and France.
• Significance of Drones : Drones are cheaper
than manned aircraft with similar capabilities and
are safer for operators since they do not require a
pilot.
NASA's Spacesuit
• For the upcoming Artemis missions, NASA’s first
attempt at landing astronauts on the moon since
1972, the spacesuit used will see a significant
upgrade.
• The suit comes from Axiom Spaces.
• It incorporates design elements used in previous
suits by NASA.
• It will be worn during the Artemis III mission, the
program’s first moon landing, which is scheduled
for 2025. It is called the AxEMU (Axiom
Extravehicular Mobility Unit).
• Functions of Space Suit : Without a spacesuit,
humans will not survive for long in the harsh
conditions of outer space or the lunar surface.
o Control Temperature
 In absence of an atmosphere, areas
which receive direct sunlight become
extremely hot whereas areas in the
dark are frigid.
 The first job of a space suit is to
insulate the astronaut inside from the
extreme temperatures.
o Maintain Air Pressure : Spacesuits also
provide astronauts with a constant supply of
air and optimum air pressure around their
body.
o Protection from Radiation and
Micrometeorites.
o On the lunar surface, suits also protect
astronauts from lunar dust.
o By helping astronauts survive even in the
harshest conditions of space, spacesuits
allow them to perform tasks in space, carry
out experiments and fulfill the objectives of
their mission.
Japanese Encephalitis (JE)
• The study conducted in Gorakhpur district, India,
included 266 children who received the Chinese
SA-14-14-2 vaccine, a live attenuated vaccine for
Japanese encephalitis.
January - June 2023
• The researchers measured the levels of
neutralizing antibodies IgG at different time points
after vaccination.
• About
o Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a disease
caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus
(JEV).
o It is a type of flavivirus, which belongs to the
same family as viruses that cause dengue,
yellow fever, and West Nile virus.
o It is prevalent in many parts of Asia,
including India, China, and Southeast Asia.
o Japanese Encephalitis is also a major cause
of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in
India.
o AES is a group of conditions that can cause
inflammation of the brain and can result in
severe neurological complications.
o JE is a significant contributor to the
incidence of AES in India, particularly in
children.
• Transmission
o It is primarily transmitted to humans through
bites from infected mosquitoes of the Culex
species.
o These mosquitoes are commonly found in
areas with rice fields and large water bodies
rich in aquatic vegetation.
• Symptoms
o Fever, headache, and vomiting.
• Treatment : There is currently no antiviral
treatment available for patients with JE, but
supportive care can help relieve symptoms and
stabilise the patient.
Generative AI
• Generative artificial intelligence has become a
buzzword this year.
• About
• Generative AI refers to a class of artificial
intelligence techniques and models that can
generate new and original data, such as
images, text, music, or even entire virtual
environments, without human intervention.
• These AI systems can learn patterns and
rules from existing data and use them to
create new content that resembles the
original dataset but is not an exact copy.
• Generative AI models can be trained on a
variety of tasks, such as image synthesis,
language translation, text generation, and
even game or movie script writing.
133
• They are often based on neural networks and
deep learning algorithms, which allow them to
learn complex patterns and generate high-quality
outputs.
• Significance : Generative AI has numerous
practical applications, such as in the creation of
personalized content, designing new products or
services, and improving existing ones.
• Concerns : It raises ethical and social concerns,
such as the potential misuse of AI-generated
content for malicious purposes, the impact on
jobs and creativity, and the potential bias in the
data used to train these models.
• Side Note
o The most famous generative AI application
is ChatGPT, a chatbot that Microsoft-backed
OpenAI released late last year.
o The AI powering it is known as a large
language model because it takes in a text
prompt and from that writes a human-like
response.
Dementia
• Recent research from Sweden suggests that all
players – except for goalkeepers – had an
increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and other
types of dementia.
• Dementia is a general term for loss of memory,
language, problem-solving and other thinking
abilities that are severe enough to interfere with
daily life.
• Alzheimer's is the most common cause of
dementia. It is progressive and irreversible.
• It usually begins with mild memory loss, and as
symptoms grow severe, patients lose the ability
to perform even simple tasks.
• Pathology of the disease is deposition of an
abnormal protein called beta-amyloid in the brain.
• In India, only 1 in 10 people with dementia
receive any diagnosis, treatment or care for the
disease.
• Lack of awareness is a major problem in battling
the disease. Most of the Indian population
accepts it as normal aging, which is incorrect.
• An increasing prevalence of diabetes,
hypertension, and obesity is expected to drive up
the incidence of dementia in India in the coming
decades.
• India could see a 197% jump in dementia,
including Alzheimer’s, from 3.84 million cases in
2019 to 11.44 million cases by 2050.
January - June 2023
TN-KET (Tamil Nadu Kasanoi Erappila
Thittam) : TB Death-free Project
• Tamil Nadu has pioneered an initiative across the
State to reduce the mortality rate among people
with tuberculosis.
• The initiative is— TN-KET (Tamil Nadu Kasanoi
Erappila Thittam) , meaning TB death-free project
• It which began in April 2022 in 2,500-odd public
healthcare facilities that diagnosed TB in 30
districts.
• It has already achieved significant reduction in
the number of early TB deaths.
• National TB Prevalence Survey Report
o The survey was carried out between 2019
and 2021. There has been an increase in
the mortality rate due to all forms of TB
between 2019 and 2020 by 11%.
o The highest pulmonary TB prevalence (PTB)
of 534/lakh in Delhi & the lowest pulmonary
TB Prevalence of 115/lakh in Kerala.
o Higher PTB Prevalence was observed in
older age groups, males, malnourished,
smokers, alcoholics and known diabetics.
o There is a need to prioritize the interventions
in high prevalent States and plan for
elimination in low prevalent States.
Tuberculosis Disease
• TB is an infectious disease caused by the
bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• It typically affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but
can also affect other sites like the brain, eyes and
spine.
• The disease is spread when people who are sick
with pulmonary TB expel bacteria into the air, for
example by coughing.
• Directly observed treatment (DOTs)
o Short-course (DOTS, also known as TB-
DOTS) is the name given to tuberculosis
(TB) control strategy recommended by the
World Health Organization.
o It was also deployed by India to curb the
menace of TB.
Sand Battery
• Finland has installed the world’s first sand battery
that can store heat from renewable energy
sources for months.
• The battery, a massive steel silo, 7 m tall and 4
m wide with 100 tonnes of sand, was installed in
Finland’s Kankaanpää town in June 2022.
134
• The renewable sector has several water-based
storage systems that can heat buildings for short
durations.
• Sand can be heated up to 600 degrees Celsius
(°C), whereas water starts to boil at 100°C.
• It also has low heat conductivity, which reduces
energy loss.
• The storage system has three main components:
the sand silo, an electrical air heater and an air-
to-water heat exchanger.
• Mechanism
o For charging the sand silo, air is heated to
600°C in the electrical air heater.
o The hot air is then circulated inside the silo
using a heat-exchange pipe and blowers to
raise the temperature of the sand at the
silo’s core to 600°C.
o When the storage enters the discharging
stage, the blowers are used to pump air into
the pipe inside the sand silo.
o Once the air reaches 200°C, it is transferred
to the air-to-water heat exchanger, where it
is used to boil water. It is then sent to the
heating network. The storage system
requires electricity at all times.
o It is needed to charge the battery, monitor
the temperature during standby and run the
blowers when the battery is used.
o 1,000 times more power is discharged as
heat than is used as electricity.
Parkinson's Disease
• Findings of a recent scientific review found that
physical exercise can help to improve the severity
of movement-related symptoms and the quality of
life in people with Parkinson’s Disease.
• Parkinson's disease is a chronic and progressive
neurological disorder that affects the motor
system of the human body.
• The incidence increases with age, with the
highest rates of diagnosis occurring in people
over the age of 60.
• It is caused by the degeneration of neurons in the
brain which leads to deficiency of dopamine.
• Many studies have suggested that men are more
likely to be affected by Parkinson’s than women.
• Symptoms
o Parkinson's disease is primarily a motor
disorder that affects movement, causing
slowness and stiffness of body movements,
including gait. Initially, the disease affects
one side of the body and gradually
progresses to the other side.
January - June 2023
o It can impact their employability, ability to
write, and drive.
• Currently, no blood laboratory or radiological
tests are available to diagnose Parkinson’s
disease.
• It has no cure.
6G
• Prime Minister of India unveiled a vision
document for rollout of 6G communications
technology in India by 2030. While, technically,
6G does not exist today, it has been conceived
as a far superior technology promising internet
speeds up to 100 times faster than 5G.
• PM of India had formally launched 5G services in
October 2022 and said at the time that India
should be ready to launch 6G services in the next
10 years.
• As opposed to 5G, which at its peak can offer
internet speeds up to 10 gigabits per second, 6G
promises to offer ultra-low latency with speeds up
to 1 terabits per second.
• As per the vision document, 6G use cases will
include remote-controlled factories, constantly
communicating self-driven cars and smart
wearables taking inputs directly from human
senses. However, while 6G promises growth, it
will simultaneously have to be balanced with
sustainability since most 6G supporting
communication devices will be battery-powered
and can have a significant carbon footprint.
Bio Transformation Technology
• A UK-based startup, claims to have developed a
technology that could alter the state of plastics
and make them biodegradable. The company
calls the process “biotransformation”.
• The tech was co-developed by the Imperial
College in London, UK, and a Britain-based
startup, Polymateria.
• Biotransformation technology is a novel approach
to ensure plastics that escape refuse streams are
processed efficiently and broken down.
• Plastics made using this technology are given a
pre-programmed time during which the
manufactured material looks and feels like
conventional plastics without compromising on
quality.
• Once the product expires and is exposed to the
external environment, it self-destructs and
biotransforms into bioavailable wax.
• This wax is then consumed by microorganisms,
converting waste into water, CO2, and biomass.
135
• This biotransformation technology is the world’s
first that ensures polyolefins fully biodegrade in
an open environment causing no microplastics.
INS Androth
• Recently, The INS Androth, second in a series of
eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water
Craft (ASW SWC), was launched in Kolkata.
• It is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and
Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata.
• Specifications
o INS Androth is about 77.6 metres long and
10.5 metres wide, and requires a draught of
only 2.7 metres. Propelled by three diesel-
driven water jets, these ships can attain a
maximum speed of 25 knots.
o Their primary role is to conduct anti-
submarine operations in coastal waters, low
intensity maritime operations and mine
laying operations.
o These ships are also capable of full-scale
subsurface surveillance of coastal waters
and various surface platforms and
coordinated ASW operations with aircraft.
o These ships also carry lightweight
torpedoes, ASW rockets and mines, a close-
in weapon system (with a 30 mm gun) and
16.7 mm stabilised remote-controlled guns.
o It will be fitted with hull-mounted sonar and a
low-frequency variable depth sonar.
OSIRIS-REx
• Three years after it grabbed a sample of rock and
soil from an asteroid floating in the vacuum of
space, the Osiris-ReX mission is ready to drop it
to Earth.
• The spacecraft will drop its sample under a
parachute on September 24 of this year, making
the US the second country to return samples from
the surface of an asteroid after Japan.
• Osiris-ReX, is returning samples from asteroid
Bennu, a Near Earth Object (NEO). The material
returned is expected to enable scientists to learn
more about the formation and evolution of the
Solar System, its initial stages of planet
formation, and the source of organic compounds
that led to the formation of life on Earth.
• Asteroid Bennu : The asteroid was discovered
in 1999 by the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid
Research (LINEAR) telescope in New Mexico
and is named after the heron god Bennu from
Egyptian Mythology.
January - June 2023
o It is an ancient asteroid, currently more than
200 million miles from Earth.
o It is known that this asteroid is a B-type
asteroid, implying that it contains significant
amounts of carbon and various other
minerals.
• OSIRIS-REx
o The spacecraft was launched by NASA in
2016 from the US on a two-year-long
mission to its destination, Bennu.
o The spacecraft got its first view of the
asteroid in August 2018 when it pictured a
grainy object from a distance of 2.3 million
kilometers.
o The mission promises to bring the largest
amount of extraterrestrial material back to
the Earth since the Apollo era.
Woolly Mammoth Meatball
• An Australian startup Vow, lifted the glass cloche
on a meatball made of lab-grown cultured meat
using the genetic sequence from the long-extinct
woolly mammoth.
• The mammoth meatball, sized slightly smaller
than a volleyball, was unveiled at a museum in
Amsterdam.
• Cultivated meat — also called cultured or cell-
based meat — is made from animal cells but
livestock does not need to be killed in order to
produce it.
• Notably, it is different from plant-based meat
substitutes in that it actually uses animal DNA to
recreate in a lab the taste and texture of meat.
• Plant-based substitutes, on the other hand, try
and mimic the taste and texture of meat using
other plant-based alternatives.
• Significance
o Experts say that if cultivated/cultured meat is
widely adopted, it could vastly reduce the
environmental impact of global meat
production in the future.
o Cultivated meat uses much less land and
water than livestock, and produces no
methane emissions.
o The industry can run on energy produced
purely from renewable sources.
Piezoelectric Effect
• For the first time, scientists have reported
evidence of the piezoelectric effect in liquids.
• The piezoelectric effect was discovered in 1880,
in quartz.
136
• In the piezoelectric effect, a body develops an
electric current when it is squeezed.
• Quartz is the most famous piezoelectric crystal: it
is used in this capacity in analog wristwatches
and clocks.
• Such crystals are also used in cigarette lighters,
electric guitars, TV remote controls, audio
transducers, and other instruments where
converting mechanical stress to a current is
useful.
• Quartz
o Quartz is silicon dioxide (SiO2).
o The quartz crystal consists of silicon and
oxygen atoms at the four vertices of a three-
sided pyramid; each oxygen atom is shared
by two pyramids. These pyramids repeat
themselves to form the crystal.
o The effective charge of each pyramid is
located slightly away from the centre.
o When a mechanical stress is applied – i.e.
when the crystal is squeezed – the position
of the charge is pushed further from the
centre, giving rise to a small voltage. This is
the source of the effect.
Bedaquiline
• The patent office in India rejected the secondary
patent of the Johnson and Johnson’s TB
medication bedaquiline, used for the treatment of
those with drug resistant infections.
• In 2012, bedaquiline became the first new TB
therapy to become available after a period of 40
years.
• The drug first became available in India under the
government’s TB programme in 2015.
• Bedaquiline is considered to be one of the most
effective treatments available for drug resistant
tuberculosis.
o It hs minimal side-effects as compared to the
existing drugs such as Kanamycin that can
lead to kidney damage and permanent
hearing loss.
• The drug also prompted development of shorter-
courses of treatment for such resistant TB – more
than halving it from two years to nine month to
one year course.
• It is also an oral medicine unlike Kanamycin or
Streptomycin.
o A shorter-course, all-oral medicine is likely to
increase odds of people completing their
treatment and preventing more cases of
drug resistant TB.
January - June 2023
Sky Canvas Project
• Tokyo-based ALE is set to launch the satellite in
2025 and it hopes to give people all over the
world “the opportunity to view the world’s first live
human-made meteor shower.
• The project is called Sky Canvas and it is
designed to collect atmospheric data in the
mesosphere, which is the third layer of the
atmosphere.
• The Mesosphere is too low to be observed by
satellites and too high for weather balloons or
aircraft.
• The satellite was initially scheduled to launch in
2020 but a malfunction in one of the satellites
meant that the launch had to be delayed.
• Mechanism
o ALE hopes to reproduce the effect of natural
meteor showers by using metal “shooting
star” particles that are around 1 centimetre in
size.
o These grains will be taken to a low-Earth
orbit about 400 kilometres above the planet
by small satellites.
o Once the satellites’ orbit stabilises, they will
release the particles.
o The particles will then travel around part of
the planet before entering the atmosphere at
an altitude of 60 to 80 kilometres.
• Meteor Shower
• A natural meteor shower happens when our
planet passes through the trail of debris left
by a comet or an asteroid.
• Meteors are chunks of rocks and ice that are
ejected from comets as they orbit the Sun.
ISRO’s RLV TD Project
• The Indian Space Research Organisation and its
partners successfully demonstrated a precise
landing experiment for a Reusable Launch
Vehicle at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR),
Chitradurga, Karnataka.
• The Reusable Launch Vehicle Autonomous
Landing Mission (RLV LEX) test was the second
of five tests that are a part of ISRO’s efforts to
develop RLVs, or space planes/shuttles.
• One of the first trials of an RLV was announced
by ISRO as far back as 2010, but was put off due
to technical reasons.
• Another was hinted at in 2015 but was again
grounded over technical issues.
• Finally, the first trial of the RLV-TD was
conducted on May 23, 2016.
137
• About RLV TD Project
• It can travel to low earth orbits to deliver
payloads and return to earth for use again.
• ISRO’s RLV-TD looks like an aircraft. It
consists of a fuselage, a nose cap, double
delta wings, and twin vertical tails.
• The RLV-TD will be used to develop
technologies like hypersonic flight (HEX),
autonomous landing (LEX), return flight
experiment (REX), powered cruise flight, &
Scramjet Propulsion Experiment (SPEX).
• Advantages : A reusable launch vehicle is
considered a low-cost, reliable, and on-
demand mode of accessing space.
Gamma Ray Burst (GRB)
• When a pair of binary compact systems — either
two blackholes, dense celestial bodies or neutron
stars — rotate in a spiral fashion for billions of
years, their ultimate merger leads to release of
short GRBs.
• These emissions last for less than two seconds.
• GRBs are massive but extremely bright, high-
energy short gamma radiations.
• The energy associated with GRBs is many folds
larger than what the Sun can emit in its entire
lifetime.
• Long GRBs
o When very massive stars die, the event
results in the release of long GRBs.
o The associated gamma radiations last for
more than two seconds or longer.
• Gamma Rays
o Gamma rays have the smallest wavelengths
and the most energy of any wave in the
electromagnetic spectrum.
o They are produced by the hottest and most
energetic objects in the universe, such as
neutron stars and pulsars, supernova
explosions, and regions around black holes.
Computer Emergency Response Team
(CERT-In)
• The government informed Parliament that The
Indian Computer Emergency Response Team
(CERT-in) may soon be exempt from responding
to queries under the Right to Information Act.
• The Department of Personnel and Training has
reviewed a proposal from the Ministry of
Electronics and Information Technology to
include CERT-in in the Second Schedule to the
RTI Act.
January - June 2023
• Second Schedule to the RTI Act deals with
exempted organisations like the Central Bureau
of Investigation (CBI) and the Border Security
Force (BSF).
• The exemption would allow CERT-in to reject any
application for information, even on policy related
matters.
• About CERT-In
o Established in 2004 .
o Functions
 CERT-In is a nodal government agency
that deals with cyber security threats
like hacking and phishing in India.
o CERT-in coordinates with public and private
organisations in India when cyber incidents
like data breaches and ransomware attacks
are reported.
 It also issues advisories for software
vulnerabilities as guidance for
organisations.
o Nodal Ministry
 It comes under the aegis of the Union
Ministry of Communications and
Information Technology.
o Headquarters: New Delhi
Einstein Tile
• Mathematicians discovered a single shape that
can be used to cover a surface completely
without ever creating a repeating pattern.
• Mathematicians have long wondered if there
existed an “einstein tile” – a shape that could be
singularly used to create a non-repeating
(aperiodic) pattern on an infinitely large plane.
• Here, “einstein” is a play on German ein stein or
“one stone” – not to be confused with Albert
Einstein, the famous German physicist.
• Aperiodic Tiling : A set of tile-types (or
prototiles) is considered to be aperiodic if copies
of these tiles can only form patterns without
repetition.
Artemis Mission
• NASA unveiled the crew on April 3 for its first
human mission to the Moon in more than 50
years –- including the first woman and Black man
to voyage into deep space.
• NASA’s Artemis mission is touted as the next
generation of lunar exploration.
• It is named after the twin sister of Apollo from
Greek mythology. Artemis is also the goddess of
the moon.
138
• Artemis I was the first of NASA’s deep space
exploration systems.
• It is an uncrewed space mission where the
spacecraft was launched on Space Launch
System (SLS) rocket — the most powerful rocket
in the world.
• Artemis III
o Following the second Artemis phase, NASA
hopes to send astronauts to land on the
lunar South Pole in 2025.
o This historic landing will be the first time
humans have set foot on the Moon in over
50 years, coming as part of Artemis III.
o Collecting wider information on the Moon
and our solar system will also be a primary
objective ahead of ambitions to launch
projects on Mars and asteroids.
Other Space Agencies Involved in the Mission:
o Canadian Space Agency
 It will provide advanced robotics for the
gateway.
o European Space Agency
 It will provide the International Habitat
and the ESPRIT module, which will
deliver additional communications
capabilities among other things.
o Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
 It plans to contribute habitation
components and logistics resupply
Quasar
• Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope
and other observatories have discovered a pair of
gravitationally-bound quasars inside two merging
galaxies.
• Quasars are active and luminous types of active
galactic nuclei.
• Active galactic nuclei are extremely luminous
galactic cores where gas and dust falling into a
supermassive black hole emit electromagnetic
radiation across the entire electromagnetic
spectrum.
• Quasars are thought to form in regions of the
universe where the large-scale density of matter
is much higher than average.
• The bright quasars – powered by the black holes
expelling fountains of energy – existed when the
universe was just 3 billion years old.
• New observatories have allowed scientists to
identify times when two quasars are active at the
same time and are close enough that they will
eventually merge.
January - June 2023
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
• Days after the United States' Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) linked Chennai-
based Global Pharma Healthcare's eyedrops to
the likelihood of a highly drug-resistant bacteria
pseudomonas aeruginosa, the Union Health
Ministry found the samples to be of 'standard
quality'.
• Pseudomonas is a type of bacteria (germ) that is
found commonly in the environment, like in soil
and in water.
• Of the many different types of Pseudomonas, the
one that most often causes infections in humans
is called Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can
cause infections in the blood, lungs (pneumonia),
or other parts of the body after surgery.
• These bacteria are constantly finding new ways
to avoid the effects of the antibiotics used to treat
the infections they cause.
o Antibiotic resistance occurs when the germs
no longer respond to the antibiotics
designed to kill them.
o ○ If they develop resistance to several types
of antibiotics, these germs can become
multidrug-resistant.
• In 2017, multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas
aeruginosa caused an estimated 32,600
infections among hospitalized patients and 2,700
estimated deaths in the United State
• Those most at risk include
o patients in hospitals, especially those:
 on breathing machines (ventilators)
 with devices such as catheters
 with wounds from surgery or burns
Fact-check Body
• The Ministry of Electronics and IT notified
amendments to the Information Technology
Rules, 2021. It allows the Ministry to appoint a
fact-check body which will take a call on whether
online information related to the Central
Government is accurate.
• Fact-check body will label content related to the
government on online platforms like Facebook
and Twitter as “fake” or “misleading”.
• Content marked as such by the body will have to
be taken down by online intermediaries if they
wish to retain their ‘safe harbour,’ which is legal
immunity they enjoy against third-party content.
• Social media sites will have to take down such
posts, and internet service providers will have to
block URLs of such content.
139
Raccoon Stealer
• Raccoon Stealer, was used to target eight
Central government entities, including central
paramilitary forces and the Income Tax
department.
• Raccoon Stealer is a classic example of
information-stealing malware, which
cybercriminals typically use to gain possession of
sensitive data saved in users’ browsers and
cryptocurrency wallets.
• In the case of browsers, targeted data typically
includes cookies, saved login details, and saved
credit card details.
• In the case of cryptocurrency wallets (henceforth,
‘crypto-wallets’), targeted data typically includes
public keys, private keys, and seed phrases.
• Once sensitive browser and crypto-wallet data is
in the hands of cybercriminals, it will likely be
used to conduct harmful activities, such as
identity theft, cryptocurrency theft, and credit card
fraud.
Tropospheric Emissions Monitoring of
Pollution (TEMPO)
• A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched
from Florida , carrying a new NASA device that
can track air pollution over North America.
• The Tropospheric Emissions Monitoring of
Pollution (TEMPO) instrument will allow scientists
to monitor air pollutants and their emission
sources from space more comprehensively than
ever before, down to the neighborhood level.
• TEMPO is about the size of a washing machine
and has been described as a chemistry
laboratory in space
• A unique feature of TEMPO is that it will be
hosted on an Intelsat communications satellite in
geostationary orbit.
• Existing pollution-monitoring satellites are in low
Earth orbit, which means they can only provide
observations once a day at a fixed time.
• TEMPO will be able to measure atmospheric
pollution down to a spatial resolution of 4 square
miles (10 square kilometers), or neighborhood
level.
• In a geostationary orbit 22,236 miles (35,786
kilometers) above the equator, TEMPO will match
the rotation of the Earth, meaning it will stay over
the same location — North America — at all
times.
January - June 2023
Laser Interferometer Gravitational-
Wave Observatory LIGO
• The government has given the final go-ahead to
India’s Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave
Observatory, or LIGO, project.
• It will clear the way for the construction of the
country’s biggest scientific facility that will join the
ongoing global project to probe the universe by
detecting and studying gravitational waves.
• LIGO is an international network of laboratories
that detect the ripples in spacetime produced by
the movement of large celestial objects like stars
and planets.
• LIGO-India will be located in Hingoli district of
Maharashtra, about 450 km east of Mumbai, and
is scheduled to begin scientific runs from 2030.
• It is built by the Department of Atomic Energy and
the Department of Science and Technology with
an MoU with the U.S. National Science
Foundation. LIGO-India would be the fifth node of
this international network of gravitational wave
observatories, and possibly the last.
• Gravitational Waves : Gravitational waves are
'ripples' in space-time caused by some of the
most violent and energetic processes in the
Universe.
o Albert Einstein predicted the existence of
gravitational waves in 1916 in his general
theory of relativity.
• The first ever detection of a gravitational wave
happened on September 14, 2015, by the two
US-based LIGO detectors.
o These gravitational waves were produced by
the merger of two black holes 1.3 billion
years ago.
o This achievement was promptly rewarded
with the Nobel Prize in 2017. Since then,
nine more gravitational wave events have
been detected by the four observatories in
the United States, Europe and Japan.
Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice)
• The European Space Agency (ESA) launched
the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, or Juice, mission
on Thursday (April 13) from its spaceport in
French Guiana on an Ariane 5 launcher.
• Only two other spacecraft have ever examined
Jupiter:
o The Galileo probe, which orbited the gas
giant between 1995 and 2003.
o Juno, which has been circling the planet
since 2016.
140
• Notably, by the time Juice reaches Jupiter,
another spacecraft, NASA’s Europa Clipper,
would already be orbiting the planet,
o It is scheduled to be launched in October
this year.
o Europa Clipper would arrive at Jupiter in
2030 and aims to study its Europa moon.
About Juice:
o Juice has been constructed by an industrial
consortium led by Airbus Defence and
Space based on the parameters provided by
the ESA.
 It is a division of the Airbus group
responsible for the development and
manufacturing of the corporation’s
defence and space products.
• It is planned to reach Jupiter in 2031.
• The mission aims to carry out a detailed
exploration of the Solar System’s largest
planet and its icy moons, which potentially
have habitable environments.
• The Juice “will make detailed observations
of the giant gas planet and its three large
ocean-bearing moons — Ganymede,
Callisto and Europa”.
• It will be using remote sensing, geophysical
and in situ instruments.
• Juice will help probe the water bodies on
Juipiter by creating detailed maps of the
moons’ surfaces and enable the scientists,
for the first time, to look beneath them.
• The main focus will be on Ganymede, as it is
the largest moon in the Solar System.
 It is larger than Pluto and Mercury —
and the only one to generate its own
magnetic field.
• Another primary goal of the mission is to
create a comprehensive picture of Jupiter by
trying to understand its origin, history and
evolution.
o Juice will also analyse the chemistry,
structure, dynamics, weather, and climate of
Jupiter and its ever-changing atmosphere.
Gaganyaan Mission
• For the Gaganyaan mission, four astronauts who
have been selected have completed the first
semester of crew training and are undergoing
Gaganyaan Mission-specific training at the
Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru.
• Gaganyaan is a crewed orbital spacecraft that is
expected to take three astronauts to space for a
period of seven days.
January - June 2023
• The Gaganyaan schedule is as follows
o 3 flights will be launched into orbit.
o 2 unmanned flights and 1 human
spaceflight.
• The first trial (uncrewed flight) for Gaganyaan is
being planned by the end of 2023 or early 2024.
• This will be followed by sending Vyom Mitra, a
humanoid.
• Humans will be sent to space in the third
experiment only when the first two experiments
assure that the programme is completely ready.
• Launch Vehicle
o The Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) is the
launch vehicle for the Gaganyaan mission.
o All systems in the LVM3 launch vehicle are
reconfigured to meet human rating
requirements and named Human Rated
LVM3 (HLVM3).
• Orbit Module
o In the Gaganyaan mission, the Orbiter
Module will orbit the Earth, and it consists of
Crew Module (CM) & Service Module (SM).
o It is designed to keep the crew safe during
ascent, orbital phase, and re-entry.
o SM will be used to provide the necessary
support to CM while in orbit.
• The spacecraft will be placed in a low earth orbit
of 300-400 km.
• Cost- Rs.10,000 crore
• If India successfully sends four astronauts to
space, it will be only the fourth nation to do so
after the United States, China and Russia.
NISAR Satellite
• A forthcoming satellite, NISAR, will map the most
earthquake-prone regions in the Himalayas with
unprecedented regularity.
• The data this will generate can potentially give
advance warning of land subsidence, as recently
observed in Joshimath, Uttarakhand, as well
point to places that are at greatest risk from
earthquakes.
• It will use two frequency bands: the L-band and
S-band to image the seismically active
Himalayan region that will, every 12 days, create
a “deformation map.
NISAR Satellite:
• NISAR is an Earth-observation satellite.
• It is being jointly developed by the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
and the Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO).
141
o NISAR was envisioned by NASA and ISRO
eight years ago in 2014 as a powerful
demonstration of the capability of radar as a
science tool and help us study Earth's
dynamic land and ice surfaces in greater
detail than ever before.
o It is expected to be launched in January
2024 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre into
a near-polar orbit. The satellite will operate
for a minimum of three years.
o It is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) observatory.
NISAR will map the entire globe in 12 days.
o NISAR will be the first radar of its kind in
space to systematically map Earth, using
two different radar frequencies (L-band and
S-band) to measure changes in our planet's
surface less than a centimeter across.
o NISAR will provide a wealth of data and
information about the Earth's surface
changes, natural hazards, and ecosystem
disturbances, helping to advance our
understanding of Earth system processes
and climate change.
YZ Ceti b
• Astronomers have discovered a repeating radio
signal from YZ Ceti b.
• YZ Ceti b is a rocky, Earth-sized exoplanet
rotating around a small red dwarf star only 12
light-years away from Earth. Astronomers are
excited because they have detected a repeating
radio signal from this exoplanet that suggests the
presence of a magnetic field – one of the
prerequisites for a habitable planet – around it.
• This is important because the survival of a
planet’s atmosphere may well depend on its
having, or not having, a strong magnetic field,
since the field protects its atmosphere from being
eroded by the charged particles blowing in from
its star.
Radio Signals:
• Radio signals from planets are electromagnetic
waves that are emitted naturally by planets in the
radio frequency range.
• The intensity and frequency of the radio signals
vary depending on the planet, its magnetic field,
its atmosphere, and other factors.
• Such signals can only be produced if the
exoplanet orbits very close to its parent star and
has its own magnetic field to influence the stellar
wind and generate the signals.
January - June 2023
Giant Magnetoresistance (GMR)
• Researchers in the UK, led by Nobel laureate
Andre Geim, have discovered that graphene
displays an anomalous giant magnetoresistance
(GMR) at room temperature.
• GMR is the result of the electrical resistance of a
conductor being affected by magnetic fields in
adjacent materials.
• It is used in harddisk drives and magnetoresistive
RAM in computers, biosensors, automotive
sensors, microelectromechanical systems, and
medical imagers.
• GMR-based devices are particularly used to
sense magnetic fields.
• The new study has found that a graphene-based
device, unlike conventional counterparts,
wouldn’t need to be cooled to a very low
temperature to sense these fields.
About GMR
• Say a conductor is sandwiched between two
ferromagnetic materials (commonly, metals
attracted to magnets, like iron).
• When the materials are magnetised in the same
direction, the electrical resistance in the
conductor is low. When the directions are
opposite each other, the resistance increases.
This is GMR.
• ‘FM’ stands for ferromagnetic material and ‘NM’
for non-magnetic material.
• The magnetoresistance observed in the
graphene-based device was “almost 100-times
higher than that observed in other known
semimetals in this magnetic field range.
Graphene
• Graphene is the thinnest and strongest material
in the world and has good chemical stability, high
electrical conductivity and a large surface area
while being transparent and lightweight.
• It is two-dimensional form of crystalline carbon.
• It is made up of a single layer of carbon atoms
arranged in a hexagonal pattern.
• It is part of graphite but has unique properties of
its own.
• As per latest research, it could replace indium
and thereby bring down the cost of OLED
(organic light-emitting diode) screens in
smartphones.
• Applications-
o Electronic wearable devices,
o Biomedical devices, sensors,
142
o Fuel cells, semiconductors, field emission
displays,
o nanoelectrodes for inexpensive organic
electronic devices such as organic
photovoltaics (OPVs), liquid-crystal devices
(LCDs), organic light-emitting diodes
(OLEDs), supercapacitors.
Side Note
• The India Innovation Center for Graphene (IICG)
will be established in Thrissur, Kerala.
• It will be a part of a joint venture between Pune-
headquartered Centre for Materials for
Electronics Technology (CMET), Digital
University Kerala (DUK), Tata Steel Limited and
other industries.
Pralay Missiles
• India is going to buy 250 more Pralay ballistic
missiles for the services to strengthen them on
the northern borders, further boosting the
firepower of the defence forces.
• Pralay' is India's first conventional quasi-ballistic
(Largely ballistic+Low trajectory) missile and is an
answer to any conventional missile attack from
northern or western borders.
• It is developed by the DRDO.
• Pralay is powered with a solid propellant rocket
motor and other new technologies.
• The missile guidance system includes state-of-
the-art navigation and integrated avionics.
• Range: 150KM to 500KM
• It is capable of carrying a conventional warhead
of about 350 kg to 700 kg, which gives it a deadly
punitive capability.
• It is a derivative of the Prahaar missile
programme, which was first tested in 2011.
• The missile has been developed in a way that it is
able to defeat the interceptor missiles and also
has the ability to change its path after covering a
certain range mid-air.
• India's Pralay missile can be compared to
China’s Dong Feng 12 and the Russian Iskander
missile that has been used in the ongoing war
with Ukraine.
Lucy Mission
• Just a year into its twelve-year-long mission,
NASA's Lucy has already spotted some of the
Jupiter Trojan asteroids it will be "visiting" later.
• Trojan asteroid, also called Trojan planet, any
one of a number of asteroids that occupy a stable
Lagrangian point in a planet’s orbit around the
Sun.
January - June 2023
• The Trojan asteroids are believed to be formed
from the same material that led to the formation
of planets nearly 4 billion years ago when the
solar system was formed.
About Lucy Mission:
• The Lucy Mission refers to a NASA mission to
study several Trojan asteroids near Jupiter.
• The mission was named after the famous fossil,
Australopithecus afarensis (nicknamed "Lucy"),
as the Trojans are ancient fossils of the Solar
System.
• The mission was launched in 2021.
• It is on an epic 6-billion-kilometre-long journey to
study the Jupiter Trojan asteroids, and nearly one
and a half years after it launched, it has finally
caught a glimpse of the asteroids.
• The Lucy spacecraft used its L’LORRI high-
resolution camera to capture the first views of the
Jupiter Trojan asteroids between March 25 and
March 27.
• Its main objectives are to study the physical and
chemical properties of the Trojans, determine the
origin and evolution of the Jovian system, and
search for signs of life.
• It has recently captured the images of Eurybates,
Polymele, Leucus and Leucus asteroids.
R21 Malaria vaccine
• A new malaria vaccine has been developed and
appears to be called a 'world-changer' by
scientists.
• Called the R21/Matrix-M, this malaria vaccine has
become the first to exceed the World Health
Organisation's target of 75 per cent efficacy.
• Malaria vaccine development has long been
hampered by the parasite’s complex structure
and lifecycle.
• It is developed by Oxford University and has
received its first approval in Ghana as the African
country intensifies its fight against the disease
that claims a child’s life every minute.
• The initiative is one of many aimed at combating
the mosquito-borne disease that kills more than
600,000 people annually, mostly children in
Africa.
• The vaccine has been approved for use in
children aged 5-36 months, the age group at
highest risk of death from malaria.
143
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
• A study published in the journal Nature shows
that a virus that is primarily spread through saliva
can evolve into cancer.
• The virus is called Epstein-Barr virus or EBV and
it is the cause of infectious mononucleosis or
mono and other infections.
• This virus can be transmitted when people kiss,
or share drinks or food and affects more than 90
per cent of the world's population.
• The virus frequently comes with no symptoms.
• Most EBV infections are small and transient,
however, in some cases, the virus can go
dormant and reactivate later.
• Long-lasting latent infections, i.e., infections by
an organism that has for some time been inactive
in the body, are associated with a number of
cancers as well as several chronic inflammatory
disorders. The virus induces cleavage of human
chromosome 11, and triggers genomic instability,
which can activate a leukaemia-causing
oncogene and reduce the function of a major
tumour suppressor.
• There is no vaccine to protect against EBV
infection.
Hemophilia
• Every year, World Hemophilia Day is observed
on April 17 to raise awareness about the rare
blood disorder and help those suffering from it
lead a better life.
• The day was first commemorated by the World
Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) in 1989 in
remembrance of Frank Schnabel.
• He was born on April 17, 1942, and spent his
entire life working to make the lives of those who
were affected by this ailment better.
• Theme- “Access for All: Prevention of Bleeds as
the Global Standard of Care.”
About Hemophilia:
• Hemophilia is a genetic disorder that affects the
body’s ability to form blood clots.
• People with hemophilia have deficiencies or
abnormalities in certain clotting factors, which are
proteins that help the blood clot.
• As a result, they may experience prolonged
bleeding or spontaneous bleeding into muscles,
joints, or organs.
• Symptoms : Prolonged bleeding after injury,
surgery or dental procedures, frequent
nosebleeds, bruising easily, joint pain and
swelling, blood in urine or stool, headaches,
blurred vision etc.
January - June 2023
o Treatment:
 It typically involves replacement
therapy, which involves infusing clotting
factor concentrates into the
bloodstream to help the blood clot.
 Other treatments may include
medications to
Blastomyces
• A rare fungal infection in humans made headlines
in April, in the United States.
About Blastomyces:
• The fungus of the genus blastomycosis is
endemic to Michigan.
• Instances of it infecting people are extremely rare
— in the last five years, the state has recorded
only 26 cases a year.
• The fungus is found in the moist soil and
decomposing wood and leaves in the
midwestern, south-central and southeastern
states of the US.
• In these places, only 1-2 cases of blastomycosis
is reported per 100,000 people.
• Route of Transmission :
o If disturbed, microscopic spores from the
fungus can get dispersed in air and travel
freely.
o Human beings can contract blastomycosis
by inhaling the spores.
• Symptoms
o The disease causes fever, cough, breathing
difficulty and muscle aches.
o During severe infection, which is rare, the
disease can spread from the lungs to other
organs, like the skin, bones and brain.
o Symptoms appear between three weeks to
three months after exposure.
• Treatment : There are antifungal medications
that work on blastomyces but the course of the
treatment is long – lasting between six months
and a year.
Web3
• Web3 is built on top of existing Internet
infrastructure and not in competition with previous
versions of the web platform.
• In Web3, users will have ownership stakes in
platforms and applications unlike now where tech
giants control the platforms.
• Web3 enables peer to peer (seller to buyer)
transactions by eliminating the role of the
intermediary (Amazon, eBay).
144
• The spirit of Web3 is Decentralized
Autonomous Organization (DAO)
o It means all the business rules and
governing rules in any transaction are
transparently available for anyone to see
and software will be written conforming to
these rules.
• Web3 is more secure, as there is no single point
of failure that can be exploited by hackers.
• Web3 has the ability to create and use
decentralised applications (dApps) and smart
contracts.
o These dApps can be used for a variety of
purposes, such as social media, finance,
gaming, and more.
• Web3 vs Web2
o Web2, also known as the centralised web, is
the current version of the Internet.
o It is characterised by the dominance of large,
centralised platforms such as Google,
Facebook, and Amazon.
o Among the main differences between Web2
and Web3:
 Centralisation vs. Decentralisation:
 Web2 is centralised, meaning that
data is stored on centralised
servers owned and controlled by
large corporations.
 Intermediaries vs peer-to-peer:
 Web2 relies heavily on
intermediaries such as banks,
social media platforms, and online
marketplaces to facilitate
transactions and interactions.
 Web3 enables peer-to-peer
transactions and interactions.
 Data ownership and control:
 In Web2, large corporations like
Facebook and Google have
significant control over user data.
 In Web3, users can choose to
share data only with those
they trust.
• Web 5.0
o Web 5.0 is aimed at building an extra
decentralized web.
o Web 5.0 is Web 2.0 plus Web 3.0 that will
allow users to ‘own their identity’ on the
Internet and ‘control their data’.
o Both Web 3.0 and Web 5.0 envision an
Internet without threat of censorship – from
governments or big tech, and without fear of
significant outages.
January - June 2023
Quantum Technology
• Quantum technology is a class of technology that
works by using the principles of quantum
mechanics (the physics of sub-atomic particles),
including quantum entanglement and quantum
superposition.
• Classical computers today employ a stream of
electrical impulses (1 and 0) in a binary manner
to encode information in bits.
• This restricts their processing ability compared to
quantum computing.
• Quantum computing uses subatomic particles,
such as electrons or photons.
• Quantum bits, or qubits, allow these particles to
exist in more than one state (i.e., 1 and 0) at the
same time.
• Qubits can exploit the interference between their
wave-like quantum states to perform calculations
that might otherwise take millions of years.
N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)
• Recently, the Gujarat High Court issued a notice
to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI)
and the Gujarat Food and Drugs Control
Administration (FDCA), in a public interest
litigation (PIL) seeking immediate removal of
drugs and medicines containing “cancerous
impurities” such as NDMA from the Indian
market.
• N-nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA, is a yellow,
odorless liquid chemical once used to make
rocket fuel.
• It is also a byproduct of several manufacturing
processes and water chlorination.
• NDMA is also created when the food or drink is
processed. Foods such as cured meats
(particularly bacon), beer, fish, cheese and even
vegetables may contain NDMA.
• Small amounts of NDMA may occur in water, soil
and air.
• It’s been classified as a probable human
carcinogen. NDMA overexposure can cause side
effects including:
o Headache, Fever, Nausea, Jaundice,
Vomiting, Abdominal cramps, Enlarged liver,
Dizziness, Reduced liver, kidney and lung
function.
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
• ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
successfully placed two Singapore satellites into
their intended orbits.
145
• Mechanism of Launch Vehicle
o The launch vehicle rockets have powerful
propulsion systems that generate the huge
amount of energy required to lift heavy
objects like satellites into space, overcoming
the gravitational pull of the earth.
o Satellites, or payloads as they are often
called, sit inside the rocket and are ejected
once they reach near their intended orbit in
space.
o Rockets have several detachable energy-
providing parts. They burn different kinds of
fuels to power the rocket.
o Once their fuel is exhausted, they detach
from the rocket and fall off, often burning off
in the atmosphere due to air-friction, and
getting destroyed.
o Only a small part of the original rocket goes
till the intended destination of the satellite.
o Once the satellite is finally ejected, this last
part of the rocket either becomes part of
space debris, or once again burns off after
falling into the atmosphere.
About PSLV
• After its first successful launch in October 1994,
PSLV emerged as a reliable and versatile
workhorse launch vehicle of India.
• The vehicle has launched numerous Indian and
foreign customer satellites.
• Besides, the vehicle successfully launched two
spacecraft, Chandrayaan-1 in 2008 and Mars
Orbiter Spacecraft in 2013, that later travelled to
Moon and Mars respectively.
• PSLV has four parts:
o PS1, a solid rocket motor augmented by 6
solid strap-on boosters;
o PS2, a storable liquid rocket engine, known
as the Vikas engine;
o PS3, a solid rocket motor that provides the
upper stages high thrust after the
atmospheric phase of the launch;
o PS4, the uppermost stage consisting of two
Earth storable liquid engines.
• As technology evolves, the effort is to make the
various parts of a rocket reusable. PSLV’s PS4
has been able to achieve this.
PSLV Orbital Experimental Module
(POEM)
• As part of POEM, PS4, instead of being
discarded, is now utilised as a “stabilised
platform” to perform experiments.
January - June 2023 146

• POEM has a dedicated Navigation Guidance and • About 7,000 Indian genomes have already been
Control (NGC) system for attitude stabilisation, sequenced of which, 3,000 are available for
which stands for controlling the orientation of any public access by researchers.
aerospace vehicle within permitted limits. • Countries including the United Kingdom, China,
• The NGC acts as the platform’s brain to stabilise and the United States have launched similar
it with specified accuracy. programmes to sequence at least 1,00,000 of
• It derives its power from solar panels mounted their population’s genomes.
around the PS4 tank, and a Li-Ion battery.
About Genome Sequencing :
• The human genome is the entire set of
Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) residing in the
• Recently, over 1,800 scientists, teachers,
nucleus of every cell of each human body.
educators and science popularisers across the
• It carries the complete genetic information
country have written an open letter criticising the
responsible for the development and functioning
National Council of Educational Research and
of the organism.
Training’s (NCERT) latest move to remove
• The DNA consists of a double-stranded molecule
Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution from
built up by four bases – adenine (A), cytosine (C),
classes 9 and 10 textbooks.
guanine (G) & thymine (T).
• The Theory of Evolution by natural selection was
• Every base on one strand pairs with a
first formulated in Charles Darwin's book "On the
complementary base on the other strand (A with
Origin of Species" published in 1859.
T and C with G) In all, the genome is made up of
• In his book, Darwin describes how organisms
approximately 3.05 billion such base pairs.
evolve over generations through the inheritance
• While the sequence or order of base pairs is
of physical or behavioral traits.
identical in all humans, compared to that of a
• According to the theory, individuals with traits that
mouse or another species, there are differences
enable them to adapt to their environments will
in the genome of every human being that makes
help them survive and have more offspring, which
them unique.
will inherit those traits.
• The process of deciphering the order of base
• Individuals with less adaptive traits will less
pairs, to decode the genetic fingerprint of a
frequently survive to pass them on.
human is called genome sequencing.
• Over time, the traits that enable species to
• The Human Genome Project (HGP)
survive and reproduce will become more frequent
o In 1990, a group of scientists began to work
in the population and the population will change,
on determining the whole sequence of the
or evolve. Through natural selection, Darwin
human genome under the Human Genome
suggested, genetically diverse species could
Project.
arise from a common ancestor.
o The first results of the complete human
Natural Selection:
genome sequence were given in 2003.
• Darwin chose the term "natural selection" to be in
o However, some percentage of repetitive
contrast with "artificial selection," in which animal
parts were yet to be sequenced.
breeders select for particular traits that they deem
o The Human Genome Project released the
desirable.
latest version of the complete human
• In natural selection, it's the natural environment,
genome in 2023, with a 0.3% error margin.
rather than a human being, that does the
• Applications of Genome Sequencing
selecting.
o Genome sequencing has been used to
evaluate rare disorders, preconditions for
Genome Sequencing and The disorders, even cancer from the viewpoint of
Genome India Project genetics, rather than as diseases of certain
• Department of Biotechnology (DBT) said that the organs.
exercise to sequence 10,000 Indian human o Nearly 10,000 diseases — including cystic
genomes and create a database under the fibrosis and thalassemia — are known to be
Centre-backed Genome India Project is about the result of a single gene malfunctioning.
two-thirds complete.
January - June 2023 147

o It has also been used as a tool for prenatal • In the same year, approximately 619 000 people
screening, to investigate whether the foetus died from the disease.
has genetic disorders or anomalies. • About Malaria
o In public health, sequencing has been used o Bites from infected mosquitoes cause
to read the codes of viruses. malaria, a potentially deadly disease.
o It is the Female Anopheles mosquitoes that
spread the Plasmodium parasite through
Genome India Project
their saliva, which causes malaria.
• The Genome India Project is an initiative of the
o There are 5 parasite species that cause
government of India to sequence the genomes of
malaria in humans, and 2 of these species –
10,000 individuals from diverse ethnic and
Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium
geographical backgrounds across the country.
vivax – pose the greatest threat.
• The project was launched in 2019 and is being
o It is predominantly found in the tropical and
carried out by a consortium of Indian institutions,
subtropical areas of Africa, South America
led by the Council of Scientific and Industrial
as well as Asia.
Research (CSIR).
o Malaria can be more severe in some people
• Significance of the Genome India Project
than in others. Pregnant women, infants, and
• Creating a database of Indian genomes
children under 5 years of age, as well as
allows researchers to learn about genetic
HIV/AIDS patients, are particularly at risk.
variants unique to India’s population groups
o Both prevention and cure are possible.
and use that to customise drugs and
• High Burden Countries
therapies.
o The Democratic Republic of the Congo,
• The project will help “unravel the genetic
Ghana, India, Niger and the United Republic
underpinnings of chronic diseases currently
of Tanzania.
on the rise in India.
 Example- diabetes, hypertension,
cardiovascular diseases, Asteroid 3200 Phaethon
neurodegenerative disorders, and • 3200 Phaethon, an asteroid that is the source of
cancer. the annual Geminid meteor shower, has been
found to have a tail made of sodium gas rather
than dust as previously thought.
World Malaria Day
• Asteroids are mostly rocky leftovers from the
• World Malaria Day is an international observance
early formation of our solar system and do not
commemorated every year on 25 April and
usually form tails when they approach the Sun.
recognizes global efforts to control malaria.
• Contrarily, comets are made up of ice and rock,
• World Malaria Day 2023 will be marked under the
and they do form tails as the Sun vaporizes their
theme “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest,
ice, blasting off material from their surfaces and
innovate, implement”.
leaves a trail along their orbits.
• Among other things, WHO will focus on the third
• However, this weird asteroid 3200 Phaethon acts
"i" - implement - and how to maximize the impact
just like a comet. It brightens and forms a tail
of the tools and strategies currently available to
when it comes near the Sun.
reach out to marginalised populations.
• So far, scientists have blamed this behaviour due
• The idea of World Malaria Day was developed
to the escape of dust from the asteroid 3200
from Africa Malaria Day.
Phaethon while coming closer to the Sun.
• Africa Malaria Day is basically an event that has
• But the latest study using two NASA solar
been observed by African governments since
observatories has reveals that Phaethon’s tail is
2001, first held in 2008.
not made of dust but is primarily composed of
• In 2007, at the 60th session of the World Health
sodium gas.
Assembly, a meeting sponsored by the World
• The close encounter of the asteroid Phaethon
Health Organisation (WHO) proposed that Africa
with the Sun led to the vaporization of the sodium
Malaria Day be changed to World Malaria Day.
within the asteroid and drive comet-like activity.
• In 2021, an estimated 247 million people
contracted malaria in 85 countries.
January - June 2023
Psychedelics
• Psychedelic substances have reinvigorated
clinical and research interests, and have added to
psychiatry’s ever-expanding therapeutic
armamentarium.
• Psychedelics are a group of drugs that alter
perception, mood, and thought processing while
a person is still clearly conscious.
• Usually, the person’s insight also remains
unimpaired.
• Psychedelics are non-addictive and non-toxic.
• Compared to illicit drugs, psychedelics cause
much less harm to the end user.
• The two most commonly used psychedelics are
d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) & psilocybin.
• Less common ones include
o Mescaline, found in the North American
peyote cactus ( Lophophora williamsii)
o N,N-dimethyltryptamine, the principal
component of the South American
ceremonial sacrament ayahuasca.
• Researchers have also developed synthetic
psychedelics.
• In India, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances Act 1985 prohibits the use of
psychedelic substances.
• Ketamine, a dissociative anaesthetic with
psychedelic properties, is used under strict
medical supervision, for anaesthesia and to treat
treatment-resistant depression.
BCG Vaccine
• The BCG vaccine, typically administered to
prevent tuberculosis, did not provide any
significant protection against Covid-19 infection to
healthcare workers, a new study said.
• The clinical trial to repurpose the BCG vaccine
against Covid-19 started during the early days of
the pandemic when there were fewer ways to
treat Covid-19.
• The current study was supposed to have 10,000
participants from five countries and continue for
12 months, but was stopped once mRNA
vaccines were developed.
• The paper reported the results of a trial where
4,000 adults were observed over six months.
• The BCG vaccine has existed for over 80 years
and is part of India’s Universal Immunisation
Programme. The vaccine contains weakened
strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• It is administered to fight against tuberculosis,
meningitis and other respiratory tract infections.
148
Meningitis
• Meningitis is an infection and inflammation of the
fluid and membranes surrounding the brain and
spinal cord.
• These membranes are called meninges.
• The inflammation from meningitis typically
triggers symptoms such as headache, fever and
a stiff neck.
• Most cases of meningitis in the United States are
caused by a viral infection.
• But bacteria, parasites and fungi also can cause
it.
• Route of Transmission- Most bacteria that cause
meningitis such as meningococcus,
pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae are
carried in the human nose and throat.
• Some cases of meningitis improve without
treatment in a few weeks. Others can cause
death and require emergency antibiotic
treatment.
• In 2021 , WHO launched the first-ever global
strategy to defeat meningitis - ‘Global Roadmap
to Defeat Meningitis by 2030’.
Bluebugging
• Concerned over an increase in instances of
cybercrime, Andhra Pradesh police recently
asked the people to be wary of "bluebugging."
• Bluebugging is a technique that allows skilled
hackers to access mobile commands on
Bluetooth-enabled devices that are in
discoverable mode.
• Once a device or phone is bluebugged, a hacker
can listen to the calls, read and send messages
and steal and modify contacts.
• Initially, bluebugging focused on eavesdropping
or bugging a computer with Bluetooth capability.
• With the increasing use of smartphones,
cybercriminals shifted to hacking mobile phones.
• This attack is often limited due to the range of
Bluetooth connections, which goes up to only 10
meters. Some attackers use booster antennas to
widen their attack range.
Mpox
• Recently, a team from the Institute of Organic
Chemistry and Biochemistry in Prague
deciphered the structure of the protein
methyltransferase from the monkeypox virus.
• Mpox Virus
o The monkeypox virus is an orthopoxvirus.
January - June 2023
o It is a genus of viruses that also includes the
variola virus, which causes smallpox.
o Monkeypox causes symptoms similar to
smallpox, although they are less severe.
• Transmission
o Monkeypox is a Zoonotic disease, that is, a
disease that is transmitted from infected
animals to humans.
o Cases occur close to tropical rainforests
inhabited by animals that carry the virus.
o Human-to-human transmission is limited.
• Symptoms and Treatment
o Monkeypox begins with a fever, headache,
muscle aches, back ache, and exhaustion.
o The incubation period for monkeypox is
usually 7-14 days but can range from 5-21
days.
o The patient develops a rash that begins on
the face and spreads to other parts of the
body. There is no safe, proven treatment for
monkeypox yet.
Epidemic, Endemic, Pandemic
• Recently, the World Health Organization
downgraded its assessment of the coronavirus
pandemic, saying it no longer qualifies as a
global emergency.
• The action reverses a declaration that was first
made on January 30, 2020, when the disease
had not even been named COVID-19 and when
there were no major outbreaks beyond China.
• Epidemic
o It can be described as an unexpected
increase in the number of disease cases in a
specific geographical area.
o Yellow fever, smallpox, measles, and polio
are prime examples of epidemics.
o An epidemic disease doesn't necessarily
have to be contagious.
o West Nile fever and the rapid increase in
obesity rates are also considered epidemics.
o Epidemics can refer to a disease or other
specific health-related behavior (e.g.,
smoking) with rates that are clearly above
the expected occurrence in a community or
region.
• Pandemic
o WHO declares a pandemic when a
disease’s growth is exponential.
o This means the growth rate skyrockets, and
each day cases grow more than the day
prior.
149
o In being declared a pandemic, the virus has
nothing to do with virology, population
immunity, or disease severity.
o It means a virus covers a wide area,
affecting several countries and populations.
• Endemic
o A disease outbreak is endemic when it is
consistently present but limited to a
particular region.
o This makes the disease spread and rates
predictable.
o Malaria, for example, is considered endemic
in certain countries and regions.
Bluesky
• Recently, Bluesky come to the fore as a potential
claimant to Twitter’s throne.
• Bluesky is a micro-blogging platform and social
web built on the AT Protocol (Authenticated
Transport Protocol).
• Bluesky might be classified as a Twitter
competitor due to its founding team but is
different in terms of its structure, as it is meant to
form part of a decentralised ecosystem.
• Users of apps built on the AT Protocol would be
able to move between platforms without losing
their followers, media, work, and data.
• This account portability, as the feature is called,
is a major part of the AT Protocol’s structure.
• Bluesky says its founding mission is to “develop
and drive large-scale adoption of technologies
for open and decentralized public conversation.”
Royal Ransomware
• Recently, the Indian cyber security agency
issued a warning against "Royal ransomware"
virus.
• It attacks critical sectors like communications,
healthcare, education and even individuals and
seeks pay-off in Bitcoins for not leaking personal
data in the public domain.
• It was first detected in January 2022 and it got
active sometime around September last year
even as the US authorities issued advisories
against its spread.
About Ransomware:
• Ransomware is a type of malicious software,
used by cyber criminals, to infect a computer
system by blocking access to the stored data by
encrypting the files.
• A ransom is then demanded from the owner in
exchange for the decryption key.
January - June 2023
• The malware may usually be injected remotely by
tricking the user into downloading it upon clicking
an ostensibly safe web link sent via email or other
means, including hacking.
• It can spread throughout the network by
exploiting existing vulnerabilities.
• Ransomware attacks can also be accompanied
by theft of sensitive data for other sinister
motives.
FluHorse
• A new Android malware known as 'FluHorse' has
been discovered.
• It targets users in Eastern Asia with malicious
apps that look like legitimate versions with over
1,00,000 installs.
• It is typically distributed via email.
• These malicious apps are designed to extract
sensitive information, including user credentials
and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) codes.
• In some cases, high-profile entities such as
government officials were targeted at the initial
stages of the phishing email attack.
• One of the most concerning aspects of FluHorse
is its ability to go undetected for long periods of
time, making it a persistent and dangerous threat
that is difficult to detect.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Codes
o Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security
system that requires two separate, distinct
forms of identification in order to access
something.
o The first factor is a password and the second
commonly includes a text with a code sent to
your smartphone, or biometrics using your
fingerprint, face, or retina.
o While 2FA does improve security, it is not
foolproof.
National Technology Day
• National Technology Day is celebrated every
year on May 11.
• On this day, different government organisations,
institutes, schools, and colleges hold
programmes in honour of India's scientists and
their achievements.
• Background
o The first Nuclear test was conducted in May
1974.
o In 1998, India became the world's sixth
nuclear test.
150
o Under the leadership of the then Prime
Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India
conducted a series of five nuclear bomb
tests (Pokhran-II) in May 1998.
o The country was put under heavy sanctions
by the US government following the nuclear
test.
o However, India didn't back down under the
influence of western powers and went ahead
with the test.
o Since then, May 11 is being celebrated as
National Technology Day to acknowledge
the contribution of scientists and engineers
in the development of the country.
• Theme
o For 2023, the theme is 'School to Startups-
Igniting Young Minds to Innovate.'
Carbon Dating
• Recently, the Allahabad High Court ordered a
“scientific survey”, including carbon dating, of a
“Shivling” said to have been found at the
Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi.
• Carbon dating is a widely-used method to
establish the age of organic materials, things that
were once living.
• Living things have carbon in them in various
forms.
• The dating method is based on the fact that
Carbon-14 (C-14), an isotope of carbon with an
atomic mass of 14, is radioactive, and decays at
a well known rate.
• This is how it works:
o The most abundant isotope of carbon in the
atmosphere is C-12.
o A very small amount of C-14 is also present.
o The ratio of C-12 to C-14 in the atmosphere
is almost static, and is known.
o Plants get their carbon through
photosynthesis; animals get it mainly
through food.
o Because plants and animals get their carbon
from the atmosphere, they too acquire C-12
and C-14 in roughly the same proportion as
is available in the atmosphere.
o When they die, their interactions with the
atmosphere stops.
o While C-12 is stable, the radioactive C-14
reduces to one half of itself in about 5,730
years — known as its ‘half-life’.
January - June 2023
o The changing ratio of C-12 to C-14 in the
remains of a plant or animal after it dies can
be measured, and can be used to deduce the
approximate time when the organism died.
• Limitation : It cannot be used to determine the
age of non-living things like rocks, for example.
o Also, the age of things that are more than
40,000-50,000 years old cannot be arrived at
through carbon dating.
 This is because after 8-10 cycles of half-
lives, the amount of C-14 becomes
almost very small and is almost
undetectable.
• Radiometric Dating Methods
o Instead of carbon, decays of other
radioactive elements that might be present in
the material become the basis for the dating
method. Many of these involve elements with
half-lives of billions of years, which enable
scientists to reliably estimate the age of very
old objects.
o Two commonly employed methods for dating
rocks are potassium-argon dating and
uranium-thorium-lead dating.
o The radioactive isotope of potassium decays
into argon, and their ratios can give a clue
about the age of rocks.
o Uranium and thorium have several
radioactive isotopes, and all of them decay
into the stable lead atom.
o The ratios of these elements present in the
material can be measured and used to make
estimates about age.
Mitochondrial Disease and
Mitochondrial Donation Treatment
(MDT)
• Recently, the announcement that a baby was born
using three persons’ DNA in the UK caused the
stir that news of this kind was expected to evoke.
• The baby has three parents, technically, deriving
the mitochondria from a donor apart from genetic
material (DNA) from biological parents.
• Pioneering technology was used to facilitate this,
in order to prevent the child from inheriting the
mother’s mitochondrial disease.
About Mitochondrial Disease :
• Mitochondria are basically the powerhouses of the
cells, they generate the energy, and thus are also
responsible for cell function in the human body.
151
• Certain defects might occur impacting on the
way the mitochondria produces energy for the
cells.
o Specially in the ‘energy-hungry’ tissues of
the brain, nerves, muscles, kidneys, heart,
liver), and thereby impacting cell function.
• The diseases that arise out of such mitochondrial
mutations are called mitochondrial diseases.
• When the mitochondria are impaired and do not
produce sufficient energy, that affects how the
organs function, leading to a broad assortment of
symptoms across the body, including brain
damage, organ failure and muscle wastage.
• The symptoms get more and more debilitating as
a child grows & have no cure, but can be treated.
• Some estimates put the incidence of
mitochondrial diseases as one in 5000 people.
About Mitochondrial Donation Treatment (MDT):
• MDT is also known as mitochondrial
replacement therapy (MRT).
• Mitochondrial diseases are only passed on by
the mother, and research has been attempting to
find a way out of protecting the infant from
inheriting the disease.
• Here, through an advanced In Vitro Fertilisation
technique, the baby’s biological father’s sperm
was used to fertilise the eggs from the biological
mother, who has a mitochondrial disease, and a
third, female donor with clear mitochondria,
separately.
• Then, the nuclear genetic material from the
donor’s egg is removed and replaced with the
genetic material from the biological parents’.
• The final product – the egg - which has the
genetic material (DNA) from the parents, and the
mitochondria from the female donor, is implanted
in the uterus.
• It carried to full term to yield a baby who will be
free from the mother’s mitochondrial disease.
• Side Effect to the Procedures : Sometimes it is
possible that a small amount of the maternal
mitochondria with errors may get passed on
during the procedure.
Long-Range Storm Shadow Cruise
Missiles
• The United Kingdom will provide long-range
Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine, which
it has been requesting in a bid to push back
invading Russian forces.
January - June 2023
• Storm Shadow is a long-ranged, air-launched,
conventionally armed, deep-strike missile, which
is manufactured by the France-based MBDA
Missile Systems.
• It was was produced in 1997.
• With a range of more than 250 km, Storm
Shadow weighs 1,300 kg and is 5.10m long.
• It’s capable of being operated day and night in all
weathers and designed to destroy high-valued
stationary targets such as airbases, radar
installations, communications hubs and port
facilities.
• The report by Airforce Technology mentioned that
what makes this missile a stealthy weapon is the
combination of its long-range, low altitude and
supersonic speed.
• Storm Shadow, equipped with the fire and forget
technology, also offers high precision deep strike
capability as it features a sophisticated navigation
system.
• The missile features the BROACH (Bomb Royal
Ordnance Augmented CHarge) warhead — a
high-technology warhead, which first cuts the
surface of the target, penetrates into it and then
explodes.
New NavIC Satellite
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
launched the first of the second-generation
satellites for its navigation constellation on 29th
May 2023.
• The 2,232 kg satellite, the heaviest in the
constellation, will be launched by a GSLV rocket
that will lift off from Sriharikota.
• The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System
(IRNSS) constellation is operationally named
NavIC.
• The last IRNSS satellite, IRNSS-1I was launched
in April 2018 to replace an older, partially defunct
satellite in the constellation.
• The second-generation satellite — christened
NVS-01, the first of ISRO’s NVS series of
payloads — is heavier. Other features are as
follows
o Atomic Clock
 The satellite will have a Rubidium
atomic clock onboard, a significant
technology developed by India.
o L1 Signal for Better Use in Wearable
Devices
 The second generation satellites will
send signals in a third frequency, L1.
152
 Existing satellites provide- the L5 and S
frequency signals.
 It will increase interoperability with other
satellite-based navigation systems.
 The L2 frequency is faster than L1. It can
travel through obstacles such as cloud
cover, trees, and buildings.
• Mission Life
o The second-generation satellites will also
have a longer mission life of more than 12
years.
o The existing satellites have a mission life of
10 years.
• NavIC
o NavIC, or Navigation with Indian
Constellation, is an independent stand-alone
navigation satellite system developed by the
Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO).
o NavIC was originally approved in 2006 at a
cost of $174 million.
o It was expected to be completed by late
2011, but only became operational in 2018.
o NavIC consists of eight satellites and covers
the whole of India’s landmass and up to
1,500 km (930 miles) from its boundaries.
o Currently, NavIC’s use is limited. It is being
used in public vehicle tracking in India, for
providing emergency warning alerts to
fishermen venturing into the deep sea where
there is no terrestrial network connectivity,
and for tracking and providing information
related to natural disasters.
o Enabling it in smartphones is the next step
India is pushing for.
o NaviC vis-a-vis GPS
 GPS caters to users across the globe
and its satellites circle the earth twice a
day, while NavIC is currently for use in
India and adjacent areas.
o Side Note
 Like GPS, there are three more
navigation systems that have global
coverage – Galileo from the European
Union, Russia-owned GLONASS and
China’s Beidou.
 QZSS, operated by Japan, is another
regional navigation system covering the
Asia-Oceania region, with a focus on
Japan.
January - June 2023
XPoSat
• ISRO is collaborating with the Raman Research
Institute (RRI), Bengaluru, an autonomous
research institute, to build the X-Ray Polarimeter
Satellite (XPoIt has been built as India’s first, and
only the world’s second polarimetry mission that
is meant to study various dynamics of bright
astronomical X-ray sources in extreme
conditions.
• The other such major mission is NASA’s Imaging
X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) that was
launched in 2021. The spacecraft will carry two
scientific payloads in a low earth orbit.
• The primary payload POLIX (Polarimeter
Instrument in X-rays) will measure the polarimetry
parameters (degree and angle of polarisation).
o The payload is being developed by RRI in
collaboration with ISRO’s U R Rao Satellite
Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru.
o POLIX is expected to observe about 40
bright astronomical sources of different
categories during the planned lifetime of
XPoSat mission of about 5 years.
• The XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing)
payload will give spectroscopic information (on
how light is absorbed and emitted by objects).
• It would observe several types of sources, such
as X-ray pulsars, blackhole binaries, low-
magnetic field neutron star, etc.Sat) that is
scheduled to be launched later this year.
• IXPE
o It was launched on 9 December 2021.
o It is an international collaboration between
NASA and the Italian Space Agency (ASI).
o IXPE carries three state-of-the-art space
telescopes.
o Each of the three identical telescopes hosts
one light-weight X-ray mirror and one
detector unit. These will help observe
polarized X-rays from neutron stars and
supermassive black holes.
o By measuring the polarisation of these X-
rays, we can study where the light came
from and understand the geometry and inner
workings of the light source.
Volt Typhoon
• Recently, Western intelligence agencies and
Microsoft said that Volt Typhoon, a Chinese
hacking group, had been spying on a range of US
critical infrastructure organisations from
telecommunications to transportation hubs.
153
• Volt Typhoon appears to be focused on stealing
information from "organizations that hold data
that relates to the military or government in the
United States.
• Officials said that the group's activities suggested
that it was being used "primarily for espionage
purposes.
• Such groups become more dangerous when they
turn their attention from intelligence gathering to
digital sabotage.
• Microsoft said in a blog post this week that Volt
Typhoon was "pursuing development of
capabilities that could disrupt critical
communications infrastructure between the
United States & Asia region during future crises."
Narco Test
• Protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar recently
said they were willing to undergo a narco
analysis test, provided it was monitored by the
Supreme Court.
• In a ‘narco’ or narco analysis test, a drug called
sodium pentothal is injected into the body of the
accused.
• It transports them to a hypnotic or sedated state,
in which their imagination is neutralized.
• In this hypnotic state, the accused is understood
as being incapable of lying, and is expected to
divulge information that is true.
• Sodium Pentothal
o Sodium pentothal or sodium thiopental is a
fast-acting, short duration anesthetic.
o It is used in larger doses to sedate patients
during surgery.
o It belongs to the barbiturate class of drugs
that act on the central nervous system as
depressants.
• Polygraph Test
o A polygraph test is based on the assumption
that physiological responses that are
triggered when a person is lying are different
from what they would be otherwise.
o A polygraph test does not involve injecting
drugs into the body.
o ○ It involves measuring variables such as
blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration etc.
Floating-Point Operations per Second
(FLOPs)
• Union Earth Sciences Minister said that India will
unveil its new 18 petaFLOP supercomputer for
weather forecasting institutes later this year.
January - June 2023
• Significance
o The new supercomputer is expected to
 Improve weather forecasts at the block
level.
 Help weather scientists give higher
resolution ranges of the forecast,
predict cyclones with more accuracy
and better lead time (the difference
between a phenomenon being forecast
and actually occuring).
 Provide ocean state forecasts, including
marine water quality forecasts.
• FLOPs in Computing
o FLOPs, or Floating-Point Operations per
Second, is a commonly used metric to
measure the computational performance –
processing power and efficiency.
• petaFLOP
o Due to the immense computing power of
today’s computers, the FLOPs metric is most
often represented in terms of billions (giga),
trillions (tera), or even quadrillions (peta) of
operations per second (GFLOPs, TFLOPs,
PFLOPs, respectively).
o A petaflop is thus equal to a thousand
TFLOPs or 1015 FLOPs.
o Currently, the world’s fastest computer in
terms of PFLOPs is the Hewlett Packard
Enterprise Frontier, or OLCF-5 with the
capability to touch a peak performance of
1,685.65.
Cooling Earth with Moon Dust
• A group of US scientists proposed an
unorthodox scheme to combat global
warming by creating large clouds of Moon dust
in space to reflect sunlight and cool the Earth.
• In their plan, they would mine dust on the Moon
and shoot it out towards the Sun.
• The dust would stay between the Sun and
Earth (Lagrange point) for around a week,
making sunlight around 2% dimmer at Earth’s
surface, after which it would disperse and they
would shoot out more dust.
• Lagrange point- it’s a point in space where the
earth’s and the Sun’s gravitational fields cancel
each other out.
• Solar Radiation Management (SRM)
o Proposed measures to cool Earth by
reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the
surface are often called “solar
geoengineering” or “solar radiation
management” (SRM).
154
• Reason for Choosing Moon Dust
o The most-discussed method involves
injecting a thin layer of aerosol particles
into Earth’s upper atmosphere.
o It is likely to affect rainfall and drought
patterns, and may have other unintended
consequences such as damage to the ozone
layer. Moon dust in space should avoid
these pitfalls, as it would leave our
atmosphere untouched.
o Moon dust is plentiful, and launching dust
clouds from the Moon’s lower gravity would
require substantially less energy than similar
launches from Earth.
Goverment Schemes
and Initiatives
MGNREGS
• In the recently presented Union Budget, the
Centre has cut the allocation for the Mahatma
Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee
Scheme (MGNREGS) by 21.66% for 2023-24,
attracting criticism from some quarters.
• The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act,
2005 introduced the scheme.
• The scheme was introduced as a social measure
that guarantees “the right to work”
• It guarantees 100 days of work a year to every
rural household with an aim to enhance the
livelihood security of people.
• In 2010, NREGA was renamed as MGNREGA.
o Applicant will get unemployment allowance
in case employment is not provided within
fifteen days of submitting the application
• The Act currently covers all districts except for
those that have a 100% urban population.
• The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) in
association with the state governments monitors
the implementation of the scheme.
• Social Audit of MGNREGA works is mandatory,
which lends to accountability and transparency.
• It is the Gram Sabha and the Gram Panchayat
which approves the shelf of works under
MGNREGA and fix their priority.
January - June 2023
PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan
Urja Suraksha Evam Uttham
Mahabhiyan)
• Recently, The deadline for a key scheme by the
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to install
30,000 MW solar power capacity in rural India by
2022, has now been pushed to March 2026.
• This scheme was launched in March 2019.
• This Scheme is aimed at
o Ensuring energy security for farmers in India.
o Honouring India’s commitment to increase the
share of installed capacity of electric power
from non-fossil-fuel sources to 40% by 2030 as
part of Intended Nationally Determined
Contributions (INDCs).
• The PM-KUSUM under which ₹34,422 crore will
be spent by the Centre, has three parts:
o Having farmers or farmer groups install solar
power plants worth 10,000 MW.
o Installing 20 lakh solar-powered agriculture
pumps that aren’t connected to the grid (off-
grid).
o Converting 15 lakh agriculture pumps,
already connected to the grid, into solar.
• Nodal Ministry- Ministry of New and Renewable
Energy (MNRE).
• Side Note
o Rajasthan, with 62.5 MW, led the States with
installed power plants by a wide margin while
Himachal Pradesh finished second with 19.7
MW.
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
(PMMVY)
• Recently, Under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana
Yojana (PMMVY), cash incentives of ₹5,000/- is
provided directly to the Bank/Post Office account
of the beneficiary in Direct Benefit Transfer
(DBT) mode for first child.
• It was Launched in 2017
• PMMVY is a Centrally Sponsored DBT scheme.
• It is being implemented in all the districts of the
country in accordance with the provision of the
National Food Security Act, 2013.
155
• It Provides the cash incentive of ₹ 5000/- (in
three installments) being provided directly in the
bank/post office account of Pregnant Women and
Lactating Mothers.
o Provides this cash for the birth of the first child
to partially compensate a woman for loss of
wages.
o It also aims to improve the nutritional well-
being of the mother and the child.
o Regular employment with the Central
Government or the State Governments or
PSUs or those who are in receipt of similar
benefits are excluded.
• It is combined with another scheme, Janani
Suraksha Yojana, under which nearly ₹1,000 is
given for an institutional birth, so that a woman
gets a total of ₹6,000.
National Action for Mechanized
Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE)
• Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
(MoSJE) has formulated a scheme “National
Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem”
(NAMASTE).
• Main features of the Scheme to be implemented
in all ULBs are:-
o Identification: NAMASTE envisages
identifying the Sewer/Septic Tank Workers
(SSWs).
o Occupational Training and distribution of
PPE Kits to SSWs.
o Assistance for Safety Devices to Sanitation
Response Units (SRUs).
o Extending Health Insurance Scheme
Benefits to identified SSWs and their families
under the Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri
Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
o Livelihood Assistance: The Action Plan will
promote mechanization and enterprise
development by providing funding support and
subsidy (capital +interest) to the sanitation
workers, to procure sanitation related
equipments.
January - June 2023
o IEC Campaign: Massive campaigns would be
undertaken jointly by the ULBs & NSKFDC to
spread awareness about the interventions of
NAMASTE.
• It is a joint venture of
o Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation,
Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
• Significance
o This scheme particularly to stop deaths of
Sewers and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs).
o It will promote mechanisation of cleaning
operations with a vision to reduce hazardous
cleaning & ensure safety of sanitation workers.
Mission Antyodaya Survey (MAS)
• The Union Minister for Rural Development and
Panchayati Raj will inaugurate the Mission
Antyodaya Survey (MAS) 2022-23 on 9 Feb
2023.
• The Department of Rural Development has been
conducting Mission Antyodaya Survey across
all Gram Panchayats in the country since 2017-
18.
• Its purpose is to transform lives and livelihoods of
people on measurable outcomes through
convergence of various schemes.
• Annual survey in Gram Panchayats across the
country is an important aspect of Mission
Antyodaya framework.
• The survey aims to lend support to the process
of participatory planning for Gram Panchayat
Development Plan (GPDP).
o It will improve service delivery, enhance
citizenship, create pace for an alliance of
people’s institutions, and groups and improve
governance at the local level.
• The survey is being conducted to collect village
level data on 183 indicators under 216 data
points of 21 sectors.
• The survey questions have been categorized
into five stratums: (i) Panchayat Infrastructure;
(ii) Panchayat Services; (iii) Village Infrastructure;
(iv) Village Services; and (v) Village Practices.
156
PM Poshan Scheme
• Recently, the Education Ministry requested CAG
for a Special Audit of implementation of PM
Poshan Scheme in the State of West Bengal for
the last three financial years.
• The current version of the programme, renamed
PM Poshan Shakti Nirman or PM Poshan in
2021.
• It was launched in 1995
• Scheme Type- Centrally Sponsored
• Nodal Ministry- Ministry of Education
• Students up to Class VIII are guaranteed one
nutritional cooked meal at least 200 days in a
year. Initially it was launched for students up to
Class 5.
o In 2007, the UPA government expanded it to
Class 8.
• The scheme covers 11.80 crore children
across Classes 1 to 8 (age group 6 to 14) in
11.20 lakh government and government-aided
schools.
• It is a legal entitlement of all school-going
children in primary and upper primary classes,
through the NFSA, 2013, as well as the Supreme
Court’s ruling.
• The primary objective of the scheme is to
improve the nutritional status of children studying
in classes I-VIII in eligible schools.
Mission Bhashini
• ‘Bhashini,’ is one of those initiatives which the
government of India added at the Digital India
Week 2022 event in Gandhinagar during taking
up several digital economy initiatives.
• Nodal Ministry- The Ministry of Electronics & IT.
• This is a local language translation mission that
aims to break the barrier between various
Indian tongues by using available technology.
• This online platform also has a separate
‘Bhasadaan’ section which allows individuals to
contribute to multiple crowdsourcing initiatives.
• The contribution can be done in four ways --
Suno India, Likho India, Bolo India and Dekho
India -- where users have to type what they hear
or have to validate texts transcribed by others.
January - June 2023
• This government platform aims to make Artificial
Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language
Processing (NLP) resources available in the
public domain to be used by -- Indian MSMEs,
startups and individual innovators.
• This will help developers to offer all Indians easy
access to the internet and digital services in their
native languages.
• Side Note
o According to Census 2001, India has 22 official
languages, 122 major languages and 1599
other languages.
o The National Language Translation Mission
(NLTM) was announced in the 2021-22 budget
by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik)
• As on 31.01.2023, a total number of 73 unserved
/underserved airports including 9 Heliports &
2 water aerodromes have been
operationalised, since 2017, under the UDAN
scheme.
• UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) is an initiative
by the government to connect the country’s
under-served and unserved airports.
• It was launched in 2016 under the Ministry of
Civil Aviation in 2016.
• The scheme envisages providing connectivity
to-
o Under-served airports- Those which do not
have more than a flight a day.
o Unserved airports- Those where there are
no operations.
• UDAN is a market driven scheme : Interested
airlines based on their assessment of demand on
particular routes, submit their proposals at the
time of bidding under UDAN.
• The scheme is being jointly funded by the
central government and state governments.
• The scheme will run for 10 years and can be
extended thereafter.
• Significance : UDAN scheme has immensely
benefited several sectors pan-India including
Hilly States, North-Eastern region and Islands.
o It also allows for reduction in traveling
expenses.
157
Prime Minister's Kisan Samman Nidhi
(PM - KISAN)
• Prime Minister of India transferred the 13th
installment of about Rs 16,800 crore under the
ambitious Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman
Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme of the Government
of India.
• It was launched in February 2019.
• It is a Central Sector Scheme with 100%
funding from the Government of India.
• It is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture
and Farmers Welfare.
• Under the scheme , the Center transfers an
amount of Rs 6,000 per year, in three equal
installments.
• It goes directly into the bank accounts of all
landholding farmers irrespective of the size of
their land holdings.
• The scheme defines family as husband, wife
and minor children.
• Identification of Beneficiaries
o The entire responsibility of identification of
beneficiary farmer families rests with the State
/ UT Governments.
• Beneficiaries
o Landholding farmers’ families with cultivable
landholding in their names can apply under
this scheme.
o Farmers from both the urban and rural areas.
o Small and marginal farmers families.
• Exclusion Categories
o Institutional landholders.
o Present or retired officers and employees of
state/central government as well as PSUs and
government autonomous bodies.
o Beneficiaries with higher economic status are
not eligible.
o Those who pay income tax.
o Farmer families holding constitutional posts.
o Professionals like doctors, engineers and
lawyers.
o Retired pensioners with a monthly pension of
over Rs 10,000.
• Objectives
o To provide income support to all land holding
eligible farmer families
January - June 2023
○ To supplement the financial needs of the
Small and Marginal Farmers in procuring
various inputs.
○ To protect them from falling in the
clutches of money lenders for meeting
such expenses and ensure their continuance
in the farming activities.
Mudra Yojana
• The Prime Minister has lauded Mudra Yojana on
the completion of 8 years.
• Mudra Yojana is a loan scheme to offer loan
amounts up to Rs. 10 lakh at competitive
interest rates to individuals, MSMEs and self-
employed professionals.
• This has been achieved through the Commercial
Banks, RRBs, Cooperative Banks, NBFC & MFI.
• It enables them to start their new business or for
business expansion purposes, without
submitting any collateral or security with the
bank or any financial institution.
• Nodal Ministry- Department of Financial Services,
Ministry of Finance
• MUDRA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
SIDBI.
• Types of Loan Provided
o Under Shishu Scheme: Up to Rs. 50,000
o Under Kishor Scheme: Rs. 50,001 – Rs.
5,00,000
o Under Tarun Scheme: Rs. 5,00,001 – Rs.
10,00,000
Adopt a Heritage Scheme
• Recently one archaeologist from USA criticized
Adopt a Heritage Scheme of India.
• The ‘Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni
Pehchaan’ scheme is an initiative of the Ministry
of Tourism, in collaboration with the Ministry of
Culture & the Archaeological Survey of India.
• It was launched in September 2017 on World
Tourism Day.
• The government invites entities, including public
sector companies, private sector firms as well as
individuals, to develop selected monuments and
heritage and tourist sites across India.
158
• Development of these tourist sites calls for
providing and maintaining basic amenities,
including drinking water, ease of access for the
differently abled and senior citizens, standardised
signage, cleanliness etc.
• The sites/monument are selected on the basis of
tourist footfall and visibility and can be adopted
by private and public sector companies and
individuals — known as Monument Mitras — for
an initial period of five years.
• The government has signed 27 Memorandums
of Understanding with 12 public/private groups for
25 key heritage sites throughout the nation.
SWAYATT Initiative
• A function was held to commemorate the success
of “SWAYATT”. The initiative to promote “Start-
ups, Women and Youth Advantage Through
eTransactions” (SWAYATT) on GeM was first
launched in February 2019.
• The intent of SWAYATT 2019 was
o To promote inclusiveness of various categories
of sellers and service providers on the portal,
by taking proactive steps to facilitate their
training and registrations of such specific
category of manufacturers and sellers.
o Develop women entrepreneurship and
encourage participation of MSME sector and
Start-ups in public procurement.
• Government eMarketplace (GeM)
o GeM is an Online Market platform that was set
up in 2016. GeM is a Section 8 company
setup under the administrative control of the
Department of Commerce, Ministry of
Commerce and Industry.
o Purpose : For procurement of goods and
services by Central Ministries, State
Departments, PSEs and Autonomous Bodies.
One Nation, One Challan Initiative
• The Gujarat government recently told the High
Court, which was hearing a public interest
litigation seeking the setting up of virtual traffic
courts in the state, that it was already in the
process of doing so under the ‘One Nation One
Challan’ initiative.
January - June 2023
• One Nation, One Challan is an initiative of the
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
• It’s objective is to bring all related agencies,
such as the traffic police and the Regional
Transport Office (RTO), on one platform, to
enable seamless collection of challans as well
as data transfer.
• The integrated system involves detection of traffic
violations through the CCTV network and getting
the registration number of the erring vehicle from
applications like VAHAN (detecting the vehicle’s
ownership details) and SARATHI (compilation of
driving licenses).
• An e-challan is then generated with the relevant
penalty amount, and sent to the mobile number
linked with the vehicle.
• Virtual Traffic Courts
o If someone doesn’t pay the challan amount
within 90 days, the challan will be
automatically forwarded to a virtual court and
proceedings will be initiated.
o Summons will be sent on the mobile phone of
the offender. If the fine is still not paid, further
legal proceedings will follow.
o Virtual courts are aimed at eliminating the
presence of litigants in the court.
NIPUN BHARAT
• Union minister of Women and Child Development
introduced about NIPUN BHARAT in Rajysabha.
• Ministry of Education has launched a National
Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with
Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN Bharat).
• It been launched under the aegis of the centrally
sponsored scheme of Samagra Shiksha.
• It is one of the components of the NEP 2020.
• Its Objective is to ensure that every child in the
country necessarily attains foundational literacy
and numeracy (FLN) by the end of Grade 3, by
2026-27.
• It will focus on
o Providing access and retaining children in
foundational years of schooling.
o Teacher capacity building.
159
o Development of high quality and diversified
Student and Teacher Resources/Learning
Materials; and tracking the progress of each
child in achieving learning outcomes.
• Implementing Agency
o The Department of School Education and
Literacy, Ministry of Education (MoE).
• Student Covered : Children of age group of 3 to
9 years including pre-school to Grade 3.
Poshan 2.0
• Union minister of Women and Child Development
introduced about Poshan 2.0 in Rajysabha.
• It was announced in Union Budget 2021-22 by
merging supplementary nutrition programmes
and the POSHAN Abhiyaan.
• The scheme has been approved by the
Government of India for implementation during
the 15th Finance Commission period 2021-22 to
2025-26.
• Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is an
Integrated Nutrition Support Programme.
• It seeks to address the challenges of
malnutrition in children, adolescent girls,
pregnant women and lactating mothers.
• Nodal Ministry- Ministry for Women and Child
Development.
PM MITRA Scheme
• The Ministry of Textiles will shortly name the
States identified for implementation of Prime
Minister MITRA (Mega Integrated Textile Region
and Apparel) scheme.
• Nodal Ministry- Ministry for the textile industry.
• Ministry of Textiles is planning to set up 7 Mega
Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM
MITRA) Parks with a total outlay of Rs. 4,445
crore.
• PM MITRA park will be developed by a Special
Purpose Vehicle which will be owned by the
Central and State governments and in a Public-
Private Partnership (PPP) Mode.
• The PM MITRA scheme is Inspired by the 5F
vision - Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to
Foreign.
January - June 2023
• It aspires to fulfil the vision of building an
Aatmanirbhar Bharat and to position India
strongly on the Global textiles map.
• PM MITRA Parks will offer an opportunity to
create an integrated textiles value chain right
from spinning, weaving, processing/dyeing and
printing to garment manufacturing at 1 location
• Integrated Textile Value chain at 1 location will
reduce logistics cost of Industry
• Intended to generate ~1 lakh direct and 2 lakh
indirect per park
• Sites for PM MITRA Parks will be selected by a
Challenge Method based on objective criteria
• Proposals of State Govts having ready availability
of contiguous and encumbrance-free land parcel
of 1,000+ acres along with other textiles related
facilities & ecosystem are welcome.
• Several states such as Tamil Nadu, Punjab,
Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan,
Assam, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and
Telangana have expressed interest.
Call Before u Dig Application
• The Prime Minister of India launched the ‘Call
Before u Dig’ (CBuD) app, to facilitate
coordination between excavation agencies and
underground utility owners to prevent damage to
utilities due to digging.
• It is an initiative of the Department of
Telecommunications, Ministry of
Communications.
• It aims to prevent damage to underlying assets
like optical fiber cables that occurs because of
uncoordinated digging and excavation, leading to
losses of about Rs 3,000 crore every year.
• It will save potential business loss and minimize
discomfort to the citizens due to reduced
disruption in essential services like road, telecom,
water, gas and electricity.
• The PM inaugurated the new International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) Area office
and Innovation Centre.
• ITU
o ITU was founded in 1865 to facilitate
international connectivity in communications
networks.
160
o ITU is the United Nations’ specialized agency
for information and communication
technologies (ICTs).
o Headquartered in Geneva, it has a network of
field offices, regional offices and area offices.
o Members- 193
 Earlier, India got elected as a member of
ITU Council for another 4-year term - from
2019 to 2022. India has remained a regular
member since 1952.
National Child Labour Project (NCLP)
Scheme & PENCIL Portal
• The Minister of State for Labour and Employment
informed Rajya Sabha about the PENCIL portal
and implementation of the National Child Labour
Project (NCLP) Scheme.
• National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme
o Ministry of Labour & Employment has
been implementing National Child Labour
Project (NCLP) Scheme for rehabilitation of
child labourers through District Project
Societies under the chairmanship of the
District Magistrate.
o Under the NCLP scheme, the children in the
age group of 9-14 years are rescued /
withdrawn from work and enrolled in the
NCLP Special Training Centres (STCs).
o They are provided with bridge education,
vocational training, mid-day meal,
stipend, health care, etc. before being
mainstreamed into formal education system.
o NCLP scheme has now been subsumed
under Samagara Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)
Scheme with effect from 01.04.2021.
• PENCIL Portal
o Aim
 PENCIL is an electronic platform that
aims at involving Centre, State, District,
Governments, civil society and the
general public in achieving the target of
child labour free society.
o Components : Child Tracking System,
Complaint Corner, State Government,
National Child Labour Project and
Convergence.
January - June 2023
o Nodal Ministry : The Ministry of Labour
and Employment created it.
o Implementation
 The Districts will nominate District
Nodal Officers (DNOs) who will
receive the complaints and within 48
hours of receiving, they will check the
genuineness of the complaint and
take the rescue measures in
coordination with police, if the
complaint is found to be genuine.
 Till date, 7 states/UTs have appointed
the DNOs.
Eklavya Model Residential Schools
(EMRS)
• In the next three years, the Centre will recruit
38,800 teachers and support staff for the 740
Eklavya Model Residential Schools, serving
3.5 lakh tribal students.
• EMRS are set up in States/UTs with grants
under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India.
• It started in the year 1997-98.
• The scheme is being implemented by the
Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
• The EMR School follows the CBSE curriculum.
• Each school has a capacity of 480 students,
catering to students from Class VI to XII.
• 688 EMRSs have been sanctioned so far, of
which 392 are functional.
• Eklavya Model Day Boarding School (EMDBS)
o Wherever the density of ST population “is
higher in identified Sub-Districts (90% or
more), it is proposed to set up Eklavya Model
Day Boarding School (EMDBS) on an
experimental basis for providing additional
scope for ST Students seeking to avail school
education without residential facility.
• Objectives
o To provide quality middle and high level
education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in
remote areas.
o Comprehensive physical, mental and socially
relevant development of all students enrolled
in each and every EMRS.
161
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi
Pariyojana (PMBJP)
• Government has deepened the reach of PMBJP
with more than 9000 stores covering 743 out of
766 districts across the country.
• The Government has set a target to increase the
number of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi
Kendras (PMBJKs) to 10,000 by March 2024.
• PMBJP) was launched by the Department of
Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals &
Fertilizers, Govt. of India in November, 2008.
• Objective- To make quality generic medicines
available at affordable prices to all.
• The product basket of PMBJP comprises 1759
medicines and 280 surgical devices covering all
major therapeutic groups such as Cardiovascular,
Anti-cancers, Anit-diabetics, Anti-infectives, Anti-
allergic, Gastro-intestinal medicines,
Nutraceuticals, etc.
Prajjwala Challenge
• Ministry of Rural Development launched
Prajjwala Challenges under the Deendayal
Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods
Mission (DAY-NRLM).
• It is one of the platforms where ideas are invited
from individuals, Social Enterprises, Start up,
Private Sector, Civil Society, Community Based
Organization, Academic Institution, Investors etc
having potential to transform the rural
economy.
• The Mission is looking for ideas and solutions
around Innovative Technology Solution, Inclusive
Growth, Value Chain Interventions, Enhanced
Women Entrepreneurship, Cost effective
Solutions. DAY-NRLM aims at mobilizing rural
poor households into SHGs and provide them
long-term support such that they diversify their
livelihoods, improve their incomes etc.
National Digital Library
• Union Finance Minister proposed a national
digital library for children and adolescents
along with strengthening of the National Book
Trust.
January - June 2023
• A National Digital Library will be a repoository of
digital objects, such as books, articles,
images, videos, and other forms of multimedia,
that will be made available to users for access
and use over the internet.
• It was aimed at building a “culture of reading”
& to make up for pandemic-time learning losses.
• The National Digital Library will be sponsored
and mentored by the Ministry of Education,
Government of India through its National
Mission on Education through Information
and Communication Technology (NMEICT).
PM-SHRI Scheme
• A total of 165,382 schools spread across 29
states and Union territories have so far applied
with the ministry of education for an upgrade
under the Pradhan Mantri Schools For Rising
India (PM-SHRI) scheme.
• The maximum number of schools that have
applied for the selection are from-
o Uttar Pradesh (37,065), Rajasthan (21,317),
Madhya Pradesh (19,508), Maharashtra
(16,614), and Andhra Pradesh (13, 455).
• The Cabinet approved a new Centrally
Sponsored Scheme named PM SHRI on 7th
September 2022. Under the scheme, 14,597
existing schools will be selected from amongst
those managed by the Central government,
States, Union Territories and local bodies.
• The Centre expects 18 lakh students to directly
benefit from the scheme.
• Schools will be redeveloped as model
institutions, or PM Shri Schools, to fulfil the
objectives of the NEP 2020.
• It will be implemented with a total project cost of
₹27,360 crore, with ₹18,128 crore being the
Centre’s share, for five years from 2022-23 to
2026-27.
National Single Window System
(NSWS) Portal
• Over 75 thousand approvals granted on
National Single Window System Portal for
various Central and State/UTs clearances.
162
• NSWS portal was launched in 2021.
• It is a one-stop digital platform that aims at
allowing investors to apply for various pre-
operations approvals required for commencing
a business in the country.
• Currently, Investors can apply for approvals from
27 Central Ministries/Departments and 19
States/UTs on the portal.
• This portal will help in bringing Transparency,
Accountability & Responsiveness in the
ecosystem.
• All information will be available on a single
dashboard.
• It will also provide strength to other schemes like
Make in India, Startup India, PLI scheme etc
Purple Fest: Celebrating Diversity
• India's first-of-its-kind inclusivity, 'Purple Fest:
Celebrating Diversity' began in a glorious
ceremony in Goa.
• The Purple Fest will be hosted by the Goa State
Commission for Persons with Disabilities in
association with the Directorate of Social Welfare
and Entertainment Society of Goa.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann
Yojana (PMGKAY)
• The Central Government's integrated food
security scheme has been named as the
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana
(PMGKAY).
• PMGKAY was launched in the wake of the
coronavirus pandemic in April 2020 which ended
in December 2022.
• The government decided to subsume PMGKAY
into two existing food subsidy schemes and
consequently, the new integrated food security
scheme came into force.
• The new scheme has been named as Pradhan
Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY).
• New Scheme Features
o Free foodgrains will be provided under the
PMGKAY for the year 2023 to the poor
beneficiaries as per the entitlement under the
the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
January - June 2023
o Till December 2022, the NFSA beneficiaries • National Health Authority (NHA) introduced a
were getting their foodgrains entitlement at a
highly subsidised rate of ₹1, ₹2 and ₹3 per kg
for coarse cereals, wheat and rice,
respectively.
o Now, they will get it for free this year.
o Ration card holders can now avail 5 kg of
wheat or rice per month for free rather than at
a subsidised rate.
o Antyodaya Anna Yojana cardholders will
receive 35 kg of free foodgrains.
National Food Security Act 2013
• It aims to ensure people food and nutritional
security by assuring access to a sufficient
quantity of high-quality food at reasonable
prices.
• NFSA 2013 includes almost two-thirds of the
Indian population in its entirety.
• Provisions : 75% of the Rural and 50% of the
Urban population is entitled to receive highly
subsidised foodgrains under two categories of
beneficiaries-
o Antodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households
and Priority Household (PHH).
o The Act entitles 35 kg of foodgrain per AAY
Household per month, whereas 5 Kg of
foodgrain per PHH person per month.
o Eligible households receive foodgrains at
subsidised price– rice at Rs 3/kg, wheat at
Rs 2/kg and coarse grain at Rs 1/kg —
under the Targeted Public Distribution
System (TPDS).
o Coverage- 81.35 crore beneficiaries is still
based on Census 2011.
o Grievances Redressal- every state of India
is required to create a mechanism for the
redressal of any grievances.
o Special focus on women and children.
A New System to Measure
Performance of Hospitals Empaneled
under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY
Scheme
163
new system to measure and grade performance
of hospitals empaneled under Ayushman Bharat
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)
scheme.
• Existing System
o Traditionally, from the payer’s perspective,
the healthcare model has been focussed
on the quantity of services delivered,
where case-based bundled payment is
made on the basis of the number of services
provided.
• The New System
o The new initiative will introduce the concept
of ‘value- based care’, where payment will
be outcome based and providers will be
rewarded according to the quality of the
treatment delivered.
Grameen Udyami Scheme
• Union Minister of State for Skill Development &
Entrepreneurship attended the felicitation
programme of 200 tribal women under the
Grameen Udyami Scheme.
• It was launched to augment skill training in
tribal communities for their inclusive and
sustainable growth.
• Under the programme, the endeavor is to multi
skill India’s youth and impart functional skills to
them for enabling livelihoods.
• It is funded by National Skill Development
Corporation (NSDC).
• Under the program, 49 ST clusters in 15 states of
India have been selected by 40 tribal MPs of Lok
Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
• Under their leadership, the scheme in respective
clusters is being implemented. One development
associate is appointed by the MPs in each
cluster. It is being implemented in six states -
Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya
Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Gujarat.
Ayushman Bharat School Health and
Wellness Programme
• It has been nearly three years since the School
Health and Wellness Programme was launched
under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
• So far only 15 of India’s States have started
weekly 40-minute classroom sessions with
students.
January - June 2023 164

• Only four States and UTs – Andhra Pradesh, o Creation of over Six lakh jobs Cumulative
Sikkim, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli – reduction in fossil fuel imports over Rs. One
have achieved 100% coverage. lakh crore.
• The program has been jointly rolled out by
o Abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual
Ministries of Health & Family Welfare and
Human Resource Development. greenhouse gas emissions.
• Under the programme teachers act as “Health • Significance of Green Hydrogen
and Wellness Ambassadors”. o Green hydrogen can achieve cost parity with
• They disseminate various key information by natural gas-based hydrogen (grey hydrogen)
organising culturally sensitive activity based by 2030, if not before.
sessions for one hour per week for 24 weeks in a o Green hydrogen will be necessary to
year to promote joyful learning.
achieve a truly low-carbon economy. It will
• The students act as Health and Wellness
Messengers in the society. enable the emergence of a domestically
• Every Tuesday is dedicated as Health and produced energy carrier that can reduce the
Wellness Day in the schools. dependence on imports for key commodities
like natural gas and petroleum.
• Types of Hydrogen Based on Extraction
National Green Hydrogen Mission
Methdos
• Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
○ Depending on production methods, hydrogen
recently said that as per the National Hydrogen
can be grey, blue or green – and sometimes
Mission of the country, Green
even pink, yellow or turquoise Image.
Hydrogen/Ammonia bunkers and refuelling
○ Green Hydrogen: Hydrogen is one of the
facilities will be established in all major ports by
most abundant elements on earth for a
2035.
cleaner alternative fuel option.
• The National Green Hydrogen Mission was
■ Green hydrogen is produced by splitting
approved by the Union Cabinet on 4 January
water into hydrogen and oxygen using
2022, with the intended objectives of:
an electrolyzer powered by electricity from
o Making India a leading producer and
green energy sources such as wind and
supplier of Green Hydrogen in the world
solar.
o Creation of export opportunities for Green
■ When burnt, it gives out water vapour, with
Hydrogen and its derivatives.
no residue or climate-harming impact.
o Reduction in dependence on imported fossil
■ Hydrogen and fuel cells can provide energy
fuels and feedstock.
for use in diverse applications, including
o Development of indigenous manufacturing
distributed or combined-heat-and-power;
capabilities.
backup power; systems for storing and
o Attracting investment and business
enabling renewable energy; portable power
opportunities for the industry.
etc.
o Creating opportunities for employment and
○ Grey Hydrogen: : It is produced via coal or
economic development Supporting R&D
lignite gasification (black or brown), or via a
projects.
process called steam methane reformation
• The mission outcomes projected by 2030 are:
(SMR) of natural gas or methane (grey).
o The development of green hydrogen
■ These tend to be mostly carbon-intensive
production capacity of at least 5 MMT (Million
processes.
Metric Tonnes) per annum.
○ Blue Hydrogen : It is produced via natural
o An associated renewable energy capacity
gas or coal gasification combined with
addition of about 125 GW in the country.
carbon capture storage (CCS) or carbon
o Over Rs. Eight lakh crore in total
capture use (CCU) technologies to reduce
investments.
carbon emissions.
January - June 2023
Startup India Seed Fund Scheme
(SISFS)
• The Department for Promotion of Industry and
Internal Trade (DPIIT) is undertaking a third-
party assessment of the Rs 945-crore Startup
India Seed Fund Scheme to see its impact on the
ground.
• Startup India was launched by the government
on January 16, 2016 to provide capital at various
stages of the business cycle of a startup.
• Under this, the government has implemented
Fund of Funds and Startup India Seed Fund
scheme
• Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)
• The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme
(SISFS) implemented with effect from 1st
April 2021 with a corpus of Rs. 945 crores.
• It was launched by Department for
Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
(DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce &
Industry.
• Aim
 To provide financial assistance to
startups for proof of concept, prototype
development, product trials, market
entry and commercialization.
• Time Period
 It has been approved for the period of 4
years starting from 2021-22.
• EAC
o An Experts Advisory Committee (EAC) has
been constituted by Department for
Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
(DPIIT).
o It will be responsible for the overall
execution and monitoring of the Startup
India Seed Fund Scheme.
o The EAC evaluates and selects incubators
for funds under the Scheme.
o These incubators thereon select the
startups based on certain parameters
outlined in Scheme guidelines.
165
Smart Cities Mission
• Recently, the Union Housing and Urban Affairs
Ministry extended the deadline of its Smart Cities
Mission from June this year to June 2024.
• It was extended to enable all 100 smart cities to
not only complete their projects but also
document and disseminate the learnings from the
mission.
• 50 out of the 100 cities have completed 75% of
the projects and would be able to complete the
remaining works by June.
• The Smart Cities Mission is an initiative of the
Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry that
was launched on June 25, 2015.
• Scheme Type- Centrally Sponsored Scheme
• Cities across the country were asked to submit
proposals for projects to improve municipal
services and to make their jurisdictions more
liveable.
• Between January 2016 and June 2018 (when
the last city, Shillong, was chosen), the Ministry
selected 100 cities for the Mission over five
rounds.
• The projects were supposed to be completed
within five years of the selection of the city, but
in 2021 the Ministry changed the deadline for all
cities to June 2023, which was earlier the
deadline for Shillong alone.
• Features
o Among its strategic components ‘area-based
development’, which includes city
improvement (retrofitting), city renewal
(redevelopment) and city extension (greenfield
development), plus a pan-city initiative in which
‘smart solutions’ are applied covering larger
parts of the city.
o Key focus areas of the scheme include
construction of walkways, pedestrian
crossings, cycling tracks, efficient waste-
management systems, integrated traffic
management and assessment.
o The scheme also assesses various indices to
track urban development such as the Ease of
Living Index, Municipal Performance Index,
City GDP framework, Climate Smart Cities
assessment framework, etc.
January - June 2023
Twenty Point Programme
• The Indian government succeeded in
achieving more than 90% target
completion in six out of 14 parameters
under the Twenty Point Programme, as per
data from the Ministry of Statistics and
Programme Implementation.
• The Twenty Point Programme was initially
launched in 1975 and was subsequently
restructured in 1982 and again on 1986.
• With the introduction of new policies and
programmes it has been finally
restructured in 2006 and it has been in
operation at present.
• The monitoring of the programme at the
centre has been assigned to the Ministry of
Statistics and Programme
Implementation.
• It is a package of government programs, with
the aim of improving the quality of life in rural
areas.
• The program includes a range of schemes
related to poverty alleviation, employment
generation, education, health, housing, and
environmental protection.
• The Programmes and Schemes under
Twenty Point Programme (TPP) 2006 are
in harmony with the priorities contained in
the National Common Minimum Programme,
the Millennium Development Goals of the
United Nations and SAARC Social Charter.
Deep Ocean Mission
• Recently, the Union Minister of State
(Independent Charge) Earth Sciences chaired the
first-ever high-level Steering Committee
meeting of Deep Ocean Mission.
• Deep Ocean Mission is part of Government of
India’s Blue Economy initiative.
• The Mission Steering Committee (MSC) is the
highest Policy making body constituted under the
Deep Ocean Mission (DOM).
• The design and development of subsystems of
the manned submersible to carry three humans
has been completed and integration is in
progress.
166
• National Institute of Ocean Technology
(NIOT), has been developing a manned
submersible (Matsya 6000) with a capacity to
carry three human beings to 6000 m ocean
depth.
o NIOT is an autonomous institute under
the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• The Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) of
ISRO is involved in developing a titanium alloy
human sphere of 2.1 m diameter for the manned
submersible.
• The overall estimated cost of the Deep Ocean
Mission is Rs. 4077 crores for a period of five
years (2021 to 2026).
• The development of the mission has been going
on since 2018.
• Aim
o The focus of the mission will be on deep-
sea mining, ocean climate change
advisory services, underwater vehicles
and underwater robotics related
technologies.
• Nodal Ministry : Ministry of Earth Sciences
Art and Culture
Gangasagar Mela
• West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee
demanded a 'national status' for the 'Gangasagar
mela'.
• Gangasagar Mela takes place every year on
the island of Gangasagar in the state's 24
South Parganas.
• Every year during Gangasagar mela, devotees
from all over the country gather at the
confluence of the Ganga and the Bay of
Bengal to take a sacred dip during Makar
Sankranti (mid-January).
• Gangasagar island is in the Ganges delta located
on the continental shelf of the Bay of Bengal
roughly 100 kilometres (54 nautical miles) south
of Kolkata.
• The mela is said to be India's second largest
pilgrimage gathering after the Kumbh Mela.
January - June 2023 167

Maghi Mela • The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,

• This year, the festival Maghi Mela was 1960, is to prevent the infliction of unnecessary
celebrated on January 14. pain or suffering on animals and to amend the
• Maghi Mela is held in the holy city of Sri Muktsar laws relating to the prevention of cruelty to
Sahib every year in January, or on the month of animals.
Magh according to the Nanakshahi calendar. • Other Animal Sports
• It is one of the most important festivals for Sikhs. Played in
• It has been celebrated for centuries in memory of Tamil Nadu as
40 Sikh warriors were killed fighting the Mughals JalliKattu Bull-taming part of the
in the Battle of Khidrana in 1705. sport Pongal
• It was after this battle that Khidrana was named harvest
Muktsar, or the pool of liberation. festival.

Assam’s Charaideo Maidams It is common

in the state of
• The Centre has decided to nominate Assam’s
Charaideo Maidams — for the UNESCO World Andhra
Cock-fights Fight between Pradesh,
Heritage Centre this year.
• It is the Ahom equivalent of the ancient two roosters Jharkhand,
bred Tamil Nadu
Egyptian pyramids.
• It is among 52 sites across the country seeking and Kerala.
not
the World Heritage Site tag.
• Charaideo, more than 400 km east of indigenous to
India
Guwahati, was the first capital of the Ahom
dynasty founded by Chao Lung Siu-Ka-Pha in coastal
1253. Kambala Traditional Karnataka
• There is currently no World Heritage Site in the buffalo race (Udupi and
category of cultural heritage in the northeast. Dakshina
Kannada)
Bullock Cart Race
Camel Race Race of Rajasthan
• A shocking video surfaced online, showing an
Camels
illegal bullock cart race taking place at Mira-
Bhayandar Flyover in Mumbai. It is a blood
• The bullock cart riders were seen assaulting the sport that pits
animals. Dog Fights two dogs kept
• Although Bullock cart racing is a traditional in cages
sport, which has been made legal now, this without food Delhi
incident has imposed questions on allowance of for days,
animal cruelty. against one
• It was previously banned by the Bombay High another for
Court (HC), but the ban was uplifted by Supreme entertainment
Court (SC) on December 2021.
• Bullock Cart Race is a cultural activity and Often bulbuls
popular amongst farming community in are fed
Maharashtra and Pune districts. Bulbul fights intoxicants to Assam
make them
aggressive.
January - June 2023
Charaideo Maidams
• Maidams represets the late medieval (13th-19th
century CE) mound burial tradition of the Tai
Ahom community in Assam.
• Out of 386 Maidams or Moidams explored so far,
90 royal burials at Charaideo are the best
preserved, representative of and the most
complete examples of mound burial tradition of
the Ahoms.
• The Charaideo Maidams enshrine the mortal
remains of the members of the Ahom royalty,
who used to be buried with their paraphernalia.
• After the 18th century, the Ahom rulers adopted
the Hindu method of cremation and began
entombing the cremated bones and ashes in a
Maidam at Charaideo.
Machu Picchu
• As protests rage in Peru, the popular tourist
destination of Machu Picchu has been
indefinitely shut for visitors.
• Machu Picchu is an Incan citadel set high in the
Andes Mountains in Peru, above the Urubamba
River valley.
• It is often referred as the "Lost City of the Incas.
• It is built in the 15th century and later abandoned.
• It is famous for its sophisticated dry-stone walls
that fuse huge blocks without the use of mortar,
and intriguing buildings that play on astronomical
alignments and panoramic views.
• Its exact former use remains a mystery.
• Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian
Historic Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO
World Heritage Site in 1983.
• In 2007, Machu Picchu was voted one of the New
Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide
internet poll.
Etikoppaka Toys
• An Etikoppaka toy craftsman is one among the
seven persons from Andhra Pradesh who have
been selected for this year's Padma Awards.
• Etikoppaka is a small village on the banks of
Varaha River at a distance of 64 Kms away from
Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh.
168
• The toys are made with lacquer color and are
traditionally known as Etikoppaka toys or
Etikoppaka Bommalu.
• The toys are also called as lacquer toys
because of application of lacquer coating.
• The toys are made out of wood and are
coloured with natural dyes derived from seeds,
lacquer, bark, roots and leaves.
• Etikoppaka Toys have obtained their GI tag
under Handicrafts category in the state of
Andhra Pradesh.
Ramcharitmanas
• Bihar Education Minister said the
Ramcharitmanas “spreads hatred in society”,
and that Goswami Tulsidas’s epic poem — along
with the Manusmriti and M S Golwalkar’s Bunch
of Thoughts — should be burned.
• The Ramcharitmanas poem was written in the
16th century in the Awadhi dialect.
o Awadhi dialect is mainly spoken in the areas
that are today’s Lucknow, Prayagraj, and
Ayodhya districts.
• It is divided into seven chapters (Kand) that tell
the story of Lord Ram from birth to his becoming
King of Ayodhya. The Ramcharitmanas is based
on the Ramayana, sage Valmiki’s great epic.
• It is the holiest book of the Indo-Gangetic region,
and among the world’s most read holy book.
Goswami Tulsidas
• Tulsidas, a Brahmin whose original name was
Ram Bola Dubey, is believed to have been born
in Rajapur by the Yamuna in today’s Banda
district. He was a great Hindu poet as well as
saint, reformer, and philosopher who
composed various popular books.
• Two ancient sources of his life are the
Bhaktamal and Bhakti Ras Bodhini composed
by the Nabhadas and Priyadas respectively.
• Tulsidas lived in the time of Emperor Akbar.
• Apart from the Ramcharitmanas, there are the
five major works of the Tulsidas which are:
• Dohavali, Kavitavali, Gitavali, Krishna
Gitavali or Krishnavali, Vinaya Patrika.
 January - June 2023
Assam’s Maidams
• Assam’s pyramid-like structures known as
moidams or maidams have met all the technical
requirements of UNESCO’s World Heritage
Centre.
• It is the Ahom equivalent of the ancient
Egyptian pyramids.
• It is among 52 sites across the country seeking
the World Heritage Site tag.
• Charaideo, more than 400 km east of
Guwahati, was the first capital of the Ahom
dynasty founded by Chao Lung Siu-Ka-Pha in
1253.
• There is currently no World Heritage Site in the
category of cultural heritage in the northeast.
• Maidams represets the late medieval (13th-19th
century CE) mound burial tradition of the Tai
Ahom community in Assam.
• Out of 386 Maidams or Moidams explored so far,
90 royal burials at Charaideo are the best
preserved, representative of and the most
complete examples of mound burial tradition of
the Ahoms.
• The Charaideo Maidams enshrine the mortal
remains of the members of the Ahom royalty,
who used to be buried with their paraphernalia.
• After the 18th century, the Ahom rulers adopted
the Hindu method of cremation and began
entombing the cremated bones and ashes in a
Maidam at Charaideo.
Bobbili Veena
• The famous Bobbili Veena got global attention
as the Andhra Pradesh government was
preparing to present its replicas as part of cultural
exchange to the delegates of G-20 conference,
which was held on March 28 and 29 in
Visakhapatnam.
• Bobbili Veena, popularly known as Saraswati
Veena, a large plucked string instrument is
used in Carnatic music.
• The making of the veena began in the 17th
century during the reign of Pedda Rayudu, the
king of Bobbili Samsthanam who was a great
patron of music.
169
• It has earned a GI tag in 2012 for its unique
design and high-quality craftsmanship.
• However, it is gasping for its survival due to
lack of artisans.
• Only 40 families of Sarwasiddi artisans from
Gollapalli and Vadada are into the business.
Bumchu Festival
• The Tashiding Monastery in the northeastern
Indian state of Sikkim hosted the annual Bumchu
Festival.
• Bumchu means “pot of sacred water” in
Tibetan.
• Bumchu, the Tashiding holy water vase ritual, is a
unique and important occasion that draws
travellers from all over the world.
• Annual performances of this ancient ceremony
are held at the Tashiding Monastery.
• The Tashiding Monastery is one of the most
sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites, located on a
hilltop overlooking the Rangeet River in Sikkim.
• Background
o The Bumchu festival commemorates a
supernatural occurrence that took place in the
18th century under Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal.
o A legend says that a Lama was told by a deity
to visit a nearby spring and gather water in a
vase.
o The Lama followed the instructions and found
that no matter how much water was used, the
water level in the vase never dropped.
o The Lama understood that the vase was scary
and that its water had healing properties.
o The vase was delivered to the Tashiding
Monastery, where it was revered as a holy
object and served as the centrepiece of the
Bumchu festival.
Nowruz
• The Parsi community in India, which follows
Zoroastrianism, celebrated Nowruz on March 21,
marking the beginning of the New Year.
• Nowruz or Navroz, the Iranian New Year that
marks the beginning of the spring season.
January - June 2023
• It is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm
among various Parsi communities across the
world including India.
• The word 'now' means new and 'ruz' means day,
which translates to 'a new day'.
• Nowruz marks the beginning of Farvardin, the
first month of the Solar Hijri calendar and is
usually celebrated on March 20 or 21 globally.
• In India, the festival is observed around August
16-17 by the Parsi community following the
Shahenshahi calendar which does not account
for leap years, which means the holiday has now
moved by 200 days from its original day.
• Nowruz is celebrated in many countries having
significant Persian cultural influence like Iran,
Iraq, India, Afghanistan and parts of Central Asia,
America, Europe.
• The United Nations General Assembly
proclaimed the International Day of Nowruz in
2010.
• The festival had also been listed as an Intangible
Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016.
Basholi Paintings
• The world famous 'Basohli Painting' - popular
for its miniature art style from Kathua district
has obtained the Geographical Indication (GI)
Tag following approval by the National Bank for
Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
Jammu.
• This is the first time in the history of GI
registration that Jammu region got GI tag for
handicrafts.
• The products which have obtained GI tagging
included-
o Basholi Pashmina Woolen Products (Kathua),
Chikri Wood Craft (Rajouri), Bhaderwah Rajma
(Doda), Mushkbudji Rice (Anantnag), Kaladi
(Udhampur), Sulai Honey (Ramban),
Anardana (Ramban), Ladakh Wood Carving
(Ladakh).
• About Basholi Paintings
o Basholi painting is a reputed school of
miniature paintings known for its vivid,
evocative colors, bold lines, and deep-set
facial patterns.
170
o The Basholi Paintings have peculiar
characteristics, they have perfect geometrical
patterns, bright colors and glossy enamel.
o This style of painting saw its best years in the
17-18th century.
o Basholi paintings are considered as the first
school of Pahari paintings, many of which
have evolved into the much more detailed and
widespread style of Kangra painting school.
o The Basholi paintings had obscure beginnings,
although Raja Bhupat Pal is widely credited
as its founder.
o Themes: The portraits of local rulers, Radha-
Krishna, and Madhava-Malati love themes
and themes from the Bhagavata Purana.
o These are painted on paper, cloth, or wood
using natural pigments and dyes.
Bihu
• On April 14, the beginning of the Bihu festival, the
Assam government has planned a spectacle
around the folk dance.
• Bihu is a set of three important Assamese
festivals in the Indian state of Assam–
○ 'Rongali' or 'Bohag Bihu' observed in
April
■ The Rongali Bihu is the most important of
the three, celebrating the spring festival.
■ It is one of the biggest festivals of
Assam, falls in the second week of April
every year, marking the beginning of the
harvest period.
■ This year Bohag Bihu will be observed
from April 14 to April 16.
■ Besides the cow worship, the people also
observe a generation-old tradition of
playing with eggs.
■ The first day of Rongali Bihu, also
known as Goru Bihu, is dedicated to
cattle and usually falls on the last day of the
outgoing year.
○ 'Kongali' or 'Kati Bihu' observed in
October
■ The Kongali Bihu or the Kati Bihu is the
sombre, thrifty one reflecting a season of
short supplies and is an animistic festival.
January - June 2023
○ 'Bhogali' or 'Magh Bihu' is observed in
January.
■ The Bhogali Bihu or the Magh Bihu is a
harvest festival, with community feasts.
Kamakhya Temple
• Prime minister of India, appreciated Assam’s
“landmark” Maa Kamakhya initiative and hoped it
would be like the Kashi Vishwanath Dham in
Varanasi and Shree Mahakal Mahalok in Ujjain.
• Atop Nilachal Hills in Guwahati adjoining the
southern bank of the Brahmaputra River, the
Kamakhya temple is one of the oldest and most
revered centres of Tantric practices.
• It is believed that the ancient demon king,
Narakasura had the temple built in honour of
Goddess Kamakhya.
• The temple was rebuilt under the patronage of
Naranarayan, the last ruler of the undivided
Kamata kingdom that straddled present-day
Assam, Bangladesh, and West Bengal.
• Structurally, the temple is dated to the 8th-9th
century with many subsequent rebuildings.
• It is the site of the Ambubachi Mela, an annual
festival that celebrates the menstruation of the
goddess. It is also one of the oldest of the 51
pithas in the Shakta tradition.
• In July 2015, the Supreme Court of India
transferred the administration of the Temple from
the Kamakhya Debutter Board to the Bordeuri
Samaj
• Temple Architecture
o It had been modelled out of a combination of
two different styles namely, the traditional
nagara or North Indian and Saracenic or
Mughal style of architecture.
o This unusual combination has been named the
Nilachala Style of Architecture.
o This is the only temple of Assam having a fully
developed ground plan.
Manamadurai Pottery
• Recently, The Manamadurai pottery earned a
Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
• Manamadurai in Sivagangai district is known
for pottery making.
171
• Making of The Pots
o The right proportion of mud, clay and
heating makes this product very strong.
o The main raw materials for making these pots
are soil and water.
o A unique type of clay is sourced from water
bodies like Nedunkulam, Nathapurakki,
Sundaranadappu, Seikalathur to make these
pots.
o The Vaigai river enriches the clay used for the
Manamadurai pottery.
o The particles of the mud get separated by
sieving.
o The slurry is mixed with the sand and lead and
graphite are added to the mixture to improve
the quality.
o This mixture is now rich in calcium lime, ash,
red lead, sodium silicate, manganese, iron,
and plasticizing.
o The pot is also painted in different colours.
Konark Sun Temple
• A petition has been filed in the Orissa High Court
challenging the minimum eligibility criteria of
matriculation adopted by the Archaeological
Survey of India (ASI) for issuing licences to
photographers to operate inside Sun Temple at
Konark.
• Sun Temple was built in the 13th century.
• It was built by King Narasimhadeva I, the great
ruler of the Ganga dynasty.
• The sun temple was conceived as a gigantic
chariot of the Sun God, with 12 pairs (24 wheels)
of exquisitely ornamented wheels pulled by
seven horses.
• The wheels of the temple are sundials, which can
be used to calculate time accurately to a minute.
• The temple was included in UNESCO World
Heritage Site in 1984.
• It is a perfect blend of Kalinga architecture,
heritage, exotic beach and salient natural
beauty.
• It is protected under the National Framework
of India by the Ancient Monuments and
Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR)
Act (1958) and its Rules (1959).
January - June 2023
• This temple was also known as ‘BLACK
PAGODA’ due to its dark color
• This was used as a navigational landmark by
ancient sailors to Odisha.
• The Jagannath Temple in Puri was called the
“White Pagoda”.
Hemis Monastery
• The Y20 pre-summit meeting under G20
started in Leh of Ladakh on Wednesday. More
than 100 delegates from 30 countries visited the
Hemis and Thiksey monasteries as part of this
pre-summit.
• Hemis Monastery is a Himalayan Buddhist
monastery (gompa) of the Drukpa Lineage, in
Hemis, Ladakh, India.
• Situated 45 km from Leh, it was re-established
in 1672 by the Ladakhi king Sengge Namgyal.
• The annual Hemis festival honouring
Padmasambhava is held there in early June.
Bihan Mela
• Since 2019, members of the Kondh tribe in
Odisha’s Nayagarh district have added one more
event, Bihan Mela to their calendar of festivals
and celebrations.
• Bihan Mela means the seed festival.
• The event is participated by farmers from as
many as 40 villages in Dasapalla block,
sorrounded by hills and forests.
• Preparations begin as soon as farmers have
harvested kharif crops, which includes both
hybrid and indigenous varieties of paddy, millets,
maize and sorghum.
• Women, who are at the helm of this festival,
carefully collect seeds of the indigenous varieties
and store them in earthen pots.
• Then, on a designated day in December, they
decorate the pots with red and white motifs.
• They place them in a bamboo basket and carry it
on head to the village where the fair is being
organised.
• Along the way, they are accompanied by men
beating drums and other traditional instruments.
172
• Significance
o Farmers in the Kondh Villages of Odisha are
mostly marginal and depend on the monsoon
rains.
o In recent years, they have seen repeated crop
failures either due to erratic rainfall or pest
attacks.
o The seed festival was thus introduced to help
farmers return to their traditional ways of
farming like mixed cropping.
Channapatna Toys
• Toy manufacturers in Channapatna, Karnataka,
appreciated the Government's decision to prohibit
the import of toys from China and said that the
government's action is contributing to augmenting
their profitability.
• Channapatna toys are a particular form of
wooden toys and dolls that are manufactured
in the town of Channapatna in the Ramanagara
district of Karnataka state, India.
• This traditional craft is protected as a
geographical indication (GI) under the World
Trade Organization, administered by the
Government of Karnataka.
• As a result of the popularity of these toys,
Channapatna is known as the Gombegala Ooru
(toy-town) of Karnataka.
• Traditionally, the work involved lacquering the
wood of the Wrightia tinctoria tree, colloquially
called Aale mara (ivory-wood).
• The greater prominence of the Channapatna toys
can be traced to patronage from Tipu Sultan.
• The art underwent dramatic changes over the
years.
• A man by the name of Bavas Miyan undertook
the responsibility to introduce Japanese doll
making techniques to improve production and
reduce the effort that went into making each
piece of toy.
• For nearly two centuries, ivory-wood was the
main wood used in the making of these toys,
though rosewood and sandalwood were also
occasionally used.
January - June 2023
• They are also painted in organic colours
extracted from vegetables and plants and natural
dyes, making the Channapatna Toys 100%
chemical free.
Mohenjodaro’s Dancing Girl
• Recently, the Dancing Girl figurine discovered
in Mohenjodaro in 1926 found itself at the centre
of controversy.
• This mesmerizing sculpture, famously known as
'The Dancing Girl,' is one of the highest
achievements of the artists of Mohenjodaro.
• The 'Dancing Girl' is a sculpture made of bronze.
• It belongs to the Indus Valley Civilization and
dates back to circa 2500 BCE. It is 10.5 cm in
height, 5 cm in width and 2.5 cm in depth.
• It is dark and completely in the nude with the
exception of multiple bangles and a necklace.
o However, the adapted mascot has fairer skin,
and is dressed in a bright pink blouse and an
off-white waist-coat.
• She has 24 bangles in one hand and 4 in the
other.
• Presently, it is on display in the Indus Valley
Civilization gallery in the National Museum, New
Delhi.
• Side Note:
o The formal announcement of the discovery of
the Indus or Harappan Civilization was made
in 1924 by John Marshall, the then Director-
General of the Archaeological Survey of India.
Foucault’s Pendulum
• Suspended from the ceiling of the Central Foyer
of India’s new Parliament building, inaugurated
on May 29, is a Foucault pendulum that all but
touches the floor as it rotates on its axis.
• The pendulum hangs from a skylight at the top of
the Constitution Hall, and signifies the “integration
of the idea of India with the idea of the cosmos”.
• It is created by the National Council of Science
Museum (NCSM) in Kolkata.
• the pendulum is being dubbed as the largest
such piece in India, 22 metre in height, and
weighing a staggering 36 kg.
173
• On the ground, a circular installation has been
created to allow the pendulum’s movement, with
a short grill around it, allowing the visitors to
stand around.
• At the latitude of the Parliament, it takes 49
hours, 59 minutes, and 18 seconds for the
pendulum to complete one rotation.
Foucault’s Pendulum:
o The original Foucault’s pendulum, named after
19th century French scientist Leon Foucault,
is a simple experiment to demonstrate earth’s
rotation.
o When Foucault carried out this experiment for
the public in 1851, it was the first direct visual
evidence of the fact that the earth rotates on its
axis.
AMRITPEX 2023
• Recently, The Minister for Communications,
Electronics & Information Technology and
Railways inaugurated AMRITPEX 2023 -
National Philatelic Exhibition.
• AMRITPEX 2023 is being organised by the
Department of Posts.
• AMRITPEX is the national platform to highlight
and display the 5000 years old rich history and
culture of this great nation.
• Themes of AMRITPEX 2023- Azadi ka Amrit
Mahotsav, Women Power, Youth Power, Nature
and Wildlife and Culture and History.
• Objectives:
o It aims to introduce the new generation of
Philately.
o This exhibition will include India's History,
Culture, Art and Heritage through stamps.
o The exhibition for the first time in India has a
number of technology artifacts like Virtual
Reality and Augmented Reality.
Lavani Folk Dance
• A political leader in Maharashtra directed
members of his party to not organise raunchy
public shows in the name of Lavani.
About Lavani:
• The word Lavani comes from ‘lavanya’ or beauty.
January - June 2023
o It is a folk song-and-dance performance
that is popular in Maharashtra.
o In this art form women dancers wearing
nine-yard-long sarees in bright colours,
make-up, and ghunghroos perform on
dholak beats on a stage before a live
audience.
• Historical Background:
o As an indigenous art form, Lavani has a
history going back several centuries, and it
attained particular popularity in the Peshwa
era in th 18th century.
o Traditionally, performances were held in
front of kings or lords, and for the
entertainment of tired soldiers resting during
breaks in fighting.
• There are several sub-genres of Lavani:
o The most popular is the Shringarik (erotic)
kind, in which the lyrics are often teasing,
with sensuous dance steps and delicate
gestures employed to convey erotic
meaning.
Important Committees and Commissions
International Arbitration Committee:
• This committee is formed by the Union
Government consisting an expert panel headed
by former law secretary T K Viswanathan to
propose reforms in the Arbitration and
Conciliation Act.
• The expert committee also consists of Attorney
General of India R Venkatramani.
Cheetah Project Steering Committee:
• 11 member Cheetah Project Steering Committee
set up by National Tiger Conservation Authority
under Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change.
• This Committee is headed by Rajesh Gopal,
Secretary General of Global Tiger Forum.
Armed Forces form panel to examine
disability pension:
174
1,300-Year-Old Buddhist Stupa
• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
stumbled upon a 1,300-year-old stupa right in
the middle of a mining site in Odisha’s Jajpur
district.
• From the district Khondalite stones were
supplied for the beautification project around the
12th Century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.
• The archaeological asset was found at
Parabhadi which is situated near Lalitagiri, a
major Buddhist complex, having a large number
of stupas and monasteries.
• The stupa could be 4.5-metre tall and initial
assessment showed it may belong to the 7 th or 8
th century.
• The Khondalite stone is used extensively in the
ABADHA scheme.
o ABADHA is the Augmentation of Basic
Amenities and the Development of Heritage
and Architecture scheme.
• With the ASI taking over the sites, the ABADHA
scheme implementation will be affected.
• The Indian Armed Forces have set up an inter-
services panel chaired by the Army’s Adjutant
General (AG) to examine different aspects of
disability pension to their personnel.
• Armed personnel receive higher payouts up to 30
percent of their pension emoluments depending
upon the percentage of disability.
• The directive to set up the panel came from the
Department of Military Affairs headed by Chief of
Defense Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan.
Committee on Digital Competition
Law:
• It is set up to examine the need for a separate
law on competition in digital markets.
• It is headed by – Manoj Govil
Centre constitutes committee to
monitor stock disclosure of Tur:
January - June 2023
• The Department of Consumer Affairs has
constituted a committee under the chairmanship
of Additional Secretary, Smt. Nidhi Khare to
monitor the stock of Tur held by entities such as
importers, millers, stockists, traders etc. in close
coordination with the state governments.
Government to set up panel to
‘improve’ National Pension System:
• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced
the constitution of a committee to propose
changes to “improve” the National Pension
System (NPS) for government employees in a
way that balances their aspirations with fiscal
prudence.
• It will be chaired by the finance secretary which
will look into this issue of pension and evolve an
approach that addresses the need of employees.
DPIIT to set up task force for
formulating logistics cost framework:
• Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal
Trade (DPIIT) has set up a task force for
formulating a framework to determine logistics
costs in the country.
• The task force members would include
representatives from NITI Aayog, Ministry of
Statistics and Programme Implementation
(MOSPI), National Council of Applied Economic
Research (NCAER), academic experts and other
stakeholders.
Government forms Secretary – led
panel to monitor “Mission
Karmayogi”:
• Mission Karmayogi is the National Programme for
Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB). It is
a reform in Indian Bureaucracy.
• Union Cabinet launched it on 2nd September
2020
• A panel comprising 7 secretaries has been
constituted by the Union govt. to monitor “Mission
Karmayogi.”
• Headed by – Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba.
175
High-Powered Committee (HPC)
formed to address issues related to
the protection of Ladakh’s culture,
language, land and employment
opportunities:
• The Centre has constituted a High-Powered
Committee, HPC, to discuss measures to protect
Ladakh's unique culture, language and
employment. A 17-member committee has been
constituted under the chairmanship of Minister of
State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai.
• The Committee will discuss the protections to
Culture and Language considering the
geographical location and strategic importance of
Ladakh. It will also discuss the protections to land
and employment for the people, inclusive
development, employment generation, and
measures related to empowerment of Ladakh
Autonomous Hill Development Councils of Leh
and Kargil.
Sports Ministry forms oversight
Committee to probe Wrestler’s
allegations against WFI Chief:
• The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
has set up an oversight committee to probe the
allegations levelled against the Wrestling
Federation of India (WFI) Chief, Brij Bhushan
Sharan Singh.
• This Committee will be headed by M C Mary Kom
and other members including Yogeshwar Dutt
and Trupti Murgunde.
Kirit Parikh Committee on Natural Gas
Pricing:
• Government has set up a review panel led by
Kirit Parikh and recommended a floor and ceiling
price for legacy fields and complete pricing
freedom starting January 2026.
• Government of India wants to increase the share
of natural gas in its energy mix to 15% by 2030.
• Pricing for APM (Administered Pricing
st
Mechanism) will be deregulated by 1 January
2027.
January - June 2023
High Level Committee to draft Ro-Ro
and Ro-Pax ferry services:
• Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways,
under its Sagarmala Programme, has pushed a
number of reforms and initiatives in the maritime
industry to strengthen the country's socio-
economic and regulatory environment.
• It was set up by – Union Shipping Ministry
• Headed by – SK Mehta
High Level Committee for the
Assessment and Accreditation of
Higher Educational institutions:
• For strengthening the Assessment &
Accreditation of Higher Educational Institutions,
the Government of India has constituted a High-
Level Committee, under the Chairmanship of Dr.
K. Radhakrishnan, Chairperson, Board of
Governors, IIT Kanpur & Chairperson, Standing
Committee of IIT Council.
• The Committee will also prepare a roadmap for
the National Accreditation Council envisioned in
the National Education Policy, 2020.
• Union Education Minister: Dharmendra Pradhan
Tamil Nadu Government constitutes
10-member panel for conservation of
Vultures:
• A 10-member state-level committee for the
conservation of vultures, an endangered species
constituted by the Tamil Nadu Government.
Headed by – Principal Chief Conservator of
Forests.
• The committee will prepare and implement “Tamil
Nadu Action Plan for Vulture Conservation
(TNAPVC)” and chalk out and implement a
regulatory mechanism to ban drugs toxic to
vultures.
• The committee also has experts from the Wildlife
Institute of India, Dehradun; Salim Ali Centre for
Ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore; and
NGOs working in the field of vulture conservation.
176
Government of India constitutes
Peace Committee in Manipur:
• Government of India has constituted Peace
Committee in Manipur under the Chairpersonship
of Governor, Manipur – Anusuiya Uikey.
• The Committee also includes former civil
servants, educationists, litterateurs, artists, social
workers and representatives of different ethnic
groups.
• The mandate of the Committee will be to facilitate
peace making process among various ethnic
groups of the State, including peaceful dialogue
and negotiations between conflicting
parties/groups.
3-member panel to investigate the
violent incidents of Manipur:
• It is set up by – Ministry of Home Affairs
• Headed by – Former Chief Justice of Guwahati
High Court Ajai Lamba.
Mukesh Ambani named as member of
Advisory Committee of COP 28:
• Reliance Industries Ltd. head Mukesh Ambani
has been named as a member of the
International Advisory committee that will provide
guidance and counsel to the presidency of the
28th Session of the Conference of Parties
(COP28).
• COP 28 will be organized at Dubai, UAE.
• UNFCCC Secretariat announced that Sultan Al
Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced
Technology and UAE special convoy for Climate
Change, has been appointed to serve as COP 28
President.
NGT constitutes high-powered
committee to revisit environmental
nod granted to Great Nicobar project:
• It is headed by the Secretary, Ministry of
Environment, Forests and Climate Change Mrs.
Leena Nandan.
January - June 2023
Supreme Court forms expert panel to
probe Hindenburg Report:
• The Supreme Court of India has set up an expert
panel of 5-members headed by former apex court
judge, Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre, to
investigate the Hindenburg report accusing the
Adani group for manipulation of share prices and
account fraud in securities markets.
• The committee includes former chairman of the
State Bank of India O.P. Bhatt, retired Bombay
High Court judge Justice J.P. Devadhar, former
chief of the New Development Bank of BRIC
countries K.V. Kamath, co-founder of Infosys
Nandan Nilekani and securities expert and lawyer
Somasekhar Sundaresan.
Persons in News
Satyendra Nath Bose
• January 1, 2023 is the 129th birth anniversary of
Satyendra Nath Bose.
• Satyendra Nath Bose was a Mathematician and
physicist from India.
• Born on January 1, 1894, in Calcutta (now
Kolkata), India, he is best known for his work
with Albert Einstein on a theory about the gas-
like properties of electromagnetic radiation.
• Between the years 1918 to 1956, Bose was
involved in the production of numerous scientific
publications as follows that were a stepping
stone in the advancement of statistical
mechanics-
o The understanding of the ionosphere’s
electromagnetic properties.
o The theories of X-ray crystallography and
thermo luminescence. Unification field theory.
• Rabindranath Tagore dedicated his only book on
science, called Visva–Parichay, to Bose in 1937.
• The Government of India honoured him with the
title Padma Vibhushan in 1954.
177
Some Important Points:
• Recently, Odisha Government has
established “Landrace Varietal Release
Committee” to release traditional millet
varieties in accordance with standard
operating protocols for seed systems.
• To address the rising cases of mental health
issues, the Insurance Regulatory and
Development Authority of India (IRDAI)
mandated all health insurance policies to
cover mental illness from October 1,2022
o For this, a committee was formed led by
Pratima Murthy, Director of NIMHANS
(National Institute of Mental Health and
Neurosciences).
Savitribai Phule
• The Prime Minister has paid homage to Savitribai
Phule on her birth anniversary.
• Born in 1831 in Maharashtra.
• She was an Indian social reformer,
educationalist, and poet.
• She is also regarded as the first female teacher
of India.
• Savitribai Phule advocated inter-caste
marriages, widow remarriage, and eradication
of child marriage, sati and dowry systems,
among other social issues.
• Savitribai Phule is hailed as India’s one of the
first modern feminists.
• Savitribai Phule took on the work of Satya
Shodhak Samaj after the demise of Jyotirao
Phule.
• She opened Mahila Sewa Mandal in 1852 to
raise awareness about women’s rights
• Savitribai started the Balhatya Pratibandhak
Griha (‘Home for the Prevention of
Infanticide’) for pregnant widows facing
discrimination.
January - June 2023
Her Publications:
o Kavya Phule in 1854.
o Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar in 1892
Sagol Kangjei
• Home Minister of India inaugurated a 122-feet-
high Sagol Kangjei (Polo) Statue of a polo
player at the Ibudhou Marjing complex at
Heingang in Imphal East district.
• Modern polo is said to have originated from
Sagol Kangjei, a sport indigenous to Manipur.
• In this sport players ride horses, specifically the
Manipur Ponies, which are referenced in records
dating back to the 14th century.
• The Manipur Pony is one of five recognised
equine breeds of India, and has a powerful
cultural significance for Manipuri society.
Chris Hipkins
• New PM of New Zealand & He succeeded
Jacinda Ardern (resigned).
Linda Yaccarino
• Newly appointed CEO of Twitter
Ajay Banga
• Indian-American business leader Ajay Banga has
been appointed as the President of the World
Bank for a five-year term.
• He is the first Indian- born nominee to the World
Bank president role.
• He is expected to start the new job in June 2023
by Succeeding David Malpass.
• Banga, a US citizen since 2007, currently serves
as vice chair of General Atlantic, a private equity
company.
• He also serves as co-chair of the Partnership for
Central America, where he worked closely with
US Vice President Kamala Harris to mobilise
public, private and non-profit resources for
Northern Central America. He also served as a
CEO of Mastercard.
178
Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati
• Prime Minister of India inaugurated the year-long
celebrations commemorating the 200th birth
anniversary of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati, at
Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in the national
capital.
• Swami Dayanand Saraswati was born as Mool
Shankar Tiwari on February 12, 1824, in Gujarat.
• Contribution
o Dayananda Saraswati was an Indian
philosopher, social leader, and reform
movement of the Vedic dharma.
o The Arya Samaj opposes caste system
based on birth rather than on merit,
untouchability, child marriage, pilgrimages,
priesthood and temple offerings.
o He was the one who first gave the call for
Swaraj as "India for Indians" in 1876, a call
later taken up by Lokmanya Tilak.
o One of his most influential works is the book
Satyarth Prakash (means The Light of Truth) ,
which contributed to the Indian independence
movement.
o His followers included Sri Aurobindo and S.
Radhakrishnan.
• Philosophy
o He believed in the infallible authority of the
Vedas.
o He advocated the doctrine of Karma and
Reincarnation.
o He emphasized the Vedic ideals of
Brahmacharya, including celibacy and
devotion to God.
o Founded the Arya Samaj on April 7, 1875.
Through this reform movement, he stressed on
One God and rejected idol worship.
o He also advocated against the the extolled
position of priests in Hinduism.
Sant Sevalal Maharaj
• The Central government kick-started the year-
long commemoration of the 284th birth
anniversary of Sant Sevalal Maharaj, a spiritual
and religious leader of the Banjara community.
January - June 2023
• Sant Sevalal Maharaj was born on February 15,
1739, at Surgondankoppa in Karnataka’s
Shivamogga district.
• It’s believed that while he was young, he
miraculously prepared sheera (a sweet) out of the
mud and wheat puri to offer to Goddess
Jagadamba.
• Sant Sevalal dedicated his life to serving tribal
forest dwellers and nomadic tribes.
• He worked tirelessly to dispel and eradicate
myths and superstitions prevalent in the tribal
communities, including the Banjaras, and
brought about reforms in their way of life.
• Sant Sevalal Maharaj is believed to have
mastery in Ayurveda and Naturopathy.
• Many also believe that once he moved to
Hyderabad, he cured cholera in the city and was
allowed to graze his cattle in the present-day
Banjara Hills area.
Alluri Sitharama Raju
• About
o Raju is believed to have been born in present-day
Andhra Pradesh in 1897 or 1898.
o He is said to have become a sanyasi at the age of 18.
o He gained a mystical aura among the hill and tribal
peoples with his austerity, knowledge of astrology and
medicine, and his ability to tame wild animals.
o He was inspired by the Non-Cooperation Movement,
and persuaded people to wear khadi and give up
drinking.
• Rampa Rebellion
o Colonial rule threatened the tribals’ traditional podu
(shifting) cultivation, as the government sought to
secure forest lands.
o The Forest Act of 1882 banned the collection of minor
forest produce such as roots and leaves, and tribal
people were forced into labor for the colonial
government.
o Strong anti-government sentiment, shared by the
muttadars who were aggrieved by the curtailment of
their powers by the British, exploded into armed
resistance in August 1922.
o Several hundred tribals led by Raju attacked the
Chintapalle, Krishnadevipeta and Rajavommangi police
stations in the Godavari agency.
o The Rampa or Manyam Rebellion continued in the form
of a guerrilla war until May 1924, when Raju, the
charismatic ‘Manyam Veerudu’ or Hero of Jungle, was
finally captured and executed.
179
• Sant Sevalal died at the age of 33 in
Maharashtra.
• Today, he is revered as a spiritual guru and
social reformer by the Banjara community.
• His shrine is situated in Manora Taluka of
Washim District of Maharashtra at
Pohradevi, also known as Banjara Kashi.
Alluri Sitharama Raju and
Komaram Bheem
• With a win for Best Original Song for ‘Naatu
Naatu’ at the 2023 Oscars, the Telugu movie
‘RRR’ is garnering attention on the global
stage. Its story and characters have roots in
real historical figures, inspired by the lives of
Indian freedom fighters Alluri Sitharama Raju
and Komaram Bheem.
Komaram Bheem
• Komram Bheem was born in the Gond tribal
community at Sankepally village in
Komarambheem District, renamed after him in
2016.
• It is said a jagirdar, who was an informer of the
Nizam, occupied his family’s land and Bheem
killed him in a fit of rage.
• To escape authorities, he went to Assam and
worked as a labourer in coffee and tea plantations
for five years.
• Though he was illiterate, he learned to read and
write and later became aware of movements by
the likes of Birsa Munda.
• Around that time, the Nizam government used to
collect tax in the name of ‘Bambram’ and
‘Dupapetti’ from people grazing cattle and
collecting firewood for cooking.
• In opposition, Bheem spread the message of “Jal,
Jangal, Zameen” (water, forest, land) among tribal
people. This has become a clarion call for
indigenous people’s rights to natural resources,
used in many parts of India to date.
• Villages in Adilabad were ready with the help of a
guerrilla army composed of Gond and Koya
communities’ men.
• Bheem trained tribal people to fight with
weapons.
• However, the Nizam’s army overwhelmed them
and Bheem died at their hands in the Jodeghat
forest.
January - June 2023
Swami Vivekanand
• Prime Minister of India pays tribute to Swami
Vivekananda on 125th Anniversary of Sri
Ramakrishna Math, in Chennai.
• The great-born Indian Swami Vivekananda took
birth as Narendra Nath Datta, on January
12th, 1863.
• He was one of the monks and the chief disciple
of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa.
• He introduced to the whole world the Indian
philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga and this is
credited with the interfaith raising awareness,
which is bringing the religion of Hinduism to the
world stage during the late 19th century.
• He preached ‘neo-Vedanta’, an interpretation of
Hinduism through a Western lens, and believed
in combining spirituality with material progress.
• In 1897 he established Ramakrishna Mission
which was named after his Guru Swami
Ramakrishna Paramhansa. This particular
institution did extensive educational as well as
philanthropic work in India.
• In the country of India, he also represented the
first Parliament of Religion held in Chicago
which is in the US in 1893.
• Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had called
Vivekananda the “maker of modern India.”
• In 1893, he took the name ‘Vivekananda’ after
Maharaja Ajit Singh of the Khetri State
requested him to do so, changing from
‘Sachidananda’ that he used before.
• ‘Raja Yoga’, ‘Jnana Yoga’, ‘Karma Yoga’ are
some of the books he wrote.
Guru Tegh Bahadur
• The Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur,
the ninth guru of the Sikhs, was celebrated on
April 11.
• Guru Teg Bahadur Born in Amritsar on April 21,
1621.
• He was the ninth of ten Gurus of the Sikh
religion. His term as Guru ran from 1665 to 1675.
• Aurangzeb was the ruling Mughal emperor at the
time.
• He is often regarded as the ‘Protector of
Humanity’ (Srisht-di-Chadar) by the Sikhs.
180
• Guru Tegh Bahadur was trained in martial arts,
swordsmanship, and horseback riding as a
kid.
• Despite being a capable soldier with his father in
several battles, he seems to have chosen a life
of renunciation and meditation.
• He traveled widely to spread Nanak’s
teachings.
• One hundred and fifteen of his hymns are in
Guru Granth Sahib.
• He founded the town of Chak-Nanki in Punjab,
which later became a part of Punjab’s Anandpur
Sahib.
• He opposed forcible conversions of non-
Muslims to Islam.
• In the year 1675, Guru Tegh Bahadur was
executed in Delhi under the orders of the
Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
• Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib and Gurdwara
Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi mark the places of
execution and cremation of his body.
• Inspired by him, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, finally
formed the Sikh group into a separate, formal,
symbol-patterned society that became known as
Khalsa (Martial).
Ramanujacharya
• Prime minister of Indiai remembered
Ramanujacharya on his 1006th birth anniversary.
• Sri Ramanujacharya was born in 1017 in
SriPerumbudur, Tamil Nadu.
• He was one of the most important exponents of
the Sri Vaishnavism tradition within Hinduism.
• He is famous as the chief proponent of
Vishishtadvaita, a subschool of Vedanta.
o Vishishtadvaita (Qualified Non-Dualism) -
He Argued that Brahman is the ultimate reality,
but also that the universe is real and a
manifestation of Brahman.
o Advaita Vedanta (Non-Dualism)- Ultimate
reality is Brahman and that the universe is an
illusion (Maya).
• He emphasized devotion to achieve union with
the divine.
• He was also referred to as Ilaya Perumal, which
means the radiant one.
January - June 2023
• He wrote influential texts, such as bhāsya on
the Brahma Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita, all
in Sanskrit.
• Bhakti movement was greatly influenced by
Sri Ramanujacharya’s philosophical
teachings of devotionalism. He worked against
casteism and social hierarchies.
Adi Shankaracharya
• Adi Shankaracharya’s 1235th birth anniversary
was observed on April 25, 2023.
• Date And Place of Birth: 788 CE, Kaladi,
Kerala, India
• Date and Place of Death: 820 CE, Kedarnath,
Uttarakhand, India
• Adi Shankara was an Indian philosopher and
theologian who expounded the doctrine of
Advaita Vedanta.
• He renounced the worldly pleasures at a very
young age. Shankaracharya amalgamated the
ideologies of ancient ‘Advaita Vedanta’ and also
explained the basic ideas of Upanishads.
• He advocated the oldest concept of Hinduism
which explains the unification of the soul (atman)
with the Supreme Soul (Nirguna Brahman).
• One of Shankaracharya’s most important works
is his efforts to synthesize the six sub-sects,
known as ‘Shanmata.’
• Shanmata’, which literally translates to ‘six
religions,’ is the worship of six supreme deities.
• His review of ‘Brahma Sutra’ is known as
‘Brahmasutrabhasya’, and it is the oldest
surviving commentary on ‘Brahma Sutra’.
• Adi Shankaracharya is also well-known for his
‘stotras’ (poems). He also composed the famous
‘Upadesasahasri’ which literally translates to ‘a
thousand teachings.’
• Shankaracharya explained the existence of one
Supreme Being (Brahman) and that the six
supreme deities are part of one divine power.
• He also founded ‘Dashanami Sampradaya,’
which talks about leading a monastic life.
• While Shankaracharya was a firm believer in
ancient Hinduism, he condemned the
‘Mimamsa school of Hinduism’ which was purely
based on ritual practices.
181
• ‘Throughout the course of his journey,
Shankaracharya discussed his ideas with various
other philosophers and fine-tuned his own
teachings from time to time.
• Adi Shankaracharya founded four monasteries
(mathas) - one each at the four cardinal points in
India.
o Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Dvaraka Pitha,
Jyotirmatha Peetham, Govardhana matha.
Samarth Ramdas
• Jaggi Vasudev is the latest figure to have found
himself at the centre of controversy by claiming
that Saint Samarth Ramdas was Chhatrapati
Shivaji Maharaj's "guru.
• Samarth Ramdas (circa 1608 – 1681), also
known as Sant Ramdas or Ramdas Swami, was
a Hindu saint, philosopher, poet, writer and
spiritual master.
• A devotee of Lord Ram and Hanuman, he
toured the entire Indian subcontinent for 12
years, during which he came across various
spiritual teachers and diverse religious traditions.
• Ramdas has influenced Hindu nationalist
thinkers across the years.
• The likes of Lokmanya Tilak, RSS founder KB
Hedgewar, and VD Savarkar, all claimed to
have been inspired by the 17th century saint.
• His paean to Lord Hanuman, Maruti Stotra, is
still commonly recited by school children as well
as wrestlers akhadas across Maharashtra.
Awards
Padma Awards 2023 :
• The Government of India has announced the
Padma Awards 2023 winners list. Padma Awards
are the India’s highest civilian honour after the
Bharat Ratna, seeking to “recognize
achievements in all fields of activities or
disciplines where an element of public service is
involved.”
• The Padma Awards are conferred by the
President of India.
• For the year 2023, President has approved 106
Padma Awards. The list comprises of 6 Padma
Vibhushan, 9 Padma Bhushan and 91 Padma
Shri Awards.
January - June 2023 182

About Padma Awards Padma Vibhushan 2023 Winners:

• Two awards, the Bharat Ratna and Padma Name Field State/Countr
Vibhushan were first instituted in 1954 as y
India’s highest civilian honours.
1. Shri Others – Gujarat
• Padma Vibhushan had three classes: Balkrishna Doshi Architectur
• Pahela Varg (1st Class). (Posthumous) e
• Dusra Varg (Second Class).
2. Shri Zakir Art Maharashtra
• Tisra Varg (Third Class).
Hussain
• In 1955, these were subsequently named as
Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri S M Krishna Public Karnataka
Affairs
Shri respectively.
• The Bharat Ratna is treated as an exceptional 3. Shri Dilip Medicine West Bengal
award with only 45 Bharat Ratnas being Mahalanabis
handed over till date. (Posthumous)
• The Padma Awards are annually conferred to 4. Shri Srinivas Science & United States
deserving civilians. Varadhan Engineering of America
• Except for interruptions in 1978, 1979 and
between 1993 and 1997, every year the names 5. Shri Mulayam Public Uttar Pradesh
Singh Yadav Affairs
of the recipients are announced on Republic Day
(Posthumous)
eve.
• The first ever Padma Vibhushan awardees in
Padma Bhushan 2023 Winners:
1954 were scientist Satyendra Nath Bose, artist
Nandalal Bose, educationist and politician Zakir
Hussain, social worker and politician Balasaheb Name Field State/Country
Gangadhar Kher, and diplomat and academic 1. Shri S L Literature & Karnataka
V.K. Krishna Menon. Bhyrappa Education
• The first ever non-Indian Padma Vibhushan
2. Shri Kumar Trade & Maharashtra
awardee was Bhutanese king Jigme Dorji
Mangalam Birla Industry
Wangchuk, who also received the award in 1954.
Awards Entailment 3. Shri Deepak Science & Maharashtra
• The awards are presented by the President of Dhar Engineering
India, typically at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• The awardees do not get any cash reward. 4. Ms. Vani Art Tamil Nadu
• They get a certificate signed by the President Jairam
apart from a medallion which they can wear at 5. Swami Others – Telangana
public and government functions. Chinna Jeeyar Spiritualism
• The awards are, however, not a conferment of
6. Ms. Suman Art Maharashtra
title and the awardees are expected to not use
Kalyanpur
them as prefix or suffix to their names.
• While a Padma awardee can be given a higher 7. Shri Kapil Literature & Delhi
award (i.e. a Padma Shri awardee can receive a Kapoor Education
Padma Bhushan or Vibhushan). 8. Ms. Sudha Social Work Karnataka
• This can only happen after five years of the Murty
conferment of the previous award.
9. Shri Kamlesh Others - Telangana
D Patel Spiritualism
January - June 2023
Abel Prize
• Luis Caffarelli, 74, won the 2023 Abel Prize “for
his seminal contributions to regularity theory for
nonlinear partial differential equations including
free-boundary problems and the Monge-Ampère
equation”.
• The Abel Prize is a scientific prize, awarded
annually within the discipline of mathematics.
• It is often considered to be an equivalent of the
Nobel prize – which does not have a category for
mathematics – and has been modelled as such.
• The Abel Prize is named in honor of the
Norwegian mathematician Niels Henrik Abel
(1802 – 1829).
• It was established by the Norwegian
Government in 2002 and is managed by The
Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.
• The first Abel Prize, awarded in 2003, went to
French mathematician Jean- Pierre Serre.
• The only person of Indian origin to have won
this prize is Srinivasa S.R. Varadhan. He is at
the Courant Institute, New York University, and
won it in 2007.
• So far, the prize has gone to only one woman
mathematician, Karen Keskulla Uhlenbeck of
University of Texas, U.S.A.
• The prize includes a monetary award of 7.5
million kroner (roughly $ 720,000) and a glass
plaque designed by Norwegian artist Henrik
Haugan.
Ramchandra Guha’s Book wins
Elizabeth Longford Prize 2023:
• Historian and writer Ramchandra Guha won the
Elizabeth Longford Prize for historical biography
“Rebels against the Raj: Western Fighters for
India’s Freedom.”
• Guha has been awarded with 5000 Pound and a
bound copy of Elizabeth Longford’s memoir.
• This award was started in the year 2003 to
commemorate the British historian, Elizabeth
Longford. This was started by Flora Fraser and
Peter Soros.
183
International Green Apple Awards for
Beautiful Buildings:
• Five buildings and structures from Telangana
have been selected for the ‘International
Green Apple Awards for Beautiful Buildings’
under the Urban and Real Estate Sector
category, from a London-based independent non-
profit organization - ‘The Green Organization’.
• These buildings and constructions include:
• Mozzam-Jahi Market in the Heritage category, for
its excellent restoration and re-use
• Durgam Cheruvu Cable Bridge in the bridge
category for its unique design
• B R Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat
Building, in the aesthetically designed office and
workspace building category
• Integrated Command Control Centre of
Telangana Police in the unique office category
• Yadadri Temple, abode of Lord Lakshmi
Narasimha Swamy - in the excellent religious
structures category.
Indian Documentary Film “When
Climate Change Turns Violent” Won
WHO Award:
• An Indian documentary film titled “When Climate
Change Turns Violent” has won a special prize in
the “Health for All” category at the 4th Annual
Health for All Film Festival (HAFF) held at the
World Health Organisation (WHO) headquarters
in Geneva. The documentary has been directed
by Vandita Saharia of Rajasthan.
• The 4.32-minute documentary focusses on the
relationship between domestic violence, climate
change and human trafficking.
President of India Conferred with the
Suriname’s Highest Civilian Award:
• President Droupadi muumuu has been conferred
with Suriname’s highest civilian award,
“Grand Order of the Chain of the Yellow Star”
by the President of Suriname Chandrikapersad
Santokhi to honour the deep-rooted bilateral ties.
January - June 2023
RBI Chief Shaktikanta Das honored
with ‘Governor of the Year’ Award at
Central Banking Awards 2023:
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) chief was
honoured with the ‘Governor of the Year
Award 2023’ by the Central Banking in
London.
• Central Banking is an international economic
research journal.
• The award recognized his role as the RBI chief in
managing inflation and skillfully handling India’s
banking system during crises like COVID
pandemic and global turmoil.
Three Indian Peacekeepers honoured
with United Nation’s Dag
Hammarskjold Medal posthumously:
• Three Indian U.N peacekeepers honoured
posthumously with the Dag Hammarskjold Medal
for their supreme sacrifice in the line of duty at a
solemn ceremony at the U.N Headquarters.
• The Three Indians include:
• Border Security Force (BSF) personnel Head
Constables Shishupal Singh and Samwali Ram
Bishnoi who served with the organization
Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic
of Congo
• Shaber Taher Ali, who was employed in a
civilian capacity with the U.N Assistance Mission
for Iraq.
o This award was received by the India’s
Permanent Representative to United
Nations, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj on
behalf of the Three Indian Peacekeepers.
About Dag Hammarskjold Medal:
• The Secretary – General established the Dag
Hammarskjold medal in December 2000 as a
posthumous award to members of peacekeeping
operations who lost their lives during service with
a peacekeeping operation under the operational
control and authority of the United Nations.
• International Day of UN Peacekeepers is
observed annually on May 29.
• This medal was given at the United Nations
Headquarters New York.
184
Damodar Mauzo gets the 57th Jnanpith
Award:
• Goan writer Damodar Mauzo has received the
prestigious Jnanpith Award, the country’s highest
literary honour, from state Governor P S
Sreedharan Pillai.
• His literary talent has been recognized through
numerous prestigious awards, including the
Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan.
• His renowned novel, “Karmelin” earned him the
esteemed Sahitya Akademi Award in 1983.
About Jnanpith Award:
• This award was established in 1961. It is
presented annually by the Bhartiya Jnanpith,
a literary and research organization.
• This award is given for the outstanding
contributions in the field of Indian literature and is
given to authors writing in any of the 22 officially
recognized languages of India.
• It recognizes excellence in various literary
genres, including novels, poetry, plays, essays
and short stories.
PM Modi Conferred with the Highest
Honours of Fiji and Papua New
Guinea:
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been
conferred with the highest honours of The
Republic of Fiji and Papua New Guinea. These
honours are conferred by the Heads of the
Respective Countries.
• Governor General of Papua New Guinea, Sir Bob
Dadae awarded PM Narendra Modi with the
Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu, which
is the country’s highest civilian award.
• The Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, Sitiveni
Rabuka awarded PM Modi with the Companion of
the Order of Fiji, the highest order of the Republic
of Fiji.
Some of the previous International
Awards conferred by countries on PM
Modi:
January - June 2023 185

• Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud – Highest honour of 23rd International Indian Film Academy
Saudi Arabia
Awards (IIFA) announced:
• State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan –
• 23rd International Indian Film Academy Awards
Highest Civilian honour of Afghanistan
(IIFA) 2023 held at Abu Dhabi, UAE.
• Grand Collar of the State of Palestine Award –
• It was produced by Wizcraft International
Highest Honour of Palestine
Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.
• Order of Zayed Award – Highest civilian honour
• It was hosted by Siddharth Malhotra. His film
of the UAE
“Shershaah” has received 21 nominations, which
• Order of the St. Andrews the Apostle – Highest
is the most nominated film of IIFA 2022.
civilian honour of Russia
• Shershaah emerged as the most awarded film,
• Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan
winning in six categories, including Best Film and
Izzuddin – Highest honour of the Maldives
Best Director.
• King Hamad Order of the Rennaissance –
• List of Winners and their Categories of 2023:
Highest honour of Baharain
• Legion of Merit – Honour conferred by the US Category Winner
Government
• Order of Druk Gyalpo – Highest Civilian Honour Best Director R Madhavan for Rocketry:
by Bhutan The Nambi Effect
Awards Conferred by the
Best Film Drishyam – 2
Organisations/Foundations:
• Seoul Peace Prize in 2018 Best Actor in
• Champions of the Earth Award – UN’s highest a leading Hrithik Roshan for Vikram
environmental honour in 2018 Role (Male) Vedha
• Global Goalkeeper’ Award – by Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Best Actor in Alia Bhatt for Gangubai
2019. a leading Kathiawadi
• Global Energy and Environment Leadership Role
Award by the Cambridge Energy Research (Female)
Associates (CERA)
Best Actor in
supporting Anil Kapoor for Jugg Jugg
Bulgarian Author wins International Role (Male) Jeeyo
Booker Prize for his Novel “Time Best Debut Khushali Kumar for Dhoka
Shelter”: (Female) Around the Corner
• “Time Shelter”, written by Georgi Gospodinov and
Best Debut Shantanu Maheshwari for
translated into English by Angela Rodel, has won
the International Booker Prize 2023. (Male) Gangubai Kathiawadi and
• This is the first time a novel published in Babil Khan for Qala
Bulgarian has won the annual award, given to a Best Arijit for the Song Kesariya
work of fiction translated into English and Playback from Brahmastra: Part One
published in United Kingdom.
Singer (Male) – Shiva
• The novel tells the story of the mysterious
Gaustine and his “clinic for the past”, whose Best Shreya Ghoshal for the
premise of treating Alzheimer’s — a disease that Playback song Rasiya from
robs one of memory, the foundational aspect of Singer Brahmastra: Part One –
life — sounds deceptively simple. (Female) Shiva
January - June 2023
Tata Sons Chairman N.
Chandrasekaran gets France’s
highest civilian Award:
• Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekharan has
been honoured with the France’s Highest Civilian
award Chevalier de la Legion d’honneur for his
contributions to strengthen the trade between
India and France.
• This award is conferred to Chandrasekharan by
the French Minister for Europe and Foreign
Affairs Catherine Colonna on behalf of the French
President Emmanuel Macron.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath given Bharat
Ratna Ambedkar Award for creating a
fear-free state:
• Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi
Adityanath has been conferred with the Bharat
Ratna Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Award for his
contribution of creating a “Fear Free Uttar
Pradesh.”
• This award was given by the Former Indian
President Ramnath Kovind. This award is
collected by UP Legislative Council member Lalji
Prasad Nirmal on behalf of Yogi Adityanath.
• This is organized by the Buddhanjali
Research Foundation in Mumbai.
UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press
Freedom Prize 2023:
• Niloofar Hamedi, Elaheh Mohammadi and
Narges Mohammadi have been named as the
laureates of the 2023 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano
World Press Freedom Prize, following the
recommendation of an International Jury of media
professionals.
• The Award ceremony took place on 2 May in
New York.
• The Award is given for their work in reporting on
human rights abuses in Iran and their
commitment to truth and accountability.
186
Indian-American Neeli Bendapudi
conferred with Immigrant
Achievement Award:
• Neeli Bendapudi, the Indian American president
of Penn State University, has received the
prestigious Immigrant Achievement Award for her
contributions to higher education in US.
• The award is presented each year to an
individual or organisation that exhibits a
commitment and dedication to America’s heritage
as a nation of immigrants and advocacy for
humane immigration policy.
Maria Stepanova, Russian Poet wins
Leipzig Book Prize:
• Maria Stepanova, a powerful contemporary voice
of Russian literature now living in exile in Berlin,
has been awarded the prestigious Leipzig Book
Prize for European Understanding in 2023.
• She won this prize for her poetry “Girls Without
Clothes.”
PGCIL wins Global Gold Award for
CSR work:
• Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (PGCIL), a
Maharatna CPSU of Ministry of Power,
Government of India has been conferred Global
Gold Award by The Green Organization.
• The Award was given at the Green World Awards
2023 function held at Miami in the USA.
• The award is a recognition of POWERGRID’s
CSR work for improving Agriculture Productivity
and Rural Livelihood through watershed
management, community participation and better
crop management practices in 10 villages of
Jaipatna Block of Kalahandi District in Odisha.
Goldman Environment Prize won by
Amazon’s Alessandra Korap:
• Alessandra Korap, an indigenous Munduruku
woman from Amazon has been recognized with a
2023 Goldman Environment Prize.
• The award honours grassroots activists around
the world who are dedicated to protecting the
environment and promoting sustainability.
January - June 2023
Ratan Tata Awarded Australia’s
Highest Civilian Honour:
• Ratan Tata, the chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons,
was conferred with Australia’s highest civilian
honour, The Order of Australia, for his efforts in
strengthening the India-Australia bilateral
relations.
68th Filmfare Awards 2023:
• The 68th Edition of the Hyundai Filmfare Awards
took place at the Jio World Conventional Centre
in Mumbai. The Awards were presented in
collaboration with Maharashtra Tourism.
• The ceremony was co-hosted by Salman Khan,
Ayushmann Khurana, and Maniesh Paul.
• Lifetime Achievement Award given to Veteran
Actor Prem Chopra.
• Best Film Award given to Gangubai Kathiawadi
• Best Film in Critics Category given to Badhaai
Do.
• Best Actor (Male) given to Rajkumar Rao for
Badhaai Do.
• Best Actor (Female) given to Alia Bhatt for
Gangubai Kathiawadi.
• Best Director given to Sanjay Leela Bhansali for
Gangubai Kathiawadi.
Dalai Lama gets 1959 Ramon
Magsaysay Award in person after 64
years:
• The 1959 Ramon Magsaysay Award was
presented to the Tibetan Spiritual leader the Dalai
Lama at his residence here by members of the
award foundation personally after 64 years.
• It was the first international award given to “His
Holiness for Community leadership in recognition
of his leadership of the Tibetan community’s
gallant struggle in defense of the sacred religion
that is the inspiration of life and culture” by the
Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation in
Phillippines.
• Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation president
Susanna B Afan and the Foundation Trustee
Emily A Abrera met with the Dalai Lama, the
Noble Peace Laureate, to personally present the
1959 Ramon Magsaysay Award after 64 years.
187
Ramon Magsaysay Award 2022
Winners:
• The 2022 Ramon Magsaysay Award winners
included Gary Bencheghib (Indonesia),
Bernadette Madrid (Philippines), Sotheara Chhim
(Cambodia), and Tadashi Hattori (Japan).
• Gary Bencheghib-He: He fought against plastic
pollution & He is Well known for his inspiring
battle against marine plastic pollution.
• Bernadette J. Madrid-She: She is a children's
rights devotee & She has been acknowledged for
her honest and dedicated responsibility to noble
and challenging advocacy.
• Tadashi Hattori-He: He is a sight-saving
humanitarian. Tadashi is identified for his simple
humankind and tremendous benevolence as an
individual and a professional.
• Sotheara Chhim-He: He is a mental health
advocate. He is remembered for “his quiet
bravery in surmounting deep trauma to become
his healer. He was pushed to work in Khmer
Rouge camps as a child for three long years.
About Ramon Magsaysay Award:
• The Ramon Magsaysay Award was established
to recognize those who have demonstrated the
greatness of spirit in service to Asian peoples,
regardless of race, gender, or religion. It is
named after Ramon Magsaysay, a former
Philippine President who died tragically in 1957.
• This award was started in the year 1957.
• Ramon Magsaysay Award is also called as
“Asia’s Noble Prize.”
• The prize was established in April 1957 by the
trustees of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund based
in New York City with the concurrence of the
Philippine government.
Pulitzer Prize 2023:
• The Pulitzer Prize 2023 in Public Service
category has been given to “Associated Press,
for the work of Mstyslav Chernov, Evgeniy
Maloletka, Vasilisa Stepanenko and Lori Hinnat.”
• It has been given to this press for Courageous
reporting from the besieged city of Mariupol that
bore witness to the slaughter of civilians in
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
January - June 2023
PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan
receives PM’s Award for Excellence in
Public Administration, 2022:
• The Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in
Public Administration, 2022, in the category
'Innovation-Central' was conferred by the Prime
Minister, Shri Narendra Modi to the Department
for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
(DPIIT).
• This award is given for the successful
implementation of the prestigious ‘PM Gati Shakti
National Master Plan’ programme.
• This award was given on the occasion of 16th
Civil Services Day Celebration on 21st April.
About PM Gati Shakti Plan:
• PM GatiShakti is a national master plan launched
by the Indian government in October 2021. The
plan aims to streamline critical infrastructure
projects, including roads, railways, ports, airports,
and telecom, and reduce logistics costs.
• The master plan consolidates all infrastructure-
related data into a single platform to facilitate
better planning and execution.
Prestigious Santokbaa Humanitarian
Award conferred to innovator Sonam
Wangchuk:
• The prestigious Santokbaa Humanitarian Award
has been conferred on notable engineer,
innovator, educationist and sustainable
development reformist and Founder-Director of
Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of
Ladakh (SECMOL), Sonam Wangchuk.
• The award, which carries a cash prize of Rs. 1
crore, has been instituted in memory of SRK and
SRKKF's Founder Chairman Govind Dholakia's
mother Late Santokbaa Dholakia.
Asha Bhosle Honoured with Lata
Deenanath Mangeshkar Purashkar:
• Asha Bhosle, the renowned singer, honoured
with the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award,
which was established by the Mangeshkar family
and trust in the memory of Lata Mangeshkar.
188
• The Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Purashkar is
an annual award given to someone who has
made a significant contribution to the nation, its
people, and society. The award was first
presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Indian-American FedEx CEO Raj
Subramanium presented with Pravasi
Bharatiya Samman:
• Raj Subramaniam, the Indian-American CEO of
global transportation giant FedEx, has been
presented with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya
Samman, the highest civilian award given by
India to persons of Indian origin and Indian
diaspora.
• Subramanian, 55, was presented with the award
by India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh
Sandhu. Subramanian is the president and CEO
of FedEx Corporation, one of the world’s largest
transportation companies. His international
leadership experience and keen business
insights have contributed immensely to the
success of FedEx.
Golden Globe Awards 2023:
• Best Film- Drama: The Fabelmans
• Best Actor - Drama: Austin Butler (Elvis)
• Best Actress - Drama: Cate Blenchett (Tar)
• Best Director- Steven Spielberg (The
Fabelmans)
• Best Original Song: Naatu Naatu (RRR)-
Composed by M M Keervani & Chandrabose
• Golden Globe Award 2022:
• Best Film- Drama: The Power of the Dog,
Netflix
• Best Actor - Drama: Will Smith (King Richard)
• Best Actress - Drama: Nicole Kidman (Being
the Ricardos)
• Best Director- Jane Campion (The Power of the
Dog) .
January - June 2023
Celebrate National Panchayat Awards
Week from 17th April to 21st April 2023
to Commemorate Azadi Ka Amrit
Mahotsav 2.0:
• The Ministry of Panchayati Raj celebrated
National Panchayat Awards Week during 17th –
21st April, 2023 as part of Azadi Ka Amrit
Mahotsav (AKAM) 2.0 in the run-up to the
National Panchayati Raj Day (24th April, 2023).
• President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu
inaugurated the National Panchayati Awards
Week and conferred the National Panchayati Raj
Awards at ‘National Conference on Incentivization
of Panchayats-cum-Award Ceremony’ on 17th
April 2023. Theme of the National Panchayat
Awards Week Celebrations is “Panchayaton ke
Sankalpon ki Siddhi Ka Utsav.”
• To further strengthen Gram Sabha for ensuring
participatory democracy and making empowered
people and accountable Panchayats, a new
mobile application GS NIRNAY, National Initiative
for Rural India to Navigate, InnovAte and Resolve
PanchaYat decisions has been developed to
record and upload Gram Sabha proceedings
open for public view. The app Gram Sabha
NIRNAY would be launched on this occasion by
Shri Giriraj Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of Rural
Development & Panchayati Raj.
Bharat Biotech wins award at World
Vaccine Congress:
• Bharat Biotech has won the `Best Production
/Process Development’ award as part of the
Vaccine Industry Excellence (VIE) awards at the
World Vaccine Congress 2023.
• The Congress was held during April 3-6 in
Washington, USA.
• Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech was the only
Indian company in the list of VIE awards in
various categories, including best clinical trial
company, best clinical trial network, best
central/specialty laboratory award, best contract
research organisation, best production/process
development award.
189
• Bharat Biotech is the World’s first producer of
intranasal Covid-19 vaccine, iNcovacc.
About Bharat Biotech Company:
• Bharat Biotech Company was established in
1996 by Krishna Ella and Suchitra Ella.
• Headquarter of Bharat Biotech – Hyderabad,
Telangana.
C R Rao wins International Statistics
Prize 2023:
• Calayampudi Radhakrishna Rao (C R Rao), a
prominent Indian-American mathematician and
statistician, will be awarded the 2023
International Prize in Statistics, the equivalent of
Nobel Prize in the field.
• The prize, established in 2016, is presented once
every two years to an individual or team that has
made significant contributions to science,
technology, and human welfare through the use
of statistics.
About International Prize in Statistics:
• The International Prize in Statistics is awarded
every two years by a collaboration among five
leading international statistics organizations.
• The prize recognizes a major achievement by an
individual or team in the statistics field,
particularly an achievement of powerful and
original ideas that have led to practical
applications and breakthroughs in other
disciplines.
• The prize is modelled after the Nobel prizes, Abel
Prize, Fields Medal, and Turing Award.
Nandini Gupta won the Femina Miss
India 2023:
• Nandini Gupta has been announced as the
winner of the Miss India 2023 pageant. She
belongs from Kota, Rajasthan.
• The 19-year-old Nandini Gupta will now
represent India at Miss World 2023 i.e., the 71st
Miss World pageant, to be held in the United
Arab Emirates (UAE). She will represent as the
Miss World India participant.
January - June 2023
Special Literary Award conferred on
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman:
• The Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature
(FOSWAL) conferred a special literary award on
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
• The award has been conferred for his trilogy- The
Unfinished Memoirs, The Prison Diaries and the
New China 1952. Eminent Punjabi novelist and
FOSWAL Founder President Ajeet Cour handed
over the award to visiting Bangladeshi writers and
researchers Ramendu Majumder and Mofidul
Haque at the festival.
• The Foundation of SAARC writers and Literature
in its citation said that the award has been given
to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for the
outstanding literary excellence for his trilogy.
Sir David Chipperfield Selected for the
Pritzker Prize 2023:
• Sir David Alan Chipperfield has been selected for
the Pritzker Prize 2023, highest award in the field
of architecture.
• He is from London, UK. His built works, spanning
over four decades, are expansive in typology and
geography, including over one hundred works
ranging from civic, cultural and academic
buildings to residences & urban master planning
throughout Asia, Europe and North America.
BBC Sportswoman of the Year 2022
Award:
• Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has won the 2022
BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award after
a public vote.
• Chanu becomes the first athlete to win the award
twice in a row after winning for the year 2021.
Delhi Airport selected as the cleanest
airport award in Asia-Pacific:
• Delhi Airport has been declared as one of the
best airports as well as the cleanest airport in the
Asia-Pacific region by the International Grouping
ACI (Airports Councils International).
190
• The ACI is a non-profit organization of airport
operators.
Tamil Writer Sivasankari Selected for
Saraswati Samman for the Year 2022:
• Tamil writer Sivasankari has been selected for
Saraswati Samman for the year 2022 for her
book Survya Vamsam.
• It is a book of memoirs in Tamil language and
was published in 2019.
• About Saraswati Samman:
o Saraswati Samman instituted by the K.K.
Birla Foundation in 1991 is recognized as
the most prestigious and the highest literary
award in the country.
o It carries an award money of Rs 15 Lakh, a
Citation and a Plaque.
Vyas Samman 2022 Awarded to Gyan
Chaturvedi for his Satirical Novel
“Pagalkhana”:
• Dr. Gyan Chaturvedi, has been chosen for 32nd
Vyas Samman for his satirical Hindi Novel
“Pagalkhana.”
• This novel was chosen for the award by a
selection committee led by distinguished author
Prof. Ramji Tiwari.
About Vyas Samman:
• Vyas Samman was instituted by the K.K. Birla
Foundation in 1991.
• It is given to an outstanding Hindi Literary work
by an Indian citizen published during the last 10
years.
• It carries an award money of Rs 4 lakh.
Dadasaheb Phalke Award announced:
• The Kashmir Files wins the Best Film Award in
the Dadasaheb International Film Award.
• Anupam Kher won the most versatile actor of the
year award for the Kashmir Files.
• Veteran Actress Rekha was honoured for her
“Outstanding Contribution in The Film Industry.”
• Best Director Award given to R. Balki for Chup:
Revenge of the Artist.
January - June 2023
• Best Actor Award given to Ranbir Kapoor for
Brahmastra: Part – 1.
• Best Actress Award to Alia Bhatt for Gangubai
Kathiawadi.
Hari Balakrishna awarded with
Marconi Prize 2023:
• The 2023 Marconi Prize has been awarded to
Hari Balakrishnan, the Fujitsu Professor in MIT’s
Department of Electrical Engineering and
Computer Science (EECS) and a principal
investigator in the MIT Computer Science and
Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL).
• The Marconi Prize, widely considered to be the
top honor within the field of communications
technology, is given annually to “innovators who
have made significant contributions to increasing
digital inclusivity through the advancement of
information and communications technology.”
Angela Merkel receives UNESCO
Peace Prize in Ivory Coast:
• Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel was
awarded with the UNESCO Peace Prize for her
assistance to refugees in Germany.
• The occasion took place in Yamoussoukro, the
capital of the Ivory Coast, where the chancellor
received the “Felix Houphouet-Boigny UNESCO
Peace Prize.”
Shehan Karunatilaka won Britain’s
Booker Prize:
• Sri Lankan author, Shehan Karunatilaka has won
Britain's Booker Prize 2022 for fiction for his work
"The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida", about a
journalist murdered amid the country's sectarian
strife.
Ramanujan Prize 2022:
• The SASTRA Ramanujan Prize for 2022 will be
awarded to Yunqing Tang, Assistant
Professor with the University of California,
Berkeley, U.S.A.
191
• Ms. Yunqing’s works display a remarkable
combination of sophisticated techniques, in
which the arithmetic and geometry of modular
curves and of Shimura varieties play a central
role, and her results and methods are bound to
have major impact on future research in this
area. The award was instituted by the
Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology &
Research Academy (SASTRA) in 2005.
• A cash prize of USD 10,000 is presented
annually to individuals aged 32 and below, who
made outstanding contributions in the field of
mathematics, influenced by Srinivasa
Ramanujan in a broad sense.
Jammu and Kashmir 1st prize in
category for Ayushman Bharat health
account ID generation:
• Jammu and Kashmir has been awarded 1st prize
in the category for Ayushman Bharat health
account ID generation and 2nd prize in the
category for Teleconsultation conducted during
the celebration of Universal Health Coverage Day
2022 which is being celebrated on 10th and 11th
December at International Cooperation and
Convention Centre, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
• The event was graced by the Governor of UP,
Smt Anandiben Patel virtually, Mansukh
Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family
Welfare; Health Ministers of various states and
UTs, senior officials from the Ministry of Health
and Family Welfare, States, UTs and
development partners.
Lifetime Achievement Award has been
Honoured to Former PM Manmohan
Singh:
• Former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh was
recently conferred a Lifetime Achievement
Honour by the India-UK Achievers Honours in
London for his contribution to economic and
political life.
January - June 2023
• The India-UK Achievers Honours by NISAU UK,
in partnership with the British Council in India and
the UK’s Department for International Trade
(DIT), celebrate the achievements of Indian
students who studied at British universities and
the Lifetime Achievement Honour is a nod to Dr
Singh’s academic achievements at the
Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
Sakharov Freedom Prize has been
Awarded to Ukrainian People in 2022:
• The European Parliament has awarded the
people of Ukraine its annual Sakharov Prize for
the Freedom of thought to honour their fight
against Russia’s invasion.
• Sakharov Prize was started in 1988 honour
individuals and organizations defending human
rights and fundamental freedoms.
UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award given
to Angela Merkel:
• In 2022 the Global Laureate was Dr. Angela
Merkel, the Former Federal Chancellor of
Germany. Under her leadership, Germany
welcomed more than 1.2 million refugees and
asylum seekers in 2015 and 2016, at the height
of the conflict in Syria and amid deadly violence
in other places.
• This award was established in 1954. It is given to
individuals, groups and organizations who go
above and beyond the call of duty to protect
refugees, as well as internally displaced and
stateless people.
Sports
Bhavani Devi becomes the first Indian
fencer to win medal in Asian
Championships
• C. A. Bhavani Devi, an Olympian from India has
made a history by winning Bronze medal at Asian
Fencing Championships held at Wuxi, China.
• She is from Chennai. She defeated Misaki Emura
of Japan to win the bronze medal.
192
• Misaki Emura was the Gold Medal winner at 2022
World Fencing Championships held at Cairo,
Egypt.
India Lift inaugural Women’s U-19 ICC
T-20 World Cup by defeating England
in the Finals:
• India beat England by 7 wickets in the final match
to lift the first trophy of Women’s U-19 ICC T20
World Cup held at South Africa.
• The Final match took place in Potchefstroom,
South Africa.
• Shefali Verma was the Indian Captain who led
the team in the world cup 2023.
• This world cup took place between 14 January to
29 January, 2023.
• Champion team – India
o Runner-up team – England
o Total Countries participated – 16
Goa launches 37th Edition of National
Games Mascot – Moga
• The 37th Edition of the National Games’ Mascot
“Moga” launched by the Goa Chief Minister
Pramod Kumar Sawant.
• This is launched at Dr. Shyama Prasad
Mukherjee Stadium in Taleigao, Goa. National
games will be organized in Goa at different
locations.
• This sporting event will feature competition in 43
disciplines, including the inclusion of the
traditional martial art of Punjab “Gatka.”
World Squash Championship 2023
won by Egypt
• Egypt has retained the World Squash
Championship. Egypt beat Malaysia 2-1 in the
final in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
• Malaysia won the Silver Medal and the 3rd place
was jointly shared by the hosts India and Japan.
• India was beaten by Malaysia 3-0 in the semi-
final. The Golden Cup was presented by the
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M.K Stalin.
January - June 2023
Indonesia Open 2023 Men’s Doubles
won by India
• Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty
emerged as the Champions of the Men’s
Doubles Indonesia Open 2023.
• They beat Malaysian World Champion Aaron
Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.
• This is the first doubles team from India to win
Indonesia Open.
• Indonesia Open is a badminton tournament
organized by the Badminton Association of
Indonesia since 1982.
ICC World Test Championship won by
Australia
• ICC World Test Championship 2023 clinched by
Australia by beating India in the Final.
• Final Tournament Venue – The Oval, London
• Australia won the first ICC World Test
Championship tournament.
• Player of the Match – Travis Head
FIFA U20 World Cup 2023
• Uruguay beat Italy by 1-0 to win its first Under-
20 World Cup title held in Argentina.
• Argentina’s Thiago Almada won the Golden Ball
Award, as the Tournament’s best player.
• Nigeria won the Golden Boot award, with 10
goals.
Khelo India University Games 2022
held at Varanasi
• 3rd Khelo India University Games 2022
concluded at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
– Varanasi.
• Mascot of the Khelo India University Games –
Jeetu, representing the state animal of Uttar
Pradesh, the Swamp Deer (Reindeer).
• Punjab University, Chandigarh was declared the
overall champion with 26 Gold, 17 Silver and 26
Bronze. Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
stood 2nd with 24 Gold and Jain University,
Karnataka stood 3rd with 16 Gold medals.
193
IPL 2023 won by Chennai Super Kings
• Chennai Super Kings (CSK) clinched their fifth
Indian Premier League (IPL) title, equaling a
record with Mumbai Indians.
• Final Match Venue – Narendra Modi Stadium,
Gujarat
• Orange Cap – Shubhman Gill
• Purple Cap – Mohammad Shami
• Shubhman Gill wins Dream 11 gamechanger of
the season award
• Yashasvi Jaiswal wins Emerging Player of the
Year Award.
• Shubhman Gill wins Most valuable player of the
year award.
• Eden Gardens and Wankhede Stadium has been
awarded with the Best Venues of the Season.
Neeraj Chopra becomes World No. 1
in World Athletics Men’s Javelin
Ranking
• Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra became the
world number one for the first time in his career in
the latest men's javelin throw rankings issued by
the World Athletics.
• He topped the charts ahead of Grenada’s World
Champion Anderson Peters.
• Neeraj Chopra also won the Diamond League
2022 finals in Zurich, Switzerland becoming
the first Indian to win the prestigious trophy.
Daniil Medvedev won the Italian Open
2023
• In the Italian Open 2023 tennis tournament,
Men’s Singles won by Daniil Medvedev of Russia
by defeating Holger Rune of Denmark.
• In Women’s Singles, Elena Rybakina won the
Italian Open.
Madrid Open 2023 won by Carlos
Alcaraz
• Carlos Alcaraz won the Men’s Singles Madrid
Open tournament by defeating Jann-Lennard
Struff.
January - June 2023
• Women’s Singles won by Aryna Sabalenka.
• Madrid Open is a professional tennis tournament
that takes place annually in Madrid, Spain.
Pakistan Cricketer Babar Azam
becomes the fastest to score 5000
ODI runs
• Pakistan captain Babar Azam sets up a new
record to score fastest 5000 runs in One Day
International (ODI) cricket.
• He achieved this feat by breaking the previous
record of South Africa’s Hashim Amla.
Dubai hosted the Global Chess
League
• The Global Chess League was inaugurated at
Dubai. It is the world’s largest and first franchise-
based chess league. Global Chess League
Board Chairperson – Jagdish Mitra
• Global Chess League is a first-of-its-kind
tournament with a team vs team format that will
bring together the best chess players from across
the world, representing major countries and
providing a unique experience to chess fans
globally.
Satwiksairaj and Chirag Shetty Won
Men’s Doubles Medal in Badminton
Asia Championships:
• Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty
become the first Indian Men’s Doubles pair to win
gold medal at the Badminton Asia
Championships. The Indian pair defeated the
Malaysian duo Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi.
• This is the second gold medal that India has won
in the Badminton Asia Championships. The First
gold medal was won by Dinesh Khanna in 1965
in Men’s Singles category.
Sydney Cricket Ground named Gates
after Sachin Tendulkar and Brian
Lara:
194
• The Sydney Cricket Ground has named the
Gates after Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara.
• This celebration come on the occasion of the 50th
Birthday of Sachin Tendulkar on the Sydney
Cricket Ground.
Harmanpreet Kaur and Suryakumar
Yadav named in the Wisden’s
Almanack Award:
• Suryakumar Yadav won the honour of Wisden
Almanack’s leading T20I cricketer while
Harmanpreet Kaur became the first Indian
woman to win the Cricketer of the Year award.
36th Asian Wrestling Championship
2023 organized at Astana,
Kazakhstan:
● India has participated in the 36th Edition of
Asian Wrestling Championship 2023 held at
Astana, Kazakhstan. The event was originally
proposed to be held at New Delhi, India.
● Total 331 wrestlers from different countries
across the globe has participated in this
championship.
● 30 Wrestlers participated from India and a total
of 14 Medals won by India.
● Only Gold Medal won by Aman Sehrawat
under the Men’s 57Kg freestyle category.
Miami Opens 2023 won by Daniil
Medvedev:
• Russian Tennis player Daniil Medvedev won the
Miami Open 2023 by defeating Jannik Sinner in
the final match.
• Miami Open is a professional tennis tournament
that takes place annually in Miami Gardens,
Florida, USA.
Swiss Open 2023 won by Satwiksairaj
Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty:
• Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won
the Men’s Doubles title at Swiss Open 2023 held
in Switzerland.
January - June 2023 195

• Swiss Open 2023 Men’s singles title won by Kenji • Women’s single title won by Aryna Sabalenka by
Watanabe of Japan. defeating Elena Rybakina.
• Women’s Singles won by P. Chochuwong of • Complete list of Grand Slam is given below:
Thailand.
Category Winner Runner-up
• In Women’s Premier League 2023, Mumbai
Men’s Novak Djokovic Stefanos Tsitsipas
Indians won the first title of WPL by defeating
Singles (Serbia) (Greece)
Delhi Capitals by 7-wickets. The final match was
Women’s Aryna Sabalenka Elena Rybakina
played at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai.
Singles (Belarus) (Kazakhstan)
Men’s J. Kubler and R. H. Nys (Monaco)
13th Edition of IBA Women’s World Doubles Hijikata (Australia) and J. Zielinski
Boxing Championship 2023: (Poland)

• The 13th Edition of IBA Women’s World Boxing
Championship 2023 held in New Delhi. The event
concluded with the 4 Indian Boxers securing gold
medals in different weight category. They are:
o Saweety Boora, Nitu Ghanghas, Nikhat
Zareen, Lovlina Borgohain
ISSF World Cup 2023 held in Cairo,
Egypt:
• India’s Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil won the gold
medal in ISSF World Cup 2023 in 10 m air rifle
event held in Cairo, Egypt.
5th Khelo India Youth Games 2022
hosted by Madhya Pradesh:
• The 5th Edition of Khelo India Youth Games 2022
held at Madhya Pradesh from 31 January to 11
February 2023.
• Maharashtra topped the medal tally with 56 Gold
medals, 55 Silver, 50 Bronze medals. It was
followed by Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.
• There is total 8 cities which have hosted the
Khelo India Youth Games. These are Bhopal,
Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Ujjain, Maheshwar,
Mandla, Balaghat.
Australian Open 2023 held at
Melbourne Park:
• Australian Open, a major Grand Slam held at
National Tennis Centre, Melbourne Park in
Melbourne.
• Men’s Single title won by Novak Djokovic by
defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Women’s B. Krejcikova and K. S. Aoyama and E.
Doubles Siniakova (Czech) Shibahara (Japan)
Mixed L. Stefani and R. Matos R. Bopanna and S.
Doubles (Brazil) Mirza (India)
India won the inaugural Women’s U19
T20 World Cup:
• India won the ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World
Cup by defeating England in the final held at
Potchefstroom, South Africa.
• Kylian Mbappe from France was the top goal
scorer in FIFA World Cup 2022. He won the
Golden Boot Award.
• Lionel Messi, the captain of Argentina won the
Golden Ball 2022 of FIFA World Cup.
• Elite National Women’s Boxing
Championships Gold medals won by Nikhat
Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain.
• This was the 6th edition of Elite Women’s
• The Railway Sports promotion Board won the
team trophy with 10 awards.
Sports Science Centre inaugurated in
Karnataka:
• Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports
Anurag Thakur has inaugurated the Sports
Science Center at M. G Stadium in Udupi,
Karnataka.
• The state government has set up two sports
science centers at Udupi and Bengaluru.
• These centers will conduct research on
medicines, nutritious food, treatment and
rehabilitation measures for sportspersons, which
would help them to boost their abilities.
January - June 2023
Goa hosted the First ever World Table
Tennis (WTT) Series Event in India:
• Goa hosted the World Table Tennis series events
at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, at
Goa University Campus.
• Stupa Analytics was the host of the tournament
with the active support of the Goa government.
• Anushka Sharma has been named as the Brand
Ambassador of the Puma India.
Rafael Nadal
• Spanish Tennis player, Rafael Nadal was
crowned the ITF (International Tennis Federation)
world champion for the 5th time in his career while
the Polish Female tennis player Iga Swiatek won
the women’s award after a superb 2022 season.
First-Ever Formula E World
Championship Race hosted by
Hyderabad:
• The Formula E World Championship race held at
Hyderabad. It is a net zero carbon sport which is
a climate friendly championship.
• The Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix 2023
championship was won by Jean-Eric Vergne of
France. Electric cars raced on the 2.835 Km long
street circuit.
• The World’s fastest, lightest, most powerful and
most efficient electric race car, “The Gen3” came
to Hyderabad which was the highlight of the
Formula E World championship.
• Tamil Nadu player M. Pranesh clinched the title in
the Rilton cup, the first tournament of the FIDE
Circuit to become India’s 79th Grandmaster.
• Australia’s Belinda Clark has become the first
female cricketer to have a statue cast in her
honour, a bronze sculpture outside the Sydney
Cricket Ground.
Ranji Trophy 2022-23:
• Saurashtra won the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 by
beating Bengal by 9-wickets.
• The Final match took place at Eden Gardens,
Kolkata.
196
• Saurashtra team captain Jaydev Unadkat was
declared the Player of the Match. This was the
2nd Ranji Trophy title of Saurashtra. Kolkata
based 19-Year-old Chess player, Koustav
Chaterjee became the India’s 78th Grandmaster.
• India’s 1st Chess Grandmaster was won by
Vishwanathan Anand in 1988.
• Grandmaster is the highest title apart from the
World Champion awarded to Chess players
International Chess Federation FIDE.
Silver Medal won by Koneru Humpy at
World Blitz Championship:
• Former World rapid champion Koneru Humpy
produced a superlative performance to claim
India’s first-ever silver medal from the World blitz
chess championship. Humpy defeated China’s
Zhongyi Tan to win Silver.
• The World Blitz Chess Championship took place
in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
• The Men’s title of World Blitz Chess
Championship was won by Magnus Carlson.
FIFA World Cup 2022 held at Qatar:
• FIFA World Cup 2022 won by Argentina by
defeating France in the Final at Lusail stadium,
Qatar.
Miscellaneous
Global Risk Report 2023
• The World Economic Forum’s annual Global
Risks Report 2023 was released.
• It highlights the cost of living crisis as the
biggest short-term risk facing the world right now,
with climate change as the biggest long-term
threat.
• It said that Russia’s war in Ukraine and the
Covid-19 pandemic had propelled the energy
crisis, food scarcity and inflation as the most
pressing global issues.
• It observed that technologies such as AI,
Quantum and Biotechnology are going to
exacerbate the inequalities and digital divide
(if no action is taken to mitigate it)
January - June 2023
Veer Guardian 2023
• The inaugural edition of the bilateral air exercise
'Veer Guardian 2023' between the Indian Air
Force (IAF) and Japan Air Self Defence Force
(JASDF) concluded in Japan.
• Other India - Japan Exercises
o Dharma Guardian exercise between the
armies.
o SHINYUU Maitri between the air forces.
o JIMEX between the navies.
o The two countries’ navies also conduct regular
bilateral exercise, and passage exercises with
the focus on the Indo-Pacific.
G20 EMPOWER
• The inception meeting of G20 Empowerment and
progression of Women’s Economic
Representation (EMPOWER) group of the
Ministry of Women and Child Development is to
begin from February 11, 2023 in Agra.
• Theme: Empowering Women to Lead across
Sectors: Role of Digital Skilling and Future Skills.
• G20 EMPOWER 2023 aims to transform
challenges into opportunities accelerating the
shift towards women-led entrepreneurship and
greater inclusion of women in the workforce.
• G20 EMPOWER : The G20 Alliance for
EMPOWER is a group of G20 corporate leaders
and governments working together to advance
women’s leadership and empowerment in the
private sector.
Millet International Initiative for
Research and Awareness (MIIRA)
• With food security and nutrition a top priority in
agriculture during its G20 Presidency, India is
planning to propose the launch of MIIRA a
global initiative to encourage the consumption
and production of millets.
• “MIIRA” will be aimed at coordinating millet
research programmes at the international level.
• It is in line with the UN declaring 2023 as the
International Year of Millets and the Centre’s
plan to make India a global hub for millets.
197
• Objectives
o MIIRA will be launched keeping in mind the
nutritional value and the climate resilient
nature of millets.
o MIIRA will aim to connect the millet research
organisations across the world while also
supporting research on millet crops.
o It will be setting up a web platform to connect
researchers and holding international research
conferences. The plan is also to promote
millet consumption by raising awareness.
o Secretariat- Delhi.
Side Note
• Finance Minister in her budget speech described
various types of millets as ‘Shree Anna’.
• The Indian Institute of Millet Research,
Hyderabad will be supported as the Centre of
Excellence for sharing best practices, research
and technologies at the international level.
Burkina Faso
• Recently, Burkina Faso announced an official
end to the operations led by France in the
country.
• France had signed a military agreement with
Burkina Faso in 2018 to achieve stability against
the threat of Islamist militant groups.
• France signed a series of similar agreements with
other West African nations, including Mali who
terminated the operation in late 2022.
• Burkina Faso, landlocked country in western
Africa. The country occupies an extensive
plateau. Its geography is characterized by a
savanna that is grassy in the north and gradually
gives way to sparse forests in the south.
• It is a former French colony.
• It has experienced numerous coups since
independence from France in 1960.
• Since 2015, the country has been fighting an
Islamist insurgency that spilled over from
neighbouring Mali.
• This has fuelled anger in the military and
damaged the once important tourist industry.
• Burkina Faso is bounded by Mali to the north
and west, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the
southeast, and Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo
to the south.
January - June 2023
Mukaab
• Recently, Saudi Arabia unveiled its latest grand
plan to transform its capital city.
• The new project coming up in Riyadh is called
the Mukaab – “cube” in Arabic.
• It will stand 400 metres high, wide and long, big
enough to hold 20 Empire State Buildings.
• The Mukaab will be at the heart of the New
Murabba Project, a plan to create “the world’s
largest and modern downtown” in Riyadh.
• The Mukaab will be built using the modern Najdi
architectural style. Its design focuses on
naturally controlling the climate inside the
structure. It will serve a functional purpose by
limiting energy requirements inside it.
• Set to be completed by 2030, it will be helmed
by Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman.
• This is the latest among a string of ambitious
architectural projects planned and undertaken by
Saudi Arabia as a part of its Vision 2030, aimed
at revolutionising the country’s economy and
lifestyle.
• Recently, the NEOM project (or The Line) has
dominated headlines for its futuristic design and
ambitious zero-carbon goals.
Anya
• Australia will host the Malabar multilateral naval
exercise, consisting of India, Australia, Japan and
the U.S., for the first time this year.
• Japan hosted the last edition of Malabar which
was held in November 2022 which also marked
30 years of the exercise.
• Malabar is a multilateral war-gaming naval
exercise that was started in 1992.
• It began as a bilateral exercise between the
navies of India and the United States.
• Two more editions of the exercise were carried
out in 1995 and 1996, after which there was a
break until 2002 in the aftermath of India’s
nuclear tests.
• From 2002 onward, the exercise has been
conducted every year.
• Japan and Australia first participated in 2007, and
since 2014, India, the US and Japan have
participated in the exercise every year.
198
• Australia was included as a permanent member
of Ex Malabar in 2020 amid the standoff with
China in Eastern Ladakh.
International Intellectual Property (IP)
Index 2023
• India ranks 42nd among 55 leading global
economies on the International IP Index. The
United States is ranked first, followed by the UK
and France.
• US Chamber of Commerce Global Innovation
Policy Center publishes the International
Intellectual Property (IP) Index annually.
• IP Index evaluates the protection of IP rights in
55 of the world’s leading economies, together
representing around 90% of global GDP.
• The report covers everything from patent and
copyright laws to the ability to monetise IP assets
and the ratification of international agreements.
• By analysing the IP landscape in global markets,
the Index aims to help nations navigate toward a
brighter economic future marked by greater
innovation, creativity, and competitiveness.
Mayan Civilization
• Recently, Mexican President became the subject
of internet jokes when he claimed a blurry, dark
photo of a tree at night showed a figure from
Mayan mythology, as depicted in a historic
sculpture from the Mayan civilization.
• The larger Mayan civilisation (which reached its
zenith between 300 AD to 900 AD) is
recognised as one having significant cultural heft
in its time.
• It is also known for its innovations in farming,
stone architecture, the study of mathematics
and astronomy, devising calendars, as well as
large-scale human sacrifices as part of religious
rituals.
• It spanned present-day Mexico, Honduras and
Guatemala in Central America.
• Yucata, a peninsula in Mexico on the Gulf of
Mexico, has important Mayan sites.
• Mayan people, to date, continue inhabiting some
of these regions.
January - June 2023
• Though the number of people speaking the
indigenous languages and following traditional
customs has fallen over time with Spanish
colonisation or the post-Hispanic period.
• Aluxes
o According to Mayan mythology, aluxes are
small, mischievous creatures that inhabit
forests and fields and play tricks on people,
like hiding things.
o It adds that some people leave small offerings
to appease them.
International Energy Agency’s (IEA)
Annual Methane Global Tracker
Report
• According to IEA’s annual Methane Global
Tracker report, fossil fuel companies emitted 120
million metric tonnes of methane into the
atmosphere in 2022, only slightly below the
record highs seen in 2019.
• The energy sector accounts for around 40% of
the total average methane emissions from human
activity.
o Oil and natural gas companies are known to
release methane into the atmosphere when
natural gas is flared or vented.
o The greenhouse gas is also released through
leaks from valves and other equipment
during the drilling, extraction and transportation
process.
o More than 260 billion cubic metres (bcm) of
natural gas (mostly composed of methane) is
wasted through flaring and methane leaks
globally today
• In the oil and gas sector, emissions can be
reduced by over 75 per cent.
 It can be done by implementing well-known
measures such as leak detection and repair
programmes and upgrading leaky
equipment.
 80 per cent of the available options to curb the
release of methane could be implemented by
the fossil fuel industry at net zero cost.
• Reducing 75 per cent of the wastage of natural
gas could lower global temperature rise by
nearly 0.1 degree Celsius by mid-century.
199
Shinyuu Maitri
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in
Exercise Shinyuu Maitri with the Japan Air Self
Defence Force (JASDF).
• The exercise is being organised on the side-lines
of the Indo-Japan Joint Army Exercise, Dharma
Guardian.
o Dharma Guardian. is being conducted from 13
February 2023 to 02 March 2023 at Komatsu,
Japan.
• The IAF contingent is participating in Exercise
Shinyuu Maitri 23 with one C-17 Globemaster III
aircraft. The exercise shall also enhance mutual
understanding and interoperability between the
IAF and the JASDF.
The Greatest Pyramid
• A hidden corridor, 9 m long and roughly 2 m
wide, has been unearthed by scientists close to
the main entrance of the 4,500-year-old Great
Pyramid of Giza.
• The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest of the
three pyramids in Giza, originally standing
roughly 147 m above the Giza plateau.
• Construction was started in circa 2550 BC,
during the reign of Khufu, often considered the
greatest pharaoh of Egypt’s old kingdom.
• It is estimated that the pyramid was built using
2.5 million stone blocks, each weighing between
2.5 and 15 tonnes.
• Building the Great Pyramid was a feat of
engineering unmatched for thousands of years.
• There are two distinct tunnel systems inside the
Great Pyramid-
o The Descending Passage (described by
Greeks like Herodotus).
o The Ascending Passage (more hidden,
opened by the Arabs as recently as the 9th
century).
Stockholm International Peace
Research Institute (SIPRI)
January - June 2023
• India remained the world’s largest arms
importer for the five-year period between 2018-
22 even though its arms imports dropped by 11%
between 2013–17 and 2018–22, according to the
Swedish Think Tank Stockholm International
Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
• Russia was the largest supplier of arms to
India in both 2013–17 and 2018–22, but its share
of total Indian arms imports fell from 64% to 45%.
• France emerged as the second largest
supplier between 2018-22.
• Among the top 10 arms exporters for the period
2018-22, India was the biggest arms export
market to three countries — Russia, France
and Israel and the second largest export market
to South Korea.
• India was also the third largest market for
South Africa which was ranked 21 in the list of
arms exporters.
• For the same period, India remained the largest
arms importer followed by Saudi Arabia.
• Russia accounted for 45% is India’s imports
followed by France (29%) and the US (11%).
• The US was the world’s topmost military
exporter in the past five years, accounting for
40% of global exports, followed by Russia (16%),
France (11%), China (5.2%), and Germany
(4.2%).
• Overall, the U.S. share of global arms exports
increased from 33% to 40% while Russia’s fell
from 22% to 16%.
• About SIPRI
o Established in 1966.
o It is an independent international institute
dedicated to research into conflict,
armaments, arms control, and
disarmament.
Global Terrorism Index 2023
• Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2023 was
released.
• Afghanistan retains the top spot in the list of
country impacted by terrorism.
• India was listed among countries with a “high”
impact of terrorism and ranked 13th.
200
• India was among the 25 worst terror-hit
countries and among 56 of the 120 nations
surveyed with no respondents selecting war and
terror as the biggest threat to their daily safety.
• Pakistan saw the second-largest increase in
terror-related fatalities globally last year, with a
total of 643 dead. Military people made up at
least 55% of all casualties of terrorism.
• South Asia remains the region with the worst
average GTI score. Globally, deaths from
terrorism fell by 9% to 6,701 deaths, marking a
38% decrease from its peak in 2015.
• About the Report
o The GTI report is produced by the Institute for
Economics & Peace (IEP) annually using
data from TerrorismTracker and other sources.
o This is the tenth edition of the GTI.
o This report provides a comprehensive
summary of the key global trends and patterns
in terrorism over the last decade.
o The calculation of the GTI score considers not
only deaths but also incidents, hostages and
injuries from terrorism, weighted over a five-
year period.
o The report ranks 163 countries (99.7% of the
world's population) on the impact of terrorism.
Solomon Islands
• A state-backed Chinese company has won a
contract to develop a key port in the Solomon
Islands, a major victory in Beijing's quest to gain
a strategic toe-hold in the South Pacific.
• Solomon Islands is a sovereign country
consisting of six major islands and over 900
smaller islands in Oceania, to the east of Papua
New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu.
• Its capital, Honiara, is located on the largest
island, Guadalcanal.
• The country takes its name from the Solomon
Islands archipelago, which is a collection of
Melanesian islands that also includes the North
Solomon Islands (a part of Papua New Guinea).
• It excludes outlying islands, such as the Santa
Cruz Islands and Rennell and Bellona. More than
90% of the islanders are ethnic Melanesians.
• Once a British protectorate, the Solomon Islands
achieved independence as a republic in 1978.
• English is the official language, but Pijin is the
common language for the majority of people.
January - June 2023
World Food Programme
• According to a new World Food Programme
(WFP) report the reach of school meals in low-
income countries remains four percent below pre-
pandemic levels, despite a recovery overall.
About WFP
• Founded in 1961.
• It is the food-assistance branch of the United
Nations.
• It is the world's largest humanitarian organization
focused on hunger and food security, and the
largest provider of school meals.
• It is a member of the United Nations
Development Group and part of its Executive
Committee.
• It is headquartered in Rome and has offices in 80
countries.
• As of 2020, it served 115.5 million people in 80-
plus countries, the largest since 2012.
Goals
• Eradicate hunger and malnutrition, attain food
security and augment nutrition by 2030 (Zero
Hunger).
Functioning
• WFP’s operations are entirely funded through the
generous voluntary contributions of donor
governments, institutions, corporations and
individuals.
• It is governed by an Executive Board which
consists of representatives from member states
(36 Members).
• It works in close tandem with the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the
International Fund for Agricultural Development
(IFAD).
Key Reports
• Global Report on Food Crisis
Vaikom Satyagraha
• Kerala Chief Minister and Tamil Nadu Chief
Minister, will inaugurate the centenary
celebrations of the Vaikom Satyagraha, (April 1).
• On March 30, 1924, in the temple town of
Vaikom in the princely state of Travancore, a
non-violent agitation started, marking the
beginning of “temple entry movements” across
the country.
• Gandhiji, Chatampi Swamikal, Sree Narayana
Guru and E V Ramaswami Naicker (Periyar)
supported the movement.
• Leaders: K P Kesava Menon and T K
Madhavan.
201
Effects
• On 23rd November 1925, all the gates of the
temple were opened to Hindus except the
eastern gate.
• In 1928, backward castes got the right to walk
on public roads leading to all temples in
Travancore
Cope India
• The Indian Air Force is now all set to kick off an
exercise with the US Air Force (USAF) at the
Kalaikunda airbase in West Bengal this month.
• The `Cope India’ exercise from April 10 to 21
“further enhanced operational capability and
interoperability between the two air forces”.
• Japan, significantly, also took part as an
“observer” in the exercise.
o It witnessed “air combat and mobility
elements” operating from multiple air bases
like Kalaikunda, Panagarh, Agra and
Hindon.
• The exercise comes amid India’s continuing
three-year-long military confrontation with China
in eastern Ladakh as well as the ongoing
Russia-Ukraine war, which has seen Beijing and
Moscow get into a tighter strategic clinch..
Side Note : Cope India began in 2004 as a fighter
training exercise. The last edition of the exercise
was held in 2019.
Al Aqsa Mosque
• An Israeli police raid on Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa
mosque on Wednesday has triggered a furious
reaction from Palestinians across the occupied
West Bank and the wider Arab and Muslim world.
• The Al-Aqsa lies at the heart of Jerusalem’s Old
City on a hill known to Jews as Har ha-Bayit, or
Temple Mount, and to Muslims internationally as
al-Haram al-Sharif, or The Noble Sanctuary.
• Muslims regard the site as the third holiest in
Islam, after Mecca and Medina.
• Al-Aqsa is the name given to the whole
compound & is home to two Muslim holy places:
o The Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa
Mosque, also known as the Qibli Mosque,
which was built in the 8th century AD.
• The compound overlooks the Western Wall, a
sacred place of prayer for Jews, for whom the
Temple Mount is their most sacred site.
• Jews believe biblical King Solomon built the first
temple there 3,000 years ago. A second temple
was razed by the Romans in AD 70.
January - June 2023
• Israel captured the site in the 1967 Middle East
war and annexed it with the rest of East
Jerusalem and adjoining parts of the West Bank
in a move not recognized internationally.
• Jordan, whose ruling Hashemite family has
custodianship of the Muslim and Christian sites,
appoints members of the Waqf institution which
oversees the site.
• The UNESCO, has classified the Old City of
Jerusalem and its walls as a World Heritage Site.
W12+ Blueprint
• In the United Nations, the 2023 Water
Conference was held in New York on March 22-
24 in which participant members were informed
about W12+ Blueprint and its potential.
• Launched in partnership with UNESCO IHP, the
W12+ Blueprint is an online database and
knowledge-sharing platform.
• The living database hosts city profiles and case
studies of programs, technologies, policies, and
other work that addresses common water
security challenges, in addition to resources that
support work in this area. It will house
information on best practices, encourage further
knowledge exchange, and become a "virtual
Hub" for urban water security solutions globally.
• Cities listed under this blueprint from India are
Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Pune.
Inca Civilization
• Archaeologists in the Peruvian Andes have
discovered an Inca bath complex built half a
millennium ago. The Inca Civilization flourished
in ancient Peru between c. 1400 and 1533 CE.
• The Inca Empire eventually extended across
western South America from Quito in the north to
Santiago in the south.
• It was the largest empire ever seen in the
Americas and the largest in the world at that
time. Inca society was highly stratified.
• The emperor ruled with the aid of an aristocratic
bureaucracy, exercising authority with harsh and
often repressive controls.
• Inca technology and architecture were highly
developed, although not strikingly original.
• Their irrigation systems, palaces, temples, and
fortifications can still be seen throughout the
Andes. The economy was based on agriculture.
• The Inca religion combined features of animism,
fetishism, and the worship of nature gods.
• The Inca language Quechuais still spoken by
around eight million people in the world.
202
Hikikomori
• Hikikomori, a phenomenon of social withdrawal,
is spreading rapidly in Japan, according to a
government survey.
• The survey found that almost 1.5 million people
of working age are living as social recluses, with
around 20% of cases attributed to the pressures
of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Hikikomori is a phenomenon of social withdrawal
that has become increasingly prevalent in Japan.
• The term refers to individuals, usually young
adults, who withdraw from social interaction and
isolate themselves in their homes for prolonged
periods, sometimes for years.
• Hikikomori is associated with feelings of anxiety,
depression, and social phobia, and it is thought to
be a response to the pressures of modern
society, including high academic expectations,
intense competition, and social isolation.
UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF)
• Recently India said that it has no objections to the
UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF) giving grants to
NGOs funded by George Soros, while he is put
on the watchlist in India underlines a
contradiction.
• In 2005 It was set up as a United Nations
General Trust Fund to strengthen global
participation in democratization efforts.
• India and the US were prime movers behind the
UN Democracy Fund in 2005, when they were
negotiating the civilian nuclear co-operation deal.
• India is a founding partner of the UNDEF and has
contributed over US$ 32 million to the fund since
its inception. Presently, the United States (1st)
followed by Sweden (2nd) top the contributor
chart, respectively and India is in 3rd position.
• UNDEF supports projects that strengthen the
voice of civil society, promote human rights, and
encourage the participation of all groups in
democratic processes.
• The large majority of UNDEF funds go to local
civil society organizations.
• UNDEF works entirely on voluntary contributions
from governments around the world.
• UNDEF provides financial support for the projects
depending on the six thematic areas, including-
o Rule of law and human rights.
o Women’s empowerment.
o Youth engagement.
o Strengthening civil society interaction with
the government.
o Media and freedom of information, and
Electoral processes.
January - June 2023
Sudan
• A power struggle between Sudan's army and a
notorious paramilitary force has rocked the
country, with more than 50 civilians reported
dead.
• Sudan was the largest and one of the most
geographically diverse states in Africa, until its
split into two countries in 2011 after southern
Sudan voted for independence.
• This followed decades of struggle by the mainly
Christian and Animist south against rule by the
Arab Muslim north.
• Modern Sudan has long been beset by conflict
and instability since independence, with two
lengthy north-south civil wars and a protracted
war in the western region of Darfur.
• Key Facts
o Capital: Khartoum
o Area: 1,886,068 sq km
o Population: 47.9 million
o Languages: Arabic, English
• About Sudan:
o Sudan is bounded on the north by Egypt, on
the east by the Red Sea, Eritrea, and
Ethiopia, on the south by South Sudan, on
the west by the Central African Republic and
Chad, and on the northwest by Libya.
• Sudan is mainly composed of vast plains and
plateaus that are drained by the Nile River and its
tributaries.
Galapagos Islands
203
• A scientific expedition has discovered a
previously unknown coral reef with abundant
marine life off Ecuador's Galapagos Islands.
About Galapagos Islands
• The Archipelago is a group of 19 islands, 13
large and 6 small, and dozens of islets and
rocks that cover an area of over 17,000 square
miles.
• Its closest point to the mainland is off 600
miles from the West coast of Ecuador in
South America.
• The Galápagos Islands and their surrounding
waters form the Galápagos Province of
Ecuador, the Galápagos National Park, and
the Galápagos Marine Reserve.
• The principal language on the islands is
Spanish.
• The islands have a population of slightly over
25,000
• The Galapagos inspired Charles Darwin's
theory of evolution.
• It is also home to giant tortoises, albatrosses,
cormorants and other species, some of which
are endangered.
• It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage
site in 1978.
• Mount Azul at 5,541 feet is the highest point of
the Galapagos Islands.
Annual Status of Education Report
(ASER 2022)
• Recently in January 2023, Annual Status of
Education Report (ASER) 2022 was released.
• ASER is a nationwide household survey that
provides a snapshot of children’s schooling
and learning in rural India.
• It facilitated by Pratham Education Foundation.
• It uses Census 2011 as the sampling frame.
• It is an important national source of information
about children’s foundational skills across the
country.
• Since 2005, ASERs survey children in the age
group of 6 to 14 to record trends in school
enrollment, attendance, and reading and
arithmetic abilities.
• This year The survey covered 699,597 children in
the age group 3 to 16 from 19,060 villages across
616 districts.
January - June 2023
Operation Kaveri
• Recently, Ministry of External Affairs announced
that India had launched Operation Kaveri to
bring back around 3,000 Indians stranded in
Sudan.
• Sudan has been facing a conflict between the
country’s army and a paramilitary group for the
last 10 days.
• The rescue operation is currently underway and
around 500 Indians have reached Port Sudan
as of Monday.
• Two C-130s aircraft and the navy ship INS
Sumedha are on standby to evacuate Indians
from the violence-hit African nation.
• The name for rescue operations in Sudan has
been kept Operation Kaveri for the same purpose
that Prime Minister chose to name rescue ops in
Ukraine as Operation Ganga.
World Development Report
• The latest World Development Report by the
World Bank states that it is more viable for
Indians to move abroad.
• According to the report, Indian workers see a
120% rise in their incomes outside India, while
internal migration within India will only add about
40% to personal incomes.
• A low-skilled Indian worker is likely to see a
whopping 500 percent rise in income in the
United States.
• The United Arab Emirates is the next favourite
destination for low-skilled workers, who can earn
300 percent more than in India.
• The report discussed the migration trade-offs
using a “Match-Motive Framework”.
o Migration leads to large wage increases for
most people whose skills and attributes are a
strong match with the needs of the destination
society.
• India is the biggest beneficiary of remittances in
the world, having crossed the $100 billion-mark
in 2022.
204
About the Report :
• It is an annual report published since 1978 by the
International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development or World Bank.
o Each WDR provides in-depth analysis of a
specific aspect of economic development.
PRET Initiative
• Recently, the World Health Organization
(WHO) launched a new initiative to be better
prepared for future outbreaks of a similar scale
and devastation as the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Preparedness and Resilience for
Emerging Threats (PRET) Initiative is aimed at
providing “guidance on integrated planning for
responding to any respiratory pathogen such as
influenza or coronaviruses”.
• The initiative was announced at the Global
Meeting for Future Respiratory Pathogen
Pandemics held on 24-26 April 2023 in Geneva,
Switzerland. The current focus of PRET will be
on respiratory viruses.
• The PRET monitoring framework, which is
expected to be outlined soon, lists a host of
actions which countries will be expected to work
on with progress being achieved by December
2025.
Chief Economists Outlook: January
2023
• Recently, ‘Chief Economists Outlook: January
2023’ report launched at the ongoing five-day
World Economic Forum annual meeting.
• he leading economists identified several sectors
where they anticipate significant alterations in the
supply chain, which consist of semiconductors,
green energy, automobiles, drugs, food, energy
etc. It found that 45% of chief economists
consider a global recession likely in 2023,
while an equal percentage considers it unlikely.
• Around 80% of chief economists believe that
central banks are now in a position where
they have to balance controlling inflation and
preserving stability in the financial sector.
• Additionally, nearly the same percentage
anticipates that central banks will encounter
difficulties in meeting their inflation objective.
January - June 2023 205

Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023

Q1. Hydrogen for Development (H4D) Q3. Green Open Access Rules (GOAR) are related
Partnership launched at CoP27 is an initiative of to

A. Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change A. Tariff rationalisation in power sector

B. International Solar Alliance and World Bank B. Subsidised renewable energy availability for
farmers
C. World Bank
C. Regulating deforestation for big infra-projects
D. World Economic Forum
D. Financial instruments
Ans: C
Ans: A
Explanation:
Explanation:
• World Bank approves ₹12,600 crores for India’s
 The Power Ministry’s Green Open Access
clean energy transition for scaling up renewable
Rules (GOAR) introduced in June 2022, have
energy, producing green hydrogen, supporting created a buzz in the renewable energy sector.
carbon markets and stimulating climate financing.
 Commercial and industrial (C&I) consumers
• The World Bank pointed out that this operation is continue to face higher electricity tariffs, on
only one piece of its comprehensive support to average 25 per cent higher than in other
energy transition in India. It is aligned with the countries, due to inefficiencies and cross-
Government of India’s energy security strategy. subsidisation aimed at helping the poor and
The operation is also aligned with the agricultural consumers. The best solution is to
Bank’s Hydrogen for Development (H4D) rationalise or even eliminate cross-subsidy
Partnership launched at CoP27. surcharges. The GOAR provides a capping
and long-term visibility on these surcharges,
Q2. The phrase ‘dark patterns’ which usually while completely removing the additional
remains in the news these days is related to surcharge. The capping of cross-subsidy
surcharge doesn’t address the root cause for
A. Paid news
prevalent higher cross-subsidy surcharges.
B. Misleading advertisements
C. Spurious drugs manufacturing
Q4. India’s largest hydropower project is proposed
D. GST fake invoicing to be constructed in which of the following states?
Ans: B A. Uttarakhand

Explanation: B. Gujarat

• Concerned over the increasing ‘dark patterns’ of C. Arunachal Pradesh

misleading advertisements, creating false D. Himachal Pradesh
urgency, confirm-shaming, forced action,
subscription traps & nagging on online platforms, Ans: C
the Union Consumer Affairs Ministry has decided Explanation:
to issue specific guidelines to control it.
 India has installed a hydropower capacity of 52
• The provisions of the Consumer Protection Act gigawatts (GW) and another 18GW is in the
are enough to curb it, but said the Centre will implementation stage or has been bid out. Out
bring specific guidelines as the menace has of the ambitious target of 500GW installed
increased along with the expansion of the renewable energy capacity, hydropower is
Internet in the country. expected to make up 78GW.
January - June 2023 206

Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023

 Several hydropower projects are under
construction or in the conceptual stage
in the border state of Arunachal
Pradesh.
 Late last year, state-run NHPC Ltd
submitted a pre-feasibility report to the
Central Electricity Authority for the
11GW Upper Siang Multipurpose
Storage project at a capital expenditure
of ₹1.13 trillion to build the largest
hydropower project in the country.
Q5. Consider the following statements.
1. India, Thailand and Myanmar are
working on about 1,400-km-long
highway that would link the country with
Southeast Asia by land and sea.
2. The highway will connect Imphal in
Manipur, India with Mae Sot in Thailand
via Myanmar.
Which of the above statements is/are
correct?
Q6. Which of the following organisations has been
conferred on the Gandhi Peace Prize 2021?
A. Kudumbashree
B. Gita Press
C. Kalakshetra
D. Bharat Scouts and Guides
Ans: B
Explanation:
 The Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021 will be
conferred on Gita Press, Gorakhpur, one of the
largest publishers of religious texts such as the
Bhagavad Gita, the Ramayana and the
Upanishads.
 Seth Jaya Dayal Goyanka, Shri Hanuman
Prasad Poddar and Shri Ghanshyam Das
Jalan, Gita preachers set up the Gita Press on
29 April 1923, as a unit of GobindBhawan
Karyalaya registered under the Societies
Registration Act, 1860
Q7. Which of the following countries is working

A. 1 only towards imposing a carbon tax on imports from

European Union taking into account historic carbon
B. 2 only
emissions by them?
C. Both
A. Brazil
D. Neither
B. Australia
Ans: D C. India
Explanation: D. New Zealand
 Around 70% construction work on the Ans: C
ambitious India-Myanmar-Thailand Explanation:
Trilateral Highway has been completed.
India is preparing the groundwork for its own carbon
 India, Thailand and Myanmar are
border tax to strike back against a similar move by
working on about 1,400-km-long
highway that would link the country with the European Union (EU), two people aware of the
Southeast Asia by land and give a boost discussions in the government said. New Delhi is
to trade, business, health, education and
tourism ties among the three countries. peeved by the EU’s move to link the environment
with trade, though there were no such
 The highway will connect Moreh in
Manipur, India with Mae Sot in Thailand considerations while the 27-member bloc
via Myanmar. industrialized.
January - June 2023
Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023
Q8. The term Extended Detection and Response
(XDR) remains in the news. It is used in the context
of
A. Cybersecurity
B. Narcotics Smuggling
C. Pandemic
D. Natural Disaster
Ans: A
Explanation:
• XDR: An acronym for Extended Detection and
Response (XDR), this is a consolidation of tools
and services offered by cyber security firms. XDR
services typically include the full gamut of cyber
security services, which include analysis of
threats, detection of endpoints that can be
exploited by cyber attackers to compromise
companies, and surveillance of all security flaws
that a company may face. XDR services typically
advertise faster detection of security threats, and
quicker response times in order to recover from
potential cyber attacks and vulnerabilities.
Q9. To which of the following countries India has
gifted the indigenously-built in-service missile
corvette INS Kirpan?
A. The Philippines
B. Vietnam
C. Sri Lanka
D. Maldives
Ans: B
Explanation:
 India gifted the indigenously-built in-service
missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam to
enhance that country’s naval capabilities. INS
Kirpan is a Khukri class missile corvette
displacing 1,350 tonnes & was commissioned
into the Navy on January 12, 1991.
 India and Vietnam have shared a
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since
2016 and defence cooperation is a key pillar of
this partnership. Vietnam is an important
partner in India’s ‘Act East’ policy and the Indo-
Pacific vision.
207
Q10. The Ease of Doing Business Rankings were
discontinued by the World Bank in 2021. In May
2023 the World Bank has revived the ranking
system by the new name of
A. B-Ready
B. Ease of Trading
C. e-Business
D. Trans-Business
Ans: A
Explanation:-
• The EoDB rankings were eventually disowned by
the World Bank. After whistleblower complaints, a
2021 investigation by the multilateral lender
showed that they had been manipulated.
• The World Bank now claims it has learnt its
lessons from that scandal. It has revived the
doing-business project and is repackaging the
rankings under a new brand name: B-Ready (for
Business-Ready). The B-Ready manual and
methodology handbook published by the World
Bank in May indicates some design tweaks in the
indices. But several critical concerns remain
unaddressed.
Q11. As per a Report by World Meteorological
Organization and the European Union’s Copernicus
Climate Change Service, which continent is the
world’s fastest-warming continent?
A. Africa
B. Asia
C. North America
D. Europe
Ans: D
Explanation:
 Europe should brace for more deadly
heatwaves driven by climate change, said a
sweeping report published recently, noting the
world’s fastest-warming continent was some
2.3 degrees Celsius hotter last year than in
pre-industrial times.
January - June 2023 208

Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023

 Crop-withering drought, record sea-surface
temperatures and unprecedented glacier melt
are among the consequences laid out in a
report by the World Meteorological
Organization and the European Union’s
Copernicus Climate Change Service.
Q12. The construction of the “World’s largest
Ramayan temple” has begun at …………..
A. Janakpur,Nepal
B. East Champaran,Bihar
C. Ayodhya,UP
D. Abu Dhabi, UAE
Ans: B
Explanation:
• Construction work began on June 20 for the
“world’s largest Ramayan temple” in Bihar’s East
Champaran district.
• The construction of the three-storeyed Viraat
Ramayan temple will be completed by the end of
2025 at an estimated cost of ₹500 crore. The
temple will be taller than the 12th-century Angkor
Wat temple complex at Cambodia.
• The architecture of the world’s largest temple is
inspired by the Angkor Wat complex in
Cambodia, and in south India, the
Ramanathaswami temple in Rameshwaram and
the Meenakshi Sundareshwarar temple in
Madurai.
Q13. Which of the following statements best
describes the Blue Ocean Event?
Explanation:
• There has been considerable effort invested in
determining when the Arctic Ocean might first
become ice-free in summer, sometimes called a
“blue ocean event” and defined as when the sea
ice area drops below 1 million sq. km. This
threshold is used mainly because older, thicker
ice along parts of Canada and northern
Greenland is expected to remain long after the
rest of the Arctic Ocean is ice-free. We can’t put
an exact date on the last blue ocean event, but
one in the near future would likely mean open
water at the North Pole for the first time
in thousands of years.
Q14. The Bridgetown Initiative is related to
A. Climate Funding
B. Cheaper loans to Start-ups launched in
smaller towns
C. Solar power generation
D. Refugee migration
Ans: A
Explanation:
• The Bridgetown Initiative is an effort at
addressing such inequities through a loss and
damage fund, the inclusion of a ‘natural disaster
clause’ to loans that temporarily suspend interest
payments on debt of climate-related disaster-
affected countries and financial support that is
structured as grants and not as loans, available
automatically when the estimated loss from an
event exceeds 5 per cent of GDP.

A. Reduction in the sea ice area below the Q15. A new Scheme PM PRANAM is being
threshold of 1 million sq. km. launched by Central Government to

B. More than six Marine heatwaves events To lessen the use of chemical fertilisers by
in a year farmers as well as the subsidy burden on the
government.
C. Drastic reduction of sea surface nutrition
To promote Yoga education in schools
D. None of the above
To promote the manufacturing of solar cells in
Ans: A India at an affordable cost
To promote the usage e-national agriculture
market among farmers
Ans: A
January - June 2023
Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023
Explanation:
 Union Cabinet is likely to approve PM
PRANAM (Programme for Restoration,
Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of
Mother Earth) in its meeting recently. The
scheme seeks to lessen the use of chemical
fertilisers by farmers as well as the subsidy
burden on the government. The scheme was
announced by Finance Minister on February
01 as part of the Budget for FY24.
 The scheme will be launched to incentivize
States and Union Territories to promote the
use of alternative fertilizers and balanced use
of chemical fertilizers, said the Finance
Minister during her Budget speech.
 The scheme will be implemented for three
years. It is expected to decrease the use of
fertilizers by 45.78 LMT. In monetary terms, it
will save around ₹20,000 crore.
Q16. Ambubachi Festival is celebrated in which of
the following states?
A. West Bengal
B. Tripura
C. Assam
D. Manipur
Ans: C
Explanation:
• The Ambubachi Festival is celebrated during
the monsoon, believing that Goddess
Kamakhya is experiencing her annual
menstrual cycle during this period. Temples are
closed for three consecutive days from the 7th
day in the “Ashadh” month of the Hindu
calendar to the tenth day of the month as an
act of seclusion in traditional menstrual cycles.
It is being held from 22nd JUNE to 26th JUNE
2023.
Q17. Consider the following statements about India
in reference to Gender Gap Report, 2023.
1. India has been ranked at 127 out of 146
countries in terms of gender parity according
to the annual Gender Gap Report, 2023 of
the World Economic Forum (WEF).
209
2. The improvement is attributed largely to an
appreciable increase in parity in economic
participation and opportunity for women.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
1 only
2 only
Both
Neither
Ans: A
Explanation:
India was ranked at 127 out of 146 countries in
terms of gender parity — an improvement of eight
places from last year, according to the annual
Gender Gap Report, 2023 of the World Economic
Forum (WEF).India was ranked 135 in the report’s
2022 edition.
Q18. During the ongoing state visit to the USA, the
Indian PM has presented the US First Lady with a
GREEN DIAMOND placed in a box made using Kar-
i-kalamdani.
Which of the following states/UTs is famous for the
craft kar-i-kalamdani?
A. Telangana
B. Andhra Pradesh
C. Jammu and Kashmir
D. Uttar Pradesh
Ans: C
Explanation:
 Prime Minister has gifted a ‘Made in India’
diamond to US first lady.According to the Prime
Minister’s office, the gift is a ‘Lab Grown 7.5
carat Green Diamond’.
 ‘Papier mâché’ is the box in which the Green
Diamond is placed. Known as kar-e-
kalamdani, Kashmir’s exquisite Papier mâché
involves sakthsazi or meticulous preparation of
paper pulp and naqqashi, where skilled
artisans paint elaborate designs.
January - June 2023 210

Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023

Q19. Matsya 6000, a submersible vehicle being • Co-organized by Innovations for Defence
manufactured for a deep ocean mission to be Excellence (iDEX) under the Ministry of Defence
undertaken by India around late 2024, will be used and the US Department of Defence (DoD), the
for two-day INDUS X event brought together
government representatives, defence industry
A. Deep ocean tourism
leaders, think tanks, investors, and start-ups from
B. Deep ocean water circulation studies both countries.

C. Deep ocean mineral exploration Q21. Consider the following statements about
power sector.
D. Nuclear submarine
1. India has become a net exporter of power.
Ans: C
2. The installed capacity is almost double the
Explanation: peak power demand.
• National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), 3. India has connected the whole country into
Chennai is in the process of designing the one grid running on one frequency with the
submersible, Matsya-6000, which will take three capability of transferring power from one
Indians to a depth of about 6,000 metres into the corner of the country to another.
Indian Ocean, at a point about 1,500 km away
from Kanyakumari. Select the correct code

• Manned Submersible facilitates the direct A. 1 only

observation by the human in deep ocean in
B. 1 and 2 only
exploring mineral resources rich in Nickel, Cobalt,
Rare Earths, Manganese etc. and collection of C. 2 and 3 only
samples. Samudrayaan mission is aimed at
D. 1,2 and 3
sending three personnel to 6000-metre depth in a
vehicle called ‘MATSYA 6000’ for the exploration Ans: D
of deep-sea resources like minerals.
Explanation:
Q20. The Initiative INDUS-X is related to joint
cooperation between India and the US on  India has become a net exporter of power with
the world’s third-largest energy guzzler
A. Studying frequent Cyclones in the Arabian exporting 2,410 million units (MU)
Sea to Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan in FY23.
B. High-tech cooperation in the defence  The installed capacity is almost double the
sector peak power demand of 223 GW.
C. Space exploration under Artemis Accords  All these efforts have been successful as the
Ministry has worked extensively in
D. Design of semi-conductors
strengthening the grid. India has added 1.97
Ans: B lakh circuit km of transmission lines connecting
the whole country into one grid running on one
Explanation:
frequency with the capability of transferring
• INDUS-X will focus on advancing high-tech 1.12 lakh MW from one corner of the country
cooperation and fostering joint research, to another.
development, and production opportunities in the
defence sector.
January - June 2023 211

Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023

Q22. Consider the following statements about Nano Q24. As per the official statements which of the
Urea. following statements are correct about the joint
efforts of India and the US in the space
1. A 500 ml bottle of IFFCO nano urea will
programmes?
replace at least one bag of conventional
urea. 1. India will send an astronaut to International
Space Station
2. It has been developed by National
Fertilizers Ltd. 2. India is joining Artemis Accords
3. Its export is being started next month with 3. The US will train two Indian astronauts for
USA being the first country. Gaganyaan Mission
Select the correct code Select the correct code:
A. 1 only A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1,2 and 3 D. 1,2 and 3
Ans: A Ans: B
Explanation: Explanation:
• More than 5 lakh bottles of IFFCO nano urea • While the PM and U.S. President signed an
is being exported to more than 25 countries agreement on June 22 to conceive a joint
including Brazil, South Africa and Sri Lanka mission sending an Indian astronaut to the
among others. A 500 ml bottle of IFFCO nano International Space Station (ISS) by 2024, it is
urea will replace at least one bag of unclear if this will involve astronauts currently
conventional urea. being trained for the indigenous Gaganyaan
mission.
• Nano urea was developed by IFFCO scientists
and engineers through a proprietary • Along with the ISS agreement, India also signed
technology developed at Nano Biotechnology the Artemis Accords, a compact of 27 countries,
Research Centre. IFFCO has also introduced promoted by the United States that envisages a
nano DAP liquid and it is available to farmers manned mission to the moon by 2025 along with
worldwide. Nano DAP is an effective solution several other space-exploration initiatives
for increasing plant productivity. It is cheaper
than the conventional DAP. • The Gaganyaan mission, led by the Indian Space
Research Organisation (ISRO), proposes to
Q23. As per reports which of the marine mammals launch a crew of three into an orbit of 400 km for
are being trained by Russia for sea surveillance in a three-day mission and bring them back safely
its war against Ukraine? to earth.India is currently collaborating with
Russia in training the future Gaganyaan
A. Dolphins
astronauts.
B. Sea Lions
C. Beluga Whales
D. Crocodiles
Ans: A
January - June 2023
Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023
Q25. Consider the following physical conditions for
semi-conductors manufacturing.
1. Availability of abundance of pure water.
2. Availability of dust-free manufacturing space.
3. Availability of fluctuation-free power supply.
Which of the above is/are essential conditions for
semiconductor manufacturing?
A. 1 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1,2 and 3
D. None of the above
Ans: C
Explanation:
• A single chip requires hundreds of litres of pure
water, which may be difficult to come by in
sufficient amounts in our topography. Ultrapure
water is required in these stages as it is used for
surface cleaning, solvent processing, and
chemical mechanical planarization. Large
amounts of UPW are consumed in all fabs.
• Apart from the constant water supply constraints,
one of the most important components of
semiconductor manufacturing is a consistent and
stable electrical supply. Because the process is
so delicate, even a brief outage or power spike
might cause it to come to a standstill, which can
take hours or days to recover from.
Q26. Which of the following names will be used for
the lander in the Chandrayaan-3 Mission?
A. Vikram
B. Kalam
C. Chandra
D. None of the above
Ans: A
Explanation:
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
plans to retain the names of the Chandrayaan-2
lander and rover for their Chandrayaan-3
equivalents. This means, the Chandrayaan-3
lander will bear the name ‘Vikram’ (after Vikram
Sarabhai, the father of the Indian space
programme) and the rover, ‘Pragyan’
212
Q27. Consider the following statements about
coking coal.
1. India, the world’s second-largest crude steel
producer, imports close to 90 per cent of its
coking coal requirements.
2. Australia is the leading supplier of coking coal to
India supplying more than 80% of the
requirements.
Select the correct code
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. Neither
Ans: A
Explanation:
• Coking coal imports from Australia, the country’s
biggest supplier of the key raw material for steel-
making, have traditionally constituted 75-80 per
cent of annual shipments. But government data
show that Australia’s share dropped 54 per cent
due to higher imports from the United States and
Russia.
• India, the world’s second-largest crude steel
producer, imports close to 90 per cent of its
coking coal requirements. In FY23, coking coal
imports were to the tune of 54 mt.
Q28. Consider the following statements.
1. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been
conferred with the ‘Order of the Nile’, the highest
civilian award of Egypt.
2. He is the second Indian PM to receive this
award after JL Nehru who received it in 1961.
Which of the above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. Neither
Ans: A
Explanation:
• In a special ceremony at the Presidency in Cairo
on 25 June 2023, President of the Arab Republic
of Egypt, H.E. Mr Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, conferred
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi with the
‘Order of the Nile’, the highest civilian award of
Egypt.
• Prime Minister is the first Indian to receive the
award.
January - June 2023
Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023
Q29. The portal NANDI launched by Union
Government deals with
A. Livestock industry
B. Common portal of milk cooperatives
operating in different states in India.
C. Transhipment port being developed in
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
D. Religious Tourist places related to
Jyotirlingas
Ans: A
Explanation:
• NANDI (NOC Approval for New Drug and
Inoculation System) Portal.
• Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &
Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala launched
Nandi - NOC Approval for New Drug and
Inoculation System portal today at Krishi Bhawan,
New Delhi. With this portal, DAHD will facilitate
the regulatory approval process with
transparency to assess and examine veterinary
product proposals will be more streamlined
through seamless integration with the SUGAM
portal of Central Drugs Standard Control
Organization.
Q30. Consider the following statements in the
context of the National Cheetah Action Plan.
1. The National Cheetah Action Plan, which lays
out guidelines on cheetah management,
accounts for the possibility of nearly half the
translocated animals dying within a year.
2. As part of the plan, more animals are expected
to be translocated from Africa until a sustainable
population comes into being.
Select the correct code
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. Neither
Ans: C
Explanation:
• India’s cheetah re-introduction plan is premised
on having the animals establish a sustainable
population under wild conditions.
• The National Cheetah Action Plan, which lays
out guidelines on cheetah management,
accounts for the possibility of nearly half the
translocated animals dying within a year.
213
• As part of the plan, more animals are expected
to be translocated from Africa until a sustainable
population comes into being.
Q31.Which of the following countries is the leading
lithium producer in the world?
A. Australia
B. China
C. Argentina
D. Bolivia
Ans: A
Explanation:
• first ever report on identification of critical
minerals for India recently released. Around 30
minerals have been identified. It includes
titanium, tungsten, vanadium, zircon, niobium,
germanium, nickel, graphite, silicon, antimony,
beryllium, bismuth, among others.
• The identification of these minerals takes India in
the league of large economies and developed
nations like the USA, Japan, China, among
others, which have also released a similar list of
critical minerals.
• Australia is the top lithium producer globally.
Apart from the Lithium Triangle nations, key
producers include the USA and China.
• Note: Huge Lithium Reserves recently found in
Reasi district of J & K
Q32. Project Umid is related to
A. DNA profiling of unidentified dead bodies
B. Rehabilitation of victims of child trafficking
C. Drug abuse among youth
D. Rehabilitation of victims of Cyclone Biparjoy
Ans: A
Explanation:
• Experts from the Department of Forensic
Medicine and Toxicology of the AIIMS, Delhi, are
also involved in the identification process. With
‘challenge’ samples it is not possible to extract
and profile DNA every time. In a separate project
run by the AIIMS, Delhi, and the CFSL, called
Project Umid, since 2019, physical features of up
to 670 unidentified bodies that were received
from Delhi were recorded
• Each year, Project Umid receives 150 to 200
unidentified bodies for DNA profiling
January - June 2023
Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023
Q33 Consider the following statements about
National Hydrogen Mission:
1. MNRE launched the National Green Hydrogen
Mission, for implementing the Strategic
Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition
(SIGHT) programme that aims to establish
electrolyser manufacturing base and green
hydrogen-producing facilities.
2. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency
Limited (IREDA) is the Implementing Agency.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. Neither
Ans: A
Explanation:
• Earlier this year, MNRE launched the National
Green Hydrogen Mission, for implementing the
Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen
Transition (SIGHT) programme that aims to
establish electrolyser manufacturing base and
green hydrogen-producing facilities.
• Under Component 1 of SIGHT, the MNRE has
allocated ₹4,440 crores for manufacturing
electrolysers for the period FY26 to FY30, while
Component 2 deals with an allocation of ₹13,050
crore for producing green hydrogen from FY26 to
FY30.
• Overall, under SIGHT, the total financial incentive
is ₹17,490 crore and the two components have
been launched with the aim of enabling rapid
scale-up, technology development and cost
reduction.
• State-run Solar Energy Corporation of India
(SECI) is the implementing agency.
Q34 Consider the following statements about BIMA
VAHAK Scheme.
1. Bima Vahak will be the core component of the
Government’s ‘Insurance for all by 2047’ goal.
2. The Scheme will be implemented through
Departments of Posts, GoI.
Select the correct code
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. Neither
214
Ans: A
Explanation:
• IRDAI’s plan to improve insurance awareness
and penetration in the hinterland is all set to gain
momentum with the insurance regulator issuing
draft guidelines for Bima Vahak, a dedicated
distribution channel to reach out to every Gram
Panchayat.
• A core component of its ‘Insurance for all by
2047’ goal, Bima Vahak will be the crucial last-
mile connect for insurers in the form of a field
force comprising corporate as well individual
Bima Vahaks, primarily comprising women.
Q35 Consider the following statements in the
context of the Manipur Crisis.
1. The Manipur government, the MoHome Affairs
and 24 Kuki insurgent groups formalised a
Suspension of Operations (SoO) Pact in 2008.
2. The SoO was signed by two Kuki umbrella
organisations - the United Peoples’ Front (UPF)
and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) -
which together represented 24 insurgent groups.
3. All the signatories then agreed that the SoO
agreements as signed in 2008 would remain in
force till Feb 2024.
How many of the statement/s given above is/are
correct?
A. Only One.
B. Only Two.
C. All Three.
D. None.
Ans B
Explanation:
• Statements 1 and 2 are correct but 3 is incorrect
• The Manipur government, the MHA and 24 Kuki
insurgent groups formalised an SoO pact in 2008.
The groups have since held several rounds of
negotiation with the Centre and had almost
settled for “local self-governance” of Kuki tribal
areas in Manipur before the current bout of
violence erupted on May 3.
• The main conditions of the pact were that the
groups would surrender their weapons, join
peace talks and stay in designated camps. The
SoO was signed by two Kuki umbrella
organisations — the United Peoples’ Front (UPF)
and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) —
which together represented 24 insurgent groups.
January - June 2023
Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023
• The SoO agreements with the UPF and the KNO,
which are reviewed every year, were last
extended by the MHA for a one-year period from
March 1, 2023 to February 29, 2024.
Q36. Consider the following statements about
Central Bank Digital Currency or the e-rupee.
1. In India, the Central Bank Digital Currency or the
e-rupee can be used only for wholesale (inter-
bank and large transactions).
2. The money transferred to the e-rupee wallet
does not earn interest.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. Neither
Ans: B
Explanation:
• The flurry of excitement witnessed towards the
end of last year, when the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) began testing the pilot of India’s Central
Bank Digital Currency or the e-rupee for
wholesale (inter-bank and large transactions) and
retail segments, is missing now. The central
bank’s annual report shows that ₹10.69 crore of
wholesale e-rupee and ₹5.70 crore of retail e-
rupee have been issued until March 2023. This
amounts to a tiny fraction of the total currency in
circulation of ₹33.48-lakh crore. It is however just
as well that the central bank is proceeding slowly,
as the jury is still out on the need for a sovereign
digital currency, especially for retail users.
• Customers appear reluctant to use e-rupee since
the money transferred to the wallet does not earn
interest whereas their funds can continue to earn
interest from bank accounts, while linked to UPI.
They also seem concerned about the absence of
complete anonymity, akin to cash, with the
transactions leaving a digital trail. Limited use-
cases, worries over data privacy and security are
other deterrents.
Q37. Which of the following countries has become
one of the new entrants in the field of Oil discovery
and its production on a large scale in the last five
years?
215
A. Bangladesh
B. Myanmar
C. Guyana
D. Fiji
Ans: C
Explanation:
• Guyana with its 800,000, population and spread
over an area of 215,000 sq.km, is among the
least densely populated countries. A 2017
economic survey categorised over 40 per cent of
its population to be living below the poverty line.
Cut to 2022, it is ranked as the fastest growing
economies in the world.
• This dramatic transformation was made possible,
by the flow of First Oil from an offshore oil well, in
December 2019, into the Floating Production
Storage and Offload vessel (FPSO), aptly named
as Liza “Destiny “. It is on course to become one
of the largest per capita oil producers in the world
by 2030.
• A former British colony, Guyana’s dominant
economic activity was plantation which required
labour from India during the colonial period.
Today people of Indian origin are the single
largest ethnic group forming 40 per cent of its
population.
• In just five years, Guyana will join the coveted
club of 20 countries that produce more than one
million barrels of crude oil per day and will
emerge as a major exporter of oil.
Q38. In which of the following regions/countries,
“Land Bridge” construction has been proposed for
better connectivity with India?
A. Middle East
B. South-East Asia
C. Sri Lanka
D. Maldives
Ans: A
Explanation:
• The national security advisers of the US, Saudi
Arabia, the UAE and India discussed a joint
project to link the Gulf countries with a railway
network which will be well connected through
sea-lanes with India. The proposed ‘Land-Bridge’
is envisaged for improving connectivity of the
region with India and Europe.
January - June 2023
Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023
• If implemented successfully, it will provide an
alternate route for Indian exporters to the Gulf,
Arab, European and even African markets. The
scope of project, at the initial phase, is to connect
UAE and Saudi Arabia with India, but it finally aims
to extend the railway project up to a port of Haifa,
in Israel.
• The proposed ‘Land-Bridge’ project is envisaged
under the US initiative of ‘Build Back Better’ World
(B3W).
Q39. Which of the following materials is called White
Gold?
A. Aviation Turbine Fuel
B. Silver
C. Lithium
D. Cotton
Ans: C
Explanation:
• This grey, shiny, non-ferrous metal is the lightest
and the least dense of all metals. Being the third
element in the periodic table after gases hydrogen
and helium, the alkali metal lithium is highly
reactive. Multiple countries have ramped up efforts
to find reserves of lithium, sometimes dubbed
‘white gold’, in what has been called the “new era
gold rush”.
Q40 Artemis Accords deal with
A. Mining on the Moon in support of scientific
missions.
B. Joint Moon mission of NASA and ISRO
C. NASA’s Mars mission
D. Addressing the issue of space debris
Ans: A
Explanation:
• Artemis Accord, is a set of agreements that lay out
a framework for responsible exploration of the
Moon.
• Named after the twin sister of Apollo, the Artemis
plan aims at establishing a permanent human
presence on the Moon and a lunar orbiting station
called the Gateway.
Q41. Consider the following statements about
Cyclones in India.
1. Historically, most cyclones around India tend to
originate in the Bay of Bengal as compared to the
Arabian Sea.
216
2. Nearly 48% of cyclones in the Arabian Sea
never reached land, as opposed to only
13% in the Bay of Bengal.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 Only
B. 2 Only
C. Both
D. Neither
Ans: C
Explanation:
• Historically, most cyclones around India tend
to originate in the Bay of Bengal but global
warming, as scientists have been pointing out
for a while now, is causing the Arabian Sea to
be heating up more than average and
whetting greater - and increasingly stronger –
• Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal, being far more
frequent, were better understood. The Arabian
Sea cyclones, historically have been fewer
because of relatively colder sea surface
temperatures. Nearly 48% of cyclones here
never reached land, as opposed to only 13%
in the Bay of Bengal.
Q42. The Scheme PM KUSUM deals with
1. Setting up of decentralized ground-mounted
grid-connected solar power plants on
farmlands.
2. Installation of standalone solar-powered
agriculture pumps
3. Solarisation of 1.5 mn existing grid-
connected agriculture pumps.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All the three
D. None
Ans: C
Explanation: The ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja
Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan’ (PM
KUSUM) scheme launched in 2019 to double
farmers’ income has three components. Under
component-A, the government plans to set up
10,000 MW of decentralized ground mounted
grid connected solar power plants on farm lands.
The other two components are installation of 2
mn standalone solar powered agriculture pumps
and solarisation of 1.5 mn existing grid-
connected agriculture pumps.
January - June 2023
Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023
Q43. 8th June is celebrated as World Ocean Day. In
this context consider the following statements about
Ocean heating.
1. More than 90% of the excess heat accumulated in
the earth’s climate is deposited in the oceans.
2. Water has a higher heat capacity than air.
3. Water heats up faster than air.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All the three
D. None
Ans: B
Explanation:
• More than 90% of the excess heat accumulated in
the earth’s climate is deposited in the oceans. A
study conducted by researchers from 16 institutes
worldwide and published in the Journal of
Atmospheric Sciences analyses factors that drive
heating trends in the world’s oceans. The study
uses in situ data obtained from the World Ocean
Database.
• When sunlight reaches the earth, oceans absorb
this energy and store it as heat. While the heat is
first absorbed at the surface of the water body,
some of it is eventually disbursed throughout.
Water also has a higher heat capacity than air,
which means that it can store much larger amounts
of heat. This also means that water heats up
slower than air.
Q44. Project 75I deals with
A. Procurement of nuclear submarines from Japan
and Germany.
B. Indigenous construction of only nuclear
submarines.
C. Construction of six conventional submarines with
better sensors and weapons and the Air
Independent Propulsion System only.
D. Construction of both 18 conventional submarines
and six nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs)
Ans: D
Explanation:
The P75I project is part of a 30-year submarine-
building plan that ends in 2030. As per the plan, India
was to build 24 submarines — 18 conventional
submarines and six nuclear-powered submarines
(SSNs).
217
Q45. Consider the following statements about
the onset of monsoon in Kerala this year.
1. The development of cyclone Biparjoy is likely
to delay its arrival but will result in heavy
monsoons this year.
2. The inadequate heating of the land during
the month of May is one of the reasons for
the monsoon winds to remain weak.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. Neither
Ans: B
Explanation:
• The development of the cyclone Biparjoy is
likely to have a negative effect on the
monsoon progress, as per the weather office.
• The inadequate heating of land during the
summer may also be among the possible
reasons for the monsoon winds to remain
weak. “There were fewer heatwaves last
month as there were several rainfall spells
influenced by the western disturbances.
Q46. India’s Samudrayaan project which is near
completion is related to
A. India’s joint venture with Germany for
producing Nuclear submarine
B. Construction of ocean-based aerodrome
near Andaman and Nicobar Islands
C. India’s deep ocean mining mission
D. None of the above
Ans: C
Explanation:
India’s mission to send a manned submersible
vehicle to a depth of 6,000 metres to explore the
sea, as part of the Samudrayaan project, is
progressing as scheduled and the vehicle will be
ready soon. The indigenous mission, which the
National Institute of Ocean Technology is
working on, will involve three people going to a
depth of 6,000 metres under the sea in the
submersible vehicle called ‘Matsya 6000’.
January - June 2023
Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023
Q47. Which of the following rivers has become the
second successful breeding site for Gharials after
Chambal Sanctuary area?
A. Ganga
B. Betwa
C. Narmada
D. Gandak
Ans: D
Explanation:
• Buoyed by Gharial recovery efforts in West
Champaran district’s Gandak river, the Bihar
government, Los Angeles Zoo and the Wildlife
Trust of India (WTI) have agreed to strengthen
conservation efforts of the reptiles and release
hatchlings back to the river safely.
• The Gharial Conservation Project to revive the
breeding of the reptiles in Gandak river, launched
by the Bihar government in association with WTI in
2014, has yielded positive results as 217 fish-
eating long-snouted crocodiles have been sighted
in the 284 k.m. stretch of the water body,
compared to just 30 in 2014.
• The Gandak river has become the second
successful breeding site for Gharials in India after
the Chambal Sanctuary area. A total of 37 adult
Gharials (including five males), 50 sub-adults, 49
juveniles and 81 yearlings were observed during a
recent survey. A Gharial population monitoring
survey was conducted along a 284 k.m. stretch of
the river between Gandak Barrage and Rewa Ghat
from February 21 to 28 this year.”
• Gharials are critically endangered in the
International Union for Conservation of Nature Red
List of Species.
Q48. Consider the following statements about the
capacity of Renewable energy in India.
1. As of May 2023, Tamil Nadu has become the
No.1 State in installed wind power capacity,
leaving behind Gujarat.
2. Rajasthan is the leader in the overall renewable
sector, with a total capacity of 22,518 MW.
Select the correct code
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. Neither
Ans: B
218
Explanation:
• Gujarat has become the No.1 State in
installed wind power capacity, pushing the
long-time leader Tamil Nadu to the second
spot.
• As of May 31, 2023, Gujarat’s total installed
capacity of wind power stood at 10,416 MW,
while Tamil Nadu’s wind power capacity was
at 10,125 MW.
• Rajasthan is the leader in the overall
renewable sector, with a total capacity of
22,518 MW.
Q49. Which of the countries has decided to
rejoin UNESCO?
A. Russia
B. Australia
C. Afghanistan
D. None of the above
Ans: D
Explanation:
• The U.N. cultural and scientific agency
UNESCO announced recently that the United
States plans to rejoin — and pay more than
$600 million in back dues — after a decade-
long dispute sparked by the organization’s
move to include Palestine as a member.
• The decision is a big financial boost to the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization, known for its World
Heritage program as well as projects to fight
climate change and teach girls to read.
• The U.S. and Israel stopped funding
UNESCO after it voted to include Palestine as
a member state in 2011, and both countries
lost their voting rights in 2013. The Trump
administration decided in 2017 to withdraw
from the agency altogether the following year,
citing anti-Israel bias and management
problems.
Q50. Which of the following ministries was the
nodal ministry for running the Faster Adoption
and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India
Phase II (FAME 2) scheme?
A. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change
B. Ministry of Commerce
C. Ministry of MSME
D. Ministry of Heavy Industries
January - June 2023
Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023
Ans: D
Explanation:
The Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles
(SMEV) recently petitioned the National Green
Tribunal (NGT) expressing concerns that the Ministry
of Heavy Industries (MHI’s) latest decision to cut
down FAME-II subsidies is likely to disrupt India’s
growth in the EV sector and consequently have a
detrimental impact on the environmental and health
indices of the country.
Q51. A new Scheme PM PRANAM is being launched
by Central Government to
A. To lessen the use of chemical fertilisers by
farmers as well as the subsidy burden on the
government.
B. To promote Yoga education in schools
C. To promote the manufacturing of solar cells in
India at an affordable cost
D. To promote the usage e-national agriculture
market among farmers
Ans: A
Explanation:
• Union Cabinet is likely to approve PM PRANAM
(Programme for Restoration, Awareness,
Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth) in
its meeting recently. The scheme seeks to lessen
the use of chemical fertilisers by farmers as well as
the subsidy burden on the government. The
scheme was announced by Finance Minister on
February 01 as part of the Budget for FY24.
• The scheme will be launched to incentivize States
and Union Territories to promote the use of
alternative fertilizers and balanced use of chemical
fertilizers, said the Finance Minister during her
Budget speech.
• The scheme will be implemented for three years. It
is expected to decrease the use of fertilizers by
45.78 LMT. In monetary terms, it will save around
₹20,000 crore.
Q.52 Cyber Surakshit Bharat is the initiative of which
institution/Union Ministry?
A. NITI Aayog
B. NASSCOM
C. Ministry of Electronics and IT
D. Ministry of Science and Technology
Ans:- C
219
Explanation: Cyber Surakshit Bharat is the
initiative of Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology (MeitY). It was
conceptualised with the mission to spread
awareness about cyber-crime & build capacities
of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs).
Q.53 Dawki landport, which was recently
inaugurated, is located between India and which
country?
A. Myanmar
B. Bhutan
C. Bangladesh
D. Sri Lanka
Ans:- C.
Explanation: Recently, the tenth land-port
between India and Bangladesh was inaugurated
at Meghalaya’s Dawki. It is expected to boost
trade & ease travel between the two
neighbouring countries.
Q.54 Which Indian Naval Ship has been
decommissioned after 36 years of service?
A. INS Magar
B. INS Mahaan
C. INS Kiltan
D. INS Bhim
Ans: A.
Explanation: INS Magar has been recently
decommissioned after 36 years of service. It was
built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and
Engineers, Kolkata.
Q.55 Meiteis are the largest ethnic group of
which state/UT?
A. Assam
B. Manipur
C. Chhattisgarh
D. Madhya Pradesh
Ans:- B.
Explanation: The Meities are the largest ethnic
group of Manipur. The recent clash at various
regions in Manipur is attributed to the long-
standing tensions between Meitei community
and the state’s hill tribes. The unrest in Manipur
state erupted recently after a protest march
organised by the Kuki tribal group sparked
clashes with the Meitei non-tribal group.
January - June 2023 220

Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023

Q.56 After nine-year ban, Coal mining has resumed Ans:- C.
legally in which state/UT? Explanation:
A. Assam Washington Declaration is a bilateral agreement
B. Meghalaya that was recently signed between the US and
C. Rajasthan South Korea.
D. Odisha According to this agreement, while South Korea
Ans:- B. will not develop its own nuclear weapons, the US
Explanation: will aid in the use of the nuclear weapons in case
After nine-year ban, coal mining in Meghalaya is set of potential conflict with North Korea.
to resume legally by July this year. It was banned
since 2014. Q.60 Which city is the host of the ‘QUAD Summit
2023’?
Q.57 What is India’s rank in the ‘World Press A. New Delhi
Freedom Index 2023’? B. Sydney
A. 141 C. Tokyo
B. 151 D. New York
C. 161 Ans:- B.
D. 171 Explanation:
Ans:- C. The QUAD Summit 2023 will be organized in
Explanation: Sydney on May 24 this year. This summit will be
The ranking of India in the 2023 World Press the third in-person meeting between the leaders
Freedom Index has slipped 11 places to 161. The of QUAD countries.
report was released recently by the global media QUAD group includes the US, Australia, India
watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF). and Japan. The first two Quad meetings were
In 2022, the country was ranked at 150 out of 180 held in the US and Japan and this is the first time
countries. Norway is ranked first for the seventh year Australia will be hosting the meeting.
running.
Q.61 Nagorno-Karabakh is a region which is
Q.58 What is the name of Indian Navy’s 3rd disputed between which 2 countries?
indigenous stealth destroyer of the Project 15B class? A. Armenia and Azerbaijan
A. INS Kolkata B. Russia and Ukraine
B. INS Imphal C. USA and Mexico
C. INS Kattabomman D. Nepal and China
D. INS Vikram Ans:- A.
Ans:- B. Explanation:
Explanation: Nagorno-Karabakh is a landlocked mountainous
INS Imphal is the Indian Navy’s 3rd indigenous region in the South Caucasus that is disputed
stealth destroyer of the Project 15B class. The vessel between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The two
recently took the maiden sea sortie. countries, both formerly part of the Soviet Union
INS Imphal is the third ship of the Visakhapatnam- – have fought repeatedly over the last 35 years
class stealth guided missile destroyer of the Indian for control of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Navy. It is being constructed at Mazagon Dock
Limited (MDL).
Q.62 Which space agency is associated with the
Q.59 ‘Washington Declaration’ is a bilateral ‘Future Circular Collider project’?
agreement that was signed between the US and A. ISRO
which country? B. NASA
A. Canada C. CERN
B. UK D. JAXA
C. South Korea Ans:- C.
D. Australia
January - June 2023 221

Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023

Ans:- C. Q.66 ‘Mission Youth’, which received the PM
Explanation: Award for Excellence under Innovation Category,
The European Organization for Nuclear Research is from which state/UT?
(CERN) is currently working on the first phase of its A. Karnataka
Future Circular Collider (FCC) project. B. Jammu and Kashmir
The Future Circular Collider is expected to be a C. Chhattisgarh
potential successor of the Large Hadron Collider – the D. Jharkhand
world’s largest and most powerful accelerator that Ans: B.
was started in 2008. Explanation:
The Jammu and Kashmir administration’s
Q.63 What is the name of the mission launched by flagship initiative, ‘Mission Youth’ recently
Indian government to evacuate its citizens from received the Prime Minister’s Award for
Sudan? Excellence under the Innovation (state) category.
A. Operation Gandhi It is a unique programme aimed at empowering
B. Operation Kaveri youth in the union territory. The mission will
C. Operation Vande Bharat focus on all individuals between the age of 15 to
D. Operation Rescue 35 years.
Ans: B.
Explanation: Q.67 What is the theme of ‘World Earth Day
Operation Kaveri was launched by the Indian 2023’?
government to evacuate its citizens from Sudan. A. Our Planet; Our Pride
B. Invest in Our planet
Q.64 When is the ‘World Malaria Day’ celebrated? C. Earnest Earth
A. April 21 D. Earth and Environment
B. April 23 Ans:- B.
C. April 25 Explanation:
D. April 27 World Earth Day is observed every year on 22
Ans:- C. April to mark the anniversary of the birth of the
Explanation: modern environmental movement in 1970.
World Malaria Day is observed on April 25. The The theme for this year is the continuation of the
theme for this year is ‘Time to deliver zero malaria: 2022 theme “Invest in Our Planet”. The day aims
invest, innovate, implement’. to raise awareness about environmental issues
According to the latest WHO World Malaria Report, and promote conservation efforts to protect our
published in December, there were an estimated 247 planet.
million new cases of malaria in 2021.
Q.68 The ‘Vote from Home’ Initiative has been
Q.65 India’s first water metro was recently introduced for the first time in the Assembly
inaugurated in which state/UT? Elections of which state?
A. Maharashtra A. Kerala
B. West Bengal B. Karnataka
C. Kerala C. Andhra Pradesh
D. Goa D. Odisha
Ans:C. Ans: B.
Explanation: Explanation:
The country’s first water-based metro service started ‘Vote from Home’ Initiative was introduced for the
commercial operations in Kochi, Kerala. Water Metro first time in the Karnataka Assembly Elections by
ferries began their commercial operation on the the Election Commission of India.
Vyttila-Kakkanad route. This procedure was chosen by around 8,900
Manufactured by Cochin Shipyard Limited, the metro persons who are above 80 years old or people
project will run eight electric hybrid boats on two with disabilities in Bengaluru.
routes.
January - June 2023 222

Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023

Q.69 Which institution launched the ‘State of World Q.72 Which state in India has become the first to
Population’ Report? adopt Water Budget?
A. UNICEF A. Maharashtra
B. UNFPA B. Uttar Pradesh
C. WEF C. Madhya Pradesh
D. IMF D. Kerala
Ans:- (D)
Ans:- B. Explanation: The state Government of Kerala
Explanation: has introduced the first of its kind Water Budget
The State of World Population report titled ‘8 Billion which aims to address water scarcity in the state
Lives, Infinite Possibilities’ was released recently by through proper utilization of the resources and
the United Nations Population Fund. prevention of wastages.
According to this report released by UNFPA, India is
now the most populous country in the world, as it has Q.73 Buzi Bridge, which was inaugurated
surpassed China’s population numbers. recently, was built by India in which country?
A. Sri Lanka
Q.70 Miguel Diaz-Canel, who was seen in the news, B. Maldives
is the President of which country? C. Mozambique
A. Italy D. Bangladesh
B. Cuba
C. Israel Ans:- C.
D. South Africa Explanation: The Buzi Bridge was inaugurated
by Union External Affairs Minister Dr S
Ans: B. Jaishankar. It was built as part of 132 km Tica-
Explanation: Miguel Diaz-Canel recently became the Buzi-Nova-Sofala Road project by India in
first non-Castro leader in Cuba to be re-elected as Mozambique.
president. He won a second five-year term in a
parliamentary vote that had him as the sole Q.74 Kyriakos Mitsotaki has been elected as the
candidate. The 62-year-old leader took over the reins Prime Minister of which country?
in 2018 as Cuba’s first civilian leader after around 60 A. France
years of hegemony by the Castro brothers. B. Greece
C. South Korea
Q.71 Which Union Ministry has developed the D. Japan
‘National Climate Vulnerability Index’?
A. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Ans:- B.
B. Ministry of Science and Technology
C. Ministry of Power Q.75 Nadi, which was seen in the news, is a city
D. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate in which country?
Change A. New Zealand
B. Fiji
Ans: B. C. Ukraine
Explanation: D. Sri Lanka
• National Climate Vulnerability Index, developed by
the Department of Science and Technology, is Ans: B.
used by the Indian government to estimate the Explanation: The 12th World Hindi Conference
impact of heatwaves. is being organized in Nadi, a city in the Pacific
• A new study has revealed that more than 90 Island nation of Fiji. The theme for this
percent of the population is at risk of heatwaves international conference is ‘Hindi – Traditional
and India has been underestimating the impact of Knowledge to Artificial Intelligence’.
heatwaves on its development.
January - June 2023 223

Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023

Q.76 What is the rank of India in ‘WCC’s Global Q.79 What is the rank of India in the International
Competitiveness Index’? Intellectual Property Index 2023?
A. 12 A. 26
B. 25 B. 32
C. 40 C. 42
D. 56 D. 55

Ans:C. Ans: C.
Explanation: Explanation:
Denmark, Ireland and Switzerland have been named India ranks 42nd among 55 leading global
the top three among 64 economies in the 2023 Global economies in the International Intellectual
Competitiveness Index. Property Index report released by the U.S.
India has been placed at the 40th position in the Chambers of Commerce.
same index. The 2023 IMD World Competitiveness India was at the 40th rank in the year 2021. The
Ranking was published by the World Competitiveness report covers patent and copyright laws, ability to
Center for the 35th consecutive year. monetise IP assets and the ratification of
international agreements.
Q.77 Which country is the host of the SAFF
Championship in 2023? Q.80 Which footballer won the ‘Best FIFA men’s
A. Nepal player’ award in 2023?
B. India A. Lionel Messi
C. Sri Lanka B. Kylian Mbappe
D. Bangladesh C. Cristiano Ronaldo
D. Robert Lewandowski
Ans: B.
Explanation: Ans: A.
In the SAFF championship India is set to face Explanation:
Lebanon in the semi-final at Sree Kanteerava Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been named
Stadium in Bengaluru. the best player in men’s football by FIFA, at The
India earlier recorded a 2-0 win over Nepal in the Best FIFA Football Awards in Paris.
SAFF Championship. In 2022, India retained the Messi won this award for his outstanding
SAFF U20 title by beating Bangladesh 5-2 in the final. performances in men’s football from August 2021
to December 2022.
Q.78 Elephant Conservation Network (ECN) has
been recently formed in which state/UT? Q.81 Which country claimed the inaugural U-19
A. Assam women’s World Cup title?
B. Madhya Pradesh A. England
C. Kerala B. South Africa
D. Karnataka C. India
Ans: A. D. Australia

Explanation: Ans: C.
Assam-based non-profit organization Aaranyak has Explanation:
formed a network of local communities called the India claimed its maiden ICC title in women’s
Elephant Conservation Network (ECN). cricket as it lifted the inaugural U-19 women’s’
The network has been formed to tackle the issue of World Cup.India registered a seven-wicket
human-elephant conflict (HEC) in Assam. victory over its England counterpart.
January - June 2023 224

Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023

Ans: B. Q.85 Which African country recently announced
Explanation: demonetization to address corruption and bring
The NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) down inflation?
is an Earth-observation satellite jointly developed by A. Egypt
NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation B. Nigeria
(ISRO). C. South Africa
The SUV-size satellite will be shipped to India in a D. Tanzania
special cargo container flight later this month. It is
expected to be launched into outer space in 2024 Ans: B.
from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. NISAR will Explanation:
provide critical information on Earth’s crust, ice Nigeria has recently announced demonetization
sheets, and ecosystems. to address corruption and bring down inflation.
Its purpose is to bring back most of the money
Q.83 Which international association launched ‘Cyber that is in circulation outside the banking system
Challenge’ to enhance the cyber security within their and to minimize money laundering.
individual territories? Nigerians are required to turn in their old 1,000,
A. ASEAN 500 and 200 naira banknotes as part of this
B. G-20 initiative in return for new naira notes. With the
C. QUAD African country being largely dependent on cash,
D. G-7 the shortage of new naira notes is causing chaos
Ans: C. in Nigeria.
Explanation:
The Quad Cyber Challenge was launched by the Q.86 ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ is a national tribal festival
QUAD member states (Australia, India, Japan, and organized by which organisation?
the United States) to enhance the cyber security A. TRIFED
within their individual territories. B. FCI
This campaigns calls on Internet users across the C. DRDO
Indo-Pacific region and other places to join the pledge D. ICCR
to practice safe and responsible cyber habits.
Ans: A.
Q.84 Which city is the host of the third edition of Explanation:
Khelo India Winter Games? The ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ is a national tribal festival
A. Guwahati organized by the Tribal Cooperative Marketing
B. Shimla Development Federation (TRIFED).
C. Gulmarg This nationwide festival celebrates the Indian
D. Leh tribal community’s traditional art, culture, crafts
and trade. Special emphasis will be placed on
Ans: C. exhibiting millets grown by tribal people.
Explanation:
The third edition of Khelo India Winter Games Q.87 Which company is acquiring Ford India’s
recently kicked off at Gulmarg, in the UT of Jammu manufacturing plant?
and Kashmir. A. Eicher Motors
Over 1500 sportspersons from across the country will B. Tata Motors
participate in nine different winter sports disciplines. C. Mahindra and Mahindra Motors
Jammu and Kashmir holds the distinction to have D. Hyundai Motors
topped in both the previous editions of the Khelo India
Winter Games held so far. Ans: B.
January - June 2023 225

Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023

Explanation: Q.90 Wagner group, which was designated as
Tata Motors said the acquisition of Ford India’s transnational criminal organisation by the US, is
manufacturing plant at Sanand through its subsidiary from which country?
will be completed by January 2023. A. Russia
Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Limited (TPEML) B. Iran
announced that would acquire Ford India’s Sanand C. Israel
plant in Gujarat for around ₹725 crore. The D. Afghanistan
acquisition included the entire land and buildings,
vehicle manufacturing plant along with machinery and Ans: A.
equipment and transfer of all eligible employees of Explanation:
FIPL’s vehicle manufacturing operations at Sanand. The US Treasury Department designated the
Russian mercenary organization Wagner Group
Q.88 ISRO has partnered with which company to as a ‘transnational criminal organization’.
promote space-tech startups in India? It will impose additional sanctions next week
A. Tesla against the group and its support network across
B. Microsoft the world. The US has released newly
C. Google declassified photos of Russian railcars traveling
D. Apple from Russia to North Korea.

Ans: B. Q.91 What is the name of the fifth stealth

Explanation: Scorpene class Submarine, which was recently
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and commissioned into the Indian Navy?
Microsoft signed a Memorandum of Understanding A. INS Vagir
(MoU) to promote the growth of space-tech startups in B. INS Virat
India. C. INS Vaaman
The MoU seeks to empower space tech startups D. INS Vajra
across the country with technology tools and
platforms, market support and mentorship. The Ans: A.
space-tech startups identified by ISRO will be Explanation:
onboarded onto the Microsoft for Startups Founders Indian Navy’s fifth stealth Scorpene class
Hub platform. Submarine INS Vagir was commissioned into the
Indian Navy at the Naval Dockyard Mumbai.
Q.89 Which country has the world’s most powerful Six Scorpene Class submarines are being built
passport, as per the Henley Passport Index 2023? in India by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders
A. UK Limited (MDL) Mumbai, under collaboration with
B. Japan M/s Naval Group, France under Project 75 (P75).
C. India Vagir has the distinction of having the lowest
D. USA build time among all indigenously manufactured
submarines.
Ans: B.
Explanation: Q.92 In the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023,
Japan continues to top the list of the world’s most which country defeated India in the crossover
powerful passport for the year 2023, according to the match?
Henley Passport Index report 2023. A. England
Japanese citizens can travel to as many as 193 B. New Zealand
countries visa-free or visa-on-arrival access C. Morocco
destinations around the world. The second spot is D. South Africa
shared by Singapore and South Korea. Indian
passport ranks 85th in the world’s most powerful Ans: B.
passport index 2023 and gives visa-free entry to 59
destinations.
January - June 2023 226

Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023

Notes: The LRAD missile, part of the Barak MX defense
India lost 4-5 to New Zealand in the penalty shoot-out system, is developed by the Israeli Aerospace
of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup crossover match Industries and the Defense Ministry’s research
at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. and development division. It is similar to India’s
Spain defeated Malaysia 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out in Barak 8.
the same venue. It will lock horns with Australia in
quarters. Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Q.96 Which institution released the ‘International
England have already entered the quarterfinals. Debt Report 2022’?
A. World Bank
Q.93 Which state is known for celebrating the annual B. World Economic Forum
Orange festival? C. ADB
A. Maharashtra D. AIIB
B. Assam
C. Nagaland Ans: A.
D. West Bengal Explanation:
According to the International Debt Report 2022
Ans: C. by the World Bank, debt of low and middle-
Explanation: income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
In Nagaland, the third edition of the annual Orange rose to a record high of 789 billion USD in 2021.
festival 2023 is being celebrated at Rusoma village, in This is the region’s highest debt burden since
Kohima district. 2010 and the region’s current debt burden is
The Orange festival is conceptualised to recognise beyond its repayment capacity.
and celebrate the hard work of the orange growers
while facilitating them the market linkages. Q.97 ‘Swadesh Darshan Scheme’ is
implemented by which Union Ministry?
Q.94 Which institution released the ‘Global Wage A. Ministry of Tourism
Report 2022-2023’? B. Ministry of External Affairs
A. UNICEF C. Ministry of Culture
B. ILO D. Ministry of Railways
C. NITI Aayog Ans: A.
D. World Bank Explanation: ‘Swadesh Darshan Scheme’ is a
flagship initiative of Ministry of Tourism, which
Ans: B. aims to promote and develop tourism in India.
Explanation: Eco-tourism has been recently identified as one
According to a new International Labour Organization of the 15 thematic circuits under Swadesh
(ILO) report titled ‘the Global Wage Report 2022- Darshan Scheme to promote Eco Tourism in the
2023’, the severe inflationary crisis combined with a country.
global slowdown in economic growth are causing a
striking fall in real monthly wages in many countries. Q.98 India successfully carried out trials of which
nuclear-capable ballistic missile?
Q.95 ‘Barak MX’ Air Defence System is associated A. Agni V
with which country? B. Rudra V
A. USA C. Dhruv V
B. Russia D. Akash
C. Israel
D. Ukraine Ans: A.
Explanation: India has successfully carried out
Ans: C. night trials of the Agni V nuclear-capable ballistic
Explanation: The Israeli Navy conducted a successful missile, amidst tensions with China over clashes
test of a long-range interceptor missile against an along the border in Arunachal Pradesh.
advanced cruise missile.
January - June 2023 227

Latest Current Affairs Questions 2023

Q.99 Which country is the FIFA World Cup champion
in the year 2022?
A. France
B. Argentina
C. England
D. Morocco
Ans: B.
Explanation:
Argentina became FIFA World Cup champion by
beating the defending Champion France 4-2 in
penalties.

Q.100 Which Indian song has won the 2023 Oscar

Awards in the ‘Best Original Song’ category?
A. Srivalli
B. Naatu Naatu
C. Pasoori
D. Kesariya

Ans: B.
Explanation:
‘Naatu Naatu’ song (composed by M. M. Keeravani,
with lyrics by Chandrabose) from the blockbuster
Telugu film ‘RRR’ has won the 2023 Oscar Awards in
the ‘Best Original Song’ category.

::END::